Forgive my ignorance, but is Dominaria a one set block? There seems to be a ton of stuff to get into, and one set would seem too little.
I wasn't feeling the Tiana/Hanna connection until someone pointed out the similarity of their abilities. Interesting.
Of note, 'In Bolas' Clutches' doesn't necessitate his presence. A magical trap could spring and now you're his, regardless of whether he's around.
I withdraw my earlier criticism that the seed for the ship grew too quickly. After reading posts here, I had assumed Jhoira was 'sailing' around in a mini-flying ship, for whatever reason. Actual sailing takes a long time. But that passage of time wasn't really pushed through in the writing, I guess.
As a history buff, the struggle over which history is the correct history is fascinating, and the destruction of history is terrifying. If this demon guy is trying to rewrite history, then it would make sense to have representations of history to beat people around the head with.
I'm assuming we know nothing about this demon apart from the three stories so far? No idea where he came from, what he was doing on Dominaria for centuries before taking over the Cabal?
This may be an unpopular opinion but I'll say it anyway. I'm not a big fan of the weatherlight cast being assembled to reference the original crew as much as possible. Yes, I get the nostalgia factor, but this is a tad much for me. It feels extremely forced, and not only in the in-story way but also in the meta narrative. When Arvad appeared in the story I literally groaned. Granted, I do like Arvad much more after seeing him and reading about his backstory. (probably my favourite weatherlight crewmember now, which used to be Tiana, who has now dropped to the end, go figure)
Having all that said, I'm enjoying these stories immensely. I find breezing through it much more easy than some of the stories we got in the past.
Wish we finally get to Slimefoot. I need my thallid fix. (Too bad we won't get a homarid crewmember *pouts*)
Who gets Tahngarth's place? I almost think that Squee takes Tahngarth's place, as weird as it sounds, because then Slimefoot can take Squee's place.
OTOH, I guess it's possible that Slimefoot takes Starke's place. Then there's Barrin's daughter... I always forget her name...
Hannah.
Ah, right. Duh. Not her, then... who's the female that Volrath was impersonating that shows up on Mercadian Masques cards? That was the person I meant to reference...
Who gets Tahngarth's place? I almost think that Squee takes Tahngarth's place, as weird as it sounds, because then Slimefoot can take Squee's place.
OTOH, I guess it's possible that Slimefoot takes Starke's place. Then there's Barrin's daughter... I always forget her name...
Hannah.
Ah, right. Duh. Not her, then... who's the female that Volrath was impersonating that shows up on Mercadian Masques cards? That was the person I meant to reference...
The story was rushed, and I feel that if WotC intended to hire a professional writer like Martha Wells they should just publish a Dominaria book (or a few) under her skill. Wells is doing a far better job than many of the previous writers, but the pace required is still doing her injustice.
I'm not too kin on how new crew members are take up the position/race of the previous crew. Succession is an important them of this set, but mimic the past shows more nostalgia than practicality. The addition of Gatewatch an various PWs would only crowded the ship even further while diluting the importance of each member; the old Weatherlight crew has enough backstory for each member to avoid that issue, this new hastily put up new crew will suffer more.
So I've been thinking. The shape of Otaria looks a bit like a (very minor) retcon. Probably deserved, because the official one we had before looked kinda silly.
But then it hit me. What if this wasn't Otaria's natural shape, but the result of Aboshan's flooding? Sure, that doesn't explain Tamingazin, but whatever. :^)
I'm not too kin on how new crew members are take up the position/race of the previous crew. Succession is an important them of this set, but mimic the past shows more nostalgia than practicality. The addition of Gatewatch an various PWs would only crowded the ship even further while diluting the importance of each member; the old Weatherlight crew has enough backstory for each member to avoid that issue, this new hastily put up new crew will suffer more.
I disagree. put the nostalgia and comparisons to the original crews aside, and look at these characters on their own merits. I posted this a bunch of posts ago;
"Having an angel on the team that is familiar with the ship is useful, so is having a person on the team that is naturally resistant to magic. You wanted a veteran fighter on the team, but instead you get a rookie mage with a demonstrated knack for illusions. that could come in handy at some point in time. and you just happened to luck into a Vampire knight that wants to be part of the team. Vampires are immortal, super strong and are willing to cross lines that normal people wouldn't to get the job done: very useful traits."
Without any of the nostalgia baggage, you still have the makings of a formidable team, and that's not counting One of the premier artificers of the plane being your captain, or the addition of any planeswalkers. Ajani is joining now, and by the end of the story they'll also have at least Jaya and Gideon.
The story was rushed, and I feel that if WotC intended to hire a professional writer like Martha Wells they should just publish a Dominaria book (or a few) under her skill. Wells is doing a far better job than many of the previous writers, but the pace required is still doing her injustice.
I'm not too kin on how new crew members are take up the position/race of the previous crew. Succession is an important them of this set, but mimic the past shows more nostalgia than practicality. The addition of Gatewatch an various PWs would only crowded the ship even further while diluting the importance of each member; the old Weatherlight crew has enough backstory for each member to avoid that issue, this new hastily put up new crew will suffer more.
I think, really, that the fact that the positions are being filled, and there are descendants, but they don't match exactly, fits fairly well. Raff Capashen is probably the best example here. He's the Capashen in the crew, but I can imagine few people less like Gerrard on the Weatherlight than him.
Actually now that I think about it my analysis of Jhoira crew selection was worse then I thought. She built this party with no plans to bring a mage at all since she lucked into Raff. Its like she wants to play on hard mode.
Actually now that I think about it my analysis of Jhoira crew selection was worse then I thought. She built this party with no plans to bring a mage at all since she lucked into Raff. Its like she wants to play on hard mode.
Given that Jhoira was waiting for Ajani, could she have counted on him to bring in the Gatewatch?
Actually now that I think about it my analysis of Jhoira crew selection was worse then I thought. She built this party with no plans to bring a mage at all since she lucked into Raff. Its like she wants to play on hard mode.
Given that Jhoira was waiting for Ajani, could she have counted on him to bring in the Gatewatch?
That is a fair point, I suppose Jhoira rounds up some local legendary names for moral and to be the face of the operation while Ajani rounds up some real firepower. Problem is its hard to tell since Jhoira didn't exactly give the most convincing recruitment pitches. She kinda assumed a Sisay and Capashen would be eager to sign up and we the reader never got the mission and plan explained to us.
Without any of the nostalgia baggage, you still have the makings of a formidable team, and that's not counting One of the premier artificers of the plane being your captain, or the addition of any planeswalkers.
Whenever a reason was given in the story though, it was super vague and heavy on nostalgia ("it just seemed right to have a Capashen"). I'll have to agree with Flisch here, in addition to the team building being rushed, it did feel very artificial - gotta get those old Weatherlight crew relatives/stand-ins because people are expecting them, even if it's bit forced...
I do think it seems forced for Capashen maybe Danitha has a special ability. But Raff doesn't seem more special then the average mage and wasn't even a first choice. I mean Shanna seems to have a similar ability to Gideon with her magic immunity, I don't know if she has the same physical immunity. But magic immunity is a useful ability. Tiana seems to have a special connection to the Weatherlight so that seems fine logically but she is not a legacy. Arvad, not a legacy (direct here obviously a reference to Crovax) but he should make himself useful as a Vampire Paladin.
But the main problem with the Legacy push is Jhoira is one degree of separation from the iconic Weatherlight Crew via Karn. It make more sense if Karn was putting this team together if you ask me.
Screencaps from the Access the Magic video with Mark Winters and Ethan Fleischer:
- Radha (far more bulky than we remember her)
- Benalish angel (or angel-blessed soldier)
- some verdigris covered construct
- some knight trading with thallids or thrulls
- landscapes, incl. a big stylized statue of Urza (look at the staff)
ATTACHMENTS
urza
Radha
const
benangel
thalls
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
100% Vorthos Spike and Storyline Expert
Former Fact Prospector of the Greek Alliance.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
So there are 4 or 5 Tolarian Academies cause they mentioned 4 names in Urza, Mishra, Barrin and Rayne. I kinda wonder what colors they focus on at those Academies. I mean Mishra is obviously Grixis and the rest all should have Blue in their colors and if they are three colors that gives you Bant, Esper, Temur, Sultai and Jeskai. I say Barrin and Urza should definitely have some Red.
- some knight trading with thallids or thrulls
- landscapes, incl. a big stylized statue of Urza (look at the staff)
The buildings in front of the Urza statue looks like the Academy at Tolaria West to me. By now I'm happy for every little tidbit of visual TS reference, as you said it seems like they're retconning the apocalyptic events of that block pretty hard.
I like the Sarpadia scene. Are the Thrulls and the Thallids actually sentient? Or are they more at goblin level intelligence-wise?
So there are 4 or 5 Tolarian Academies cause they mentioned 4 names in Urza, Mishra, Barrin and Rayne. I kinda wonder what colors they focus on at those Academies. I mean Mishra is obviously Grixis and the rest all should have Blue in their colors and if they are three colors that gives you Bant, Esper, Temur, Sultai and Jeskai. I say Barrin and Urza should definitely have some Red.
5
According the the Wizard's Lightning/Retort article:
There are five particularly well-known campuses (though they are not necessarily the only ones). There are academies at Tolaria West (in the Spice Isles), at Lat-Nam (on an island west of Tersiare), at Orvada (on the island of Walassa near the Burning Isles), underwater at the ruins where Tolaria originally stood, and a Shadow Academy that doesn't have a particular location. Hence the name.
[quote from="AUTUMNTWILIGHT »" url="/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/789397-dominaria-general-discussion?comment=613"]So there are 4 or 5 Tolarian Academies cause they mentioned 4 names in Urza, Mishra, Barrin and Rayne. I kinda wonder what colors they focus on at those Academies. I mean Mishra is obviously Grixis and the rest all should have Blue in their colors and if they are three colors that gives you Bant, Esper, Temur, Sultai and Jeskai. I say Barrin and Urza should definitely have some Red.
5
According the the Wizard's Lightning/Retort article:
There are five particularly well-known campuses (though they are not necessarily the only ones). There are academies at Tolaria West (in the Spice Isles), at Lat-Nam (on an island west of Tersiare), at Orvada (on the island of Walassa near the Burning Isles), underwater at the ruins where Tolaria originally stood, and a Shadow Academy that doesn't have a particular location. Hence the name.
- I felt indeed that that last story was rushed in a way... it could've expounded a couple of things imo.
Nevertheless, I am plesantly bewildered with the reveal of Tiana's art, it was not something I expected. But in the end of day, I've always yearned of deviations from the usual Magic Angel make-up (e.g. warriors) so she's good in my book. I just am partly hoping that there would be art done (even in concept) of her in Serran Church attire.
- Arvad I am quite surprised... I was envisioning they'd go with a usual vampire template and an emo attack... but making him look like that? AUUUGH... I just wish his fate doesn't parallel his OG Weatherlight reference.
- Is it me, or Dominaria's Magic Stories alternating? Like, I feel there would be a 50/50 split for the Liliana's Quest For Belzenlok and Neo Weatherlight in terms of story numbers.
4) Tiana = Kaylee. (Just the general vibe I get from her.) Also, I'm pretty sure she's at least part human. We know that Serra angels had relations with humans in Serra's Realm, and it's implied that they were also born just like humans, so I'm kinda feeling like she's maybe actually only half-Angel? (Hence her unsuredness in her angelic ability.)
That parentage thing or she might've failed before on being a "Guardian Angel" before?...
I'm not too kin on how new crew members are take up the position/race of the previous crew. Succession is an important them of this set, but mimic the past shows more nostalgia than practicality. The addition of Gatewatch an various PWs would only crowded the ship even further while diluting the importance of each member; the old Weatherlight crew has enough backstory for each member to avoid that issue, this new hastily put up new crew will suffer more.
I disagree. put the nostalgia and comparisons to the original crews aside, and look at these characters on their own merits. I posted this a bunch of posts ago;
"Having an angel on the team that is familiar with the ship is useful, so is having a person on the team that is naturally resistant to magic. You wanted a veteran fighter on the team, but instead you get a rookie mage with a demonstrated knack for illusions. that could come in handy at some point in time. and you just happened to luck into a Vampire knight that wants to be part of the team. Vampires are immortal, super strong and are willing to cross lines that normal people wouldn't to get the job done: very useful traits."
Funny thing is, for me, Tiana fits much better in the Weatherlight than Selenia was in the OG.
rookie mage with a demonstrated knack for illusions
Can I air a minor gripe about this? Can we have a Blue Mage that isn't illusion focused?
The story was rushed, and I feel that if WotC intended to hire a professional writer like Martha Wells they should just publish a Dominaria book (or a few) under her skill. Wells is doing a far better job than many of the previous writers, but the pace required is still doing her injustice.
I been saying this since they announced getting a "real" writer for Dominaria. The Storyline of Magic has been a shadow of what it once was for quite a few reasons, the quality of the actual writing staff was acceptable, not great not bad. However the source of the problems has come from the format in which the stories come out, the timing of the stories, and the choice of overall plot lines.
I wasn't feeling the Tiana/Hanna connection until someone pointed out the similarity of their abilities. Interesting.
Of note, 'In Bolas' Clutches' doesn't necessitate his presence. A magical trap could spring and now you're his, regardless of whether he's around.
I withdraw my earlier criticism that the seed for the ship grew too quickly. After reading posts here, I had assumed Jhoira was 'sailing' around in a mini-flying ship, for whatever reason. Actual sailing takes a long time. But that passage of time wasn't really pushed through in the writing, I guess.
As a history buff, the struggle over which history is the correct history is fascinating, and the destruction of history is terrifying. If this demon guy is trying to rewrite history, then it would make sense to have representations of history to beat people around the head with.
I'm assuming we know nothing about this demon apart from the three stories so far? No idea where he came from, what he was doing on Dominaria for centuries before taking over the Cabal?
Having all that said, I'm enjoying these stories immensely. I find breezing through it much more easy than some of the stories we got in the past.
Wish we finally get to Slimefoot. I need my thallid fix. (Too bad we won't get a homarid crewmember *pouts*)
Ah, right. Duh. Not her, then... who's the female that Volrath was impersonating that shows up on Mercadian Masques cards? That was the person I meant to reference...
Ah, Takara! Starke's daughter.
I'm not too kin on how new crew members are take up the position/race of the previous crew. Succession is an important them of this set, but mimic the past shows more nostalgia than practicality. The addition of Gatewatch an various PWs would only crowded the ship even further while diluting the importance of each member; the old Weatherlight crew has enough backstory for each member to avoid that issue, this new hastily put up new crew will suffer more.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
But then it hit me. What if this wasn't Otaria's natural shape, but the result of Aboshan's flooding? Sure, that doesn't explain Tamingazin, but whatever. :^)
I disagree. put the nostalgia and comparisons to the original crews aside, and look at these characters on their own merits. I posted this a bunch of posts ago;
"Having an angel on the team that is familiar with the ship is useful, so is having a person on the team that is naturally resistant to magic. You wanted a veteran fighter on the team, but instead you get a rookie mage with a demonstrated knack for illusions. that could come in handy at some point in time. and you just happened to luck into a Vampire knight that wants to be part of the team. Vampires are immortal, super strong and are willing to cross lines that normal people wouldn't to get the job done: very useful traits."
Without any of the nostalgia baggage, you still have the makings of a formidable team, and that's not counting One of the premier artificers of the plane being your captain, or the addition of any planeswalkers. Ajani is joining now, and by the end of the story they'll also have at least Jaya and Gideon.
Click the pic for more info.
I think, really, that the fact that the positions are being filled, and there are descendants, but they don't match exactly, fits fairly well. Raff Capashen is probably the best example here. He's the Capashen in the crew, but I can imagine few people less like Gerrard on the Weatherlight than him.
Raven Man is hilarious.
And we can basically assume we are going to get his card as mythic.
Okay, as many people pointed out, Raven Man was a joke from Cary (Vronos).
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Well, for what it's worth, we already have Danitha and Shanna at uncommon...and we can assume Belzenlok's known card is mythic.
So unless the whole of Raven Man's entry is one big joke, yes, we can get him as mythic legendary card.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
That is a fair point, I suppose Jhoira rounds up some local legendary names for moral and to be the face of the operation while Ajani rounds up some real firepower. Problem is its hard to tell since Jhoira didn't exactly give the most convincing recruitment pitches. She kinda assumed a Sisay and Capashen would be eager to sign up and we the reader never got the mission and plan explained to us.
Whenever a reason was given in the story though, it was super vague and heavy on nostalgia ("it just seemed right to have a Capashen"). I'll have to agree with Flisch here, in addition to the team building being rushed, it did feel very artificial - gotta get those old Weatherlight crew relatives/stand-ins because people are expecting them, even if it's bit forced...
But the main problem with the Legacy push is Jhoira is one degree of separation from the iconic Weatherlight Crew via Karn. It make more sense if Karn was putting this team together if you ask me.
- Radha (far more bulky than we remember her)
- Benalish angel (or angel-blessed soldier)
- some verdigris covered construct
- some knight trading with thallids or thrulls
- landscapes, incl. a big stylized statue of Urza (look at the staff)
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
The buildings in front of the Urza statue looks like the Academy at Tolaria West to me. By now I'm happy for every little tidbit of visual TS reference, as you said it seems like they're retconning the apocalyptic events of that block pretty hard.
I like the Sarpadia scene. Are the Thrulls and the Thallids actually sentient? Or are they more at goblin level intelligence-wise?
Fun fact, reverse image searching the Raven Man art makes Google think you're looking for Batman.
5
According the the Wizard's Lightning/Retort article:
5
According the the Wizard's Lightning/Retort article:
Thanks wonder who the Fifth is then.
Nevertheless, I am plesantly bewildered with the reveal of Tiana's art, it was not something I expected. But in the end of day, I've always yearned of deviations from the usual Magic Angel make-up (e.g. warriors) so she's good in my book. I just am partly hoping that there would be art done (even in concept) of her in Serran Church attire.
- Arvad I am quite surprised... I was envisioning they'd go with a usual vampire template and an emo attack... but making him look like that? AUUUGH... I just wish his fate doesn't parallel his OG Weatherlight reference.
- Is it me, or Dominaria's Magic Stories alternating? Like, I feel there would be a 50/50 split for the Liliana's Quest For Belzenlok and Neo Weatherlight in terms of story numbers.
____________________________________________________
That parentage thing or she might've failed before on being a "Guardian Angel" before?...
Funny thing is, for me, Tiana fits much better in the Weatherlight than Selenia was in the OG.
Could this be "On Serra's Wings"?
Serra Stan - Angel Enthusiast - Garruk and Tyvar thirsty follower - Flavor and Art Enthusiast
Can I air a minor gripe about this? Can we have a Blue Mage that isn't illusion focused?
I been saying this since they announced getting a "real" writer for Dominaria. The Storyline of Magic has been a shadow of what it once was for quite a few reasons, the quality of the actual writing staff was acceptable, not great not bad. However the source of the problems has come from the format in which the stories come out, the timing of the stories, and the choice of overall plot lines.
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan