I really enjoyed the first story, right until Vivien showed up. Ugh. I wish it could be Nissa instead.
So New Capenna is similar to Amonkhet in the sense that it's a protected bubble in the midst of a plane-wide wasteland. It'll be interesting to see what role Urabrask will play here considering he's a Phyrexian and the plane suffered under Phyrexia before.
I really enjoyed the first story, right until Vivien showed up. Ugh. I wish it could be Nissa instead.
So New Capenna is similar to Amonkhet in the sense that it's a protected bubble in the midst of a plane-wide wasteland. It'll be interesting to see what role Urabrask will play here considering he's a Phyrexian and the plane suffered under Phyrexia before.
Part of me is wondering whether precisely Urabrask is in New Capenna because he's the only Phyrexian the angelic barrier will allow. He does behave unusually compassionately for a Phyrexian, after all, so maybe the barrier doesn't (fully) recognize him as Phyrexian.
Likely Tezzeret is playing both side of Phyrexia to weaken them and then take over. If Urabrask is here and isn't fully following the others, he might be looking into the plane due to phyreixans being there before (or still there).
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I really enjoyed the first story, right until Vivien showed up. Ugh. I wish it could be Nissa instead.
So New Capenna is similar to Amonkhet in the sense that it's a protected bubble in the midst of a plane-wide wasteland. It'll be interesting to see what role Urabrask will play here considering he's a Phyrexian and the plane suffered under Phyrexia before.
Part of me is wondering whether precisely Urabrask is in New Capenna because he's the only Phyrexian the angelic barrier will allow. He does behave unusually compassionately for a Phyrexian, after all, so maybe the barrier doesn't (fully) recognize him as Phyrexian.
I'm thinking if Urabrask is on the plane, he's somewhere in Old Capenna, especially since we were already introduced to it as part of the setting in the story with Perrie.
By the way, having read it now, I loved the second story. In the recent years, MtG stories have usually left me pretty cold and I've mostly skimmed them to get the info, but this one really grabbed me for some reason. I hope we get to see more from Perrie's perspective, although I think they might do a set of vignettes for characters in different families (which would also be interesting). Once again I feel reassured in saying that the "planebound" stories are the better ones. I just don't care all that much about characters who can planeswalk away whenever they feel like it.
It seems like Old Capenna, while in ruins, is still somewhat inhabitable. After reading the first story I was expecting some post-apocalyptic horror world (and was surprised that we got to see it so early). But apparently it's just regular rubble. And if racoons can live there, so can plants, insects and other things ... seems like Vivien was exaggerating a bit when she claimed that the outside was "devoid of life."
And Yes Capenna is Elspeth home plane that sometime in the past angels were able to fight off Phyrexia, Elspeth is back for personal reason and is loosely working with the gatewatch to do retcon. And we learn the gatewatch is setting up an attack on New Phyrexia but waiting to get more info and make sure when they go in they can win.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I have to say, the second story is great but I am disappointed with the new cephalids. At least add a squid beak or something.
Part of me is wondering whether New Capenna's cephalids are acting as substitutes of the more common Vedalken or (I'm sorry!) the Kamigawan Soratami/moonfolk. They're all similarly humanoid, rounded-formed, and bluish. (The moonfolk art in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Essence Capture looking unnervingly similar to a picture of a Vedalken still haunts me.)
I could honestly see it as more of a "Shapeshifting octopus trying to fit in" kind of thing. But it could just as easily be the Merfolk situation all over again.
I have to say, the second story is great but I am disappointed with the new cephalids. At least add a squid beak or something.
Yeah, honestly ... at this point, they could've just made them Merfolk or Vedalken. What's the point of bringing back new fantasy races into your world when the all end up having the same, mostly humanoid form.
The "tentacle hair" gives me splatoon vibes. Maybe they can turn into actual octopi and swim in their family's ink. /s
Edit:
Really liked the side story, again. Kamiz: "You fool, you were trapped in my genjutsu all along"
Also it's a bit confusing to have a character with the monker "the Magpie" when there are literally bird people on the plane. I think the Broker character was a human, but I'm not 100% sure.
And I was totally right Urabrask wants halo for his part of the plan to destroy the phyrexians (basicly he finally snapped and wants phyrexians destroyed)
and they just soft confirmed a few things too
tezzeret was the culprit to bring vorinclex to kaldheim
Kaya did figure out what vorinclex was and told Teferi off-screen about it.
Tezzeret did realize his wrong doings when he saw tamiyo and this is phase one of his redemption arc
he also wants to talk to Elspeth since elesh norn is scared of her (he mentioned tezzeret can't do it do to history)
though how the world did she know about jin-gitaxias and vorinclex traveling?
-The family founds where not oringally demon but became so after the demons and angels teams up as part of the deal
-I do like the world building detail that Elspeth is considered an old fashioned name on Capenna and add to Elsepth backstory more.
-If Quest for Karn is still canon Tezzeret is immune to being Compleated, but this is questionable as he says the planar bridge seemly has been corrupted by Phyrexia
-Tezzeret wants something from Elesh Norn which is why he agreed to help Phyrexia, though he is playing all sides and notes if he is compleated or phyrexia win whatever he is planning to do won't happen.
-Update on Phyrexia it seems Elesh Norn has indeed taken over fully, with Jin, Vorinclex and most of the black faction loyal to her. Interestingly no talk of Sheoldred so unknown about her still. Tezzeret has also been transporting phyrexia troops to other planes. Some of the Mirian are alive still.
-I do wonder what Urabrask goals are, does he just wanna keep New Phyrexia on Mirrodin and just progress from there? He notes he wants to have "progress" but what kind? He also seemly isn't planning a full on revolt but more to take power himself.
- Norn fears Elspeth for some reason, I feel a bit safer about Vivien not getting compleated but I do wonder if Urabrask might compleated a few walkers to help himself in the war.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
First of all I am kind of glad to see Urabrask again, he had the most interesting part in New Phyrexia. He also doesn't seem to be interested in destroying New Phyrexia per se, but wants the Quiet Furnace part of it to build on what it already has instead of spreading throughout the multiverse. And it seems his slight compassion towards the Mirrans has turned into something more too.
I guess this is how the conflict becomes way more complicated: Simply going to New Phyrexia and detonating the cylex there would kill all Mirrans left as well as the least horrible phyrexian faction, which might not even be interested in expansion. A nice little moral dilemma perhaps (not that I think it ould be that easy anyway now that Phyrexia is spreading again).
And yet, Urabrask might still have an ulterior motive he is not yet revealing to Vivian, he is a phyrexian after all.
Tezzeret is once again trapped in a problematic situation of his own making involving more powerful forces than himself, though he does seem to want something specific from the Phyrexians which is not just more power and it seems that they are not basically forcing him into it like Bolas did. Whether this leads to a redemption arc? I actually don't think so, but he definitely needs more development and he seems to slowly get it.
The families are certainly quick to take people in, but I guess that relationship can turn sour quite quickly as well. I find it kind of funny that a white planeswalker is becoming part of the Grixis colored faction and even seems to be on relative good terms with its half demon leader.
The secret history of the plane is also quite interesting: How did the archangels and archdemons destroy the phyrexian invaders? When did that happen? Why did the contract between them cause the family leaders to forget most of the reasons for it? Where are the angels and archdemons now and what IS Halo? I even think that it is not a coincidence that it has been mentioned multiple times now that Elspeth's name seems antiquated to the people of New Capenna. The Phyrexians were still there when she first planeswalked, not even 20 or so years ago. Something is definitely not right here (and I hope it isn't sloppy continuity^^).
Kind of wondering how Ob Nixilis fits in there as well to be honest. Interesting overall and I like the change to Vivien's character.
Urabrask wants Halo so that he can make his own equivalent and isolate the furnace from Elesh Norn.
Alternatively, he may want to study it so that he can break the city free of it... so that he has a massive collection of people to Compleat and form into a new army against Elesh Norn.
Tezzeret may want to use Phyrexia to remove whatever components Bolas put in him, or convert them to flesh, and give him real freedom.
This is a really interesting plot. Hope they can stick the landing.
I even think that it is not a coincidence that it has been mentioned multiple times now that Elspeth's name seems antiquated to the people of New Capenna. The Phyrexians were still there when she first planeswalked, not even 20 or so years ago. Something is definitely not right here (and I hope it isn't sloppy continuity^^).
Likely there are pockets of remaining Phyrexians on Capenna along wth some people who didn't make into the city. Elspeth and a few others where kept and inside a phyrexian asylum for "flawed" phyrexians and used as a smoothing toy by them. I'm guessing Elspeth might been born inside there and Elspeth parents (or whoever named her) hasn't lived in the city and only had older names to go by or pass down.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
- Norn fears Elspeth for some reason, I feel a bit safer about Vivien not getting compleated but I do wonder if Urabrask might compleated a few walkers to help himself in the war.
Actually I was thinking that and I may have a tin foil hat moment
It may not just Tezzeret Urabrask is working with to stop elesh norn.
What if Urabrask is working with Kasmina too, she’s rounding up walkers (or activate a spark in someone) for something big coming which is assumed to be to fight new phyrexia, and Urabrask may need a lot of walkers for his plan to stop elesh norn/jin-gitaxias/Vorinclex/and sheoldred and her thanes. Elspeth is the most important one for it.
Note: it could also be the other way around victims for Elesh/Jin/Sheoldred or highest ranked thane/Vorinclex being compleated into phyrexian planeswalker
Ok theory crafting some stuff based on thr side story and today
1. Elsepth may actually be a Angel from this plane and she just doesn't know it yet, part of this is her family name on graves has been mentioned from gravestones on each other epilogue so far.
2. The halo juice may be the antidote for compleation or something that kills phyrexians, and Urabrask wants to to get mirans and planeswalkers back to their old selves to help With his plan or as posion for the praetors and thanes
3. Elesh norn is scare of elsepth for either “A” she knows about her killing Xenagos and besting Heliod or “B” she’s worried about theory 1 (elspeth figuring out she’s a Angel) this is due to these angels know how to kill phyrexians from the old ones there before.
4. Urabrask may need elsepth for compleation but in a way so she still has her motives and ways but if she reject compleation he won't care he just needs her to help him compleated or not. (Ps how Urabrask would know how to compleat a walker is Tezzeret probably told him/secretly gave him a copy of the instructions.)
5. Urabrask intentions is so he’s the only heir left to father of machines for new phyrexia but phyrexians just live like regular people on planes all around and Urabrask just goes Hikiomori like he does best afterwards.
6. Urabrask will need a army of walkers to fight Elesh norn/Jin-Gitaxias/Sheoldred and thanes/Vorinclex (thus making the new phyrexia revisit war of the spark 2)
bonus prediction for the future. on the new phyrexia revisit Urabrask and elesh norn become 5-color phyrexians, and fight to the death for father/mother of machines status (intentions for both remain the same)
The description of Halo in today's stories actually reminded me strongly of Kaldheim's Cosmos Elixir instead. It's implied that both substances are of semi-divine origin...maybe their similarities are why New Phyrexia is interested?
(and if Phyrexians smash up an angel to get more Halo, the New Capenna and Kaldheim stories will really start sounding alike...)
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So New Capenna is similar to Amonkhet in the sense that it's a protected bubble in the midst of a plane-wide wasteland. It'll be interesting to see what role Urabrask will play here considering he's a Phyrexian and the plane suffered under Phyrexia before.
Part of me is wondering whether precisely Urabrask is in New Capenna because he's the only Phyrexian the angelic barrier will allow. He does behave unusually compassionately for a Phyrexian, after all, so maybe the barrier doesn't (fully) recognize him as Phyrexian.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Been on this forum for 10++ years
Playing since '94
By the way, having read it now, I loved the second story. In the recent years, MtG stories have usually left me pretty cold and I've mostly skimmed them to get the info, but this one really grabbed me for some reason. I hope we get to see more from Perrie's perspective, although I think they might do a set of vignettes for characters in different families (which would also be interesting). Once again I feel reassured in saying that the "planebound" stories are the better ones. I just don't care all that much about characters who can planeswalk away whenever they feel like it.
It seems like Old Capenna, while in ruins, is still somewhat inhabitable. After reading the first story I was expecting some post-apocalyptic horror world (and was surprised that we got to see it so early). But apparently it's just regular rubble. And if racoons can live there, so can plants, insects and other things ... seems like Vivien was exaggerating a bit when she claimed that the outside was "devoid of life."
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/episode-2-dirty-laundry-2022-03-29
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/what-you-expect-see-2022-03-29
And Yes Capenna is Elspeth home plane that sometime in the past angels were able to fight off Phyrexia, Elspeth is back for personal reason and is loosely working with the gatewatch to do retcon. And we learn the gatewatch is setting up an attack on New Phyrexia but waiting to get more info and make sure when they go in they can win.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
"Whatever government was in place wasn't very effective since she couldn't even name it
Both stories were intriguing, but I think the side stories, free from the obligations of the main plot, are a bit more entertaining.
Honestly, I don't care all that much for Elspeth and the main storyline, but the two side episodes so far have both been fantastic.
Part of me is wondering whether New Capenna's cephalids are acting as substitutes of the more common Vedalken or (I'm sorry!) the Kamigawan Soratami/moonfolk. They're all similarly humanoid, rounded-formed, and bluish. (The moonfolk art in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Essence Capture looking unnervingly similar to a picture of a Vedalken still haunts me.)
The "tentacle hair" gives me splatoon vibes. Maybe they can turn into actual octopi and swim in their family's ink. /s
Edit:
Really liked the side story, again. Kamiz: "You fool, you were trapped in my genjutsu all along"
Also it's a bit confusing to have a character with the monker "the Magpie" when there are literally bird people on the plane. I think the Broker character was a human, but I'm not 100% sure.
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/side-freedom-2022-03-30
and they just soft confirmed a few things too
tezzeret was the culprit to bring vorinclex to kaldheim
Kaya did figure out what vorinclex was and told Teferi off-screen about it.
Tezzeret did realize his wrong doings when he saw tamiyo and this is phase one of his redemption arc
he also wants to talk to Elspeth since elesh norn is scared of her (he mentioned tezzeret can't do it do to history)
though how the world did she know about jin-gitaxias and vorinclex traveling?
-The family founds where not oringally demon but became so after the demons and angels teams up as part of the deal
-I do like the world building detail that Elspeth is considered an old fashioned name on Capenna and add to Elsepth backstory more.
-If Quest for Karn is still canon Tezzeret is immune to being Compleated, but this is questionable as he says the planar bridge seemly has been corrupted by Phyrexia
-Tezzeret wants something from Elesh Norn which is why he agreed to help Phyrexia, though he is playing all sides and notes if he is compleated or phyrexia win whatever he is planning to do won't happen.
-Update on Phyrexia it seems Elesh Norn has indeed taken over fully, with Jin, Vorinclex and most of the black faction loyal to her. Interestingly no talk of Sheoldred so unknown about her still. Tezzeret has also been transporting phyrexia troops to other planes. Some of the Mirian are alive still.
-I do wonder what Urabrask goals are, does he just wanna keep New Phyrexia on Mirrodin and just progress from there? He notes he wants to have "progress" but what kind? He also seemly isn't planning a full on revolt but more to take power himself.
- Norn fears Elspeth for some reason, I feel a bit safer about Vivien not getting compleated but I do wonder if Urabrask might compleated a few walkers to help himself in the war.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
First of all I am kind of glad to see Urabrask again, he had the most interesting part in New Phyrexia. He also doesn't seem to be interested in destroying New Phyrexia per se, but wants the Quiet Furnace part of it to build on what it already has instead of spreading throughout the multiverse. And it seems his slight compassion towards the Mirrans has turned into something more too.
I guess this is how the conflict becomes way more complicated: Simply going to New Phyrexia and detonating the cylex there would kill all Mirrans left as well as the least horrible phyrexian faction, which might not even be interested in expansion. A nice little moral dilemma perhaps (not that I think it ould be that easy anyway now that Phyrexia is spreading again).
And yet, Urabrask might still have an ulterior motive he is not yet revealing to Vivian, he is a phyrexian after all.
Tezzeret is once again trapped in a problematic situation of his own making involving more powerful forces than himself, though he does seem to want something specific from the Phyrexians which is not just more power and it seems that they are not basically forcing him into it like Bolas did. Whether this leads to a redemption arc? I actually don't think so, but he definitely needs more development and he seems to slowly get it.
The families are certainly quick to take people in, but I guess that relationship can turn sour quite quickly as well. I find it kind of funny that a white planeswalker is becoming part of the Grixis colored faction and even seems to be on relative good terms with its half demon leader.
The secret history of the plane is also quite interesting: How did the archangels and archdemons destroy the phyrexian invaders? When did that happen? Why did the contract between them cause the family leaders to forget most of the reasons for it? Where are the angels and archdemons now and what IS Halo? I even think that it is not a coincidence that it has been mentioned multiple times now that Elspeth's name seems antiquated to the people of New Capenna. The Phyrexians were still there when she first planeswalked, not even 20 or so years ago. Something is definitely not right here (and I hope it isn't sloppy continuity^^).
Kind of wondering how Ob Nixilis fits in there as well to be honest. Interesting overall and I like the change to Vivien's character.
Urabrask wants Halo so that he can make his own equivalent and isolate the furnace from Elesh Norn.
Alternatively, he may want to study it so that he can break the city free of it... so that he has a massive collection of people to Compleat and form into a new army against Elesh Norn.
Tezzeret may want to use Phyrexia to remove whatever components Bolas put in him, or convert them to flesh, and give him real freedom.
This is a really interesting plot. Hope they can stick the landing.
Likely there are pockets of remaining Phyrexians on Capenna along wth some people who didn't make into the city. Elspeth and a few others where kept and inside a phyrexian asylum for "flawed" phyrexians and used as a smoothing toy by them. I'm guessing Elspeth might been born inside there and Elspeth parents (or whoever named her) hasn't lived in the city and only had older names to go by or pass down.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Actually I was thinking that and I may have a tin foil hat moment
It may not just Tezzeret Urabrask is working with to stop elesh norn.
What if Urabrask is working with Kasmina too, she’s rounding up walkers (or activate a spark in someone) for something big coming which is assumed to be to fight new phyrexia, and Urabrask may need a lot of walkers for his plan to stop elesh norn/jin-gitaxias/Vorinclex/and sheoldred and her thanes. Elspeth is the most important one for it.
Note: it could also be the other way around victims for Elesh/Jin/Sheoldred or highest ranked thane/Vorinclex being compleated into phyrexian planeswalker
1. Elsepth may actually be a Angel from this plane and she just doesn't know it yet, part of this is her family name on graves has been mentioned from gravestones on each other epilogue so far.
2. The halo juice may be the antidote for compleation or something that kills phyrexians, and Urabrask wants to to get mirans and planeswalkers back to their old selves to help With his plan or as posion for the praetors and thanes
3. Elesh norn is scare of elsepth for either “A” she knows about her killing Xenagos and besting Heliod or “B” she’s worried about theory 1 (elspeth figuring out she’s a Angel) this is due to these angels know how to kill phyrexians from the old ones there before.
4. Urabrask may need elsepth for compleation but in a way so she still has her motives and ways but if she reject compleation he won't care he just needs her to help him compleated or not. (Ps how Urabrask would know how to compleat a walker is Tezzeret probably told him/secretly gave him a copy of the instructions.)
5. Urabrask intentions is so he’s the only heir left to father of machines for new phyrexia but phyrexians just live like regular people on planes all around and Urabrask just goes Hikiomori like he does best afterwards.
6. Urabrask will need a army of walkers to fight Elesh norn/Jin-Gitaxias/Sheoldred and thanes/Vorinclex (thus making the new phyrexia revisit war of the spark 2)
bonus prediction for the future. on the new phyrexia revisit Urabrask and elesh norn become 5-color phyrexians, and fight to the death for father/mother of machines status (intentions for both remain the same)
(and if Phyrexians smash up an angel to get more Halo, the New Capenna and Kaldheim stories will really start sounding alike...)