So avow is the nonred mechanic, and it focuses on pairs of creatures. What does that mean? Should it be a plane with a strong focus on friendship and camaraderie? I thought about Innistrad because of soulbond, but dismissed it. I've also thought of Zendikar, becuase of allies, but the enchantment focus and the lack of red felt off. I'm open to Lorwynmoor, but I'd like to try something new first.
Red is the color that lives in the moment. It doesn't look at the big picture. This is the nonred plane, and thus it should have an element of strategy, planning, machinations and growth over time. Avow is all about connecting people. What if the resident elder dragon controls the populace via literal puppet strings? Mabybe this world is, unbeknownst to its residents, a giant, Matrix-like theater, where the heroes and the players are the same? New alliances are constantly formed and broken, all at the whim of the unseen dragon? This world could have a theater flavor, referencing great plays, operas, shows, and so forth, because theater and drama are all about the interactions between people. I'm aware that this kinda conflicts with Wizard-of-Oz land, but I just really like the idea.
For example, what do you think about this:
Loving Embrace2W
Enchantment (U)
Avow
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has indestructible.
When a creature you control enchanted by an Aura named Loving Embrace leaves the battlefield, sacrifice all other creatures enchanted with Auras named Loving Embrace.
Or:
Betrayal of the Vizier1B
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Avow
Sacrifice an enchanted creature: Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible until end of turn.
This example highlights something I've also thought about: What is black's role in this world? Here, black uses it's "friends" for some nefarious purpose or another. I think that, while it shouldn't always be portrayed as evil, it's very fitting for black to be the classic, theatrical villain here. It wouldn't always sacrifice them, but its avow cards should be able to use other enchanted creatures for its own benefit or yoursl. What do you think?
EDIT: The idea behind the (relative) lack of red is that while people do feel emotions and act on them, those emotions are almost entirely programmed for the dragon's purposes.
The thing is, if Upkeep land isn't Dominaria, then we need to think of a new plane that isn't a hellscape like Grixis or Jund, isn't cartoonishly evil like the Sultai, and isn't an intrigue and politics like Mercadia or Fiora. We also want a world where all the upkeep stuff make sense. That made me think about the Temur. They are a nonwhite faction, and their shamans see the future (the unwritten), which could give them a time theme.
I'm not saying we should do the Temur. I'm saying that maybe they will be a good source of inspiration for this world. Maybe here we have a lush jungle plane, instead of a frozen tundra, to not overlap with the frenzy world, and maybe the shamans of this world are adept at twisting the time. Maybe there is some force that is corrupting the timelines and the shamans that use them, and forces them to do his bidding? I'm just throwing ideas, but I think that something that's based on the Temur could be a good starting point to a fresh-feeling nonwhite faction.
With that in mind, we could even reprint Arena of the Ancients if we wanted a legend hoser, which I'm not sure we want.
About the Faerie planeswalker: My idea was that she wanted to help the smaller creatures in a giant, hostile world. Because she's from the nonblack world, she values community and helping the weak (or, in this case, small). She doesn't have to be blue-black - I thought more of a Bant-colored card. But that's just my suggestion.
Segovia - We have no idea what kind of creatures live in Segovia except for Leviathans. Maybe a tiny humanoid planeswalker who shrinks others to teach them a lesson? After all, this is the nonblack world, so she might want to punish those who mistreat the weak (or small.) By the way, we might want to rename Segovia, as it's also a city in Spain - but maybe that doesn't matter.
Then what do you think of this? It could be a faerie.
Maybe we could start by thinking on planeswalkers that could fit. That might give us a sense of the right plane.
Sarkhan or Narset - Their homeworld of Tarkir gives them an affinity with dragons (Affinity for Dragons hype! ). If the story is centered around Elder Dragons, one of these should be a great fit.
Guesswork's suggesstion - sounds cool!
Avoworld - to me, avow seems like a very GW-centered mechanic. Maybe Lorwyn fits, but why not create a new world? If we go with Tarkir and Dominaria that's two returning planes. Maybe an arena-plane of paired battles? (Kolbahan?)
Wallworld - We'll have to see Guesswork's idea, but walls give (me at least) a sense of castles, warlords and great medieval battles. Maybe a tactician planeswalker? I have no idea how to translate that to mechanics, but I think it's cool. Maybe he's a servant of bolas?
Segovia - We have no idea what kind of creatures live in Segovia except for Leviathans. Maybe a tiny humanoid planeswalker who shrinks others to teach them a lesson? After all, this is the nonblack world, so she might want to punish those who mistreat the weak (or small.) By the way, we might want to rename Segovia, as it's also a city in Spain - but maybe that doesn't matter.
And another one-off design:
Squee, Unlikely Survivor1R
Legendary Creature - Goblin (R)
First strike
If Squee, Unlikely Survivor would die, instead flip a coin. If you win the flip, exile Squee, then return him to the battlefield under your control. If you lose the flip, exile Squee.
2/1
If I can chime in, this is what I think right now.
Well, if our protagonists need the four elder dragons, then Sarkhan or Narset seem like great fits. If we focus on one of them, Tarkir could be the frenzy world.
Avow could be good for a world with a hive-mind or swarm feel to it. It also kinda reminds me of slivers, but I think the two are too similar to be in the same set. As for the plane's 'walker - maybe it's a hivemaster or a high-ranking official of the hive that wants to further the agenda of his faction on multiple worlds.
Upkeep - Dominaria? This might be fitting because of Time Spiral's time theme, but as we all know it had some big problems. I kinda like it because the original Legends was set there, so it might help with the nostalgia angle. I think the planeswalker should be someone new (Or maybe Tuknir?).
And just a random design:
Lamirag, the Wandering Scion7
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi (R/M)
When you cast Lamirag, the Wandering Scion, each player may draw up to three cards.
Vigilance
Whenever Lamirag attacks, each player may put a creature card from his or her hand onto the battlefield. A monstrosity as innocent as childhood itself.
10/10
The flavor is that this Eldrazi titan has become lost as a "child" while traveling through the blind eternities, and while searching for its siblings learned of the concepts of innocence, morality and community. Now it is an innocent, sweethearted, unfathomable, reality-distorting monstrosity. I hope you enjoy it!
Invoker of Souls2RG
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
Other Shaman creatures you control get +1/+1. RG, t: Put target Shaman creature card from you hand onto the battlefield. It gets +3/+3 and gains haste until end of turn. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. "My kindred souls burn with such power and vibrance. They must be unleashed so that they can express their full might."
3/3
Arcades Awakened6WW
Legendary Creature - Elder Dragon (M)
Flying, vigilance
When Arcades Awakened enters the battlefield, creatures you control get +0/+2 and gain vigilance until end of turn.
Whenever three more more creatures you control attack, if those creatures are untapped, return Arcades Awakened from your graveyard to the battlefield. "My brother's insolence shall now come to an end."
7/7
The deck was fantastic - I don't think I lost a game. Vampire Aristocrat was a real MVP for me, and could often kill opponents out of nowhere, especially with Falkenrath Noble on the field. I think the format is pretty verdatile, speedwise - I finished all of my matches very quickly but there were quite a bit of people that had to go to turns. The deck was also great fun, and I think that this is a very good archetype.
(Disclaimer; I don't think this is going to be a thing, but it would be hillarious if it is.)
I've recently found that the art for Vedalken Aethermage contains a headdress that has a Bolas-horn style. As we know, future sight was a glimpse into MTG's possible futures, and I think I've found one of them.
As for the card's abilities, it's an anti-sliver card. What does that mean? We're going to see Bolas's mages fighting against the slivers, which also fits the name of Amonkhet's second set - Hour of Devastation.
Wizards VS Slivers, guys and girls. It's gonna be epic:-)
PolycounterUR
Instant (R)
Counter target creature spell. That spell's controller reveals card from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals a creature card and puts that card onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of that player's library in a random order.
Just a randmo idea I had. It's red because of the recent shift in polymorhing (Divergent Transformations and Indomitable Creativity). Is it too strong? Too weak? Could it still be mono-blue?
Red is the color that lives in the moment. It doesn't look at the big picture. This is the nonred plane, and thus it should have an element of strategy, planning, machinations and growth over time. Avow is all about connecting people. What if the resident elder dragon controls the populace via literal puppet strings? Mabybe this world is, unbeknownst to its residents, a giant, Matrix-like theater, where the heroes and the players are the same? New alliances are constantly formed and broken, all at the whim of the unseen dragon? This world could have a theater flavor, referencing great plays, operas, shows, and so forth, because theater and drama are all about the interactions between people. I'm aware that this kinda conflicts with Wizard-of-Oz land, but I just really like the idea.
For example, what do you think about this:
Loving Embrace 2W
Enchantment (U)
Avow
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has indestructible.
When a creature you control enchanted by an Aura named Loving Embrace leaves the battlefield, sacrifice all other creatures enchanted with Auras named Loving Embrace.
Or:
Betrayal of the Vizier 1B
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Avow
Sacrifice an enchanted creature: Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible until end of turn.
This example highlights something I've also thought about: What is black's role in this world? Here, black uses it's "friends" for some nefarious purpose or another. I think that, while it shouldn't always be portrayed as evil, it's very fitting for black to be the classic, theatrical villain here. It wouldn't always sacrifice them, but its avow cards should be able to use other enchanted creatures for its own benefit or yoursl. What do you think?
EDIT: The idea behind the (relative) lack of red is that while people do feel emotions and act on them, those emotions are almost entirely programmed for the dragon's purposes.
I'm not saying we should do the Temur. I'm saying that maybe they will be a good source of inspiration for this world. Maybe here we have a lush jungle plane, instead of a frozen tundra, to not overlap with the frenzy world, and maybe the shamans of this world are adept at twisting the time. Maybe there is some force that is corrupting the timelines and the shamans that use them, and forces them to do his bidding? I'm just throwing ideas, but I think that something that's based on the Temur could be a good starting point to a fresh-feeling nonwhite faction.
About the Faerie planeswalker: My idea was that she wanted to help the smaller creatures in a giant, hostile world. Because she's from the nonblack world, she values community and helping the weak (or, in this case, small). She doesn't have to be blue-black - I thought more of a Bant-colored card. But that's just my suggestion.
Then what do you think of this? It could be a faerie.
And another one-off design:
Squee, Unlikely Survivor 1R
Legendary Creature - Goblin (R)
First strike
If Squee, Unlikely Survivor would die, instead flip a coin. If you win the flip, exile Squee, then return him to the battlefield under your control. If you lose the flip, exile Squee.
2/1
A spin-off on Squee, Goblin Nabob that feels a little bit more red.
Well, if our protagonists need the four elder dragons, then Sarkhan or Narset seem like great fits. If we focus on one of them, Tarkir could be the frenzy world.
Avow could be good for a world with a hive-mind or swarm feel to it. It also kinda reminds me of slivers, but I think the two are too similar to be in the same set. As for the plane's 'walker - maybe it's a hivemaster or a high-ranking official of the hive that wants to further the agenda of his faction on multiple worlds.
Upkeep - Dominaria? This might be fitting because of Time Spiral's time theme, but as we all know it had some big problems. I kinda like it because the original Legends was set there, so it might help with the nostalgia angle. I think the planeswalker should be someone new (Or maybe Tuknir?).
And just a random design:
Lamirag, the Wandering Scion 7
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi (R/M)
When you cast Lamirag, the Wandering Scion, each player may draw up to three cards.
Vigilance
Whenever Lamirag attacks, each player may put a creature card from his or her hand onto the battlefield.
A monstrosity as innocent as childhood itself.
10/10
The flavor is that this Eldrazi titan has become lost as a "child" while traveling through the blind eternities, and while searching for its siblings learned of the concepts of innocence, morality and community. Now it is an innocent, sweethearted, unfathomable, reality-distorting monstrosity. I hope you enjoy it!
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
Other Shaman creatures you control get +1/+1.
RG, t: Put target Shaman creature card from you hand onto the battlefield. It gets +3/+3 and gains haste until end of turn. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
"My kindred souls burn with such power and vibrance. They must be unleashed so that they can express their full might."
3/3
Legendary Creature - Elder Dragon (M)
Flying, vigilance
When Arcades Awakened enters the battlefield, creatures you control get +0/+2 and gain vigilance until end of turn.
Whenever three more more creatures you control attack, if those creatures are untapped, return Arcades Awakened from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"My brother's insolence shall now come to an end."
7/7
Nuts 1G
Sorcery (U)
Create two 1/1 green Squirrel creature tokens.
//
Bolts 3RR
Sorcery (U)
Bolts deals 3 damage to each of two target creatures.
1 Gnawing Zombie
1 Sylvan Ranger
1 Vithian Stinger
1 Vampire Aristocrat
1 Kathari Bomber
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Sprouting Thrinax
1 Mudbutton Torchrunner
1 Hellrider
1 Falkenrath Aristocrat
1 Vital Splicer
1 Falkenrath Noble
1 Rubblebelt Maaka
1 Dragon Fodder
1 Fists of Ironwood
1 Magma Jet
1 Ground Assault
1 Terminate
1 Call of the Herd
2 Golgari Guildgate
1 Gruul Guildgate
1 Crumbling Necropolis
1 Savage Lands
3 Forest
5 Mountain
4 Swamp
The deck was fantastic - I don't think I lost a game. Vampire Aristocrat was a real MVP for me, and could often kill opponents out of nowhere, especially with Falkenrath Noble on the field. I think the format is pretty verdatile, speedwise - I finished all of my matches very quickly but there were quite a bit of people that had to go to turns. The deck was also great fun, and I think that this is a very good archetype.
I've recently found that the art for Vedalken Aethermage contains a headdress that has a Bolas-horn style. As we know, future sight was a glimpse into MTG's possible futures, and I think I've found one of them.
As for the card's abilities, it's an anti-sliver card. What does that mean? We're going to see Bolas's mages fighting against the slivers, which also fits the name of Amonkhet's second set - Hour of Devastation.
Wizards VS Slivers, guys and girls. It's gonna be epic:-)
Instant (R)
Counter target creature spell. That spell's controller reveals card from the top of his or her library until he or she reveals a creature card and puts that card onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of that player's library in a random order.
Just a randmo idea I had. It's red because of the recent shift in polymorhing (Divergent Transformations and Indomitable Creativity). Is it too strong? Too weak? Could it still be mono-blue?