MTG Salvation

Quote from Molcru »

As I've said more times than any sane man should, you keep pointing out what makes Sarkhan a fun character to read about and experience the events of Tarkir through. Mothership might want a more hazy storyline for the third set when we go to present day Tarkir. Mark said that all time travel stories involve something going very wrong. Dragons turning out to be bad for Tarkir would fit the expectation while furthering Sarkhan's overall narrative: he has gone from dragon-worshiper to slave to a higher power dragon to yet again a slave to a higher power dragon. The tragedy of dragons returning to Tarkir gives the potential for Sarkhan to realize that he must become less a dragon's slave and more a dragonspeaker in the sense of presenting himself as a peer rather than a puppet.

I get the sense that the storyline department expects the readers to approach the situation on Tarkir with a certain ability to pick up on clues within the guides to the clans and stories about the clans to see how Tarkir would be improved by the presence of the dragons. Let us consider the Mardu: the ultimate troll clan of Tarkir. You can try to retaliate, but good luck since they don't hang around their conquests for that long. They'll just keep burning and raiding. Unless you attack the dragonthrone of Zurgo, you won't do much to dissuade them. If the Mardu were forced to contend with dragons, they would have to cut down on their raiding in order to establish drills for dragon attacks. Now let us consider the Jeskai. Narset laments some of the monks' inability to attain enlightenment. The sort of enlightenment that doesn't confine one to the expectation of the monk: studious, solemn, reserved. Narset's knowledge is balanced by impulse, passion, and a desire to better her community through her brand of enlightenment. Narset's article also mentions her disgust at the Jeskai needing to be spoonfed knowledge/wisdom. Enter the dragons: now the monks are forced to learn under pressure and apply their learning in order to survive. As an aside, the need to apply learning in order to survive also helps cut down on the fanaticism, as seen by the monks that went after Taigam.

The Abzan have a strong family focus which is counterbalanced by their ruthlessness toward their enemies. Magic once expended to wipe out their enemies would need to be refocused on the dragon problem. Survivors that would once be wiped out could be added to the ranks of the house, or be used as dragon bait. Cruel for the prisoners, but a boon for the Abzan. The Temur have a reverence for the dragons, and could very well make gods out of their dragons. These dragons could be turned against those that seek to impose rulership over the Temur. At the very least, the dragons serve to fulfill a psychological need for the Temur, since they are viewed with religious awe by the Temur (given how some aspects of religion have been connected to psychological wellbeing). Finally, the Sultai. Given that the Sultai are schemers, the dragons present an opportunity for the clan to regain some dominance over the rakshasa, perhaps forcing more binding oaths that totally enslave the cat demons in the interest of the clan's overall stability.

I do not mean for this to come across as condescending. Its just that you are using comic book examples to illustrate your point, when the storyline department seems to want us to pick up on clues seemingly hidden but in all actuality quite readily apparent. My explanation does not ignore the inevitable deaths that would occur with the dragons' return. That is a given, though it does not make Sarkhan's desire any less human. In fact, the inevitable deaths/suffering are but a more fantastical magnification of the hard truths of life in the United States. As Sarkhan gains pleasure from the dragons returning, so do we gain pleasure from amenities and luxuries: access to name brand clothes, plenty of oil, etc which does come at the expense of those working in sweat shops, or those being sent to the Middle East/dying in the Middle East to provide the oil that fuels our society. As is the case with dragon-filled Tarkir, people are suffering and dying to fulfill our desires for the luxuries that we enjoy (while Tarkirians will die to fulfill Sarkhan's desires). Sarkhan's goals are very human, really.

What is a reliable narrator? I would challenge you that there is no such thing as a reliable narrator.

Its just that you are using comic book examples to illustrate your point, when the storyline department seems to want us to pick up on clues seemingly hidden but in all actuality quite readily apparent.