I don't have a lot of praise nor negative criticism for this story. It laid the groundwork for the coming conflict and hinted about the intrigue. Kaya is WB, as was speculated correctly. I'd probably give this story a C+.
She seems really interesting. I like her roguish qualities, despite obviously falling more in the WB spectrum (but we'll have to wait to be sure).
That is what I am thinking. She is an assassin and doesn't mind "killing" but her having the nobel face his mother defiant had a white streak. Plus WB is the colors of spirits and she seems to be our spirit walker in the same way Liliana is the zombie walker or Serra was the angel walker.
Not a bad story. I was able to guess the plot within a few paragraphs of her interaction with the nobleman though. Kaya seems to be an interesting enough planeswalker. I would guess she isWB or maybe WBG? This story was a nice introduction to her personal philosophy and motivations. High points were the times she had an inner dialogue and the battle with Dear Mother. Low points included any and all interactions with the noble. They were so predictable and could be part of an story where a highborn and apparent commoner have a conversation. I look forward to finding out more about her as we get closer to Conspiracy 2. B for today's story.
I don't see the green. A green character would believe what their doing is natural and be conflicted if someone told them spirits where a natural part of the Kaya. Kaya just made her philosophy that ghosts hauntings won't fix their problems and it was better for them to just move on.
Also we know wizards like adding colors to their characters that match their identity and it keeps saying Kaya magic is purple and white colors and we all know that purple is now in blacks clothing fashion pie.
We agree on WB for her colors, which I believe is most likely. I started to believe there might be a small amount of G after reading the following(bold added for emphasis):
"What Kaya did was seen as blasphemous by some, a disruption of the natural order of life beyond death. But in other belief systems it was the ghosts themselves who were disrupting the natural order, and Kaya who was setting things right. She'd been showered with blessings some places and run out of town in others, all for doing the same thing. Whatever the ultimate destiny of the dead on any given world, it was Kaya's personal conviction that they weren't fulfilling it by hanging around being a nuisance to the living."
You present some strong evidence for her to be WB only, including visual cues from her art. I do not take issue with your evidence. I also believe it may be a little too soon to get our next 3 color walker from Wizard's standpoint. There are some who won't agree that the quoted text above reflects a G philosophy. I, however, see it as a strong piece of G's credo. I am open to the possibility that it is just incidental and some philosophy bleeding across colors. I won't complain a single bit if she is WB when her card is spoiled.
Not a bad story. I was able to guess the plot within a few paragraphs of her interaction with the nobleman though. Kaya seems to be an interesting enough planeswalker. I would guess she isWB or maybe WBG? This story was a nice introduction to her personal philosophy and motivations. High points were the times she had an inner dialogue and the battle with Dear Mother. Low points included any and all interactions with the noble. They were so predictable and could be part of an story where a highborn and apparent commoner have a conversation. I look forward to finding out more about her as we get closer to Conspiracy 2. B for today's story.
I am still looking for it as well. I have looked through 2 old storage boxes so far. Neither has my Coldsnap stuff. Only two more to go. I am 99.9% sure I will find it in one of the other two.
Here is my anecdotal story since I was really paranoid about this issue I went into my LGS and asked the clerk for 12 packs. Since she had to open a new box, and I am a semi-regular, she allowed me to just take the 12 packs from the middle column. They were all Tamityo and werewolf packs. No mythics in Tamiyo(6 packs). I pulled Liliana, the Last Hope and Gisa and Geralf out of the werewolf packs. No flip mythics. I then asked the clerk to buy the rest of the werewolf packs. There were 7 more and I pulled Emrakul, the Promised End, Mind's Dilation, and Decimator of the Provinces. No flip mythics. I have no idea what was in the few remaining Tamiyo nor any Lilianna packs.
So basically, I will never buy cards from an opened box. Maybe if I can confirm a relatively even amount of each pack art remains and the box is at least 3/4 full, but even then only if it was from an LGS I trusted.
OK. The smartest thing they have done in a while is stick to the 2 points of view in this story. And it worked. It really worked for me. The characterization for both Liliana and Jace were spot on. I can hardly imagine a better personification of Black then what we saw from Liliana in this story. Yes, the oath part was a bit contrived and I felt like it should have been more of a frustrated response from Lili, rather than so coldly calculated. I do appreciate seeing the Black side of long term planning t5hogh from her perspective.
This may have been the best writing for Jace in any magic story. The Blue side of long term planning was interesting to contrast against the Black side. His self awareness was fascinating and I believe we saw some real character development when he met himself inside his mind. Will he really make some personality changes or will the frustration of being the smartest person and waiting for everybody else to catch up be too much of a barrier? I believe a lot of this will hinge on how forthcoming he is with the other members of the Gatewatch regarding what weally happened with Emrakul. Great job on Jace.
I was disappointed in the end with Tamiyo. Emrakul's part in her own imprisonment was interesting enough and holds a lot of fascinating possibilities for future storylines. But the way Jace and Tamiyo part company did not satisfy. It will be an unknown amount of time before we hear from Tamiyo again. While we knew she wouldn't join the Gatewatch we couldn't even get an "I'm not one for working with teams, but if you need me, all you have to do is call and I'll be there". I know that is completely cliché, but I cannot see how they just part like that.
Overall, a very detailed story with strong characterizations. Ending fell flat. B+ today.
The story ended abruptly. Too many characters in play without one to focus on. I guess that will be a common issue in stories involving the Gatewatch. Overwall, some amusing interactions between our heroes, but ultimately just serves as a transition from one story to the next. B- for todays story.
Awesome. I basically had a rare singleton copy of the Spirit deck going around. Coupled with great common spirits, some bounce and surprisingly effective removal, I ran to 5-0 with no problem. The best, most focused pool I have ever opened. If people hadn't watched me open my pool, I would have been accused of adding cards to my pool. Great day for me. The spirits are going to be so fun when they come together.
Another story sans planeswalkers that I really enjoyed. I really like the way spirits and humans work together. Thalia is really coming into her own as a character. We now have a bit more of the history of Saint Traft. Looks like the cliffhanger is there for the just in time antics of the Gatewatch.
Keep up the solid storytelling Wizards. A for this effort.
Two planeswalkers set against each other. Regardless if it is physical combat or spirited argument, these are always my favorite type of stories. So Nahiri is the new overpowered anti-hero? It will be interesting to see where her weaknesses are. Mind magic perhaps?
Olivia seems to be thrilled with her new self-appointed title as shortsighted as it may seem. I guess her own hubris may be her downfall.
I look forward to finding out Sorin's fate. Gatewatch rescue? Lives imprisoned for a time while planning his revenge? Death or severe diminishment?
Overall, a solid story in the B range.
Please WotC, reign in Nahiri's power level with some sort of deus ex machina centered around her thirst for revenge allowing her display of nigh invulnerability.
3 mana oath. 3 mana walker. Protects herself reasonably well in the early game. Play oath and Lili on the same turn in later game for value. Nice goal to shoot for.
We agree on WB for her colors, which I believe is most likely. I started to believe there might be a small amount of G after reading the following(bold added for emphasis):
"What Kaya did was seen as blasphemous by some, a disruption of the natural order of life beyond death. But in other belief systems it was the ghosts themselves who were disrupting the natural order, and Kaya who was setting things right. She'd been showered with blessings some places and run out of town in others, all for doing the same thing. Whatever the ultimate destiny of the dead on any given world, it was Kaya's personal conviction that they weren't fulfilling it by hanging around being a nuisance to the living."
You present some strong evidence for her to be WB only, including visual cues from her art. I do not take issue with your evidence. I also believe it may be a little too soon to get our next 3 color walker from Wizard's standpoint. There are some who won't agree that the quoted text above reflects a G philosophy. I, however, see it as a strong piece of G's credo. I am open to the possibility that it is just incidental and some philosophy bleeding across colors. I won't complain a single bit if she is WB when her card is spoiled.
So basically, I will never buy cards from an opened box. Maybe if I can confirm a relatively even amount of each pack art remains and the box is at least 3/4 full, but even then only if it was from an LGS I trusted.
This may have been the best writing for Jace in any magic story. The Blue side of long term planning was interesting to contrast against the Black side. His self awareness was fascinating and I believe we saw some real character development when he met himself inside his mind. Will he really make some personality changes or will the frustration of being the smartest person and waiting for everybody else to catch up be too much of a barrier? I believe a lot of this will hinge on how forthcoming he is with the other members of the Gatewatch regarding what weally happened with Emrakul. Great job on Jace.
I was disappointed in the end with Tamiyo. Emrakul's part in her own imprisonment was interesting enough and holds a lot of fascinating possibilities for future storylines. But the way Jace and Tamiyo part company did not satisfy. It will be an unknown amount of time before we hear from Tamiyo again. While we knew she wouldn't join the Gatewatch we couldn't even get an "I'm not one for working with teams, but if you need me, all you have to do is call and I'll be there". I know that is completely cliché, but I cannot see how they just part like that.
Overall, a very detailed story with strong characterizations. Ending fell flat. B+ today.
Keep up the solid storytelling Wizards. A for this effort.
Wow, this product is really going out with a whimper. Besides the UR deck, these really stink.
Olivia seems to be thrilled with her new self-appointed title as shortsighted as it may seem. I guess her own hubris may be her downfall.
I look forward to finding out Sorin's fate. Gatewatch rescue? Lives imprisoned for a time while planning his revenge? Death or severe diminishment?
Overall, a solid story in the B range.
Please WotC, reign in Nahiri's power level with some sort of deus ex machina centered around her thirst for revenge allowing her display of nigh invulnerability.
The land is ok too. Maybe a sideboard surprise.