I am of the opinion that Tibalt is of Germanic-analog descent (specifically, between Gothic-English). "Tibalt" is derived here from "Tybalt" which in turn is derived from "Theobald" from Germanic roots "þeudo (people)+bald(bold)". This geographically puts his culture analog between Germany and Romania.
I don't want to really get into a racial argument or anything to that effect, so I am just going to sum up Koth; he appears (excepting the metal bits) to belong to a sub-saharan-african-supergroup analog (I understand that that region is not homogenous by any means, simply, it is the best way, in my opinion to at least narrow Koth's potential classifications).
Venser is too much like Devid Tennant/Doctor Who to not be English.
Elspeth and Gideon both strike me as "vaguely West-Central European" and remind me a bit of Charlemagne.
Garruk and his wildness bring to mind some Northwoods American Trapper or Mountain Man.
Jace and Chandra both strike me as too strongly individualistic to really be derivative in any way from really strongly unified or particularly nationalistic culture-analogs. Thus (and without taking their unique appearances into mind), they could be the American planeswalkers. I'd like to hear community feedback especially on this note.
The others I think have been wrapped up mostly, so I'd just like to point out that Ajani could come from a culture which boasts actual jaguar-warriors, which is a pretty cool nod to his cultural identity as "Mayincatec".
Dredge because of the bizarre manner by which the thing operates. It is just so strange. I also used to run this silly deck which focused on casting Pongify on an Ink-Treader Nephilim. The deck had a token sub-focus. Some fun game-states there.
Man, I love Tamiyo. I'll have to get a playset when the hype lowers. Also, my inner Vorthos is loving the opportunity to tinker with some moonfolk "tribal" decks.
I have a decent knowledge of Icelandic (better at written than spoken, to be honest), and am competent at Spanish. I think that the sounds of Celtic languages are very pretty, but I haven't gotten around to studying them as deeply as I would like. I have however studied some Germanic languages, namely Anglo-Saxon and the Frisian Languages, and have looked at some curious little grammatical bits from a bunch of other languages, like animacy hierarchies and marking in Navajo.
@OP: I agree about your Icelandic comment. Very beautiful.
@Blinking Spirit: Regarding Anglo-Saxon I agree. Your comment on the archaic letter-forms reminds me of time in high-school when I did poorly on an essay because I derailed it from a commentary on the political ramifications of the Norman Invasion (If I recall correctly) into a rant about how useful those letters would be, and a few other bits about Anglo-Saxon hold-overs in modern English.
Use Pyrite Spellbomb. It can deal damage in a pinch, fills your graveyard, and can draw if you find yourself needing it. Perilous Myr is pretty useful, can be a body to block and deals some damage. The wellsprings are pretty useful as well.
My casual list of the deck (without any sideboard options or metagame changes) is as follows:
The spellbombs are a pretty solid early play, they need to be included in the list. Shrapnel Blast is really good at controlling the board and getting rid of troublesome creatures; it too should be an auto-include. Otherwise, the Ravagers/Atogs (ideally both should be in the list, but I'm sure that only one of the two would work if the replacement for the other was good enough) are critical to filling the graveyard. The deck doesn't work at all without them. I hope this helps.
To be fair, it still has practically no interaction. Only this card and Pull from Eternity. I see nothing wrong with either, as both have narrow application.
I would switch out the Unworthy Dead for Rimebound Dead, as it is more efficient. To complement this, I'd make my swamps all snow-covered swamps and add some Scrying Sheets as suggested above.
EDIT: I was/am under the impression that this block was more based in Gothic horror than other subgenres... I'm not sure Lovecraft really fits. It might be too similar to the Eldrazi overall to revisit at this point...
JinxedIdol: I think that there are still quite a few things to explore thematically. For example, a color-matters (like chroma) block or a block that focuses on the exile zone or library, etc. would both new themes. Also, you missed Snow.
Speaking of which, a return to the snow mechanic would be great fun.
I don't want to really get into a racial argument or anything to that effect, so I am just going to sum up Koth; he appears (excepting the metal bits) to belong to a sub-saharan-african-supergroup analog (I understand that that region is not homogenous by any means, simply, it is the best way, in my opinion to at least narrow Koth's potential classifications).
Venser is too much like Devid Tennant/Doctor Who to not be English.
Elspeth and Gideon both strike me as "vaguely West-Central European" and remind me a bit of Charlemagne.
Garruk and his wildness bring to mind some Northwoods American Trapper or Mountain Man.
Jace and Chandra both strike me as too strongly individualistic to really be derivative in any way from really strongly unified or particularly nationalistic culture-analogs. Thus (and without taking their unique appearances into mind), they could be the American planeswalkers. I'd like to hear community feedback especially on this note.
The others I think have been wrapped up mostly, so I'd just like to point out that Ajani could come from a culture which boasts actual jaguar-warriors, which is a pretty cool nod to his cultural identity as "Mayincatec".
@OP: I agree about your Icelandic comment. Very beautiful.
@Blinking Spirit: Regarding Anglo-Saxon I agree. Your comment on the archaic letter-forms reminds me of time in high-school when I did poorly on an essay because I derailed it from a commentary on the political ramifications of the Norman Invasion (If I recall correctly) into a rant about how useful those letters would be, and a few other bits about Anglo-Saxon hold-overs in modern English.
My casual list of the deck (without any sideboard options or metagame changes) is as follows:
4 Ichor Wellspring
4 Pyrite Spellbomb
Creatures:
4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Atog
4 Arcbound Worker
4 Myr Retriever
4 Perilous Myr
4 Slag Fiend
4 Shrapnel Blast
2 Lightning Bolt
Land:
4 Darksteel Citadel
4 Great Furnace
14 Mountain
The spellbombs are a pretty solid early play, they need to be included in the list. Shrapnel Blast is really good at controlling the board and getting rid of troublesome creatures; it too should be an auto-include. Otherwise, the Ravagers/Atogs (ideally both should be in the list, but I'm sure that only one of the two would work if the replacement for the other was good enough) are critical to filling the graveyard. The deck doesn't work at all without them. I hope this helps.
As far as casual goes, It works well in red decks with cards like Shrapnel Blast, Pyrite Spellbomb, Ichor Wellspring, Perilous Myr, and Myr Retriever. Using Arcbound Ravager as a sac-outlet is effective and provides a decent threat for the opponent. Other cheap Modular cards aren't half bad. At best, Slag Fiend is a good secondary win-condition for such a deck.
Don't forget to include Momentary Blink, Snapcaster Mage, and Back from the Brink.
EDIT: Nath'd sort of.
This would be cool. I always liked Hollowborn Barghest.
EDIT: I was/am under the impression that this block was more based in Gothic horror than other subgenres... I'm not sure Lovecraft really fits. It might be too similar to the Eldrazi overall to revisit at this point...
Speaking of which, a return to the snow mechanic would be great fun.