#golgari guildgate | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fancylances · 2 years ago

Text

OC Kiss Week / Day Six / Adventure

pairing: Nikolai Dragos/Yevgeniy “Geno” Kazimir - Ravnica D&D OCs

It’s not the first time that Geno has come along with the Taskforce to help with a mission, but it might just be the most important. Maybe the most important thing Nikolai has ever done—ever will do.

The Guildpact is broken. Jace, the Living Guildpact, the man that is supposed to protect Ravnica and its laws, is off-plane and no one can seem to contact him. And the only way to restore peace is to restore the Guildpact—by rewriting it. Using his Azorius law magic, with a representative from each of the ten guilds, using Lyka’s mind magic to link them all at the nexus of power at the Golgari guildgate… it might just work.

And Nikolai is terrified. Of the consequences of fighting back against Niv-Mizzet’s machinations, of failure and what that means for the Guildpact, of losing one of his friends and not having the power to bring them back. But even his fear is nothing compared to the scared look in Geno’s eyes. A man that has spent his life in the shadows, anonymous and silent, suddenly finding himself in the middle of the biggest adventure any of them had ever imagined.

As they make their final preparations at the Office of the Guildpact, he sees that fear in Geno’s normally joking, grinning face.

Nikolai takes a bracing breath through his nose and holds it for a moment. Then touches Geno’s arm—startling him from whatever spiraling thoughts had seized him. He doesn’t say a word, just takes Geno by the hand and brings him to sit at the long conference table with him (around them, Toto makes plans with their Izzet friend Savri; Lyka and the Rakdos barbarian she’d brought in for the mission share a round of shots from the drink cart; Eleanor and her Simic contact try to get the Gruul goblin to settle enough to listen to a plan).

He sits Geno down, hands shaking, and casts a spell. Golden runes splay out with his fingers, a ring of soft glow in the dim light of sunset through the windows. The light reflects in Geno’s eyes, watching him as that golden glow bolsters and emboldens him.

“What’s the spell for?” Geno finally asks, voice small.

“Death ward,” Nikolai answers. His hand lays flat on Geno’s forearm, gently gripping him as he finishes the spell. He can’t meet Geno’s eyes. “It’ll protect you.”

He hears Geno breathing, the way it catches like he’s going to speak and then doesn’t. Then his big hand covers Nikolai’s, encloses it, and holds him there.

“Thanks.”

Nikolai doesn’t move. “Genya, I want—” He wants to say a thousand things. “I want you to promise me that if this doesn’t work—if things go south, you promise that you’ll turn and run.”

When he finally meets Geno’s eyes, he finds something burning there; brows pinched and looking at Nikolai like he told him to jump off the top of a tower.

“What?” Geno scoffs. “I’m not doing that, I’m not leaving—”

“Please,” Nikolai cuts him off abruptly. “Please, I don’t fucking care if you lie to me. I just want you to say it.” His throat locks up before more emotion can come pouring out.

Geno sighs, frowns. “Okay. Fine. If something happens, I’m gonna turn and run like a fucking coward.”

“Okay,” Nikolai manages to say. Nods. Wants so badly to lean up and kiss him. And for a moment, he thinks that the nerves are going to let him. But he hesitates, yet again. And just nods. “Okay.”

Geno doesn’t die. The plan doesn’t go south, and Geno doesn’t run. They fight off the avatar of Niv-Mizzet’s mind, break the web he’d placed over Ravnica, and unite the Guildgates. The Golgari guildgate reacts to the combined magic of their gathered guild representatives—the magic of the Guildpact rewriting itself through them. Sealed and signed with the binding law magic of the Azorius.

The Undercity is alive. It’s always been growing, but with the magic of the Guildpact—the magic of Ravnica—surging back through it, the Undercity is thriving. Where lichen and dark moss once clung to slickrock, it blooms now with gorgeous flora. Luminescent fungi in a hundred different colors, throwing stained-glass light across their faces. It actually takes Nikolai’s breath away.

“Wow…” Geno murmurs beside him, “it’s beautiful.” A splash of gorgeous green light shines on his face (brings out the color in his eyes, makes them brighter and greener than Nikolai has ever seen, and yeah, it’s fucking beautiful is on his tongue and he doesn’t mean the mushrooms).

And then that same magic surge hits him in the chest—hits all of them, by the matching looks of surprise on his friends’ faces. Geno actually gasps, his eyes wide as he looks right at Nikolai. Where their hands are dangling by their sides, Nikolai feels Geno’s fingers snap into alignment with his, linking inextricably with the shock of that wave of ambient magic.

“Woah—” Geno says, heavy like he’s out of breath. “Did you feel that, too?”

The magic thunders through Nikolai’s veins like he’s flooded with serotonin, with wide-eyed enthusiasm, with courage.

For what feels like the first time in his entire fucking life, he isn’t scared.

This is it, he barely has time to think before he’s already moving.

And Geno sees it, sees Nikolai looking right at him. Despite everything happening, looking at him. His mouth ticks open, holds his breath.

Nikolai wraps his fingers around the back of Geno’s neck to pull him down as he stands on his toes and kisses him.

Bruised and beaten and bloody from their battle, surrounded by the sudden surge of magical growth of the Undercity, all of his friends around him—none of it fucking matters because he’s kissing Geno Kazimir.

Finally.

And, he realizes suddenly, Geno Kazimir is kissing him back. Nikolai feels Geno’s hand sliding through his hair, holding him there. There’s something almost desperate in the way that Geno kisses him back, pulls them closer together and deepens that kiss.

It almost makes him dizzy, that sudden realization that this isn’t one-sided. That Geno hasn’t backed off and asked him what the fuck he’s doing—doesn’t call him out; doesn’t retreat, refuse, revile. That fifteen years of being in love with this asshole wasn’t some absurd dream.

He’s kissing him back. They’re kissing.

An impossible grin spreads across Nikolai’s face, so wide it hurts (all of him hurts, like the sun is beating against the inside of his chest and is going to burst out of him). So happy it’s almost sad.

He sees Geno blink. Their noses are touching, so close and just looking at each other. Still Nikolai and Geno, but something’s different, now. And Geno’s face bends into a grin to match. Nikolai’s heart fucking aches when he sees that smile, knows it’s for him. It comes out in a laugh, something relieved, shaking.

He throws his arms around Geno’s neck and kisses him again. Geno gladly obliges.

He thinks he hears Lyka cheer.

#ockiss23 #oc kiss week #ravnica #my sweet bastard nikolai #first kiss i'm gonna cry #my boys

9 notes · View notes

randomgathering · 4 months ago

Text

鳥居 (torii) - Deck ⚪🔵⚫🔴🟢

for Commander

鳥居 [to.ri.i] literally means 'shrine gate'. My original concept was to combine Shrine typal with Gate typal. There are quite a few Legendary Shrines but not a lot of other direct support. There are a lot of Gates and considerable support as well as a direct Win condition. There are a number of flaws in this build, because I misunderstood Shrine as a type. I had incorrectly assumed that it was a creature type. But it is only an enchantment type. I had fun with this deck, but found the Shrine and Gate archetypes got in the way of each other. A rebuild of this would need to solve that.

deck list below the cut

Mythic Rare Uncommon Common

[COMMANDER] 1

1 Go-Shintai of Life's Origin

[CREATURES] 24

1 Armory Guard

1 Destiny Spinner

1 District Guide

1 Gate Colossus

1 Gatebreaker Ram

1 Gatecreeper Vine

1 Gatekeeper Gargoyle

1 Gateway Sneak

1 Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars

1 Go-Shintai of Boundless Vigor

1 Go-Shintai of Hidden Cruelty

1 Go-Shintai of Lost Wisdom

1 Go-Shintai of Shared Purpose

1 Greenside Watcher

1 Nessian Wanderer

1 Nine-Fingers Keene

1 Opal Lake Gatekeepers

1 Saruli Gatekeepers

1 Shrine Steward

1 Smelt-Ward Gatekeepers

1 Sunspire Gatekeepers

1 Torii Watchward

1 Ubul Sar Gatekeepers

1 Weaver of Harmony

[ARTIFACTS] 17

1 Arcane Signet

1 Azorius Cluestone

1 Boros Cluestone

1 Crucible of Worlds

1 Dimir Cluestone

1 Door to Nothingness

1 Glaive of the Guildpact

1 Golgari Cluestone

1 Gruul Cluestone

1 Izzet Cluestone

1 Maskwood Nexus

1 Navigation Orb

1 Orzhov Cluestone

1 Rakdos Cluestone

1 Selesnya Cluestone

1 Simic Cluestone

1 Thran Temporal Gateway

[INSTANTS] 2

1 Enlightened Tutor

1 Worldly Tutor

[SORCERIES] 6

1 Circuitous Route

1 Demonic Tutor

1 Explore the Underdark

1 Gates Ablaze

1 Open the Gates

1 Reshape the Earth

[ENCHANTMENTS] 17

1 Crackling Perimeter

1 Flaming Fist

1 Guild Summit

1 Hold the Gates

1 Honden of Cleansing Fire

1 Honden of Infinite Rage

1 Honden of Life's Web

1 Honden of Seeing Winds

1 Opalescence

1 Sanctum of All

1 Sanctum of Calm Waters

1 Sanctum of Fruitful Harvest

1 Sanctum of Shattered Heights

1 Sanctum of Tranquil Light

1 Sphere of Safety

1 Sword Coast Sailor

1 Veteran Soldier

[NON-BASIC LAND] 23

1 Azorius Guildgate

1 Baldur's Gate

1 Basilisk Gate

1 Black Dragon Gate

1 Boros Guildgate

1 Citadel Gate

1 Cliffgate

1 Dimir Guildgate

1 Gateway Plaza

1 Golgari Guildgate

1 Gond Gate

1 Gruul Guildgate

1 Heap Gate

1 Izzet Guildgate

1 Manor Gate

1 Maze's End

1 Orzhov Guildgate

1 Plaza of Harmony

1 Rakdos Guildgate

1 Sea Gate

1 Selesnya Guildgate

1 Simic Guildgate

1 Thran Portal

[BASIC LAND] 10

2 Forest

2 Island

2 Mountain

2 Plains

2 Swamp

#art is #johannes voss #mtg #magic #the gathering #commander #鳥居 #torii #wizards #of the coast #deck #hub post #play

0 notes

the-sandy-hippo · 2 years ago

Note

15, 17, 30 for the magic asks

15. How many decks do you have? In theory? too many. in practice (physically)? none ;w; slowly building up a couple tho!

17. What non-basic land card do you own the most copies of? what an oddly specific question :0 I think it's golgari guildgate? or drownyard temple

30. Favorite tribe? My heart goes out to treefolk, my beloved.

#ask meme

1 note · View note

danco110 · 2 years ago

Text

“Everyone who crosses that threshold is our most cherished friend.” “Everyone who crosses it again is our bitterest enemy…” “…Dornadon, what on Ravnica are you doing?”

The loxodon in question was frozen in fear under the massive guildgate. “Er, well, you told me to go get those supplies from the Golgari, but then you just said…”

Trostani rolled her eyes thrice over. “Dornadon.” “It’s a figure of speech.” “Just go.”

“Oh, a-and you won’t banish me or anything?”

“No,” Trostani groaned in unison. Dornadon gave a sharp salute in return.

“I won’t fail you, guildmaster…guildmasters!”

The elephant wheeled around and departed through the gate, leaving an exasperated Trostani conversing among herself in the plaza.

“I thought it was a fairly straightforward figure of speech.” “It is. Dornadon was just slow on the uptake.” “But still, maybe we shouldn’t keep on with that kind of rhetoric…”

Trostani leveled two glares at their wild-haired third. “What do you mean, Oba?” “Speak plainly.”

The abashed dryad scratched the back of her neck. “It’s just that, a lot of Ravnicans call us a cult. And, you know, what we just said kind of sounds…like a…”

“A cult? Don’t be ridiculous.” “We’re nothing like those senseless Rakdos.”

Oba shook her head. “I mean, I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, but I could see how one might draw some parallels between the cult of personality surrounding Lord Rakdos, and…how we revere Mat’Selesnya-“

“Bite your tongue, Oba!” “That is blasphemy!”

“…No. Too many people think badly of us for it to just mean nothing. I won’t stay silent on this.”

“Then we are at a stalemate.” “I hope you realize what this means for the guild, Oba.”

The third dryad nodded. “I do. But I think that having no leader is better than having one that blindly follows whatever Mat’Selesnya tells-”

Oba was interrupted by a punch to the jaw. Trostani’s other two dryads launched themselves at her, and she quickly defended herself, drawing the attention of the other Selesnyans in the plaza.

[The newer members of the Selesnya are often unsure of whether to refer to Trostani in the singular or plural.]

#mtg #magic the gathering #ravnica #story bites

29 notes · View notes

ravnicaforgoblins · 4 years ago

Photo

Ravnica for Goblins

Laws of the Guildpact

Laws are a big deal in most worlds. On Ravnica, laws are literally the only thing preventing ten massive armies of Sphinx, Angels, Demons, Lich, Elementals, Giants, Wizards, Ghosts, Nightmares, and Kaiju from tearing each other apart in perpetual war. How is this possible? It’s possible because the Guildpact is not just words on flimsy paper. Guildpact Laws are Unbreakable Magical Effects. When all ten Guilds agreed to the Guildpact, they granted it absolute power.

How and why would many of the more evil and chaotic Guilds agree to something like this? Because Ravnica’s Guildpact is designed not only to account for each and every Guild’s lifestyle, but to empower it. There are laws that protect necromancy, laws that protect human experimentation, laws that protect torture, laws that protect murder, and laws that actually protect breaking the law. In addition to laws protecting peaceful citizens and law enforcement officials.

How can any civilization function like this? Balance. You may not be able to arrest a Dimir Agent for stealing, but you can absolutely break their face in. The goal of Ravnica’s laws is to preserve all ways of life for the Guilds, for better & for worse. Within your Guild’s set legal parameters, you are not just free but empowered to carry out that lifestyle. That lifestyle is written into the laws and protected by them. Which is why the single most important law is that you’re not allowed to punish a Guild member for obeying the Guildpact.

This is the most important law, but also the law that ended up destroying the Guildpact. House Dimir’s duty is literally to oppose the Guildpact, so when their Parun decided to kill the Boros Parun in broad daylight and got arrested by a Boros Wojek, the system kinda broke itself. Punishing a Guild for obeying the Guildpact by disobeying the Guildpact, resulting in: Error.4 *does not compute*

Fast-forward to the days of Jace Beleren as the Living Guildpact, and the laws have changed somewhat. The only laws that are still magically binding are the laws Jace verbally confirms. Once he does that, the person he says it to need only speak the law aloud and it’s an instantly unbreakable magical effect.

Now comes the tricky, difficult, infuriating part. For being so vitally important to Ravnican life, we don’t actually know what most, or really almost any, of the laws are. How are players supposed to utilize the effects of written laws if they don’t actually exist? Why didn’t WotC release an official Guildpact? That’s because a document that can actually encompass everything the Guildpact is theoretically supposed to be able to do would be an absolutely massive undertaking for a Card Game Company that doesn’t really need it for their card game, just for those of us playing D&D in their setting. Furthermore, even if they did put in the work, create a document, and release it; the internet (that’s us!) would tear it apart for flaws & loopholes. The internet would give the Orzhov, the Dimir, and the Rakdos a run for their money. Hence WotC doesn’t want to do this because it’s literally just a recipe for self-defeat, migraines, and disaster.

So instead, they give us little bits here & there. Promotional materials, card flavor texts, character stories, etc. Here is pretty much everything I’ve been able to gather that is either an Official Guildpact Law, references Law Magic, sounds close enough to Law Magic, or even just sounds true enough to the spirit of a Guild’s core beliefs to be potentially acceptable for invoking Guildpact Magic:

General Laws

*Petty theft is a violation of personal property with a charge dependent on judicial ruling. (Family Values)

*In consonance with the New Accord of the Guild of Ravnica, you are granted the right of exposure and are obligated by duty to present your evidence of financial corruption to the Living Guildpact. (Family Values)

*The Living Guildpact rules that coffee is an acceptable substitution for rest, as specified in subsection . . . whatever. (Catching Up)

*The magic of the Guildpact gives aegis to the spirits pressed into its service. Upon entering the afterlife, they find new focus and are charged with defending the Guildpact against those who would see it broken. (Guardian of the Guildpact)

Azorius Senate

*You have the right to remain silent. (Azorius Arrester)

*Your potential to commit a crime warrants further investigation. (Azorius Justiciar)

*To prevent action is to prevent transgression. (Inaction Injunction)

*We have confiscated your spells as evidence. Once we conclude our investigation, you may petition to have them returned. (Render Silent)

*Thanks to the magic in his Writ of Passage, alms beasts lumbered aside, anarchs bowed their heads, and even Rakdos acrobats rolled their spikewheels out of his way. (Azorius Knight-Arbiter)

*....A clause that ties the average length of prison sentences to recidivism rates. Theoretically, we could end up having negative-term sentences should the rate fall low enough.... Referenced an ancient Azorius Law, 394-H. (The Ascension of Reza)

*Azorius Law 3455-J: Failure to submit proper identification will result in detention for an indefinite amount of time. (The Ascension of Reza)

*If it happened in the Thinktank, I'm afraid we have no jurisdiction there. (The Ascension of Reza)

*Azorius Law 2795-V, Non-compliance with arresters.... (The Ascension of Reza)

*Azorius Law 3343-J, Traveling in a stolen vehicle.... (The Ascension of Reza)

*By the prerogative writ of emergency, and by a unanimous vote, I hereby declare Hendrik Azmerak Grand Arbiter pro tem of the Thinktank Enclave. As the leader of your people, do I have your permission to put the following law into effect? (The Ascension of Reza)

*To be Azorius is to serve as an exemplary model of moral conduct. (Azorius Guild Kit Instruction)

*Always keep your uniform pressed and your armor polished, in accordance with Regulation 654.2, Part 87, Section 28. (Azorius Guild Kit Instruction)

*Should you witness a criminal act, signal the Sky Hussars immediately and begin documenting the occurrence and details of the crime scene. (Azorius Guild Kit Instruction)

Boros Legion

*Your brother’s crimes are your crimes. You stood by and lent support, so you too must face judgement. (Wojek Embermage)

*It promises protection to those in need and proclaims a warning to any who would threaten Ravnican law. (Boros Guildgate)

*Stand tall. Even your posture should embody justice! (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

*Act with honor, in all things. (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

*Protect the innocent, at any cost. (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

*You are never truly off-duty. Evil never rests! (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

*Stay in top physical condition. (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

*If you see evil, crush it. (Boros Guild Kit Instruction)

House Dimir

*All those who trade in questions must answer to the Dimir. (Citywatch Sphinx)

*Welcome to the Dimir Public Offices. Not responsible for death or loss of property. Basement off-limits. (Dinrova Horror)

*Do not disclose your affiliations with REDACTED (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

*Extract knowledge whenever possible. (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

*No fact is unimportant. (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

*Always REDACTED. Never REDACTED. (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

*Be invisible, silent, and ethereal. (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

*Know every exit from any building. it could save your life. (Dimir Guild Kit Instruction)

Golgari Swarm

*Waste nothing. Seek value in what they discard. (Golgari Guild Kit Instructions)

*Death is no excuse to abandon your responsibilities. (Golgari Guild Kit Instructions)

*Take pride in the decay that fuels our kingdom. (Golgari Guild Kit Instructions)

*Fear neither Death nor Darkness. They can be your greatest allies. (Golgari Guild Kit Instructions)

*You are now a part of the Swarm. Every action you take should serve the interests of the Guild, so that we may all rise together. (Golgari Guild Kit Instructions)

Gruul Clans

*We are the heart of the wild, the fire in its eyes, and the howl in its throat. Come, join the battle to which you were born. (Gruul War Chant)

*Nature is the ultimate mindless destroyer, capable of power and ferocity no army can match, and the Gruul follow its example. (Savage Twister)

*They are the voice of the wild, crying out with nature’s fury and bringing forth its primeval might. (Wild Cantor)

*Enter and leave the shackles of society behind. (Gruul Guildgate)

*Burn. Smash. Fight. Win. (Gruul Guild Kit Instructions)

Izzet League

*The only action worth taking is one with an unknown outcome. (Nivix Guildmage)

*Erase “impossible” from your vocabulary. (Izzet Guild Kit Instructions)

*Strive to discover something NEW every day! The point of science is not to endlessly confirm what is known- it is to map the barriers of reality to better demolish them. (Izzet Guild Kit Instructions)

Orzhov Syndicate

*Article 12 of the Orzhovniha, a governing person of Orzhov recognition may be granted entrance to the Obzedat's Chamber with proof of identity. (Family Values)

*Entrance is free. Donations are required. (Syndic of Tithes)

*Alms coins are only redeemable at Orzhov businesses. (Alms Beast)

*The fine print of countless contracts has ensured we are never defenseless. (Immortal Servitude)

*The rights of ghosts are strictly protected under Orzhov bylaws, and those who enforce them can count on the ghosts’ assistance. (Imperious Oligarch)

*Pay in gold. Pay in blood. Pay with the servitude of your spirit kin But pay you must. (Pitiless Pontiff)

*We have no need for military might. We wield two of the sharpest swords ever forged: Faith in our left hand, Wealth in our right. (Castigate)

*Remember by whose gift you ascend. (Gift of Orzhova)

Cult of Rakdos

*If the pig’s blood drips on you, you’re next on the chain. (Gore-House Chainwalker)

*Never suffer alone. That’s selfish. Pain is meant to be shared with others! (Rakdos Guild Kit Instructions)

*Revel in your pain, in all pain, for it is freedom! No wound compares to the suffering of a dull, law-abiding life. (Rakdos Guild Kit Instructions)

*Make a grand spectacle of your pain, and play to your audience! If they aren’t screaming, laughing, or both, your performance has failed. (Rakdos Guild Kit Instructions)

*Blood and fire look good on everyone. And make excellent decorations. (Rakdos Guild Kit Instructions)

*Always be creative, especially in your bloodiest ventures. New modes of carnage delight the Lord of Riots, and it is wise to seek his favor. (Rakdos Guild Kit Instructions)

Selesnya Conclave

*So many oppose us, but we are the reed that bends without breaking. (Druid’s Deliverance)

*From the seeds of faith, great forests grow. (Scatter the Seeds)

*Within the song of Mat’Selesnya, one becomes all. (Camaraderie)

*No one in the Conclave acts alone. (Armada Wurm)

*Just as leaves fall and the tree blooms again, one day I will fall and the Conclave will endure. (Conclave Cavalier)

*Whatever hatred destroys, a single act of trust can revive. (Emmara, Soul of the Accord)

*We are the shield that never breaks, the bough that never burns, the song that can never be silenced. (Join Shields)

*When you hold a shield, lend your shield. (Privileged Position)

*There are no soloists in the chorus of Selesnya. (Trostani, Selesnya’s Voice)

*Enter and rejoice! The Conclave stands united, open to one and all. (Selesnya Guildgate)

Simic Combine

*Life has no mistakes, only experiments. (Skitter Eel)

*Within each of us, the potential for great power waits to be unleashed. (Sauroform Hybrid)

*Look beyond, to the vascular awareness that all life is a map to greater knowledge. (Momir Vig, Biomancy, Volume I) (Biomantic Mastery)

*As I contemplate what is, I dive ever deeper into the depths of possibility. Then I set an experiment in motion and watch the truth rise to the surface. (Gyre Engineer)

*Fruits of magic, roots in science. (Vigean Hydropon)

*The unnatural pressures of life in this city are best withstood by lifeforms that adapt with unnatural swiftness. (Novigen, Heart of Progress)

*Mystery is beauty. Within the unknown we plumb revelation. (Simic Guildgate)

*Analyze every living thing you see, from the smallest tadpole to the mightiest dragon. Each one holds unique secrets of life, ready to be unlocked through careful study. (Simic Guild Kit Instructions)

*Modification of another’s body without their express permission will not be tolerated. (Simic Guild Kit Instructions)

*Learn to see the patterns all around you; let them illuminate truths that transcend species. (Simic Guild Kit Instructions)

*When you study a life form, identify its weaknesses, then eliminate them. (Simic Guild Kit Instructions)

#ravnica for goblins #ravnica #goblins #D&D #dungeons & dragons #roleplaying #mtg #campaign #laws #guild #guilds #guildpact #laws of ravnica #plane

45 notes · View notes

stormconduit · 5 years ago

Text

things ral did in the secretist

- blew up a golgari tunnel

-blew up the azorius baby griffon nursery

-reconstructed paper from ashes by shooting lightning at it

-watched someone get vored and didnt notice

-murdered melek in front of everyone by absorbing him

-attacking all the maze runners with electricity

-blowing up the orzhov guildgate and decimating a ton of thrulls

-blaming all of his problems on jace because niv mizzet said no

-trying to kill jace

-flirting with emmara for some reason

-saying he had lovers on other planes

-saying planebound are just pawns for planeswalkers to use

-ignoring that his colleague suffocated to death because of him

- wanting to rule ravnica

-using a storm cloud to fly on

-is very fast

-someone tried to interrupt him while he was speaking by attacking someone and he just instantly killed them

#ral zarek

55 notes · View notes

agdragonstudio · 5 years ago

Text

Golgari Locket

Art by Milivoi Ćeran

Golgari Guildgate art by Eytan Zana

#mtg #3d card alter #magic the gathering #mtg alter #mtgaltered #mtgcommunity #guilds of ravnica #golgari #locket cycle

5 notes · View notes

blogging-phelddagrif · 5 years ago

Text

it kind of bug me that vraska was the guildleader card for this time on ravnica just because I collect the legendary selesnya & golgari creatures (+guildgates, signets, guildmages) each time around and now my binder has an empty slot where she should be because she’s 20$...

5 notes · View notes

adashofstarshine · 6 years ago

Text

“The Reunion” - Jace/Vraska War of the Spark AU.

Commissioned by @mygogglesdosomething

Find my commission details here!

Summary:

Not one, but two, undead armies ravage Ravnica's Tenth District, intent on raising the proud city-plane to the ground. With no memories of her plans for sabotage, can Jace reach his Captain before her Erstwhile army destroys the very city she once swore to protect?

As God-Eternals fill the spark-strewn sky and zombies pour relentlessly from the Undercity, Jace is terrified that his actions may be too little too late.

War of the Spark AU where Jace is the one to give Vraska back her memories.

~ AO3 Link ~

Full Story Under the Cut!

No sooner had Jace tried to summon the power of the Guildpact, he had noticed something was wrong. The Guildpact was an ancient magic built on the cooperation between guilds. If it was to be used against Bolas, then all ten guilds must be in agreement that Bolas needed to be stopped. There lay their problem. Shrouded in illusion, Jace darted up the wreckage of the Transguild Promenade, straight towards Deadbridge. With every step, the consequences of his actions, or lack of action, burdened him ever further. A burden that was only heavier with the knowledge of what he was about to face.

He understood. He knew why Vraska had petrified Guildmaster Isperia. Right here and now, he wasn’t sure if he’d stop her if given the chance again. Who would he be to deny Vraska’s right to assert her personhood over the sphinx that had abused her? She would not be defined by her abusers. As the leader of the Golgari, she would seek justice for all those who had suffered. Isperia had likely been ignorant to all the pain she’d caused. She hadn’t even cared as hundreds of Golgari had been tortured in her name. Sphinxes. They had never ceased to disgust him.

Jace had known Bolas had promised Vraska guild leadership, but he hadn’t stopped to think of the consequences. He’d assumed it was a business transaction of sorts. One Immortal Sun for one Golgari title. But no, Vraska had herself an undead army and she was using it for the very dragon she’d sworn to betray. Not one but two armies now swarmed the streets of the Tenth District.

When he’d heard the screams, Jace’s blood had run cold. Ravnica had already been at war when he’d returned. He hadn’t had time to venture down into the Undercity. There hadn’t even been a spare moment for Vraska and what she might be doing now she had control of the Golgari. He was too late. Vraska was still on Bolas’ side. She didn’t have her memories. He’d failed her. Failed her so badly that she was going to wipe out the very people she’d sworn to protect! The blood on her hands was also on his. The Tenth District was being pincered from above and below. The Eternals didn’t seem interested in civilians but the Golgari’s forces cared not for who they slaughtered.

According to the Izzet scouts, hundreds of troops had emerged from the entrances into the Undercity, helmed by an enormous force, a lich-led procession heading across Deadbridge. That therefore was Jace’s destination. If the Golgari Queen was going to be anywhere, it would be with her nobles and generals. As he approached Deadbridge, he saw a cluster of bodies, all dressed in outlandishly colourful outfits. Planeswalkers, no one else on Ravnica dressed in such exuberant hides and feathers. They had died not from their sparks being torn out, but by a poisonous fungus that was already spreading across their features. The Golgari were nothing but efficient. He had to reach Vraska before she wiped out the precinct.

The realisation was going to be hard on her. Jace could already imagine the pain in her eyes as she realised how much damage she’d caused. Her guilt would be immeasurable. He’d stand by her, no matter what. If she needed hope, he’d be her assurance. If she needed strength, he would be her crutch. If she needed a shoulder to cry on, well, he’d certainly be that too. She was his Captain, and perhaps, something more. Jace found his heart racing at the thought of that book date she’d promised. One step at a time Beleren, he scolded himself. He had a monumental amount of fixing to do before he could consider an ‘after’. He had a very rough idea of a plan. He had assured the others that he would bring the Golgari over to their side within the hour. He was going to have to abuse his power a little. He was going to be the Living Guildpact in a way only he could achieve. It was time. Time for him to step out from his safety blanket of illusions and be the one his home needed.

Just short of Deadbridge, he was forced to stop in his tracks by an almighty boom overhead. Something immense had just been released from the interplanar portal, loud enough to be heard many miles away. Skulking behind a low stone wall, he dared look up at the darkening sky. At first, he thought it was a bird, then he saw it had humanoid legs and the remnants of a robe.

The loud flapping of wings drowned out Jace’s expletives.

It was Kefnet, the ibis god of Amonkhet, or perhaps ex-god was more accurate. He was certainly more skeletal and lazotep-coated than last Jace had seen him. He was heading in exactly the same direction as he was. This was the entire definition of ‘not good’.

Jace took a deep breath. He couldn’t have been the only one to see that. No, he didn’t have time to think about this right now! He had to find Vraska! He had to save her and return her to herself!

His run turned into a sprint, weaving round abandoned bodies and vehicles. Cloaked by five layers of illusion, his feet made no sound against the pavement. He kept glancing upwards as Kefnet glided overhead. Please don’t notice, please don’t notice, Jace found himself chanting in his head. However, his prayers were soon drowned out by a great blast of horns and drums. Kefnet completely ignored this interruption, confirming Jace’s worst fears. The Golgari and Eternals were indeed working in tandem.

The Golgari army had reached the edge of Deadbridge. It was a sight unlike any Jace had seen before. Trolls with drums the size of wagons beat a fanfare as troop after troop of armoured Golgari marched in rank and file out of the Undercity. Flanks of armoured devkarin were interspersed with chittering kraul. Grim flag-bearers, bedecked in skull-like war paint, each led hundreds of fungus-coated zombies. They were unlike any undead Jace had encountered, and their military precision matched the eternals in every respect. He could hear their progress into the city, their arrival at a new road marked with a fresh chorus of screams. There was a crash and suddenly Kefnet joined the fray, ripping apart a nearby rooftop with enormous skeletal hands. The building was promptly swarmed by these horrific new zombies.

Jace looked up just as another loud boom shook tiles off the roof-tops. His knees almost gave out under him as not one but three more god-eternals loomed over the horizon. No… One self-proclaimed god was enough. How were they to deal with four more? How were they ever going to reach Bolas whilst trying to save the population from these divine monstrosities? Even the Golgari quailed at the sight of the goliaths, but their lich lords and ladies shouted them back into line from atop many-legged beasts - beetles, spiders and other unidentifiable horrors.

“Beleren!” the telepathic shout crackled like static in his brain.

“What?” he replied, in similar frustration.

“What are you doing? Are you seeing this?” demanded Ral Zarek, “The Golgari are massacring out here and now there are these giant…things!”

“They’re zombified gods,” Jace explained, as if knowing made it any better, “And I’m working on the Golgari! Give me a moment!”

“We don’t have many more moments left!”

Jace felt him drop the connection in panic and immediately turned to deal with the problem at hand. He had no idea where in the oncoming army Vraska was. Blood dyed the surrounding moss and fungi a rich crimson as liches raised the slaughtered city folk and sent them shambling off into the district. Jace tore his gaze away and took a deep breath. He didn’t have enough Guildpact power to hurt Bolas, but he could certainly do this.

“CITIZENS OF THE GOLGARI.” His voice boomed telepathically through every mind on the bridge. The procession came to an abrupt halt.

“I am Jace Beleren, Living Guildpact and I am here to tell you that you have been deceived. The end you march towards is the end of Ravnica itself. Not death, but obliteration from which no life will return. I therefore seek an audience with your Queen to put an end to this needless bloodshed.”

He gave a pause to let this information sink in.

“Guildmaster Vraska, as the Living Guildpact, I request your presence at the foot of Deadbridge, this instant. Bring no guards, no assassins, your army will stand by.”

The bridge itself suddenly rippled with green light. Jace felt the surge of power pass through his being, like being hit by immense wave. The leyline leading through the Guildgate had illuminated the brickwork, the power of Ravnica itself summoned forth by the Guildpact’s command. There were numerous cries as a glowing barrier, towering over even the largest beast, formed at the foot of the bridge. Pure mana stopped the army’s advance, walking into it would clearly be suicide.

“You have some nerve Beleren!”

A wide arch formed in the barrier, allowing the irate Guildmaster to come through. It snapped closed immediately behind her, but Jace was too transfixed at what she was wearing to care. The last time they’d met she’d been in full pirate ensemble. She’d looked utterly magnificent then, but now! What was that? Had she come to war in a ballgown? Still invisible, Jace couldn’t help but gasp and stare. It was a ballgown, resplendent with more mushrooms than Jace could possibly name, and many layers of silk that drifted ethereally about her in the wind. The dress was sleeveless, leaving her wide array of scars on display for all to see. She looked tall, proud, regal… and gorgeous beyond belief. He had to take a moment to compose himself before sending out an illusion to address her.

“No offense was meant Guildmaster,” said the illusion, “The need is dire but I am merely here to parley.”

She scowled at him, her eyes already alight with magic. In one swift movement, she pulled a knife from in her skirts and thrust it at the illusion. The blade passed straight through the fake-Jace’s head and clattered onto the pavement. The illusion flickered once and died before another swiftly took its place.

“If you truly wish to parley,” she spat, clearly wondering where he had acquired the term, “Then you will come out here in your own skin.”

It pained him to see her so filled with hatred. This was the Vraska ruled by revenge rather than compassion. He desperately wanted the new Vraska, the Vraska who shown him mercy and not rage. The Vraska who stood proudly at the bow and sung sea-shanties at the top of her lungs, loving life and more importantly, loving herself. However, if he approached her now, he very clearly risked petrification, or a knife to the head.

“I would have your word that I’m not going to be stone the moment I appear,” he informed her.

She let out another angry hiss, her hair unfurling to its fullest extent.

“State your purposes and perhaps I will.”

Here went nothing.

“I am here to return something you lost,” his illusion replied, “You left them behind on Ixalan. I merely wish to give them back.”

His mention of Ixalan had clearly caught her off guard. She pulled another knife out of goodness-knows-where, but did not throw it. As far as she knew, he had never been to Ixalan. He should not know the term ‘parley’ in relation to a pirate’s meeting. He shouldn’t even know she had been a pirate. Her memories showed her a glorious solo victory. An image of herself turning her adversaries to gold. Jace had never been part of that and, as predicted, this was enough to pique her curiosity.

“You have my word. Now come forth and explain yourself.”

Jace stepped out from behind the nearest building. He could just about see the Golgari troops, waiting indignantly behind his barrier. Vraska stood before them, a vision in autumnal hues, gleaming dagger in one hand, a golden glow in her eyes.

Jace dispelled his illusion with a casual wave, walking to the edge of the bridge, keeping his gaze trained on the furious Guildmaster at all times. His eye contact showed he wasn’t afraid of her. The Golgari grew quieter with his every step, as if shocked that he would dare approach their Queen so brazenly.

“Explain yourself Beleren,” she demanded.

“Of course, Captain.”

It was like watching an epiphany in slow motion. First, her eyes widened, their golden glow fading to a dull yellow. Her mouth fell open in a silent scream as she slowly sank to the ground in a ripple of silks and skirts. Her taloned fingers rose, hands clasping over her lips in dawning realisation. Gaze burning blue, memories flooded her consciousness, each raw with emotion, as tender as the last. She drew a rasping breath, as if surfacing from deep water. Her hands falling to the ground to steady herself. As her senses returned, she looked up. Golden eyes swimming with tears, she stared at Jace – not with the rage of only moments ago, but with abject horror.

He offered her his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she took it and somewhat clumsily got to her feet.

“Jace,” her voice was softer but not devoid of anger. He had the distinct feeling this was not directed at him, but inwards

He didn’t need to be in her thoughts to know how she felt. One look spoke louder than words. What have I done?

“I’m sorry Captain,” he said, “For not being here sooner. You needed me and I was absent. I will apologise a thousand times over when we have time, but now, we are at war.”

Vraska blinked, confused perhaps by the fact that he was the one apologising. She straightened up a little and nodded.

“We are at war,” she agreed, “I need to make up for what I’ve done.”

She still sounded a little breathless.

“Can you project my voice?”

Jace nodded as she took a shaky step back towards her army. Then another more confident stride, then another. Jace took a step back, and slowly lowered the barrier.

“Golgari!” Vraska exclaimed, her voice booming out over Deadbridge, “Though it pains to say this, the Living Guildpact is right. We have been deceived!”

There was instant uproar from the assembled masses. Cries, shouts, a few bellowing roars but Vraska instantly called for silence.

“There will be no Kingdom of Rot! No land for the Golgari left to claim if the dragon has his way with our world! Today we fight to show Ravnica what glory grows forth from the Undercity! Not through destruction, but to bring the world into our debt! Today we turn the tides. Today we fight for Ravnica!”

Jace watched on as Vraska shouted orders at her troops. He stepped to one side as phalanx after phalanx of elf, kraul and zombie departed Deadbridge with a new resolve burning in their eyes. They marched in rank and file, through the streets, their numbers swollen by the soldiers once rampaging through people’s homes.

“If I find that any more citizens have been harmed!” Vraska called, “I will petrify every person responsible, starting with the highest chain of command! Spread the news throughout the city! The Golgari will be Ravnica’s saviour, not its doom!”

Soon only a small contingent of liches were left on Deadbridge. They seemed to be standing guard over the Undercity entrance, standing tall on their beetle mounts. Vraska turned to Jace, joining him at the foot of the bridge and gesturing for him to cut his enhancement of her voice. Once she was out of earshot of her gentry, she seemed to shrink a little, exhaustion evident in her posture.

“Jace, I-“ She shook her head. Her hair fell limp about her face as she looked at him, seemingly struggling for words.

“It’s not your fault,” he assured her, “The fault lies with Bolas, for deceiving you. And with me, for not being there in time.”

“No,” she replied, “No, I fell straight into his trap. He saw my weakness and abused it. Killing Isperia, it fell directly into his plans. And now, look what happened because I was weak.”

She gestured at the piles of bodies that littered the edge of Deadbridge. Those were undeniable, but still, not her fault.

“Someone once told me,” Jace stated, “That you aren’t weak because you were taken advantage of. The cruelty of what they made you do reflects on them, not you.”

She gave a funny little hiccup at the sound of her own words being repeated back to her. She smiled, but the guilt was plain in her eyes.

“Beleren!” the static was back and so was the Izzet Guildmaster.

“Yes,” Jace replied, “What is happening?”

“The Golgari have changed sides!” Ral exclaimed, “How the hell did you do it?”

Jace glanced at Vraska and made a silent motion, tapping the side of his head with one finger. She nodded and he linked her telepathically into the conversation.

“I spoke with their Guildmaster. Her mind was under the control of Bolas, I managed to find the root of his corruption and set her free.”

Vraska stared at Jace with wide eyes at his blatant deception.

“She was being controlled?!” Ral replied, “So this army, Isperia…”

“Bolas’ doing,” Jace lied, “To put his minion in control of the Azorius and trap us from both sides. However, the Golgari have returned to us. Their armies are taking on the Eternals as we speak.”

“Guildmaster Zarek,” Vraska’s thoughts felt cool, like shadows upon cold stone, “I know that no words will make up for my actions under the dragon’s influence.”

“You’re right there,” growled Ral.

“However,” Vraska continued, “In the Golgari deeds speak larger than words. So, let me show you how committed my guild is to ending this tyrant’s reign.”

Vraska turned towards her assembled lich lords. Though the barrier was gone, they had remained respectfully at the foot of the bridge.

“Lords and Ladies of Korozda!” Vraska called out to the assembled liches, broadcasting her words telepathically as well as audibly, “Contact your brethren! Now is the time to prove your loyalty to our Great City! Those undead who tower over us are weapons of the enemy. Bring them to heel! Now!”

Jace wasn’t sure quite what to expect. He could feel the necrotic energy in the air like water vapor. Humid with power, the air itself took on a green tint, distorting the world around them in a way that made his head spin. Vraska stood strong, pointing at the rampaging Kefnet, who was now batting off attacking Golgari undead.

“NOW!” she screamed.

There was a release. Like a bubble of pure energy being burst. Jace found his vision clearing, able to breathe easy once more as a great fountain of energy soared into the sky. More beams, like green beacons, shot off distant rooftops, Dozens of green rays struck the heavens, before turning, focussing. Golgari from all over the city, necromancers all, funnelled their power, directing it at the God-Eternals.

Jace watched in open-mouthed shock as Kefnet stopped in his tracks. Fungi, bright green and luminescent, was growing about the ex-god’s limbs at a speed unlike any Jace had seen before. Enormous orange shelf-mushrooms bloomed through his eye-holes, as roping vines wrapped about his beak. Blue lazotep was swiftly and utterly coated in a thick rainbow of fungi, glowing, undulating, writhing as they consumed the bird-god whole. There was a moment in which Jace stood, breath held, before Kefnet rose above the rooftops like a phoenix emerging from the ashes. His shape was recognisable but his form was entirely fungal, no trace of gleaming metal remained. The Undercity had consumed him. The Golgari had taken control.

“Strike down the invaders!” Vraska cried, “Take their mockery of our ways and grind them to dust! We are the Golgari and Ravnica is ours!”

There was an almighty cheer. Jace hastily stepped away from the bridge as the liches split into two parties. Those riding great spiders and beetles came charging onto the city streets, ready to join in the fray.

“Did they just-“ came Ral’s shocked thoughts in both their heads, “Did you just take all the-“

“Take command of those monstrosities?” Vraska replied, “Do not fight the Golgari with undeath as your only weapon. We will master you.”

She spoke with such power and conviction, Jace was feeling a little weak at the knees. His Captain was back and she was glorious.

“We’re still telepathically linked you know,” she thought at him. He went rather pink

“Well…you have certainly proved yourself,” Ral sounded immensely relieved, “I’ve powered down the Beacon, but we need to discuss what to do about the dragon. Meet me. Nivix. Now.”

He shut off his mental connection as if his words were final. The buzz of static faded from Jace’s ears and he turned back to Vraska, meeting her gaze once more.

“You lied to him,” she said, though she lacked any sort of accusation in her tone. On the contrary, she seemed a little impressed.

Jace shrugged.

“A little. I don’t think I regret it though.”

“That’s not very Guildpact-ly behaviour,” she teased. Her smile was contagious and he found himself blushing a little as he grinned back.

“I know, must have spent too much time around those good-for-nothing pirates,” he replied, before growing a little more serious.

“If I hadn’t lied, well, perhaps I was being selfish. But I know you.” He met her gaze, willing her to believe in his complete sincerity.

“As the Guildpact, I would much rather have you ruling the Golgari. As a friend, I know how wonderful a leader you can be. I believe the Golgari, and the whole of Ravnica, can only benefit from that.”

There was a crash in the distance as fungal-Kefnet flew through the air, colliding with a mass of winged eternals. Jace momentarily glanced skywards, but then focussed his attention back on her.

“I won’t be the one to take away your chance to reinvent who you are. You are who you decide to be. I believe, now you’re wholly yourself again, you can show Ravnica that you’re as amazing as I see you.”

Now it was her turn to blush, the green glow of her cheeks partially obscured by her hair, curling about her face in an endearing display of bashfulness. She took a step closer, and reached forward. Jace waited patiently, knowing how much of a trial this was for her, to reach out and voluntarily make physical contact with another person. Yet she did, long fingers gently brushing against his cheek. She drew closer still, cupping the side of his face with a smile that warmed the golden hue of her gaze.

“You’re still you,” she murmured, “You’re still the remarkable man I left on Ixalan. I missed you, somehow. There was always something gone, something missing. Now I know what that was.”

She traced over his tattoos with one calloused finger. Jace’s heart was beating far too fast. The fact she was touching him was exhilarating, but the fact she was comfortable enough to do so was a thrill in itself.

“I have a lot to make up for,” he replied, “To Ravnica, to you, I-“

She cut him off with a kiss. So light and gentle, but it stole his breath away.

“We’ll have time for regrets after we defeat Bolas,” she whispered, still so close, “You’re right, we are at war.”

Jace wondered if she felt like he did – like he’d swallowed an entire apple and it had lodged itself in his throat. Ever so gently, he kissed her in return. Her hair curled in delight.

“We’ll have time for plenty of things once we’re safe,” he replied, before realising how that might be interpreted

“I meant, you know for talking, planning, catching up, though I-I suppose there’s time for more kissing too. I didn’t mean it that way. But if you want there to be more kissing, or other things, I would be more than-“

She laughed, cutting off his nervous babbling with a simple:

“I would like that.”

“Talking? Or-or more kissing, I didn’t-“ Jace’s mind had spiralled off into what-ifs and maybes.

“You know what I mean.” Her enigmatic smile sent shivers down his spine, silencing him instantly. Gods, why did she have to be so beautiful?

One hand disappeared into the skirts of her dress and, to his immense surprise, she pulled out a sword. Was that why she was wearing so many layers? Were her skirts just packed with blades?

“Come, we’re meeting Zarek at Nivix are we not?”

Jace was thrust back into the here and now. Yes, there would be time for talking, (and maybe kissing), later. Now they had to fight a dragon.

“Yes Captain!”

There was a ripple of mana as he cast an illusion over them both. They exchanged one last look before starting the long trek back down the Transguild Promenade. They had a meeting to attend, a plan to make, and a multiverse to save. Even after this little triumph, the turning of the Golgari, the controlling of the God-Eternals, they would surely have their work cut out for them. They would need every last Guildmaster and planeswalker on their side, but maybe, if they fought long and hard enough, the day would be theirs. Jace couldn’t help but silently beg the spark-strewn sky for victory. Give them this. Give them their home. Years of pain and suffering had brought them both, here, at this moment. Please, let the day be theirs. Let them enjoy their new lives, their new selves, together.

#mtg #mtg fanfic #jace #jace beleren #vraska #war of the spark

18 notes · View notes