Lore implications of Emrakul in Innistrad's moon
Lore forum
Posted on Oct. 4, 2016, 3:20 p.m. by wereotter
So for weeks this has been on my mind, and while it's all speculative, the entire concept of Emrakul being trapped in Innistrad's moon and what that will mean for the plane is intriguing. Consider the facts we know: the moon of Innistrad is unusually powerful and has a pull on the plane beyond just the tides, this we know from the obvious facts of the werewolves and the other horrors of the plane emerging at night as well as from Tamiyo's research on the plane. Also we know that Emrakul's mere proximity to the plane caused a warping effect on the minds and physical appearance of the citizens and creatures of the plane.
So my wonder is this: with Emrakul trapped in the moon, will a full moon over Innistrad mean the emergence of more eldrazi horrors? If we ever see more from supplementary products, or a third Innistrad set, will these Lovecraftian creatures be the new norm on the plane, and will this presence be something that keeps the other more traditional gothic horrors in check? For example, vampires having to fight off the corrupted within their own ranks while also more starved to find uncorrupted humans on which to feed?
Also we see from flavor text that Runo Stromkirk seemed to view the corruption from Emrakul as a blessing. Do we think there might be some massive devision between him and Olivia over the legions of the vampires on the plane over this issue?
What are your thoughts?
Sim_Will_CMcantfindmehopefully says... #3
As for the corruption, many vampires, including Olivia Voldaren after Sorin was trapped in stone by Nahiri felt that any change from the status quo, even that of the Eldrazi would be welcome. Not to mention Emrakul simply warps the mind and reality.
October 4, 2016 3:36 p.m.
Homura_Akemi says... #4
To me, Emrakul will not have much influence on Innistrad from inside of the moon. The moon is essentially a huge helvault and only its magic, not its contents, have a magical effect on its surroundings. Example: The Helvault was part of Sorin's plan to protect Innistrad (with Avacyn rip), but the demons inside (and Nahiri) did not have any outside influence on the plane. Because Emrakul put herself in the moon, after being like "Fuck y'all bitches I'sa wanted a party and you're trying to kill me", Emrakul wanted some solitary confinement because it was not her time yet.
The vampire bloodlines were all affected differently by Emralul, as stated in the Art of Innistrad book. The only lines that were uncorrupted were the Voldaren (except Voldaren Pariah Flip duh) and Markov (basically all dead and/ or trapped in stone lol) bloodlines. Rest in Pieces Sorin.
October 4, 2016 3:41 p.m.
metalmagic says... #5
Here's my thoughts. Emrakul appears to be at least somewhat prescient, and also scheming, which differs from the other two titans. All the other Eldrazi seem to have sort of a sense of mindless destruction about them, but we see from the story that Emrakul plans and communicates. The fact that she herself was the cause for her imprisonment means that most likely she is indeed prescient and knows that someone/thing will come along later and free her, or she just knows she's more than capable of breaking out of the moon when she pleases. Now, since Innistrad's moon is so powerful, it might actually have some effect on HER while she is trapped inside of it, and she realizes this. This could be the reason for her actions, in an attempt to gain more power.
Now, we know Nicol Bolas was instrumental in the release of the Eldrazi, but we don't know why he wanted them out. As a distraction for the other Planeswalkers while he regains his pre-mending power? Or did he make a plan with Emrakul, since we know she is at least able to communicate through visions? He was also helping out the Phyrexians through Tezzeret, who in turn was controlling Glissa, meaning Nicol Bolas commands a faction of the Phyrexians. I'm still hoping for Phyrexian Eldrazi in the future!
What does all of this really mean? I don't know. I have a feeling we might find out at least part of the puzzle in the next block when Bolas finally shows up again.
October 4, 2016 4:13 p.m.
You make an interesting point regarding her ability to communicate, though I'm note entirely convinced she's as completely rational as you describe, and potentially just as purpose driven as the other two, just her purpose is more intricate than the others. To go off topic there, I do believe that the three titans serve a purpose in the multiverse of eliminating dying planes and rebirthing them into new ones, and that their purpose was corrupted by bringing all three together into the same place. Going off the idea that Emrakul stated the plane was not ready to receive her makes me think the process is intended to go something along the lines of Ulamog was meant to consume the plane's physical form, Kozilek was meant to repurpose its mana, and Emrakul would come afterwards taking the wastelands left behind as well as any remaining brood and alter its form into a new plane. The fact that the work wasn't done ahead of time meant that she could not accomplish her ends. Though that goes off to theory crafting in the extreme.
As for the reference to the Helvault, I was already aware of how it worked and that it was constructed from a piece of the moon, however, unless I am remembering incorrectly, the Avacynian wards didn't immediately lose their power in the original Innistrad block because Avacyn was sealed away. It's possible that her influence lingered after her exile, but it's also possible that a slight amount of her influence was still in existence while she was sealed away. If the latter is true, it's possible that Emrakul could do the same, seeding the field of Innistrad, as it were, for her eventual return, and given the effect of the moon itself on the plane, perhaps Emrakul's influence could, theoretically, exert itself with the moon's influence is at it's peak.
October 4, 2016 4:57 p.m.
Simon_Williamson imagine if that weak point was the part of the moon that became the helvault. Then the helvault actually leads innistrad to its doom. Wouldn't that be ironic
October 4, 2016 8:58 p.m.
Sim_Will_CMcantfindmehopefully says... #8
tempest If BOTH of his forms of protection from the planr had backfired (Avacyn AND the Helvault) I think Sorin would off himself.
October 4, 2016 9:08 p.m.
PistonGolem says... #9
Random thought: Silver in the lore is a metal that can go through time travel, so it is theoretically possible for some powerful planeswalker (Bolas?) to come along and send Emrakul back in time for shenanigans...
October 4, 2016 10:59 p.m.
Sim_Will_CMcantfindmehopefully says... #10
Emrakul is an aspect of the Multiverse. He and all the Eldrazi just exist. Always. They are a force like that of gravity or Aether itself, in the blind eternities they slumber, it is only when their hunger for mana calls that they wake, taking the form of Avatars. Also time travel is unlikely even for Bolas (who had to release the Eldrazi, couldn't send them) or Ugin since the Great Mending weakened what Planeswalkers are. Although time travel is possible post Mending and has been done, much like how you cannot Planeswalk with someone else after the Mending, you cannot time travel with someone else. This is why Sarkhan Vol had to time travel himself. Also sending a hunk of silver through time would be significantly challenging even for the likes of Urza, but with an Eldrazi contained inside it may be an impossible task simply by their nature.
Sim_Will_CMcantfindmehopefully says... #2
The silver in the moon works like the Helvault (which was made out of the silver from the moon and originally made by Sorin to trap the Eldrazi, around the time Nahiri was making Hedrons) and essentially exiles Emrakul, nullifying any effect, although on Zendikar the Hedrons did allow the tree Titan's to release their brood once one was cracked, so we can only wait for Emrakul, the mother of all Eldrazi, to find an opening in the moon.
October 4, 2016 3:32 p.m.