UR/MS: A Gaze Blank and Pitiless
Lore forum
Posted on March 9, 2016, 11:36 a.m. by GoldGhost012
An unknown source Avacyn can't fight changes her, Sigarda gets an ultimatum, and the purification begins.
GoldGhost012 says... #3
Very true. Avacyn also apparently sees hedrons when she initially came under attack by the madness.
This was a very gripping and chilling story. I thought it was amazing.
March 9, 2016 11:46 a.m.
Yeah, this story was an A+ in my book. They do a great job of explaining Avacyn's madness and making her a true Boros villain. Just the line "Chaos into order. Corruption into purity. Peace increases." makes me shiver. Plus we now have a pretty solid evidence that the Moon is part of the problem:
She looked at the moon, and the moon whispered such beautiful words. All will burn. All will bleed. Avacyn repeated the words to herself, a soothing song filling her head with joy. All will burn. All will bleed. She laughed and smiled as her angels continued the great work in the burning village.
March 9, 2016 11:56 a.m.
I knew the moon was part of the problem, but maybe it's what's in/on the moon.
March 9, 2016 12:04 p.m.
AgentGreen says... #6
"A field of white flashed through her eyes, followed by an image of many floating stone obelisks with intricate runes carved into their sides, moving in concert with each other..."
The fact that Avacyn sees Hedrons is troubling; because only one being has any connection to Hedrons
Eldrazi.
Come on Jace, get your blue caped ass to Innastrad and find out what is causing the madness.
March 9, 2016 12:38 p.m.
Pretty sure Nahiri (and Ugin) both have a PRETTY HUGE connection to the hedrons dawg.
March 9, 2016 12:43 p.m.
AgentGreen says... #8
That's true too
And since we know Ugin is cleaning up on Zendikar, that leaves Nahiri. Now I'm not familiar with the power of Nahiri, but does she have the power to drive Avacyn mad? She's a white PW, and insanity seems more black than anything. And there is the strong theory that she is going to be a W/R PW
March 9, 2016 12:52 p.m.
AgentGreen Nahiri wasn't there in Zendikar's 2nd block. Clearly she's not helping to stop the eldrazi anymore. It wouldn't have made sense for her to go after Emrakul when the plane she was born in was getting devoured by Ulamog. Lastly, the eldrazi don't make the hedrons, the hedrons were made to stop the eldrazi by Nahiri.
March 9, 2016 1 p.m.
Who else is hoping Nahiri's behind the whole mess and eldrazi aren't in soi?
March 9, 2016 1:03 p.m.
I'm wondering if Nahiri is actually the source of the insanity. We know Emrakul left Zenidakr some time ago and Nahiri is looking for Sorin. We also know the Endrazi are drawn to sources of mana. What is Nahiri went to Innistrad, couldn't find Sorin and reapplied that somehow, Emrakul followed her. I may be completely wrong but if so it puts her actions on Innistrad in a new light. She isn't trying to intentionally distort Innistrad, she's trying to create a new prison/weapon vs Emrakul. If the moon is a source of mana on the plane, it could mean Emrakul is feeding off it, whose nature distorts reality and in turn distorts Avacyn's views.
March 9, 2016 1:08 p.m.
AgentGreen says... #12
I like that theory; and is supported by the name of the next set
There is alot of Cthulhu mythos references going on. Eldritch Moon is a straight callback to Cthulhu
March 9, 2016 1:24 p.m.
Whatever their plan, the great work sounds phyrexian. Also I'm super disappointed I didn't get more about the 
angel.
March 9, 2016 2 p.m.
Topdeckermtg2016 says... #16
I doubt Nahiri has the power to corrupt the moon unless she has become B/W and is performing some dark lithomancy. My bet is that Emrakul is feeding off of the moon or an insanely powerful demon or Marit Lage has been awakened by Nahiri. Could Lilliana or Tibalt have any influence on this? Also why is Sigarda seemingly unaffected by the madness and why does her sisters become affected? Could Sigarda gain a spark? Answers ! We need answers!
March 9, 2016 2:25 p.m.
PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #17
Sigarda has always been my least favorite card to play against, but hot damn do I need to find a copy right now. I mean, I know I get a new favorite character like every ten seconds, but seriously... New favorite character.
March 9, 2016 4:19 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #18
This was definitely one of the best stories that I have read in some time, and it is one of the few times that an M:tG story has provoked an emotional response from me; I could almost feel the despair of the citizens of Innistrad, as if it were my own, at seeing their savior turned evil. Just as a side note, for how long was Avacyn imprisoned in the Helvault? I thought that it was for centuries, or at least decades, but the story never explicitly stated that. And did Sorin create Avacyn before or after helping to imprison the eldrazi on Zendikar?
How did Avacyn turn evil, so suddenly, and without warning? I am hoping that a powerful demon lord did something to her, but the more likely culprit is Nahiri, whom we know shall be involved in this block. I really hope that Avacyn can redeem herself, but I fear that Sorin may be forced to kill her, which likely would not be easy for him to do, as she is, essentially, his child.
This story revealed very important information about the history of Innistrad; Bruna, Gisela, and Sigarda predate Avacyn, and there was another legendary angel, as well, whom Avacyn killed. I am certain that she shall be important, later in this block, and it seems that I may have finally found the black/white angel that I have been seeking from Innistrad.
Why did Sigarda not turn evil? Is she somehow immune to whatever power corrupted Avacyn and the other angels? I definitely expect her to be one of the main protagonists of this arc, and it certainly is nice to have stories that focus on characters other than planeswalkers.
Although this is not relevant to Innistrad, since we are discussing angels, why were there so few angels involved in the Battle for Zendikar block? They were inhabitants of that plane, as well, but they were rarely mentioned in the stories during that block.
March 9, 2016 7:07 p.m.
TheFoilAjani says... #19
DemonDragonJ To answer some of your questions, I have some cards and info.
Look at Sigarda, Host of Herons. She is obviously some sort of anti-control powerhouse, in-game and out. I think Moon Herons are a thing on Innistrad (I think Ravnica, not sure), so that's a really interesting think to talk about.
As for the lack of angels in Zendikar, I have the UR of General Tazri as a reference, besides my own first-hand knowledge. Basically, a bunch of angels (most of them) died to the Eldrazi due to Zendikar angels not being the smartest (think about angels flying directly at Emrakul). The angels were basically extinct.
March 9, 2016 7:21 p.m.
DemonDragonJ Have you seen the packaging art for soi yet? Sorin definetly looks "extremely happy" knowing that Avacyn rebelled against the one job she was given.
March 9, 2016 7:56 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #21
Avacyn was imprisoned in the Helvault for just over a year. When Avacyn was created has never truly been established, just general "X amount of time ago." We can't say whether or not she's pre-Eldrazi.
Personally, I doubt Sorin would have too difficult a time getting rid of Avacyn. I don't believe he sees her as anything other than what he created to keep Innistrad balanced. He will do what needs to be done.
March 9, 2016 8:57 p.m.
honestly, the Emrakul story makes a lot of sense. the two things that are being warped are stone and minds. Sounds like Nahiri and Emrakul to me. Also really hoping sigarda ends up winning. I naturally align with W/G/u so seeing elspeth, venser, and garruk all fall one way or another annoys me. Hopefully this set does the "good guys" justice (realistically unlike zendikar)
March 9, 2016 9:13 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #23
GoldGhost012: a year? That is it? The story of the first Innistrad block made it seem as if she had been missing for many years, so how are we, the audience, supposed to feel any sort of tension, or believe that the situation was as dire as it was intended to be, if Avacyn was missing for only a single year (provided that a year on Innistrad is approximately the same duration as a year on our world)?
March 9, 2016 10:27 p.m.
ItchiUchiha117 says... #24
I mean, a year is a pretty long time to have your main force for policing the supernatural horrors of the world just disappear. I'd be pretty stressed after a month. After a year, I'd be a nervous wreck, if I was even still alive at that point.
March 9, 2016 10:34 p.m.
Hey... this other angel Avacyn killed... Maybe SHE has something to do with Avacyn's madness? Could we be seeing the first Spirit Angel/ZOMBIE ANGEL?!?!
March 9, 2016 10:47 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #26
Exactly what ItchiUchiha117 said. In a year, vampires starting feeding with more intensity, stitchers and nectomancers were raising more dead, geists were wreaking more havoc, and werewolf attacks were getting worse and worse. Meanwhile, the Church of Avacyn is getting weaker and weaker, becoming increasingly unable to stave off these threats- which keep growing in intensity. Not to mention Thraben, the capitol of Innistrad and center of the Church of Avacyn (i.e. where it would be most devoted and powerful) was very close to being destroyed by zombie hordes during the first two-thirds-ish part of Avacyn's imprisonment. I think you're underestimating just how much Avacyn holds the evils of Innistrad back.
March 9, 2016 10:49 p.m.
RussischerZar says... #27
So I think the timeline goes as this.
- X amount of years ago (potentially a thousand or more): Sorin creates Avacyn in order to protect Innistrad from itself. After slaying many Vampires, Werewolves, Geists and other unnatural evil beings, the unbalance in power brings forth Devils and Demons in greater numbers. Demons by definition can not be slayed permanently (their spirit comes back at some point), so Avacyn is like "if I can't kill em, might as well lock em up" and does so in the Helvault.
- about 4 years ago: Griselbrand has enough of her shit, lands on the Helvault under a Full Moon and is like: "Come at me brah ... errr ... sis!" She obviously obliges and in a battle that lasts for multiple days. Avacyn finally gets the upper hand and casts a spell to bind old Grizzle and in a last ditch effort he throws his spear at her, being distracted by casting the spell and all. With that wombo combo, they both get imprisoned. The supernaturals slowly get more powerful over time as Avacyn and her powers are locked up. Sorin is afk from Innistrad, so he doesn't notice.
- about 3 years ago: Liliana Vess comes along and wants to slay Griselbrand, only to find him in the prison that is the Helvault. She gives Thalia, Guardian of Thraben an ultimatum that the Helvault shall be destroyed. If not, she will merely slaughter every single mofo that's unter Thalia's command - a really nice person that Lili lass. Thalia doesn't like to lose people so she commands the Helvault destroyed. It gets blown apart and all the trapped Demons + Avacyn are released. The Demons disperse, Lili kills Griselmeister and Avacyn helps the Werewolves become either full Wolfir or full Human by enacting the Cursemute.
- about a year ago: Avacyn "vanishes" again. Humans (and presumably Wolfir) turn to proper Werewolves again and supernatural evil starts groing stronger again, too. Obviously, Sorin is afk again, probably looking for Ugin and Nahiri as he hears of the shit that's going on with Zendikar end the Eldrazi.
- very recently: Avacyn's back[side]! And she slays innocent(?) townsfolk left and right.
March 10, 2016 9:23 a.m.
VampireArmy says... #28
Avacyn is a devine being but she's not exactly an angel. She's more human than she thinks. That's the problem here. She's moved from silent protector to judge, jury, and executioner.
March 10, 2016 9:33 a.m.
RussischerZar says... #29
Anyway, what I think is that Nahiri used Hedrons to channel Emrakul's power to Innistrad and/or it's moon and specifically directly to Avacyn, which has god-like powers and can also strongly influence other angels.
All to obviously get back at Sorin for "unleashing" Vampires on Zendikar - which wasn't really his fault after all. He might have had a little to do with the Eldrazi problem though.
March 10, 2016 9:38 a.m. Edited.
RussischerZar says... #31
Well, I'll get back to you when it turns out we're right. :P
And if not, hey it's just a theory. :D
March 10, 2016 11:33 a.m.
VampireArmy says... #32
A GAME theory! Sorry enough shit posting from me.
My legit answer is it's plausible but unlikely. There's a lot more mystery to innitrad than just eldrazi.
March 10, 2016 11:45 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #33
RussischerZar: where has it ever been stated that Sorin is the progenitor of vampires on Zendikar? Did they not simply evolve on their own, and are they not too different from Innistrad's vampires to be related to them? I think that the flavor text of Feast of Blood implies that there is no connection between the vampires of Zendikar and the vampires of Innistrad.
March 10, 2016 11:12 p.m.
RussischerZar says... #34
That's why I wrote that it wasn't his fault. But Nahiri could think so, as there initially were no vampires on Zendikar, and there is that one vampire Planeswalker that she knows ...
It might not even be connected to the vampires at all. She might simply be mad at Sorin for other things that happened to Zendikar.
See the flavour text on Structural Distortion:
"As Zenikar has bled, so will Innistrad. As I have wept, so will Sorin." -- Nahiri
March 11, 2016 6:26 a.m. Edited.
You could read that line from 2 perspectives.
The first being what most assume it to be: Nahiri directing her anger at Sorin. Implies she is the cause of Innistrad's suffering or finds joy in it's suffering (Eldrazi related, not like she would go to Innistrad just to see angels kill everything) for revenge.
The second being Nahiri making a statement of what will come due to the action of the last Eldrazi Titan. Basically the planes will be equal in their suffering, and Sorin will truly understand how she felt when her home was being consumed. This perspective reveals Nahiri holds no ill will towards Sorin, unlike the first option.
tpmains says... #2
I think it's Nahiri using the cryptoliths to alter the magic of the plane. Instead of the prayers powering Avacyn, they're just pissing her off. Also, we can now rule out Emrakul as the culprit because the metal of the spear is warping. I wonder who would be able to manipulate metal...
March 9, 2016 11:41 a.m.