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Posted on Sept. 25, 2019, 6:50 p.m. by ZendikariWol

Yes, many veterans will recognize the project I've been working on for quite some time. Well this time I'm back and I've actually done my damned research. Still, the creative process is quite difficult, especially alone, and I find myself in need of help. What do I need? Well, first and foremost, I need a storyline for set 2 of the block. Beyond that, though slightly less important, is mechanics. I have a lot of ideas but I've only got something really solid for Bant and Jund, and I could still be persuaded to change them. For reference, here is the story of the first block, in a nutshell. Eventually I'll get to actual writing, but not today.

In the wake of the conflux, a New Alara forms. In this New Alara, Bant and Esper have been pushed back to the edge of the world and have entered a tentative (and quite fragile) alliance. Grixis has split into demon cults, the most powerful one being headed by Nefarox. Jund continues much as it always has, though the dragons are greedier now, and the people are wilier. Naya has been steeply divided. The Sunseekers and the Leonin, now feeling awfully fragile in light of the new and concerning threats, have bonded somewhat with their animals. No longer are they simple plowbeasts, now they're companions. The Cylian Elves, meanwhile, are travelling on the heels of Progenitus, and what's left of the Cloud Nacatl have moved to Bant. After all that background, we get to the story.

Nefarox, hungry for a way to break the fragile alliance between Esper and Bant, sends a demon to tempt an Esperite, an Ethersworn who despises flesh and believes that all should be made of etherium. The demon gives him the magical prowess to join the Architects of Wills: an Esperite subgroup led by the Sen Triplets that specializes in mental manipulation. The Esperite (I haven't found a name, but he's a human) finds, by experimenting, that it is easier to interact with a mind that's been touched by etherium. Then, obviously, he concludes that if he were to infuse unwilling subjects with etherium, Esper could grow a vast army. He begins experimenting using goblin specimens gathered on Carmot-collecting expeditions. A Bantian Leonin female, gets wise to the plot and decides that she has to put a stop to it. She attempts to inform Derevi of the scheme, as she is Bant's chief ambassador in dealings with Naya and Esper, as well as a renowned general. Derevi doesn't have time for it, though. To spare you all the details, Bant and Esper separate aggressively when the scheme is unveiled, and Nefarox uses that night as the time to stage a massive assault on Bant, hoping to wipe the whole shard from existence. Bant's responders respond and the battle begins, but they're short on forces and it's not looking so hot. However, when the battle is at its most grim, Kaalia shows up. All this time, she was rallying the living humans on Grixis, waiting for just such an opportunity to strike. The newfound allies turn the tide of the battle, and Nefarox is killed. I'm still trying to decide whether Kaalia's spark ignites as a result. After the battle, though, Sedris stalks the field, resurrecting the dead... including Nefarox.

So basically, I need a second chapter and I need some mechanics. Can anyone be of help?