You're tired. It's been a long day of surveillance. You needed to make sure your little helper got its marks. You've done your best, and you're fairly certain that you've killed most of Jane's traitorous proteges. You had to pull out quickly, before you were discovered. If there are any survivors, you'll have to deal with them at a later time. For now, sleep is the only thing on your mind. You make your way to your hideout, your mind already filled with warm thoughts of a glass of wine and a warm bed. You step inside and put down your weapons. A movement in the corner of your causes you to turn quickly, dagger unsheathed.
"Well, well, you're as swift as ever, aren't you sweety?"
You have to smile. You had a feeling she wasn't really dead. You decide it's probably better if you keep the dagger out.
"I can see you don't trust me", Jane says. "Can't say I blame you. I wouldn't trust a dead colleague too."
She smiles as she talks. "I guess I owe you an explanation. Better yet, let me show you"
Your muscles tense as she slowly reaches to release her hair. You watch her closely, in case she tries something funny. As she takes out the pin from her hair, it falls down in waves, reflecting the light in a strange manner. The strands of hair weave like branches of a strange tree, and the color --
--- Wait, don't look at her hair! Her hands! look at her hands!
You mind shakes itself up just a little too late. Jane's hands move too fast for your eyes to follow, but the pain in your shoulder tells you you have indeed been hit. You try to throw your dagger at her, but your hand wouldn't move.
"I'm terribly sorry, sweety. You really do deserve better, but I'm afraid I have no choice. I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many students, lovers and, yes, dear dear colleagues who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. Now, I guess you could say I'm tying up loose ends. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
The weakness spreads, and your knees buckle. The pain is excruciating.
Jane leans over you to place a single red thread over your body. "I'm afraid this is goodbye. The poison coursing through your veins is of my own making. It denies all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I'll always remember our work together fondly."
With that she leaves, leaving you on the floor. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. One final trick that might save you this time. There's no time to hesitate, you have to try.
The night grows dark as you reach the hideout. There is no moon tonight. You don't mind. the cover of darkness serves you well. Most of Jane's murderous lovers have been dealt with, and the rest will be taken care of soon. For now, you'll need some time to contemplate the next assault. Jane's death would soon be avenged, and you could go back to your regular work.
It's dark inside the hideout as well, but you don't mind that either. You make sure all the locks are secure before lighting the candles. The candlelight spreads in the room, filling it with its warm glow, which falls on a familiar shape. You almost drop the candle.
"There, there, Little Duck, did I startle you?"
Scarlet Jane smiles at you from the corner of the room. For a dead person, she looks pretty much the same. A bit tired, but other than that the same. You think you can smell a faint scent of cheese.
"What? no welcoming you old mentor? or has my death shocked you out of your manners?"
You mumble some general greetings. Your eyes are fixed on her. She may be your mentor, but she's also one of the most dangerous people in the world, an she just caused you to kill some very influential people. You'll need some explanation before you can trust her.
"Oh, come on, Little Duck, don't frown at me like that. I came here to tell you how proud I am of you. To think a student of mine will go so far and succeed so well, it warms my heart. It really does."
Her eyes are downcast now. She speaks softly.
"I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many colleagues, lovers and, yes, my faithfuls students who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. I'm sorry I had to this to you too, but as I've said, you've succeeded beyond expectations, I really am proud of you."
She stands up. You're still poised, ready for anything. So far what you've heard didn't put your mind nearly at rest.
She sighs. "Which leaves me with the unpleasant duty of tying up one last loose end. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
Your eyes widen as the meaning of her words seeps in. You draw your knife and get ready to throw it, but your arm stops mid movement. There is a sudden pain in your chest. The scent of cheese is very strong now. You try to talk, but no sound comes out.
"Sorry, Little Duck, but I'm afraid that's the end for you. The poison will soon reach your heart and kill you".
Poison? how could you be poisoned? you think, and then your eyes widen, the candle!
"It's my own making. The poison will deny all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I have an antidote, of course."
As she's about to leave, she kneels besides you and places a red thread in your hand. "I really am sorry. You were an excellent student."
She leaves. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. if you can manage it, you might even benefit from this brush with death.
You're sitting in the den of your house. It has been an exhausting week. Killing those malicious spies was no mean task. You had to pull nearly all your resources but you've certainly sent a message. People now know not to mess with you, or people you hold dear. It's strange to think that this all Jane business is now behind you, it has been in the background of your work for so long, driving you further and further into the search. Now that you have time to rest, things are starting to sink in.
You'll never see Jane again. Never hear her laughter, never kiss her lips, never...
"My, my, I don't recall you were so melancholic when we were together. Has the loss of my love really affected you that much, dear?"
You stand up in haste. That voice! it can only be... but how? how did she live?
Jane laughs at your distress. "Oh my, has my death fooled you too? I'm terribly sorry. You forgive me, don't you dear?"
She moves slowly towards you as she speaks. "I had to do it," she says. "I wanted out of the game, so we could be together, but apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many colleagues, students and, yes, some over-zealous lovers who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. So I planted some information to pit everyone against each other. I know you too have been dragged into it, and I'm sorry, but I knew you won't disappoint me."
She's standing so near you now. She whispers in your ear: "You've done it my dear. Now we can be together. No one needs to know. You can have me, just like you've always wanted"
She leans in to kiss you on the lips. Your head spins as you kiss her back. The passion of your former trysts is reawakened within you. You hold her body closer to you and put your weight into the kiss. Her lips are as soft as you've remembered, and warm, warm... Too warm. Burning. You pull back in shock, you try to talk but your mouth no longer works.
Jane smiles a sad smile at you. "Sorry, dear. My poison is quick. It's a shame, I would have love to finish what we've started. I guess you could say I'm tying up loose ends. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
You fall to the floor. The pain is growing too strong to bear.
Jane seems oblivious to your misery. "It's my own making, you know. The poison, I mean. It will deny all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I, of course, have an antidote."
She spins and gets ready to leave. She drops a single red thread on the floor and whispers: "I will always cherish our time together".
She leaves, leaving you on the floor. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. One final trick that might save you this time. It's a long shot, but it's all you've got.
You're in a foul mood. It's not that getting rid of Jane's former colleague wasn't satisfying, but your vengeance was taken from you, and no amount of killing will change the fact that Scarlet Jane, that blasted, conniving chore of a woman, did not not die by your hands. Never mind, tonight is a good night for an after-slaughter drink. You have that bottle of aged whiskey just for nights such as this. Your mind will surely clear after a good stiff shot. You sit at your desk and pour it into the glass--
The blade seem to come from nowhere. A lesser man would have met his doom, but you have had years of training. That damnable daughter of a deviless! you should have known she wasn't really dead. You've dodged the first blade, and you roll away to avoid another. You throw your own knife at her, but Jane parries it with incredible speed, and throws yet another blade at you.
You start an almost macabre dance of running and blade throwing, with no one managing to land a hit. She's fast and skillful, but she is on your turf, and you soon manage to trap her in a corner, her blades all gone. Throwing subtlety to the wind, you ram into her. You twist her arm with one hand, while with the other you seek her throat. She struggles and kicks, her pointed heels managing to penetrate the skin of your leg, but it's too late.
This is it. This time she will really die. You hand clumps around her delicate throat. You squeeze hard, willing to extinguish the life out her. Finally, you will triumph over that vile temptress, you will---
You suddenly feel weak. Your grip loosens. You stumble backwards, eyes wide, unable to even speak to articulate your shock.
Scarlet Jane smiles at you. She clears her throat and speaks: "Now, that's no way to treat a lady."
She pushes you on the floor and you fall. She kicks you for good measure, and laughs at you questioning face: "Poisoned heels. The poison is of my own making. It denies all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. You don't have much time in this world, I'm afraid. Certainly not enough to learn some manners."
"I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many students, too many lovers, colleagues and, of course, my own sworn enemies who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. I guess I should thank you for helping me with some of it. Once you're dead, no one will ever know where to find me."
The pain is excruciating. Jane seems not to care. She places a single red thread over your eyes. "You've put in a decent fight. Didn't think you've had it in you. But, really, you didn't stand a chance".
She leaves you on the floor. That accursed spawn of a rag-man and a she-fox! No one gets to treat you like that! The poison has nearly paralyzed you completely, but you still have one trick up your sleeve. You'll survive this, you must! and then... Then she'll see who doesn't stand a chance.
The mission:
You are dying! You need to create a non-creature card that would save your life. You cannot regenerate or resurrect yourself, if you've reached the graveyard, it's over.
Once you've saved yourself, you'll need a new identity. Create a new legend under a different name. It should be of the same race as your avatar, but in different colors. You'll still be you, though, so make sure the new identity has some mechanical connection with the old one.
Everyone should critique everyone else.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, December 25th @ 23:59, Pacific Time.
Deadline for critique is Thursday, December 27th @ 23:59, Pacific Time.
Good luck!
The Card Creation League is a monthly contest in which players compete over seven rounds. Each month has an overall theme and/or story, determined by that month's host.
Each round, the host will assign a card creation task to the players. This task may vary between teams or players.
The first three rounds are open to everyone who joined in the sign-up thread, which will be posted near the end of the previous month. After these rounds, the Top 8 players will move on to three elimination rounds to determine a winner.
Rounds usually last three to four days for submissions and about two days for critiques, but the host has final say in making the schedule.
For the first three rounds, players are divided into teams. Four teams is standard, but there may be more or less depending on the number of players. Each team will review another team's cards during the critique period of that round.
Each player must submit a Top 3 ranking for the team he or she critiques at the end of each round. Each 1st place is worth 3 points, 2nd place 2 points, and 3rd place 1 point.
Additionally, each player can receive 2 bonus points per round. One point is awarded for posting a Top 3, and one point for providing critiques for that team's cards.
Suggested areas to critique include creativity, balance, printability, and relation to the overall theme or that player's previous cards.
Players who do not post a card or a Top 3 will be put on "probation." Top 3 violations for a round can be removed by posting or PMing the host with your Top 3 before the end of the next round. Any player that would receive a second violation is disqualified from further competition that month.
At the end of the first three rounds, the Top 8 players will be selected by points (usually the top 2 from each team). In the case of ties, there may be more than 8 players advancing. The suggested scoring method is for each player to critique all remaining players in the same Top 3 style as the first three rounds, with the top half advancing each round, so Top 8, then Top 4, then Finals.
The final round is determined by public poll.
Prior to Top 8, players have a chance of getting a total of 100 points toward their score each Scoring Round. Scores for each Round are determined by the following equation:
Total points of Player A in round N = 100 * X/Y, where:
X = Total number of Scoring Points (Judge Points + Additional Points from Top 3 & Critiques)
Y = Total number of Possible Points (3 * Number of Judges + Additional Points)
3 points are given for a First Place Top 3 finish, 2 points for a Second Place, and 1 point for a Third Place. 1 additional point is awarded if a Top 3 is submitted. 1 additional point is awarded if Critiques are given for all entries to be judged.
This way the grading is more streamlined in the fact that all rounds prior to Top 8 are graded equally, and there is no handicap for any team that has fewer judges.
Each player accumulates points from each Scoring Round until the end of Round 3.
And wait... we need to prevent our cards death without regenerating or bringing back from the grave... interesting...
Complete
Zalatraz, Tunnel Master2RR
Legendary Creature - Viashino Rogue {R}
Haste 1RR: Target creature you control gets -X/-0 and is unblockable until end of turn, where X is equal too half its power, rounded down. If he can't find a path to it, then it doesn't exist.
4/4
Informant's Deal(U/B)
Sorcery {U}
As an additional cost to play Informants Deal, sacrifice a non-creature permanent.
Look at the top 5 cards of your library, you may exile any number of them, then put the rest back on top in the same order. You can learn anything, if you are willing to pay the price.
Backstreet Dealer2BB
Creature - Rat Rogue {U}
Whenever Backstreet Dealer deals combat damage to a player, choose one - That player discards a card; or pay 1 life, then draw a card. "I can take his belongings. But if you want them, there's a price."
2/2
Ashen Viper2RB
Creature - Snake Spirit {U}
First strike, wither
Sacrifice Ashen Viper: Ashen Viper deals 2 damage to target creature. Fangs of brimstone, scales of soot, and venom of blazing fire.
2/2
He couldn't believe it, Jane had betrayed him! He had been so loyal a compatriot to her, and now she had attempted to kill him. He could save the shock and worry for later though, or else he wouldn't have a chance too. Zalatraz had exactly one chance to survive this, as much as he loathed the option.
He mustered every ounce of strength he could to crawl over towards his desk, ending up knocking the entire thing over, causing a small bottle to fall to the floor amongst other things. He grabbed it as fast as he could, just barely able to open it and chug its contents. The effects were almost immediate, his entire body went cold and the world around him seemed to explode in light, and the next thing he knew, he was floating in what seemed like empty space, his body being fluid and strange. His mind was slow and sluggish in this world and timed seemed to drag on, but he swore he could see some dark material leaving his body, and with it left the scent of cheese, something he still didn't quiet understand.
It seemed like an eternity, before another flash, followed by a thud, and back pain, as he reappeared on the floor of his hide out. He breathed in loudly as he shook and sat up, everything was sore, he felt wet, unclothed, and yet... he was alive, it seemed it had worked.
Brilliant Renewal2(W/U)
Instant {U}
Exile target creature you own. At the beginning of the next upkeep, return it to the battlefield under your control and choose a color. It becomes that color. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
It took him a bit, but he was able to get up, all his limbs felt new, even his snout didn't feel quiet right. He made his way towards his room slowly due to the soreness. It was clear a few days must have passed due to the fine layer of dust over everything and the fact that all the candles and torches had burnt out, even the fire in the fire place had no embers left.
He made his way to his room and grabbed the first thing from his closet he could to throw on over his form, then made his way to the mirror. He was shocked at what he saw. A Viashino still stood within it, but so many things were different, from the tint of his scale color to the size of his snout and prominent fangs, even his hands had changed. He went to cry out, and heard his voice, deeper with a gravely texture to it now, and he stopped in shock, the potion he hand drank did what it claimed, it gave him a new lease on life, but at the cost of his old one it would seem.
He was furious, he had nearly been killed, and for all intensive purposes, he was. Zalatraz was no more, none of his contacts would believe it was him anymore, he didn't look a thing like he used to, and to the knowledge of the one who had attempted the deed, he was dead.
He grabbed a few things and went to leave his old home, no intentions ever to return to this place. He took no robes or capes as he had previously had, selecting a more tight black attire then he was used to, with a black hood and built in armored pads. A blade he had originally only bought for looks now strapped to his back. He was far from finished, and now his goals were far less noble, Scarlet Jane would pay for her actions. She had caused the deaths of so many with the goal of getting out of the game for good.
She should know more then anyone, no one leaves the game alive.
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded4UB
Legendary Creature - Viashino Assassin {R}
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded can't be blocked by creatures with power or toughness 5 or greater.
Whenever Altrovus, The Cold Blooded attacks and isn't blocked, you may destroy target creature defending player controls. If you do, Altrovus, The Cold Blooded assigns no combat damage this turn.
3/4
Darryn, Shadowslider1UB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (R)
Intimidate
Whenever you cast a black spell, you may counter target spell that targets you or a permanent you control. U,T: The next spell you cast this turn may be cast as though it had flash. He was a man of shadow, but unlike others who made such claims, he could bring the shadows with him.
3/2
ShadowburstB
Instant (C)
Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains intimidate until end of turn. If it already has intimidate, it gets +3/+0 and gains haste until end of turn instead. "I can teach you to walk the shadows, but if you already know how, I can teach you something a little more flashy."
—Darryn, Shadowslider
Braddock, Shadowsage1UB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (R)
At the beginning of your end step, if you control three or more other creatures and each creature you control dealt combat damage to a player this turn, you may exile Braddock, Shadowsage. If you do, take an extra turn after this one. 1B: Target creature gains intimidate until end of turn. "My time in the shadows is over. But yours is just beginning."
1/3
Blood-Price Ritualist2B
Creature - Human Shaman (R) 2B,T: Target player sacrifices a creature. You lose life equal to the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost. "Everything has it's price, and the price for suffering is suffering."
2/1
Works in progress:
Compressed Endurance1W
Instant (C)
Until end of turn, target creature becomes 1/1 and is indestructible.
Draw a card. "People aspire toward largeness, hoping it will leave a lasting legacy. But while a tower of riches eventually falls to pebbles, a pebble endures."
—Ryndar, Soulspeaker
Ryndar, Soulspeaker1GW
Legendary Creature - Human Druid (R)
Vigilance
Whenever you cast a creature spell, creatures you control become indestructible until end of turn. (G/W),T: The next creature spell you cast this turn may be cast as though it had flash. Reborn through reformation, the man of shadow walked into the light. And he did not walk alone.
2/3
After going back and forth through my research results through this past month the gnawing suspicions I had after sending my minions to vanquish Jane's ex-apprentices have become a horrendous certainty: We've been set up! How could I have been so blind!? I, who boast of a prodigious mind, caught in the most puerile of child games, in subterfuge that first-year apprentices would be too embarrassed to imagine! And it's clear as day that the only one who could have orchestrated this farce was Jane herself. But I have no one else to blame but me, I know this. I almost willingly fell into the trap because it was a sweet one: to let oneself believe that she was truly gone and by solving her "murder", finally escape from her shadow...
I have failed and now, by my hand, innocent people have died following her designs. The least thing I can do is t
...
ive been attackd. Damn it some othr misguide d fool must've sent assassin to off her colleaguestoo. hes dead bt im badlywound ed damn Jane you killed us all you yo how could i everloved ou.ican only hope some of u s sur vived nd KiLLl you damn bi
I'm calling it right now- worst rare in the set. Even good limited players will find better bombs at common and uncommon no sweat. Worst. Episode. Ever.
I really do predict this to be our worst rare in set award winner. I'd be happier opening a jar of eyeballs, so I think anything worse is highly unlikely. This card wont just have zero constructed potential, but not be significantly better than a mass of ghouls in a draft.
Expel DeathW
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, target creature is indestructible, it can't attack or block and its activated abilities can't be activated. "I assure you, this will work. It may just leave you... weakened for a while."
Runan, Dream Maker1WW
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (R) 1W: Target creature gains vigilance until end of turn.
At the beginning of each player's end step, if that player controls no untapped creatures, he or she may draw a card.
2/3
Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher1GUB
Legendary Creature - Elf Rogue (M) GB,t: Destroy target creature with power 5 or greater. GU,t: Return target creature card from a graveyard to its owner's hand. Each of its owner's opponents draws X cards, where X is that creature's power. Many fine dignitaries are willing to pay a fortune to get their hands on a behemoth pelt. And my deluded beast-worshipping brethren will tell me right where I can find one.
-Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher
2/1
Scarlet Thread1
Artifact t: Put target card from a graveyard onto the bottom of its owner's library. G,t, Sacrifice Scarlet Thread: put target card from a graveyard on top of its owner's library. I take a hair from each deadly beast I encounter as a memento. The most dangerous animal I've ever seen used to leave one of hers as a calling card.
-Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher
Barath, Colosseum Pitmaster3BB
Legendary creature - Human Wizard (R) t, Sacrifice a creature: Search your library for a card with converted mana cost X, where X is the sacrificed creature's power, reveal it and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library afterward. "You'd be surprised what kind of animals you'll see in my fighting pits. Even more surprised at who can be found watching from my 'private' viewing booths."
-Barath, Dark Pitmaster
2/2
Overwhelming PowerXGW
Sorcery (M)
Kicker B(You may pay an additional B as this spell is cast.)
Creatures target player controls get +X/+X until end of turn. Then, if Overwhelming Power was kicked, destroy each creature with power 5 or greater. "Death is drawn to power like flies to a corpse."
- Gerolf, Behemoth Hunter
Gerolf lay on the floor of his den poisoned by Scarlett Jane. After he was sure she had left, he allowed a smile to creep across his face. How well played. Planting evidence to set the major forces against each other. Then swooping in to clean up the leftovers. Gerolf's blood speckled a carpet worth more than its weight in gold as he laughed. And now she had forced his hand. While his pilgrimage from his home, Gerolf had come across an enchantment that might prolong his life and deepen his understanding of necromancy. However he would have to face his own death for it to work. Unable to go through with it, he set it aside and focused on other research. Now, thanks to Jane, he finally had motivation enough to use it. He was glad he saved his notes in his desk. He dragged himself across the floor. He could feel his muscles withering as he pulled files from a shelf. He desperately shuffled through papers with various dark incantations scrawled on them. He found it as darkness was beginning to set in around his field of vision. He chanted the words as well as he could through rasping breaths. He choked out the last syllables and lay on the floor waiting for the end he wasn't sure would come.
Lichify1BB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature is indestructible and is a skeleton in addition to its other types.
When Lichify leaves the battlefield, enchanted creature's controller sacrifices it.
Gerolf awoke. He lay on the floor of his den. As he moved, he saw the flesh slough away from his bones. No pain or distress accompanied this horrifying sight, just mild bemusement. Gerolf realized that the enchantment had worked. It had sealed his essence inside his bones and protected them from whatever poison was currently dissolving his flesh. It was fascinating how none of this had any impact on him. No sorrow came when he thought about how his family and friends would never recognize him, no joy or elation at having survived death. But when he thought about Jane, he began to feel rage. A hate began to boil within him and fill him with a fiery purpose. Jane broke the game. How dare she do this! Killing off an entire society just because she didn't want to play any more. The act was completely unforgivable, and now, retribution would be inevitable. Gerolf donned a cloak that would hide his skeletal form, grabbed some supplies, and left to seek vengeance.
And now Gerolf stood admiring his factory. No, not Gerolf any more. A new name for this being of spite and malice. Warofarin admired his factory. An abandoned warehouse squired with the money left in one of his few untouched caches. Skeletal minions worked ceaselessly. Fashioning weapons, preparing corpses, or interrogating prisoners. The production line was simple. Skeletons collected random corpses, animate the skeleton, use the animated skeletons to collect more corpses. These manufactured soldiers could be sent out to capture anyone who might still know of Jane for painful interrogation. Since those were few and far between, they eventually just grabbed random citizens off of the street. If anybody investigated, they were killed and another skeleton was added to the army. It was monstrous and inhuman, but this is what he was driven to. Before he was happy just to play the game. Buy and sell secrets and power to get power and secrets. A beautiful dance of resources twirling around him as he swam through it all. Jane had broken the system. She had killed every other player in the game and stopped the flow of information. Now the world outside was cold and stagnant. No movement. No joy. Just a cold and empty shell of a world. Gerolf would bring it back. Using methods he would never have resorted to in the past. He would find Jane and make her suffer for the world she had destroyed. She brought this vengeance upon herself. She broke the game. No more playing. No more fun. This is war.
Warofarin, Spiteful Lich1WBR
Legendary Creature - Elf Skeleton Wizard (M) WR,t: Warofarin, Spiteful Lich deals X damage to target creature where X is the number of cards in its controller's hand. WB,t: Exile target creature card in a graveyard. Put a 1/1 black Skeleton creature token with deathtouch and a 1/1 white Spirit token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Salamancer (Rare) 4U
Legendary Creature - Salamander Adviser
3/5 U,T: Exchange control of two target creatures. If politics was a game of cards, I would be the dealer. - Salamancer
Immortality (Rare) 2W
Enchantment
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can’t die. (It can't be sacrificed and is unaffected by effects that would cause it to be put into
a graveyard from the battlefield, such as lethal damage, "destroy", the "legend rule", and toughness 0 or less.)
Malamancer (Mythic) 4B
Legendary Creature - Salamander Shaman
2/6 B,T: Exchange your life total with target creature's power. If life was a game of cards, I would be holding all the cards. - Malamancer
FormshiftUG
Instant (R)
Return target creature to its owner's hand, then that creature's controller may put a creature card that costs less than that creature from their hand onto the battlefield.
Noxe, City Savant2GW
Legendary Creature - Human Citizen (M)
Whenever Noxe deals combat damage to a player, reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is Noxe's power. You may put any number of creature cards with converted mana cost X or less from among them onto the battlefield. Then put all cards revealed this way that weren't put onto the battlefield on the bottom of your library in any order.
4/4 "People and ideas are the same. More of them are always better."
Khaym, Grave OracleGUB
Legendary Creature - Elf Advisor Wizard (R) 1: Look at the top card of target player's library. You may put that card into that player's graveyard. If you do, put a card from that player's graveyard on the top or bottom of that player's library. "Like our bodies, knowledge lives and dies and lives again. It is a neverending circle."
1/3
Spellplunder FieldGUB
Enchantment (R) 1, Exile a spell you control: Choose target card in a graveyard with converted mana cost less than or equal to that of the exiled spell. Until end of turn, you may play the chosen card without paying its mana cost. "Some are lost in these fields forever, each seed of new thought consumed by the deep roots of memory."
-Khaym, Grave Oracle
Venomous Oracle1BB
Creature - Snake Shaman (R) 2: Target player draws a card and loses 1 life. Any player may activate this ability. 2: Target player who lost life this turn loses 1 life. The true horror of her prophecies can take days to sink in.
1/2
Show of ForceXBBG
Sorcery (R)
Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn. Destroy each creature with power less than that creature's power. "Sometimes the best way to ensure that word does not spread is to crush everything within earshot."
-Khaym, Grave Oracle
Khaym staggered back against the dark wood bookshelf in his library, where Scarlet Jane had appeared. He could feel the poison spread, his pale skin appearing to char and flake off into necrotic dust across his chest. He could see the gray portal of the world beyond, a portal that he had often traveled through in his studies, but he knew that if he stepped across that threshold this time he would not return. He turned his head away and focused on the dark tiles of the floor. He heard nothing but his own rasping breath; Jane must have gone already. Next to his right hand, he felt something cold, sharp; the blade of the curved dagger he had drawn, too late. This would work; he grasped down on it hard, the gash in his fingers barely registering in the haze of burning pain in his core. With the last spasm of muscle power, he brought it up against his forehead, smearing the blood upon the circlet of interwoven finger-bones of his ancestors. He could feel the ancient spell take hold, temporarily holding his consciousness apart from his body as the spell reached through time, reaching through the past and future of his bloodline to call forth a replacement for his crumbling flesh.
Generation Shift 2GG
Instant (R)
Put target creature you control on the bottom of its owner's library. Search your library for a creature card that shares a creature type with that creature and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Khaym opened his eyes again, confused for a moment, then realizing that the lithe arm he saw was his own. It was sun-stained greenish brown, young and healthy, flesh used to the outdoors. He sat up, then stood slowly. Khaym stumbled over to the desk and picked up the small reflecting mirror, finding a boyishly handsome face with clear, dark gold eyes and long, nutty brown hair. The body of an ancestral wood elf, perhaps, or perhaps some day his line would return to a life like this among the trees. He sensed another, deeper change, though. This body would not easily convey the forces of mana that he was used to, the dark secrets and tedious incantations. It was used to immediate action. Very well, then. The whole episode with Jane's faked death and assassination attempt had triggered an emotional rebirth to parallel the physical one. This place, and this name, no longer fit him. Passion for Jane had gripped him, but now he would burst free with the flames of revenge.
Kasta, the Flaming Leaf2RG
Legendary Creature - Elf Shaman (R) 2R, Exile a noncreature card from your graveyard: Kasta, the Flaming Leaf deals X damage to target creature, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost. 2G, Exile a creature card from your graveyard: Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost.
2/2
(The mechanical connection is basically an inversion from careful graveyard management to using up the graveyard to fuel his progress.)
Brilliant Renewal2(W/U)
Instant {U}
Exile target creature you own. At the beginning of the next upkeep, return it to the battlefield under your control and choose a color. It becomes that color. [I](This effect lasts indefinitely.)[/I]
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded4UB
Legendary Creature - Viashino Assassin {R}
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded can't be blocked by creatures with power or toughness 5 or greater.
Whenever Altrovus, The Cold Blooded attacks and isn't blocked, you may destroy target creature defending player controls. If you do, Altrovus, The Cold Blooded assigns no combat damage this turn.
3/4
Brilliant Renewal – The color change feels tagged on even though it’s probably actually there to tease out that “brand new me” flavor. It’s more likely that such a card would be worded slightly different to exile a creature and return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control. Obviously, both white and blue have this sort of exiling effect, but to my knowledge, gaining control of permanents is in blue’s slice of the pie while regaining control of permanents is in red’s slice (that and a particular land that I hate). But we’re talking spells here. Certainly blue could downgrade to regaining control, but to my knowledge, white has no place here in this regard. It also has no place of changing the color of anything. I’m sure you know that with every hybrid design that the card must be viewed as a monocolor version of each color. Brilliant renewal doesn’t pass the litmus test in that regard.
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded – I see very little mechanical connection if any between this guy and your original avatar. He strikes me as a Salamander or Merfolk much more than a Viashino. Sorry dude, it’s a junk rare at best and needs quite a bit of refinement.
Compressed Endurance1W
Instant (C)
Until end of turn, target creature becomes 1/1 and is indestructible.
Draw a card.
[I]"People aspire toward largeness, hoping it will leave a lasting legacy. But while a tower of riches eventually falls to pebbles, a pebble endures."
—Ryndar, Soulspeaker[/I]
Ryndar, Soulspeaker1GW
Legendary Creature - Human Druid (R)
Vigilance
Whenever you cast a creature spell, creatures you control become indestructible until end of turn. (G/W),T: The next creature spell you cast this turn may be cast as though it had flash.
[I]Reborn through reformation, the man of shadow walked into the light. And he did not walk alone.[/I]
2/3
Compressed Endurance – Diminish and Withstand Death had a baby and it came out white…
But seriously, there is overwhelming evidence that Humble and all other “becomes X/Y” effects are and have long been solidly in blue’s slice of the pie with Ovinize heralding the transition. Meanwhile, in the enchantment department, green owns “enchanted creature is X/Y” – an effect that is extrapolated in other green cards. I realize that this card isn’t an enchantment, but just wanted to point out that contemporary design positions green as the secondary color for this sort of effect with white being the tertiary color and even then only due to a 13 year old card. Meanwhile, white is the primary color of indestructibility and green is the secondary color of indestructibility. So I’m somewhat torn. In short, I like the design but I think it would and should be 1G and that the only time this if feasible in white would be as a (G/W) hybrid. Hybrid flavor allows for notorious bleeds that aren't otherwise acceptable. Mechanically, it’s subtly versatile and it cantrips. Too good and possibly even confusing for common. All that being said, believe it or not, I think it’s a quality, flavorful card that’s just out of color and rarity.
Ryndar, Soulspeaker – Your original avatar checked for spell color, this one checks for spell type. This one should have checked for color as well (green and/or white), or the effect could and should have triggered off of a creature (of any color) entering the battlefield under your control. It’s otherwise a nice design. I even like the flavor text.
Expel DeathW
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, target creature is indestructible, it can't attack or block and its activated abilities can't be activated.
[i]"I assure you, this will work. It may just leave you... weakened for a while."[/i]
Runan, Dream Maker1WW
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (R) 1W: Target creature gains vigilance until end of turn.
At the beginning of each player's end step, if that player controls no untapped creatures, he or she may draw a card.
2/3
Expel Death – Arachnus Web and Withstand Death had a baby and it came out uncommon…
Yes I realize that Arrest is the original card that now shares the same effect with green and blue. Like Socrate's card, this card is another subtly versatile mishmash of existing effects. The flavor text is the strong point of the card.
Runan, Dream Maker – I see zero mechanical connection between this and your signup avatar. I’m not gonna lie though… the card is otherwise awesome and provocative.
Lichify1BB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature is indestructible and is a skeleton in addition to its other types.
When Lichify leaves the battlefield, enchanted creature's controller sacrifices it.
Warofarin, Spiteful Lich1WBR
Legendary Creature - Elf Skeleton Wizard (M) WR,t: Warofarin, Spiteful Lich deals X damage to target creature where X is the number of cards in its controller's hand. WB,t: Exile target creature card in a graveyard. Put a 1/1 black Skeleton creature token with deathtouch and a 1/1 white Spirit token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Lichify – Phylactery Lich and Invulnerability had a baby and it came out unprintable. Phylactery Lich is an extremely unique (and sucky) card. It’s also a Zombie – as are all lich-named creature cards. My point being that if this card were printable, it would turn the enchanted creature into a Zombie and not a Skeleton.
Warofarin, Spiteful Lich – Another Lich-Skeleton fail. I find myself having to resist the urge to critique your original avatar to put this one into context. I will say that you’ve done a good job of designing two wedge cards. Not great in either case, but good, as it’s exceptionally difficult to design a meaningful wedge card. Even WotC failed at it numerous times in SoA. Yet you’ve managed to translate one wedge into another mechanically, at least visually and/or conceptually if not actually. Strangely, the first ability is RG. White doesn’t punish wisdom. It rewards it. Red’s old +X/-X flowstone mechanic fits this nicely rather than X damage. This would allow for more flexibility and work within each color with white being the +X rewarder of wisdom and red being the –X punisher of wisdom. In light of the Orzhov, the second ability could and should have put a black Thrull token and a white Spirit token with flying onto the battlefield. Even if it did produce a Skeleton token - which it does - it should have "B: Regenerate" - not deathtouch. Again, designing for a wedge is difficult, but you did a pretty good job.
FormshiftUG
Instant (R)
Return target creature to its owner's hand, then that creature's controller may put a creature card that costs less than that creature from their hand onto the battlefield.
Noxe, City Savant2GW
Legendary Creature - Human Citizen (M)
Whenever Noxe deals combat damage to a player, reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is Noxe's power. You may put any number of creature cards with converted mana cost X or less from among them onto the battlefield. Then put all cards revealed this way that weren't put onto the battlefield on the bottom of your library in any order.
4/4
[I]"People and ideas are the same. More of them are always better."[/I]
Formshift – Unsummon for Johnny. Lazy Mango. Metamorphose-ish. Nice limited material. It could and should be common.
Noxe, City Savant – Genesis Wave on legs for legs. Nice flavor text, and nice mechanical twist and tie to your original avatar. You're good at this kind of thing.
Generation Shift 2GG
Instant (R)
Put target creature you control on the bottom of its owner's library. Search your library for a creature card that shares a creature type with that creature and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
[/I]Kasta, the Flaming Leaf2RG
Legendary Creature - Elf Shaman (R) 2R, Exile a noncreature card from your graveyard: Kasta, the Flaming Leaf deals X damage to target creature, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost. 2G, Exile a creature card from your graveyard: Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost.
2/2
Generation Shift – This is potentially a can of worms. Every future creature design would have to take this into consideration. However, I doubt that it would be any worse than Natural Order. Great card.
Kasta, the Flaming Leaf – I would hazard to say that the only reason this needs to be legendary is for the challenge. It’s quite an amazing card.
Good As NewUW
Instant (U)
Exile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control.
Draw a card.
[I]You'd never know the difference.[/I]
Nestat GlamerbeamWW
Legendary Creature - Faerie Wizard (M)
Flying
When Nestat Glamerbeam enters the battlefield, you may search your library for an Aura card and exile it. If you do, shuffle your library. You may cast that card as long as it remains exiled and you control Nestat Glamerbeam.
1/1
Good As New – This is what Arcel’s Brilliant Renewal could and should have been. Even the flavor is similar. I still hold that it should be able to exile any creature regardless of who controls it.
Nestat Glamerbeam – Monowhite doesn’t work for this because of its race. WU are the ideal colors for it, but I’m not sure you could have U as part of your mana cost due to your original avatar and the requirements of the challenge. I’ll assume you couldn’t. However, you would have done well to make this GW since it’s a Faerie that deals with Auras. I realize that Glamer Spinners is (W/U), and blue does interact positively with Auras, but there are only two “mono”white faeries and they’re both hybrid, which is notorious for allowing bleeds that wouldn’t otherwise be allowed. Frankly I think green as opposed to white would have been a smarter tertiary hybrid color for faeries on WotC’s part because it has a substantial number of faeries in its past and the sylvan flavor is a given. Also, green’s relationship with enchantments is second only to white and even then only scarcely so. Mechanically, it’s a good card.
Arcel: Renewal is a decent way to dodge death with the slightest bit of memory issue. Well costed. Color change seems tacked on, but it could be relevant in a limited environment and is a nice nod to the challenge. Altrovus is pretty close to unblockable. Most of the time you wouldn't want to attack when he could be blocked anyway. He might be comparable to cards like visara the dreadful, but mostly will hit smaller creatures.
Socrates: I like the idea of making something small and indestructible. It feels like a card that could be made. Your legendary creature is the card I like the most. It takes an interesting spin on your old card and keeps a direct link to the mechanical core. I think it would be fine if it were enter the battlefield rather than cast, but overall it's great.
Ninja Caterpie: I'm a fan of versatility. I like how this can save a creature or lock one down if you need it. Feels kind of like a charm in that way. Does just the right amount of stuff for a 1 mana card. Runan has a good mechanical tie to your old legend and is balanced and looks fun to play with.
Legend: There are probably going to be some rules headaches from a line of text like 'enchanted creature can't die'. Overall, it may not be worth the difference from something like indestructible. Malamancer made me think of tree of redemption, but with a much more aggressive application. I like how dangerous such a simple ability can be. Good connection to the old card.
Prophylaxis: I like how blue and green formshift is. It also has some good built in versatility. Good answer to the challenge. Noxe is a pretty powerful card. this would be in a good spot at the top of a curve in a green/white weenie deck. Good connection to the old card.
Big_Cal: Blinking is a pretty good answer to the challenge. I like the cost, name, and flavor. Nestat is a good way to turn your old card white. The enchantment tie in is exactly what you needed. It feels kind of like stoneforge mystic but I think the double white keeps it from being outright broken.
Gerrard's Mom: Generation shift would be a pretty easy way to get a huge eldrazi on the field, but I can't blame you for that. It's an interesting way to save your creature. I think Kasta has enough ties to your old legend to fit. Plus it's a pretty nice card.
Ninja_Caterpie - Expel Death seems a bit strangely worded, but I do love how its supposed to work, the concept is great, the creature becomes indestructible, but can not do anything else while it is. And I actually like your new Legendary more then the original one who seemed a bit strange to me, this one seems great and I know I would use it.
Socrates - Compressed Endurance is quiet brilliant and simple, I rather like it in its simple greatness. Your new Legendary does seem to share a bit of flavor with your original, but it also, would be so annoying, it would make the only thing to stand a change against such a creature exile spells, or ways of perma-tapping it... Though it still is brilliant.
Prophylaxis - Your card that save's your creature is a bit... strangely worded to me, but I love the concept behind it! And Noxe is a Card I would absolutely love to build a deck around =3
TacticalCelebrant - I am not sure about your enchantment honestly, the sudden long term indestructibility for 3 is just... insane! I know, if you can get rid of the enchantment, it works well, but that isn't always possible. Though your Legendary is absolutely beautiful, Creature killing and token maker in a single card, but you can't do both at once due to the tap part, nice way of balancing.
Gerrard's Mom - Generation Shift has a very interesting flavor... does it mean that the one whose body it takes it from no longer exists? Neat! Kastra is also amazing, I didn't think an ability like that would be all that good till I saw something like it before on the newer Golgari Card, so I fully approve.
Legend - Immortality... that... I don't know what to think about it... it seems mechanically sound... but also rather ridiculous... I just don't know about it honestly. Malamancer on the other hand... if its ability costed more I would say it was perfect, since its a high risk, high reward kind of deal... unless you are using +1/+1 counters, then it gets stupid over powered.
Big_Cal - Good as New is simple, effective, and it doesn't cause card disadvantage, so I approve. Your Faerie is also just perfect, 2 to get any aura from your deck, but then you only get to cast it if you can keep her around, risky but worth it if you do it right.
Arcel:
I'd prefer if it marked it with a counter or something, but I guess it's ok. Little weird in white. I'm not really excited by the legend, Necrite that doesn't sac itself with some bells and whistles.
Socrates:
Pretty cute I suppose, although I think indestructible + p/t setting should be uncommon for rules confusion. I like the Main Phase A casting guy.
Ninja Caterpie:
Seems like it should almost be modal, usually it isn't going to be a drawback unless they burn your guy before attacking or something. I don't really get why the guy lets you draw if all your guys are tapped instead of untapped, the latter seems to make much more sense on a vigilance-granter, and in white in general I guess.
Tactical Celebrant:
I guess Indestructibility is rare, but it seems like it would be a disappointing pull and is a bit odd in black (I guess riffing off of Phylactery Lich). I don't like the multiple token types, and I'm not sure this guy really needs white for anything.
Legend:
"Can't die" and stuff like that come up every now and then in designs. I'm pretty sure indestructible covers what you need there, I don't see a pressing reason to stop guys from dying at 0 toughness. The legend is very strange, Tree of Redemption is ok since it just works on itself, but it seems like it would be hard to follow all the changing numbers after a few activations. Interesting effect to do once, though.
Prophylaxis:
I don't think "costs less" is a parsable term yet in Magic, although I may have tried to use it before myself. The creature is cool but makes no sense as a Human Citizen.
Big_Cal:
Well, cantripping Cloudshift is fine I suppose. I don't know that the complexity of tying the aura to the creature is much of a gain over just tutoring it into your hand, but it would be a fun commander.
my mechanical connection was caring about "no untapped creatures", flavourfully sleeping when everything is tapped and unable to do anything. One can sneak through your dreams and the other gives you good ones that teach you things.
Episode Four - A Twist in the Tale
You're tired. It's been a long day of surveillance. You needed to make sure your little helper got its marks. You've done your best, and you're fairly certain that you've killed most of Jane's traitorous proteges. You had to pull out quickly, before you were discovered. If there are any survivors, you'll have to deal with them at a later time. For now, sleep is the only thing on your mind. You make your way to your hideout, your mind already filled with warm thoughts of a glass of wine and a warm bed. You step inside and put down your weapons. A movement in the corner of your causes you to turn quickly, dagger unsheathed.
"Well, well, you're as swift as ever, aren't you sweety?"
You have to smile. You had a feeling she wasn't really dead. You decide it's probably better if you keep the dagger out.
"I can see you don't trust me", Jane says. "Can't say I blame you. I wouldn't trust a dead colleague too."
She smiles as she talks. "I guess I owe you an explanation. Better yet, let me show you"
Your muscles tense as she slowly reaches to release her hair. You watch her closely, in case she tries something funny. As she takes out the pin from her hair, it falls down in waves, reflecting the light in a strange manner. The strands of hair weave like branches of a strange tree, and the color --
--- Wait, don't look at her hair! Her hands! look at her hands!
You mind shakes itself up just a little too late. Jane's hands move too fast for your eyes to follow, but the pain in your shoulder tells you you have indeed been hit. You try to throw your dagger at her, but your hand wouldn't move.
"I'm terribly sorry, sweety. You really do deserve better, but I'm afraid I have no choice. I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many students, lovers and, yes, dear dear colleagues who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. Now, I guess you could say I'm tying up loose ends. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
The weakness spreads, and your knees buckle. The pain is excruciating.
Jane leans over you to place a single red thread over your body. "I'm afraid this is goodbye. The poison coursing through your veins is of my own making. It denies all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I'll always remember our work together fondly."
With that she leaves, leaving you on the floor. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. One final trick that might save you this time. There's no time to hesitate, you have to try.
The night grows dark as you reach the hideout. There is no moon tonight. You don't mind. the cover of darkness serves you well. Most of Jane's murderous lovers have been dealt with, and the rest will be taken care of soon. For now, you'll need some time to contemplate the next assault. Jane's death would soon be avenged, and you could go back to your regular work.
It's dark inside the hideout as well, but you don't mind that either. You make sure all the locks are secure before lighting the candles. The candlelight spreads in the room, filling it with its warm glow, which falls on a familiar shape. You almost drop the candle.
"There, there, Little Duck, did I startle you?"
Scarlet Jane smiles at you from the corner of the room. For a dead person, she looks pretty much the same. A bit tired, but other than that the same. You think you can smell a faint scent of cheese.
"What? no welcoming you old mentor? or has my death shocked you out of your manners?"
You mumble some general greetings. Your eyes are fixed on her. She may be your mentor, but she's also one of the most dangerous people in the world, an she just caused you to kill some very influential people. You'll need some explanation before you can trust her.
"Oh, come on, Little Duck, don't frown at me like that. I came here to tell you how proud I am of you. To think a student of mine will go so far and succeed so well, it warms my heart. It really does."
Her eyes are downcast now. She speaks softly.
"I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many colleagues, lovers and, yes, my faithfuls students who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. I'm sorry I had to this to you too, but as I've said, you've succeeded beyond expectations, I really am proud of you."
She stands up. You're still poised, ready for anything. So far what you've heard didn't put your mind nearly at rest.
She sighs. "Which leaves me with the unpleasant duty of tying up one last loose end. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
Your eyes widen as the meaning of her words seeps in. You draw your knife and get ready to throw it, but your arm stops mid movement. There is a sudden pain in your chest. The scent of cheese is very strong now. You try to talk, but no sound comes out.
"Sorry, Little Duck, but I'm afraid that's the end for you. The poison will soon reach your heart and kill you".
Poison? how could you be poisoned? you think, and then your eyes widen, the candle!
"It's my own making. The poison will deny all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I have an antidote, of course."
As she's about to leave, she kneels besides you and places a red thread in your hand. "I really am sorry. You were an excellent student."
She leaves. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. if you can manage it, you might even benefit from this brush with death.
You're sitting in the den of your house. It has been an exhausting week. Killing those malicious spies was no mean task. You had to pull nearly all your resources but you've certainly sent a message. People now know not to mess with you, or people you hold dear. It's strange to think that this all Jane business is now behind you, it has been in the background of your work for so long, driving you further and further into the search. Now that you have time to rest, things are starting to sink in.
You'll never see Jane again. Never hear her laughter, never kiss her lips, never...
"My, my, I don't recall you were so melancholic when we were together. Has the loss of my love really affected you that much, dear?"
You stand up in haste. That voice! it can only be... but how? how did she live?
Jane laughs at your distress. "Oh my, has my death fooled you too? I'm terribly sorry. You forgive me, don't you dear?"
She moves slowly towards you as she speaks. "I had to do it," she says. "I wanted out of the game, so we could be together, but apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many enemies, too many colleagues, students and, yes, some over-zealous lovers who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. So I planted some information to pit everyone against each other. I know you too have been dragged into it, and I'm sorry, but I knew you won't disappoint me."
She's standing so near you now. She whispers in your ear: "You've done it my dear. Now we can be together. No one needs to know. You can have me, just like you've always wanted"
She leans in to kiss you on the lips. Your head spins as you kiss her back. The passion of your former trysts is reawakened within you. You hold her body closer to you and put your weight into the kiss. Her lips are as soft as you've remembered, and warm, warm... Too warm. Burning. You pull back in shock, you try to talk but your mouth no longer works.
Jane smiles a sad smile at you. "Sorry, dear. My poison is quick. It's a shame, I would have love to finish what we've started. I guess you could say I'm tying up loose ends. With you gone, no one will know where to look for me."
You fall to the floor. The pain is growing too strong to bear.
Jane seems oblivious to your misery. "It's my own making, you know. The poison, I mean. It will deny all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. I, of course, have an antidote."
She spins and gets ready to leave. She drops a single red thread on the floor and whispers: "I will always cherish our time together".
She leaves, leaving you on the floor. The poison has spread to most of your body. You wonder if this is it for you. You have but one hope to survive this. One final trick that might save you this time. It's a long shot, but it's all you've got.
You're in a foul mood. It's not that getting rid of Jane's former colleague wasn't satisfying, but your vengeance was taken from you, and no amount of killing will change the fact that Scarlet Jane, that blasted, conniving chore of a woman, did not not die by your hands. Never mind, tonight is a good night for an after-slaughter drink. You have that bottle of aged whiskey just for nights such as this. Your mind will surely clear after a good stiff shot. You sit at your desk and pour it into the glass--
The blade seem to come from nowhere. A lesser man would have met his doom, but you have had years of training. That damnable daughter of a deviless! you should have known she wasn't really dead. You've dodged the first blade, and you roll away to avoid another. You throw your own knife at her, but Jane parries it with incredible speed, and throws yet another blade at you.
You start an almost macabre dance of running and blade throwing, with no one managing to land a hit. She's fast and skillful, but she is on your turf, and you soon manage to trap her in a corner, her blades all gone. Throwing subtlety to the wind, you ram into her. You twist her arm with one hand, while with the other you seek her throat. She struggles and kicks, her pointed heels managing to penetrate the skin of your leg, but it's too late.
This is it. This time she will really die. You hand clumps around her delicate throat. You squeeze hard, willing to extinguish the life out her. Finally, you will triumph over that vile temptress, you will---
You suddenly feel weak. Your grip loosens. You stumble backwards, eyes wide, unable to even speak to articulate your shock.
Scarlet Jane smiles at you. She clears her throat and speaks: "Now, that's no way to treat a lady."
She pushes you on the floor and you fall. She kicks you for good measure, and laughs at you questioning face: "Poisoned heels. The poison is of my own making. It denies all chances of revival and leaves no trace except a faint scent of cheese. You don't have much time in this world, I'm afraid. Certainly not enough to learn some manners."
"I've had enough, you see. I want out of the game. But apparently faking my own death didn't cut it. There were just too many students, too many lovers, colleagues and, of course, my own sworn enemies who would not stop looking into things. I had to put a stop to it. I planted information to pit everyone against each other. I guess I should thank you for helping me with some of it. Once you're dead, no one will ever know where to find me."
The pain is excruciating. Jane seems not to care. She places a single red thread over your eyes. "You've put in a decent fight. Didn't think you've had it in you. But, really, you didn't stand a chance".
She leaves you on the floor. That accursed spawn of a rag-man and a she-fox! No one gets to treat you like that! The poison has nearly paralyzed you completely, but you still have one trick up your sleeve. You'll survive this, you must! and then... Then she'll see who doesn't stand a chance.
The mission:
You are dying! You need to create a non-creature card that would save your life. You cannot regenerate or resurrect yourself, if you've reached the graveyard, it's over.
Once you've saved yourself, you'll need a new identity. Create a new legend under a different name. It should be of the same race as your avatar, but in different colors. You'll still be you, though, so make sure the new identity has some mechanical connection with the old one.
Everyone should critique everyone else.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, December 25th @ 23:59, Pacific Time.
Deadline for critique is Thursday, December 27th @ 23:59, Pacific Time.
Good luck!
Y = Total number of Possible Points (3 * Number of Judges + Additional Points)
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
I've got tons of art from the web. Want art for a render? PM me! Want to create your own collection? Start here!
Holder....
And wait... we need to prevent our cards death without regenerating or bringing back from the grave... interesting...
Complete
Legendary Creature - Viashino Rogue {R}
Haste
1RR: Target creature you control gets -X/-0 and is unblockable until end of turn, where X is equal too half its power, rounded down.
If he can't find a path to it, then it doesn't exist.
4/4
Sorcery {U}
As an additional cost to play Informants Deal, sacrifice a non-creature permanent.
Look at the top 5 cards of your library, you may exile any number of them, then put the rest back on top in the same order.
You can learn anything, if you are willing to pay the price.
Creature - Rat Rogue {U}
Whenever Backstreet Dealer deals combat damage to a player, choose one - That player discards a card; or pay 1 life, then draw a card.
"I can take his belongings. But if you want them, there's a price."
2/2
Creature - Snake Spirit {U}
First strike, wither
Sacrifice Ashen Viper: Ashen Viper deals 2 damage to target creature.
Fangs of brimstone, scales of soot, and venom of blazing fire.
2/2
He mustered every ounce of strength he could to crawl over towards his desk, ending up knocking the entire thing over, causing a small bottle to fall to the floor amongst other things. He grabbed it as fast as he could, just barely able to open it and chug its contents. The effects were almost immediate, his entire body went cold and the world around him seemed to explode in light, and the next thing he knew, he was floating in what seemed like empty space, his body being fluid and strange. His mind was slow and sluggish in this world and timed seemed to drag on, but he swore he could see some dark material leaving his body, and with it left the scent of cheese, something he still didn't quiet understand.
It seemed like an eternity, before another flash, followed by a thud, and back pain, as he reappeared on the floor of his hide out. He breathed in loudly as he shook and sat up, everything was sore, he felt wet, unclothed, and yet... he was alive, it seemed it had worked.
Instant {U}
Exile target creature you own. At the beginning of the next upkeep, return it to the battlefield under your control and choose a color. It becomes that color. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
He made his way to his room and grabbed the first thing from his closet he could to throw on over his form, then made his way to the mirror. He was shocked at what he saw. A Viashino still stood within it, but so many things were different, from the tint of his scale color to the size of his snout and prominent fangs, even his hands had changed. He went to cry out, and heard his voice, deeper with a gravely texture to it now, and he stopped in shock, the potion he hand drank did what it claimed, it gave him a new lease on life, but at the cost of his old one it would seem.
He was furious, he had nearly been killed, and for all intensive purposes, he was. Zalatraz was no more, none of his contacts would believe it was him anymore, he didn't look a thing like he used to, and to the knowledge of the one who had attempted the deed, he was dead.
He grabbed a few things and went to leave his old home, no intentions ever to return to this place. He took no robes or capes as he had previously had, selecting a more tight black attire then he was used to, with a black hood and built in armored pads. A blade he had originally only bought for looks now strapped to his back. He was far from finished, and now his goals were far less noble, Scarlet Jane would pay for her actions. She had caused the deaths of so many with the goal of getting out of the game for good.
She should know more then anyone, no one leaves the game alive.
Legendary Creature - Viashino Assassin {R}
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded can't be blocked by creatures with power or toughness 5 or greater.
Whenever Altrovus, The Cold Blooded attacks and isn't blocked, you may destroy target creature defending player controls. If you do, Altrovus, The Cold Blooded assigns no combat damage this turn.
3/4
Artist: //gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=[%22Daniel%20Ljunggren%22">"]Daniel Ljunggren
Darryn, Shadowslider 1UB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (R)
Intimidate
Whenever you cast a black spell, you may counter target spell that targets you or a permanent you control.
U,T: The next spell you cast this turn may be cast as though it had flash.
He was a man of shadow, but unlike others who made such claims, he could bring the shadows with him.
3/2
Shadowburst B
Instant (C)
Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains intimidate until end of turn. If it already has intimidate, it gets +3/+0 and gains haste until end of turn instead.
"I can teach you to walk the shadows, but if you already know how, I can teach you something a little more flashy."
—Darryn, Shadowslider
Braddock, Shadowsage 1UB
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (R)
At the beginning of your end step, if you control three or more other creatures and each creature you control dealt combat damage to a player this turn, you may exile Braddock, Shadowsage. If you do, take an extra turn after this one.
1B: Target creature gains intimidate until end of turn.
"My time in the shadows is over. But yours is just beginning."
1/3
Blood-Price Ritualist 2B
Creature - Human Shaman (R)
2B,T: Target player sacrifices a creature. You lose life equal to the sacrificed creature's converted mana cost.
"Everything has it's price, and the price for suffering is suffering."
2/1
Works in progress:
Compressed Endurance 1W
Instant (C)
Until end of turn, target creature becomes 1/1 and is indestructible.
Draw a card.
"People aspire toward largeness, hoping it will leave a lasting legacy. But while a tower of riches eventually falls to pebbles, a pebble endures."
—Ryndar, Soulspeaker
Ryndar, Soulspeaker 1GW
Legendary Creature - Human Druid (R)
Vigilance
Whenever you cast a creature spell, creatures you control become indestructible until end of turn.
(G/W),T: The next creature spell you cast this turn may be cast as though it had flash.
Reborn through reformation, the man of shadow walked into the light. And he did not walk alone.
2/3
I have failed and now, by my hand, innocent people have died following her designs. The least thing I can do is t
...
ive been attackd. Damn it some othr misguide d fool must've sent assassin to off her colleaguestoo. hes dead bt im badlywound ed damn Jane you killed us all you yo how could i everloved ou.ican only hope some of u s sur vived nd KiLLl you damn bi
-Last excerpts of Whispering Snaketongue diary.
Expel Death W
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, target creature is indestructible, it can't attack or block and its activated abilities can't be activated.
"I assure you, this will work. It may just leave you... weakened for a while."
Runan, Dream Maker 1WW
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard (R)
1W: Target creature gains vigilance until end of turn.
At the beginning of each player's end step, if that player controls no untapped creatures, he or she may draw a card.
2/3
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher 1GUB
Legendary Creature - Elf Rogue (M)
GB,t: Destroy target creature with power 5 or greater.
GU,t: Return target creature card from a graveyard to its owner's hand. Each of its owner's opponents draws X cards, where X is that creature's power.
Many fine dignitaries are willing to pay a fortune to get their hands on a behemoth pelt. And my deluded beast-worshipping brethren will tell me right where I can find one.
-Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher
2/1
Scarlet Thread 1
Artifact
t: Put target card from a graveyard onto the bottom of its owner's library.
G,t, Sacrifice Scarlet Thread: put target card from a graveyard on top of its owner's library.
I take a hair from each deadly beast I encounter as a memento. The most dangerous animal I've ever seen used to leave one of hers as a calling card.
-Gerolf, Behemoth Poacher
Barath, Colosseum Pitmaster 3BB
Legendary creature - Human Wizard (R)
t, Sacrifice a creature: Search your library for a card with converted mana cost X, where X is the sacrificed creature's power, reveal it and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library afterward.
"You'd be surprised what kind of animals you'll see in my fighting pits. Even more surprised at who can be found watching from my 'private' viewing booths."
-Barath, Dark Pitmaster
2/2
Overwhelming Power XGW
Sorcery (M)
Kicker B (You may pay an additional B as this spell is cast.)
Creatures target player controls get +X/+X until end of turn. Then, if Overwhelming Power was kicked, destroy each creature with power 5 or greater.
"Death is drawn to power like flies to a corpse."
- Gerolf, Behemoth Hunter
Gerolf lay on the floor of his den poisoned by Scarlett Jane. After he was sure she had left, he allowed a smile to creep across his face. How well played. Planting evidence to set the major forces against each other. Then swooping in to clean up the leftovers. Gerolf's blood speckled a carpet worth more than its weight in gold as he laughed. And now she had forced his hand. While his pilgrimage from his home, Gerolf had come across an enchantment that might prolong his life and deepen his understanding of necromancy. However he would have to face his own death for it to work. Unable to go through with it, he set it aside and focused on other research. Now, thanks to Jane, he finally had motivation enough to use it. He was glad he saved his notes in his desk. He dragged himself across the floor. He could feel his muscles withering as he pulled files from a shelf. He desperately shuffled through papers with various dark incantations scrawled on them. He found it as darkness was beginning to set in around his field of vision. He chanted the words as well as he could through rasping breaths. He choked out the last syllables and lay on the floor waiting for the end he wasn't sure would come.
Lichify 1BB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature is indestructible and is a skeleton in addition to its other types.
When Lichify leaves the battlefield, enchanted creature's controller sacrifices it.
Gerolf awoke. He lay on the floor of his den. As he moved, he saw the flesh slough away from his bones. No pain or distress accompanied this horrifying sight, just mild bemusement. Gerolf realized that the enchantment had worked. It had sealed his essence inside his bones and protected them from whatever poison was currently dissolving his flesh. It was fascinating how none of this had any impact on him. No sorrow came when he thought about how his family and friends would never recognize him, no joy or elation at having survived death. But when he thought about Jane, he began to feel rage. A hate began to boil within him and fill him with a fiery purpose. Jane broke the game. How dare she do this! Killing off an entire society just because she didn't want to play any more. The act was completely unforgivable, and now, retribution would be inevitable. Gerolf donned a cloak that would hide his skeletal form, grabbed some supplies, and left to seek vengeance.
And now Gerolf stood admiring his factory. No, not Gerolf any more. A new name for this being of spite and malice. Warofarin admired his factory. An abandoned warehouse squired with the money left in one of his few untouched caches. Skeletal minions worked ceaselessly. Fashioning weapons, preparing corpses, or interrogating prisoners. The production line was simple. Skeletons collected random corpses, animate the skeleton, use the animated skeletons to collect more corpses. These manufactured soldiers could be sent out to capture anyone who might still know of Jane for painful interrogation. Since those were few and far between, they eventually just grabbed random citizens off of the street. If anybody investigated, they were killed and another skeleton was added to the army. It was monstrous and inhuman, but this is what he was driven to. Before he was happy just to play the game. Buy and sell secrets and power to get power and secrets. A beautiful dance of resources twirling around him as he swam through it all. Jane had broken the system. She had killed every other player in the game and stopped the flow of information. Now the world outside was cold and stagnant. No movement. No joy. Just a cold and empty shell of a world. Gerolf would bring it back. Using methods he would never have resorted to in the past. He would find Jane and make her suffer for the world she had destroyed. She brought this vengeance upon herself. She broke the game. No more playing. No more fun. This is war.
Warofarin, Spiteful Lich 1WBR
Legendary Creature - Elf Skeleton Wizard (M)
WR,t: Warofarin, Spiteful Lich deals X damage to target creature where X is the number of cards in its controller's hand.
WB,t: Exile target creature card in a graveyard. Put a 1/1 black Skeleton creature token with deathtouch and a 1/1 white Spirit token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Salamancer (Rare)
4U
Legendary Creature - Salamander Adviser
3/5
U,T: Exchange control of two target creatures.
If politics was a game of cards, I would be the dealer. - Salamancer
Immortality (Rare)
2W
Enchantment
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature can’t die. (It can't be sacrificed and is unaffected by effects that would cause it to be put into
a graveyard from the battlefield, such as lethal damage, "destroy", the "legend rule", and toughness 0 or less.)
Malamancer (Mythic)
4B
Legendary Creature - Salamander Shaman
2/6
B,T: Exchange your life total with target creature's power.
If life was a game of cards, I would be holding all the cards. - Malamancer
Formshift UG
Instant (R)
Return target creature to its owner's hand, then that creature's controller may put a creature card that costs less than that creature from their hand onto the battlefield.
Noxe, City Savant 2GW
Legendary Creature - Human Citizen (M)
Whenever Noxe deals combat damage to a player, reveal the top X cards of your library, where X is Noxe's power. You may put any number of creature cards with converted mana cost X or less from among them onto the battlefield. Then put all cards revealed this way that weren't put onto the battlefield on the bottom of your library in any order.
4/4
"People and ideas are the same. More of them are always better."
Legendary Creature - Elf Advisor Wizard (R)
1: Look at the top card of target player's library. You may put that card into that player's graveyard. If you do, put a card from that player's graveyard on the top or bottom of that player's library.
"Like our bodies, knowledge lives and dies and lives again. It is a neverending circle."
1/3
Spellplunder Field GUB
Enchantment (R)
1, Exile a spell you control: Choose target card in a graveyard with converted mana cost less than or equal to that of the exiled spell. Until end of turn, you may play the chosen card without paying its mana cost.
"Some are lost in these fields forever, each seed of new thought consumed by the deep roots of memory."
-Khaym, Grave Oracle
Venomous Oracle 1BB
Creature - Snake Shaman (R)
2: Target player draws a card and loses 1 life. Any player may activate this ability.
2: Target player who lost life this turn loses 1 life.
The true horror of her prophecies can take days to sink in.
1/2
Show of Force XBBG
Sorcery (R)
Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn. Destroy each creature with power less than that creature's power.
"Sometimes the best way to ensure that word does not spread is to crush everything within earshot."
-Khaym, Grave Oracle
Generation Shift 2GG
Instant (R)
Put target creature you control on the bottom of its owner's library. Search your library for a creature card that shares a creature type with that creature and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Khaym opened his eyes again, confused for a moment, then realizing that the lithe arm he saw was his own. It was sun-stained greenish brown, young and healthy, flesh used to the outdoors. He sat up, then stood slowly. Khaym stumbled over to the desk and picked up the small reflecting mirror, finding a boyishly handsome face with clear, dark gold eyes and long, nutty brown hair. The body of an ancestral wood elf, perhaps, or perhaps some day his line would return to a life like this among the trees. He sensed another, deeper change, though. This body would not easily convey the forces of mana that he was used to, the dark secrets and tedious incantations. It was used to immediate action. Very well, then. The whole episode with Jane's faked death and assassination attempt had triggered an emotional rebirth to parallel the physical one. This place, and this name, no longer fit him. Passion for Jane had gripped him, but now he would burst free with the flames of revenge.
Kasta, the Flaming Leaf 2RG
Legendary Creature - Elf Shaman (R)
2R, Exile a noncreature card from your graveyard: Kasta, the Flaming Leaf deals X damage to target creature, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost.
2G, Exile a creature card from your graveyard: Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the exiled card's converted mana cost.
2/2
(The mechanical connection is basically an inversion from careful graveyard management to using up the graveyard to fuel his progress.)
Host, December 2015: A Winter Wonderland? - R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL April 2014: A Game of Fate - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinal|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL December 2012: Spy Games - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL November 2010: The Perfect Crime - Signup|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
Host, CCL August 2009: A Commander's Journey: Signups|R1|R2|R3|Top 8|Semifinals|Finals|Poll
I've got tons of art from the web. Want art for a render? PM me! Want to create your own collection? Start here!
Brilliant Renewal – The color change feels tagged on even though it’s probably actually there to tease out that “brand new me” flavor. It’s more likely that such a card would be worded slightly different to exile a creature and return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control. Obviously, both white and blue have this sort of exiling effect, but to my knowledge, gaining control of permanents is in blue’s slice of the pie while regaining control of permanents is in red’s slice (that and a particular land that I hate). But we’re talking spells here. Certainly blue could downgrade to regaining control, but to my knowledge, white has no place here in this regard. It also has no place of changing the color of anything. I’m sure you know that with every hybrid design that the card must be viewed as a monocolor version of each color. Brilliant renewal doesn’t pass the litmus test in that regard.
Altrovus, The Cold Blooded – I see very little mechanical connection if any between this guy and your original avatar. He strikes me as a Salamander or Merfolk much more than a Viashino. Sorry dude, it’s a junk rare at best and needs quite a bit of refinement.
Compressed Endurance – Diminish and Withstand Death had a baby and it came out white…
But seriously, there is overwhelming evidence that Humble and all other “becomes X/Y” effects are and have long been solidly in blue’s slice of the pie with Ovinize heralding the transition. Meanwhile, in the enchantment department, green owns “enchanted creature is X/Y” – an effect that is extrapolated in other green cards. I realize that this card isn’t an enchantment, but just wanted to point out that contemporary design positions green as the secondary color for this sort of effect with white being the tertiary color and even then only due to a 13 year old card. Meanwhile, white is the primary color of indestructibility and green is the secondary color of indestructibility. So I’m somewhat torn. In short, I like the design but I think it would and should be 1G and that the only time this if feasible in white would be as a (G/W) hybrid. Hybrid flavor allows for notorious bleeds that aren't otherwise acceptable. Mechanically, it’s subtly versatile and it cantrips. Too good and possibly even confusing for common. All that being said, believe it or not, I think it’s a quality, flavorful card that’s just out of color and rarity.
Ryndar, Soulspeaker – Your original avatar checked for spell color, this one checks for spell type. This one should have checked for color as well (green and/or white), or the effect could and should have triggered off of a creature (of any color) entering the battlefield under your control. It’s otherwise a nice design. I even like the flavor text.
Expel Death – Arachnus Web and Withstand Death had a baby and it came out uncommon…
Yes I realize that Arrest is the original card that now shares the same effect with green and blue. Like Socrate's card, this card is another subtly versatile mishmash of existing effects. The flavor text is the strong point of the card.
Runan, Dream Maker – I see zero mechanical connection between this and your signup avatar. I’m not gonna lie though… the card is otherwise awesome and provocative.
Lichify – Phylactery Lich and Invulnerability had a baby and it came out unprintable. Phylactery Lich is an extremely unique (and sucky) card. It’s also a Zombie – as are all lich-named creature cards. My point being that if this card were printable, it would turn the enchanted creature into a Zombie and not a Skeleton.
Warofarin, Spiteful Lich – Another Lich-Skeleton fail. I find myself having to resist the urge to critique your original avatar to put this one into context. I will say that you’ve done a good job of designing two wedge cards. Not great in either case, but good, as it’s exceptionally difficult to design a meaningful wedge card. Even WotC failed at it numerous times in SoA. Yet you’ve managed to translate one wedge into another mechanically, at least visually and/or conceptually if not actually. Strangely, the first ability is RG. White doesn’t punish wisdom. It rewards it. Red’s old +X/-X flowstone mechanic fits this nicely rather than X damage. This would allow for more flexibility and work within each color with white being the +X rewarder of wisdom and red being the –X punisher of wisdom. In light of the Orzhov, the second ability could and should have put a black Thrull token and a white Spirit token with flying onto the battlefield. Even if it did produce a Skeleton token - which it does - it should have "B: Regenerate" - not deathtouch. Again, designing for a wedge is difficult, but you did a pretty good job.
Formshift – Unsummon for Johnny. Lazy Mango. Metamorphose-ish. Nice limited material. It could and should be common.
Noxe, City Savant – Genesis Wave on legs for legs. Nice flavor text, and nice mechanical twist and tie to your original avatar. You're good at this kind of thing.
Generation Shift – This is potentially a can of worms. Every future creature design would have to take this into consideration. However, I doubt that it would be any worse than Natural Order. Great card.
Kasta, the Flaming Leaf – I would hazard to say that the only reason this needs to be legendary is for the challenge. It’s quite an amazing card.
Good As New – This is what Arcel’s Brilliant Renewal could and should have been. Even the flavor is similar. I still hold that it should be able to exile any creature regardless of who controls it.
Nestat Glamerbeam – Monowhite doesn’t work for this because of its race. WU are the ideal colors for it, but I’m not sure you could have U as part of your mana cost due to your original avatar and the requirements of the challenge. I’ll assume you couldn’t. However, you would have done well to make this GW since it’s a Faerie that deals with Auras. I realize that Glamer Spinners is (W/U), and blue does interact positively with Auras, but there are only two “mono”white faeries and they’re both hybrid, which is notorious for allowing bleeds that wouldn’t otherwise be allowed. Frankly I think green as opposed to white would have been a smarter tertiary hybrid color for faeries on WotC’s part because it has a substantial number of faeries in its past and the sylvan flavor is a given. Also, green’s relationship with enchantments is second only to white and even then only scarcely so. Mechanically, it’s a good card.
1st Place: Gerrard's Mom
2nd Place: Big_Cal
3rd Place: Tactical Celebrant
Socrates: I like the idea of making something small and indestructible. It feels like a card that could be made. Your legendary creature is the card I like the most. It takes an interesting spin on your old card and keeps a direct link to the mechanical core. I think it would be fine if it were enter the battlefield rather than cast, but overall it's great.
Ninja Caterpie: I'm a fan of versatility. I like how this can save a creature or lock one down if you need it. Feels kind of like a charm in that way. Does just the right amount of stuff for a 1 mana card. Runan has a good mechanical tie to your old legend and is balanced and looks fun to play with.
Legend: There are probably going to be some rules headaches from a line of text like 'enchanted creature can't die'. Overall, it may not be worth the difference from something like indestructible. Malamancer made me think of tree of redemption, but with a much more aggressive application. I like how dangerous such a simple ability can be. Good connection to the old card.
Prophylaxis: I like how blue and green formshift is. It also has some good built in versatility. Good answer to the challenge. Noxe is a pretty powerful card. this would be in a good spot at the top of a curve in a green/white weenie deck. Good connection to the old card.
Big_Cal: Blinking is a pretty good answer to the challenge. I like the cost, name, and flavor. Nestat is a good way to turn your old card white. The enchantment tie in is exactly what you needed. It feels kind of like stoneforge mystic but I think the double white keeps it from being outright broken.
Gerrard's Mom: Generation shift would be a pretty easy way to get a huge eldrazi on the field, but I can't blame you for that. It's an interesting way to save your creature. I think Kasta has enough ties to your old legend to fit. Plus it's a pretty nice card.
Top 3
2. Ninja Caterpie
3. Arcel
Socrates - Compressed Endurance is quiet brilliant and simple, I rather like it in its simple greatness. Your new Legendary does seem to share a bit of flavor with your original, but it also, would be so annoying, it would make the only thing to stand a change against such a creature exile spells, or ways of perma-tapping it... Though it still is brilliant.
Prophylaxis - Your card that save's your creature is a bit... strangely worded to me, but I love the concept behind it! And Noxe is a Card I would absolutely love to build a deck around =3
TacticalCelebrant - I am not sure about your enchantment honestly, the sudden long term indestructibility for 3 is just... insane! I know, if you can get rid of the enchantment, it works well, but that isn't always possible. Though your Legendary is absolutely beautiful, Creature killing and token maker in a single card, but you can't do both at once due to the tap part, nice way of balancing.
Gerrard's Mom - Generation Shift has a very interesting flavor... does it mean that the one whose body it takes it from no longer exists? Neat! Kastra is also amazing, I didn't think an ability like that would be all that good till I saw something like it before on the newer Golgari Card, so I fully approve.
Legend - Immortality... that... I don't know what to think about it... it seems mechanically sound... but also rather ridiculous... I just don't know about it honestly. Malamancer on the other hand... if its ability costed more I would say it was perfect, since its a high risk, high reward kind of deal... unless you are using +1/+1 counters, then it gets stupid over powered.
Big_Cal - Good as New is simple, effective, and it doesn't cause card disadvantage, so I approve. Your Faerie is also just perfect, 2 to get any aura from your deck, but then you only get to cast it if you can keep her around, risky but worth it if you do it right.
2) Ninja_Caterpie
3) Gerrard's Mom
Artist: //gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=[%22Daniel%20Ljunggren%22">"]Daniel Ljunggren
I'd prefer if it marked it with a counter or something, but I guess it's ok. Little weird in white. I'm not really excited by the legend, Necrite that doesn't sac itself with some bells and whistles.
Socrates:
Pretty cute I suppose, although I think indestructible + p/t setting should be uncommon for rules confusion. I like the Main Phase A casting guy.
Ninja Caterpie:
Seems like it should almost be modal, usually it isn't going to be a drawback unless they burn your guy before attacking or something. I don't really get why the guy lets you draw if all your guys are tapped instead of untapped, the latter seems to make much more sense on a vigilance-granter, and in white in general I guess.
Tactical Celebrant:
I guess Indestructibility is rare, but it seems like it would be a disappointing pull and is a bit odd in black (I guess riffing off of Phylactery Lich). I don't like the multiple token types, and I'm not sure this guy really needs white for anything.
Legend:
"Can't die" and stuff like that come up every now and then in designs. I'm pretty sure indestructible covers what you need there, I don't see a pressing reason to stop guys from dying at 0 toughness. The legend is very strange, Tree of Redemption is ok since it just works on itself, but it seems like it would be hard to follow all the changing numbers after a few activations. Interesting effect to do once, though.
Prophylaxis:
I don't think "costs less" is a parsable term yet in Magic, although I may have tried to use it before myself. The creature is cool but makes no sense as a Human Citizen.
Big_Cal:
Well, cantripping Cloudshift is fine I suppose. I don't know that the complexity of tying the aura to the creature is much of a gain over just tutoring it into your hand, but it would be a fun commander.
2. Socrates
3. Big_Cal
1. Big_Cal
2. Socrates
3. Ninja Caterpie
my mechanical connection was caring about "no untapped creatures", flavourfully sleeping when everything is tapped and unable to do anything. One can sneak through your dreams and the other gives you good ones that teach you things.
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots
2. Ninja Caterpie
3. Prophy
2. Big_Cal
3. Gerrard's Mom
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
This Winner is Also Judge | 6
Club Flamingo | Lots