Ulamog: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
>NikeOdinson
>Neoheart
No edit summary
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
|image=Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre.jpg
|image=Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger.jpg
|name=Ulamog
|name=Ulamog
|birthplace=[[Blind Eternities]]
|birthplace=[[Blind Eternities]]
|lifetime=Unknown
|lifetime=Unknown
|race=[[Eldrazi]]
|race=[[Eldrazi]]
|colors={{mana|C}}
}}
}}
'''Ulamog''', the "Infinite Gyre" is one of the three [[Eldrazi]] titans and the monstrosity whose half-forgotten name came to be known as the [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikari]] [[merfolk]] sea [[god]] [[Ula]].
'''Ulamog''', the "Infinite Gyre" is one of the three [[Eldrazi]] titans and the monstrosity whose half-forgotten name came to be known as the [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikari]] [[merfolk]] sea [[god]] [[Ula]].


==Description==
==Description==
Ulamog is the smallest of the three Eldrazi titans.<ref>{{WikiRef|author=[[James Wyatt]]|date=2016|title=The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar|page=20}}</ref> His head resembles a bony helmet but lacks eyes or expression. Most of his body has the color of exposed muscle and is covered with bony plates. He moves via a writhing mass of tentacles studded with bony spikes below the torso. His two arms split at the elbow and lead to four hands. A stench of rotting meat, decay, and sulfur surrounds him constantly, earning him the name "The Reeking Titan".
Ulamog is the smallest and weakest of the three Eldrazi titans.<ref>{{WikiRef|author=[[James Wyatt]]|date=2016|title=The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar|page=20}}</ref><ref name="Visual">[[Jay Annelli]]. (2022.) ''[[Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.</ref> His head resembles a bony helmet but lacks eyes or expression. Most of his body has the color of exposed muscle and is covered with bony plates. He moves via a writhing mass of tentacles studded with bony spikes below the torso. His two arms split at the elbow and lead to four hands. A stench of rotting meat, decay, and sulfur surrounds him constantly, earning him the name "The Reeking Titan".


Ulamog is the Titan of Consumption, as he and his brood consume living and unliving matter alike. In doing so, they drain mana and vital energy from everything in the vicinity. His [[processor]]s transform the consumed energy into [[spell]]-like effects that defy the understanding of Zendikari [[wizard|mages]], creating plagues, deadly parasites, and endless teeming spawn. The processors leave distinctive white, chalky lattice-like structures in their wake. Everything, including water, is transformed into a white manaless husk of what it once was. Ulamog is emblematic of plague, the blind bonds between parasite and host, and overabundance; he is creation and destruction wrapped together in unholy harmony.
Ulamog is the Titan of Consumption, as he and his brood consume living and unliving matter alike. In doing so, they drain mana and vital energy from everything in the vicinity. His [[processor]]s transform the consumed energy into [[spell]]-like effects that defy the understanding of Zendikari [[wizard|mages]], creating plagues, deadly parasites, and endless teeming spawn. The processors leave distinctive white, chalky lattice-like structures in their wake. Everything, including water, is transformed into a white manaless husk of what it once was. Ulamog is emblematic of plague, the blind bonds between parasite and host, and overabundance; he is creation and destruction wrapped together in unholy harmony.


==Brood lineage==
==Brood lineage==
{{Main|Eldrazi/Lineages}}
{{Main|Eldrazi/Lineages#Ulamog's Lineage}}
The Ulamog brood lineage is mostly characterized by dense masses of fleshy tentacles, multiple withered arms split at the elbow, and eyeless, bony plates in inhuman yet vaguely facial forms.  
The Ulamog brood lineage is mostly characterized by dense masses of fleshy tentacles, multiple withered arms split at the elbow, and eyeless, bony plates in inhuman yet vaguely facial forms.<ref name="Lineages">{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/three-brood-lineages-2010-04-28|The Three Brood Lineages|[[Doug Beyer]]|April 28, 2010}}</ref>


===Spawn===
===Spawn===
Line 25: Line 26:
===Eldrazi===
===Eldrazi===
The ravenous and brutish Eldrazi of the Ulamog lineage lurch and shudder over the ground, adept at spreading disease and draining from the psyches as well as the life energy of their victims.
The ravenous and brutish Eldrazi of the Ulamog lineage lurch and shudder over the ground, adept at spreading disease and draining from the psyches as well as the life energy of their victims.
====Named====
[[Zhulodok]], ''Void Gorger'' is the only known Ulamog Brood Eldrazi to receive a proper name.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://vorthosjay.tumblr.com/post/716509422423293952|title=There's more Eldrazi titans?|May 5, 2023}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Ulamog Power.jpg|left|thumb|Ulamog's Destructive Abilities|220x220px]]
[[File:Ulamog Power.jpg|left|thumb|Ulamog's Destructive Abilities|220x220px]]
After their imprisonment by [[Ugin]], [[Sorin Markov]] and [[Nahiri]], Ulamog and the other two titans ([[Kozilek]] and [[Emrakul]]) were locked away from the planes.  
After their imprisonment by [[Ugin]], [[Sorin Markov]], and [[Nahiri]], Ulamog and the other two titans ([[Kozilek]] and [[Emrakul]]) were locked away from the planes.  


===First awakening===
===First awakening===
[[File:Ulamog's destruction.jpg|thumb|267x267px|Destruction caused by Ulamog on the continent of Bala Ged]]
[[File:Ulamog's destruction.jpg|thumb|267x267px|Destruction caused by Ulamog on the continent of Bala Ged]]
A few thousand years after the imprisonment of the Eldrazi by [[The Three]], the noxious creative force of Ulamog became an infection that took hold of the people who dared to live in [[Akoum]]'s mountains despite the tectonic instability of the region.<ref name="Art of Magic">{{WikiRef|author=[[James Wyatt]]|date=2016|title=The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar|page=48}}</ref> They became a sort of cult devoted to an imagined deity of the mountains, established a temple near the site of the prison, and began performing rituals inspired by their growing madness. The cultists avoided the notice of the increasingly reclusive [[Nahiri]] and over time and multiple generations, their rituals actually proved effective in loosening the bonds of the Eldrazi prison. Though the titans themselves still couldn't escape, teeming hordes of their broods sprang into existence. This swarming host devastated Zendikar.
A few thousand years after the imprisonment of the Eldrazi by [[The Three]], the noxious creative force of Ulamog became an infection that took hold of the people who dared to live in [[Akoum]]'s mountains despite the tectonic instability of the region.<ref name="Art of Magic">{{WikiRef|author=[[James Wyatt]]|date=2016|title=The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar|page=48}}</ref> They became a sort of cult devoted to an imagined deity of the mountains, established a temple near the site of the prison, and began performing rituals inspired by their growing madness. The cultists avoided the notice of the increasingly reclusive [[Nahiri]] and over time and multiple generations, their rituals proved effective in loosening the bonds of the Eldrazi prison. Though the titans themselves still couldn't escape, teeming hordes of their broods sprang into existence. This swarming host devastated Zendikar.


During the rampage, the cultists underwent a transformation. Only twelve of them survived the initial wave of spawn emerging from the prison, but those twelve became the first [[vampire]] bloodchiefs, the progenitors of the vampire race.<ref name="Art of Magic"/> Whether they were originally [[human]], [[kor]] or a race of their own, they became something entirely new - and utterly enslaved to the will of Ulamog. The Eldrazi took the plane's vampires as a race of servants, adapting their very anatomy for servitude. Hooklike horns grew from the vampires' shoulders, convenient handles for the Eldrazi to dominate their slave race, and for millennia afterward, carnal symbols of the vampires' heritage of persecution. The vampires, forced to conspire in the campaign of destruction against their own homeworld, had their identity and tribal memory erased forever.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldrazi-arisen-2010-03-29-0|The Eldrazi Arisen|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 29, 2010}}</ref>
During the rampage, the cultists transformed. Only twelve of them survived the initial wave of spawn emerging from the prison, but those twelve became the first [[vampire]] bloodchiefs, the progenitors of the vampire race.<ref name="Art of Magic"/> Whether they were originally [[human]], [[kor]], or a race of their own, they became something entirely new - and utterly enslaved to the will of Ulamog. The Eldrazi took the plane's vampires as a race of servants, adapting their very anatomy for servitude. Hooklike horns grew from the vampires' shoulders, convenient handles for the Eldrazi to dominate their slave race, and for millennia afterward, carnal symbols of the vampires' heritage of persecution. The vampires, forced to conspire in the campaign of destruction against their homeworld, had their identity and tribal memory erased forever.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldrazi-arisen-2010-03-29-0|The Eldrazi Arisen|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 29, 2010}}</ref>


After Nahiri enforced the Eldrazi prison all on her own, no more broods came to life. She trusted the people of Zendikar to deal with them and left the plane. The vampires remained, now free of Ulamog's yoke.
After Nahiri enforced the Eldrazi prison all on her own, no more broods came to life. She trusted the people of Zendikar to deal with them and left the plane. The vampires remained, now free of Ulamog's yoke.


===Release===
===Release===
Millenia later, the subsequential actions of [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Sarkhan Vol]] and [[Nissa Revane]] freed the Eldrazi titans. After their release, Ulamog was the most prominent titan on the surface of Zendikar. Its brood caused the Slaughter at [[Sea Gate]].
Millennia later, the subsequential actions of [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Sarkhan Vol]], and [[Nissa Revane]] freed the Eldrazi titans. After their release, Ulamog was the most prominent titan on the surface of Zendikar. Its brood caused the Slaughter at [[Sea Gate]].


===Battle for Zendikar===
===Battle for Zendikar===
[[File:Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger.jpg|left|thumb|377x377px|Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger]]
[[File:Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre.jpg|left|thumb|377x377px|The Infinite Gyre]]
Six months after they had been released, both [[Emrakul]] and [[Kozilek]] vanished, only leaving a few [[spawn]] behind. Ulamog continued to blight and ravage Zendikar for two years, despite the efforts of [[Gideon Jura]], Nissa Revane, and the Zendikari. Jace and [[Jori En]] encountered Ulamog during their journey to the [[Eye of Ugin]]. They attempted to hide with some survivors which were later discovered to be cultists who still worshiped the titan through his fake "god" form of [[Ula]]. Escaping from their would-be captors, the two discovered that Ulamog was on a direct course for Sea Gate and the remaining survivors hiding with Gideon. Jace dominated Jori En's mind to force her to leave him and return to warn the survivors of Ulamog's coming.  
Six months after they had been released, both [[Emrakul]] and [[Kozilek]] vanished, only leaving a few [[spawn]] behind. Ulamog continued to blight and ravage Zendikar for two years, despite the efforts of [[Gideon Jura]], Nissa Revane, and the Zendikari. Jace and [[Jori En]] encountered Ulamog during their journey to the [[Eye of Ugin]]. They attempted to hide with some survivors who were later discovered to be cultists who still worshiped the titan through his fake "god" form of [[Ula]]. Escaping from their would-be captors, the two discovered that Ulamog was on a direct course for Sea Gate, and the remaining survivors hiding with Gideon. Jace dominated Jori En's mind to force her to leave him and return to warn the survivors of Ulamog's coming.  


The Zendikar resistance army led by Gideon, Nissa, and [[Kiora]] assaulted and retook Sea Gate from Ulamog's brood. However, before they could celebrate, Jori En was seen running towards the planeswalkers, warning them. Ulamog was coming.
The Zendikar resistance army led by Gideon, Nissa, and [[Kiora]] assaulted and retook Sea Gate from Ulamog's brood. However, before they could celebrate, Jori En was seen running towards the planeswalkers, warning them. Ulamog was coming.
Line 49: Line 53:
===Aligned hedron network===
===Aligned hedron network===
[[File:Ulamog's Power.jpg|thumb|237x237px|Ulamog's Power]]
[[File:Ulamog's Power.jpg|thumb|237x237px|Ulamog's Power]]
In a combined assault, Gideon and Kiora's armies attacked the titan. Gideon then single-handedly wrestled with Ulamog, buying time for Nissa to unearth a massive number of [[hedron]]s buried around Sea Gate.<ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/hedron-alignment-2015-11-18|Hedron Alignment|[[Kimberly J. Kreines]]|November 18, 2015}}</ref> Maneuvering the hedrons around the titan, Jace then triggered them, activating their latent magic and knocking the titan off balance while trapping him. Everything looked to be smooth sailing until [[Ob Nixilis]] arrived, knocked the hedrons out of alignment, and positioned himself between them. The demon planeswalker absorbed a massive amount of the hedron's magic which reignited his [[planeswalker's spark]] and allowed him to escape. Meanwhile, Ulamog was confused, battered, and weakened by the network's activation, still rather immobilized, still in reach of Gideon's armies, and appeared on the edge of defeat. Gideon ordered the joint army to attack and he himself leaped forward to attack the titan, but they were rebuffed by the arrival of a second titan: [[Kozilek]].
In a combined assault, Gideon and Kiora's armies attacked the Titan. Gideon then single-handedly wrestled with Ulamog, buying time for Nissa to unearth a massive number of [[hedron]]s buried around Sea Gate.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/hedron-alignment-2015-11-18|Hedron Alignment|[[Kimberly J. Kreines]]|November 18, 2015}}</ref> Maneuvering the hedrons around the titan, Jace then triggered them, activating their latent magic and knocking the titan off balance while trapping him. Everything looked to be smooth sailing until [[Ob Nixilis]] arrived, knocked the hedrons out of alignment, and positioned himself between them. The demon planeswalker absorbed a massive amount of the hedron's magic which reignited his [[planeswalker's spark]] and allowed him to escape. Meanwhile, Ulamog was confused, battered, and weakened by the network's activation, still rather immobilized, still in reach of Gideon's armies, and appeared on the edge of defeat. Gideon ordered the joint army to attack and he leaped forward to attack the titan, but they were rebuffed by the arrival of a second titan: [[Kozilek]].


===The death of Ulamog===
===The death of Ulamog===
After heavy initial losses, the [[Gatewatch]] performed an orchestrated attack on both titans, binding them again in a web of [[leyline]]s and burning them. This was the end of the material manifestation of Ulamog on Zendikar.<ref>{{DailyRef|official-magic-fiction/Last-stand-2016-02-17|Zendikar's Last Stand|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 17, 2016}}</ref>
After heavy initial losses, the [[Gatewatch]] performed an orchestrated attack on both titans, binding them again in a web of [[leyline]]s and burning them. This was the end of the material manifestation of Ulamog on Zendikar.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/zendikars-last-stand-2016-02-17|Zendikar's Last Stand|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 17, 2016}}</ref>
 
==Trivia==
*Ulamog appears in mascot form in the trailers for [[Secret Lair Drop Series: December Superdrop 2022|Secret Lair: Just Add Milk]] and [[Secret Lair Drop Series: Winter Superdrop 2024|Secret Lair: Just Add Milk: Second Helpings]].<ref>{{YouTubeRef|ac3bGQZg6S8|Secret Lair: Just Add Milk!|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=December 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{YouTubeRef|2NLjL6IQ9Bs|Just Add Milk: Second Helpings|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:EldraziConcept4.jpg|Early concepts of the three Eldrazi titans by [[Aleksi Briclot]].
File:UlamogMascot.png|Ulamog as a cereal mascot for [[Secret Lair Drop Series: December Superdrop 2022|Secret Lair: Just Add Milk]].
File:UlamogCereal.png|Ulamog brand cereal in [[Secret Lair Drop Series: December Superdrop 2022|Secret Lair: Just Add Milk]].
File:Ulamog MTGA avatar MH3.png|Ulamog ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]'' avatar released for ''[[Modern Horizons 3]]''.
</gallery>


==Story appearances==
==Story appearances==
Line 59: Line 74:
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|uncharted-realms/nissa-worldwaker-2014-06-25|Nissa, Worldwaker}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2014-06-25 || ''[[Magic 2015]]'' / Prologue to ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Nissa Revane]], Ulamog
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/nissa-worldwaker-2014-06-25|Nissa, Worldwaker}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2014-06-25 || ''[[Magic 2015]]'' / Prologue to ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Nissa Revane]], Ulamog, Hamadi, Bahkut, Alira, [[Khali]], Sha'heel
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/the-lithomancer|The Lithomancer}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2014-10-29 || ''[[Commander 2014]]'' / Prologue to ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''  || Unknown destroyed plane, [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Nahiri]], [[Sorin Markov]], Lian, [[Ugin]], [[Emrakul]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog
|-
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|ur/lithomancer-2014-10-29|The Lithomancer}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2014-10-29 || ''[[Commander 2014]]'' / Prologue to ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || Unknown destroyed plane, [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Nahiri]], [[Sorin Markov]], [[Ugin]], [[Eldrazi]], [[Emrakul]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/believers-pilgrimage-2015-09-02|The Believers' Pilgrimage}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2015-09-02 ||''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Jace Beleren]], [[Jori En]], Kendrin, [[Gideon Jura]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Ayli]], Ulamog
|-  
|-  
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/promises-keep-2015-12-02|Promises to Keep}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2015-12-02 || ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Regatha]], [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Gideon Jura]], Ulamog, [[Jaya Ballard]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Kozilek]]
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/hedron-alignment-2015-11-18|Hedron Alignment}} || [[Kimberly J. Kreines]] || 2015-11-18 || ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Kiora]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Drana]], [[Tazri]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Munda]], [[Jori En]], [[Ebi]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Ashaya]], [[Seble]], Ulamog, [[Ob Nixilis]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/any-cost-2015-11-25|At Any Cost}} || [[Nik Davidson]] || 2015-11-25 || ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Ob Nixilis]], Ulamog, [[Ebi]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/promises-keep-2015-12-02|Promises to Keep}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2015-12-02 || ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Regatha]], [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Seble]], Ulamog, [[Jaya Ballard|Mother Luti]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Kozilek]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/flames-2016-01-20|Up in Flames}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-01-20 || ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog, [[Tazri]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Ob Nixilis]]
|-
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/oath-gatewatch-2016-02-03|Oath of the Gatewatch}} || [[James Wyatt]] || 2016-02-03 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/rise-kozilek-2015-12-09|The Rise of Kozilek}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2015-12-09 || ''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Kiora]], Shen, Yesha, Tola, Inash, Runari, [[Lorthos]], Ulamog, [[Kozilek]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/retaliation-ob-nixilis-2015-12-30|Retaliation of Ob Nixilis}} || [[Kimberly J. Kreines]] & [[Nik Davidson]] || 2015-12-30 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Nissa Revane]], Ulamog, [[Jace Beleren]], [[Ashaya]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Kozilek]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/blight-we-were-born-2016-01-13|The Blight We Were Born For}} || [[Ken Troop]] || 2016-01-13 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Tazri]], [[Gideon Jura]], Ulamog, [[Kozilek]], Mahir, Golamin, Rillem, Romoe, [[Vorik]], [[Munda]], [[Noyan Dar]], [[Drana]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/flames-2016-01-20|Up in Flames}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-01-20 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog, [[Tazri]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Nissa Revane]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/beneath-surface-2016-01-27|Beneath the Surface}} || [[Ari Levitch]] || 2016-01-27 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Jori En]], [[Lorthos]], [[Kozilek]], Ulamog, [[Kiora]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/oath-gatewatch-2016-02-03|Oath of the Gatewatch}} || [[James Wyatt]] || 2016-02-03 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Kozilek]], Ulamog, [[the Gatewatch]] ([[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]] and [[Nissa Revane]])
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/zendikars-last-stand-2016-02-17|Zendikar's Last Stand}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-02-17 ||''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[The Gatewatch]], [[Kiora]], Ulamog, [[Kozilek]], [[Tazri]], [[Noyan Dar]], [[Drana]], [[Jori En]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/stone-and-blood-2016-06-15|Stone and Blood}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2016-06-15 || ''[[Eldritch Moon]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Nahiri]], [[Sorin Markov]], [[Avacyn]], [[Tenri]], Erem, Ulamog
|}
|}


Line 71: Line 108:
{{in-game
{{in-game
|cards=
|cards=
*<c>Ulamog, the Defiler</c>
*<c>Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre</c>
*<c>Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre</c>
*<c>Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger</c>
*<c>Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger</c>
Line 79: Line 117:
*<c>Ulamog's Crusher</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Crusher</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Despoiler</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Despoiler</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Dreadsire</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Nullifier</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Nullifier</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Reclaimer</c>
*<c>Ulamog's Reclaimer</c>
Line 85: Line 124:
*<c>All is Dust</c>
*<c>All is Dust</c>
*<c>Bonds of Mortality</c>
*<c>Bonds of Mortality</c>
*<c>Calamity of the Titans</c>
*<c>Call the Gatewatch</c>
*<c>Call the Gatewatch</c>
*<c>Disaster Radius</c>
*<c>Disaster Radius</c>
*<c>Drowner of Truth</c>
*<c>Fall of the Titans</c>
*<c>Fall of the Titans</c>
*<c>Forsaken Monument</c>
*<c>Forsaken Monument</c>
*{{card|Mountain|Modern Horizons 3|#=307}}
*{{card|Plains|Modern Horizons 3|#=304}}
*<c>Rise of the Eldrazi</c>
*<c>Ruin in Their Wake</c>
*<c>Ruin in Their Wake</c>
*{{card|Ruin in Their Wake|Jumpstart 2022}}
*<c>Shrine of the Forsaken Gods</c>
*<c>Shrine of the Forsaken Gods</c>
*<c>Suffer the Past</c>
*<c>Suffer the Past</c>
*<c>Titan's Presence</c>
*<c>Titan's Presence</c>
*<c>Utter Insignificance</c>
*<c>Witness the End</c>
*<c>Witness the End</c>
|flavor=
|flavor=
Line 102: Line 148:
*<c>Reaver Drone</c>
*<c>Reaver Drone</c>
*<c>Tunneling Geopede</c>
*<c>Tunneling Geopede</c>
|title1=Ulamog's Brood
|custom1=
*<c>Bane of Bala Ged</c>
*<c>Barrage Tyrant</c>
*<c>Benthic Infiltrator</c>
*<c>Blight Herder</c>
*<c>Blisterpod</c>
*<c>Breaker of Armies</c>
*<c>Brood Butcher</c>
*<c>Brood Monitor</c>
*<c>Catacomb Sifter</c>
*<c>Conduit of Ruin</c>
*<c>Corrupted Shapeshifter</c>
*<c>Cryptic Cruiser</c>
*<c>Culling Drone</c>
*<c>Deathless Behemoth</c>
*<c>Desolation Twin</c>
*<c>Dominator Drone</c>
*<c>Drowner of Hope</c>
*<c>Dust Stalker</c>
*{{card|Eldrazi||TBFZ|#=1}} (Ulamog)
*<c>Eldrazi Devastator</c>
*{{card|Eldrazi Scion||TOGW|#=4}} (Ulamog)
*{{card|Eldrazi Scion||TOGW|#=5}} (Ulamog)
*{{card|Eldrazi Scion||TOGW|#=6}} (Ulamog)
*<c>Eldrazi Skyspawner</c>
*{{card|Eldrazi Spawn||TROE|#=1a}} (Ulamog)
*{{card|Eldrazi Spawn||TPCA|#=1}} (Ulamog)
*<c>Endless One</c>
*<c>Eyeless Watcher</c>
*<c>Fathom Feeder</c>
*<c>Flayer Drone</c>
*<c>Forerunner of Slaughter</c>
*<c>Incubator Drone</c>
*<c>Mind Raker</c>
*<c>Mist Intruder</c>
*<c>Murk Strider</c>
*<c>Nettle Drone</c>
*<c>Oblivion Sower</c>
*<c>Oracle of Dust</c>
*<c>Reaver Drone</c>
*<c>Ruination Guide</c>
*<c>Ruin Processor</c>
*<c>Salvage Drone</c>
*<c>Sifter of Skulls</c>
*<c>Silent Skimmer</c>
*<c>Sire of Stagnation</c>
*<c>Sky Scourer</c>
*<c>Sludge Crawler</c>
*<c>Smothering Abomination</c>
*<c>Thought Harvester</c>
*<c>Tide Drifter</c>
*<c>Ulalek, Fused Atrocity</c>
*<c>Vile Aggregate</c>
*<c>Void Attendant</c>
*<c>Void Winnower</c>
*<c>Wasteland Strangler</c>
*<c>Zhulodok, Void Gorger</c>
}}
}}


Line 115: Line 219:
{{Zendikar|characters}}
{{Zendikar|characters}}
[[Category:Eldrazi]]
[[Category:Eldrazi]]
[[Category:Deceased]]

Latest revision as of 13:33, 13 June 2024

Ulamog
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Eldrazi
Birthplace Blind Eternities
Lifetime Unknown
Colors
{C}

Ulamog, the "Infinite Gyre" is one of the three Eldrazi titans and the monstrosity whose half-forgotten name came to be known as the Zendikari merfolk sea god Ula.

Description

Ulamog is the smallest and weakest of the three Eldrazi titans.[1][2] His head resembles a bony helmet but lacks eyes or expression. Most of his body has the color of exposed muscle and is covered with bony plates. He moves via a writhing mass of tentacles studded with bony spikes below the torso. His two arms split at the elbow and lead to four hands. A stench of rotting meat, decay, and sulfur surrounds him constantly, earning him the name "The Reeking Titan".

Ulamog is the Titan of Consumption, as he and his brood consume living and unliving matter alike. In doing so, they drain mana and vital energy from everything in the vicinity. His processors transform the consumed energy into spell-like effects that defy the understanding of Zendikari mages, creating plagues, deadly parasites, and endless teeming spawn. The processors leave distinctive white, chalky lattice-like structures in their wake. Everything, including water, is transformed into a white manaless husk of what it once was. Ulamog is emblematic of plague, the blind bonds between parasite and host, and overabundance; he is creation and destruction wrapped together in unholy harmony.

Brood lineage

The Ulamog brood lineage is mostly characterized by dense masses of fleshy tentacles, multiple withered arms split at the elbow, and eyeless, bony plates in inhuman yet vaguely facial forms.[3]

Spawn

Ulamog's spawn grow quickly from tiny larvae to about the size of a wolf. Some have spiderlike legs and some have tentacles.

Drones

Ulamog's drones can grow up to ten feet long. They fill specialized roles like Broodkeeper (birthing and tending spawn) and Hunger (draining the land).

Eldrazi

The ravenous and brutish Eldrazi of the Ulamog lineage lurch and shudder over the ground, adept at spreading disease and draining from the psyches as well as the life energy of their victims.

Named

Zhulodok, Void Gorger is the only known Ulamog Brood Eldrazi to receive a proper name.[4]

History

Ulamog's Destructive Abilities

After their imprisonment by Ugin, Sorin Markov, and Nahiri, Ulamog and the other two titans (Kozilek and Emrakul) were locked away from the planes.

First awakening

Destruction caused by Ulamog on the continent of Bala Ged

A few thousand years after the imprisonment of the Eldrazi by The Three, the noxious creative force of Ulamog became an infection that took hold of the people who dared to live in Akoum's mountains despite the tectonic instability of the region.[5] They became a sort of cult devoted to an imagined deity of the mountains, established a temple near the site of the prison, and began performing rituals inspired by their growing madness. The cultists avoided the notice of the increasingly reclusive Nahiri and over time and multiple generations, their rituals proved effective in loosening the bonds of the Eldrazi prison. Though the titans themselves still couldn't escape, teeming hordes of their broods sprang into existence. This swarming host devastated Zendikar.

During the rampage, the cultists transformed. Only twelve of them survived the initial wave of spawn emerging from the prison, but those twelve became the first vampire bloodchiefs, the progenitors of the vampire race.[5] Whether they were originally human, kor, or a race of their own, they became something entirely new - and utterly enslaved to the will of Ulamog. The Eldrazi took the plane's vampires as a race of servants, adapting their very anatomy for servitude. Hooklike horns grew from the vampires' shoulders, convenient handles for the Eldrazi to dominate their slave race, and for millennia afterward, carnal symbols of the vampires' heritage of persecution. The vampires, forced to conspire in the campaign of destruction against their homeworld, had their identity and tribal memory erased forever.[6]

After Nahiri enforced the Eldrazi prison all on her own, no more broods came to life. She trusted the people of Zendikar to deal with them and left the plane. The vampires remained, now free of Ulamog's yoke.

Release

Millennia later, the subsequential actions of Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar, Sarkhan Vol, and Nissa Revane freed the Eldrazi titans. After their release, Ulamog was the most prominent titan on the surface of Zendikar. Its brood caused the Slaughter at Sea Gate.

Battle for Zendikar

The Infinite Gyre

Six months after they had been released, both Emrakul and Kozilek vanished, only leaving a few spawn behind. Ulamog continued to blight and ravage Zendikar for two years, despite the efforts of Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane, and the Zendikari. Jace and Jori En encountered Ulamog during their journey to the Eye of Ugin. They attempted to hide with some survivors who were later discovered to be cultists who still worshiped the titan through his fake "god" form of Ula. Escaping from their would-be captors, the two discovered that Ulamog was on a direct course for Sea Gate, and the remaining survivors hiding with Gideon. Jace dominated Jori En's mind to force her to leave him and return to warn the survivors of Ulamog's coming.

The Zendikar resistance army led by Gideon, Nissa, and Kiora assaulted and retook Sea Gate from Ulamog's brood. However, before they could celebrate, Jori En was seen running towards the planeswalkers, warning them. Ulamog was coming.

Aligned hedron network

Ulamog's Power

In a combined assault, Gideon and Kiora's armies attacked the Titan. Gideon then single-handedly wrestled with Ulamog, buying time for Nissa to unearth a massive number of hedrons buried around Sea Gate.[7] Maneuvering the hedrons around the titan, Jace then triggered them, activating their latent magic and knocking the titan off balance while trapping him. Everything looked to be smooth sailing until Ob Nixilis arrived, knocked the hedrons out of alignment, and positioned himself between them. The demon planeswalker absorbed a massive amount of the hedron's magic which reignited his planeswalker's spark and allowed him to escape. Meanwhile, Ulamog was confused, battered, and weakened by the network's activation, still rather immobilized, still in reach of Gideon's armies, and appeared on the edge of defeat. Gideon ordered the joint army to attack and he leaped forward to attack the titan, but they were rebuffed by the arrival of a second titan: Kozilek.

The death of Ulamog

After heavy initial losses, the Gatewatch performed an orchestrated attack on both titans, binding them again in a web of leylines and burning them. This was the end of the material manifestation of Ulamog on Zendikar.[8]

Trivia

Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Nissa, Worldwaker Kelly Digges 2014-06-25 Magic 2015 / Prologue to Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Nissa Revane, Ulamog, Hamadi, Bahkut, Alira, Khali, Sha'heel
The Lithomancer Kelly Digges 2014-10-29 Commander 2014 / Prologue to Battle for Zendikar Unknown destroyed plane, Zendikar Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Lian, Ugin, Emrakul, Kozilek, Ulamog
The Believers' Pilgrimage Doug Beyer 2015-09-02 Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Jace Beleren, Jori En, Kendrin, Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane, Ayli, Ulamog
Hedron Alignment Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-11-18 Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Kiora, Gideon Jura, Drana, Tazri, Nissa Revane, Munda, Jori En, Ebi, Jace Beleren, Ashaya, Seble, Ulamog, Ob Nixilis
At Any Cost Nik Davidson 2015-11-25 Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Ob Nixilis, Ulamog, Ebi
Promises to Keep Doug Beyer 2015-12-02 Battle for Zendikar Regatha, Zendikar Chandra Nalaar, Gideon Jura, Seble, Ulamog, Mother Luti, Ob Nixilis, Kozilek
Up in Flames Doug Beyer 2016-01-20 Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Chandra Nalaar, Kozilek, Ulamog, Tazri, Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Nissa Revane, Ob Nixilis
The Rise of Kozilek Kelly Digges 2015-12-09 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Kiora, Shen, Yesha, Tola, Inash, Runari, Lorthos, Ulamog, Kozilek
Retaliation of Ob Nixilis Kimberly J. Kreines & Nik Davidson 2015-12-30 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane, Ulamog, Jace Beleren, Ashaya, Ob Nixilis, Kozilek
The Blight We Were Born For Ken Troop 2016-01-13 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Tazri, Gideon Jura, Ulamog, Kozilek, Mahir, Golamin, Rillem, Romoe, Vorik, Munda, Noyan Dar, Drana
Up in Flames Doug Beyer 2016-01-20 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Chandra Nalaar, Kozilek, Ulamog, Tazri, Ob Nixilis, Jace Beleren, Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane
Beneath the Surface Ari Levitch 2016-01-27 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Jori En, Lorthos, Kozilek, Ulamog, Kiora
Oath of the Gatewatch James Wyatt 2016-02-03 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar Kozilek, Ulamog, the Gatewatch (Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar and Nissa Revane)
Zendikar's Last Stand Doug Beyer 2016-02-17 Oath of the Gatewatch Zendikar The Gatewatch, Kiora, Ulamog, Kozilek, Tazri, Noyan Dar, Drana, Jori En
Stone and Blood Kelly Digges 2016-06-15 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Avacyn, Tenri, Erem, Ulamog

In-game references

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Quoted or referred to:
Ulamog's Brood:

External links

References

  1. James Wyatt (2016). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar, p. 20"
  2. Jay Annelli. (2022.) Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.
  3. Doug Beyer (April 28, 2010). "The Three Brood Lineages". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Jay Annelli (May 5, 2023). "There's more Eldrazi titans?". Ask Jay. Tumblr.
  5. a b James Wyatt (2016). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar, p. 48"
  6. Doug Beyer (March 29, 2010). "The Eldrazi Arisen". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Kimberly J. Kreines (November 18, 2015). "Hedron Alignment". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Doug Beyer (February 17, 2016). "Zendikar's Last Stand". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Secret Lair: Just Add Milk! (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (December 1, 2022).
  10. Just Add Milk: Second Helpings (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (January 25, 2024).