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{{Character
{{Infobox character
|image=Avacynrestored_announce.jpg‎
|image=Avacynrestored_announce.jpg‎
|name=Avacyn
|name=Avacyn
|birthplace=[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]
|birthplace=[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]
|lifetime=unknown
|race=[[Angel]]  
|race=[[Angel]]  
|sources=[[Avacyn_Restored|Avacyn Restored]] and ''Sorin's Homecoming'', see external link below}}
|parents=[[Sorin Markov]] (creator)
|sources=Avacyn Restored, Sorin's Homecoming
|colors={{mana|W}} (Pure)<br>{{mana|R}} (Corrupted)
}}
'''Avacyn''' was an [[archangel]] who inhabited [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]. She was the central figure of the [[Church of Avacyn]], who gave the humanity of that plane the faith to fight for survival.


'''Avacyn''' is an [[archangel]] who inhabits [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]], and is the central figure of the [[Church of Avacyn]], who gives the humanity of that plane the faith to fight for survival.
==History==
==History==
===The Creation of Avacyn===
===The Creation of Avacyn===
The [[vampire]] [[planeswalker]] [[Sorin Markov]] created her and tasked her with protecting the plane. Through her, the magic of faith would create true power to fend off the darkness. The Church of Avacyn rose from the power Sorin invested in her.  
The [[vampire]] [[planeswalker]] [[Sorin Markov]] created Avacyn and tasked her with protecting Innistrad. Through her, the magic of faith would create true power to fend off the darkness. The Church of Avacyn rose from the power Sorin invested in her.  


Avacyn's purpose is to maintain the balance on Innistrad. Without her the equilibrium between humanity and the dark forces would be broken, with the resulting extinction of humanity at hands of the vampires or werewolves and the triumph of demons over the plane, all of which would lead to the vampires resorting to cannibalism once humans and the other species were extinct. (Also, eventually resulting in extinction.)
Avacyn's purpose was to maintain the balance on Innistrad. Without her, the equilibrium between humanity and the dark forces would be broken, which would result in the extinction of humanity at the hands of the vampires or werewolves and the triumph of demons over the plane; this would inevitably lead to the vampires resorting to cannibalism once humans and the other species were extinct, resulting in their extinction as well.  


===Disappearance of Balance===
===Disappearance of Balance===
Line 18: Line 20:
Sorin knew never to expect peace and harmony on his shadowed homeworld, but he thought he had arranged a kind of effective equilibrium, a set of safety measures designed to keep one side of the scale from ever tipping too far. He trusted that this system would maintain itself without his intervention and left the plane in the hands of his creation.
Sorin knew never to expect peace and harmony on his shadowed homeworld, but he thought he had arranged a kind of effective equilibrium, a set of safety measures designed to keep one side of the scale from ever tipping too far. He trusted that this system would maintain itself without his intervention and left the plane in the hands of his creation.


However, not long ago, the demon [[Griselbrand]] defiantly came to [[the Helvault]] and challenged Avacyn to combat. Avacyn and Griselbrand battled for days, out of view of all but Avacyn's host, the Lunarch, [[Mikaeus]], and his most trusted bishops. Finally, in an act of desperate effort, Avacyn used all of her remaining strength to drive Griselbrand into the Helvault. As his final act, Griselbrand threw his spear and impaled his angelic nemesis. The binding spell backlashed as she was impaled, and Avacyn was drawn into the Helvault along with the demon. Avacyn was imprisoned in the Helvault alongside every other [[demon]] that was trapped within. The angel's disappearance not only endangered the humans of Innistrad, it smashed the carefully-constructed balance between humanity and the creatures of the night.
However, the demon [[Griselbrand]] eventually came to [[the Helvault]], defiantly challenging Avacyn to combat. The two battled for days, out of view of all but Avacyn's host, the Lunarch, [[Mikaeus]], and his most trusted bishops. Finally, in an act of desperate effort, Avacyn used all of her remaining strength to drive Griselbrand into the Helvault. However, as his final act, Griselbrand threw his spear and impaled his angelic nemesis. The binding spell backlashed as she was impaled, and Avacyn became imprisoned in the Helvault alongside every other [[demon]] that had been trapped within. The angel's disappearance not only endangered the humans of Innistrad but also shattered the carefully-constructed balance between humanity and the creatures of the night.


===Return===
===Return===
[[Liliana Vess]] visited Innistrad in the hopes of destroying [[Griselbrand]], with whom she had made a demonic pact that would result in her soul's enslavement. To this end, she opened the Helvault by forcing an ultimatum on [[Thalia]], its guardian: either she'd destroy the rock, or her soldiers would die. This resulted in the release of both the demons and Avacyn, restoring mankind's defence against the darkness.
[[File:Avacyn restored.jpg|thumb|Avacyn restored]]
[[Liliana Vess]] visited Innistrad in the hopes of destroying [[Griselbrand]], with whom she had made a demonic pact that would result in her soul's enslavement. To this end, she opened the Helvault by forcing an ultimatum on [[Thalia]], its guardian: either she'd destroy the rock, or her soldiers would die. This resulted in the release of both the demons and Avacyn, restoring mankind's defense against the darkness.
[[Image:Avacyn.jpg|thumb|Avacyn's stained glass window]]
[[Image:Avacyn.jpg|thumb|Avacyn's stained glass window]]


===The Cursemute===
===The Cursemute===
The people of the remote village of Gatstaf appealed to Avacyn for aid in breaking the lycanthropic curse after her return. Avacyn appeared to them in Gatstaf Grotto where many had gathered to strike down what they saw as their scourge. Avacyn's message was short and simple. She could not break the curse of lycanthropy, she said. The curse mingles the human spirit with the spirit of the wild, and the wild spirit could not be destroyed without also destroying the werewolf's humanity. So those afflicted with the curse would forever have it. However, Avacyn offered the Gatstaf werewolves a special place at her side. If they promised to serve as guardians of humanity, she would transform their curse, fusing the two warring aspects, and allowing them to dwell in the light of her blessing. The lycanthropes at the Grotto accepted her offer, and she transformed them into the [[wolfir]]. In a powerful wave of spells that would become known as the [[cursemute]], Avacyn's magic spread through the plane, transforming not just many werewolves but many of the world's foul curses. The wolfir emerged as a new race of great wolf-creatures dedicated to the principles of the Church of Avacyn. However, some of the afflicted humans were fully cured, and lead normal, non-hairy lives.
The people of the remote village of Gatstaf appealed to Avacyn for aid in breaking the lycanthropic curse after her return. Avacyn appeared to them in Gatstaf Grotto, where many had gathered to strike down what they saw as their scourge. Avacyn's message was short and simple: she could not break the curse of lycanthropy. The curse mingles the human spirit with the spirit of the wild, and the wild spirit could not be destroyed without also destroying the werewolf's humanity; those afflicted with the curse would forever have it. However, Avacyn offered the Gatstaf werewolves a special place at her side. If they promised to serve as guardians of humanity, she would transform their curse, fusing the two warring aspects and allowing them to dwell in the light of her blessing. The lycanthropes at the Grotto accepted her offer, and she transformed them into the [[wolfir]]. In a powerful wave of spells that would become known as the [[cursemute]], Avacyn's magic spread through the plane, transforming not just many werewolves but many of the world's foul curses. The wolfir emerged as a new race of great wolf creatures dedicated to the principles of the Church of Avacyn. However, some of the afflicted humans were fully cured and allowed to lead normal, non-hairy lives.


The cursemute would eventually end with Avacyn's corruption, returning cured werewolves to their natural state.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless">{{NewRef|magic-story/gaze-blank-and-pitiless-2016-03-09|A Gaze Blank and Pitiless|[[Ken Troop]]|March 9, 2016}}</ref>  
The cursemute would eventually end with Avacyn's corruption, returning cured werewolves to their natural state.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless">{{DailyRef|magic-story/gaze-blank-and-pitiless-2016-03-09|A Gaze Blank and Pitiless|[[Ken Troop]]|March 9, 2016}}</ref>


===Corruption===
===Corruption and death===
In the aftermath of her return, Avacyn led Innistrad's humanity into a time of prosperity and peace that lasted roughly a year. This changed, however, by the end of that year's [[Innistrad Moon#Aspects of the moon|Harvest Moon]]: the village outcast [[Kelse]] prayed to her for help in finding her son [[Maeli]], who had ventured into the woods. Avacyn descended and rescued the child, only to be attacked by a strange spell that gave her a vision of [[Nahiri|Nahiri's]] works and invaded her mind with strange thoughts, claiming that mankind was corrupted. During this, Kelse was possessed by rage and punished her child. This event, combined with foreign thoughts, caused Avacyn to feel a new sense of disgust toward humans.


On the aftermath of her return, Avacyn lead Innistrad's humanity into an epoch of prosperity and peace that lasted roughly an year. This changed, however, by the end of that year's [[Innistrad Moon#Aspects of the moon|Harvest Moon]]: the village outcast [[Kelse]] prayed to her for help in finding her son, who had ventured into the woods. Avacyn descended and rescued the child, only to be attacked by a strange spell that gave her a vision of [[Nahiri]]'s works and invaded her mind with strange thoughts, claiming that mankind was corrupted. During this, Kelse was possessed by a rage and punished her child; combined with the thoughts, this caused Avacyn to feel disgust towards humans.
As revealed later, Avacyn's madness was caused by Nahiri's [[cryptolith]]s summoning [[Emrakul]] to the plane. The redirection of mana that they caused was especially harmful to the angels, who are formed of raw mana.<ref>[https://media.wizards.com/2016/dnd/downloads/Plane_Shift_Innistrad.pdf Plane Shift: Innistrad]</ref>


Some time later, Archbishop [[Macher]] felt insecure in Avacyn's status as a deity, and prayed for evidence of her power. Avacyn responded by verbally abusing him, causing him to urinate himself and faint. By this point, black trimming began to invade her irises.
Sometime later, [[Lunarch]] [[Macher]] felt insecure in Avacyn's status as a deity and prayed for evidence of her power. Avacyn responded by verbally abusing him, causing him to urinate himself and faint. By this point, black trimming began to invade her irises.


Months later, in late [[Innistrad Moon#Aspects of the moon|Hunter's Moon]], Avacyn paid a visit to [[Sigarda]]'s house, alongside [[Bruna]] and [[Gisela]]. By this point, her eyes were already flashing black promeniently and her spear began to shift into a more menancing weapon, and the thoughts of disgust towards humanity became dominant, advocating a genocidal solution. Sigarda remained unconvinced, but Bruna and Gisela had given fully to the madness before they appeared in the former's house. Avacyn blew up Sigarda's roof, and implied a threat towards her should she not collaborate.
When the werewolf [[Liont]] prayed to Avacyn after having killed his own family due to the fading of the Cursemute, Avacyn responded to the prayer by breaking through the roof of Liont's house and killing him.


By the end of Hunter's Moon, Avacyn returned to the village where Kelse lived. Commanding a flight of angels, she attacked the town, slaughtering its inhabitants with beams of light and prompting a crisis of faith in Kelse. The woman ordered her son to run away, much to Avacyn's anger, and was in turn burned by a beam of light. Satisfied, Avacyn kept attacking the town, now hearing soothing whispers from the Moon.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless"/>
Months later, in late [[Innistrad Moon#Aspects of the moon|Hunter's Moon]], Avacyn paid a visit to [[Sigarda]]'s house, alongside [[Bruna]] and [[Gisela]]. By this point, her eyes were already flashing black prominently and her spear began to shift into a more menacing weapon, and her thoughts of disgust towards humanity became dominant, advocating a genocidal solution. Sigarda remained unconvinced, but Bruna and Gisela had fully given in to the madness before they appeared in the former's house. Avacyn blew up Sigarda's roof, and implied a threat towards her should she not collaborate.
 
By the end of Hunter's Moon, Avacyn returned to the village where Kelse lived. Commanding a flight of angels, she attacked the town, slaughtering its inhabitants with beams of light and prompting a crisis of faith in Kelse. The woman ordered her son Maeli to run away, much to Avacyn's anger, and was in turn burned by a beam of light. Satisfied, Avacyn kept attacking the town, now hearing soothing whispers from the Moon.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless"/>
 
[[File:Avacyn's Memorial.jpg|thumbnail|<c>Avacyn's Memorial</c>]]
 
At Thraben Cathedral, Avacyn encountered [[Jace Beleren]] and [[Tamiyo]], who tried in vain to restrain her.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/stories-and-endings-2016-05-11|Stories and Endings|[[Nik Davidson]]|May 11, 2016 }}</ref> As she prepared to kill the two planeswalkers, Sorin Markov arrived, asking her to accompany him to the Vault of the Archangel where he had created her. Avacyn did not recognize him, telling him to stand down or face her wrath. As her spells did not affect him, Sorin told her that he was her creator, and Avacyn's madness momentarily withdrew. She questioned herself, reminded of her acts in the grip of madness. She came to denounce Sorin; since he had created her, he was responsible for the flaw within her that had driven her against the innocents of Innistrad and thus was responsible for the creation of Innistrad's greatest current threat. Realizing that she could not harm Sorin, Avacyn instead called the angels of Innistrad down on him. The ancient planeswalker was able to defeat them, but the madness once again took hold of Avacyn, allowing her to harm Sorin. In the ensuing battle, Sorin managed to plummet Avacyn through the Cathedral floor into the Vault. Sorin offered to heal her, but she refused, stating that if she wasn't the daughter he had wanted, they would battle again and again because she would not yield to a monster. When she stated that she knew that Sorin would simply bind her, because what cannot be destroyed must be bound, her creator answered that she could very well be destroyed. When Sorin unraveled the spell that had formed her, Avacyn's last thoughts were: "I am Avacyn. I am to protect."<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/i-am-avacyn-2016-05-18|I Am Avacyn|[[Doug Beyer]]|May 18, 2016 }}</ref>
 
Following her death, her faithful constructed a memorial for her. As they had no marble, they repaired her likeness with wood, straw, twine, and clay.


==Psychology==
==Psychology==
[[File:Mtg avacyn the purifier by namesjames-d9u8bwq.jpg|thumb|Avacyn, the Purifier]]
Before her corruption, Avacyn was incredibly benevolent to all humans. She had always been the most comfortable with children since their innocence and earnestness made them easier for her to comprehend.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless"/>


Appearently, Avacyn can hear all prayers in Innistrad. Perhaps due to her artificial nature, she is detached from all other angels, who see her in as distant a light as humans see angels.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless"/>
Avacyn did not like smiling—she had never understood the point of it. But she did feel a deep and abiding sense of satisfaction over the work she and her angels had accomplished since the events of Avacyn Restored.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless" />


[[Brady Dommermuth]] described her as a robot.
Sigarda described her as the most powerful and confident angel on Innistrad. But perhaps due to her artificial nature, she is detached from all other angels, who see her in a distant light as humans see angels.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless" />
 
Apparently, Avacyn can hear all prayers in Innistrad.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless" />
 
Avacyn is not above slaying other angels, as she demonstrated 1000 years ago. Liesa, sister to Bruna, Gisela, and Sigarda, became allied with a demon lord, an act condemned by most angels. In response, Avacyn declared her a heretic, an accomplice to the very monsters Avacyn and all other angels were sworn to defeat. Avacyn single-handedly slew Liesa and her entire angel flight for their heresy, then declared the very mention of her name forbidden.<ref name="gaze-blank-and-pitiless" />
 
Under the influence of the Cryptoliths, Avacyn saw those she deemed her enemies as monsters, their pleas like vermin crawling from their mouths. Vampires manifested as leech-like, blood-smelling creatures, even her creator.
 
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Avacynrestored announce.jpg|<c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c>
File:Avacyn restored.jpg|Avacyn Restored
File:Mtg avacyn the purifier by namesjames-d9u8bwq.jpg|<c>Avacyn, the Purifier</c>
File:AvacynSOITrailer.png|Avacyn in the Shadows Over Innistrad trailer.
File:Tamiyo and Jace.jpg|Avacyn attacks Tamiyo and Jace.
File:Anguished unmaking.png|Avacyn's demise.
File:AvacynGlass1.png|A stained glass depiction of Archangel Avacyn
File:AvacynGlass2.png|A stained glass depiction of Avacyn, the Purifier
File:Avatar-avacyn.jpg|Avacyn as a Magic Online avatar
File:Battle at the Helvault.jpg|<c>Battle at the Helvault</c> art by [[Alix Branwyn]]
File:Avacyn token.jpg|Avacyn token art by [[Alix Branwyn]]
File:Avacyn SL1.jpg|Archangel Avacyn [[Secret Lair]] art
File:Avacyn SL2.jpg|Avacyn, the Purifier [[Secret Lair]] art
</gallery>
 
==Story appearances==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160418105923/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/preview-article-mikaeus-unhallowed-2012-01-16 Mikaeus, the Unhallowed] || [[Jenna Helland]] || 2011-10-26 || ''[[Dark Ascension]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Geralf Cecani]], [[Gisa Cecani]], [[Grimgrin]], [[Alwin]], [[Traken]], Avacyn, [[Lothar]], [[Thalia]], [[Liliana Vess|"Lili"]]
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160310002521/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/backstory-update-dark-ascension-2012-01-03 A Backstory Update for Dark Ascension] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-01-04 ||''[[Dark Ascension]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || Avacyn, [[Liliana]], [[Griselbrand]], [[Garruk]]
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221075409/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/sorins-homecoming-2012-01-09 Sorin's Homecoming] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-01-11 || ''[[Dark Ascension]]''|| [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Sorin Markov|Sorin]], [[Edgar Markov]], [[Shilgengar]], Avacyn
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160310011341/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/prison-silver-2012-01-17 The Prison of Silver] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-01-18 || ''[[Dark Ascension]]''|| [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Edgar Markov]], [[Shilgengar]], [[Sorin Markov|Sorin]], Avacyn, [[Griselbrand]], [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]]
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160310011210/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/state-faith-2012-01-24 The State of the Faith] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-01-25 || ''[[Dark Ascension]]''|| [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || Avacyn, [[Griselbrand]], [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Volpaig]]
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150401082115/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/guardian-witch-and-angel-2012-03-20 The Guardian, the Witch, and The Angel] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-03-21 || ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || Avacyn, [[Sorin Markov|Sorin]], [[Thalia]], [[Lothar]], [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Griselbrand]], [[Geralf Cecani]], [[Gisa Cecani]], [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Garruk]]
|-
| [https://github.com/maxmakesmagic/ormos/blob/main/archive/en/articles/archive/feature/2012/04/angels-rise-and-demons-release-2012-04-09.md Angel's Rise and Demon's Release] || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2012-04-09 || ''[[Avacyn Restored]]''|| [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || Avacyn, [[Thalia]], [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Griselbrand]], [[Garruk]], [[Volpaig]], [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Sorin]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|feature/beast-2014-06-19|Beast}} || [[Tom LaPille]] || 2014-06-18 || ''[[Magic 2015]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Garruk]], [[Liliana Vess]], Pavel, Avacyn
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/hunter-cannot-pity-2014-07-16|The Hunter Cannot Pity}} || [[Jennifer Clarke Wilkes]] || 2014-07-16 || ''[[Magic 2015]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]], [[Esper]] || [[Vronos]], Avacyn, [[Garruk]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/lunarchs-journal-2014-08-13|The Lunarch's Journal}} || [[Colin Kawakami]] || 2014-08-13 || ''[[Magic 2015]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Dovid]], Avacyn, [[Gryta]], [[Mikaeus Cecani]], [[Griselbrand]], [[Edgar Markov]], [[Shilgengar]], Marycz, [[Sorin Markov]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/gaze-blank-and-pitiless-2016-03-09|A Gaze Blank and Pitiless}} || [[Ken Troop]] || 2016-03-09 || ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || Avacyn, [[Kelse]], [[Maeli]], [[Macher]], [[Liont]], Hilde, Nickers, Talia, Kan, [[Sigarda]], [[Bruna]], [[Gisela]], Hanse
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/promises-old-and-new-2016-04-13|Promises Old and New}} || [[Ari Levitch]] || 2016-04-13 || ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Sorin Markov]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[Nahiri]], Avacyn
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/stories-and-endings-2016-05-11|Stories and Endings}} || [[Nik Davidson]] || 2016-05-11 || ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Tamiyo]], [[Jace Beleren]], Avacyn
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/i-am-avacyn-2016-05-18|I Am Avacyn}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-05-18 || ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Tamiyo]], [[Jace Beleren]], Avacyn, [[Sorin Markov]]
|-
| {{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]]
|}


==In-game references==
==In-game references==
[[File:AVR symbol.png|thumb|right|Avacyn's symbol]]
[[File:Avacyn3.png|thumb|right|Avacyn's symbol]]
'''Represented in:'''
{{In-game
* <c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c>
|cards=
* <c>Avacyn, Guardian Angel</c>
*<c>Archangel Avacyn</c> // <c>Avacyn, the Purifier</c>
* <c>Archangel Avacyn</c> (<c>Avacyn, the Purifier</c>)
*{{card|Avacyn|token|TCMM}}
'''Depicted in:'''
*<c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c>
* <c>Cloudshift</c>
*[[Unknown_Event/Minneapolis_event_cards|Avacyn and Griselbrand]]<ref name="Unknown Minn">{{YouTubeRef|r7uk8A4k3wo|Emrakul & Chatterfang!? Koma & Toski!? 62 Unknown Magic Cards!|channel=Good Morning Magic|date=May 10, 2023}}</ref>
* <c>Endless Ranks of the Dead</c>
*<c>Avacyn, Guardian Angel</c>
* <c>Increasing Devotion</c>
|associated=
* {{cardlink|Moonsilver Spear|Prerelease Events|Prerelease cards}}
*<c>Archangel's Light</c>
* <c>Requiem Angel</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/929|The Rest of the Statue|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 15, 2012}}</ref>
*<c>Avacyn's Collar</c>
* <c>Seraph Sanctuary</c>
*<c>Avacyn's Judgment</c>
 
*<c>Avacyn's Memorial</c>
'''Quoted or referred to:'''
*<c>Avacyn's Pilgrim</c>
* Avacyn's symbol appears in art throughout the [[Innistrad block]]. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/809|The Symbol of Avacyn|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 29, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/919|The Symbol of Avacyn, Part 2|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 01, 2012}}</ref>
*<c>Avacynian Priest</c>
* <c>Ancient Grudge</c>
*<c>Battle at the Helvault</c>
* <c>Angel of Flight Alabaster</c>
*<c>Mask of Avacyn</c>
* <c>Archangel's Light</c>
*<c>Scroll of Avacyn</c>
* <c>Avacyn's Collar</c>
*<c>The Creation of Avacyn</c>
* <c>Avacyn's Pilgrim</c>
*<c>Vault of the Archangel</c>
* <c>Avacynian Missionaries</c>
|art=
* <c>Bonds of Faith</c>
*<c>Anguished Unmaking</c>
* <c>Disciple of Griselbrand</c>
*<c>Cloudshift</c>
* {{cardlink|Divination|Dark Ascension}}
*<c>Descend Upon the Sinful</c>
* <c>Faithless Looting</c>
*<c>Endless Ranks of the Dead</c>
* <c>Griselbrand</c>
*<c>Fiery Temper</c>
* <c>Mask of Avacyn</c>
*{{card|Giant Mana Cake|Unfinity|SUNF}}
* <c>Moon Heron</c>
*<c>Increasing Devotion</c>
* <c>Niblis of the Breath</c>
*<c>Moonsilver Key</c>
* <c>Nevermore</c>
*{{card|Moonsilver Spear|Prerelease|PAVR}}
* <c>Peel from Reality</c>
*{{card|The Prismatic Bridge|Secret Lair|SLD|#=1155}}
* <c>Reaper from the Abyss</c>
*<c>Relentless Dead</c>
* <c>Ranger's Guile</c>
*<c>Requiem Angel</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/rest-statue-2012-03-15|The Rest of the Statue|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 15, 2012}}</ref>
* <c>Smite the Monstrous</c>
*<c>Seraph Sanctuary</c>
* <c>Unhallowed Cathar</c>
*<c>Wall of Mourning</c>
* <c>Vault of the Archangel</c>
*Avacyn's symbol appears in art throughout the [[Innistrad block]], ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'', and ''[[Innistrad: Double Feature]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/symbol-avacyn-2011-09-29|The Symbol of Avacyn|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/symbol-avacyn-part-2-2012-03-01|The Symbol of Avacyn, Part 2|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 01, 2012}}</ref>
|flavor=
*<c>Always Watching</c>
*<c>Ancient Grudge</c>
*<c>Angel of Flight Alabaster</c>
*<c>Avacynian Missionaries</c>
*<c>Bonds of Faith</c>
*<c>Bereaved Survivor</c>
*<c>Cathar's Call</c>
*<c>Disciple of Griselbrand</c>
*{{card|Divination|Dark Ascension}}
*<c>Donal, Herald of Wings</c>
*{{card|Faithless Looting||DKA}}
*{{card|Favorable Winds|Avacyn Restored}}
*<c>Griselbrand</c>
*<c>Honored Heirloom</c>
*<c>Hope Against Hope</c>
*<c>Lunarch Veteran</c>
*<c>Militant Inquisitor</c>
*<c>Moon Heron</c>
*<c>Niblis of the Breath</c>
*<c>Nevermore</c>
*<c>Open the Armory</c>
*<c>Peel from Reality</c>
*<c>Reaper from the Abyss</c>
*<c>Reforge the Soul</c>
*{{card|Reprobation|Modern Horizons}}
*<c>Ranger's Guile</c>
*{{card|Sigarda's Aid||SLD|#=731}}
*<c>Sigardian Priest</c>
*<c>Smite the Monstrous</c>
*<c>Strength of Arms</c>
*<c>Tamiyo's Journal</c>
*<c>Unhallowed Cathar</c>
}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External information==
==External links==
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/177|Sorin's Homecoming|[[Doug Beyer]]|January 11, 2012}}
*{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/sorins-homecoming-2012-01-09|Sorin's Homecoming|[[Doug Beyer]]|January 11, 2012}}
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/178|The Prison of Silver|[[Doug Beyer]]|January 18, 2012}}
*{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/prison-silver-2012-01-17|The Prison of Silver|[[Doug Beyer]]|January 18, 2012}}
* {{NewRef|ur/lunarchs-journal-2014-08-13|The Lunarch's Journal|[[Colin Kawakami]]|August 13, 2014}}  
*{{DailyRef|ur/lunarchs-journal-2014-08-13|The Lunarch's Journal|[[Colin Kawakami]]|August 13, 2014}}  
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/187|The Guardian, the Witch, and the Angel|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 21, 2012}}
*{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/guardian-witch-and-angel-2012-03-21|The Guardian, the Witch, and the Angel|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 21, 2012}}
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/190|Angel's Rise and Demon's Release|[[Doug Beyer]]|April 09, 2012}}
*{{DailyRef|feature/angels-rise-and-demons-release-2012-04-09|Angel's Rise and Demon's Release|[[Doug Beyer]]|April 09, 2012}}


{{Innistrad|characters}}
{{Innistrad|characters}}
[[Category:Angels]]
[[Category:Angels]]
[[Category:Deceased]]

Latest revision as of 17:25, 20 June 2024

Avacyn
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Avacynrestored_announce.jpg‎}}|250px]]
Details
Race Angel
Birthplace Innistrad
Parents Sorin Markov (creator)
Colors
{W} (Pure)
{R} (Corrupted)
Sources
Avacyn Restored, Sorin's Homecoming

Avacyn was an archangel who inhabited Innistrad. She was the central figure of the Church of Avacyn, who gave the humanity of that plane the faith to fight for survival.

History

The Creation of Avacyn

The vampire planeswalker Sorin Markov created Avacyn and tasked her with protecting Innistrad. Through her, the magic of faith would create true power to fend off the darkness. The Church of Avacyn rose from the power Sorin invested in her.

Avacyn's purpose was to maintain the balance on Innistrad. Without her, the equilibrium between humanity and the dark forces would be broken, which would result in the extinction of humanity at the hands of the vampires or werewolves and the triumph of demons over the plane; this would inevitably lead to the vampires resorting to cannibalism once humans and the other species were extinct, resulting in their extinction as well.

Disappearance of Balance

Avacyn, depicted in an avatar for Magic Online Avacyn Restored Release Events

Sorin knew never to expect peace and harmony on his shadowed homeworld, but he thought he had arranged a kind of effective equilibrium, a set of safety measures designed to keep one side of the scale from ever tipping too far. He trusted that this system would maintain itself without his intervention and left the plane in the hands of his creation.

However, the demon Griselbrand eventually came to the Helvault, defiantly challenging Avacyn to combat. The two battled for days, out of view of all but Avacyn's host, the Lunarch, Mikaeus, and his most trusted bishops. Finally, in an act of desperate effort, Avacyn used all of her remaining strength to drive Griselbrand into the Helvault. However, as his final act, Griselbrand threw his spear and impaled his angelic nemesis. The binding spell backlashed as she was impaled, and Avacyn became imprisoned in the Helvault alongside every other demon that had been trapped within. The angel's disappearance not only endangered the humans of Innistrad but also shattered the carefully-constructed balance between humanity and the creatures of the night.

Return

Avacyn restored

Liliana Vess visited Innistrad in the hopes of destroying Griselbrand, with whom she had made a demonic pact that would result in her soul's enslavement. To this end, she opened the Helvault by forcing an ultimatum on Thalia, its guardian: either she'd destroy the rock, or her soldiers would die. This resulted in the release of both the demons and Avacyn, restoring mankind's defense against the darkness.

Avacyn's stained glass window

The Cursemute

The people of the remote village of Gatstaf appealed to Avacyn for aid in breaking the lycanthropic curse after her return. Avacyn appeared to them in Gatstaf Grotto, where many had gathered to strike down what they saw as their scourge. Avacyn's message was short and simple: she could not break the curse of lycanthropy. The curse mingles the human spirit with the spirit of the wild, and the wild spirit could not be destroyed without also destroying the werewolf's humanity; those afflicted with the curse would forever have it. However, Avacyn offered the Gatstaf werewolves a special place at her side. If they promised to serve as guardians of humanity, she would transform their curse, fusing the two warring aspects and allowing them to dwell in the light of her blessing. The lycanthropes at the Grotto accepted her offer, and she transformed them into the wolfir. In a powerful wave of spells that would become known as the cursemute, Avacyn's magic spread through the plane, transforming not just many werewolves but many of the world's foul curses. The wolfir emerged as a new race of great wolf creatures dedicated to the principles of the Church of Avacyn. However, some of the afflicted humans were fully cured and allowed to lead normal, non-hairy lives.

The cursemute would eventually end with Avacyn's corruption, returning cured werewolves to their natural state.[1]

Corruption and death

In the aftermath of her return, Avacyn led Innistrad's humanity into a time of prosperity and peace that lasted roughly a year. This changed, however, by the end of that year's Harvest Moon: the village outcast Kelse prayed to her for help in finding her son Maeli, who had ventured into the woods. Avacyn descended and rescued the child, only to be attacked by a strange spell that gave her a vision of Nahiri's works and invaded her mind with strange thoughts, claiming that mankind was corrupted. During this, Kelse was possessed by rage and punished her child. This event, combined with foreign thoughts, caused Avacyn to feel a new sense of disgust toward humans.

As revealed later, Avacyn's madness was caused by Nahiri's cryptoliths summoning Emrakul to the plane. The redirection of mana that they caused was especially harmful to the angels, who are formed of raw mana.[2]

Sometime later, Lunarch Macher felt insecure in Avacyn's status as a deity and prayed for evidence of her power. Avacyn responded by verbally abusing him, causing him to urinate himself and faint. By this point, black trimming began to invade her irises.

When the werewolf Liont prayed to Avacyn after having killed his own family due to the fading of the Cursemute, Avacyn responded to the prayer by breaking through the roof of Liont's house and killing him.

Months later, in late Hunter's Moon, Avacyn paid a visit to Sigarda's house, alongside Bruna and Gisela. By this point, her eyes were already flashing black prominently and her spear began to shift into a more menacing weapon, and her thoughts of disgust towards humanity became dominant, advocating a genocidal solution. Sigarda remained unconvinced, but Bruna and Gisela had fully given in to the madness before they appeared in the former's house. Avacyn blew up Sigarda's roof, and implied a threat towards her should she not collaborate.

By the end of Hunter's Moon, Avacyn returned to the village where Kelse lived. Commanding a flight of angels, she attacked the town, slaughtering its inhabitants with beams of light and prompting a crisis of faith in Kelse. The woman ordered her son Maeli to run away, much to Avacyn's anger, and was in turn burned by a beam of light. Satisfied, Avacyn kept attacking the town, now hearing soothing whispers from the Moon.[1]

Avacyn's Memorial

At Thraben Cathedral, Avacyn encountered Jace Beleren and Tamiyo, who tried in vain to restrain her.[3] As she prepared to kill the two planeswalkers, Sorin Markov arrived, asking her to accompany him to the Vault of the Archangel where he had created her. Avacyn did not recognize him, telling him to stand down or face her wrath. As her spells did not affect him, Sorin told her that he was her creator, and Avacyn's madness momentarily withdrew. She questioned herself, reminded of her acts in the grip of madness. She came to denounce Sorin; since he had created her, he was responsible for the flaw within her that had driven her against the innocents of Innistrad and thus was responsible for the creation of Innistrad's greatest current threat. Realizing that she could not harm Sorin, Avacyn instead called the angels of Innistrad down on him. The ancient planeswalker was able to defeat them, but the madness once again took hold of Avacyn, allowing her to harm Sorin. In the ensuing battle, Sorin managed to plummet Avacyn through the Cathedral floor into the Vault. Sorin offered to heal her, but she refused, stating that if she wasn't the daughter he had wanted, they would battle again and again because she would not yield to a monster. When she stated that she knew that Sorin would simply bind her, because what cannot be destroyed must be bound, her creator answered that she could very well be destroyed. When Sorin unraveled the spell that had formed her, Avacyn's last thoughts were: "I am Avacyn. I am to protect."[4]

Following her death, her faithful constructed a memorial for her. As they had no marble, they repaired her likeness with wood, straw, twine, and clay.

Psychology

Avacyn, the Purifier

Before her corruption, Avacyn was incredibly benevolent to all humans. She had always been the most comfortable with children since their innocence and earnestness made them easier for her to comprehend.[1]

Avacyn did not like smiling—she had never understood the point of it. But she did feel a deep and abiding sense of satisfaction over the work she and her angels had accomplished since the events of Avacyn Restored.[1]

Sigarda described her as the most powerful and confident angel on Innistrad. But perhaps due to her artificial nature, she is detached from all other angels, who see her in a distant light as humans see angels.[1]

Apparently, Avacyn can hear all prayers in Innistrad.[1]

Avacyn is not above slaying other angels, as she demonstrated 1000 years ago. Liesa, sister to Bruna, Gisela, and Sigarda, became allied with a demon lord, an act condemned by most angels. In response, Avacyn declared her a heretic, an accomplice to the very monsters Avacyn and all other angels were sworn to defeat. Avacyn single-handedly slew Liesa and her entire angel flight for their heresy, then declared the very mention of her name forbidden.[1]

Under the influence of the Cryptoliths, Avacyn saw those she deemed her enemies as monsters, their pleas like vermin crawling from their mouths. Vampires manifested as leech-like, blood-smelling creatures, even her creator.


Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed Jenna Helland 2011-10-26 Dark Ascension Innistrad Mikaeus Cecani, Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Grimgrin, Alwin, Traken, Avacyn, Lothar, Thalia, "Lili"
A Backstory Update for Dark Ascension Doug Beyer 2012-01-04 Dark Ascension Innistrad Avacyn, Liliana, Griselbrand, Garruk
Sorin's Homecoming Doug Beyer 2012-01-11 Dark Ascension Innistrad Sorin, Edgar Markov, Shilgengar, Avacyn
The Prison of Silver Doug Beyer 2012-01-18 Dark Ascension Innistrad Edgar Markov, Shilgengar, Sorin, Avacyn, Griselbrand, Mikaeus Cecani, Liliana
The State of the Faith Doug Beyer 2012-01-25 Dark Ascension Innistrad Avacyn, Griselbrand, Mikaeus Cecani, Volpaig
The Guardian, the Witch, and The Angel Doug Beyer 2012-03-21 Avacyn Restored Innistrad Avacyn, Sorin, Thalia, Lothar, Mikaeus Cecani, Griselbrand, Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Liliana, Garruk
Angel's Rise and Demon's Release Doug Beyer 2012-04-09 Avacyn Restored Innistrad Avacyn, Thalia, Liliana, Griselbrand, Garruk, Volpaig, Mikaeus Cecani, Sorin
Beast Tom LaPille 2014-06-18 Magic 2015 Innistrad Garruk, Liliana Vess, Pavel, Avacyn
The Hunter Cannot Pity Jennifer Clarke Wilkes 2014-07-16 Magic 2015 Innistrad, Esper Vronos, Avacyn, Garruk
The Lunarch's Journal Colin Kawakami 2014-08-13 Magic 2015 Innistrad Dovid, Avacyn, Gryta, Mikaeus Cecani, Griselbrand, Edgar Markov, Shilgengar, Marycz, Sorin Markov
A Gaze Blank and Pitiless Ken Troop 2016-03-09 Shadows over Innistrad Innistrad Avacyn, Kelse, Maeli, Macher, Liont, Hilde, Nickers, Talia, Kan, Sigarda, Bruna, Gisela, Hanse
Promises Old and New Ari Levitch 2016-04-13 Shadows over Innistrad Innistrad Sorin Markov, Olivia Voldaren, Nahiri, Avacyn
Stories and Endings Nik Davidson 2016-05-11 Shadows over Innistrad Innistrad Tamiyo, Jace Beleren, Avacyn
I Am Avacyn Doug Beyer 2016-05-18 Shadows over Innistrad Innistrad Tamiyo, Jace Beleren, Avacyn, Sorin Markov
Stone and Blood Kelly Digges 2016-06-15 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Avacyn, Tenri, Erem, Ulamog

In-game references

Avacyn's symbol
Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Quoted or referred to:

References

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Ken Troop (March 9, 2016). "A Gaze Blank and Pitiless". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Plane Shift: Innistrad
  3. ↑ Nik Davidson (May 11, 2016). "Stories and Endings". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Doug Beyer (May 18, 2016). "I Am Avacyn". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Emrakul & Chatterfang!? Koma & Toski!? 62 Unknown Magic Cards! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (May 10, 2023).
  6. ↑ Monty Ashley (March 15, 2012). "The Rest of the Statue". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Monty Ashley (September 29, 2011). "The Symbol of Avacyn". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Monty Ashley (March 01, 2012). "The Symbol of Avacyn, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links

Innistrad block
Shadows over Innistrad block
Innistrad 2021
Supplemental
Innistrad storyline
Publications
Locations
Characters
Affiliations
Other
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