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'''Tovolar''' is the alpha [[werewolf]] of the [[Mondronen]] howlpack on the plane of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]. He is described a large and silver. Unlike other werewolves, he is never known to [[transform]] back into a [[human]] form. He reportedly enjoys carnage and howlsongs.  
{{Infobox character
|image=Tovolar.jpg
|race=[[Human]] [[Werewolf]]
|birthplace=[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]
|lifetime= [[Mending Era]]
|colors={{mana|GR}}
}}
'''Tovolar''' is a powerful [[werewolf]] on the plane of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] and the main antagonist of the ''[[Innistrad: Midnight Hunt]]'' storyline. He was the alpha [[werewolf]] of the [[Werewolves#The Mondronen howlpack|Mondronen howlpack]] before their disbandment and later became the leader of the [[Dire|Dire pack]].  


His howlpack is known for using a form of blood magic, also a novelty among werewolves who are not commonly known to use any kind of magic.
==Description==
Tovolar has silver fur and leads his pack in howling songs and revels of carnage.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/planeswalkers-guide-innistrad-kessig-and-werewolves-2011-10-05|Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Kessig and Werewolves|Magic Creative Team|October 5, 2011}}</ref> It was long suspected that he was mute and never [[transform]]s back to [[human]] form. However, this was proven untrue. As it turns out, Tovolar is actually the first werewolf who can retain some of his humanity and hold on to his weapons after his transition. In human form he is a large, muscled man.


===In-game references==
==History==
'''Associated card:'''
Twenty years ago, Tovolar encountered a young, reluctant new werewolf named [[Arlinn Kord]]. She came under his tutelage, and he tried teaching her not to fear her werewolf nature, but to embrace it in all its joy and savage freedom. Arlinn, however, was unable to accept that path, and after two years they fell out when Arlinn refused to join Tovolar in slaughtering a group of foresters.  Arlinn turned on her mentor, challenging Tovolar for command of the howlpack; they fought and wounded each other, though in the end Arlinn fled. <ref name="Harvestide">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-4-harvesttide-2021-09-22|Episode 4: Harvestide|[[K. Arsenault Rivera]]|September 22, 2021}}</ref> Choosing a different, less destructive path than her mentor, Arlinn maintained her distance over the next decades and went on to form her own wolf pack.<ref name="Witch Woods">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-1-witch-woods-2021-09-02|Episode 1: The Witch in the Woods|[[K. Arsenault Rivera]]|September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="The Wolf">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-2-motives-wolf-2021-09-08|Episode 2: The Motives of the Wolf|[[K. Arsenault Rivera]]|September 8, 2021}}</ref>
* <c>Tovolar's Magehunter</c>
'''Quoted or referred to:'''
* <c>Mondronen Shaman</c>


[[Category:Characters]]
Tovolar earned a fearsome reputation throughout Innistrad's [[Kessig]] province as leader of the Mondronen howlpack. The howlpack, about 60 in size, was known for using a dark form of magic. They stayed away from civilization, sticking to farmlands, rural communities, and remote monasteries. With Avacyn's protective wards getting weaker due to her absence, the Mondronen got closer to cities.<ref>[[James Wyatt]]. (2016.) "''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Innistrad]]''".</ref> When [[Avacyn]] was set free from [[The Helvault]], the Mondronen and other howlpacks disbanded, chased off and hunted down by [[angel]]s. But now, in the growing darkness since [[Innistrad (plane)|The Travails]], Tovolar sees a chance to lead once again.<ref name="Returning Legends">{{DailyRef|feature/returning-legends-innistrad-midnight-hunt-2021-09-17|The Returning Legends of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt|[[Doug Beyer]], [[Ari Zirulnik]] and [[Grace Fong]]|September 17, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917143643/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/returning-legends-innistrad-midnight-hunt-2021-09-17|archivedate=September 17, 2021}}</ref>
 
===Midnight Hunt===
In the two years since [[The Travails]], the nights of Innistrad were [[Eternal night|inexplicably getting longer]] and Tovolar formed a new pack of [[dire]] werewolves that was growing rapidly.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|fCqxB_WV_rE|Prepare for the Harvesttide Festival – Innistrad: Midnight Hunt|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="The Wolf"/> Driven by his fierce pride in werewolf-kind, he enacted his plan to unify all the howlpacks under his rule. He stood for the freedom to embrace the savage beast within, and many werewolves left their human homes to join him. Once he has a powerful pack behind him, he believed he could stop the [[Dawnhart Coven]] and anyone else who wants to bring back the sun.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-innistrad-midnight-hunt|Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Midnight Hunt|[[Doug Beyer]] and [[Ari Zirulnik]]|September 9, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Returning Legends"/>
 
=== Harvesttide Massacre ===
During the [[Harvesttide festival|Harvesttide Festival]], Arlinn Kord and her planeswalker allies discovered the [[Moonsilver Key]] and brought it to the [[Celestus]], seeking to enact a ritual at the height of the festival that would restore the balance between night and day. However, no sooner did Arlinn arrive with the key than Tovolar launched a full-scale attack upon the festival. The grounds around the Celestus were surrounded by magical wards that prevented the advance of his werewolf army for a short time. When the protections failed, [[Teferi]] cast a powerful spell to delay the sunset and thereby stall the werewolves' complete transformation. [[Planeswalker]]s, [[Warlock|witches]] and cathars fought the werewolf invaders to protect the [[human]]s. In the midst of the slaughter, Arlinn confronted Tovolar, demanding that he cease the attack. Tovolar refused and goaded Arlinn, urging her to embrace her werewolf nature and join him in battle. Seeing the human defenders crumbling under the werewolf onslaught, Arlinn attacked Tovolar, and they started exchanging blows until Tovolar called upon the [[Wolf|wolves]] of Arlinn's old pack. Seeing her old packmates, Arlinn hesitated for a moment, which allowed Tovolar to overpower her and hold her at his mercy. At that point, Teferi's spell finally ended and the sun set, transforming all werewolves, including Arlinn.<ref name="Harvestide" />
 
Fully in wolf form, Arlinn and Tovolar fought savagely, both suffering numerous wounds. Arlinn's wolf pack joined Tovolar, except for [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad|Patience]] who stayed apart. Throughout the fight, Tovolar repeatedly sought to seduce the planeswalker into abandoning the humans and joining his pack. Arlinn feigned surrender, but then overpowered the unsuspecting Tovolar and severely wounded him, catching him with a deathgrip in his chest. Crushed by her final betrayal, Tovolar surrendered and retreated with the rest of the pack. The survivors of the Harvesttide Massacre stayed behind.<ref name="Night Closes">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-5-night-closes-round-2021-09-29|Episode 5: Night Closes 'Round|[[K. Arsenault Rivera]]|September 29, 2021}}</ref>
 
===Crimson Vow===
The [[Gatewatch]] and their forces stormed the [[Voldaren]] estate to put an end to [[Olivia Voldaren]]’s plans that would have placed her in control of Innistrad’s angels and secured her leadership over the vampire families. During the battle, [[Arlinn Kord]] was gravely injured in her fight with Olivia and called out for aid as she fell. Tovolar answered the call and led his wolves into battle. Together with her wolf pack, they found Arlinn as she came to. Although she made clear to Tovolar that nothing had changed between them, Arlinn accepted his help to track down Olivia. They found her talking with [[Edgar Markov]] who was pleading with her to end their plans. Tovolar lashed out at Edgar but was restrained by Arlinn, and Olivia was given an opportunity to make things right. Olivia dropped the [[Moonsilver Key]] and fled with Edgar through one of the windows, barely escaping from Tovolar’s wrath. Without having resolved their differences, Arlinn and Tovolar parted ways with an uncertain future.<ref name="Death">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-5-till-death-do-us-part-2021-11-24|Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part|[[K. Arsenault Rivera]]|November 24, 2021}}</ref>
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Tovolar the Midnight Scourge.jpg|[[Werewolf]] form.
File:Duel for Dominance.jpg|[[Arlinn Kord]] duels Tovolar to protect the [[Harvesttide festival]] participants.
File:TovolarConcept.jpg|Tovolar concept art by Jehan Choo
File:Tovolar Showcase.jpg|[[Showcase]] art
File:Tovolar Showcase Werewolf.jpg|[[Showcase]] Werewolf art
File:Tovolar Showcase Werewolf BW.jpg|[[Showcase]] Werewolf Black & White art
</gallery>
 
==Story appearances==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-1-witch-woods-2021-09-02|Episode 1: The Witch of the Woods}}|| [[K. Arsenault Rivera]] || 2021-09-02 || ''[[Innistrad: Midnight Hunt]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Klaus]], [[Arlinn Kord]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Agatha]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Redtooth]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Boulder]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Streak]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Patience]], [[Katilda]], Tovolar
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-2-motives-wolf-2021-09-08|Episode 2: The Motives of the Wolf}}|| [[K. Arsenault Rivera]] || 2021-09-08 || ''[[Innistrad: Midnight Hunt]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]], [[Ravnica]] || [[Arlinn Kord]], Tovolar, [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Redtooth]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Boulder]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Streak]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Patience]], [[Katilda]], [[Teferi]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Kaya]], [[Adeline]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-4-harvesttide-2021-09-22|Episode 4: Harvesttide}}|| [[K. Arsenault Rivera]] || 2021-09-22 || ''[[Innistrad: Midnight Hunt]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Feuer]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Deidamia]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Shana]], [[Arlinn Kord]], [[Kaya]], [[Teferi]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Adeline]], Tovolar, [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Streak]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Patience]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Redtooth]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Boulder]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-5-night-closes-round-2021-09-29|Episode 5: Night Closes 'Round}}|| [[K. Arsenault Rivera]] || 2021-09-29 || ''[[Innistrad: Midnight Hunt]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Arlinn Kord]], Tovolar, [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Redtooth]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Boulder]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Streak]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Patience]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Adeline]], [[Kaya]], [[Teferi]], [[Katilda]], [[Olivia Voldaren]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-5-till-death-do-us-part-2021-11-24|Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part}}|| [[K. Arsenault Rivera]] || 2021-11-24 || ''[[Innistrad: Crimson Vow]]'' || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Adeline]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Sigarda]], [[Kaya]], [[Teferi]], Tovolar, [[Sorin Markov]], [[Edgar Markov]], [[Arlinn Kord]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Redtooth]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Boulder]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Streak]], [[List of secondary characters/Innistrad#|Patience]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[Katilda]]
|}
 
==In-game references==
{{in-game
|cards=
*<c>Tovolar, Dire Overlord</c>
*<c>Tovolar, the Midnight Scourge</c>
|associated=
*<c>Tovolar's Huntmaster</c>
*<c>Tovolar's Magehunter</c>
*<c>Tovolar's Packleader</c>
|art=
*<c>Duel for Dominance</c>
*<c>Moonrager's Slash</c>
*<c>Unnatural Moonrise</c>
|flavor=
*<c>Defend the Celestus</c>
*<c>Foul Play</c>
*<c>Harvesttide Assailant</c>
*<c>Lambholt Harrier</c>
*<c>Mondronen Shaman</c>
*<c>Pack's Betrayal</c>
*{{card|Wolf Strike||VOW}}
}}
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
{{Innistrad|characters}}
[[Category:Werewolves]]
[[Category:Werewolves]]
[[Category:Innistrad]]
[[Category:Humans]]

Latest revision as of 09:28, 10 May 2024

Tovolar
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Tovolar.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Human Werewolf
Birthplace Innistrad
Lifetime Mending Era
Colors
{R}{G}

Tovolar is a powerful werewolf on the plane of Innistrad and the main antagonist of the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt storyline. He was the alpha werewolf of the Mondronen howlpack before their disbandment and later became the leader of the Dire pack.

Description

Tovolar has silver fur and leads his pack in howling songs and revels of carnage.[1] It was long suspected that he was mute and never transforms back to human form. However, this was proven untrue. As it turns out, Tovolar is actually the first werewolf who can retain some of his humanity and hold on to his weapons after his transition. In human form he is a large, muscled man.

History

Twenty years ago, Tovolar encountered a young, reluctant new werewolf named Arlinn Kord. She came under his tutelage, and he tried teaching her not to fear her werewolf nature, but to embrace it in all its joy and savage freedom. Arlinn, however, was unable to accept that path, and after two years they fell out when Arlinn refused to join Tovolar in slaughtering a group of foresters. Arlinn turned on her mentor, challenging Tovolar for command of the howlpack; they fought and wounded each other, though in the end Arlinn fled. [2] Choosing a different, less destructive path than her mentor, Arlinn maintained her distance over the next decades and went on to form her own wolf pack.[3][4]

Tovolar earned a fearsome reputation throughout Innistrad's Kessig province as leader of the Mondronen howlpack. The howlpack, about 60 in size, was known for using a dark form of magic. They stayed away from civilization, sticking to farmlands, rural communities, and remote monasteries. With Avacyn's protective wards getting weaker due to her absence, the Mondronen got closer to cities.[5] When Avacyn was set free from The Helvault, the Mondronen and other howlpacks disbanded, chased off and hunted down by angels. But now, in the growing darkness since The Travails, Tovolar sees a chance to lead once again.[6]

Midnight Hunt

In the two years since The Travails, the nights of Innistrad were inexplicably getting longer and Tovolar formed a new pack of dire werewolves that was growing rapidly.[7][4] Driven by his fierce pride in werewolf-kind, he enacted his plan to unify all the howlpacks under his rule. He stood for the freedom to embrace the savage beast within, and many werewolves left their human homes to join him. Once he has a powerful pack behind him, he believed he could stop the Dawnhart Coven and anyone else who wants to bring back the sun.[8][6]

Harvesttide Massacre

During the Harvesttide Festival, Arlinn Kord and her planeswalker allies discovered the Moonsilver Key and brought it to the Celestus, seeking to enact a ritual at the height of the festival that would restore the balance between night and day. However, no sooner did Arlinn arrive with the key than Tovolar launched a full-scale attack upon the festival. The grounds around the Celestus were surrounded by magical wards that prevented the advance of his werewolf army for a short time. When the protections failed, Teferi cast a powerful spell to delay the sunset and thereby stall the werewolves' complete transformation. Planeswalkers, witches and cathars fought the werewolf invaders to protect the humans. In the midst of the slaughter, Arlinn confronted Tovolar, demanding that he cease the attack. Tovolar refused and goaded Arlinn, urging her to embrace her werewolf nature and join him in battle. Seeing the human defenders crumbling under the werewolf onslaught, Arlinn attacked Tovolar, and they started exchanging blows until Tovolar called upon the wolves of Arlinn's old pack. Seeing her old packmates, Arlinn hesitated for a moment, which allowed Tovolar to overpower her and hold her at his mercy. At that point, Teferi's spell finally ended and the sun set, transforming all werewolves, including Arlinn.[2]

Fully in wolf form, Arlinn and Tovolar fought savagely, both suffering numerous wounds. Arlinn's wolf pack joined Tovolar, except for Patience who stayed apart. Throughout the fight, Tovolar repeatedly sought to seduce the planeswalker into abandoning the humans and joining his pack. Arlinn feigned surrender, but then overpowered the unsuspecting Tovolar and severely wounded him, catching him with a deathgrip in his chest. Crushed by her final betrayal, Tovolar surrendered and retreated with the rest of the pack. The survivors of the Harvesttide Massacre stayed behind.[9]

Crimson Vow

The Gatewatch and their forces stormed the Voldaren estate to put an end to Olivia Voldaren’s plans that would have placed her in control of Innistrad’s angels and secured her leadership over the vampire families. During the battle, Arlinn Kord was gravely injured in her fight with Olivia and called out for aid as she fell. Tovolar answered the call and led his wolves into battle. Together with her wolf pack, they found Arlinn as she came to. Although she made clear to Tovolar that nothing had changed between them, Arlinn accepted his help to track down Olivia. They found her talking with Edgar Markov who was pleading with her to end their plans. Tovolar lashed out at Edgar but was restrained by Arlinn, and Olivia was given an opportunity to make things right. Olivia dropped the Moonsilver Key and fled with Edgar through one of the windows, barely escaping from Tovolar’s wrath. Without having resolved their differences, Arlinn and Tovolar parted ways with an uncertain future.[10]

Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Episode 1: The Witch of the Woods K. Arsenault Rivera 2021-09-02 Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Innistrad Klaus, Arlinn Kord, Agatha, Redtooth, Boulder, Streak, Patience, Katilda, Tovolar
Episode 2: The Motives of the Wolf K. Arsenault Rivera 2021-09-08 Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Innistrad, Ravnica Arlinn Kord, Tovolar, Redtooth, Boulder, Streak, Patience, Katilda, Teferi, Chandra Nalaar, Kaya, Adeline
Episode 4: Harvesttide K. Arsenault Rivera 2021-09-22 Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Innistrad Feuer, Olivia Voldaren, Deidamia, Shana, Arlinn Kord, Kaya, Teferi, Chandra Nalaar, Adeline, Tovolar, Streak, Patience, Redtooth, Boulder
Episode 5: Night Closes 'Round K. Arsenault Rivera 2021-09-29 Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Innistrad Arlinn Kord, Tovolar, Redtooth, Boulder, Streak, Patience, Chandra Nalaar, Adeline, Kaya, Teferi, Katilda, Olivia Voldaren
Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part K. Arsenault Rivera 2021-11-24 Innistrad: Crimson Vow Innistrad Adeline, Chandra Nalaar, Sigarda, Kaya, Teferi, Tovolar, Sorin Markov, Edgar Markov, Arlinn Kord, Redtooth, Boulder, Streak, Patience, Olivia Voldaren, Katilda

In-game references

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Quoted or referred to:

References

  1. ↑ Magic Creative Team (October 5, 2011). "Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Kessig and Werewolves". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ a b K. Arsenault Rivera (September 22, 2021). "Episode 4: Harvestide". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ K. Arsenault Rivera (September 2, 2021). "Episode 1: The Witch in the Woods". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ a b K. Arsenault Rivera (September 8, 2021). "Episode 2: The Motives of the Wolf". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ James Wyatt. (2016.) "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Innistrad".
  6. ↑ a b Doug Beyer, Ari Zirulnik and Grace Fong (September 17, 2021). "The Returning Legends of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Prepare for the Harvesttide Festival – Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (September 2, 2021).
  8. ↑ Doug Beyer and Ari Zirulnik (September 9, 2021). "Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Midnight Hunt". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ K. Arsenault Rivera (September 29, 2021). "Episode 5: Night Closes 'Round". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ K. Arsenault Rivera (November 24, 2021). "Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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