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'''Otaria''' is a continent on [[Dominaria]]'s southern hemisphere that is not featured in any storylines until after the [[Phyrexian Invasion]]. It survived that war relatively unscathed, and was one of the first areas to recover. However, a century after the Invasion, the [[Mirari]] appeared there, initiating a destructive war that again devastated much of the world.  
{{Infobox location
|image=Otaria2.jpg
|plane=[[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
}}
'''Otaria''' is a long and thin continent, running North-South, on [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]. It lies east of [[Jamuraa]], south of [[Shiv]] and west of [[Terisiare]].<ref name="Return 1">{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-1-2018-03-21|Return to Dominaria, Episode 1|[[Martha Wells]]|March 21, 2018}}</ref> It is the primary location for the [[Odyssey block|Odyssey]] and [[Onslaught block|Onslaught]] blocks.


{{Story-stub}}[[Category:Storylines]][[Category:Planes and Places]][[Category:Mirari Saga]]
==Description==
===History===
The earliest known humans to occupy [[Terisiare]] were the subjects of the cruel and powerful [[Dragon#Primeval Dragons|Primeval Dragons]]. These people overthrew their draconic masters and formed a huge empire based in Otaria<ref name="Megathread">{{TwitterRef|EthanFleischer|1568718535001796609|author=[[Ethan Fleischer]]|title=The New Argive Megathread|date=September 10, 2022}}</ref>
 
Otaria did not figure into other tales until after the [[Phyrexian Invasion]] (save for its northern subcontinent [[Tamingazin]]).<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/planes-planechase-2009-09-02|The Planes of ''Planechase''|[[Doug Beyer]]|September 02, 2009}}</ref> It had survived that war relatively unscathed and was one of the first areas to recover and grow powerful once more. As a result, many of the survivors from other regions of Dominaria sought refuge on the continent. Despite all of this, many of Otaria's cultures were warlike and barbaric, ruled by terror and arena combat.
 
A century after the Invasion the [[Mirari]] appeared there, initiating a destructive war that devastated much of the continent. This sent its [[aven]] population fleeing to [[Benalia]].<ref>[[James Wyatt]] (2018). "''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Dominaria]]''". [[VIZ Media]].</ref>
 
===Inhabitants and wildlife===
At least four groups of humans called Otaria home, including the nomads of the [[Daru Plains]], the [[Pardic Mountains|Pardic]] barbarians, the [[Krosa]]n [[druid]]s, and the people of the [[Cabal]].
 
Besides humans, Otaria was also home to many races, including [[dwarves]], [[goblin]]s, [[centaur]]s, [[giant]]s, [[ogre]]s, and [[gorgon]]s, as well as several found nowhere else, such as [[nantuko]], [[cephalid]]s, and the various species of [[aven]]. [[Viashino]] are native to Otaria's subcontinent Tamingazin, but are a reclusive species and were not referenced in Odyssey or Onslaught blocks.<ref>{{DailyRef| feature/dominarian-cartography-2018-04-20|Dominarian Cartography|[[Ethan Fleischer]]|April 20, 2018}}</ref> After the Invasion, numerous other races migrated to the continent in search of new homes, among them [[elves]] and [[minotaur]]s.
 
Many of Otaria's people were mutated into bizarre forms by the [[Mirari]]'s influence. It's unknown if all of these mutations bred true, though [[Bird#Mutant Aven|crookclaws]] at least survived into the [[Time Spiral]] era.
 
The continent also had an incredibly diverse (and spectacularly dangerous) range of wildlife. [[Dragon]]s, [[wurm]]s, [[Cat#Firecats|firecats]], [[anurid]]s, [[griffin]]s, [[lhurgoyf]]s, [[orgg]]s, and a vast array of other beasts menaced Otaria's people. [[Zombie]]s, [[vampire]]s, [[specter]]s, and other [[undead]] were disturbingly common thanks to the [[Cabal]]. Later in Otaria's history a plague of [[sliver]]s was unleashed on the continent thanks to the [[Riptide Project]]. In addition to these monstrous creatures, normal animals (squirrels, bears, elephants, etcetera) were also common.
 
==Locations==
* '''[[Tamingazin]]''', the northern subcontinent of Otaria.
* The '''[[Daru Plains]]''', the plains sprawling across the northern edge of the continent.
* '''Cabal Holdings'''. The [[Cabal]] held most of the continent's eastern region. Most of Otaria's large cities were under its influence.
** '''[[Cabal City]]''', the greatest city of the Cabal. Most famous for its pit fights.
** '''[[Aphetto]]''', the second largest city of the Cabal.
* '''[[Krosa]]''', is a large forest reaching from Balshan Bay on the east to the continent's western coast. Inhabited by [[Centaur#Otarian Centaurs|centaurs]], [[nantuko]], [[druid]]ic [[human]]s, and a wide variety of [[beast]]s.
* The '''[[Mer Empire]]''', a huge undersea power, the [[Mer Empire]] led by the [[Cephalid]]s was a dominant force in Otaria.
** The '''Southern Cephalid Palace''' is off of the continent's southeastern coast, the capital of the Mer Empire.
* '''Balshan Bay''', a wide inlet toward the northeastern reaches. A breed of [[griffin]]s is native to the area, as well as some [[aven]] and human communities noted for their [[wizard]]s.
*'''Breaker Bay'''<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/sketches-quicksilver-dragon-2002-11-05|Sketches: Quicksilver Dragon|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|November 5, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/sketches-nameless-one-2002-12-09|Sketches: Nameless One|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 9, 2002}}</ref>
* '''[[Pardia]]''', a mountainous country stretching along the continent's western reaches from Krosa in the north to Wirewood in the south. The northern peaks were inhabited by [[dwarves]] and human barbarians, while the southern Skirk Ridge teemed with [[goblin]]s.
* '''[[Wirewood Forest]]''', an open, airy birch wood forest to the south of the Pardic range. Many [[Elf#Wirewood Elves|elves]] immigrated to the forest from elsewhere on Dominaria after the Phyrexian Invasion.
* The '''Otaria Chasm''', also called the '''Otaria Trench''', a submerged part of the continent, hiding place of [[Laquatus]].
* '''Topos''', [[Ixidor]]'s kingdom.
** '''Locus''', its capital.
* The '''Stonewood'''<ref><c>Stonewood Invoker</c>, <c>Stonewood Invoker</c></ref>
*'''[[Averru|Sanctum]]'''
*'''Eroshia'''
*'''[[Riptide Project|Riptide Island]]'''
 
==In-game references==
{{in-game
|cards=
* <c>Otaria</c>
|associated=
*<c>The Lady of Otaria</c><ref>{{TwitterRef|EthanFleischer|1561881788758179840|author=[[Ethan Fleischer]]|title=I led the design process for the box toppers|date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>
|art=
*<c>The Mirari Conjecture</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/dominaria-card-day-mirari-conjecture-2018-03-29|''Dominaria Card of the Day: The Mirari Conjecture|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|March 29, 2018}}</ref>
|referred=
* {{card|Annex|Onslaught}}
* <c>Aura Extraction</c>
* <c>Blade Sliver</c>
* <c>Brood Sliver</c>
* <c>Cabal Coffers</c>
* {{card|Crafty Pathmage|Ninth Edition}}
* <c>Darkwater Catacombs</c>
* <c>Essence Sliver</c>
* <c>Fade from Memory</c>
* <c>Imagecrafter</c>
* {{card|Mobilization|Onslaught}}
* <c>Mossfire Valley</c>
* <c>Pardic Arsonist</c>
* <c>Primoc Escapee</c>
* {{card|Rorix Bladewing|Eternal Masters}}
* <c>Shadowblood Ridge</c>
* {{card|Silver Knight|Scourge}}
* {{card|Skirk Prospector|Dominaria}}
* <c>Skycloud Expanse</c>
* <c>Sungrass Prairie</c>
* <c>Tremble</c>
}}
 
==Map of Otaria==
<gallery>
File:Otaria 2018.jpg|Map of Otaria. Copyright © 2018 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All Rights Reserved
File:Otaria.jpg|Outdated map of Otaria. Copyright © 1999 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All Rights Reserved
</gallery>
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
==External links==
*{{OldDailyRef|feature/50|Caught in the Mirari's Wake, Part 1|[[Will McDermott]]|May 20, 2002}}
*{{OldDailyRef|feature/52|Caught in the Mirari's Wake, Part 2|[[Will McDermott]]|May 27, 2002}}
*{{OldDailyRef|feature/54|Caught in the Mirari's Wake, Part 3|[[Will McDermott]]|June 03, 2002}}
*{{OldDailyRef|feature/56|Caught in the Mirari's Wake, Part 4|[[Will McDermott]]|June 10, 2002}}
[[Category:Otarian locations| ]]

Latest revision as of 05:28, 10 June 2024

Otaria
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Otaria2.jpg}}|250px]]
Information
Plane Dominaria

Otaria is a long and thin continent, running North-South, on Dominaria. It lies east of Jamuraa, south of Shiv and west of Terisiare.[1] It is the primary location for the Odyssey and Onslaught blocks.

Description

History

The earliest known humans to occupy Terisiare were the subjects of the cruel and powerful Primeval Dragons. These people overthrew their draconic masters and formed a huge empire based in Otaria[2]

Otaria did not figure into other tales until after the Phyrexian Invasion (save for its northern subcontinent Tamingazin).[3] It had survived that war relatively unscathed and was one of the first areas to recover and grow powerful once more. As a result, many of the survivors from other regions of Dominaria sought refuge on the continent. Despite all of this, many of Otaria's cultures were warlike and barbaric, ruled by terror and arena combat.

A century after the Invasion the Mirari appeared there, initiating a destructive war that devastated much of the continent. This sent its aven population fleeing to Benalia.[4]

Inhabitants and wildlife

At least four groups of humans called Otaria home, including the nomads of the Daru Plains, the Pardic barbarians, the Krosan druids, and the people of the Cabal.

Besides humans, Otaria was also home to many races, including dwarves, goblins, centaurs, giants, ogres, and gorgons, as well as several found nowhere else, such as nantuko, cephalids, and the various species of aven. Viashino are native to Otaria's subcontinent Tamingazin, but are a reclusive species and were not referenced in Odyssey or Onslaught blocks.[5] After the Invasion, numerous other races migrated to the continent in search of new homes, among them elves and minotaurs.

Many of Otaria's people were mutated into bizarre forms by the Mirari's influence. It's unknown if all of these mutations bred true, though crookclaws at least survived into the Time Spiral era.

The continent also had an incredibly diverse (and spectacularly dangerous) range of wildlife. Dragons, wurms, firecats, anurids, griffins, lhurgoyfs, orggs, and a vast array of other beasts menaced Otaria's people. Zombies, vampires, specters, and other undead were disturbingly common thanks to the Cabal. Later in Otaria's history a plague of slivers was unleashed on the continent thanks to the Riptide Project. In addition to these monstrous creatures, normal animals (squirrels, bears, elephants, etcetera) were also common.

Locations

  • Tamingazin, the northern subcontinent of Otaria.
  • The Daru Plains, the plains sprawling across the northern edge of the continent.
  • Cabal Holdings. The Cabal held most of the continent's eastern region. Most of Otaria's large cities were under its influence.
    • Cabal City, the greatest city of the Cabal. Most famous for its pit fights.
    • Aphetto, the second largest city of the Cabal.
  • Krosa, is a large forest reaching from Balshan Bay on the east to the continent's western coast. Inhabited by centaurs, nantuko, druidic humans, and a wide variety of beasts.
  • The Mer Empire, a huge undersea power, the Mer Empire led by the Cephalids was a dominant force in Otaria.
    • The Southern Cephalid Palace is off of the continent's southeastern coast, the capital of the Mer Empire.
  • Balshan Bay, a wide inlet toward the northeastern reaches. A breed of griffins is native to the area, as well as some aven and human communities noted for their wizards.
  • Breaker Bay[6][7]
  • Pardia, a mountainous country stretching along the continent's western reaches from Krosa in the north to Wirewood in the south. The northern peaks were inhabited by dwarves and human barbarians, while the southern Skirk Ridge teemed with goblins.
  • Wirewood Forest, an open, airy birch wood forest to the south of the Pardic range. Many elves immigrated to the forest from elsewhere on Dominaria after the Phyrexian Invasion.
  • The Otaria Chasm, also called the Otaria Trench, a submerged part of the continent, hiding place of Laquatus.
  • Topos, Ixidor's kingdom.
    • Locus, its capital.
  • The Stonewood[8]
  • Sanctum
  • Eroshia
  • Riptide Island

In-game references

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Referred to:

Map of Otaria

References

External links