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{{Character|
{{Infobox character
|image=Phenax.jpg
|image=Phenax.jpg
|name=Phenax
|plane=[[Theros (plane)|Theros]]
|birthplace=[[Theros (plane)|Theros]]
|aka=God of Deception
|lifetime=
|race=[[God]]
|race=[[Gods (creature type)|God]]
|colors={{mana|UB}}
|sources=see external links
}}
}}
'''Phenax''' is the [[Gods (creature type)|God]] of Deception on [[Theros (plane)|Theros]]. He is associated with [[blue]] and [[black]] [[mana]].  
{{TOCright}}
'''Phenax''' is the [[God]] of Deception on [[Theros (plane)|Theros]]. He is associated with [[blue]] and [[black]] [[mana]].  


==Description==
==Description==
Phenax is the god of cheats and liars. He governs gambling, deception, betrayal, isolation, planning, and secrets. He is worshipped by criminals and others who wish to subvert the rules. Phenax is also associated with the [[Returned]], Theros's [[undead]], who follow his path back from the [[underworld]].
Phenax is the god of cheats and liars. He governs gambling, deception, betrayal, isolation, planning, and secrets. He is worshipped by criminals and others who wish to subvert the rules. Phenax is also associated with the [[Returned]], Theros' [[undead]], who follow his path back from [[the Underworld]], as he is the first of their number. Like other Returned, he still wears his golden funerary mask, as well as golden armor on his hands and arms.
 
As a mortal, Phenax was the first to escape the underworld.<ref>Flavor text for <c>Minion's Return</c></ref><ref name="D&D Theros Guide">Wizards RPG Team (2020), ''[[D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]</ref> Cheating death this way likely set him on a path to join Theros' pantheon.


==Storyline==
==Storyline==
In the [[Theros block]] saga, the abominatory [[planeswalker]] [[Ashiok]] strikes a deal with Phenax. In exchange for laying waste to the polis of Iretis to make a new polis for the [[Returned]], Phenax makes Ashiok invisible to the other gods, allowing it to operate under their radar. Phenax was amused by Ashiok's plans. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ur/296|Dreams of a City|[[Ken Troop]]|April 23, 2014}}</ref>
In the [[Theros block]] saga, the nightmare [[planeswalker]] [[Ashiok]] strikes a deal with Phenax. In exchange for laying waste to the polis of Iretis to make a new polis for the [[Returned]], Phenax made the planeswalker invisible to the other gods allowing Ashiok to operate under their gaze without detection. Phenax was amused by Ashiok's plans.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/dreams-city-2014-04-23|Dreams of the City|[[Ken Troop]]|April 23, 2014}}</ref>
 
It is strongly implied that Phenax was the deity represented in "The Consequences of Attraction", cursing Xandria to become a [[siren]] for falling in love with Ninis, whom he had set eyes upon himself.<ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/consequences-attraction-2013-10-09|The Consequences of Attraction|[[Ken Troop]]|October 9, 2013}}</ref>
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:PhenaxSLD.jpg|{{card|Phenax, God of Deception||SLD}} from [[Secret Lair Drop Series: Theros Stargazing]].
</gallery>


It is strongly implied that Phenax was the deity represented in "The Consequences of Attraction", cursing Xandria to become a [[siren]] for falling in love with Ninis, whom he had set eyes upon himself. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ur/268|The Consequences of Attraction|[[Ken Troop]]|October 9, 2013}}</ref>
==Story appearances==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150822013116/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/building-toward-dream-part-2-2013-12-03 Building Toward a Dream, Part 2] || [[Ken Troop]] || 2013-12-04 || ''[[Theros]]'' || [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] || [[Kedarick VI]], Klytessa, Lara, [[Ashiok|Udaen]], Chelta, Vanin, [[Mogis]], Phenax, [[Heliod]], [[Ephara]], [[Iroas]], [[Ashiok]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/dreams-city-2014-04-23|Dreams of the City}}|| [[Ken Troop]] || 2014-04-23 || ''[[Journey into Nyx]]'' || [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] || [[Cacophony]], Euneas, Pollio, Melantha, Xenocrates, Koblios, [[Ephara]], Phenax, [[Ashiok]], [[Xenagos]]
|}


==In-game references==
==In-game references==
'''Represented in:'''
{{In-game
|cards=
*<c>Phenax, God of Deception</c>  
*<c>Phenax, God of Deception</c>  
 
|associated=
'''Depicted in:'''
*<c>Atris, Oracle of Half-Truths</c>
* <c>Extinguish All Hope</c>
*<c>Disciple of Deceit</c>
 
*<c>Disciple of Phenax</c>
'''Associated cards:'''
*<c>Temple of Deceit</c>
*<c>Temple of Deceit</c>
 
|art=
'''Referenced or quoted in:'''
*{{card|Extinguish All Hope|Journey into Nyx|JOU}}
* <c>Black Oak of Odunos</c>
*<c>Minion's Return</c>
* <c>Cast into Darkness</c>
*<c>Spiteful Blow</c>
* <c>Disciple of Phenax</c>
*<c>Treacherous Blessing</c>
* <c>Hubris</c>
|flavor=
* <c>Spiteful Blow</c>
*<c>Black Oak of Odunos</c>
*<c>Cast into Darkness</c>
*{{card|Extinguish All Hope|Commander Masters|CMM|#=157}}
*<c>Hubris</c>
}}


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
The character of Phenax is inspired by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes Hermes], greek god of thieves, travelers, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld; and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolos_%28mythology%29 Dolos], son of Erebus, spirit of trickery and guile.  
The character of Phenax is inspired by [[Wikipedia:Hermes|Hermes]], Greek god of thieves, travelers, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld; [[Wikipedia:Dolos|Dolos]], son of Erebus, spirit of trickery and guile; and [[Wikipedia:Atë|Atë]] the personified spirit of mischief, delusion, ruin, and folly. The name is likely from the Ancient Greek word [[Wiktionary:φέναξ|φέναξ]] (phénax), meaning cheat, quack, or impostor.


==References==
==References==
Line 41: Line 62:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ur/284|The Gods of ''Born of the Gods''|The Magic Creative Team|January 29, 2014}}
*{{DailyRef|magic-story/gods-born-gods-2014-01-29|The Gods of ''Born of the Gods''|The Magic Creative Team|January 29, 2014}}
* {{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/1456|Born's Gods|[[Mike McArtor]]|March 24, 2014}}  
*{{DailyRef|arcana/borns-gods-2014-03-24|Born's Gods|[[Mike McArtor]]|March 24, 2014}}  


[[Category:Characters]][[Category:Gods]][[Category:Theros]]
{{Theros|gods}}

Latest revision as of 10:06, 31 May 2024

Phenax
God of Deception
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Phenax.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race God
Birthplace Theros
Colors
{U}{B}

Phenax is the God of Deception on Theros. He is associated with blue and black mana.

Description

Phenax is the god of cheats and liars. He governs gambling, deception, betrayal, isolation, planning, and secrets. He is worshipped by criminals and others who wish to subvert the rules. Phenax is also associated with the Returned, Theros' undead, who follow his path back from the Underworld, as he is the first of their number. Like other Returned, he still wears his golden funerary mask, as well as golden armor on his hands and arms.

As a mortal, Phenax was the first to escape the underworld.[1][2] Cheating death this way likely set him on a path to join Theros' pantheon.

Storyline

In the Theros block saga, the nightmare planeswalker Ashiok strikes a deal with Phenax. In exchange for laying waste to the polis of Iretis to make a new polis for the Returned, Phenax made the planeswalker invisible to the other gods allowing Ashiok to operate under their gaze without detection. Phenax was amused by Ashiok's plans.[3]

It is strongly implied that Phenax was the deity represented in "The Consequences of Attraction", cursing Xandria to become a siren for falling in love with Ninis, whom he had set eyes upon himself.[4]

Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Building Toward a Dream, Part 2 Ken Troop 2013-12-04 Theros Theros Kedarick VI, Klytessa, Lara, Udaen, Chelta, Vanin, Mogis, Phenax, Heliod, Ephara, Iroas, Ashiok
Dreams of the City Ken Troop 2014-04-23 Journey into Nyx Theros Cacophony, Euneas, Pollio, Melantha, Xenocrates, Koblios, Ephara, Phenax, Ashiok, Xenagos

In-game references

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

Inspiration

The character of Phenax is inspired by Hermes, Greek god of thieves, travelers, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld; Dolos, son of Erebus, spirit of trickery and guile; and Atë the personified spirit of mischief, delusion, ruin, and folly. The name is likely from the Ancient Greek word φέναξ (phénax), meaning cheat, quack, or impostor.

References

  1. Flavor text for Minion's Return
  2. Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
  3. Ken Troop (April 23, 2014). "Dreams of the City". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Ken Troop (October 9, 2013). "The Consequences of Attraction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links