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{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
|image=Jaya_Old.png
|image=Jaya Ballard2.jpg
|name=Jaya Ballard
|name=Jaya Ballard
|aka=Mother Luti
|birthplace=[[Terisiare]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
|birthplace=[[Terisiare]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
|lifetime=~2910-Ascended in 2954 AR
|lifetime=~2910-~4562; Ascended 2954 AR
|race=[[Human]] [[planeswalkers|Planeswalker]]
|race=[[Human]] [[Planeswalker]]
|sources=[[The Eternal Ice]], [[The Shattered Alliance]], [[Planar Chaos (novel)|Planar Chaos]], [[The Purifying Fire]]
|sources=[[The Eternal Ice]], [[The Shattered Alliance]], [[Planar Chaos (novel)|Planar Chaos]], [[The Purifying Fire]]
|colors=Center: {{mana|R}}}}
|colors=Center: {{mana|R}}
Earning her name as a not-so-humble [[Wizard#Taskmages|task mage]] and as an acquaintance of [[Jodah]], the [[pyromancer]] '''Jaya Ballard''' witnessed many of the momentous events on [[Terisiare]] during the [[Ice Age (event)|Ice Age]].<ref>{{DailyRef|jaya-ballard-task-mage-2006-09-07|Jaya Ballard, Task Mage|[[Matt Cavotta]]|September 7, 2006}}</ref> After she became a [[planeswalker]], her mastery of fire magic inspired the practice of many [[monk]]s and [[mercenaries]] on many [[plane]]s.<ref name="DOM Legends 5"/>
}}
Earning her name as a not-so-humble [[Wizard#Taskmages|task mage]] and an acquaintance of [[Jodah]], the [[pyromancer]] '''Jaya Ballard''' witnessed many of the momentous events on [[Terisiare]] during the [[Ice Age (event)|Ice Age]].<ref>{{DailyRef|jaya-ballard-task-mage-2006-09-07|Jaya Ballard, Task Mage|[[Matt Cavotta]]|September 7, 2006}}</ref> After she became a [[planeswalker]], her mastery of fire magic inspired the practice of [[monk]]s and [[mercenaries]] across many [[plane]]s.<ref name="DOM Legends 5">{{EzTumblr|http://wizardsmagic.tumblr.com/post/173103982396/legends-from-dominarias-past-each-with-a-new|title=Legends from Dominaria’s past|April 20, 2018}}</ref> Jaya was known as '''Mother Luti''' by the [[monk]]s of [[Keral Keep]] in [[Regatha]].<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-9-2018-05-09|Return to Dominaria: Episode 9|[[Martha Wells]]|May 9, 2018}}</ref>


== Appearance and Characteristics ==
==Appearance and characteristics==
Jaya Ballard is an elderly women from Dominaria. Although a pyromancer, she is rather thoughtful and controlled, utilizing her flames with a clear head, making her a direct contrast to her current student Chandra (who she is teaching control). She is quite witty (as seen in the flavor text on numerous cards), coming up with sarcastic remarks about foes who find themselves on the receiving end of her flames.
In her early years, Jaya Ballard was a hot-headed, sarcastic hero who played an important part in the plane's early history before disappearing for centuries.<ref name="DMU Legends">{{DailyRef|feature/legends-youll-find-dominaria-united-2022-09-01|The Legends You'll Find in Dominaria United|[[Roy Graham]]|September 1, 2022}}</ref>


As Jaya planeswalks, she disappears in a conflagration of flame.
In later years, she resurfaced as an elderly woman with steel-grey hair. Although a pyromancer, she was rather thoughtful and controlled, utilizing her flames with a clear head, making her a direct contrast to her former student, Chandra, to whom she was teaching control. She was quite witty, still coming up with sarcastic remarks about foes who found themselves on the receiving end of her flames. In addition to pyromancy Jaya later learned how to use lightning magic.
 
Jaya's center was in [[red]] mana. As she planeswalked, she disappeared in a conflagration of flame. She sometimes reappeared with a flash and the smell of charcoal.<ref name="Hourglass">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-2-sand-hourglass-2022-08-11|Sand in the Hourglass|[[Langley Hyde]]|August 11, 2022}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Jaya's childhood is shrouded in mystery, but she learned to be a thief on the streets. One day, she tried to steal something from the private chambers of Archmage Eternal [[Jodah]], but was unsuccessful. Sensing magical capabilities in her, Jodah allowed Jaya to study in the [[School of the Unseen]], but after learning a few spells she decided to set out into the world and make a living as a task mage.
[[File:Jaya.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|Jaya before her ascension]]
Jaya's childhood is shrouded in mystery, but she learned to be a thief on the streets. One day, she tried to steal something from the private chambers of Archmage Eternal [[Jodah]] but was unsuccessful. Sensing magical capabilities in her, Jodah allowed Jaya to study in the [[School of the Unseen]], but after learning a few spells she decided to set out into the world and make a living as a task mage.


During her travels Jaya once helped [[Kolbjörn]] and received an amulet capable of summoning Freyalise. She also was instrumental in defending a [[Kjeldor]]an village from a <c>lhurgoyf</c>.
During her travels, Jaya once helped [[Kolbjörn]] and received an amulet capable of summoning Freyalise. She also was instrumental in defending a [[Kjeldor]]an village from a <c>lhurgoyf</c>.


===Eternal Ice===
===Eternal Ice===
Jaya later tracked Jodah to [[Tresserhorn]] after his disappearance, where he had been drugged with [[Fyndhorn]] pollen by [[Lim-Dûl]] and made to think he was a summoned creature. She rescued him, but Jodah became sick and delusional because of the pollen. Jaya summoned [[Freyalise]], but the planeswalker wanted something in return for her aid: to use Jodah's mirror and the resources of the School of the Unseen in order to prepare for her World Spell. Although Jaya was in no position to offer her these tokens, she agreed on Jodah's behalf nonetheless.
Jaya later tracked Jodah to [[Tresserhorn]] after his disappearance, where he had been drugged with [[Fyndhorn]] pollen by [[Lim-Dûl]] and made to think he was a summoned creature. She rescued him, but Jodah became sick and delusional because of the pollen. Jaya summoned [[Freyalise]], but the planeswalker wanted something in return for her aid: to use Jodah's mirror and the resources of the School of the Unseen to prepare for her World Spell. Although Jaya was in no position to offer her these tokens, she agreed on Jodah's behalf nonetheless.


Jaya was instrumental in Jodah's plans to prepare Kjeldor for the upcoming invasion by Lim-Dûl and the alliance between Kjeldor and Balduvia. During Lim-Dûl's final assault on Kjeldor, Jaya fought against [[Chaeska]], Lim-Dûl's right hand. Jaya was successful in her battle, and later claimed Lim-Dûl's ring as a battle trophy. This ring would over the course of the next decade make her a slave to the will of [[Mairsil]].
Jaya was instrumental in Jodah's plans to prepare Kjeldor for the upcoming invasion by Lim-Dûl and the alliance between Kjeldor and Balduvia. During Lim-Dûl's final assault on Kjeldor, Jaya fought against [[Chaeska]], Lim-Dûl's right hand. Jaya was successful in her battle, and later claimed Lim-Dûl's ring as a battle trophy. This ring would over the next decade make her a slave to the will of [[Mairsil]].


During the next twenty years Jaya was a leader of a group of mages who tried to protect the city of [[Kelsinko]] from being flooded by the rising seas without success.
During the next twenty years, Jaya was a leader of a group of mages who tried to protect the city of [[Kelsinko]] from being flooded by the rising seas without success.[[File:Jaya’s-Immolating-Inferno.jpg|thumb|240x240px|The moment when Jaya ignites her spark|alt=|left]]


===Shattered Alliance===
===Shattered Alliance===
Twenty years after the casting of World Spell, Jaya suddenly appeared in the School of the Unseen to see Jodah, who she had not seen since Lim-Dûl's assault. She brought Jodah an emaciated, blackened hand of Lim-Dûl with one of its fingers removed. The finger with the ruby ring - [[Mairsil]]'s ring - was missing. Jodah and Jaya set out to search for the missing ring, fearing that Jodah's ancient enemy had returned.
Twenty years after the casting of World Spell, Jaya suddenly appeared in the School of the Unseen to see Jodah, who she had not seen since Lim-Dûl's assault. She brought Jodah an emaciated, blackened hand of Lim-Dûl with one of its fingers removed. The finger with the ruby ring - [[Mairsil]]'s ring - was missing. Jodah and Jaya set out to search for the missing ring, fearing that Jodah's ancient enemy had returned.


Their journey lead them to [[Tresserhorn]], [[Kjeld]], [[Lovisa Coldeyes]]'s Balduvian camp, and finally to [[Soldev]]. During the journey, Jodah realized that Jaya had somewhat changed since her younger years, and she often behaved strangely. When they reached Soldev and visited the vaults of the Adnates, the truth was revealed: in the aftermath of Lim-Dûl's battle against Kjeldor and Balduvia, Jaya found the finger and the ring and decided to bring them to Jodah, hoping that they would help him.
Their journey leads them to [[Tresserhorn]], [[Kjeld]], [[Lovisa Coldeyes]]'s Balduvian camp, and finally to [[Soldev]]. During the journey, Jodah realized that Jaya had somewhat changed since her younger years, and she often behaved strangely. When they reached Soldev and visited the vaults of the Adnates, the truth was revealed: in the aftermath of Lim-Dûl's battle against Kjeldor and Balduvia, Jaya found the finger and the ring and decided to bring them to Jodah, hoping that they would help him.


However, she donned the ruby ring, and Mairsil the Pretender's spirit infected her mind. She cut Jodah's throat, using his blood to revive the Phyrexian war beasts. Jodah miraculously saved himself from certain death with the help of his mirror. He then battled the possessed Jaya in the debris of ruined Soldev. He managed to shatter his mirror directly into her face, triggering the "reward" from Freyalise. In the blazing inferno that followed this breakpoint Jaya's own planeswalker spark flared. With a thought, she erased Mairsil's tainted presence once and for all, then planeswalked to the School of the Unseen and destroyed the rampaging war beasts there. With Jodah's help, she cut and sealed the bottomless pit that Lim-Dûl relocated there from Tresserhorn with the agreement of [[Gerda Äagesdotter]]. Finally, she helped Gerda with finding a new location for the school.
However, she donned the ruby ring, and Mairsil the Pretender's spirit infected her mind. She cut Jodah's throat, using his blood to revive the Phyrexian war beasts. Jodah miraculously saved himself from certain death with the help of his mirror. He then battled the possessed Jaya in the debris of ruined Soldev. He managed to shatter his mirror directly into her face, triggering the "reward" from Freyalise. In the blazing inferno that followed this breakpoint Jaya's planeswalker spark flared. With a thought, she erased Mairsil's tainted presence once and for all, then planeswalked to the School of the Unseen and destroyed the rampaging war beasts there. With Jodah's help, she cut and sealed the bottomless pit that Lim-Dûl relocated there from Tresserhorn with the agreement of [[Gerda Äagesdotter]]. Finally, she helped Gerda with finding a new location for the school.


As a parting gift, Jaya gave Jodah an amulet, allowing him to remain sane despite his age, and allowing him to live as long as he willed. She then departed Dominaria for the wider [[multiverse]].
As a parting gift, Jaya gave Jodah an amulet, allowing him to remain sane despite his age, and allowing him to live as long as he willed to. She then departed Dominaria for the wider [[multiverse]].


===Presumed death===
===Presumed death===
Jodah later mentioned of Jaya Ballard implying that she died in the period between the end of Ice Age, when she was seen for the last time,  and the present, the cause being her recklessness and impetuousness, that "eventually cost her her life". It is neither known where and when this event happened, nor how Jodah knows about it.
Jodah later stated that Jaya had died in the period between the end of the Ice Age and the Mending, the cause being her recklessness and impetuousness, that "eventually cost her her life." There is some speculation that the Jodah who said this came from an alternate reality, and thus was referring to "another" Jaya.
There is also some suspicion that the Jodah who said this came from an alternate reality, and thus was referring to "another" Jaya.<ref>However, at [[PAX]] Unplugged (November 2017) artwork of Jaya Ballard was revealed for ''[[Dominaria]]'', indicating that Jodah was not correct.</ref>
[[File:Jaya Old.png|alt=|thumb|285x285px|Jaya in her latter days.]]
 
===Regatha===
Before the [[Great Mending|Mending]], Jaya visited the plane of [[Regatha]], imparting her wisdom and performing pyromancy. Returning two hundred years later, and having aged for nearly sixty years, she found that religion had sprung up based around her teachings, and chose to stay and nurture the community, posing as the elder '''Mother Luti''', the matriarch of [[Keral Keep]]. A few years after Jaya's return, [[Chandra Nalaar]] arrived on the plane and began studying under her and the abbot [[Serenok]].<ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/offers-fire-2015-08-05|Offers to the Fire|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/promises-keep-2015-12-02|Promises to Keep|[[Doug Beyer]]|December 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-8-2018-05-02|Return to Dominaria: Episode 8|[[Martha Wells]]|May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-9-2018-05-09|Return to Dominaria: Episode 9|[[Martha Wells]]|May 9, 2018}}</ref>


===Meeting the Gatewatch===
===Meeting the Gatewatch===
[[File:Jaya.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|Jaya before her ascension]]
When [[Jace Beleren]] travelled to Dominaria to meet his friends of the [[Gatewatch]], he found [[Gideon]] travelling on a skyship with the old pyromancer.<ref name="Wool">{{DailyRef|magic-story/wool-over-eyes-2018-02-14|Wool over the Eyes|[[R&D Narrative Team]]|February 14, 2018}}</ref> After she helped defeat [[Belzenlok]], Jaya agreed to help the [[Gatewatch]] in the fight against [[Nicol Bolas]]. She didn't take the oath, jokingly stating that she was "not a joiner".<ref name="Return 12">{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-12-2018-05-30|Return to Dominaria: Episode 12|[[Martha Wells]]|May 30, 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Jaya ballard pw.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|Jaya in latter days]]
Sixty years after the [[mending]], Jaya is still very much alive.<ref name="DOM Legends 5">{{EzTumblr|http://wizardsmagic.tumblr.com/post/173103982396/legends-from-dominarias-past-each-with-a-new|title=Legends from Dominaria’s past|April 20, 2018}}</ref> When [[Jace Beleren]] travelled to Dominaria to meet his friends of the [[Gatewatch]], he found [[Gideon]] travelling on a skyship with the old pyromancer.<ref name="Wool">{{DailyRef|magic-story/wool-over-eyes-2018-02-14|Wool over the Eyes|[[R&D Narrative Team]]|February 14, 2018}}</ref> Chandra had found her on [[Regatha]], where she had posed as the elder '''Mother Luti''', the matriarch of [[Keral Keep]].<ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/offers-fire-2015-08-05|Offers to the Fire|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/promises-keep-2015-12-02|Promises to Keep|[[Doug Beyer]]|December 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-8-2018-05-02|Return to Dominaria: Episode 8|[[Martha Wells]]|May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-9-2018-05-09|Return to Dominaria: Episode 9|[[Martha Wells]]|May 9, 2018}}</ref> After she helped defeat [[Belzenlok]], Jaya agreed to help the [[Gatewatch]] in the fight against [[Nicol Bolas]]. She didn't take the oath, jokingly stating that she was "not a joiner".<ref name="Return 12">{{DailyRef|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-12-2018-05-30|Return to Dominaria: Episode 12|[[Martha Wells]]|May 30, 2018}}</ref>


===War of the Spark===
===War of the Spark===
Jaya traveled with the Gatewatch to [[Ravnica]] for the [[War of the Spark (event)|final confrontation]] with Bolas, and immediately became trapped there due to [[Bolas]]'s use of the [[Immortal Sun]]. Alongside many other planeswalkers and Ravnicans, she fought against the [[Eternal|Eternals]] of Bolas' [[Dreadhorde]].<ref name="Weisman Ravnica novel">[[Greg Weisman]] (April 2019). "''[[War of the Spark: Ravnica]]''". Del Rey.</ref>
Jaya traveled with the Gatewatch to [[Ravnica]] for the [[War of the Spark (event)|final confrontation]] with Bolas, and immediately became trapped there due to [[Bolas]]'s use of the [[Immortal Sun]]. Alongside many other planeswalkers and Ravnicans, she fought against the [[Eternal]]s of Bolas' [[Dreadhorde]].<ref name="Weisman Ravnica novel">[[Greg Weisman]] (April 2019). "''[[War of the Spark: Ravnica]]''". Del Rey.</ref>


During the invasion, the trapped planeswalkers got together with Ravnican leaders to strategize. At Jace's recommendation, they decided to split up into teams to focus on specific tasks. Jace, Jaya, Teferi, and [[Vivien]] volunteered to assassinate Liliana. When they found her, Teferi warped time around her, slowing her ability to react, defend herself, or strike back at her attackers. This allowed Jaya and Vivien to badly wound her with fire, arrows, and animal spirits, although the [[Onakke]] spirits in Liliana's [[Chain Veil]] protected her. Nonetheless, they almost succeeded, but Bolas stepped in and saved Liliana by destroying the buildings they were standing on. Fortunately, Teferi saved himself and the other three planeswalkers by slowing their falls.
During the invasion, the trapped planeswalkers got together with Ravnican leaders to strategize. At Jace's recommendation, they decided to split up into teams to focus on specific tasks. Jace, Jaya, Teferi, and [[Vivien]] volunteered to assassinate Liliana. When they found her, Teferi warped time around her, slowing her ability to react, defend herself, or strike back at her attackers. This allowed Jaya and Vivien to badly wound her with fire, arrows, and animal spirits, although the [[Onakke]] spirits in Liliana's [[Chain Veil]] protected her. Nonetheless, they almost succeeded, but Bolas stepped in and saved Liliana by destroying the buildings they were standing on. Fortunately, Teferi saved himself and the other three planeswalkers by slowing their falls.


Jaya survived the battle and was present during the <c>Planewide Celebration</c> that followed. At the behest of [[Samut]], she and Chandra cremated the bodies of the now-inactive Eternals.
Jaya survived the battle and was present during the <c>Planewide Celebration</c> that followed. At the behest of [[Samut]], she and Chandra cremated the bodies of the now-inactive Eternals.
===Forsaken===
To protect [[Chandra]] from more grief in a direct confrontation with her former friend [[Liliana]], Jaya secretly tracked Liliana to [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] and agreed to escort [[Kaya]], [[Teyo]] and [[Araithia Shokta|Rat]] to the necromancer's [[Caligo|exact location]].<ref name="Forsaken">[[Greg Weisman]] (November 2019). "''[[War of the Spark: Forsaken]]''". Del Rey.</ref>
===Dominaria United===
[[File:Jaya Ballard Death.png|thumb|Jaya is killed by [[Ajani Goldmane|Ajani]].]]
In 4562 [[AR]], Jaya attended a peace summit between the [[Keld|Keldons]] and [[Benalia|New Benalia]] at [[Oyster Bay]] to end hostilities in the [[Ice Rime Hills]].<ref name="Hourglass" /> The summit was interrupted when the planeswalkers [[Karn]] and [[Teferi]] revealed the threat of a [[New Phyrexia (plane)|New Phyrexian]] invasion and several of the Benalish [[knight]]s were revealed as Phyrexian [[sleeper agent]]s. After travelling with the other planeswalkers and [[Stenn]] to [[Argivia]], she helped fight off the Phyrexians.<ref name="Tower">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-3-locked-tower-2022-08-12|Episode 3: The Locked Tower|[[Langley Hyde]]|August 12, 2022}}</ref>
Jaya traveled to [[Aerona]], where she met with Ajani and [[Danitha Capashen]] to ask [[Llanowar]] and [[Benalia]] for help. She fought a compleated [[Ertai]] and [[Aron Capashen]] before [[Radha]] arrived to rescue the fighters from a Phyrexian dreadnought.<ref name="Brutal">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-4-brutal-blow-2022-08-15|A Brutal Blow|[[Langley Hyde]]|August 15, 2022}}</ref> She was killed by a [[Compleation|compleated]] [[Ajani Goldmane]] at the Battle of the [[Mana Rig]].<ref name="Whisper">{{DailyRef|magic-story/episode-5-whisper-wind-2022-08-18|A Whisper in the Wind|[[Langley Hyde]]|August 18, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Visual">[[Jay Annelli]]. (2022.) ''[[Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
[[Chandra Nalaar]] is known to have quoted Jaya, having learned at the [[Keral Keep]] monastery, a fire mage training academy that was originally founded around Jaya's teachings on the plane of [[Regatha]]. The academy values, above all other things, personal freedom and individual choice. In order to make sure that her message and portrayal would not be misinterpreted and distorted, Jaya kept a close eye on Keral Keep under the guise of Mother Luti.
[[Chandra Nalaar]] is known to have quoted Jaya before they met. Chandra learned at the [[Keral Keep]] monastery, a fire mage training academy that was originally founded around Jaya's teachings on the plane of [[Regatha]]. The academy values, above all other things, personal freedom and individual choice. To make sure that her message and portrayal would not be misinterpreted and distorted, Jaya kept a close eye on Keral Keep under the guise of Mother Luti.
 
After her death, Jaya was memorialized on Shiv with four white pyramids, each containing the memories of those close to her, and an ever-burning flame.<ref name="Whisper"/>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In [[prerevisionist]] storylines, Jaya was little more than a supporting character in the Ice Age, who accompanied [[Kaysa]], [[Jaeuhl Carthalion]], [[Laina]], [[Taaveti]], the [[Elf#Fyndhorn Elves|Fyndhorn elves]] and some [[Knights of Kjeldor]] into [[Yavimaya]] as their guide and hired protector a decade after Freyalise cast her World Spell. She defended the elvish settlement when it was attacked by sentient [[gorilla]]s, and later aided in cleansing the [[Heart of Yavimaya]], and helped to birth Kaysa and Jaeuhl’s child.
*Jaya Ballard was created by [[John Tynes]], who wrote the [[flavor text]] for ''[[Ice Age]]''.<ref>{{TwitterRef|JohnScottTynes|1551066489997762560|author=John Scott Tynes|title=I wrote the flavor text for Ice Age|date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
*Jaya's surname is from [[wikipedia:Ballard, Seattle|Ballard]], a neighborhood of Seattle.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/78421668320/please-tell-me-some-trivia-about-jaya-ballard|title=Please tell me some trivia about Jaya Ballard?|March 3, 2014}}</ref>
*In [[prerevisionist]] storylines, Jaya was little more than a supporting character in the Ice Age, who accompanied [[Kaysa]], [[Jaeuhl Carthalion]], [[Laina]], [[Taaveti]], the [[Elf#Fyndhorn Elves|Fyndhorn elves]] and some [[Knights of Kjeldor]] into [[Yavimaya]] as their guide and hired protector a decade after Freyalise cast her World Spell. She defended the elvish settlement when it was attacked by sentient [[gorilla]]s, and later aided in cleansing the [[Heart of Yavimaya]], and helped to birth Kaysa and Jaeuhl's child.
*Jaya's surname is from [[wikipedia:Ballard, Seattle|Ballard]], a neighborhood of Seattle.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/78421668320/please-tell-me-some-trivia-about-jaya-ballard|title=Please tell me some trivia about Jaya Ballard?|March 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/dominaria-united-states-design-part-2-2022-09-05|Dominaria United States of Design, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 5, 2022}}</ref>
*After Jaya's death in ''[[Dominaria United]]'', Wizards of the Coast opened an In Memoriam page on [https://jayaballard.com/ Jayaballard.com] and released a [[Secret Lair Drop Series: August Superdrop 2022|dedicated Secret Lair]].
*Jaya was renowned among her friends as a poor cook, notably of quiches. After one unsuccessful attempt, the monks of Keral Keep banned eggs within five miles and paid a priest from Zinara to cast a ward to keep chickens away.<ref name="The Dark">{{WebRef|url=https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/the-brothers-war-chapter-4-the-dark|title=The Brother's War - Chapter 4: The Dark|author=[[Seanan McGuire]]|date=October 26, 2022|publisher=Magicthegathering.com}}</ref>
*In the video game ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]'', Jaya is voiced by [[Wikipedia:April Stewart|April Stewart]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10967214/characters/nm0829181|title=April Stewart as Jaya Ballard|publisher=IMDB}}</ref>
 
==Artifacts acquired==
[[File:Jaya's Goggles.jpg|thumb|213x213px|Jaya's Goggles.|alt=]]
*<c>Pyromancer's Goggles</c>


==Planeswalkers met==
==Planeswalkers met==
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*[[Ajani Goldmane]]
*[[Ajani Goldmane]]
*[[Angrath]]<ref name="Magic 9"/> (non-[[List of storyline sources|canon]])
*[[Arlinn Kord]]<ref name="Magic 9">MacKay, Jed. (2021). ''[[Magic (BOOM! comic)|Magic]]''. Vol 1, iss 9.</ref> (non-[[List of storyline sources|canon]])
*[[Basri Ket]]<ref name="Magic 9"/> (non-[[List of storyline sources|canon]])
*[[Chandra Nalaar]]
*[[Chandra Nalaar]]
*[[Freyalise]]
*[[Freyalise]]
*[[Gideon Jura]]
*[[Gideon Jura]]
*[[Huatli]]
*[[Jace Beleren]]
*[[Jace Beleren]]
*[[Karn]]
*[[Karn]]
*[[Kaya]]
*[[Liliana Vess]]
*[[Liliana Vess]]
*[[Nissa Revane]]
*[[Ral Zarek]]
*[[Saheeli Rai]]
*[[Samut]]
*[[Tamiyo]]
*[[Teferi]]
*[[Teferi]]
*[[Teyo Verada]]
*[[Vivien Reid]]
*[[Vraska]]
*[[The Wanderer]]<ref name="Forsaken"/>
}}


==Planes visited==
==Planes visited==
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*[[Amonkhet (plane)|Amonkhet]]<ref name="Magic 9"/> (non-[[List of storyline sources|canon]])
*[[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
*[[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
*[[Gobakhan]]
*[[Kaladesh (plane)|Kaladesh]] <ref name="Weisman Ravnica novel"/>
*[[Kaldheim (plane)|Kaldheim]]<ref name="Magic 5">MacKay, Jed. (2021). ''[[Magic (BOOM! comic)|Magic]]''. Vol 1, iss 5.</ref>
*[[Ravnica]] <ref name="Weisman Ravnica novel"/>
*[[Regatha]]
*[[Regatha]]
*[[Ravnica]]
}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Jaya Ballard variant.png|Young Jaya [[planeswalker]].
File:Jaya's Immolating Inferno variant.png|Jaya's [[Planeswalker's spark|spark]] [[Planeswalker/Igniting|ignites]] after shattering [[Jodah's Mirror]].
File:Jaya, Venerated Firemage.jpg|''“We have visitors? Well, it’d be rude not to give them a traditional Keral Keep welcome.”''
File:Jaya ballard pw.jpg|<c>Jaya Ballard</c>
File:Pyretic Ritual.png|As Mother Luti, Jaya taught pyromancy to many students at [[Keral Keep]].
File:Repurcussion Secret Lair.png|''"Tyrants will always suffer consequences. My favorite are the fiery ones."''
File:JayaDMU.jpg|She participates in the dominarian coalition against the second [[Phyrexia]]n invasion.
File:Twinferno.jpg|Jaya and [[Jodah]] have been friends for centuries.
File:Jaya Lightning Strike.jpg|In addition to pyromancy Jaya knows how to use lightning magic.
File:JayaTrailer.png|Stained glass memorial of Jaya in the Phyrexian Arc trailer.
File:Jaya Ballard MTGA avatar DMU.png|[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]] avatar.
File:Jaya Ballard alt MTGA avatar DMU.png|Jaya, Fiery Negotiator [[Magic: The Gathering Arena|Arena]] avatar.
</gallery>
 
==Story appearances==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Publishing date !! Set !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/offers-fire-2015-08-05|Offers to the Fire}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2015-08-05 || Prologue to ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' || [[Regatha]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Serenok]], Jaya Ballard as "Mother Luti", [[Jace Beleren]], [[Gideon Jura]]
|-
| {{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 as "Mother Luti", [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Kozilek]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/wool-over-eyes-2018-02-14|Wool Over the Eyes}} ||  [[Alison Luhrs]] & [[Gregg Luben]]|| 2018-02-14 || ''[[Rivals of Ixalan]]'' || [[Kaladesh (plane)|Kaladesh]], Unknown Plane, [[Ravnica]], [[Meditation Plane]], [[Ixalan (plane)|Ixalan]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Huatli]], [[Saheeli Rai]], [[Angrath]], Rumi, Jamira, [[Vraska]], [[Nicol Bolas]], [[Jace Beleren|Jace]], Jaya Ballard, [[Apatzec Intli III]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-8-2018-05-02|Return to Dominaria: Episode 8}} || [[Martha Wells]] || 2018-05-02 || ''[[Dominaria]]'' || [[Regatha]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]], Jaya Ballard, [[Baird]], [[Karn]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-9-2018-05-09|Return to Dominaria: Episode 9}} || [[Martha Wells]] || 2018-05-09 || ''[[Dominaria]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]], Jaya, [[Karn]], [[Multani]], [[Teferi Akosa|Teferi]], [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]], [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Jhoira]], [[Tiana]], [[Shanna Sisay]], [[Arvad]], [[Rafwyn Capashen|Raff Capashen]], [[Jace Beleren|Jace]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-10-2018-05-16|Return to Dominaria: Episode 10}} || [[Martha Wells]] || 2018-05-16 || ''[[Dominaria]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Slimefoot]], [[Karn]], [[Arvad]], [[Tiana]], [[Shanna Sisay]], [[Rafwyn Capashen|Raff Capashen]], [[Jhoira]],  [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]], [[Teferi Akosa|Teferi]], Jaya, [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-11-2018-05-23|Return to Dominaria: Episode 11}} || [[Martha Wells]] || 2018-05-23 || ''[[Dominaria]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]], [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Jhoira]], [[Teferi Akosa|Teferi]],  [[Sayrah]], [[Slimefoot]], [[Arvad]], [[Tiana]], Yxarit, Iyrgth, Syl-Stalker, [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]], [[Rafwyn Capashen|Raff Capashen]], [[Shanna Sisay]], Jaya, [[Karn]], [[Yargle]], [[Whisper]], [[Belzenlok]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/return-dominaria-episode-12-2018-05-30|Return to Dominaria: Episode 12}} || [[Martha Wells]] || 2018-05-30 || ''[[Dominaria]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], [[Ravnica]] || [[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Yargle]], [[Shanna Sisay]], [[Arvad]], [[Rafwyn Capashen|Raff Capashen]], [[Jhoira]], Jaya, [[Tiana]], [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]], [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]], [[Radha]], [[Slimefoot]], Yxarit, [[Muldrotha]], [[Belzenlok]], [[Whisper]], [[Teferi]], [[Karn]], [[Urgoros]], [[Nicol Bolas]], [[Jace Beleren|Jace]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/war-spark-ravnica-old-friends-and-new-2019-05-08|War of the Spark: Ravnica—Old Friends and New}}|| [[Greg Weisman]] || 2019-05-08 || ''[[War of the Spark]]'' || [[Ravnica]] || [[Araithia Shokta|Rat]], [[Hekara]], [[Teyo Verada|Teyo]], Barrez, [[Nicol Bolas]], [[the Gatewatch]] ([[Liliana Vess|Liliana]], [[Chandra Nalaar|Chandra]], [[Teferi Akosa|Teferi]], [[Jace Beleren|Jace]], [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]] and [[Ajani Goldmane|Ajani]]), [[Ral Zarek|Ral]], [[Kaya Cassir|Kaya]], [[Lavinia]], Jaya, [[Karn]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/war-spark-ravnica-path-opulent-2019-05-15|War of the Spark: Ravnica—The Path to Opulent}} || [[Greg Weisman]] || 2019-05-15 || ''[[War of the Spark]]'' || [[Ravnica]] || [[Araithia Shokta|Rat]], [[Teyo Verada|Teyo]], [[Kaya Cassir|Kaya]], [[Ral Zarek|Ral]], Jaya, [[Gideon Jura|Gideon]], Krumnen, [[Gan Shokta]], [[Domri Rade|Domri]], Akamal Cray, [[Govan Radley]], Sheeza, Jahdeera, Bombop, [[Vorel]], [[Maree]], [[Kiora]], [[Samut]], [[Eknet]], [[Temmet]], [[Neit]], [[Haqikah]], [[Kawit]], [[Huatli]], [[Saheeli Rai|Saheeli]], [[Kasmina]], [[Oketra]], [[Kefnet]], [[Bontu]], [[Rhonas]], [[Jace Beleren|Jace]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/war-spark-ravnica-ashes-2019-06-12|War of the Spark: Ravnica—Ashes}}|| [[Greg Weisman]] || 2019-06-12 || ''[[War of the Spark]]'' || [[Ravnica]] || [[Araithia Shokta|Rat]], [[the Gatewatch]], [[Nissa Revane|Nissa]], [[Tomik Vrona]], [[Lavinia]], [[Ral Zarek|Ral]], [[Dack Fayden|Dack]], [[Saheeli Rai|Saheeli]], [[Kaya Cassir|Kaya]], [[Hekara]], [[Vraska]], [[Nicol Bolas]], [[Borborygmos]], [[Vorel]], [[Karn]], Jaya, [[Boruvo]], [[Ari Shokta]], [[Gan Shokta]], [[Sorin Markov|Sorin]], [[Nahiri]], [[Teyo Verada|Teyo]], [[Arlinn Kord|Arlinn]], [[Bilagru]], [[Feather]], [[Maladola]], [[Rakdos]], [[Oketra]], [[Bontu]], [[Niv-Mizzet]], [[Angrath]], [[Mu Yanling|Yanling]], [[Jiang Yanggu|Yanggu]], [[Mowu]], [[Samut]], [[Aurelia]], [[Exava]], [[Lazav]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-2-sand-hourglass-2022-08-11|Episode 2: Sand in the Hourglass}} || [[Langley Hyde]] || 2022-08-11 || ''[[Dominaria United]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Karn]], [[Ajani Goldmane]], [[Radha]], Jaya Ballard, [[Jodah]], [[Aron Capashen]], [[Stenn]], [[Teferi]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-3-locked-tower-2022-08-12|Episode 3: The Locked Tower}} || [[Langley Hyde]] || 2022-08-12 || ''[[Dominaria United]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Karn]], Jaya Ballard, [[Jodah]], [[Stenn]], [[Teferi]], [[Shanna Sisay]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-4-brutal-blow-2022-08-15|Episode 4: A Brutal Blow}} || [[Langley Hyde]] || 2022-08-15 || ''[[Dominaria United]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Karn]], Jaya Ballard, [[Jodah]], [[Teferi]], [[Shanna Sisay]], [[Arvad]], [[Rafwyn Capashen]], [[Slimefoot]], [[Tiana]], [[Ajani Goldmane]], [[Danitha Capashen]], [[Meria]], [[Aron Capashen]], [[Ertai]], [[Darigaaz]], [[Jhoira]], [[Radha]]
|-
|{{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-5-whisper-wind-2022-08-18|Episode 5: A Whisper in the Wind}} || [[Langley Hyde]] || 2022-08-18 || ''[[Dominaria United]]'' || [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] || [[Teferi]], [[Karn]], [[Jhoira]], [[Ertai]], [[Ajani Goldmane]], Jaya Ballard, [[Radha]], [[Danitha Capashen]], [[Sheoldred]], [[Darigaaz]], [[Jodah]], [[Saheeli Rai]], [[Elesh Norn]]
|}


==In-game references==
==In-game references==
'''Represented in''':
{{In-game|
|cards=
*<c>Jaya Ballard</c>
*<c>Jaya Ballard</c>
*<c>Jaya Ballard, Task Mage</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|legends-time-spiral-2006-11-13|The Legends of ''Time Spiral''|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|November 13, 2006}}</ref>
*<c>Jaya Ballard, Task Mage</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|legends-time-spiral-2006-11-13|The Legends of ''Time Spiral''|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|November 13, 2006}}</ref>
*<c>Jaya Ballard Avatar</c>  
*<c>Jaya Ballard Avatar</c>  
*<c>Jaya, Fiery Negotiator</c>
*<c>Jaya, Venerated Firemage</c>
*<c>Jaya, Venerated Firemage</c>
 
|associated=
'''Associated card:'''
*<c>Jaya's Firenado</c>
*<c>Jaya's Immolating Inferno</c>
*<c>Jaya's Immolating Inferno</c>
*<c>Jaya's Greeting</c>
*<c>Jaya's Greeting</c>
 
*<c>Jaya's Phoenix</c>
'''Depicted in:'''
*<c>Pyromancer's Goggles</c>
|art=
*<c>Chandra, Legacy of Fire</c>
*{{card|Chandra, Torch of Defiance|Comic-Con|PS18}}
*{{card|Chandra, Torch of Defiance|Comic-Con|PS18}}
* <c>Fight with Fire</c>
*{{card|Decisions, Decisions|Unfinity}}
*<c>Extinguish the Light</c>
*<c>Fight with Fire</c>
*{{card|Lightning Strike||DMU}}
*{{card|Meteor Shower|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Meteor Shower|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Moniker Mage|Unhinged}}
*{{card|Moniker Mage|Unhinged}}
* <c>Time of Ice</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/dominaria-card-day-time-ice-2018-03-28|''Dominaria'' Card of the Day: Time of Ice|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|March 28, 2018}}</ref>  
*{{card|Pyretic Ritual|Secret Lair|SLD|#=1064}}
 
*{{card|Repurcussion|Secret Lair|SLD|#=1065}}
'''Referred to''':
*<c>Temporal Firestorm</c>
*<c>Pyromancer's Goggles</c>
*<c>Temporary Lockdown</c>
*<c>Time of Ice</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/dominaria-card-day-time-ice-2018-03-28|''Dominaria'' Card of the Day: Time of Ice|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|March 28, 2018}}</ref>  
*<c>Twinferno</c>
|flavor=
*<c>Blindblast</c>
*<c>Browse</c>
*<c>Burnout</c>
*{{card|Carbonize|Eternal Masters}}
*<c>Chicken Egg</c>
*{{card|Fire Elemental|Core Set 2020}}
*{{card|Flame Rift|Modern Horizons 2}}
*{{card|Flare|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Gorilla Chieftain|Alliances}}
*{{card|Gorilla Shaman|Alliances}}
*{{card|Gorilla War Cry|Alliances}}
*{{card|Incinerate|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Inferno|Fifth Edition}}
*<c>Karplusan Hound</c>
*{{card|Kher Keep|Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander|ONC}}
*<c>Lava Burst</c>
*<c>Mana Cannons</c>
*<c>Melting</c>
*{{card|Mystic Compass|Alliances}}
*{{card|Panic|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Pyroblast|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Pyroclasm|Ice Age}}
*{{card|Pyrokinesis|Alliances}}
*<c>Simian Spirit Guide</c>
*{{card|Sizzle|Eighth Edition}}
*<c>Wall of Lava</c>
*{{card|Word of Blasting|Ice Age}}
}}


==In-game quotes==
==In-game quotes==
Line 101: Line 238:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Dominaria|characters|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Regatha characters]]
{{Planeswalker|characters}}
{{Planeswalker|characters}}
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Ice Age Saga]]
[[Category:Ice Age Saga]]
[[Category:Spellshapers]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Deceased]]

Latest revision as of 19:24, 26 June 2024

Jaya Ballard
Mother Luti
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Jaya Ballard2.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Human Planeswalker
Birthplace Terisiare, Dominaria
Lifetime ~2910-~4562; Ascended 2954 AR
Colors
Center: {R}
Sources
The Eternal Ice, The Shattered Alliance, Planar Chaos, The Purifying Fire

Earning her name as a not-so-humble task mage and an acquaintance of Jodah, the pyromancer Jaya Ballard witnessed many of the momentous events on Terisiare during the Ice Age.[1] After she became a planeswalker, her mastery of fire magic inspired the practice of monks and mercenaries across many planes.[2] Jaya was known as Mother Luti by the monks of Keral Keep in Regatha.[3]

Appearance and characteristics

In her early years, Jaya Ballard was a hot-headed, sarcastic hero who played an important part in the plane's early history before disappearing for centuries.[4]

In later years, she resurfaced as an elderly woman with steel-grey hair. Although a pyromancer, she was rather thoughtful and controlled, utilizing her flames with a clear head, making her a direct contrast to her former student, Chandra, to whom she was teaching control. She was quite witty, still coming up with sarcastic remarks about foes who found themselves on the receiving end of her flames. In addition to pyromancy Jaya later learned how to use lightning magic.

Jaya's center was in red mana. As she planeswalked, she disappeared in a conflagration of flame. She sometimes reappeared with a flash and the smell of charcoal.[5]

History

Early life

Jaya before her ascension

Jaya's childhood is shrouded in mystery, but she learned to be a thief on the streets. One day, she tried to steal something from the private chambers of Archmage Eternal Jodah but was unsuccessful. Sensing magical capabilities in her, Jodah allowed Jaya to study in the School of the Unseen, but after learning a few spells she decided to set out into the world and make a living as a task mage.

During her travels, Jaya once helped Kolbjörn and received an amulet capable of summoning Freyalise. She also was instrumental in defending a Kjeldoran village from a lhurgoyf.

Eternal Ice

Jaya later tracked Jodah to Tresserhorn after his disappearance, where he had been drugged with Fyndhorn pollen by Lim-Dûl and made to think he was a summoned creature. She rescued him, but Jodah became sick and delusional because of the pollen. Jaya summoned Freyalise, but the planeswalker wanted something in return for her aid: to use Jodah's mirror and the resources of the School of the Unseen to prepare for her World Spell. Although Jaya was in no position to offer her these tokens, she agreed on Jodah's behalf nonetheless.

Jaya was instrumental in Jodah's plans to prepare Kjeldor for the upcoming invasion by Lim-Dûl and the alliance between Kjeldor and Balduvia. During Lim-Dûl's final assault on Kjeldor, Jaya fought against Chaeska, Lim-Dûl's right hand. Jaya was successful in her battle, and later claimed Lim-Dûl's ring as a battle trophy. This ring would over the next decade make her a slave to the will of Mairsil.

During the next twenty years, Jaya was a leader of a group of mages who tried to protect the city of Kelsinko from being flooded by the rising seas without success.

File:Jaya’s-Immolating-Inferno.jpg
The moment when Jaya ignites her spark

Shattered Alliance

Twenty years after the casting of World Spell, Jaya suddenly appeared in the School of the Unseen to see Jodah, who she had not seen since Lim-Dûl's assault. She brought Jodah an emaciated, blackened hand of Lim-Dûl with one of its fingers removed. The finger with the ruby ring - Mairsil's ring - was missing. Jodah and Jaya set out to search for the missing ring, fearing that Jodah's ancient enemy had returned.

Their journey leads them to Tresserhorn, Kjeld, Lovisa Coldeyes's Balduvian camp, and finally to Soldev. During the journey, Jodah realized that Jaya had somewhat changed since her younger years, and she often behaved strangely. When they reached Soldev and visited the vaults of the Adnates, the truth was revealed: in the aftermath of Lim-Dûl's battle against Kjeldor and Balduvia, Jaya found the finger and the ring and decided to bring them to Jodah, hoping that they would help him.

However, she donned the ruby ring, and Mairsil the Pretender's spirit infected her mind. She cut Jodah's throat, using his blood to revive the Phyrexian war beasts. Jodah miraculously saved himself from certain death with the help of his mirror. He then battled the possessed Jaya in the debris of ruined Soldev. He managed to shatter his mirror directly into her face, triggering the "reward" from Freyalise. In the blazing inferno that followed this breakpoint Jaya's planeswalker spark flared. With a thought, she erased Mairsil's tainted presence once and for all, then planeswalked to the School of the Unseen and destroyed the rampaging war beasts there. With Jodah's help, she cut and sealed the bottomless pit that Lim-Dûl relocated there from Tresserhorn with the agreement of Gerda Äagesdotter. Finally, she helped Gerda with finding a new location for the school.

As a parting gift, Jaya gave Jodah an amulet, allowing him to remain sane despite his age, and allowing him to live as long as he willed to. She then departed Dominaria for the wider multiverse.

Presumed death

Jodah later stated that Jaya had died in the period between the end of the Ice Age and the Mending, the cause being her recklessness and impetuousness, that "eventually cost her her life." There is some speculation that the Jodah who said this came from an alternate reality, and thus was referring to "another" Jaya.

Jaya in her latter days.

Regatha

Before the Mending, Jaya visited the plane of Regatha, imparting her wisdom and performing pyromancy. Returning two hundred years later, and having aged for nearly sixty years, she found that religion had sprung up based around her teachings, and chose to stay and nurture the community, posing as the elder Mother Luti, the matriarch of Keral Keep. A few years after Jaya's return, Chandra Nalaar arrived on the plane and began studying under her and the abbot Serenok.[6][7][8][9]

Meeting the Gatewatch

When Jace Beleren travelled to Dominaria to meet his friends of the Gatewatch, he found Gideon travelling on a skyship with the old pyromancer.[10] After she helped defeat Belzenlok, Jaya agreed to help the Gatewatch in the fight against Nicol Bolas. She didn't take the oath, jokingly stating that she was "not a joiner".[11]

War of the Spark

Jaya traveled with the Gatewatch to Ravnica for the final confrontation with Bolas, and immediately became trapped there due to Bolas's use of the Immortal Sun. Alongside many other planeswalkers and Ravnicans, she fought against the Eternals of Bolas' Dreadhorde.[12]

During the invasion, the trapped planeswalkers got together with Ravnican leaders to strategize. At Jace's recommendation, they decided to split up into teams to focus on specific tasks. Jace, Jaya, Teferi, and Vivien volunteered to assassinate Liliana. When they found her, Teferi warped time around her, slowing her ability to react, defend herself, or strike back at her attackers. This allowed Jaya and Vivien to badly wound her with fire, arrows, and animal spirits, although the Onakke spirits in Liliana's Chain Veil protected her. Nonetheless, they almost succeeded, but Bolas stepped in and saved Liliana by destroying the buildings they were standing on. Fortunately, Teferi saved himself and the other three planeswalkers by slowing their falls.

Jaya survived the battle and was present during the Planewide Celebration that followed. At the behest of Samut, she and Chandra cremated the bodies of the now-inactive Eternals.

Forsaken

To protect Chandra from more grief in a direct confrontation with her former friend Liliana, Jaya secretly tracked Liliana to Dominaria and agreed to escort Kaya, Teyo and Rat to the necromancer's exact location.[13]

Dominaria United

Jaya is killed by Ajani.

In 4562 AR, Jaya attended a peace summit between the Keldons and New Benalia at Oyster Bay to end hostilities in the Ice Rime Hills.[5] The summit was interrupted when the planeswalkers Karn and Teferi revealed the threat of a New Phyrexian invasion and several of the Benalish knights were revealed as Phyrexian sleeper agents. After travelling with the other planeswalkers and Stenn to Argivia, she helped fight off the Phyrexians.[14]

Jaya traveled to Aerona, where she met with Ajani and Danitha Capashen to ask Llanowar and Benalia for help. She fought a compleated Ertai and Aron Capashen before Radha arrived to rescue the fighters from a Phyrexian dreadnought.[15] She was killed by a compleated Ajani Goldmane at the Battle of the Mana Rig.[16][17]

Legacy

Chandra Nalaar is known to have quoted Jaya before they met. Chandra learned at the Keral Keep monastery, a fire mage training academy that was originally founded around Jaya's teachings on the plane of Regatha. The academy values, above all other things, personal freedom and individual choice. To make sure that her message and portrayal would not be misinterpreted and distorted, Jaya kept a close eye on Keral Keep under the guise of Mother Luti.

After her death, Jaya was memorialized on Shiv with four white pyramids, each containing the memories of those close to her, and an ever-burning flame.[16]

Trivia

Artifacts acquired

Jaya's Goggles.

Planeswalkers met

Planes visited

Gallery

  • Young Jaya planeswalker.

    Young Jaya planeswalker.

  • Jaya's spark ignites after shattering Jodah's Mirror.

    Jaya's spark ignites after shattering Jodah's Mirror.

  • “We have visitors? Well, it’d be rude not to give them a traditional Keral Keep welcome.”

    “We have visitors? Well, it’d be rude not to give them a traditional Keral Keep welcome.”

  • Jaya Ballard

    Jaya Ballard

  • As Mother Luti, Jaya taught pyromancy to many students at Keral Keep.

    As Mother Luti, Jaya taught pyromancy to many students at Keral Keep.

  • "Tyrants will always suffer consequences. My favorite are the fiery ones."

    "Tyrants will always suffer consequences. My favorite are the fiery ones."

  • She participates in the dominarian coalition against the second Phyrexian invasion.

    She participates in the dominarian coalition against the second Phyrexian invasion.

  • Jaya and Jodah have been friends for centuries.

    Jaya and Jodah have been friends for centuries.

  • In addition to pyromancy Jaya knows how to use lightning magic.

    In addition to pyromancy Jaya knows how to use lightning magic.

  • Stained glass memorial of Jaya in the Phyrexian Arc trailer.

    Stained glass memorial of Jaya in the Phyrexian Arc trailer.

  • Magic: The Gathering Arena avatar.

    Magic: The Gathering Arena avatar.

  • Jaya, Fiery Negotiator Arena avatar.

    Jaya, Fiery Negotiator Arena avatar.

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Offers to the Fire Doug Beyer 2015-08-05 Prologue to Battle for Zendikar Regatha Chandra Nalaar, Serenok, Jaya Ballard as "Mother Luti", Jace Beleren, Gideon Jura
Promises to Keep Doug Beyer 2015-12-02 Battle for Zendikar Regatha, Zendikar Chandra Nalaar, Gideon Jura, Ulamog, Jaya Ballard as "Mother Luti", Ob Nixilis, Kozilek
Wool Over the Eyes Alison Luhrs & Gregg Luben 2018-02-14 Rivals of Ixalan Kaladesh, Unknown Plane, Ravnica, Meditation Plane, Ixalan, Dominaria Huatli, Saheeli Rai, Angrath, Rumi, Jamira, Vraska, Nicol Bolas, Jace, Jaya Ballard, Apatzec Intli III
Return to Dominaria: Episode 8 Martha Wells 2018-05-02 Dominaria Regatha, Dominaria Chandra, Jaya Ballard, Baird, Karn
Return to Dominaria: Episode 9 Martha Wells 2018-05-09 Dominaria Dominaria Chandra, Jaya, Karn, Multani, Teferi, Gideon, Liliana, Jhoira, Tiana, Shanna Sisay, Arvad, Raff Capashen, Jace
Return to Dominaria: Episode 10 Martha Wells 2018-05-16 Dominaria Dominaria Slimefoot, Karn, Arvad, Tiana, Shanna Sisay, Raff Capashen, Jhoira, Liliana, Gideon, Teferi, Jaya, Chandra
Return to Dominaria: Episode 11 Martha Wells 2018-05-23 Dominaria Dominaria Gideon, Liliana, Jhoira, Teferi, Sayrah, Slimefoot, Arvad, Tiana, Yxarit, Iyrgth, Syl-Stalker, Chandra, Raff Capashen, Shanna Sisay, Jaya, Karn, Yargle, Whisper, Belzenlok
Return to Dominaria: Episode 12 Martha Wells 2018-05-30 Dominaria Dominaria, Ravnica Liliana, Yargle, Shanna Sisay, Arvad, Raff Capashen, Jhoira, Jaya, Tiana, Gideon, Chandra, Radha, Slimefoot, Yxarit, Muldrotha, Belzenlok, Whisper, Teferi, Karn, Urgoros, Nicol Bolas, Jace
War of the Spark: Ravnica—Old Friends and New Greg Weisman 2019-05-08 War of the Spark Ravnica Rat, Hekara, Teyo, Barrez, Nicol Bolas, the Gatewatch (Liliana, Chandra, Teferi, Jace, Gideon and Ajani), Ral, Kaya, Lavinia, Jaya, Karn
War of the Spark: Ravnica—The Path to Opulent Greg Weisman 2019-05-15 War of the Spark Ravnica Rat, Teyo, Kaya, Ral, Jaya, Gideon, Krumnen, Gan Shokta, Domri, Akamal Cray, Govan Radley, Sheeza, Jahdeera, Bombop, Vorel, Maree, Kiora, Samut, Eknet, Temmet, Neit, Haqikah, Kawit, Huatli, Saheeli, Kasmina, Oketra, Kefnet, Bontu, Rhonas, Jace
War of the Spark: Ravnica—Ashes Greg Weisman 2019-06-12 War of the Spark Ravnica Rat, the Gatewatch, Nissa, Tomik Vrona, Lavinia, Ral, Dack, Saheeli, Kaya, Hekara, Vraska, Nicol Bolas, Borborygmos, Vorel, Karn, Jaya, Boruvo, Ari Shokta, Gan Shokta, Sorin, Nahiri, Teyo, Arlinn, Bilagru, Feather, Maladola, Rakdos, Oketra, Bontu, Niv-Mizzet, Angrath, Yanling, Yanggu, Mowu, Samut, Aurelia, Exava, Lazav
Episode 2: Sand in the Hourglass Langley Hyde 2022-08-11 Dominaria United Dominaria Karn, Ajani Goldmane, Radha, Jaya Ballard, Jodah, Aron Capashen, Stenn, Teferi
Episode 3: The Locked Tower Langley Hyde 2022-08-12 Dominaria United Dominaria Karn, Jaya Ballard, Jodah, Stenn, Teferi, Shanna Sisay
Episode 4: A Brutal Blow Langley Hyde 2022-08-15 Dominaria United Dominaria Karn, Jaya Ballard, Jodah, Teferi, Shanna Sisay, Arvad, Rafwyn Capashen, Slimefoot, Tiana, Ajani Goldmane, Danitha Capashen, Meria, Aron Capashen, Ertai, Darigaaz, Jhoira, Radha
Episode 5: A Whisper in the Wind Langley Hyde 2022-08-18 Dominaria United Dominaria Teferi, Karn, Jhoira, Ertai, Ajani Goldmane, Jaya Ballard, Radha, Danitha Capashen, Sheoldred, Darigaaz, Jodah, Saheeli Rai, Elesh Norn

In-game references

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

In-game quotes

Name Title Source Quotation
Jaya Ballard Jaya's Greeting We have visitors? Well, it’d be rude not to give them a traditional Keral Keep welcome.
Jaya Ballard Carbonize (Eternal Masters) There's no coming back from that.
Fire Elemental (Dominaria) The best way to learn from a book on pyromancy is to burn it.
Gorilla War Cry (Alliances) The only ‘art' these beasts possess is the art of noise!
Blindblast Peril is in the eye of the beholder. At least, if your aim is good.
Jaya Ballard, task mage Chicken Egg (Unglued) That's a lotta nuggets.
Flame Rift (Modern Horizons 2) You might want to step back.
Simian Spirit Guide (Planar Chaos) All my spells smell like burnt hair lately.
Simian Spirit Guide (Masters 25) It's rarely worth questioning where the mana comes from. Just be grateful.
Sizzle (Eighth Edition) Of course you should fight fire with fire. You should fight everything with fire.
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage Browse (Alliances) Once great literature — now great litter.
Burnout (Alliances) GOTCHA!
Flare (Ice Age) I strive for elegance and speed in my work.
Gorilla Chieftain (Alliances, #94a) Oh, no — not you again?!
Gorilla Shaman (Alliances) Frankly, destruction is best left to professionals.
Incinerate (Ice Age) Yes, I think 'toast' is an appropriate description.
Inferno (Fifth Edition) Some have said there is no subtlety to destruction. You know what? They're dead.
Lava Burst (Ice Age) Overkill? This isn't a game of Kick-the-Ouphe!
Melting (Ice Age) Who needs the sun when you've got me around?
Meteor Shower (Ice Age) Eenie, meenie, minie, moe . . . oh, why not all of them?
Mystic Compass (Alliances) And I say north is where I want it to be!
Panic (Ice Age) If you'd been there, you would've run from that deer, too!
Pyroblast (Ice Age) Just the thing for those pesky water mages.
Pyroclasm (Ice Age) Leaves more room for the big ones to fight in, you know.
Pyrokinesis (Alliances) Anybody want some . . . toast?
Wall of Lava (Ice Age) Now there's something you don't see every day.
Word of Blasting (Ice Age) Walls? What walls?
Jaya Ballard, to Chandra Karplusan Hound Don't worry, they don't bite. They much prefer setting people on fire.

References

  1. ↑ Matt Cavotta (September 7, 2006). "Jaya Ballard, Task Mage". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 20, 2018). "Legends from Dominaria’s past". The Official Magic: The Gathering Tumblr. Tumblr.
  3. ↑ Martha Wells (May 9, 2018). "Return to Dominaria: Episode 9". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Roy Graham (September 1, 2022). "The Legends You'll Find in Dominaria United". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ a b Langley Hyde (August 11, 2022). "Sand in the Hourglass". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Doug Beyer (August 5, 2015). "Offers to the Fire". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Doug Beyer (December 2, 2015). "Promises to Keep". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Martha Wells (May 2, 2018). "Return to Dominaria: Episode 8". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Martha Wells (May 9, 2018). "Return to Dominaria: Episode 9". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ R&D Narrative Team (February 14, 2018). "Wool over the Eyes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Martha Wells (May 30, 2018). "Return to Dominaria: Episode 12". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ a b c Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
  13. ↑ a b Greg Weisman (November 2019). "War of the Spark: Forsaken". Del Rey.
  14. ↑ Langley Hyde (August 12, 2022). "Episode 3: The Locked Tower". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Langley Hyde (August 15, 2022). "A Brutal Blow". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ a b Langley Hyde (August 18, 2022). "A Whisper in the Wind". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ Jay Annelli. (2022.) Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.
  18. ↑ John Scott Tynes (July 24, 2022). "I wrote the flavor text for Ice Age". Twitter.
  19. ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 3, 2014). "Please tell me some trivia about Jaya Ballard?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  20. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 5, 2022). "Dominaria United States of Design, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  21. ↑ Seanan McGuire (October 26, 2022). "The Brother's War - Chapter 4: The Dark". Magicthegathering.com.
  22. ↑ April Stewart as Jaya Ballard. IMDB.
  23. ↑ a b c d MacKay, Jed. (2021). Magic. Vol 1, iss 9.
  24. ↑ MacKay, Jed. (2021). Magic. Vol 1, iss 5.
  25. ↑ Brady Dommermuth (November 13, 2006). "The Legends of Time Spiral". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  26. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (March 28, 2018). "Dominaria Card of the Day: Time of Ice". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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