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{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
|image=Volrath.jpg
|image=Volrath.jpg
|name=Volrath, formerly Vuel
|aka=Vuel
|birthplace=[[Jamuraa]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
|birthplace=[[Jamuraa]], [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
|lifetime=~4178-4205 AR
|lifetime=4174<ref name="Tempest">[https://web.archive.org/web/20200116160550/http://archive.wizards.com/magic/expert/tempest/Tempest_Characters.html Tempest Characters (archived)]</ref> or 4178<ref name="Rath & Storm">[[Peter Archer]], ed. (1998.) ''[[Rath and Storm]]'', Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 0-7869-1175-1.</ref>-4205 AR
|race=[[Shapeshifter]], formerly [[Human]]
|race= [[Phyrexian]] [[Shapeshifter]]<br>Formerly [[Human]]
|sources=''[[Rath and Storm]]'', ''[[Mercadian Masques (book)|Mercadian Masques]]'', ''[[Nemesis (book)|Nemesis]]''
|parents=[[Kondo]]
|relatives=[[Gerrard Capashen]] (adoptive brother)
|sources=[[Rath and Storm]], [[Mercadian Masques (novel)|Mercadian Masques]], [[Nemesis (novel)|Nemesis]]
|colors={{mana|UGB}}
}}
}}
'''Volrath''', born as '''Vuel''',  was [[human]] from [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], who later became the shapeshifting and phyrexinized leader of [[Rath]]. He was the main antagonist in the [[Weatherlight Saga]].<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/weatherlight-report-2007-12-03|Weather(light) Report|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 3, 2007}}</ref>
'''Volrath''', born as '''Vuel'''<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/82491853820/you-mentioned-that-you-were-sad-that-we-cant-go|title=Volrath got his name because he was Vuel (his birth name) of Rath.|April 12, 2014}}</ref>,  was a [[human]] from [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], who later became the shapeshifting and phyrexianized leader of [[Rath]]. He was one of the main antagonists in the [[Weatherlight Saga]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/weatherlight-report-2007-12-03|Weather(light) Report|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 3, 2007}}</ref>


==Youth==
==Description==
Vuel was born as son of [[Sidar Kondo]], within a north [[Jamuraa]]n warclan. When the young [[Gerrard Capashen]] was accepted into his family, Vuel initially expressed contempt, but they later became good friends.
While evincar of Rath, Volrath was six feet tall.<ref name="Lurk">[[Pete Venters]] (March 1998). "Dominian Chronicles: The Lurker's Guide to the Stronghold." ''[[The Duelist]]'' #24, 26-27</ref> He had absolute belief in himself, which caused strong self-confidence bordering on arrogance. He was ingenious, cunning, and completely ruthless, and mastered the ability to shape flesh and bone with sinister artistry.<ref name="Tempest"/>


One of the rites of passage for Vuel was to face the challenge of climbing a harsh, sizable plateau. His trial was doomed to fail, as [[Starke|Starke ''il''-Vec]] added poison to the ritual paintings applied to his body. Gerrard chose to save his life, but Vuel was cast out of his clan as a failure, with even his father rejecting him. Volrath therefore resented Gerrard for not simply letting him die.
==History==
===Youth===
Vuel was born as the son of [[Sidar Kondo]], within a north [[Jamuraa]]n war-clan. When the young [[Gerrard Capashen]] was accepted into his family, Vuel initially expressed contempt, but they later became good friends.
 
One of the rites of passage for Vuel was to face the challenge of climbing a harsh, sizable plateau. His trial was doomed to fail, as [[Starke|Starke ''il''-Vec]] added poison to the ritual paintings applied to his body. Gerrard chose to save his life, but Vuel was cast out of his clan as a failure, with even his father rejecting him. Volrath, therefore, resented Gerrard for not simply letting him die.


As he wandered out alone in despair, Starke comforted him and whetted his ego and need for revenge. Vuel rallied other barbarians from surrounding tribes to attack his former clan. This led to the deaths of many of Vuel's people, including his father. During this time, Vuel managed to deactivate [[Karn]] and steal the [[The Legacy|Legacy]] artifacts.
As he wandered out alone in despair, Starke comforted him and whetted his ego and need for revenge. Vuel rallied other barbarians from surrounding tribes to attack his former clan. This led to the deaths of many of Vuel's people, including his father. During this time, Vuel managed to deactivate [[Karn]] and steal the [[The Legacy|Legacy]] artifacts.


==Rath==
===Rath===
As his lust for power became unbound, he was transported to the strange world of [[Rath]] through Starke's portal. Hearing [[Yawgmoth]]'s words of power, he gave himself to [[Phyrexia]], [[compleation|becoming]] Volrath, the new [[evincar]] of Rath, a shapeshifter and master of [[flowstone]] manipulation.
As his lust for power became unbound, he was transported to the strange world of [[Rath]] through Starke's portal. Hearing [[Yawgmoth]]'s words of power, he gave himself to [[Phyrexia]], [[compleation|becoming]] Volrath, the new [[evincar]] of Rath, a shapeshifter and master of [[flowstone]] manipulation.


Years later, Volrath hatched a plan to get revenge upon Gerrard and to destroy the Legacy. He organized the kidnapping of Captain [[Sisay]] in order to lure ''[[Weatherlight]]'' to Rath, where his own skyship, ''[[Predator]]'', ambushed them. In the chaos of battle [[Tahngarth]], [[Karn]], and the Legacy artifacts were taken captive and Gerrard fell to his apparent demise over the [[Skyshroud|Skyshroud Forest]]. However, Volrath knew that Gerrard would survive and launch a rescue attempt.   
Years later, Volrath hatched a plan to get revenge upon Gerrard and destroy the Legacy. He organized the kidnapping of Captain [[Sisay]] to lure ''[[Weatherlight]]'' to Rath, where his skyship, ''[[Predator]]'', ambushed them. In the chaos of battle [[Tahngarth]], [[Karn]], and the Legacy artifacts were taken captive, and Gerrard fell to his apparent demise over the [[Skyshroud|Skyshroud Forest]]. However, Volrath knew that Gerrard would survive and launch a rescue attempt.   
 
Volrath watched over Gerrard as he tried to infiltrate the [[Stronghold (location)|Stronghold]]. He gradually had his minions wound the other crew members until only Starke and Gerrard were left. Volrath then appeared to confront them along with  Sisay and [[Takara]], who were under his mental control. However, after releasing Sisay and Takara, Gerrard killed "Volrath," who was just a shapeshifter. In reality, Volrath had shapeshifted into the form of Takara, which enabled him to stow away aboard ''Weatherlight'' as it fled the Stronghold.
 
===Mercadia===
Arriving in [[Mercadia]], Volrath used his disguised form to influence the crewmen so they turned against each other. He then took his revenge by murdering Starke and attempting to steal ''Weatherlight''. Gerrard eventually confronted Volrath and was able to beat him in combat, leaving the evincar seemingly dead. However, Volrath survived and pursued ''Weatherlight'' aboard ''Recreant'', but once again he was defeated and was forced to retreat to Rath.


Volrath watched over Gerrard as he tried to infiltrate the [[Stronghold (location)|Stronghold]]. He gradually had his minions wound the other crew members until only Starke and Gerrard were left. Volrath then appeared to confront them along with  Sisay and [[Takara]], who were under his mental control. However, after releasing Sisay and Takara, Gerrard killed "Volrath," who was in fact just a shapeshifter. In reality, Volrath had shapeshifted into the form of Takara, which enabled him to stow away aboard ''Weatherlight'' as it fled the Stronghold.
===Death===
==Mercadia==
Upon his return, Volrath found that his throne had been deemed abdicated by the Phyrexians and was being contested over by [[Greven]], [[Ertai]], and [[Crovax]]. Volrath entered the contest himself and challenged Crovax's accession in a duel to the death. Volrath's experience was apparent, but Crovax drew extra strength by killing the spectators. Volrath gained the upper hand, but his near-victory was mysteriously cut short as he collapsed in his moment of triumph. Ertai had intervened on Crovax's behalf, off-balancing Volrath, and allowing his opponent to secure his victory.
Arriving in [[Mercadia]], Volrath used his disguised form to influence the crewmen so they turned against each other. He then took his revenge by murdering Starke and attempted to steal ''Weatherlight''. Gerrard eventually confronted Volrath and was able to beat him in combat, leaving the evincar seemingly dead. However, Volrath survived and pursued ''Weatherlight'' aboard ''Recreant'', but once again he was defeated and was forced to retreat back to Rath.
==Death==
Upon his return, Volrath found that his throne had been deemed abdicated by the Phyrexians and was being contested over by [[Greven]], [[Ertai]] and [[Crovax]]. Volrath entered the contest himself and challenged Crovax's accession in a duel to the death. Volrath's experience was apparent, but Crovax drew extra strength by killing the spectators. Volrath gained the upper hand, but his near victory was mysteriously cut short as he collapsed in his moment of triumph. Ertai had intervened on Crovax's behalf, off-balancing Volrath, and giving his opponent the opportunity to secure his victory.


At the center of Evincar Crovax's coronation was the execution of Vuel, which Volrath had been reduced to following the removal of his Phyrexian implants. Vuel was injected with a phial of liquid [[flowstone]], which Ertai then manipulated within his bloodstream to disassemble Vuel from the inside out. As he died, Vuel's last sight was the sky of his homeland of Dominaria as the [[Rathi Overlay]] began.
At the center of Evincar Crovax's coronation was the execution of Vuel, which Volrath had been reduced to following the removal of his Phyrexian implants. Vuel was injected with a vial of liquid [[flowstone]], which Ertai manipulated within his bloodstream to disassemble Vuel from the inside out. As he died, Vuel's last sight was the sky of his homeland of Dominaria as the [[Rathi Overlay]] began.


== Legacy ==
===Legacy===
Centuries later, the Demonlord [[Belzenlok]] would take control of [[The Cabal]] and made his home in the ruins of Volrath's stronghold. Belzenlok rewrote Dominaria's history, claiming that he had been Evincar instead of Volrath.  
Centuries later, the Demonlord [[Belzenlok]] would take control of [[The Cabal]] and make his home in the ruins of Volrath's stronghold. Belzenlok rewrote Dominaria's history, claiming that he had been Evincar instead of Volrath.  
 
==Trivia==
*Volrath was written as a shapeshifter to enable the proposed murder mystery story of ''[[Mercadian Masques]],'' although [[Weatherlight Saga#Mercadian Masques|originally]] he would have murdered Starke at the beginning of the story.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/getting-away-with-murders-at-karlov-manor-part-1|Getting Away with ''Murders at Karlov Manor'', Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 16, 2024}}</ref>
 
==Planes visited==
*[[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
*[[Rath]]
 
==Story appearances==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Title!!Author!!Publishing date!!Set!!Setting (plane)!!Featuring
|-
| [http://web.archive.org/web/20070227094048/http://www.wizards.com:80/default.asp?x=magic/planarchaos2/story1 Destiny] || [[Rei Nakazawa]] || February 27, 2007 || ''[[Planar Chaos]]'' || [[Rath]] || [[Gerrard]], [[Crovax]], [[Selenia]], [[Sisay]], [[Mirri]], [[Starke]], [[Tahngarth]], [[Karn]], [[Orim]], Volrath
|}


==In-game references==
==In-game references==
'''Represented in:'''
{{in-game
|cards=
*<c>Volrath the Fallen</c>
*<c>Volrath the Fallen</c>
*<c>Volrath</c> (''[[Vanguard]]'')
*<c>Volrath, the Shapestealer</c>
 
*{{card|Volrath|Vanguard|PVAN}}
'''Depicted in:'''
|associated=
<c>Coercion</c>
*<c>Volrath's Curse</c>
*<c>Volrath's Gardens</c>
*<c>Volrath’s Stronghold</c>
*<c>Whim of Volrath</c>
*<c>Volrath's Dungeon</c>
|art=
*<c>Coercion</c>
*<c>Contemplation</c>
*<c>Contemplation</c>
*<c>Contempt</c>
*<c>Contempt</c>
Line 47: Line 78:
*<c>Fevered Convulsions</c>
*<c>Fevered Convulsions</c>
*<c>Helm of Possession</c>
*<c>Helm of Possession</c>
*{{cardlink|Intruder Alarm|Stronghold}}
*{{card|Intruder Alarm|Stronghold}}
*<c>Jinxed Ring</c> <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/jinxed-artifacts-2003-12-16|Jinxed artifacts|[[Magic Arcana]]|December 16, 2003}}</ref>
*<c>Jinxed Ring</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/jinxed-artifacts-2003-12-16|Jinxed artifacts|[[Magic Arcana]]|December 16, 2003}}</ref>
*<c>Necrologia</c>
*<c>Necrologia</c>
*<c>Propaganda</c>
*{{card|Propaganda|Tempest}}
*<c>Scapegoat</c>
*<c>Scapegoat</c>
*<c>Smite</c>
*<c>Smite</c>
*[[Extra Pulled|Squee Triumphant]]
*<c>Topple</c>
*<c>Topple</c>
*<c>Unmask</c>
*{{card|Unmask|Mercadian Masques}} (disguised as Takara)
*<c>Volrath's Curse</c>
|flavor=
*<c>Whim of Volrath</c>
 
'''Quoted of referred to:'''
*<c>Altar of Dementia</c>
*<c>Altar of Dementia</c>
*<c>Blood Pet</c>
*[[Duplicate_Sealed/Cards|Being an Evil Minion Sucks]]
*{{card|Blood Pet|Tempest}}
*<c>Bullwhip</c>
*<c>Bullwhip</c>
*{{cardlink|Dark Ritual|Tempest}}
*{{card|Dark Ritual|Tempest}}
*<c>Dream Prowler</c>
*<c>Dream Prowler</c>
*{{card|Eladamri|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Elven Palisade</c>
*<c>Elven Palisade</c>
*<c>Endless Scream</c>
*<c>Endless Scream</c>
Line 70: Line 101:
*<c>Flowstone Hellion</c>
*<c>Flowstone Hellion</c>
*<c>Fugitive Druid</c>
*<c>Fugitive Druid</c>
*{{card|Greven il-Vec|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Heat of Battle</c>
*<c>Heat of Battle</c>
*<c>Horn of Greed</c>
*<c>Horn of Greed</c>
*<c>Light of Day</c>
*<c>Light of Day</c>
*{{cardlink|Mana Leak|Stronghold}}
*{{card|Mana Leak|Stronghold}}
*{{card|Maraxus|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Metallic Sliver</c>
*<c>Metallic Sliver</c>
*{{cardlink|Mind Rot|9th Edition}}
*{{card|Mind Rot|9th Edition}}
*<c>Mortuary</c>
*<c>Mortuary</c>
*<c>Necrotic Sliver</c>
*<c>Necrotic Sliver</c>
*<c>Null Profusion</c>
*<c>Null Profusion</c>
*{{card|Oracle|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Paladin en-Vec</c>
*<c>Paladin en-Vec</c>
*{{cardlink|Phyrexian Hulk|Tempest}}
*{{card|Phyrexian Hulk|Tempest}}
*<c>Puppet Strings</c>
*<c>Puppet Strings</c>
*<c>Rabid Rats</c>
*<c>Rabid Rats</c>
*{{cardlink|Raging Goblin|Exodus}}
*{{card|Raging Goblin|Exodus}}
*<c>Reanimate</c>
*{{card|Reanimate|Tempest}}
*<c>Reap</c>
*<c>Reap</c>
*{{cardlink|Reckless Spite|Tempest}}
*{{card|Reckless Spite|Tempest}}
*{{cardlink|Reflecting Pool|Tempest}}
*{{card|Reflecting Pool|Tempest}}
*<c>Renegade Warlord</c>
*<c>Renegade Warlord</c>
*<c>Scalding Tongs</c>
*<c>Scalding Tongs</c>
*{{card|Selenia|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Servant of Volrath</c>
*<c>Servant of Volrath</c>
*<c>Shifting Wall</c>
*<c>Shifting Wall</c>
*{{card|Sidar Kondo|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Skyshroud Troopers</c>
*<c>Skyshroud Troopers</c>
*<c>Spinal Graft</c>
*{{card|Sliver Queen, Brood Mother|Vanguard|PVAN}}
*<c>Theft of Dreams</c>
*{{card|Spinal Graft|Tempest}}
*{{card|Theft of Dreams|Exodus}}
*<c>Thumbscrews</c>
*<c>Thumbscrews</c>
*<c>Torment</c>
*<c>Torment</c>
*<c>Vendetta</c>
*{{card|Vendetta|Mercadian Masques}}
*<c>Warrior en-Kor</c>
*<c>Warrior en-Kor</c>
*<c>Wind Dancer</c>
*<c>Wind Dancer</c>
}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{The Weatherlight Saga}}
{{Weatherlight Saga|state=collapsed}}
{{Rath|characters}}
{{Rath|characters}}
[[Category:Phyrexians]]
[[Category:Phyrexians]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Deceased]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 18 June 2024

Volrath
Vuel
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Volrath.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Phyrexian Shapeshifter
Formerly Human
Birthplace Jamuraa, Dominaria
Lifetime 4174[1] or 4178[2]-4205 AR
Parents Kondo
Relatives Gerrard Capashen (adoptive brother)
Colors
{B}{G}{U}
Sources
Rath and Storm, Mercadian Masques, Nemesis

Volrath, born as Vuel[3], was a human from Dominaria, who later became the shapeshifting and phyrexianized leader of Rath. He was one of the main antagonists in the Weatherlight Saga.[4]

Description

While evincar of Rath, Volrath was six feet tall.[5] He had absolute belief in himself, which caused strong self-confidence bordering on arrogance. He was ingenious, cunning, and completely ruthless, and mastered the ability to shape flesh and bone with sinister artistry.[1]

History

Youth

Vuel was born as the son of Sidar Kondo, within a north Jamuraan war-clan. When the young Gerrard Capashen was accepted into his family, Vuel initially expressed contempt, but they later became good friends.

One of the rites of passage for Vuel was to face the challenge of climbing a harsh, sizable plateau. His trial was doomed to fail, as Starke il-Vec added poison to the ritual paintings applied to his body. Gerrard chose to save his life, but Vuel was cast out of his clan as a failure, with even his father rejecting him. Volrath, therefore, resented Gerrard for not simply letting him die.

As he wandered out alone in despair, Starke comforted him and whetted his ego and need for revenge. Vuel rallied other barbarians from surrounding tribes to attack his former clan. This led to the deaths of many of Vuel's people, including his father. During this time, Vuel managed to deactivate Karn and steal the Legacy artifacts.

Rath

As his lust for power became unbound, he was transported to the strange world of Rath through Starke's portal. Hearing Yawgmoth's words of power, he gave himself to Phyrexia, becoming Volrath, the new evincar of Rath, a shapeshifter and master of flowstone manipulation.

Years later, Volrath hatched a plan to get revenge upon Gerrard and destroy the Legacy. He organized the kidnapping of Captain Sisay to lure Weatherlight to Rath, where his skyship, Predator, ambushed them. In the chaos of battle Tahngarth, Karn, and the Legacy artifacts were taken captive, and Gerrard fell to his apparent demise over the Skyshroud Forest. However, Volrath knew that Gerrard would survive and launch a rescue attempt.

Volrath watched over Gerrard as he tried to infiltrate the Stronghold. He gradually had his minions wound the other crew members until only Starke and Gerrard were left. Volrath then appeared to confront them along with Sisay and Takara, who were under his mental control. However, after releasing Sisay and Takara, Gerrard killed "Volrath," who was just a shapeshifter. In reality, Volrath had shapeshifted into the form of Takara, which enabled him to stow away aboard Weatherlight as it fled the Stronghold.

Mercadia

Arriving in Mercadia, Volrath used his disguised form to influence the crewmen so they turned against each other. He then took his revenge by murdering Starke and attempting to steal Weatherlight. Gerrard eventually confronted Volrath and was able to beat him in combat, leaving the evincar seemingly dead. However, Volrath survived and pursued Weatherlight aboard Recreant, but once again he was defeated and was forced to retreat to Rath.

Death

Upon his return, Volrath found that his throne had been deemed abdicated by the Phyrexians and was being contested over by Greven, Ertai, and Crovax. Volrath entered the contest himself and challenged Crovax's accession in a duel to the death. Volrath's experience was apparent, but Crovax drew extra strength by killing the spectators. Volrath gained the upper hand, but his near-victory was mysteriously cut short as he collapsed in his moment of triumph. Ertai had intervened on Crovax's behalf, off-balancing Volrath, and allowing his opponent to secure his victory.

At the center of Evincar Crovax's coronation was the execution of Vuel, which Volrath had been reduced to following the removal of his Phyrexian implants. Vuel was injected with a vial of liquid flowstone, which Ertai manipulated within his bloodstream to disassemble Vuel from the inside out. As he died, Vuel's last sight was the sky of his homeland of Dominaria as the Rathi Overlay began.

Legacy

Centuries later, the Demonlord Belzenlok would take control of The Cabal and make his home in the ruins of Volrath's stronghold. Belzenlok rewrote Dominaria's history, claiming that he had been Evincar instead of Volrath.

Trivia

  • Volrath was written as a shapeshifter to enable the proposed murder mystery story of Mercadian Masques, although originally he would have murdered Starke at the beginning of the story.[6]

Planes visited

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Destiny Rei Nakazawa February 27, 2007 Planar Chaos Rath Gerrard, Crovax, Selenia, Sisay, Mirri, Starke, Tahngarth, Karn, Orim, Volrath

In-game references

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

References

  1. ↑ a b Tempest Characters (archived)
  2. ↑ Peter Archer, ed. (1998.) Rath and Storm, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 0-7869-1175-1.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 12, 2014). "Volrath got his name because he was Vuel (his birth name) of Rath.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 3, 2007). "Weather(light) Report". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Pete Venters (March 1998). "Dominian Chronicles: The Lurker's Guide to the Stronghold." The Duelist #24, 26-27
  6. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 16, 2024). "Getting Away with Murders at Karlov Manor, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Magic Arcana (December 16, 2003). "Jinxed artifacts". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
Story publications
Blocks and Sets
Weatherlight crew
Nine Titans
Other characters
See also
Sets
Rathi storyline
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