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{{Infobox guild
{{Infobox guild
| name = Azorius Senate
| search = Azorius
| image = AzoriusCrest.jpg
| image = Azorius Logo.png
| alternative = The High Judges<ref name="RtR Minisite">[http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/guilds/azorius ''Return to Ravnica'': Azorius Senate Minisite]</ref>
| alternative = The High Judges<ref name="RtR Minisite">{{DailyRef|feature/azorius-senate-2012-08-20|Azorius Senate|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 20, 2012}}</ref>  
| colors = {{W}}{{U}}
| colors = {{W}}{{U}}
| leader = Grand Arbiter [[Augustin IV]]<BR><small>(Ravnica block; now deceased)</small><BR>[[Leonos II]]<BR><small>(Return to Ravnica block)</small>
| leader =  
| parun = [[Supreme Judge Azor I]]
Augustin I <small>(former)</small><br/>
| champion = [[Isperia the Inscrutable]]
Augustin II <small>(former)</small><br/>
| hall = [[Prahv, Spires of Order]]<BR><small>(Ravnica block)</small><BR>[Placeholder]<BR><small>(''Return to Ravnica'')</small>
Augustin III <small>(former)</small><br/>
| keyword = [[Forecast]]<BR><small>(''[[Dissension]]'')</small><BR>[Placeholder]<BR><small>(''Return to Ravnica'')</small>
Konstantin I <small>(former)</small><br/>
| set = ''[[Dissension]]''<BR>''[[Return to Ravnica]]''
Konstantin II <small>(?-3209-?)</small><ref name="Dissension"/><br/>
| text = The maze-like design embodies the core of Azorius law; strict structure designed to test wills and stall change.
Leonos <small>(former)</small><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/the-shadows-of-prahv-part-1|The Shadows of Prahv, Part 1|[[Jenna Helland]]|August 28, 2012}}</ref><br/>
Lucian I <small>(former)</small><br/>
Lucian II <small>(former)</small><br/>
Lucian III <small>(?-9990)</small><ref name="Dissension"/><br/>
[[Augustin IV]] <small>(9990-10,012)</small><br/>
[[Leonos II]] <small>(10,012-10,075)</small><ref name="Dissension"/><ref name="CotD">{{DailyRef|feature/card-day-august-2013-2013-08-01|Card of the Day - August, 2013|[[Mike McArtor]]|August 1, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124171738/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/card-day-august-2013-2013-08-01|archivedate=November 24, 2018}}</ref><br/>
[[Isperia]] <small>(10,075-10,076)</small><ref name="CotD"/><br/>
[[Dovin Baan]] <small>(10,076)</small><br/>
[[Lavinia]] <small>(Pro Tem)</small><br/>
| parun = [[Azor I]]
| champion = [[Isperia]] <small>(deceased)</small><br/>[[Lavinia]]
| hall = [[Prahv]] <small>(destroyed)</small><br/>[[Prahv#New Prahv|New Prahv]] <small>(current)</small>
| mechanics = [[Forecast]]<br/><small>(''Dissension'')</small><br/>[[Detain]]<br/><small>(''Return to Ravnica'')</small><br/>[[Addendum]]<br/><small>(''Ravnica Allegiance'')</small>
| set = ''[[Dissension]]''<br/>''[[Return to Ravnica]]''<br/>''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]''
| text = "The maze-like design embodies the core of Azorius law {{em}} strict structure designed to test wills and stall change." {{Em}} <c>Azorius Signet</c>
}}
}}
The '''Azorius Senate''' is a [[white]]/[[blue]] [[guilds of Ravnica|guild]] from the plane and city of [[Ravnica (plane)|Ravnica]]. Originally featured in ''[[Dissension]]'', the guild is also featured in ''[[Return to Ravnica]]''.
The '''Azorius Senate''' is a [[white]]/[[blue]] [[Ravnican guild|guild]] from the plane and city of [[Ravnica]]. Introduced in ''[[Dissension]]'', the guild is also featured in ''[[Return to Ravnica]]'' and ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]''.
[[File:RNA Azorius basic lands.png|right|thumb|300px|Azorius basic lands from ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]'']]


The Azorius Senate functions as the government of Ravnica<ref name="RtR Minisite"/> and creates Ravnican laws.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mc37|Makin' the Law, Makin' the Law|Matt Cavotta|May 03, 2006}}</ref>
==Background==
Founded by [[parun]] Supreme Judge [[Azor I]], a [[sphinx]] lawmage who authored the original [[Guildpact (spell)|Guildpact]],<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/azor-lawbringer-2018-01-03|Azor, the Lawbringer|[[Chas Andres]]|January 3, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103181228/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-preview/azor-lawbringer-2018-01-03|archivedate=January 03, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|magic-story/ascension-reza-2019-02-27|The Ascension of Reza|[[Nicky Drayden]]|February 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>[[Django Wexler]] (June, 2019), ''[[The Gathering Storm]]'', Chapter One. Del Rey.</ref><ref name="Chapter Ten">[[Django Wexler]] (August 14, 2019), ''[[The Gathering Storm]]'', Chapter Ten.</ref> the Azorius Senate functions as Ravnica's official government and creates Ravnican laws.<ref name="RtR Minisite" /><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/makin’-law-makin’-law-2006-05-03|Makin' the Law, Makin' the Law|[[Matt Cavotta]]|May 3, 2006}}</ref><ref name="DissensionGuide"/>


==Description==
Believing their legislation to be the singular force that prevents Ravnica from descending into chaos, the Azorius Senate mediates and regulates the activities of all of the other guilds and the plane despite their numerous [[Codex Infinatum|decrees]] being ignored.<ref name="RtR Minisite" /> The Azorius Senate is characterized as being aloof, bureaucratic, excessively formalistic, and fastidious,<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/design-diary-dissension-2006-05-01-0|Design Diary|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|May 1, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Guide 3" /> spending hours upon hours with legal documents and ensuring action, if any should occur, stringently adheres to protocol.<ref name="Dissension">[[Cory J. Herndon]]. (2006.) ''Ravnica Cycle, Book III: [[Dissension (novel)|Dissension]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0786940011.</ref> For such reasons, the Azorius are deeply disdained by Ravnicans, whom the Azorius believe will effect a change and subsequent crime, chaos, and general decline in civic life.<ref name="Dissension" /><ref name="Life in the Big City">{{DailyRef|feature/life-big-city-2006-01-25|Life in the Big City|[[Rei Nakazawa]]|September 5, 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815044424/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/life-big-city-2005-09-05|archivedate=August 15, 2020}}</ref> The Azorius are said to act through inaction.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/azorius-big-2006-05-05|Azorius B.I.G.|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|May 05, 2006}}</ref>
Members of the guild are extremely aloof, believing their legislation to be the single force that prevents Ravnica from slipping into chaos. Also, they are known for being excessively formalistic, and literally spend hours on end reciting legal documents and making sure they adhere perfectly to protocol in all of their actions. For these reasons, they are deeply loathed by their Ravnican subjects. The [[parun]] was the Supreme Judge [[Azor I]], a [[human]] lawmage who wrote most of the original [[Guildpact (spell)|Guildpact]].{{citation needed}}


The Azorius works with the [[Boros Legion]] and the [[Selesnya Conclave]] to enforce the law, and the [[Orzhov Syndicate]] provides advocates and law mages as defendants or accusers. Convinced that change would lead to dissolution in city life, the Azorius promote the status quo, maintaining absolute authority over all transactions in Ravnica, deciding whether or not to permit them for the sake of keeping the peace. At their service are legions of knights and paladins, as well as a gamut of well-trained mages skilled in the use of spells that counter enemy magic and disable enemies.{{citation needed}}
The Azorius Senate works alongside the [[Boros Legion]] and [[Selesnya Conclave]] to see to the enforcement of the law, and the [[Orzhov Syndicate]] to see to the provision of advocates and lawmages for accusers/claimants/complainants/plaintiffs and defendants.<ref name="Dissension" /> Ultimately, however, the Azorius advocates for blind justice, peace, and the status quo,<ref name="Life in the Big City" /> doing so via their intrinsic involvement in all affairs on Ravnica and with their legions of knights and paladins as well as mages adept in countermagic, magic to disable and hinder those who would break the law, and other law magic.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/azorius-law-magic-2006-09-07|Azorius Law-Magic|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|September 7, 2006}}</ref>


Allegorically, the Azorius Senate is an hyperbolic satire of bureaucratic governments and legal systems.{{citation needed}}<!-- What? Who's original research is this; or which WotC member or MTG worker said this? -->
===The Columns===
The rigid hierarchy of the Azorius Senate is reflected in the guild's triangle-shaped crest; most Azorius functionaries report to one superior and are reported to by two subordinates.<ref name="DissensionGuide"/> The Azorius are divided into three Columns:<ref name="Guide 3">{{WebRef|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021743/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/planeswalkers-guide-return-ravnica-part-3-2012-09-19|title=Planeswalker’s Guide to Return to Ravnica: Part 3|author=[[The Magic Creative Team]]|date=September 19, 2012|publisher=Magicthegathering.com}}</ref> the Jelenn Column, which makes the laws; the Lyev Column, which enforces the laws; and the Sova Column, which judges the law-breakers.<ref name="RtR Minisite" /><ref group="note">These columns approximately correspond to the [[Wikipedia:Separation of powers|arms, or branches, of government]] in numerous real-world nations; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, respectively. Fitting for a set inspired by Europe, in particular Slavic and Eastern Europe, the names of the "columns" are Czech for animals, each of which is appropriate for the function of the "column"; ''Jelenn'' means "deer", ''Lyev'' means lion, and ''Sova'' means "owl".</ref> The three columns are together ruled by a "Grand Arbiter," generally a former leader of one of the three columns, who chooses an honorary name from among past leaders and rules until death or retirement.<ref name="DissensionGuide">(2006). ''[https://archive.org/details/dissension-players-guide-magic-the-gathering-2006 Dissension Player's Guide].'' [[Wizards of the Coast]].</ref>
 
*The '''Sova''' Column is led by [[Leonos II]]. They act as judges and arbitrators. The column employs legal aides, pages, librarians, experts on precedent, advocates for the accused, public prosecutors, and judges.
*The '''Jelenn''', led by a vedalken lawmage named [[List of secondary characters/Ravnica|Uzana]], act as scribes and '''elocuters'''. The term elocutor covers all communication functions, from simple messengers — who are often spirits — to conflict mediation. The Jelennn write and enact the laws of Ravnica, involving the efforts not just of the designated legislators but also a network of bureaucrats: aides, writers, researchers, lobbyists, clerks, and so on.
*The '''Lyev''' work as [[Wizard#Specialties|lawmages]], [[Wizard#Specialties|hieromancers]], [[Wizard#Specialties|nullmages]], investigators and enforcers. The Azorius military, which belongs to this Column, can be broadly separated into '''hussars''' (mounted soldiers) and '''infantry'''. '''Arresters''' specialize in preventing or stopping things from happening. The Lyev Column is also venturing into the work of managing surveillance and [[precognition]]. The Lyev were commanded by the hussar commander [[List of secondary characters/Ravnica|Sarvis]], until [[Dovin Baan]] removed him from office.
 
Azorius builders and architects are among the best in the world, and '''konstructors''' are those who enhance and/or accelerate their building projects with magic.<ref name="Guide 3" />


==History==
==History==
===Ravnica block===
===Ravnica block===
During the majority of the Ravnica block storyline, the Azorius Senate was presided over by human lawmage <c>Grand Arbiter Augustin IV</c>, who is later killed by an explosion while being attacked by then Dimir guildmaster Szadek's spirit.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/feature/210a|Ravnica, Then and Now|Adam Lee|August 29, 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Augustin IV.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Grand Arbiter Augustin IV]]
For the majority of the Ravnica block storyline, the Azorius Senate was presided over by human lawmage Grand Arbiter [[Augustin IV]], who was later killed by an explosion during an attack by the spirit of the-Dimir guildmaster [[Szadek]].<ref name="Ravnica, Then and Now">{{DailyRef|feature/ravnica-then-and-now-2012-08-29-0|Ravnica, Then and Now|[[Adam Lee]]|August 29, 2012}}</ref>
 
The seat of the Azorius’ power in the Ravnica block was [[Prahv]], a monolithic structure of white marble.<ref name="Dissension" /> In ''[[Dissension (novel)|Dissension]]'', Prahv was destroyed when the [[Parhelion]], fortress-ship of the Boros angels, collided with it.<ref name="Dissension" />
 
===Return to Ravnica block===
[[File:Isperia.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Isperia]]
Following the death of Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, [[Leonos II]] became the Arbiter of the Azorius Senate and the sphinx [[Isperia]], whom Grand Arbiter Augustin IV had often consulted, reluctantly became the Azorius guildmaster.<ref name="Ravnica, Then and Now"/>
 
===Guilds of Ravnica storyline===
In the absence of the [[Living Guildpact]], the Azorius were uncertain who was supposed to maintain balance among the guilds. As a group, they were convinced that the system couldn't be disrupted, but they were challenged by the reality that the one person who was meant to hold their world together never seemed to be around. The Azorius Senate was invoking emergency powers with increasing frequency, and the Lyev Column's enforcers were wielding an ever-growing amount of influence.<ref name="Ravnica art book">[[James Wyatt]] (January 2019). "''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica]]''". [[Wizards of the Coast]]</ref>
 
Isperia fell victim to [[Vraska]]<ref><c>Assassin's Trophy</c></ref> and was replaced by the [[planeswalker]] [[Dovin Baan]]. As guildmaster, Baan showed the guild how to make spy [[thopter]]s and to use [[precognitive mage]]s to arrest people before crimes would be committed.<ref name="Ravnica art book" /> <c>Verity Circle</c> spells are used to encourage detainees to self-incriminate. Small outposts covered in reflective mirrors, called '''vez''', act as surveillance centers throughout the city.<ref name="Ravnica art book"/> The mages inside can see out and compare their views to those of other vez.
 
After the fight against the [[Dreadhorde]] in the [[War of the Spark (event)|War of the Spark]], and the flight of [[Dovin Baan]], [[Lavinia]] became acting guildleader.<ref name="Weisman Ravnica novel">[[Greg Weisman]] (April 2019). "''[[War of the Spark: Ravnica]]''". Del Rey.</ref>
 
===Phyrexian invasion===
During [[New Phyrexia's Invasion of the Multiverse]], the planeswalker [[Vraska]] led the Phyrexian invasion force against her home plane, first directing [[Realmbreaker]] toward the Azorius Senate's guild hall, [[New Prahv]], and the jail in which she once was imprisoned. As vengeance for her fellow gorgons whose eyes were removed, she ordered for Ravnicans to be blinded, letting them scrabble upon the glistening oil-slicked streets.
 
===After the invasion===
In the aftermath of the invasion, the Azorius found themselves overwhelmed.<ref name="Guide to MKM">{{DailyRef|feature/planeswalkers-guide-to-murders-at-karlov-manor|Planeswalker's Guide to ''Murders at Karlov Manor''|[[Emily Teng]]|February 1, 2024}}</ref> Existing laws didn't adequately cover the numerous and various acts committed during and because of an interplanar invasion, and the majority of the Azorius' time and energy is mired in disentangling and updating Ravnica's extensive legal code. With all this focus on the restructuring of the law, only the minimum of resources were devoted to other duties, and courts quickly became clogged with a backlog of pending cases.
 
To clear the dockets, Azorius set a policy of prioritizing clear-cut cases and straightforward arrests.<ref name="Guide to MKM"/> Complicated crimes that involved more than a moderate investment of time and resources were deprioritized or put permanently on hold, awaiting the indeterminate future time when the Azorius had freed up enough resources to address them. As frustrations mounted, the guild outsourced these cases to the [[Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations]], tasking Agency detectives with investigating crimes on their behalf.
 
==In the game==
Head ''Magic'' designer and design team member [[Mark Rosewater]] said on the blending of White and Blue, "Philosophically, the largest overlap between the two colors stems from a similar motivation. Both colors want to improve the world. White does this in its quest to promote peace, while Blue does it out of its interest in reaching perfection. The result is the same. Both colors like to force their rules and ways upon all those around them".<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/slow-and-steady-2006-05-01|Slow and Steady|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 1, 2006}}</ref>


The seat of Azorius power in the Ravnica block was <c>Prahv, the Spires of Order</c>, a large castle-like structure of white marble;{{Citation needed}} in ''[[Dissension (book)|Dissension]]'', Prahv was destroyed by the explosion following the collision between it and the crashed [[Parhelion]], the fortress ship of the Boros angels.<ref>Herndon, C. J. (2006.) Ravnica Cycle, Book III: ''Dissension'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN 978-0786940011.</ref><!-- Can't find the page numbers. Can't even find my book. -->
===Guild mechanics===
====''Dissension'': Forecast====
{{Main|Forecast}}
The Forecast ability is an activated ability that a player can play only from their hand. Only cards from the Azorius guild (white, blue, or white-blue) have forecast. Each forecast card has an ability that can be played once per turn during a player's upkeep by revealing it from their hand and paying a cost, somewhat similar to casting a spell with built-in [[buyback]].<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/clouds-forecast-2006-04-14-0|Clouds in the Forecast|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|April 14, 2006}}</ref>


===Return to Ravnica===
The Forecast mechanic was inspired by the ability on the ''[[Unglued]]'' card <c>Infernal Spawn of Evil</c>.<ref name="Designing for Azorius">{{DailyRef|making-magic/designing-azorius-2012-10-29|Designing for Azorius|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 29, 2012}}</ref>
Following the death of Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, [[Leonos II]] has become the Azorius guildmaster.{{citation needed}}<!-- Isn't Isperia the new guildmaster? -->


==Creatures and races==
====''Return to Ravnica'': Detain====
Creatures and races associated with the Azorius include the following:
{{Main|Detain}}
*[[Elementals]]
Detain is a [[keyword action]] that prevents a permanent from attacking, blocking, and/or activating its [[activated ability|(activated) abilities]] until the controller of the detainer's next turn.
*[[Griffins]]
 
*[[Humans]]
Initially, the Return to Ravnica block ability for Azorius has developed around "tap a creature" and the development team termed the ability "jail".<ref name="Designing for Azorius" /> Influenced by <c>Arrest</c>, with which the ability shares flavor, of "preventing my opponents from doing things",<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/article-i-fun-see-also-subsections-f-j-and-v14k-2012-10-29|Article I: Fun (See Also Subsections F, J, and V.14.k)|[[Dave Guskin]]|November 2, 2012}}</ref> the "jail" ability was later modified to include preventing activated abilities.<ref name="Designing for Azorius" />
*[[Elephants#Loxodons|Loxodons]]
 
*[[Sphinxes]]
====''Ravnica Allegiance'': Addendum====
*[[Spirits]]
{{Main|Addendum}}
[[Instant]]s with Addendum have additional or alternative [[effect]]s if you [[cast]] the [[spell]] during your [[main phase]].
 
===Creature types===
====Species and races====
Species and races associated with the Azorius Senate include:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*[[Archon]]s
*[[Bird]]s
*[[Cat]]s
*[[Drake]]s
*[[Elemental]]s
*[[Golem]]s
*[[Griffin]]s
*[[Homunculus|Homunculi]]<ref name="Ravnica art book"/>
*[[Human]]s
*[[Sphinx]]es
*[[Spirit]]s<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/souls-azorius-2012-11-02|The Souls of Azorius|[[Monty Ashley]]|November 2, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Thopter]]s
*[[Vedalken]]
*[[Vedalken]]
*[[Wall]]s
}}
====Classes====
Classes associated with the Azorius Senate include:
*[[Advisor]]s
*[[Detective]]s
*[[Knight]]s
*[[Soldier]]s
*[[Wizard]]s


==Notable members==
==Notable members==
*[[Agrus Kos]] (ghost form, temporary)
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*Grand Arbiter Augustin IV [[http://www.cernyrytir.cz/ukazobrazekkusovek.php3?jmenosouboru=./images/kusovkymagic/ravnica/grand_arbiter_augustin_iv.jpg]]
*[[Alquist Proft]] (former member)
*Grand Arbiter [[Azor I]]
*[[Agrus Kos]] (temporarily, in ghost form)
*[[Borbin]]
*Grand Arbiter [[Augustin IV]]
*[[Frej Ralinu]]
*[[Azor I]]
*Borbin
*[[Bruvac]]
*[[Dovin Baan]]
*Senator Illindivossk
*Supreme judge [[Isperia]]
*Grand Arbiter Pro Temr [[Lavinia]]
*Grand Arbiter [[Leonos II]]
*Grand Arbiter [[Leonos II]]
* [[Isperia the Inscrutable]]
*Hussar [[Modar Bejiri]]
*[[Modar Bejiri]]
*Senator Natt Vinloskarga
*[[Nhillosh]]
*Senator [[Nhillosh]]
*[[Obez Murzeddi]]
*Senator Pollotorus
*Senators [[Illindivossk]], [[Pollotorus]], [[Yindervac]] and [[Natt Vinloskarga]]
*Senator Yindervac
}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>Image:Guild azorius styleguide2.jpg</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Azorius guild crests.jpg|A side-by-side comparison of the old and new Azorius Senate guild crests.
File:RAV Azorius.jpg|Ravnica block Azorius crest (old).
File:AzoriusConcept.jpg|Azorius concept by [[Aleksi Briclot]].
File:CLU Azorius Senate.png|[[Half deck]] summary card used in ''[[Ravnica: Clue Edition]]''.
File:Azorius Senate.png|[[Return to Ravnica]] art.
</gallery>
 
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==See also==
*[[Azorius Advance]], the ''Return to Ravnica'' intro pack
*[[Azorius Ascendant]], the ''Dissensions'' preconstructed theme deck


==Sources==
==External links==
*[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Article.aspx?x=magic/dissension/azorius Azorius Senate Minisite]
*[http://gamelore.wikia.com/wiki/The_Hussar's_Last_Mission Azorius Fiction: The Hussar's Last Mission]
*[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr226 Slow and Steady] by Mark Rosewater
*{{DailyRef|feature/identifying-azorius-2012-10-30|Identifying Azorius|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 30, 2012}}
*[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mc37 Makin’ the Law, Makin’ the Law] by Matt Cavotta
*[http://www.wizards.com/MagiC/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/af114 Clouds in the Forecast] by Aaron Forsythe


[[Category: Affiliations]][[Category: Ravnica]][[Category: Storylines]][[Category:Guilds]]
{{Colors|state=collapsed}}
{{Guilds of Ravnica}}
{{Ravnica|guilds}}

Latest revision as of 04:37, 19 June 2024

Azorius Senate
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Azorius Logo.png}}|150px]]
Alternative Names
The High Judges[1]
Lore Information
Parun Azor I
Guild Leader

Augustin I (former)
Augustin II (former)
Augustin III (former)
Konstantin I (former)
Konstantin II (?-3209-?)[2]
Leonos (former)[3]
Lucian I (former)
Lucian II (former)
Lucian III (?-9990)[2]
Augustin IV (9990-10,012)
Leonos II (10,012-10,075)[2][4]
Isperia (10,075-10,076)[4]
Dovin Baan (10,076)

Lavinia (Pro Tem)
Guild Champion Isperia (deceased)
Lavinia
Guild Hall Prahv (destroyed)
New Prahv (current)
Game Information
Colors {W}{U}
Mechanics Forecast
(Dissension)
Detain
(Return to Ravnica)
Addendum
(Ravnica Allegiance)
Featured Sets
Dissension
Return to Ravnica
Ravnica Allegiance
Signet Flavor Text
"The maze-like design embodies the core of Azorius law — strict structure designed to test wills and stall change." — Azorius Signet
Scryfall Search
watermark:"Azorius"

The Azorius Senate is a white/blue guild from the plane and city of Ravnica. Introduced in Dissension, the guild is also featured in Return to Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance.

Azorius basic lands from Ravnica Allegiance

Background

Founded by parun Supreme Judge Azor I, a sphinx lawmage who authored the original Guildpact,[5][6][7][8] the Azorius Senate functions as Ravnica's official government and creates Ravnican laws.[1][9][10]

Believing their legislation to be the singular force that prevents Ravnica from descending into chaos, the Azorius Senate mediates and regulates the activities of all of the other guilds and the plane despite their numerous decrees being ignored.[1] The Azorius Senate is characterized as being aloof, bureaucratic, excessively formalistic, and fastidious,[11][12] spending hours upon hours with legal documents and ensuring action, if any should occur, stringently adheres to protocol.[2] For such reasons, the Azorius are deeply disdained by Ravnicans, whom the Azorius believe will effect a change and subsequent crime, chaos, and general decline in civic life.[2][13] The Azorius are said to act through inaction.[14]

The Azorius Senate works alongside the Boros Legion and Selesnya Conclave to see to the enforcement of the law, and the Orzhov Syndicate to see to the provision of advocates and lawmages for accusers/claimants/complainants/plaintiffs and defendants.[2] Ultimately, however, the Azorius advocates for blind justice, peace, and the status quo,[13] doing so via their intrinsic involvement in all affairs on Ravnica and with their legions of knights and paladins as well as mages adept in countermagic, magic to disable and hinder those who would break the law, and other law magic.[15]

The Columns

The rigid hierarchy of the Azorius Senate is reflected in the guild's triangle-shaped crest; most Azorius functionaries report to one superior and are reported to by two subordinates.[10] The Azorius are divided into three Columns:[12] the Jelenn Column, which makes the laws; the Lyev Column, which enforces the laws; and the Sova Column, which judges the law-breakers.[1][note 1] The three columns are together ruled by a "Grand Arbiter," generally a former leader of one of the three columns, who chooses an honorary name from among past leaders and rules until death or retirement.[10]

  • The Sova Column is led by Leonos II. They act as judges and arbitrators. The column employs legal aides, pages, librarians, experts on precedent, advocates for the accused, public prosecutors, and judges.
  • The Jelenn, led by a vedalken lawmage named Uzana, act as scribes and elocuters. The term elocutor covers all communication functions, from simple messengers — who are often spirits — to conflict mediation. The Jelennn write and enact the laws of Ravnica, involving the efforts not just of the designated legislators but also a network of bureaucrats: aides, writers, researchers, lobbyists, clerks, and so on.
  • The Lyev work as lawmages, hieromancers, nullmages, investigators and enforcers. The Azorius military, which belongs to this Column, can be broadly separated into hussars (mounted soldiers) and infantry. Arresters specialize in preventing or stopping things from happening. The Lyev Column is also venturing into the work of managing surveillance and precognition. The Lyev were commanded by the hussar commander Sarvis, until Dovin Baan removed him from office.

Azorius builders and architects are among the best in the world, and konstructors are those who enhance and/or accelerate their building projects with magic.[12]

History

Ravnica block

Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

For the majority of the Ravnica block storyline, the Azorius Senate was presided over by human lawmage Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, who was later killed by an explosion during an attack by the spirit of the-Dimir guildmaster Szadek.[16]

The seat of the Azorius’ power in the Ravnica block was Prahv, a monolithic structure of white marble.[2] In Dissension, Prahv was destroyed when the Parhelion, fortress-ship of the Boros angels, collided with it.[2]

Return to Ravnica block

Isperia

Following the death of Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, Leonos II became the Arbiter of the Azorius Senate and the sphinx Isperia, whom Grand Arbiter Augustin IV had often consulted, reluctantly became the Azorius guildmaster.[16]

Guilds of Ravnica storyline

In the absence of the Living Guildpact, the Azorius were uncertain who was supposed to maintain balance among the guilds. As a group, they were convinced that the system couldn't be disrupted, but they were challenged by the reality that the one person who was meant to hold their world together never seemed to be around. The Azorius Senate was invoking emergency powers with increasing frequency, and the Lyev Column's enforcers were wielding an ever-growing amount of influence.[17]

Isperia fell victim to Vraska[18] and was replaced by the planeswalker Dovin Baan. As guildmaster, Baan showed the guild how to make spy thopters and to use precognitive mages to arrest people before crimes would be committed.[17] Verity Circle spells are used to encourage detainees to self-incriminate. Small outposts covered in reflective mirrors, called vez, act as surveillance centers throughout the city.[17] The mages inside can see out and compare their views to those of other vez.

After the fight against the Dreadhorde in the War of the Spark, and the flight of Dovin Baan, Lavinia became acting guildleader.[19]

Phyrexian invasion

During New Phyrexia's Invasion of the Multiverse, the planeswalker Vraska led the Phyrexian invasion force against her home plane, first directing Realmbreaker toward the Azorius Senate's guild hall, New Prahv, and the jail in which she once was imprisoned. As vengeance for her fellow gorgons whose eyes were removed, she ordered for Ravnicans to be blinded, letting them scrabble upon the glistening oil-slicked streets.

After the invasion

In the aftermath of the invasion, the Azorius found themselves overwhelmed.[20] Existing laws didn't adequately cover the numerous and various acts committed during and because of an interplanar invasion, and the majority of the Azorius' time and energy is mired in disentangling and updating Ravnica's extensive legal code. With all this focus on the restructuring of the law, only the minimum of resources were devoted to other duties, and courts quickly became clogged with a backlog of pending cases.

To clear the dockets, Azorius set a policy of prioritizing clear-cut cases and straightforward arrests.[20] Complicated crimes that involved more than a moderate investment of time and resources were deprioritized or put permanently on hold, awaiting the indeterminate future time when the Azorius had freed up enough resources to address them. As frustrations mounted, the guild outsourced these cases to the Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations, tasking Agency detectives with investigating crimes on their behalf.

In the game

Head Magic designer and design team member Mark Rosewater said on the blending of White and Blue, "Philosophically, the largest overlap between the two colors stems from a similar motivation. Both colors want to improve the world. White does this in its quest to promote peace, while Blue does it out of its interest in reaching perfection. The result is the same. Both colors like to force their rules and ways upon all those around them".[21]

Guild mechanics

Dissension: Forecast

Main article: Forecast

The Forecast ability is an activated ability that a player can play only from their hand. Only cards from the Azorius guild (white, blue, or white-blue) have forecast. Each forecast card has an ability that can be played once per turn during a player's upkeep by revealing it from their hand and paying a cost, somewhat similar to casting a spell with built-in buyback.[22]

The Forecast mechanic was inspired by the ability on the Unglued card Infernal Spawn of Evil.[23]

Return to Ravnica: Detain

Main article: Detain

Detain is a keyword action that prevents a permanent from attacking, blocking, and/or activating its (activated) abilities until the controller of the detainer's next turn.

Initially, the Return to Ravnica block ability for Azorius has developed around "tap a creature" and the development team termed the ability "jail".[23] Influenced by Arrest, with which the ability shares flavor, of "preventing my opponents from doing things",[24] the "jail" ability was later modified to include preventing activated abilities.[23]

Ravnica Allegiance: Addendum

Main article: Addendum

Instants with Addendum have additional or alternative effects if you cast the spell during your main phase.

Creature types

Species and races

Species and races associated with the Azorius Senate include:

Classes

Classes associated with the Azorius Senate include:

Notable members

Gallery

Notes

  1. ↑ These columns approximately correspond to the arms, or branches, of government in numerous real-world nations; the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, respectively. Fitting for a set inspired by Europe, in particular Slavic and Eastern Europe, the names of the "columns" are Czech for animals, each of which is appropriate for the function of the "column"; Jelenn means "deer", Lyev means lion, and Sova means "owl".

References

  1. ↑ a b c d Wizards of the Coast (August 20, 2012). "Azorius Senate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h Cory J. Herndon. (2006.) Ravnica Cycle, Book III: Dissension, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786940011.
  3. ↑ Jenna Helland (August 28, 2012). "The Shadows of Prahv, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ a b Mike McArtor (August 1, 2013). "Card of the Day - August, 2013". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018.
  5. ↑ Chas Andres (January 3, 2018). "Azor, the Lawbringer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on January 03, 2018.
  6. ↑ Nicky Drayden (February 27, 2019). "The Ascension of Reza". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Django Wexler (June, 2019), The Gathering Storm, Chapter One. Del Rey.
  8. ↑ Django Wexler (August 14, 2019), The Gathering Storm, Chapter Ten.
  9. ↑ Matt Cavotta (May 3, 2006). "Makin' the Law, Makin' the Law". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ a b c (2006). Dissension Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (May 1, 2006). "Design Diary". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ a b c The Magic Creative Team (September 19, 2012). "Planeswalker’s Guide to Return to Ravnica: Part 3". Magicthegathering.com.
  13. ↑ a b Rei Nakazawa (September 5, 2005). "Life in the Big City". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020.
  14. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (May 05, 2006). "Azorius B.I.G.". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 7, 2006). "Azorius Law-Magic". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ a b Adam Lee (August 29, 2012). "Ravnica, Then and Now". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ a b c d James Wyatt (January 2019). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica". Wizards of the Coast
  18. ↑ Assassin's Trophy
  19. ↑ Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
  20. ↑ a b Emily Teng (February 1, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Murders at Karlov Manor". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  21. ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 1, 2006). "Slow and Steady". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (April 14, 2006). "Clouds in the Forecast". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (October 29, 2012). "Designing for Azorius". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. ↑ Dave Guskin (November 2, 2012). "Article I: Fun (See Also Subsections F, J, and V.14.k)". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. ↑ Monty Ashley (November 2, 2012). "The Souls of Azorius". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

See also

External links

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Multicolored ({M})
See also
Ravnica block
Return to Ravnica block
Later sets
Related games
Ravnica storyline
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