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Theros is a plane governed by the [[god]]s of [[Nyx]], where [[heroes]] face [[monsters]], the sea rages, people offer burnt offerings and adventures take place. It is defined by mankind's struggle against the primal forces of the world, and mankind's conflict with the many other sapient races that populate the world.
Theros is a plane governed by the [[god]]s of [[Nyx]], where [[heroes]] face [[monsters]], the sea rages, people offer burnt offerings and adventures take place. It is defined by mankind's struggle against the primal forces of the world, and mankind's conflict with the many other sapient races that populate the world.


===History===
==History==
===The sealing of the Titans===
Thousands of years ago, the gods waged war against the [[titan]]s, their predecessors. Victorious, the gods sealed the titans in [[the Underworld]]. If they would ever be freed, they would inflict unspeakable [[horror]]s on Theros.
Thousands of years ago, the gods waged war against the [[titan]]s, their predecessors. Victorious, the gods sealed the titans in [[the Underworld]]. If they would ever be freed, they would inflict unspeakable [[horror]]s on Theros.
===The rise and fall of Xenagos===
When the [[satyr]] [[planeswalker]] [[Xenagos]] returned to his birthplane, he found his old hedonistic lifestyle exceedingly dull and the gods to be a farce in which he was no longer willing to participate.<ref>{{PWBio|Xenagos|accessdate=October 02, 2013}}</ref> His ambitions had evolved into a desire for outright godhood, to join or replace the pantheon of Theros, and so he began gathering his forces of eldritch, otherworldly monsters to attack the poleis of [[Meletis]], [[Akros]], and [[Setessa]]. These attacks became so severe that the gods themselves began to go blind, cut off from their oracles. This drove them into a panic which escalated as they blamed the others of their kind for the transgression. Only [[Nylea]] seemed to be aware of the threat he played, but with his otherworldly magic, none of the gods could truly stop him.
In circumstances largely under mystery, Xenagos managed to ascend to godhood. This occurred during a [[minotaur]] siege at [[Akros]], battled off by armies led by [[Elspeth]]. The victory celebration was the final ingredient to Xenagos' divine ascension, and in the ensuing turmoil the [[Elspeth Tirel|Sun god's champion]] was ironically scapegoated for this, resulting in her exile to the wilderness. Xenagos now held the position of the God of the revels, furthering the chaos and distrust of the established pantheon.<ref>{{DailyRef|planeswalkers-guide-born-gods-2014-01-08|Planeswalker's Guide to ''Born of the Gods''|The Magic Creative Team|January 08, 2014}}</ref> [[Heliod]] was particularly offended by his ascension and sought to destroy the satyr, whom he referred to as "the usurper". He planned to punish all of mortalkind for the actions of the new god.
Xenagos had accomplished what he had desired: obtaining a place in the pantheon. However, he could not sustain his godly form by himself; he gathered a large array of [[Nyxborn]] creatures, using them to keep his position. Capturing the Nyxborn caused Theros's sky to darken, as chaos spread across the plane. His time in [[Nyx]] would not be long, though. Only a couple days after his rise, the planeswalkers [[Elspeth Tirel]] and  [[Ajani Goldmane]] arrived in Nyx to set Theros right again. After a difficult battle, Xenagos managed to knock Elspeth down, planning on taking her weapon, [[Godsend]], to keep his position firm. However, Elspeth managed to throw the spear into Xenagos's chest, causing the arrowhead, which Nylea had shot into Xenagos before his ascension, to explode, tearing Xenagos's organs into shreds. As Xenagos died in Nyx, he is not even in the Underworld and as such, he is truly gone.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/where-its-2019-03-11|Where It's At|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 11, 2019}}</ref>
As Xenagos's body fell back to Theros, Elspeth offered her life in trade for her lover [[Daxos]], a deal Heliod took gladly. Using her own weapon, he fatally wounded Elspeth.
===War of the Gods===
After the events surrounding Xenagos and Elspeth, for undisclosed reasons a war broke out between the gods. Each a created a champion [[demigod]] to fight. Their strife let to unintended consequences. One of which the opening of rifts between the Underworld and the mortal realm. This allowed Erebos's [[monster]]s to pour forth and sow chaos. Meanwhile, Elspeth became empowered by [[Ashiok]], who equipped her with weapons created from her past traumas. She also managed to [[escape]] the Underworld and planned to assassinate Heliod. The god [[Klothys]] send the nyxborn [[Calix]] to bring her back.


==Locations==
==Locations==

Revision as of 09:29, 10 January 2020

Theros
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Meletis.jpg}}|250px]]
Information
First seen Theros
Last seen Theros Beyond Death
Planeswalkers Xenagos, Gideon Jura
Rabiah Scale 3[1]
Status Stable

Theros is a plane where the Theros block and other Theros sets takes place. It is similar to Hellenic Greece.

Description

Theros is a plane governed by the gods of Nyx, where heroes face monsters, the sea rages, people offer burnt offerings and adventures take place. It is defined by mankind's struggle against the primal forces of the world, and mankind's conflict with the many other sapient races that populate the world.

History

The sealing of the Titans

Thousands of years ago, the gods waged war against the titans, their predecessors. Victorious, the gods sealed the titans in the Underworld. If they would ever be freed, they would inflict unspeakable horrors on Theros.

The rise and fall of Xenagos

When the satyr planeswalker Xenagos returned to his birthplane, he found his old hedonistic lifestyle exceedingly dull and the gods to be a farce in which he was no longer willing to participate.[2] His ambitions had evolved into a desire for outright godhood, to join or replace the pantheon of Theros, and so he began gathering his forces of eldritch, otherworldly monsters to attack the poleis of Meletis, Akros, and Setessa. These attacks became so severe that the gods themselves began to go blind, cut off from their oracles. This drove them into a panic which escalated as they blamed the others of their kind for the transgression. Only Nylea seemed to be aware of the threat he played, but with his otherworldly magic, none of the gods could truly stop him.

In circumstances largely under mystery, Xenagos managed to ascend to godhood. This occurred during a minotaur siege at Akros, battled off by armies led by Elspeth. The victory celebration was the final ingredient to Xenagos' divine ascension, and in the ensuing turmoil the Sun god's champion was ironically scapegoated for this, resulting in her exile to the wilderness. Xenagos now held the position of the God of the revels, furthering the chaos and distrust of the established pantheon.[3] Heliod was particularly offended by his ascension and sought to destroy the satyr, whom he referred to as "the usurper". He planned to punish all of mortalkind for the actions of the new god.

Xenagos had accomplished what he had desired: obtaining a place in the pantheon. However, he could not sustain his godly form by himself; he gathered a large array of Nyxborn creatures, using them to keep his position. Capturing the Nyxborn caused Theros's sky to darken, as chaos spread across the plane. His time in Nyx would not be long, though. Only a couple days after his rise, the planeswalkers Elspeth Tirel and Ajani Goldmane arrived in Nyx to set Theros right again. After a difficult battle, Xenagos managed to knock Elspeth down, planning on taking her weapon, Godsend, to keep his position firm. However, Elspeth managed to throw the spear into Xenagos's chest, causing the arrowhead, which Nylea had shot into Xenagos before his ascension, to explode, tearing Xenagos's organs into shreds. As Xenagos died in Nyx, he is not even in the Underworld and as such, he is truly gone.[4]

As Xenagos's body fell back to Theros, Elspeth offered her life in trade for her lover Daxos, a deal Heliod took gladly. Using her own weapon, he fatally wounded Elspeth.

War of the Gods

After the events surrounding Xenagos and Elspeth, for undisclosed reasons a war broke out between the gods. Each a created a champion demigod to fight. Their strife let to unintended consequences. One of which the opening of rifts between the Underworld and the mortal realm. This allowed Erebos's monsters to pour forth and sow chaos. Meanwhile, Elspeth became empowered by Ashiok, who equipped her with weapons created from her past traumas. She also managed to escape the Underworld and planned to assassinate Heliod. The god Klothys send the nyxborn Calix to bring her back.

Locations

The realms

Theros is divided into three main realms:

  • The normal, sunlit world of the living.
  • Nyx: A paranormal realm associated with dreams and the subconscious, a literal and proverbial nightsky where the gods dwell. Nyx is so closely tied to the plane's deities that, whenever they manifest, where they should be shadowed they instead display the glorious starlight of the nightsky. Dreams are seen as gifts from the gods, and so are enchantments, due to their connection with this realm; whenever mortals sleep, they are said to be "visiting Nyx". Tales of the gods can be seen played out in the constellations[5]
  • The Underworld: A subterranean realm beneath the "Rivers That Ring The World", where the dead end up and dwell. It is governed by the god Erebos, cast into the place by a frightened and paranoid Heliod after his birth. Although the Underworld is dark, it is ironically not connected to Nyx, as it lacks the night as much as it lacks the Sun. The dead in Theros dwell in Underworld regions based on the lives they lead; known regions are Phylias - wretched and tedious realm of the uninspired; Ilysia - a protected realm, tranquil and vibrant; Tizerus - outside the palace of Erebos

The Rivers That Ring the World are five rivers that form a boundary between Theros and its Underworld.

Poleis

As a plane where mankind is carving out a place for civilization in the wild, Theros has three main cities, or "poleis" (singluar polis [6]), born from relevant areas of the now defunct Archon empire, with fewer, smaller settlements here and there:

Meletis

Meletis, inspired by Athens,[7] is the polis of learning, magic, and progress. It is a city-state of progressive thinkers, pious thaumaturges, and wise oracles on the Coast of the Siren Sea. Meletis was born from the defeat of tyranny, and to this day it retains a spirit of the triumph of free thought over brutish force. Meletians pride themselves on their great temples to the gods, their thaumaturgical academy, their great works of architecture, and for their Reverent Army. The Twelve, a council of philosophers headed by Perisophia, serves as the ruling body of Meletis.

  • The Dekatia, the legendary academy at Meletis, is the most elite academy for philosophers and mages on Theros.[8]
  • Branches of the river Kheir splay out across the landscape, bringing fresh water and trade from distant villages.

Akros

Akros, inspired by Sparta,[7] is a polis high in the mountains, which serve as shield between its holdings and the rest of Theros. The Akroans are half-mythical even within their own time. They are known to be the most feared warriors of Theros. They have lived and died by the spear in the name of countless kings, hardening their armies generation after generation by fostering a culture that revolves around perfecting the body and the mind for combat. The current king and queen of Akros are Anax and Cymede. Gideon Jura, originally known as Kytheon Iora among his people, is also an Akroan.

  • Pharagax Bridge. A huge stone bridge that is the gateway to Akros
  • The Kolophon. A huge, many-tiered structure perched on a cliff. The central fortress and seat of Akroan power.
  • The One-Eyed Pass. Akroan pass known for its abundance of cyclopes.
  • The Titan's Stairs. A natural access through the granite cliffs to the lowlands.
  • Phoberos. The badlands of the Akroan realm. Occupied by marauding leonin, flesh-eating minotaurs, and firebreathing dragons.

Setessa

Setessa, inspired by Themyscira,[7] has a layout resembling the rings of a tree, which radiate outward from the Temple of Karametra at its heart. Swaths of forest alternate with family dwellings and other civic structures. Roads are winding and narrow and usually not wide enough to accommodate a cart. Rope bridges provide easy foot travel through the wild spaces. Setessa encompasses a sprawling area on the border between the Nistos Forest and the open chaparral. Anthousa, Setessan Hero leads Karametra's Council of Warriors. She is considered the god's closest advisor and de facto ruler of the city.

  • The Amatrophon is a menagerie at the edge of the polis.
  • Setessa has a nexus honoring each of Nylea's seasons and the accompanying Karametran planting rituals. As conduits to the various gods, the nexuses are a source of enchantment magic in this region. This phenomenon is called the Kelema Veil. It has been described as a misty starfield that flows across the land. Inside the starfield are images that tell stories of the gods and can be used to predict the future.
  • There are four watchtowers in Setessa. Each is named for an animal, and each has a regiment of Setessan warriors attached to it: Leina Tower (lion), Hyrax Tower (falcon), Bassara Tower (fox) and Ophis Tower (serpent).
  • Abora Market is a giant, open-air market just inside the main gate.
  • The Summer Nexus, a holy grove.

Other poleis

  • Obscure legends say that another major polis once existed, a coastal city known as Arixmethes, that Heliod smote with Khrusor and cast into the sea.
  • The same tale is told about Olantis, whose inhabitants' hubris enraged them.[9]
  • Smaller poleis exist, either human or belonging to other races (like the necropolises of Asphodel and Odunos, housing undead).
  • Iretis, a small polis near Meletis, bordering the wilds. Destroyed by leonin thanks to Ashiok, destined to become the third city for the Returned of Phenax.
  • Skophos, the minotaur polis, for centuries unknown to humans and remaining unexplored.[10]

Temples

Nykthos

The shrine of Nykthos is the gateway of Nyx. On this sacred ground, the worshippers can see their gods most clearly.[11]

Temple of Mystery

At the end of the world, the sea drains off a sharp edge and formes an epic waterfall. At the top of the waterfall, there is a massive olive tree growing up out of the water. This tree is the shrine to Kruphix, the enigmatic god of horizons.[12]

Siren Sea

The Siren Sea is the sea that borders Meletis and is home to the tritons.

  • The Dakra, or Isles of Enchantment, is a host of small islands near the coast of Meletis. The Dakra have rarely been settled by humans, as they harbor strange nymphs and fierce monsters, and are enchanted with the magic of the gods.

The Chaparral

The chaparral is a dense growth of shrubs and small trees, bordering Setessa and the Nessian Wilds.

  • Skola Valley, a verdant, highly enchanted valley dotted with copses of trees and occupied by satyrs.

The Nessian Wilds

The Nessian Wilds are home to beasts, hydras, snakes and centaur coursers.

Nistos Forest

The great Nistos Forest borders Setessa and the Chaparral.

Oreskos

Oreskos is the central domain of the leonin. It lies in a rocky river valley in a remote region of Theros. It is ruled by Brimaz, the Leonin King.

  • Tethmos is the primary leonin den, high in the mountains.

Uncertain locations

  • Deathbellow Canyon.[13]
  • The bleak mire of Hetos.[14]
  • The white plains of Ketaphos.[15]
  • The Lindus.[16]
  • Mount Velus where the forge of Purphoros burns.[17]

Races

  • Humans
  • Cats: After the fall of the Archon tyrant Agnomakhos, who used them for his army, the Leonins rejected human civilization and culture.
  • Centaurs: Divided into the somewhat civilised Lagonna band and the more primal Pheres band.
  • Gorgons: Mysterious, rare beings with ancient knowledge.
  • Merfolk: Occur in Theros' seas, some living in Meletis, and exalt Thassa above the other gods.
  • Minotaurs: Barbaric, barely sapient brutes.
  • Satyrs: Hedonistic goatmen with a duplicitous nature.
  • Spirit: The Eidolon, The remnant of the identity and soul of the Returned who've escaped Underworld.
  • Zombies: The Returned or Noston, Underworld escapees with an utter loss of identity.[18]
  • Archons: On Theros, they are explicitly malevolent, frequently attacking Meletis and providing one historical oppressor, Agnomakhos. They were once the main civilized race, forming a tyrannical empire over the lesser ones.
  • Basilisks: Primal monsters, associated with the minor god Pharika. (Although a basilisk is on the art of Time to feed, there are no creatures with the type in the block)
  • Chimeras: Magical creatures made from occult mixtures of life essences.
  • Cyclopes: Dimwitted one-eyed monsters.
  • Demons: Souls of the dead corrupted by hatred.
  • Dragons: Flying reptilian monsters.
  • Giants: Primal forces of nature given life.
  • Harpies: Malevolent birdwomen with a penchant for stealing.
  • Hounds: Represented primarily by dire, infernal cerberi.
  • Hydras: Ancient primal beasts of the land.
  • Krakens: Sea monsters.
  • Lamias: Female monsters with scaly, bestial bodies and humanoid faces.
  • Manticores: Spirits of brave soldiers made by the gods into powerful beasts, according to the Akroans.
  • Pegasi: Flying wild horses.
  • Phoenixes: Firebirds associated with the god Purphoros.
  • Sphinxes: Mysterious beings dispelling vague and dire prophecies.
  • Sirens: Another kind of malevolent bird women.

Stories

Planeswalker visitors

In-game references

Represented in:
Referred to:

Sources

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 29, 2016). "The Rabiah Scale". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ Xenagos. Planeswalker Biography. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on October 02, 2013.
  3. ↑ The Magic Creative Team (January 08, 2014). "Planeswalker's Guide to Born of the Gods". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 11, 2019). "Where It's At". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Wizards of the Coast. (4 Sep 2013.) "PAX Prime 2013 - Theros World Building Panel", Magic: the Gathering account on Youtube
  6. ↑ Trick Jarrett (SNovember 19, 2013). "Symbols of the Poleis". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (7 August 2015). "Here is the inspirations for the three main cities (aka poleis).". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Mike McArtor (February 20, 2014). "That's the Spirits!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Gavin Verhey (August 11, 2014). "A Look Inside From the Vault: Annihilation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Flavor text for Labyrinth of Skophos
  11. ↑ Trick Jarrett (September 24, 2013). "Checking Out Nykthos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Trick Jarrett (October 01, 2013). "Temple of Mystery". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Flavor text of Deathbellow War Cry
  14. ↑ Flavor text of Nyxborn Marauder
  15. ↑ Flavor text of Nyxborn Courser
  16. ↑ Flavor text of Nyxborn Seaguard
  17. ↑ Flavor text of Terror of Mount Velus
  18. ↑ Mike McArtor (March 26, 2015). "Forlorn Merchant of Melancholy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. ↑ a b c d e f g h Greg Weisman (November 2019). "War of the Spark: Forsaken". Del Rey.
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