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'''Glistening oil''', also known as '''Phyrexian oil''' or '''Ichor''', is a viral substance engineered by the [[Phyrexians]] to spread corruption wherever it travels. It is both a contagion and a means of colonization, used to [[compleat]] creatures into [[Phyrexians]] and power Phyrexian machines as well.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/infectiously-phyrexian-art-2010-11-02|Infectiously Phyrexian Art|[[Doug Beyer]]|November 03, 2010}}</ref>
'''Glistening oil''', also known as '''Phyrexian oil''' or '''Ichor''', is a viral substance engineered by the [[Phyrexians]] to spread corruption wherever it travels. It is both a contagion and a means of colonization, used to [[compleat]] creatures into [[Phyrexians]] and power Phyrexian machines as well.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/infectiously-phyrexian-art-2010-11-02|Infectiously Phyrexian Art|[[Doug Beyer]]|November 03, 2010}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Description==
The glistening oil is composed of two main elements - oil and [[powerstone]] nanites. It is normally black but can also be of other colors like green<ref>[[Will McDermott]] (1999), "[[Phyrexian Autopsy]]", [[The Official Urza's Destiny Game Guide]], [[Wizards of the Coast]].</ref> and gold.<ref>The Thran</ref> These components can be forced apart under specific sound frequencies, something [[Urza]], [[Xantcha]] and [[Ratepe]] exploit.<ref>Planeswalker</ref> In New Phyrexia the oil was further mixed with other fluids such as the liquid metal of the [[Quicksilver Sea]] and the [[necrogen]] gas of the dross swamps, so in art in ''[[Phyrexia: All Will Be One]]'' it is sometimes depicted as silver or green.
The glistening oil is composed of two main elements - oil and [[powerstone]] nanites. It is normally black but can also be of other colors like green<ref>[[Will McDermott]] (1999), "[[Phyrexian Autopsy]]", [[The Official Urza's Destiny Game Guide]], [[Wizards of the Coast]].</ref> and gold.<ref name="Thran">[[J. Robert King]]. (1999.) ''[[The Thran]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 0-7869-1600-1.</ref> These components can be forced apart under specific sound frequencies, something [[Urza]], [[Xantcha]] and [[Ratepe]] exploit.<ref name="Planeswalker">[[Lynn Abbey]]. (1998.) ''[[Planeswalker (novel)|Planeswalker]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13: 0-7869-1182-4.</ref> In New Phyrexia the oil was further mixed with other fluids such as the liquid metal of the [[Quicksilver Sea]] and the [[necrogen]] gas of the dross swamps, so in art in ''[[Phyrexia: All Will Be One]]'' it is sometimes depicted as silver or green.


==On Phyrexia==
The oil imparts a genetic memory of [[Yawgmoth]], [[Phyrexia]], and the [[Phyrexian (language)|Phyrexian language]], creating a throughline for the Phyrexian culture.<ref name="Building ONE">{{YouTubeRef|v2nHjMVtDqI|Building Worlds | Phyrexia: All Will Be One|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=January 12, 2023}}</ref>
Oil was present on the plane that would become Phyrexia when [[Dyfed]] brought [[Yawgmoth]] there. As Phyrexia as a concept and civilization is Yawgmoth's creation and Dyfed claims that the metal creatures of the world could be consumed it seems likely this oil was once innocuous but later modified into a corruptive agent, and indeed once Yawgmoth's will becomes one with Phyrexia the oil is first seen having mutagenic properties it previously did not have.<ref>The Thran</ref> Still, the oil was not refined as a fully infectious agent by the time of the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, though the new infectious variant did make it to Mirrodin.<ref>[https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/335418-ask-the-author-s?page=5#c156 Will McDermott (2005), "Regarding the oil and the Mycosinth", MTG Salvation]</ref>
 
==History==
===On Phyrexia===
Oil was present on the plane that would become Phyrexia when [[Dyfed]] brought [[Yawgmoth]] there. As Phyrexia as a concept and civilization is Yawgmoth's creation and Dyfed claims that the metal creatures of the world could be consumed it seems likely this oil was once innocuous but later modified into a corruptive agent, and indeed once Yawgmoth's will becomes one with Phyrexia the oil is first seen having mutagenic properties it previously did not have.<ref name="Thran"/> Still, the oil was not refined as a fully infectious agent by the time of the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, though the new infectious variant did make it to Mirrodin.<ref>[https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/335418-ask-the-author-s?page=5#c156 Will McDermott (2005), "Regarding the oil and the Mycosinth", MTG Salvation]</ref>


The [[Fifth Sphere]] of [[Phyrexia]], called the ''Boiling Sea'', was an ocean of glistening oil used by Vat Priests of the [[Fourth Sphere]] to breed [[newts]].
The [[Fifth Sphere]] of [[Phyrexia]], called the ''Boiling Sea'', was an ocean of glistening oil used by Vat Priests of the [[Fourth Sphere]] to breed [[newts]].


==On Dominaria==
===On Dominaria===
In post-apocalyptic [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], black-aligned knights and wizards were tainted by the lands where Yawgmoth and his minions had been defeated. You could see evidence of this corruption in the black ichor that ran out of their eyes.<ref>{{DailyRef|ichor-eyes-and-mask-yawgmoth-2007-08-02|Ichor Eyes and the Mask of Yawgmoth|[[Magic Arcana]]|August 02, 2007}}</ref> In the [[Mending Era]] a sample of live, glistening oil recovered from [[Koilos]] is rumored to be preserved in the labs of the [[Tolarian Academy|Academy]] of [[Tolaria West]].<ref name="Dominaria art book">[[James Wyatt]] (2018), ''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Dominaria]]''. [[VIZ Media]].</ref>
In post-apocalyptic [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], black-aligned knights and wizards were tainted by the lands where Yawgmoth and his minions had been defeated. You could see evidence of this corruption in the black ichor that ran out of their eyes.<ref>{{DailyRef|ichor-eyes-and-mask-yawgmoth-2007-08-02|Ichor Eyes and the Mask of Yawgmoth|[[Magic Arcana]]|August 02, 2007}}</ref> In the [[Mending Era]] a sample of live, glistening oil recovered from [[Koilos]] is rumored to be preserved in the labs of the [[Tolarian Academy|Academy]] of [[Tolaria West]].<ref name="Dominaria art book">[[James Wyatt]] (2018), ''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Dominaria]]''. [[VIZ Media]].</ref>


During the Second Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, one farmer who was passed by Teferi cried tears of Glistening oil and later had her mouth filled with tentacles as she told Teferi to surrender to Perfection. Teferi cast a time-stop spell, freezing her in place.
===The Infection of Karn===
 
==The Infection of Karn==
Without knowing it, [[Karn]] carried a trace of the Phyrexian oil within him, inside the Phyrexian [[heartstone]] granted to him long ago by [[Urza]]. Karn left traces of the oil in his travels from plane to plane, including the artificial world that he created: [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirrodin]].  
Without knowing it, [[Karn]] carried a trace of the Phyrexian oil within him, inside the Phyrexian [[heartstone]] granted to him long ago by [[Urza]]. Karn left traces of the oil in his travels from plane to plane, including the artificial world that he created: [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirrodin]].  


==The Infection of Mirrodin==
===The Infection of Mirrodin===
The glistening oil planted a virus on Mirrodin that slowly spread.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/phyrexia-and-vaultlord-2010-09-08|Phyrexia and the Vaultlord|[[Doug Beyer]]|September 08, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/spreading-infection-2010-10-06|Spreading the Infection|[[Doug Beyer]]|October 06, 2010}}</ref> The first to be infected was Mirrodin's keeper, [[Memnarch]]. Unbeknownst to most Mirrans, Phyrexia was rebuilding itself, using their world as its host substrate. Mirrodin's metal structures and metal-infused inhabitants were a perfect breeding ground for the spread of Phyrexian corruption. As the nascent civilization of Phyrexia expanded in secret, it struggled to evolve a unified purpose, and the danger for the plane of Mirrodin grew until it evolved into [[New Phyrexia (plane)|New Phyrexia]].
The glistening oil planted a virus on Mirrodin that slowly spread.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/phyrexia-and-vaultlord-2010-09-08|Phyrexia and the Vaultlord|[[Doug Beyer]]|September 08, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/spreading-infection-2010-10-06|Spreading the Infection|[[Doug Beyer]]|October 06, 2010}}</ref> The first to be infected was Mirrodin's keeper, [[Memnarch]]. Unbeknownst to most Mirrans, Phyrexia was rebuilding itself, using their world as its host substrate. Mirrodin's metal structures and metal-infused inhabitants were a perfect breeding ground for the spread of Phyrexian corruption. As the nascent civilization of Phyrexia expanded in secret, it struggled to evolve a unified purpose, and the danger for the plane of Mirrodin grew until it evolved into [[New Phyrexia (plane)|New Phyrexia]].


The glistening oil was the catalyst for the evolution of [[Mycosynth]] and is found in large quantities in the corrupted [[Quicksilver Sea]].
The glistening oil was the catalyst for the evolution of [[Mycosynth]] and is found in large quantities in the corrupted [[Quicksilver Sea]].


[[Jin-Gitaxias]] was the [[praetor]] who discovered how to [[compleat]] [[planeswalker]]s with glistening oil.<ref name="Blue">{{TwitterRef|HipstersMTG|1586823935995547648|author=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]|title=Jin-Gitaxias was influenced by blue mana, so he looked for things with knowledge.|date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> He also further perfected the oil to be more virulent than it was previously, weakening [[Melira]]'s healing abilities.<ref>Magic The Gathering The Visual Guide </ref>
[[Jin-Gitaxias]] was the [[praetor]] who discovered how to [[compleat]] [[planeswalker]]s with glistening oil.<ref name="Blue">{{TwitterRef|HipstersMTG|1586823935995547648|author=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]|title=Jin-Gitaxias was influenced by blue mana, so he looked for things with knowledge.|date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> He also further perfected the oil to be more virulent than it was previously, weakening [[Melira]]'s healing abilities.<ref name="Visual Guide">[[Jay Annelli]]. (2022.) ''[[Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide]]'', [[Wikipedia:DK (publisher)|DK]]. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.</ref>


==In-game references==
==In-game references==

Revision as of 06:42, 17 February 2023

Glistening oil
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Glistening oil.jpg}}|250px]]
Characteristics
Origin Phyrexia
Status Unknown

Glistening oil, also known as Phyrexian oil or Ichor, is a viral substance engineered by the Phyrexians to spread corruption wherever it travels. It is both a contagion and a means of colonization, used to compleat creatures into Phyrexians and power Phyrexian machines as well.[1]

Description

The glistening oil is composed of two main elements - oil and powerstone nanites. It is normally black but can also be of other colors like green[2] and gold.[3] These components can be forced apart under specific sound frequencies, something Urza, Xantcha and Ratepe exploit.[4] In New Phyrexia the oil was further mixed with other fluids such as the liquid metal of the Quicksilver Sea and the necrogen gas of the dross swamps, so in art in Phyrexia: All Will Be One it is sometimes depicted as silver or green.

The oil imparts a genetic memory of Yawgmoth, Phyrexia, and the Phyrexian language, creating a throughline for the Phyrexian culture.[5]

History

On Phyrexia

Oil was present on the plane that would become Phyrexia when Dyfed brought Yawgmoth there. As Phyrexia as a concept and civilization is Yawgmoth's creation and Dyfed claims that the metal creatures of the world could be consumed it seems likely this oil was once innocuous but later modified into a corruptive agent, and indeed once Yawgmoth's will becomes one with Phyrexia the oil is first seen having mutagenic properties it previously did not have.[3] Still, the oil was not refined as a fully infectious agent by the time of the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, though the new infectious variant did make it to Mirrodin.[6]

The Fifth Sphere of Phyrexia, called the Boiling Sea, was an ocean of glistening oil used by Vat Priests of the Fourth Sphere to breed newts.

On Dominaria

In post-apocalyptic Dominaria, black-aligned knights and wizards were tainted by the lands where Yawgmoth and his minions had been defeated. You could see evidence of this corruption in the black ichor that ran out of their eyes.[7] In the Mending Era a sample of live, glistening oil recovered from Koilos is rumored to be preserved in the labs of the Academy of Tolaria West.[8]

The Infection of Karn

Without knowing it, Karn carried a trace of the Phyrexian oil within him, inside the Phyrexian heartstone granted to him long ago by Urza. Karn left traces of the oil in his travels from plane to plane, including the artificial world that he created: Mirrodin.

The Infection of Mirrodin

The glistening oil planted a virus on Mirrodin that slowly spread.[9][10] The first to be infected was Mirrodin's keeper, Memnarch. Unbeknownst to most Mirrans, Phyrexia was rebuilding itself, using their world as its host substrate. Mirrodin's metal structures and metal-infused inhabitants were a perfect breeding ground for the spread of Phyrexian corruption. As the nascent civilization of Phyrexia expanded in secret, it struggled to evolve a unified purpose, and the danger for the plane of Mirrodin grew until it evolved into New Phyrexia.

The glistening oil was the catalyst for the evolution of Mycosynth and is found in large quantities in the corrupted Quicksilver Sea.

Jin-Gitaxias was the praetor who discovered how to compleat planeswalkers with glistening oil.[11] He also further perfected the oil to be more virulent than it was previously, weakening Melira's healing abilities.[12]

In-game references

Represented in:
Referred to:

References