Raven Man

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The Raven Man
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Ravenman.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Appears Human
Birthplace Unknown
Lifetime Unknown

The Raven Man is a mysterious figure, who haunts Liliana Vess. He first appeared to her on Dominaria, where he claimed to be a supporter of her father.

Nature

The Raven Man appears as an older man with precisely trimmed white hair and beard, and an immaculate - if slightly dated - mode of dress. He has shining gold eyes.[1]

He is able to transform into a flock of ravens.[2][3] Because he has appeared on several planes, Liliana had previously suspected he was a planeswalker.[4] Because the Raven Man always knew where Liliana had been and what she had been doing there. Liliana later began to suspect that he may, in fact, be incorporeal, an affliction of her own mind, a curse, or a mental parasite.[5] Noting that he hadn't changed a bit since she had first met him, Liliana later wondered if he was an illusion or a very precise shapeshifter.[1] It is worth noting that his form of a flock of ravens can be seen by other people (e.g. Araithia Shokta), but not his humanoid form.[1]

Although claiming that all he ever wanted was to guide Liliana toward becoming the best, truest, and most powerful version of herself, Liliana realizes that all he actually wants is her obedience and to use her.[1]

History

When Liliana's brother Josu was poisoned by her father's enemies, the Raven Man offered his assistance, though he warned that her family would not want her to use his cure. Liliana returned to the castle and despite the warnings of Lady Ana, she used the cure. Truly, it cured Josu of his affliction, but only at the cost of driving him insane and poisoning him anew.

The Raven Man also seemingly orchestrated Liliana's discovery of the Chain Veil on Shandalar.[6][7]

When Jace Beleren, under the influence of the cryptoliths on Innistrad, tried to mentally assault Liliana in her mansion, the Raven Man protected her and tried to convince her to kill Jace.[8] Later, he repeatedly tried to contact Liliana to convince her to flee from Emrakul's onslaught.[9] In both cases, she defied him and refused to listen to his arguments, suspecting that nothing good would come from acting on his advice.

Despite this, he later reappeared to her on Amonkhet, revealing that he had been keeping tabs on her and even saved her life again by taking control over the Chain Veil. While he tolerated her affiliation with the Gatewatch to gain useful servants, he warned her to not become too attached to them and focus on what really mattered.[5] Back on Dominaria, he plagued Liliana again, taunting her but never giving answers. Here she began to suspect that he had tortured her in her youth to ignite her spark.[10]

After the events of the War of the Spark on Ravnica, Liliana fled home to Dominaria once more. Here, the Raven Man accosted her again.[1] He was utterly disappointed when Liliana, with the help of Ugin, managed to relieve herself of the Chain Veil.

When Liliana returned to Dominaria during the New Phyrexian Invasion, the Raven Man was revealed to be the ancient necromancer Lim-Dûl.[11]

Planes manifested

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
The Raven's Eye, Part 1 Jenna Helland 2010-06-17 Dominaria Liliana Vess, Ana, Josu Vess, Raven Man
The Raven's Eye, Part 3 Jenna Helland 2010-07-01 Shandalar Liliana Vess, Raven Man
Liliana's Origin: The Fourth Pact James Wyatt 2015-06-17 Magic Origins Dominaria, Two unknown planes Liliana Vess, Raven Man, Ana, Josu Vess, Nicol Bolas, Kothophed
Liliana's Indignation Kelly Digges 2016-04-20 Shadows over Innistrad Innistrad Liliana Vess, Raven Man, Jace Beleren, Gared
Servants Kelly Digges 2017-04-19 Amonkhet Amonkhet Liliana Vess, Raven Man, Jace Beleren, Temmet
Feast Alison Luhrs 2017-06-14 Hour of Devastation Amonkhet Liliana Vess, Jace Beleren, Razaketh, Raven Man, Gideon Jura, Chandra Nalaar, Nissa Revane
Hour of Devastation Ken Troop 2017-07-26 Hour of Devastation Amonkhet Nicol Bolas, Jace Beleren, Liliana Vess, Chandra Nalaar, Nissa Revane, Gideon Jura, Raven Man, Tezzeret
Return to Dominaria: Episode 2 Martha Wells 2018-03-22 Dominaria Dominaria Liliana Vess, Raven Man, Gideon Jura, Rael, Corin, Josu Vess
Homecoming Seanan McGuire 2022-08-12 Dominaria United Arcavios, Dominaria Liliana Vess, Raven Man, Lim-Dûl, Elas il-Kor

References

  1. ↑ a b c d e Greg Weisman (November 2019). "War of the Spark: Forsaken". Del Rey.
  2. ↑ Jenna Helland (2010). "The Raven's Eye, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ James Wyatt (June 17, 2015). "Liliana's Origin: The Fourth Pact". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ James Wyatt (July 29, 2015). "Unkindness of Ravens". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ a b Kelly Digges (April 19, 2017). "Servants". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Jenna Helland (2010). "The Raven's Eye, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ James Wyatt (July 2, 2014). "Veil of Deceit". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Kelly Digges (April 20, 2016). "Liliana's Indignation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Ken Troop (July 27, 2016). "The Promised End". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Martha Wells (March 22, 2018). "Return to Dominaria: Episode 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Jay Annelli. (2022.) Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.
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