Shiv

The island of Shiv is the most powerful source of red mana on Dominaria. It lies on the northeastern part of the string of continents of which Jamuraa also forms a part. An inhospitable volcanic landmass, Shiv sits in an deep-ocean Ring of Fire which fuels the coastal waters to near boiling point. Only the Viashino know the secrets of how to navigate these inhospitable waters, much to the ire of the Shivans. Shiv’s inhabitants include the Viashino, Goblin, the nomadic Ghitu and of course the Shivan Dragons.

History of Shiv

During the ancient times of the Thran Empire an outpost of this large empire was located on Shiv. This Mana Rig was used to produce powerstones. The structure remained standing for ages after the fall of the Thran. The descendants of the goblin slaves that operated the rig forgot how it was supposed to be used, but created a form of religion surrounding the structure.

During his studies on Tolaria Urza discovered an amulet of Thran-steel one of his students, the Shivan Jhoira, carried. Hoping to be able to use it in his quest against Phyrexia Urza traveled to the volcanic island and managed to make peace with the Viashino living by the rig by making peace with the dragon Gherridarigaaz and he managed to persuade the goblins to work with Viashino for his cause. From that time on the Rig produced many powerstones for his Legacy.

When the Phyrexian Invasion broke out, the Rig was used offensively by Jhoira against the Phyrexians, much to the charging of Urza, but her old friend, the planeswalker Teferi, had decided he’d rather flee than fight and wanted her to go along with him. Teferi phased out a large chunk of Shiv along with Jhoira and part of the Mana Rig. During this time the primeval dragon of Shiv, Rhammidarigaaz, who had been reborn as the son of Gherridarigaaz, discovered his origin and started awakening the other dragons.

Shiv hasn’t been seen since the Invasion, but the Dragons of the island have been mentioned in relation to Rorix Bladewing. Apparently only a few of these dragons remain in their homeland trying to rebuild it, while many others have journeyed away to seek other ways to restore the broken pride of their race.