Ral Zarek

Ral Zarek is a blue and red-aligned planeswalker native to the city plane of Ravnica and a high ranking guildmage devoted to the Izzet League. While he has ascended, he's managed to hide this fact from Niv-Mizzet, an impressive task in and of itself. Indeed, Ral has never looked to the ancient dragon as a role model or mentor, but as a nuisance at best and a likely adversary at worst. Ral is the chief researcher investigating the ancient codes laid out in the Tenth District, the leylines and secrets that make up the Intrinsic Maze that so fascinates his guildmaster.

History

Deep into the project, Ral's efforts took him underground to the most ancient catacombs of the undercity with his attendant Skreeg. He was drawn by the potency of the leylines, the invisible bands of energy running deep beneath Ravnica's heights. Unfortunately for many involved, the Izzet team ran afoul of the Golgari Swarm, who insisted that any unclaimed territory was their own. When Ral refused to be cowed by the Golgari threats, the swarm of shamans raised the myriad dead to drive them out of the tunnels, or murder them, whichever was most expedient. His team overwhelmed, Ral used the mana coils, a device meant to track the leylines, as a power source, funneling the entire energy of a leyline through his elemental gauntlets. It blew apart virtually everything in the tunnels, leaving only himself and several of his Izzet accomplices standing. Unfortunately, the activity under the skin of the world drew the attention of the Golgari Swarm, adding them to the ever growing list of guilds concerned about the Izzet activity. Luckily, the explosion had the unintended side effect of exposing the pattern they'd been looking for in the first place. Several days later, in search of the Dimir gate, Ral and his goblin assistant caught the attention of Jace Beleren. Their activity had drawn the young telepath to the Izzet's goals and he had begun his own line of research. As they were followed, the pair made directly for Izzet territory where they gave their report directly to Niv-Mizzet, who detected their erstwhile shadow.

Ral continued his research, his attentions drawn vertically as the leylines rose into the sky. As his quest continued, Ral became more and more reckless and less inclined to let anything stand in his way. When the leyline crossed an Azorius aerie, Ral took the most immediate solution he could think of, summoning a massive storm elemental to wreak havoc across the tower, forcing a confrontation with the Azorius occupying it. A short battle ensued with Ral one step closer to his goal.

Trivia

• Ral Zarek made his debut in the Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 expansion. The third such character to appear in such a way.

In-game references

Depicted in:

• Homing Lightning
• Prophetic Bolt (Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari)

Quoted or referred to:

• Watery Grave (Gatecrash)

External links

• Monty Ashley (October 18, 2012). "The Magic: The Gathering Coloring Book". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
• Trick Jarrett (November 12, 2012). "Announcing Dragon's Maze". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.