Ravnica

Ravnica
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Visions of ravnica.jpg}}|250px]]
Information
First seen	Ravnica: City of Guilds
Last seen	Magic Origins
Planeswalkers	Domri Rade, Ral Zarek, Vraska
Rabiah Scale	1
Status	Stable

Ravnica is a plane whose main planet is covered in a large city, also referred to as Ravnica. It takes its flavor from that of Eastern Europe. Ravnica is the setting of the Ravnica block, Return to Ravnica block and Guilds of Ravnica block expansions.

Description

Ravnica is a worldwide cityscape; an ecumenopolis consisting of a patchwork of grand halls, decrepit slums, and ancient ruins, with layer upon layer of stonework. Law magic and the metaphysics of hierarchy are deeply woven into the very fabric of the plane, enabling cooperating leaders to achieve feats of greatness.

Of the world's countless civic centers, one looms large above all others: the City of Ravnica, a metropolis so vast that its name has long since become synonymous with the entire plane. Centuries of Ravnican business — powered in many cases by Izzet boilerworks and other guilds’ foundries — have saturated Ravnica’s atmosphere with all manner of industrial pollution. Prior to the events of Dissension, the city and plane of Ravnica had been ruled by the Ravnican guilds and governed by the Guildpact for more than ten millennia.

Ravnica has two moons. While much of its surface is urbanized, subterranean oceans exist.

Ravnica and the Multiverse

As a plane, Ravnica seems to be isolated from the rest of the Multiverse, in a seal similar to the Shard of the Twelve Worlds, but with Ravnica as the only plane. On the surface of this 'micro-shard' is a blister, a piece of folded aether that traps all Ravnican souls upon death, forcing them to become spirits and ghosts that manifest themselves on Ravnica's physical plane. This phenomenon might also improve the lifespan of its inhabitants; for example, Agrus Kos is a normal human, who is over 120 years old, an age likely roughly equivalent to 65–70 years on Earth.

History

The Erstwhile

A delicate and sophisticated race known as the Erstwhile once were an important soldier faction in Ravnica. They were laid to rest in coffins in Umerilek, Mausoleum of the Erstwhile. They returned as Zombie Attendants of Vraska.

Government and law: Guildpact

Izzet Steam Maze

Undercity Reaches

Ten thousand years before the events of Ravnica, City of Guilds, the plane of Ravnica boasted untold violence and brutality, with various factions constantly waging war against one or more of the others. Realizing that this neverending war would ultimately destroy everything, a council between ten factions was held, where the leader Azor I suggested establishing a living, breathing enchantment that would end the violence and ensure the survival of the factions. While some of the order-phobic factions had initial disagreements, the other nine leaders eventually concurred that such a pact was the best chance of survival. Each of the ten factions signed the Guildpact, and over time, these factions became the ten guilds of Ravnica.

The power of the Guildpact is subtle; it prevents any guild from dabbling into the business of any other guild or disturbing the stable power balance among the ten by twisting circumstance and coincidence to nullify the disruptive guild's actions. While the Guildpact is credited with bringing relative peace and prosperity to the plane, sporadic clashes between guilds do still occur. Despite any conflicts between the guilds at a particular time though, the anniversary of the Guildpact's signing is celebrated every year with a day-long festival, where all the people lay down their weapons and make merry. This celebration is called The Festival of the Guildpact.

Not all of Ravnica's citizens are a member of a guild; the vast majority have no attachment. However, the guilds are a required part of daily life, and their presence is felt everywhere on Ravnica.

The Interregnum

In the novel Agents of Artifice, it came to pass that the guilds were officially disbanded. Many of the guilds were forcefully torn down due to the long simmering unrest the guildless held towards their masters. There were however, remainders of the guilds present.

The Return

The former guilds, however, were not long to rest, and they reestablished, many under new leadership. Some adopted a new purpose, as the original guildpact had bound them to a specific task for over ten thousand years, and the guildless dissented some of their morally questionable activities. Most guilds, however, follow the same basic structure they always had, as habit and traditions are forces at least as strong as the guildpact.

Demographics

Guilds

• The Azorius Senate is the legislative and judicial body of Ravnica bureaucracy. (White/Blue)
• The Boros Legion is a standing army that protects the Guildpact and contains the League of Wojek, the official peacekeepers of the City of Ravnica. (Red/White)
• The House Dimir is a shadowy and manipulative guild that most believe no longer exists (and some who know have their knowledge wiped out), it provides illegal but necessary services. (Blue/Black)
• The Cult of Rakdos, considered a necessary evil by some, is composed of thrill-killers who provide the heavy labor force of the plane. (Black/Red)
• The Golgari Swarm manages food production and organic waste disposal. (Black/Green)
• The Gruul Clans have fallen from their former glory as the keepers of Ravnica’s wilds and now are nothing but a loose affiliation of berserker clans. (Red/Green)
• The Izzet League is responsible for civil engineering works and new magical developments. (Blue/Red)
• The Orzhov Syndicate regulates trade and banking, among others. (White/Black)
• The Selesnya Conclave promotes the strongest religion and its ledev guards patrol the rural areas. (Green/White)
• The Simic Combine provides medical assistance and performs biological research. (Green/Blue)

Geography

• The Center of Ravnica. The hub of the great city and the entire plane. One of the only exposed areas of Ravnica’s original surface of any significant size. This site is actually the top of a mountain. At street level, it is flat, solid ground where many important halls and monuments are located
  • The Transguild Promenade
  • Avaric, a district once in thrall to the Orzhov Syndicate. Deeply resents the guilds.
    • Bitter End Tavern
  • The Azorious District on the waterfront. Also known as the Tenth District.
    • Old Prahv, the former guildhall. Now a wilderness preserve.
    • New Prahv, the guildhall
    • The Forum of Azor.
      • The Pillar of the Paruns
    • Centerfort
    • Parha, a run-down industrial quarter given to the Orzhov for demolition and reclamation
    • Rokiric Pavillion
    • Headquarters of the Living Guildpact
    • Tin Street
      • Tin Street Market. A favourite of Vraska.
    • Zonot Seven. The only zonot (sinkhole) inside the boundaries of the Tenth District, Zonot Seven is home to Zameck, the current guildhall of the Simic Combine.
    • Zobar, one of the Titans of Ravnica. Now destroyed.
    • Empty Cup Row, an abandoned building block used by the Izzet for experiments
    • The Detention Compound, a place of correction for criminals
  • The Boros District with many forts and barracks, including Sunhome is located here, as well as the the main Wojek command center. Some of Ravnica's industries is also here.
    • Sunhome, the guildhall
    • Horizon Military Academy, a training center for Boros recruits
    • Centerfort, the headquarters of the Wojek League.
  • Deadbridge, a neighborhood controlled by the Golgari. Used as a public disposal for corpses.
  • Gnat Alley, Ravnica's longest continuous street.
  • Dravhoc, a district built into a mountain, constructed in terraces.
  • Favarial, a district built across a large body of fresh water. One of the more wealthier districts.
  • The Izzet District, full of factories and labs.
    • Nivix, the guildhall
    • Mizzium Foundry, the only place on Ravnica that manufactures Mizzium.
  • Ivy Street
  • Lurias, a district far away from the Center of Ravnica near a "coastline", the meeting place of a swamp used for farming and a large river.
  • Mauzam Asylum
  • Ovitzia, a district full of mansions of the wealthy.
  • The Orzhov District, containing mansions, banks, trading posts and churches. Also known as the Sixth District.
    • Orzhova, the guildhall.
    • Irbitov, an Orzhov-controlled quarter populated with mausoleums, memorial statues, and underground vaults.
    • Vizkopa Bank, the center of Orzhov commerce. A massive institution encrusted with guardian gargoyles and orbited by the floating spirits of Orzhovan debtors.
    • Coiner's Row, the business district
  • Kalnika Quarter
  • The Moon Market, held every fifth full moon and dedicated to forbidden wares.
  • Nightveil, a precinct under Dimir control. Despite numerous attempts from Boros, Azorius and Orzhov, no criminal activities could be proven.
    • Dinrova Heights, a massive building used as a meeting place for the high-ranking guild mages of the Dimir.
    • Bane Alley, a street where "illegal" services like assassination, extortion or graft are offered by Dimir agents.
  • The Plague Quarter
  • Sage's Row, a place critical to the guilds
  • Shanav Quarter, a place known for its hostility to the Selesnya
  • The Simic District
    • Novijen, the guildhall. Now Destroyed.
  • Ismeri Library, an officially guildless public library under Dimir control. Used as a major coomunication center of the guild.
  • The Smelting District, center of Ravnica's industry. Home to numerous unguilded.
    • Keyhole Downs, a place known for its dishonest merchants. Rumored to have ties with the Rakdos.
  • The Second District. One of the more fashionable parts of the city.
  • The Ninth District. Former Azorius territory, but lost after the Guildpact broke. Recently claimed by the Boros from the Gruul and Rakdos with the aid of Gideon Jura.
    • The One Hundred Steps, a gateway that connects the Ninth District with the Azorius District
  • Titan's Keg Tavern, often frequented by giants.
  • Old Rav, older and deeper parts of Ravnica. Realm of the Golgari
    • Rozlad Square
    • The First Vineyard, claims to be oldest tavern on Ravnica
  • Zanikev, largest reclamation zone of the Golgari, encompassing several former neighborhoods.
  • the Undercity is hidden in the base of the mountain. The Rakdos mining has changed the center of the mountain into a giant column.
    • The Demon's Vestibule, the staircase down
    • The Hellhole, housing of the Rakdos.
    • Rix Maadi, the Rakdos guildhall
    • The Festival Grounds, a vast, derelict courtyard near Rix Maadi.
    • Umerilek, Mausoleum of the Erstwhile.
    • Duskmantle, guildhall of House Dimir
    • Svogthos, guildhall of the Golgari. Now abandoned.
    • Korozda, the Maze of Decay. New guildhall of the Golgari.
    • House of the Ochran, headquarters of the Golgari assassins
• The Utvara Reclamation Zone, a harsh land situated outside the main city.
  • Vitar Yescu an enormous tree. Planted to cleanse the plague, it was mostly burnt to the ground when the dragons awoke.
  • Vitu-Ghazi, former guildhall of the Selesnya Conclave. Now destroyed.
• The Ivory Oaks, a stand of massive trees guarded by an order of albino loxodon warrior-priests.
• Sumala, a giant meditation garden and home to some of the most magnificent Selesnyan architecture and scenic artistry.
• Kasarna training grounds.
• The Great Concourse. This is a massive series of interwoven roadways that are elevated through and high above the forest canopy.
• The Ghost Quarter of Agyrem, a "blister" on the plane of Ravnica.
  • The Schism, a rift
• The Samok Stand, a grove of towering trees slowly reclaiming the city. Defended by predators.
• The Rubblebelt, a discontinuous archipelago of wasteland zones outside of the Tenth District. Claimed by the Gruul Clans.
  • Skarrg, the gutted, cratered remains of a massive palace. A place of tradition for the Gruul.
  • Axebane Forest, a sentient forest under the protection of an order of Druids.
  • The Husk, headquarter of the Slizt Clan.
• The Rubblefield, once a wealthy district destroyed by a wurm.
• Zonot One. Speaker Zegana's home zonot. Zonot One is the smallest zonot and has a somewhat somber feeling compared to others.
• Zonot Four. The largest of the zonots has the marine troll Trifon as its speaker.
• Zonot Five, a tourist destination, where the guildless can come to see the ocean as well as to observe Simic life.
  • The Helical Stair, an enormous column of marine plant matter
• Jezeru, an entire district covered in shallow water. An attempt to bring the Simic aboveground.

Trivia

• Ravnicas currency is referred to as zibs and zinos.
• Ravnica means "plain" in Serbo-Croatian, it's pronounced "rahv-NEE-tsah", coming from the word ravan, meaning flat, level.

Planeswalker visitors

• Azor
• Baltrice
• Chandra Nalaar
• Dack Fayden
• Domri Rade
• Dovin Baan
• Garruk Wildspeaker
• Gideon Jura
• Jace Beleren
• Liliana Vess
• Leshrac
• Nicol Bolas
• Nissa Revane
• Ral Zarek
• Sifa Grent
• Tezzeret
• Ugin
• Vraska

External links

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