Bontu
| Bontu | |
|---|---|
| God of Ambition | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Colors |
 |
| Species | God Eternal |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Amonkhet |
| Death |
4560 AR Eternalized 4560 AR Killed 4560 AR |
Bontu was the revered crocodile-headed god of Amonkhet who embodied the ideal and relentless pursuit of ambition above all else.[1] As a member of the pantheon created by Nicol Bolas, Bontu guided the plane's initiates through trials designed to test their loyalty, cunning, and willingness to sacrifice anything for greatness. Worshipped and feared in equal measure, she demanded ruthless self-betterment and viewed strength as something to be earned through struggle and sacrifice rather than granted by birth. Her teachings shaped countless lives on Amonkhet, leaving a legacy defined by power, betrayal, and undeath.
Description
Bontu taught that no one is born strong — they become strong through trials, sacrifice, and cunning. She considered pride and ambition to be powerful tools for self-growth and mastery over others. Bontu was closely associated with the process of embalming both the initiates who attained a Glorious Death through the Trials of the Five Gods and those who fell ingloriously along the way, ensuring that even failures served a purpose.
Bontu oversaw the fourth trial: the Trial of Ambition, which took place in Bontu's Monument, a large monument dedicated to her glory and symbolizing her ideals. This trial tested the willingness of the initiates to do what must be done in pursuit of greatness. Some were forced to sacrifice themselves for the crop, proving their worth through death, while others were culled to increase the chances of the strong surviving and ascending.[2]
She was the most solitary and aloof of the gods, spending much of her time in the embalming chambers where she communed with the dead and judged their worth. She oversaw the creation of countless mummies, taking the best and most loyal for herself as an extension of her will. Bontu firmly believed herself to be the most worthy among Amonkhet's gods, embodying ruthless self-interest and unwavering determination.[3]
History
Hour of Devastation
After the arrival of Nicol Bolas during the Final Hours, Bontu revealed that she had secretly helped Nicol Bolas conquer Amonkhet, betraying her plane and her fellow gods to fulfill her insatiable ambition for power and favor. Unlike her siblings, Bontu willingly allied with the elder dragon, believing he would reward her loyalty. During the Hour of Devastation, she was ordered by Bolas to kill Hazoret, her sister god. After defeating Hazoret in combat and nearly fulfilling her master's command, Bolas betrayed Bontu without hesitation and struck her down, leaving Hazoret the only surviving god of Amonkhet.[4]
War of the Spark
After her death, Bontu was zombified by Nicol Bolas and transformed into one of the God-Eternals, becoming a fearsome, undying weapon in his service. During the War of the Spark on Ravnica, Bontu appeared alongside the other corrupted gods to enforce Bolas's will and sow terror among his enemies. When the necromancer Liliana Vess turned against Bolas, empowered by Gideon Jura's sacrifice, she seized control of Bontu and Oketra, ordering them to attack their creator. As the God-Eternals advanced on Bolas, the elder dragon remained arrogantly defiant until he was ambushed by Niv-Mizzet, who impaled him with Hazoret's spear. The surprise attack gave Bontu the chance to strike; she bit Bolas and harvested all of the God-Pharaoh's stolen sparks, including his own. However, Bontu could not contain the raw power of so many sparks and was torn apart in a final explosion.[5]
Inspiration
Bontu's crocodilian visage was likely inspired by Sobek, the Egyptian god of fertility and the Nile River. Sobek is known as a guardian deity but is also associated with power, protection, and military prowess. Sobek was also considered a solar deity, which may have inspired the lens-like object at the end of Bontu's staff. Sobek is described as aggressive and animalistic; his epithets include "He who loves robbery," "He who eats while he also mates," and "pointed of teeth." Despite this ferocity, he was revered as a benevolent protector as well.
There might also be some inspiration from Ammit, a female demonic deity with a crocodile head who devoured unworthy souls after their hearts were weighed.
The protective yet dangerous aspect of Bontu also echoes the goddess Taweret, who combined maternal and fearsome qualities.
Bontu's ruthless ambition for power aligns with aspects of Seth (Set), the god of deserts, storms, chaos, violence, and foreign lands, who famously usurped the throne from his brother Osiris.
The name Bontu may have been inspired by the similarly named Egyptian deity Montu, a god of war and valor.
Story appearances
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
- Quoted or referred to:
Gallery
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A scroll of Bontu from Magic: Legends. -
Bontu's Monument -
God-Eternal Bontu
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast. Explore the planes: Amonkhet
- ↑ Michael Yichao (May 3, 2017). "Brazen". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer (2017). Amonkhet Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Michael Yichao (July 5, 2017). "Favor". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
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