Bontu
| Bontu | |
|---|---|
| God of Ambition | |
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Bontu.jpg}}|250px]] | |
| Details | |
| Race |
God Later Zombie God |
| Birthplace | Amonkhet |
| Died |
4560 AR Eternalized 4560 AR Killed 4560 AR |
| Colors | |
 | |
Crocodile-headed Bontu was the Amonkhet god of ambition.[1]
Description
She taught that no one is born strong — they become it. She considered pride and cunning to be tools for self-growth. Bontu was closely associated with the process of embalming both the initiates who attained a Glorious Death and those who fell ingloriously along the way.
Bontu oversaw the fourth trial: The Trial of Ambition. This tested the willingness of the initiates to do what must be done. Some had to sacrifice themselves for the crop, and some were culled to further the chances of the others.[2]
She was the most solitary of the gods, spending most of her time in the embalming chambers. She oversaw the creation of mummies, taking the best for herself. She believed herself to be the most worthy of Amonkhet's gods.[3]
History
Hour of Devastation
After the arrival of Nicol Bolas, Bontu revealed that she had helped Nicol Bolas conquer Amonkhet, betraying her plane and her godly siblings to fulfill her ambition. During the Hour of Devastation, she was ordered by Bolas to kill Hazoret, but after defeating her sister, Bolas betrayed Bontu and killed her, leaving Hazoret the only god of Amonkhet alive.[4]
War of the Spark
Bontu was zombified. During the War of the Spark on Ravnica, she reappeared as a God-Eternal in Bolas's army. After the repentance of Liliana Vess and her salvation by Gideon Jura's sacrifice, Liliana commanded Bontu and Oketra to attack Bolas.[5] As the God-Eternals advanced, Nicol Bolas remained defiant and confident but was caught off guard by Niv-Mizzet who impaled the elder dragon through the back with Hazoret's spear. Although Bolas managed to obliterate Oketra, the distraction that Niv-Mizzet provided allowed Bontu to bite Bolas and harvest all of the God-Pharaoh's sparks, including his own. Bontu was unable to contain all of the sparks, and subsequently exploded.[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 the god of power and military prowess. Sobek was also considered a solar deity, which may be an inspiration for the lens-like object at the end of Bontu's staff. Sobek is described as aggressive and animalistic. Examples of his epithets include "He who loves robbery", "He who eats while he also mates," and "pointed of teeth." He also has a benevolent side as well.
There might also be some inspiration from Ammit, a female demonic deity with a crocodile head that devoured unworthy souls.
The protective and at the same time dangerous aspect of Bontu is inspired by the goddess Taweret.
Bontu's ambition for power can be identified with Seth (god of the deserts, storms, disorder, violence, and foreigner), who took the throne from his brother Osiris.
The name may have been inspired by the similarly-named deity Montu.
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.
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.
- ↑ a b Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
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