Dralnu
| Dralnu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Colors |
  |
| Species | Lich |
| Job | Necromancer |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Urborg, Dominaria |
| Lifetime | War with Phyrexia |
| Born | Unknown |
| Death | 4205 AR |
| Sources | |
| Planeshift | |
Dralnu was an undead necromancer from Urborg who aided the Coalition forces before betraying them.[1]
Description
Dralnu was a tall, strong figure in ornate robes. Within regal sleeves of embroidered silk, the lich had powerful arms. Above an upturned collar rose a stout neck and a rugged face. The smile on the man’s lips seemed almost boyish, and a fragile light shone in his deep-set eyes. Gray hair stood in an unkempt halo around his temples. So friendly, so familiar was that visage that it might be missed that his skin was mummified. He bore a remarkable resemblance to the metathran commander Thaddeus.[2]
History
In life, Dralnu had been a warrior, but he fell in battle and was reanimated by an unknown Urborgan necromancer. However, Dralnu retained an unusual level of awareness and intelligence as a zombie and, therefore, became the apprentice of the lich lady that had reanimated him. Dralnu learned the necromantic arts from her and used them to enhance his body and mind to become a lich himself. Then he killed his master and took control of her undead legions. He also took control of Vhelnish, which he converted into a working city rather than simply a place for the lich lady to display her undead collection. From there, Dralnu became a major unseen power in Urborg, commanding thousands of undead minions.
During the Phyrexian Invasion, Dralnu allied with the metathran forces on Urborg and helped them advance toward the Stronghold. However, during a supposed alliance ritual, he also infected Agnate with a plague to take control of the metathran army. Commander Grizzlegom realized this and revealed Dralnu's betrayal to the metathran generals. Dralnu feigned innocence and, in turn, accused Grizzlegom of killing Agnate (which was technically true). To resolve the matter, Dralnu and Grizzlegom agreed to submit themselves to the metathran commanders by binding their arms behind their backs and wearing hoods while the metathran passed judgment. Dralnu was deemed guilty of the murder and was executed. To ensure he could not be reborn, Grizzlegom and the metathran then made sure to destroy all of his phylacteries and necromantic equipment, as well as slaughter his undead minions.
Dralnu is one of the many historical figures that was displaced in time and thought to exist in present-day Dominaria. It is unknown whether this was the real Dralnu that had been somehow displaced in time or if this was a temporal echo of the authentic individual.
As of 4562 AR, he was said to be truly dead.[3]
Story appearances
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planeshift | J. Robert King | February 2001 | Planeshift | Dominaria, Phyrexia Rath | Multani, Gaea, Karn, Urza, Agnate, Eladamri, Sivvi en-Vec, Rhammidarigaaz, Gerrard Capashen, Tahngarth, Sisay, Squee, Tsabo Tavoc, Crovax, Freyalise, Dalwyri, Gemath, Dalepoc, Allisor, Tevesh Szat, Themeus, Orim, Guff, Bo Levar, Kristina of the Woods, Taysir, Daria, Windgrace, Dralnu, Astor, Olvresk, Tajamin, Nemata, Rith, Rokun, Treva, Grizzlegom, Greven il-Vec, Dromar, Ertai, Stokken, Lairsen, Rilgesh, Selenia, Crosis, Yawgmoth, Mishra, Hanna |
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
References
- ↑ a b c d e Brady Dommermuth (November 13, 2006). "The Legends of Time Spiral". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016.
- ↑ J. Robert King. (2001.) Planeshift, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 0-7869-1802-0.
- ↑ Roy Graham (September 1, 2022). "The Legends You'll Find in Dominaria United". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.