Ephara

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Ephara
God of the Poleis
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Ephara.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race God
Birthplace Theros
Colors
{W}{U}

Ephara is the God of the Polis on Theros. She is associated with white and blue mana.

Description

Ephara is the god of city-states and buildings. She holds a scroll in her right hand and pours a starry Nyxborn liquid from a large non-handled vessel resting on her left shoulder — possibly a pithos of wine or a hydria of water. Ephara represents and presides over any organized state of people, but in particular, she is worshipped in Meletis. Ephara is also the god of industry, civic wisdom, scholarship, religious sculpture, friezes, architecture, societal progress, social philosophy, and the protection and stability of the city.

History

She granted magic to the Meletians to overthrow the evil Archon Agnomakhos. Later in a confrontation amongst gods, Ephara slew the newborn god Cacophony, God of Cities.[1]

At the beginning of the Phyrexian invasion of Theros and the multiverse, Ephara was seen by Elesh Norn defending the plane.[2] She was not one of the three compleated gods. She blessed the defenders of Theros with godfire, a Nyx-infused incendiary substance that burned without fuel.[3]

Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Building Toward a Dream, Part 2 Ken Troop 2013-12-04 Theros Theros Kedarick VI, Klytessa, Lara, Udaen, Chelta, Vanin, Mogis, Phenax, Heliod, Ephara, Iroas, Ashiok
The Nature of Identity Adam Lee 2014-01-15 Born of the Gods Theros Perisophia, Kyrios, Samia, Rhytho, Melia, Phelos, Salis, Matatios, Ephara
The Oracle of Ephara Jeremiah Isgur 2014-03-19 Born of the Gods Theros Iris, Alexio, Perisophia, Ephara, Purphoros
Dreams of the City Ken Troop 2014-04-23 Journey into Nyx Theros Cacophony, Euneas, Pollio, Melantha, Xenocrates, Koblios, Ephara, Phenax, Ashiok, Xenagos
March of the Machine - Episode 1: Triumph of the Fleshless K. Arsenault Rivera 2023-03-15 March of the Machine New Phyrexia Elesh Norn, Kaya Cassir, Kaito Shizuki, Himoto, Tyvar Kell, Lukka, Rothga, Ajani Goldmane, Sheoldred, Jace Beleren, Nahiri, Nissa Revane, Tamiyo, Atraxa, Ephara

In-game references

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Quoted or referred to:

Inspiration

The character of Ephara is inspired by a partial aspect of Athena, the Greek goddess of civilization, and the city of Athens (traditionally said to be named after her). To further support this analogy, the familiars she sends to her thaumaturges have the shape of owls, animals sacred to Athena. She is portraited with a jar with flowing water on her shoulder, much like the Aquarius, usually associated with Ganymede.

References

  1. Ken Troop (April 23, 2014). "Dreams of the City". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. K. Arsenault Rivera (March 16, 2023). "March of the Machine - Episode 1: Triumph of the Fleshless". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Flavortext for Urn of Godfire

External links