Indatha
| Indatha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Ikoria |
| Colors |
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| Type | Swamp Plains Forest |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Indatha is one of the three-colored regions, or triomes, found on the plane of Ikoria. The region is centered in black mana, with green and white as its secondary color affiliations.[1] It is characterized by its haunting bioluminescent terrain and the monstrous creatures that thrive in its eerie wetlands. Indatha is notable for the prevalence of nightmare-type monsters, whose disturbing appearances and behaviors are a defining aspect of the region's ecology.
Description
Indatha spans a large area composed of mist-shrouded wetlands, low-lying hills, and sweeping plains that transition into a remote northwestern coastline. The area is renowned for its phosphorescent wildlife, casting a perpetual glow even in the darkest parts of its valleys. Unusual vegetation like the helica trees gives the landscape a twisted and alien aesthetic, and the abundance of open terrain favors stealth predators. These forests, plains, and swamps make Indatha both beautiful and dangerous.
The mysterious lowlands of Indatha are steeped in myth. Some scholars and sages believe the marshy terrain was created by an enormous creature named Indath, whose massive footprints formed a trail from the forested Zagoth in the south to the sea. Rielle, a well-known sage, is among those who believe the legendary creature once walked that path before disappearing into the ocean.[2]
The helica trees, unique to Indatha, often grow in spiral or helix-like formations, splitting into multiple trunks that coil and twist around each other. Their thick foliage and twisted shapes are sometimes wrapped around natural crystal deposits or even discarded objects, which become encased within the growing trunks. In some cases, the roots cradle luminous crystals as if nurturing them, creating a landscape that seems cultivated for nocturnal predators.[1][3]
The region supports a vast variety of phosphorescent wildlife. This includes nightcats, luminous bat-bird hybrids, and light-producing insects. Even in areas where sunlight barely reaches, the natural bioluminescence of these creatures keeps the area partially illuminated, contributing to the region's haunting ambiance.[1]
Locations
- The frondlands – A dense and swampy forest area that serves as the lair of Nethroi, Indatha's apex predator.
- Orn – The ruins of a once-fortified settlement believed to have been the ancestral home of the people who later built Skysail. It was destroyed long ago.
- Skysail – A skybound community made up of dozens of tethered airships. It floats above Indatha, providing refuge from the dangerous terrain below.
Dominant clade
The dominant monster clade in Indatha is the nightmare clade. These monsters are frequently associated with humanity's most primal fears. Some theorize that nightmares are not just fearsome predators, but also actual manifestations of fear itself. They are mainly nocturnal and hunt in the cover of night, relying on ambush tactics to strike their prey. Their glowing eyes, often present in excess and sometimes in unnatural positions, help them stand out even in pitch darkness.[1]
Nightmares come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but all of them share unsettling features. They often possess extra limbs, serpentine tails, or elongated limbs that make their movements unpredictable and frightening. Some nightmares have no visible eyes at all, while others are covered in them. The planeswalker Vivien Reid once encountered a nightmare creature with no eyes whatsoever, yet it hunted with disturbing accuracy.[1]
Because of their unpredictable behavior and dangerous nature, nightmares are difficult to study or approach. While most people avoid them entirely, a rare few bonders have successfully bonded with nightmare monsters. These bonders are often regarded with awe and caution by others due to the immense risk such a bond entails.[1]
Indatha's apex monster is Nethroi, a slinking cat-nightmare-beast hybrid with the power to raise the dead.
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Referred to:
References
- ↑ a b c d e f Chris Mooney (April 02, 2020). "Planeswalker's Guide to Ikoria". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Flavor text of Indatha Triome.
- ↑ Flavor text of Indatha Crystal.
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