Ketria
| Ketria | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Plane | Ikoria |
| Colors |
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| Type | Forest Island Mountain |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Ketria is one of the three-color triome regions found on the plane of Ikoria. It is primarily associated with blue mana, while also exhibiting significant secondary influences from both red and green.[1] The region is characterized by its extensive forests, flowing river systems, and crystalline geography that merges natural and magical elements. Ketria is notable among the triomes for its harmony between elemental forces and its breathtaking integration of crystals into nearly every aspect of the environment.
Description
Ketria is a vast, temperate forest biome nourished by rivers and waterfalls, where dense vegetation grows alongside ever-present crystalline structures. The terrain is composed of high cliffs, moss-covered stone outcroppings, inland lakes, and fast-moving riverways that crisscross the region. Waterfalls plunge from sheer heights into clear basins, while the treetops are often crowned by glimmering shards of mana-infused crystal. The area is a popular destination for naturalists, scholars, and seekers of spiritual insight who seek to understand the coexistence of wild nature and mystical energy. In Ketria, water, earth, and crystal interact in ways found nowhere else on Ikoria, and the scenery frequently changes as the landscape adapts to elemental shifts.
While mana crystals are a feature of all triome regions on Ikoria, Ketria is particularly renowned for the sheer abundance and aesthetic beauty of these formations. The crystals found here are naturally integrated into the forest and mountainous terrain, with some forming arches, spirals, or full structures amid the trees. Their luminescence is so pervasive that true darkness never falls across large portions of the region. Even at night, the landscape is bathed in the ambient glow of crystal formations.[2]
Locations
- Lake Attayal – Lake Attayal is the largest known freshwater body on the entire plane of Ikoria. It is fed by the powerful Tal River, which channels water from the highlands and feeds directly into the lake's massive basin. Due to its immense surface area and depth, it can easily be mistaken for a sea by travelers unfamiliar with the region. The lake supports an ecosystem rich in aquatic life, including unusually large water-dwelling creatures. This is also the site where Vivien Reid encountered Rielle, a reclusive sage known for her longevity and deep understanding of Ikoria's magical forces.[1]
- Jal Korcha, the Terror Road – Jal Korcha is a monumental roadway that stretches across much of Ikoria’s continent. The road spans thousands of miles and connects several key regions, including Raugrin, Ketria, and Savai. Within Ketria, it passes along the border of Lake Attayal. The southwest direction continues into the rugged Ongra mountain range and eventually reaches Lavabrink, while the eastern branch crosses the Egali plain in Savai and ends at the ruined gates of Drannith. The name Terror Road originates from the dangers that plague travelers along its length, such as ambushes by monsters and hazardous terrain.[1]
- The Quartzwood – The Quartzwood is a unique subregion of Ketria consisting of an ancient forest densely populated with crystal formations. Unlike other parts of Ketria, where crystals are interspersed with vegetation, here the crystals grow so abundantly that they sometimes outnumber the trees themselves. The resulting scenery glows continuously, illuminated in shimmering hues that range from cool blues and greens to brilliant reds and golds. Some naturalists believe that this zone plays a special role in the spawning of elemental monsters, which are reported to exhibit heightened magical activity and volatility when in proximity to the Quartzwood.[1]
- The Tal River – The Tal River is one of the most prominent and ecologically vital waterways in Ketria. Flowing down from mountainous terrain, it winds its way through forest and crystal thicket before emptying into Lake Attayal. Along one stretch of the river, enormous herbivorous creatures have felled large numbers of trees and created a vast series of dams that extend for approximately twenty miles. These artificial wetlands form numerous pools that support thriving populations of fish and aquatic plants. These pools are frequented by both Ikorian monsters and resourceful humans foragers who have adapted to life alongside the region's dangers.[1]
Dominant clade
The dominant clade of monsters in Ketria is the elemental clade, a group of magical beings that embody the raw forces of nature itself. Unlike conventional fauna, these creatures are not merely animals touched by magic; they are literal manifestations of the elements, animated by arcane energy and the environmental balance of the region. They often take shapes that resemble terrestrial creatures but differ in key ways: they are typically composed of glowing energies, have partially translucent or floating body parts, and may include features that defy physics, such as levitating limbs or bodies surrounded by orbiting crystals.
Many elementals in Ketria display vivid colorations and flowing, radiant textures that give them a ghostly or otherworldly appearance. Crystals frequently protrude from their forms or hover around them, acting both as sensory appendages and reservoirs of mana. These beings are tied intimately to Ketria's unique crystal ecology and are considered an extension of the land itself.
Elementals are usually reclusive by nature, preferring to avoid direct contact with humans or other monsters. However, some of them can become allies or at least tolerate interaction if approached with respect and care. While not inherently aggressive, they are still primal creatures and can become highly destructive if provoked or threatened. The apex monster of Ketria is Illuna, a massive and powerful elemental that represents the peak of this clade's potential and is revered and feared by those familiar with the region.
Gallery
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Referred to:
References
- ↑ a b c d e Chris Mooney (April 02, 2020). "Planeswalker's Guide to Ikoria". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Flavor text of Ketria Crystal
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