Koma

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Koma
The Cosmos Serpent
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Koma Cosmos Serpent.jpg}}|250px]]
Details
Race Serpent
Later Phyrexian Serpent
Birthplace Cosmos, Kaldheim
Lifetime Unknown
Colors
{G}{U}

Koma was the Cosmos Serpent of Kaldheim.[1] He was one of the Cosmos Monsters, created at the birth of the world and dwelling in the void between the realms.

Description

The Cosmos Serpent was the first and oldest of the Cosmos monsters. His true size was unknown because he could divide himself into multiple smaller segments that moved independently around the World Tree.

Elves on Kaldheim share a reverence for Koma, and many elves wear clothing that reflects that reverence—from hair braided to look like scales to woven designs and actual snakeskin. Tyvar Kell's serpentine tattoos are also a reference to the Cosmos Serpent, symbolizing his fangs and the ability to spring forward and strike.

History

Most of the Cosmos monsters are free to enter any realm. But when the Skoti overthrew the Einir gods, they also prohibited the Cosmos Serpent they revered from entering any of the realms. Perhaps they were afraid that Koma would enter Skemfar and free the imprisoned Einir, or maybe they feared that the immense serpent would eventually grow large enough that no realm could contain him. In any case, the elves, who continue to worship Koma, believe that his banishment harms the World Tree. Restless outside the realms, Koma's agitation is destabilizing the tree, causing a dangerous increase in Doomskars. The elves believe that unless the Cosmos Serpent is free to roam the realms, the World Tree will surely die, and all the realms with it.[2]

In ancient times, they say, the Serpent roamed freely and drank deeply from the ancient arcane energy of Skemfar. He left a vast network of tunnels (The Serpent Tunnels) in his wake, and both wood and shadow elves consider these passageways to be sacred spaces. The elves tend the tunnels faithfully, believing that the Cosmos Serpent will one day use them to return to Skemfar.[3]

The Kannah leader Fynn is renowned as the only human who has ever managed to wound Koma. When Fynn stabbed the beast, the great serpent's poisonous blood splashed on him and was absorbed into his body—but rather than killing him, it turned his blood to poison as well.[4]

In Starnheim, the planeswalker Tibalt used the Sword of the Realms and opened an Omenpath for Koma to enter the realm and spread destruction, as part of his plan to spread chaos across the Kaldheim realms.[5] The Serpent was repelled from Starnheim by the Valkyries with the help of the planeswalker Niko Aris.[6] After leaving Starnheim, Koma went to Bretagard, the center of the Doomskar started by Tibalt. Koma was responsible for closing the Omenpath that connected the realms of Bretagard and Karfell, in the process the serpent ended up destroying several Dread Marn draugr.[7]

Koma was compleated during New Phyrexia's Invasion of the Multiverse and killed by his rival Fynn.[8]

Trivia

  • Koma is inspired by Jörmungandr, the Midgard (World) Serpent.
  • Koma's association with the World Tree may take inspiration in Níðhöggr, a dragon/serpent that gnaws at the root of Yggdrasil.
  • Koma appears in the teaser for Kaldheim.[9]

Gallery

Story appearances

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
Aim Through the Target Setsu Uzumé 2021-01-15 Kaldheim Kaldheim Niko Aris, Vígniút, Thura, Gæller No-breath, Aggressor, Avtyr, Evot, Tove, Gisla, Alsig, Rytva, Koma
Episode 3: The Saga of Tibalt Roy Graham 2021-01-20 Kaldheim Kaldheim Tibalt, Vorinclex, Narfi, Koll, Halvar, Harald, Varragoth, Koma
Episode 5: The Battle for Kaldheim Roy Graham with contributions by Jenna Helland 2021-02-03 Kaldheim Kaldheim Hakka, Arni, Fynn, Inga Rune-Eyes, Sigrid, Kaya, Tyvar Kell, Alrund, Halvar, Varragoth, Vorinclex, Cosima, Harald, Koma, Niko Aris, Esika

In-game references

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Referred to:

References

  1. Gerritt Turner (December 14, 2020). "Creating Tyvar Kell". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Ari Zirulnik (January 8, 2021). "Planeswalker's Guide to Kaldheim, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Ari Zirulnik and Jenna Helland (January 14, 2021). "Planeswalker's Guide to Kaldheim, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Ari Zirulnik and Jenna Helland (January 21, 2021). "The Legends of Kaldheim". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Roy Graham (January 20, 2021). "Kaldheim Episode 3: The Saga of Tibalt". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Setsu Uzumé (January 15, 2021). "Aim Through the Target". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Roy Graham (February 03, 2021). "Episode 5: The Battle for Kaldheim". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Cosmic Hunger and Fynn, the Fangbearer (Multiverse Legends, #26)
  9. Kaldheim Teaser – Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (December 17, 2020).
  10. Emrakul & Chatterfang!? Koma & Toski!? 62 Unknown Magic Cards! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (May 10, 2023).