Rafiq
| Rafiq | |
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Rafiq of the Many Knight-General of the Reliquary | |
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| Information | |
| Colors |
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| Species | Human |
| Job | Knight |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Eos, Bant, Alara |
| Lifetime | Mending Era, c. 4556 AR |
| Sources | |
| A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Alara Unbroken | |
Knight-General Rafiq[1] was the commander of the Knights of the Reliquary from Bant. The number of sigils he collected during his rise earned him the title "Grand Champion of Sigils" and the moniker Rafiq of the Many and makes him the highest ranked Sigiled on the plane.[2][3]
Description
Rafiq is the Knight-Captain of the Reliquary and the highest-ranked Sigiled in all of Bant.[2] A noble and pure warrior, he is a paladin of the highest calling. While holding to Bantian ideals, Rafiq is friendly and open, an inspiration rather than a judge, having never forgotten his lowly birth. He is tall, olive-skinned, has a beard that leaves his cheeks bare, and has about a hundred sigils.[3]
History
As the son of a baker from Eos, Rafiq was born to the Mortar caste.[2]
Rafiq spent most of his time journeying across Bant, acting as champion and participating in the ritualized duels with which conflict is solved.[2] He never favors any of the sides or factions, his involvement in the issue always depending on the delicate balance of his obligations to the numerous sigils he bears. It is not unusual for him to fight for one side one day, and the other the next, as the merits of each side in the conflict’s claims require.
The Conflux
During the initial beginning of the Conflux, Rafiq led the armies of Bant into a disastrous battle against the forces of Esper, assuming the Esperites would follow Bant's rules of warfare and submit to a battle of champions. During the battle, Rafiq's friend Mubin was the victim of mind-controlling magic from an Esper mage and began attacking his men. In desperation, Rafiq was forced to stab his old friend in the back, paralyzing him in the process. Wracked with guilt over the injury he inflicted upon his friend, Rafiq led a small force on a desperate quest back into Esper with the intent of learning the secret to the Etherium magic the Esperites knew, in hopes that it would give Mubin the ability to walk again. During their mission, Rafiq ventures into Grixis after one of his scouts informs him that there may be people hiding there. Rafiq managed to rescue Levac and Salay from Grixis and unsuccessfully attempted an exorcism on their zombified son. Eventually, Rafiq returned to Bant with Etherium and Levac and Salay just in time to warn Bant of Malfegor's invasion force. During the battle, Rafiq fought bravely, even slaying a Dreg Reaver. When Malfegor began to retreat, Elspeth Tirel threw Rafiq the legendary Sword of Asha and used her magic to give Rafiq "wings of light" as he leapt towards the demon and slayed it with two swings. After the battle, Rafiq unsuccessfully attempted to use the Etherium to cure Mubin from a vicious infection.
After the Conflux
At the time of the New Phyrexian Invasion, Rafiq was still the Knight-General of Bant. Tezzeret sent him a message to employ the angels against the Phyrexians.[1]
Story appearances
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alara Unbroken | Doug Beyer | May 2009 | Shards of Alara, Conflux, Alara Reborn | Alara | Nicol Bolas, Malfegor, Ajani Goldmane, Gwafa Hazid, Ghedi, Hadadir, Rakka Mar, Kresh, Rafiq, Asha (mentioned), Tholka, Tenoch, Mubin, Aarsil, Zaliki, Sarkhan Vol, Malactoth, Jazal Goldmane, Chimamatl, Karrthus, Marisi, Progenitus (mentioned), Elspeth Tirel, Mardis, Mayael, Cylia (mentioned), Iama, Morsath Levac, Haim, Tomlain, Welly, Salay Levac, Vali, Clairan, Hargrove, Malunis, Sedris (mentioned), Caladessa (mentioned), Kaeda, Sinzo, Drimma, Hollin, Sasha, Banat, Ruki, Wanath |
Gallery
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The List art
In-game references
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References
- ↑ a b Reinhardt Suarez (January 17, 2023). "A Man of Parts". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c d Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246
- ↑ a b Doug Beyer (2012), "Alara Unbroken", Wizards of the Coast
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