Rhonas
| Rhonas | |
|---|---|
| God of Strength | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Colors |
 |
| Species | God Eternal |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Amonkhet |
| Death |
4560 AR Eternalized 4560 AR Killed 4560 AR |
Rhonas, the cobra-headed god of strength on Amonkhet, was revered for embodying both physical might and the mental fortitude needed to overcome any challenge. He stood as a living symbol of unwavering willpower, ferocious endurance, and supreme self-reliance, all of which his devoted followers sought to emulate through grueling trials of combat and discipline.
Description
The ability to resist fear, to face any battle with an indomitable will and self-reliance are the qualities that ensure success in Rhonas's Trial of Strength, which was the third trial.[1] To Rhonas, strength was all. Strength encompasses physical forcefulness, speed, endurance, mental reflexes, willpower, and determination. He believed he had obtained perfect strength. Without hesitation, he rushed into battle to protect the city and its people from desert horrors, wielding his powerful weapon and venomous fangs.[2]
History
Hour of Devastation
In the Hour of Glory, the Scorpion God, an agent of Nicol Bolas, confronted Rhonas near the Luxa River. Rhonas fought bravely but was ultimately slain in combat by the Scorpion God's deadly poison, screaming in horrid pain. Witnesses understood then that this was not the honorable death that was promised as Bolas's twisted plan unfolded.[3]
War of the Spark
Rhonas was zombified and remade by Bolas as one of the terrifying God-Eternals. During the War of the Spark on Ravnica, he was unleashed alongside the other Eternals to devastate the city and break its defenders. Rhonas took part in tearing apart the massive animated Vitu-Ghazi elemental before he was finally destroyed by Gideon Jura, who struck him down with the Blackblade to help turn the tide of the battle.[4]
Legacy
Years after his death, the assassin Jessie Zane spread Rhonas's strength to other planes, including Thunder Junction.[5]
Inspiration
Rhonas' snake-like appearance is similar to Wadjet, an Egyptian goddess that often takes the form of a snake. Wadjet was a protective goddess of kings and childbirth. Rhonas could also have drawn inspiration from Renenutet, another Egyptian snake goddess who is often considered another form of Wadjet. Renenutet is the god of the harvest and sustenance, which parallels his position as the green god of strength. Rhonas also has parallels to Mehen, a snake-god responsible for protecting the god Ra during his nocturnal journey through the underworld.
Gallery
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The God-Eternals arrive on Ravnica. -
God-Eternal Rhonas
Story appearances
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
- Quoted or referred to:
- ^† Scryfall does not record flavor text for digital cards. See Alchemy: Thunder Junction/Flavor text
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast. Explore the planes: Amonkhet
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer (2017). Amonkhet Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Michael Yichao (June 21, 2017). "The Hour of Glory". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
- ↑ Flavor text of Jessie Zane, Fangbringer.†
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