Skysail
| Skysail | |
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| Plane | Ikoria |
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Skysail is a mobile sanctuary located high in the skies of the plane of Ikoria. Although often referred to as a city, it is technically a collection of individual balloon-driven airships that have been engineered to remain airborne almost indefinitely. The settlement's primary defense against Ikoria's dangerous fauna is its ability to remain in flight, far above the surface-level territories where most monsters dwell. Skysail exemplifies the inventive adaptations of Ikoria's human population in their ongoing struggle for survival amid ever-present threats.[1][2]
Description
The current inhabitants of Skysail trace their ancestry back to the survivors of Orn, a fortified sanctuary in Indatha that was destroyed by monsters long ago. After the destruction of Orn, the survivors salvaged their remaining technology and developed Skysail as a new kind of refuge—one that could escape the reach of Ikoria's terrestrial predators. The structure of Skysail is composed of multiple airships connected by docking girders and flexible platforms, with each vessel supported by large balloons and rudder-sails that provide both lift and maneuverability. These rudder-sails allow for controlled direction in the air, and the city's modular layout enables individual sections to detach and fly independently when needed.
The physical construction of Skysail reflects its need for lightness and mobility. The decks, girders, and hulls are built from extremely lightweight materials, such as specially treated woods and the hollow bones of large flying creatures like pterodactyls. This reduces the burden on the balloon infrastructure and contributes to the city’s ability to remain airborne for extended periods. Skysail's capacity to change shape and formation allows it to react to threats dynamically. For example, during monster attacks, the city can disperse into multiple smaller components to avoid destruction, later regrouping when it is safe to do so.[3]
Skysail's long-term strategy for survival is based on constant movement. The city does not remain in any one location for long, as remaining stationary could bring it into the territory of aerial monsters. Skysail's leadership carefully monitors monster migration patterns, planning routes that avoid areas with high concentrations of flying threats. One of the greatest dangers Skysail faces is from Xyris, the Writhing Storm, a massive flying snake leviathan that has been known to pursue the sanctuary across vast distances. In such cases, Skysail employs decoy tactics—dispatching smaller, unmanned airships in divergent directions to confuse and divert the predator.
Despite its mobility, Skysail maintains a sense of community and order. The people who live there are known for being fiercely independent and resilient, with a culture that prizes adaptability and quick decision-making. While Skysail maintains a standing defensive force capable of engaging airborne monsters if necessary, its inhabitants generally prefer to avoid confrontation when possible. They prioritize evasion and misdirection rather than open combat, as prolonged battles in the air risk catastrophic structural failure.
Unlike its predecessor, Orn, Skysail is not locked to Indatha and sails across all triomes of Ikoria.[1]
In addition to being a place of safety, Skysail also serves as a hub for commerce. Because it travels across regions, the city has become a point of contact for trade between distant parts of Ikoria. Skysail merchants engage in barter and exchange with other human settlements, often trading rare goods and materials found or crafted in the skyborne city in return for food, fuel, or information from the surface.[4]
History
In 4561 AR, Jirina Kudro and Mzed's monster hunters traveled in a balloon manned by the young man Tef and arrived in Skysail looking for a vessel that could catch up to the flying patagia tiger Leori. After witnessing Narset buying a huge stack of books, they booked a flight on the Vermillion, a fast ship manned by Captain Falk.[4]
Trivia
The concept of Skysail was created in part to provide an in-world explanation for Human creatures with the flying keyword in the Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths set. However, no Human cards with the flying mechanic were ultimately included in the final printed set.[5]
Gallery
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Skysail concepts.
In-game references
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References
- ↑ a b Chris Mooney (April 02, 2020). "Planeswalker's Guide to Ikoria". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Jay Annelli (2022). Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide, DK. ISBN-13 978-0744061055.
- ↑ C20 Lore with Emily Teng (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (April 15, 2020).
- ↑ a b Django Wexler (2020), "Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths — Sundered Bond", Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ The Vorthos Cast (May 11, 2020). "111 - Ikoria Interview with Doug Beyer". Soundcloud.
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