Taigam

[["Details",[{"data":"[[File:U.svg|x15px|alt={U}|link=]][[File:B.svg|x15px|alt={B}|link=]] (Original timeline)[[File:W.svg|x15px|alt={W}|link=]][[File:U.svg|x15px|alt={U}|link=]] (Current timeline)","label":"Colors"},{"data":"[[Human]]","label":"Race"},{"data":"[[Tarkir]]","label":"Birthplace"},{"data":"[[Mending Era]]","label":"Lifetime"}]]]

Taigam
Details
Colors	(Original timeline) (Current timeline)
Race	Human
Birthplace	Tarkir
Lifetime	Mending Era

Taigam is a scheming and ambitious human monk from Tarkir.

Description

Taigam is an older monk. Muscular, he has thin cheeks and wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.

History

Original timeline

Trained in the Jeskai Way under khan Narset, Taigam defected to the Sultai Brood to find true power. Having made a pact with the rakshasa Ebirri, he quickly rose through the Sultai ranks. As Sidisi's Hand, he became the personal enforcer of the Sultai khan. After an attack by Jeskai warriors who loudly proclaimed they were fighting for their khan, Narset, Taigam swore to Ebirri he would send a reprisal. A team of eight former Abzan orcs were sent deep into Jeskai territory to assassinate the Khan, but they were stopped and knocked out by Narset and her bodyguard Shintan.

Current timeline

In the current timeline, however, Taigam never left his original clan. He became Narset's peer as the best human pupil of Ojutai. When Narset discovered the truth of the past of Tarkir and Ugin she was eventually discovered, confronted, and ousted by Taigam who hoped to use her downfall to further his stature. Taigam would later declare Narset a heretic and refer to her as such, despite Ojutai himself showing only appreciation for her.

Taigam fought in defense of Tarkir during New Phyrexia's Invasion of the Multiverse.

A true believer in Ojutai's philosophy of draconic superiority, Taigam was one of the few humanoids who chose the side of the dragonlords during the rebellion of the clans after the Invasion. However, after the victory of the Jeskai insurgents, Taigam was faced with a choice between capitulation or banishment. He joined the Jeskai, becoming a respected teacher at Storm Crane Monastery, but secretly plotted a revival of the dragons.

Dragonstorms

One day, Elspeth Tirel arrived on Tarkir, seeking Narset's counsel to stop the outbreak of dragonstorms across the Multiverse. After she arrived at Storm Crane, however, a wild dragon attacked the flying monastery. Taigam took this opportunity to turn Narset against Elspeth. He told Narset of his suspicion that Elspeth's presence was the reason the dragon had attacked.

When Elspeth remained on Tarkir, Taigam changed his approach. He followed the planeswalker to the Crucible of the Spirit Dragon, where she fought and defeated Sarkhan Vol. Taigam appeared to Sarkhan outside of his hut and offered to help him regain the power he had lost in the Desparkening. He took Sarkhan to a plain at the edge of Abzan borders and explained that, by slaughtering a dragon and eating its heart, he could cast a spell to rekindle the draconic magic within himself. Although he recognized Taigam as a zealot and was reluctant to bring harm to a dragon, Sarkhan rationalized that his actions followed the law of nature.

Sarkhan brought down a dragon, and Taigam helped him with an incantation before Sarkhan completed the ritual by biting into the dragon's heart. He transformed into a massive, corrupted dragon, and the wild dragons around him were driven into a frenzy. The spell Taigam had taught Sarkhan was the Stormnexus Ritual, the same spell the khans had used in the rebellion to summon the Spirit Dragons, warped by the tainted offering they had used. Sarkhan rampaged across Abzan territory, but their plan was ultimately cut short by the return of Ugin, which also dispelled the dragonstorms.

Gallery

• 
  Taigam in the original timeline
• 
  Taigam, Ojutai Master

Story appearances

Title	Author	Publishing date	Set	Setting (plane)	Featuring
Taigam's Scheming	Matt Knicl	2014-10-01	Khans of Tarkir	Tarkir	Taigam, Ebirri, Narset
Enlightened	Matt Knicl	2014-10-22	Khans of Tarkir	Tarkir	Narset, Shintan, Taigam
A Tarkir of Dragons	Kimberly J. Kreines	2015-02-25	Dragons of Tarkir	Tarkir	Sarkhan Vol, Taigam, Zurgo, Vial Smasher, Kolaghan
The Great Teacher's Student	Kimberly J. Kreines	2015-03-04	Dragons of Tarkir	Tarkir	Narset, Taigam, Ojutai, Ishai
Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Episode 2: Omens	Cassandra Khaw	2025-03-04	Tarkir: Dragonstorm	Tarkir	Elspeth Tirel, Narset, Tamiyo (mentioned), Ajani Goldmane (mentioned), Nissa Revane (mentioned), Melira (referred), Venser (referred), Karn (referred), Teferi (referred), Ugin (mentioned), Nicol Bolas (mentioned), Ojutai (mentioned), Taigam
Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Episode 3: What the Past Devours	Cassandra Khaw	2025-03-06	Tarkir: Dragonstorm	Tarkir	Ajani Goldmane, Nahiri (mentioned), Elesh Norn (mentioned), Nur, Felothar (referred), Jaya Ballard (mentioned), Narset, Elspeth Tirel, Ugin (mentioned), Sarkhan Vol, Taigam
Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Episode 4: Heart of Fire	Cassandra Khaw	2025-03-10	Tarkir: Dragonstorm	Tarkir	Sarkhan Vol, Taigam, Narset, Elspeth Tirel, Dromoka (mentioned), Ajani Goldmane, Felothar, Nur, Melira (mentioned)
Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Episode 7: Return	Cassandra Khaw	2025-03-17	Tarkir: Dragonstorm	Tarkir, Meditation Realm	Sarkhan Vol, Loot, Narset, Jace Beleren, Elspeth Tirel, Nicol Bolas, Ugin, Vraska, Ajani Goldmane, Felothar, Taigam, Shiko, Ojutai

In-game references

Represented in:

• Taigam, Master Opportunist
• Taigam, Ojutai Master
• Taigam, Sidisi's Hand

Associated cards:

• Taigam's Scheming
• Taigam's Strike

Quoted or referred to:

• Dutiful Return (Khans of Tarkir)
• Jeskai Revelation
• Keeper of the Lens
• Sarkhan's Resolve
• Shambling Attendants
• Wingspan Stride