Vitu-Ghazi
| Vitu-Ghazi | |
|---|---|
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[[File:{{#setmainimage:Vitu-ghazi.jpg}}|250px]] | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Ravnica |
Although the Selesnya Conclave of Ravnica believe that power is not centered in any one location, the massive world-tree Vitu-Ghazi has served for more than 10,000 years as the focus and guildhall of the guild.[1][2]
Description
Vitu-Ghazi was a mammoth tree nearly as tall as New Prahv. Buildings shaped from the living wood nestled in its huge, curving branches, connected by an intricate network of hanging bridges and ladders.[3] Inside the main trunk there was a cathedral to nature, where worshippers came from all around Ravnica, and which also served as home to the guildmaster Trostani and the Dryad Conclave.[4] At night, the branches of Vitu-Ghazi were lit aglow with firefly light.[5] The tree is re-enervated annually in an invite-only ceremony.[6]
After its partial destruction at the hands of the God-Eternals in the War of the Spark and further damage during the Phyrexian Invasion, the tree was no longer able to sustain itself.[7] It is now in a moor within one of the city's rare parks in Selesnya territory. The moor is improbably pastoral and wild for Ravnica. Rocks jut out of the earth here and there, and mixed brush in greens and yellows covers the ground, some topped with tiny flowers, others bristling with thorns. The once towering guildhall is now a tangle of roots draped around and across what looks like a remote country manor. The manor's wood is weathered, windows drooping slightly at the corners. A single trunk stands higher than the house itself, shading the roof with its branches, and roots break the soil around the foundation. Through the vaulted entrance hall and past a guild checkpoint is a smaller receiving room whose walls are lined with bookshelves clustered with volumes of Ravnican history, including the original Guildpact. Trostani resides within the building, connected to the great oak. The roots of the tree spread throughout the city.[8]
History
Vitu-Ghazi was once the greatest tree on Ravnica.[9] Although struck down long ago, dryad and elf magic kept it alive at the center of Ravnica's oldest and largest district.
As guildhall, Vitu-Ghazi was where Mat'Selesnya slept, and it was uprooted partially by Szadek so he could drink Mat'Selesnya. It was also severely damaged by the nephilim, and in the fight between Project Kraj and Rakdos. During an attempt to siphon its power, Sifa Grent sent Rakdos cultists to attack the tree, receiving a deep wound from an axe-wielding demon.[6] Nonetheless, it still seemed to stand proud.[5] Its mending were however superficial. Beneath the bark it was fragile, with stress fractures running through its branches, and hidden support struts barely able to take the weight.[10]
War of the Spark
During the War of the Spark, Vitu-Ghazi was animated by Nissa Revane into an enormous elemental that aided the troops fighting the Dreadhorde.[11] Vitu-Ghazi was defeated by the God-Eternals when they first entered Ravnica. Rhonas tore out one of its arms and Nissa had to relinquish her control and the elemental collapsed.[12] The fallen Vitu-Ghazi is now dormant.[13]
Replanting
After the War and the Phyrexian Invasion, Vitu-Ghazi was weak and no longer able to sustain itself.[7] The guildhall needed to lay semi-dormant to recover its strength, and Mat'Selesnya told Trostani that the tree needed space to lay new roots. A moor within a park on Selesnya territory was deemed the best place for Vitu-Ghazi to reconnect with the plane and properly recover. The tree was planted around a manor that was made a repository of the plane's history, including a library of Ravnican books and the original Guildpact.
In-game references
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References
- ↑ Cory J. Herndon (2005). Ravnica Cycle, Book I: Ravnica, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ James Wyatt and Jeremy Crawford (November 2018). "D&D Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica", Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Django Wexler (July 3, 2019), The Gathering Storm, Chapter Five.
- ↑ The Magic Creative Team (August 22, 2012). "Planeswalker's Guide to Return to Ravnica: Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Nicky Drayden (November 14, 2018). "Bound and Bonded". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Matt Forbeck (2013), "Path of Vengeance", IDW Publishing
- ↑ a b Seanan McGuire (January 11, 2024). "Murders at Karlov Manor - Episode 5: Chains of Expectation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Seanan McGuire (January 16, 2024). "Episode 8: Gods of Chaos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ (2005). Ravnica: City of Guilds Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Nicky Drayden (February 20, 2019). "The Ledger of Hidden Fortunes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Awakening of Vitu-Ghazi
- ↑ Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
- ↑ Greg Weisman (June 12, 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica – Ashes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
