My name is Reza, I am a planeswalker from Tarkir. I am a tactician of the Abzan Houses, a former Krumar, and the warden of House Rouhani. I travel the planes to learn from their Spirits, seeking the strength and wisdom to lead my house righteously.
Have you traveled to Theros? What were your impressions of our world?
I have. It was the first plane I have traveled to, in fact.
I was much too disoriented at the time to fully take it in, but the month or so I spent there was quite interesting. The rich traditions of storytelling and philosophy, the arts of war, and the nature of that world behind the sky, Nyx. All of them were wonderful things to witness, and the people were quite welcoming.
But the most precious experience I had there was my meeting with the spirit of Elspeth Tirel. I learned much from her, and her advice has served me well.
I have not returned since, but perhaps I should. She should hear about her friends.
Who is more deserving of being torn apart, Orzhov Syndicate or Selesnya Conclave?
A good question.
The Orzhov syndicate shackle people’s souls for failing to pay off debts they were coerced into in life. Centuries of debtors, enslaved for eternity by false prophets preaching a salvation that only serves their needs, and not those of their flock. The lies and manipulations of the syndicate have created for them a loyal legion, blinded to the sins of their masters.
On the other hand, the Selesnya Conclave come by their evils openly, but preach them as good. In the Houses, we held community highly, and to die for your Kin is an honor without compare.
But the Conclave asks that you give up all sense of individuality and identity to become part of a faceless mass. A ‘worldsoul’. They ask you to give up family, home, and even autonomy in the name of becoming a part of something which is far from the essential truth of life and being.
One asks for servitude without accountability, the other asks for compliance without reward.
In your travels what are some differences of the kinds of Spirit magic you've encountered?
It seems that practically speaking, no two planes are alike in their methods of magic, no matter the field. The eidolons of Theros mostly wander based on some sort of instinct, which the dryads take advantage of to care for them. Spirits of Ravnica seem largely to be subservient to the living, acting either as public officials, when summoned by the Azorius, or as slaves, when summoned by the Orzhov. On Kamigawa, what are referred to by foreigners as spirits are more akin to gods than anything, though Yurei, which are similar to Kami, are spirits of the deceased.
As for Innistrad, spirits are so different from one another, and most humans tend to avoid interacting with them, and for good reason, as the majority of them can only be described as insane. Avacynian priests may exorcize the malevolent ones, while angels from Flight Alabaster guide them to eternal rest.
Either way it is a tragic waste of valuable experience.
With Reza having left his fledgling house in the care of his new Bond-kin, Tala Akhtar, he set off to discover the multiverse. The first stop of his journey brought him to a city of white stone, on the edge of a lake that stretched far to the horizon… (Special thanks to the mod of Ask Elspeth)
Reza hefted a sack over his shoulder as he waved goodbye to the Merchants who brought him to the edge of Jeskai territory. They were suspicious of his wish to travel alone in the lands of such a tenuous ally, but they were accommodating to his eccentricities. The truth was, Reza had no intention of exploring these lands, and in fact had merely chosen the most convenient place to disappear into the Aether, somewhere his absence would not be noted.
Reza had told a half truth. Such a strange and arcane vision as the idea of other worlds would be beyond their ken, for they were just barely within his own. To explore the potential of his power, Reza made a false pilgrimage into foreign lands so that he might travel to these other worlds. Reza rarely ever needed to travel anywhere his clan did not, for his ancestors told him stories of the far-off lands of Tarkir and all they held, of a time of dragons, the stories of how the mighty Khan Daghatar slew the great dragon Dromoka. But the ancestors had only ever lived on Tarkir. In warfare, the key to defeating the enemy was to possess an advantage over them, and knowledge of other worlds might prove to be an advantage greater than any other. With such knowledge at his disposal, Reza hoped he could lead House Rouhani to become one of the greatest of the Abzan houses, and alongside the houses of Mer-Ek, aid in the conquest of all of Tarkir.
Reza scoffed at his own grand ambitions. They were a worthy goal, but before he could even dream of becoming a conqueror, he must first find out whether these other worlds even held any value. Reza looked at his surroundings, and saw no other people, and that the caravan had moved on. He then sat with his pack and concentrated on the sensation of that endless void he had laid his sight upon some month ago. He willed himself to tear through the boundary that he’d been flung through when he was killed by the last resort. A bright light filled his vision and he blinked his eye open, staring into that unfathomable abyss he had entered once before. He set his sights on a city made of white stone, adorned with colorful murals. A body of water larger than the likes of any he had ever seen stood at its edge, churning and rolling like dunes in the desert. Willing himself into that place, Reza tore through the boundary that held him from it.
Reza fell onto the familiar feeling of loose sand. Disoriented, he looked around, and saw no-one. To his left, he saw the white city, and to the right, the vast lake he had seen before. Two massive statues of white stone stood on a circular wall that rose from the water. They each held a spear and wore a crested helmet. Reza wanted to laugh at his success, but he could only manage a weezing cough. His throat ached of dryness. Crawling over to the water, Reza dipped his hand in and drank deeply, before immediately spitting it out and coughing violently. The water tasted grossly of salt. “What kind of water is this?” Determined to find something safe to drink, Reza cleared his throat and stood up, carrying his pack over his left shoulder, and his glaive in his right hand.
Reza found that seeing the city from a distance did it no justice. It was massive, sprawling and full of life. The people bustled about, occasionally stopping to stare at Reza. He had felt somewhat out of place in his armor that scarcely resembled that of the soldiers he had seen stationed in parts, and his robes were a far cry from the colorful ensembles of the people here. Reza stopped to take a breather in a square near the coast, trying not to cough too hard. A bearded man walked up to him.
“I’m sorry to bother you sir, but what is wrong?” He asked.
Reza coughed hard. “I need water.” He wheezed with effort. The man pulled a waterskin from his waist and offered it to Reza, who took a long drink. Sighed with relief, Reza returned the man’s waterskin. “Thank you, sir. You’re too kind.”
“It’s our duty as people to look out for one another, I was happy to, stranger.” The man said with a smile. “My name is Soripheus, I hope you don’t mind my asking yours, since you seem to have travelled far.”
“Reza, of House Rouhani.” Reza cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “A pleasure to meet you. In return, I hope you don’t mind my asking what’s wrong with your lake?”
“Lake?” Soripheus asked, quizzically.
“That one.” Reza pointed to the vast body of water behind him. “The damned thing’s full of salt.” Soripheus howled with laughter, keeling over at Reza’s comment. Reza merely stared at him. “What’s so funny?”
“Of course it’s full of salt! It’s the ocean! That’s quite a jest, Reza! Are you a comedian perhaps?”
Reza turned red and scratched his neck. He replied sheepishly. “No. I… um.” He spoke very quietly. “What’s the ocean?”
Soripheus stopped laughing. “By the Gods, you’re serious. Are you ill, my boy?”
“No, I… I come from very far away. From a place where there is no water that size. Only lakes and rivers. The biggest lake I’ve ever seen is only about as big as this city. But compared to this ocean...”
“Well of course it would pale, my friend.” Soripheus confirmed. “The ocean stretches to the very end of the world! My word, I’ve never heard of a land where nobody had ever heard of the oceans. Even the Godless leonin of Oreskos know of the ocean!”
“My apologies.”
“No need! Why, you’re actually quite the find. You see, I’m training to become a philosopher, so meeting someone like you who knows so little of what is common knowledge to a Meletian is truly fascinating!” Soripheus replied with enthusiasm.
"What is this city called? I found it interesting, so I came this way, but I have not heard anyone say its name, as far as I can tell."
"Well, my vagabond friend, allow me to do the honors." Soripheus gestured to the soaring white edifices. "Welcome to Meletis, the greatest of the Poleis!"
“It really is amazing…” Reza looked around the city and admired its beauty. He had been to Arashin but once in his lifetime, but he couldn’t help but feel that it was nothing compared to the beauty of this place. “The mountains must be good for turning away invaders.”
“Why, Meletis has known only peace with the other Poleis for ages now. Regrettably however, one of our Gods turned on us, destroyed his temple and all of the followers inside. We still don’t know why.” Soripheus gestured ritualistically.
“My condolences… My people live a life of endless fighting. We fight to secure our future, to protect those who would follow us. If my clan conquers our lands, we’d finally have peace. And perhaps… We could build a city like this one.” Reza mused.
“Quite the ambitious one, aren’t you? So I take it you sought to learn from the ways of us city-dwellers to aid in this cause? Or are you wandering without purpose, my strange friend?”
“Actually, my people, we have a tradition of shamans who consult the spirits of the dead. I wanted to learn the ways of other peoples from their ancestors, and this is the first place I ended up.” Reza stood up. “So where can I find the spirits of your ancestors?”
Soripheus looked shocked and made a gesture again. “My friend, save for a select few, our dead remain with Erebos, far across the rivers. Do your people not have such practices?”
“We don’t. Where can I find this Erebos?”
“You understand not what you seek, boy.” Soripheus intoned. He put his hand on Reza’s shoulder and leaned in, speaking in a severe whisper. “If you must ask such blasphemous questions, we should not be somewhere so public.” He walked away briskly, nodding at Reza to follow him. The pair walked through the city until they arrived in Soripheus’ home, a humble abode in a large building consisting of many such houses. Soripheus offered Reza a seat and poured some red beverage from an urn into two broad, flat cups. It smelled strongly, but Reza, not one to turn aside hospitality, drank from it. “I can’t believe I must explain this to you, but you are truly a baffling guest.”
“My apologies once again, my people clearly lead lives very different from yours.”
“Clearly. Reza, this world is ruled by 14 Gods. They preside over this world and all within it. All pay respect to them, some may worship one exclusively, and others still, may reject them altogether! But I have never, once heard of someone who has never heard of them at all.” Soripheus sat up stock straight. “Either your ignorance is feigned as some kind of sick ruse, or you have deceived me of your origins.”
“I assure you I’m as clueless as I seem. But I have lied to you. If only because I don’t know if you’d believe the truth.”
Soripheus drank deeply.“For once in my life… There is something I do not want to know. Maybe someday, but this day… Today’s not that day.”
“So I’m guessing Erebos is one of these Gods?”
“Correct. He is the God of the Dead. He keeps the deceased in the Underworld, a land beyond the rivers, guarded by terrible monstrosities. It is there the
Reza scoffed. “I actually quite enjoy learning, but it’s merely a means to an end. So let’s say I wanted to enter the underworld… How would I arrive at these rivers? And how could I cross them alive?”
Soripheus pondered. “I think there’s a way. If you’re determined that this is your course.”
Reza nodded.
“To reach the underworld, you’ll need to travel to Setessa, and walk through the Winter Nexus, an ancient lion’s den said to descend into the underworld.” He said with authority. “You must steel yourself in that place, for Erebos’ despair may consume you, if you’re not strong of will. Know your purpose, and plead for this privilege you seek. When you arrive, pay a tribute of gold to Athreos, and enter. From there, your fate will be in Erebos’ hands, protect it well.”
“I will.” Reza affirmed.
“Then it’s best you leave now. I hope you find what you seek, stranger. If we ever meet again, I hope you have fewer questions to ask.”
Reza stood and bowed to Soripheus. “I hope so as well.” He left the kind host’s home and began to seek what he needed to undertake this journey.
Days had passed, and Reza was well on his way to Setessa. He carried his belongings in his pack, wearing his armor over clothing more suited to the attire of this world. He traveled with a caravan of traders, earning his keep by acting as a guard. He had a handful of gold coins tucked into a small pocket beneath his armor, earned from wagers in a duelist’s ring in Meletis. As he arrived in the wooded city, and the Caravan stopped to distribute its goods, as the roads were too narrow here for a cart to travel through. Reza took his leave then, making his way to the Temple of Karametra, where he heard a weary traveller might be offered a place to rest.
He made himself at home, unpacking his bedroll in a cell in the temple, having promised only to stay for a night, before moving on. He played with his amber ring while waiting for sleep to take him. He was awoken by the slight falls of bare feet on stone. He sat up to meet the person who darkened to doorway. She was dressed well, though not extravagantly, but when her eyes met Reza’s gaze, they were filled with stars.
“Why have you come to this place, trespasser?” She spoke with the voice of multitudes, heavy with import and accusation.
“I didn’t trespass.” Reza said as he stood up. He’d learned of oracles during his stay in Meletis and bowed his head in reverence. “Your followers welcomed me to this temple, your divinity.”
“Your intrusion is not into my temple. It’s into this world.” She said.
Reza’s eye widened and he stood straight. “You... know what I am?”
“The eldest among us has learned much of your kind, Planeswalker, and was kind enough to offer his knowledge to me. Your likes had caused strife and chaos in Theros not long ago.” said Karametra through her oracle.
“I didn’t realize there were others like me.” Reza replied sheepishly. Planeswalkers… So there were others like him.
“There certainly are. One stole a weapon that could slay a God, and fled, her return drove us into paranoid frenzy to claim it. Another deceived the people of this world, stealing followers from Thassa, who rules the sea. Another still learned the truth of our existence from his travels to other worlds, and tried to usurp us by becoming a God himself. Fortunately for us, and perhaps all of Theros, the girl used the Godslayer to put an end to him.”
“I have no intention of being an iconoclast. I seek merely to learn.” Reza assured the God. This girl, where can I find her? I want to know more about the worlds, and if she can teach me, I want to know where she is.”
“Unfortunately for you, she is with Erebos. Nothing more than a spirit now.” The oracle answered.
Reza smirked. “Well, I have a talent from my world that would make her current state rather useful to me. I speak with the spirits of the dead, and I came to this Polis to enter the Winter Nexus and speak with the spirits there. If you can help me speak to her spirit, I will leave this place in peace. You have my word.”
The oracle thought. “Very well. Erebos and I are far from being on good terms, but your presence here could prove as disastrous to him as any of us. On the other hand, that girl is his most precious prize. If I convince him, you must be at my call should you ever return.” The oracle offer her hand. “Do we have an accord, Planeswalker?”
Reza took the Oracle’s hand “We have an accord.”
“Then waste no time leaving when dawn arrives. I will send an ally to meet you. Follow her to the Winter Nexus.” Without any form of goodbye, the oracle left, her foot steps light on the stone floor.
Reza lay back down and fiddled with his ring until he drifted into darkness.
Reza woke before dawn and entered the forest on his own. He waited there as the sun peeked over the horizon, waiting for the ally Karametra promised to send. His patience was met with a pair of creatures filled with starlight, a giant sable, easily large enough for two to ride, and a woman clad in golden leaves and with hair like golden wheat sitting upon its back. He had seen one before, described to him as a nymph, specifically an alseid. She gestured for Reza to climb atop it. He did as she asked and held on as the beast broke into a sprint. It rushed through the woods where Reza saw all manner of beast, and something else.
They shone like soft, starry silhouettes of human beings, gathered around a nymph who tended to them. “Spirits?” He asked.
“Eidolons.” The nymph replied. “They’ve lost their identity, because they tried to escape the underworld. The bodies become faceless walking corpses we call the returned, living empty lives based on a despondent mimicry of the lives they once had, wearing a gold mask that depicts their former selves. The eidolons don’t even have that, wandering lost without any knowledge of its old self or what it has lost. They come to us, drawn to our magic. We care for them, the pitiful things.”
“That’s so sad…” Reza replied.
“It truly is. Karametra tells me you can speak to spirits, do the dead wander your world as well?” The alseid asked.
“Some do, but only if they were disowned by their families. Most serve as advisors, their bodies buried under a tree their family tends to. I spent my life surrounded by such spirits, the ancestors of my House. It’s unimaginable to me that there are spirits who lose something as important as their memory… Oblivion would almost seem better in comparison.”
“Perhaps it would… But I could never bring myself to extinguish one. They’re like helpless children.” She replied.
“I understand.” The sable approached a large burial mound on a rocky hill, where is came to a halt. A cave entrance stood in the rock face, a single nymph standing watch, her body lined with black stone. “Is this the place?”
“Yes.” the Sable crouched so Reza could to dismount it. “She’s a messenger for Erebos.”
“And he is quite displeased by the presumption that Karametra could send an intruder into his realm!” She declared. “Aea, I have known you for a long time, and not once have you ever given me reason to distrust you, but what does your God stand to gain by letting this boy have his way?”
“Peace of mind.” the Alseid, apparently named Aea, dismounted and helped Reza down. “Karametra offers the same to Erebos. She says that as long as the boy acts as her agent, he will never raise a hand against Erebos or Athreos, nor will he threaten the stability of the underworld.”
“That’s all he’s assured? A continuation of the current state?” The lampad asked accusingly.
“After what happened this past summer, I would think that would be a fine gift, an assurance of safety.” Aea said confidently. “The fact of the matter is that the current state has changed, another world-walker’s entered Theros. If Erebos accepts these terms, he can be certain no disaster will befall him at the boy’s hands, if not… Then the boy will be left to pursue his desires on his own terms, through his own devices. Wherever that may take him.”
The other nymph grit her teeth, then suddenly began laughing. “Amazing, I never thought Karametra was capable of such wicked negotiations! I’ll send the message along to my master. Enter at your own risk, boy.” The lampad entered the cave and disappeared into the darkness, still cackling.
“Thank you, Aea.” Reza said to his companion.
“Think nothing of it. You’ll be seeing more of me should you ever return.” Aea climbed back upon the Sable, which stood up. “Karametra has ordered me to keep tabs on you, and I won’t be letting her down. I trust you won’t either.”
“Of course not. I may be a worldwalker, but I haven’t any intention of defying a God.”
“Good.” Aea said with a smile. “Then I’ll be seeing you later.” In a gust of wind, the Sable darted off into the forest, leaving Reza alone at the threshold of the Winter Nexus. He made his first step hesitantly, and made his trek into its dark depths….
Reza passed through to the underworld without issue, he offered Athreos the gold for his passage, and he stood now before Erebos at his throne. He took the form of a horned man with grey skin, towering above Reza, who stood at his feet. The pale shade of an oracle stood before Reza, to serve as Erebos’ interpreter. He opened his lips, and a voice deep and echoing ushered forth, speaking with the agony of an unimaginably immense chorus of lost souls. “So this is the one Karametra threatened to let loose upon my realm if I did not deliver the spirit of the godslayer?”
Reza shrugged. “One and the same. But if you hold up your end of the bargain, you’d have nothing to worry about, would you?”
“Your insolence does not impress me, child.” Erebos intoned.
“Your condescension isn’t doing you any favors either.” Reza replied defiantly. He had no idea how to fight a God, but it was clear that they feared what he was, what he represented. He needed to give them no reason to release them of that fear. “Death has tried to claim me twice. Once as a man,” Reza lifted the bang that hung over his left eye. It was scarred and blind, staring lazily into space, cataracts forming a milky white veil over his iris. “and once as a child. An arrow aimed at my head missed its mark due to swift intervention, and a spell which destroys entire armies failed in its attempts to end me. I will die one day, Lord of the Dead…” Reza said as he turned from the oracle and to his master.
“But I will the one to decide when that is. Until then, all of your attempts to claim me will fail.” Reza leaned on his glaive and turned back to the oracle. “My request is simple. Let me speak with the Godslayer in privacy. All you need to do to keep me from turning against you is agree, and if you do, no matter how much I might want to purge your miserable existence from being…” Reza conjured a spell that wiped away a nyxborn guard with a wave of his hand. “Karametra will not allow me to do so. Do you understand?”
Erebos’ gaze did not waver. He faded into nothing, leaving only Reza and the oracle.
Please, follow me. The oracle said, in the normal hushed tones of a spirit to which Reza was accustomed. The Oracle led him through dark catacomb until he reached a silent grotto filled with still water. A single figure floated above the water, that of a woman, perhaps only a bit older than Reza himself. Her back was turned to him. She was clad in armor from head to toe, unlike the soldiers of Theros. The oracle left the grotto, leaving the two alone.
Reza stepped into the pool, disturbing its waters. The spirit turned her head slightly in response. “Are you the Godslayer?”
The figure turned away from the golden mask in her hands to look at Reza. Her eyes widened in shock, he did not look dead. How did he make it here? Nonetheless she answered him. Yes. I have slain a god.
"Then you're like me, a planeswalker." Reza answered. "My name is Reza Rouhani, I come from the plane of Tarkir. I recently discovered I could walk between worlds, worlds I didn't even know existed. Where I come from, my people have a tradition of speaking with the spirits of the deceased, so I sought to learn from the spirits of this plane. Which led me to you."
She nodded in understanding. If anyone were to make it into this underworld alive it would be another planeswalker. She touched the gap in her armor from Heliod's deathblow at the mention of spirits. The godslayer could hardly believe she was dead sometimes. In life, I was Elspeth Tirel. Yes, I was a planeswalker, and I could give you many lifetimes of stories and hardships that come with the Spark. Tell me Reza, what is it you wish to learn?
“Well first,” Reza began, leaning on his glaive. “tell me where you came from. What's your home like?"
Elspeth flinched at the mention of her home. I can hardly remember it. The only memories I have of that place is the darkness and the torture of the Phyrexians.
"What are the Phyrexians? Some clan of warlords?"
They are the worst nightmare. An unholy union of flesh and machine. All that you must know about them is they must be destroyed. Her body tensed at their mention, Elspeth grasped at her belt for her sword’s hilt to hold onto, but found no such comfort.
"I see, so you fled these Phyrexians and came... here?"
Her head snapped and she looked offended at the very idea. I did not flee. But I did come here. Did you come here to learn of the horrors of the multiverse Reza?
"My apologies." Reza bowed his head. "My curiosity got the better of me." He raised his head to meet Elspeth's gaze. "If the multiverse is full of horror alone, I'm not certain I want to learn. But I don't believe that it is. You must have something you hold dear. Tell me about those things."
There was a place I loved, Bant. When I lived there, there was order. There was peace. Angels flew in the skies and protected us where we could not. She smiled softly at the fond memories,
That came to an end however... Even within the hellish nightmare that is the new world of the phyrexians I met good people. Melira who became the heart of the resistance. And Venser who... gave everything so we could live on.
And then here I met Daxos. I gave my life so he could live. She grasped at the fabric on her armor. Please tell me there is news of him on the outside. Is he doing well?
"I've heard nothing of him. I'm sorry."
..A shame. She lowered her head in disappointment. Is there anything else you wish to know from me Reza?
"Well, after I leave this place, I must depart from Theros, I agreed to. Do you have anywhere you recommend that I go? Or perhaps, someone you want me to find?" Reza looked at his amber ring. "I believe my magic will let me speak with you even in the land of the living, as long as I am on this plane. When I return, I can bring you news of someone may not have had a chance to bid goodbye to."
I just hope you can find a place that you can call home... I never truly found that. Someone you should seek out is Ajani Goldmane. He has helped me more than anyone else in the multiverse, and will be a teacher to you too. There is also my old squire Aran on Bant--- Alara now. I wish to know of his life. And if you can, tell me how Daxos is. I wish he would have a full life rather than the one I cut short.
She pulled a necklace from around her neck and held it for Reza. The multiverse is a dangerous place. I've used this to summon allies to my side. May it serve you well.
Reza accepted the gift. It held a bright, glowing, blue light inside of a glass vial, suspended in an ornate wire cage. "Thank you very much. I promise I'll find your friends for you. I won't be returning here, but we will see each other again." Reza donned the necklace and looked Elspeth in the eye. "Thank you for speaking with me. You sound as though you've lead a difficult life... I'm sorry that it ended before you could find peace, however." Reza gripped his glaive. "I will carry your will from here on. I'll make a peace for the Abzan Houses, one that will honor your memory."
Reza tore through the boundary of Theros into the blind eternities, before he stepped through, he offered some parting words. "That mask... I'm in no position to make your choices for you... But I'd think long and hard before you put it on. A life without your will... Is that of any worth to you? You should know for certain that it is, because that is a decision you cannot back out of."
Reza stepped through the gap, leaving Elspeth alone once more.
A Warden’s responsibility is to guard the Kin-tree of their House. But Reza, filled with wanderlust, seeks to find out the nature of the other worlds, and see if he can learn from the experience of travelling to them. However, the care of his house rests solely on his shoulders. Before he can leave Tarkir, Reza needs to find someone with whom to share his burden...
After Reza’s trial, House Veisi moved on. They were without Krumar, but they could make do by fighting alongside another House until they arranged to bring in more troops. Reza, meanwhile stayed in Mer-Ek to make arrangements for the formation of his House. He’d already met with the masons that would build the mobile fortress, and planted his Kin-tree in a room he was given in the Stronghold. Until the fortress would be built, Reza had to decide who he would invite to join his House. Typically it was customary to extend such invitations one’s bond-kin, but following the loss of Reza’s Krumar bretheren, he was bereft of such bonds beyond the members of House Veisi, who were already short on hands following that same loss.
However, Reza already had one person in mind. Reza found himself in the plaza of the First Tree once again, for the first time since the trial. It was empty this time, except for a few advisors having talks. The Amber Throne was vacant, as expected, Anafenza rarely spent her time there, preferring to train her troops or lead reinforcement efforts. It was only during grand trials such as Reza’s and other important ceremony she spent any time there. The Warden of the First Tree stood watch, vigilant as ever, confident, and at ease, though not letting his guard down for a moment. Seeing a warrior like him was a grand sight, between him, Gvar, and of course the Khan herself, they were the four strongest fighters of the Houses. However, Reza was not looking for a warrior, and he had all of the advisors he would ever need, by virtue of his gift.
Reza was looking for a friend. He walked up to a young woman in white robes, speaking to an ancestor. Reza approached the ancestor and bowed. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I have her time? I want to offer my thanks to her.”
The spirit regarded Reza silently then turned to the young woman. Would you like me to stay, child? She asked.
The young woman chuckled. “No, that won’t be necessary. I will speak with you soon.” Wordlessly, the spirit nodded and stared as Reza before dissolving into the air. The young woman turned to Reza and smiled. “So, we meet again.” She was very relaxed and familiar, as if she and Reza had been friends for a long time, though they had only met yesterday, and under such dire circumstances.
Reza averted his gaze and scratched his head. “Yes, I’m sorry to meet you without making a prior arrangement… But I want to make this quick.” Reza loosened his scarf and looked into space, avoiding meeting the woman’s eyes. “Your name is Tala, correct?”
“Yes, it is. I haven’t introduced myself properly, but I am Tala Akhtar. A pleasure to meet on better terms, Reza Rouhani.” She made no attempt to approach Reza, giving him space.
“Yes, likewise…” Reza took a deep breath and met Tala’s eyes again. “I just wanted to thank you for defending me yesterday. I owe you my life, and I wanted to offer you something in return.”
“That’s not necessary. The defense was Farzaneh’s doing. I merely spoke her words so others could hear.” She replied calmly.
“No. I could have called her myself. But I didn’t, I was too absorbed with my guilt and loss to realize where the fault truly lay. I was foolish. But you allowed me to hear my Sister’s voice again. I know that any speaker would have done the same if ordered by the Khan, but all the same, you were the one there that day, so my thanks lie with you. If not for you, I’d have died because of my own foolish shame, and because of you, I can stand on my own two feet again.” Reza pulled something from a pocket inside of his robes and opened Tala’s palm, placing it there. “I want you to have it.” Tala looked inside of her palm and saw the medallion Reza handed her the previous day. Sanded rough by the spell which killed its former owner. “I don’t need it anymore, I can speak with her without its aid. I don’t want to remember her by how she died, I want to remember my Sister as she lived, a strong, kind mentor who eased my doubts whenever necessary. I hope that her medallion can offer you similar reassurance, a reminder of the life you’ve saved. If you invoke her, you’ll never summon a more loyal guardian.”
“Thank you, Reza. It is a kind gift.” She said with a smile. “Have you spoken with Farzaneh since the trial?”
Reza nods. “Yes. I told her that I planned to do this. She agrees to aid you as she aided me. But that’s not the only reason that I’ve come here.”
“Oh? What else?”
Reza bowed to Tala. “Please forgive my selfishness, but I would be honored if you joined House Rouhani as its first Bond-kin.”
Tala’s brown cheeks turned red. “I... What?”
“Huh?” Reza shot upright and looked at Tala. “N-no! I’m not insisting or anything! I just... I know that it might seem like I’m trying to court you but, I…” Reza covered his eye in shame. “Ah.. I’m making a fool of myself.” He sighed deeply and turned away. “I don’t have anyone else to welcome into my House. My Bond-kin of House Veisi are needed where they are, and I have no blood to stand behind me. To be honest I gave up on you accepting the invitation before I even came here.” Reza fixed his scarf and turned back to Tala. “It was the appropriate thing to do, in my opinion, is all. I am in your debt, Tala, and I want to be your friend, and I know the Salt Road isn’t exactly as prestigious as Mer-ek or Arashin, but if you wish to join my House, the doors are open to you.”
Tala sighed. “Well, this is all quite a surprise…”
“I’m very sorry.” Reza replied sheepishly.
“Reza, your invitation is an honor. I won’t accept it just yet, but honestly… I trust you. As long as your House is still being prepared, we can meet here and get to know one another. If you have no-one else to rely on but me…” Tala extended her hand and smiled. “I’d be fine being the one to support you.”
Reza felt heat rising to his face and immediately bowed to hide it. “Thank you very much!”
“Stop bowing!” Tala growled. “You’re being way too formal! If you want us to be friends, stop being so stiff, okay!”
Reza stood back up and tried to relax. “I’m sorry. I’m just not good with new people.”
Tala sighed. “I guess you have a lot ahead of you if you’re going to form a House from scratch… Do you know anyone else to invite other than me?”
Reza shook his head. “Not yet. Actually, I’m not going to be in Mer-ek much longer, so we’ll have to get to know each other later.”
“Oh? Why are you leaving so soon?” She asked.
“I want to travel for a while.” Reza remembered what he saw the night of the tragedy. Other worlds… What were they like? Why was he able to see them? Why did he feel like… He was supposed to travel to them? “I’m going far-off, since most of my arrangements have been taken care of. In the mean time, I need someone to tend to the Kin-tree. I know it’s a big responsibility but, I trust you too. So, may I leave it in your care?”
Tala stood straight and nodded. “I’d be honored to. Though, a Warden should care for his tree. This is rather unconventional...”
“I know, but… I’m still young, and there’s much I don’t know. I need to serve my future house to the best of my abilities, and I feel other lands may hold the answer to these questions. Until then, House Rouhani is in your care, my friend.” Reza smiled calmly. “Thank you for letting me rely on you. I’m glad we know each other.”
Tala returned his smile. “I hope you’ll find me reliable.”
“I’m sure that I will.” Reza turned and started to leave the plaza before stopping and turning back around. “By the way, since I can summon Farzaneh from anywhere, and you have her medallion now, we can use her as a messenger. So, I’ll keep in touch through her okay? If you can’t reach me for a while, try not to worry.”
Tala nodded. “Of course! But before you leave, meet me here same time tomorrow? We can talk if you like.”
Reza nodded. “That would be nice. We could get something to eat.”
Tala waved. “See you then!”
Reza waved back and left the plaza, glad that she’d been so receptive, and more anxious now than ever to see the extent of his abilities…
Do not, I repeat do not, make a deal with the Orzhov Syndicate if you want your soul to remain with the Abzan Houses.
I know of the Orzhov. Frankly I think what they do is disgusting and if I didn't have responsibilities at home, I would do what I could to tear them down.
What are the spirits to you? Pawns? Servants? Tools? Family?
Advisors. Their experience is diverse and extensive. The spirits' knowledge provide valuable assets both in battle and in life, and they can serve as scouts or soldiers without putting the living at risk. I have a deep respect for the spirits and all that they do for me, and the houses. So perhaps Family is not too far from the mark either.
Every planeswalker's spark ignites during a mortal experience, and Reza is no different. The trial by which Reza earned his Spark was nothing less than the aftermath of his greatest dread...
Within the confines of House Veisi, a strategy meeting was being held in a room under the roots of the family’s Kin-tree. A low rumble persisted as the House was pulled by a war beast through the Shifting Wastes. House Veisi’s most frequent purpose was to serve as an escort for merchants along the Salt Road, into Jeskai territory. It was on one of these expeditions the young man at the head of the table was adopted. Slight of frame, with his long black hair covering the left side of his face, the youth twisted an amber ring on his second finger. Behind him stood figures formed of billowing sand, Ancestors of House Veisi, spirits that he had called to consult for this council.
The man’s name was Reza, a strategist and spirit speaker who led the Krumar of House Veisi into battle. As Krumar, they went into battle as shock troops, ahead of the rest of the House, always on the front lines. Though known for their endurance, the Abzan still suffered casualties in battle, and many of these casualties were Krumar such as these. However, Reza’s keen tactical mind had served to make his detachment of Krumar one of those with the highest survival rate in the clan, aside from those houses which were in direct service of the Khan. Because of this, the Krumar in this room considered Reza nothing less than a Brother, a high honor in a clan which values family above all else.
“Brother, we cannot allow this treason to go unanswered.” An orc urged. “These Disowned sully our good name! We know where they hide, and we know when they set out to raid. If we act now, we can save face with the Jeskai.” She intoned severely. House Veisi valued their trade, and while other Abzan could care less than the Jeskai, losing their good grace would prove catastrophic for the livelihood of this House. While it was not in the nature of Abzan to start needless battles, those that were no longer part of the houses, Disowned, possessed no such scruples. They would roam the Salt Road, plunder all that they could, and spill as much blood as would be necessary to get it, and this particular band was known to be particularly brutal.
“I agree, what they’re doing is detestable, however, I’m unsure we can carry through on this mission alone without overextending ourselves. If we happen to meet them on the road, I’m sure that our House as a whole can withstand their assault.” Reza replied. His jade-green eye met those of the Orc’s. He imagined her blood spilling into the white sands of the waste, along with the rest of the Krumar in the room, set upon by a force with superior preparation and better knowledge of their surroundings. His sisters and brothers, buried by wind and sand, never to be laid to rest under their Kin-tree… He shook the image from his mind. Doubt would make any plan fail before it even began. There was no place for it now.
The Disowned know that we are coming… A whisper came through Reza’s ear, he turned to look over his shoulder to one of the sandy figures, an Ancestor named Shai. I have seen one of their scouts from afar. They have tracked our movements for days or more. I believe it likely they intend to catch the House by surprise. We cannot know when or how they will strike. Haste is ill-advised, however...
“I see.” Reza stood up. “Our Ancestor has informed me that she has witnessed a scout tracking us for some days. She believes a surprise attack is probable. But she has no information or guess as to when they might strike.”
“Then we take the fight to the traitors first!” A young man of Mardu descent firmly struck the table. “It may not be our way as Abzan, but we cannot wait to be attacked like rabbits in a trap. No matter how strong our defenses, if the House is not prepared for an attack, we cannot withstand it as easily.”
“I agree,” an Aven declared. “We’ll strike them before they can mount their attack. We may die, but our sacrifices will protect House Veisi!”
“Reza.” said the Orc, her voice calm and cool. “We respect all you have done to protect us. You’ve saved us more times than we can count and for that we are all thankful. But we are Krumar. It is our place to defend House and Clan. If we die fighting these traitors, it will not have been in vain.” She stood and placed her large hand on Reza’s shoulder, an amber medallion on her chest gleaming in the midday sun filtering through the window. “I am yours to command, Brother.”
Reza looked to her, and purging all fear from his mind, put his hand on her arm. “I will not let you down, Sister.” Stepping away, he regarded the rest of his Bond-Kin. “We will not wait to be made victims. We strike their hideout tonight.” The Krumar roared with approval, and the Ancestors raised their swords in accordance. “If we die we, will die with honor. But tonight will not be our night to die. Even afield, we are Abzan, and we will endure.”
It was not long before night came. Cold desert air greeted the Krumar as they set out to a crag on the Horizon. It was a long march, but they could not risk being heard approaching with beasts or even mounts. As they drew near, an Aven signaled to top. Her keen vision had spotted three soldiers on patrol. Reza nodded and called forth a pair of spirits. As the two phantoms silently darted along the sands as unassuming gusts, Reza conjured dark magic and choked the life out of one of the guards from afar. As his body hit the ground, the other two were alerted, only to be run through by the Ancestors.
The Krumar pushed forward, arms at the ready. They approached the entrance of the cave the disowned has holed up in, Reza at the fore, his glaive resting on his shoulder. The soldiers inside shot into action, wasting no time in taking up arms, and immediately surged into Reza’s forces. Magic and steel filled the air, alerting the entire camp. Soon, the two forces were deeply entrenched against one another, blades clashing against scaled armor, blood spilling onto the stone of the cavern. “Reza!” A voice called from outside. Reza ran outside of the caverns to meet the scouts, Aven unsuited to fighting in enclosed space. “A raiding party returns, and the one that the Jeskai report to be captain is among them!” Reza smirked and called for his best men. They came to his aid immediately and set out after him.
The two groups met on the road, Reza’s handful of troops against a full raiding party. The disowned roared and broke into a charge when they identified Reza’s men. In silent response, Reza called forth more than a dozen spirits and charged in kind. The scouts flying over head threw pikes into the raiding party from above and the Orc that had stood by Reza earlier cut down three men with a single swing of her great axe. Reza thrust his glaive, cutting open the neck of an Orc looking to take him down. Sensing an attacker behind him, he spun his weapon and held it in front of his back, catching a sword inches from his back, and parried the weapon away before sweeping its wielder to its feet. Reza smirked as he drove the blade of his glaive into the traitor’s chest. Reza turned to the captain, crouched to the ground in fear. Reza focused upon him and ran forward, blade in hand, vaulting over a soldier in a deft feat of acrobatics, he was poised to strike at the cowering traitor, muttering in fear.
Not muttering. Reza heard a whisper. Chanting. Beware, my child.
Reza’s eyes widened as the captain rose to his feet and screamed with rage and desperation. The winds instantly kicked up around him, shooting sand into the air. The gale stripped all of the flesh off the bones of the still living soldiers within seconds, Reza’s skin burned as the tiny grains drove into his body and tore away his muscle. He fell to the ground, into the blackness of death.
And his eyes opened in a place beyond his comprehension. A swirling void of endless possibilities, places that looked unlike any he had seen on Tarkir. Bodies of water that stretched to the horizon, islands that floated in the sky like boats, scorched landscapes dogged by flying creatures of ancient legend, and city sprawling as far as the eye could see. Reza was amazed, not understanding what lay before him, couldn’t help but yearn for the familiar, for home, and as he did, the scenery faded.
And his eyes opened where he was not moments ago, he dragged himself to his feet and scanned the desert. Bare skeletons littered the waste, many shattered into pieces. As he rose to his feet, he saw the battered remains of the Aven who had flown over head, and a familiar set of armor. He walked over to it, still unsteady and looked inside of the breastplate. An amber medallion, scoured to a rough finish. Reza gripped the medallion, hot tears dripping down the right side of his face. His worst fears had become reality, even with all doubts purged, he had failed. He turned to the road, and saw a single man shambling away, clutching his chest. Reza stood and screamed at the man his voice rough with anguish and hatred. “TRAITOR!” He cried from the depths of his raw lungs. The man turned around and faced Reza, fear had washed over his face. “Th-that spell… How did you survive it? That was the last resort…” A spell infamous among the Abzan, guaranteeing total destruction of one’s enemies, but also one’s own allies. The Abzan turn to this spell as a last resort, for its inevitable result is what they most dread: to be alone.
“I don’t know.” Reza conjured life magic silently. “All I know is that you slaughtered my kin, and your own, all to save your own hide. There truly is no honor among the disowned.”
“Please!” The captain fell to his knees before Reza. “I can’t fight anymore, please have mercy!”
“Mercy? It’s not my place to grant you mercy.” Reza called the spirits of the fallen, his allies that had died by this man’s hand, “Beg them for mercy.” An army of spirits many times larger than Reza’s detachment formed behind him. Billowing figures of children and elders, Jeskai monks and Mardu raiders, even spirits of the cold-blooded Naga appeared to serve Reza.
The man stood and tried to run away, but the storm of spirits fell upon him like a storm of dust, tearing the traitor down. Like the victims of his spell, he was torn to the bone in seconds, a fine mist of blood kicked into the wind by the spirits’ assault.
Reza stood shocked at what had occurred. His powers with spirit calling were prodigious, but never this great. His army turned and regarded him before fading into nothing.
Reza sat in a dark cell. It had been weeks since the encounter in the desert. Not once had he called a spirit since then. It was well within his power, but he felt he was not deserving of the honor to speak with beloved ancestors after failing his Kin. The rest of his House agreed. When Reza returned alone, they asked where the Krumar were. Reza led them to the thieves’ hideout and he was accused of using the last resort to wipe everyone out. He couldn’t defend himself. There were no witnesses, and his own guilt made the words catch in his throat. The bones were identified and buried under the Kin-Tree, though bare bone offered little nourishment, it was better than no place for the honored dead to rest. He was taken to Mer-Ek for a trial before the Foremost Khan and Gvar Barzeel, high commander of the Krumar.
The Khan sat on her throne with an air of severity. She was small of stature, but stood taller than any other in the room when it came to her presence. She heard the case against Reza and listened well. Gvar wrinkled his nose in disgust, but said nothing, looking down on the kneeling spirit-speaker. “So,” the Khan asked. “what of his account?”
“He offers no defense, Khan. His guilt reads plainly on his face, and his lips offer no excuses.” The Warden of Veisi replied.
“Just as well,” Gvar interjected. “I’d soon enough behead him simply for lying to the Khan.”
“That’s enough.” The Khan intoned. She looked down at Reza not with disgust, but disappointment. “I refuse to believe that this man, who had done everything in his power to protect his Troops on the most contested trade route on Tarkir would use that spell so lightly as to kill a group of bandits. There must be someone who could account for his side of the story.”
“Only the dead, my Khan.” The warden replied.
“Then we’ll hear their account. Tala. Come.” A young woman stepped forward, and took a drink of distilled resin from the First Tree to aid her powers. She approached Reza.
“Who would you invoke to your defense?” She asked.
Reza opened his palm and looked at the medallion he had picked up in the desert. “Farzaneh, my Sister by bond.” He offered the medallion to Tala, who picked it up. Silently, she called the spirit of the Orc who stood by Reza in so many battles.
“Farzaneh, your Bond-kin, Reza, stands accused of dispensing of your life fruitlessly by using the last resort. Did he do this?” Tala asked.
No. She whispered. The disowned traitor who we sought to kill used it in order to evade capture. He slaughtered us all and his own men, exactly as a disowned bastard would. Tala related her words.
Gvar scoffed. “What a brilliant lie! Tell me, if the boy did not cast the spell, how did he survive it?”
I cast a spell to protect him with my last breath. Reza was like a little brother to me. Had he not been ready to strike the heart of the traitor through the heart not a moment before he cast the spell, I’m sure Reza would have done the same for me. Reza did not want to leave our House for fear of jeopardizing our lives, sir. Tala translated. But we persuaded him to do so to protect House Veisi. He resolved to win and protect our lives at the same time. Reza fought like an Abzan that day, steadfast, unyielding, and true to his kin. And in the end, he was the last to endure, exacting vengeance upon the traitor by calling his fallen brothers back to him.
Reza is not a traitor, my Khan. He is more loyal to the clan than any of us. Farzaneh’s spirit faded into the wind, leaving only Tala standing between Reza and his Judges. But Reza could only feel the tears streaming down his face. Even in death, his Sister defended and supported him.
Gvar nodded at the account. “Very well. Unbelievable as it may be, I see no reason to ignore the account. I find it hard to believe that he didn’t cast the spell, but if he didn’t… It would be a waste to disown a man who inspires such loyalty in his troops.”
The Khan nodded in agreement. “And it seems he’s quite the strategist as well. Our ties with the Jeskai are growing weaker… Should it come to war with them, we’ll need someone on the Salt Road who can match their cunning.” The Foremost Khan stood, and the court rose following her. “Reza, I absolve you of your guilt, so stand. You have proven your innocence on this day.”
Reza wiped the tears from his eye and stood up. He looked his Khan in the eye and knelt before her. “Thank you, Khan.”
“Don’t thank me yet… I have one more gift to grant you before we leave.” Stepping down from the throne, the Khan laid her hand upon Reza’s head. “For your valor in battle, enduring against all odds, and inspiring the loyalty of your Bond-kin, I, Anafenza, the Foremost, bestow upon you the Title of Warden, and a kin-tree to be planted in a House of your creation, to be ruled by your blood in my name, beyond the ends of time.” She lifted her hand from his head and stepped back. “Rise and name yourself, Reza, for you are Krumar no longer.”
Reza stood up, looking at the crowd around him. His House nodded with affirmation, the Warden, having accepted the account of his Bond-kin smiled with pride. Tala, who spoke up for him when he could not held the amber medallion to him. Reza picked it from her hands. Without the ancestors of his House, he would never have been able to lead his Bond-kin, without the Warden to defend the tree, there would be no ancestors to invoke, and without Farzaneh and Tala, he could not have been absolved of his guilt. Without the spirits, Reza would have nothing, and he has never been more thankful to them than now. “I am Reza Rouhani, who hold the spirits in highest esteem. I shall do your name honor, my Khan.” He said with the deepest respect.
House Veisi cheered as the sapling for Reza’s Kin-tree was carried out to him. Just as before, Farzaneh had purged all doubt from Reza’s mind, along with the minds of everyone within the court. While his Bond-kin did die, Reza’s greatest fear was not realized, nor would it ever be.
