#clockwork steed

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Clockwork Steed

Artist: Amy Weber TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[piecesofchess]

After a couple years of being at the bottom of my drafts, I've finally finished the first concept of the Armada Elite Steeds. The Clockwork Steed is a beautiful mount and I've always wondered why they were created. I think they could be an advantage to the Court, so here are some fan-made designs and concepts (below).

I wanted to make them represent the Elite that owns them, which explains the design choices. Headcanons for each Elite + their Steed below the cut:

Shadow (Bishop's Steed):

The most agile Clockwork Steed. Bishop rarely uses / rides Shadow, but it comes in handy if he’s in the middle of fleeing an area and needs a quicker means of escaping.

He uses Shadow to test any improvements / upgrades to the clockwork steeds, so its look and function is always changing. This means it’s also the most advanced clockwork steed.

Note: The design shown here is Shadow's 'default' / first modification.

Trivel (Phule’s Steed):

The youngest of the Elite steeds and therefore the most energetic. Trivel was  going to be scrapped because it needed taming and wasn’t built correctly - however, Phule was sympathetic and found it reminded him of himself. He managed with patience and eventually tamed Trivel.

Phule technically works as King Casimir’s Court Jester, so he is sometimes sent into battlefield and carries/delivers messages between the Armada and the enemy using Trivel. Being a clockwork is a huge advantage since he usually returns unscathed.

^ Phule boosts morale for the Armada soldiers by giving them speeches beforehand. He also cavorts with Trivel when the enemies are in their opposing positions, usually just to taunt them.

Goliath (Rooke’s Steed):

The biggest and strongest Elite steed. Essentially a warhorse. It wears armor for protection while Rooke uses it on the battlefield. He rides Goliath into battle, serving as heavy cavalry if needed.

Goliath has a bit of a bad temper compared to the usual Dragoon’s warhorses. Rooke handles it easily and is therefore the only one to ever ride it.

Echo (Kane & Queen’s steed):

Echo is used in Valencia’s horse shows to showcase the beauty and advancements of the clockwork steeds. It’s programmed to do tricks and be ridden for dressage. (I know, I KNOW, ‘technicalities’. But they’re CLOCKWORK.)

The steed is shared between Kane and Queen, who either ride it on their own or together. They use Echo when the King and Queen request to go horseback riding with other nobility.

Echo was one of the first Clockwork Steeds manufactured and therefore maintains its simplified design.

Traveler (Deacon’s Steed):

Uses Traveler to go long distances on land, if he’s not on his ship. Has a lot of pockets on it to keep Deacon’s possessions and carry important things for him like treaties and deeds.

It’s also used to carry a prisoner or two back to his ship, for long-traveling distances. This is why it usually carries rope / handcuffs.

Additional headcanons:

There are Clockwork Steeds provided to the soldiers/dragoons/etc. for Cavalry. They are less advanced than the Elite’s Steeds, and usually not dressed. They’re constantly being broken, so the parts are often recycled to make new ones.

Only special nobility / upper classes in Valencia own a clockwork steed, but they’re strictly for show and leisurely riding. These steeds belong to anyone that the Armada can closely monitor, since the horses are still under testing.

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Clockwork Steed

Artist: Terese Nielsen TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Clockwork Steed

Artist: Terese Nielsen TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[kahran042]

Magic: The Gathering showcase - The Best of Amy Weber

Others:

High Tide

Joven’s Ferrets

Phelddagrif

On a side note, what exactly is supposed to be going on in the art for Icy Manipulator, anyway… or is it something better left unknown?

[entangled-fortress]

[Magic The Gathering: Clockwork Steed by Terese Nielsen]

[sylvhem]

The art of Terese Nielsen - Colorless: Artifacts

Some of my favourite Terese Nielsen’s pieces of art for Magic: the Gathering.

In alphabetical order :

Clockwork Steed

Frogmite

Loxodon Warhammer

Moonglove Extract

Silverskin Armor

Static Orb

Wooden Sphere