Magic Story - The Kraul

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We love us a good Magic: the Gathering Story and DANG did WotC staffer Alison Luhrs deliver a whopper of a great story today on the mothersite (linked right here).  Pitter-patter and make tracks over there to read - or better yet - LISTEN to this story on Unspoken Realms linked right here.  Previously Unspoken Realms would have the story up in a day or two after being posted by Wizards, but we now learn of a new partnership between the two where the Unspoken Realms episode is posted concurrently with the written piece.

Today's Magic Story is a 'one-off' stand alone fiction piece associated with the upcoming Commander Anthology (please note - not - Commander 2017).  

NEXT WEEK - Rejoice !, as Magic Story is to return to the Plane of Amonkhet with the first installment of the Hour of Devastation story.  The story precedes the official release of the set which is slated for July 14, 2017.  Righto - on to today's story notes -


"Behold, child: Umerilek, Mausoleum of the Erstwhile, the salvation of the kraul and the key to the creation of the Golgari empire." 

- Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest

Did that not just send the shivers down your spine ?  Perhaps if you are a fan of Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord, this may have rustled your jimmies.  What gall the Kraul have to imagine that the Golgari Guildmaster would answer their invitation.  Anywhoos, let's get into what Alison Luhrs served up in today's story 'PRIDE OF THE KRAUL'.

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The secretive Kraul inhabit the Ravnica undercity, and for centuries, had been an unguilded mass of 'insectoid brutes'. Recently, having pledged allegiance to the Golgari Guild, they are still being marginalized by the Golgari and work as their labourers, working the rot fields and maintaining the sewers.

Svogthos, the Restless Tomb by Marina Pilcerova

Mazirek, a death priest and hive-leader of the Kraul and friend to Vraska, the Planeswalker Gorgon.  From this friendship, Mazirek develops a deeper understanding of emotions, not quite natural to his race of insects.  With support from Vraska, Mazirek puts into motion plans which may shift of balance of power of not only the Golgari Guild but perhaps all who may call Ravnica home.

Golgari Rot Farm by John Avon

Sobeslav, Jarad's administrative assistant receives a letter at the Golgari Guildhall, protectively ringed by Korozda, the Maze of Decay.  The letter is from Mazirek inviting Jarad to a meeting.  Sobeslav take it upon himself to answer in person and perhaps put Mazirek in his place.  With a squad of 15 golgari elves, Sobeslav makes a lengthy journey, with each day adding a measure of doubt.

Swamp by Richard Wright

Shortly upon arrival, Mazirek murders the envoy and uses their life energy to fuel a necromantic spell that breaks the seal of an ancient and forgotten vault, the Umerilek, Mausoleum of the Erstwhile.  There is no existing reference to this in Magic Lore yet, and we want more - much more !

Delicate hands draped with lace and beautiful rings removed the lids of their own coffins, and the undead began to rise of their own accord, just as Vraska had told him they would.

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