As you turn the corner of the deserted hall a slight breeze greets you. The day has been clear and hot, but the wind hints at coming rain. You tell yourself not to linger long in Issar Roon's study. The way back to your room is not entirely protected from a strong downpour. You bring yourself back to the present, and find yourself standing in front of the familiar oak door. You push it open quietly in hope of surprising the old man.

Hello again.

Disappointed, you close the door behind you quickly, hoping that the old man will not send you away.

You should take your time in life. There is no need to do the tasks required of us so hurriedly or impatiently. Take a seat on the stool.

The study's second stool has reappeared from somewhere, and must be what the old man is referring to. You choose not to ponder where the old man hides his things, hoping to avoid a headache.

I wanted to expand upon the man I alluded to during your last visit. He wasn't always a planeswalker, but he did spend a large portion of his life around the god-like beings. He became close to some of the more powerful planeswalkers of the time, and eventually played a large role in certain events upon Dominaria. His name was Ravidel.

Ravidel grew up within a family of farmers, but he was possessed of a skill not found among the others. He was capable of powerful magics, but it was not a skill he wished for. Magic was the cause of a rift between Ravidel and his parents, and his life grew lonely and isolated. That was, before Faralyn found him.

Faralyn took the young Ravidel on as a spellsquire, sure that his talents exceeded that of a typical mage. Faralyn trained him, and took him along journeys throughout the Shard. Ravidel grew into his considerable talents, and even befriended the Elder Dragon under Faralyn's control, Chromium Rhuell. The three searched for a way out of the Shard, which eventually led to the Summit of the Null Moon.

Unbeknownst to Ravidel, Faralyn had called the gathering of planeswalkers for his own devious purposes. He, along with Leshrac and Tevesh Szat, hoped to cause a fight between the powerful planeswalkers, leading to a death. Their ultimate goal was to harness the power of a planeswalker's passing to break free of the Shard. No planeswalker died, but their plan was met with success when Ravidel and Chromium Rhuell were killed. Instead of mourning his spellsquire and servant's deaths, Faralyn left the Shard.

Of course, my story does not end there. Ravidel was resurrected by two planeswalkers present, Taysir and Kristina of the Woods. In the process his spark triggered, and he was reborn as the mightiest of wizards. Though he was furious at their decision to revive himself instead of his Elder Dragon friend, Ravidel agreed to join Taysir as his spellsquire. Hiding his anger within, Ravidel slowly began a plot to exact revenge upon all of the planeswalkers present at the Summit of the Null Moon.

Slightly surprised at the dark turn in the story, you question the old man. Surely, you say, this is a story of an unknown man becoming a great planeswalker.

Still naïve I see. Not all stories in life are ones of valor and happiness I'm afraid. You will just have to accept that not all who escape destitution gain a life of happiness.

A bit unsure of why the old man would desire telling you such a depressing story, you stay quiet and let him continue.

For many years Ravidel fed on Taysir's knowledge and skill. He could never surpass such a powerful planeswalker, but he did manage to drive Taysir to the brink of sanity. Ravidel used Taysir's grief over Kristina's departure to gain revenge upon the one who had killed him, Leshrac. In a way, pushing Taysir towards insanity was revenge as well, and it took little effort to convince the man to punish Kristina. But Ravidel was not satisfied.

It was shortly after the Summit of the Null Moon when Ravidel determined how he would attain revenge against those he felt betrayed by, and it was then that he came into contact with the Sages of Minorad. Learning of Liana of Minorad's Moxen, Ravidel concocted a grand scheme. He would use the Moxen to create a Mox Beacon, a summoning call to all planeswalkers whom he wished to punish. They would arrive and eliminate each other.

Ravidel completed his plans and unwittingly started the Planeswalker War. That, however, is a different story. A story about another man, named Jared Carthalion. He was a man who left obscurity and found greatness. Perhaps you will prefer that over today's story.

The old man's voice takes a tone of bitterness as he completes his story. Afraid that he is already angry with you, you make to leave.

Do not leave! You will stay and listen to my stories! You will enjoy them!

You are too late, and freeze in midstride.

Now get out of here! I don't want to see you again until you are prepared to hear my stories!

You leap to the door, ignoring the old man's earlier advice, and throw it across its hinges. Before you even cross the threshold your hand reaches back, pulling it closed behind you. As you begin a sprint of panic, you hear the old man shouting above the din of rain on the stone roof.

Come back you miscreant! I will not stand for young ones to disrespect their elders' stories!

This is a work of fiction based on the stories and entries provided by Wizards about some of the early characters. The author takes some liberty with the story for dramatic purposes. So the story portrayed here may not be the exact story according to Magic Canon. The author has found references and art to use in the following locations: Encyclopedia Phyrexianna and the MTG Salvation Wiki. Written by Brendan Weiskotten.