You walk down the stone corridor at an even pace. There is no rush, but you have no desire to linger amongst the empty halls and libraries. Twilight has painted the stone and rugs of the corridor in shades of grey. Every few paces a torch lights the way, creating small orbs of color that punctuate the gathering darkness. Your path takes you through each small world of light, but your mind is set firmly on your destination, the study of Issar Roon.

Upon your arrival, you push the oak door open revealing the old man’s sanctuary. Numerous candles are lit around the room, and the old man is in his customary seat at his desk.

Good evening my curious student. Surprised I consider you a student? I must admit, I would prefer one more attentive and prudent, but we all must make do with what is available to us.

The old man gestures to your usual spot on the floor with a bony hand, and turns back to his books.

What tale should I tell today? Should it be that of Sandruu, the minotaur planeswalker from Ulgrotha? Phage, a beautiful but deadly woman that could decay any living thing she touched? How about Sol`Kanar, the corrupted force of nature?

Ahh…Your ears seem to have told me which you wish to hear. Very well, I will tell you about Sol`Kanar the Swamp King.

Unsure of which story you truly wished to hear, you accept the old man`s typical behavior and settle on the rug.

Sol`Kanar started existence as a benevolent nature spirit with a name long forgotten. He was a force of nature created within the forest of Khone, and guarded the wood from those who would harm it. He was unable to save his forest however, when the planeswalker Geyadrone Dihada appeared. For reasons unknown, she infected the forest and turned it into a swamp. Perhaps her true ambitions lay with Sol`Kanar, whom she subverted. No matter her original intentions, he became her personal servant, and carried out her wishes with destructive power.

Curious to hear about a force of nature belonging to a swamp, you listen to the old man`s low, rough voice more intently.

After Geyadrone had Dakkon forge the Black Blade she presented it to Sol`Kanar. Able to suck the energy out of his enemies with the blade, Sol`Kanar became a truly fearsome foe. He fought against the countries of Corondor in Geyadrone`s name, working toward the planeswalker`s conquest of them all.

Unfortunately, it was the actions of Geyadrone that led to Sol`Kanar`s second defeat. Having asked Dakkon to forge the Black Blade for her, she turned and betrayed him after its completion. Sworn as her enemy, Dakkon sought revenge, and Sol`Kanar was forced to defend his mistress. Dakkon defeated Sol`Kanar and Geyadrone abandoned him as her champion.

Left to wander Corondor alone, Sol`Kanar returned to the area of his origin, and settled in the Great Salt Marshes of Western Golthonor. There, he sunk the trade path between the Contrary Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Khone and the Kingdom of Shikar, to display his dominion over the realm. Each year on the Date of Tribute the two kingdoms were to bring Sol`Kanar food, slaves, treasures, and knowledge. If they refused, Sol`Kanar threatened to command the Great Salt Marshes to swallow the cities whole.

In time, Sol`Kanar learned the legend of Sivitri Scarzam, and wished to summon the Scarzam Dragons for himself. A man calling himself Archmage Xarl Angel-Keeper had conquered Northern Corondor, and Sol`Kanar wished to challenge him. He changed the required tribute to a single powerful spellcaster from each of the Contrary Kingdoms. The two cities took many years to train their most promising students for Sol`Kanar`s purposes. After fifteen years, the spellcasters, Gydolien Mor from the Kingdom of Khone and Chondeah from the Kingdom of Shikar, were sent to Sol`Kanar.

Unknown to the Swamp King, Chondeah had devised a plot to control the Scarzam Dragon herself. When the three summoned the dragon, it immediately turned on Sol`Kanar at the behest of Chondeah. In hopes of gaining his favor, Gydolien Mor set about sending the dragon back through the portal from which they had summoned it.

Gydolien Mor was successful, but Sol`Kanar was enraged. Believing that it was her who had betrayed him, Sol`Kanar annihilated the Kingdom of Khone. Gydolien Mor would become the last Khonian, but her line continued to play a role in the events of Corondor in the years to come.

At the last sentence, a small spark of recognition flares in the back of your mind. You are unable to summon it for examination, but you know that it has something to do with the spellcaster’s name.

After the betrayal, Sol`Kanar disappeared from history. He did not die to the Scarzam dragon, but he left the Kingdom of Shikar in peace. Some say he went on to challenge Archmage Xarl without the aid of a dragon, but I imagine that would be written in the pages of history. Others say he found a way to leave Dominaria. I personally believe he has been biding his time these many years, waiting deep in some swamp until he can again set out to conquer Corondor.

The old man finally turns in your direction and rests his hands in his lap. He does not say a word, but seems to be reading your thoughts. His gaze remains inscrutable, and it begins to feel uncomfortable. You shift your body on the rug, and look at the old man with a glance of request.

It must be time for sleep, yes? Run along then. I apologize for keeping you at this hour of the night.

Unsure of the time, you take his excuse to escape. The old man shows no recognition of his previous actions. You attempt to brush it from your mind as you close the heavy oak door. The orbs of light in the corridor have grown larger, and seem to warm you as you walk away from the study.