You walk softly down the cool, stone passage. Having worked outside all day, you feel relief at being able to walk in the pleasing shade. Before your thoughts can turn to other things, you arrive at Issar Roon's study. The door is slightly ajar, hinting at the old man's presence. You push the heavy thing open to find the old man on his usual stool.

It's about time you showed up! I've been waiting for you all day.

Curious as to how the old man would know of your intention on seeing him this day, you move to your usual spot on the floor. By the time you sit down, you write it off as coincidence and the old man's loneliness.

I see you've attained some knowledge on the legendary Elder Dragons.

Surprised by the old man's seemingly impossible cognition a second time in as many sentences, you begin to question your first assumption. The crotchety old man always seems to know exactly what you’ve learned from his books and stories. Of course, he did leave that note on his door. You begin wondering about the old man’s intentions during your last visit.

I think I will help fill in some of the gaps in that hollow head of yours. You see, though little is known about most of the Elder Dragons, there are some small stories about what they did after the Elder Dragon Wars. Today I shall tell you about the town of Mors Ridge.

The old man closes his book and turns toward you, preparing for a story. Interested to hear more about the Elder Dragons, you make yourself comfortable on the thick rug.

After the Elder Dragon Wars, not all of the remaining Elder Dragons saw eye to eye. Though they had fought together in the war, altercations often occurred that could result in immense destruction across the Multiverse. Eventually, they came to an agreement. Those who held mutual animosity would do their best not to cross paths.

There was one Elder Dragon, however, who refused to acquiesce to the unspoken agreement, Palladia-Mors. She refused to compromise with her brothers, and continually hounded them throughout the Multiverse. Eventually, her actions became too troublesome for her siblings. They joined together once again, and sealed Palladia-Mors within the land of Dominaria. Over time, a town was built upon the site of her imprisonment. The town became known as Mors Ridge.

You become distracted for a moment by the sheer power given to such creatures, but the old man doesn't seem to notice. He continues on without looking at you.

The town's inhabitants told a legend of the name’s origin, but they eventually discovered the truth for themselves. When Vaevictus Asmodi was turned into a dragon whelp by the planeswalker Faralyn he began to search for a way of restoring himself. Knowing Palladia-Mors to be one of the more powerful Elder Dragons, Vaevictus began manipulating a human general named Red Donald in order to free his cousin.

When Red Donald freed Palladia-Mors chaos ensued. She destroyed the town of Mors Ridge during her escape, and killed most of the High Council of Mors Ridge. The two remaining members, Arcus and Ham, led the survivors in joining Red Donald's army. Together they created the Army of the Valley, and attempted to stop the horde of undead and orcs Palladia-Mors had unleashed upon them.

Meanwhile, Vaevictus convinced Palladia-Mors to restore him to his former body. For reasons known only to himself, Vaevictus turned on Palladia-Mors after being renewed, but that only caused more destruction and death. Things became even worse for the remaining townspeople of Mors Ridge when Red Donald was killed in battle. His daughter, Ad'Amra, took control of the army, and they continued to fight a losing battle.

Do you know that fate enjoys tying strangers' lives together at the most inopportune times?

Having been immersed in the story, you are startled by the old man's question. Before you have a chance to respond, he continues on his odd tangent.

During Red Donald's brief stay, while he dug for Palladia-Mors, Ad'Amra fell in love with the High Council member Ham. It is unclear whether Ham returned her love, but his identity is well documented. The High Council member was none other than Chromium Rhuell, banished by a spell during his battle with Dakkon Blackblade. Perhaps he had returned secretly to keep an eye on his sister, or perhaps he was merely in Mors Ridge by coincidence. Whatever the cause, he was the only chance the remaining humans had against Palladia-Mors and her army.

You find it a strange way to introduce a new character and the army's salvation, but the old man has never told his stories in a very traditional manner.

Knowing that Vaevictus would not be strong enough to stop Palladia-Mors, Chromium left his human guise and raced after the two Elder Dragons. His fears were well-placed, for Palladia-Mors turned his own spell back upon Vaevictus as the other Elder Dragon arrived. Chromium took his place, and continued the fight against his sister. However, the Elder Dragon could not defeat his sister without help. Ad'Amra had followed Chromium, and was the deciding factor in the titanic battle. Her Spell of Making distracted Palladia-Mors long enough to allow Chromium to once again imprison his sister within the land.

Though the town of Mors Ridge was destroyed, the remaining townsfolk lived to tell the tale. No longer do any dwell atop the land in which Palladia-Mors still slumbers.

With the last sentence the old man seems to lose interest in telling you his story. He turns back to his book, reopens it, and ignores your presence. Knowing there is nothing more to hear today, you quietly restore the door to its former position. You turn away from the sharp angle of light slashing into the hall, and walk back the way you had come.

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.