Locations
We're in the final hour before War of the Spark, the third set in the second return to Ravnica, making it Ravnica's ninth set. As such, I wanted to look to the story and see which legendary creatures I'm hoping to see in the final set; who will make their return and who will be passing the buck for the eventual return to return to return to Ravnica. Who will be the future sequel hook?
Personally, I look at legendary characters and see who hasn't seen print in a while, or at all. That is the group text discussion, and I'm here to share some information that may have been overlooked. I called up Jay Annelli, Continuity Consultant for Wizards, and Cary Thomas Barkett, the master wizard behind mtglore.com for some fact checking. Cary's site in particular is where you should go to find real citations with verified sources, and Jay "knows things"... or so he says.
Since the 36 planeswalkers have been discussed by every imaginable person, let us examine who is still alive today. There were 45 legendaries in Ravnica in the original three-set block and the second installment. Let's take stock of them, share some stories, and predict if they'll be in the next set.
Ravnica: City of Guilds
Tolsimir Wolfblood
Status: Technically alive.
As Tolsimir was reprinted in the Guild Kit for Guilds of Ravnica, and is an elf, we should see this character soon as he did not die "on screen" in the previous sets. I would think in commander because of the anthem ability, but with the war, that would also make sense. A quick note from Jay: Voja is Biracazir's grandsire, and Voja at least is implied to be dead. It is unknown whether Tolsimir can resummon a new wolf, or reincarnate/resummon Voja.
Szadek
Status: Dead
Killed by Azorius, specifically Augustin IV, his ghost is missing in action, probably disappeared along with Agrus' ghost when Agyrem disappeared as shown in the card Ethereal Absolution.
This, as a reminder, is a painting that no longer exists. Donato Giancola painted over it and its current whereabouts are utterly unknown.
Szadek by Donato Giancola
Original is missing.
Sisters of Stone Death
Status: Two are dead, Ludmilla is still alive.
Killed by Svogthir, former lich, former elf for the first two sisters. Having Ludmilla rise to the surface just as Golgari regains power would be a great addition to War of the Spark.
Savra
Status: Killed by Szadek, ghost unknown but likely also dead.
Savra by Scott Fischer
Original painting in a private collection
Circu
Status: Whereabouts unknown.
As with most Dimir members, it's hard to tell if they're alive or dead. He would make for a great addition in War of the Spark. Like Tolsimir, he was also reprinted recently in the Guild Kit. Cyril the artist is still battling his cancer diagnosis and if you want to send him a note that you love his art, I strongly encourage you to do so.
Chorus of the Conclave
Status: Alive but different
This "card" represents a concept more than a physical creature. Selesnya works as hive mind and the dryads were the voice. Technically Trostani is who the Chorus was. Three dryads all bound together to make Trostani, represented by a recent reprint, still exist to this day.
Agrus Kos
Status: Dead
Last seen: His spirit (ghost) was seen in the Agryrem precinct office working for Boros. Since ghosts were freed via Ethereal Absolution, he is also likely totally gone.
Guildpact
Boyborygmos
Status: Alive. Shamed.
Run out by Domri Rade, Borborygmos now roams the wilds of Ravnica as a former leader.
Ulasht
Status: Whereabouts unknown
With Gruul preparing for war, I look for a callback to primal, furious nature of Ulasht attacking "peaceful" saprolings of Selesnya in all out war.
Tibor and Lumia
Status: Alive
The married couple Izzet members were created before couples were created as completed concepts in Magic like in Kynaios and Tiro of Meletis, Anax and Cymede, Krav, the Unredeemed with Regna, the Redeemer, Pia and Kiran Nalaar, and Ever After. I would think they are a shoo-in for a Commander product, especially with all the heavy Izzet characters, and won't make the cut in the War of the Spark.
Their first description:
"Show a husband-and-wife team of Izzet archmages. Tibor, the man, is a master of the air and can grant both of them magical flight. Lumia is a master of earth magic and can bring magma to the surface, scorching enemies on the ground. Tibor is wise, noble, head in the clouds. Lumia is fiery and wild-eyed. Both should have the Izzet look/feel in costuming, hair, etc."
Teysa
Status: Alive
She has gained a lot as a mortal woman working with Kaya for the Orzhov.
Niv-Mizzet
Status: Alive
The dragon is still very much alive with plenty of speculation as to his schemes and awareness of the planeswalkers.
Ghost Council
Status: Dead
The ghosts were exiled, destroyed again by Kaya in the card Kaya's Wrath.
Dissension
Rakdos
Status: Alive
The guild leader is still very much alive, printed as a new card recently in Ravnica Allegiance.
Momir Vig
Status: Dead
The final deed of Project Kraj was set into motion as Momir Vig was killed by Agrus Kos.
Lyzolda
Status: Dead
She perished in the Dissension novel, also confirmed in Illusions of Child's Play, Not even Lyzolda had that many enemies.
Isperia
Status: Dead
Killed by Vraska as shown on Assassin's Trophy.
Augustin IV
Status: Dead
Killed by Szadek/Agrus Kos who blew up the engines of the Parhelion, blowing up everything in its midst.
Return to Ravnica
Rakdos
Status: Alive
His slumber situation is a bit of a problem, but he's back awake and since reprinted. He's not likely to be reprinted in a new card for the fourth time overall.
Niv-Mizzet
Status: Alive
Jace is to find Niv-Mizzet and he assumes simply asking for help will be enough. "He could challenge Nicol Bolas both physically and mentally, plus he'll be furious to know there's a dragon smarter than he is."
Jarad
Status: Whereabouts unknown, presumed dead.
A mention of a "new lich" would assume he was killed off screen, though his whereabouts are unknown. In the Golgari, you quite literally die a few times, meaning he may not be totally gone this go around. Vraska would have had to kill him to take control, making the assumption that he's dead.
Isperia
Status: Dead
Killed by Vraska in Assassin's Trophy.
Trostani
Status: Alive
As mentioned before, they're still around.
Jace
Status: Alive
The living Guildpact is to rendezvous on Ravnica, and while it feels like he's ever-present, he was not made into a card for the Guilds of Ravnica block. I would expect him to be a card in War of the Spark without question, especially as Vraska has been already printed.
Vraska
Status: Alive
Her memories of hers are less than stellar, an idea she asked of Jace, ""I need you to temporarily take my memories of you."
Gatecrash
Obzedat
Status: Double dead.
While ghosts before, they were finally, eternally put to rest as shown in Kaya's Wrath.
Lazav
Status: Alive
Recently given a reprint in the Guild Kits, a new card in Guilds of Ravnica and like Circu, likely to survive any conflict as his corporeal form shifts just as easily.
Domri Rade
Status: Alive
He's really into pigs now. His guild also thinks he will be instrumental in their apocalypse myth as mentioned in the card Rhythm of the Wild.
Some view Domri's unlikely ascent as a sign of Ilharg the Raze-Boar's imminent return.
Borborygmos
Status: Alive
As mentioned, he is out there and one of the few early legendary creatures that could be reprinted. With the apocalypse coming soon, and depending on legendary creature numbers, he easily could be reprinted for the war.
Aurelia
Status: Alive
Working alongside Gideon, we are likely to see a greater role for her in the upcoming war, especially as she welcomed Gideon to the guild, and she recently has a new card with a mentor ability built for war. She's unlikely to receive another new card though.
Gideon
Status: Alive
With the Blackblade in hand, Gideon could be the one who can finally weaken Nicol Bolas. Though as Tin Street Hooligans mentioned, it won't likely be Gideon to actually kill the dragon. They think Vivien Reid will be that character.
Zegana
Status: Alive
As the previous Simic leaders were all killed due to cytoplasts being ripped from their bodies, or personally killed, the merfolk came from the depths to rebuild the guild.
Dragon's Maze
Vorel
Status: Alive
Last seen advocating for Vannifar instead of Zegana to be guild leader.
Varolz
Status: Alive
Last seen alive and with his symbiotic regenerative powers as troll/plant, he could very well be reprinted.
Teysa
Status: Alive
A fan favorite, she has been reprinted already and appears to be one legendary character safe for surviving the upcoming war.
Tajic
Status: Alive
Tajic was already reprinted as Tajic, Legion's Edge and is still alive for the current time.
Ruric Thar
Status: Alive
They are still alive, as mentioned in Rage of the Unsung as playing a role in the War of the Spark. As a trivia note, the Tyler Jacobson piece below was nominated for the best institutional art award in the Spectrum art annual. That won't keep the character necessarily alive, but it's notable to mention.
Ral Zarek
Status: Alive
As one of the thirty-six planeswalkers, he's still well alive. Since he was just reprinted twice, near zero chance of getting another card in War of the Spark.
Mirko Vosk
Status: Alive
As Mirko has changed bodies, technically more lich like than alive is an apt descriptor and hard to tell from sources is killed off screen or not.
Melek
Status: Dead
Killed by Ral Zarek before the running of the maze in Dragon's Maze. Ral took his spot, as it were, as explained The Secretist, Park Three.
Lavinia
Status: Alive
As the exiled renegade, she is still alive. Lavinia can be a future guild leader with Isperia dead or a future plant needed for the future return.
Lavinia by Matt Stewart
Original painting in a private collection
Exava
Status: Unknown
Her whereabouts are currently unknown.
Emmara Tandris
Status: Alive
Recently reprinted and a strong contender to have a small story bit in the war.
With those in mind, look for the long living creatures like the elves or angels to make a return. Most humans unaccounted for are likely dead. We still don't know of Feather, the Boros angel, and while she could be in War of the Spark, a Commander set is also possible for her. Let us hope she can join us soon, she's the main character from the novels that is yet to have a card made for her from the block of entirely so many characters.
-Vorthos Mike
