Ursinus waits for the others backs to be turned before he takes another small swig from his wakefulness panacea, the potion is mostly empty but, as the foul taste fills his mouth, Ursinus decides not to finish off the dregs.
Him taking sips from the panacea has no in-game effects besides a little roleplay, in fact, it's really just wasting a potion because he's mildly addicted to it...
A slight spring in his long strides, Ursinus follows the others towards the gate.
Yes, let us depart. I am anxious to depart from this place. Cities make me uncomfortable. Jordle, any assistance that your familiar could provide would be invaluable and I am certain that whatever allies you have hidden away will be similarly useful.
Ursinus runs one long fingered hand through his hair and gazes up into the sky, already anticipating the feeling of soil under his feet rather than cobblestone and the smell of pine needles instead of hundreds of bodies crammed haphazardly together. Hopefully the forest won't be so haunted that I will not be able to enjoy it...
Inside, Ursinus begin the mayor was very helpful. I sincerely believe he told us all that he knows in regards to the situation. And why would he not? The life of his flesh and blood is at stake. However, though I believe he shared with us all he knows, he does not know the full history of these woods.
Long, long ago this forest was haunted, in a way. I am old, Alexander, yet hundreds of my life-times could have come and gone between those days of darkness and now. In those time, the forest was the locus of a conjunction to the Plane of Negative energy, a wellspring of unholy power that poisoned the wood for miles around. Geists, haunts and spirits of all descriptions flocked to it and threatened to choke out all life for miles around.
Eventually, a group of druids and other mages came together and closed the conjunction. It has been quiet ever since. I believe this is no longer the case. In my opinion, there are three possible explanations.
First, the dragon that was recently slain here did not truly come for tribute as it is generally supposed. It is possible that it came to the woods for the express purpose of reactivating the conjunction. It may have succeeded in opening the conjunction or it may not have before it was slain. To what end it acted, I know not nor care to guess for this does not seem a likely explanation of the phenomenon. In this case, the disappearances will have been caused by spirits either released by or drawn to the conjunction.
Second, a mage or apostle is attempting to reactivate the conjunction. This seems more likely than the actions of a dragon. This caster will probably be abducting travellers within the wood to use as sacrifices in his or her rituals to open the conjunction. Be warned, an apostle or mage with enough power to dare to open a conjunction to the fundamental plane of unlife may also be capable of reanimating the corpse of a dragon.
Thirdly, when the mages sent by the Mayor destroyed the dragon, by his report, they left nothing within miles alive. It is entirely possible that such a conflux of destructive energies combined with the magnitude of death visited upon an area already close to the other planes may have caused the conjunction to reopen or, at least, to crack. In this case, the dissapearances may also have been caused by geists but it is entirely possible that, having felt the disturbance in the fabric of the planes, some powerful caster has come to exploit the conjunction, if it is opened, or open it, if it is merely cracked. In this case, the disappearances may be linked to sacrifice as well and would indicate why none of the bodies have been found. I consider this to be the most likely scenario.
Ursinus sighs fiddles with the sleeve of his robe then continues in a far less serious tone, Dire matters aside, it is good to be doing something worthwhile again. Let me say with complete honesty, that I look forward to confronting whatever may come our way with the two of you.
You have to drink the potion for it to work, lol. I wish it was a contact poison. That would make things very interesting for anyone trying to walk barefoot when Ursinus is on guard duty.
It's just a prank At some point in the near future, Ursinus is going to tell Alexander to look in his front pocket if he wants a distraction.
Just a little snubbed elf pride is all. Ursinus is really harmless... well, no, he can do a lot of harm but not to players, you have my word.
Ursinus tries to hide his smile, the pieces of the puzzle were already falling into place. He'd share his thoughts with the others later, for now there would be no need to alarm the baron with the gravity of the situation he was glimpsing. If even part of his hypothesis was correct, he had little time and could use all the help he could get.
Ursinus's curiosity pressed him to ask about the fate of the wizards who had battled the dragon but he forced the urge back. Instead he rose from the tabe, saying Thank you for your help, Baron. Do not fear for your secrets, they shall not pass from my lips. A lie that saves lives is preferable to a truth that ends them. The information has been very useful and I would like to act upon it as soon as possible.
If you will have someone meet us and take us to the last known location of your son, I would like a moment to discuss matters with my companions. Gentlemen, if you would come outside at your nearest convenience.
He turns to leave, then hesitates and turns back. To help you sleep, he says to the mayor, placing three potions of Polypurpose Panacea (slumber) on the table with a sad smile, I find I often need it myself. With that Ursinus leaves the Inn.
EDIT:
If you wanna make a perception check against that madness, be my guest, lol. As I said above, nothing harmful will come of it. He's just playin' witcha.
Humans Ursinus thinks, they never cease to amuse, do they? He gives Alexander one of his rare genuine smiles. It transforms his face from a cold, slightly alien mask into something much more open and relateable.
I'll try my hardest to keep you alive, boy. His grin widens No promises.
Ursinus remains largely still for some time before saying to no one in particular, New, or perhaps older than any living remember.
He focuses on Baron Thallman, the far-away look dispelled from his eyes, I merely asked because nature seldom allows the awakening of ancient terrors to go uncelebrated. However, tales of your recent escapades do not escaped me, Baron. Slaying a dragon is no easy task, I am led to believe. I assume that you, a mage of exceptional power, have made attempts to scry upon your son. Have these inquiries revealed nothing?
Fruitless AbundanceXUU
Instant (U)
Add twice X mana in any combination of colors target player chooses to that player's mana pool. Until the end of the turn, he or she cannot cast spells.
Gift of Organs1BR
Sorcery {R}
As an additional cost to play Gift of Organs, sacrifice a creature.
Target creature you control gets intimidate and +X/+0 until the end of the turn, where X is sacrificed creature's combined power and toughness. When Lyzloda gives you a gift, it's better not to ask where it came from.
IIW: Make a card based on me. Or another meglomaniac.
As far as my card for the last challenge goes... shift counters would have been used by at least a full cycle of enchantments, so the "only used by one card" criticism is a little annoying.
"Would have been" doesn't mean anything. If you want me to consider the card as part of a cycle, then you'd best actually make the cycle.
Reality is subjective? I wonder what he means by that. No time to ask now, plenty of time later. In contrast to his internal monologue, Ursinus says aloud, Even if these disappearances prove to merely be caused by illusion, this suggests that there is an illusionist behind them. One not interesting in returning those lost to his glamer and just as dangerous, if not more, than a ravenous beast of legend.
If it is a beast of legend, then we must consider why it has not been active until now. It will also be valuable to know were the legends came from in the first place. Seldom do fabled beasts awaken without reason and understanding a foe is the most crucial step in defeating them.
Be our foe man, beast or gossamer trick of the light, it is still our foe. And equally dangerous in any incarnation.
Ursinus is making the same checks as Jordle, although he is adding Knowledge (nature) to the battery.
Insomnia
Enchantment (R)
:1mana:: Untap target creature you control and put a -1/-1 counter on it. That creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Ngoc's Curse1UB Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
When ~ comes into play, tap the enchanted creature. The enchanted creature doesn't untap during it's controllers untap step.
You control enchanted creature.
I have a nagging feeling that I've seen this exact card somewhere but I couldn't find it. Oh well, it seems a bit undercosted. I always thought it was funny how Murkfiend Liege made all these only untap during opponent's untap steps. You get Socks
Sleep DeprivationUB
Enchantment - Aura (U)
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature becomes tapped, untap it and put a -1/-1 counter on it.
Really brings out the flavor of sleep deprivation, great job! Also heavily broken by Melira,Sylvok Outcast, but most of these submissions are. Equally useful on your own creatures as well as on your opponents, things like that are my absolute favor. You get Delicious Rummy Eggnog
The Nightmare3UBB
Legendary Creature - Horse (Mythic Rare)
Deathtouch
When The Nightmare is dealt damage, put an insomniac counter on target creature. Creatures with insomniac counters must attack each turn if able. 2: You control target creature with an insomniac counter until end of turn. 1U: You control target creature with an insomniac counter until end of turn. That creature gains flying. 1B: You control target creature with an insomniac counter until end of turn. That creature gains infect.
[I]"When I heard the sound of the pounding hooves, I knew my will was no longer my own."[/I]
0/8
The MTGS user in me says this is [I]really[/I] cool. The Magic Player in me says this would not be printed. It makes counters specific to only itself, has an absolute wall of text, gives creatures abilities indefinitely without markers and has the name of a previously printed card (Nightmare). Don't get me wrong, I love the flavor and what you were trying to do with it, but you went a little overboard. You get Christmas Hangover.
Sleepless Lecturer1UU
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
Hexproof
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you didn't cast a spell this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
Spells you cast cost 1 less to cast for each +1/+1 counter on ~.
2/2
Makes me want to play an Animar, Soul of Elementals/Werewolf/This Guy EDH so very badly. Literallly pay nothing for anything ever. Despite being insanely cool, I think it might be a bit overpowered and cards with a scaling cost reduction effect really should stay in mythic no matter the cost. You get Snowglobe.
Determined Vigil :symw::symu:
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has vigilance.
:1mana:: Untap enchanted creature. It doesn't untap during its owner's next untap step.
[i]"Alright, just a few more hours of guard-duty, and then I can get some shut-eye..."[/i]
So... basically it has super vigilance? My main problem is that you can use this again and again for a creature with virtual impunity because it will only ever not untap once. This one is broken heavily by Godsire and Splinter Twin on Elvish Archdruid. You get Tinsel
Direct-Inject Caffeine Machine3
Tribal Artifact - Goblin Equipment (U)
Whenever a Goblin creature enters the battlefield, attach Direct-Inject Caffeine Machine to it.
Equipped creature gets +3/+0, gains trample and haste and has "This creature can't tap".
Sacrifice equipped creature at the end of turn.
I love the "this creature can't tap" clause, very rarely do I laugh at rules text. Only problem is that we really have no clue what happens if you play multiple goblins per turn. Does it attatch to the one you last played? No, because it doesn't unequip from the first one. Is it equipped to all of them? I don't think that works... What if you play goblins after you combat phase? You lose them purposelessly. Great concept, huge mechanical problem. You get WaffleBot.
Deathly Fatigue1B
Enchantment - Aura (U)
At the beginning of enchanted creature's controller's upkeep, if enchanted creature is untapped, put a -1/-1 counter on it.
Forces creatures to tap? I like it. Creative and not broken. That's more than you get with a lot of WIJ entries. My only problem is that it is only useful in very specific situations, ones in which your opponent plays a deck full of static effect creatures with low toughness, and since you can't control the decks you play against, it'll never see play. You get Non-Accumulating Snowfall.
Jolt of Stamina (U/R)
Instant - Placeholder (C)
Untap target creature. It doesn't untap during its controllers next untap step.
Draw a card.
[I]There is a never-ending competition amongst Quazian initiates to see who can make the most innately paradoxical potion.[/I]
Hmmm... I like it. About as cantrippy as you could possibly ask for. Not sure red really fits in but that's alright. You get Stocking Stuffer.
YawnW
Instant (C)
Tap target creature and remove it from combat.
Regeneration without all the good bits? I like it! It barely clings to the flavor of sleep deprivation and that makes me sad, but its simple and useful, good job. You get Roasted Chestnuts.
Hazy Inspiration1UU
Enchantment U
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have twenty or fewer cards in your library, draw two cards.
[I]All those weird ideas that you get when you've gone so long that your brain can't come up with normal ones? Yeah, this is the same thing.[/I
Playing this with Laboratory Maniac is [I]literally[/I] like throwing gas on a fire. You get Christmas Arson.
Midnight Hallucination2UU
Creature — Illusion {U}
Flying, vigilance
When your opponents control no untapped permanents, sacrifice Midnight Hallucination.
[I]"When I close my eyes, it won't be there anymore... Right?"[/I]
4/4
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU, MEGIDDO!!!
To judgment!
*Drool*... This is just perfect. So much flavor, so much color accuracy, so much originality, so much balance... You get Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones Presents.
Sleepy Sights 2U
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant Player
At the beginning of enchanted player's upkeep, that player's opponents each put a 2/2 blue illusion creature token with "when this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it" into play.
At the end of enchanted player's turn, if that player didn't cast a spell since the end of his or her last turn, sacrifice ~ and all tokens created by it
Meh, too complex for such an unexciting ability. Take off the second part and it'd be a little bit better. You get More Socks.
Heavy Club3
Artifact - Equipment (U)
Equipped creature get +2/+0.
Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a creature, tap that creature. It doesn't untap during its controller next untap step.
Equip 2
[I]The best sleep remedy since goblin's opera.[/I]
... So you decided not to do the challenge and you still expect me to judge you?!? What do you think this is? Crazytown? You get Indignant Rage. (Other than that, it's a fine card, nothing exciting and nothing too broken.)
Curse of Restlessness1UB Enchantment - Aura Curse (U)
Enchant player
At the beginning of enchanted player's upkeep, that player searches his or her library for a card and exiles it. Then that player shuffles his or her library.
[I]"Was this it? No, it was this...Wait, no. Er, how long have I been doing this?"
- Wazz, Master Craftsman[/I]
I really like it! Forces players to make horrible choices but it also gives them a greater chance to get out the cards they really want to keep. I'd play it. You get Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones.
Guard Duty3W
Enchantment (R)
At the beginning of each upkeep step, put a shift counter on each creature without vigilance that attacked last turn and remove a shift counter from each creature without vigilance that didn't attack or block last turn.
Creatures get -1/-0 for each shift counter on them.
[I]The first rule of guard duty is "don't piss off the guy who writes the schedule if you want to sleep ever again."[/I]
Yay for incredibly complicated cards!!! One of my biggest pet peeves is cards that make counters only they use. If I'm judging... just don't do it. Just don't. You get Needlessly Complicated Erector Set.
You Must Not Rest
Ongoing Scheme
When you set this scheme in motion, creatures your opponents control must attack each turn if able.
Whenever a creature attacks, destroy it at the beginning of the next end step.
Whenever a creature dies, abandon this scheme.
[I]"They try too hard. Their body can't keep up. Then, they die."[/I
... I never played Archenemy but this card seems to say, destroy all creatures your opponent controls... [I]for free[/I]. You get Christmas Card w/o Money in it.
Winner: Megiddo, if you couldn't guess that, there is something wrong with you.
Ursinus nods, deep in thought, If you thought it was something guards could have taken care of, you would have simply sent more. Our mere presence suggests something more... sinister is underway. If you don't mind my asking, before the disappearances started, did anything strange happen? Earthquakes, storms, unseasonable weather, agitations among the local wildlife?
The elf steeples his fingers and leans towards Saros and the Baron.
Anything you can recall or recall being informed of will help us.
A slight spring in his long strides, Ursinus follows the others towards the gate.
Ursinus runs one long fingered hand through his hair and gazes up into the sky, already anticipating the feeling of soil under his feet rather than cobblestone and the smell of pine needles instead of hundreds of bodies crammed haphazardly together. Hopefully the forest won't be so haunted that I will not be able to enjoy it...
Long, long ago this forest was haunted, in a way. I am old, Alexander, yet hundreds of my life-times could have come and gone between those days of darkness and now. In those time, the forest was the locus of a conjunction to the Plane of Negative energy, a wellspring of unholy power that poisoned the wood for miles around. Geists, haunts and spirits of all descriptions flocked to it and threatened to choke out all life for miles around.
Eventually, a group of druids and other mages came together and closed the conjunction. It has been quiet ever since. I believe this is no longer the case. In my opinion, there are three possible explanations.
First, the dragon that was recently slain here did not truly come for tribute as it is generally supposed. It is possible that it came to the woods for the express purpose of reactivating the conjunction. It may have succeeded in opening the conjunction or it may not have before it was slain. To what end it acted, I know not nor care to guess for this does not seem a likely explanation of the phenomenon. In this case, the disappearances will have been caused by spirits either released by or drawn to the conjunction.
Second, a mage or apostle is attempting to reactivate the conjunction. This seems more likely than the actions of a dragon. This caster will probably be abducting travellers within the wood to use as sacrifices in his or her rituals to open the conjunction. Be warned, an apostle or mage with enough power to dare to open a conjunction to the fundamental plane of unlife may also be capable of reanimating the corpse of a dragon.
Thirdly, when the mages sent by the Mayor destroyed the dragon, by his report, they left nothing within miles alive. It is entirely possible that such a conflux of destructive energies combined with the magnitude of death visited upon an area already close to the other planes may have caused the conjunction to reopen or, at least, to crack. In this case, the dissapearances may also have been caused by geists but it is entirely possible that, having felt the disturbance in the fabric of the planes, some powerful caster has come to exploit the conjunction, if it is opened, or open it, if it is merely cracked. In this case, the disappearances may be linked to sacrifice as well and would indicate why none of the bodies have been found. I consider this to be the most likely scenario.
Ursinus sighs fiddles with the sleeve of his robe then continues in a far less serious tone, Dire matters aside, it is good to be doing something worthwhile again. Let me say with complete honesty, that I look forward to confronting whatever may come our way with the two of you.
Just a little snubbed elf pride is all. Ursinus is really harmless... well, no, he can do a lot of harm but not to players, you have my word.
Ursinus tries to hide his smile, the pieces of the puzzle were already falling into place. He'd share his thoughts with the others later, for now there would be no need to alarm the baron with the gravity of the situation he was glimpsing. If even part of his hypothesis was correct, he had little time and could use all the help he could get.
Ursinus's curiosity pressed him to ask about the fate of the wizards who had battled the dragon but he forced the urge back. Instead he rose from the tabe, saying Thank you for your help, Baron. Do not fear for your secrets, they shall not pass from my lips. A lie that saves lives is preferable to a truth that ends them. The information has been very useful and I would like to act upon it as soon as possible.
If you will have someone meet us and take us to the last known location of your son, I would like a moment to discuss matters with my companions. Gentlemen, if you would come outside at your nearest convenience.
He turns to leave, then hesitates and turns back. To help you sleep, he says to the mayor, placing three potions of Polypurpose Panacea (slumber) on the table with a sad smile, I find I often need it myself. With that Ursinus leaves the Inn.
EDIT:
EDIT: Oh yes, dice Jesus in the house.
I'll try my hardest to keep you alive, boy. His grin widens No promises.
He focuses on Baron Thallman, the far-away look dispelled from his eyes, I merely asked because nature seldom allows the awakening of ancient terrors to go uncelebrated. However, tales of your recent escapades do not escaped me, Baron. Slaying a dragon is no easy task, I am led to believe. I assume that you, a mage of exceptional power, have made attempts to scry upon your son. Have these inquiries revealed nothing?
Instant (U)
Add twice X mana in any combination of colors target player chooses to that player's mana pool. Until the end of the turn, he or she cannot cast spells.
Sorcery {R}
As an additional cost to play Gift of Organs, sacrifice a creature.
Target creature you control gets intimidate and +X/+0 until the end of the turn, where X is sacrificed creature's combined power and toughness.
When Lyzloda gives you a gift, it's better not to ask where it came from.
IIW: Make a card based on me. Or another meglomaniac.
"Would have been" doesn't mean anything. If you want me to consider the card as part of a cycle, then you'd best actually make the cycle.
If it is a beast of legend, then we must consider why it has not been active until now. It will also be valuable to know were the legends came from in the first place. Seldom do fabled beasts awaken without reason and understanding a foe is the most crucial step in defeating them.
Be our foe man, beast or gossamer trick of the light, it is still our foe. And equally dangerous in any incarnation.
Knowledge: Geography[DICE]20+8[/DICE]
Knowledge: History[DICE]20+8[/DICE]
Knowledge: Nature[DICE]20+26[/DICE]
This goes significantly crazy with Blowfly Infestation, Splinter Twin and Melira, Sylvok Outcast. It's a good desperation sort of card. Interesting to note that it makes all your creatures a far worse part of the Barrenton Medic, Cinderhaze Wretch, etc cycle. You get Blitzen.
I have a nagging feeling that I've seen this exact card somewhere but I couldn't find it. Oh well, it seems a bit undercosted. I always thought it was funny how Murkfiend Liege made all these only untap during opponent's untap steps. You get Socks
Really brings out the flavor of sleep deprivation, great job! Also heavily broken by Melira,Sylvok Outcast, but most of these submissions are. Equally useful on your own creatures as well as on your opponents, things like that are my absolute favor. You get Delicious Rummy Eggnog
The MTGS user in me says this is [I]really[/I] cool. The Magic Player in me says this would not be printed. It makes counters specific to only itself, has an absolute wall of text, gives creatures abilities indefinitely without markers and has the name of a previously printed card (Nightmare). Don't get me wrong, I love the flavor and what you were trying to do with it, but you went a little overboard. You get Christmas Hangover.
Makes me want to play an Animar, Soul of Elementals/Werewolf/This Guy EDH so very badly. Literallly pay nothing for anything ever. Despite being insanely cool, I think it might be a bit overpowered and cards with a scaling cost reduction effect really should stay in mythic no matter the cost. You get Snowglobe.
So... basically it has super vigilance? My main problem is that you can use this again and again for a creature with virtual impunity because it will only ever not untap once. This one is broken heavily by Godsire and Splinter Twin on Elvish Archdruid. You get Tinsel
I love the "this creature can't tap" clause, very rarely do I laugh at rules text. Only problem is that we really have no clue what happens if you play multiple goblins per turn. Does it attatch to the one you last played? No, because it doesn't unequip from the first one. Is it equipped to all of them? I don't think that works... What if you play goblins after you combat phase? You lose them purposelessly. Great concept, huge mechanical problem. You get WaffleBot.
Forces creatures to tap? I like it. Creative and not broken. That's more than you get with a lot of WIJ entries. My only problem is that it is only useful in very specific situations, ones in which your opponent plays a deck full of static effect creatures with low toughness, and since you can't control the decks you play against, it'll never see play. You get Non-Accumulating Snowfall.
Hmmm... I like it. About as cantrippy as you could possibly ask for. Not sure red really fits in but that's alright. You get Stocking Stuffer.
Regeneration without all the good bits? I like it! It barely clings to the flavor of sleep deprivation and that makes me sad, but its simple and useful, good job. You get Roasted Chestnuts.
Playing this with Laboratory Maniac is [I]literally[/I] like throwing gas on a fire. You get Christmas Arson.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU, MEGIDDO!!!
To judgment!
*Drool*... This is just perfect. So much flavor, so much color accuracy, so much originality, so much balance... You get
Spending Quality Time with Loved OnesPresents.Meh, too complex for such an unexciting ability. Take off the second part and it'd be a little bit better. You get More Socks.
... So you decided not to do the challenge and you still expect me to judge you?!? What do you think this is? Crazytown? You get Indignant Rage. (Other than that, it's a fine card, nothing exciting and nothing too broken.)
I really like it! Forces players to make horrible choices but it also gives them a greater chance to get out the cards they really want to keep. I'd play it. You get Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones.
Yay for incredibly complicated cards!!! One of my biggest pet peeves is cards that make counters only they use. If I'm judging... just don't do it. Just don't. You get Needlessly Complicated Erector Set.
... I never played Archenemy but this card seems to say, destroy all creatures your opponent controls... [I]for free[/I]. You get Christmas Card w/o Money in it.
Winner: Megiddo, if you couldn't guess that, there is something wrong with you.
Next: MORE MONEY, FEWER PROBLEMS
The elf steeples his fingers and leans towards Saros and the Baron.
Anything you can recall or recall being informed of will help us.