What Happens to the Completed Planeswalkers?
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The fate of completed Planeswalkers, those corrupted and transformed by the insidious influence of the Phyrexians, is complex and often devastating. In short, they become instruments of Phyrexian will, their free thought and individuality brutally suppressed and replaced with a relentless drive to proliferate Phyrexia and its ideology across the Multiverse. Their planeswalking ability, once a source of freedom and exploration, is weaponized to spread Phyrexian oil and initiate further invasions. They are essentially living weapons in the Phyrexian war machine, serving as powerful commanders and propagators of their twisted vision. They are no longer the individuals they once were.
The Horrifying Transformation Process
Understanding what happens to completed Planeswalkers requires grasping the nature of Phyrexian completion. This isn’t merely about adding metal and biomechanical parts. It’s a systematic process of indoctrination, surgical alteration, and mental reconditioning designed to eradicate the original self and instill unwavering loyalty to Phyrexia and its ideals of perfection through synthetic enhancement. The process is excruciating and often involves the literal dismantling and reconstruction of the individual, both physically and psychologically.
The key element in this transformation is Phyrexian oil. This viscous, corrupting substance is introduced into the subject’s body, slowly replacing their organic components with biomechanical ones. As the oil spreads, it rewrites the subject’s very being, altering their thoughts, emotions, and memories to align with Phyrexian dogma. The pain is immense, and the subject is forced to witness the slow disintegration of their former identity.
Beyond the physical and psychological torment, ideological indoctrination plays a vital role. Through constant exposure to Phyrexian propaganda, the subject is convinced of the superiority of Phyrexian philosophy and the inherent flaws of organic life. This brainwashing is often accompanied by intense mental conditioning designed to break down any remaining resistance.
The end result is a creature utterly devoted to Phyrexia, a pale imitation of their former self, driven by a singular purpose: to spread the glory of their machine god, Elesh Norn, and convert all life to Phyrexian perfection.
Function and Purpose within Phyrexia
Completed Planeswalkers serve multiple vital roles within the Phyrexian hierarchy:
- Commanders of Phyrexian Forces: Their strategic acumen and planeswalking abilities make them ideal leaders for Phyrexian armies. They can quickly traverse the planes, deploying Phyrexian forces where they are most needed.
- Propagators of Phyrexian Ideology: They act as powerful advocates for Phyrexian conversion, using their charisma (even in its twisted form) to persuade others to embrace the “gift” of Phyrexian perfection.
- Planar Infiltration and Sabotage: They can infiltrate planes and weaken their defenses before a full-scale Phyrexian invasion. Their knowledge of the Multiverse makes them invaluable assets for this purpose.
- Experimentation and Innovation: Some completed Planeswalkers are used in Phyrexian laboratories to develop new and more efficient methods of completion. Their unique abilities and experiences make them valuable test subjects.
In essence, completed Planeswalkers are potent tools in Phyrexia’s grand scheme to conquer the Multiverse. Their former strengths are exploited to further the Phyrexian cause, making them formidable and terrifying opponents.
Hope for Reversal or Redemption?
The question of whether a completed Planeswalker can be cured or redeemed is a complex and hotly debated topic within the Magic: The Gathering community. While the transformation is profound and seemingly irreversible, there have been glimmers of hope.
The greatest obstacle to recovery is the psychological damage. The Phyrexian influence fundamentally alters the subject’s mind, replacing their original personality with a twisted imitation. Even if the Phyrexian oil is removed, the mental scars may remain, making it difficult for the individual to fully recover.
There have been instances where individuals exposed to Phyrexian oil have managed to resist complete conversion. This often requires immense willpower, strong emotional connections, and external assistance. However, the level of resistance depends greatly on the degree of Phyrexian influence.
The existence of antibodies to Phyrexian oil has also been hinted at in the lore. If such antibodies could be developed, they might offer a means to reverse the completion process. However, this remains largely theoretical.
Ultimately, the fate of each completed Planeswalker is unique. While the odds of redemption are slim, the possibility remains a source of hope in the face of Phyrexian horror.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What distinguishes a completed Planeswalker from other Phyrexians?
Completed Planeswalkers retain their planeswalking ability, setting them apart from standard Phyrexians. This allows them to travel between planes at will, making them invaluable to the Phyrexian invasion strategy.
2. Does the original Planeswalker personality completely disappear?
While significantly suppressed and warped, fragments of the original personality might remain. These fragments can manifest as internal conflicts or vulnerabilities, though the Phyrexian influence typically overrides them.
3. Can a spark be reignited in a completed Planeswalker?
This is a highly theoretical question. The completion process profoundly affects the Planeswalker spark, potentially extinguishing it altogether. Reigniting it would likely require a miracle or unprecedented magical intervention.
4. Are all Planeswalkers equally susceptible to completion?
No. Some Planeswalkers possess stronger wills or unique abilities that make them more resistant to Phyrexian influence. Others, due to their vulnerabilities or past traumas, may be more susceptible.
5. What is the role of Elesh Norn in the completion process?
Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines, is the supreme leader of New Phyrexia and the driving force behind the Phyrexian invasion. She oversees the completion process, ensuring that it aligns with her vision of Phyrexian perfection. Her influence permeates every aspect of the transformation.
6. Is there any known way to prevent Phyrexian completion?
Early detection and immediate intervention are crucial. Removal of Phyrexian oil before it spreads too far, coupled with intense psychological support, might prevent complete conversion. However, this is a race against time.
7. What are the physical characteristics of a completed Planeswalker?
They typically exhibit a blend of organic and metallic features. Their bodies are often augmented with biomechanical parts, and they may have Phyrexian symbols or markings. Their appearance is often unsettling and unsettling, reflecting the corruption they have undergone.
8. How does Phyrexian oil affect a Planeswalker’s magical abilities?
It can alter or amplify their magical abilities, but always in service of Phyrexia. Their magic becomes twisted and corrupted, reflecting the Phyrexian influence. They might gain access to new, Phyrexian-aligned spells or enhance their existing ones with Phyrexian technology.
9. Do completed Planeswalkers experience pain or emotions?
They likely experience pain, but their perception of it is altered. Their emotions are suppressed and replaced with a singular focus on Phyrexian goals. Any remaining emotions are twisted and used to fuel their devotion to Phyrexia.
10. Are there different stages of Phyrexian completion?
Yes. The process is gradual, with distinct stages of transformation. Early stages may involve subtle alterations in behavior and appearance, while later stages result in complete conversion.
11. What happens to a completed Planeswalker if Elesh Norn is defeated?
The effects are uncertain. It is possible that without her central influence and control, the completed Planeswalkers could become unstable or experience internal conflicts. However, they could also remain loyal to Phyrexia, continuing to spread its influence in her absence.
12. Are there any instances of Planeswalkers pretending to be completed?
This is plausible, although extremely risky. A Planeswalker might feign completion to infiltrate Phyrexian ranks or gather information. However, the deception would have to be flawless to avoid detection.
13. Does the color identity of a Planeswalker change after completion?
It can. The Phyrexian influence often adds black mana to their identity, reflecting the corruption and darkness associated with Phyrexia. However, their original color identity might also remain, creating a hybrid identity.
14. How does the mana system interact with Phyrexian completion?
Phyrexian completion warps the mana system. The mana used by completed planeswalkers is tainted by Phyrexian influence, often manifesting as black mana or mana that can be used to generate Phyrexian oil.
15. What is the ultimate goal of completing Planeswalkers?
The ultimate goal is to spread Phyrexian dominion across the Multiverse. Completed Planeswalkers serve as instruments of this grand design, working tirelessly to convert all life to Phyrexian perfection. They are relentless in their pursuit of this twisted ideal.