The Sealers of the Eldrazi: Unraveling the Mystery of Their Imprisonment
The question of who sealed away the Eldrazi is central to understanding the intricate lore of the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. The answer is not a simple one, as there have been multiple instances of the Eldrazi being contained, but the initial sealing is what we’ll primarily focus on. This first sealing was a crucial event that shaped the fate of entire planes. The Eldrazi, beings of immense power and destruction, were initially imprisoned by three Planeswalkers: the spirit dragon Ugin, the vampire Sorin Markov, and a mysterious figure known as the Lithomancer, Nahiri. This alliance of powerful beings came together to solve an ancient threat that could have consumed the multiverse as we know it. They developed a method to bind the Eldrazi titans by utilizing the powerful magical hedrons on the plane of Zendikar.
The Initial Sealing on Zendikar
The initial sealing of the Eldrazi was a meticulously planned endeavor. Ugin, with his deep understanding of planar energies, played a vital role in creating the prison using Zendikar’s leylines and hedrons. His knowledge of magic and planar structure was instrumental in designing a system that could contain beings of such incredible power. Sorin Markov, a vampire Planeswalker from Innistrad, contributed his mastery of blood magic and ancient lore. His insights were invaluable in creating a system that could effectively hold the Eldrazi Titans. Finally, the Lithomancer, Nahiri, a Planeswalker native to Zendikar and a master of manipulating stone and earth, added her unique expertise to the effort, enabling her to use her ability to manipulate the very landscape to reinforce the prison. Her knowledge of Zendikar was essential in manipulating the hedrons, the geometric constructs that acted as the bars of the Eldrazi’s prison.
The Role of Hedrons
The hedrons themselves were not just random stones; they were strategically placed artifacts, each resonating with magical energy. Their specific arrangement and intricate linkages helped to trap the Eldrazi titans within a planar prison. The hedrons effectively functioned as a magical cage, exploiting the Eldrazi’s connection to the plane’s mana to keep them bound. Ugin’s deep understanding of planar energies was crucial to make the hedrons work in such a manner. It is important to note that this first prison was not permanent and was only a temporary measure.
The Titans Bound
The three titans bound in this initial effort were Ulamog, Kozilek, and Emrakul. Each of these entities represented a different aspect of the Eldrazi’s devastating power. Ulamog consumes matter and life energy, Kozilek warps reality and logic, and Emrakul reshapes life itself. Their combined threat was astronomical, and their initial sealing was a testament to the strength and brilliance of the Planeswalkers involved.
Later Containment Efforts and Failures
While the initial sealing was a triumph, it was not permanent. Millennia later, Nissa Revane, a Zendikari Planeswalker, mistakenly freed the Eldrazi, hoping they would leave Zendikar. This act initiated the events of the Battle for Zendikar storyline and subsequent releases in the Magic card game. The Eldrazi titans ravaged Zendikar, highlighting the fragility of their initial imprisonment. This highlights the need for the Gatewatch, the group of Planeswalkers led by Jace Beleren, to join together and re-seal the threat.
The Gatewatch and Ulamog and Kozilek
During the Battle for Zendikar, the Gatewatch attempted to seal the titans once again. They orchestrated an attack, focusing on channeling the plane’s leyline energy into the hedrons and burning the titans. This coordinated assault managed to destroy the material manifestations of Ulamog and Kozilek on Zendikar. However, their essence persisted, as it is important to know that the Eldrazi titans exist outside of the planes themselves.
The Sealing of Emrakul
Emrakul’s fate was different. Instead of being destroyed, she was willingly sealed away on the moon of Innistrad. During the Eldritch Moon storyline, after revealing that she no longer wished to cause destruction she allowed the Gatewatch to perform the ritual that trapped her, thus ending the Eldrazi threat, for now.
The Ongoing Threat
Despite these events, the looming threat of the Eldrazi remains. Their existence beyond the planes means that there is always a chance that the titans could return. The knowledge of who sealed them and how they did it provides valuable insight into how to deal with such threats in the future. The initial efforts and subsequent events are a testament to the resilience of the multiverse and the complex relationship between those who seek to protect it and the forces that threaten to tear it apart. The Eldrazi remain one of the most terrifying and dangerous threats in all of Magic: The Gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Eldrazi Sealers
1. Who is the Lithomancer?
The Lithomancer is Nahiri, a Planeswalker from Zendikar with the ability to manipulate stone and earth. Her deep connection to Zendikar made her instrumental in crafting the original hedrons.
2. Why were the Eldrazi sealed in the first place?
The Eldrazi posed an existential threat to entire planes. Their consumption and reshaping of worlds meant they had to be stopped to preserve the multiverse from complete destruction.
3. Did Ugin seal the Eldrazi alone?
No, Ugin did not act alone. He collaborated with Sorin Markov and the Lithomancer, Nahiri. Their combined efforts were essential in binding the Eldrazi.
4. How did the hedrons contribute to the sealing?
The hedrons were not just ordinary stones but rather artifacts infused with magical power and strategically placed to resonate with the planar leylines. They created a network that bound the Eldrazi Titans.
5. Were the vampires of Zendikar involved in the Eldrazi sealing?
No, the vampires of Zendikar were not involved in the original sealing of the Eldrazi. They were a result of an Eldrazi infection that enslaved them to Ulamog’s will.
6. Why did Nissa free the Eldrazi?
Nissa, in a misguided attempt to save Zendikar, believed that releasing the Eldrazi would cause them to leave the plane. She was unaware of the full implications of her actions.
7. How did the Gatewatch defeat Ulamog and Kozilek?
The Gatewatch, using the plane’s mana and the properties of the hedrons, managed to channel energy that burned the material forms of Ulamog and Kozilek. The two titans were not truly defeated, but simply destroyed in their physical forms on Zendikar.
8. How was Emrakul sealed?
Emrakul willingly allowed herself to be sealed in the moon of Innistrad after revealing she no longer wanted to play. She was able to possess Tamiyo and have her read a forbidden scroll to initiate her binding to the moon.
9. Is Emrakul the most powerful Eldrazi?
Emrakul is generally considered the most powerful Eldrazi Titan due to her unique ability to warp life. Her card is also incredibly powerful in the Magic game.
10. Are the Eldrazi evil?
The Eldrazi are not traditionally evil, but rather they are an inscrutable force of nature that consumes and reshapes planes. Their actions, while destructive, are driven by a different kind of purpose.
11. What are Eldrazi Spawn and Scions?
Eldrazi Spawn and Scions are token creatures created by the Eldrazi, usually in conjunction with mana use. They have the creature type “Eldrazi”. They are used as a resource to power Eldrazi strategies. Eldrazi Scions are stronger than Eldrazi Spawn.
12. How many Eldrazi Titans are there?
There are three known Eldrazi Titans: Ulamog, Kozilek, and Emrakul. However, it is unknown whether more exist elsewhere in the vast multiverse.
13. Can Phyrexians corrupt Eldrazi?
The question of Phyrexian corruption of Eldrazi is complex. There is currently not enough evidence to determine if phyresis can corrupt the physical bodies of the Eldrazi. But, if that was the case, the Phyrexians would most likely win.
14. What is Zhulodok?
Zhulodok is an Eldrazi of Ulamog’s lineage, not a titan. It is a being that served under Ulamog and his destruction was used by the vampires of Zendikar as a curse.
15. Why are Eldrazi colorless?
Eldrazi are colorless to represent their alien nature and their status as something beyond the normal colors of mana and magic. It highlights their otherworldly origins and their fundamental difference from mortal beings.