Nissa Revane’s Spark: Loss, Compleation, and the Great Pruning

Nissa Revane, the animist planeswalker deeply connected to the land of Zendikar, lost her spark as a direct consequence of the Phyrexian invasion and the subsequent event known as the Great Pruning. While she was initially compleated by the Phyrexians, she was later freed. However, the immense strain the invasion placed on the Multiverse, coupled with the catastrophic use of the Sylex, led to a Multiversal “reboot,” resulting in the loss of sparks for many planeswalkers, including Nissa. It was the Multiverse’s attempt to heal itself from the Phyrexian invasion, the artificial portals created by Realmbreaker, and the explosion of the Sylex in the Blind Eternities when Elspeth.

Understanding Nissa’s Journey

To fully grasp why Nissa lost her spark, it’s crucial to understand the events leading up to it, her connection to Zendikar, and the impact of the Phyrexian invasion on both her and the Multiverse as a whole. Nissa has always been defined by her deep connection to Zendikar. As an animist, she could feel and manipulate the land’s leylines, communicating with the plane itself. This bond made her a powerful guardian, but also vulnerable when Zendikar was threatened.

The Eldrazi and Nissa’s Spark

The emergence of the Eldrazi on Zendikar dramatically shaped Nissa’s early planeswalking life. Initially, she mistakenly believed that releasing them would heal Zendikar, showcasing her naivety. However, she soon realized the grave error and dedicated herself to fighting them. This struggle strengthened her resolve and connection to her home plane. Her spark was a beacon of hope for Zendikar, but the Phyrexian invasion proved an even greater test.

The Phyrexian Invasion and Compleation

The Phyrexian invasion represented a threat unlike anything the Multiverse had faced before. Their ability to compleat, corrupting organic beings into Phyrexian constructs, was terrifying. Nissa, fighting to defend Zendikar, was eventually captured and compleated. This was a devastating blow, turning one of Zendikar’s greatest protectors into a tool of its potential destruction. While she was ultimately freed from Phyrexian control, the ordeal left lasting scars, both physical and spiritual.

The Great Pruning: A Multiversal Reset

The Phyrexian invasion culminated in the March of the Machine storyline. The scale of the invasion and the use of the Realmbreaker, an artificial portal network, strained the fabric of the Multiverse. The explosion of the Sylex as used by Elspeth, a powerful artifact designed to destroy Phyrexians, caused a ripple effect throughout the Blind Eternities. In an attempt to stabilize and heal, the Multiverse initiated what’s known as the Great Pruning. This involved a significant reduction in the number of active planeswalker sparks, effectively “resetting” the system to prevent further catastrophic damage. Nissa, still recovering from her compleation, became a victim of this event, losing her spark.

FAQs: Planeswalkers, Sparks, and the Phyrexian War

Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding the events that led to Nissa losing her spark, alongside broader questions about planeswalkers and the Phyrexian invasion:

1. What exactly is a planeswalker spark? A planeswalker spark is an innate ability that allows individuals to traverse the Blind Eternities, traveling between different planes of existence within the Multiverse. It’s a rare and powerful gift that grants unique abilities and perspectives.

2. What does it mean to be “compleated” by the Phyrexians? Compleation is the Phyrexian process of converting organic beings into Phyrexian constructs. This involves replacing organic parts with metallic and oily components, overwriting the individual’s will with the Phyrexian hive mind.

3. Why was the Sylex so important in the Phyrexian War? The Sylex was a powerful artifact capable of eradicating Phyrexians on a large scale. Its use, however, released an immense amount of energy that had unforeseen consequences for the Multiverse.

4. What other planeswalkers lost their sparks during the Great Pruning? Many planeswalkers lost their sparks, including Teferi, Koth, and Kiora. This loss significantly altered the balance of power in the Multiverse.

5. Did any planeswalkers retain their sparks despite the Great Pruning? Yes, some planeswalkers retained their sparks. Known survivors include Ajani Goldmane, Ashiok, Chandra Nalaar, and Quintorius Kand.

6. How does one gain a planeswalker spark? The exact mechanism for spark ignition is often mysterious and varies from individual to individual. It often involves a moment of intense emotional or magical stress, a near-death experience, or a profound realization.

7. Can a planeswalker spark be regained after it’s lost? While incredibly rare, it is possible to regain a lost spark. Ob Nixilis managed to reignite his spark by siphoning power from the hedrons on Zendikar.

8. What role did Realmbreaker play in the Phyrexian invasion? Realmbreaker was a massive Phyrexian construct that allowed them to create artificial portals between planes. This enabled them to rapidly invade and corrupt the Multiverse.

9. What is the significance of the Blind Eternities? The Blind Eternities is the chaotic, formless space between planes. It’s a dangerous and unstable realm that only planeswalkers can safely navigate.

10. How did Liliana Vess become a planeswalker? Liliana Vess unlocked her spark when, driven by desperation, she raised zombies to fight her corrupted brother Josu. This moment of dark magic ignited her spark, sending her to Innistrad.

11. How did Tamiyo become a Phyrexian? Tamiyo was kidnapped by Jin-Gitaxias and compleated using Phyrexian oil. This was particularly shocking as she was a respected planeswalker and scholar.

12. What happened to Garruk Wildspeaker’s curse? Garruk’s curse, inflicted by the Chain Veil, was temporarily suppressed by holy magic. This allowed him brief moments of clarity and control.

13. Who was the first planeswalker to be compleated? Tamiyo, Compleated Sage, was the first planeswalker card to depict a compleated planeswalker.

14. Why did Nahiri summon Emrakul to Innistrad? Nahiri, driven by vengeance against Sorin Markov for his perceived abandonment of Zendikar, manipulated Innistrad’s leylines to summon Emrakul, hoping to devastate Sorin’s home plane.

15. Where can I learn more about the lore of Magic: The Gathering and the impact of gaming on learning? You can explore resources on various websites and forums dedicated to Magic: The Gathering. To understand how games and learning intersect, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.

The Future of Planeswalkers

The events of the Phyrexian invasion and the Great Pruning have fundamentally altered the landscape of the Multiverse. The loss of sparks for many planeswalkers represents a significant shift in power dynamics and a new chapter in the ongoing story of Magic: The Gathering. While Nissa’s fate is uncertain, her story serves as a reminder of the immense power and sacrifice involved in protecting the Multiverse. Whether she can somehow regain her spark remains to be seen, but her legacy as a guardian of Zendikar will endure.