The Tragic Fall: Why Is Tamiyo a Phyrexian?
Tamiyo, the moonfolk planeswalker from Kamigawa, became a Phyrexian due to a series of unfortunate and brutal events orchestrated by Tezzeret and brought to fruition by the machinations of Jin-Gitaxias. After being kidnapped via the Planar Bridge, Tamiyo was subjected to the horrific process of compleation, a Phyrexian ritual that replaces organic components with biomechanical parts and subjects the individual to Phyrexian indoctrination. This process transformed her into one of New Phyrexia’s many twisted instruments of war.
The Road to Compleation: Tamiyo’s Capture and Transformation
Tamiyo’s path to Phyrexianism began with her deep understanding of the Multiverse, specifically her ability to use her scroll-based magic to comprehend and adapt to new planes. This knowledge made her a target for Tezzeret, who sought to exploit her skills for Phyrexian purposes.
The Kidnapping via Planar Bridge
Tezzeret, ever the opportunist, used the Planar Bridge to abduct Tamiyo and transport her to New Phyrexia. The Planar Bridge, a powerful artifact capable of traversing the planes, served as the perfect tool for this insidious act. Once on New Phyrexia, she was immediately handed over to the Praetor Jin-Gitaxias.
The Gruesome Compleation Process
Jin-Gitaxias, known for his mastery of biological engineering and the “perfecting” of organic life, subjected Tamiyo to the agonizing process of compleation. This involved the surgical removal of her organs, the replacement of her bones with black metal, and the implantation of glands filled with oily ichor. This transformative process purged Tamiyo of her former identity and replaced it with a fanatical devotion to New Phyrexia’s cause. The article mentions, “She was cut open and flayed, her organs removed and replaced with glands that swam in oily ichor, an acid liver, and black metal bones.” This paints a gruesome picture of the torture and violation she endured.
A Phyrexian Planeswalker
Tamiyo’s compleation marked a significant milestone: she became the first Phyrexian planeswalker. This elevated her status within the Phyrexian ranks and made her a particularly dangerous weapon for Elesh Norn and the rest of New Phyrexia. Her planeswalker abilities, combined with her newly acquired Phyrexian enhancements, made her a formidable threat to the Multiverse.
FAQs: Unpacking the Tamiyo Phyrexian Story
Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the circumstances surrounding Tamiyo’s tragic transformation:
1. What is Compleation?
Compleation is the Phyrexian process of converting organic beings into Phyrexians. This involves replacing biological components with metal, oil, and other artificial substances, as well as subjecting the individual to Phyrexian indoctrination. It’s basically a horrifying body horror makeover that turns you into a mindless drone for the Phyrexian cause.
2. Who is Jin-Gitaxias?
Jin-Gitaxias is the blue Praetor of New Phyrexia, representing the faction of Progress Engine. He specializes in biological engineering and the advancement of Phyrexian technology through scientific experimentation, often at the expense of living beings.
3. What is the Planar Bridge?
The Planar Bridge is an artifact created by Tezzeret that allows for interplanar travel. It’s essentially a portal generator, enabling the transport of objects and beings across the planes of the Multiverse.
4. Are all Planeswalkers susceptible to Compleation?
Yes, the events of the Phyrexian invasion demonstrated that Planeswalkers are vulnerable to Phyrexian corruption. The fact that characters like Tamiyo, Jace, Nahiri, and Nissa were compleated is a testament to this.
5. Can Compleation be reversed?
While rare, there have been instances of individuals recovering from compleation. However, the process is typically considered irreversible, and those who do recover often bear lasting scars, both physical and psychological. The Halo from New Capenna provided a possible protection in some instances.
6. What role did Tezzeret play in the Phyrexian Invasion?
Tezzeret served as an agent of Nicol Bolas and later as a liaison between the Gatewatch and New Phyrexia, gathering intelligence and manipulating events to further Bolas’s and then the Phyrexians’ aims. He used the Planar Bridge to facilitate Phyrexian movements.
7. Who is Elesh Norn?
Elesh Norn is the white Praetor and the leader of New Phyrexia. She embodies the concept of perfection through unity and strives to assimilate all beings into the Phyrexian collective.
8. What are the Praetors?
The Praetors are the leaders of the five factions of New Phyrexia, each representing a different color of mana and a distinct philosophy of Phyrexian perfection. They include Elesh Norn (white), Jin-Gitaxias (blue), Sheoldred (black), Vorinclex (green), and Urabrask (red).
9. Why was Tamiyo’s knowledge so valuable to the Phyrexians?
Tamiyo’s ability to understand and adapt to different planes through her storytelling magic made her invaluable to the Phyrexians. Her knowledge could be used to anticipate the defenses and vulnerabilities of other planes, facilitating their invasion and compleation.
10. How did the Phyrexian Invasion end?
The Phyrexian invasion was ultimately thwarted by the combined efforts of the Gatewatch and other Planeswalkers. A powerful artifact known as the Sylex was activated, destroying New Phyrexia and severing the Phyrexian influence across the Multiverse.
11. What is Phyresis?
Phyresis is the Phyrexian infection that converts organic beings into Phyrexians. It’s spread through contact with Phyrexian oil and gradually replaces the host’s biological components with metal and other artificial materials.
12. What are the key differences between Old Phyrexia and New Phyrexia?
Old Phyrexia, ruled by Yawgmoth, was centered on Dominaria and focused on ruthless evolution through pain and suffering. New Phyrexia, located on the former plane of Mirrodin, emphasizes a more organized and systematic approach to compleation, guided by the Praetors and their distinct philosophies.
13. What is New Phyrexia’s ultimate goal?
New Phyrexia’s ultimate goal is to achieve perfection through compleation, assimilating all beings in the Multiverse into the Phyrexian collective. They believe that only through unity and artificial enhancement can true perfection be attained.
14. Who created the Phyrexians?
The Phyrexians were created by Yawgmoth, a Thran eugenicist who sought to perfect organic beings through artifice and organ rearrangement.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and history of Magic: The Gathering?
You can learn more about the lore and history of Magic: The Gathering on the official Magic: The Gathering website, various MTG lore wikis, and through community discussions and articles. Exploring resources such as the Games Learning Society can also offer insights into the game’s narrative elements. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to broaden your understanding of the world of Magic: The Gathering and beyond!
Tamiyo’s transformation into a Phyrexian is a tragic reminder of the ever-present threats that face the Multiverse and the sacrifices made in the fight against them. It highlights the cunning and ruthlessness of the Phyrexian forces and the desperate need for heroes to rise and oppose them.