This content was originally included in an issue of Duelist magazine. The original article can be accessed via Internet Archive here. The Magic website version is archived here.

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Main Magazine Page: The Duelist #40

By Scott McGough, Jess Lebow, and Daneen McDermott

Urza’s preparations for the Phyrexian invasion move into their final stage. All he needs now is the human component of his Legacy-as both an integral part of the assembled weapon and the will that guides it.

Building an Army and an Heir

At his Tolarian academy, Urza deciphers ancient Thran records and launches a program to enhance the bloodlines of Dominarian humans in places like Benalia and Jamuraa, where the residents have spent generations in the same location and have developed strong ties to the land. Urza also constructs an army of “metathran” (blue mana-based simulacra) to be soldiers in the coming conflict. Karn, the stalwart silver golem who has been at Urza’s side for centuries, is relegated to guarding the developing bloodlines. The refugees Urza rescued from Serra’s collapsing realm are also shunted aside as the planeswalker focuses his attention on his new projects.

Dissent in the Ranks

Most of the Tolarian scholars (including Rayne, the academy’s chancellor, and her husband Barrin, Urza’s longtime ally) are horrified at Urza’s experiments. There is organized resistance and protest within the staff, and some members even resign. However, one tutor, named Gatha, is intrigued by what he learns. Gatha also leaves the academy, but only so he can set up his own laboratory in the harsh warrior nation of Keld.

Warriors’ Blood

Gatha’s Keldon hybrids develop faster than Urza’s projects but are far more unstable and dangerous. However, Gatha’s tampering produces a line of even more fearsome Keldon warlords. These enhanced Keldons can inspire bloodlust in their troops but, in turn, gain strength from that bloodlust, forming an endlessly increasing loop of battle frenzy. The fiercest of these new warlords eventually seizes power in Keld, with Gatha safely established at his right hand.

Leaner, Meaner, and Greener

Meanwhile, a young Llanowar elf named Rofellos meets and forms a fast friendship with Yavimaya’s emissary, Multani. The elves and other creatures of Yavimaya are also evolving, becoming more in tune with the forest and more adept at combat, evasion, and stealth. Through Rofellos, the forest incorporates many of Llanowar’s war tactics into its new defense system. Yavimaya has an opportunity to test its progress when a Phyrexian reconnaissance squad attacks. Although the forest proves to be well prepared for the coming storm, Yavimaya closes its borders so that it can continue developing its defenses without external distractions.

Cleaning House

Urza monitors Gatha’s experiments in Keld, but when Phyrexia also takes notice, Gatha and Keld must fend for themselves. However, Urza once more attracts the attention of the Phyrexian negators-fearsome hunter-killers who have been pursuing him for centuries. He destroys all but one of the foul beasts; it flees the scene of battle. With the planeswalker in pursuit, the wounded negator escapes to a nearby plane. Urza follows, catches, and eliminates the Phyrexian agent-only to find himself in a strange, dark plane he’s never seen before: Rath.

Rathi Proving Ground

Urza surveys the operations of this artificial plane, which is under the dominion of the self-proclaimed evincar, Davvol, and quickly realizes how Rath fits into the larger invasion scheme. He also meets Lyna of the Soltari and offers to bring her people to Dominaria in exchange for their assistance once the invasion begins. Urza planeswalks back to Dominaria, rushing to complete the organic component of his Legacy ahead of schedule.

End of the Line

By now, the Phyrexians have discovered Urza’s bloodlines experiment, but don’t yet understand its purpose. Their agents begin to attack regions where Urza has been most active, and Karn risks everything to save the developing Capashen bloodline in Benalia. After the Phyrexians devastate an entire Capashen village, the silver golem carries the only survivor, an infant, to distant Jamuraa for safekeeping.

Squaring Off

The millennia-long chess match between Urza and Phyrexia approaches its endgame. Titanic forces have been mustered on both sides, battle strategies have been honed to surgical precision, and the final preparations are under way. All that remains is for the combatants to engage each other. No matter who prevails and who is destroyed, Dominaria will never be the same.