<BB> shiftyhomunculus' Battle Board (Obris Rook)

"A ruler formed through tragedy. You remind me of myself, so many years ago."

Grating Automaton
Artifact Creature - Construct Rebel
When ~ dies, you may put the top card of your library into your graveyard. If that card is an artifact or a Rebel, you may add that card to your hand.
2/1
It sows dissenting whispers with its whirring gears.

"If everything is  ever taken from you again, after the years you have worked so hard for it, you will understand. However, I pray that does not happen to you. May we cross roads again, proud lord."

Elnoch's Claim: Interesting take on artifact/enchantment hate especially with that final line - you can tell this comes out of a Mirrodin or Theros esque set already. I don't know how I feel about it putting on the bottom of the library as opposed to destroying, though, it adds a rather strong hint of , even if I know Green bends for the things it hates like Leaf Arrow for flyers. 7/10

"Ah, the Stratopol affair! Did you hear of the Battle of Mercury Street? Harper won't tell you the full story, of course - she still swears blind it was that no-good vagrant that saved the city. But I know the truth. Who rallied the people of Mercury Street? Who held those fleshbags at bay for hours on end? Here, have a seat and you might learn something..."

Obris' Demand
Sorcery
Search target opponent's library for a card, then shuffle their library and put that card on top.
"You do what I ask of you."
- Said to threaten the use of the Rook Voice

(A gift, of course, designed to work with the plus ability.)

On Safir, Ruthless Diplomat: Some will pillory me for this, but I like focused walkers, and I guess with your character concept they're something of a necessity. The costing is a little awkward - the plus strikes me as slightly too good for three mana but probably not good enough for four. Starting loyalty may be a touch high but they can't protect themselves so it balances out. I'm very bad at grading planeswalkers, but take an 8/10.

You saw nothing!

Obris snorts. "The weak crumble. The strong build towers from the rubble."

Refractive Talisman
Artifact
: Add .
Each creature with the highest power or tied for the highest power among creatures you control has hexproof.

On Apprentice Giantslayer: Even given the targeting restrictions and compensation, giving all your Allies an ETB kill is pretty strong, possibly too much so for three mana. 6/10.

Obris' Demand: Remarkably, this works as either a gift or a counter, as you could put something dangerously expensive on top of my library as well. Under normal circumstances, this just ensures an opponents' next draw is useless, but I am certain there are lots of entertaining things a J@nny could do with this card, given a bit of time and effort. It's clever in exactly the sort of way I like. 10/10

"Is it not better though, for the weak to become strong together, than for the strong to stay strong, and the weak stay weak"

Refractive Talisman: 7/10. The effect is too effecient for the cost, and in something like commander, having your mana rock making your big thing hexproof is going to matter a lot. 3 mana colourless rock is not an abysmal baseline, and the upside is rather good. I might pilfer the effect for a one cost green enchantment to go in my random designs file if you don't mind.

On the power level of apprentice Giantslayer: I was comparing it to Intrepid Hero, who for the same cost, while not giving an immediate kill, doesn't need you to play a creature, and doesn't give your opponent free cards.

"Well hello there, handsome. You know, I'm not normally one for autocrats, but you're just so cute. Want to get a bite to eat later?" She blushes, poorly trying to hide a bouquet of flowers behind her back.

Furtive Gift
Conspiracy
Hidden agenda (Start the game with this conspiracy face down in the command zone and secretly choose a card name. You may turn this conspiracy face up any time and reveal that name.)
, Discard a card: Target player gains control of target permanent with the chosen name that you control. If they do, you may draw a card.

"I hear you are a lord. What land is it you rule over?"

Runic Preserver 
Artifact Creature - Golem
When Runic Preserver dies, each player may search their library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into their hand, then shuffle their library.
2/2
When the earth yields a rich mineral harvest, its wardens overflow with protective glee.

"How much do you reckon I owe you for the sphere thingie, mister?"

Spoils of the Sword
Instant
When target creature you control deals combat damage this turn, you lose that much life and create that many colourless Treasure artifact tokens with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

Bahrum considers the looming man's tale, reminded eerily of the persistent attacks of tomb raiders against his homeland. "I wish you well on your quest. What is it that stops you now? When does the time become right?"

With another name, the triggered ability of your card would probably feel pretty awkward and would make the card as a whole feel very odd. But the combination of abilities matches the flavour of reclaiming territory and ousting those who took it from you so well. It makes a great counter and response as a gift at the same time, and ties easily into our conversation. I can't not give that combination of features a 10/10!

"Well, ain't that a kick in the nads!"

Hoarder's Ward: Perfect flavour, and the cost looks very much right. 10/10

A blond boy slowly advanced towards Obris. It was like seeing a broken body inside an armor of the strongest and shiniest metal there is. He chuckles as he sees Rook.

"Finally, something that looks like it could be human..."

He lifts his head more, revealing his blue eyes.

"Don't take it as an insult, I have blood in my eyes, it's hard to see, I assure you. Would you mind telling me which Kingdom are we in, and what this place is? As a token of gratitude, I'll give you this, kind sir."

He reaches in his small pouch and hands Obris a gem.


Conundrum of the Avane
Artifact - Equipment
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to equipped creature by a source of your choice this turn.
At the beginning of the end step on each opponent's turn, exile each creature blocked by the equipped creature this turn.
Equip

good heavens there's a lot of you all of a sudden

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@ chefantasia

Obris is wary of the guest, pulling on a glove before touching the gemstone. "This? This is the Arena. Nobody's kingdom, alas. It seems to be a haven for vagabonds and layabouts, but there are folk of character here too." He pockets the gem and extends a cautious, still-gloved hand. "Obris Rook, Heir to the House of Rook."

Armiger's Sphere
Artifact
: Add three mana of any one color. Spend this mana only to activate abilities of artifacts.

On Conundrum of the Avane: This is a pretty strong effect, and I don't think it's quite in-color, since the ability is a lot like delayed deathtouch. The flavor is also a little lacking here - I don't have a very clear idea of what this thing is, exactly. 5/10.

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@ fluffydeathbringer

"No... we don't... Rooks do not..." Obris clutches at his forehead in pain, but manages to force out a shout of defiance. "Rooks! Do! Not! Kneel!"

Nevalish Gale
Sorcery
Exile all creatures. For as long as those cards remain exiled, their owners may cast them without paying their mana costs.
The winds of Nevalon can blow your soul right out of your body.

On Sirens' Chorus: A good screw-you enchantment. My only critique is that it'll sometimes be a long while before it dissipates and your opponent can play creatures unmolested, so maybe even the six-mana price tag isn't quite enough, but building up slowly probably makes up for that. 8/10.

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@ sylphiod

Obris harrumphs. "Elnoch never fell under our rule. It was the Consensus that brought it to ruin."

Earthtwine
Sorcery
Choose two -
• Search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
• You may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
• Return a land card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.

On Ruined Palace: The activated ability definitely needs to cost quite a lot more - it's colorless land destruction that doesn't actually cost a card (since the land you steal replaces the Palace). I wouldn't put that effect below six mana, maybe five if there were a colored component. 5/10.