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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 28, 2019 18:43:57 GMT
 (Art by Tiago Alexandre) Colors:    (3 points) CMC Level: 5 (5 points) Type Masteries: Instants (1 point) Multicolored Level: 1 (1 Point) Perks: None Valor: 182 Score: 182 Mana: 4/15 Sets: M10, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, Magic Origins, M19, VMA Imagine spending your whole life overshadowed by someone you know you could crush given the opportunity. Imagine burning away all you had in order to overtake him, in one brilliant moment. Imagine succeeding at that, creating an invention that outshined anything he had to offer, free of the defects inherent in his shoddy piece of craftsmanship. Imagine using it, and everything going right in the most wrong way possible.
Marston had built a machine that could launch anything forward in time, not just silver, and was ready to show that shite Urza that his accomplishments were meaningless. Unfortunately, Marston made the decision to field test it on himself, after successfully sending several inanimate objects and animals forward in time, in haste, and launched himself several decades into the future. When he landed, the multiverse had changed: Urza was dead, the Academy was destroyed, the people who destroyed the Academy were gone, and Marston was alone, without rivals. The shock of this ignited his spark, and he began to wander.
The time machine had damaged Marston's magical prowess, rendering him unable to access his most powerful spells, but he still had access to all his formulas and the knowledge of how to leverage the powers he still had to the absolute most effective nature. People of this time had forgotten how powerful magic used to be, unwilling to use hard counterspells or magical tutor effects. Marston had no such compunctions. Now, he needed test subjects, and the opportunity to train in order to raise his powers back to what they once were. Then, he would build a time machine, go back in time, and put that shite Urza in his place.
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 28, 2019 18:51:26 GMT
Oh man, you're from even further in the past than Mattol.  I poked my head into a small workshop and looked around. This stuff looked positively ancient.
"Hello! Any life in here?" I positioned my glass cloud to get some better light. Ah. That's better.Mirror of the World -  Artifact -   : Target player adds one mana of any color. If this mana is used to cast an instant or sorcery spell, each other player copies that spell, and may cast it without paying its mana cost. Credo of the Ruler - no hard counters or tutors. Nah, I'm not going to do that to ya. |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 28, 2019 20:18:26 GMT
"Oh, a visitor?" Marston glanced up from the book he was reading. "I wasn't expecting anyone."He thoroughly examined the newcomer. "Uninteresting," he declared, and a subtle surge of magic rushed from himShatter The Reflections — Instant —  Counter target noncreature spell and each other spell with the same name. Mirror: 9/10, would happily EDH. Feels a little weird you can't use it to Hivemind (ie You can't *make* someone spend the mana).
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 29, 2019 4:51:58 GMT
"Oh, a visitor?" Marston glanced up from the book he was reading. "I wasn't expecting anyone."He thoroughly examined the newcomer. "Uninteresting," he declared, and a subtle surge of magic rushed from himShatter The Reflections — Instant — Counter target noncreature spell and each other spell with the same name. Mirror: 9/10, would happily EDH. Feels a little weird you can't use it to Hivemind (ie You can't *make* someone spend the mana). (It's kinda a standard thing to @ someone when you respond - it makes sure everyone knows which cards are "up". Quoting someone does it automatically, which is why I do things that way.) That subtle wave of magic turned right around and ruffled his hair. The air around me sparkles for a little, until I stifle my cloud.
"If this is a poor time for visitors, I can come back."Redraft -  Instant Change the target of target spell with a single target targeting a spell or permanent you control. Target is now no longer a word. Coincidentally... Credo of the Ruler - your answer can't target spells or permanents. Shatter The Reflections seems pretty good, considering that Narset's Reversal is a thing that exists. 9/10 |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 29, 2019 7:08:51 GMT
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Post by Popcornia on May 29, 2019 18:19:55 GMT
Rarely did Rudara bid herself to leave her domain now that her plans were coming to fruition. Though she still could bid welcome to the green hillsides and other locations of the plane as she wished, the workings of her center of power required her to keep a constant vigil on her peoples. To err was to be mortal, but she would not let them slide into infidelity. But in a rare moment of stillness in the waves of chaos, Rudara had found a moment to seek out the people of this plane, as many were of a nature she knew was more than they seemed. A curious sorcerer in a workshop that had appeared from nowhere, was one of them. Rudara, appearing from nowhere, stepped towards the front door of the workshop, and used her iron staff to knock. {Gift? Card - Neophte of Gilyria}  |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 29, 2019 21:23:49 GMT
There was a few moments of silence, then angry thumping noises. The door burst open, with Marston standing in the doorway, crackling with magic. "I'm in the middle of research of the utmost importance, your decision to interrupt me will be the las—" He stopped mid sentence, and looked up and down at Rudara and the gift she had to offer. "Hm. Feel free to come in. I'm in the middle of work but if you must speak to me, you may do so while I finish my current project."Rummage Through The Lab 
Instant Discard a card. If an artifact was discarded this way, draw two cards. You may repeat this process any number of times. PopcorniaVery solid Auramancer riff, I could def see this in a canon set. But it also is just Auramancer for Artifacts. 9/10
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Post by cajun on May 29, 2019 21:34:08 GMT
There was a few moments of silence, then angry thumping noises. The door burst open, with Marston standing in the doorway, crackling with magic After Rudara enters the lab, a sudden wind slams the door shut behind her. It's probably nothing. Strange Occurrence Instant Whenever an opponent casts a spell this turn, that player loses 2 life and you scry 1. |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 29, 2019 21:47:56 GMT
Paranoia was never a bad trait to have in a business like this. Marston kept his focus on his work, but the strange wind was enough to draw his attention. It seemed unlikely to be something that Rudara did, yet she was the only new variable to be added to the equation. He didn't want to let any other visitors know he was on to them, so he pretended not to notice, and began to let subtle tendrils of magic pool from his feet, covering the ground in a nearly invisible lattice of detection.Echoes of Agony  Instant Target player loses 2 life for each instant or sorcery cast this turn. You gain life equal to life lost this way. cajunStrange Occurrence is a very odd silence. I feel like it is likely to do nothing other than be a 2 mana silence. Design is neat. 8/10
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Post by cajun on May 29, 2019 22:06:55 GMT
He didn't want to let any other visitors know he was on to them, so he pretended not to notice, and began to let subtle tendrils of magic pool from his feet, covering the ground in a nearly invisible lattice of detection. While Marston detects the ground, a tiny rod of ice forms in a dark place of the ceiling. Sinister Shard Artifact When Sinister Shard enters the battlefield, scry 1.  , , Sacrifice Sinister Shard: Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays 4 life.
Echoes of Agony - Better take on my thing. The woes of cmc 2 :b 9/10 |
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Post by Popcornia on May 29, 2019 22:07:20 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueak Rudara was also one to keep her wits about, and the aforementioned door slamming was one reason to do so. Whether it was from the eccentric individual she was now dealing with, or some other force, she would keep her mind steady. All while acting as if nothing had happened. "I presume you treat guests with more courtesy when you know who and what they are," Rudara spoke, observing the meager interior that the sorcerer had managed to acquire. "Especially if they arrive bearing good will." She wasn't quite sure how he had noticed the 'gift' she had arrived with, but it intriguing to know he was more perceptive than she might have assumed. Pulling the item from beneath her cloak, almost as midnight black as her wings, she placed the item on one of the more clean and organized tables. {Response Card - Borealis Staff} 
Rummage Through the Lab: I like that he's looking through his weird junk for stuff, but this seems easy to abuse if you have a hand of artifacts. This is also dead if you have no artifacts, and should let you draw 2 plus some other bonus if it was an artifact. 5/10
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 29, 2019 22:40:08 GMT
Nothing to detect on the ground. Still, he was better off keeping his wits about him. Things could go wrong at any moment.Sabotage Instant Counter target activated ability. If an artifact's ability is countered this way, Sabotage deals 2 damage to that artifact's controller. "I can assure you, even if I knew who you were, interrupting me in a moment like this would still have justified the loss of at least one limb." Marston motioned for Rudara to set the gift down. "But I'm trying to get marginally less...impulsive. I figure your goodwill earns you some amount of pardon for your intrusion." He sat back down at a desk, picking up a set of tools and beginning to tinker with a small metallic sphere. "Once I finish this portion of the project, I can spare you more attention."Paint The World Instant Choose a color. Until end of turn, all cards that aren't on the battlefield, spells, and permanents are the chosen color in addition to their other colors. Draw a card. cajun Onboard countermagic is usually a big blech from me. This is one of the less offensive ways of doing it though, I guess. 8/10Popcornia I feel like it could be cheaper to activate this. Even in a deck built around it, you have to run lands, so this is gonna whiff a little over a third of the time. For 11 mana for two activations, I want to be getting a lot from this. 9/10
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Post by cajun on May 29, 2019 22:55:14 GMT
Nothing to detect on the ground. Still, he was better off keeping his wits about him. Things could go wrong at any moment. The ice silently sits and does its job.
Sabotage - nice. 10/10 |
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 30, 2019 1:27:11 GMT
(Ah, apologies, thanks for enlightening me) "There wouldn't be a better time for a visit, I'm just simply not interested in riff raff like you." Marston closed his book and set it down on the table besides him.
He began to walk towards Mattol, with a commanding nature to his stride. "In the face of brilliance like mine, you and your glass look tarnished and dull."
Immutable Brilliance —
Instant
Counter each spell that targets a spell you control.
Draw a card.
Lady Mapi
Redraft feels undercosted compared to Shunt. I also don't love this in red. 7/10
My smile doesn't so much as waver. I've dealt with stuck-up pompous blowhards before - they're called "clients" in my line of work.
"Still, I can come back when you're in a better mood - here's something to remember me by." A small piece of glass falls to the ground with a soft 'clink'.Artist's Puzzlebox -  Artifact - If a spell you control would be countered, you may pay . If you do, return that spell to your hand. If you don't, exile that spell and draw a card. , sacrifice Artist's Puzzlebox: Counter target noncreature spell. And, thinking of Credo of the Ruler... I'd love to see one of those "tutors" you've mentioned. Sound kinda ominous.Immutable Brilliance... I can taste the counter wars. They taste delicious. 10/10 |
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Post by Popcornia on May 30, 2019 3:41:11 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueak "Of course. It would be disrespectful to waste someone's time," Rudara replied, clasping her spare sets of hands in front of her. From her phrasing and demeanor, it was almost as if she was insinuating it was not his that was being wasted, but heres. "Perhaps you shouldn't concentrate the flow of magic to one side of your bauble," she suddenly noted, watching Marston from across the table. "Eventually it will overwhelm it's container and you'll have a directed blast of magic that will blow a hole through your stomach." {Response Card - Canvas of Constellations} 
Paint the WorldGrindstone says hi. The fact this gives lands colors irks me, but otherwise it seems fine. 7/10
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 30, 2019 4:59:08 GMT
A deep sigh came from Marston as his stance immediately shifted from aggressive to just bored. Disdain dripped forth from him. "Please just leave. I'm uninterested in continuing this." he reached over his shoulder, grabbing at something invisible, and plucked from nonexistance a small jar filled with green slime. With a flick of the wrist he threw it at the glass memento, and as the jar shattered, the slime emerged to engulf the glass and the fragments of the jar, cleaning it up nicely. Rule one of being an artificer: always keep an Acidic Slime on hand to deal with runaway inventions.Requisition Instant Requisition can't be countered. Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle your library. Calling for the Aid of an Acidic Slime, of course (printed in M12 and M13), which will be tutored up by this handy uncounterable tutor, and provide a creature based answer to address this...problem. "An excellent observation," he said, his voice monotone but joy briefly entering his eyes. This was clearly his natural element, and one of the things he took joy in. "The unstable nature is actually key to the overall design, as it is what allows it to break past the tension barrier that holds us to this current timeline. Although..." he trailed off. He'd missed something.
Repetition Instant  Draw a card. Then, if you cast another spell this turn, draw another card. Popcornia Lady Mapi Artist's Puzzlebox — Normally I don't like narrow hosers, but I'm kinda into this one. Although on board countermagic is a minus in my book. 8/10Canvas of Constellations — I don't feel like this encourages you to cast multicolored spells, which then makes it weird to be multicolored. Looks fun in storm. 9/10
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Post by Popcornia on May 30, 2019 13:25:30 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueak Rudara raised a brow at the word 'Timeline', though it was difficult to tell if she interested, or incredulous. "When dealing with delicate matters, it is wise not to use words that indicate your interest in breaking it." She began to walk around the table, eyes focused on the artificer's work. "Overwhelming force, while absolute, does not last forever. Especially when working with aspects as fickle as time." {Response Card - Dissociated Clarity} 
Repetition: At the best possible chaos, this has the same net cost and effect of divination (A one mana spell and casting this). The likelihood of drawing into a second one is null, and it still requires set up from the first to get anywhere. I like it as a decent common. 10/10
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 30, 2019 15:59:58 GMT
This time, the smile that he gave her reached his face, twisting his mouth in a sinister smirk. "The sanctity of time is not something I find myself inclined to respect. In my line of work, there is no such thing as delicate matters. But I suppose that is the sort of thing others do worry about." The smile faded and he shrugged. "If my work alarms or concerns you, you are free to take your leave. Until it is done, I have no interest in peer review, and I've succeeded here once before, so I'm not searching for tips on how to succeed again."Behold My Minions Instant Create two 1/1 colorless Construct artifact creature tokens. Draw a card, then discard a card. PopcorniaDissociated Clarity — Weirdly, I'm more okay with this in a black leaning set (Like OG innistrad) than in a planar chaos-y set. 8/10
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Post by Popcornia on May 30, 2019 17:37:47 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueakRudara's brow lowered as she stopped circling the table, now to his left as she observed his machinations. "If it is true that you have succeeded before, than it is likely you shall succeed again," she mused, taking a moment to observe the artificer and how they carried themselves in their craft. They were clearly arrogant, like so many mortals when they believed they had conquered reality. "As for your work, whether or not you control the flow of time is not my concern. Your intent however, is far more thought-provoking." {Response Card - Instrument of Study} 
Behold my Minions: I like the name, sounds really arrogant and Archenemy like. Has almost the same combined P/T of a Tolarian Scholar, so I think it's fine effect wise. It being instant speed is what troubles me, since without the rummage it's a Master's Call in Blue. Maybe just one token and more draw/ filter? 7/10
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 30, 2019 19:22:50 GMT
A deep sigh came from Marston as his stance immediately shifted from aggressive to just bored. Disdain dripped forth from him. "Please just leave. I'm uninterested in continuing this." he reached over his shoulder, grabbing at something invisible, and plucked from nonexistance a small jar filled with green slime. With a flick of the wrist he threw it at the glass memento, and as the jar shattered, the slime emerged to engulf the glass and the fragments of the jar, cleaning it up nicely. Rule one of being an artificer: always keep an Acidic Slime on hand to deal with runaway inventions.Requisition Instant Requisition can't be countered. Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle your library. Calling for the Aid of an Acidic Slime, of course (printed in M12 and M13), which will be tutored up by this handy uncounterable tutor, and provide a creature based answer to address this...problem. Lady Mapi Artist's Puzzlebox — Normally I don't like narrow hosers, but I'm kinda into this one. Although on board countermagic is a minus in my book. 8/10 - Artifact - : Reveal a permanent card from your hand with converted mana cost 2 or less. Mirror of Desires becomes a copy of that card until end of turn and gains this ability. (A gift.) Requisition sure is a tutor - a bit pricy, but you get what you pay for. 9/10(It makes me so sad that Marston doesn't want to play with Mattol.  ) |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 30, 2019 20:35:30 GMT
Marston raised an eyebrow. "The thought of bending the flow of time to my will doesn't interest you? You are a very strange individual." He paused for a moment, deep in thought, making fine adjustments to the current project. A few moments later, there was a definitive 'Click' noise, and he set the tools down on the desk and turned towards Rudara, this piece complete. "Very well. My full attention is now yours. You were asking about my intent?"
"I intend to recover the power that was lost to me when I traveled here, and combine that with the new capabilities I've developed in the interim. I intend to rebuild my greatest creation, better than before, and travel back home. And once I'm there, I intend to show everyone what a coward, moron, and conman that shite Urza is." He cocked his head to the side. "Does that answer your question sufficiently?"Maniacal Schemes Instant Maniacal Schemes does X damage to any target, where X is the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard. Then, shuffle your graveyard into your library. Instruments of Study — I don't love how the best case scenario here is an actual colorless Sift (since you can activate the second ability in response to the first, if you have 10 or more cards in yard). Feels a little color-bleedy. 7/10Mirror of Desire — Very neat! 10/10PopcorniaLady Mapi(Amechra, I'm certain we'll get to play more later. Marston is still finding his footing around here.)
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 30, 2019 21:58:57 GMT
(Psst, ThatDamnPipsqueak. You need to respond to my gift so that I can also give you tasty Valor.) |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on May 30, 2019 22:35:43 GMT
Marston examined the diagrams, thoughts flowing through his head. Hm. There was something to these. He'd have to put some effort into figuring out how to incorporate them into his own work. Two-tor Instant Search your library for a card with converted mana cost 2, reveal it, than put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your library. (Whoops, totally blanked, thanks Lady Mapi!) |
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Post by Popcornia on May 31, 2019 1:20:24 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueak "Yes, it does Marston Charros." Rudara seemed to stand taller now, her presence definitely filling up more of the room than it had before. Had she been restraining herself? Or was it coming into focus as Rudara took more of the artificer's attention. "Firstly, I know you are a planeswalker, and like many walkers, represent an undue uncertainty to the future of this plane. You are from another world, one where I presume more who think like you exist. You seek power, and wish to wield it in a fashion more akin to a child waving a sword than what you might believe yourself to be doing. Every word you have spoken has been arrogant, presuming, and boastful, as if you are the sole authority of everything you claim to excel at."
"In short, you are an egotistical mortal, who fails to see anything beyond what lies in front of him, even when the powers that be stand right in front of them." {Response Card - Unmake What Has Been Made} 
"You didn't even ask who I am."A subtle glow began to emerge from Rudara, spreading the longer she spoke. Around her, metal pieces and junk began to melt, sputter, and break, yet leaving the furniture unscathed. Soon the perimeter had nearly reached Marston's latest device, before it stopped, a hair away from turning his work into slag. "Are you listening now, Marston?"
Maniacal Schemes: Reasonable uncommon, but I think the shuffle clause is unnecessary. Cards like Invade the City exist where they don't shuffle it away, and I think the high cost is enough that you don't worry about chaning these too much. 9/10
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Post by Lady Mapi on May 31, 2019 4:07:33 GMT
Marston examined the diagrams, thoughts flowing through his head. Hm. There was something to these. He'd have to put some effort into figuring out how to incorporate them into his own work. Two-tor Instant Search your library for a card with converted mana cost 2, reveal it, than put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your library. (Whoops, totally blanked, thanks Lady Mapi !) ( Popcornia: Marston and Rudara are both very alike - loads of undeserved ego . The two of them should get a room, honestly.) Two-tor... on the one hand, it's a solid card. On the other hand... that name screams Silver-Border, and you don't have the right perk for that. So I'm going to have to dock you some Valor. 8/10 |
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Post by mrlozano on Jun 2, 2019 20:35:39 GMT
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Post by cajun on Jun 12, 2019 19:00:19 GMT
The brilliant mage finds a note affixed to the inside of his door:
I understand you are working on matters of temporal manipulation.
If you are willing to share your research, I can offer you a priceless specimen.
All you have to do is say the word.
Where Your Morals Lie
Scheme
Choose a nonland permanent an opponent controls. Its controller may sacrifice it. If they don't, each other opponent sacrifices two nonland permanents.
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on Aug 15, 2019 2:49:20 GMT
(I'll try to catch up on other owed posts, but I'm mostly here to help Cajun advance a plot thing) Marston read the note, and briefly turned it over in his head. Sharing knowledge wasn't really something he tended to do, but if he had substantial enough research to gain from it, it did make logical sense. There was the alarming implication that his lab was compromised from a security perspective, but he hadn't been doing his due diligence on that front, so it wasn't shocking. " Very well," he said, " Consider this partnership officially commenced." Reap The Seeds Of Sorrow — Instant Until end of turn, whenever another player sacrifices a creature, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. Where Your Morals Lie: Very Trolley Problem. 10/10 |
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Post by cajun on Aug 15, 2019 4:31:46 GMT
Marston read the note, and briefly turned it over in his head. Sharing knowledge wasn't really something he tended to do, but if he had substantial enough research to gain from it, it did make logical sense. There was the alarming implication that his lab was compromised from a security perspective, but he hadn't been doing his due diligence on that front, so it wasn't shocking. " Very well," he said, " Consider this partnership officially commenced."
---
A few days pass without further word. Perhaps this person didn't have anything after all.
One evening, there is another breeze in the lab, colder this time. There is a stronger Outside as it disappears. Marston follows the breeze outside, perhaps noting the air is colder than it normally is, but finding nothing else out of the ordinary out here.
Back in the lab is a different matter. A child is lying on the floor. Ice covers her arms and legs. Her head weakly lifts up, looking around before her eyes settle on Marston. Her voice is muffled by a layer of ice over her mouth.A Necessary SacrificeSchemeWhen you set this scheme in motion, sacrifice any number of permanents. For each permanent sacrificed this way, you draw a card and an opponent of your choice discards a card.
A note rests by the child in the same handwriting as before:
Sorry for the delay.
Reap The Seeds Of Sorrow - oo, very evil. 10/10
//for the others, talked with pip for that, no godmoderino now how evil is marston |
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Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on Aug 24, 2019 21:43:23 GMT
Awake. He had been handed not just a living specimen, but an awake one. " Disgusting," he said, although it was unclear if he was talking to the girl, about her, about the conditions she was in, or something else. Marston approached the girl, retrieved the note, looked at it, flipped it over to see if there were any other details, before coming to the conclusion that yes, this was it. Marston wasn't evil. At least, he didn't consider himself to be evil. He certainly didn't have the draw to engage in moustache twirling antics, or acts of violence for the sake of violence. But he also wasn't bound by typical moral codes. If his partner had given him the subject asleep, he wouldn't have had any difficulty keeping them asleep during a vivisection. But given she was awake, that did complicate things somewhat. " Here's how this is going to go," his voice laced with professionalism and a detached boredom that sounded inhumane, " I'm going to conduct a brief initial examination and interview. If you behave, this process is entirely painless. If you fail to behave, I cannot make that same promise. But one way or another, I am going to conduct some research. Is this clear?" With that, he retrieved some equipment, and began to scan the girl for chronotemporal instabilities. From there, he would figure out what types of mana she was attuned to, if she had a latent spark, and some other general bio-magical data. After that, a verbal interview was in order. Reflect on Madness Instant Exile your hand. Until end of turn, if you would discard a card except to pay for a cost, instead draw a card. At the beginning of the next endstep, return all cards exiled with Reflect on Madness to your hand.
A Necessary Sacrifice 9/10. Very cool but I'm a bit worried about it hard hosing someone out of the game. cajun |
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