Magic: The Custom Set-ening

[VarionusNW]

I am fine with either Tri or Dual color.

Even if the war is not between human and elves (That was just an example anyways), I still think it would be nice to have two or more large factions be over smaller factions. A very complex war. The larger factions can be tri color while the lesser factions like the individual provinces be dual color. or not.

@MarsAdept

Ok, here's my take on the idea: 5 tri-color factions (most likely shards) are our large factions. Then 5 dual-color factions (if we use shards, we have to use ally colors here) are our lesser factions. We can have them differentiated by creature types, using the race/class set up as normal. The tri-color factions would be our classes, such as grixis (UBR) being a coalition of wizards. The duals would be races, such as RB being goblins. Each race would fit into two of the classes.

I like the idea of the world being in a complex state of war. I'd think it'd be a WWI type scenario, with two of the races getting into a conflict which drags the rest into war due to the class-based alliances.

By the way, we should answer some simple questions to flesh out this world:

What is the terrain make-up of this world?
So, the current suggestions are provinces on a single main continent, and a bunch of factions spread across islands. Of course, I'm in favor of the islands idea, since I don't think there has been such a plane yet. Possibly there was previously a larger continent that sunk to the depths. Possibly the factions rose up from the remnants of an ancient civilization who's entire legacy rests at the bottom of the ocean?
What is the level of technology on this world?
I'm a sucker for low-tech tribal scenarios, but I feel like that wont fly here, so I'll leave this to you guys.
What creatures inhabit this world?

Does this world rely more heavily on certain colors of mana (such as innistrad being inherently more black)?

Are we taking inspiration from any real-world sources?

Ally or enemy colors?

Who's at war, and for what reason?

And most importantly, what is this plane's name?

[Wuldraider]

My personal ideas for the world. Also why do we have to bind so strongly to such a strict idea of magic? Magic is as diverse as people are. On some worlds Red magic might be fire while on others it could be something completely different, for World of Warcraft I know that while fire magic is fire obviously it is also represented as Life magic by the way of the Red Dragonflight. Why can't we have magic of our own kind? I play RW as a bunker til swarm way.

What is the terrain make-up of this world?
Perhaps a whole other plane we've all wound up on and are now trying to help, thoguh after a while we've become leaders, not necessarily of the factions entirely but maybe we are famed commanders or generals tasked to lead the forces our faction commands. Each faction could live in a sort of biome of their own, like a RW faction would have rolling plains between towering mountains, nestled in these little vallies are big cities where their armies train.

What is the level of technology on this world?
Eh, I'm flexible...

Does this world rely more heavily on certain colors of mana (such as innistrad being inherently more black)?
This world since we're all different could have equal amounts of all magic unless some outside force is suppressing one or more colors.

Are we taking inspiration from any real-world sources?
Personally I'm not.

Ally or enemy colors?
All, why not have a diverse enemy that changes tactics depending on which faction they fight?

Who's at war, and for what reason?
Flexible, maybe we make treaties and ally as the situation calls, a fluid alliance.

And most importantly, what is this plane's name?
I vote for calling it Valedor (Pronounced Val-A-door)

Just my take on this.

[MarsAdept]

What is the terrain make-up of this world?
I like the idea of one main continent, maybe a second smaller one with several surrounding archipelagos. I think the idea that a continent sank is a bit out there. Though, it is not as far fetched if you take in the mythos of the Pacific Islanders in our would. However, too much contact and culture would be lost if that were to happen. Sure the merfolk would be happy, but it would be too easy to forget for the land locked races. I would like to see something akin to the collapse of Rome. A great empire lasting thousands of years as just fallen from within and out. Remaining factions find it too difficult to maintain the works of the Grand empire. Possibly tribal forces from the second lesser continent dealt the final blow but infighting weaken the united empire. Now this could set the stage for the larger factions. Each claim to be the rightful inheritor of "Rome". Lesser factions could be the smaller, more stable kingdoms that have tried to preserve their individual province or further raider tribes.

What is the level of technology on this world?
I would like to see early, medieval level of tech akin to 5th, 6th, and 7th century Europe and asia.

What creatures inhabit this world?
I am always partial to Humans. In every fantasy setting, i usually play a human. The only reason i never liked Lorrawyn block was that there was no humans. Elves and Merfolk would be good as well. Dwarfs are not unheard of in magic but they are not a lot. Vampires would also make up a good race, but more as power hungry nobles.

I can see Angels being present, but then Demons would also have to exist. I can only see them in smaller numbers because there is a relative balance between white and black mana on this world. Dragons i could see as a little more common because their intelligence and brute strength is useful in war.

Does this world rely more heavily on certain colors of mana (such as innistrad being inherently more black)?
I do not feel that this plane should be color shifted like Innastrad. It would be interesting to see the plane temporary shifted towards red as all the colors of magic should be slightly more aggressive.

Are we taking inspiration from any real-world sources?
The dark ages of Europe following the collapse of the Western half of the Roman empire

Ally or enemy colors?
If there are to be five shard aligned factions, then there could easily make room for both ally and enemy color combinations. If we go with two continents, we could have each continent have five provinces. Each Province has its own terrain that would give rise to its own two color combination. Perhaps the main continent is home to the ally while the second has the enemy colors. The Greater Tricolor factions would have to navigate alliances through these provinces.

Who's at war, and for what reason?
I admit i am bad with names so i will use the names of the ALara shards.

Esper faction- Maintains the what parts of the empire that was not conquered and did not dissolve into chaos. However they lost the capital and had to flee to a more northern refuge. Their new capital is on a large island just off the mainland of the continent. They have almost undisputed control of the Northern frozen plains and swampland. They still govern themselves like the previous empire. This faction claims to be the proper remnants of the Empire and vowed to reclaim all lands lost during the collapse. This faction controls the most wealth.

Grixis faction- This faction holds onto the great desert waste in the middle of the larger continent. It also holds several mountainous island in the southern oceans. Their regions were more livable when the empire was intact, but they still hold onto it not willing to let anyone take it. Their naval fleet is second to none.

Jund Faction- These were the invaders from the second continent that forced the final collapse of the empire. They have seized large portions of the main continent for their own and wish to see all others fall under their control. They press hard against the Esper faction to prevent the empire rebirth. This faction has the largest land fortress.

Naya Faction - This faction has rallied the free Folk of its lands to throw off any attachment to the empire that oppressed them and resist the foreign invaders. They will not be ruled by anyone other than themselves.

Bant Faction- This faction exists mainly on the second continent. Its rise to power pushed the Jund faction across the Sea to Topple the Empire on the main continent. This faction is preparing to launch a holy crusade across the sea

And most importantly, what is this plane's name?
As I have stated before I am bad at names.

[VarionusNW]

My personal ideas for the world. Also why do we have to bind so strongly to such a strict idea of magic? Magic is as diverse as people are. On some worlds Red magic might be fire while on others it could be something completely different, for World of Warcraft I know that while fire magic is fire obviously it is also represented as Life magic by the way of the Red Dragonflight. Why can't we have magic of our own kind? I play RW as a bunker til swarm way.

@Wuldraider

I suggest reading some of Mark Rosewater's articles on the color pie, and I'm sure he has done some articles on the color pairs as well.

The issue with what you said is that fire magic isn't all the red is. Red isn't just flames, it's a rage, passion, emotions, trickery, quick-wittedness, and so much more. The colors of magic are more conceptual than anything, and are extremely flexible. The problem with RW is that its design space hasn't been explored too much beyond "Military" and such. Since it is an enemy color pair, it is a logically conflicted pair. Red is aggressive, white is defensive. White is about working for the greater good, while red is about doing what your heart wants. So, RW is about emotional investment in a cause, working towards something with great zeal. Warriors, armies, and religious zealots fit into this pair.

I feel like I'm rambling. Basically, RW has always been designed as aggressive, and while defensive RW sounds cool, you'd need to have a solid way of doing it.

About the worldbuilding. Wuld, don't think of it in terms of our characters. Rather, come up with the world wholly seperate from them. Our characters have never been here, and have yet to arrive, what is it like?

About the ally/enemy colors. We can only do one or the other. Given the concept of tri-colored factions with dual-color races, we have to limit ourselves to one, because catering to all 20 possible dual/tri color pairs is impossible in less than 400 cards, and would be similar to just doing mono-color.

If we do ally colors, our factions will be: white-green-blue, white-green-red, black-green-red, black-red-blue, white-blue-black.
Races will be: White-blue, blue-black, black-red, red-green, green-white.

Enemy color facs: white-red-black, white-green-black, white-red-blue, green-blue-black, red-green-blue.
Races: red-white, red-blue, white-black, black-green, green-blue.

@Marsadept I don't think there is enough room in a set to cater to both ally and enemy duals.

[MarsAdept]

I would prefer ally duel rather than Enemy when it come to tribal builds.

[Wuldraider]

This is all way to technical for me...
I'll be white-green-red if it comes to tri colors.

[MarsAdept]

I have an idea. Humans, dwarfs, elves, vampires, and merfolk be the five dominate races in the world.

Elves will be Green/white
Humans will be white/blue
Merfolk will be blue/black
Vampires will be black/red
Dwarfs will be red/green

And that is if we want to go allied colors. If we want enemy colors.

Elves could be green blue
Humans could be white black
Merfolk could be blue red
Vampires could be black green
Dwarfs could be red white

The greater alliances could be made up of a mixing the two races that share a color.

Humans and elves should make Bant
Humans and merfolk be Esper
Merfolk and vampire be Grixis
Vampire and dwarf be Jund
Dwarf and elf be Naya

If we go in wedges with enemy duals:

Elves and merfolk make temur
Vampires and elves make sulti
Humans and Dwarfs make Mardu
Merfolk and Dwarfs make Jeskei
Vampires and Humans make Abzan

[Ryuzaki]

@MarsAdept I really like your ideas for the tribes and factions. It makes me conflicted on which of my OCs to play. Elinaire the vampire queen of Ebongarde or Gehtsis the dwarven king of Hakial?

@Wuldraider You dont necessarily need to be the colors of a faction. You come from a different plane and you should follow that plane's rules for factions or tribes.

[Phoenix]

Hello!
I understand that I might not have the most extensive knowledge, but I've been wanting to do an M:tG RP for a long time. I think I can really get behind this premise.

Hider

How long have you been playing Magic?
I was first introduced by the time Innistrad came out. So 2011.
However, "playing" is of the most loose definition in this sense. I played casually for a little while. I played in a draft with friends once. I participated in a pre-release once. I haven't actually played since the end of Return to Ravnica. I didn't care for the player environment.

But I follow it still. I read articles and follow all the new releases. I even buy decks I build myself. They are not competitive because that's not where my interest lies. I build decks that are thematic to the story I want to tell in the plane they are creating. I also always make Naya/Theme decks from the set.

Favorite mono-color
White
I love the simplicity of White. I just enjoy the way it plays. I like the creatures in white (both aesthetically and mechanically). It's just...nice. ^^

Favorite dual-color
Boros (Red/White)
As much as I like the simplicity of White, I also enjoy the intensity of Red. I appreciate how different they are and enjoy the way in which they interact. I'm not afraid of zealotry when it's for a good cause. xP

Favorite tri-color
Naya (Green/Red/White)
Green just adds more things of what I like to White and to Red. I enjoy natural aestheticism. Natural growth and strength. It's big and powerful, but doesn't exert it unless necessary. It's graceful and serene, but deadly all the same. (I like my extremes ^^)

Favorite plane
I can't say I really have a favorite plane. I liked Innistrad and Theros, though.
I enjoyed the lore and depth that went with Innistrad. I liked how the creatures worked, what they were, and what they did.
I liked the idea of Theros, which played with mythology/religion. That realm of psychology is interesting to me. (My girlfriend is a heathen)

Favorite set
Again, a tie between Innistrad and Theros.
I liked the creatures and mechanics of Theros whereas I more enjoyed the story and aestheticism of Innistrad.

Favorite mechanic
Populate. Bestow/Constellation
I thought Populate was a cool mechanic. It's not too reliable and you have to really try to get what you want.
Bestow forced an interesting choice upon the player, which I appreciated.
I just liked the feel of Constellation (and I've been studying Astrology for years, so I appreciate the name of it, too ^^)

Favorite card
Sigarda, Host of Herons.
Can't touch this...
But no, for real, I just like how she's a strong creature that's hard to deal with. I like the flavor of Heron's Grace, too.

Favorite archetype/deck
Um...I guess anything I can make with Naya colors from a specific set. I don't play conventionally, so this is a difficult question to answer.

What formats do you play?
Same as above.

Favorite format
Same as above.

What is your least favorite thing about Magic?
I guess the players. I mean, it's not that I hate them or hate the way they play. I've watched my fair share of tournaments and such. I just don't have that kind of interest in the game. And with how diverse and in-depth Magic is, I can play it however I like (not that anyone plays like that with me :()

How much experience do you have with creating custom cards?
Over the past few years I've been trying to develop a New Alara set. I love Naya so much, I've created lore that extends from how Alara Reborn ended. I've had discussions with others on the Magic Set Editor forums and did a lot of research on how sets should be built (% of commons/colors, commons explore the world, mythics tell the story, power-levels for casting costs, etc.)
I enjoy the idea of creating my own set, but it's so intensive that I can't seem to keep the dedication to doing it. I would love to have someone collaborate with me (someone who has a much greater knowledge than myself). But, alas, not everyone has the same interests I do...

Design a custom mechanic
Sowing - When this card enters the graveyard from anywhere, you may search your library for a (Basic?) Land and put it onto the battlefield tapped. If you do, shuffle your library.

Sodding X - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, this creature gets +X/+X until end of turn.

Sodding X - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, if this creature has no +1/+1 counters, put X +1/+1 counters on it.

Design a creature
[Hyavali, Nacatl Priestess] 3WW
Legendary Creature - Cat Warrior Monk - R
Lifelink
Cat Creatures you control have first strike and vigilance.
[4/4]

I'm not too sure about the power levels of these cards regardless of my research. It's still hard trying to implement something I've not seen before from examples of existing cards. :/

Design an instant, sorcery, artifact, or enchantment
[Life from Ashes] 2RR
Sorcery - R
As an additional cost to cast Life from Ashes, sacrifice a land and sacrifice a creature.
Exile the top four cards of your library. You may cast any number of creatures and/or lands put in exile this way without paying their mana cost.

Design a non-basic land
[The Lone Oak]
Legendary Land - Mountain Forest Plains Avatar - M
(The Lone Oak isn't a spell, is affected by summoning sickness, and has "T: Add R, G, or W to your mana pool")
The Lone Oak is red, green, and white.
The Lone Oak enters the battlefield tapped. It does not untap unless you control a basic Forest, Mountain, and Plains and does not untap if you control an Island or a Swamp.
4/4

Design a planeswalker
[Syeena Godreacher] R/W R/W G
Planeswalker - Syeena - M
[Whenever a basic Forest, Mountain, or Plains enters the battlefield under your control, put two loyalty counters on Syeena Godreacher.]
-2 Put two 1/1 green and white elf creature tokens onto the battlefield.
-8 You get an emblem with "Lands you control are 6/6 elemental creatures with trample. They are still lands."
[3]
- or -

Hider

The top three were made in quick inspiration from @Wuldraider and @Ryuzaki...
The bottom has gone through many revisions.
Do you have any ideas for a plot/setting?
I'd be more than willing to adapt this planeswalker into any setting, really. 'twould be quite interesting. ^^

Hider

What is the terrain make-up of this world?
I also like the idea of islands. But I would also enjoy varied islands to go along with what @MarsAdept suggested with the Race+Class system. I think it could be a good idea to have each RPer be able to develop their own island/region if they want to (however vaguely...). Of course, it wouldn't go through without your permission. But if we all are interested in different aspects of the world, assign people their strengths, perhaps. But I'm not beyond collaborating the whole for the sake of inclusivity and the prevent anyone from claiming GM authority over IC occurances...I'm blabbering...
What is the level of technology on this world?
I prefer low...but I'm flexible.

What creatures inhabit this world?
I like what @MarsAdept has. Though I think it'd be a good idea to add a race for each single color, even.
Example:
White: Leonin/Elephant
Blue: Aven/Wall
Black: Zombie/Horror
Red: Goblin/Beast
Green: Centaur/Behemoth

And then we should probably think about each color's (or shard's) "big baddie."
White: Angel
Blue: Kraken/Sphinx
Black: Demon/Horror
Red: Dragon
Green: Elemental/Hydra
Does this world rely more heavily on certain colors of mana (such as innistrad being inherently more black)?
If we go with the idea of Islands, probably blue (I know, cliche...but still, it can be done flavorfully).

Are we taking inspiration from any real-world sources?
I'm not >.>

Ally or enemy colors?
I prefer Ally

Who's at war, and for what reason?
Dunno...flexible (and possibly might go against it if I think it could create an interesting story)

And most importantly, what is this plane's name?
Hindserjek
Gloris
Nyalvia
Iskla'poh
Ash'i'lann

Heh...I'm just playing around...
Hopefully to spark some imagination, I guess.

[VarionusNW]

Awesome! That fills out our roster. I forgot to mention that I made the OOC yesterday. There is a titanpad link there where we can continue worldbuilding.

roleplayerguild.com/topics/131455-magi..