#killian ink duelist

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Killian, Ink Duelist

"When your father is Dean Embrose, second best really isn't an option."

Artist: Ryan Pancoast TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[jasper-and-the-forty-servants]

Yesterday, I went through and changed many of the cards I'm using to represent some of the Servants. I'd like to share the changes.

The Balancer: Maja, Bretagard Protector to Zimone, Quandrix Prodigy

The Chaste: Koll, the Forgemaster to Aurelia, the Warleader

The Dancer: Uurg, Spawn of Turg to Quintorius, Loremaster

The Depleted: Dina, Soul Steeper to Killian, Ink Duelist

The Guru: Zegana, Utopian Speaker to Ruxa, Patient Professor

The Healer: Firja, Judge of Valor to Dina, Soul Steeper

The Messenger: Niambi, Esteemed Speaker to Mari, the Killing Quill

[faerie--macabre]

Sleep evades her despite the exhaustion that still lingers. Instead all she can do is stare down at the slumbering lump in her arms. In truth she shouldn't be holding him, shouldn't start forging a bond that will never flourish since she plans to leave as soon as possible. Yet here in her arms is the son that's given her a hellish nine months. Silently he lays atop her bosom, little fists clenched up and tufts of dark, raven hair sticking up in all directions.

The fact he lives is serendipitous. Because quite easily she could have snuffed out his existence long before now. But she didn't. If anything, Embrose should thank her for giving him an heir, one that's guaranteed for something great. "You're a Vess afterall." Liliana murmurs, fingers stroking the child's back with featherlight touches.

Continuing the bloodline was something she was never interested in. In her girlhood, at the age of seventeen, she was so relieved to have her apprenticeship with the healer of Vess Manor, Lady Anna. What was meant to be a punishment was in some ways a salvation. Of course the apprenticeship came with its own frustrations, yet; Liliana would much rather be elbow deep in innards, cleaning pus dripping wounds and listen to the dying cries of soldiers than deal with grubby little hands tugging at her skirts, shepherding rowdy youngsters and having a child on her hip near constantly. She'd happily stomp through the swamp collecting herbs if it meant not having to play nanny to her cousins and younger sisters.

That sentiment still prevails when she gazes down at her son. He's been quiet so far; calm while looking up at her with big brown eyes almost in adoration. Unfortunately there is no spark of that maternal feeling so often talked about. There's a possessive feeling that's lingered when a nurse comes to close. But it's less in a mother bear shielding a cub sort of way and more of in the way of owning an item --- an artifact or expensive bottle of liquor. And bless his tiny heart, he deserves actual care. That'll be Embrose's burden to handle.

Just when she's starting to get sentimental, a thought creeps up in her mind. Her son may live now but more than likely Liliana will outlive him by a long shot. While she is not fully immortal, she needs not worry about aging. Time is hers. Killian, the blood of her body and flesh of her soul, does not have the same advantage. There will come a day when he's rotting in the ground while she still walks the planes. Something about that thought makes her sick in her stomach.

Hastily it's pushed away. There's no need to linger on such trivial matters. Once she's gone, she's gone; never to return or seek him out. Her time on Arcavios is up. She has a life to live as does he and certainly as does Embrose.

Embrose...he'll be here in the morning. Liliana needs to prepare to drag herself back to Innistrad. She had considered sticking around for another day or two however, that might be problematic in the long run.

A soft yawn catches her attention. The tiny creature now looks up at her. Gently Liliana shuffles him so the two are pretty much face to face. "You will be the greatest curse I can bestow upon your father." It's a jest said softly, with more mischief than malice. The babe laughs as if he could understand every word she's saying. "Yes, you should give him as much hell as you have given me." That earns her the honor of his tiny hands splaying across her cheeks and what one can interpret as a kiss placed on the tip of her nose (though really it's more the equivalent to a nibble).

Her heart skips a beat. For a split second she reconsiders her plan to make a speedy escape. Guilt starts to creep up and that, that is a big enough sign that this needs to end.

So Liliana lulls her son back to sleep. Come daylight when Embrose finally arrives, all that's left is the swaddled child and a piece of parchment with the name Killian Lu scrawled on it in Lili's own beautiful script. No explanation following. The babe seems content, albeit appears to be missing a chunk of hair.

Returning to Innistrad, to Vess Manor is the most tranquil emotion. Her sanctuary, now like her body, is empty and silent. The feeling of her own bed and the silk sheets are like heaven. Her body as well as her mind are beyond tired. Before slumber completely takes hold of her, Liliana places a bundle of braided hair (inky black and no bigger than her pinky finger) onto the table beside her bed. There's a jeweler in Thraben that specializes in making pieces in commemoration of lost loved ones. She'll take it there. Maybe get itmade into a brooch or locket. The only remainder of odd time in her life.

Now her focus can return to her pacts. Demons won't kill themselves. Nor fetch their own artifacts or kill their own targets.

[inventors-fair]

Partial Decree

It’s been almost a year since I became a judge for this fair, and I’ve loved every second of it. That’s not to say it hasn’t been difficult, though. As with everything, I’ve encountered my own personal trials and difficulties to work through. One of those trials is my issues with personal bias. Every contest I’ve run has required me to make a conscious effort to avoid my own personal bias when judging, and give feedback based on objective qualities. Obviously, there’s no such thing as being completely impartial, but I try my absolute best. But what if... for one week... I didn’t?

This week’s contest: Design my new favorite card!

Okay, so that’s pretty vague. What do I mean by that? Well, for this week, I’m letting myself be biased. I want cards that appeal to me as a designer, and me as a player. I want cards that demand I build a deck around them, or buy a million copies just to dive into a pool of them like Scrooge McDuck. Then again, that’s still not overly helpful, since none of you know me super well. Therefore, here’s some helpful information to reference:

Here are the winners I’ve chosen for the last 5 contests I’ve run. Again, I’ve tried to be unbiased with these, but there may still be patterns that hint at my preferences, for those keen enough to uncover them.

IP IP Hooray

Relentless Optimism

Pre-Ignition

Name, Set, Match

Key(words) to the Kingdom

Now, that’s all well and good, and maybe some of you will be able to glean something from that, but let’s move beyond custom designs. Here’s a selection of my favorite real, printed cards:

Artifact: Isochron Scepter

White: Winds of Abandon

Blue: Mystic Reflection

Black: Bolas' Citadel

Red: Disrupt Decorum

Green: Doubling Season

Multicolor: Killian, Ink Duelist

Commander: Riku of Two Reflections

And... okay, alright, one more thing, since the purpose of this is designing, not unravelling the intricate oxymorons of my mind. 

Each contestant can ask me ONE simple question (Either through Tumblr or Discord) about my MTG preferences.

I reserve the right to not answer if the question is too vague, or if my answer would be too complex or nonsensical. Obviously, this does not apply to regular questions about the nature of the contest, logistics, etc.

Anyways, with that, good luck! I will await my offerings with great anticipation!

~judge @naban-dean-of-irritation​

Gain my favor by submitting here!

Fan the fires of invention in our Discord!

[reuxben]

Here’s our MTGinktober for “Pressure Flashback,” starring Killian, Ink Duelist and Bump in the Night! All work and no play.

Click this post’s Source link for this piece’s Making-Of.

More MTGinktober here.

Daily art updates on Instagram and Twitter.

Reuxben

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Killian, Ink Duelist

"When your father is Dean Embrose, second best really isn't an option."

Artist: Ryan Pancoast TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link