MTG Wiki
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
Tag: Source edit
 
(95 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox clan
 
{{Infobox clan
| name = Abzan Houses
+
| search = Abzan
 
| image = Clan_Symbol_Abzan.png
 
| image = Clan_Symbol_Abzan.png
 
| symbol = Scale of the Dragon
 
| symbol = Scale of the Dragon
 
| aspect = Endurance
 
| aspect = Endurance
| colors = {{w}}{{b}}{{g}}
+
| colors = WBG
  +
| khan = Anafenza<BR><small>(''Khans of Tarkir'')</small><BR>Daghatar<BR><small>(''Fate Reforged'')</small>
| khan = Anafenza
 
  +
| mechanics = [[Outlast]]<BR><small>(''Khans of Tarkir'')</small><BR>[[Bolster]]<BR><small>(''Fate Reforged'')</small>
| mechanic =
 
| types = [[Humans]]<br/>[[Aven]]<br/>[[Orcs]]<br/>Canid
+
| types = [[Human]]s<br/>[[Aven]]<br/>[[Orc]]s<br/>[[Ainok]]<br/>[[Spirit]]s
| set = [[Khans of Tarkir]]
+
| set = ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]'', ''[[Fate Reforged]]''
 
}}
 
}}
 
 
 
[[Image:KTK_Abzan_art.jpg|right|thumb|The Abzan Revealed]]
 
[[Image:KTK_Abzan_art.jpg|right|thumb|The Abzan Revealed]]
One of the five [[Clans]] of [[Tarkir]], the Abzan clan admires the ancient dragons' aspect of endurance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/493115827533529088/|title=The Abzan value endurance|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref> Their [[color]] [[wedge]] is {{w}}[[white]] (the focus color), {{b}}[[black]] and {{g}}[[green]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/493116371727679490/|title=Abzan is white black green!|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref>
+
One of the five [[Clans]] of [[Tarkir]], the '''Abzan Houses''' (/ɑːbzɑːn/ ''AHB-zahn'')<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://wizardsmagic.tumblr.com/post/115141029996/heres-a-pronunciation-guide-for-some-of-the-names|title=Here's a pronunciation guide for some of the names that were requested earlier today.|March 31, 2015}}</ref> admires the ancient dragons' aspect of endurance.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/493115827533529088/|title=The Abzan value endurance|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref> Their [[color]] [[wedge]] is {{W}} [[white]] (focus color), {{B}} [[black]] and {{G}} [[green]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/493116371727679490/|title=Abzan is white black green!|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/92965186328/can-you-tell-us-about-which-color-each-clan-is-focused|title=Can you tell us about which color each clan is focused on?|July 26, 2014}}</ref>
   
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
The Abzan Houses are resilient warriors that fight in tight-knit groups. Their homes are on the harsh, rugged desert plains. <ref name="SDCC 2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S3_oYCnBak|title=Magic panel at San Diego Comic Con 2014|date=Aug 1, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast (YouTube)}}</ref> The center of the clan is the fortress city Arashin. <ref>Wizards of the Coast. (2014.) [http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/products/card-set-archive/khans-of-tarkir ''Khans of Tarkir'' infopage]</ref>
+
The Abzan Houses are resilient warriors that fight in tight-knit groups. Their homes are on the harsh, rugged desert plains.<ref name="SDCC 2014">{{WebRef|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S3_oYCnBak|title=Magic panel at San Diego Comic Con 2014|date=August 1, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast (YouTube)}}</ref> The center of the clan is the fortress city Arashin.<ref>Wizards of the Coast. (2014.) [http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/products/card-set-archive/khans-of-tarkir ''Khans of Tarkir'' infopage]</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/fort-abzan-2014-09-30|Fort Abzan|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 30, 2014}}</ref> Shu Yun regarded them as the promoters of stability and peace, who protected the trade routes between the clans.<ref name="Khanfall"/>
   
  +
The Abzan Houses model themselves after familial units to survive their harsh environment. Family as a concept is of extreme relevance to the Abzan, believing it to be the institution that allows them to thrive in the harsh desert environment. As such, a great cultural emphasis is placed on familial bonds and duty; referring to another clan member as "sister" or "brother" is a mark of high esteem, while ritual disowning is a grave matter, both parties throwing their blood into a fire.<ref>[https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/planeswalkers-guide-khans-tarkir-part-1-2014-09-03 Magic Creative Team (September 3, 2014). Planeswalker's Guide to Khans of Tarkir, Part 1]</ref> Disowning is a grave matter, as not only are the disowned social outcasts (though open to more life paths, such as wandering, adventuring or becoming mercenaries) that cannot be adopted by any family, they also lack a kin-tree, and their spirits become malevolent and restless after death. Each Abzan family bears a kin-tree, a sacred fruit-bearing tree to which the dead members of the family are fed and where their names are carved, zealously guarded by the firstborn child, known as a "tree warden/caretaker"; younger children are free to choose other paths, and eventually plant their own kin-trees and families. The spirits of the ancestors can be summoned from these kin-trees, and the Abzan carry/consume resin, sap, or amber in order to connect with the spirits.
The Azban Houses model themselves after familial units to survive their harsh environment. They revere their ancestors but also adopt orphans of war from other clans. After the demise of the ancient dragons, the Abzan collected scales from the fallen beasts to craft their durable armor. The scale of the dragon is also their symbol: one part among many that forms an impenetrable defense.
 
   
  +
Adoption is possible and common within the Abzan, not only within the Abzan Houses but also from other clans. After decimating their enemies, the Abzan take in the orphans and adopt them as their own, these orphans being known as ''Krumar''. Many [[orc]]s have entered the Abzan this way.
==Mechanics==
 
Abzan cards, with the focus on the clan's aspect of Endurance, will feature tough creatures and control elements as well as a clan-specific mechanic that helps you win the long game. <ref name="SDCC 2014" />
 
   
  +
The Abzan are severely distrustful of outsiders, except for the [[Ainok]], the original inhabitants of the desert, which have taught the clan how to survive in the inhospitable environment.
==Khan==
 
Khan Anafenza is a valiant leader who leads her army from the front. She rides out with her chariot puled by her prized Ibex [[goats]]. She epitomizes the unstoppability of the Abzan.
 
   
  +
The Abzan are adept war strategists, relying on disciplined troops, massive fortifications, and ample resources. They often forego chasing after the losing enemies in order to maintain strategic ground but have learned to exploit the desert to their advantage, often leading enemies into the shifting sands to finish their opponents without lifting a finger.
==Creature types==
 
* [[Humans]]
 
* [[Aven]]
 
* [[Orcs]]
 
* Ainak (Canine Humanoids)
 
* [[Elephants]]
 
   
  +
While the Abzan Houses look like a unified entity, in reality, they are a web of families competing politically, trying to form alliances while isolating rivals. That said, they are all too aware that disunity is to be avoided at all costs if they wish to survive.
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category: Clans of Tarkir]]
 
   
  +
===New timeline===
  +
After [[Sarkhan Vol]] saved [[Ugin]]'s life and sent the dragon into a deep slumber a thousand years before the present day, the dragon storms of Tarkir increased in intensity, generating the highest number of dragons the plane had ever seen. [[Dromoka]] and her brood thus laid a systematic genocide on the Abzan, to the point of utter desperation. [[#Khans|Daghatar]], consulting the amber relic known as Remembrance, the last remnants of the first kin-tree holding the spirits of the first ancestors, decided to hold an audience with Dromoka, hoping to kill her in a moment of vulnerability, and save his clan henceforth.
   
  +
Instead, he learned of the reasons as to why Dromoka massacred his people. The dragons saw the practice of kin-trees and raising ancestor spirits as an affront to life and the natural order, and though they admired the compassion and tenacity of the Abzan themselves, they were dedicated to eliminating what they saw as necromancy. Seeing no other option, he ignored the dictates of the Remembrance [[spirit]]s and shattered the relic, pleasing the dragon. To further solidify this, he ordered the end of all kin-trees and spirit ancestor practices, the very heart of Abzan traditions, thus forging a pact with the dragon.<ref name="No End">{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/no-end-and-no-beginning-2015-02-11|No End And No Beginning|[[Nik Davidson]]|February 11, 2015 }}</ref>
   
  +
The clan as a whole seemed to have been abolished, Dromoka forbidding the very use of "clan" and "khan", with the people living under her having no formal name of their own. "True" Abzan kept holding their ground, under the khan [[Reyhan]], until the latter went to consult with the khans of the other tribes. [[Ojutai]], [[Silumgar]] and their broods attacked the meeting, killing her and thus the last chance of the "true" Abzan to survive, leaving Daghatar and the others under Dromoka as the sole survivors.<ref name="Khanfall">{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/khanfall-2015-02-18|Khanfall|[[Kelly Digges]]|February 18, 2015}}</ref>
   
  +
These remnants later formed a [[Dromoka#Clan Dromoka|new Clan]], under the leadership of dragonlord Dromoka. However, the practice of ancestor worship persisted in secret, despite repercussions from the dragons.
   
 
==Mechanics==
  +
Abzan cards, with the focus on the clan's aspect of Endurance, were announced to feature tough creatures and control elements as well as a clan-specific mechanic that help you win the long game.<ref name="SDCC 2014" /> This was later revealed to be [[Outlast]], an ability that allows creatures to pay mana and tap to place [[+1/+1 counter]]s on themselves, with other cards triggering from outlast activations. In ''[[Fate Reforged]]'' the Abzan House featured [[Bolster]], instead.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/mechanics-fate-reforged-2014-12-29|Mechanics of ''Fate Reforged''|[[Matt Tabak]]|December 29, 2014}}</ref> This mechanic puts +1/+1 counters on the [[creature]] with the least [[toughness]].
   
 
==Khans==
  +
===Both timelines===
  +
* <c>Daghatar the Adamant</c>, a khan of the past, who relied on careful strategies to achieve his goals. He constantly analyzed his surroundings, which made him seem aloof. Daghatar rode on a black [[goat|ibex]], and he was clad in elaborate mail crafted from dragon scales. The head of his mace was hewn from amber, in which a malevolent [[spirit]] was bound. In the new timeline, he surrendered his clan to Dromoka.<ref>{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/no-end-and-no-beginning-2015-02-11|No End and No Beginning|[[Nik Davidson]]|February 11, 2015}}</ref>
   
  +
===Old timeline===
  +
* [[Anafenza]], a valiant Khan who leads her army from the front. She wages war not to conquer, but to maintain the trade routes that allow the clan to function, and to protect her people from the [[Sultai Brood]] and [[Mardu Horde]].
   
  +
===New timeline===
  +
* [[Reyhan]] shortly led the remaining "true" Abzan, until she was killed in a meeting with the other Khans.
   
 
==Creature types==
  +
The following is a comprehensive list of races and classes found in the Abzan Houses:<ref>{{DailyRef|arc/races-abzan-2014-10-01|Races of Abzan|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|October 1, 2014}}</ref>
  +
;Races
 
* [[Beast]]
  +
* [[Bird]] ([[Aven]])
  +
* [[Elephant]]
  +
* [[Dog]] ([[Ainok]])
  +
* [[Human]]
 
* [[Orc]]
  +
* [[Rhino]]
  +
* [[Spirit]]
 
* [[Wall]]
  +
;Classes
  +
* [[Archer]]
  +
* [[Assassin]]
  +
* [[Cleric]]
  +
* [[Scout]]
  +
* [[Soldier]]
  +
* [[Warrior]]
   
  +
=== Relationship with the Dragons===
  +
'''[[Dromoka]]'s Brood''', the dragons named after their <c title="female champion">Dromoka, the Eternal</c>, were revered by the proto-Abzan Houses for their endurance. They were robust, Ankylosaurus-like beasts, well-protected by scaly armor, that breathed beams of light. The brood was drawn to Tarkir's hot, sunlit deserts.<ref name="Fate Guide">{{DailyRef|uncharted-realms/planeswalkers-guide-fate-reforged-2015-01-07|Planeswalker's Guide to ''Fate Reforged''|The Magic Creative Team|January 7, 2015}}</ref> The Abzan faced these dragons by forming impenetrable defenses and wearing their attackers down.
  +
  +
==Trivia==
  +
The Abzan Houses are loosely based on the [[Wikipedia:Ottoman_Empire|Ottoman Turks]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/pax-australia-magic-panel-2014-11-07|PAX Australia Magic Panel|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|November 7, 2014}}</ref>
  +
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
   
  +
{{Colors|state=collapsed}}
{{Clans_of_Tarkir}}
 
  +
{{Tarkir|affiliations}}

Latest revision as of 05:39, 3 March 2024

Abzan Houses
Clan Symbol Abzan
Scale of the Dragon
Lore Information
Dragon Aspect Endurance
Khan Anafenza
(Khans of Tarkir)
Daghatar
(Fate Reforged)
Game Information
Colors {W}{B}{G}
Mechanics Outlast
(Khans of Tarkir)
Bolster
(Fate Reforged)
Creature Types Humans
Aven
Orcs
Ainok
Spirits
Featured Sets
Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged
Scryfall Search
watermark:"Abzan"
KTK Abzan art

The Abzan Revealed

One of the five Clans of Tarkir, the Abzan Houses (/ɑːbzɑːn/ AHB-zahn)[1] admires the ancient dragons' aspect of endurance.[2] Their color wedge is {W} white (focus color), {B} black and {G} green.[3][4]

Description[ | ]

The Abzan Houses are resilient warriors that fight in tight-knit groups. Their homes are on the harsh, rugged desert plains.[5] The center of the clan is the fortress city Arashin.[6][7] Shu Yun regarded them as the promoters of stability and peace, who protected the trade routes between the clans.[8]

The Abzan Houses model themselves after familial units to survive their harsh environment. Family as a concept is of extreme relevance to the Abzan, believing it to be the institution that allows them to thrive in the harsh desert environment. As such, a great cultural emphasis is placed on familial bonds and duty; referring to another clan member as "sister" or "brother" is a mark of high esteem, while ritual disowning is a grave matter, both parties throwing their blood into a fire.[9] Disowning is a grave matter, as not only are the disowned social outcasts (though open to more life paths, such as wandering, adventuring or becoming mercenaries) that cannot be adopted by any family, they also lack a kin-tree, and their spirits become malevolent and restless after death. Each Abzan family bears a kin-tree, a sacred fruit-bearing tree to which the dead members of the family are fed and where their names are carved, zealously guarded by the firstborn child, known as a "tree warden/caretaker"; younger children are free to choose other paths, and eventually plant their own kin-trees and families. The spirits of the ancestors can be summoned from these kin-trees, and the Abzan carry/consume resin, sap, or amber in order to connect with the spirits.

Adoption is possible and common within the Abzan, not only within the Abzan Houses but also from other clans. After decimating their enemies, the Abzan take in the orphans and adopt them as their own, these orphans being known as Krumar. Many orcs have entered the Abzan this way.

The Abzan are severely distrustful of outsiders, except for the Ainok, the original inhabitants of the desert, which have taught the clan how to survive in the inhospitable environment.

The Abzan are adept war strategists, relying on disciplined troops, massive fortifications, and ample resources. They often forego chasing after the losing enemies in order to maintain strategic ground but have learned to exploit the desert to their advantage, often leading enemies into the shifting sands to finish their opponents without lifting a finger.

While the Abzan Houses look like a unified entity, in reality, they are a web of families competing politically, trying to form alliances while isolating rivals. That said, they are all too aware that disunity is to be avoided at all costs if they wish to survive.

New timeline[ | ]

After Sarkhan Vol saved Ugin's life and sent the dragon into a deep slumber a thousand years before the present day, the dragon storms of Tarkir increased in intensity, generating the highest number of dragons the plane had ever seen. Dromoka and her brood thus laid a systematic genocide on the Abzan, to the point of utter desperation. Daghatar, consulting the amber relic known as Remembrance, the last remnants of the first kin-tree holding the spirits of the first ancestors, decided to hold an audience with Dromoka, hoping to kill her in a moment of vulnerability, and save his clan henceforth.

Instead, he learned of the reasons as to why Dromoka massacred his people. The dragons saw the practice of kin-trees and raising ancestor spirits as an affront to life and the natural order, and though they admired the compassion and tenacity of the Abzan themselves, they were dedicated to eliminating what they saw as necromancy. Seeing no other option, he ignored the dictates of the Remembrance spirits and shattered the relic, pleasing the dragon. To further solidify this, he ordered the end of all kin-trees and spirit ancestor practices, the very heart of Abzan traditions, thus forging a pact with the dragon.[10]

The clan as a whole seemed to have been abolished, Dromoka forbidding the very use of "clan" and "khan", with the people living under her having no formal name of their own. "True" Abzan kept holding their ground, under the khan Reyhan, until the latter went to consult with the khans of the other tribes. Ojutai, Silumgar and their broods attacked the meeting, killing her and thus the last chance of the "true" Abzan to survive, leaving Daghatar and the others under Dromoka as the sole survivors.[8]

These remnants later formed a new Clan, under the leadership of dragonlord Dromoka. However, the practice of ancestor worship persisted in secret, despite repercussions from the dragons.

Mechanics[ | ]

Abzan cards, with the focus on the clan's aspect of Endurance, were announced to feature tough creatures and control elements as well as a clan-specific mechanic that help you win the long game.[5] This was later revealed to be Outlast, an ability that allows creatures to pay mana and tap to place +1/+1 counters on themselves, with other cards triggering from outlast activations. In Fate Reforged the Abzan House featured Bolster, instead.[11] This mechanic puts +1/+1 counters on the creature with the least toughness.

Khans[ | ]

Both timelines[ | ]

  • Daghatar the Adamant, a khan of the past, who relied on careful strategies to achieve his goals. He constantly analyzed his surroundings, which made him seem aloof. Daghatar rode on a black ibex, and he was clad in elaborate mail crafted from dragon scales. The head of his mace was hewn from amber, in which a malevolent spirit was bound. In the new timeline, he surrendered his clan to Dromoka.[12]

Old timeline[ | ]

  • Anafenza, a valiant Khan who leads her army from the front. She wages war not to conquer, but to maintain the trade routes that allow the clan to function, and to protect her people from the Sultai Brood and Mardu Horde.

New timeline[ | ]

  • Reyhan shortly led the remaining "true" Abzan, until she was killed in a meeting with the other Khans.

Creature types[ | ]

The following is a comprehensive list of races and classes found in the Abzan Houses:[13]

Races
Classes

Relationship with the Dragons[ | ]

Dromoka's Brood, the dragons named after their female champion, were revered by the proto-Abzan Houses for their endurance. They were robust, Ankylosaurus-like beasts, well-protected by scaly armor, that breathed beams of light. The brood was drawn to Tarkir's hot, sunlit deserts.[14] The Abzan faced these dragons by forming impenetrable defenses and wearing their attackers down.

Trivia[ | ]

The Abzan Houses are loosely based on the Ottoman Turks.[15]

References[ | ]

  1. Wizards of the Coast (March 31, 2015). "Here's a pronunciation guide for some of the names that were requested earlier today.". The Official Magic: The Gathering Tumblr. Tumblr.
  2. Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic) (July 26, 2014). "The Abzan value endurance"
  3. Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic) (July 26, 2014). "Abzan is white black green!"
  4. Mark Rosewater (July 26, 2014). "Can you tell us about which color each clan is focused on?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. a b Wizards of the Coast (YouTube) (August 1, 2014). "Magic panel at San Diego Comic Con 2014"
  6. Wizards of the Coast. (2014.) Khans of Tarkir infopage
  7. Blake Rasmussen (September 30, 2014). "Fort Abzan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. a b Kelly Digges (February 18, 2015). "Khanfall". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Magic Creative Team (September 3, 2014). Planeswalker's Guide to Khans of Tarkir, Part 1
  10. Nik Davidson (February 11, 2015). "No End And No Beginning". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. Matt Tabak (December 29, 2014). "Mechanics of Fate Reforged". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. Nik Davidson (February 11, 2015). "No End and No Beginning". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. Blake Rasmussen (October 1, 2014). "Races of Abzan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. The Magic Creative Team (January 7, 2015). "Planeswalker's Guide to Fate Reforged". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. Wizards of the Coast (November 7, 2014). "PAX Australia Magic Panel". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.