Another wild theory: Ashiok is Jace!
Lore forum
Posted on Feb. 2, 2019, 12:33 p.m. by legendofa
Almost nothing is known about Ashiok pre-Theros. Ashiok has the ability to reach into people's minds and extract whatever's in there and give it form. Pretty typical telepath-y stuff. To date, though, there's only one other telepath Planeswalker, and he's about to get the fight of his life.
We can even take this theory further. Jace's transformation into Ashiok begins with the War of the Spark. If Jace is defeated but not killed (see Amonkhet -> Ixalan), that will be the second time he's lost like this. He starts to question himself, his powers, and Bolas's mortality. In despair, likely with some direct influence from Bolas, he rejects his past and humanity, and changes his appearance to subtly reflect Bolas's horns. Jace/Ashiok focuses increasingly on the darker side of memory and illusion, turning completely to manipulating fear and nightmares.
I haven't quite figured out how Ashiok gets to Theros for the events of that block...
Alternate theory, but related: Ashiok is part of Jace, but not quite Jace.
When Jace's memories we're erased, part of Jace was locked away. Bolas, being the powerhouse that he is, created a being that took the negative part of Jace from there and gave it a nightmare body with aether (similar to how the Aetherborn we're created). Then, most likely through torturing some poor Planeswalker who failed him or an enemy Planeswalkers, stole a spark and gave it to Ashiok.
February 2, 2019 4:50 p.m.
Flooremoji Yeah, that's the part that makes it unlikely. I don't know who in the story department is in charge of Jace, but he goes through a lot and always comes out shining.
dbpunk Oh, that's interesting. But when would that have happened? After Ixalan, but before the War of the Spark some time?
February 2, 2019 7:55 p.m.
I'm thinking way earlier like when Jace first appeared. Like probably well before Jace knew that Bolas was as evil as it gets.
February 3, 2019 2:11 a.m.
Ashiok is what happened when Jace and Tibalt had their baby.
February 4, 2019 8:28 p.m.
manieldanning It hasn't aged as well as I hoped. But there's still nothing saying it's wrong. The triggering event just hasn't happened yet...
March 26, 2024 2:20 p.m.
Oh, I just checked the story headlines. I was almost right!
Flooremoji says... #2
Haha, a very interesting theory.
But the real question is: Do you really think they would do that to Jace?
He is probably WoTC's favorite 'walker.
February 2, 2019 2:05 p.m.