Theros: Beyond Death (Rumors/Speculations)
Lore forum
Posted on Oct. 2, 2019, 11:03 p.m. by Icbrgr
The other day I saw on the interwebs that we are going to revisit Theros; and I personally am pretty excited about it!
But does anyone know/have a guess why we are going back (besides it just being a great block)?.... the only reason that comes to my mind is an Ajani mission to undermine Heliod... or maybe somehow save/resurrect Elspeth..... or maybe there will be some sort of tie in to kiora taking the Bident of Thassa to fight on zendikar?
Does anybody have any other theories as to what/why the return to Theros is coming?
I definitely wouldn't rule out a conflict between Kiora and Thassa. Kiora doesn't necessarily seem the type to march back to Theros just to prove a point, but I'm sure Thassa is pissed.
So Thassa was beating Kiora like a disrespectful child, but Kiora tricked Thassa, stole the Bident, and dipped. And everything we have seen to this point is that Kiora makes better use of the Bident than Thassa did, essentially just making her that much more power.
I'm no lore expert, but if there is any other reason for Kiora to kick open the door to Theros like a god damn outlaw into a saloon, I'm sure Thassa would come looking for her stuff back.
October 3, 2019 10:51 a.m. Edited.
But your girl Elspeth is 100% making some kind of a return, even if it's as a spark-less legendary creature. I would definitely agree that she will likely make a return as the mono white walker.
October 3, 2019 10:54 a.m.
I think it is a foregone conclusion that we will see Elspeth in this next set, but I think we should be prepared for a rather depressing reunion. Greco-Roman mythology is full of journeys to the underworld; journeys that are never particularly happy for either those consigned there or the mortals who venture into Hades' depths. The accounts tend to either end with a failure to rescue the person doomed to the Underworld (Orpheus' fails to rescue his wife; Persephone is still bound to the Underworld for much of the year); or with our heroes learning depressing truths about those they care greatly for (Odysseus learns of Agamemnon's death and the drudgery of the Underworld; Aeneas learns his ex-lover, Queen Dido of Carthage, has killed herself as a result of his actions).
Based on the source material for the plane, it stands to reason that, if Elspeth does survive the journey out of the Underworld, she will not be the same person she was going in. I would be rather surprised if she retains her mono-White identity when we see her next.
I am also a bit curious if Kytheon shall make an appearance. When last we saw our incredibly dull Lawful Good friend, he was happily being welcomed into what appears to be Magic's version of Elysium . If Beyond Death follows Greco-Roman legends, our heroes would be able to go through the Underworld to reach what is presumably Gideon's new abode. Personally, I hope they allow the poor guy to Rest in Peace - it would devalue his character's sacrifice to bring him back so shortly after his death.
October 3, 2019 12:30 p.m. Edited.
RicketyEng says... #6
Mark Rosewater said that we won't be seeing all of the gods in this visit. That makes me think that we won't be seeing anything to do with Thassa and her bident. I could see us getting a look at some conflict or interactions between Erebos and Heliod, and perhaps Athreos will play a part in getting to or from the underworld.
I agree that Elspeth is likely to be changed in some way. Maybe she'll shift to B/W like Daxos did ( Daxos of Meletis , Daxos the Returned ).
I don't believe we will see Gideon. He didn't die on Theros so he shouldn't be in/on any part of the plane. I view his Heartwarming Redemption as simply his own vision in his mind as he was dying.
What might be the most intriguing thing to speculate is who we are following to Theros. Ajani seems like too easy of an answer to me. Maybe Karn makes a stop for some help before he goes to take on New Phyrexia?
October 3, 2019 3:15 p.m.
CrimsonChaos says... #7
I suppose it's not outside the realm of possibility that we might see Jace, Chandra, and Ajani there to pay their respects to Gideon after WAR, and if Elspeth is indeed able to to come back to the realm of the living then Ajani being there for her return would make a bit of sense, even if it is a bit plot convenient. Granted, I know a lot of people are pretty sick of the Gatewatch at this point...
I do hope we see some more of Ashiok though, and there's a part of me that hopes against hope that maybe a return to Theros could lead to some roundabout way of bringing Dack back (I know how unlikely this is, but a guy can dream).
RicketyEng says... #2
We will almost certainly be seeing Elspeth in the Theros underworld. There are advertisement cards in Eldraine packs which show Elspeth holding her golden mask. Elspeth, Knight-Errant shows us what her mask looks like. I also just now noticed the hole in her chest too as a second identifier. We can't know for sure yet if she will get rescued or if she even still has her spark or not, but we can safely assume we will see her.
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October 3, 2019 10:50 a.m.