What Bolas Wants From Ixalan

Lore forum

Posted on Sept. 13, 2017, 1:46 p.m. by RicketyEng

When contemplating Ixalan's Binding a new thought occurred to me. I now suspect that there is some artifact in the lost city Orazca which produces this effect that prevents planeswalkers from being able to leave Ixalan. This is suggested by the number of references to the treasure hidden in the city.

You might now ask, "What does this have to do with Bolas and Vraska?" I'm glad you asked. My theory is that Bolas knows Vraska to be an accomplished treasure collector (as seen in the story with Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest) so he sent her to retrieve this artifact.

Acquiring the artifact in itself doesn't seem too profound yet, but the more interesting part lies in what he plans to do with it. I think Bolas wants to create a planeswalker trap. I think he will use his army to invade a plane (I'm betting on Ravnica) and rely on the Gatewatch to recruit as many planeswalkers as they can muster to come to the plane's aid. Then he deploys the Artifact of Binding to trap them all on the plane. He may even have ways to lure even more planeswalkers to the plane.

At this point I see two possible endgames. I think one possibility is that he deploys yet another trick to steal all the power from the trapped planeswalkers. Another possibility is that he now has removed anyone who would stand against him on any other plane. He would be free to go forth and conquer planes and gather power without further interference from would-be-hero planeswalkers.

RicketyEng says... #2

Bolas's employment of Vraska may have been more of a manipulation than employment. Maybe it could have been, "Have you heard about this place called Ixalan? I here there is some cool treasure there. Here, take this compass with you if you want to find it." He might just be relying on her needing to find it in order to leave, and she would naturally take it with with her. That is, she would take it to Ravnica for him!

September 13, 2017 1:51 p.m. Edited.

windlnk says... #3

My guess is that based on what we know of the Immortal Sun it's an extremely powerful source of mana. Possibly greater than even the chain veil. My guess is that the Compass that Vraska has serves 2 purposes. The first is that it will lead Vraska to the Immortal Sun. The second is that when she reaches it the compass will emit a signal that will pinpoint it's location for the targeting system of the planar Bridge. So when/if Vraska finds the sun a portal will open up and some Eternals will run through to take the sun back to Bolas so he can use it to power a massive device. Such as a planar portal large enough to move innistrad's moon. This could also be how the planeswalkers leave as the enchantment might not prevent them from exiting via portal.

September 13, 2017 3:18 p.m.

DuTogira says... #4

Lock all the walkers on ravnica with emrakul. Oh boy!

September 15, 2017 12:18 a.m.

windlnk says... #5

looks like I was a bit wrong the compass doesn't send a signal Vraska has a spell that will send the signal.

September 20, 2017 11:40 a.m.

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