Episode 3: Extracurriculars
Lore forum
Posted on April 7, 2021, 1:40 p.m. by RicketyEng
In which Rowan and Will have a row outside the Bow. We get to meet Quintorius, Field Historian and a couple of Rowan's Witherbloom friends. We get the Professor's Warning that there is impending danger from the Oriq so Rowan and Will each set to preparing in their own Practical Research . Finally we get the Test of Talents where we get to see Lukka and Kasmina in action before he forces her to flee the plane. The doors are open for Extus's attack on the school.
I believe this story covered a period of somewhere between one and two months.
DemonDragonJ says... #3
Is it just me, or do Will and Rowan feel too similar to Jace and Chandra? The male is calm, contemplative, and studious, while the female is brash, energetic, and defiant. I also was hoping that they would join different schools, to emphasize their different personalities; Prismari is a great match for Rowan, but Quandrix would have been excellent for Will.
This is the first time that Will and Rowan’s birth mother has been mentioned, so I do hope that she is relevant, in the future, possibly when Will and Rowan return to Eldraine; is she dead or merely missing?
This question may be an uncomfortable one, but are Will and Rowan more than just siblings? They share a room, despite being grown adults, and they also share a spark, which means that they must planeswalk together, which I imagine must make romance very difficult for both of them, so their options are limited.
Did the tension between Will and Rowan emerge on its own, or is someone manipulating them? I hope that it is the latter option, because I do not wish for them to be permanently estranged form each other. I also am concerned that Rowan is starting to become obsessed with power and losing her sense of morality, so I really hope that she does not turn evil.
What is Kasmina doing? She is currently very secretive and mysterious, so I wonder if she is manipulating everyone on Arcavios for some sinister purpose? Her conversation with Lukka seemed to suggest that.
On the subject of Lukka, how did he even arrive on Arcavios, anyway, and why does he want to destroy Strixhaven? Why does he even care? Why does he simply not leave the plane?
April 7, 2021 6:23 p.m.
RicketyEng says... #4
I went and checked the Wildered Quest to make sure I get the details right here. We saw Will and Rowan's birth mother (or what was left of her) at the end of the Eldraine story. We learned that Algenus Kenrith had fallen under a witch's spell for a while during his high quest to become High King and it was during that time that he and the witch had the twins. Linden, the Steadfast Queen was also on her own high quest at the same time and she and Kenrith, the Returned King had each been given a special sword which could revive its wielder once. When Linden found Algenus her kiss broke the spell he was under, but the twins were already dead (the witch wanted their blood for a life elixir). Algenus was enraged and used his blade to kill the witch; Linden used her blade to revive the twins. Then Algenus threw the witch's body along with his blade stuck in her skull down a well and then he took Linden's blade and went off to complete his quest. Linden took the revived twins, Rowan and Will, home with her and never gained the fifth knighthood she needed to complete her quest. Upon learning these truths Rowan threw a fit and she and Will sparked and took their first planeswalk to Kylem.
So no, we will not be seeing the twins' birth mother again. At some point they will probably return to Eldrain to see their parents and younger sister and brother (Hazel and Erec). Both their mother and father will have their apologies ready and they'll just be glad to see the twins home safely. Garruk did not explain planeswalking to the king and queen, instead just offering to track them and ensure their safety, so I don't believe Linden and Algenus yet know that Will and Rowan are planeswalkers. That might be an interesting conversation to look forward to seeing.
RicketyEng says... #2
Liliana's comment, "Strife between brother and sister is a special kind of pain. And it takes a special kind of fool to foment it," was wonderfully ironic.
I do hope that Will and Rowan can learn to cooperate again. They will be all the better for it. Fortunately the story in the cards suggests that they will.
I thought the duel between Kasmina and Lukka was neat. Lukka's actions and statements are very consistent with his character in the Ikoria story, so I feel that he is being done well.
Kasmina reminds me of Tamiyo in her ways of observation.
April 7, 2021 1:53 p.m.