Episode 5: FInal Exam

Lore forum

Posted on April 21, 2021, 6:33 p.m. by DemonDragonJ

The ending of the Strixhaven story was fairly conclusive, with most of the plotlines being wrapped up and few loose ends remaining. I still am displeased that Extus had little development and was killed off with little fanfare.

Lukka likely has left Arcavios, as he has no reason to remain on the plane, so I imagine that he shall eventually appear, again, at some point in the future. Both Liliana and the Kenrith twins seems to be content to remain on Arcavios, for the present time, so I do not expect to see them, again, for some time; I am very glad that Liliana is now using her original name, again, and it seems that she no longer is seeking to attempt to revive Gideon, which is great character development, for her. I was expecting the mystery of why the twins’ magic was not synchronizing to be explained, but it seems that the story writers are saving that for a future story, and I also am very glad that they reconciled, after the severe tension that had been developing between them, earlier.

Kasmina is still very mysterious, so I wonder about her motivations and loyalties; is she friend or foe? I do hope that the writers can develop her character in a satisfying manner.

Also, the fact that the stories of each new set have been exactly five chapters in length is annoying, as they feel forced to fit into an arbitrary structure that has no reason to exist, so I hope that, when there eventually is another huge and epic saga, it ahs more than five chapters.

FSims81 says... #2

I know the story said Kasmina no longer felt he was worth watching, but Lukka was still very much on Arcavios at the end so I'm not sure it's likely he left. Due to his bond with Mila, and her inability to planeswalk with him, he has a reason to stick around. Lukka, Lili, and the twins could all be stashed there for a later story or just to focus on others in upcoming sets.

April 22, 2021 9:16 a.m. Edited.

RicketyEng says... #3

I definitely feel like Liliana's story has been given a satisfying place to stop and rest. I don't think it is wise for her to start using her real name; just because she's settling down doesn't mean that other planeswalkers won't still want her dead when they discover she is still alive. Liliana Vess, famed professor of necromancy at the most prestigious university, Strixhaven does have a nice ring to it though.

Kasmina still strikes me as a very neutral character. She clearly considers Strixhaven to be like home to her so she works for its defense, but I see a striking difference between her and members of the Gatewatch when it comes to dealing with threats and attacks.

Just based on a loose estimation, I would guess that the Strixhaven story took place over about four months (the length of a university school term). It may be worth keeping note of that going forward. These events are set shortly after the events of Ikoria, and after Battlebond (which is in turn after Eldraine). I would guess that Kaldheim likely overlaps a small piece of these four months (it covered only 1-2 weeks I think).

Also, Will's prosthetic leg is awesome. As for his and Rowan's magic mixing or not mixing well, I suspect that is just a matter of how mana works on Arcavios. The twins like to use enemy-coloured magics together in tandem, but enemy colours don't mix well on Arcavios (see the Snarls).

April 23, 2021 4:24 p.m.

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