"X" Marks the Spot - Finding the hidden treasures of Ixalan's Pirates

tanklaser007 · May 2020

Mining the quotes, references and articles from the Ixalan block and WotC material there seems there is an as of yet untapped wealth of hidden treasures among those referenced, but yet to be utilised, personalities, locales, trappings and accouterment. I have begun delving through the lore and here are some of my recent discoveries. I would appreciate feedback, suggestions, corrections and perhaps seeing your own discoveries as well.

I will begin with the "Brazen Coalition" and post the other cards as individual posts afterwards:

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Image: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/complete/full/2020/5/30/1590876460371462.png

Card: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/the-brazen-coalition

The card's original flavour text was intended to read:

“The trick’s keeping ‘em fed, not getting the lot of ‘em together, gold and battle's like blood in the water, only a matter of time before they catch a whiff and the seas’ full of sharks.”
-Quinton Sage, Coalition Quartermaster

I couldn't fit all of that on the card obviously. I think the above quote (on the card) should probably read:

"Gold and battle is like blood in the water, once they catch a whiff the seas’ full of Pirates."

tanklaser007 · May 2020

Our next pair of cards was inspired by a "throw away" line in the article Planeswalker's Guide to Ixalan, Part 2 on the WotC website.

Since then, Captain Brass has become Admiral Brass, in command of a disciplined, fearsome collection of ships known as the Fathom Fleet. Ships such as ... the Windbinder (with its helmsmage-captain Kalishah Abban).

Which led to:

^Artist: Craig J. Spearing

Card: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/kalishah-abban-helmsmage

And the captain's ship:

Image: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/complete/full/2020/5/31/1590954333833872.png

^Artist: Joakim Ericsson

Card: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/windbinder-fathom-fleet-sloop-1

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The idea came mostly from the term "helmsmage" which implied, to me, a type of magic focused on ships, vehicles and piloting. Along with the name of his ship Windbinder I had the idea of a wizard who bends the elements to his will in order to give an advantage on the seas. Speed and alacrity is the theme of this pair.

Also the mechanically the pair compliment one another, one alone is fine but the pair synergise well. I made them Mythic, in part because Admiral Brass was but also there is an opportunity for some real "abuse" of the crew mechanic along with the Windbinder's ability.

I left off all the reminder text because I don't think it would fit.

For a nautically themed set I feel Vehicles, namely ships were sorely under represented in Ixalan's block so will be focusing on bringing highlighting some of the nautical themes and ships that may have been cast away due to other issues, namely streamlining the official set/mechanics.

tanklaser007 · May 2020

Next we have the Captain of the Dire Fleet, Brandis Thorn:

Admiral of the Dire Fleet:

Image: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/complete/full/2020/5/30/1590870669747312.png

Card: https://mtgcardsmith.com/view/captain-brandis-thorn-2

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Dire fleet cards in Ixalan block are centred in Black and Red and focuses on death triggers, aggression with abilities triggered on attack and the evergreens; menace, deathtouch, and first strike. So I thought it fighting that the Captain of the fleet embody those qualities.

I liked the idea of a Rakdos Captain pushing his crew to their limits and beyond and though the persist mechanic represented that well. Also the majority of the Dire Fleet Pirates we have seen have toughness of 2 meaning they could survive their captain’s iron handed tactics. I considered giving him haste or the ability to give haste counters but on second thought considered more suited to Red/Blue Storm Fleet pirates.

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Walk the Plank:

When Captain Thorn adds a new ship to his fleet, he gives the crew a simple choice: follow me, or fall in the sea.

Bombard:

“Want to sink a ship? Blow a hole in the hull. Want to kill a regisaur? Same answer.”
—Captain Brandis Thorn

Headstrong Brute:

“Watch your backs, keep your blades at hand, and let the orc go first!” —Captain Brandis Thorn

Orazca Raptor:

“If you come across a raptor in the city, stay perfectly still. At least then you’ll be well rested when you die.” —Captain Brandis Thorn

Cancel:

“Hold your fire, obviously.” —Captain Brandis Thorn

Fallen_Lord_Vulganos · June 2020

@tanklaser007 So what else we have to do again?

tanklaser007 · June 2020

@Fallen_Lord_Vulganos expanding on the Pirate themes as represented in Ixalan and creating cards to represent some of those characters, places or items mentioned throughout the the lore but not represented on any cards (to date).

tanklaser007 · June 2020

The masthead of the (Second) Scourge as mentioned in a WotC article and depicted ion the card for Admiral Beckett Brass .

A well-known legend claimed that those who sailed on the Scourge were luckier, faster, and stronger than they were before joining her crew. This was credited to the brass figurehead that graced the bow of her ship, which was said to be infused with the captain's magic to give a boon to any loyal crew member aboard.