MTG: Lore of the Multiverse – Castles of Eldraine
The High Fantasy realm of Eldraine is a beautiful, idyllic countryside, and it owes most of its safety to the five Knightly Castles.
Welcome, Praetors and Planeswalkers, to our ongoing series about the people and places that help make Magic the Gathering incredible. From great heroes and deadly villains to gorgeous locales, the Multiverse constantly evolves to keep the game fresh. Even if you don’t know anything about the story, all the background drives your favorite cards from place to place. You can check out all the previous MTG goodness over here.
The idyllic plane of Eldraine has long stood as a testament to order and peace. A realm of knightly orders, fantastic tales, and fae trickery, it stood as a bastion for many millennia. Unfortunately, the invasion of Phyrexia threw the plane into disarray. However, before the great slumber descended on the plane, the five knightly orders maintained the peace. They guarded the land from their five Castles, each aligned to a color of magic. Though most of the castles have been abandoned, they are monuments of Eldraine’s lost nobility.
Embereth
Aligned to Red mana, Castle Embereth exemplifies courage and bravery over all things. The blacksmiths of Embereth have forged many powerful weapons, as it houses the Irencrag. This magical boulder can empower the blades of worthy knights, as it did for Embercleave. Castle Embereth is also home to a tournament where the mightiest knights in the realm may compete for glory.
Locthwain
Valuing persistence and perseverance, Castle Locthwain is aligned with deathly Black mana. Lady Ayara, an elf noble, once ruled over Locthwain. Unfortunately, Sheoldred compleated her during the Phyrexian Invasion. Locthwain was once home to the Cauldron of Eternity, an artifact able to return a worthy warrior to life.
Vantress
Castle Vantress was once situated in the Loch, but Beluna Grandsquall moved it to the clouds. Will Kenrith, the current king of Eldraine, rules this Blue-aligned castle. Before being moved to the skies, the castle was also home to the Mirror Indrelon. Indrelon would answer a single question in exchange for a secret it had never heard.
Garenbrig
Castle Garenbrig symbolizes strength in Eldraine, ruled by the giant King Yorvo and aligned to Green mana. The castle also houses the Great Henge, a mighty tree that can be used to travel across the plane. Of all the castles in Eldraine, it is one of the few still standing in its rightful place.
Ardenvale
Castle Ardenvale represents Loyatly and Virtue, and was once the seat of King Kenrith. Aspirant knights would have to step into the searing flames of the Circle of Loyalty at Ardenvale’s heart. If they survived, they were deemed worthy. Ardenvale is aligned to White mana, and is currently abandoned.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this lore break!
