Jay Annelli

@vorthosjay

Magic: The Gathering Loremaster. Freelance Writer and Continuity Editor | He/Him | annelliconsulting@gmail.com | linktr.ee/jayannelli

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Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

One final note: Kaervek escaped the Amber Prison, and we last saw him on Thunder Junction as a part of Oko's gang. We see concept art of him in the Zhalfir trailer, so we can assume he'll be back, too.

Kaervek, the Punisher
{1}{B}{B}
Legendary Creature — Human Warlock

Whenever you commit a crime, exile up to one target black card from your graveyard and copy it. You may cast the copy. If you do, you lose 2 life. (Targeting opponents, anything they control, and/or cards in their graveyards is a crime. Copies of permanent spells become tokens.)

3/3
Illustrated by Cristi Balanescu

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

The culture has changed and evolved since we saw them last. Zhalfir is still home to griffin knights and the like, but also a host of cool new stuff we're only seeing glimpses of now.

Examples of cultures of the new Zhalfir.

A rhino of some sort and a griffin rider of Zhalfir.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

Zhalfir has changed since we saw it in Mirage and Visions. While the Zhalfirin faith always centered around the sun, they now live in the plane formerly occupied by New Phyrexia, and have inherited the five suns of Mirrodin. There's also a spirit realm cloaked in night.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

And here's what we know about it as of its return in March of the Machines. Between these two articles, there's links to everything relevant to Zhalfir. www.coolstuffinc.com/a/the-return...

Invasion of New Phyrexia by Chris Rallis

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

Most of what we know about Zhalfir is tied up in Teferi's life, so if you want a short Teferi history, check out my article The Life of Teferi from 2020. www.coolstuffinc.com/a/jayannelli...

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

During March of the Machine, the planeswalker Wrenn connects to Realmbreaker, and swaps New Phyrexia and Zhalfir's places in the Multiverse, leading to their triumphant return!

Invasion of New Phyrexia
{X}{W}{U}
Battle — Siege

(As a Siege enters, choose an opponent to protect it. You and others can attack it. When it’s defeated, exile it, then cast it transformed.)

When this Siege enters, create X 2/2 white and blue Knight creature tokens with vigilance.

Defense: 6

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

About nine years later, Teferi phases out the whole of Zhalfir to protect them from old Phyrexia. Centuries later, during the Mending, he loses the power to return it, and the rift he caused is sealed. He believes Zhalfir lost forever...

Teferi's Protection
{2}{W}
Instant

Until your next turn, your life total can’t change and you gain protection from everything. All permanents you control phase out. (While they’re phased out, they’re treated as though they don’t exist. They phase in before you untap during your untap step.)

Exile Teferi’s Protection.

Illustrated by Chase Stone

Zhalfirin Void
Land

When this land enters, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)

{T}: Add {C}.

“The wind whispers, ‘come home,’ but I cannot.”
—Teferi

Illustrated by Chase Stone

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

Teferi comes back but has to repair the damage he caused to reality, sending visions to the heroes of Zhalfir to come together to stop Kaervek's plan. They free Mangara, and Kaervek is defeated and imprisoned in the Amber Prison himself.

Sisay, Weatherlight Captain
{2}{W}
Legendary Creature — Human Soldier

Sisay gets +1/+1 for each color among other legendary permanents you control.

{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}: Search your library for a legendary permanent card with mana value less than Sisay’s power, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

2/2
Illustrated by Anna Steinbauer

smira, Holy Avenger
{2}{G}{W}
Legendary Creature — Human Cleric

Flying

At the beginning of each end step, put a +1/+1 counter on Asmira for each creature put into your graveyard from the battlefield this turn.

“Omens lie in this early harvest’s fruit.”
—Asmira, Holy Avenger

2/3
Illustrated by Rebecca Guay

Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir
{1}{W}{U}{B}
Legendary Creature — Human Knight

Eminence — Whenever you attack with one or more Knights, if Sidar Jabari is in the command zone or on the battlefield, draw a card, then discard a card.

Flying, first strike

Whenever Sidar Jabari deals combat damage to a player, return target Knight creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.

4/3
Illustrated by Simon Dominic

Rashida Scalebane
{3}{W}{W}
Legendary Creature — Human Soldier

{T}: Destroy target attacking or blocking Dragon. It can’t be regenerated. You gain life equal to its power.

It is not by the blood of dragons that Rashida measures victories, but by the sum of children who no longer wake from nightmares of scales and fire.

3/4
Illustrated by Randy Gallegos

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

The Mirage War sprung up as three powerful wizards felt the magic unleashed by Teferi as he phased out his isle during an experiment. The three make an uneasy truce, until Kaervek convinces Jolrael to break it and they imprison Mangara in the Amber Prison. Kaervek unleashes his armies on Zhalfir.

Jolrael, Voice of Zhalfir
{2}{G}{U}
Legendary Creature — Human Druid

At the beginning of combat on your turn, up to one target land you control becomes an X/X green and blue Bird creature with flying and haste until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand. It’s still a land.

Whenever a land creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.

3/3
Illustrated by Lorenzo Mastroianni

Mangara, the Diplomat
{3}{W}
Legendary Creature — Human Cleric

Lifelink

Whenever an opponent attacks with creatures, if two or more of those creatures are attacking you and/or planeswalkers you control, draw a card.

Whenever an opponent casts their second spell each turn, draw a card.

2/4
Illustrated by Howard Lyon

Kaervek the Merciless
{5}{B}{R}
Legendary Creature — Human Shaman

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, Kaervek deals damage equal to that spell’s mana value to any target.

“Rats and jackals feast in his swath, but even they will not walk with him.”
—Mangara

5/4
Illustrated by Heonhwa

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 23d

Excited for Zhalfir but don't know where to start? I've got you covered. Zhalfir was the primary location for Mirage and Visions, Magic's first internally led stories (and a big part of the ramp up into the classic Weatherlight saga). It told the story of the Mirage War.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 25d

If you haven’t watched the video, two extremely hype concept arts to keep in mind going into Nauctis.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 25d

It is the year 2026, a single copy of Legends - A Visual History sits on a lonely beach town Barnes & Noble shelf. It is embraced by its creator, and returned to a life of solitude.

A middle aged man holds an out of print book that has survived on a store shelf

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 27d

They were originally vaguely the Russian Cold War stand-ins, with a smidge of yellow peril and vague warrior culture vibes. But they were mostly human-looking in the Original Series. The Next Generation introduced the forehead ridges without explanation.

Klingon Strike Force
{3}{R}{R}
Creature — Klingon Warrior
Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player it’s attacking.)
Haste (This creature can attack and {T} as soon as it comes under your control.)
When this creature dies, it deals 2 damage to each opponent.
5/5
Illustrated by Fahmi Fauzi

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 27d

Klingons are Star Trek’s original recurring antagonists, and they eventually become the Federation’s staunchest allies. Their art direction is a fascinating case for fans of franchises.

Munitions Enthusiast
{1}{R}
Creature — Klingon Warrior
Trample
When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to any target.
“There is nothing shameful about falling before a superior enemy, human!”
3/2
Illustrated by Rémi Jacquot

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· 27d

Boimler and Mariner are perfect here. Such a great encapsulation of their dynamic. Love Boimler’s cowering in the back of Mariner’s art. Both characters are from the animated comedy Lower Decks, Mariner notoriously hates promotions and will self-sabotage to be demoted again.

Brad Boimler, Eager Ensign
{1}{W}
Legendary Creature — Human Officer
Lifelink
Whenever Brad Boimler becomes tapped, until end of turn, if one or more counters would be put on a permanent you control, that many plus one of each of those kinds of counters are put on that permanent instead.
“We all joined Starfleet to dive headfirst into the unknown.”
2/2
Illustrated by Andreas Zafiratos

Beckett Mariner, Impetuous Ensign
{1}{R}
Legendary Creature — Human Officer
First strike
Reckless Behavior — Whenever Beckett Mariner becomes tapped, put a promotion counter on her. Then if there are three or more promotion counters on her, remove those counters and she deals 2 damage to each opponent.
2/1

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jul 6

All the little details here are perfect. The daughter, the wolf pup. magic.wizards.com/en/news/magi...

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jul 6

My favorites are the Breya and Saheeli Sol Rin, and the Linden and Rowan Path of Ancestry

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jul 2

It’s 100 degrees so I am at the pool. AMA

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 26

Hmm. While plenty of planeswalkers had changed secondary colors, is Huatli the only one to have changed her *base* color? Before the Echoverse versions, I mean.

Huatli, Poet of Unity
{2}{G}
Legendary Creature — Human Warrior Bard

When Huatli enters, search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.

{3}{R/W}{R/W}: Exile Huatli, then return her to the battlefield transformed under her owner’s control. Activate only as a sorcery.

2/3
Roar of the Fifth People
Color Indicator: White, Red, and GreenEnchantment — Saga

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after IV.)

I — Create two 3/3 green Dinosaur creature tokens.

II — This Saga gains “Creatures you control have ‘{T}: Add {R}, {G}, or {W}.’”

III — Search your library for a Dinosaur card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.

IV — Dinosaurs you control gain double strike and trample until end of turn.

Watermark: Desparked

Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 24

In my largest piece ever for @coolstuffinc.com, I dive into to Marvel Super Heroes! www.coolstuffinc.com/a/marvel-sup...

The Watcher's Warning by Rafater, the Watcher appears before the Fantastic Four to warn them about Galactus.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 21

My children wanted a Nerf War, but they’re getting a Nerf slaughter instead

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 21

Blex The late Pest Blex had a progeny in the form of Blech!

Blex, Vexing Pest
{2}{G}
Legendary Creature — Pest

Other Pests, Bats, Insects, Snakes, and Spiders you control get +1/+1.

When Blex dies, you gain 4 life.

Pests are typically harvested before they outgrow their enclosures. Blex is far from typical.

3/2

Blech, Loafing Pest
{1}{B}{G}
Legendary Creature — Pest

Whenever you gain life, put a +1/+1 counter on each Pest, Bat, Insect, Snake, and Spider you control.

Despite Blex’s passing, Witherbloom students still continued the tradition of a yearly search in his honor. His son, however, took little effort to find.

3/4
Watermark: Witherbloom

Illustrated by Ilse Gort

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 21

2026 Update Brion Stoutarm The late Brion Stoutarm was revealed in Lorwyn Eclipsed to be the father of Bre Stoutarm.

Brion Stoutarm
{2}{R}{W}
Legendary Creature — Giant Warrior

Lifelink

{R}, {T}, Sacrifice another creature: Brion Stoutarm deals damage equal to the sacrificed creature’s power to target player or planeswalker.

Boggarts and disturbing bits of boggarts flew through the air with alarming and untidy regularity.

4/4

Illustrated by Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Bre of Clan Stoutarm
{2}{R}{W}
Legendary Creature — Giant Warrior

{1}{W}, {T}: Another target creature you control gains flying and lifelink until end of turn.

At the beginning of your end step, if you gained life this turn, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card. You may cast that card without paying its mana cost if the spell’s mana value is less than or equal to the amount of life you gained this turn. Otherwise, put it into your hand.

4/4
Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 20

🦀🦀🦀

An old bay can and a crab made out of hundreds of stacked food donation cans.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 17

Untold Stories: Jace #2 is out today! Jace and Tezzeret are trekking through Shiv to find an artifact, but Adeliz and Squee are also on its trail! Check it out!

Magic: The Gathering - Untold Stories: Jace

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 15

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 14

My youngest has aged out of Duplo and into regular Legos but god damn did Rima and I have to do a double take with the marketing here.

A desi mom with two apparently biracial children

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 9

One of the funniest bits of Marvel lore is that Marvel didn't really do teen sidekicks until fairly recently. With one exception. Rick Jones. Who was everyone's teen sidekick.

Rick Jones, Destined Sidekick
{G}
Legendary Creature — Human Advisor

{3}, {T}: Mill four cards. You may put a Hero or enchantment card from among those cards into your hand. (To mill four cards, put the top four cards of your library into your graveyard.)

“Mar-Vell, did you know I once saved Hulk’s life? Hulk, go on. You tell it better than I do.”

0/3
Illustrated by Justyna Dura

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 8

New Warriors The New Warriors was a teen team that pre-dated the Young Avengers. They were disbanded after a reality tv broadcast takedown of a supervillain resulted in a huge mass causality event, marking the beginning of Super Hero Registration and the Civil War.

Jay Annelli@vorthosjay· Jun 8

Heroes for Hire A team of street level heroes, often just Iron Fist and Luke Cage, but expanding the roster occasionally. When active they’re sort of Private Investigators with super powers, taking cases from the public.