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Emrakul
Emrakul
Details
Race Eldrazi
Birthplace Blind Eternities
Lifetime Unknown

Emrakul, the "Aeons Torn," known as Keening Mother by some on Innistrad,[1] is one of the three Eldrazi titans and the inspiration for the Zendikari merfolk god Emeria.

Description[ | ]

Emrakul is the Titan of Corruption, the largest and most fearsome of the Eldrazi. She does not affect inorganic matter - rocks, water, etc. - but twists all things living, be they plants, animals, or other sentient beings. She causes silent terror wherever she soars, embodying desolation, emotional and physical distance, the chill of the void, and the terror of being alone. According to Gideon Jura, she is 150 feet tall.[2]

Emrakul's Lineage[ | ]

The Emrakul lineage is characterized by flesh-like lattice structures, uneasy bilateral symmetry, and tentacles that end in knobby, vestigial digits.[3] Looking like spongy, alien baleen, the lattice respires independent of the Eldrazi herself, supporting a host of unseen mite creatures within. Some within this lineage, including Emrakul herself, float above the ground, using unknown powers to alter the surrounding gravity.

History[ | ]

Emrakul

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

After the release of Kozilek, Ulamog, and Emrakul by Nissa Revane, Emrakul vanished. After the death of Kozilek and Ulamog, Ugin confirmed that Emrakul had been absent from Zendikar for some time.[4] She was drawn through the Blind Eternities to the plane of Innistrad by the planeswalker Nahiri, who was summoning Emrakul to enact her revenge on Sorin Markov.[5] On Innistrad, her influence corrupted the people of the plane into tentacled monstrosities. The archangel Avacyn kept Emrakul at bay, but once she was unmade by Sorin, the titan physically entered Innistrad and her influence over the plane magnified. Jace Beleren returned to Zendikar to call the remaining planeswalkers of the Gatewatch: Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane, and Chandra Nalaar, to combat Emrakul, like they had Ulamog and Kozilek on Zendikar.

Emrakul-gravitational-shift

Emrakul's gravitational distortion

After destroying much of the city of Thraben, Emrakul is confronted by the Gatewatch and Liliana Vess, who is nearly brought down by her mental assaults. Jace communicates with a figment of her that manifests as Emeria, which tells him that she is "incomplete, unfulfilled, inchoate" and that Innistrad should welcome her, not reject her. When the Gatewatch performs the ritual to trap her, she willingly lets herself be sealed in Innistrad's moon. She possesses Tamiyo and has her read a scroll she has vowed to never read, after telling Jace, "I just no longer want to play" and "There should be blossoms, not barren resentment. The soil was not receptive. It is not my time. Not yet."[6]

Emeria also appeared at the end of Nissa's vision of Nicol Bolas' plan while she was taking the Trial of Knowledge on Amonkhet. It is unknown if this communication originated from Emrakul.[7]

Once Emrakul was banished to the moon, the great sigil on its face formed by the imprisonment spell eventually faded from view. However, the Eldrazi titan still resides inside, slumbering quietly. Prominent astronomancers and the Dawnhart Coven of witches believe that the cosmic titan's residency within the moon might be related to the coming of the Eternal Night.[1]

Planes visited[ | ]

Gallery[ | ]

Story appearances[ | ]

Title Author Publishing date Set Setting (plane) Featuring
The Lithomancer Kelly Digges 2014-10-29 Commander 2014 / Prologue to Battle for Zendikar Unknown destroyed plane, Zendikar Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Ugin, Eldrazi, Emrakul, Kozilek, Ulamog
Emrakul Rises Kimberly J. Kreines 2016-06-22 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Nahiri, Emrakul, Alena, Brisela, Jace Beleren, Tamiyo
Campaign of Vengeance Ari Levitch 2016-07-06 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Olivia Voldaren, Emrakul
Battle of Thraben Nik Davidson 2016-07-20 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Jace Beleren, Gideon Jura, Chandra Nalaar, Nissa Revane, Liliana Vess, Gared, Emrakul
The Promised End Ken Troop 2016-07-27 Eldritch Moon Innistrad Liliana Vess, Jace Beleren, Gideon Jura, Nissa Revane, Tamiyo, Chandra Nalaar, Emrakul

Trivia[ | ]

In-game references[ | ]

Represented in:
Associated cards:
Depicted in:
Referred to:
Emrakul's Brood:
Emrakul's Conscription:

Sources[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. a b Doug Beyer and Ari Zirulnik (September 9, 2021). "Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Midnight Hunt". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Jenna Helland (March 31, 2010). "The Battle of Fort Keff". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Doug Beyer (April 28, 2010). "The Three Brood Lineages". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Ari Levitch, Doug Beyer, Kelly Digges and Kimberly J. Kreines (February 24, 2016). "Zendikar Resurgent". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Kimberly J. Kreines (June 20, 2016). "Emrakul Rises". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Ken Troop (July 27, 2016). "The Promised End". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Ken Troop (April 26, 2017). "The Hand That Moves". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Emrakul & Chatterfang!? Koma & Toski!? 62 Unknown Magic Cards! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (May 10, 2023).
  9. My 62 Secret Magic Playtest Cards! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (February 20, 2023).
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