Theros Beyond Death Story Details Revealed But This Magic: The Gathering Set Won't Have A Novel

It's been a while since Magic: The Gathering fans visited the plane of Theros, but Theros Beyond Death promises an interesting story centered around Elspeth Tirel in the underworld. The official trailer that premired at The Games Awards 2019 last week featured a mysterious conflict between the Planeswalkers Elspeth and Ashiok but not much has been revealed about the plot of the upcoming set. Wizards of the Coast recently shared some story details for Theros Beyond Death but they also confirmed that there are currently no plans for an ebook.

Of course, there will still be cards that will feature important story moments and worldbuilding elements, and WotC encourages fans to keep returning to the Theros Beyond Death story page to check updates about the set's story.

But first, here's WotC's recap of what previously happened in Theros:

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.

The Planeswalker Elspeth arrived in Theros during the climax of Heliod and Purphoros's battle. She saw Purphoros' sword flung from his hands, and planeswalked away with it. She returned to Theros fifteen years later and faced an angry Heliod. But the god regained his bearings and realized Elspeth could help him, so he reforged the sword into the spear Godsend. Wielding this weapon, Elspeth was able to defeat the newly awakened Polukranos.

Meanwhlie, the satyr Planeswalker Xenagos had hatched a plan to ascend to godhood. By cultivating belief and devotion among his followers, he was able to transcend mortality and join the other gods in their home of Nyx. Xenagos planned to use his new status for ill, so Elspeth vowed to stop him. She journeyed to Nyx and stabbed Xenagos with Godsend, destroying him once and for all.

Fearful of her power and knowledge of the multiverse, Heliod stabbed Elspeth with her very own weapon, which shattered afterwards. Dying, Elspeth's soul became trapped in the Underworld of Erebos where it remains . . . for now.

Now that you've caught up with the story, here are some story details they shared recently:

It looks like Elspeth, Ashiok, and Athreos will all have key roles in Theros Beyond Death's story. There's a fan theory that claims that Ashiok is helping Elspeth kill Heliod. It would be interesting to see how these characters' stories will unfold in the underworld of Erebos.

Theros Beyond Death, the 83rd Magic: The Gathering expansion, is set to release on January 24, 2020. Prerelease events will take place on January 17-19.

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