Eldritch Moon as Told by Flavor Text

An enigma as vexing as life itself.

"It has latched onto this place like an infestation. All efforts at eradication have proved futile." —Yeter, Trostad villager

She now sees only Emrakul's visions.

Upon discovering what had become of her sisters, Sigarda could only weep.

One silvery blast signaled that she wouldn't be arriving at Thraben alone.

After facing so many horrors, the survivors of Videns parish couldn't comprehend the hope that the gryff represented.

Gideon and Liliana may not have seen eye to eye, but that did not stop them from fighting side by side.

"I will join you so that you will not yet join me."

"I've seen cathars riding to battle without a hint of fear. Perhaps that is its own sort of madness." —Esler, Havengul mercenary

She had not believed any shred of humanity remained in these writhing monsters until the twisted form of her partner appeared before her.

The flicker of candlelight and the echo of hymns told the villagers that the monastery wasn't truly abandoned.

She now hears only Emrakul's murmurs.

"Get behind me!"

Immune to the physical warping caused by Emrakul, geists proved to be some of humanity's most important allies.

The best weapon is the one at hand.

"Impurities must be pounded out."

The person who finishes a journey is rarely the same as the one who starts it.

"A boon from the angels should never be cast aside." —Manfried Ulmach, Chief Inquisitor

Not all minds touched by the Eldrazi turn to raging psychosis. Some simply withdraw from this world into memories of a better one.

There is power in prayer, regardless of who is listening.

"Fight for a better future, even if you may not live to see it." —Grete, Order of Saint Traft

"There is always more to give."

The Order of Saint Traft found new strength with Sigarda's support.

Many whose faith was destroyed by Avacyn turned to the only angel who remained true to humanity.

"My predecessors taught me of duty and commitment. It seems they have more to teach." —Wendin, veteran cathar

"The most resolute soldiers will press forward in the face of overwhelming odds." —Gideon Jura

The remnants of Innistrad's corrupted angelic hosts collapsed to form the Flight of Nightmares.

"Salvation will not be granted by the Lunarch Council. It must be earned—at the edge of a sword, if necessary."

"Let the points of our lances lead the way."

The uncorrupted rallied under Thalia's leadership and Sigarda's banner.

"Improvement is a consequence of practice." —Stitcher Geralf

At Nahiri's call, Emrakul traversed the vast emptiness between the planes and arrived on Innistrad.

"Improvisation is for those who failed to prepare." —Jace Beleren

"There's no sense arguing with insanity." —Levana, Midnight Duelist

"I'll see you soon, Subjects 25 and 26. I've got a good feeling this time!"

Some took to their boats to escape the unfolding nightmare. The remains of their vessels now litter the shores of Nephalia.

"At last! Proof that it's not all in my head!"

Amid the gibbering chorus that rose from the drownyard temple, Jace recognized a single word: "Emrakul."

Uncertainty has its own allure.

After reading the final words, it turns back to the first page and begins again.

Only one vault was great enough to hold Emrakul.

Heads and shoulders above the rest.

It keeps intruders out and experiments in.

"Moonlight offers sublime warmth that brings me a comfort sunlight cannot provide."

Infinite wisdom cannot be contained within a single mind.

"The answer's in here somewhere!"

"Let's start fresh, shall we?"

A place for everything, and everything in its place.

When the Nebelgast recedes, there are often stragglers.

"There are tides beyond those in the sea that are driven by Innistrad's silver moon. If you learn their patterns, you can channel them in fascinating ways." —Tamiyo

"Nicely done, Jace. You always were good at disappearing acts." —Liliana Vess

All around Emrakul, life re-formed in her image.

"There's a smoothness to my magic here that I don't find on any other plane."

Some spirits cling to one person, feasting on the growing fear until a final moment of all-consuming terror.

Countless ghouls surged through Thraben's streets, and with them came the city's salvation.

The Voldaren lands remained well protected when Olivia's army marched from Lurenbraum Fortress.

"We entered the church in search of solace, but it became clear we wouldn't find it there." —Grete, Order of Saint Traft

"You have to admit, Gideo ~ he has great form." —Liliana Vess

The surviving members of the Markov bloodline drove through a crush of horrors to reclaim their ancestral home.

"It's not work if you enjoy it."

"I'll keep watch. Happy now?"

Displays of Voldaren bloodlust are not restricted to glamorous banquets and lavish parties.

What remained of the Lunarch Inquisition found new ways to extract confessions.

"Don't get too comfortable in there." —Liliana Vess

"Do try to pull your weight, Geralf. I feel like I'm doing everything." —Ghoulcaller Gisa

"I can no longer stand by as these Skirsdag infiltrators rot the church from within. Even the Lunarch Council is compromised. What a fool I've been." —Odric

"Blood from the vein is the finest vintage to accompany a feast of the mind." —Runo Stromkirk

"Restraint is for the meek."

The famed hunting hounds of House Cecani continue to prove the quality of their pedigree.

There will be no absolution.

Not all monsters have tentacles.

"Don't worry, sweet brother. Help is on the way." —Ghoulcaller Gisa

"Emrakul makes apparent those whom she has favored." —Runo Stromkirk

Your thoughts are no longer your own.

"Impressive." —Chandra Nalaar

There is always a toll to pay for passage.

"Some claim that rage is a cloud that obscures thought and vision. But I can assure you—I've never seen with greater clarity."

Burning with hatred for Nahiri, the Voldaren and Markov forces assaulted the warped Markov Manor with a collective fury not seen in centuries.

With fewer patrols about, Kessig's roads have become prime hunting grounds.

"When you confront a wolf scorned by its pack, extra caution is the order of the day." —Raf Gyel of the Quiver of Kessig

"Each day there are new reports of homes along Getander Pass and Hofsaddel falling to vampires of a more savage nature. I've even heard tell that Anje Falkenrath has returned. Please send whatever help you can." —Sterin Gorn, letter to Thalia

"Writhe all you want, filth. It will do you no good."

Geist-powered devices have no shortage of fuel.

"We're ready for anything!"

"Such an adorable face!"

"What's your plan?" Gideon asked. "Are you serious?" Chandra replied.

"Drink deeply, for there is no tomorrow!" —Anje Falkenrath

A tidy desk is as good as an invitation.

"You brought this upon yourself, Sorin!"

A tiny crack is enough to open the mind to Emrakul.

"Keep your herons and shrews! You will find nothing in the moon, for the moon is a lie! It has told me so!"

A few gnawing thoughts can eat at the mind until nothing else remains.

"Hang on. I'm just tidying up." —Chandra Nalaar

"We can't win a war on an empty stomach, can we?" —Olivia Voldaren

"The perils of the road, you say? Don't worry. You won't have to face those again."

"Madness can't touch a mind ignited by genius."

"Lightning in a bottle? That's not where I need it."

Paranoia has driven some Kessig communities to hunt down anything—and anyone—that travels through their woods.

"There is a sourness here that I don't understand. When the land reaches out to me, I hesitate to reach back." —Nissa Revane

"What worked to bring down angels will do the same for these horrors." —Rem Karolus, Slayer of Eldrazi

"May the steel of your blade match the steel in your soul."

"In times like these, be particularly wary of those who claim they can save your soul." ~ Alena, trapper of Kessig

Hordes of Eldrazi and cultists swarmed over Thraben's defenses, and the members of the Gatewatch found themselves overrun.

As Emrakul's influence radiated across Innistrad, evacuation from Kessig's remote villages became increasingly difficult.

Emrakul does not grant wishes. Desires simply align to her will.

"Bloodsuckers, howlers, monsters from the beyond . . . it doesn't much matter. I won't have to face them alone."

"More rope may not be necessary." —Kep, Lunarch inquisitor

Woodland geists concluded that Emrakul would be unable to warp the denizens of the forest if the geists got there first.

The Somberwald has become a hunting ground for the Dronepack, the group of werewolves that have succumbed to the flesh-twisting power of Emrakul.

"The power of the woods is only ever borrowed."

Despite the reemergence of werewolves and the proliferation of Eldrazi, elk numbers in the Somberwald have remained steady.

The bonds of the pack transcend time and death.

"No matter how much a plane has suffered, there is a way to restore it." —Nissa Revane

"Every evil destroyed is a strike against the enemy." —Erold, Gatstaf springsage

Its web is woven so tightly that not even geists can avoid capture.

"I tell you, the trees were closing in! It's by the grace of the Heron alone that I made it out of the Ulvenwald!" —Ricton, traveling merchant

"Show them what it means to be the source of nightmares!" —Ulrich, Krallenhorde alpha

The magic used by Kessigers is known for its practical applications.

Each had seen friends and family taken by the corruption, so each carried an axe at the other's request.

"There is no saving this world, not anymore. But we shall be its bloody vengeance." —Sorin Markov

"These fiends are slightly less tolerable than you." "A sentiment that warms my heart, sister."

Sigarda was the last uncorrupted archangel, but she would not have to fight alone.

"Procedural misstep: provocation of geists for the purpose of yielding more energy can compromise containment units. Next action: clean up mess." —Laboratory notes

The Order of Saint Traft cleared the roads of cultists and horrors, opening the way for the villagers to flee Thraben.

"A leader can inspire courage, but it is the smiths and healers who truly keep hope alive." —Thalia, heretic cathar

The head of the staff doubles as a brand to anoint the newly inducted.

As it walks across the fallow field, its awkward, loping gait matches the rattling in its head to create a haunting rhythm that chills the bones.

"It'll keep the crows away. Works on neighbors too." —Old Rutstein

"Ludevic saw it in a dream and set to work immediately, every detail already known. Can such genius be taught?" —Stitcher Geralf

"Don't stop chopping until the pieces stop wiggling." —Rem Karolus, Slayer of Eldrazi

Sometimes the weapon wields the bearer.

All are welcome.

"May knowledge be our sanctuary." —Yora, academy researcher