what happened to sisters of death in mtg lore

3 min read 23-01-2025

what happened to sisters of death in mtg lore

The Sisters of Death, a chilling quartet of legendary figures in the Magic: The Gathering universe, have a complex and tragic history. Their story isn't neatly wrapped up with a single event, but rather a series of devastating choices and consequences that ultimately led to their downfall (or perhaps, transformation). This article explores their tumultuous journey and what ultimately befell them.

The Rise of the Sisters: A Pact with Darkness

The Sisters – Liliana Vess, Angrath, Kresh, and Vorinclex – weren't initially united by a shared goal. Each began their journey independently, driven by personal ambition or desperation. Their connection stemmed from a pact, a dark bargain made with powerful entities that twisted their destinies.

Each sister found a way to interact with the Chain Veil, a powerful artifact connected to Nicol Bolas' plans and often tied to the manipulation of death itself. This artifact became a focal point for their individual and collective paths.

Liliana Vess: The Necromancer's Journey

Liliana's story is perhaps the most well-known. Her desperation to cheat death led her to make deals with powerful demons, sacrificing pieces of her soul in exchange for power and immortality. Her path is intertwined with the Chain Veil, which she uses to control and manipulate the undead.

She eventually attempted to break her demonic pacts using the Chain Veil, an action that caused immense suffering and played a key role in her own downfall and the fates of others.

Angrath, the Monstrous One

Angrath, initially a brutal and cunning pirate, made her own pact through immense rage and a desire for revenge. She sought power to destroy those who wronged her, weaving her path into the narrative of the Chain Veil and indirectly impacting the Sisters' overall fate.

Unlike Liliana, her story is less focused on immortality and more about unchecked wrath and the consequences of embracing chaotic power.

Kresh and Vorinclex: The Undying Horrors

Kresh and Vorinclex, representing the plane of Grixis, emerged as figures of immense power and destruction. Their connection to the Chain Veil is less direct compared to Liliana and Angrath. Their individual stories weave into the broader narratives surrounding the manipulation of death and the planeswalked chaos.

Their presence amplifies the themes of death and undeath within the Sisters' collective narrative.

The Fall of the Sisters: A Shattered Alliance

The Sisters weren't a unified team working towards a common goal. Their interactions were often fraught with conflict and betrayal. Their individual ambitions and the manipulative influence of powerful forces such as Nicol Bolas, ultimately shattered any potential alliances.

The Chain Veil served as a point of conflict, with each Sister seeking to control it for their own ends. This competition, along with their inherent flaws and the consequences of their pacts, led to their downfall.

Individual Consequences

Each Sister faced severe repercussions for their actions. Liliana, despite surviving many near-death experiences, is forever burdened by her past choices. Angrath's quest for revenge consumed her. Kresh and Vorinclex, although powerful, remained trapped in their own cycles of violence and destruction.

Their "fall" wasn't a singular event, but a gradual erosion of their power and agency, leaving each marked by irreversible consequences.

The Legacy of the Sisters

While the Sisters' alliance might have been broken, their influence on the Multiverse remains significant. Their actions and the ripples of their pacts continue to shape the destinies of countless planes and characters. The consequences of their choices serve as a cautionary tale, exploring the seductive yet ultimately destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the terrible price of power.

The story of the Sisters of Death isn't a complete story of defeat. Instead, it’s a tragic tale exploring the complexities of power, betrayal, and the enduring consequences of choices made under the shadow of death. Their legacy continues to haunt the world of Magic: The Gathering.