Planeswalker
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In some works of fantasy, a planeswalker is a person with the ability to travel to different planes of existence.
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[edit] Magic: The Gathering
In the fictional multiverse of the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game, a planeswalker is a powerful mage, able to travel across the planes of existence. According to the setting, the potential to become a planeswalker (called the "planeswalker spark"), is innate--very few are born with such a spark, and anyone who does not possess such a spark cannot possibly become a planeswalker. (Such a spark can, however, be transferred from one being to another, though the process is highly dangerous and potentially fatal.)
The "spark" is not the only requirement for becoming a planeswalker, however--many people who possess the spark never realize their planeswalker potential. A person who possesses the spark must also "ascend", which usually occurs during a time of great stress (most common being a form of horrendous death, e.g. the sylex blast or its after-affects). This ascension, as well as the extraordinary amount of power at their fingertips, drives almost all planeswalkers insane over time. In an attempt to prevent this, most planeswalkers are tutored by older ones. Wilders exist (Ravidel) but are dangerous.
A planeswalker has complete control over his or her physical appearance, and does not have mortal needs, such as the need to eat, drink, sleep, or even breathe (though sleeping helps them retain sanity). Planeswalkers are very difficult to kill and can't die of natural causes. Some, however, (such as Urza, the most well-recognized of planeswalkers among Magic) do eat and sleep in order to feel more sane. Their need to do mortal things has become a mental one. Planeswalkers rarely have relationships with non-planeswalkers due to their near-immortality. The reason for their relative solitude is because they know as soon as they meet someone that they will outlive them, and have to live with the loss. Urza made two exceptions, one for Xantcha who was an artificial Phyrexian human loyal to him, and Barrin the master wizard, who can slow his aging so much that he can even reverse it. Both Xantcha and Barrin have died in their own way.
Players are considered planeswalkers in the context of the Magic-card game.
Famous planeswalkers from the Magic mythos include:
[edit] The Nine Titans
In a last-ditch attempt to stymie the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, nine planeswalkers entered the plane of Phyrexia, in gigantic titan engines of Urza's design, to set off bombs to destroy the plane.
- Bo Levar
- Commodore Guff
- Daria
- Freyalise
- Kristina of the Woods
- Lord Windgrace of Urborg
- Taysir
- Tevesh Szat
- Urza
[edit] Others
- the unnamed dragon-planeswalker who created Phyrexia
- Arzakon
- Dyfed
- Faralyn
- Fatima
- Feroz
- Fiers
- Geyadrone Dihada
- Jaya Ballard
- Jared Carthalion
- Jeska
- Karn
- Kenan Sahrmal
- Leshrac
- Liana of Minorad
- Ravi
- Ravidel
- Sandruu
- Serra
- Slobad
- Teferi
- Austin
- Aaron
- Manoj
- Alexandra
- Parcher
[edit] Mistaken for planeswalkers
Although they are all thought to be planeswalkers Yawgmoth, Mishra, Memnarch, Jodah and Lim-Dûl are, in fact, not. It is uncertain if Marit Lage is a planeswalker.
[edit] The Elder Dragons
The elder dragons Arcades Sabboth, Chromium, Nicol Bolas, Palladia-Mors and Vaevictis Asmodai once were powerful planeswalkers. They fought a large war entitled the War of the Wyrms or the Elder Dragon Wars. They lost their spark when a powerful world spell cast all other dragons to the land, creating the elder land wyrms.
[edit] Gods
Some planeswalkers are considered to be gods by the inhabitants of the planes. On the other hand it is uncertain if some of the known gods are really planeswalkers. Examples of these are:
- Gabriel Angelfire
- Gaea
- the Ebon Hand
- the Hand of Justice
- Kaldra
- Kjeld
- The Myojin
- Leitbur
- Serra
- Svyelun
- Tal
- Thelon
- Titiana
- Torahn
- Tourach
Some characters are considered gods, but certainly aren't planeswalkers
