Episode 6: The Crew of the Weatherlight

Introduction: A Ship in the Clouds

Three centuries have passed since the Brothers' War. On Dominaria, the scars of that titanic conflict have slowly healed, but in the shadows, a far older threat is preparing its return. Urza, now a near-divine planeswalker, has not been idle: for millennia, he has patiently assembled the pieces of an ultimate weapon capable of annihilating Phyrexia once and for all. This weapon is the Legacy — a collection of artifacts whose combination can unleash a power capable of destroying a machine-god. But artifacts are nothing without the heroes destined to wield them. Enter the Weatherlight, a legendary flying ship and its motley crew of heroes, monsters, and broken destinies. This episode introduces you to one of the most iconic crews in the history of Magic: The Gathering — characters whose adventures defined an entire decade of the game's universe. Prepare to embark.

Urza's Legacy: A Millennia-Old Weapon

To understand the Weatherlight and its crew, you first need to understand the Legacy. After his pyrrhic victory over Mishra and his transformation into a planeswalker, Urza devoted millennia to a single goal: to create a weapon capable of destroying Yawgmoth and Phyrexia.

The Components of the Legacy

The Legacy is not a single artifact — it's a collection of magical objects that, once gathered and activated together, unleash a power capable of annihilating even a god. Among its components:

• The Weatherlight: The ship itself, built with salvaged Thran technology
• The Powerstones: Fragments of the original stone that triggered the Brothers' War
• Karn: The silver golem, bearer of a latent planeswalker spark
• Gerrard Capashen: The hero himself is part of the Legacy — his blood and his destiny are essential components
• Various artifacts: The Sword of the Ages, the Skull of Ramos, and other objects of power

The card Legacy Weapon (left) represents the final weapon once all components are assembled — a power capable of exiling any threat. Karn, Silver Golem (center) is one of Urza's most precious creations: a pacifist golem with a soul, who will later become a planeswalker in his own right. The Thran Tome (right) contains the secrets of the Thran civilization, essential for understanding and activating the Legacy.

Urza's Plan

Urza knew that simply attacking Phyrexia would be futile. He needed a weapon capable of striking at the very heart of the mechanical plane, of destroying Yawgmoth himself. But this weapon required a mortal bearer — a hero capable of activating it at the crucial moment. This hero, Urza literally created: by manipulating bloodlines and destinies, he brought Gerrard Capashen into being, the chosen one of the Legacy.

The Weatherlight: More Than a Ship

The Weatherlight is no ordinary flying ship. Built by Urza from Thran technology recovered from the ruins of the Empire, it possesses several extraordinary features:

A Dimensional Engine

The heart of the Weatherlight is a Thran engine capable of generating enough energy to travel between planes. This capability is rare and precious — most ships on Dominaria are limited to their own world. The Weatherlight can cross dimensional boundaries, making it the perfect tool for Urza's mission.

A Living Consciousness

Over the course of its adventures, the Weatherlight develops a form of artificial consciousness. The ship "feels" its crew, reacts to dangers, and will eventually sacrifice itself during the Phyrexian Invasion. This consciousness is linked to the Legacy itself — the ship knows it has a destiny to fulfill.

The Evolution of the Ship

The Weatherlight appears on numerous cards over the years, reflecting its narrative evolution. The original 1997 version (left) shows a still "young" ship. Skyship Weatherlight (center) from the Planeshift expansion represents the ship at its peak, capable of searching for any artifact. The third card shows that even after its destruction, the legacy of the Weatherlight endures in the Magic universe.

The Heroes of the Weatherlight

The crew of the Weatherlight is one of the most developed character ensembles in the history of Magic. Each member has their own story, motivations, and tragic or heroic destiny.

Captain Sisay: The True Leader

Sisay is the rightful captain of the Weatherlight. Descended from a long line of sailors, she inherited the ship and used it to roam Dominaria in search of the components of the Legacy. Wise, determined, and respected by all, she is the moral heart of the crew. Unfortunately, the story begins with her capture. Volrath, the Evincar of Rath, abducts her to lure the rest of the crew into a trap. It is this capture that triggers the entire Weatherlight saga adventure.

Gerrard Capashen: The Reluctant Hero

Gerrard is the central protagonist of the saga. Born into the noble Capashen family, his destiny was manipulated by Urza from before his birth. When he was just an infant, the golem Karn saved him from a massacre orchestrated by Phyrexia — but it was Sidar Kondo, a warlord of Benalia, who actually raised him. At Sidar Kondo's, Gerrard grew up alongside Vuel, Kondo's biological son. The two boys were like brothers, but jealousy and manipulation transformed this brotherhood into hatred. Vuel, convinced that Gerrard had stolen his father's love, eventually betrayed his family and became... Volrath, the servant of Phyrexia. Gerrard left the Weatherlight crew for years, trying to escape his destiny. But when Sisay is captured, he has no choice but to take up arms again. Captain Sisay (left) in her legendary version can search for any legendary card — reflecting her role as a "Legacy hunter." Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero (center) shows his ability to bring back fallen allies. Gerrard Capashen (right) represents his protective nature toward his crew.

Hanna: The Brilliant Navigator

Hanna is the navigator and mechanic of the Weatherlight. An expert in artifacts and ancient history, she is indispensable for understanding and maintaining the ship. She is also Gerrard's love — their romance runs throughout the saga. What few know is that Hanna is the daughter of Barrin, the most powerful mage of Tolaria and Urza's right-hand man. She rejected her father's academy to live her own adventures, but this family connection will play a crucial role later.

Tahngarth: The Proud Minotaur

Tahngarth is the first officer of the Weatherlight, a minotaur warrior of exceptional strength and honor. His pride is legendary — which makes his torture at the hands of Volrath all the more tragic. The villain captured and disfigured him, transforming his body into a monstrous form. Despite this humiliation, Tahngarth remains loyal to the crew and fights with the ferocity of an enraged bull.

Squee: The Immortal Goblin

Squee is the goblin cabin boy of the Weatherlight — and apparently the most useless member of the crew. Cowardly, clumsy, and not very intelligent, he serves mainly as comic relief. But Squee hides an extraordinary secret: he is mysteriously immortal. No matter how many times he dies, he always comes back. This unexplained ability will prove crucial during the Invasion. Hanna, Ship's Navigator (left) can recover lost artifacts — perfect for a Legacy hunter. Tahngarth, First Mate (center) shows his warrior nature, capable of facing multiple enemies. Squee, Goblin Nabob (right) perfectly illustrates his immortality: he always returns from your graveyard to your hand.

Orim: The Healer

Orim is the medic of the Weatherlight, a Samite devoted to the healing arts. A pacifist by conviction, she tends to the crew's wounds after every battle. Her medical expertise will be crucial in the face of Phyrexia's horrors.

Tragic Destinies

Not all crew members will have a happy ending. Three of them will face particularly tragic fates, illustrating the human cost of the war against Phyrexia.

Mirri: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Mirri is a feline warrior (cat warrior), Gerrard's childhood friend. They grew up together in Benalia and trained side by side. Her agility and her claws make her a formidable fighter, but it is her absolute loyalty to Gerrard that defines her character. On Rath, during the assault on Volrath's stronghold, Mirri faces an impossible choice. Crovax, transformed into a vampire by his curse, threatens Gerrard. Without hesitation, Mirri deliberately sacrifices herself to save her friend. She steps in, knowing it will cost her life. It is no accident — it is the ultimate act of love from a warrior for her companion-in-arms.

Crovax: From Hero to Monster

Crovax may be the most tragic character of the entire saga. A noble by birth, he joined the Weatherlight crew for a personal reason: to find Selenia, an angel he loved who had been captured by the Phyrexians.

But Selenia was not a prisoner — she had become a dark angel, an agent of Phyrexia. When Crovax finally found her again, he had to kill her to defend himself. As she died, Selenia cast a curse upon him: Crovax became a vampire, thirsting for blood and pain. It is under the grip of this curse that Crovax kills Mirri. After this tragedy, he sinks completely into darkness. He will eventually willingly join Phyrexia and become the new Evincar of Rath after Volrath's fall — one of the most formidable enemies of the crew he once served. Crovax the Cursed (left) shows the noble transformed into a vampire, forced to sacrifice creatures to survive. Ascendant Evincar (center) represents Crovax at the peak of his evil power, dominating Rath. Crovax, Ascendant Hero (right) comes from an alternate timeline where Mirri survived — showing what Crovax could have become without the curse.

Ertai: Arrogance Punished

Ertai is a young mage from the Tolarian Academy, a student of Barrin himself. Brilliant but incredibly arrogant, he considers the rest of the crew to be uncultured barbarians. His magical talent is undeniable, but his ego blinds him. During the escape from Rath, Ertai stays behind to keep the portal open allowing the Weatherlight to flee. The portal closes before he can pass through, leaving him stranded on Rath. Alone, surrounded by enemies, Ertai is captured by the Phyrexians. For years, they torture and corrupt him. When the crew sees him again, Ertai is nothing more than a Phyrexian creature, his body altered by compleation. He will fight his former friends as an enemy. The contrast between the two cards is striking. Ertai, Wizard Adept (left) shows a confident young mage, capable of countering any spell. Ertai, the Corrupted (right) reveals what he has become: a Phyrexian abomination sacrificing his own allies to fuel his magic.

The Antagonist: Volrath the Fallen

Volrath is much more than a simple villain — he is Gerrard's adoptive brother, the shadow of what the hero could have become.

From Vuel to Volrath

Born Vuel, son of Sidar Kondo, he grew up alongside Gerrard in Benalia. But Phyrexia's agents played on his jealousy, convincing him that his father preferred the orphan Gerrard to his own son. During a rite of passage, Vuel cheated and was discovered — a humiliation he blamed on Gerrard. Consumed by hatred, Vuel betrayed his family and fled. Phyrexia welcomed him, offering him power and revenge. He became Volrath, the Evincar of Rath — the governor of an entire plane, with an army at his command.

The Evincar of Rath

As Evincar, Volrath rules Rath with absolute cruelty. His stronghold is a labyrinth of torture and experimentation, where he transforms his enemies into monsters. His obsession with the Legacy — and with humiliating Gerrard — guides every one of his actions. Volrath possesses a unique power: he can shapeshift, taking the appearance of anyone. This ability makes every encounter dangerous — how can you know if the ally before you is not Volrath in disguise? Volrath the Fallen (left) shows the Evincar after his defeat, disfigured but still dangerous. Volrath's Stronghold (center) is his fortress on Rath, a legendary land capable of returning the dead. Commander Greven il-Vec (right) is his right-hand man, a ruthless warrior commanding the Predator, Volrath's warship.

The Predator: The Hunter of the Weatherlight

If the Weatherlight is an exploration vessel, the Predator is a warship. Larger, heavier, bristling with weapons, it hunts the Weatherlight across the planes under Greven il-Vec's command. The aerial battles between the two ships are among the most epic scenes of the saga.

Rath: The Artificial Plane

Rath is not a natural plane — it is a Phyrexian creation, an artificial world designed for a precise purpose: to serve as a beachhead for the invasion of Dominaria.

A Manufactured World

Rath was created from flowstone, a magical substance that Phyrexia can control remotely. The entire plane can be reshaped at the will of the Evincar. Mountains shift, valleys open, traps spring up from the ground itself. But Rath has another use: it constantly grows. Every day, more flowstone is added, and the plane expands. When it reaches a sufficient size, it will merge with Dominaria — that's the Overlay, the first act of the Phyrexian Invasion.

The Peoples of Rath

Despite its artificial nature, Rath is home to populations:

• The Vec: Enslaved humans, used as labor
• The Dal: Human rebels fighting Volrath
• The Skyshroud Elves: An entire forest transplanted from another plane, with its elven inhabitants who resist desperately
• The Slivers: Phyrexian artificial creatures used as weapons

The Skyshroud Forest (left) is an entire ecosystem torn from another world and transplanted onto Rath. The Sliver Queen (center) represents one of Rath's most dangerous biological weapons — slivers share their abilities, becoming exponentially more dangerous in groups. The Rathi Dragon (right) is one of the natural creatures of this hostile plane.

Summary: The Legacy Takes Shape

With this episode, the pieces are in place for one of the most epic conflicts in the history of Magic: The Gathering:

• The Legacy is almost complete — only the moment to activate it is missing
• The Weatherlight crew is assembled, each member with their role to play
• Volrath has been temporarily defeated, but Rath remains a threat
• Phyrexia is preparing the Overlay, the merging of Rath with Dominaria

The tragedies of Mirri, Crovax, and Ertai remind us that this war has a terrible human cost. Every victory is tinged with loss, every battle leaves scars. But the worst is yet to come. The Phyrexian Invasion is approaching — and this time, Yawgmoth himself will lead his armies.

Episode 4: The Phyrexian Invasion

The sky of Dominaria darkens. Portals open at the four corners of the world, vomiting forth legions of mechanical monstrosities. Yawgmoth, the Father of Machines, finally launches his total invasion. The crew of the Weatherlight, the mages of Tolaria, the elves of Llanowar, the angels of Serra — all will have to unite in a desperate Coalition to face the greatest threat the Multiverse has ever known. The hour of the ultimate sacrifice is approaching...

Sources

• Rath and Storm (anthology, 1998) — Collection of short stories recounting the Weatherlight's adventure on Rath
• Mercadian Masques (novel by Francis Lebaron, 1999) — Continuation of the crew's adventures after Rath
• Weatherlight (Magic expansion, 1997) — First expansion dedicated to the Weatherlight crew
• Tempest (Magic expansion, 1997) — The arrival on Rath and the confrontation with Volrath

Products related to this episode

Relive this saga with cards from the corresponding expansions: