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 more ancient 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. That 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. This is where the Weatherlight enters the scene, a legendary flying ship and its motley crew of heroes, monsters, and broken destinies. This episode introduces 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 come aboard.

Urza's Legacy: A Millennia-Old Weapon

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

The Components of the Legacy

The Legacy is not a simple artifact — it is 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 recovered thran technology
• The Power Stones: 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 destiny are essential components
• Various artifacts: The Blackblade, 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 endowed 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. That 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 not a simple flying vessel. Built by Urza from thran technology recovered in the ruins of the Empire, it possesses several extraordinary characteristics:

A Dimensional Engine

The heart of the Weatherlight is a thran engine capable of generating enough energy to travel between planes. This ability 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 even sacrifice itself during the Phyrexian Invasion. This consciousness is tied to the Legacy itself — the ship knows it has a destiny to fulfill.

The Evolution of the Ship

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

The Heroes of the Weatherlight

The Weatherlight's crew is one of the most fully developed sets of characters in Magic's history. Each member has their own story, motivations, and tragic or heroic fate.

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 travel Dominaria in search of the Legacy's components. Wise, determined, and respected by all, she is the crew's moral heart. Unfortunately, the story begins with her capture. Volrath, the Evincar of Rath, kidnaps her to lure the rest of the crew into a trap. It is this capture that sets the entire Weatherlight saga in motion.

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 before he was even born. When he was still 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. In Sidar Kondo's home, Gerrard grew up alongside Vuel, Kondo's biological son. The two boys were like brothers, but jealousy and manipulation turned that 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's 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 "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 through the entire saga. What few know is that Hanna is the daughter of Barrin, the most powerful mage of Tolaria and Urza's right hand. 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 mate of the Weatherlight, a minotaur warrior of exceptional strength and honor. His pride is legendary — which makes his torture at Volrath's hands all the more tragic. The villain captured him 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 retrieve 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 Weatherlight's physician, 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.

The Tragic Fates

Not all crew members will have a happy ending. Three of them will meet 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 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 fortress, 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 front, knowing it will cost her her life. This is not an accident — it is the ultimate act of love from a warrior for her comrade in arms.

Crovax: From Hero to Monster

Crovax is perhaps the most tragic character of the entire saga. Noble by birth, he joined the Weatherlight's 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, he had to kill her to defend himself. As she died, Selenia cast a curse on him: Crovax became a vampire, thirsting for blood and pain. It is under the influence of this curse that Crovax kills Mirri. After this tragedy, he sinks completely into darkness. He will eventually join Phyrexia willingly 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, compelled to sacrifice creatures to survive. Ascendant Evincar (center) represents Crovax at the peak of his malevolent 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 uneducated barbarians. His magical talent is undeniable, but his ego blinds him. During the escape from Rath, Ertai stays behind to hold open the portal allowing the Weatherlight to escape. The portal closes before he can pass through, leaving him abandoned 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 the compleat. 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 far 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 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 his every action. Volrath possesses a unique power: he can shapeshift, taking on 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, a merciless warrior commanding the Predator, Volrath's warship.

The Predator: The Weatherlight's Hunter

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 the command of Greven il-Vec. 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 specific 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 at a distance. The entire plane can be reshaped according to the Evincar's will. Mountains move, valleys open, traps spring from the ground itself. But Rath has another use: it grows constantly. Each day, more flowstone is added, and the plane expands. When it reaches sufficient size, it will merge with Dominaria — this is 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: Artificial Phyrexian creatures used as weapons

Skyshroud Forest (left) is an entire ecosystem torn from another world and transplanted onto Rath. Sliver Queen (center) represents one of Rath's most dangerous biological weapons — slivers share their abilities, becoming exponentially more dangerous in groups. Rathi Dragon (right) is one of the native 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 — all that is missing is the moment to activate it
• The Weatherlight's crew is assembled, each member with a role to play
• Volrath has been temporarily defeated, but Rath remains a threat
• Phyrexia is preparing the Overlay, the fusion of Rath with Dominaria

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

Episode 4: The Phyrexian Invasion

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

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's 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: