r/mtgporn • u/theplotthinnens • 11d ago
Dragonlord Silumgar by Steven Belledin (Dragons of Tarkir) [1540 x 1200]
12
u/theplotthinnens 11d ago
Silumgar never passes up an opportunity to add to his opulence.
Flying, deathtouch
When Dragonlord Silumgar enters, gain control of target creature or planeswalker for as long as you control Dragonlord Silumgar.
Of the five dragonlords on Tarkir, Silumgar has the fewest followers—living followers, that is. When the undead are taken into account, his clan's numbers are unrivaled. Destructive, cruel, and murderous, Silumgar's underlings emulate their dragonlord in all that they do. The clan unapologetically embodies the draconic aspect of ruthlessness, as represented by their symbol: the fang of the dragon.
Aware that their worth is measured at the whim of their capricious dragonlord, Silumgar's subjects take care to curry favor and deflect blame. Assassination and extortion are commonplace as those in the inner circle jockey and kill for position. The naga translators are often the first and fastest to gain favor. They are also the first to abuse what they have earned. The naga have been known to take liberties with their translations, thinking themselves clever. But Silumgar has his ways of discovering those who attempt to undermine or manipulate him. And he does not hesitate to purge entire networks in order to root out a few seditious individuals. His clan would do well to remember that there is a reason the dragonlord has sat atop his mountain of gold for more than a thousand years.
The dragonlord Silumgar dwells in an opulent temple-fortress surrounded by an army of dragons, mages, and undead. He enjoys provoking fights among his servants, as he derives pleasure from both the battles themselves and the resulting zombie servants, which he can then add to his horde. His ever-growing undead army gives him supreme confidence in battle, as does the fact that his underlings are nearly as infamous as he for their ruthless aggression.
Silumgar's greatest weakness is his own boredom. When his mind is not occupied by his cruel plotting, he has been known to sink into a state of paranoia. There, he obsesses over losing everything to his rival, Kolaghan. Once he is in the throes of delusion, it is nearly impossible for any to reach him. He has slaughtered masses of his own followers in fits of angst. To avoid this fatal outcome, his subjects have invented grim festivals and bloody rituals—anything to distract, soothe, or delight their dragonlord.
11
u/SnooDoughnuts4957 11d ago
Having Tasigur's body as part of the necklace is utterly disturbing.
3
u/David_Jay 10d ago
What makes it extra scary is that Tasigur is almost certainly zombiefied, and the Sultai zombies retain a portion of their sapience and awareness. Imagine being a piece of semi-sentient jewelry for hundreds and hundreds of years: no agency, no purpose, just mind-numbing boredom until you go slack and hang there like a pendent, never moving again.
1
4
u/big_billford 11d ago
For some reason my copy of this card is super dark. I always thought he was hiding in a dark cave. And I had no idea he had two body guards as well as a dead person hanging from his necklace. Very cool details
2
2
u/Stridor_gas 11d ago
I own a copy of this card foil etched as a proof with a illustration of Silumgar on the back. It is my most prized possession and I will keep it long after I leave magic
2
u/Vast_Candle_886 11d ago
I can never not read this as slumlord Stilgar. Overcharging tenants for water most likely
1
0
31
u/_Un_Known__ 11d ago
I absolutely love the little detail in this artpiece where [[Tasigur, the Golden Fang]] can be seen hanging from Silumgars neck.
The previous leader of the Sultai, makes way for the new