We make the Great Work work!

For some background see this, this and this.

What are Phyrexian Monitors? I don't really know. To me it looks like they do the low-level tasks that are the backbone of any insatiable, virulent society. They keep the flesh flowing and the vats bubbling. And who values unity more than a Phyrexian? All will be one.

This got me thinking about how I consume the flavor and story of Magic. I'm a big fan of the material, of course, which I absorb through the cards as they cross my path. The resulting loose tapestry of characters, places and narrative makes a strong impression but is riddled with gaps. "Who's this guy?" "Who actually won this war?" "Why do Monitors have popsicle-stick teeth and no eyes? And do they have dental, vision, collective bargaining power, etc?" Yes, those are some sweet, juicy gaps.

The gaps offer me two paths:

1. Research it further if I am sufficiently intrigued. Fun.


2. Fill the gaps with my own imagination. Also fun.

It's a kick-ass way to be submerged in a fantasy world. I wouldn't be as thrilled by Magic's flavor if I had the full picture. What I get via the cards piques my interest and inspires me.

I appreciate that the flavor writers sweat the details backstage to make a consistent, coherent world and then judiciously distribute tantalizing nuggets of that work to the cards. I'm a big fan of Doug Beyer's weekly journeys to flavor country. And I hope that these creators would not be too appalled if they happened to see some dude from the internet tweaking and re-interpreting their creations for his own weird kicks.