#shadowmoor

Toil to Renown (Shadowmoor) - Larry MacDougall

Heartmender

Pixel Art Redraw of Cold-Eyed Selkie (2023)

The second MtG redraw/proxy I ever made. To this day I still like how the water animation turned out. :)

Torture

What the vigor of life builds up, agony tears down again.

Moonshadow (Lorwyn Eclipsed No. 0110, Illus. Olivier Bernard)

I've seen multiple instances of this illustration being discussed in MtG Vorthos spaces online (mostly the MtG Vorthos subreddit). The question usually is: Is this elemental supposed to be a reference to Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, or is it in any way related to the Phyrexian invasion of Lorwyn?

It's not hard to see why these thoughts pop up in people's heads. The "humanoid female torso on a long, snaking lower body" silhouette is very similar to Sheoldred's depiction in Dominaria United, and the green "exhaust slits" on the figure's chest, arms and sides make it look somewhat machine-like. Also, the fact that no other greater elemental in Lorwyn Eclipsed or the original blocks has a human component makes this one stand out even more. It feels "special" somehow.

From the Planeswalker's Guide and the flavour texts from the set, we know that some of the Phyrexian invasion's aftereffects are still being felt. This is most pronounced in the Kithkin, some of which were severed from the thoughtweft and are now living in separate groups or on their own as nomads or have their minds woven back into the thoughtweft over long periods of time. We also know that the memory of Phyrexia still haunts Kithkin culture (see Bristlebane Outrider), and the flamekin developed a whole new sub-species of themselves as a result of the invasion.

Considering this, it would not be too strange if the invasion also had some effects on the metaphysical aspects of the plane. Crucially, it has to be noted that unlike Theros, Lorwyn is not a plane where belief directly shapes gods or other greater supernatural beings. But a world-rending on the scale of the Phyrexian invasion probably not only left scars on the inhabitants, but also the plane's metaphysical makeup. As such, Moonshadow could be seen as the greater elemental equivalent of the memories haunting the Kithkin - it's a reflection and an embodiment of the death, destruction and darkness that the invasion caused, even though the reality has passed.

However, I don't think this elemental is supposed to be Sheoldred, another "real Phyrexian", or any sort or substantial foreshadowing. The humanoid part, with the face obscured by a flowing veil, also bears a strong resemblance to Twilight Shepherd from original Shadowmoor. Also, the alternate printing of the card looks a lot less like Sheoldred. If it had been WotC's intent to have this elemental depict a specific character or hint at concrete future development, I'm sure they would have gone for a more consistent Phyrexian-like depiction across both arts, or find a way to sneak in more information about a part of Sheoldred or Phyrexia persisting on this plane somehow.