Dominaria

In The Gathering, Dominaria is a The Gathering) where many other planes intersect (the Dominian Nexus). Also known as the "Song of Dominia", Dominaria has 2.5 times the surface area of the Earth, but is mostly covered in oceans. Notable continents include Terisiare, setting of the Brothers' War and Ice Age, Corondor, Jamuraa, Shiv, and Aerona (also known as the Domains), as well as the island of Urborg.

Aerona

Aerona, also known as the Domains, is a continent on the western hemisphere of Dominaria. Six thousand miles east of Terisiare. A handful of continents surrounded by thousands of islands. Some locations include:

Avenant

An island north of Benalia, Avenant is almost impossible to approach as it is fiercely protected by an army of female archers and ballista. It once formed a part of Benalia, but was lost after an insult by an unwise Joryev Clanleader. Others say it was a Ternsev leader who fell in love with an Avenant prince's daughter. She did not take well to her kidnapping, and neither did her father. Avenant is a Matriarchy led by a suzeraine. Avenant's archers are also trained as poets, so that each arrow is guided by a fragment of verse.

Benalia

Benalia is a militaristic nation in Aerona. The empire lies on the continent Aerona, bordered by the Hurloon Mountains/Red Iron Mountains/Ironclaw Mountains in the east and the Llanowar Forest in the Southeast. It's located east of the Spice Isles, south of Avenant Isle, and north of Andros Bay and the Kb'Briann Highlands. This empire formed after the Ice Age, growing from the ashes of the Sheoltun Empire, equally militaristic and bent on expansion. It controls the Spice Isles and Terisiare. Benalia was founded by Torsten von Ursus. After his years among the Hurloon Minotaurs, he stumbled upon the blighted city of Benfosa which was a perfect place to implement his gathered wisdom and philosophies. He took up the reins of the great Horse Civilization and guided the ancestors of Benalia out of the ruins of the once-great Sheoltun Empire. Torsten chose the name Benalia, which means aspiration, proclaiming its intent to rule the world. Using sometimes-brutal tactics he brought an entire nation into being using nothing more than the force of his will and the brutal charisma of the natural leader. After succeeding in much of his goal, he died at the age of seventy-two, leaving behind the legendary Lost Edict, proclaiming that none of his seven lieutenants would follow him up as sole ruler of Benalia.

Benalia City

The seaport Benalia is characterized by the Seven Pillars, representing the seven ruling clans (Rosecot, Deniz, Tarmula, Ternsev, Capashen (notable for being the clan of Gerrard Capashen, the main character of the Weatherlight storyline), Joryev and Croger (Duelist online). It has a caste system that changes with the lunar year; the seven clans each rule a different division of the empire each year. The capital has a population exceeding 200,000 and is the largest city in Aerona. The most popular religion is the Church of Angelfire, of which over one fifth of all Benalkin identify themselves as members of. This is due to its similarity to the Church of The Gathering), which worshipped a planeswalker named Serra, whose worship was condemned in Benalia. During the Phyrexian The Gathering) Benalia was the first nation victimized by Tsabo Tavoc's specialized killers.

Durkwood

Durkwood is a verdant region between Llanowar and Benalia, where many wild boars and other animals reside.

Foriys

Domain of uncertain location. Home to monstrous two-headed giants and brigades of soldiers.

The Green Lands

Home of the Windseeker Centaur.

Hammerheim

A mountain fortress that stands as a crossroads in the Domains, making whoever controls Hammerheim the very person who controls the flow of trade. Birthplace of Bartel Runeaxe.

The Honeyed Sea

The sea bordering the 'Green Lands'.

Hurloon

Hurloon is a mountainous nation north of Llanowar and east of Benalia. The Hurloon Mountains, part of the metal rich Red Iron Mountains, are mostly known for its habitation by hairy tattooed Minotaurs. Torsten von Ursus' belief that these minotaurs were more than savage beasts was revolutionary at the time (and still is among the less educated). Von Ursus studied minotaur philosophy in the Hurloon Mountains for several years.

Ironclaw Mountains

Home to the Ironclaw orcs, goblins and scattered dwarven clans, this relatively mineral rich mountain range forms the northeastern edge of central South Aerona

Kb'Briann Highlands

Region once controlled by the Order of the Closed Fist. South of Benalia.

Keld

A warrior nation in the cold north of Aerona, neighbouring Parma. Keld is led by a system of warlords. The Keldons are known as a warloving race and as such have had war campaigns throughout Dominaria. Maraxus of Keld was a renegade Keldon warlord. Led by the Tolarian renegade Gatha, who had transformed the Keldons in living fighting-machines, Keld invaded Jamuraa.

Skyshroud

Skyshroud was a dark place, where elves and various beasts resided. After the planar overlay, the Skyshroud Forest of Rath ends up in Keld.

Kush

Nation of uncertain location, primarily known for its festival

Estark

Estark is the Festival City

Llanowar

Gigantic lush forest region in South Aerona, southeast of Benalia. It ranges in width from several hundred miles to over a thousand miles at its widest point. This haunted forest is peopled by the Llanowar Elves, fierce beings who are outcasts among elvenkind. The Redwood Treefolk live in the heart of Llanowar. The forest is known to goblins as the Forest of Death. Mirri, a cat-warrior who was trained in magic together with Gerrard lived for a while in the Llanowar Forest.

Some scholars claim it is the tremendous size of the forest that has long protected the Llanowar elves, but although it is quite vast indeed, it is not in anyway unique in its size. The elves in Llanowar divide themselves into tribes, or elfhames. There are seven of these elven kingdoms contained within the forest realm. Each elfhame has a distinct populace, territory, leadership and social structure. Although most of them get along with one another, there is occasional strife between them. Since the Ice Age the Llanowar have had to protect their forest from the ravages of outsiders seeking precious firewood. Though they do have some contact with their neighbours, they have done a remarkable job of keeping other peoples and cultures from influencing their home. They maintain a strict belief, grounded in religion, that they must keep some distance from other peoples in order to retain their mystical connection to nature and their forest home. The Llanowar and the Shanodin Dryads share a deep respect and connection despite the tremendous distance (several thousand miles) between their forests.

With the help of Freyalise the Llanowar managed to keep their cultures intact throughout even the most difficult of times. This isolationist philosophy is taken to its most extreme by the Order of the Steel Leaf, a select cadre of Llanowar said to have been brought together by the Freyalise herself. The beautiful half-elven planeswalker is considered a goddess by the elves of Llanowar, who are unaware of her heritage. The Steel Leaf are zealous to maintain the purity of Llanowar. Any non-Llanowar entering their territory risks his life. They have even been known to direct their isolationist zeal against other Llanowar. A legendary Llanowar Elf was Lord Magnus.

During the Phyrexian The Gathering) all Llanowar rallied around Eladamri's banner and united in his name.

Loridalh

Loridalh is one of the Llanowar elfhames, with buildings created out of living wood.

Hedressel

Hedressel is a sacred place in the Llanowar Forest, inhabited by the Llanowar Druids, who are led by Cedrian

Pendelhaven

Location where the oldest tree of Llanowar stands.

Mirtiin

A radical xenophobic nation of minotaurs, sister nation of Stahaan

Nalathni

Home of the Nalathni Dragon

Olesia

The Olesian are allies of the Nalathni Dragons. They fought together against Mons’ Goblin Raiders (Card: Nalathni Dragon)

Oneah

An island north of Shanodin. There isn't much known about Oneah. Sometimes Onean scholars, clerics or soldiers are quoted on cards.

Orvada Empire

A merchant empire rivaling Benalia in trade.

Parma

One of the northern Domains, neighbouring Keld. Home to the Northern Paladins.

Red Iron Mountains

Metal rich mountains in the Domains. East of Benalia. The Hurloon Mountains form part of the Red Iron Mountains.

Savaea

A forest that is of the Savaen Elves, which are magical elves with the power to disenchant.

Shanodin

Shanodin is forrested island in the eastern domains, south of Oneah. Dryads are fairly common within its borders.

Sheoltun

Former military state in Central Aerona. Its most famed administrator was Tobias Andrion. He was instrumental in establishing the young empire's military dominance over its neighbors. But his true legacy to central Aerona was his successful campaign to eliminate the longstanding organized piracy in the region. Although Sheoltun already held the mainland with an iron grip when Tobias was born, it was not yet established on the islands. He battled the pirates of the Spice Isles over a course of three decades. After his death the might of Sheoltun eventually declined, and it was succeeded by Benalia.

Stahaan

One of the Domains, and home to a radical xenophobic nation of minotaurs. it is also known to be the sister nation of Mirtiin, and is notorious for its crusades.

Spice Isles

Domains west of Benalia. Reigned by pirates before they were conquered by the Sheoltun Empire. Later controlled by Benalia.

Sursi

A large plateau in southern Aerona, Sursi is home to a race of pegasi.

Uthden

A lush land known for its giant and powerful trolls.

Verdura

A large beautiful Island in the southern Domains, covered with forests and woodlands. The inhabitants of Verdura, mostly female, originated from all over Dominiaria. The Verduran Enchantresses, competent spellcasters who specialize in enchantment and transformation, live in small inland villages. They have devoted their lives to the avatar of Verdura, a decidedly female entity of great power whose true name is known only to those sworn to the Verduran Order. They are sometimes hired as mercenaries, but they come high in price, and are usually paid in land and holdings. Males and those who seek plunder and violence are treated with no respect. The Verduran males live in trading villages at the coast and are forbidden to travel inland upon threat of death.

Wrenna

Country northeast of the Hurloon Mountains and Benalia. Home to the legendary knights of Jenges and Torsten von Ursus. Ruled by a terrible mage.

The Burning Isles

A highly volcanic archipelago north of Jamuraa, the Burning Isles are notorious for their habitation by panther warriors, nightstalkers, embermages and necromancers. A dozen lords, very powerful entities, all claim dominion.

Bogardan

Among the most volcanic regions on Dominaria, the creatures and tribes that inhabit Bogardan are as volatile as the land itself. Many embermages hail from Bogardan. Bogardan once was at war with the hellish demesne of Urborg, controlled by the lich Nevinyrral. In contrast to Urborg's jungles, Bogardan is predominantly arid and riddled with volcanoes. The air is often choked with cinders and the night sky glows a dull red. Most of Bogardan's settlements are beside the meager rivers that flow through two canyons across the land. Many of the cultures are primitive, enthusiastically sacrificing both kin and strangers to the volcanoes they perceive to be gods. Bogardan is the second most powerful site of red mana on Dominiaria (Shiv being the first). Several portals to the plane of Wildfire exist, but the Emberwilde Order has made no move into Bogardan for fear of insulting the powerful entities that reside in its depths. While these entities remain unidentified, it is believed they influence Bogardan's burgeoning population of canines, from the proverbial Beast to Lava Hounds to dozens more mundane and magical species.

Urborg

A large tropical and particularly marshy isle and its satellites. Urborg is known for being one of the regions with the most concentrated amounts of Black mana on Dominaria. Urborg's more powerful witches and necromancers are constantly in a power struggle of control over the island. Some of the most famous denizens of Urborg are the lich Nevinyrral, Gwendlyn Di Corci, Lord Windgrace, Kaervek, Gallowbraid, Morinfen and Crovax. Crosis, the Purger is the primeval dragon from Urborg.

Legend has it that Urborg was once only the name of a city upon the isle. This hellish demesne was controlled by the lich Nevinyrral, who was at war with Bogardan. Little is known of the war, as it predates the Ice Age, but legend states that Nevinyrral was outmaneuvered and the city of Urborg was swallowed by a volcano that tore up from the ground directly beneath it. Nevinyrral's last act was to use his famous disk to deny his enemies any of the magical trove that might survive the flames.

Modern Urborg is ruled by several horrors, many claiming to be Nevinyrral's undying lieutenants. Each one asserts that the site of the original city exists within its borders, and this ancient contention has split the land in many factions.

The Breathstealers are an ancient cult of fanatical religious assassins from Urborg. Known for their ability to kill with complete accuracy and utter silence. After the end of the Jamuran war, the Breathstealers have been insinuating themselves into Suq'Atan society. Only the Breathstealers guild is said to possess both the knowledge and the desire to summon the dreaded Spirit of the Night. They worship this Spirit. It is the ultimate honor for a Breathstealer to sacrifice himself to become a part of the Spirit of the Night made manifest. They can work minor magics, including controlling certain creatures.

Urborg was a major battlefield during the The Gathering), in which the Phyrexian The Gathering) was transplanted to Urborg during the Rathi The Gathering).

Steel

The third of the three islands that make up the archipelago. It was once completely taken over by phyrexian machines.

Caliman

Caliman is an island far to the south in Dominiaria. It is the setting for Portal Second Age. Most of the civilized races use both magic and technology. Caliman is the only place on Dominiaria where handguns have been invented and are in use.

Alaborn

Alaborn is a highly advanced human kingdom on Caliman’s southern plains. The capital is Trokin, a town famous for its festival. Alaborn's peaceful existence came to an end when they encountered the goblins of the mountains. They also battle the swamp queen Tojira.

The Talas

The Talas are the merchants and pirates from the west of Caliman. They dominate the seas and islands, and control some timber towns and port towns. They harvest featherwood from the elven forests

Norwood

Norwood is the elven forest that covers much of the north part of Calimas.

Dakmor

Dakmor is a ruined Thran city that is hidden in the salt marshes, home of the swamp queen Tojira. Many dark beings come from Dakmor, including mounted human warriors and sorceresses and creatures, including scorpions and bats.

Corondor

Corondor is a continent a few thousand miles east of the Domains, bordered by the Golthonorian Sea. It was the setting of the Planeswalker War storyline, which is told in the comics (The Shadow Mage) and the arcade-style The Gathering Video Games computer game by Acclaim. A planeswalker named Ravidel uses an artifact known as the Mox Beacon to lure other planeswalkers to Corondor. He traps them there and forces them to battle until they were weak enough to be killed individually. There were six planeswalkers - three Conquerors, who wanted to take over Corondor for themselves (one of them is Sandruu), and three Defenders, who defended the land from the Conquerors. In the wake of that war Corondor has fallen on hard times .

Corondor was also the homeland of the wizard Mangara

Minorad

Minorad was a city in the northeast of the continent of Corondor. Refuge for survivors after the Ice Age and the breaking up of Terisiare. It became a centre of learning. In the year 1 (according to the mages of Minorad), inspired by the teachings of Taysir of Rabiah, there was a summit of mages and planeswalkers who swore to protect the world and its inhabitants. Participants were: Emberec the ashen warlord, Liana of Minorad, Kristina of the Woods, Altair of Coloni and Grenfell of Golthonor. The Summit was disturbed by the Wargod Ravidel who threatened to destroy the world with the Golgothian Sylex. As the leader Kristina surrendered, Emberec immediately left. After the Mages promised not to interfere with Ravidel they were banned from Minorad, so that the city could go on undisturbed for almost 1300 years. Exactly 1276 years later Ravidel broke his promise, he returned and destroyed the city and western Corondor in search for the moxes which would help him to recall his master Taysir. (comics)

Arathoxia

City in southwest Corondor, destroyed by Ravidel

Golthonor

Region on the coast of Corondor. Famous for its sandseas and salt-marshes. Home of Grenfell and Embereck.

The Rift

In The Rift of Golthonor stand monoliths which are used for Duels of planeswalkers. One of these is the monolith of Piru, named after a Legendary Elder Dragon.

Hamath

City on the border of the Plains of Urlan on the western side of the Tenamis River. Reigned by the Guides and the seeress Kadesha

Plains of Coloni

Home of Altair

Plains of Urlan

Stonehaven

Region in western Corondor, ruled by Ravidel.

Ephren

City in Stonehaven. Birthplace of Jared Carthalion. Location of Ravidel's castle and the first battle between Jared and Ravidel.

Salt Marshes

Khone Keep

Home to a House of Rulers that included Sol'Kanar the Swamp King and Geyadrone Dihara

White Woods of Casindral

Region in Corondor. Refuge for the Quirion Elves. Here Mangara won the loyalty of the Quirion.

Corundis

Island-kingdom in the Golthonorian Sea, near Corondor. Grenfell was adviser of its queen. (Comics)

Telemar

City of bridges, between Golthonor and the Islands of Corundis. Birthplace of Gwendolynn.

Etlan Shiis

A Vodalian merfolk colony in the sea west of the Domains. The name means Freedom's Warmth in Vodalian tongue, but became corrupted into Atlantis by the sea-faring human merchants they traded with. The lowly artisan caste had once been treated well within Vodalian society, but as Vodalia turned its eye towards imperial conquest, military and political skills became more important than sheer craftsmanship. Unappreciated and discriminated against, the artisan class sought and was granted the right to start a new colony that, by mutual agreement, would be located far away from the Imperial government that was oppressing them.

Jamuraa

Jamuraa is an Africa-like supercontinent on Dominaria. About two thousand miles south of Corondor. See: Jamuraa

Otaria

Otaria is a continent about the size of Australia on Dominaria. It was first introduced in the Odyssey expansion, and the The Gathering storylines is set in Otaria up to the Scourge expansion.

The main organizations on Otaria are The Order, The Mer Empire, the Cabal, the Pardic Barbarians, and the Krosan Forest.

Daru Plains

The Daru Plains are the plains where the Order nomads and refugees from after the Mirari's destructive wake traverse and live.

Mer Empire

The Mer Empire is the empire that rules the oceans around Otaria. They are led by creatures called Cephalids, who are like intelligent squids who can be powerful magic users. The most prominent figure (in the books) from the Mer Empire is the outcast merfolk Laquatus. He is the Mer ambassador on the continent. Throughout the books, he attempts to gain control of the Mirari, and is constantly having his plans thwarted by his emperor, Aboshan, and Kamahl, the barbarian. He finally meets his end with Kamahl's sword, which is imbued with power from the Mirari.

Krosan Forest

Krosa is a large forest in the center of Otaria. It is home to many beasts.

Pardic Mountains

The Pardic Mountains are a group of mountains in western Otaria. They are home to a number of barbarians and dwarves.

Sarpadia

Sarpadia is a small continent south of the equator of Dominiaria, and once the location of five developed empires, which fell after the disastrous climatic changes in the wake of the Brother's War. It was the setting of the Fallen Empires set and is the home of planeswalker Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools. A few contemporary scholars claim to have visited the continent, and they talk of monstrosities ruling over inhuman kingdoms (Card: Brassclaw Orcs 5th). The sages of New Argive have yet to pluck up the courage to mount a full expedition.

Citadel of the Ebon Hand

The black Sarpadian Empire. Cult in the western swamps of Icatia, founded by Tourach, worshipping the Dark Judge/Ebon Praeter/Ebon Hand. There are intriguing similarities between the Order and Icatia's Leitbur religion, suggesting the two had a common origin (Card:Order of the Ebon Hand). Tourach's power was such that his followers deified him after his death (Card:Hymn to Tourach). Dedicated to the principles of Tourach, members of the Order of the Ebon Hand Demonstrated their devotion with grisly rituals (Card: Order of the Ebon Hand). many initiates sacrificed a hand to become full members of the Order (Card:Initiates of the Ebon Hand). Non-human races could also be initiates. Endrek Sahr bred the Thrulls for the Order. In the end these started the Thrull Rebellion under the leadership of the Thrull Wizards and Champions. The Order's counter-insurgency under the leadership of Jherana Rure had no effect. In the end the thrulls destroyed both the Order of the Ebon Hand and Icatia.

Achtep Keep

Achtep Keep is the capital of the Order of the Ebon Hand

Tourach's Gate

Dwarven Cities of the Crimson Peaks

Red Empire of walled city-states. Its real name is sadly lost. It was overrun by Orcs and goblins, and the first Empire to fall.

Gurn Keep

One of the Dwarven Cities

Havenwood

The green Forest Empire, dotted with villages and fortresses. The Elves never had a standing army, when battle came, they pressed Hunters, Scouts and Farmers into a surprisingly effective army. Havenwood was destroyed by Thallids and Homarids

Icatia

The white empire, ruled by king Henry Joseph I. The strongest and most advanced empire of Sarpadia, with a banking system and chosen leaders. Icarians worship the Hand of Justice. Threatened from the inside by the zealot Farrell, but at last destroyed by the Thrulls, Orcs and Goblins.

Windenby

Capital of Icata

Montford

Icatian Bordertown, location of a battle lost by the orcs

Trokair

Icatian city destroyed by the Thrulls,

Vodalia

The blue empire. Vodalia was a large military regime centered in the ocean around Sarpadia. The Vodalian social structure was extremely hierarchical. When they began to notice its waters becoming cooler with each passing year, the Royal Mages were able to determine that the world had suffered a great injury during the Brother's War, and that the world was sliding into a period of lasting cold. At the same time the Vodalian Empire was eroded by continual assaults by the Homarids. With the death of their Emperor, the cooling of their environment, and the constant threat of the Homarids, the demoralized and exhausted survivors, led by Empress Galina III, began to evacuate Vodalia for the colony Etlan Shiis. Dromar, the Banisher is the Primeval dragon from Vodalia.

Shiv

Homeland of the Viashino and the Shivan Dragon. It lies on the northeastern part of the string of continents of which Jamuraa also forms a part. An inhospitable volcanic landmass, Shiv sits in a deep-ocean Ring of Fire which fuels the coastal waters to near boiling point. Only the Viashino know the secrets of how to navigate these inhospitable waters, much to the ire of the Shivans. Shiv is the most powerful source of red mana on Dominiaria. The planeswalker Teferi phased out a large part of Shiv to secure it against Yawgmoth's invasion of Dominaria. Shiv was also the location where Urza discovered the mana rig, a huge installation which could manufacture powerstones. With the help of the viashino and goblins this enabled him to create the Legacy. Darigaaz, the Igniter was the primeval dragon of Shiv.

Terisiare

Terisiare is a large continent. It is seen in several different times stretching several thousand years, with differing politics each time. Throughout Dominarian History, several important nations were located on Terisiare, such as the Thran Empire, Argive and Kjeldor. See Terisiare.

Tolaria

Tolaria is a legendary Island, home to Hanna, Barrin and Ertai. Most people think of Tolaria as a myth- a land of great wealth that was lost to an unknown curse that covered the island in terrible, devouring mists. For centuries sailors have told the tales of that land, of people who entered the isle's interior only to return weeks later without any knowledge of the time that had passed ... or worse still, of people gone for hours but aged years.

Lotus Vale

At the very heart of Tolaria lies the mysterious Lotus Vale, where grow the powerful Black Lotus blossoms. It is guarded by an anonymous order of wizards led by Barrin.

Pendrell Vale

Known for its Tabernacle, mists and drakes

The Tolarian Academy

Founded by Urza in order to learn to travel back in time to meet the Thran. Staffed with the best and brightest mages he could find. At the same time he issued an island-wide ban on adult visitors. Urza guided all manner of time-travel experiments, ultimately resulting in disastrous explosion which flooded the entire island with temporal distortions. Barely half the academy's population survived. However, the academy was rebuilt and continued to teach and train.

Legendary locations

Some locations are only known from legends, myths and folktales. It is unknown when and where they existed.

Aerath

Aerathi children who show promise are left to survive for a year in the wilderness. Those who return are shown the way of the Berserker.

Akron

Famous for its legionnaires

Caverns of Despair

Craw

Craw is a forest in Dominaria, and is known to be the home of Giants and Wurms, among many other creatures.

Crookshank

Crookshank is a mountain that is infested by kobolds.

Eberyn

Region ruled by the Eberyn Militia of Sir Shandlar

El-Abar

The site of a castle that was destroyed by dwarves, owned by a man called Najib

Gal-Shan

Location of a famous battle

Karakas

A country reigned by peace. Ruled by Angus MacKenzie.

Kry

known for its shields

Osai

Known for its vultures

Quarum Plains

Region plagued by Trench Gnomes

Radjan

Known for its spirits

Rainbow Vale

In the feudal days of Icatia, finding the Vale was often the goal of Knights' quests (Card: Rainbow Vale)

Seafarers' Quay

Shelk

Known for the Shelkin brownies

Shimia

Known for the Shimian Nightstalkers

The moons of Dominaria

There are two moons in the sky of Dominiaria (Cards: Seeds of Innocense, Gravebane, Mirage Swamp, Everglades, Bad Moon, Mistmoon Griffin, Morinfen).

The Mist Moon

The big moon is called the Mist Moon because it is constantly shrouded in the mists of its murky atmosphere. There are griffins living on this moon.

The Null Moon

The small moon is called the Glimmer Moon or Null Moon. This is an artificial satellite, its builders unknown, but believed to have existed long before the Brother's War. On this moon the planes frequently meet. During the Rathi Invasion, Gerrard Capashen used the white mana contained within the Null Moon to shoot down Yawgmoth.

Pearl Moon

The moon Worshipped by the Vodalians. Sylvens moon.

Magic: The Gathering planes | Magic: The Gathering storylines | Magic: The Gathering