In the very epicenter of Theros, lies the resting place of the most violent and powerful tyrant the world had ever know. Krallesh, the black wing of oblivion. In the center of his final monument of rot, The Bog of black hearts, stood a cottage. And traveling to this cottage was one who sought to outdo the terror that was Krallesh, Khan Scazzven. As he was known in the cards, the shadowed conqueror.

The swamp was filled with all manner of terrible, and wretched monsters who's souls were as depraved as the environment that surrounded them. They all laid low and whimpered as the Conqueror passed. His self imposed crusade of conquest had gone unchallenged for years. No one on Theros could halt him or his armies... he hoped. For weeks a nervousness had plagued the Khan. His riches were too high, his armies too powerful, his foes too weak. Nothing was ever ment to go this smoothly for so long, to Scazzven and the people of the tundra this was a harsh rule of life.

So he set out for answers. Of his war across Theros, he never intended to enter Krallesh's grave. The Khan fears not death or defeat, no. All of the fear in his heart was reserved for the Dragon lord Krallesh. Yet he needed answers, and for his victory he would brave his fears.

As he enters the center of Black Heart bog, no the center of Theros itself, he sees the cottage the only source of light and fire for miles. He walks up to the door, hand on the hilt of his sword and a spell on his lips just in case. He throws open the door and sitting at a simple wooden table, is a wizened old woman petting a hairless cat curled up in her lap. She speaks in a voice as old and cracked as dried leather, "The cards make you out shorter, and they don't catch your eyes, what a peculiar color."

"You were expecting me then." Scazzven answered. He spoke not as a question, but as a simple statement of facts. "If I couldn't see you coming, then I would be completely useless to you wouldn't I?" "Then you know my purpose. You will give me my answers then." She scoffed at this. "Not happily. Still I have seen this meeting go thousands of ways. In none of them do I seem to win. Most I wind up helping you anyways. So let's make this painless shall we?" Scazzven nodded and took the seat across from the oracle. 

He then asked his first question of the night, "Truly oracle of Black Heart, is there any force in all the world who can defeat me and my forces?" She takes a deep breath before answering. "Non alone. Yet when I hold several cards in my hand... they feel warm while your card grows cold." He leans forward rapt with attention. "Who are they?"

She spreads seven large tarot cards across the table, and starts flipping them over naming them off. The first features An ominous black mass with eyes of fire, there is an empty area where the heart belongs, it floats above it surrounded by a golden halo. "The Innocent Devil" the next card is flipped revealing an armored figure traveling a road, in tow are bound criminals, and in the background a village burns. "The Wandering Knight" Next one is turned and underneath is the mural of a beautiful forest glade, there are animals one would expect to see in such an environment, they are all bowing to a huge set of primal looking eyes staring out of the shadows. "The Great Beast" Fourth depicts a young girl amid a find of flowers they are turned towards her as if listening to her secrets, there is no color at all to the picture only white and black. "The Blind Sorcerer" She then turns a card featuring a massive tome hovering over a blue sea, it is open to the Sun which is shown as a blazing eye. "The Bright Eyed Scholar" Nearing the end of the table she flips the sixth card, showing the night sky clear of all clouds and blazing with stars, yet there is a black emptiness in the center, a figure stands below this scene blindfolded with a look of terror. "The Star Seeker" She turns the final card with the image of a weeping gray skinned man he is surrounded by trees with Vershult writing, they are healthy and in full bloom, yet there is no soil, only a sea of skulls. "The Silent Martyr" there is silence in the room. 

She is the first to break it, "If these men and women were to gather, then their strength and powers could be used to defeat you and your army." He asks her, "Who are they? How will they fight me?" "I do not have anymore answers for you! You'll have to figure that out yourself, as will they I suspect. Now be off with you I grow weary of dooming the world." Scazzven stands up with a huff. "Know this old woman nothing is truly fixed! I will find and vanquish these strangers! I will have my victory!" And with that he left her cottage to go make preparations for his war. 

Hours later the old woman can be heard muttering an incantation. Upon it's completion her cat lept from her lap and let out a pained hiss. He began a painful transformation as he grew and stretched until an adult man stood in the cottage. He was dark haired with a tan one would expect from a sailor. His face was almond shaped and his eyes were two colors, one a bright green the other a blazing gold. He stretched and loudly complained in a lifting accented voice, "Well that's is always unpleasant! Could you at least warn me before you do that?" The woman ordered him, "Kufue, I swear you like being a cat far more than as a man!" He responded, "Well... you never make me do anything when i'm like that. And when your nervous you scratch behind my ears, which is truly quite enjoyable." "And you shut up for a change! Pay attention thief!" The old crone snapped back. "You saw what I saw! You know that man is more than capable of destroying this entire world. This hand of cards are all we have to prevent that. Years ago you made the fool mistake of stealing from me! You saw the cards, find them whoever they are and bring them here! Do this and I will count your debt repaid. Now get vermin we have work to do!" 

A short time later Kufue had packed a bag and set out the door. The die had been cast, and the hand of fate had been played.