Thran Technology

Lore & Background

The Brothers' War opens with Urza and Mishra being taken in by the archaeologist Tocasia and raised at an excavation site studying ancient Thran artifacts. Both brothers are gifted, but their rivalry intensifies after they discover two powerful relics: the Mightstone and the Weakstone, which grant opposing abilities. A violent confrontation over these artifacts leads to Tocasia's accidental death and Mishra's flight into exile. Later, Mishra rises to power by controlling ancient war machines, while Urza becomes a master artificer in Kroog.

The war between their factions escalates into decades of brutal warfare, fueled by increasingly destructive technology. In the final battle on Argoth, Urza confronts a transformed, partially mechanical Mishra who has willingly merged with Phyrexian technology. To end the war, Urza detonates the Golgothian Sylex, a device originally created by the Thran artificer Glacian and later modified by Urza. The Sylex's blast interacted with Dominaria's mana, triggering a relatively rapid Ice Age.

Reader's Guide

Thran Technology in The Brothers' War includes the Mightstone and Weakstone, two relics that grant opposing abilities and are central to the brothers' rivalry. Mishra controls ancient war machines, which he uses to rise to power among the Fallaji. The Golgothian Sylex is another Thran artifact, which Urza detonates to destroy Mishra and end the war. These items are excavated from ancient sites studied by Tocasia.

Did You Know?

• The Mightstone and Weakstone were originally created by the Thran as part of a single powerstone that later shattered, not by Urza's powerstone-making process during the Brothers' War.
• Mishra willingly merged with Phyrexian technology; he was not simply under the influence of the demon Gix.