Episode 3 of the Streets of New Capenna story revealed new details behind the origin of the city’s five crime families, gave new artwork for Elspeth and Urabrask, and more.
After working to catalog the various pieces in the Maestros’ museum, Elspeth finally gets an opportunity to prove herself to Xander, the head of the Vampiric family. Xander entrusts Elspeth with a series of jobs, each increasing in risk and importance, as she quickly climbs the ranks of the Maestros.
Elspeth’s missions vary from delivering parcels to tailing informants, and along the way, encounters some of the city’s more unique residents — a gang of Raccoons — possibly the same Raccoon Rogues that Mark Rosewater mentioned in his teaser last week.
It’s on one of these missions that Elspeth also meets Vivien for the first time. Although brief, through their meeting they are able to ascertain that they are both working on the side of the Gatewatch, and promise to meet up again when they have more information.
After completing several missions, Xander rewards Elspeth with an ornate dagger and offers her a taste of the fabled Halo that seems to grip the entire city.
The Halo filled her with strength, with purpose. Her muscles were no longer exhausted, and her senses were sharper. But most impressive was the surge of magic coursing through her, demanding release.
After trying it for herself, Elspeth surmises that Halo, while viewed by many to be a party favor gifted by Angels, was more likely tied to how the plane was able to fend off the Phyrexians.
Despite Xander’s efforts to get Elspeth to fully commit to the Maestros, she simply requests that he provide her with knowledge of the city. Xander reveals that New Capenna was founded by “an unlikely deal, brokered between archangels and demonlords…” the two unlikely factions coming together to repel a greater, common threat. When the Angels became obsessed with defending the plane, the demons joined the fight and “…appointed five families to take over the city in their name, drafting a pact with the head of each family.” Xander reveals that he is one of the original signers of the aforementioned pact, however time and magic have distorted his memories of the events of that time.
With new information in hand, Elspeth accepts one final mission as part of the Maestros — an infiltration of the Cabaretti to confirm the existence of a Font that can provide unlimited Halo. Should she complete this mission, Elspeth would gain full access to Xandar’s archives.
I want access to your archives. I do this last job for you, and no more drip-feeding information. I need all of it. There’s a greater threat out there than the Adversary. I know I will be able to identify that threat if you give me the information I seek.
Today’s story also provided a first look at Urabrask, as well as more glimpses of the city and its inhabitants.
The powerful Phyrexian Praetor resides in the depths of New Capenna, injured by Tezzeret’s Planar Bridge. Urabrask reveals that he has no allegiance to Elesh Norn and wants to topple her regime.
I serve no one, and those I lead wish to be left alone. We do not share Norn’s vision.
Upon meeting, Vivien decides to aid Tezzeret and Urabrask for the time being in order to gain more information and in return, the duo request that Vivien track down and recruit Elspeth.
Streets of New Capenna is scheduled to release on April 29, 2022. View our official preview gallery.