Posted - March 16, 2014



Gruul Adventures 1: The Day of the Pit Keeper





This narrative comes from pitting a slightly modified 'Gruul Wilding' theme deck from the Guildpact set which I call Gruul Wilding Aura Edition (G) against a constructed Mono-Black Deck (B).

Note: Both sides get 40 life each to stretch out the narrative.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) enters. (G40-B40)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) enters. 1 damage. (G40-B39)

A Daggerdrome Imp enters Gruul territory in the deep jungle and a Sparkmage Apprentice kills it with a lightning blast. Alarmed, the Sparkmage summons his allies: the druid known as the Wild Cantor and the Gruul warrior known as the Gruul Scrapper.

Gameplay: Mind Rot(B). Wild Cantor and Gruul Scrapper discarded.

As these Gruuls come to the aid of the Sparkmage, a dark wizard known as the Pit Keeper casts a spell that causes both to get lost in the forest, unable to aid their fellow Gruul.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks . 1 damage + lifelink.(G39-B40)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G39-B39)

Gameplay: Bloodscale Prowler(G) with Bloodthirst 1 enters.

Another Daggerdrome Imp attacks the Sparkmage and kills him. His corpse is found by a Bloodscale Prowler who vows vengeance for his fellow Gruul but at the same time refuses to let fresh meat go to waste. The Prowler swore that his guildmate's blood has made him stronger.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) enters.

The Pit Keeper, who has been casting his spells under cover, steps forth with yet another Daggerdrome Imp in tow.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 1 damage + lifelink. (G38-B40)

Gameplay: Fervent Cathar(G) enters.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage. (G39-B39)

Gameplay: Fervent Cathar(G) attacks. 2 damage. (G38-B37)

The Pit Keeper and the Daggerdrome Imp are seen and confronted by a female Sparkmage Apprentice and a Fervent Cathar. Both launch an attack that repels but does not kill the would-be invaders.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) equipped with Executioner's Hood.

Regrouping, the Pit Keeper puts on the enchanted Executioner's Hood which gives him the ability to paralyze any opponent.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage. (G36-B37)


I want my MTG!

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 1 damage + lifelink. (G35-B38)

At this point, the Bloodscale Prowler joins his companions. The trio is attacked by the Pit Keeper and his Imp. Wounded, the Gruuls fall back into the forest cover.

Gameplay: Fervent Cathar + Fencer's Magemark

The Sparkmage casts a spell on the Cathar, giving the Cathar unnatural strength and speed.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G35-B36)

Gameplay: Bloodscale Prowler(G) attacks. 4 damage.(G35-B32)

Gameplay: Fervent Cathar(G) attacks. 3 damage.(G35-B29)

The Gruuls attack, repelling the Keeper in spite of his Executioner's Hood and killing the Daggerdrome Imp.

Gameplay: Black Oak of Odunos(B) enters.

Outraged, the Pit Keeper retreats to a lonely glade and plants an unholy seed - the Black Oak of Odunos. The tree is made of shadow and souls and is able to 'move' with the Pit Keeper who once again summons another Daggerdrome Imp to his side.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage.(G33-B29)

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 1 damage + lifelink.(G32-B30)

The Imp and the Keeper, backed by the Oak, waylay the Gruuls once more.

Gameplay: Bloodscale Prowler(G) + Beastmaster's Magemark.

The Sparkmage casts another glamour on the Bloodscale Prowler, adding to his strength. The Gruuls go on the offensive.

Gameplay: Fervent Cathar(G) attacks. 4 damage.(G32-B26)

Gameplay: Bloodscale Prowler(G) attacks. 5 damage.(G32-B21)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G32-B20)

Gameplay: Assassin's Strike(B). Destroy target creature.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage.(G30-B20)

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 1 damage + lifelink.(G29-B21)

During the melee, the Keeper kills the Bloodscale Prowler. The Imp also does damage to the Gruuls.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) enters.

The druid known as the Gatherer of Graces joins the fray.

Gameplay: Fervent Cather(G) attacks. 4 damage. Blocked by the Black Oak of Odunos.

The Fervent Cathar, his strength nearly double, is foiled by the shadowy Black Oak of Odunos which springs up in front of him.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G29-B20)

The Sparkmage Apprentice manages to wound the Keeper with her lightning.

Gameplay: Launch Party(B). 2 damage + destroy creature.(G27-B20)

Suddenly the sky grows dark and shadows deepen in the trees, then sound like the wind rushing is heard, then a fiery trail winds its way through the trees at the head of which is a ghastly apparition laughing and slamming into the Cathar. Both disappear in a fiery blaze.

Gameplay: Nyxborn Eidolon(B) enters.

Then more shadows gather into a shimmering darkness. the Nyxborn Eidolon appears, a ghostly form among the trees. The Keeper laughs as his allies manifest.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage.(G25-B20)

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 1 damage + lifelink.(G24-B21)

The Keeper and the Imp attack as one, scattering the Gruuls.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) + Fists of Ironwood. Creates 2 Saprolings.

Gameplay: Enter two Saprolings.

The druid known as the Gatherer of Graces raises her arms and summons two Saprolings to the defense.

Gameplay: Saprolings(G) attack. 2 damage. (G24-B19)

The Saprolings attack the Imp and kills it.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) attacks. 3 damage. Blocked by Black Oak of Odunos.

The Gatherer is restrained by the shadowy branches of the Black Oak.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage. (G24-B18)

The Sparkmage Apprentice once again wounds the Pit Keeper.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp + Nyxborn Eidolon

As another Daggerdrome Imp flies in, the Nyxborn Eidolon combines with it and enchants it and the Imp triples in size.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 3 damage + lifelink. (G21-B21)

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage. (G19-B21)

The giant Daggerdrome Imp and the Pit Keeper attack and wound their opponents.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) + Beastmaster's Magemark

Meanwhile, the Sparkmage Apprentice casts her magic on herself. Casting the Beastmaster's Magemark to make herself stronger.

Gameplay: Saprolings(G) attack. 2 damage. (G19-B19)

The Saprolings attack and wound the Daggerdrome Imp.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) attack. 3 damage. Blocked by Black Oak of Odunos.

The Gatherer of Graces cannot escape the restraining branches of the Black Oak of Odunos.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 2 damage. (G19-B17)

The Sparkmage hits the Pit Keeper with her lightning.

Gameplay: Syphon Soul(B) 2 damage + lifelink. (G17-B19)

The Pit Keeper casts an enchantment that drops the Sparkmage to the ground - weakened.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 3 damage + lifelink. (G14-B22)

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage. (G12-B22)

Gameplay: Gruul Scrapper(G) enters.

The Daggerdrome Imp and the Pit Keeper continue their onslaught as a Gruul Scrapper appears.

Gameplay: Saprolings(G) attack. 2 damage.(G12-B20)

The Saprolings continue their struggle with the Daggerdrome Imp but they cannot kill the giant creature.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) attacks. 3 damage. Blocked by Black Oak of Odunos.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 2 damage. (G12-B18)

The Sparkmage Apprentice hits the Imp with her lighting bolt but cannot kill it.

Gameplay: Steal Strength(B) is cast +1 to Daggerdrome Imp, -1 to Sparkmage Apprentice.

The Keeper chants a dark spell that strengthens his allies and weakens his foes.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 4 damage + lifelink. (G8-B22)

The giant Imp frees itself from the Saprolings and attacks - scattering the Gruuls.

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage. (G6-B22)

The Pit Keeper wounds the Sparkmage.

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) enters. 1 damage.(G6-B21)

Another Sparkmage Apprentice appears and attempts to free the Gatherer of Graces from the branches of the Black Oak of Odunos, to no avail.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) attack. 3 damage. Blocked by Black Oak of Odunos.

Gameplay: Saprolings(G) attack. 2 damage.(G6-B19)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G6-B18)

Gameplay: Gruul Scrapper(G) attacks. 3 damage.(G6-B15)

The Gruuls launch a desperate attack that throws back their adversaries.

Gameplay: Rakdos Drake(B) enters.

Gameplay: Daggerdrome Imp(B) attacks. 3 damage + lifelink. (G3-B18)

Gameplay: Pit Keeper(B) attacks. 2 damage. (G1-B18)

A Rakdos Drake joins the Pit Keeper's band. They attack and the Gruuls fall back.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) enters.

A new druid appears on the side of the Gruuls.

Gameplay: Gatherer of Graces(G) attack. 3 damage. Blocked by Black Oak of Odunos.

Gameplay: Saprolings(G) attack. 2 damage.(G1-B16)

Gameplay: Gruul Scrapper(G) attacks. 3 damage.(G1-B13)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 1 damage.(G1-B12)

Gameplay: Sparkmage Apprentice(G) attacks. 2 damage.(G1-B10)

Gameplay: Rakdos Drake(B) attacks. 1 damage.(G0-B10)

The Gruuls regroup and attack but the appearance and assault of the Rakdos Drake finally sends them fleeing to the forest defeated.

The Pit Keeper has come to this place to obtain some rare ingredients for his magics and is finally able to do so without Gruul opposition.


I want my MTG!