We’re back on the rails again with another Tarkir Month Cube Engineers Special! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites a fellow Tarkir enjoyer, Safra, to discuss the history of Tarkir and how the world has changed across time streams and visits. They talk about the relationship between the Clans and their real-life cultural inspirations, the characters of Tarkir, and compare and contrast the “great man” theory of history with materialist analysis as it applies to fantasy stories. We also introduce the first Cube Engineers design contest: A Good Omen!

All aboard!

Contest Rules

Prompt:Design a custom creature card, preferably a Dragon, with an Omen.Main Regulations:–The card must be a Creature and have an Omen, either Instant or Sorcery.–The card does not need to have a render with art, but should contain all relevant mana costs, card types, spell names, text, power, and toughness.–While the card does not need to be a dragon, cards featuring dragons will be favored.–All submissions should be posted on the Riptidelab Forum thread or sent to TrainmasterGT on Discord. Forum thread submissions are preferred.Judging:The following panel of Judges will select the winner:@TrainmasterGT@Safra@Chris TaylorDeadline: May 28th, 2025The contest winner will receive a special prize (roughly $10-$20 USD in value), to be announced at a later date!

Full rules and regulations can be found on the Riptidelab forum post!

Show Notes

Sharzad V4 Cube

Yurts

Gerry Thompson’s Design Article about Khans of Tarkir Development

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S Franchise

David Graeber’s Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Ephemera Podcast

Cards Mentioned

Marang River Regent

Sift

Treasure Cruise

Monastery Mentor

Force of Will

Daze

Stubborn Denial

Death’s Shadow

The Dragonlords

Dragon Hunter

Silhana Ledgewalker

Siege Rhino

Ensoul Artifact

Call the Spirit Dragons (The Stormnexus Ritual but on a card)

Vizzerdrix

New Siege Cycle

Taigam, Master Opportunist

Humble Defector

Dalkovan Packbeasts

Sonic Shrieker

Voice of Victory

Avenger of the Fallen

See the Unwritten

Rattleclaw Mystic

Dragonback Assault

Sarkhan the Dragonspeaker

Sarkhan Unbroken

Narset, Enlightened Master

Time Warp

Time Stretch

Ugin Cards

Roiling Dragonstorm

Special thanks to Safra for being the guest in the episode!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com