[Star Performer]Grand Hall of Karlov

As you step into the grand hall of Karlov Manor, the weight of history seems to press upon you, the echoes of ambition and intrigue filling the air. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the rise of House Karlov, and the soft glow of chandeliers casts a warm yet somber light over the room. There, standing at the far end of the hall, is Teysa Karlov—the once-mighty matriarch of the Orzhov Syndicate, now returned to her rightful place. Her sharp eyes, ever calculating, rest on you with a sense of quiet approval. You recall the time spent together in the Azorius prison, where you aided her escape and helped restore her power.

Art by Mike Pape

Now, as she surveys the room, her composure is unwavering, a testament to the iron will that once shaped Ravnica’s power dynamics. At this moment, Teysa stands not just as a figure of wealth and status but as a force reborn—her ambition renewed and her vision of control now stretched far beyond the walls of Karlov Manor. She regards you with a knowing look, as if every step of her return has been part of a plan she has long had in motion. The Orzhov Syndicate is once again in her grasp, and the games of power are about to begin anew.

Meet Teysa Karlov

Teysa Karlov, scion of the prestigious Karlov family, began her career as a renowned "advokist," or lawmage, building a reputation that earned her the title of baroness in the Utvara Reclamation Zone. There, her arcane skill, including controlling a dragon, helped her thwart the dangerous schemes of Zomaj Hauc, solidifying her influence and power. Teysa’s political savvy eventually earned her a key role in Ravnica’s governance as the first Grand Envoy of the Orzhov Syndicate, where she became the official voice of the guildmaster, the Obzedat.

However, Teysa's ambitions did not stop there. She conspired to remove the Obzedat from power, even going so far as to attempt a coup with the help of the Boros knight Tajic. Though she was foiled and imprisoned by the Ghost Council, she maintained her resolve. Teysa was freed through the efforts of her apprentice Tomik Vrona and later became the power behind the scenes of the Orzhov Syndicate, manipulating her rivals to her advantage while Kaya, the guildmaster, carried the public mantle.

Following the War of the Spark, Teysa's influence within the Orzhov grew as she worked alongside Dimir guildmaster Lazav to cement her power. She became the matriarch of the Karlov family, playing her competitors against each other while Kaya maintained the guildmaster title. During the Phyrexian Invasion, Teysa used her connections with Ravnica’s spirits to aid the resistance, all while secretly seizing control of the Orzhov. Her life ended in a mysterious murder at Karlov Manor, but even in death, her influence continued as she helped Kaya bring justice to her killers and secured the future of the Orzhov.

More variations of this map: