The Concept Art of Serra’s Realm

Concepting Serra’s Realm

Serra’s realm was initially concepted during the set Urza’s Saga as the space that would be used to set the majority of white-colored cards from the set. Then-art direction Matt Wilson worked as the Conceptual Artist for Serra’s Realm specifically, aiming to make the plane feel “as grandiose as possible” to be worthy of Serra herself. Despite a lot of visual reference for Serra already created, Wilson had only the brief "crystal palace in a beautiful sunny place, populated by many angels” to go off of when deciding on the visual look of the plane itself. Taking this, he attempted to make something to match while avoiding the obvious parallels to visuals of the Christian heaven: a goal he felt that he only partially succeeded in.

In initial concept, Serra’s realm was designed to have no solid earth at all in its design, only existing as "floating slabs of grassy plains, drifting amongst the golden clouds." The now-iconic Serra’s Sanctum was imagined as a flying citadel that followed the sun to remain ever-lit by daylight. The entire population of the plane was considered to be a conscripted army, even the least militarized followers of Serra were designed to be "a sisterhood of warrior-priestesses. Some emphasized their roles as combatants; others, their roles as healers and nurturers. No matter how peaceful and beautiful Serra's realm appears, there is an undercurrent of military preparedness."

Read more about the concept work behind Serra’s Realm during the development of Urza’s Saga here.

Development Art from Urza’s Saga