Rootha Squallheart
Rootha Squallheart is a female orc and mage-student of the Prismari college of Strixhaven on Arcavios.[1][2]
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| Information | |
| Colors |
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| Species | Orc |
| Job | Shaman |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Arcavios |
| Lifetime | Mending Era |
| Born | c. 4542 AR (age approx. 23) |
| Family | |
| Parents | Samara Squallheart (mother) |
| Relatives | Tomlin Squallheart (brother), unnamed brother, and sister |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
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15 artworks  40% 13.3% 20%  26.7% | |
Description
Rootha is a striking and individualistic figure, easily recognized by her long hair that bursts with vivid colors and her skin, which shows subtle shades of red and blue. Her attire is bold and theatrical, often designed to resemble swirling scarlet flames intertwined with flowing aqua-blue waves, creating an impression of a molten ocean painted across her form. This fusion of fire and water elements in her clothing mirrors her artistic nature, though her temperament can sometimes be as fierce and unpredictable as the flames she embodies.
As a fifth-generation member of her family to attend the Prismari College, Rootha carries the weight of a longstanding legacy. Despite this heritage, she is determined to forge her path through her art rather than simply follow in her ancestors' footsteps. Her personality is impulsive and passionate, much like the fiery colors she displays, yet beneath this confident exterior lies a streak of deep self-doubt and intense self-reflection, revealing a complex inner struggle as she strives to define her identity within the Prismari tradition. She is an obsessive perfectionist.[3]
Rootha has trouble completing her work and handing it in on time for critique; most of her professors have little choice but to chase her down on campus to catch a glimpse. She claims that her work is never ready, forever conscious that it isn’t quite right. In true self-critic style, Rootha commonly becomes infatuated with a great visionary idea which she spends weeks working on … only to decide she hates it, causing her to destroy her creation in mere moments.[4]
With her mother, Samara Squallheart, being a famous, talented caster, Rootha is under pressure to live up to the achievements of the rest of her family line. She carries a heavy weight on her artistic shoulders, and the constant link and expectations caused by her family can be frustrating, sometimes anger-inducing. She wishes to break free from her family association and follow her own style. Her mother could weave intricate sculptures made from ice and water, but Rootha has wild magic; she can flash freeze water in one magnificent burst. Under the guidance of Dean Nassari, she is learning to embrace her wild magic, to push herself beyond her limits, to seek recognition and fame for her creations rather than those of her ancestors.[2]
Living Flame
The Living Flame is a spell created by Rootha in early 4565 AR.[5] It is a sphere of controlled wild magic that gleams red and orange and pulses like the surface of a sun but gives off no heat. Rootha is able to control it with mere intention, directing its size and shape. Rootha conceptualized the spell in her first year, although she didn't complete it until her first senior year. She can wield the Flame as a whip, starting at a single point and coiling like a serpent.
History
Her first semester in Prismari in 4561 AR, Rootha was on the verge of flunking out, her perfectionism preventing her from completing anything.[5] Seeing her talent, Nassari helped the student back on track.
Phyrexian Invasion
When the New Phyrexian Invasion started the following year, the Phyrexians quickly burned through the defenses of Strixhaven. Professor Vess tasked a small group of surviving students - Rootha, Quintorius Kand, Zimone Wola, Dina, and Killian Lu - to search for the Invocation of the Founders in the Biblioplex. The group found it, and with a representative from each school, they could activate it, but the compleated Nassari distracted Rootha enough that Quint could only try to make up her contribution with raw magic and lifeforce. The result was not entirely successful, and in the process, Quint's spark ignited, and he planeswalked away.[6] Though the invocation managed to repel the main wave of attackers, Rootha was severely wounded.
Night of Flame
After recovering from the Invasion, Rootha continued her studies.[5] Although she was known on campus as a Champion of Strixhaven, she blamed herself for Quint's presumed death and avoided her advisor, Nassari, due to the trauma she had experienced in the Invasion. Wracked by night terrors, she entered her fifth year at Strixhaven in 4565, delaying her graduation, still without a thesis.[3] At Summitfest in the fall semester of that year, she protected the festival's attendees using the Living Flame in an event that became known as the Night of Flame.
Behind the scenes
Rootha was originally considered for a card in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, but was later replaced when Malcolm and Breeches were split into separate cards.[7]
Rootha appears in the trailer for Strixhaven: School of Mages.[8]
Gallery
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Rootha in the Strixhaven trailer.
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Magic: The Gathering Arena avatar.
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Arena avatar for Secrets of Strixhaven.
Story appearances
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Depicted in:
- Quoted or referred to:
References
- ↑ Joe Parlock (March 24, 2021). "Meet Rootha Squallheart In The Latest ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Set, Strixhaven: School Of Mages". Forbes.com.
- ↑ a b Aysha U. Farah (March 26, 2021). "A Cry for Magic". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Lauren Bond & Laurel Pratt (April 13, 2026). "The Legends of Secrets of Strixhaven". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Fox Allison, Doug Beyer and Ari Zirulnik (April 13, 2021). "The Legends of Strixhaven". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Aysha U. Farah (April 2, 2026). "Secrets of Strixhaven | A Living Flame". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Evelyn Teng (March 20, 2023). "March of the Machine - A Radiant Heart". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 22, 2024). "Bringing the Thunder, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Welcome to Strixhaven! (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (March 26, 2021).