Medge

Medge is a mutated merfolk teacher, part of the Simic Combine on Ravnica.
==Description==
Medge is a venerable merfolk, dedicated to preserving traditional ways amidst changing times and external pressures. Following the unfortunate accident with the cytoplast, Medge has undergone a drastic transformation. The once serene and traditionally adorned merwoman now exhibited several unusual mutations. Eight of her fins have thickened and lengthened, transforming into tentacle-like appendages with suckerfish lining their undersides. At the tips of these new limbs, bulbous mounds of flesh have formed, each housing an eye. These eyes blink open, granting Medge a multi-angled view of her surroundings, enhancing her perception dramatically. The iridescence of her fins has intensified, giving her a more vibrant and somewhat intimidating appearance. This transformation marks her as distinctly altered, blending her traditional merfolk features with elements of the Simic Combine’s bioengineering, albeit unintentionally.
Her demeanor is calm and measured, reflecting her experience and deep connection to the ocean and its ancient traditions. She exhibits wisdom, patience, and a deep sense of responsibility. She exudes a mentor's gravitas, always mindful of her role as an educator and protector. She is thoughtful and observant, valuing the old merfolk ways over the newer, bioengineered approaches of the Adaptationists. This adherence to tradition reveals a certain resistance to change, but also a profound respect for the natural world and its longstanding practices. Medge cares deeply for her students, constantly counting on them to ensure their safety, and shows pride in their achievements, tempered by the anxiety of declining numbers and the pressure to adapt to new educational standards.
==History==
In an underwater world beneath the streets of Ravnica where merfolk protect their oceanic home, a group of students under the guidance of Tender Medge discovered an elder monk in a deep meditation, covered in marine life. As they pondered the duration of his trance, Kaszira, a reserved but observant student, deduced it to be seven weeks by noting the layers of plankton on the monk. This impressive deduction underscored her potential despite her usual lack of enthusiasm.
Medge's concerns about the dwindling number of students and the rise of bioengineered adaptations among rival clutches were heightened when Ptero Zallik, a rival teacher, flaunted his heavily modified and numerous students. The competition for limited protectorate positions was fierce, and Medge worried about the future.
To give her students a practical learning experience, Medge led them to observe a krasis, a dangerous bioengineered creature. They witnessed the krasis brutally attack a resplendent benthid, a peaceful ocean giant, highlighting the grave threats facing their world. As they retreated, they heard a ghostly voice from a shipwreck.
Investigating, they encountered the ghost of Andrik, the sole survivor of a sunken upworld ship. He longed for his crew's remains to be brought to the surface for a proper burial. Despite the risks, Medge decided to help, seeing it as a valuable lesson in empathy and protection for her students. They manage to make the wreck buoyant and conceal it with magic, narrowly evading krasis as they navigated towards Zonot Five, a upworlder sinkhole.
The journey was perilous, but the students' teamwork and courage shone. They successfully evaded the threats and brought the ghost's ship to the zonot, showcasing their growth and earning a moment of triumph in the face of adversity. However, the ghost then revealed his true sinister form and a chest of stolen treasures. A fight ensues when one of the students, Miko, tries to open the chest, leading to the ghost's transformation and a magical storm. Chessa bravely took the medallion from the chest and led the ghost to his demise by tricking a krasis into swallowing it.
The group retrieved the Simic artifacts and presented them to the guardians of the zonot, where they were introduced to the significance of their discovery, including the lost keyrune of Momir Vig, a historic figure in Simic Combine lore. They toured a museum showcasing Simic history and technological advancements.
In a moment of chaos, Miko accidentally caused a cytoplast to fall onto their teacher, initiating her mutation. Despite the confusion and ensuing conflict with the guardians, the class was imprisoned but eventually released through the intervention of Kaszira's influential aunt, Utopian Speaker Zegana.
The teacher advocated for her students, emphasizing their potential and commitment to the Simic Combine. Ultimately, the students were allowed to pursue their dreams, with Kaszira achieving her goal of studying in the zonots. Medge, now adapted with new abilities, reconciled with her rival, Ptero, and they planned to collaborate in training future protectors of the ocean.
==Story appearances==
Title	Author 	Publishing date	Set 	Setting (plane)	Featuring
 	Nicky Drayden	2019-02-06 	Ravnica Allegiance	Ravnica 	Medge, Miko, Chessa, Kaszira, Ptero Zallik, Andrik, Dimas, Laszlo, Saganderis, Fania, Zyanek, Zegana
==References==
Category:Merfolk