Duskmourn: House of Horror introduces a chilling and atmospheric plane in Magic: The Gathering, blending elements of classic and modern horror with Magic’s multiverse storytelling. This set, released in 2024, immerses players in a world where the boundaries between nightmare and reality blur, creating a spine-tingling experience inspired by horror media spanning the 1980s to today.

The Plane of Duskmourn

Once a diverse and vibrant world of mountains, seas, and cities, Duskmourn has been consumed entirely by the House, a living, plane-wide haunted mansion. Now, it’s a twisted labyrinth of shifting rooms, sinister creatures, and unrelenting dread.

• The House is Alive:

  • It constantly shifts, with rooms changing when unobserved.
  • Even "outside" environments are illusions, always connecting back to the House.
  • Moths bearing multiple eyespots are its watchers—wherever they are, the House is watching.

• Celestial Anomalies:

  • Duskmourn's skies are surreal, with two suns consumed by the House and a distorted moon appearing in "outdoor" rooms.

Valgavoth, the Living Terror

The House is ruled by Valgavoth, a malevolent entity whose life cycle drives the plane's torment:

• Harrowings:
  When Valgavoth molts into a new form, the House spawns waves of monstrous creatures (cellarspawn) and drives cultists, razorkin, and other horrors into frenzies. These events are periods of intense violence and paranoia lasting a few days.
• Quiescences:
  Before each molt, the House enters a rare, eerie calm as Valgavoth focuses inward. Survivors use these few weeks to recover and prepare for the next Harrowing.

The Horror Aesthetic

Duskmourn’s visuals and atmosphere are deeply rooted in horror culture:

• 80’s Style and Modern Horror Elements:

  • Electronics like televisions and chainsaws mix with retro sneakers and neon colors.
  • The fashion and tech reflect a modernized yet timeless horror vibe.

• Thematic Symbolism:

  • The omnipresent moths and their eyespots embody the House’s omniscience and surveillance.
  • The House itself is a character, its shifting structure mirroring the psychological instability of its inhabitants.

Survival in Duskmourn

Survivors must navigate a world where the familiar turns against them. The only constants are fear and change. With the House’s malevolence always watching, hope hinges on brief periods of respite during Quiescences.

Duskmourn: House of Horror delivers a plane that’s not just a setting but an active force. With its unique fusion of haunting storytelling, atmospheric design, and gameplay potential, it’s a thrilling addition to Magic’s multiverse.