Borborygmos
Borborygmos is an enormous cyclops from Ravnica. He is the largest and angriest of the many large and angry leaders of the Gruul Clans.
Borborygmos is an enormous cyclops from Ravnica. He is the largest and angriest of the many large and angry leaders of the Gruul Clans. Although there is little official about the guild, he is often considered to be its Guildmaster. This is because when he gives orders, the Gruul clans listen.
Description
Borborygmos has a bestial look, with his single eye, a wild mane of red hair, and two twisting horns. He only wears a few scraps of leather armor. He is allegedly a descendant of the Gruul Parun Cisarzim.
History
Borborygmos led the Burning Tree clan, which is the largest and most diverse of the Gruul Clans. For decades, he commanded the respect and obedience of the Gruul by defeating all who challenged him. He embodied the raging fire that the Gruul believe burns in their bellies, and his wrath toward the civilization of Ravnica knew no bounds.
As a favor to Niv-Mizzet, the cyclops attended the guild summit on behalf of the Gruul Clans. This cost him much respect and honor amongst his people, for whom cooperation was anathema.
With Bolas' urging, the planeswalker Domri Rade challenged and defeated the aging Borborygmos by setting waves of beasts on him. The cyclops wasn't killed but lost the Gruul's respect even more. Afterward, he lived as a Trog (hermit) in the Rubblebelt.
War of the Spark
Borborygmos was again acting as Gruul's guildmaster after Domri Rade's death in the War of the Spark. He was convinced by Kaya's group to aid the guilds in the fight against the Dreadhorde. He showed a fondness for Rat, whose parents were prominent Gruul warriors.
He served as the representative for the Gruul at the resurrection of Niv-Mizzet as the new Living Guildpact.
Phyrexian Invasion and its aftermath
When the invasion broke through on Ravnica, the first thing the homunculus Fblthp did was run away — and somehow promptly wound up on the frontlines of the invasion, facing down hordes of Phyrexianized Golgari. Luckily, he was rescued by Borborygmos, who happened to be smashing Phyrexians nearby. Inspired by the cyclops' combativeness, Fblthp decided to stay and assist. He squeaked in fright whenever a threat came too close, and Borborygmos repayed the favor by promptly turning and smashing whatever it is this tiny pipsqueak voice was yelling about in his ear. Together they were able to cover all possible angles of attack, making them an unstoppable duo in Ravnica's defense.
Borborygmos' ferocious fighting earned him even more respect and loyalty from the Clans. The only real potential challenge to his power is the Zhur-Taa Clan, thanks to their leader, Nikya, who was instrumental in bottlenecking the Golgari Swarm from the surface of Ravnica with her constricting vine magic.
Trivia
- The neo-Latin noun "Borborygmos" means a rumbling or gurgling sound caused by the movement of gas in the intestines.
- Borborygmos appears in the trailer for Ravnica: City of Guilds, fighting a Boros giant.
- Borborygmos has been described as ten stories tall, though this may be an exaggeration.
Gallery
-
Borborygmos in the Ravnica: City of Guilds trailer -
Borborygmos fights a Boros giant -
Borborygmos -
-
March of the Machine key art.
-
Story appearances
In-game references
References
Artwork
Borborygmos
Todd Lockwood