Zendikar is one of many planes of existence in Magic: The Gathering's Multiverse. It is a place where mighty reservoirs of mana can be found. This attracts Planeswalkers, explorers, and adventurers of all kinds. But reaping the resources to be had here is dangerous because the wildlife, inhabitants, and even the geography can pose grave threats to the unprepared.
If one intends to visit Zendikar, they need to be wary of constantly shifting terrain, massive beasts, and traces of chaotic titans. Arming oneself with knowledge can give would-be mana-seekers insight on how to avoid the hazards of this unique world.
10 The Roil
The landmasses in Zendikar are in a constant state of fluctuation. This is due to a phenomenon known as "The Roil." This occurrence is the result of this plane's mana being flung about the world by the influence of ancient and powerful monsters. Essentially, mana flows all over the place like some sort of permanent storm. Some of the effects this can cause on the environment are tornadoes, tidal waves, explosions of biological growth, and earthquakes to name a few.
9 Seven Continents
The entire plane is composed of seven very different and distinct continents. Akoum is a mountainous area with a colossal volcano that is aligned to red mana. Bala Ged is a dark green expanse full of vine-clogged marshes that connect to Akoum via underground rivers. Guul Draz is a humid location full of dank and dead swamps loaded with predators and plagues. Murasa is a place of extreme verticality, comprising of a plateau rising sharply from the sea and populated with emerald cliffs and high hills. Sheer faces and vertical travel also describe Ondu, though it is rockier as opposed to jungled. Then there's Sejiri, a frozen waste upon the northern pole. Finally, Tazeem is a place of calcite flats overgrown by lichen and possessing a huge inland sea.
8 Hedrons Cover The Sky
Hedrons are massive gravity-defying monoliths that can be seen most notably among the clouds, though there are some buried in the ground. They were actually used as binding tools to contain the ancient, hungry, and powerful Eldrazi. Fashioned and implemented long ago by the Planeswalker Nahiri The Harbinger, they were intended to repress the destructive power of the Eldrazi.
7 Many Trap-Ridden Ruins
On all continents, despite their differences, there exist ruins of ancient civilizations. These archeological goldmines are full of deadly traps that are clearly meant to prevent entry and exploration. If that is not enough to deter adventurers there are also deadly fiends lurking about, ready and willing to pounce upon unwary treasure hunters.
With threats like noxious fumes and monstrous leeches to top it all off, it is a wonder anyone even bothers to search these dangerous ruins.
6 A Lot Of Biodiversity
The variety of living organisms in Zendikar is as diverse as the landscape of its seven continents. Merfolk, Vampires, Goblins, Elves, and Humans may live here but these races also exist and originate elsewhere. The Kor, however, are native to this plane of existence. In addition to these organisms, there are angels, ogres, minotaurs, and giants to name a few of the more known species. The Surrakar, a race of reptilian humanoids, also used to call Zendikar home until they went extinct long ago.
5 Ancient Oppression
In the far past, before even the old and hungry Eldrazi appeared, the Kor had an empire across Zendikar. They apparently intended to unite the plane in peace but turned tyrannical when their rule was resisted. The Kor built their capital in Ondu, though their true might was in their Skyclaves. These massive floating structures were cities, government buildings, and even military bases. Since the end of the empire's reign, however, all have fallen out of the sky except one.
4 A Prison For The Eldrazi
The Eldrazi are a race of beings who come from the space between the Multiverse's planes: The Blind Eternities. The expanses of the void chaotically breed strange creatures who have existed since ancient times. The three Eldrazi titans Emrakul, Ulamog, and Kozilek were bound to Zendikar by three Planeswalkers who sought to stave off their entropic hunger.
These Planeswalkers were Sorin Markov the Vampire sangromancer, Spirit Dragon Ugin, and Nahiri the Kor lithomancer.
3 The Eldrazi Titans Were Freed
Many years after the three ancient Planeswalkers imprisoned the Eldrazi titans, the network of hedrons and the lock keeping the seal intact faltered. Due to the actions of a few ignorant modern Planeswalkers, the Eye of Ugin, the lock for the hedron network, was opened. Freed from their bonds, the titans rampaged around Zendikar causing a few of the continents to be overrun by legions of chaotic abominations.
2 The Eldrazi Titans Were Slain
After inadvertently causing the titans to be released, Planeswalkers Chandra Nalaar, Nissa Revane, and Jace Beleren worked together to stop the chaotic fiends from completely consuming Zendikar. After much deliberation, Nissa at Jace's advice drew the titans into the energy of Zendikar's ley lines. Chandra then channeled her pyromancy into the ley lines and scorched the titans from within, immolating both Ulamog and Kozilek. Emrakul, however, fled the plane into the Blind Eternities.
1 False Gods
Over time, information gets twisted. History becomes legend and warnings become superstition. After Nahiri, Ugin, and Sorin sealed the titans in the ancient past, the information about this initial battle was corrupted over the centuries. Because of this broken passing of knowledge, the Merfolk of Zendikar began to worship the trapped titans as if they were benevolent gods. Though nothing could be further from the truth.