Horizon Scholar

The sphinxes of Theros are ancient creatures, older even than the gods and the archons. Some speculate that the sphinxes might have been the first intelligent creatures to walk Theros and the first to believe in the power of the gods. Though they are not immortal and can be killed, the sphinxes of Theros are ageless, with a wisdom to match.   In addition to their impossibly long lifespans, sphinxes are also granted knowledge by an innate ability to see into the future. For them, the web of destiny, which spans across time and space, is as real and physical as a woven tapestry is to an artisan. Though they can not interact with its threads, with practice, they can learn to study the connections and see how every decision and action affects a dozen more.   The Closed Lantern The majority of the sphinxes of Theros belong to an ancient organization, formed in the infant days of Theros' existence, known as the Closed Lantern. This organization is dedicated to maintaining a watch over the affairs of Theros as a whole, a comprehensive account of its past, and an exhaustive list of the possibilities of its future. Many of Theros' most famous sphinx seers, such as Medomai the Ageless, are among the highest-ranking members of the Close Lantern.   Once a sphinx has joined the Closed Lantern, as they demonstrate a growing ability to see the further and wider possibilities of the future, they are awarded with new titles, and access to more of the Closed Lantern's resources. New initiates are given the title of Horizon Scholar, indicating their desire to eventually scan the horizons of time itself, beyond the point where any sphinx can see.   A horizon scholar that demonstrates some level of success in seeing beyond the immediate future is granted audience with Susperia the Tutor, one of the few sphinxes to ever achieving seeing all of the future at once. In this audience, Susperia judges whether a horizon scholar is worth of learning the techniques necessary to view the wider future-or put more appropriately, Susperia herself looks into the future and determines whether that sphinx will learn the techniques or not. If Susperia finds their path leads to the greater good, she teaches them what she can. But if Susperia finds that a sphinx's path leads only to darkness, she attacks and kills the sphinx, with the cold efficiency of an artisan snipping the edges of a frayed tapestry.