Rubick, the Grand MagusAlready a renowned duelist and scholar of the grander world of sorcery, it had never occurred to Rubick that he might perhaps be Magus material until he was in the midst of his seventh assassination attempt. As he casually tossed the twelfth of a string of would-be killers from a high balcony, it dawned on him how utterly unimaginative the attempts on his life had become. Where once the interruption of a fingersnap or firehand might have put a cheerful spring in his step, it had all become so very predictable. He craved greater competition. Therefore, donning his combat mask, he did what any wizard seeking to ascend the ranks would do: he announced his intention to kill a Magus.
Rubick quickly discovered that to threaten one Magus is to threaten them all, and they fell upon him in force. Each antagonist's spell was an unstoppable torrent of energy, and every attack a calculated killing blow. But very soon something occurred that Rubick's foes found unexpected: their arts appeared to turn against them. Inside the magic maelstrom, Rubick chuckled, subtly reading and replicating the powers of one in order to cast it against another, sowing chaos among those who had allied against him. Accusations of betrayal began to fly, and soon the sorcerers turned one upon another without suspecting who was behind their undoing.
When the battle finally drew to a close, all were singed and frozen, soaked and cut and pierced. More than one lay dead by an ally's craft. Rubick stood apart, sore but delighted in the week's festivities. None had the strength to argue when he presented his petition of assumption to the Hidden Council, and the Insubstantial Eleven agreed as one to grant him the title of Grand Magus.
| Rubick | |
|---|---|
| About | |
| Associated With | |
| Heroes | Meepo 20px|link=Dark Willow|class=noprint Dark Willow 20px|link=Pudge|class=noprint Pudge |
| Characters | Aghanim |
| Items | Aghanim's Scepter |
- Mireska desires the secrets of Aghanim, which she believes is sealed inside Rubick's staff.[1]
- According to Meepo, Rubick owns many magical gems, which Meepo covets. He also offers to sell Rubick more gems.[2]
The Puzzle of Perplex
At some point in time, Rubick captured a mysterious puzzle named the Puzzle of Perplex in a special staff. He has spent his idle moments attempting to unlock this mysterious puzzle, but he could not solve it by himself. From time to time, he casts this puzzle on an enemy in hopes of gaining insight from their futile attempts to solve it as they hang enthralled by its mesmerizing mechanisms.[3]
When Rubick discovered the crux of this puzzle, he found a "surprisingly simple" trick that would allow him to manipulate four-dimensional space to affect reality around him.[4] But even after he did that, he realized that the knowledge at the heart of this puzzle would also allow him to alter the very foundations of magic itself. No longer reliant on the spellcasting of others, he now toys with the boundaries of arcane artistry, reshaping and revealing the unexplored world of magic to his liking.[5]
Relationships
Rubick is the son of Aghanim, the owner of the legendary Aghanim's Scepter.[6] He struggles to live up to his father's fame, living in the shadow cast by his accomplishments in the world of magic[7] and has so far been unable to do so.[8]
20px|link=Pudge|class=noprint Pudge is Rubick's primary rival, the two having competed against one another in a contest long ago. Nevertheless, Pudge considers Rubick an "alright" guy, even though he finds him a bit strange.[9]
Friendships and rivalries
Allies meeting Rubick
- ▶️ ▶️
r Rubick, have you come to study or to fight? - ▶️ r Hey Rubick! If you ever wanna sell some of those gems…
- ▶️ r Hey Rubick! I can get you a few more of those magic jewels. Just ask.
- ▶️ ▶️ r How about a friendly duel, Rubick? I've heard some things.
- ▶️ ▶️ r Us tricksters need to stick together, eh, Rubick?
- ▶️ r Ah, Rubick, always a pleasure.
- ▶️ r My heart is heavy, Rubick. It is a relief to see yours so light.
Enemies killing Rubick
- ▶️ ▶️ Curiosity got the better of you, Rubick!
- ▶️ ▶️ Never trust a wizard.
- ▶️ Just let me pry a few of those gems off of you.
- ▶️ ▶️ r I don't steal spells, Rubick, I take lives.
- ▶️ ▶️ r Grand Magus? Phuh! Guess that was just another fairy tale.
- ▶️ You must take your magic more seriously.
- ▶️ You almost had our secrets, so we could not let you live.
Others
- ▶️ r Be careful what you cast, for stolen spells may readily undo their wielder.
- ▶️ ▶️ Swords and sorcery!
References
- ↑ Dark Willow response: ▶️ Give me that staff, Rubick!
- ↑ Meepo response: * ▶️ Hey Rubick! If you ever wanna sell some of those gems…
- ↑ Staff of Perplex description.
- ↑ Crux of Perplex description.
- ↑ The Magus Cypher description.
- ↑ Rubick response:▶️ "Father's masterpiece."
- ↑ Dark Willow response: ▶️ How's living in your father's shadow treating ya?
- ↑ Pangolier response: ▶️ Step out of your father's shadow, Rubick. The world awaits.
- ↑ Feast of Abscession response: Heh heh heh. You's alright, Rubick. Even if you are a bit weird.