Release Date	August 1994
Size	119 Cards
Mechanics	None
Keywords	Sacrifice

The Dark was the eighth Magic: The Gathering set and the fourth expansion set. The set continued the story begun in Antiquities and recounted the aftermath of the events of that set. The 119-card set had a dark, sacrificial theme, though it did not add any new keywords. This set, as well as the next set Fallen Empires, are widely considered by players to be some of the 'weakest' sets. Unlike all the previous set, this set was created with an overall decrease in the power and speed of the game. The Dark is also the oldest set released to not have a card retail over $100 USD on the secondary market. This set, as well as Fallen Empires and the expansion Homelands, are currently the only sets to have boxes retail for less than current Magic sets, a very rare trend in Magic.

Storyline:
In the aftermath of the Brother's War, a series of conflicts ends up causing most of Dominaria's inhabitants to revert to a more primitive state. During this time, several leaders and notable heroes rise up, such as Vervamon the Elder (who was later burned at the stake), Maeveen O'Donahough, Barl (Also known as Lord Ith, who was held captive by Mairsil), and Mairsil the Pretender. After the destruction of large amounts of Tersiare during the Brother's War, most nations turn heavily to religion and magic to help them cope with the coming Ice Age. Mairsil the Pretender, the advisor to an unnamed king, imprisons Lord Ith in the device called "Barl's Cage" and wages war in the "Dark Lands", areas of Tersiare overcome with black mana influence (Most likely influence from Phyrexia). During these times, he employs Maveen O'Donahough and his troop of mercenaries, who go out and do scout, search and destroy, and other various missions. They are accompanied by Vervamon the Elder, an elderly sage who records parts of their travel and takes down bits of important lore. However, when he returns, he is branded a heretic and burned at the stake as a martyr. Eventually, Lord Ith breaks free as Mairsil begins to lose his power (Caused by the weakening of the land by the coming Ice Age).