Syndic of Tithes

Syndic of Tithes was released in 2013 as part of the Gatecrash expansion for Magic: The Gathering. The card represents the Orzhov Syndicate, one of the ten guilds of Ravnica, depicted as a corrupt religious organization that profits from the spiritual and financial debts of its citizens. The design intent was to showcase the guild's signature mechanic, Extort, which forces opponents to pay extra mana for the privilege of the Syndicate's existence, mirroring the lore of a bureaucratic and predatory ecclesiastical body.

The artwork was illustrated by David Palumbo, who focused on the imposing and austere aesthetic of the Orzhov. Palumbo utilized sharp contrasts and a solemn, ghostly color palette to convey the weight and authority of the church's officials. Upon its release, the card became a staple in limited play formats and casual white-black decks due to its ability to incrementally drain life from multiple opponents, effectively capturing the feeling of systemic exploitation in a tabletop format.