Heroes' Podium - Magic the Gathering

Heroes from Theros gather for some D&D.

Name. Heroes' Podium. It's alright, the main part I like is the heroes bit, since the word emphasizes that the card works with legendary creatures. Podium feels a little off though, which I'll get to. Also, while the name is fine for a normal card, this thing is legendary. Legendary objects are special and one of a kind, meaning there are usually some fancy names attached to them to make them feel localized. Here though it's just a podium for heroes.

Art. Gorgeous as always. We have a classic structure with columns stretching to the back, and we can even make out a picture on the back wall. We also have visual cues and cameos with Anthousa to the left and Anax and Cymede to the right. The podium is... interesting. It has several animal motifs going, but what confuses me is what looks like a holographic image of a mountain over the tabletop. Not a standard feature of any podium I remember. Yes, I know its Magic, but what is it's purpose? Podium has several definitions, some meaning the raised platform that makes up the floor of the temple, while others serve as stands for public speaking. Nowhere is there mention of platforms used to display maps or make battle plans.

Flavor. The card is essentially a hall of heroes, a place where heroes get together and put their combined strength together to make plans, negotiate, and solve problems. This it hits perfectly with the first ability. The odd thing though is that this concept feels like it wants to be a land card, not an artifact. Your heroes are gathering at a place, not gathering around a singular object. However, it being a land would make it too powerful, since Magic has yet to work out lands with mana costs without making it feel clunky. And the second ability feels completely off, essentially filtering your deck for more heroes. Mechanically it makes sense and it goes nicely with the first ability, but flavor wise I have no idea why the object does that? Does the podium have some mystical scrying pool the heroes use to search for other heroes to join them? Again, that is not what a podium does. You can't even argue the second ability is an invitation to the other heroes, since the effect has to actually find heroes first before it can add them to your hand.

Aesthetic. It's a build-around-me card for legendary creatures. For some players, this will be awesome, since playing with legends is awesome and this card makes them more awesome. For other players though, particularly those who survived through Kamigawa, this may leave a bit of a sour taste in their mouths.