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Altas Verde

Started by Eckhart_Von_Musel, March 31, 2018, 07:31:27 PM

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Eckhart_Von_Musel

ALTAS VERDE
   
The southernmost province in all of Serendipity, Altas Verde's land consists mostly of forested highlands. During the troublesome years of difficulty between Serendipity and the foundling nation of Adela, this stretch of land switched control many times before the border was finally settled along one of the Ora's tributaries. This repeated changing of hands led to the province developing a unique cultural identity, and to this day most residents of Altas Verde consider their home to be seperate from both countries. Home to a higher population of Adelans than any other province.

Capital City: Algieri

LOCATION: Southwesternmost province
BORDERS: Adela, Ravensway, Tirial
LAND: Mountains and forested highland
SIZE: Approximately 52,500 square miles


Map by me!

THE GEOGRAPHY
As the name suggests the land in Altas Verde primarily consists of rolling forested mountains and hills with very little in the way of flatlands. With its close proximity to Adela, the soil in the majority of the province lacks the necessary nutrients for growing wheat and grain. As a result little to no crops are actually grown here, and what is grown is usually consumed internally by the locals. Most of the grain farming in Altas Verde is done toward the northeastern end of the province where the soil isn't as bad, and when additional crops are needed (which is always) they're usually imported from the other provinces.

Because very little is grown in the province the locals to tend to rely on the natural vegetation a bit more than in other areas. Foraging wild fruits and mushrooms is quite common among the natives. The province also is one of the few places where it is legal for peasants to hunt game for food. There are restrictions on what can be hunted however. Only smaller animals, like rabbits and raccoons, and certain birds can be caught legally by anyone without noble status. The only exceptions are those that belong to one of the local hunting guilds. Guild members have special permission to hunt larger game to sell, but are bound by strict quotas on the number of animals they are allowed to capture per month.

Settlements in the province tend to be on the small side and designed to take full advantage of the natural terrain for defensive purposes. Villages and roads are usually small and notoriously difficult to spot from the high ground, hidden beneath the natural canopy as very few trees are cleared away and homes are built around them instead. Larger settlements on the other hand usually consist of old fort towns and cities high in the mountains, ones built during the time when the Adelan people first succeeded from the kingdom and the land was torn by war. Most have undergone renovations over the years to give them a more elegant look, but to this day have retained their high walls.

With the wealth of gold and silver that was found Falliel and Tirial it was only natural for the early settlers to seek the same in Altas Verde, and while they did find a bit of both neither was as common as they were in the other two provinces. However what they found instead was a wide variety of precious stone deposits, attracting many jewelers and craftsmen to the area. Some stone and metal work is also done in the mountains, and Altas Verde is one of the few places in Serendipity where iron is mined. The mining of iron ore is overseen by a noble family of Adelan origin, and the iron they produce is typically used to make handcuffs and various forms of shackles meant to hold rogue mages.

THE PEOPLE
Like most Serenians Verdans are the descendants of fae, the greater majority of them being able to trace their lineage back to elven clans residing in the Niahi Woods. As a result pointed ears, delicate features, and slender frames are exceptionally common among its residence. They also tend to be on the tall side when compared to the citizens of other provinces, males typically standing in the six foot range and females being only a few inches shorter. However, due to it's mixed Adelan heritage skin tones in the province can vary greatly from person to person, easily ranging from the pale complexions of pure blood Serenians to more bronzed ones resulting from mixed heritage. Even a few noble families have been known to come in darker shades.

As with the rest of Serendipity a Verdan's hair can come in a wide variety of colors, though darker shades tend to be more prevalent. A rare few are also born with multicolored hair, usually consisting of a mix of a dark and a light shade. Most choose to wear their hair long and out, the average hair length being just beyond their shoulders for both men and women.

One major difference between Verdans and other Serenians is their weakness to iron being severely downplayed or even absent- most can handle the metal with no negative effects. Concurrently, magic is far less common in the province than in the rest of the country- powerful mages are rarely produced outside of the upper classes, who tend to be more selective in their breeding practices. This difference mostly due to the province's citizens having mixed with Adelans for so long, though some use it as proof that Verdans aren't ethnically Serenian. Serenians from other provinces tend to roll their eyes if this topic comes up in conversation.

The people of Altas Verde have a unique accent, noticably distinct from it's neighboring provinces or even Adela. The letter "R" is always rolled slightly, and the silent "E" gets pronounced as an "eh" sound- for example, a Verdan would pronounce the name of their province as "Altas Vurrd-eh". This accent is often mocked by outsiders, and many Verdans have learned to mask it while talking to people from other provinces.


SOCIETY AND CULTURE
The local culture in Altas Verde is perhaps one of (if not) the most unique in Serendipity due to both the elven and Adelan heritage of the locals. Where most Serenians value academics and the magical arts over everything else, Verdan culture is much more widespread and diverse. Society is also usually a bit freer and more fluid than in other provinces, and it is a lot easier for the lower and middleclass to garner the respect of nobilities. Many Verdan's consider their province and culture to be something entirely separate from Serendipity, and it's not uncommon for disgruntled citizens to grumble about secession when they feel the Serenian government oversteps their bounds.

The most notable of the Adelan influences on the local culture is that martial prowess and strength is valued very highly by residents, surpassing even Northwatch in this respect. Unlike in other provinces soldiers are not only well trained in weaponry, but in true Adelan fashion they are educated in the art of war as well as a smart soldier is a good one.

While warriors are held in a particularly high regard that isn't to say that education and the magical arts are undervalued by the locals- in fact, the opposite is true. Both play an important role in Serenian culture after all. Education in the province is subsidized, making it fairly affordable for merchants and the middleclass, and crafts like jewelry making, smithing, and enchantment are usually passed down from parent to child. Though the province tends to put out fewer mages than others, study in the magical arts is subsidized as well. Scholarships are also often offered to children of peasants and the lower-class born with the potential to learn magic, though they are usually expected to work for the lord or lady who offered it to them afterwards.

One of the most noteworthy thing about Verdans is their sense of honor and community. The capable are expected to step in and help someone when they are in need, and to refuse to do so is usually considered shameful. Locals are generally expected to have an active role in society as well, and those who prefer to keep a low profile are often viewed with suspicion. This is especially true for nobles, as the upper class are more likely to be born with magic. Most typically subscribe to a form of 'noblesse oblige' viewing duty and service between them and those under them as a two way street.

Verdans typically greet each other with butterfly kisses- three on each cheek.

MAGIC AND THE CLASS DIVIDE
As mentioned before, magic is less common in Altas Verde then it is is in the rest of the country. Verdans of noble blood are far more likely to be born with a magical talent than the lower and middle classes- and when mages are born to commoners, their magic is typically weak and watered down. On the rare occasions that a peasant is born with strong magic, they usually end up marrying into a noble family- the upper class believe that they need to add "fresh" magic to their bloodlines in order to keep siring powerful mages.

Those born with a magical gift in Altas Verde are culturally expected to serve their community. While many nobles use their magic to help people out of the goodness of their hearts, there is another, underlying motivation- securing the loyalty of the commoners living on their land. A nobleman who neglects to use his water magic to help grow crops and put out fires will find himself unsupported by his subjects, and everybody knows this. As such, the upper and lower classes have a very "give and take" relationship.

While there is a noticeable reliance on each other, the upper and lower classes live in two very different worlds- it is not uncommon for the classes to resent each other. Many nobles see commoners as unappreciative and overly demanding, and feel they get taken for granted. On the flip side, the lower class tend to see the upper class as uncaring and lazy, only helping with problems when it would personally benefit them.

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
While most Vedans follow the Serenian religion in some capacity, there are a few remnants of Adelan animism have that have remain present in the local culture to this day, as have several of the superstitions.

Myyla
The most prominently worshiped deity from the Serenian pantheon is Myyla, an otherwise minor goddess of consciousness, reflection, and potential. She is viewed as a compassionate and understanding figure, and one you can confess your anxieties to without fear of judgement. She is the champion of the meek and downtrodden, and a protector of those unable to stand up for themselves. Symbols commonly associated with Myyla are mirrors, crystals, and orratilla.

"Myyla's Day" is typically celebrated on the winter solstice each year. People from around the province gather together to feast, give gifts, and display pet projects. The general theme of the holiday is "show off your potential", and it's not uncommon for outsiders to look down on the holiday due to the amount of bragging it typically spawns.

Myyla is actually an old fae deity- she was adopted by the Serenians after settling in what would become Altas Verde. More traditionalist followers of Myyla consider the lack of wider Serenian worship of their goddess to be blasphemous.

Spirit Stones
Spirit stones are a coming of age tradition in Altas Verde- all Verdans have one. The belief is that in order to attune themselves to Myyla, Verdans must keep their spirit stone with them at all times- most often as a pendant, although rings are not uncommon. There is a huge market for more ornate spirit stone jewelry among wealthier Verdans, and many jewelers in the province dream of growing rich by designing pieces popular with nobles.

The type of spirit stones vary by the person, and at age ten children must go through an intense ritual to determine what theirs is. This is called "the reflection', and is typically preformed by the local priest of Myyla. Children are made to hold different gemstones while the priest recites hymns to the goddess- their spirit stone will grow warm in their hands, whereas others will become painfully cold. Once a stone type is determined, a small pendant will be given to the child free of charge, though most swap for larger, better quality pieces as they grow older.

There are many theories as to what type of people receive what kind of gemstone- the most popular is that it somehow corresponds with your personality. There are many tell-all guides about "what your spirit stone says about you" out there- fortune tellers actually build horoscopes around them. Whether or not any of it is true is another story...

MILITARY AND RANGER CORE
With Adela to the south and the Terrin Mountains to the east, the actual military presence in Altas Verde is smaller than the ones in the northeastern provinces- but the one it does possess is not one to be trifled with when compared to those in the more central provinces in terms of size and power. The Ranger Core in particular is fairly well respected throughout the country, though due to the lack of outside threats to the province they typically serve as Altas Verde's de-facto police force rather than as an actual military.

Unlike many military organizations, the Ranger Core values individuality as opposed to uniformity. Upon recruitment, rangers are expected to specialize in using one of the unique enchanted weapons Altas Verde keeps stockpiled for them. Every ranger fills their own niche- there is no "default". This does, however, tend to lead to infighting among the group. If it weren't for the patriotism they share for their province, the ranger core likely would have disbanded long ago...

Many Verdans insist that during the Three-fold War it was the Ranger Core alone that held back Connlaoth until Adela arrived with reinforcements. This claim is heavily disputed by the majority of Serenian historians, and saying this anywhere outside of Altas Verde is liable to get you mocked and ridiculed.

Rangers
Positions always open! Tell me if you make one and I'll add them here!
Molly Starklein
Enoch Gandler

NOTABLE LOCATIONS

Algieri
A castle city tucked neatly into the Terrin Mountains, the capital city of Algieri has a bloody history. It had been the main point of contention between Adela and Serendipity when the two nations were feuding over the province, and the city switched hands multiple times. Countless soldiers died with each successful recapture, and even today Algieri's unofficial nickname is "The City of a Thousand Ghosts".

Because of the city's past, Algieri is famous (or notorious, depending on who you ask) for being one of the most fortified locations in Le'Raana. Designed to defend against attacks from Serendipity as well as Adela, the city is protected by a number of ancient wards and curses. Its walls, while not particularly tall, blatantly take advantage of its surrounding geography by extending directly into the steep inclines on three of its four sides. As a result, the only safe route it can be approached by land is through the mountain pass to east.


Algieri is well known for it's stone carvers, and most of it's architecture has gargoyles or statues incorporated into their designs somehow. On the north western end of the grounds there is an elegant garden with a small pool at its center, a gift from a former High Lord to his mother. The soil of the garden is said to be enchanted, and that almost anything that is planted there will grow and flourish.

The Altas Verde
At the center of the province stands a giant monolith made of moss agate- the original Altas Verde the province gets it's name from. This structure is so large that completely it dwarfs the western mountain range - only Wyrm Mountain manages to stand taller, and not by much. The Verde is surrounded by a two mile long stretch of stone rubble- the remains of a mountain that once stood in it's place.

While clearly constructed by something, the origin of the stone pillar remains a mystery. It's known that there used to be a mountain where the monolith stands, but the act of carving the tower out of said mountain seems like too herculean a task for any team of human laborers. And if it was constructed elsewhere and brought to the ruined mountain, how could it possibly have been carried? The structure has baffled historians for centuries, and it's unlikely we'll ever know the full truth...

Emerald Hills County
Naturally Emerald Hills was named for both the beautiful green hills that surround it and the bounty of precious jewels that lie within them. As a result a great deal of mining is done in the surrounding hills, and some of the best jewelry makers in the province call it home. The county is notably the only place in Le'raana where bixbite- red emerald- has ever been found. According to legend, the exceptionally rare stone was once white, but the blood shed from people fighting over the gems stained them the color they are now.

  • The town of Seren is the largest settlement in Emerald Hills County, and the second largest city in Altas Verde overall. The town was built inside of a dense pine forest, making it nearly impossible to see the buildings from above the the treetops. Seren has more jewelry galleries than any anywhere else in Serendipity, and jewelers from around the country make pilgrimages there in order to better their trade.
Seren in winter
[close]

Lilura Nerea
The Lilura Nerea is a massive jade quarry, located a few miles from Tirial's border. It is over half a mile deep, and more closely resembles a canyon than it does anything man-made. The stone walls of the Lilura Nerea are faintly green in color, and many consider it to be one of the most beautiful locations in the province.

Built on the edge of the quarry, Lilua Town is the center of Altas Verde's stonemason industry. As the first settlement one reaches when travelling from outside the province, it has become a rest stop for traders and travellers on their way to Altas Verde's larger cities. However, in spite of this influx of tourists many of the town's residents live in relative poverty. While at one point famous for the quality of stone it produced, Lilua's output has dwindled in the past couple of decades- while it is still plentiful, the majority of jade mined is a mottled white color instead of the vibrant green most are used to. No longer able to compete with the jade mines in the aptly-named Jadenshine, most of the stone produced is consumed domestically for use in paving roads

Wyrm Mountain
The tallest point in the province, and easily the most perilous. Few have attempted to reach the summit, and even fewer have actually made it up there. This is due to the fact that the remains of a powerful dark fae are said to have been laid to rest there, sealed away by the province's first High Lord. The gravesite is also said to be cursed by the spirit of her pet wyrm who still watches over her even in death, hence the name.

Wyrm mountain is also notably home to cyathil, a rare bluish green metal which is one of Serendipity's most valuable commodities. Strong as steel when hardened, yet as malleable as gold when annealed, the rare metal has many uses ranging from weapons to jewelry. Cyathil has many magical properties as well- its succeptability to enchantment being the most well known of them.

Very little Cyathil is mined however, and when it is done it is usually closely overseen by the Feyal family as miners have been known to disappear without any form of explanation. Wyrm Mountain has been declared off-limits by the High Lady! This means that Cyathil production has slowed to a halt. Since exporting the rare metal was a huge source of income for the province, Altas Verde's economy has taken a hit.

Passadi Lake
Throw a stone into the waters of tranquil Lake Passadi, and it will sink without so much as a ripple. Nothing in living memory has succeeded in breaking the calm, flat surface of this body of water. This lake has become a symbol of purification to the people of Altas Verde, and it's water is believed to have magical properties.

According to legend, this lake was created by the ancient hero Bryce Clearwater during his final battle with the demon king Boriazel. After a long and gruesome fight the demon king stood victorious, having thrown Bryce into the ground so hard that a massive crater formed around his body. However, Boriazel had miscalculated- by killing the hero, he had freed a soul so pure that merely standing in it's presence vaporized the demon instantly. The heavens were so relieved at the demon king's death that they cried for ten years, filling the crater left behind with water. It's said that Bryce's soul is the force keeping Lake Passadi tranquil, and that he'll only pass on after the the entire world has been cleansed of evil.

The lake is noticeably home to Altas Verde's prison, as well as a large jade statue of Bryce Clearwater.

Credit to @Alize for this awesome idea! <3

Baso Sutea
A relatively new landmark, the Baso Sutea used to be a dense stretch of forest until an uncontrollable fire destroyed it twenty years ago. What remains is a smoldering wasteland of charcoal and bones, air thick with smoke and ash. While the flames died out long ago, the embers are still red hot- as if something has forcibly kept them alive for all these years.

It's worth noting that the Baso Sutea had been the home of Altas Verde's Kulshedra tribe- at least until the flames consumed them along with the rest of the forest. Nearly all Verdans blame the tribe for the forest fire, resulting in Kulshedra being treated with suspiscion if not outright hostility when they pass through the province. The sole surviving member of the original tribe was too young at the time to remember how it started, so what actually took place that day remains a mystery...

The Mouth of Qokagax
The Mouth of Qokagax is a deep, twisting barrow in the hills of southernmost Serendipity. The temple holds the bones of Qokagax, a wyrm of prodigious size and psionic power, once worshipped by ancient tribes of the Terrin mountains. When Adela left Serendipity, and mixed-blooded people of Altas Verde chose to remain, the barrow fell on their side of the border. It has long been untouched due to the treacherous climb, cold soil, and fearsome beasts. 

Credit to @Whim for this location

Deadfall Towers
Located a few miles from the Ravensway border, the Deadfall Towers are a pair of ancient military outposts dating back to before the Threefold War. The towers were the site of one of the first skirmishes between Serendipity and the Adelan seperatists, and the ensuing battle resulted in both structures being irrepairably damaged. Nature has since reclaimed the towers, and today their only inhabitants are the notorious Southroad Bandits.

LOCAL NOBILITIES

GREAT HOUSE FEYAL
House Motto
"Victory in truth."
House Colors
Red, Black, and Blue
House Crest
A black salamander among red flames, with a blue background.

Common Traits
Aside from their obvious elvish features members of the Feyal Family tend to either have jet black hair, or multicolored hair with black being the primary color. Green eyes are also unusually common among them. In terms of height they are usually within the normal standards for humans, though they tend to be slighter side in terms of size. Another interesting thing about them is that a decent number of them are born with a hypnotic charm of some form in their eyes. Generally their charm doesn't allow them to control or manipulate the person who makes eye contact with them, but instead brings out some form of emotional reaction in them.

Family Members
Beryl Feyal (High Lady)

Family History
It is said that the Feyal name is not inherited at birth but earned through service, and in many ways this is very true. Ever since the province was founded by them all those years ago the House has strongly believed in serving their country and its people, and no member of it may rightful call themselves a Feyal unless they do so in one way or another. This is especially true for the heir apparent who must do so if they wish to claim the title of High Lord or Lady when their mother or father dies. Laziness has never been something they tolerated from themselves or the noble families that serve under them. Among the locals they are generally well liked for their dedication and compassion, and it isn't uncommon for Feyals to be seen riding through villages and the poorer areas of the cities speaking directly to the peasants and helping to address their concerns.

Welp, so much for them! With the exception of the (absurdly young) High Lady, the entire Feyal family disappeared about a year ago. Nobody knows what exactly happened to them, but the prevailing theory is that the Clearwater family had something to do with it- the High Lady's recent betrothal to the Clearwaters' youngest son looks suspiciously like a power play.



THE CLEARWATER FAMILY/SOULSHAPING

Capital punishment is a thing in Altas Verde. Criminals who have proven themselves irredeemably evil have their souls removed and used to power enchantments on tools and weaponry for the military- it's seen as a way of "recycling" the bad people so they actually contribute something to society. This practice is kept hidden by the Verdan government for a number of reasons- mostly due to fear of the Serenian government cracking down on what has proven to be a very useful practice.

The official explanation for the mysterious appearance of enchanted items after an execution lies in the legend of Passadi Lake- the cover story is that Bryce's spirit enchants the items as thanks for cleansing the evildoer's soul. Only the province's political and military elite know the full truth of this tradition, and they've all been sworn to secrecy by the High Lady. That doesn't prevent rumors though...

The Clearwater family have served as the high justiciers/executioners of Altas Verde for at least a century, and they're very close to being royalty themselves. Most members of the family are born with some amount of soulshaping prowess, and those who have none are typically looked down upon.

Family Members
Benedictus Clearwater (High Justicier)
Percival Clearwater (Eldest son)
(PM me if you want to play this character!)
Arthur Clearwater (Youngest son)

THE WHITECHALK FAMILY

One of the most reclusive noble houses in Altas Verde, the Whitechalk family is legendary for producing incredibly powerful mages. An old blood pact with the Feyal family has kept the Whitechalks from attempting any sort of coup, but seeing as Beryl is the only Feyal left...

Not much is known about the family itself, as it's very rare to see any of them outside of their large manor. The few people who've actually encountered them have only odd things to say about them- their outlandish clothing and strange mannerisms are the most commonly reported traits, as well as the air of superiority the carry with them. Some claim they're not fully human, while others insist they're a budding cult. Whatever the truth is, the Whitechalks aren't saying anything...

Family Members:
PM me if you're interested in playing a member of the family!
Coriander Whitechalk (Father, Head of House)
(PM me if you'd like to play this character)
Rosemary Whitechalk (Mother)
Sage Whitechalk (Eldest Son)
Juniper Whitechalk (Middle daughter)
Basil Whitechalk (Youngest Son)
Siana Whitechalk (Aunt)
Sarah Whitechalk (Cousin, disowned from family)


FLORA AND FAUNA

Orratilla
(See main article)

Shug Monkeys
A frightening cross between a wolf and a baboon, Shug Monkeys are the dominant predator in the forested mountains of Altas Verde. Living in troops of seven to eight individuals, these remarkably intelligent carnivores feed primarily on elk and mountain goats- though as they will often hunt as a team, they're sometimes capable of taking down larger animals as well. As they've also been known to prey on human children, Shug Monkeys sighted near Verdan settlements are met with hostility and fear. Even the mere suggestion that a lone Shug may have moved into the area is usually enough for rural villagers to lock their children indoors and begin forming hunting parties.

Shugs are patriarchal, and a troop typically consists of an adult male and a harem or females. While females born into the troop will often stay with their family for the duration of their lives, young males are exiled upon reaching adolecence. These lone males wander in search of a new troop, where they will attempt to assert dominance by challenging and killing the current patriarch. It is not uncommon for single males to have scars from failed attempts.

While by no means a common occurance, exiled males have sometimes been known forgo finding a new troop in favor of linking up to form small gangs. As male Shugs are naturally competitive, they frequently will attempt to outdo one another in order to raise im the group's social hierarchy. This will quickly lead to the gang spiraling out of control, and the increasing escalation causes these "Shug Parties" to be incredibly dangerous to both normal Shug troops and humans alike. A particularly infamous incident in which a Shug Party managed to discover both fire and arson within mere minutes of each other is still talked about to this day, despite a decade having past since it's occurance.

While incapable of human speech, Shugs seem to have their own language and have been observed from a distance solving complex puzzles. Some zoologists have suggested that the species may in fact be sapient, but this has ultimately been left to speculation due to the danger present in attempting to study them.

Varigated Fenshade
A relative of the Serrated Fenshade found in Zantaric, Varigated Fenshade is only found growing on the banks of Lake Passadi. Like it's cousin, it is notorious for it's soul-corrupting properties and is banned in most provinces.

Shug Puzzle Trees
The Shug Puzzle is among the most dangerous trees in the world. It's branches and trunk are entirely covered in large thorns, and it's almost metallic leaves are brutally sharp- enough to leave a person severely mutilated should they attempt to climb one. It's sap is acidic, and even just brushing against it will leave caustic wounds. Nothing is capable of growing underneath these trees, as the roots of the Shug Puzzle seem to go out of their way to choke out any competition.

The Shug Puzzle's large seed pods grow at the very top of the tree and rarely drop on their own, instead relying on external forces to spread them. This is where the name "Shug Puzzle" originates- Shug Monkeys are seemingly fascinated by the pods, and frequently come up with new methods of knocking them to the ground. As they don't actually do anything with the seed pods they knock down, other animals commonly forage for them. As the seeds are prized as a spice by Verdan cooks, humans also make a habit of gathering the fallen pods- though the danger inherant to entering Shug territory to find them makes them quite an expensive commodity.


More lore coming soon...

Eckhart_Von_Musel

Monster Mash!

Altas Verde is the birthplace of Monster Mash!, a collectable trading card game. The game has grown incredibly popular in the two years since it's initial release, and it's rare to find a child in Serendipity who doesn't play it.

Appearance and Collectability:

The foil Penanggalan from the Island Havoc expansion- a highly sought after card. Art by me

Monster Mash cards are octagonal in shape, making them easily distinguishable from other playing cards. They're usually sold in packs of five, but pre-built decks are also available for those who dislike having to collect them in order to play. Cards are typically green in color, though there are rare blue variants that are highly sought after. Half of the card's face is taken up by a illustration of the monster it represents, with the card's hit points and stats (power, defense, magic, fear, and speed) being listed on the lower half. Stats rarely go beyond one hundred points, with one hundred fifty being the absolute highest.

Monster Mash cards are notable for their value- if sold to the right collector, rare cards can go for hundreds of suns. The cards highest in value are typically holographic first editions, though misprints and the blue variant cards also sell for quite a bit.

According to rumor, there is one card so rare that only one exists- the reverse foil "Echidna, Mother of Monsters" card. Whether or not it actually exists is unknown, but it's supposedly the best card in the game.

Rules:

-WIP-

Background:

"Where did this game come from" is a question many Serenian parents have found themselves asking in recent years. The cards seemed to appear out of thin air one day- and unlike most fads, Monster Mash! has managed to stay popular well after it's initial exposure. Local clubs and tournaments have begun to pop up, and even adults are starting to get into the game. The sheer amount of cards has made collecting a popular hobby among many, and there have been cases of cards being stolen from children by the game's more obsessive fans.

Attempts to find where the cards are manufactured have all failed. The first packs are known to have been sold in Altas Verde, but because cards arrive at stores in unlabeled boxes it's unknown if that's their true origin point or not. The mysterious manner in which the cards appeared at shops was seen as troubling at first, but they sell so well that shop owners have mostly stopped questioning it at this point.

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