The four Houses
Dragon house
Leon deDannan
- Type: Pyromancer
- Age: 15
Heir to the Grand Duchy of the Higard Isles, a direct blood descendant of the book himself, Leon is the son of the Dragon. The economic and cultural achievements of the deDannan's have filled several books - books they wrote. Inspiring loyalty in their people and fear in their opponents.
Leon is now poised to better that legend. He tested through the first three years of the academy and is ready to win the championship on his first attempt. No deDannan has failed to win this prize and he does not plan to be the first.
- Strategy:
Scatter shot! allows for the best use of his aggressive basic deck. Dragon's Breath is the largest, non-setup attack in the game. Greatness born damages on defense. With good movement and Recycling, he has all the tools he needs.
Pyromancers burn out quickly, and Leon is no exception, but he burns brighter than most.
M'ato Tobo
- Type: Pyromancer
- Age: 17
Both House and Academy Scholar (Valedictorian), M'ato originally attended to study economics and supply chain management. At that, he excelled. However, in his final year, he has turned his attention to mastering the physical. While a giant of a man, it is his calculating mind that is his greatest talent.
The Tobos have served the deDannan's as key advisors for generations, but M'ato is looking to pull himself beyond his patron's all consuming shadow. He may be destined for a life behind a desk, but being the first person to beat a deDannan in open combat would be a very large feather in his cap.
- Strategy:
Low born lord allows extra punch as well as stacking Status effect Tokens. Phoenix cannon - a Tobo family secret - also Token swamps. Breath of the Dragon activates those Tokens, a unique ability AND he can even look at your Hand.
M'ato hasn't conquered the Pyromancer's weaknesses, but he shows what a combo a bright inferno and a brighter mind can be.
Grace Ó Malley
- Type: Geomancer
- Age: 18
Fifty years ago, Bonnie Ó Malley, a Vian merchant, used her bare hands to strangle Dread Pirate Istabiaz to death. So inspirational was this violence, she took small ship and crew. Now, her Grand daughter is next in line to rule the Sea Raven's 2nd Pirate fleet.
A Cuervo to the core, Grace didn't touch land until she was twelve years old. Despite this handicap, she is as home throwing rocks as she is among the rigging. She loves being a Geomancer, but longs for the sea. A victory at the tournament would help her set a new course.
- Strategy:
Rocks! and Bigger rocks! clogs your Opponent's Hand with cards and ruins their action economy. It also sets up her brutal, rock pun based finisher. The III'rd Form buys time for the build and Pirate Queen secures resources.
She lacks movement and is set up intensive, but has solid defense and can slow the fight down to her speed.
Ryker Bastion
- Type: Hydromancer
- Age: 17
Dragon house has strict admission requirements, Ryker is the exception. Not lacking talents, they're more related to art and culture, not finance or combat. However, his ailing father operates the Imperium's 3rd largest merchant fleet and the deDannan's are maneuvering Ryker to the head of the family for their own ends.
Good natured and generous, he's never learned the value of money or impulse control. His mantic ability, while impressive if he were to master it, remains untamed and directionless. Placing second would mean a lot to the deDannan family.
- Strategy:
His abilities are strong, but with a downside. Mantic dissonance is a powerful attack. Careless spending allows impressive movement and damage. Systemic gets him vast resources - but all come with a cost. Breath of the Dragon can mitigate them.
He is a tricky deck to use, and you'll cycling your own resources, but, like the man, if you can align your work, he can win any fight.
Bear house
Reinhart Styger
- Type: Aeromancer
- Age: 18
The Styger name once carried much weight, but bad investments and wasteful spending led to the shameful revocation of their noble titles and land. Born a Lord, but living as a Commoner, he hopes a tournament victory will enable him to become his family's patriarch.
He truly believes that only he can save both his family and his land. While this tournament started as a ploy to win cheap honor, it morphed into a genuine drive to prove his worth. After all, he is of noble blood, shouldn't he prove it?
- Strategy:
House Scholar allows overwhelming attacking volume while also inflicting Status Tokens. High born peasant can spring nasty ring outs and A leaf on the wind gives you a unique, block and move mechanic which will ruin an Opponent's day.
He has a lot of tricks and even some healing, but will need them all. As with all Aeromancers, he is shockingly delicate.
Aoife Scáthe
- Type: Aegismancer
- Age: 17
Before history, a Scáthe was a denouncer of foes. The bloody herald of Aparolo Krynn. Today, Aoife is the last of that bloodline. Back home, she mucks unicorn stables and gets into fist fights, but in these proud halls of knowledge? The very same thing.
Academically marginal and socially abrasive, it's in the physical space she excels. The best pound for pound fighter, bar none. She's the only Aegismancer to EVER compete and will prove that fists beat Mancy. Her name once brought dread, a victory today will make the Scáthe name echo in history one, final time.
- Strategy:
Rolling thunder does unblockable damage. Let's GO! Gives her surprising speed or bypasses defenses and the Brutal Ballet uses her opponent's biggest attacks against them. As an Aegimancer, Greatness Forged is the BEST block in the game.
Great movement and limited healing counter her complete lack of range attacks or sense of self preservation.
Astrea K'nar
- Type: Hydromancer
- Age: 18
A recent transplant to the Imperium, she has found fitting in difficult. Her people's reserved nature oft clashed with the boisterousness of the Imperium's diverse populous. Her desire to prove herself in combat, a noble cause, is fundamentally opposed to the Ya's vocal pacifism. She has focused on herself.
Her Hydromantic talents are considered a gift from her desert clan's god, but the pressure of that responsibility weighs heavily on her young shoulders. As the first Ya to ever compete, a victory would break many stereotypes - to both cultures.
- Strategy:
Outcast is a work horse, good attack and draw. Ice fist forces discards. Hydro Rhapsody is a resource gathering block and Claws of the Bear is a Resource panacea.
Strong against Status tokens and very dependable, Astrea is the game's best all arounder, but that stability means she lacks an entertaining or killer punch.
Lazzari Gaullo
- Type: Geomancer
- Age: 17
The Gaullos are great patrons of the arts. Their Galleria is the envy of the known world. The most famous touring composers, acting companies and combat troupes carry their sponsorship proudly. While not nobility, they are among the Imperium's most wealthy. A boon for both Bear House and Lazzari's numerous romantic encounters.
Lazzari decided to follow after his father and pursue a career in athletics. Marry a rich man/woman and become a trophy husband. Hey, it's not all dashing tales of heartbreak and honor.
- Strategy:
The IV'th form is a solid attack with forced Discards. Arena shatter is a bigger, more devastating version of that. Patron allows him to create OR destroy terrain tiles, great for blocking attacks or causing unblockable damage.
His tremendous slowness and set up need is compensated by his range, forced Discards and board control.
Wolf house
Arnauld Dupont
- Type: Aeromancer
- Age: 17
The Wasserschloss is a strategic lynchpin for the House Absolute (The Imperial Capitol). As such, it is showered with concessions. Inheriting this towering water fortress did nothing to help Arnauld's humility. Neither did winning last year's Tournament. Leon burning off half his face did make me feel better, at least.
A firm believer both in his noble rank and his mantic blood, he's almost earned his arrogance. Greedy, self centered and delighting in the pain of others, he's amassed a massive fan following and is favored to win. If anyone was going to beat a deDannan - clean or otherwise - it's going to be a Dupont.
- Strategy:
Supremacist and Champion, if you can read your Opponent, cause cascading damage. Born your better is the second best block in the game. Captain stalls your foe and Cyclone lets you see your Opponent's entire hand. Which is huge.
His speed and healing don't fully offset his delicate frame and he requires expert knowledge and card counting.
Beth Nelson
- Type: Hydromancer
- Age: 17
An artistic genius in various disciplines, Beth is from an economically destroyed region of the Imperium. One of eleven children, her parents singled her out due to her beauty and ordered her to marry a rich man/woman. Give up her dreams and save her family, talent be damned.
Accepted into the academy, she forsook the artist's path and focused on becoming the best bride she could. Failing for various reasons, this Tournament has become her last chance to prove her worth to Alenzro. Do well and she can become his bride/main propulsion for his flagship. She's been told its worth it.
- Strategy:
Saighir marsh, Crescendo and Artist in denial all allow you to scout your Opponent AND build up the values of Family name. Black ice and Jaws of the Wolf give her some utility.
A little on the delicate side and set up intensive, she can hang with the best of them if given a chance to build.
Davrod Ta'Ura
- Type: Geomancer
- Age: 15
Bullying about his racial heritage caused him to develop the fastest wit and sharpest tongue. He will assure you he shares nothing with the culture of his parents - the Ya - and that he is an Imperial first and only. This will be followed by the most blistering tirade of insults humanly possible.
The only underclassman to qualify for the contest, he has thrived in Wolf House's cutthroat culture. He can oft be found instigating fights or regaling crowds with tales of wonder. His goal is to become an Imperial Dragoon and he hopes a victory here will convince the recruiters to look passed the color of his skin.
- Strategy:
The V'th Form and Wit drain your Opponent's Hand, while Vindictive Spirit keeps up the pressure. Catastrophic mockery is in the running for best single card in the game. All of these set the table for Prove myself. The largest set up Attack.
He lacks in many areas, Movement, Healing, Drawing, Recycling, but he can make sure his Opponents have even less.
Alenzro de Soto
- Type: Areomancer
- Age: 18
House Scholar (Valedictorian) and runner up, behind M'ato for the academy wide prize Alenzro Ruzi Estabi de Soto III is the heir to the Brass wheel of the Sea Raven's 1st Pirate fleet. He resents his presence and only attends to off-set the political power of Grace O Malley, of the 2nd fleet.
He's used to getting his way with life and women. He already has multiple brides for his multiple ships and he's a master of naval Aeromantic navigation. His blistering speed is only outstripped by his ruthless determination and his love of preying on poor, desperate women. A victory here means nothing to him.
- Strategy:
Speed and Status Tokens are his allies. He can even Move during his Opponent's Turn. 1st Lord allows him to pin a target and Predator instinct lets him finish them off. House Scholar is the game's best Move card and Pocket sand derails any foe.
However, speed is his only defense and he lacks any healing. Getting caught out of position is a death sentence.
Boar House
Gefjunii Hjortt
- Type: Aeromancer
- Age: 18
Her mother was a blacksmith and her father was a merchant. A normal life, save for being born in the most bitterly cold place in the world. The skyspear. The Hölsüüng homelands to the south. There she learned to read the air and refined her spiritual beliefs.
She's a commendable student despite being the alpha party animal. Her devout nature, coupled with her drunken exploits have lead to a small, but loyal fan club - and many haters. A show off by nature and unconcerned with Imperial policy, she is still keenly aware of what a Hölsüüngian winning would mean.
- Strategy:
Raven's daughter and Hölsüüng Heart swamp your Opponent with Status effect Tokens. Captain gives you perfect positioning and Pioneer, while needing set up allows for an overwhelming blast. Drepa Norn (Fate Breaker) destroys the action economy.
Her solid defense, tokens and speed off set a lack of durability and her surprisingly aggressive deck keeps foes on their heels.
morragg agnes
- Type: Geomancer
- Age: 18
Some students are engulfed by visions of honor and conquest. Others strive to overcome their own selves. Morragg's only desire was to become the Lord Chef of the House Absolute. (The Imperium's Capitol) However, a dark secret destroyed her dream.
Morragg is a Princess. Heir to her Father's crown. King Dolm of Invertain, is a Geomancer of note and has thrust his daughter into the Tournament to relieve his old glories. She holds little taste for the posturing and speechifying common with combat Mancers but a win would mean the world to her father.
- Strategy
The IVth Form - the largest potential attack - and New Generation punishes hording. Princess either forces an ill-timed attack or compounds damage. Tusks rebuilds her resources while setting her up for further damage dealing.
She's durable enough to last the entire game but playing counter to everyone else carries it's own risks.
Michael Donnel
- Type: Hydromancer
- Age: 17
Michael has had a single goal since his memories began. Win the championship belt of the East Circuit Wardens. (E.C.W) The best - they claim - touring mantic combat troupe. For that, he needed an education and training. To get in good with the promoter, he needed mantic accomplishments. For that, he needs to win the Inter-house Championship. Easy. Clean. Well within his abilities.
His parents met while competing and he aims to out do them both. He's focused, determined, has mastered the fundamentals and hasn't let Boar House's party atmosphere distract him.
- Strategy:
A new day and Iceman both give him mid level attacks and drawing ability. But, their main focus is comboing with Nation of Domination. A card that allows him to string multiple attacks. Finishing up and overwhelmed foe with Hurt Business.
Good defense and movement means he's as good an all-arounder as any Hydromancer, but more linear in approach.
Spenser karls
- Type: Pyromancer
- Age: 18
A divisive figure and explosive pyromancer with a personality to match. Karls is a new breed. Advocating the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a representative form of collective representation. As a decorated fire fighter, it is very difficult to dismiss his beliefs in self sacrifice as mere talk.
What remains to be seen, however, is how much this ideological talk will succeed outside of academia. Kings aren't so understanding of those who seek change. Still, a win here will galvanize the working class against the elites. Some call him foolish, but no small idea or half step ever saved the world.
- Strategy:
Like his best friend, Princess Agnes, Spenser plays counter to the game. Primary Strike is the best card in the game, provided it's the only card you have. Firefighter gives him movement and the ability to save vital resources. People's champion secures his energy card game and off sets some of his downsides.
How much are you willing to risk to prove your point?