In the universe I had created, there are two conflicting races, with several other lesser mentioned races. The first is the common Human. The second is the Jiirai, the successors of the ancient beasts that once lived alongside the Humans, before they traveled beyond the 'Gate.'
Thousands of years later, the ancient beasts evolved into human-like creatures, in order to become more like the humans themselves. Out of lonliness, and resent for the mistakes that lead the humans to leave, they changed their form, wishing to become more like them. The day then came when they too were able to travel beyond the 'Gate.'
They eventually made contact with the humans, and formed a friendly bond. Although they lived seperately from the Humans, the Jiirai, as they became known, still visited them, established trade routes, and exchanged goods and services.
One day, the friendly terms were shattered, as the benevolent ruler of the Jiirai was Assassinated. A new ruler took over the throne, and everything changed. A wave of ancient magic was cast over the residents of the Jiirai kingdom. The Jiirai suddenly began to despise the humans, seeing them as weaker beings not suited to walk the planet.
Aobi, the son of the late King, was a Human who had been discovered on a hunting trip. The kind-hearted king could not leave the infant behind, so he raised him as his own son. Upon the death of the King, Aobi underwent a ritual that his father had requested upon his death. The King had forseen the dark events, but had no clue as to what might happen. To prepare, he commanded his close followers to perform a 'Cressuik Binding' upon his death.
Such a ritual had never been performed by any Human or Jiirai since the days of the ancients, but he had been the keeper of many ancient secrets and memories that were passed down to him from his family. He taught his followers how to perform the ritual of Cressuik Binding.
Aobi was a Human, but his father, a Jiirai. The King knew that his son could survive the ritual. Aobi was the son of the King, after all. He had taught his son everything about being a Jiirai until his death, when Aobi was only 8. Aobi was tough, and he survived the excrutiating ritual.
The King's strength and powers, as well as his ancient memories, were passed on to Aobi. Young Aobi became the first Cressik since the days before the 'Gate' was opened.
Aobi was then taken away by the King's followers. He traveled from town to town, learning as he went. At the age of 17, he had finally settled down, hoping that the evil that had taken over the Jiirai kingdom would never spread outside of it's boundary. But that was something he knew would never happen. Regardless, he had tried to believe otherwise.
The day finally came when he could no longer stay in one place. The new King, 9 years after he became the new ruler, began sending soldiers all over the continent, searching for Aobi. They left a trail of blood at each town they visited, sparing no survivors.
When Aobi learned of this, he sought ought to form a Militia. He knew of a type of Human, known as Espers. Though they're bodies were not as sturdy as those of the Jiirai, they had incredible strength and powers that surpassed even the strongest of the Jiirai soldiers. Though they were few and far, he traveled from town to town, increasing his numbers until he had formed an army of human defenders. Two espers were assigned to a town, protecting the inhabitants from Jiirai invaders.
Several other soldiers of Aobi's army traveled the continent, looking for survivors of past attacks. They offered help and assistance to anybody who needed it. They established a main base where they assigned doctors and farmers to help those who were left homeless from the attacks.
And that's the story behind most of these card ideas. It's a rough description, and may contain some grammatical errors, but like I mentioned in a previous blog post, I am not the best writer. I have a hard time actually keeping up with a story. I'm surprised I managed to write this much, but I guess it's a good thing I did.
Anyway, on to the card ideas.
#1
Name: Gurevian Lance
Type: Creature
Subtype: Jiirai Soldier
Cost:
P/T: 1/4
Card Ruling:
First Strike, Fear
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The next three are a bit of a trial. I was unsure how these would actually play out in an actual game, so I made a few variations.
#2
Name: Selfless Defiance
Type: Enchantment
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Atacking creatures you control get +1/+0
Blocking creatures you control get +0/+1
#3
Name: Undying Loyalty
Type: Enchantment
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Attacking creatures you control get +2/+0
Creatures you control attack each turn if able.
#4
Name: Blind Defiance
Type: Enchantment
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Attacking creatures you control get +3/+0
Creatures you control attack each turn if able
Creatures you control cannot block.
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I've decided to go with a defender theme.
#5
Name: Gurevian Juggernaut
Type: Creature
Subtype: Jiirai Soldier
P/T: 2/3
Cost:
Card Ruling:
As long as Gurevian Juggernaut is attacking, creatures with defender your opponents control cannot block.
You may have Gurevian Juggernaut deal its damage directly to the defending player as if it weren't blocked.
#6
Gurevian Curse-Lifted
Type: Creature
Subtype: Jiirai Rebel
P/T: 2/5
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Defender
#7
Kavari Fiendguard
Type: Creature
Subtype: Jiirai
P/T: 1/4
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Defender
When Kavari Fiendguard blocks a creature, you may return the blocked creature to it's owner's hand. (This effect happens after damage is dealt).
#8
Kavari Convert
Type: Creature
Subtype: Jiirai
P/T: 2/2
Cost:
Card Ruling:
As long as you control a Human, Kavari Convert has protection from Non-Human Creatures.
As long as you control another Jiirai, creatures you control with defender have protection from Non-Human Creatures.
#9
Kavari Sanctum
Type: Legendary Land
Card Ruling:
When Kavari Sanctum enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
As long as you control an Esper, creatures of the chosen type get +0/+1.
Add to your mana pool Add to your mana pool as long as you control a Jiirai.___
Here's a concept I added. Defender counters. A creature with a defender counter gains defender as long is it has that counter. If the counter is removed, so is the defender ability.
#10
Serim, Second to Aobi
Type: Legendary Creature
Subtype: Jiirai Esper
P/T: 3/5
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Whenever a creature becomes blocked by Serim, Second to Aobi, put a Defender counter on that creature. (Creatures with Defender counters gain Defender. Creatures with Defender cannot attack).
, Sacrifice Serim, Second to Aobi: Put a Defender counter on target creature.#11
Aobi's Motivation
Type: Sorcery
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Until end of turn, creatures with defender may attack as if they did not have defender.
#12
Sorrow of the Ancients
Type: Sorcery
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Target Opponent reveals his or her hand. That player discards all cards that share a name with any card in his or her graveyard.
#13
Aobi's Barrage
Type: Instant
Cost:
Card Ruling:
All creatures gain defender until end of turn.
#14
Aobi's Rage
Type: Instant
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Until end of turn, creatures with defender cannot block.
____
Here's another case of two cards that are similar variations. One is more focused on an intent to kill creatures. The other is focused on preventing them from attacking, while also relying on other defender combos.
#15
Kavari Brand
Type: Artifact
Subtype: Equipment
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Equip
Equipped creature has defender.
Equipped creature gets +0/+2.
Equipped creature deals damage equal to its toughness to target creature.#16
Defender
Type: Legendary Artifact
Subtype: Equipment
Cost:
Card Ruling:
Equip
Equipped creature has defender.
Equipped creature gets +0/+5.
Put a defender counter on target creature. Use this ability only once per turn.Well, that's all I had for today. I'll probably post some more some other time. Just keep an eye on the blog.
