Game Rules

Anima are the semi-sentient beings of Akhira. Much like animals, they hunt, live in the wild, and wander. Unlike most animals, Anima have the ability to naturally channel mana. This mana infusion may result in an uptick in intelligence.

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Anima are supernatural creatures which have empathy-abilities which allow them to Bond with Akhrians and Aol-Akhirans. This capability allows them to transfer mana they naturally generate to others. 

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Anima Bonds with Tamers are a rare and unstudied phenomena. Anima who have Bonded with a Tamer can grow smarter and more capable of generating mana, while the Tamer benefits from having a living mana-battery linked to their souls.

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Anima are also capable of manifesting into stronger forms when their concentration of mana reaches a peak state. 1st Manifest Anima are placed into play by tapping mana equal to their placement cost. Higher Manifest Anima can be placed on top a compatible Anima.

Tamers are some of the most powerful humans (Akhirans) and Aol-Akhirans of the Tetraverse universe. They can Bond with the Anima of Akhira, which grants them an ever-recharging mana-source, greatly enhancing their abilities.

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However, Anima Bonds aren’t simply batteries. To Bond with Anima is a psychological and spiritual experience. Tamers are often seen taking on traits similar to their Anima. The psychological effects are also profound, developing an appreciation for some of the Anima’s personal tastes.

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The Bond works both directions.  Anima generally enjoy higher intelligence and sentience, as well as stronger focus and longer life-spans. Only a person attuned to a mana-element can become a Tamer. People who perform the Bond without an affinity (null) don’t benefit in any mana-way.

At the start of the game, each player places their Castle card into play. This allows for the placement of other units into play. When this Structure is destroyed, no additional units can be placed. Therefore, a primary goal of the game is to destroy each opponent's Castle.

Towers are offensive structures that have high Health values and several abilities. Towers are used to cast abilities against nearby enemies. They can be placed defensively, such as to protect the Castle from enemies, or offensively to help advance the position of allied units.

Buildings provide utility to units in play, such as statistic increases.

Roughly following the geographic regions of the world, this is where a certain type of mana-energy is very strong.  The local Anima reflect this type of mana and the elemental force of the region has a powerful effect.

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This confluence is caused by a combination of underground, stratospheric, and celestial Ley Lines, which are devilishly difficult to track or measure.  As a result, certain mana infusions appear even in areas where they’re not commonly seen.

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Landscape cards can be used to reduce the casting cost of abilities of adjacent allied units or the placement cost of units placed adjacent to them. Additionally, they can be tapped in the place of a mana card.

Event cards represent a lore-driven scene from the Tetraverse novellas. They consist of cards classified as either Traps or Enchantments.

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Enchantments can be used instantaneously on any player's turn. These can be used for specific actions, such as applying additional damage to an enemy, drawing cards from your deck, or countering a spell. In order for a player to use an Enchantment, they must have enough untapped mana available in their Mana Pool to account for the casting cost of the associated ability.

Traps, which are played face down, can be used when triggered on an opponent's turn when an enemy is within range of the Trap's ability, given that the Player has enough untapped mana for to cover the ability cost.

Consumable Items are used on a Player's turn to provide immediate utility, such as recovering Health, removing status ailments, or drawing a card. Comsumables, as the name implies, are consumed upon use.

Equipment can be attached to Tamers or Anima. They can be used to raise statistic values such as dexterity, mobility, or intellect, as well as to allow the wielder to cast new abilities. However, in order to equip such an item to an ally, that unit needs to have enough available dexterity remaining. The dexterity cost determines whether the being has "space" to equip the card.

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When an Anima manifests into a higher level manifestation, the equipment that are equipped remain so. However, if a card with equipment is Vanquished the equipment goes to the Vanquished Realm. If a card with equipment is returned to a Player's hand, the equipment is returned as well, unless otherwise specified.

Mana works through the manipulation of mana energies found in an element. The mana networking the world can be touched and manipulated by people sensitive to it or specially attuned artifacts. 

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Mana generally grows stronger during environmental shifts. For example, terra-mana is more common during earthquakes or rockslides. Aqua-mana is more common in a strong river than a shallow stream.

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A user can direct mana in a certain pattern or pathway to ensure it follows that direction. The mental image of the pathway is important. 

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Generally, physical motions, words, and actions help cement the pattern of mana-motion. Masters can align mana-patterns with physical attacks for extra potency.

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Mana cards can be placed once per turn into a player's Mana Pool. They are tapped to cover the placement cost of Anima, Tamers, Structures, and Landscapes, the casting cost of abilities, or the upgrade cost of Structures.