Tell Me A Story

Most of the actual story of Hex will be told through the PvE content, like the Ardent/Underworld conflict, the mysteries surrounding the Hex comet, and several other stories we've only been given glimpses of.  However several features of Hex that are in the game right now work to portray that story and also contribute to the unique atmosphere of the world of Entrath, including the art, flavor text, music, and even the card mechanics.

Transforming cards are one such example that is unique to Hex that works to tell a story, whether that story involves answering the summons of an Imprisoned Mage, an orc gladiator that becomes a High Cleric through victory in the arena, or an anonymous samurai that ascends to the rank of Warlord.  Unlike Evolution cards in Pokémon or updated versions of the same planeswalker in Magic: the Gathering, these cards are capable of telling a story on a single card, and they are stories that could span many years.  This holds interesting ramifications for PvP sets if they are released on a timeline, since an important figurehead in the current lore could be introduced along with his entire backstory laid out for the player if he is the final stage of a transforming card.  Alternately, we could get a glimpse at possible futures for characters whose destiny has not yet been realized: maybe when Te'Talca fights a Splinter of Azathoth she becomes "Te'Talca the Voidtouched" instead of the High Cleric we know and love (or dread if our Sealed opponent transforms her).

Brood Missionary is another transforming card that tells a story, but rather than a specific story about a Unique character, this is telling a story that reflects an ongoing conflict in Entrath.  The Vennen and Orcs are mortal foes, the former being a spidery bastardization of the latter.  The dynamics between the Orcs and Vennen are demonstrated in the Starter Trials, where players can take their newly acquired starter decks and compete against the AI to win new cards that augment their existing deck.  Here, a player with an Orc Starter Deck will face off against the Vennen champion Zared in his three matches.  Similarly, Human players will fight the three Necrotic champions, the Shin'hare will fight the three Coyotle champions, and the Dwarves will fight the elf champion Polonius.  These battles signify a much larger battle being waged on Entrath: the Underworld Incursion, where the Ardent and Underworld alliances are embroiled in a fierce battle that for the time being has reached a stalemate.

When PvE is implemented, you get to create a champion with one of these eight races and one of six classes: Cleric, Mage, Warrior, Rogue, Warlock, and Ranger.  While your class plays an important role in the Might System within dungeon, determining what sort of bonuses you get to your deck, your race plays a thematic role in determining where your character falls in the Ardent-Underworld conflict, and affecting a grand narrative that unfolds across various dungeons and raids.  I got the chance to talk with Cory Jones, President of Hex Entertainment, at GenCon about the races of Hex and how they play into the PvE content.  While most of the forty dungeons they have in production will be playable by all races, there are six dungeons that are specific to whether you have chosen an Ardent or Underworld character, three only playable by Ardent characters and three only playable by Underworld characters.  These dungeons will highlight the Ardent-Underworld conflict, and the AI for the computer can react differently based on the cards you play.  An opposing Vennen might spend an expensive removal spell on a Savage Raider instead of a more threatening card like Hellhound just because it's an Orc.

If you look carefully at his chest, you can see a tiny acorn inside.  

I plan on rolling a Coyotle when I get the chance, and curious to see whether I would be fighting on his side or against him and the rest of the Underworld forces, I asked Cory which race he planned on for his main character.  "This might be kind of a boring answer," he answered, "but I'll probably choose Human."  The Humans make up the Ardent Alliance alongside the Coyotle, Elves, and Orcs.  There had initially been plans for more playable races in the game on the Ardent and Underworld side other than the core eight that we have now.  One of these was the Arborean, a race of giant Treant-esque beings that lumber forth from the forests of Entrath in search of greater knowledge and ultimate Enlightenment.  Ostensibly allied with the surface dwelling Ardent races, the Arborean carve into their bark/skin the lessons and wisdom they collect from the world around them.  They are all born with a single seed, and upon reaching Enlightenment they bury that seed, which will then take root and eventually grow into another Arborean.  Shattered Destiny has given us our first look at the Arborean in Arborean Rootfather, a massive 8/8 troop that returns to the field if not dealt with immediately.

Another important note is that while these races might have generic names, they are far from ordinary.  The dwarves are chaotic and inventive masters of demolition, shaped from the very earth and occasionally seen riding into battle on the backs of giant army ants.  The elves look less like the fair-haired beings you might see in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings adaptation, and more like mischievous satyrs.  Their attitude reflects this, as the elves of Entrath are perennial artisans, much more aloof and tending to prefer poetry and cooking to swordplay.  One of the races that departs perhaps the most from what you would expect is the Goblins.  "When I envisioned them," Jones explained, "I had pictured these gaunt, grotesque, pale creatures... kind of like from the old Nosferatu movie.  Beings of pure, sadistic evil."  This is a far departure from the low-level (and low height) troublemakers you might find in a Pathfinder book.  All of these different stylistic takes on existing races make the world of Entrath and unique place to explore, along with several races that are completely unique to Hex like the samurai-esque Shin'hare, the native american themed Coyotle, and the seemingly Hindu-themed Iljuni.  As Shattered Destiny spoilers trickle out and PvE looms ever on the horizon, we're sure to see more of the lore surrounding these unique cultures unfold before us.

More information about the races of Entrath can be found on HexTCG's Story section.

Tournament

Two quick announcements in addition to the above.  First, this Saturday there will be another free Hex Constructed Tournament for those who wish to enter on Saturday, August 30th at 12PM Pacific (3PM for those of us on the East Coast).  There's no player cap, and if you manage to snag a win during the four rounds of Constructed you could get free boosters and gold.  Full information in the announcement.

Hotfix & Sleeve Giveaway

Congratulations to MagnumOpus from the reddit forums for winning the Draft/Pack Code (I sent you a friend request in game and will send you the code shortly).  That was my last one to give away, but I managed to get multiple copies of the promotional Pippit Sleeves from GenCon that I'm giving away on the blog.  These were made redeemable in the client through a hotfix earlier this week, so if you're interested just reply in the blog post or subreddit with your IGN (In Game Name) and your favorite race from Hex.  I'll give out as many as I can this week (I think I have like ten or so extra), but there are also many people who attended who are giving them out too.  I also got my webcam working after a few weeks of procrastinating and should start streaming some Drafts again soon.

Until next time...