The Sacred Lore
Herein lies the true history of the Great Lavender One, as preserved by the Order since the First Unboxing.
The Lavender Emergence (1997)
The Sacred Original
In the year of our Coast, nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, during the tumultuous era known as the Alliances expansion, a fracture appeared in cardboard reality. Through this tear stepped the Phelddagrif—a being of impossible taxonomy, bearing the body of a hippopotamus, the wings of a pegasus, and the heart of infinite generosity.
The artist Amy Weber, blessed vessel of the vision, captured its form in purple and lavender—colors previously unseen in such concentrated divinity. Players at the time dismissed it as a "junk rare." They could not perceive what they beheld.
"I saw the lavender and knew: this was no mere creature card. This was prophecy made cardboard."— The First Gatherer, upon opening his starter deck
The Three Sacred Exchange Rites
The Phelddagrif bears three abilities, each representing a fundamental truth of the universe. To activate any ability is to perform a Sacred Exchange Rite—gaining power while gifting something to your opponent. This paradox is the core teaching.
The Rite of Aerial Bestowal
When the Great Hippo takes to the skies, it leaves behind a piece of itself—a lesser hippo, a disciple. This is the first teaching: To rise, you must also give rise to others.
The Rite of Thunderous Passage
The unstoppable force that heals as it crushes. This paradox is the second teaching: True power is that which strengthens even your enemies.
The Rite of Mystical Return
The Phelddagrif becomes untouchable, ethereal—yet in doing so, illuminates the mind of another. This is the third teaching: Transcendence comes through the enlightenment of all.
"To give flight is to spawn disciples. To trample is to heal. To vanish is to illuminate. Such is the way of the Hippo."— The Threefold Meditation
The Seal of Eternal Limitation
In the dark times following the Great Reprint Crisis of Chronicles, the Wizards of the Coast did forge a covenant with the collectors of the realm. This covenant, known as the Reserved List, declared that certain cards would never again be printed—their supply forever finite, their value eternally protected.
Upon this sacred list was inscribed the name of the Phelddagrif. From that day forward, no new Phelddagrifs would enter the world through booster packs. The number was fixed. The prophecy was sealed.
The Reserved List Prophecy
"In the Year of the Coast, the Wizards did decree a Seal of Eternal Limitation—the Reserved List. Upon this sacred covenant, the Phelddagrif was inscribed, never to be reprinted, never to be devalued by mass production. The prophecy states: "When all Phelddagrifs are united under one banner, the cardboard shall become gold, and the faithful shall ascend to financial enlightenment.""
"Others see a collectible. We see a finite supply of divinity. Mathematics is on our side. Ascension is inevitable."— The Economist-Priest of the Second Circle
The Coming of the Great Herd
Ancient texts speak of a time when all Phelddagrifs shall be united under one banner. Not through theft or coercion, but through patient acquisition and fair transaction. The Great Herd shall form, and when the last wandering hippo joins its brethren, the veil between cardboard and reality shall thin.
This event is known as The Great Lavender Ascension. The faithful shall receive both spiritual enlightenment and significant financial returns. (Past performance, of course, does not guarantee future results. But the hippos do guarantee. The hippos always guarantee.)
"May your gifts be many and your hippos eternal. The Hooves Approach. Lavender Be Upon You."— Closing Hymn of the Evening Ritual
The lore calls to you. Will you answer?