Mischievous Chaneque

The myth

Chaneques are beings from the living oral tradition of Indigenous and mestizo peoples of Mexico, especially along the Gulf and in the sierras. They are small, child-sized, and live in the wild, in damp places near rivers and caves. Among the Nahua of Puebla’s Sierra Negra, they are the “laborers” of the lords of Tlalokan, owners of water and animals. They are not simply evil: they watch over hunting and the use of resources, punish abuses and sometimes grant gifts. But whoever meets them may suffer an “espanto,” a fright that makes the soul go astray, and needs a healer.

Why it has this power

A Level 3 Common with 800 ATK and 900 DEF: it does not fight head-on, it prefers to play tricks. Earth is the wild where it lives; Wisp, the strange lights that lead travelers astray, and Fox, mischief. As a Spirit, it can serve as the base for the fusion that creates Huehuecóyotl.

Did you know

In a tale collected by Elisa Ramírez, chaneques have only two fingers on each hand, which is why they are curious about humans, who have five.

Connections

• In Tlali, Calmécac Student's deck
• In Citlali, Priestess of the Stars's deck

Where to get it

• Campaign drop: Citlali, Priestess of the Stars (Valley of the Fifth Sun) — grade D: 14%
• Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
• Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
• Craft with card dust: 40 dust
• Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

1. Chaneques (Arqueología Mexicana) — Elisa Ramírez
2. Duendes o chaneques (Arqueología Mexicana) — Laura Romero