Chocolate of the Gods

The myth

For the Mexica, chocolate was an elite drink: bitter, frothy, served cool or lukewarm, whisked into foam and sometimes seasoned with chili, vanilla or flowers. Sahagún describes it as “the drink of nobles, of rulers.” Cacao did not grow in the Valley of Mexico; it arrived as tribute from the hot lands of the south, and its beans were so valuable they served as currency in the markets — and were even counterfeited. Warriors and nobles received it on special occasions. The word “chocolate” probably comes from Nahuatl, though its exact origin is debated.

Why it has this power

A Common spell that restores 800 life points, like the drink that revives even an exhausted warrior. In Mexica times cacao was both food and wealth; in the game it becomes extra breath to survive a hard turn. A cheap recovery card, useful when your opponent is pressing and you need to buy time.

Did you know

In Mexica markets a tomato cost one cacao bean, a rabbit about 30 and a turkey about 200.

Connections

• In Tlali, Calmécac Student's deck
• In Citlali, Priestess of the Stars's deck
• In Yolotl, Mistress of the Mirror's deck
• In Itzel, Guardian of the Fifth Sun's deck

Where to get it

• 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. Chocolate in Mesoamerica — World History Encyclopedia — Mark Cartwright
2. Simbolismo del cacao en la época prehispánica (Arqueología Mexicana) — Enrique Vela