Bou, The Master Chef of the Rift!

Cross The Ages, presents to us for this first day of January, the Rare Special Card of Bou. Alas yes!! The distribution (Airdrop) of the SRs of the season 3 of Rift ends.

It ends in style with the 13th and final SR, which honors Bou, one of the emblematic figures of the Rift.

Bou, the Mage Cook, former inhabitant of Arkhante and Master of Light. Bou has found in the tormented lands of the Rift a truly unique place of experimentation for his culinary and magical art.

Thanks to his mastery of magic and his clairvoyance, Bou sees beyond appearances, he manages to identify at a glance the nutritional and vitamin needs of the individuals he meets.

Since the Blast, this disastrous event that redefined lands and destinies. Bou settled in the Rift, and he joined the clan of Sigils.

Bou has become, in his own way, an essential person, a savior, capable of restoring strength and hope to those who cross his path. Bou does not just nourish the body, soul and spirit. With the help of his unique flair and his mechanical companion, he hunts the hostile creatures of the Rift. In reality, he rekindles hope there.

This article tells us all the captivating details of his two Rare Special Cards, in which Bou shines with his genius and resilience.

In the standard version In this Rare Special Card, Bou is depicted in one of his favorite moments of serenity and sharing, which he spends in his kitchen far from the fighting that punctuates his daily life in the Rift.

The scene seems to take place in his trailer-restaurant, a haven of peace and comfort, an escape to forget the ordeal of the unforgiving lands of the Rift.

The interior of Bou's caravan is both functional and warm, filled with carefully selected tools and exotic spices. Looking a little closer at this scene, one can quickly imagine how Bou is in his element.

The dishes with a thousand flavors, the warm and invigorating spices, the aromas and other scents that emerge from his cuisine invite us on a journey.

The friendly atmosphere created by Bou attracts customers like honey attracts bees.

He is the very embodiment of good humor. His radiant, almost contagious smile lights up his bearded face, while he holds a carefully prepared dish in his hands. Bou, dressed in a purple apron and casual clothing, practical for cooking, exudes a benevolent and welcoming energy.

Each gesture, precise and assured, comes from his long experience as a chef. With his protective glasses around his neck, which give him the appearance of pursuing his adventures outside the kitchen, Bou takes on the appearance of a conquistador.

At his side stands his robotic sidekick and kitchen assistant, as clumsy as he is endearing, he is made from recycled materials, he has flashing white lights for eyes. The caravan itself is a spectacle in its own right. Built to traverse the Rift's most rugged terrain, it is rugged and ingenious.

In front of the caravan, two smiling men are leaning on the counter.

They are probably Rift dwellers or travelers on a stopover, come to fill their bellies, and God knows that in the Rift that is not an easy thing.

A subtle but telling detail is hidden in the eyes of the two men. It is not only hunger that they express, but also a sincere gratitude for a moment of sharing and laughter. For them, Bou is more than just a cook, he is an everyday hero, a master of flavors capable of bringing a moment of normalcy and comfort to a broken and rebuilding world like the Rift.

While this scene invites relaxation and sharing, it also prepares the ground to discover another side of Bou...

In the alternative version of this SR Map, the heavy silence of the Rift is suddenly shattered by a cavernous roar. The scene is a true fresco of action and survival. Suspended in the air above a sand crocodile, Bou, armed with his determination and agility, seeks out the weakest point of his prey. Bou must be efficient from the first throw, so as not to miss his attack. Otherwise, he will be the one who turns into lunch for a hungry reptile. His features are tense, focused on his objective: to neutralize this monstrous creature that threatens him.

The sand crocodile, a large creature with rough scales and scars, opens its gaping jaws, revealing sharp fangs capable of crushing any prey. Its many eyes, glowing with an eerie golden light, seem to follow Bou's every move. Sand spurts and swirls around them, kicked up by the creature's frantic movements.

Bou, in a gravity-defying pose, wears a belt weighed down with potions and vials of all kinds, hanging from his waist. Each vial containing a unique mixture that he himself concocted.

In his left hand, a glowing vial projects a bright light that resembles an explosive cocktail, while in his right hand, another green potion lets out swirls of what looks like toxic gas. A veritable traveling laboratory.

On the ground, his faithful robotic sidekick, made from recycled materials from the clan Wicks, engages the battle in his own way. His alert eyes, now red, show that he has switched to combat mode. Although clumsy, the robot proves to be a valuable ally in this fight, distracting the crocodile enough for Bou to launch his decisive chemical attack against the crocodile.

Through this scene, we discover not only Bou's bravery, but also the symbiosis he has created with his environment and his mechanical companion. We can feel the intensity of Bou's role, a hero protector of the Rift, a man who has been able to tame this hostile environment to make it his playground, experimentation and survival. 

Bou's two SR cards give us a complete vision of this fascinating character. Bou is both nurturing and warrior, visionary and pragmatic.

The symbolism of these illustrations is powerful. To exist in a world of dualities, one must know how to be a chameleon.

Sometimes benevolent and sometimes merciless. Between combativeness And human warmth, the harshness of life in the Riftlands, leaves its inhabitants with no choice. No matter how kind and caring a person may be, difficult choices are imposed upon them. Either you hunt to eat! Or you are hunted and eaten! The ability to adapt quickly is key.

Cross The Ages, here highlights the ability to transform trials into opportunities, and to always find a way to create, even when conditions are more extreme…