Discovery of Season 3 “The Rift” of Cross The Ages, the Fort-gotens Cards.

September 25, 2024 is a date to mark with a hot iron. A real turning point in Cross The Ages with the long-awaited arrival of season 3, from Rift (formerly Solon's territory which was part of Arkhante) and shortly after it, the game Arise.

This new season of the Rift offers us very beautiful and mysterious cards and the incredible story of their characters. This is precisely what the recent video, "The Fort-gotens, all the secrets behind the Rift cards", passionately revealed to us.

In this video, Quentin (Narrative designer) and Yanis (Lead artist), within the Cross The Ages project team, take us on a fascinating exploration of the environment in which the Fort-gotens evolve through the design of this collection of cards.

This article breaks down for you the most interesting information shared in this video, and delves into the striking details of this new season which promises to be as epic in terms of design as in terms of Lore.

THE Fort-gotens, formerly called Solonites, due to the name of the territory that once stood on the very spot that was ravaged by the blast, form the group of seven clans that populate the Rift, one of the three great regions and factions of Artellium, with Archante And Mantris.

The Rift, just improvised between these two powerful territories, is a region marked by gravitational anomalies and extreme living conditions.

The video focuses on the mystery surrounding the Fort-gotens, this marginalized but resilient people, capable of adapting to the extreme and difficult living conditions and the many challenges of the Rift.

The main character of this video is of course Aurele, who perfectly embodies this pain and resilience.

Aurele is an iconic Rift character that you haven't heard the last of. He is notably recognized for having climbed "the Gravlev ", a tower that is almost impossible to climb due to its multiple gravitational anomalies.

Only those who walk on instinct, like Aurelius, can accomplish this feat.

This prodigious rise even earned him the reputation of Living Legend among the Fort-Gotens.

In this Season 3 of the Rift, you will discover its cards reflecting the inner strength of this atypical character and his ability to overcome obstacles.

Quentin and Yanis were happy to reveal some juicy details about the creation of these cards, as well as the many Easter eggs hidden within them.

In this video, they gave us a very brief overview of some of the Rift maps, being careful not to reveal too much, like miners protecting their gold stash from any overly curious treasure hunter.

The real treasure here is innovation in gaming and artistic creativity.

AL is a character sharper than a double blade. His unpredictable behavior and cold gaze reveal all the ambiguity of his role and give way to a feeling of confusion. No one is able to read his expressions.

Is he sad?! Is he happy with the blood he sheds in his path? Is he acting by force or by will? One thing is certain, no one is indifferent to this static face, which seems frozen, as if empty of all consciousness.

Alternately a mentor for Aurèle, or an emotional manipulator, AL is a complex character who, through the cards that illustrate him, challenges Cross The Ages fans, and pushes them to understand his true intentions, or at least to try...

Besides its charismatic inhabitants and characters, the Rift is full of fascinating creatures and breathtaking landscapes.

Together, they constitute the population and the social fabric that animates the daily life of this territory.

The video promoted by Quentin and Yanis features some of the creatures of the Rift.

Notably the Lacrimor, a ferocious flying necrophagous beast, or the Taki, a robust creature used as a mount by various clans and specifically by the Sigils.

THE Lacrimor is a fearsome creature whose piercing cries echo throughout the territory of Solon. These large birds of prey and peerless scavengers are blind and only find their way with the help of their exceptional hearing. Marked by vibrations, they survive in extreme conditions and are feared by all those who dare to venture into their territory, horrified to hear them.

As for the Taki, faithful companion of Sigils who ride it as one would ride a horse, it feeds exclusively on stones and water, which makes it a very resistant mount in the harsh reality of the Rift and a very inexpensive ally to maintain, which allows populations to cross the Rift with agility and endurance.

Homoglobin, cold and cruel figure leads "the Fugue "(organization of clandestine fights) with an iron fist. Where the Apollogium enjoys a millimeter organization, La Fugue does not follow any rules. It's simple, the only rule is precisely that there are none.

Homoglobin is actually a headhunter, a recruiter. Those who join the ranks of her fighters are most often the most desperate, most of the time, they are ready to become slaves. These individuals, having nothing more to lose, participate to measure themselves against anyone, in brutal clashes.

His impassive presence during the fights adds even more madness to this infernal imbroglio.

She is the symbol of uncompromising power in The Rift, where survival is won through sheer force of blows.

Seth is the typical example of these fighters recruited by Homoglobin to survive.

A member of the Fort-gotens, she participates in clandestine fights organized by Homoglobin to earn enough to support herself in a cruel world where resources are scarce.

But Seth is a much more complex character than just the ruthless warrior. Despite the harshness of her existence in the Rift, she knows how to show empathy, sharing her meager rewards with the less fortunate, especially with the young Fort-goten children.

This split personality, sometimes a merciless fighter, sometimes a heroine and protector of the weakest, makes Seth a sympathetic character that we want to know more about.

Not all Rift dwellers live lives of violence. Some resort to it only when absolutely necessary. June The fisherman is the perfect example. He has chosen an existence of serenity and harmony with nature.

In a coastal region of the Rift Valley, far from the struggles for survival, the problems of famine and the political stakes, Jün is the very embodiment of tranquility. He spends his days fishing, finding in this activity a peaceful way to support himself.

Its calm contrasts sharply with the often tense atmosphere of the Rift.

Samson, known as the "Little Swindler", is a character who finds himself forced to use cunning to survive in the Rift. A clever strategist, he invents a whole theory concerning a bunch of critters (fireflies, and other worms) that he cultivates to sell them, praising their merits and telling his potential customers that his critters are very rich in protein and that they are an essential resource for their survival in the Rift. 

He only owes his salvation in the Rift to his ingenious tricks with which he deceives the Fort-gotens. Although his behavior is questionable, Samson is an endearing character.

The strength of Cross The Ages' Rift Season 3 lies not only in the depth of its characters, but also in the depth of the universe in which they evolve. The entirety of the Rift and its components, with its shadow rifts and the precious amber extracted from them, intrigue and captivate collectors, readers, and very soon players.

Amber hunters like Precilla and Carya are willing to risk their lives to mine this rare and sought-after mineral. Precilla, brave, solitary, and reckless, descends into the shadow rifts without protection. She refrains from asking for help from anyone, so as not to be indebted to anyone. This illustrates the harshness of survival in the Rift.

The Fort-gotens camp, located near the Apollogium, is a place of excitement where the inhabitants of the Rift, considered somewhat outcasts, excluded from the heroes' fight and the arena, like to gather to trade and thus improve their living conditions. Although deprived of access to the stands of the Apollogium, they manage to take advantage of this event to generate a little resources.

Cross The Ages Rift Season 3 begins in a hectic and bewitching manner as a true invitation into the multiple depths of the Rift.

With this video "The Fort-gotens: the secret behind the Rift maps", old fans and new ones can dive into this universe rich in mysteries.

With endearing characters, menacing creatures, and spectacular landscapes, the Rift promises to be one of Artellium's most fascinating territories.

We'll see you on September 25, 2024 to discover this new season and the Rift maps that will forever change the history of Cross The Ages.