Mars

**Mars** is a town within the Kingdom of Cross, located in the northeast of the continent of Cross between Cross Castle, Herlie, and Clik. The town is bordered by a mystical woods, the Heraldry Forest, which makes the town a popular destination for Heraldry practitioners and the curious. Local townsfolk maintain the tradition of Heraldry Arts, symbological crests tattooed on their bodies which allow them to cast Heraldic spells.

## General

The history of Mars is unusually rich, thanks to access to the elders' private archives. The establishment of the town predates the use of Heraldry. According to Marsian lore, Mars was visited by a celestial being from the sky, who instructed the people on the use of symbolic tattoos in order to channel Heraldic power. The use of Heralric tattoos became a centerpiece of Mars' culture. Locals wear traditional vestments, continue Heraldic customs, and watch over the Heraldry Forest. While the use of Heraldry has spread throughout Expel, Mars is seen as the homeland of Heraldry Arts.

Mars' government is unique to Expel. It is governed by village elders. Townsfolk become elders through age and respect. This antique power structure is opposite the modern Expellian approach to municipal governance: elected mayors. Village elders assemble to discuss affairs of importance, and defer to the eldest member for leadership. The current hierarch of the elders is simply called Elder. The elders manage local matters and rule over the Heraldry Forest, but cede power to the King of Cross in non-local issues.

The strong culture of spellcasting makes Mars the pinnacle of magic-imbued items. Local shops sell some of the most unique or strongest purchasable weapons in the entire continent, such as the Flame Blade. Further, an Old Man in town carries a magical Treasure Chest that may contain the Marvel Sword, the strongest weapon in all of Expel.

Mars is a small town, with an in-game "population" of 21. After the destruction of Clik, Mars becomes host to fleeing refugees. The influx of migrants drains resources from Mars and strains relations between the locals and the homeless refugees.

## Story

> *For the previous story location, see Clik: Story. For an intermediate location, see Heraldry Forest: Story. For the next location, see Herlie: Story*.
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Claude, Rena, and Celine enter a town in crisis. As Celine is the daughter of local elders, the townspeople readily inform the group that an unknown number of bandits have kidnapped the children of Mars, and hold the children deep within the Heraldry Forest. The bandits demand 50,000 Fol and The Book of Secret Seals as ransom for the children, a book detailing the most powerful Heraldic spells. The council of Mars has already contracted with a mercenary, Dias Flac, who promises to rescue the children. As Dias is a legend throughout Expel, Rena and Celine are confident in Dias; Claude, unfamiliar with Expel, is openly skeptical that a single man could dispatch an entire group of experienced thugs, creating a rift in the party. Regardless of whether the player chose Rena or Claude as their main character, the party splits in twain (Rena with Dias, Claude with Celine) with a mutual goal to save the children.

After the events inside the forest, Rena reunites with Claude and Celine. The trio spend a night at Celine's childhood home, and then set off for Herlie to investigate the Sorcery Globe.

## Shops

In addition to the shops below, a travelling saleswoman named Abeema will sell her goods in Mars. She visits only once and only during a Private Action.

## Acquirable Items

### Notable Pickpockets

For a complete list, see *Pickpocketing: Mars*.

* Treasure Chest, from the Old Man in the eastern section of Mars.
* Fountain Card, from Rena during a Private Action.
* Battle Suit, from Ernest Raviede in *Elder's House* during a Private Action.

### People

* Elder, whose true name is unknown, is *de facto* leader of Mars by right of age and reputation.
* Eglas and Labe, the respective father and mother of Celine Jules and elders in the village.
* Master of Heraldry, respected authority of Heraldry Arts in the village.