In the 2002 and 2003 starter decks, there was added lore to Magi-Nation, showcasing both new story elements and showcasing the banter between duels of two magi of the regions in the decks. While they've been compiled elsewhere online, we're re-organizing the cards to make a bit more sense of the story and relevant flavor texts on these cards. Enjoy! The original work of this listing was made by u/ZurcryAmsuna.
2002 Arderial – Cald Alternate flavor text
A duel between Kalius Vorga, there isn't much background on why they're battling, but we can see their interactions and personalities, plus some history on the regions and moonlands. This deck set was larger than 2003, too, with 42 cards to allow for story options. There are also some extra new flavor texts, listed near the bottom.
General Lore on the regions, Moonlands, and history
| A1 Kalius | The Magi of Arderial are wise beyond their years, studying the surface of the Moonlands from their cloud cities. |
| C1 Vorga | The harsh, volcanic region of Cald is both the anvil and the hammer, forging a strong race of Magi. |
| A2 Flutter Yup | Many of the creatures the ancients dreamed up have since become real. |
| A10 Lightning Hyren | Hyren are ancient creatures, perhaps having been here even before the Eliwan. |
| A11 Sorreah's Dream | Animite is the precious mineral that helps make dreams real. But when your dreams are real, other people can use them, too. |
| A12 J'lith | Most relics were created by the ancient Eliwan, using techniques that have been lost over the years. |
Background on Cald and Arderial Creatures
| A3 Warlum | The air is everywhere. So are its denizens. |
| C14 Firefly Swarm | When the sparks have wings, even the sky trembles. |
| C3 Smoke Xyx | Fire is not the only danger in Cald. |
| C8 Fire Flow | Strength means everything in Calder society. |
| C12 Sulfurous Spirit | Even the weak have a purpose in Cald, if only for a moment. |
| C21 Lava Balamant | Many creatures in Cald are made partially of fire. |
| A4 Shooting Star | Many events that seem strange to outsiders are actually the side effects of Arderian spells. |
| A8 Vemment | The Magi of Arderial are masters of the wind, whether it's a stormy gale or a dry sirocco. |
Dialog of the battle between Kalius and Vorga
| A5 Rayalon | "Who says lightning never strikes twice?" –Kalius |
| C5 Fireball | "How'd you like to be a flaming redhead, skyboy?" –Vorga |
| C6 Fire Chogo | "Foombah! Take that, Kalius!" –Vorga |
| C7 Braggle | "Foombah?" –Kalius |
| C9 Warrior's Boots | "Only those who walk the path of the warrior can truly understand." –Vorga |
| C11 Lava Flow | "If you can't take the heat... tough!" –Vorga |
| A15 Alaban | "All dreams end, Vorga," said Kalius. "Especially yours." |
| A19 Xyx | "Sometimes lightning starts fires, but it can also end them, Vorga!" –Kalius |
Other cards’ flavor text
A6 Water of Life
Its ancient power is always a fresh experience.
A7 Book of Ages
The book itself changes as the years pass.
A9 Storm Cloud
A heavy rain will beat down even a colossus.
A13 Xyx Minor
Xyx are living clouds. They're light as a feather and hit hard as a hammer.
A14 Shock Vashp
They fly as thunder.
They strike as lightning.
A16 Thunder Vashp
The lightning flashed, the thunder clapped, and the sky was clear.
A17 Elder Vellup
It's not who you know, but whom who you know knows. You know?
A18 Tranquility
When times get crazy down below, Arderians like to laze about on a distant cloud, peaceful and quiet beneath a sky of purest blue.
A20 Lightning
The power of dreams can heal or harm.
A21 Lovian
Zapping a lovian is like trying to hit the air.
C2 Arbolit
"Our Magi dream of monstrous things,
Great beasts of girth and length,
But the best ones realize
The weakest is our strength."
–"The Arbolit," verse 1
C4 Scroll of Fire
It's not a scroll about fire, it's a scroll of fire.
C10 Drakan
The faster fire burns, the shorter it lasts. For that matter, the shorter you last, too.
C13 Giant Arboll
"Although the arbolit's a runt,
It's tougher than you figger.
We also have a giant grunt
For when the job is bigger."
–"The Arbolit," verse 17
C15 Magma Jile
Fire needs a constant supply of food, as do many of the fiery creatures of Cald.
C16 Abraxin's Crown
Magi, creatures... they're all the same: fuel.
C17 Diobor
Many creatures in Cald are a mixture of dream energy and metal or stone.
C18 Krawg
It talks itself up as it beats you down.
C19 Syphon Vortex
Other regions have rainstorms; Cald has firestorms.
C20 Magma Hyren
A fire can be soothing or scary, depending on whether it's in the hearth or on your clothes.
2003 Kybar's Teeth - Orothe Alternate flavor text
The 2003 starter deck was smaller, but had more specific flavor text. The set showcased a story about Koll visiting Kybar's Teeth as an apprentice, and the duel to show different magics between the Teeth and Orothe, as a showcase match between T'lok and Quilla. Again, this publication has reordered the cards to make sense of story and banter for the duelists.
Battle dialog and description between T’lok and Quilla
| O3 Orothean Belt | Orothe sent a Magi to apprentice in the mountains. He brought the Kybarites an Orothean belt as a token of friendship. |
| (This is Koll, who is visiting in the Teeth -Ed) | |
| K1 T'Lok | "He likes duels. Full-contact duels. Without warning." -Koll |
| O1 Quilla | Most Orothe Magi prefer finesse and trickery, but Quilla chose a different path. her magic packs all the delicacy of a raging storm. |
| K2 Baldar | "Nothing beats a big rock..." –T'lok |
| K3 Giant Baldar | "... except maybe a bigger rock." –T'lok |
| K4 Ascend | "Hey! Get back here and fight!" -Quilla |
| K5 Gratch | "Your creatures realize this is just a duel, right? Right?" –Quilla |
| K6 Agrilla | "They're more persistent than the tide." –Quilla |
| K8 Shard of the Great Fossil | "The biggest rock is the most powerful of all." –T'lok |
| K9 Jagged Rocks | "Chasing T'lok across these peaks is not my idea of a happy afternoon." –Quilla |
| O2 Hubdra's Spear | "I find it useful for pinning down my problems." –Quilla |
| O7 Submerge | "No fair! When my creatures go under water, they don't come back up!" –T'lok |
| O5 Tidal Wave | "Rocks don't float, T'lok!" –Quilla |
| O10 Wellisk | "I think I'm getting the better end of this deal." –Quilla |
| O11 Bwill | "Sometimes the littlest creature can stop the biggest rock," gloated Quilla. |
| K11 Moga Pup | T'lok smiled as he congratulated Quilla on her victory. He was saving a few tricks for next time. |
Other cards’ flavor text
K7 Granite Parmalag
Self-mobile walls of rock.
K10 Akkar
Some of the best creatures in the Teeth came from fusing Underneath and Kybarite dreams.
O4 Iximin
"The ocean will swallow everything."
–Orothean maxim.
O6 Blue Yajo
Fortified with everything a growing dream needs.
O8 Bog Wellisk
Great power draws great curiosity.
O9 Riptide
Avalanches drop the ground on you, but riptides take the ground away.