Under the fluorescent lights of the Superhive’s changing rooms, Kinnowin’s gold medal shone like the sun. Their entire team had gathered to celebrate its acquisition before they’d even made it back to the athletes’ village. “It’s a nice little reclaim, isn’t it?” hummed Tangerin, watching it bob as Kinnowin held it proudly aloft. “Of what?Continue reading “ML2023 Memo #11: Lost Ways in the Marble Maze”
Tag Archives: Mandarin
High Stakes, High Rollers
You see it on every sign and screen at the Kinikolu Resort and Sportsplex: “THE PARTY NEVER ENDS.” Over the past two months, the Marble Survival 100 Tournament host site has lived up to that promise.
Each week, a new obstacle course at the Survival Stadium rises out of a cloud of artificial fog. An athlete from each Marble League team then races day after day to avoid elimination. Those who remain have survived getting battered by rams, smacked four ways by fidget spinners or treated as playthings by the Bell Carousel.
Their reward for this gauntlet will be more than a championship trophy: it will be publicity. Online or on the airwaves, the Elite Eight’s faces are plastered on marketing throughout Marblearth. In the tournament’s first weeks, fans and passersby in Kinikolu could still catch an athlete on the sidewalk or having fun. Now those remaining are hard to access, marbles who seem more like myth on the outside.
As the excitement grows, who is stepping up to the moment while staying true to themselves? The stories over one week, when ten marble survivors turned to eight, tell the tale.
Hearts Aflutter and Minds Abuzz
Fragmented rose-pink clouds decorated the orange-yellow sky. A thin morning haze hung over the city streets down below. The moon had disappeared beneath the horizon and the sun, burning the wispy edges of the clouds with its light, had emerged in its place.
The cycle of the heavens was beginning anew, and a new day was breaking over Buzznya.
RetRollSpective – Noxious Ivy
Hello and welcome to another RetRollSpective, where we reflect on the history of marble sports teams that have competed in the tournaments of Jelle’s Marble Runs. This time, we’re going to focus on Noxious Ivy, a team rooted in creative aspirations that debuted in MarbleManiaX. Read on to find out how this team has outgrownContinue reading “RetRollSpective – Noxious Ivy”
Going All In
In Marbula One, champions don’t boil down to just their best racer. Teams that were once broken can learn to lift each other up.
The Highest Glory – Part 3
This is Part 3 of “The Highest Glory”.Link to Part 1Link to Part 2 Monday, 15:30 BIT Snap, snap, snap, went Mandarin’s camera. The O’rangers were one of many following the formation of metallic marbles, marching through the Athletes’ Village and toward the Team Galactic building. “I mean, wow,” said Orangin at the sight. “Did CoachContinue reading “The Highest Glory – Part 3”
ML2022 Memo #4: Water Race
Six years ago, Rima had been a few lengths from earning their first medal. Something about the ebb and flow of the event had appealed to Rima when they volunteered to run it in ML2016. In ML2022, they were determined to try again. “I wasn’t expecting to be standing on the podium. I just wentContinue reading “ML2022 Memo #4: Water Race”
Top of the Meowntain
There are races where nothing happens, And there are turns where a season happens. Twenty racers will roll onto Felynia’s Mirage Meowntain circuit this weekend in the most competitive Marbula One season ever. It’s big enough news that the race will decide the season-long struggle between the Crazy Cat’s Eyes and the O’rangers. Even moreContinue reading “Top of the Meowntain”
RetRollSpective – Oceanics
Hello and welcome to another RetRollSpective, where we reflect on the history of marble sports teams that have appeared in the tournaments of Jelle’s Marble Runs. This time, we’re going to focus on the Oceanics, champions of the Marble League Winter Special and Marble Survival 100. Read on to find out how this team has drownedContinue reading “RetRollSpective – Oceanics”
RetRollSpective – Shining Swarm
Hello and welcome to another RetRollSpective, where we reflect on the history of marble sports teams that have appeared in the tournaments of Jelle’s Marble Runs. This time, we’re going to focus on the Shining Swarm, the runners-up of Marble League 2022. Read on to find out how this team has swarmed the competition! TheContinue reading “RetRollSpective – Shining Swarm”
Project Marblearth 