Mara Village

The history of Mara Village, laid out by Minako-su

Back when the Master emerald never existed, and all the Echidna's lived in peace on their own, there was another race of Echidna that did not evolve with the rest of the race. Breaking away from the others, they formed their own way of life. Maraians, (though scary in appearance) are really a friendly race. Using their claws to climb trees, cut open hard fruits and bark on trees to get things they needed. The males have a bit of a different appearance than the females.

When the White Comet came and threatened the echidnas' way of life, and the ancient walkers came and gave the echidnas the Master Emerald, much debate went about how to use such an item to save themselves. Most wanted to use it as a weapon and destroy the comet, others wanted to use it to save what they could. Almost too late, the ancient walkers also bestowed upon the Maraians the Master Emerald's twin - the Maia Emerald. Just like its twin, it too contained great power, but only to create or destory. While the Master emerald can create many tiny copies of itself that are connected to it, the Mara emerald simply creates energy to destroy life or give it.

Almost too late the Maraians banded together to use the emeralds and do what they could to save their home only to have half of their hidden city destroyed in the creation of the Floating Isle. Forced onto the land, they worked quickly to try and restore their home - only too late.

A hunter was wandering through the woods when the he stumbled upon several Maraian working homes. Frightened, he froze in place. The Maraians tried to make contact with the stranger only to have him run in fear. Once back home, the hunter went on and on about these strange creatures. Taking a small expedition with them, the Dark Legion decided to see this for themselves. Maybe they could prove useful in the destruction of the Echidna's economy.

Once they discovered the Maraians they soon learned about the emerald the village had in their possession. Seeing this as a -new- opportunity, they choose to make the Echidnas -fear- the Maraians. If they could wipe them out, then there would be no problem in taking this large emerald. And of course, the plan worked. Soon, many echidnas and their families feared these 'monsters'. The hunting began.

Many months passed and the Maraians began to learn to find new hiding places away from the madness. Hunting Maraians had became a sport for some. Finally, the Floating Isle appeared over the Mobian sea. At last the Maraians found their chance to be free. Fleeing off the isle with whatever they could carry, their emerald included, they fled to the shore line and into the deep woods beyond. Stumbling upon a huge open crater surrounded by large walls of stone, they decided they would make their home here in this hidden land of stone and brush.

As they set up, the Emerald seemed to take on a life of its own. Zooming to the center of the crater, it burst forth an energy they nearly swept them all away. And finally when the blast was over, a miracle was happened right before their very eyes. The emerald was -growing- a city out of vegetation and precious stones. Emeralds were blooming from the barks of trees. Huts were formed from stone, tree, and diamond. A massive city, a new home, had grown. The emerald had heard its peoples cries and had suffered with them. Finally, they had a home. But the happiness would not last forever.