So is there going to be a development phase? I don't mind Ace winning if his card gets toned down in dev, as I'm sure playtesting will dictate is a good idea.

Parad was talking about going into development when we have 60% or so of the designs done.

Design an uncommon one mana creature.

Viashino Stingtail
Creature - Viashino Shaman (U)
Creatures you control get +1/+0.
At the beginning of the end step, return Viashino Stingtail to its owner's hand.
1/1

I don't imagine we'll want an entire tribe of guys that bounce every turn, but the gimmick should be good for at least a few dudes.

Seeder of Ash --
Creature - Viashino Cleric (U)

When Seeder of Ash enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice a permanent. If you do, put a land token onto the battlefield with ": Add to your mana pool."

1 / 1

Twintail Striker
Creature - Viashino(u)
Haste
: ~ deals 1 damage to target creature and 1 damage to itself.
1/1

Initiate of the Sun
Creature - Human Cleric

Oblation - Whenever another red creature enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice ~. If you do, that permanent does 3 damage to target player.

1/1

Er. That more common :?

[Cardname]
Creature - [Creature Type]
When ~ comes into play you may sacrifice a creature you control. If you do, then destroy target artifact
1/1

Magespark Elemental
Creature - Elemental [0/1] (U)
Haste
Magespark Elemental is equal to the number of instants and sorceries in your graveyard.
Sacrifice Magespark Elemental at end of turn.

Sunfester Shaman -
Creature - Viashino Shaman
Opponents can't gain life.
Whenever ~ attacks, it deals 1 damage to each player.
1/1

Sand Sprinter
Creature - Viashino Scout
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
Surrounding prey in massive dust clouds is a popular ambush tactic among Viashino.
1/1

Minitog
Creature - Atog (U)
Sacrifice an artifact: Minitog gets +2/+2 and gains Haste until end of turn.
In the darkest depths of the Academy archives, something moves. And occasionally, burps.
0/1

Spitfire Iguana
Creature - Lizard
Haste
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a player, add to your mana pool.
1/1

Effigy. I really like altimis' but I'm not sure I want to commit to Ruins being a thing.

Effigy

So, you two who seem to know, what is Effigy's card supposed to say?

I assume that it was power = # instants/sorc.
The card's pretty pointless otherwise.

I think cards that are themselves equal to numbers is very interesting design space.

What storyteller said.

I assumed so, but not being a */1 gave me minor doubts.
No real clear preference among these. Effigy, Ulcaster and Cato's cards are all plausible.

Effigy