Orichalcos
Orichalcos (オレイカルコス Oreikarukosu) is a fictional term that refers to an ancient evil force in the Waking the Dragons story arc in the anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (known internationally as simply Yu-Gi-Oh!). It appeared in most of the episodes of the season "Waking the Dragons."
Orichalcos is a magical power linked to the ancient city of Atlantis, which was destroyed thousands of years ago.
About the Orichalcos
When the mysterious and mystical stone known as the Orichalcos rained down upon the ancient kingdom of Atlantis 10,000 years ago, its power of manipulation turned man into beast, and tainted the mind of the kingdom's ruler, Dartz. In the present day, Dartz seeks to revive the Orichalcos God, the Great Leviathan, through the power of human souls collected through the power of the Orichalcos, which he infuses into Duel Monster cards to create the card known as the "Seal of Orichalcos". It consists of an inner layer where there is a unicursal hexagram and an outer layer where the word "Oreichalcos" is inscribed in Enochian (though the text on the card itself reads "Orichalcos" in Enochian). This card unleashes the Darkness' power of the player who is playing it. The Orichalcos itself can greatly affect the gameplay itself. Because of its power, many duelists lose one way or another, and one must also lose their own soul. Its effects are as follows:
The Seal of Orichalcos
- Attribute (Main-Type): SPELL
- Type (Sub-Type): Field
- Card Text: Increase the ATK of all monsters on the controller of this card's side of the field by 500 points.The controller of this card can Summon additional monsters in their empty Spell and Trap Card Zones (These monsters can't be attacked unless there are no monsters in the controller's Monster Card Zones). This card can't be destroyed by the effects of Spell, Trap and Monster Cards, but is immediately destroyed if the three "Legendary Knights" (Timaeus, Critias, and Hermos) are Summoned. No other Field Spell can be activated while this card remains face-up on the Field.
It also displayed effects, that not only affected gameplay:
- The controller's monsters' are treated as Dark-type attributes.
- Neither player can leave the Duel, and no other player can enter the field.
- However, this card can be destroyed by the shards of the Orichalcos Stone (This would immediately end the Duel).
- The losing player's soul is extracted from his/her living body to be used as nourishment for the Great Leviathan. Exceptions are:
- If both players life points reach zero at the same time (resulting in a tie).
- A player was able to escape the darkness of the Orichalcos before and up till the end of the duel.
- If the loser possesses two souls, only one is necessary.
- The player playing the Seal of Orichalcos, along with the monsters on his/her side of the field, will bear the Symbol of Orichalcos on their forehead. In some duelists, their eyes will glow into a bright, reddish color.
It may also be worth noting that an ominous leitmotif is heard when the card is played. It particularly plays in the U.S. version. On the contrary, there is different and much less scary music played in the Japanese version.
The Other Seals of Orichalcos
There are also two other seals of Orichalcos: Orichalcos Deuteros and Orichalcos Tritos.
Orichalcos Deuteros (Second Seal of Orichalcos)
- Attribute (Main-Type): SPELL
- Type (Sub-Type): Field
- Card Text: This card can only be played if "The Seal of Orichalcos" is on your side of the field. During each of your Standby Phases, increase your Life Points by 500 points for each and every monster on your side of the field. When your opponent inflicts Battle Damages to your Life Points, you can tribute one monster on your side of the field to reduce the damage to zero and destroy the attacking monster.
Even though playing this field spell destroys the Seal of Orichalcos, it is more of an add-on feature, as a second ring appears over the first. This second ring appears identical to the first. The card itself shows two rings of the Orichalcos. All effects of the Seal of Orichalcos are retained.
Orichalcos Tritos (Third Seal of Orichalcos)
- Attribute (Main-Type): SPELL
- Type (Sub-Type): Field
- Card Text: This card can only be played if "Orichalcos Deuteros" is on your side of the field. You may negate the effects of Spell, Trap, and Monster Cards that designate your monsters as targets.
Even though playing this field spell destroys Orichalcos Deuteros, it is more of an add-on feature, as a third ring appears over the second. This third ring appears identical to the first and second. The card itself shows three rings of the Orichalcos. All effects of the Seal of Orichalcos and Orichalcos Deuteros are retained.
In the Doma Arc of Yu-Gi-Oh!
After the Pharaoh Atem possessing the body of Yugi Moto (Yugi Mutou in the manga version and Japanese version), Joey Wheeler (Katsuya Jonouchi in the manga and Japanese anime), and Seto Kaiba defeat Rafael, Valon (Varon in the Japanese version), and Alister (Amelda in the Japanese version) respectively, the Pharaoh and Kaiba team together to face Dartz, who is the only duelist to play the Second and Third Seals.
Unless one possesses the three "Legendary Dragons and Knights" and "Legend of Heart", it is impossible to destroy the three Seals of Orichalcos.
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