Despite only having been around for less than a century and a half, Finball has fast become a popular pass time in Mer culture. Combining elements from other games, Finball began as a humble game played by children who grew up determined to make the game as popular as possible. It was finally given prominence when part of the Treaty of Meno Alsera was dedicated to establishing international games, leagues and events. Thus The International Finball Association (IFA) was founded. This league has since had it's fair share of superstars, but none are nearly as renowned, fascinating or controversial as Anato Satanok.
Beginning his career as a minor player for the Mediterranean Man-O-Wars, Satanok quickly established himself as a uniquely gifted player, able to score goals with incredible speed and accuracy. Within five years, he was designated Captain and MVP for the team, something that was unprecedented for the time. Not shy of his new found prestige, Satanok took every possible opportunity to expound his views on politics and religion as well as be openly critical of the continued practice of Kelpie slavery by certain Merrow Nations, namely The Cris'Nai Imperium and The Goros Alliance, quickly making himself a controversial figure when games between his team and mostly Merrow teams.
The flames of this controversy would be fanned further when The Republic, hoping to smooth tensions with Goros, established an international Finball festival to be held in Goro's Capital, Intira. To mark the occasion, Satanok commissioned a special Finball be made for use in the Man-O-Wars's game. Unlike a standard Finball, which is relatively unimpressive and not colorful in the slightest, This one would be emblazoned with the teams colors, something which drew the ire of the other teams. It was with this special ball that Satanok and his team would win a nearly 100 point lead victory over the Goranian Sharks, a defeat that caused the home team fans to nearly riot in anger- to not only lose to a team of Kelpies, but to lose so BADLY to them, that ball must be rigged!!!
However, the final shot Satanok made with the ball fell into the vendors area. Satanok himself went to get it, but did not return with it. When asked what happened to it, he will merely shrug and say "It's where it needs to be."
Whether the ball was destroyed or not, it is now the desire of both Finball enthusiasts and The Goros Nation. Sold to fans, the ball could potentially command small fortunes in wealth. For Goros, on the other hand, the chance to prove once and for all that the ball was rigged would restore the rightful place of Merrow dominance. When asked further, Satanok only repeats his original statement: "It's where it needs to be!"
But whatever DID happen to that ball???