How to get more cards?

I just started the game and am level 12 after ~2 hours.

1) I should have been protecting between each level. I didnt know this, in fact I didnt really understand the protect function. Wasted a lot of energy :(

2) I am not sure how to get new carnie cards. I might play again for a couple hours tomorrow but if I cannot figure it out I will probably delete the game. 4 hours without new cards isnt fun nor is it realistic of the gaming experience Im looking for.

3) Getting a new creature card seems obscenely difficult. Most of the available people to fight are 5-10x (yes 10x) my attack & defense values.

4) great stylization though, its a beautiful game.

Pookiellala about Afterland - Wonderland Edition, v1.173