Pick a card, any card. Don’t show it to us, just memorize it.
Now put it down.
Ta da!
Alright, so that was a pretty poor trick on our part. I mean, we can’t even see you, let alone the card you chose. That whole pathetic attempt was pretty doomed from the start, really. It’s pretty clear we would make terrible magicians.
Thankfully, there are others out there with a much better track record. They have the ability to captivate and amaze. Or at least entertain and amuse. Yes, we’re a bit harder to please in our sophisticated modern era, full of skepticism and an overabundance of options to hold our attention (or…not). Yet there was a time not all that long ago when stage shows were marquee events, where illusionists weren’t just part of the performance – they were the headlines. While we may now disdainfully scoff at ‘mere parlor tricks’ while simultaneously digesting the latest YouTube video on yak fur or who made it on TMZ, we once thought that these folk – the good ones anyway – possessed qualities almost as mystical as their art. Their acts, part storytelling, part misdirection, enthralled and excited audiences, and they were something to behold.
So come back with us to the height of an age long past, when stage illusion was at a high point and competition between performers was fierce. Welcome to the age of Trickerion.
Trickerion is a fairly decent weight Euro game set in the late 19th century. Here, players oversee teams of competing illusionists, each with their own personal magic styles, as each strives to build up money, fame, and respect amongst their peers. Using a modified form of worker placement, players must procure plans for various magic acts, acquire the materials to pull them off, and slot shows into the local theater to show off their skills.
At the center of all this lies a retired magician whose performances once bordered on legendary. He seeks to pass the torch, as well as his mysterious Trickerion Stone, to the illusionist who is most worthy to behold its power. Hence his arranging this little magic competition.
He also has an amazing name: Dahlgaard the Magnificent.
Seriously, we’re not saying the name alone is worth getting this game. But we’re implying it. It’s just so fun to say.
Dahlgaard the Magnificent.
Anyhow…
We’re not sure if the Trickerion Stone is a simple hunk of rock or mystical artifact, but it does make you wonder if there’s a little actual magic at work in this world. Perhaps, just perhaps, the old man has one last secret to reveal after all.
As we said, we have some pretty poor magicians in the Republic, and we don’t want our invitation to the competition going to waste. We would like to hand off our spot to someone else more qualified. That’s where you come in. We’re going to raffle off our spot in the contest, and as part of that, one lucky winner will also win a free retail copy of Trickerion so that they may practice this ancient craft.
Aha, but there’s a twist! If the contest reaches at least 50 unique entrants, we’ll be bumping the prize up to also include the Daahlgard’s Gift expansion, which includes Magician Powers cards and two-player game options.
From now until the very end of 2015 – 11:59PM EDT on Thursday, December 31st, you can check the contest out on our Facebook page, or by entering below. Just follow the entry form and proceed with the contest. The more you do, even if just one, you still have a better chance than not entering at all. Of course you’re welcome to do that too. But your odds of winning drop to zero. No pressure or anything.
The Fine Print: The Cardboard Republic, in conjunction with Mindclash Games and APE Games is giving this game away strictly for entertainment purposes. This act is not a paid endorsement by Mindclash Games, APE Games or any other entity. This contest is open to individuals only. Staff members of The Cardboard Republic, Mindclash Games. and APE Games are not eligible to participate. For winners outside of the Continental US, the publisher reserves the right to request they cover part or all of the shipping costs.