Successfully funded on Kickstarter, Curio Playing Cards has collaborated with Portuguese illustrator Ricardo Rodrigues (Waveloop Art) to create a beautiful deck series, War of Realms Playing Cards based on the fantasy world of realms under constant war.
For this fantasy world, the realm is divided into two: DAYA and FERA. These two realms are represented as a separate deck variant: Standard and Special. Standard Edition features two-way courts like the traditional playing cards, while Special Edition features full-length one-way courts to see a variety of characters of their respective realms.
The tuck box features the main characters of the realms of Daya and Fera. The Standard tuck box features the challengers for the realms within a framed border and the mirror of the card back design. The Special tuck box features the leaders for the realms on the borderless background complete with embossing and foiling on the name on the premium matte stock – produced by Boschiero & Newton.
The card back design features an imperial-themed border and background presenting a Chinese dragon wrapping around the iconic Yin Yang symbol. The colourization of the back is different for each realm and edition. For Daya, muted cool grey for Standard and black/red for Special; For Fera, muted warm grey for Standard and vibrant gold for Special.
The number cards featured customized pips, with the Aces having enlarged pips. Daya and Fera each have their respective group of characters as courts – they are the challengers for their own respective realms. The Jokers feature hooded characters in white and black robes – the arbiters of the war between Daya and Fera.
The cards for Standard Edition are printed by WJPC on German Black Core with Butter varnish, while the cards for Special Edition are printed by Cartamundi on the B9 Slimline with Cold foiling accents complete with Edge Print.
Pledge started from $13 for either Daya or Fera Standard Edition on Kickstarter.
