Twilight Arcana: Queens of the Twelve Realms

Twilight Arcana: Queens of the Twelve Realms is a high fantasy card game designed by Alina Pete, based on the children's game "Sleeping Queens." The game's narrative centers on twelve wise Queens who fall into a magical slumber, plunging their realms into chaos. Players use various character cards like Kings, Knaves, Wizards, and Dragons to revive Queens, steal influence, and thwart opponents, aiming to gain control over the most Queens.

The game is described as player-interactive with a significant element of luck, allowing players who are behind to quickly regain the lead. It is designed to be accessible for casual gamers while offering strategic depth. The deck itself is tarot-sized and features medieval fantasy-themed artwork by a team of artists, making it suitable not only for gameplay but also as an art piece, a prop for RPGs or LARPs, or even a functional fortune-telling tarot deck.

The card mechanics involve "Ploys" to revive or steal Queens, and "Thwarts" and "Counter-Thwarts" to block opponents' actions. Special Arcana cards introduce unique effects, and each of the twelve Queens possesses distinct powers that influence gameplay, such as immunity to certain steals or doubling the value of specific suit cards. The game's structure includes numbered cards in four suits—Suns, Swords, Keys, and Coins—alongside various face cards and special action cards.

This game is ideal for casual gamers who enjoy player-versus-player card games with a fantasy theme and a balance of luck and strategy. It also appeals to collectors of unique card decks, especially those who appreciate high fantasy artwork and the aesthetic of tarot. RPG and LARP enthusiasts will find the large, tarot-sized cards to be excellent props. Additionally, individuals interested in using the deck for fortune-telling, despite its primary game function, may find its thematic depth appealing.

Twilight Arcana was created by Alina Pete, with Robert as a co-creator, and Layne also contributing to the creative team. Alina and Layne's other works can be viewed at www.weregeek.com, while Robert's works are at www.diredestiny.com. The game was developed with the blessing of Gamewright, creators of "Sleeping Queens," which served as the inspiration for Twilight Arcana's gameplay. The project aimed to combine an engaging card game with a beautiful work of art, drawing on medieval fantasy themes and a collaborative artistic effort.