“DON’T KILL THE MESSENGER” and MONGOL EMPIRE decks. Genghis Khan comes back to your playing cards
More than 100 million people in an area of over 33 million square kilometers made the Mongol Empire the largest contiguous land empire in the history.
This civilization has seldom served as an inspiration for the creation of contemporary cards, and yet at this moment we can find two projects that, although from different artists, have this common theme.
DON’T KILL THE MESSENGER
Under this shocking name we find a deck of superb design, full of elegant details and beautiful illustrations.
Created by Nomads Playing Cards, the inspiration comes from the conflict between the Mongol empire and the Khwarezmid empire between 1219 and 1221. A set of unfortunate events caused Otrar’s governor, Inalchuc, to decapitate one of the messengers sent in peace by Genghis Khan. This act unleashed Khan’s anger and the invasion of Khwarezmia.
To illustrate the deck, historical characters involved in the conflict and depicted in the court cards have been chosen. A beautiful customization that follows the structure of a traditional deck transports us to another era without losing the essence of a completely playable deck.
The details and color have been wisely selected to create a small work of art in a fully customized deck.
The tuck case will be equally impressive with gold foil and a profuse ornamentation.
Printed by NPCC in a limited edition of 1000 decks, in addition to the two jokers, two extra cards will explain better the history behind of the deck.
The campaign is already funded so, if you like it, do not hesitate to visit the project website and raise your pledge.
MONGOL EMPIRE
Previously designed by C79 Studios, Noir Arts has acquired the printing rights of this deck inspired by the strength of this great empire.
Two completely different decks have been created, with a common inspiration but quite contrasted design styles. GOLDEN HORDE is a more traditional deck, schematic and flat colors. ILKHANATE is more elaborated, in black and white with an ink pen style and a high level of detail in the illustrations. Both represent the same idea and the same characters but from two completely different artistic perspectives.
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- GOLDEN HORDE Deck
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- ILKHANATE Deck
The backs are also full of details and symbolic elements related to imperial history. The court cards show historical personalities in the Mongol empire led by Genghis Khan himself in the king of spades. Aces are also full of complex details and redesigned suits give the numbered cards an historical elegance.
The cards, printed by NPCC, will have impressive embossed tuck cases with gold foil and you can combine two decks to create a diptych sideways artwork.
The project has ben a success and the editions are quite limited so, if you like it, visit the project website and raise your pledge.
Good luck!
