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Christopher Gould Inner circle in special pants. 1029 Posts |
As promised Gentlemen, the full low-down on the Devil's Library.
The original aim of this piece of work was a simple one; to provide my more bizarre brethren with an authenticity looking strange deck of cards. So I tied Moonskin to a post in my dungeon and got her to work on a case that would fit the project. I then sourced some appropriate cards (after discovering that printing my own would add another $200 to the price tag!)and was ready to roll. I have been using these cards for some months now and believe me, just having the cards is value enough. However, I did mess around with a few ideas and really got into using playing cards as a focus for performances of storytelling and some creepy mystery theatre. So a number of routines started to suggest themselves, the first of which is given as a bonus with the first volume. The first Volume is called 'Rolands Tale' and is a story of Love, loss and the supernatural. The story aims to emotionally engage the audience and spook them out at the same time. My playtesters and I have been flogging this half to death and believe me you will find it a powerful performance piece. Having said this, there is far more to the routine than a simple 'magic trick', as some of you had already assumed. Let me tell you exactly what you get (as much as I like mystery, I do not like it in the context of advertising!). The main thing for me is a wonderful Moonskin designed leather poker case. This is a really beautiful piece of art and up there with anything else she has designed for me. The case is hand sewn and will last several lifetimes (although you only need worry about the first one, who knows, you may come back as a cow next time!). The case is hand carved back and front (some of you will recognise the symbol on the back I think...). The cards fit snugly inside, along with this is an internal pocket to hold a photograph that goes with the first routine, and the cutest little book you have ever seen! I am sure that you will find more than one use for this pocket! Next you get a rather fine deck of cards that fit in perfectly with the overall look. Lots more to say on this if you follow the breadcrumbs at the foot of this post. Along with the mini book with the tale and very basic instructions for the routine you are sent a further bonus routine and a full pdf going into the more advanced techniques as well as exploring some of the ideas behind this release. Here is the first volume with Roland's Tale included. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. As with all of Alchemy Moon's Artefacts, there is a thriving community that surrounds them and I am sure we will be exploring a variety of ideas and routines to extend this first volume. 'First Volume?' Well, yes - if this takes with the community then it is my aim to produce a series of volumes. Each one will be unique, each one with its own case and individual contents. The next two are germinating on my hard drive (sticky!!) as I write. My motivation for this is simple - I am looking up at my shelf where I have the remaining five copies of the first volume and *they look sooooo cool together*. So expect a whole evenings themes entertainment from this series. A little note about the price - these are going out for £50 / $80.55 + PP - on the first few runs. Now this means that my profit margin is real small (if it exists at all!); the price on this will have to go up, but not until everyone here has one. Why am I doing this? Well firstly, to buck the trend of everything getting more and more expensive. Nothing wrong with quality props at a premium price of course. However, I am aware that these are genuinely tough times economically, and want to put something out that is a really high quality item at a price that should fit your pocket. Also, I am using this as a 'loss leader' to see interest in the whole project. Finally, I want the satisfaction of knowing that if any mystery entertainer gets out a deck of cards, *these* will be the cards they slap on the table. Really when you get to hold a deck in your hands you will not go back to a regular deck. Availability. Is not too bad - the first batch has pretty much sold out via word of mouth, but Moonskin is working through the night to get the next batch of cases done. So if you do not make it on the first train, there will be another coming along next week. Also, as these are all individually made, there is a limit as to how many can be made, so they are only going out to this community at first. I think the 'card guys' will go wild over these, but they will have to wait. So how do you get your eager hands on one? Simple - follow the breadcrumbs on the AM facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alchemymoonbazaar Or just pm me here. I know you guys are going to have some questions, so I will hang around for a few days and answer them to the best of my abilities. Have fun with this one, I know you are going to treasure you Devil's Library.
The Moon is now to be found in the constellation of Gemini:
https://www.geminiartifacts.com |
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
I love how you tell us everything right up front.
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David Eichler Grammar Host Durham, ME 1780 Posts |
Chris, yet another example of you outdoing yourself. Count me in!!
Can you give us any information on the books in the background of the first photo? Assuming Moonskin has hand-crafted them, as well...are they available for purchase or are they part of a subsequent release? Are the pages blank or...?? Congrats on what is most certainly to become a highly-desired gift for under the tree... David |
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Count me in too!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
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Sicnatius Veteran user Connecticut 396 Posts |
This looks so awesome, count me in, too.
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JAlenS Inner circle Utah 1526 Posts |
This is a beaut!! I must have this
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
Good god you guys are going to buy out the stock before he even has it all in.... I guess I'm waiting for the next batch.... I hope there is a next batch!!!!!
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
I think I got the last one in batch #1!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
Lucky you bro! let me know how they feel when you get it in! I have some of moonskins work from before and they are better then a lot of leather goods I see sold main stream.
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Chris told me it'll ship Monday!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
Oh man lol now I'm all jello bro! I can not wait to see how many of these little books Chris puts out!
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
One at a time, killer!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
Lol yea yea I hear ya. they are just so cool! lol
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MatCult Inner circle 1518 Posts |
I love the leather panel with the eye/triangle/circle motif, very evocative. Does it come as part of the wrap? It looked like a separate tag.
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
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Christopher Gould Inner circle in special pants. 1029 Posts |
Thank you fellas.
Here are some answers. First of all to all the emails and pms asking me the same question. Jorey is right; the first batch got sold out in minutes. All of these orders are going out in the morning and should be with you pretty soon. I knew you guys were going to like these! I hope it is the Alchemy Moon reputation and quality of the goods that is inspiring you and not just the price! However the good news is that Moonskin is working on the second batch as we speak. Now, they are all hand made and it does take her some time - but she is hoping to have at least another ten ready be the end of the week. So I am hoping to have the next batch ready to send out the following Monday. Already the preorder list for these is growing. If you want to get on the next train - just pm me with your email address and there will be one on the shelf for you. If you miss this one, don't worry, I will hope that the next batch will be done the week after that - either way, everyone who wants one will get as soon as they are made - no one will have to wait too long. ...unless Moonskin's hands drop off! Why is this not up on the website? Two reasons. If I advertise this anywhere else, I simply will not be able to keep up- with the demand and this will lead to people being disappointed and having to wait too long. I would rather those 'in the know' get the first bite of the cherry. Second reason is I am retiring the old website - it just was not working for me. So as soon as I get the time, the Website will be streamlined to just be the place you go to press the paypal button, with the in depth info and discussion on the AM 'place' and announcements via Facebook. So make sure you 'like' the Facebook page and you will all be kept up to date. I will pop in here now and then, but all the latest news will come via FB. Also, I think forums, including this one best serve the members by discussing issues, rather than flogging goods - my opinion of FB is not high! So I have no moral objections to using this for that purpose. David - the books are the Pople Codex. These, Huin and Muin and the candle stick are 'for illustration only' you don't get these as well for fifty quid!!! The books really are wonderful objects. And yes, David, Jim (and 'the other guy'), they are for sale. But, really only for the serious collector. As you can see from the photos, they are exquisitely made and take ages to produce. They are so expensive that I am not even going to say how much on an open forum. Also they are so heavy that the cost of postage is massive (expect something in the region of £100 for post alone!) I would love to find a way of making these more accessible. The books are blank. I have been talking to Moonskin and thinking up some wonderful ideas for making a full Mystery Performers Grimoire, but cannot find a way of making it cost effective. However, as soon as orders die down a bit on the First Volume of DL, I do have some really cute Mini Grimoires to fit into the Devils Library. These should come out at a similar price (if not a little less) than the first volume. The idea being that you can use them to write new routines that will emerge and to keep your notes. If like me, you brain is shot away by years of Chocolate Milkshake abuse, it is real handy to perform by 'reading a spell' from the book (...er that is, reading the routine!). Stay tuned on this one. As for the Codex Pople - I am not pushing these for sale as they are expensive, and as long as they do not sell - I have them!!!! The motif on the back is actually hand carved in there. There is no mention in the book of why it is there. Any ideas? Finally, thanks for all the really positive feedback, and for supporting my work and in helping make this project a success. I was hoping to escape creating magic as there is a lot more cash to be made from other stuff that I do (just don't ask ok?), but you guys keep drawing me back!
The Moon is now to be found in the constellation of Gemini:
https://www.geminiartifacts.com |
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David Eichler Grammar Host Durham, ME 1780 Posts |
Thanks, Chris. I ordered last night. Don't know if I snuck into the first batch or not. No worries if I did not - your wait time is no issue and I know from previous orders it'll be ready within the timeline you give. It looks amazing!
David |
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Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
"just don't ask ok?"
can we speculate? |
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steven-gibson Special user Eastcoastspiritsessions.com 893 Posts |
Can we hear a bit more about Rollands Tale? The props are beautiful. Whats the effect?
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Christopher Gould Inner circle in special pants. 1029 Posts |
David, in the post tomorrow Sir.
Steven I do not want to highlight the effect over the props - as I want it to be seen as the cards and case being the primary point of getting this. Also, I do not want is to be seen as a 'one trick pony'. In essence it is (I think) the first authentic looking set of cards for the mystery performer. As with an ordinary deck of cards, you would not think of them as having only one use. It is this aspect that I would like to highlight. However, it does come with a strong routine, and behind this routine is a reasonably sized book exploring the ideas and the concept, so again I would not want to tie it down to 'a trick'. Having said that here is a full description of the first included routine (this has been available elsewhere for a few days, but I repost it here for everyone's convenience). The first Volume; 'Roland's Tale'. A tale of love that transcends death. A tale of intimacy, separation and reunion in spirit. A story is told of your great grandfather Roland and his wife Beatrice, and the strange telepathic experiments they would conduct with an ordinary pack of playing cards. Cruel death played the final hand and Roland never returned from his service in the war. However, not even death could separate two souls so intimately bound. The routine: The Performer hands over a curious old book to his mesmerized audience. He announces that this is the very deck of cards that his two ancestors used. The pack has an eerie quality to it and only the less sensitive are prepared to inspect it’s secrets. An ordinary deck of cards, except two are missing, one card lies in Beatrice's petrified hand as she lies in her grave. The other card...well, like Roland, it just is not there any more. Perhaps there is someone brave enough to join the performer in using the cards to re-enact the same game once played by the strange couple? In conducting the experiments, not only does the volunteer medium deal two significant cards which whisper to her the final thoughts of the two parted lovers, but upon turning, the cards are discovered to be Roland and Beatrice's special cards, though to be missing from the deck - what is more the spirits of the two have clearly left a message. This is a multi phased routine with a surprise discovery. A tale to engage the audience's emotions and present them with perplexing evidence that death may not be the end of love. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hope that clarifies things a little. But again, strong as this effect is in performance, it would be selling the Library short to just see it as a single routine.
The Moon is now to be found in the constellation of Gemini:
https://www.geminiartifacts.com |
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Seth speaks Inner circle New Mexico 1249 Posts |
Chris, I'm primarily interested in the cards as a tool for readings or altered state experiences, such as you had with the Hedge Tarote... any chance that any of the volumes will lean in that direction?
Thanks, Seth |
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