Lindsey Crummett

set invites players into a world of shadowed woods and whispered horrors. But not all is darkness. Even in 

 there are moments of radiance and hope, however small and fleeting.

We've been having a blast giving a glimpse into the mechanics behind 

and today, we’re honored to take a look at some of the set's art with the reveal of 

 Founder and Creative Director, Erik Olofsson.

“The prompt was that it was to be much like the famous painting of the same name,” Lindsey explains, referencing the Italian painter Sassoferrato, “but also have a magical effect coming from the hands clasped in prayer.”

Sassoferrato painted more than one version of the Virgin, one looking downward, the other gazing to the heavens. Lindsey considered both before settling on the expression that she felt captured the tone of 

“I tried to capture a serenity in her expression, a gentle softness in how she holds her hands together, and maybe a little melancholy since (as we see in 

) there is a lot of darkness in the world.”

That contrast, light amid the looming darkness, provided a welcome reprieve from the darker characters she painted in the set. “It was lovely,” Lindsey shares, “I love character pieces, and this seemed a good opportunity for it. I loved the subtlety as opposed to some of the hit-your-over-the-head evil characters I've done,”

Plus, it allowed her to recruit a friend to serve as a reference photo. After staging an elaborate photo shoot with her friend as the model, the resulting reference images helped her capture not just the spirit of the piece, but the intricate textures and lighting that bring 

“I draped cloth over her in just the right way, and moved the lighting around to get the shapes I wanted…she did a great job doing what I asked of her!”

 stretches from the brooding to the beautiful, she can’t really pick a favorite, especially in a set like 

“It’s really difficult to choose, I feel like it’s different aspects of my own personality!” she says. “I’ve always loved villains - when I was 5 years old, I memorised Darkness’s monologue from the 1985 fantasy film, 

Much like Darkness says in the film, ‘What is light, without Dark? … I am a part of you all.’ I have to agree with him! We all have the capacity for both, so I honestly love playing with both.”

It’s a perspective that resonates deeply in 

a set defined by contrast, where even the purest light feels more vivid when cast against the shadow of 

This October, Lindsey will travel to Melbourne for PAX Australia, where she will showcase original art from 

 at the Sorcery booth, part of a collaboration with our friends at 

Join us for learn-to-play demos, card signings, and an unforgettable celebration of traditional fantasy art. Whether you’re a seasoned Sorcerer or just discovering the Realm, we can’t wait to see you at PAX!


Tickets for PAX Australia can be purchased 

Light in the Darkness: Lindsey Crummett Reveals Virgin In Prayer

Brian Smith

Erik’s Curiosa is excited to be making its first appearance at PAX Australia this October, and we’ve partnered with 

 (AIE) to bring an expanded booth to PAX Aus, complete with learn-to-play demos, artist card signings, and an unforgettable showcase of traditional fantasy art.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Erik’s Curiosa at PAX Aus to showcase the incredible gameplay of 

,” says Aimee Lowe, Accounts Manager at AIE. “Leveraging All Interactive Distribution’s reach and logistics expertise across Australia and New Zealand, this collaboration sets the stage for the highly anticipated Gothic set launching later this year.”

As part of the celebration, we’re proud to announce that Brian Smith, one of the most prolific artists behind 

 booth! Known for his bold, surreal depictions of the mystical and monstrous, Brian’s work captures the darker tone and haunting atmosphere that define the upcoming set. At the show, he’ll be signing cards, showcasing original pieces from Gothic, and connecting with fans all weekend long.

 Alpha and Beta sets, Brian marks his return to 

 with his latest work:  Returned King. We’re thrilled to offer fans, both new and old, the chance to meet Brian at the 

 booth at Pax Australia, where he’ll be signing cards, selling prints, and showcasing original artwork from our forthcoming set, 

Don’t miss your chance to meet Brian Smith in person, see exclusive 

artwork, and celebrate the return of one of 

Tickets for PAX Australia can be purchased 

PAX Australia Guest Artist: Brian Smith Joins the Sorcery Booth

Ed Beard Jr.

In our previous spotlight, we explored Ed Beard Jr.’s jaw-dropping work in 

, you have the chance to bring Kairos home in a truly one-of-a-kind form.

, we're excited to share that TCGplayer is running an exclusive sweepstakes where you can

TCGplayer Grand Prize – A One-of-a-Kind Piece of Dragonlord History

The grand prize in the TCGplayer sweepstakes is a collectors dream: a 24 x 32 giclée canvas of 

featuring a hand-painted, full-color-altered-figure add-on by Ed Beard Jr.

and uniquely illuminated with a vibrant frog motif, 

,” a whimsical, frog-like Sorcerer selecting the next powerful spell from their favorite old-school TCG.

makes it a true treasure for fantasy art lovers and collectors alike. This isn’t just a print of 

it's a bespoke piece of fantasy art history, created by Ed Beard Jr. for this 

 promotion and it can be yours by entering the 

To mark the moment, we’re sharing a special time lapse video of Ed Beard Jr. transforming the 

giclée with his hand-painted illumination. 

 gift card, the Grand Prize winner will also receive a 

, along with a second copy to open and play with their friends!

Two additional winners, will each receive $100 

 gift cards, perfect for picking up cards from 

This sweepstakes is hosted and administered solely by TCGplayer. Erik’s Curiosa and Sorcery: Contested Realm are not responsible for the administration, fulfillment, or terms of the sweepstakes. All entries are subject to TCGplayer’s official rules, eligibility requirements, and regional restrictions. For complete details, please refer to the official sweepstakes rules on 

Want to learn more about Sorcery’s upcoming set 

 to stay up to date on the latest announcements and join our communities on 

Win a One-of-a-Kind Dragonlord Masterpiece - TCGplayer Sweepstakes!

 is a legend in the fantasy art world, and we're thrilled to feature his iconic work in 

From automotive airbrush portraits to illustrations in iconic card games, throughout it all, Ed has always remained committed to traditional techniques, favoring graphite, hand brush, and airbrush to bring his imagination vividly to life.

This timeless approach and the creativity behind his 

 storyline, make him a perfect fit for the handcrafted aesthetic and narrative gameplay at the core of 

Kairos the Archivist, featured today, is a prime example of the detail and depth of artistry found in the 

 mini set, Kairos the Archivist is a sprawling, intricate painting that may be the most detailed dragon-themed work of Ed Beard's career.

“Kairos is the most in-depth and largest piece I’ve created within the theme of dragons and the 

 storyline that I wrote years ago,” shares Beard. “I loved the opportunity to bring this character to life, showcasing the architectural elements and the elder dragon, who is both a librarian and an embodiment of time itself.”

The painting is rich with symbolism and hidden details, featuring over 80 unique symbols, including astrological signs, alchemical elements, and runes inspired by Norse and Celtic traditions. From cryptic icons on ancient book spines to carefully placed objects on shelves, every inch of the artwork invites closer inspection. 

 for adults, layered with narrative lore.”

To celebrate Ed Beard Jr.’s illustrations in the 

 set, we're thrilled to share this time-lapse video 

 in real time. Originally recorded during a livestream for Ed's 

, this video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques and vision behind one of 

 most personal and thematically unified releases to date and we can't wait for Sorcerers to get their hands on the 

Ed Beard Jr. Brings Kairos the Archivist to Life in Sorcery: Contested Realm’s Dragonlord Set

has captivated players worldwide with its strategic depth and stunning, hand-painted artwork. Following 

expansion, Erik’s Curiosa is proud to announce the

mini set at Gen Con 2025 from July 31 - August 3.

 dedication to exquisite, hand-painted traditional art, with this premium set marking the triumphant return celebrated artist Ed Beard Jr. to the realm of trading card games. Vividly bringing his 

 storyline to life in the Contested Realm, this set is an uncompromising and unparalleled embodiment of the the characters of Ed Beard Jr.’s 

"The Dragonlord was an opportunity to collaborate with one of fantasy art’s true icons," says Erik Olofsson, creator of 

 and Creative Director at Erik’s Curiosa. "We get to showcase the world’s most awesome hand-painted dragons in our game, and Ed gets to share his draconic magnum opus with a large audience of 

 players and art aficionados. It was a perfect fit."

With a career spanning over four decades and iconic works for 

, Ed Beard Jr’s return marks a celebration of fantasy art and his lifelong passion for dragons.

What to Expect from the Dragonlord Mini Set

 Each card is meticulously hand-painted by Ed Beard Jr., vividly bringing his legendary dragon-themed narratives to life.

 Take control of Sorcery’s most dynamic Avatar yet, harnessing the power of unique dragon aspects to reshape your strategic deckbuilding and gameplay.

13 functionally unique dragon-themed cards,

 Embark on bold adventures and legendary battles that deepen your experience and the thematic stories you tell in the Realm.

Gen Con, North America’s largest tabletop gaming convention, sets the perfect stage for the debut of 

. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to experience this powerful new release firsthand in both casual and event play.

After more than a decade away, Ed Beard Jr. returns to Gen Con, offering fans a unique chance to meet him at the 

 booth for signings, exclusive prints, and firsthand exploration of the 

 will be available via distribution channels and partners, and at in-person events featuring the Erik’s Curiosa team. Information on pre-orders will be shared in the coming weeks.

Whether you're an avid strategist, art collector, or fan of epic narratives, the Ed Beard Jr.’s 

 mini set promises an unforgettable addition to your Sorcery collection.

 on social media for updates, event details, and exclusive previews leading up to Gen Con 2025.

Sorcery Art

Latest Art Features

Light in the Darkness: Lindsey Crummett Reveals Virgin In Prayer

PAX Australia Guest Artist: Brian Smith Joins the Sorcery Booth

Win a One-of-a-Kind Dragonlord Masterpiece - TCGplayer Sweepstakes!

Ed Beard Jr. Brings Kairos the Archivist to Life in Sorcery: Contested Realm’s Dragonlord Set

The Dragonlord Descends on Gen Con: Ed Beard Jr. Unleashes Sorcery’s First Mini Set

Artists