Ed Beard Jr.

Ahead of release, legendary fantasy artist Ed Beard Jr. finally got his hands on the 

 Mini Set - and we were there to capture the moment.


In this special video, Ed opens the product he helped bring to life, seeing the cards for the very first time. From the fearsome wingspan of Ignis Rex to the awe-inspiring Dragonlord Avatar, join us for a heartfelt moment of pride, surprise, and celebration as Ed reflects on the journey of illustrating the Dragonlord set.

We’re honored to work with artists like Ed, whose passion and craftsmanship bring the world of 

 is a milestone release, and we’re thrilled to share this moment with all of you. Thank you for being part of the journey - we’re grateful for your continued passion and support as the world of 

The Artist and the Avatar: Ed Beard Jr. Opens Dragonlord For the First Time

Updated: Attending Gen Con 2025 - See our final 

 from July 31- August 3 for four days of 

 events at North America’s largest tabletop game convention! From the debut of the long-awaited Dragonlord mini set to guest appearances by legendary artists, this year’s Gen Con promises to be our most unforgettable yet.

Be the First to Experience the Dragonlord at Booth #1460

Fresh from the imagination of Ed Beard Jr., 

 newest premium mini-set - a showcase of Ed’s hand-painted dragons and the game’s most dynamic Avatar yet.

13 functionally unique, dragon-themed cards

Starting when the Exhibit Hall opens on July 31, Gen Con attendees will have the first opportunity to purchase 

ahead of its general release on August 2. Players may also use 

 cards in our Gen Con 2025 Constructed events throughout the week!

Find out more about the highly anticipated 

In addition to being the first chance to pick up 

 available for purchase at the Sorcery booth throughout Gen Con.

Meet Ed Beard Jr. and Jeff A. Menges at Booth #1460

Step into a gallery of fantasy greatness and meet two of Sorcery’s most iconic artists in person at the Sorcery booth.

 returns to Gen Con after more than a decade away! With a career spanning over 40 years and credits in genre-defining properties, Ed has left an indelible mark on the world of fantasy art. Now, the legendary artist behind 

 brings his vision to life at Booth #1460, where he’ll be signing cards, offering exclusive prints, and sharing collector treasures throughout the weekend.



a foundational figure in fantasy TCG art and a prolific contributor to 

, will be at the booth sharing a first look at 

, our upcoming set releasing later this year. He’ll be signing cards, offering prints, and connecting with fans throughout the weekend. Don’t miss your chance to see never-before-seen artwork and get a glimpse of the haunting, atmospheric direction the set is taking.

Whether you’re an Apprentice Wizard just learning the ropes or a battle-hardened veteran, there are gameplay events for everyone at Gen Con 2025! See the full schedule 

New to Sorcery? We’ll walk you through your first game using a preconstructed deck - yours to keep! Just bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend). Traveling the Realm solo? No problem - we’ll pair you with a friendly helper.

Dive into fast-paced limited formats! Build your deck on the spot from sealed packs or join a draft pod to test your card evaluation and gameplay skills. This year, we’re even introducing a fun 3-player team draft event - a perfect way to team up and make memories! 

Secure your spot while spaces are still available!

Gen Con Crossroads Constructed Championship [SOLD OUT]

Bring your best deck and test your skill in our first-ever 

Compete against 127 fellow Sorcerers for exclusive Crossroads prizing and the glory of claiming your place among the Realm’s finest. 

but last-minute openings may still become available!)

Join us at Gen Con 2025 from July 31 - August 3 for the official launch of Dragonlord, a celebration of fantasy art, and four days of unforgettable gameplay.

Want to connect with fellow Sorcerers in advance? Join the conversation in the

 to make plans, ask questions, and share in the excitement.

Your Guide to Sorcery at Gen Con 2025!

There are forces in the Realm even the elements respect. And now, one of them awakens.

 is a 13-card mini set showcasing the legendary artistry of 

 - a collection of hand-painted dragons and draconic-themed cards unlike anything 

 has seen before. Whether you’re a seasoned Sorcerer, or an upcoming apprentice, 

 is your invitation to command ancient power and forge new tales in flame, storm, and scale.

 cards, featuring 13 functionally unique dragon-themed cards and 1 random premium holographic foil card from the set.

Each card reproduces Ed Beard Jr.’s meticulously hand-painted art, 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.

Every 14 card-Dragonlord box contains 13 functionally unique dragon-themed cards, and a premium foil card randomly selected from the set.

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

will be available in limited quantities through the following channels:

 Starting July 7th, stores can preorder from our distribution partners.

has been provided as a championship prize to stores awarded the first round of Cornerstone allocation.

Available through our partners at Team Covenant.

at Erik’s Curiosa events throughout the year, including Gen Con, Pax Australia, and other forthcoming appearances.

 is offering signed boxes via his website 

 first at Gen Con, North America’s largest tabletop gaming convention. Meet the Erik’s Curiosa team and Ed Beard Jr. in person. Ed will be at the Sorcery booth (#1460) signing cards and offering exclusive prints. The 

Avatar and dragons will also be playable at Gen Con scheduled 

To celebrate the countdown to Gen Con and the launch of 

we’re revealing the art for Adtonitum, a high speed force of raw elemental energy, capable of shattering the sound barrier and soaring into the stratosphere.

“In the Dragonlord universe,” explains artist Ed Beard Jr., “The Dragonlord created Adtonitum using both organic and advanced cybergenetic metallic materials.” Designed to channel massive arcs of lightning into the skies above the Dragonlord’s lair, her kind is necessary to channel the vast amount of electrical energy used in the Dragonlord's birthing chamber as depicted, in the Cradle of Etherrum.

“She was the first of her kind,” shares Beard. “As an outlier due to her biological makeup, she and her kind were not immediately embraced… until the Dragonlord perfected both organic and metallic infusion.”

Unlike Beard’s gnarlier dragons like Ignis Rex

 Adtonitum is rendered with “tapered, slender, more feminine lines and structure,” Beard notes. I also wanted to present a color palette that was unique and rarely seen - showing the blood reds, metallic silver-blue cyan, and intense purple.” Her pose and presence pay subtle homage to “my son’s generation of the early 2010s - a cross between comics and fantasy art.”

Like all of Beard’s dragons, Adtonitum is crafted using traditional airbrush methods and brush techniques - pure, physical artistry.

“Made by hand,” Beard says, “is the same category of meaning that signals ‘craftsmanship’ and the production of a one-of-a-kind hand painted tangible original artwork… created the ‘hard way.’

We’re honored to have dedicated traditional artists like Ed Beard Jr. as part of 

 bringing bold vision and artistry to life in the Realm.

With the ability to take on the aspect of Unique Dragons, the Dragonlord Avatar is able to manifest a wide range of potent abilities, unlocking multiple playstyles and a variety of strategies. With this set alone, there are multiple unique dragons that allow players to explore the possibilities and powers of the 

. Perfect for thematic play, and leveling up your Beta Preconstructed Decks.

 launch celebration with your friends, store, or community?

-themed event, play session, or creative display on social media using the hashtag #DragonlordAwakens

Whether it’s a kitchen-table duel with dragon decor, a Beta Preconstructed tournament infused with 

, or a celebration that channels the spirit of the set - we want to see it!

, and tag us! Just be sure to include #DragonlordAwakens so we can find your entry.

We’ll choose our three favorite submissions to receive

 a signed copy of the Dragonlord mini set

 creator Erik Olofsson and members of the Erik’s Curiosa design team.

The Realm is watching! Show us what legends look like!

Whether you’re looking to unleash a new Avatar, or simply want to witness what handcrafted dragons look like in action, 

Stay tuned for more reveals in the coming weeks as 

 approaches - and prepare to harness the power of Dragons!


The Dragonlord Awakens August 2

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 

Dragonlord

The Dragonlord Box

Full Card Library

The Artist and the Avatar: Ed Beard Jr. Opens Dragonlord For the First Time

Your Guide to Sorcery at Gen Con 2025!

The Dragonlord Awakens August 2

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