From Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4, Sorcery: Contested Realm players from across the Great Lakes region will gather in Chicago for the return of the Free City Conventicle.
Tracing its roots back to a Team Covenant livestream chat, the Chicago Ward Gems first came together to coordinate a Beta preconstructed tournament. Since then, they’ve built a welcoming local scene that connects players across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Now hosting the return of the Free City Conventicle, the this event helps anchor the Sorcery Explorer Series, a player-led circuit that celebrates regionally rooted play and creative community expression.
James Boo, one of the event’s lead organizers, sees the Conventicle as a key moment in growing something meaningful. “It’s fitting that the first Conventicle brought together the Detroit and Chicago players,” he shares, “and now our two communities are collaborating to bring the Explorer Series to the Realm.” He’s especially excited to welcome more players from out of town this year and hopes the event helps forge lasting connections across the wider Sorcery community.
What to Expect
This three-day Conventicle event kicks off on Friday with a custom-curated Cube Draft, a free event built from a carefully crafted pool of cards developed by longtime community member known as Ulavala on the Sorcery discord. On-demand draft and sealed events will also be available throughout the day.
On Saturday, things heat up with a 32-player Constructed Main Event, featuring six rounds of best-of-one Swiss play. If you’ve been nervous about stepping into a more competitive-style event, James and his team have got you covered. Every participant will receive a custom playmat made specifically for the event, featuring original artwork by a local artist, so that just by showing up and participating in this community event you'll be rewarded. Finally, the weekend wraps up on Sunday with a Two-Headed Dragon tournament, a unique community format created by the Beasts of the Bay playgroup. Players will be randomly paired each round, making for lighthearted and unpredictable games.
“Our aim is to make prep for the tournament incredibly easy,” James emphasizes. “Just bring a constructed deck, and you should be able to get in some incredible games.”
For those traveling from farther away, the venue., Good Games Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, offers easy access to iconic landmarks like Navy Pier, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Riverwalk. With a mix of formats, flexible participation, and a whole city to explore, the Conventicle is designed to be an affordable and memorable experience for every type of Sorcerer.
And yes, there will be pizza. Three great spots, three very different styles. Expect post-event outings, heated culinary debates, and maybe even a few spicy decklists to match.
You can learn more about the Free City Conventicle and register for their event here!
Connect with the Sorcery Community
Have an event you’re excited about, or looking to discover more gatherings like this? Join the conversation and share your experiences in Sorcery Facebook group and don’t forget that you can search for upcoming events by region on the Sorcery Play Network.
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