There’s a special kind of electricity that fills the air when a Sorcery: Contested Realm event is focused on fun, friendly games, and meeting new people.
On Saturday, April 26th, that energy returns to Sacramento, California, as Emmett Stokes brings it home to the community he’s helped build. The Golden State Gauntlet is a fan-driven celebration of Sorcery, hosted at Great Escape Games, a 25,000-square-foot cornerstone of the California gaming scene and one of the largest hobby stores on the West Coast.
A long time community builder and familiar face at events like Gen Con, Emmett has spent the past year running meetups, teaching new players, and supporting community Sorcery events himself. Now, he’s channeling that experience into something personal - a day long event designed to recapture the feeling that first hooked him on the game. “There’s nothing like hearing that thunderstorm of friendship in the play area,” Emmett shares. “That’s the kind of energy I want people to experience.”
What to Expect
At the heart of the Gauntlet is a five-round Constructed event, but the day is about far more than just competition. Players can jump into on-demand draft pods, team up for Two-Headed Dragon gameplay, and enjoy the kind of open, welcoming play that defines Sorcery at its best.
“Every big Sorcery event I've been a part of, there’s always that moment where someone falls in love with the game for the first time,” Emmett shares. “I can’t wait to see that happen again in Sacramento.”
With that in mind, the Gauntlet has been designed to be as newcomer-friendly as possible. Learn-to-Play sessions and a free sealed draft will offer easy entry points for curious players, while a deck tech station, stocked with donated singles, will help newer participants upgrade precons and jump into more games with confidence.
A Realm of Prizes
In the spirit of Sorcery, prizes at the Gauntlet celebrate both performance and participation. The top player will receive a one-of-a-kind Alpha Angel’s Egg Artist Proof, while a lucky attendee will take home a framed 16x20” embellished print by Sorcery artist Brian Smith. Other giveaways include homemade crocheted dice bags, playmats, and even a graded Frazetta Witch promo slab from Emmett’s personal collection.
Of course, one of the most memorable “prizes” of the day may not come from the prize table at all.
Meet Artist Brian Smith
As a special treat, Sorcery artist Brian Smith will be in attendance, showcasing a curated selection of artist proofs and original works, including a stunning Arthurian Legends painting. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with one of Sorcery’s iconic illustrators and see his work up close.
So whether you’re a seasoned Avatar or just Sorcery-curious, the Golden State Gauntlet is your chance to be part of something special!
You can register for this community run event on Eventbrite or join the conversation in the Golden State Avatars Discord.
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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