With Sorcery's first Grand Contest of Organized Play kicking off May 29-30 at SCG CON Washington, DC, there's a lot building in the world of Sorcery Organized Play. But the game doesn't only live at the biggest events. It lives in the recurring gatherings, the local scenes, and the community-run initiatives that keep players connected week after week.
One of those initiatives is the Explorer Series, an entirely community-run event series now in its second season. Spanning 16 stores across the United States, the Explorer Series brings communities together through a connected season of events featuring unique community prizing, familiar faces, and an atmosphere that's intimate, fun, and above all welcoming.
We caught up with Kiel Wilson, one of the organizers behind it, to spotlight the work being done and the momentum it's building.
A Community Champion
The Explorer Series didn't emerge from a mandate or a top-down structure. A completely community created and supported endeavor, it grew because someone cared enough to build it.
Kiel Wilson has been doing exactly that: organizing events, bringing players together, and creating a space where Sorcery can be played regularly, meaningfully, and with intention. For Kiel, it goes beyond logistics.
“It’s the fulfillment of how I want to experience and share a game with others,” he says. “The ability to just experience other’s joy and discovery…and maybe selfishly be involved with helping with that.”
That kind of stewardship matters. Because even as Sorcery's community events grow, with larger events and bigger stages, the game lives here: in local gatherings, in recurring play, and in the relationships built over time.
The Explorer Series is a reflection of that spirit. And if there's any doubt about whether it's landing, a recent moment put it plainly. A new player, paired against Kiel at a recent event, offered what Kiel calls the best compliment the series has received: "You guys have managed to really capture the excitement of wanting to gather together to play a game and meet people. And the fun is just superior to chasing a trophy."
"I was floored," Kiel shares.
Season 2 Underway
Season 2 is already well in motion, with four events completed and players returning across multiple locations, and there's plenty more on the horizon. With 12 more events scheduled for this year, these are great opportunities to connect with other communities as you explore (pun intended) the realm. Players and prospective organizers can reach out to any of the council members directly through the Explorer Series Discord.
What's Ahead: Midland Mayhem
One of the upcoming highlights of the season is Midland Mayhem, an event that captures exactly what the Explorer Series is all about: players coming together for great games, shared experiences, and a growing sense of community.
Midland Mayhem is hosted by Pete Hansen and Commander Games at Camp Childress in Joplin, Missouri. Whether you've been part of the series from the beginning or are just looking for a place to jump in, it's a great opportunity to get involved. Tickets are available here
A Larger Journey Taking Shape
The work of community champions like Kiel doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of something larger that's beginning to take shape across the realm.
Stores will soon be receiving more information on Store Kits, Cornerstone event scheduling, and how to take the next step in building their local communities. And with the first Grand Contest on the horizon, Sorcery Organized Play is preparing to kick off in a big way - all of these efforts are connected.
Community-run events like the Explorer Series and the organized play infrastructure being built around Cornerstones and Grand Contests aren't separate tracks; they're part of the same growing game.
The People Behind the Series
It's easy to look ahead to the biggest events. But none of it happens without the people who show up early, who organize, who teach, and who create spaces for others to play.
Kiel is quick to share the credit. James Boo, Brandon Posey, and Tim Fandrei have each become indispensable to the series. James serves as a project manager and sounding board. Brandon brings passion and energy to sourcing original prizing through local and community artists. Tim handles the financial logistics that keep everything running. Over the past nine months, all three stepped up in ways that made it possible for the series to continue.
"I could not have done this without them," Kiel shares.
Josh Clark also deserves recognition, showing up to judge events with nothing expected in return, something Kiel says has meant more than he can easily put into words.
The Explorer Series, and Season 2 in particular, is a reminder of what makes this community special. Not just the game itself, but the people who bring it to life.
Want to get involved or stay up to date? Join the Explorer Series Discord to connect with the network of stores and players hosting Series events.
And that's just the Explorer Series.
Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight community events across the realm.
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