Cursed & Crooked Vol. III: The Goblin King Playing Cards

The Goblin King playing cards is the third chapter in Marianne Larsen’s whimsical Cursed & Crooked playing card series, illustrated in collaboration with Patrick Leis and inspired by classic folklore artists such as John Bauer and Brian Froud.

The story follows Ella, a young girl who leaves her castle to search for her missing father, venturing deep into a mysterious world of trolls and goblins. The Kickstarter project features two unique editions: Crystalwood and Gnarlygrove, each with its own artwork, tuck box, jokers, aces, and metallic edge-gilding.

Both editions feature custom hand-illustrated artwork, embossed and foiled tuck boxes, interior tuck artwork, numbered seals.

The Crystalwood edition uses warm antique copper edge-gilding and a traditional two-way design, while Gnarlygrove features green metallic gilding, one-way courts, and scenic aces depicting key moments from Ella’s adventure.

Printed by WJPC, The Goblin King continues the series’ charming blend of storytelling, folklore, and beautifully crafted playing cards. Pledge starts at $25 on Kickstarter.

The Cursed & The Crooked Kingdom Vol 2 Playing Cards

Now seeking funds on Kickstarter, the Cursed & the Crooked Kingdom playing cards is the second volume in Marianne Larsen’s whimsical fairytale series, offering two uniquely crafted decks that transport players to an enchanted realm. Twice awarded Deck of the Year at the 52 Plus Jokers Diamond Awards, Marianne blends luxurious design with rich storytelling, as seen in her previous projects like Ragnarok Playing Cards and Shadows of London. 

Set in the merged villages of Bakus and Garsia, the kingdom is a place where nature and legend intertwine. Bakus, founded by master bakers, and Garsia, with its ancient stone and creeping vines, celebrate their union each year with warm festivities. Characters like Madeira the Huntress, Barry the Blacksmith, and King Trÿstan add depth to the narrative, with their stories further explored in the accompanying booklets.

Inside, each deck comes with embossed tuck boxes with holographic gold foil and intricate illustrations capture the kingdom’s magical essence. 

The visual designs extend to the card backs, where Bakus and Garsia decks feature distinct one-way and mirrored illustrations that reflect the union of the two villages. 

Also, add-ons are available during the campaign. This include standard brick and half-brick boxes, as well as the exclusive Festivitas Hardbox, a sturdy, linen-textured container made from recycled chipboard. Custom metal coins with 3D embossing are also available as collectibles, adding another layer of charm to this magical world.

Printed in Europe by NPCC with premium linen finish. Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.