Vanir Edge-gilded Premium Card Stock Limited Edition Custom Playing Cards

tlers for crowns, marrying their siblings, experimenting with the most powerful sources of magic. Channeling energy from nature itself and mastering wit and wisdom rather than traditional traits of the Norse spirit. The Vanir race made a lasting impression on everyone.

When the almighty Aesir started a war against them, they would face a race far more powerful and potent than they had ever imagined. What the Vanir lacked in brute force and training with the sword, they made up for with wisdom and the 'Sejdr' magic from the veins of the Earth itself. Even the Aesir could not defeat them and instead, they made a peace pact and alliance with the Vanir deities to empower the realms of them both.

Welcome to the 'Vanir', interpreted, designed and illustrated by Nicolai Aaroe, taking inspiration from ancient lore of Norse mythology. As I found descriptions of the realm of Vanaheimr lacking in the mythology books, I took it upon myself to depict the Vanir race, with deep lore, freedom of imagination, creativity and fictitious, artistic spice.

It is not the goal of this art project to portray vikings with historical authenticity. It is not even about vikings. This is a personal art project where artistic imagination and creativity has grown organically and without restrictions, just like Sejr magic itself.

• A unique and artistic take on the powerful 'Vanir' mythos
• Design inspired by LoTR, fantasy fiction & Norse mythology
• 3 unique designs, with unique tucks
• Elegant, richly foiled and embossed tucks
• Edge-gilded cards in 3 design variants
• 100% unique and human-made art
• Limited edition (max 1,200 of each edition)
• 55 poker sized cards (52 cards + 2 jokers + 1 title card)
• Printed with premium card stock

Gold, teal and copper. Vanir features 3 unique tucks, all with matte lamination, metal foil, rich embossing, seal, tuck interiors and unique color schemes. The edition titles are Blót (meaning 'Ritual'), Sejdr (meaning 'Magic') and Vanadis (meaning 'Goddess').

The tuck seals and interiors match the overall color schemes of the cards inside each tuck.

At first glance it looks like this is just three colorways, so be aware that the aces in the Blót edition deck are completely unique 'storytelling' aces, compared to the other 2 ed.

Tuck backs feature the iconic Stag of Vanaheim, which is worshipped by the Vanir and serves as a spiritual ally in many ways for their culture. Here is a mockup closeup of the Vanadis tuck back with copper foil and embossing on the matte printed tuck.

Chaotic, yet with powerful symmetry. Like the magic itself, the Vanir card backs represent the channeling of energy veins of Sejdr, flowing freely and unrestricted by any borders. The 3 editions have unique edge-gildings, all with an eye-catching metallic shine.

The Blót ('Ritual') edition has an earthy, brown main color which makes the bright teal color of the Vanir energy and magic stand out and capture your attention. The cards have a metallic golden edge-gilding. Unique for this edition is the four aces, which depict Vanir Blóts (ritual events) in The Forests of The Strong Wind.

Blót jokers and thematic Vanir title card.

The Sejdr ('Magic') edition has a strong teal color which represents the power and flow of the Vanir energy and magic. The cards have a metallic teal edge-gilding. As the 12 Vanir deities are identical in the 3 editions, I am showing them in the different editions in a way that depicts them all collectively.

Sejdr jokers and thematic Vanir title card.

The Vanadis ('Goddess') edition has a black main color which represents night, only lit by magical veins of Sejdr. The cards have a metallic copper edge-gilding. The aces have some variation across the editions besides just the color schemes.

Vanadis jokers and thematic Vanir title card.

Want to learn about the lore, mythology and design choices?
The Vanir booklet is highly recommended if you feel intrigued to dive deep into the fiction, mythology and lore of the Vanir race, their appearance, culture, background and their unique mastering of the powerful Sejdr magic of Norse mythology! You will get a deeper understanding of not only their design and illustrative style, but also their role and influence on the Norse mythology as interpreted and by the artist. This is a printed booklet in A6 format with 32 pages.

The Vanir metal coin is manufactured with antique gold plating with 3D embossed ancient tribal artwork on both sides. It is a token that represents the strong bond and arcane power of nature, the forests and its animals, which are worshipped, channeled and mastered by the Vanir race. It has a diameter of 2 inches (50mm) and the two sides have different designs as show here.

The Vanir hardbox is designed to fit the set of all three Vanir decks. It is included in a reward tier, but can also be purchased as a standalone addon in empty state in case you want more than one.

Here below, backers of the project will see some the available addons, which can be chosen individually when making or modifying your pledge to the project. There are even MORE addons available than what you see in this visual presentation. Some of the presented items can become very low in stock or even sold out quickly.

Vengeance of Witches 2nd edition is quite different in shape and form compared to the original from 2020, which was backed by 1,800 backers. Here are some of the main differences:
★ Two-way courts
★ Lavender purple and black edge-gilding
★ New, unique tuck concepts
★ New and borderless card back designs
★ New and very different color schemes

Matte silver foil, dark tuck interior, edge-gilded cards. Subtle lavender hues weave through the design. This Cauldron tuck box is a symbol of women who refuse to vanish, and an eternal emblem of union and creation.

Gold foil and lavender shadows, every surface represents the precision of incantation. The strategic embossing gives life to symbols that seem to rise from the darkness itself. The Craft Edition has Metallic Ashen Gilded cards, that symbolize the pyre and the strength of those who rose from it, a symbol of survival, not ruin.

Iron Hollow Playing Cards - Ravenclaw & Scarlet edition | Available as addon for backers. All decks purchased as an addon from a previous project is offered from a very limited supply of 'project remainders' which therefore and naturally is reflected by its individual price.

Vengeance of Witches Playing Cards - Blackshade edition | Available as addon for backers. All decks purchased as an addon from a previous project is offered from a very limited supply of 'project remainders'. This means that you can't expect for the deck(s) to have a numbered tuck seal on it as the pool includes the print run 'overs'.

Vengeance of Witches Playing Cards - Hagazussa edition | Available as addon for backers.All decks purchased as an addon from a previous project is offered from a very limited supply of 'project remainders'. This means that you can't expect for the deck(s) to have a numbered tuck seal on it as the pool includes the print run 'overs'.

Vengeance of Witches Playing Cards - Nightglow edition | Available as addon for backers. All decks purchased as an addon from a previous project is offered from a very limited supply of 'project remainders'. This means that you can't expect for the deck(s) to have a numbered tuck seal on it as the pool includes the print run 'overs'.

The Vengeance of Witches booklet is ideal for you if you want to enjoy the face illustrations in a bigger format while reading about the witch-hunt of the early modern era. This is a printed booklet in A6 format.

Culminus Immortalis | A unique and expanded re-imagination of Culminus, the eternal battle between good and evil, from 2017 by artist Nicolai Aaroe and brought to life with the help from 658 backers! Dark art playing cards inspired by eschatological literature symbolising the eternal battle between good and evil, light and darkness, saints and sinners.

The Culminus Immortalis metal coins are manufactured in gold and black metal with 3D embossing and with a diameter of 2 inches (50mm). The two sides have different designs as shown here in these photos.

The Culminus Immortalis Lore Book is a printed booklet in A6 format. The booklet has a spread with the backstory of all 12 characters featured in the project. There is almost double the amount of character description in this lore book compared to the Culminus booklet from 2017.

Vittoria Di Viritas Playing Cards | Duplice / Singolo ed. | Available as addon for backers. A unique and extravagant release of the venetian themed playing cards. These decks are missing one pip symbol on the nine of spades.

House of Seven Gables Playing Cards - Lazarus edition | Mystical and enchanting foils on extravagant tucks with richly illustrated cards, inspired by old Salem legends.

House of Seven Gables Playing Cards - Eleazar edition | Mystical and enchanting foils on extravagant tucks with richly illustrated cards, inspired by old Salem legends.

Dominus V2 Playing Cards - Obscura V2 edition | Multiple glossy foils on a black, matte stock, richly embossed for a truly luxurious look and feel (if you are into dark art).

Dominus V2 Playing Cards - Deceptus edition | Multiple glossy foils on a black, matte stock, richly embossed for a truly luxurious look and feel (if you are into dark art).

Today, I have been making playing cards with the help from Kickstarter backers for more than 10 years. I am extremely grateful for all your ongoing support in my work and passion

As the lead artist of several, successful deck projects I am no novice in the world of fine art playing cards. I have in-depth knowledge on most printing companies and the strengths and weaknesses of each. I design dark art playing cards that are meant to be treated as such. I am an avid backer on Kickstarter and know how things work, on both sides of the table.

I am awarded the Trusted Creator badge on Kickstarter which grants me several benefits, including the ability to handle more than one project at a time. (In it's essence, handling mulitiple Kickstarter projects simultaneously really isn't much different from handling a Kicktarter while also handling Patreon projects etc.) See the FAQ for more in-depth information.

Vanir Playing Cards is one of my most ambitious projects to date and I have invested quite a significant sum of my profit from earlier projects to give it the attention that it deserves. These playing cards are first and foremost designed and presented as fine art playing cards and neither designed nor produced for cardistry or other advanced handling.

Vanir Playing Cards will only be made with your support to help cover the costs of investments, setup fees, proof charges, printing, design, freight, shipping and the time to create all the pieces of art. I am launching this deck on Kickstarter as an artist, a deck collector, and an active fan of the crowdfunding concept. Let's do this together and create something unique!