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Arabesque. Inspired by the Alhambra palace in Granada. Lotrek's take on the most beautiful arabic design. Oh yes. Oh yes.

There haven't been many arabic themed decks yet actually. The Jinni deck that was made recently is the only one I can think of.

Lotrek wrote:

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This is exciting. This is something I know Lotrek can blast out of the park. Not worried at all with this one. I look forward to seeing the full reveal, but the on the fence should just look to Icons and Treasure to know this is going to be wonderful, but with some new elements and direction.

TwoPieceFeed, this is just a name reveal. I like how he said it in English with an Arabic type of font. I know a little Arabic, so it threw me off at first and then laughed that it was really English.

Oops. Didn't see Räpylätassu's post above Lotrek's. It took me about 5 minutes to figure out what the calligraphy said...

Well, now it will cost you $90 to join. Or you can wait and see what it will cost on eBay after they are all sold. Any bets it will be less than $200?

Very excited to see how this turns out!

Räpylätassu wrote:There haven't been many arabic themed decks yet actually. The Jinni deck that was made recently is the only one I can think of.

There was Sultana.



Excited to see what Lotrek does with the theme. I always wanted to see these get made:

niceguy0750 wrote:Sorry Mike, I just had to do this! Can’t resist it!! WOOF WOOF!!

Ahahahahaha. Good one! I walked right into that...

Räpylätassu wrote:There haven't been many arabic themed decks yet actually. The Jinni deck that was made recently is the only one I can think of.

The back design of the recent Radia cards is clearly influenced by islamic geometric patterns ... I think I remember reading somewhere at the time that that one was also based on something from the Alhambra, but I may misremember that. And I know of one more that you have seen as well ...

The deck is inspired by the splendor of the Alhambra palace but doesn't use elements from it. At least not directly recognizeable. It's a tribute to the most intricate art the world has ever seen, hence the generic name "Arabesque".

Awe come on Lotrek! Just SHOW us already!

We know the tuck will be amazing. We know there will be multiple foils on the cards, hopefully on both sides. But the thing I'm most hoping for is that Lotrek formulated a new finish that will make his cards handle well and be more playable!

Don't you dare.
Most un-Lotrek-esque ....
The Alhambra will fall before I play with these.

Lotrek for crying out loud please stop taking my money!

My cards arrived from Greece safe and sound the other day. Forgot to email you.
Thanks a bunch!

Love the Hellenic Post stamps!

Oh and yeah, I bought a Mystery Deck lol.

Gene

It's just my opinion, but I believe playing cards are meant to be used. I understand that people like to have collections - hell, I'm a collector too. That's why I bought two decks, one to keep sealed for the collection, but also one to open up and use in all it's spectacular beauty. I want to smell the cards as I crack open the virgin tuck for the very first time. I want to feel the cards slide against each other as they glitter in the light while I'm fondling them in my hands. I want to execute a perfect faro and then produce a giant fan so I can see my face reflected in all that glorious foil. I want to enjoy them with my friends during poker night: it will make it all the more enjoyable when I slow play a boat and spring my trap at the river and rake in my chips. And yes, one day in the distant future, the deck will be used up to the point where they're no longer playable, but they will get a noble burial in my wastebasket because they were used, played with, to the fullest extent of their intended purpose, and I will be content with all the satisfaction that deck provided all the while knowing that I have another one in pristine, perfect condition in my collection.

If I could afford two of every deck I would feel the same way. But until then my cards will stay perfectly wrapped in the cellophane in which they arrived and proudly displayed in my cases as beautiful pieces of pristine, untouched, artwork.

sinjin7 wrote:It's just my opinion, but I believe playing cards are meant to be used. I understand that people like to have collections - hell, I'm a collector too. That's why I bought two decks, one to keep sealed for the collection, but also one to open up and use in all it's spectacular beauty. I want to smell the cards as I crack open the virgin tuck for the very first time. I want to feel the cards slide against each other as they glitter in the light while I'm fondling them in my hands. I want to execute a perfect faro and then produce a giant fan so I can see my face reflected in all that glorious foil. I want to enjoy them with my friends during poker night: it will make it all the more enjoyable when I slow play a boat and spring my trap at the river and rake in my chips. And yes, one day in the distant future, the deck will be used up to the point where they're no longer playable, but they will get a noble burial in my wastebasket because they were used, played with, to the fullest extent of their intended purpose, and I will be content with all the satisfaction that deck provided all the while knowing that I have another one in pristine, perfect condition in my collection.

You're perverted.

sinjin7 wrote:It's just my opinion, but I believe playing cards are meant to be used.

I agree.

Trying to formulate the best possible coating is a challenge, especially when foil is involved. I find it exhausting but fascinating, too. Way more difficult than the design itself.

I'm happy to say that my new varnishing formula that you will see in Arabesque is taking my foiled decks to the "playable" family of cards. Unfortunately my cardistry skills are equal to a retarded monkey's so I'm not a good judge myself...

Of course you shouldn't expect USPCC handling, just to be clear.

Lotrek wrote:Im happy to say that my new varnishing formula that you will see in Arabesque is taking my foiled decks to the "playable" family of cards.

Playable?!?! At $85-$100/deck it's quite far from playable on a daily/weekly basis.

I think I'll just keep them in my collection, thank you!

Lotrek's name is now in the monthly budget list. He became another "bill" to pay.

we want more (info), that is...!

Cardians wrote:we want more (info), that is...!

Milestone #2 is not far away. The graphics with the name should have been the clincher if you had even a minimal doubt that you will be getting your money's worth - and then some.

Given the track record for sales of even recent decks on eBay as well as private sales, these are going to be a bargain - especially for the people who bought them without even a name.

So, when you have seen the back design, are you ready to pull the trigger? I am sworn not to give a clue about the deck design, but I can tell you that sales have been beyond good. Numbers? Not for me to say.

I guess that I can say without being specific that some people have bought more than one, so there are plenty of people who have absolute faith in this being another ground breaking deck. Time will tell!

Oh my!
That's absolutely stunning

...and $95 now to join the party. Wow, Lotrek, that is fairly nice. Yeah, nice.

misterharmanko wrote:Oh my!
That's absolutely stunning

I don't think that's drool.


I'm sad I have to give these a miss, but Alex Chin shook everything out of my wallet, including the cobwebs.

Nice back design. Wonder what the tuck will look like...

That back tho. In the running for one of my favorite card backs from Lotrek. Magnificent.

shaitani wrote: In the running for one of my favorite card backs from Lotrek. Magnificent.

I'd have to agree.
To date I still think that the Icons Imperial decks are my favourite deck from Lotrek but I have a feeling this might easily surpass them.

Oscar53955 wrote:Nice back design. Wonder what the tuck will look like...

I was wondering the same thing myself..... and the courts. I really hope there's a new set of courts for this deck.

I'm also wondering how much of this back design is foiled.

portcullis wrote: I don't think that's drool.

Lol, You might be right