OATH'S PATREON -details

[Strag]

It does certainly help me to better understand where the delays come from and why. My belief is that any relationship, whether between buyer and seller or between friends or even within a romantic settings fails not because of a lack of caring but because of a lack of trust and communication. These messages from Lotrek are the most compehensive look into the business model and process by which he creates, funds and sells decks that I have ever seen and for that level of communication and transparency I am grateful and much more understanding than I have been feeling about the whole situation.

I continue to believe that open and frequent communication is incredibly important to maintain such a relationship and to keep things healthy and continuing. I have seen the positive response he got here and on Patreon as good for his community and I am hopeful that he continues to be open about what is happening and why. I, for one, was completely in the dark about why new decks were being produced without previous decks being shipped. Maybe I should have read into previous communications or misunderstood something, I don't know.

Being a creator must be an incredibly hard job, especially when you have not only to create something artistic but also have the business acumen to make it something to make a living at. I wish I had used less inflammatory language, it clearly struck a nerve and wasn't my intention to be hurtful at all. I absolutely do not wish Lotrek any ill will whatsoever, I was simply frustrated. Probably the last I will have have to say on this topic, I think enough has been said by me.

[JazzBaloo]

Seems to me that it's a broken system. Money all gone in the garbage because of whatever printing stories and so it's always playing catchup. Continuously needing to create and sell more to pay for previous rewards. That is a polarizing issue. Lotrek patreon customers are patient!

[Leachy19]

It does certainly help me to better understand where the delays come from and why. My belief is that any relationship, whether between buyer and seller or between friends or even within a romantic settings fails not because of a lack of caring but because of a lack of trust and communication. These messages from Lotrek are the most compehensive look into the business model and process by which he creates, funds and sells decks that I have ever seen and for that level of communication and transparency I am grateful and much more understanding than I have been feeling about the whole situation.

I continue to believe that open and frequent communication is incredibly important to maintain such a relationship and to keep things healthy and continuing. I have seen the positive response he got here and on Patreon as good for his community and I am hopeful that he continues to be open about what is happening and why. I, for one, was completely in the dark about why new decks were being produced without previous decks being shipped. Maybe I should have read into previous communications or misunderstood something, I don't know.

Being a creator must be an incredibly hard job, especially when you have not only to create something artistic but also have the business acumen to make it something to make a living at. I wish I had used less inflammatory language, it clearly struck a nerve and wasn't my intention to be hurtful at all. I absolutely do not wish Lotrek any ill will whatsoever, I was simply frustrated. Probably the last I will have have to say on this topic, I think enough has been said by me.

I can see why some people could be frustrated - Lotrek himself would probably admit that he hasn’t been as informative on all these projects as he probably could have been but with all the projects he has going on I’m sure it’s pretty damn hard to do everything. I’m sure Lotrek will very much appreciate your post - good on ya Strag

[Bradius]

Thanks Strag for your comments.

Seems to me that it's a broken system. Money all gone in the garbage because of whatever printing stories and so it's always playing catchup. Continuously needing to create and sell more to pay for previous rewards. That is a polarizing issue. Lotrek patreon customers are patient!

I am not sure though that it is a broken system. Lotrek always wants to push the printing envelope. I think it is a compulsion. Whether it is trying to overlay multiple foils, perfecting a new varnish, use new types of stock, printing on dark paper. You name it. All those create failed efforts. What is cool is that he can do these in small batches. This is not something that a mainstream printer would do. Maybe B&N or a card printing company like them. Failures I think are a part of what he does. So, if you like his work, you have to deal with that his major creations are likely going to take a long time.

As I compare Qalif and Arabesque, I am just impressed at the improvements that have been made in production ability. In any event, I am still enjoying this new deck. It will have to hold me until the next one. I am really liking now having a series of his different decks handy to just compare with each other.

One concern that i have for Lotrek is the increased cost for production and shipping that just eats away at his profitability margin. In the end, he needs to make enough money to make it all worthwhile. I think selling them after they are produced may be the only solution. Still, there are a ton of us that just want to be on his guaranteed sale list.

[Lotrek]

It does certainly help me to better understand where the delays come from and why. My belief is that any relationship, whether between buyer and seller or between friends or even within a romantic settings fails not because of a lack of caring but because of a lack of trust and communication. These messages from Lotrek are the most compehensive look into the business model and process by which he creates, funds and sells decks that I have ever seen and for that level of communication and transparency I am grateful and much more understanding than I have been feeling about the whole situation.

I continue to believe that open and frequent communication is incredibly important to maintain such a relationship and to keep things healthy and continuing. I have seen the positive response he got here and on Patreon as good for his community and I am hopeful that he continues to be open about what is happening and why. I, for one, was completely in the dark about why new decks were being produced without previous decks being shipped. Maybe I should have read into previous communications or misunderstood something, I don't know.

Being a creator must be an incredibly hard job, especially when you have not only to create something artistic but also have the business acumen to make it something to make a living at. I wish I had used less inflammatory language, it clearly struck a nerve and wasn't my intention to be hurtful at all. I absolutely do not wish Lotrek any ill will whatsoever, I was simply frustrated. Probably the last I will have have to say on this topic, I think enough has been said by me.

Under that light, I feel I need to thank you, Strag. Your comment, although made me angry, sparked a reaction which was found enlightening by most -if not all- Patrons. I admit that I could be more informative (not transparent, because I believe I already am). The only reason I didn't mention all these things going on was that I thought I would sound like whining and -more important- I had the fear that people would think I'm making things up! Believe me, my printers drive me crazy although they're the best in the business.

Btw, I never thought you are toxic. I just felt your comment was unjust.

Thanks again for your unintentional help.

[KGthePrince]

Per Lotrek's new Mystery III update:

"Remember that in the latest (QALIF) update I announced that the final MYSTERY III deck will be different from QALIF in every way except for the courts that would be the same?

Hahah, I fooled you!

The courts will be different, too! Listening to feedback (and also to a little inner voice) I decided to go one step further and design new courts as well!
These courts were finished today and next week begins the production of the deck."

New courts?

[Honeybee]

10 minutes of auction to go and Damask Blue standing at $1,060

https://socalplayingcards.com/

[Honeybee]

After 127 bids it went for $1,315

[kevork]

FRAGMENTA will be released probably on Monday. 1000 decks were printed.

[laitostarr777]

I finally received my QALIF Playing Cards, and all I can say it.... SPEECHLESS

Everything about this deck just speaks beauty: it is as if the old craftsman of the past has been given the power of hot foiling, and they produce exquisite playing cards fit for the royal sultan! Just phenomenal!!!

The box even has an unique finger inlet, in shape of a Qubba. The deck is surprisingly have two different colored stock, alternating from gold to silver at 9 cards count. I just consider it as the special feature of this very deck! Besides, as the cards have gold and silver metallic foil, as as the gold and silver color for the paper stock! About the scratches: if you see at the Jack of Spades, there's a bit of it at the top side - but it's tolerable; I am sure nobody will notice when your eyes are distract at the shininess of the patterns and artworks.
Overall: the deck is DIVINE~
While I am dissapointed that Mystery III is STILL a Mystery, I am happy to be caught in Stendahl Syndrome of this deck for now!

[laitostarr777]

Comparing side by side, as both Mystery III Craft Edition and QALIF shares the same artworks:

Hard to really see with all those shininess and the reflections and glare... But one thing for sure, QALIF is way more vibrant and way more shiny than ever.

[Adamthinks]

I finally received my QALIF Playing Cards, and all I can say it.... SPEECHLESS

Everything about this deck just speaks beauty: it is as if the old craftsman of the past has been given the power of hot foiling, and they produce exquisite playing cards fit for the royal sultan! Just phenomenal!!!



The box even has an unique finger inlet, in shape of a Qubba. The deck is surprisingly have two different colored stock, alternating from gold to silver at 9 cards count. I just consider it as the special feature of this very deck! Besides, as the cards have gold and silver metallic foil, as as the gold and silver color for the paper stock! About the scratches: if you see at the Jack of Spades, there's a bit of it at the top side - but it's tolerable; I am sure nobody will notice when your eyes are distract at the shininess of the patterns and artworks.
Overall: the deck is DIVINE~
While I am dissapointed that Mystery III is STILL a Mystery, I am happy to be caught in Stendahl Syndrome of this deck for now!

Looks like you got one of the lucky decks after they fixed the issues. Mine unfortunately wasn't so lucky.

[JazzBaloo]

I finally received my QALIF Playing Cards, and all I can say it.... SPEECHLESS

Everything about this deck just speaks beauty: it is as if the old craftsman of the past has been given the power of hot foiling, and they produce exquisite playing cards fit for the royal sultan! Just phenomenal!!!



The box even has an unique finger inlet, in shape of a Qubba. The deck is surprisingly have two different colored stock, alternating from gold to silver at 9 cards count. I just consider it as the special feature of this very deck! Besides, as the cards have gold and silver metallic foil, as as the gold and silver color for the paper stock! About the scratches: if you see at the Jack of Spades, there's a bit of it at the top side - but it's tolerable; I am sure nobody will notice when your eyes are distract at the shininess of the patterns and artworks.
Overall: the deck is DIVINE~
While I am dissapointed that Mystery III is STILL a Mystery, I am happy to be caught in Stendahl Syndrome of this deck for now!

Looks like you got one of the lucky decks after they fixed the issues. Mine unfortunately wasn't so lucky.

That is a peculiar business decision imo. Sending out decks with varying levels of quality control or fixes.

[Honeybee]

I am still surprised how many collectors are attracted to shiny things
Is ornate architecture big in the USA too?

[Disenchanted_11]

Well simply look at basic history, Honeybee.
Gold has always been the shiny thing that drove people crazy.
Not surprising it has the same effect when applied to cards, at all. When I look at my gold foiled cards, it really is hynotizing.

[Honeybee]

I think I may be descended from those who made their fortune selling supplies to the gold crazy

ps Apologies to crows (and magpies), they are intelligent birds that engage in playful behaviors but they don't have a documented preference for shiny objects.

[kevork]

A girl I was dating explicitly said "you really like shiny things" when it came to my card collecting. I'd certainly have to say "if done right" as a caveat to that.

I do wonder why he removed the design on the maroon portion of the card back and kept it one color. I wonder if it was an oversight or intentional.

[Honeybee]

Interesting point kev. I would normally say less ornate would be better but in this instance it does not gel with the rest of the back

Was the girl wearing these

[laitostarr777]

I am still surprised how many collectors are attracted to shiny things
Is ornate architecture big in the USA too?

I love Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture works, if that’s what u asking
I like AoP release of Hotel Imperial and Midway Gardens (although I appreciate if the former doesn’t have “his highness OG Designer” name)

[Honeybee]

I thought simplicity was FLW's style

[krystalie]

Is the alternating silver and gold stock a feature of the Qalif deck or a fix for whatever it has to fix?

[kevork]

Is the alternating silver and gold stock a feature of the Qalif deck or a fix for whatever it has to fix?

It was a feature, with Lotrek trying something different.

[kevork]

[whatwillitbenow]

Screenshot_20250318_140356_Instagram.jpg

is it live on his website 10pm utc? or is it just more details at ten.

[Evilgamer]

should be live...or live shortly.

its up on the patron site and they just sent out an email that links to the normal site.

original and test print, including 5 euro off if you buy them together.

[PrincessTrouble]

Got the email but I don't see it on the normal (non-patreon) site.

[PrincessTrouble]

Ok, I was able to guess the URL and got my decks. Phew!

[hsbc]

FRAGMENTA back design incorporates elements from 4 decks:

MORESQUE
GOLDEN RULE
SILK PLAYERS
MAESTRO

Printed in 1100 unnumbered copies, it has gold and silver metallic inks on both the face and back sides.

...

Also available is the TEST PRINT of FRAGMENTA (550 numbered copies) which is essentially the same but has different colors on the courts, the aces and slightly on the back. It also has very good handling but not as great as the official edition.

FRAGMENTA, €20.00 [€18 for Patrons]



Our most crazy design so far. A deck of playing cards designed to look like a miscut!
Gold and Silver metallic inks on the face and back sides.
New "Standard" courts
Great handling, ideal for beautiful fans.
All wrapped up in an equally crazy tuck box, where we used 5 different foils plus embossing!
Please note that the red foil on the lid may chip off slightly across the folding line. Open gently.

FRAGMENTA TEST PRINT, €15.00



Test Print of FRAGMENTA before we do some changes for the final design. The Test print has different colors on the courts and aces plus slightly different colors on the back. Handles great too but not as the official edition.

FRAGMENTA BUNDLE, €30.00 [€28 for Patrons]

[laitostarr777]

Guess getting the Bundle is more efficient than getting just the official deck.

Although when I get it: should I left the official alone OR open them both?

[laitostarr777]

To commemorate Muslim's holiday of Eid Al-Fitr (Idul Fitri), I took photos of QALIF Playing Cards:
You can check it here: https://imgur.com/a/jucETdj