CataCraft

A solo card maze. 

Play as Adelgunda and her two knights, Huginn and Muninn, crossing through the King's labyrinth to retrieve her stolen eyes.

Create the labyrinth with a deck of cards in a 5x5 grid, use miniatures or tokens to move along the paths. Roll some dice, battle the dead , collect some spells! 

2 pages rules or 1 double sided printed page. 

LORE
Adelgunda, a remarkable Princess in the Kingdom of Hödheim. Wise and beautiful, the most sought after maiden in the land. More than her sense or charm was talk of her two wonderful eyes, which spoke more plainly than her lips. Her eyes could see better than anyone else's; they saw what people were thinking and things that lay hidden deep in their souls. Adelgunda's eyes saw and expressed so much, they focused on the beauty within everyone, and when they saw something evil and ugly, that thing would see its true reflection.

When the time came, Adelgunda's father offered her to King Sigmund from the neighboring realm. He was most handsome and beloved by his people. On his arrival, Adelgunda's stomach leapt with excitement. At the first sight of his long golden locks, sapphire eyes, shinning amour, so much so she worried what her eyes might say—something shameful. She decided to meet the King wearing a lace veil to hide her true thoughts.

That evening, in celebratory feast, King Sigmund took Adelgunda's hand and gazed within the blank veil. “Why don't you reveal yourself, your highness? I've heard nothing but the beauty of your eyes."

“Not, yet."

The party was silently appalled by the Princess in hiding. Slowly the whispering began among the nobles at the tables . From the tables to the low stables. From the farms to the city walls. All anyone could discuss was that Princess Adelgunda refused to show King Sigmund his true self. From there, the rumors became a reflection of Sigmund and the evil that brood within.

Sigmund paraded alone, seared with rage that everyone should turn on him because of one woman's silly veil. Intent on joining the two kingdoms, the union would proceed.

The night before their wedding, Sigmund, disguised as the lady's maid, crept into Adelgunda's room. His plan to see her in her true beauty and what the eyes foresaw. She lay still in her bed as he slowly lifted the veil; she did not stir. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. He loomed over the sleeping princess. The thought of seeing his truth would not surrender.

Adelgunda bolted upright, eyes gaping: what King Sigmund saw was so wicked he took her eyes out forthwith.

Years later, King Sigmund lay on his death bed, but Adelgunda never grew a day older. The two kingdoms divided forever. One day she left with her two trusted knights toward Sigmund's bastion to retrieve her eyes.

The lore is based on a Swedish folktale "The Queen" by Anna Wahlenberg, but I needed to make it more sinister. Game play is inspired by one of my favorite board game--Labyrinth. 

**miniatures in photos are from Trent Holbrook/Miscast, which also inspired me.

Font: Vinque Antique by Ramond Larabie. 

Art by me, inspired by alot of things I saw on pinterest.