In the quiet halls of a Reading secondary school, an English, Film, and Media teacher found himself on an unexpected journey fuelled by the laughter and camaraderie of year 7 students (yes... 11 year-olds). Little did he know that this journey would lead to the creation of a whimsical card game called "Thrones of Valour."
The spark for Thrones ignited when that teacher - that would be me - noticed that my year 7 students were looking for something to do whilst making friends. Game pieces moved across boards, cards were strategically played, and a club dedicated to the art of play began to unfold. The objective: to guide these bright-eyed students through the transition from primary school to the complexities of secondary education.
At home, family game nights are a cherished bedtime routine. Casual party games like Exploding Kittens, Uno, and the delightfully chaotic Taco-Cat-Goat-Cheese-Pizza fill our evenings with laughter. I'd love to say memories of childhood board games echo in my mind – Waddingtons, Ravensburger, and MB classics – but I yearned for companionship in play as my parents weren't interested.
Inspiration struck during a playful riff on the absurdity of Exploding Kittens. A tongue-in-cheek game idea was born, tested, and well-received at the game club. Yet, this was only the beginning. Destiny took an unexpected turn during a family visit to Legoland, Windsor.
Separated amidst the search for a mythical refillable drinks station, a whimsical text message from my wife echoed through the theme park – "They sit on a Throne of Lies." The phrase, foreign to my ears but resonant in its absurdity, planted the seeds for a game that I found really intriguing and was sure would capture the hearts of many.
By the time we headed home, Thrones had taken root, almost fully formed and brimming with potential. The name has undergone a transformation but the simple mechanics haven't needed tinkering, even whilst the iterations of style, vanquish order, spoils, and included soldiers have been refined.
Back at school, the Thrones Lunch Club has become a daily gathering, with students right up to sixthformers vying for 8 coveted seats!
Standing on the precipice of this Kickstarter campaign, I'm reflecting on the heartfelt journey that Thrones has been. What started as a hobby has become all encompassing! So, with promises to gift copies to my dedicated playtesters, I now dream of Thrones finding a larger audience.
I'm deeply thankful if you've read this far. I invite you to join the adventure, seize a seat of Thrones, and become a part of a fast and dirty skirmish that began in the halls of a Reading secondary school.
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