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Having always been a fan of themed games, I am astounded by this handmade version of Risk designed and created by Fay Helfer for a single customer. Recreating Westeros in the style of beloved board game Risk, this Game of Thrones version is not only a functional game but a work of art.
Fay Helfer received her MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and uses a technique called pyrography to create the effect seen in this piece. Pyrography is the process by which a material, usually wood, is decorated with burn marks using the controlled application of a heated tool. Pyrography literally means "writing with fire" and is considered to be one of the oldest forms of art, pre-historical in fact, as historians theorize that early humans used the charred remains of fires to create designs. If you are interested in trying out pyrography for yourself, there is an excellent site by a UK artist that describes the process used. You can also read an interview in which Fay Helfer discusses the use of natural pigments.
If like me you are more of an observer, then simply enjoy Helfer's Game of Thrones from afar.
While this is a one of a kind piece, there are many versions of Risk available that will enable you to explore those fictional worlds you love:
- In Risk Halo Wars
you can fight as either The Covenant, UNSC Forces, or The Flood and wage war to gain control of Arcadia.
- In Metal Gear Solid Risk
you gain supremacy by hiring one of the eight bosses to lead your soldiers in battle.
- In Risk Star Wars: The Clone Wars Edition
, which is based on Episodes I, II and III, you may fight as the Separatists or the Republic to gain control.
- In Risk Godstorm
, a staple in our home, you may play as one of five ancient cultures - Greek, Celtic, Babylonian, Norse, or Egyptian to fight for the Earth and the Underworld. You can even invoke the wrath of the gods.
- But my all time favorite, and in my opinion the most enjoyable Risk spin off is Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition
. In this edition you may fight as either good or evil, I choose evil, in the battle for Middle Earth. The map used on this board was drawn up by an official cartographer from the film.
- The only Risk Junior game ever made was Risk Narnia which ties in with the recent production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Again, you choose to fight as either good or evil.
This is only a selection of the variety of worlds in which you may risk troops in battle. Most of these games may be played using original Risk rules, or using special themed rules. To find out the alternative rules for Game of Thrones Risk, we may have to find the secret identity of "Matt B" who commissioned this work.
