Stones Game: Chinese Go "skirmish-sized" Handcrafted Wooden Strategy Board Game w/ Pyrographed Wheel of Time-themed Icon Art, Customizable

“As the Wheel of Time turns, places wear many names. Men wear many names, many faces. Different faces, but always the same man. Yet no one knows the Great Pattern the Wheel weaves, or even the Pattern of an Age. We can only watch, and study, and hope.”

Inspired by Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series of books is this highly detailed, handcrafted wooden game board, in actuality the game of Chinese Go, an ancient game of military strategy and capture, that is reputed to be the basis of the game of 'Stones' played and referenced by many of the characters in the book series. Now available as a customizable game board, with iconography and embellishments depicting the Dragon and his Companions against the forces of the Dark One, this game could be an excellent addition to an avid gamer's collection. Completely handcrafted and decorated, this board is a tribute to Robert Jordan's immersive series, and can be a thoughtful, unique gift for readers and game enthusiasts alike.

• MADE TO ORDER
• HANDCRAFTED with pyrographed artwork
• FREE SHIPPING with insurance for Domestic U.S. orders
• LEAD TIME: 3-4 weeks (from time of purchase to shipping day; timeframes can be affected by workload, holidays, etc. – please refer to the Shop Announcement for posted info on creation time frames, or inquire via messages if a specific due date is needed).
• WOOD TYPES AVAILABLE: Cherry, Maple [Sample Chart included in Photos] (all woods are sealed with a satin lacquer)
• EDGE STYLES AVAILABLE: Burnt, Carved, Carved & Charred, Plain [Sample Chart included in Photos]
• ARTWORK AVAILABLE: As pictured, or request different character/faction icons! Custom artwork requests are always welcome!
• MEASUREMENTS: 15x11x1 inches [LxWxH] (completed/assembled product)
• PLAYING PIECES/PAWNS: 85 black marbles, 84 white marbles (+ extras for potential loss) [cotton drawstring bags for storage included]

* OPTIONAL "Go-Ke" bowls for the marble playing pieces, laser engraved with the Wheel, the Flame, and the Fang icons - stained in your choice of color! Bowls are created from quality craft birch plywood and assembled and finished by hand. Go-Ke Bowls can be found here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1162494405/go-ke-bowls-accessory-item-for-wheel-of

• HOW TO PLAY: There were several sizes of Go played over the centuries; this particular size was considered a 'skirmish-sized' game, ideal for learning the intricate rules and scoring. The Go board begins the game empty of pieces, with the less experienced player using the black pieces and beginning the game. Players take turns to place one of their stones on an empty intersection; two or more stones adjacent to each other form a chain. An empty intersection beside a chain is known as a liberty. A chain remains alive while it has at least one liberty. A stone must be placed somewhere it has at least one liberty, or it must adjoin a chain which retains at least one liberty. A stone or entire chain is captured by surrounding it so it has no liberties; the group is removed from the board and kept by the player who has captured it. When stones are captured, either player can occupy the empty points. A stone or chain which is completely surrounded but which retains its liberty is known as a prisoner. It remains on the board but is removed at the end of play. A situation can arise, called 'ko', where a capture followed by a recapture would create a repeated position. Immediate recapture is not allowed; the second player must make another play before recapturing the stone. The game is over when neither player can capture further territory, nor place further stones that would affect the final outcome. This is the case when both territories are in absolute contact. The player who has captured the most territory wins the game.
A rules pamphlet is included with the game.

• SOCIAL MEDIA / WORLD-WIDE WEB:
https://www.ignitedartsdesign.com
https://www.mainemade.com/members/ignited-arts-design
*FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/IgnitedArtsDesign
*Instagram
https://instagram.com/ignited.arts.design/
*Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/ignitedartsdesi/pins/

PLEASE NOTE: All of my items are crafted by me, in my home studio and workshop. I am a one-man show, with no ‘production partners’ to help mass-produce any item (though I will source pawns, etc. from quality reputable dealers). Be assured that when you buy an item from me, you are getting a distinctive creation from the original maker. Given the inherent nature of the handcrafted work, time frames for more complex creations, whether the complexity is the art, the build, or a combination of both, can be extensive. Please be patient; I communicate and update customers regularly with the status of their unique creation(s).