Schtale
The Story behind
The board game "Schtale" is as old as Dekmos itself, and everyone in Dekmos knows and plays it. That's why the design of the game embodies this characteristic. Granite and basalt: worked, cleaned, and polished. The stone has a pleasant weight and feels good in the hand. Initially, the solid stone was split with a hammer and chisel: It took me approximately 30-80 strikes. It should be noted that the stone is always struck along the same line and should be wet. Then, with vigorous strikes, you consistently hit the stone. It depends on how the stone's patterning runs. Because if you know the lines and structure of the stone better, it's easier to split because you strike the stone on the right side.
After that, I had my pieces of stone and began cutting the shapes. For this, I used a Dremel and a diamond-coated saw blade. I destroyed three such saw blades, or they became dull after a few hours, until cracks formed, which could be dangerous with splinters. With further strikes and cuts, I gradually separated the stone and freed the form from the stone.
The forms are still halfway in the stone, which on the one hand shows where cities were built earlier and on the other hand picks up the theme of powerlessness/immutability in the book. These three forms are Platonic solids: There's the pyramid -> representing fire and determination. The cube -> representing earth and stability, and the dodecahedron -> representing divinity and the energy of life.
The shape of the game board is round, symbolizing unity, completeness, and infinity. For the nobility, a slate stone was used, which is also an ancient type of rock like basalt and granite. The dark slate stone corresponds to the current situation in the book and creates a connection with the book cover. Using a diamond-tipped milling head, I engraved the lines of the game board into the stone. It should be noted that the slate stone weighs about 8kg and is therefore very stable and exudes power.
STONE
Noble People, Unbreakable
LEATHER
Common People, Easy for travelling
On the edge, there are 4 symbols, three of which can be found on the map: These are the symbols of the three different magics found in Dekmos, based on Danish runic symbols. The fourth symbol should be understood after reading the book.
The common people, on the other hand, make do with a leather bag containing their own 3 game pieces. Due to constant movements and migrations, the stones are constantly worn down, indicating how far one has traveled. The leather bag is tied with 2 leather straps, symbolizing the number of players, and has a small scroll for the game instructions. Experienced players should have already burned this.
The leather bag has a diameter of 40 centimeters on which the grid was burned in using a soldering iron. Depending on the leather's texture, a temperature of 320-360°C is required. Holes were then pierced at the edge for the leather cords. Finally, the leather was worked with sandpaper to achieve a worn-out style.
The grid is 5x5, which multiplied gives the number 25. 25 is the number for change and represents relationships, friendship, and freedom. This, in turn, reflects themes of the book. But the aim of the game was for everyone to be able to build and play it themselves. It should be affordable for everyone. It is the game of the people.
And together with the book, Dekmos comes alive; it is not limited to the thoughts of the reader, but the story comes to life within one's own four walls.
Goal
The goal of the game is to block the opponent and he cannot move any figures anymore. dodecahedron (5) > cube (4) > pyramid (3) > dodecahedron (5) > cube (4) > ... The game is played on a 5x5 grid. Pieces may be placed only 1 square vertically or horizontally.
Components list
- Game board
- 2x cubes
- 2x pyramids
- 2x dodecahedrons
- Game instructions
Setup Instruction
Before the game, you determine the order of your pieces. After that, the pieces may be placed anywhere on the field. No move may be suspended.
Gameplay / Game rules
You can only block an opponent's piece if there is 1 free space between them. If the pieces are placed next to each other without a space between them, both pieces may move, as long as they are not blocked by each other. The range of action of the pieces is up to the edge of the game or the next pieces in vertical and horizontal direction. If all of your opponent's pieces are locked, you win. If a situation arises in which a player repeatedly makes the same move, he automatically loses, unless he can get out of his position.
DUNG
Burn it in oven
FIGURE
Formed out of Granite