Nightshade Mercantile

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Nightshade Mercantile

Nightshade MercantileNightshade MercantileNightshade Mercantile
Home
About
Products
Bespoke Work
Gallery
Contact Us
More
  • Home
  • About
  • Products
  • Bespoke Work
  • Gallery
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Products
  • Bespoke Work
  • Gallery
  • Contact Us

The Offerings

Here you will find objects to assist you in your quest to elevate your show.  These are designed to look old and a little rough, in order to add veracity to your performances.  No bright and shiny new objects here, but that is not what you came by for anyway, is it?


Our products are best presented in small atmospheric settings (seances, intimate gatherings, etc), and not on the internet.  In most cases they don't require any complex sleights, but they do require the ability to perform story based presentations.  


Prices shown include shipping to the continental U.S.  For International pricing please send us a message via the Contact Us page, and let us know your country and postal code.  We will get back ASAP with a price including shipping overseas. 


Hardware, box interior paper, and stain could vary depending on what is available at time of production.  These will generally be minor variations.

The Talismans of Power

    The Talismans of Power

    $75.00
    Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

      

    Here is a little box with a lot of power: containing two old wooden talismans and a sigil written on parchment. Using the old pair of wooden dice that come in the box with these tools, you can demonstrate clairvoyance, intuition, and unfailing control over chance. 


    You first have your assistant (spectator) examine the dice to see they are fairly marked (same as modern dice but with 'claw marks'), and roll them to make sure they behave as they should. They can freely choose either die for the experiments.  You take the other die.


    This is a three phase routine:


    1) Using the first talisman, you can ‘see’ every time what number on your die you need to set down to win against the die that your assistant has already rolled in secret.


    2) Using the second talisman, you can both throw your dice at the same time, and you will always win the toss.


    3) Finally, you give the parchment sigil to your assistant (the talismans are ‘tuned’ only to you of course), and with its help (and before you roll) they use their intuition to place the die on the table unseen, yet when you roll your die your assistant will win every time.


    This can be played as a demonstration of artifacts you have inherited (this ‘Artifact’ routine is scripted in the manual), or it can be played on a spookier side – consider what you could be dicing for with your assistant……. Here is a bit of psychodrama which can end with your assistant escaping an undesirable fate. This alternate routine is also discussed in the manual.


    You receive the aged box with twine/eyelet tie down, the wooden 'demon claw' dice, two wooden talismans, a hand-written sigil on parchment, special gimmick, and a PDF with full handling, including the full 'artifact' routine, and alternate 'dark' presentations.  




    The Guardian (Calaveras 2025)

      The Guardian Calaveras cards

      The Guardian

      $135.00
      Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

      You show an old box of Calaveras cards which depict the soul's journey to the underworld.  The spectator freely selects one of the Calaveras cards that makes her the most uncomfortable.  It is placed face up on the stack, and the Guardian placed at the very bottom of the cards.  The cards are set into the box, and the lid returned.  There are no funny moves of the cards or box.  Your spectator could return them to the box herself if desired.  The museum display card is then shown, and the story of the Guardian told. The audience member is asked to visualize the Guardian rising through the other cards to protect her from the card which most disturbs her.  When the box is opened (slowly and with no odd moves), the Guardian is found to have risen to the top, and the cards are slowly spread to show it has indeed done so.  The box is too small for the Guardian to have done anything but rise through the other cards. There are no other Guardian cards in the box. 


       The Guardian comes in an old cardboard box, with an aged museum display card in a pouch affixed to the front.  Inside are the nine original Calaveras cards, but now printed on E27 Eco cardstock.  You can also do the original Calaveras handling with these cards if you want (that manual is also included), plus there is one additional effect -  a quick walkaround routine where the Guardian turns over in a face down stack.  


      You receive the aged box, museum card, Calaveras cards, and a jump drive with the 2 manuals, video instructions, graphics, and soundscapes in .wav and mp3 form.


      The Arca Boxes

        Arca Nuntius spirit message box

        Arca Nuntius

        $99.00
        Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

        The Arcas are small aged switch boxes designed as an alternative to spirit slates for séance and other bizarre performances.  

        A blank scrap of paper is placed inside the box, the lid is closed,  and the inset top is removed, revealing an arcane graphic.   

        A ring, coin, or other small object is placed in the center of the graphic, which acts as a focal point, enabling a spirit to leave a short message inside the box.  At the end of the séance, the box is opened and the blank paper now has a message from beyond inscribed.


        The Arcas are magnetic flap utility boxes, which can be adapted for most shows.  No routines are included, but the manual gives handling, tips, and ideas.


        Arca Nuntius (Latin for Message Box) is the small, square version, suitable for a short spirit message or billet force.


        You receive the Arca plus a jump drive with PDF manual, sample messages, video instructions, and both mp3 and .wav soundscapes.  



        Arca-B spirit message box

        Arca-B

        $99.00
        Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

        The Arca-B has all the features of the Arca Nuntius, but is suitable for switching business cards and billets.


        You receive the Arca plus a jump drive with PDF manual, sample messages, video instructions, and both mp3 and .wav soundscapes.  



        Arca-T spirit message box

        Arca-T

        $109.00
        Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

        The Arca-T has all the features of the boxes above, but can switch Tarot and playing cards in addition to billets.


        You receive the Arca plus a jump drive with PDF manual, sample messages, video instructions, and both mp3 and .wav soundscapes.  



        Arca-P pendulum box

        Arca-P

        $65.00
        Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

        Similar to the Arca Nuntius but without the switch flap - this is a nice little box for pendulums, with a pendulum board on top. Includes an aged key pendulum in a drawstring bag.  No lid on this version.


        You receive the Arca, aged key pendulum with drawstring bag, plus a jump drive with PDF manual, and both mp3 and .wav soundscapes.  


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