Danish Moonstone
David, godfather of Danish Moonstone, is planning his next action. Playing goblin pirates, it is not always easy.
Huge thanks to Simon Donbæk Caspersen for this excellent article, for helping us celebrate our birthday across the world, and for being a superb support.
Sunday 8th March, Moonstone tournament at Midtcon Spring in Mønsted, Denmark. 30 players from around the country are in full swing moving minis, dealing cards, calling bluffs and so forth. David Christy and Troels Duelund are wearing quirky hats to celebrate an anniversary whilst playing Moonstone, to most people that would seem odd, but not for the common Moonstone player – it is part of the DNA from the day you open your first box.
What brought these two noblemen to this point?
Once Upon a Time....
“Yes, she thought. Drink it. Potion and all. And then you’re mine. Either that or I spend all night cutting Quack into pieces...” This could be part of a fairytale written by H.C. Andersen a couple of centuries ago. However, it is not the case. It is written in the Moonstone Rulebook, Agatha thinking about Fritz specifically in Ales of the Unexpected, and shows how the whimsical universe in Tauber can be.
It is not hard for any Moonstone-enthusiast to see the inspiration coming from Nordic mythology in the Moonstone universe, Loci is perhaps the most eye catching, but more will surface when you look a bit closer. These subtle, however distinct details could be part of why Moonstone and the community around it, has been growing so much in the last couple of years in Denmark.
David at his first demo game stand at Midtcon 3 years ago.
It took the will of a Frenchman to introduce the great game of Moonstone to the small kingdom of Denmark - David Christy. David saw the minis on social media and found the game interesting after reading the rules. What drew him? A lot: “Great minis, and the aesthetics like Labyrinth or Dark Crystal, the Monty Python with the murder bunnies - that's excellent. The format, the time to play, and the mechanics.”
David had a problem though, nobody played Moonstone in Denmark, so he had to convince people to play. He started out in the local miniature club and soon went to conventions all around the country to give Danish folk a taste of the peculiar universe. The tournament today could be described as a full circle moment for David with the highest number of participants to date in Denmark, in the place where 3 years ago he started it all.
A year later the first tournament on Danish soil was held – twelve players and the moderate community was ecstatic. Troels who was part of the first tournament, found a lot of joy in reaching the 12-man-milestone: “We started out with 12 players. We were over the moon! 12 players and I had 6 tables at the convention and... It was just awesome.”
(1 & 2) Tables at the first ever Moonstone tournament in Denmark. (3) John (left) and David (right) celebrate John winning best in Faction (Leshavult). (4) Troels won it earlier this year.
Troels in action earlier this year at Nordic Tabletop Showdown in Aalborg, for this tournament he chose Leshavult including the witches.
Troels, a regular miniature player, noticed David and his intro games during a tournament where luck did not treat him well. Troels and his friend Nicolaj decided to give it a shot. Their interests were quickly drawn, especially the bluffing mechanic and the whimsical atmosphere surrounding Moonstone.
Even in games that do not turn the way he hopes, he enjoys them all the same: “Even though I am getting destroyed, I still feel joyful. Because even though I am losing, and that is a bummer, I lost because a dog farted in my face. That is quite ridiculous, but it is really funny.” Troels also describes the fairness and equality in the game: ‘’I have games where things look really bad for me, but it is a balanced game, so comeback opportunities are possible. I had a game today in which I would be open to draw at the end of turn 2, because I was so far behind. I ended up winning the game. I like that element a lot!”
The community was supportive around events and tournaments. So, more tournaments were arranged by David, Troels and also John.
The Danish Open Series
The twelve players at the first Danish Open tournament. Troels is on the far right with glasses.
At the end of 2024 a small group of players started planning a Danish Open Season for 2025. There were four main rounds and a grand finale in the latter part of the year. This was a structure that meant Danish Moonstone could thrive and in 2025, 43 different players participated across the 5 tournaments in Danish Open Season 1.
Flashforward to Midtcon Spring 2026 - although not a part of the Danish Open Season 2, it marks the pinnacle of Danish Moonstone for the time being at least.
But what have been the deciding factors in a thriving Danish Moonstone environment?
A community which welcomes new players with an open-minded approach and a smile.
A great game that has room for all players, beginners, as well as seasoned veterans.
A structure around tournaments where everyone contributes however they can.
A safe space for everyone during a time where the world and society are not as stable as it has been.
Hopefully people around the world can identify these factors in their own communities otherwise Troels and David would not mind if you stole some ideas – just do not steal their minis, that is forbidden in Tauber!
Pictures of tables at Midtcon.
Troels has some other thoughts about Moonstone: “I think it really resonates now. Moonstone has a certain edge to it. In a world that can feel uneasy, we still have weapons, magic, and we shoot each other – with a smile. Because the world is not always safe, we need a way to bring us closer, in a way where we do not hate each other.”
Hopes and Dreams
Success is always great, especially for those who worked hard for it. But where should Danish Moonstone be in 5 years?
David hopes to beat one of the giants (neither Gotchgut nor literally beat up someone) of miniature games – 40K: “If we can do it once in the local tournament, I think that would be cool, I mean, it's the most played game.”
The word on the streets of Machburg however, suggests that something big is up during the start of the next year in the northern part of Denmark. “International” and “two-day tournament” have circulated already, and we were told to start creating and painting A LOT of terrain for next year.
I sure hope I did not reveal too much, Beaky Bobby has brought people to Wyld Wood for far less, never to be seen again…
Turmoil in the middle of lush battlefield.
