The Path Less Taken: Embracing the Unique Magic of Those Who Have Returned

It is often said that the magic of someone who has returned should be uncommon. This statement suggests that the allure and fascination of someone who has come back from an absence or a departure should be extraordinary and captivating. When someone reappears in our lives after an extended period of absence, it is natural for us to be intrigued by their experiences, changes, and growth. The curiosity and wonder that surround a returning individual create an element of magic, as if they possess a unique power that draws us towards them. The rarity and novelty of a person's return contribute to the magical aura that surrounds them. Their reappearance is unexpected and defies our usual social and emotional expectations.

Their reappearance is unexpected and defies our usual social and emotional expectations. We may have adjusted to their absence and moved on with our lives, only to be taken aback by their sudden return. This element of surprise fuels the enchantment associated with their presence.

He found a rare Magic: The Gathering card. Post Malone paid $2M for it.

Brook Trafton, left, and rapper Post Malone holding the One Ring playing card from Magic: The Gathering's new “Lord of the Rings”-themed set on July 20. Trafton pulled the card on June 16, and Post Malone bought the one-of-a-kind card for $2 million. (The Notable Group)

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“Lord of the Rings” lore tells of the ring bearers who carried the One Ring after it was forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom.

But there’s a ring bearer who’s never mentioned in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy: Brook Trafton, who found the One Ring a couple months ago, not in Middle Earth, but Toronto. Or rather, Trafton found a unique One Ring card from Magic: The Gathering’s newly released set based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic about elves, hobbits and wizards.

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Unlike the ring bearers who preceded him, Trafton — a 37-year-old retail worker — has already given the One Ring to someone else: rapper and singer Post Malone, a well-known Magic player. Trafton told The Washington Post that giving up such a precious card was made easier by Malone paying him a “life-changing” $2 million.

Trafton never would have found the One Ring if he’d stuck to his plan for June 16, the day Wizards of the Coast prereleased its Lord of the Rings set. As a devoted Magic player, Trafton had already preordered a box and planned to pick it up the next day.

But as fate would have it, he awoke early that morning and “had a feeling” that he should venture down to Face to Face Games in Toronto. He was waiting at the door when it opened. He picked up his preordered box and, on a lark, asked if there were extras. There were eight that weren’t spoken for, and he bought two of them.

Trafton knew of the unique One Ring card before the day of the prerelease. The publishing company Wizards of the Coast had created relatively common cards for all the Rings of Power, including the One Ring. But the company had also made stylized versions of those cards stamped with unique serial numbers.

There were still hundreds of copies of the serialized cards for the other rings. But when it came to the “ring to rule them all,” they made “The 1 of 1 Ring,” which was “printed in the Black Speech of Sauron,” according to the Magic website.

“They made it special,” Trafton said.

Others thought so, too, and were seeking it. Three months before the prerelease, a well-known collector put a $100,000 bounty on the card. On June 7, a collectibles company upped that offer, announcing it would pay out $1 million. A gaming store in Spain put out a bounty for over $2.1 million a week later.

Trafton was vaguely aware of all of that when he got home from Face to Face Games. He said he was merely trying to get into the new Magic set and not really hunting for any particular cards. At his boldest, he dared to hope for a serialized version of one of the other rings.

Trafton opened the first extra box and found nothing extraordinary. About six packs into the second, he almost missed it. A veteran of Magic, Trafton was familiar with how packs were ordered: common cards at the front and rarer ones at the back. And so he breezed past it as he raced through the first few cards.

But he did a double take, went back and saw it — Elvish writing etched in gold foil and, most importantly, the “1 of 1 Ring” note in the lower left corner. He realized he had found the One Ring.

“I was instantly filled with adrenaline,” he said.

Trafton reached out to his cousins and friends for advice. They suggested he put it somewhere safe like a bank, advice he followed. The next day, his cousin introduced him to a lawyer who put him in touch with the Notable Group, a marketing agency in Toronto, and “everything kind of took off from there.” When he met with his lawyer and Carli Posner, CEO of the Notable Group, they asked him what he wanted to do with the card.

Trafton told them he wanted to meet Malone, whose real name is Austin Richard Post, and that he was at the top of his list of possible buyers. Trafton is a big fan, not just of Malone’s music but also his love for Magic. Last year, Malone spent $800,000 on a “Black Lotus,” making it the most expensive Magic card at the time.

Trafton’s new team reeled in his hopes about selling to Malone.

“They’re like, ‘Okay, that’s a great idea, but now let’s talk about, you know, adult things,’” he said.

Over the next few weeks, they made plans to sell the card to someone else.

Then, while Trafton was at work on July 20, he got a call from Posner. She told him to drop what he was doing and meet her for an impromptu meeting with Malone, who was in Toronto for a concert.

There was still no real sign that Malone wanted to buy the card or that their upcoming meeting would last more than 30 seconds. Still, Trafton wanted a Magic aficionado like Malone to at least see the card up close before he sold it.

“I know his love for the game, his love for Magic,” Trafton said, adding: “Because in my mind [our meeting] might be the last chance he even gets to hold it or see it or take a picture. Then it might go in someone’s safe-deposit box for 20 years.”

Trafton met Malone at the Budweiser Stage and told him straightaway why he was so intent on showing him the card.

“I wanted you to be able to appreciate this,” Trafton recalled saying.

The two players started talking Magic. After a while, Trafton opened up about his mother dying of cancer in the past year, approaching middle age as a retail worker and how selling the “The 1 of 1 Ring” card was going to change his life.

Malone asked Trafton what his commander was, a Magic-related question about the card around which a player builds a themed deck. Trafton told Malone he could do him one better. He’d snuck his commander deck past security and into the concert. Did he want to see it?

Malone did. After checking it out, the rapper told Trafton he’d take it.

Trafton was confused. Malone repeated himself: He’d buy “The 1 of 1 Ring” card for $2 million.

For Trafton, it was an easy decision — deal. Not only would he get a life-changing amount of money, the card would go to someone who loved the game just as much as he did.

The two shook hands, cheered and hugged. Trafton choked up. Malone gave everyone beers to celebrate and invited Trafton to stay for the concert.

@brooktrafton

When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was @Post Malone. I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life changing. I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do. This is my dream come true, meeting Post Malone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. Post Malone @Magic: The Gathering you have changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me, I guess it’s magic. I am forever grateful 🙏 ✨ #postmalone #onering #oneofone #mtg #magic #mint #psa #card #magicthegathering #lordoftherings #trading #tradingcards #theonering #sauron #collector #edition #one #gandalf #tradingcardgame

♬ original sound - Brook Trafton

They’ve since completed the deal and, after consulting with financial advisers, Trafton has invested the money in such a way that his returns should cover his rent, groceries and bills. He kept his retail job and expects he’ll be able to retire at 55.

Malone is already making use of his purchase, Trafton said. Since striking the deal, the singer posted a video on TikTok of him playing the card during a Magic game. Trafton said he wouldn’t be surprised if Malone lets other players take pictures with it, a scene he expects to play out repeatedly in the future.

“It’s going to see life. It’s going to be out there as opposed to sitting in someone’s fancy collection for no one to see,” he said.

The cost, of course, is that Trafton no longer has the One Ring. But he has no regrets. The Ring brought him enough money to change his life and an experience he never could have imagined.

For that, it will always be precious to him.

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The magic lies in the extraordinary circumstances that led to their comeback and the anticipation of the unknown that they bring with them. Furthermore, when someone returns, they often bring with them a sense of transformation and personal growth. Time away from familiar surroundings can lead to introspection, self-discovery, and new experiences. As a result, the person who has returned is likely to have changed in some way. Whether it be a change in mindset, attitude, appearance, or perspective, their evolution adds to the mystique of their return. We are fascinated by their journey and eager to witness the effects it has had on them. The magic of someone who has returned is also amplified by the emotional impact they have on those around them. Absence can make the heart grow fonder, and the sudden reappearance of a loved one or a close friend can evoke powerful emotions. There is a certain nostalgia and longing that accompanies their return, as we are reminded of the depth of our connection and the joy of their presence. The bond that we share with them becomes imbued with a sense of wonder, creating a magical ambiance that envelops our interactions. In conclusion, the magic of someone who has returned should be uncommon due to the rarity, transformation, and emotional impact associated with their reappearance. The unexpected nature of their return, coupled with their personal growth and the emotional response it elicits, creates a sense of fascination and enchantment. As such, the magic of someone who has come back is something that should be treasured and celebrated..

Reviews for "The Intriguing Influence: Unraveling the Extraordinary Magic of Someone Who Has Returned"

- Emily - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "The magic of someone who has returned should be uncommon". The story started off promising with its unique concept of someone returning from the dead, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The plot seemed all over the place and the characters were poorly developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and their actions often didn't make sense. The writing style was also difficult to follow, with long and flowery descriptions that didn't add much to the story. Overall, it was just a confusing and unsatisfying read.

- Michael - 1 star

"The magic of someone who has returned should be uncommon" was a complete waste of time for me. The story lacked any depth or substance. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable and uninspired. I found myself rolling my eyes at the predictable twists and turns. The writing style was also unbearable, with long-winded sentences and excessive use of unnecessary adjectives. I couldn't wait for it to be over and I regret investing any time in reading this book. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

- Sarah - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "The magic of someone who has returned should be uncommon" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story lacked pacing and felt disjointed. The author seemed more focused on trying to impress with their writing style rather than creating a cohesive and engaging narrative. The characters were forgettable and their relationships felt forced. I also struggled with the numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout the book, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.

In Search of the Remarkable: Unlocking the Uncommon Magic of Returnees