by Mike Rosenberg

The Champions of the Black Flame are a dedicated group of volunteers. They work hard for their local tournament area as tournament organizers and judges in order to keep the local players happy and supported. And it's no secret that Cryptozoic Entertainment loves and supports its champions.

Aric Jack, champion of the year from 2010, is proof of this. He was sponsored to many events as a supporter and scorekeeper and was also awarded a replica Frostmourne at the end of the year as a gift for his efforts. He hasn't slowed down at all either. Aric has continued on with his support for the game by starting up the volunteer-managed WoW TCG Cup tournament series, which has quickly expanded outside of Arizona into other states.

Aric Jack is a prime example of how your hard work will be rewarded. Take this weekend, for instance. All judges and staff that have volunteered to work at the World Cup will be rewarded with a gift package that includes displays of Worldbreaker, loot cards, and some promos that are exclusives to judges and staff. This includes foil copies of cards like Slow, Orgrimmar, and Nathanos Blightcaller which made its debut as a Champions of the Black Flame promo at Darkmoon Faire Orlando.

But there are two new foils that will be making their debut as staff promos this weekend. Curious what they are? The first is Keys to the Armory, the popular Warrior staple ability that has been fetching up key pieces of equipment and toolbox cards like Amani Mask of Death since its debut in Drums of War.

The second staff foil? Hesriana. Yep. You read that right. Staff will be given copies of foil Hesriana. Given her surge in price in the secondary market, I am curious to see how hot these little exclusives are going to be...

Foils and loot cards are not the only gifts given to exceptional Champions of the Black Flame. Some of the event staff here is made up of volunteers from North America. Some of these staff members were awarded partial or full sponsorship for the event. This means that some members in attendance had their airfare and/or hotel compensated by Cryptozoic Entertainment. A free trip overseas to Paris? Where do I sign up?!

The answer to that is simple. You can read up about the program on the forums and, if you think you would be a good fit, then you can find sign up information in that thread as well. Learn about the program, become a champion, and support your local area. Your work will be rewarded, and if you are very dedicated, then you just may see yourself on the staff for an event in a different country as well.