Ludio Lusor In Asperum

When a pair of boys meet a woman who has a tattoo of a heart on her cheek and a mysterious deck of cards, they have to find a way to help her husband. A long lost king, trapped by an evil god. On the other side of the checkersboard, there's a man who makes people into magical musical instruments, a girl who brings paintings to life. Magic is real, but it's a game. Shuffle the cards and only show your pokerface... Because you're only a player in the rough.