Night Dealings

Night Dealings was released in 2004 as part of the Champions of Kamigawa expansion, the first set in the Kamigawa block for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The set was heavily influenced by Japanese mythology and folklore, shifting the game's aesthetic away from high-fantasy Western tropes toward a more distinct, culturally grounded atmosphere. As a rare enchantment, this card was designed to reflect the set's focus on spirit-based mechanics and the strategic importance of managing one's graveyard.

The artwork was provided by Darrell Riche, a prolific artist for the game during the mid-2000s. Riche’s illustration leans into the darker, more mysterious side of the Kamigawa setting, depicting a scene of clandestine activity that visually reinforces the card's function of exiling cards to fetch specific items. Upon release, the card was noted for its unique utility in formats that allowed for prolonged matches, though it remained a niche inclusion in competitive decks due to its mana-intensive cost.