[✓] [World Lore] - The Aevosi Tarot

[squakhawk 14038]

 

 

 

The Aevos Tarot is a collection of symbolic cards threaded into the continent’s nature. 

While Tarot has been historically practiced as a means of occultic divination, its uses in previous realms were limited. The arrival on Aevos has shifted such – for Aevos possess a strangeness wherein prediction and prescience may welcome themselves into the minds of those who are attuned to such. The use of the tarot in these hands invites the mind to see vague outlines of a future that may yet come. The cards are merely a tool to tune the mind of the reader into the participant’s destiny. The future is unknowable to man in its entire, and must be brought into palatable conscience before it can be seen.

 

With discoveries so far upon the ascent of The Mountain by hardy winter explorers of Solgaard, Haense, and Numendil, it has been ascertained that The Tarot had long existed before the descendant's arrival unto Aevos. The meaning of such a short deck (when compared to more contemporary creation), or how such meanings are divined from the cards without requiring being told of the card's each individual meaning, is unknown.

 

There are Eight known cards currently.

 

Cartomancy readings are typically conducted in a 3-card spread.

Card inversions typically imply a direct opposite interpretation, or an alternative one.

One does not require a Palmreading MA to utilize the tarot in it's mundane form.

 

 

To draw from the spread, roll a d16 thrice, with 1-8 directly correlating to below, and 9-16 as the eight-card deck repeating (Inverse Lady is 9, Inverse Spire is 10, etc).

Alternatively, one may roll a d8 three times, and roll a d2 thereafter to determine if they are upright or inverse.

 

 

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Art by @410,757,864,530 Dead Xannites

 

I - The Lady 

The Lady represents lies, regret, and destiny. The Lady is the card of those who seek the thoughts, feelings, desires, and secrets of others. While closely tied to The Divide and The Mountain; The Lady bodes strange portents of events to come. The Lady resides at the Peak of all things, an eye cast upon destiny and the fate of man. The Lady may also bring a fate woven through lies, suggesting that those affected are convinced of their own fate so much that it may become true, albeit the portents are false. 

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Lady may suggest there are heavy portents of fate to be found. It may suggest that there is regret for undertaking one’s destiny, or they must begrudgingly accept what is laid before them. It may also suggest the involvement of plots, lies, or deceit by a figurehead.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Lady may suggest the opposite: the lines of fate may be skewed, the storm, the blizzard, the avalanche hide things from sight. In the inverse position, fate becomes hard to read, as if blinded by a terrible storm. However, this perspective may allow truth to be seen; positives eked out amongst the regret of past decisions. 

 

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Art by  @Sean_VEVO

 

II - The Spire

The Spire represents magic, the unknown, and the past. The Spire is the card of those who delve into the arcane and meddle with forces beyond the mundane. The Spire harkens to an ancient tower that existed long before the advent of man. The drawing of this card frequently means that there are otherworldly or ancient forces at play. It often pertains to deep-laden histories which shape the tide of time.

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Spire may suggest some form of arcane or otherworldly powers at play. Often pertaining to mages, sorcerers, necromancers, and those who commune outside of immediate reality. Ancient artifacts may be involved. The upright position implies there exists something to be learned in these realms.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Spire may suggest the opposite: the forces of the unknown and arcane may wrack turmoil and chaos. Ancient forces of the past may be a threat. It is advised to proceed with caution when The Spire is inverted.

 

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Art by  @Suzzie

 

III - The Divide

The Divide represents prophecy, premonition, the future. The Divide is the representation of the great inland plains on the interior of Aevos – it is the heart of the Land, and binds all its edges together. The Divide is the most complex card in the Aevos Tarot. The Divide is the card of the diviner, tied to the ability to predict and read the future. When drawn it often inspires a heightened clarity upon the reader. A reading involving The Divide card may often be sought for the capability to pull a vision-prospect outcome from the future. However, this often “locks” in an outcome – a guarantee that it will occur and there is no means of avoiding it. This turns one’s fate from an unknown and flexible thing into a rigid path which they cannot avoid. An example may be learning the date of one’s death and the way in which they will perish, often leaving despair marked upon the knower. Those who seek and read the future hope to gain upon the race of tomorrow, but this is a misgiving. Oftentimes they will find themselves aware of every anguished heartbeat, every loss, every end well before it happens. This typically leads to a despoiling of life, hence why diviners utilize their abilities sparingly.

 

 

When this card is laid upright, its meaning upon the future depends entirely where it is laid. If it is laid first, one may learn things yet to come and react accordingly. Their own fate is still variable, but there is no avoiding what is to come to the greater world. You may move out of the coming storm, but the storm will still come. If it is laid in the middle, the individual has the greatest control over their agency. They may yet influence outcomes for themselves and the world at large, existing very much in the present. If it is laid last it implies the individual is locked into a fate they cannot avoid based on their past actions. They cannot avoid any future that is set before them.

 

When the card is laid in the inverse, The Divide may suggest the opposite: the future will be difficult to read, muddied. It is often a poor omen for the card reader, clouding their abilities of divination. However, an experienced cartomancer may be able to read a set of outcomes that will definitively not happen, something occasionally advantageous.

 

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Art by  @410,757,864,530 Dead Xannites

 

IV - The Dreamer 

The Dreamer symbolizes calmness, loneliness, and horror. The Dreamer Card is derived from the afflictions of the Dreamer’s Marsh. Though starkly beautiful in the right perspectives, the Marsh carries a curse which may befall those with a false sense of security. Those who dream in the day are hopeful, optimistic about positive outcomes, and they will often be without risk. On the other end, those who venture into the dreams of night may gaze upon wonders unseen; the surreal dance of timelost souls and beings which only expose themselves within the shroud of night and fog. The Dreamer implies a duality of risk and reward. One may retain calmness and ease and know less of their world; but in contrast one who delves into the night may face risk and grim horror; and risk falling into an eternal sleep upon failure. Though should they survive they may yet wake with a unique knowledge of themselves and the world at large.

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Dreamer implies the risk-reward duality spoken of above. Additionally, it may suggest that one must undergo a task alone, or they are afflicted with a lone burden only they can endure. It may also suggest the coming of horrors in the night.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Dreamer may suggest the opposite: those who live ever in the light of day attuned solely to the mundane and material matters of the world. This often has associations with politics, economics, and socializing. It may suggest that one may need to bring their head from the mire and face a reality, or it may suggest that one is too-steeped in the quotidian and must consider that which lies beyond.

 

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Art by  @410,757,864,530 Dead Xannites

 

V - The Oasis

The Oasis symbolizes peace, fear, and paranoia. Derived from the Thirsting Oasis within the desert, The Oasis card may welcome notions of peace as well as greed. Just as The Thirsting Oasis once provided water and peace to a harsh desert, it is known that this peace is transient when the greed of man enters. The Oasis invokes notions of scarcity and rarity, implying that there are individuals vying for such things. This may be jewels, weapons, money, or anything of a finite nature. While these items may bring peace if properly managed, they are equally as liable to stir up feelings of conflict among those involved.

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Oasis may suggest a lack of troubles. One may have no foes in immediate sight and may relax. In certain contexts it may also represent the fear and paranoia experienced from competition. This may be interpersonal/emotional competition or a conflict with another party/entity to secure something of limited quantity. 

 

When laid in the inverse, The Oasis may suggest the opposite: one may be too stricken with cocksurety and confidence, so that they overlook dangers. Their bravado may be their undoing if they continue this way. This draw suggests that if one does not pace themselves and acknowledge their weaknesses they will meet their doom.

 

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Art by  @Unwillingly

 

VI - The Black Anchor

The Black Anchor symbolizes stability, the cycle, and death. The symbol of the Black Anchor is derived from the rocks upon the Drowned Strand where the sea beats inexorably upon the crags, and will until the last grains of sand are washed away. Because of the strange nature of this region, The Achor has many ties to death and the burden of loss. The nature of The Black Anchor also implies stability against the tides of time, yet this stability often reflects the inevitable cycle of nature and man. Despite this, drawing The Black Anchor suggests a potentially troubled past as well. The mistakes of one’s past may be utilized to anticipate something to come, for everything is continuous in itself. When Death is involved, it may suggest its necessity in the cycle of life, or it may imply the burden of guilt from those who have passed. One may have to cross paths with the dead in order to continue in their journey.

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Black Anchor may suggest stability against an oncoming foe, or that one is aptly prepared to weather a storm. It suggests there is a sturdy bulwark within one’s life, though this may not always be a positive. It suggests an obstacle for something, preventing it from passing. Just as the crags of the Strand prevent the sea from swallowing Aevos, this barrier may be preventing one from seeing something or achieving a goal. The Anchor may also imply that death is near, or that one must interact with something pertaining to the dead.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Black Anchor may suggest the opposite: instability and the potential for life. This card is a positive omen for those who wish to see cycles broken, as it is an icon of change. It suggests things may change soon drastically, swept in on waves, or it will suggest the arrival of someone or something unforeseen. Things may be swept away just as easily when the rocks do not stand.

 

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Art by @ivery

 

VII - The Storm

The Storm symbolizes entropy, uncertainty, and doom. The Storm surrounds all of Aevos, maintaining a chaotic and tumultuous hold on the comings and goings of arrivals. To this end, The Storm card may elucidate a great deal. Depending on how it is read, The Storm card indicates that a person is surrounded by chaos or uncertainty, their future looking grim. A poor or undesirable outcome is nearly guaranteed if one ventures in blind. Yet The Storm may still be navigated if one has the correct means and tools. Like the Wayfinders who peer deep into magical currents to reach shore safely, The Storm may indicate that one will succumb to chaos unless they hold the right tools. 

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Storm may suggest a grim outlook. Chaos is sure to fall upon them unless they are well prepared or well suited for a task.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Storm may suggest the opposite: calmness and placidity. That being said, such tranquil waters may invite unintended consequences, for any may enter and exit at whim while The Storm does not rage.

 

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Art by @UnBaed

 

VIII - The Mountain

The Mountain symbolizes control, mystery, and eminence. The Mountain card is considered “last” in the deck, for it will be the last bit of land to wither away in the stretch of time. All fates were inevitably tied to The Mountain, and those who drew this card were given insight as to where they stood in the grand chain of fate, suggesting they may have a role to play in a greater plan.

 

 

When laid in the upright, The Mountain may suggest an inevitable outcome being forced upon a person or place; something unavoidable. It may also suggest a controlling figure, such as a king, politician, or spouse. However, The Mountain often climbs high into the clouds – its peak obscured. Those who are too tied to fate or who exert too much control may find their destiny obscured until the time of arrival.

 

When laid in the inverse, The Mountain may suggest the opposite: a lack of control, or control being lost. This is frequently associated with a loss of power or agency over ones life, or perhaps over a nation. Depending on the preceding and succeeding cards, this meaning may shift drastically.

 

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Redlines

-One may, without being told, ascertain the interpreted meaning of each card - how this relates to their character or story is up to the character's interpretation.

-Drawing any amount of cards divines as much meaning as the player may ascertain.

-Whilst some decks are event items (And thusly ST Signed), one does not require an ST-Signed item to perform a reading.

-Any completed deck of 16 cards, regardless of ST-Signature or not, gives off a low amount of inspecific mana. This mana is unable to harm mana-susceptible beings or items in any capacity.

-Items with antimagic properties such as Auric Oil or Thanhium would destroy a deck without difficulty. Alternatively if the deck is separated or destroyed through conventional means, it is destroyed without difficulty.

-A character may not make leaps in judgement to arrive to conclusions a player may have that are otherwise metagaming. This deck is intended for roleplay and story enriching purposes, not metagaming actions or things to come through roleplay. Instances of use which result in metagaming are treated as metagaming.

 

 

Credits

Shorsand: Author

Squak: Writing

Trinn: Art

Unbaed: Art

Unwillingly: Art

Sean_VEVO: Art

Ivery: Art

Suzzie: Art