You are a kind of diviner who makes a name for themselves doing things like tarot, palm-reading, or tea leaf reading. Sometimes it is for profit, and other times you are a sibyl of the city perhaps, in a royal court. Your tongue can commune supposedly with forces beyond mortal understanding, reaching into the fate that entwines all planes of existence. You may be self-employed, traveling the lands and reading fortunes, setting up shop here and there. Perhaps you cater to a selectly powerful circle of those who use you to plan their next steps in the world. Armies are known to consult auguries to ensure their odds in battle. They come to people like you. Are your abilities real, though? Or are you merely a swindler?
The first question to ask yourself when making a fortune teller is: Are you really a fortune-teller? Do you actually have expertise in divination magic, or do you just know how to read a person and tell them what they want? You should have good eyes either way, and be able to glean a lot from just a glance of a person, so you may be able to manipulate their deepest desires and point out their lies. Did you take up this profession due to its lucrative potential? Could you perhaps have inherited an actual power of foresight that makes you a valuable commodity? How else may you use this power? Perhaps you are employed in a guild of thieves, lending your aid to those who wish to see what risks the nightly heist poses. Do you travel to perhaps develop this power or trickery, making some coin on the side? If your power is true, did other soothsayers help you develop your sight's clarity?
Your specialization as a fortune teller decides mainly the method by which you read fortunes through. This can help when deciding what equipment you start with.
| d10 | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Crystal Ball Seer |
| 2 | Tea Leaf Reader |
| 3 | Bone Reader |
| 4 | Tarokka Reader |
| 5 | Runecaster |
| 6 | Pendulum Reader |
| 7 | Palm Reader |
| 8 | Smoke Reader |
| 9 | Spirit Board Reader |
| 10 | Astrologist |
You can always find a place to perform your art, usually in a market, but possibly with a circus, in a tavern, or even in a noble's court. You can earn some money in these places and you are more likely to overhear some rumors and information you might need. In addition, your fortune-telling makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Suggested Characteristics
Fortune tellers can sometimes feel cursed with their powers to divine the future. Others just revel in the power.
| d12 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for when things go wrong. |
| 2 | If someone doubts my readings, then I will do anything to prove them wrong. |
| 3 | I believe everything happens for a reason. |
| 4 | I tend to consult my own fortune before making what could be a crucial decision. |
| 5 | I believe in everything I see, as my fortunes have never been wrong. |
| 6 | Even I know that no fortune is truly set in stone. |
| 7 | I hate staying in one place for any longer than a few days. |
| 8 | Sometimes during actions, or conversations, I will draw a card just to see what fate tells me. |
| 9 | I always compare other people to specific cards, because their characteristics match the ones on one of my cards. |
| 10 | I draw a card every morning, if that card stands for something bad, I will refuse to do risky tasks. If it stands for something good, I can get very cocky. |
| 11 | I have a tendency to dislike people who don't believe in fortune telling. |
| 12 | I tend to over complicate and over think everything I do. |
| d10 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Survival. Fulfilling your destiny means living to see it at all cost. (Evil) |
| 2 | Curiosity. What comes over the next hill is worth seeing. (Any) |
| 3 | Hope. There is always the chance of a better future. (Good) |
| 4 | Independence. Carving out your future means submitting to no authority but your own. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Wisdom. Acting without concern for the future is foolish. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Purpose. Everything leads us all towards fulfilling our destinies, even if we make choices against it. (Lawful) |
| 7 | Destiny. What I see cannot be ignored, for it will happen no matter what. (Neutral) |
| 8 | Kindness. If a person's future reads only sorrow, I will try to instill them with a glimpse of hope. (Good) |
| 9 | Greed. I’m only in it for the money and fame. (Evil) |
| 10 | People. I like seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I foretell. That’s all that matters. (Neutral) |
| d12 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My wisdom comes at a price to those who are not my companions. |
| 2 | The plans that the gods have for each of us must become known. |
| 3 | I will always tell fortunes truthfully. |
| 4 | The evil forces in the world must be stopped. |
| 5 | My cards are very important to me, and I protect them, as if they were my child. |
| 6 | I keep a journal, where I write down every reading I have ever done. It is very dear to me since it holds my entire past. |
| 7 | I always keep my ornamented coat near me, as it was a gift from a dear friend. |
| 8 | I'm constantly being chased by people who want to use my power for their own devices. |
| 9 | I will occasionally see a spirit that reminds me of a loved one. |
| 10 | Some people have special souls. They must know their purpouse in life. |
| 11 | I love seeing the warmth on a person's face after a reading. |
| 12 | I shall use these fortunes I see to make the world a better place. |
| d12 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I suffer horrible nightmares from my abilities. |
| 2 | My constant viewing of the future has made me rather nihilistic. |
| 3 | When I see that the future is in my favor, I can be rather boisterous and cocky. |
| 4 | Destiny shall take its course. This fact has made me rather lazy. |
| 5 | I sometimes lie about a person's future, simply because it can be entertaining. |
| 6 | This world acts as my own personal game board, and the people are my pieces. |
| 7 | I put too much faith in my ability, and will occasionally walk into danger without seeing it. |
| 8 | I act like I am sure of the future, even when I am not. |
| 9 | I am overly curious and concerned with the lives of others, especially since I am capable of reading them so well. |
| 10 | I am more concerned with destiny than other people. Destiny is the bigger picture and people are only pieces that must fall into place. |
| 11 | Sometimes I just sit silently and stare at a single card for multiple hours. |
| 12 | I never blame the cards for missguiding me, and will instead blame the others around me. |
Comments