I talked to my DM about it, he's fine with me using a Deck of Cards as an Arcane Focus for my Gambler. Even works with DnD Beyond, just select "Arcane Focus" as your choice.
Th way I did this was for each card in the deck to represent an aspect of a spell, so you have one that represents the level, one for each component it has, another for damage type, another for range, another for duration, another for to hit or save and another for casting time etc. To memorise each spell the caster lays out a format of cards as if they were doing a tarot reading, and when they cast a spell a spectral card appears in their hand (think Gambit from the Xmen comics or Yugioh style cards) which they throw/touch to unleash the spell as part of any somatic component the spell has.
For instance to memorise Magic MIssile the caster would lay out a format of 6 cards (1x range, 1x duration, 1x verbal component, 1x Somatic component, 1x casting time, 1x level) and then when they cast it a spectral card appears in their hand which they throw and then the card splits into the magic missiles.
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Th way I did this was for each card in the deck to represent an aspect of a spell, so you have one that represents the level, one for each component it has, another for damage type, another for range, another for duration, another for to hit or save and another for casting time etc. To memorise each spell the caster lays out a format of cards as if they were doing a tarot reading, and when they cast a spell a spectral card appears in their hand (think Gambit from the Xmen comics or Yugioh style cards) which they throw/touch to unleash the spell as part of any somatic component the spell has.
For instance to memorise Magic MIssile the caster would lay out a format of 6 cards (1x range, 1x duration, 1x verbal component, 1x Somatic component, 1x casting time, 1x level) and then when they cast it a spectral card appears in their hand which they throw and then the card splits into the magic missiles.
In that case though, wouldn't you Always be laying at least 6 cards? Where's the variety in that?
Th way I did this was for each card in the deck to represent an aspect of a spell, so you have one that represents the level, one for each component it has, another for damage type, another for range, another for duration, another for to hit or save and another for casting time etc. To memorise each spell the caster lays out a format of cards as if they were doing a tarot reading, and when they cast a spell a spectral card appears in their hand (think Gambit from the Xmen comics or Yugioh style cards) which they throw/touch to unleash the spell as part of any somatic component the spell has.
For instance to memorise Magic MIssile the caster would lay out a format of 6 cards (1x range, 1x duration, 1x verbal component, 1x Somatic component, 1x casting time, 1x level) and then when they cast it a spectral card appears in their hand which they throw and then the card splits into the magic missiles.
In that case though, wouldn't you Always be laying at least 6 cards? Where's the variety in that?
The variety would come in how you chose to lay out each spell, I used the following shapes:
1) Conjuration spells were laid out in a circle to represent a summoning circle.
2) Divination used a Triangle as a version of the all seeing eye/eye of providence atop a pyramid.
3) Enchantment used a square because I couldn't think of anything approriate.
4) Illusion used a loose wave style, this was due to how I think of illusions as dreamlike and the ocean is a metaphor for dream hence waves.
5) Necromancy used a 5 point star shape....because necromancy....
6) Evocation used a rough lightning bolt.
7) Transmutation used a diamond shape due to conotations of real world alchemcy/philosophers stone.
8) Abjuation used an inverted triangle representative of a kite shield and its generally protatective nature.
The more cards involved with memorising a spell the more complicated the design ,using conjuaration, a level 9 wish spell for instnace would have 13 cards to memorise it and the design may look like a wheel, a circle with spokes going into the center, compared to 7 cards for the level 1 FInd Familiar which may just be in the basic circle shape.
Admittedly its mostly just a roleplay thing as you describe the shapes you create whilst laying out the cards but if you have a deck of cards at the table and start to lay out formations of cards whilst the other players are talking about what they do during their long rest it certainly adds something, it also leads in nicely to roleplaying spells ike Commune or Contact Other Plane and use the laying out of the cards as a littel physical representation of what the characters see your character doing . You don't have to use tarot or tarroka cards for it, you can use a normal deck of playing cards as well.
EDIT, i do release what I put out was more Wizard in nature but there is no reason why you couldn't use the laying out of cards for a sorcerer to represent regaining spell slots during a long rest or learning/changing spells when they level up.
Oh I'd do it for sorc. He just pulls his hands like he drawing from a deck the cards fly out and take position in the air. With the middle card often being an arcana card or face. And the others being that which helps translate the spell. So a foci instead of pieces save for the vaule part that come with it.
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i wanna flavor up my sorc and use tarot as his cast. anyone have ideas to help
I talked to my DM about it, he's fine with me using a Deck of Cards as an Arcane Focus for my Gambler. Even works with DnD Beyond, just select "Arcane Focus" as your choice.
So, just ask yours if you can do the same.
Sorry I don't think I was clear. I ment connecting each spell to each card as a additional flavor component. And what spells would work for each.
Most tarot decks have 78 cards. That is a LOT of spells you reflavor. Maybe you can narrow down what you are requesting a bit?
Th way I did this was for each card in the deck to represent an aspect of a spell, so you have one that represents the level, one for each component it has, another for damage type, another for range, another for duration, another for to hit or save and another for casting time etc. To memorise each spell the caster lays out a format of cards as if they were doing a tarot reading, and when they cast a spell a spectral card appears in their hand (think Gambit from the Xmen comics or Yugioh style cards) which they throw/touch to unleash the spell as part of any somatic component the spell has.
For instance to memorise Magic MIssile the caster would lay out a format of 6 cards (1x range, 1x duration, 1x verbal component, 1x Somatic component, 1x casting time, 1x level) and then when they cast it a spectral card appears in their hand which they throw and then the card splits into the magic missiles.
i love that and didnt think of such a thing. thank you very much :D
In that case though, wouldn't you Always be laying at least 6 cards? Where's the variety in that?
The variety would come in how you chose to lay out each spell, I used the following shapes:
1) Conjuration spells were laid out in a circle to represent a summoning circle.
2) Divination used a Triangle as a version of the all seeing eye/eye of providence atop a pyramid.
3) Enchantment used a square because I couldn't think of anything approriate.
4) Illusion used a loose wave style, this was due to how I think of illusions as dreamlike and the ocean is a metaphor for dream hence waves.
5) Necromancy used a 5 point star shape....because necromancy....
6) Evocation used a rough lightning bolt.
7) Transmutation used a diamond shape due to conotations of real world alchemcy/philosophers stone.
8) Abjuation used an inverted triangle representative of a kite shield and its generally protatective nature.
The more cards involved with memorising a spell the more complicated the design ,using conjuaration, a level 9 wish spell for instnace would have 13 cards to memorise it and the design may look like a wheel, a circle with spokes going into the center, compared to 7 cards for the level 1 FInd Familiar which may just be in the basic circle shape.
Admittedly its mostly just a roleplay thing as you describe the shapes you create whilst laying out the cards but if you have a deck of cards at the table and start to lay out formations of cards whilst the other players are talking about what they do during their long rest it certainly adds something, it also leads in nicely to roleplaying spells ike Commune or Contact Other Plane and use the laying out of the cards as a littel physical representation of what the characters see your character doing . You don't have to use tarot or tarroka cards for it, you can use a normal deck of playing cards as well.
EDIT, i do release what I put out was more Wizard in nature but there is no reason why you couldn't use the laying out of cards for a sorcerer to represent regaining spell slots during a long rest or learning/changing spells when they level up.
Oh I'd do it for sorc. He just pulls his hands like he drawing from a deck the cards fly out and take position in the air. With the middle card often being an arcana card or face. And the others being that which helps translate the spell. So a foci instead of pieces save for the vaule part that come with it.