avatar of death wiht no deck of many things?

I just started in a campaign of new players and our dm sat us on a horse ride. the first night after we sat out the driver attacked us as an avatar of death.

can you meet an avatar of death without a deck of many things?

According to rules as written and lore? No. However, it is the DM's world and if they want to change stuff, they can. 

ok thank you i was just wondering.

Quote from JoeltheWalrus >>

According to rules as written and lore? No. However, it is the DM's world and if they want to change stuff, they can. 

 I'd even argue it has a stat block so raw it's fine, just not in lore if you are using an official campaign world

Depending on the level, it won't be a balanced encounter by far. It has 20 AC at CR 0