Aurora’s deck of arcana
Once a humble tarot deck, Aurora Myastan’s cards have been saturated with decades of divination, spellcraft, and raw emotional imprint. Aurora was infamous for reading futures she fought to change - and bending fate until it snapped. Her cards absorbed every soul lifting triumph, every heartbreaking failure.
The box itself is battered wood wrapped in faded indigo cloth marked with Aurora’s symbol. When opened, the air hums faintly, as if the cards remember being shuffled by hands far more confident than yours. Any mundane card placed inside slowly transforms over 24 hours, reshaping itself into the missing card’s imagery and inheriting its arcane effect.
Each card radiates a distinct personality - some helpful, some not.
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The Living Cards
These cards are hewn from an old oak and cured against damage and weathering. Cut into thin light slices of wood and painted with more love and attention than any commercially available cards. These cards when drawn give a brief glimpse into the life and emotions of the previous owner.
1 - The Tower
A lightning-struck spire crumbling into dust.
Effect: Catastrophic collapse. Take 2d6 thunder damage and fall prone.
2 - Death
A skeletal figure gently touching a wilting flower.
Effect: Sudden decay. Take 1d6 necrotic damage and your speed is reduced by 10 ft for 1 minute.
3 - The Devil
Chains wrapped around a grinning horned silhouette.
Effect: Temptation and fear. You become frightened of the nearest creature for 1 round.
4 - The Hanged Man
A serene figure suspended upside-down, glowing faintly.
Effect: Suspension. You have the restrained condition until the end of your next turn.
5 - Justice
A sword and scales balanced perfectly.
Effect: Balance. You gain advantage on your next saving throw.
6 - The Hierophant
A robed teacher surrounded by floating runes.
Effect: Guidance. You gain +2 to all Wisdom checks for 10 minutes.
7 - The Chariot
A warrior driving a blazing astral chariot.
Effect: Momentum. Your speed increases by 10 ft for 10 minutes.
8 - Strength
A figure calmly holding a lion’s jaws open.
Effect: Power. You gain advantage on Strength checks and saves for 1 minute.
9 - The Hermit
A lone wanderer carrying a lantern of starlight.
Effect: Insight. You gain darkvision +30 ft for 10 minutes.
10 - Wheel of Fortune
A spinning wheel marked with symbols of fate.
Effect: Chance. Roll a d4; add the result to your next attack roll, save, or check.
11 - The Magician
A spellcaster channeling energy through a floating wand.
Effect: Arcane focus. Your next spell is cast as if one level higher.
12 - The High Priestess
A veiled oracle seated between moonlit pillars.
Effect: Revelation. You may ask the DM(ask Josh about this one before use it has specific connotations) one yes/no question about anything.
13 - The Empress
A radiant figure surrounded by blooming flowers.
Effect: Vitality. You gain 5 temporary hit points.
14 - The Emperor
A stern ruler seated upon a stone throne.
Effect: Authority. You gain +1 AC for 10 minutes.
15 - Temperance
An angel pouring water between two chalices.
Effect: Harmony. You gain +1 to all saving throws for 10 minutes.
16 - The Lovers
Two figures reaching toward each other, glowing with shared purpose.
Effect: Partnership. Choose one ally within 30 ft; both gain +1 to attack rolls for 1 minute.
17 - The Star
A figure pouring starlight into a calm pool.
Effect: Renewal. You regain 1d6 hit points.
18 - The Moon
A wolf and a hound howling beneath a shifting moon.
Effect: Mystery. You gain advantage on Stealth and Perception for 10 minutes.
19 - The Sun
A child riding a white horse beneath a blazing sun.
Effect: Radiance. You gain +2 to attack rolls for 1 minute.
20 - Judgement
Spirits rising from the earth as a horn sounds.
Effect: Awakening. You may reroll one failed saving throw before the next long rest.
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