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The Tarot Deck of Many Many Things (10010925) PDF
The Tarot Deck of Many Many Things (10010925) PDF
by KEVIN OHANNESSIAN
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 1!
Introduction page 3
The Cards
The Major Arcana page 5
Minor Arcana: Wands page 11
Minor Arcana: Swords page 15
Minor Arcana: Cups page 19
Minor Arcana: Coins page 23
Scenarios page 28
Adventure page 29
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 2!
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 3!
This collection of 78 tarot cards are usually When the effect of the card begins, the
made with the best materials, expertly crafted physical card will instantly disappears from
vellum with finely painted figures or ivory existence, flawlessly teleporting back into the
with etched and stained images. The deck can deck. Thus, a player could get the same card
be contained in a velvet pouch, a wooden box, multiple times in a row.
or even a metallic case.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 4
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inverted
inverted The empress gives a look of scorn and curses
The same wizard appears, attempts to help, the PC, declaring, "Barren. Bare. You will die
but makes things worse. The entire time he without children, without legacy, without
insults the character for wasting his time. love." The character is now sterile.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 5
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inverted
The Reader says, "You are drained of your
strength." The character gets a -2 to Strength.
XI - JUSTICE
The Reader states, "Justice shall be served." A
sense of foreboding weighs on the PC. The
next important action the character
IX - THE HERMIT completes will have consequences. If it is a
The Reader says, "Behold your future." The good act, an unforeseen reward will result. If
player is given a glimpse of themselves at old it is a negative act, than something like poetic
age. They are alone and crazy, a hermit in the justice will occur.
wild. They are abandoned and they are fated
to die alone. This leaves the character with a
sense of dread for the future, losing whatever inverted
experience gained toward their next level. The Reader states, "Justice will come to one
who is close to you." Similar to above, but it
will be on an NPC close to them, with the
inverted result somehow effecting the player (for better
The same as above, except the old version of or for worse).
the character is giving advice to a room of
students. A year of such classes flashes by in
the PC's mind. They gain confidence in the
future, receiving 50% Experience needed to
gain their next level.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 7!
inverted
The same as above, but when the character is
buried, they emerge not as undead, but
reborn with a new regard for life. The XIV - TEMPERANCE
character now has Damage Resistance to The Reader says, "You are now tempered." The
Necrotic energy. PC no longer needs food, water, sleep, or air.
They just exist. One could consume these
things, but they aren’t needed to survive.
inverted
The reaper comes and tells the character
about the next great threat they will face and
a bit of knowledge on how to avoid it.
Grim Reaper
Medium undead, true neutral
Armor Class 20
Hit Points: half the hit point maximum of player
Speed: 60 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 8
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inverted
inverted The moonstone is full, but tinted dark red.
The Reader says, "All shall rise above you." The player makes one wish, which first seems
The character shrinks to minimum height - beneficial, but will turn out to be rather
10%. Their Strength and Constitution will be disastrous for the player.
-1, but their Dexterity will be +2.
inverted inverted
After receiving the item, the player will see the The Reader states, "Prepare for a journey to
same ball of light, but the player is sucked in. another world." A similar blurring of space
They take 1d6 damage per level and are around the character occurs, but they see
blinded permanently. outer space with planets and stars going by
and when it stops the player is on another
world altogether. The dungeon master may or
may not choose for the other PCs to take the
trip too.
XX - JUDGMENT
The Reader gives the character a grim look
and exclaims, "Thou shall be judged." The
character and the closest ten people (allies
and enemies) will be transported to a marble
court room. No one is able to lie, or speak out
of turn. There, three judges will question the
PC’s life, seeing if they were Good. The jury
asks questions and then make a ruling. The
judges then rule. If they acted Good in life,
they are freed without consequence, if Neutral
then they permanently loses a level, if Evil
they are instantly slain.
inverted
It is a corrupt court room, where being Evil is
the preference.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 10
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inverted
The same as above, except the keep becomes
Two of Wands – CHARLATAN a magnet of trouble, always being attacked by
The Reader says, "What a tangled web we wandering monsters or would be conquerors
weave." The character is now a pathological coming for the keep.
liar. At minimum, they must lie at least once
per day, usually when the situation is critical,
and usually for personal gain.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 12
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inverted
The same as above, except the item is Cursed
Knight of Wands – FEY
(DMG p138), causing the player to have a 50%
The Reader says, "May glamour find you and
chance to automatically fail a Saving throw.
bind you." Lights of all colors surround the
But only one save can be failed per day.
character, filling him with a sense of wonder
and delight. When these little lights cease the
character finds they have become more fey. It
is special for a half-elf because they become
full-blooded, with appropriate ability score
adjustments and abilities added (PHB p21),
as well as Charisma +3. Elves gain Charisma
+2 as they become closer to the ideal of
Elvenkind. For everyone else they gain
Charisma +1, as an elf-like grace is given.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 13
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inverted
The same as above, except The Reader names
the virtues and it is these seven that control
them. The Virtues are Justice (giving people
just desserts), Fortitude (strength against
impossible tasks), Prudence (approach
obstacles cautiously), Wisdom (give advice to
others), Temperance (be moderate and
balanced), Courage (boldly fight despite fear),
Charity (give unto others).
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 14
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inverted
The same as above, but the demon laughs
and says the PC’s terrible future impresses
Two of Swords – COMET him. He gives the PC the weapon Black
Starlit darkness surrounds the area. The Razor (DMG p216) to bring that future.
Reader points at a shooting star and says,
"Your next enemy shall be as a comet that
guides you toward the future." If the player
defeats next hostile opponent with a challenge
Four of Swords – DONJON
rating equal to or greater than the player's
The Reader says, "You have lost your
level, they gain enough experience to go up a
freedom." Shimmering walls of force envelop
level. The player, and the player only, can see
the character. It and the PC then fade from
a starlight aura around the enemy.
sight. They leave their items behind. The PC’s
party must seek out the imprisoned comrade.
inverted
The same as above, except the Reader says,
inverted
"Your next enemy shall be the comet that
The Reader says,"Bars shall not bind you."
guides you toward glory." If the player
The PC (and their party) will be freed from
successfully defeats next hostile opponent
their next instance of bondage -- it’s basically
with a challenge rating equal to or greater
a get out of jail for free card.
than the player's level, they will find an
additional piece of loot from Magic Item
Table I (DMG p149). The magic item has a
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 15
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inverted
The same as above, except the NPC will work Eight of Swords – VOID
towards a good thing that will help the player. The Reader says, "You are void." Black energy
surrounds the character as they flail about.
Once they are completely covered, they stop
flailing and the black energy rises off the
body. It resembles a black balloon illuminated
Six of Swords – HERO to gray because of the vibrant soul within.
The Reader says, "The world needs heroes." A This soul balloon floats into the horizon. The
trumpet sounds and the world dissolves and PC’s soul is lost somewhere, their body falling
they find they are in a King’s Hall. They into a coma. The party must reunite the soul
brought before the King and charged as a with the body. A Wish (PHB p288) can reveal
Knight on a Quest. The character and their where soul is located.
party have been teleported to a storybook
world. The PC becomes the center of a heroic
quest. This quest is a cliche, with a princess inverted
held by an evil wizard or cruel knight. The black energy stays on the body, whisking
it away, leaving a shadowy image of the
character. They are ethereal and can’t touch
inverted the material plane or effect it with magic. The
The same as above, except there will be an PC’s body is lost, and the soul must find it. A
ironic twist that makes the PC the villain. Wish can reveal where the body is located.
Perhaps the princess appears captive, but is
really undergoing some strange ritual before
marriage. The PC will learn form her that she
didn’t want to be rescued.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 16
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inverted inverted
This same face appears and floats over to the The same as above, except the NPC is merely
PC. The face smiles and heals into a perfect a level 1 squire with all scores of 12.
beauty, including long black hair growing.
This beautiful female blesses the player,
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 17
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Giant Eagle (PHB p306, MM p325), but STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Ability scores are all +2, attacks have +2 to 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (0) 10 (0) 10 (0)
hit and +1d6 fire damage; Armor Class is +2
Senses: passive Perception 10
natural armor; Hit Points are +2d10; it has
Languages: common
immunity to fire; and at death causes the Challenge — (0 XP)
above Fire Ball. The phoenix’s Challenge
rating is 4. Dueling style (PHB p72). When wielding a sword in
one hand, and no other weapons, the Challenger
gains a +2 bonus to damage rolls.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 19
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inverted
The same as above, except every number
divisible gets the amount as a minus. Seven of Cups – SMITH
The Reader says, "The smith’s anvil shall
ring." A blacksmith’s hut rises from the earth.
The player watches as an old Dwarven smith
and his Dwarven assistants go to work. Time
Five of Cups – PARADISE seems to speed up in the hut until it is
The Reader states, "Somewhere there is a numbingly quick. Then it stops and the smith
perfect paradise for us all." The area instantly approaches. He hands the player a
changes into a paradise of the character’s Spellguard Shield (DMG p201) that is
desire. They also choose companions, up to a Sentient (DMG p214). It has random
dozen people, that are willing to come. There qualities, but it’s Special Purpose is Bane, to
is food, drink, and any non-magical and defeat or kill Wizards.
inexpensive objects they want. The Reader
and Tarot Deck are there as well. Anyone can
leave when they wish to. The party can stay inverted
as long as the character wills it, resting, The same as above, except the Smith ask the
healing, studying, seeing loved ones. Time player for a weapon or piece of armor. It gains
does not pass in the real world. an additional +1 enhancement, but it has a
flaw and the player has to make a Dexterity
saving throw to prevent it from breaking on a
inverted critical hit or fumble, DC 12.
There is trouble in paradise. After a day, there
is an attack from a formidable monster.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 20
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inverted
inverted The Reader says the same words, though the
The same as above, except the change has illness they feel doesn’t effect them directly.
unseen consequences. Perhaps they never For the next week they spread Sewer Plague
met a love interest? Or their family was killed (DMG p257) to anyone they touch. It is a more
in a tragedy? Maybe certain NPCs are now potent version that incubates in 1d4 hours.
enemies? The DM could also press for drastic
changes to a PC’s personality and alignment.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 21
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inverted
The same as above, except the change occurs
once a month, with every new moon. The DM
does not have to track it perfectly and can call
for the change to happen to the PC whenever
they deem it appropriate.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 22
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inverted
The same as above, except the sense rolled up
Two of Coins – SAGE is diminished instead, and the bonus is a -2
The Reader asks, "Do you seek sage advice?" penalty instead.
A hole in the floor appears. Stairs lit by old
candles end at an elaborate oak door. When
the character goes to touch it they hear,
"Come in, come in." When the door is opened
they see a room, like a dusty study, where an
old sage waits. She asks the character if they
seek knowledge? If the character agrees they
stay and the sage teaches the character,
gaining 1d4 in Intelligence and Wisdom, but
aging 5% of current age per point gained. The
PC may age, but no time actually passes.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 23
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 24
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inverted
inverted The reader says the same phrase, but instead
The same as above, except this minute glass the PC is gifted with the ability to hear
ages the PC 2% of their maximum age every distant whispers as if directly spoken to them
round used, for a total of 20%. (they automatic succeed on Perception checks
for whispering).
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 25
!
inverted
The same as above, except in one day a
golden owl will come give the player Wings of
Flying (DMG p214).
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 26
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Here are a few tips for using the Tarot Deck 5. Go for it
in your game. If a card is too drastic for your game, halve a
number, make an effect temporary, or switch
out a card for the inverted card. You can also
1. Get real modify any save DCs. But, rather than
I recommend you use an actual tarot deck changing a card, you could rewrite the
with this item, and physically play out the campaign to fit disruptive draws. Often this
actions of the Reader of the deck. Some dim will result in a game that is more exciting.
lighting and suitably eerie music does not
hurt either.
6. Be true
You many want to warn players as the DM, or
2. Change it up via an NPC. Tell them that this could greatly
Tarot decks in the real world can vary. There help or hurt them, that it is not a move to be
may be a few names different in the Major taken lightly. Add that if they would feel bad
Arcana, such as Universe instead of The from an unlucky result or get jealous if
World. The suits in the minor arcana may another player drew better than they did, that
also differ; staves instead of wands or discs maybe they should avoid the deck.
instead of coins. Regardless of the differences,
it should be pretty easy to map the card to
the standard deck used here. 7. Next time
Some cards guarantee that the party will have
to go on a quest, like saving an imprisoned
3. Single out PC. But others can also mean adventure. The
Since the changes can be overwhelming, you party could seek the blessing of a bishop to
may want to skip having players name the remove a curse, find a remote pool in the wild
number of cards they want and instead only that cures afflictions, or be hunted by an
let them draw a single card each. assassin hired to kill the empowered party.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 27
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There are many ways in which to add the 4. A merchant's daily special
Tarot Deck to your game. Here are six. While walking down a path in the wilderness,
the party will meet a traveling merchant with
a variety of simple magic items: potions, low-
1. Reward for a good deed level wands, and the like. She will hint at a
The players are traveling across the land and special deal. If she is pressed, she will admit
they hear a scream over the next hill/around that she has a wondrous, but dangerous
the bend in a forest path/beyond a ridge of artifact: a tarot deck that can rewrite reality.
dunes in the desert. A traveling caravan or If they trade her a magic item she will share a
nomad tribe are being attacked by monsters. card or two.
The players kill the monsters. As reward, the
huge family shares a meal with them. At the
end of the lunch or dinner, the eldest among 5. Doing a job for a collector
them invites them into their wagon or tent for A store’s proprietor will offer to hire the party
a tarot reading each. to deliver a specialty item to a collector across
town. Each player would get a discount at the
shop and a bag of gold, half now and half
2. A gambler pays a debt from the collector. The PCs just need to get it
At a tavern or inn common room, the players to them safely. The party is given a beautifully
begin playing cards or dice with a table filled crafted box the size of a large book. Maybe a
with folk, including a skilled gambler. By the thief will attempt to steal it during the
end of the night, the only players remaining is transport. Maybe the players will get curious
one of the PCs and this professional gambler. and pick the lock, and find the finely painted
When he loses, he will offer the use of a cards, a woman's disembodied voice telling
magic item instead of the thousands of gold them to choose carefully. Or perhaps, rather
he owes them. than gold, the collector will let each player
pick a card as a reward for their good work.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 28
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And here is an adventure that features the A talk with the local constable will direct
Tarot deck prominently. them to the local graveyard, where the
warlock is yelling at some tombstones.
2. Finding the Warlock They can learn from the Boys that the other
When they get to the city and the inn the two cards have been sold off. One to a Sir
Dwarf named, they find that the halfling has Gerek of Ardur, a human, and the other to a
been kicked out for disturbing the peace. merchant name Toblynn, a half-elf.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 29
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A special thanks to Andrew, Ashanti, Gary, and Mike who helped me with
feedback, and thanks to all the other players who had to suffer this whimsical
deck. The most gratitude goes to my wife Kay, who usually got it the worst.
About
Kevin Ohannessian has been roleplaying for decades and still misses the 20-
hour sessions of his youth. He is a tech and game journalist, with his work
reachable at KevinOhannessian.com. He can be contacted @khohannessian.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife.
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THE TAROT DECK OF MANY, MANY THINGS 31
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