Deck of many things
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the deck of many things is a powerful magic item. The item comes in the form of a deck of cards, each one causing a distinct effect upon the character who draws it. These effects can be either beneficial or baneful.
(1975). This version of the deck contains 18 cards, corresponding to the ace, king, queen, and jack of each suit (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs), and two jokers.
The deck also appears in the original Dungeon Master's Guide (1979). This version comes in packs of either 13 cards or, more rarely, 22 cards. The 13-card deck contains cards corresponding to the king, queen, and jack of each suit, as well as a joker; the 22-card deck contains the same cards, with the 2 and ace of each deck as well as the trademark joker. A 78-card tarot deck of many things appeared in Dragon
#77 (September 1983).
The deck from the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide also appeared in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide (1989); it also appeared in the Encyclopedia Magica
Vol. 1 (1994) along with a reprint of the tarot deck.
The 22-card version of the deck appeared in the 3rd edition and 3.5 edition Dungeon Master's Guide as well.
In 4th Edition, two versions were released: a Paragon-level Implement (Tome) appeared in Dungeon
#177 (April 2010), while a Heroic-level Tome was released with the adventure Madness at Gardmore Abbey (September 2011). Both are 22-card versions, with several special properties in addition to the regular benefits and drawbacks available by drawing cards from the deck.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the deck of many things is a powerful magic item. The item comes in the form of a deck of cards, each one causing a distinct effect upon the character who draws it. These effects can be either beneficial or baneful.
Publication history
The deck of many things first appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons game's first supplement, GreyhawkGreyhawk (supplement)
Greyhawk is a supplementary rulebook written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1975). This version of the deck contains 18 cards, corresponding to the ace, king, queen, and jack of each suit (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs), and two jokers.
The deck also appears in the original Dungeon Master's Guide (1979). This version comes in packs of either 13 cards or, more rarely, 22 cards. The 13-card deck contains cards corresponding to the king, queen, and jack of each suit, as well as a joker; the 22-card deck contains the same cards, with the 2 and ace of each deck as well as the trademark joker. A 78-card tarot deck of many things appeared in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#77 (September 1983).
The deck from the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide also appeared in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide (1989); it also appeared in the Encyclopedia Magica
Encyclopedia Magica
The Encyclopedia Magica is a series of four volumes of accessories for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1994-1995....
Vol. 1 (1994) along with a reprint of the tarot deck.
The 22-card version of the deck appeared in the 3rd edition and 3.5 edition Dungeon Master's Guide as well.
In 4th Edition, two versions were released: a Paragon-level Implement (Tome) appeared in Dungeon
Dungeon (magazine)
Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#177 (April 2010), while a Heroic-level Tome was released with the adventure Madness at Gardmore Abbey (September 2011). Both are 22-card versions, with several special properties in addition to the regular benefits and drawbacks available by drawing cards from the deck.
Cards
The cards in a standard deck from the 3rd edition Dungeon Master's Guide include:- Balance - Changes the character to a radically different alignmentAlignment (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, alignment is a categorization of the ethical and moral perspective of people, creatures and societies....
. - Comet - If character single-handedly prevails in the next hostile encounter, the character attains the next experience level.
- Donjon - Character is imprisoned and loses all gear and spells are stripped from the victim in any case.
- Euryale - Causes a permanent penalty on all saving throws.
- Fates - Changes reality to allow the character to avoid even an instantaneous occurrence if so desired.
- Flames - Causes an enmity between the character and an outsiderOutsider (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an outsider is a type of creature, or "creature type". Outsiders are at least partially composed of the essence of a plane other than the Prime Material Plane....
. - Fool - Character loses experience points and is forced to draw another card from the deck.
- Gem - The character gains significant wealth.
- Idiot - The character's Intelligence score is permanently lowered.
- Jester - The character can gain experience points or two more draws from the deck.
- Key - A major magic weapon appears out of nowhere in the character's hand.
- Knight - A fighterFighter (Dungeons & Dragons)The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
appears from out of nowhere and serves the character loyally until death. - Moon - The character gains a number of magical wishes which come true.
- Rogue - This card causes one of the character’s NPC friends to turn against him.
- Ruin - The character immediately loses all of his wealth and non-magical possessions.
- Skull - The character must defeat a powerful undeadUndead (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
creature alone. - Star - One of the character's ability scores increases.
- Sun - The character gains a beneficial magic item.
- Talons - Every magic item the character owns or possesses disappears permanently.
- Throne - The character becomes more charismatic and gains a small castle.
- Vizier - The character gains an answer to solve any single problem or answer fully any question upon request.
- The Void - This card sends a character's soul to some other desolate location, leaving his body in a catatonic state, requiring the adventuring party to find a way to rescue the soul.
External links
- http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4alum/20100422
- Deck of Many Things generator