Tarot [High Fantasy, Light GM-Led/Sandbox] Recruitment Thread (Seeking Royalty!)

[TheBlackThrone]

Note: I'm being lazy and refuse to renew my photoshop subscription because it's so expensive, so deal with a blank map.

In the land of Tarot, the world is governed by the powers of celestial relics known as cards. Cards are randomly gifted to the beings in this world and no one knows where they come from. Some believe they are bestowed upon beings as blessings, while others may seem them as a curse. These cards represent the soul of the possessor, and therefore, they cannot be taken. They perish along with the wielder to emerge once again bound to another soul.

Tarot is filled with magic, myth, and extraordinary creatures. Beings bestowed with the cards of kings and queens rule and govern the land, dividing into the kingdoms of Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles. While some scholars believe that naturally, the world of Tarot is comprised of these four races, there are more. Rare and powerful. These cards are scarce and not as prevalent. The only documentation of their existence was by a thaumaturge who possessed one until his death. His name was Renart Heartwind. Heartwind coined the name of the special cards, calling them arcana or major arcana due to their powers and effects on reality. Heartwind possessed The Magician arcana.

The Kingdoms of Tarot

Cups: The Land of Cups is abundant with forests, fresh water, wood, and arable land. The Cups supply the world with the majority of its food while conserving the nature it takes. The King and Queen of this region live in peace, ensuring their people are fed and tending to the land. The beings residing in the land of cups typically possess a card in the following range: Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten. Rare cards are Pages and Knights. Rarer cards are Kings and Queens. The rarest card is the Ace. The Cup Lands occupy the center of the Central Continent, where the forests are greenest. To the east, the lands have been reduced to mud and ruin due to the deforestation caused by the imperialistic Swordsmen who push the borders with the pacifistic cups in their secret hunger for conquest.

Pentacles: The Land of Pentacles on the Southern Continent is the land of merchants and thieves. The Pentacles supply the world with ore, glass, gems, and precious metals in which kingdoms print their currency. The deserts are filled with secrets. The fiery, Emberspires are studied in collaboration with the scholars of Wands for their thermal power generation. The beings residing in the pentacle lands typically possess a card in the following range: Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten. Rare cards are Pages and Knights. Rarer cards are Kings and Queens. The rarest card is the Ace. Due to its bordering mountains and nefarious oceans, the Pentacles have enjoyed peace. They prove to be perilous for the Swords to conquer.

Swords: The Land of Swords are harsh with wastes in the south and monster-filled forests in the north. Only the mightiest and most resilient of beings survive the East Continent. In its center resides the Black Mountain, a mountain home to the most dangerous creatures in all of Tarot. In the Swords tradition, the true king will brave the mountain, and the true queen will join them. There are seats carved in stone at its summit, having been chiseled there for a time beyond record. It is there the King and Queen of Swords reside until the next king and queen scales the mountain to usurp them. While there have been records of Swords born with the cards of king or queen, not all possessors of those mountains survive the climb. The Sword lands supply nothing. They take what they want, and they bully the Cup Lands for resources in exchange for security and not being outright conquered. However, lately, the Swords have been becoming restless and have reached across the sea to occupy the eastern parts of the Central Continent against the Cups’ wishes. The beings residing in the sword lands typically possess a card in the following range: Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten. Rare cards are Pages and Knights. Rarer cards are Kings and Queens. The rarest card is the Ace.

Wands: The Lands of Wands are in the frozen north. Alone and at peace in their icy solitude, the Wands engross themselves in uninterrupted study. Their magic and technological innovations allow them to live in comfort despite the negative temperatures. Wands are the smartest beings in Tarot, and they are responsible for invention and creation. Their classic response to the warriors of Swords, “The wand is mightier than the sword.” The beings residing in the wand lands typically possess a card in the following range: Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten. Rare cards are Pages and Knights. Rarer cards are Kings and Queens. The rarest card is the Ace.

The Major Arcana

As of 9 February, I am no longer accepting Major Arcana.

Possessors of Major Arcana are rare and unlike the other four races, they are unique to this existence. The powers of the arcana possesses are so powerful that they can affect reality itself. Therefore, their powers require a great deal of focus and control for they may suffer the consequences of what they choose to do with them. These beings often have no real home and will hide their cards due to their distinction. The world is still learning about the existence of arcana. However, some may exist right beneath our noses.

The Major Arcana are: The Fool; The Magician; The High Priestess; The Empress; The Emperor; The Hierophant; The Lovers; The Chariot; Strength; The Hermit; The Wheel of Fortune; Justice; The Hanged Man, Death; Temperance; The Devil; The Tower; The Star; The Moon; The Sun; Judgement; and The World.

The Story

Depending on how much participation this game attracts, the story of Tarot has a GM-led plot, but it is also sandbox. Writers can enjoy interacting with others, weaving unique stories, and developing characters in this world. The GM only leads the overall plot to give some “world events” and drama to the story that may impact the characters. So please come with a big imagination, a willingness to contribute to the story, and write with others.

Extra Knowledge

Cards: The possessor's card can manifest in their hand on a whim. It materializes from the ether, and it reflects who they are. Some cards, depending on their power, give the possessor a significant magical aura. How you choose to describe your character drawing their card is up to you. Beings seen in the four kingdoms are assumed to have cards from those kingdoms. Therefore, arcanas usually do not have to present their cards. The only time beings present their cards is if they are dueling or in trouble with the law. The law wants to know how powerful the offender is so they'll know how much effort will be required to apprehend them. It is customary for duelists to present their cards before engaging in battle. The idea is honor and fairness. Of course, some scum are neither and may bluff about the card they possess.

Character Creation Rules

Please first send the GM, your three upright and reverse abilities. Once those are approved, you can work on the rest of the CS.

Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles: Writers wanting to choose these roles are free to do so. You must look up the card and read about it. You must become very familiar with the meaning of the card you have chosen because you will base your character creation on that card metaphorically or literally. Cards have powers for when they are presented upright and reverse. Therefore, you must understand the meaning of the card in both positions and create powers based on both positions. Pages and Knights are as limitless as numbered cards. However, there is only one Ace, one King, and one Queen per kingdom. Aces are usually champions, but they do not have to be loyal to their kingdom or obligated to serve their rulers. Aces can be free-roaming.

Major Arcana: If writers want to RP a major arcana, then unlike choosing cups, swords, wands, and pentacles, the GM will randomly draw a major arcana and present it to the writer. That writer will base their character on that card without revealing what the card is unless it is revealed by the character in game. Writers must become very familiar with the meaning of their given arcana because they will base their character creation metaphorically or literally on it. They will create powers based on the cards’ upright and reverse positions. The reason why the arcana are not treated like the other cards is because of the significance of their powers. They can be god-level. This does not mean that all arcana are the most powerful beings in Tarot. It just means their powers can significantly affect reality, the landscape, and even decisions of NPCs. Thus, due to this power, I limit the writer by giving them a card they may or may not want. They do not know what it will be instead of allowing them to choose the arcana they want.

Sample

(Do not post this if you have chosen to play an Arcana card. If arcana player, delete this header.)

(Examples of acceptable art types for this RP)

Name: First and Last Name.
Age: Over 18. Must appear as an adult.
Race: Cup, Sword, Wand, or Pentacle.
Gender:
Sexuality:
Height:
Weight:
Hair Color:
Eye Color:
General Description: A summary of your character's physical description to include body type, tattoos, accessories, scars, birthmarks, complexion, etc.

Personality: General summary. It should be metaphorically based on their card. If you don't want to write a paragraph, you can also list about seven words to describe them.
Likes: Non-sexual. This can be in regards to the in-game politics as well.
Dislikes: Non-sexual.

Occupation: This is their job. If they have one. They can be a wanderer.
Card: Anyone playing an arcana will leave this section blank until revealed in game.
Weapon of Choice: Your character's preferred main weapon.
Secondary Weapon: The off-hand weapon such as a knife, bow, shield, buckler, or support gadget.
Armor Type: What armor do they prefer or can normally be seen wearing? Heavy (metal armors), Medium (leather, bone, or chitin), or Cloth (woven, fur, or skins).

Powers

Upright (Read the card meaning of the upright and base your powers on it.)
1. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
2. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
3. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]

Reverse (Read your card meaning in the reverse and base your powers on it.)
1. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
2. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
3. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]

Background: I made sure this section was last because one you have filled out everything above, then you should be able to write your character's story. You can even base it on the card for ideas. What are your character's motivations? What are their goals in this world? What are they trying to do for a living?

Code Select Expand

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(Do not post this if you have chosen to play an Arcana card. If arcana player, delete this header.)[/center]
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(Examples of acceptable art types for this RP)[/float]
[b]Name:[/b] First and Last Name.
[b]Age:[/b] Over 18. Must appear as an adult.
[b]Race:[/b] Cup, Sword, Wand, or Pentacle.
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Sexuality:[/b]
[b]Height:[/b]
[b]Weight:[/b]
[b]Hair Color:[/b]
[b]Eye Color:[/b]
[b]General Description:[/b] A summary of your character's physical description to include body type, tattoos, accessories, scars, birthmarks, complexion, etc.

[b]Personality:[/b] General summary. It should be metaphorically based on their card. If you don't want to write a paragraph, you can also list about seven words to describe them.
[b]Likes:[/b] Non-sexual. This can be in regards to the in-game politics as well.
[b]Dislikes:[/b] Non-sexual.

[b]Occupation:[/b] This is their job. If they have one. They can be a wanderer.
[b]Card:[/b] Anyone playing an arcana will leave this section blank until revealed in game.
[b]Weapon of Choice:[/b] Your character's preferred main weapon.
[b]Secondary Weapon:[/b] The off-hand weapon such as a knife, bow, shield, buckler, or support gadget.
[b]Armor Type:[/b] What armor do they prefer or can normally be seen wearing? Heavy (metal armors), Medium (leather, bone, or chitin), or Cloth (woven, fur, or skins).

[b][u]Powers[/u][/b]

[i]Upright[/i] (Read the card meaning of the upright and base your powers on it.)
1. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
2. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
3. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]

[i]Reverse[/i] (Read your card meaning in the reverse and base your powers on it.)
1. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
2. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]
3. [Name of Power or Spell] - [Describe power or spell to include how your character casts it or what exactly it does if it is offensive, defensive, or support-based.]

[b]Background:[/b] I made sure this section was last because one you have filled out everything above, then you should be able to write your character's story. You can even base it on the card for ideas. What are your character's motivations? What are their goals in this world? What are they trying to do for a living?
Rules
1. Communication: Please keep the GM and your writing partners appraised if you know you will be absent. I understand emergencies happen, and therefore, if you go silent for over 30 days, then your character will be marked as inactive in the story.
2. Activity: Once every seven days. If you are in a group scene, then you and your partners will determine the pace.
3. Sandboxy: This game is primarily sandbox so there is no reason why you should feel rushed. Most writers may be on independent stories with one partner or a small group/party. This is literally an open world and you create the story. However, the GM will sometimes toss in some political or dramatic events to keep the story interesting.
4. Random Arcana: If you are disappointed that you did not get the arcana you want, sorry. That is the point because the arcana are powerful and require a trusted writer who won’t abuse it. You can try to ask the GM to deal you another, but the GM most likely will not do this. That card was destined for you! Ask the GM to draw you a card if you want to RP an arcana. The GM will send you your result in a PM. You must keep it a secret until revealed in-game.
5. CS Effort: Please demonstrate some effort in your character sheet. They can be a reflection of the writer and their dedication to the overall game. There are so many cards (78) to choose from. With arcana being randomly drawn, there is no reason for you to rush creation. Except, of course, if you want to be an Ace or Royal.
6. No Drama: I have not seen this lately, so that is a good sign. It is not tolerated.
7. PVP: All conflicts will be talked out either in the OOC or in PMs with the writers. You will know the outcome of the fight before you begin writing it.
8. How much imagination am I allowed to use? A lot. You can create the beasts, the culture of the different kingdoms, the currency, lore, etc. Every writer is adding to this blank canvas of a world.
**9. Expect to Collaborate with Your Peers. Your peers are building the story, and you will be doing so together. Every character you create will be intertwined with others so expect to plot with your peers.
**10. Negative Attitudes. Do not come to this game if you are prone to negative thoughts, perspectives, and attitudes. If you interpret a message or response from the GM or your peers in a negative manner, and that was not the intention of the message, then when you state you are dropping from the story, the GM will not stop you. Unfortunately, we cannot have pessimists in this game, and I encourage you to talk to a professional if it affects your life.

Interested
Once you have stated you are interested, you have 14 days to submit a complete CS. Feel free to drop WIPs in the recruitment chat.

Reserved Cards
Arcana cards will not be shown here. However, the GM will ensure that duplicate cards are not chosen or given.
Three of Swords
6 Major Arcana
Eight of Cups
Ace of Cups
Knight of Pentacles
Queen of Swords
Knight of Swords
Ten of Swords
Queen of Cups
Queen of Wands
Three of Cups
Ace of Wands
King of Pentacles
Queen of Pentacles

Approved Character Sheets
They will be listed here as they are approved.
Kes Mirren - Sword - Shjade
Verity Cerball -  Sword - Yukina
Sinclaire "Sin" Maree - Cup - Wolfling72
Eir Rhuna - Wand - Fiadh
Deominos Leonhart - Sword - TheBlackThrone (GM/Plot Character)
Bon Neriwynn - Cup - TheBlackThrone
Selune Duskwhisper - Pentacle - Sirian Eve
Aislinn Caireach nic Gadeon - Sword - Fiadh
Ferris Duskwalker - Pentacle - Wolfling72
Xander Dulaine - Wand - Juggtacular
Seraphine Ryndiri - Wand - xPeachyPuff
Finneus 'Finn' Stirling - Pentacle - xPeachyPuff
Idhiz - Sword - Raven Rawne
Arywn Elewe - Cup - himawari
Lucas Tempest - Cup - Deathnote

Game Links
Listed here as they are created.

OOC

Character Thread (For Approved CSes Only)

[Wolfling72]

Wtf! How can you do this to me?? I need to study.

[TheBlackThrone]

Wtf! How can you do this to me?? I need to study.

*diabolical laugh* 

[Raven Rawne]

*diabolical laugh* 

(This seemed appropriate to add)

Now, with that out of the way, I suppose I am intrigued, though currently I find myself in front of a blank page, with nothing to start off of. My usual sandbox dilemma, and the reason why I prefer a pre determined story idea. However, should I come up with an idea worth pursuing, I will make an announcement.

[Shjade]

Intrigued by the idea of building a character around a randomly-chosen tarot card, but hesitant about the whole total sandbox structure thing. I can't say I've had great luck with that in the past. So I'm on the fence.

That said, if you want to PM me an arcana, I'd like to take a stab at turning it into a character concept for funsies if nothing else. I don't really know anything about tarot so it'd be pretty much starting from scratch. Would those get posted in this thread or is there a different one for character sheet proposals?

Also, a question on "race": you say there are four races, and that arcana are their own races, but arcana hide their cards to conceal this. So what makes them different races if they can blend in with each other? Like how differentiated are these "races"? Is it just nationality, a political distinction? I'm a little unclear on how it's being used here or the context around it.

[Sirian Eve]

....This is so clever. I love it.

[Wolfling72]

*diabolical laugh* 

Yeah yeah, laugh it up...I am going home from work in a few hours and whipping out my Egyptian Tarot deck...(Though I know I'd wanna come up with a Cup or Sword- depending upon the character's martial ability once I start building them)

Anyway-- consider this my interest flag.

[Wistful Dream]

...This is so tempting.

[Wolfling72]

...This is so tempting.

Do. It.

[Juggtacular]

Go ahead and send me an Arcana. -sighs in literate-

[Sirian Eve]

Yeah yeah, laugh it up...I am going home from work in a few hours and whipping out my Egyptian Tarot deck...(Though I know I'd wanna come up with a Cup or Sword- depending upon the character's martial ability once I start building them)

Anyway-- consider this my interest flag.

I have an Egyptian Tarot deck! I love it.

@TheBlackThrone Major Arcana me....

[Raven Rawne]

Would be funny if everyone is an Arcana... but then one character is a Two.

[Fiadh]

What a gorgeous concept for these cards to be bound to souls. My schedule is fairly full so this will be a good way to limit myself to a single character...  Please send me a Major Arcana card and I will try to spin gold~

[Shjade]

Would be funny if everyone is an Arcana... but then one character is a Two.

Honestly wouldn't surprise me xD

Makes the "how are they different races" question even more pressing, though. Especially if arcana are "unique" races, because, well...how would the arcana be inherited if there's no way for the race to reproduce...? And if they can just pop up in the population of the other four card types, then how is it a different race?

[TheBlackThrone]

Intrigued by the idea of building a character around a randomly-chosen tarot card, but hesitant about the whole total sandbox structure thing. I can't say I've had great luck with that in the past. So I'm on the fence.

That said, if you want to PM me an arcana, I'd like to take a stab at turning it into a character concept for funsies if nothing else. I don't really know anything about tarot so it'd be pretty much starting from scratch. Would those get posted in this thread or is there a different one for character sheet proposals?

Also, a question on "race": you say there are four races, and that arcana are their own races, but arcana hide their cards to conceal this. So what makes them different races if they can blend in with each other? Like how differentiated are these "races"? Is it just nationality, a political distinction? I'm a little unclear on how it's being used here or the context around it.

For arcana writers, you just don't mention or reveal what card you might have in your CS. If it happens in the story, then it does.

Because if you're in a region that usually has cups, then you're assumed to be a cup until you show your card. I'm not going to elaborate on race because I am not restricting anyone to phenotypes, politics, or any of that.

Cups are cups, swords are swords, arcana are arcana, etc. The cards determine race. Not the meaning behind the cards. The card when the character or NPC presents it, will show they're either a cup, sword, wand, pentacle, or arcana. But in the story, scholars are still trying to figure out arcana because their cards are not like everyone else. They are not cups, swords, pentacles, or wands.

[Wolfling72]

I have an Egyptian Tarot deck! I love it.

@TheBlackThrone Major Arcana me....

Mine was a gift from my first teacher--so it's that or the Witch's Tarot that is my favorite.

Would be funny if everyone is an Arcana... but then one character is a Two.

That would PROBABLY be my character as I want a minor arcana character...

[TheBlackThrone]

So someone sent me a draft CS, and I saw they used one of the four races as their race despite applying for an arcana. I like this idea, so if you are playing an arcana (@Juggtacular @Sirian Eve @Shjade @Fiadh ) just pick one of the four races. It'll help you incorporate culture with your character development.

[Shjade]

Because if you're in a region that usually has cups, then you're assumed to be a cup until you show your card. I'm not going to elaborate on race because I am not restricting anyone to phenotypes, politics, or any of that.

Cups are cups, swords are swords, arcana are arcana, etc. The cards determine race. Not the meaning behind the cards. The card when the character or NPC presents it, will show they're either a cup, sword, wand, pentacle, or arcana. But in the story, scholars are still trying to figure out arcana because their cards are not like everyone else. They are not cups, swords, pentacles, or wands.

Okay so...if it's just a question of what card you have...why is it called a "race" and not a "suit?" :|a

I'm just trying to call a spade a spade here!

Edit for clarification because flippant: I'm not trying to be difficult, but conceptualizing a background in a setting that defines large groups of people as races while also intentionally not defining those races using anything that traditionally defines the term "race" is a little confusing. This is like saying drivers are all one race because they all have a driver's license. It leaves me with a bit of a hole where the term came into existence in a world where that word doesn't appear to have a reason to exist (at least not with that meaning; I'm sure people still run races here competitively) and wondering how that happened. It suggests a different history than the one being presented, a bit like hearing a character say "Jesus Christ!" as an expletive in a world that doesn't have Christianity: what Jesus are you referring to and why is he important here?

[TheBlackThrone]

It's a race because it is a race. They are a people not cards.

[Shjade]

Name: Kes Mirren
Age: 26
Race: Swords
Gender: Femme
Sexuality: Open
Height: 5’3” / 160 cm
Weight: 118 lbs. / 53.5 kg
Hair Color: Dark purple
Eye Color: Gold

General Description: Kes is slim, supple, and fit, with a soft blue-gray complexion that’s caused some awkward misunderstandings on more than one occasion with regard to proper airflow and distress. Her hair’s thick, wavy, and frequently worn long, complemented by thick eyebrows and lips nearly the same dark shade of purple to provide a strong framework for her otherwise rather delicate features. Her eyes are bright gold and faintly luminous, so little you might never notice before sundown, and she favors gold jewelry to play off of that glimmer: ear clasps, collars, anklets, but never rings, never anything too restrictive on her hands or arms at all—lots of vests and sleeveless tunics, few coats. Rarely anything too heavy, really, so while the most prominent scars might be the ones on her face, there are plenty of others to wonder about here and there on her limbs as well, pretty much all of them from cuts of one sort or another. No burns.

Personality: A better listener than you’d ever expect to find on a battlefield, as long as you can cope with hard truths in return. She might not tell you what you want to hear, but she will for sure tell you what she believes you need to hear.

Likes: Honesty, community, cleverness, closure
Dislikes: Cowardice, indecision, selfishness, pineapple

Occupation: “Outlaw” if you ask a Sword, maybe “Mercenary” if they’re being polite, maybe “Traitor” if they’re not. Ask a Pentacle, though? “Heartmender.” (Don’t ask them to explain what that means, they’ll just try to make you pay them for it.)

Card: Who’s asking?
Weapon of Choice: Seems pretty comfortable empty-handed…
Secondary Weapon: A shortsword, usually in a belted sheath at her backside
Armor Type: She doesn’t seem to favor armor, just her light clothing.

Powers

Upright
1. Burning Truth - Offensive - Sometimes a breakthrough can be quiet and internal, a new perspective on life and your place in it. For most people it’s a mundane if life-changing event. For Kes, sometimes it’s wreathing her body in flame as gleaming gold as her eyes with a decisive snap. They say there’s no quicker way to the truth than burning through the lies that hide it.
2. A Better Version Of Me - Support - Becoming who we were meant to be often means casting aside who we were before. It is a kind of death, perhaps, but a brief, impermanent one, a guided movement from the old body to the new, with Kes either imparting her own strength to another to heal even grievous injuries, or temporarily lapsing into unconsciousness herself, dead to the world, to awaken fresh and restored some time later.
3. The Last Word - Defensive/Support - Kes imprints a decree on those in hearing range that compels them into silence to reflect on the choices that brought them there. The difficulty of giving orders or casting spells that require speech while under such a decree is probably just a coincidence.

Reverse
1. Reconsider Me - Defensive - Questioning herself leads others to second-guess hostility toward her, spreading an almost infectious sense of doubt through the very air around her at the cost of losing her own conviction until those questions have clear answers.
2. Lose Yourself - Support - With an incantation, Kes exchanges her form for another near her temporarily, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other internally and externally; a chance to literally walk in someone else’s shoes for a short time, disorienting as that may be.
3. Built for Blame - Support - Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether you’re fighting for justice, for honor, for glory, for gold, or for sport, all you really want is someone to bleed. She’s your huckleberry. Maybe you were looking for someone else, but she’s here now, and when Kes calls you out, she sure sounds like the best target for that beating you want to deliver.

Background: As a youth, Kes performed well in martial endeavors—nothing too out of the ordinary, better than average for her size—and secured a spot in a successful raiding group for several years. Life was rough, but it was an exciting sort of rough.

That was before they sailed west.

The devastation to the forested areas of the eastern Cup territory was beyond wasteful. It was enough to leave her questioning everything she’d been taught about why the Swords need to take from other territories: that their needs were greater, that their strength deserved whatever they could take, that their poverty was due to the other nations’ selfish hoarding, that they were always just, always right.

It’s been eight years. Kes has yet to return to her homeland, though she has seen plenty of her people, mostly when she’s stopped them from enacting further destruction on the woodlands. When not traveling farther north or south to learn what she can from the Wands and the Pentacles*, to find some reprieve from the violence of an ongoing border dispute no one wants to call a war, she’s fought a guerilla campaign against her own, slowing their advance westward as best she can, trying to convince anyone who will listen that they’re making a mistake.

She had been just like them: she didn’t know any better. But she refuses to let them still have that excuse.

*Not the Cups, though, obviously. Are you serious? They're farmboys with sticks.

[Yukina]

I'm probably going to need to look a lot into tarot meanings as someone who never has, but interest planted. It seems like a fun power system. :)

Edit: Let's go, Three of Swords!

[Raven Rawne]

A Two of Swords could be hilarious. As if, all bark no bite. The kind of person who keeps talking about glorious conquest... but gets beaten by a single goblin.

[Wolfling72]

@Yukina 

Yay!! Another suit card--I won't be alone!!

@Raven Rawne 

Someone should make that....

[Fiadh]

Okay so...if it's just a question of what card you have...why is it called a "race" and not a "suit?" :|a

I'm just trying to call a spade a spade here!

It's a race because it is a race. They are a people not cards.

Personally, I'm thinking about it in the framework of nationality, not necessarily race. Ie. I am a Cup because I was born and live in the kingdom of Cups... However, per rule #8, it would be fun to start expounding on this high fantasy world if we really do want to differentiate these regions by giving them distinct characteristics.

As a small example drawing on Kes' excellent CS and the Swords kingdom - it seems that Kes' complexion is unique to her. Though, her eyes really stood out to me in conjuction with the Black Mountain in the centre of the Swords' kingdom. What if a racial trait of Swords suit bearers is having dark hair from ashen to brown-black, and molten or gemstone hues eyes? Gold, orange, pink. That sort of thing.

Similarly, the prolific fertility of the Cups kingdom and their gentle nature lends me to believe they are physioilogically sylph/fae/elven. Considered more delicate of build than other races due to generations of a pacifism (Swords would surely laugh); more sinewing and athletic for traversing their vast forests. Of course, I won't consider these traits to be absolutes - I can also see someone from the Cups realm looking like they bench pressed every oak tree they came across, though still possessing of a kind, passive demeanour.

[Wolfling72]

Personally, I'm thinking about it in the framework of nationality, not necessarily race. Ie. I am a Cup because I was born and live in the kingdom of Cups... However, per rule #8, it would be fun to start expounding on this high fantasy world if we really do want to differentiate these regions by giving them distinct characteristics.

As a small example drawing on Kes' excellent CS and the Swords kingdom - it seems that Kes' complexion is unique to her. Though, her eyes really stood out to me in conjuction with the Black Mountain in the centre of the Swords' kingdom. What if a racial trait of Swords suit bearers is having dark hair from ashen to brown-black, and molten or gemstone hues eyes? Gold, orange, pink. That sort of thing.

Similarly, the prolific fertility of the Cups kingdom and their gentle nature lends me to believe they are physioilogically sylph/fae/elven. Considered more delicate of build than other races due to generations of a pacifism (Swords would surely laugh); more sinewing and athletic for traversing their vast forests. Of course, I won't consider these traits to be absolutes - I can also see someone from the Cups realm looking like they bench pressed every oak tree they came across, though still possessing of a kind, passive demeanour.

I did not even think of that when I built my character--who happens to be a Cup. For me- cups are emotion, intuition, and the good and bad of "feelings".  I never even considered whether they would have anything in common with other Cups because of the way the suits "read" to me. Oddly enough, MC is probably pretty elfin when one thinks of it in the way you broke it down.