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

[Shjade]

I might say the wording on the first power is sorta...unhelpfully vague? "balancing out for a fair fight" - how do you "balance out" powers that have radically different uses and effects? "Fair" for whom? Does it do less "balancing" if the target is injured to keep things more "fair" since they start at a disadvantage?

[Raven Rawne]

@Wolfling72 you are right about the elements, it says the same thing in Tarot manuals. I just didn't have any ideas on how to add the element of water to his powers.

@Shjade a fair point. At the most base level, I imagine it evens out the combatants strength and speed. So if the doctor is like a regular human and his opponent breaks rocks with their bare fists, that's not "fair". I am hesitant about pushing it further, though, since like you said and other characters have already proven, the range of powers is diverse. If one can teleport, should they lose the ability to, or both be able to? 2oC is about equality and fairness, but how far can it go? The only reason he uses this power at all is because he is confident to be the better swordsman, given an equal fight. Which in itself does not make it equal...

[TheBlackThrone]

I have read each CS sent to me so far. When I get home from work, I'll see about giving them a final assessment.

[tesseractive]

Name: Lysandra Emberveil
Age: 26
Race: Cups 
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual, sapphic leaning
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 125
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Hazel
General Description: Shoulder-length blonde hair that she normally wears up, ringed by a wreath of ivy and fresh flowers that she weaves together every morning. Her skin is white, but tanned from being out in the sunshine so much. She has a moderately athletic body from doing outside chores and hiking. She is uncomfortable with tattoos or piercings and doesn't have any notable scars or birthmarks.

Personality: Outgoing. Nurturing. In tune with her feelings. Polyamorous and falls in love easily if it feels right. Vegan, lives in harmony with nature.
Likes: Nature, hiking, gardening, meeting new people, peaceful coexistence.
Dislikes: Fighting, and especially killing. The expansion of the Swords nation but not individual Sword people.

Occupation: Wanderer / Gardener
Card: 
Weapon of Choice: A gnarled staff of organically bent wood
Secondary Weapon: A knife she keeps at her belt
Armor Type: Cloth in a rich tapestry of colors.

Powers

Upright
1. [Empathy] - [Defense, Support - the caster can sense the emotions of everyone within 120'. Also functions as blindsight, allowing the caster to know where people are simply by sensing their emotions.]
2. [Desire] - [Offense, Support - Makes the target person overwhelmingly desire a person, object, or goal. While strong-willed people may be able to resist, they will still feel the desire.
Note: this is the very definition of NC, and it will never, ever be used on a PC without a thorough OOC discussion and enthusiastic player consent.]
3. [Plant Growth] - [Offense, Defense, Support - Causes existing plants to grow or plants to grow where no plants currently are. Examples of this include getting a crop ready for harvest, creating a field of plants with large, sharp thorns that others cannot easily pass without harm, causing a dense forest to grow around the caster to prevent her from being targeted by attacks, or even to cause a castle, village, or neighborhood to become overgrown with trees and plants bursting from the ground, casting the structures into ruin.]

Reverse
1. [Calm Emotions] - [Offense, Defense - When a character is experiencing extreme emotions, this power reduces the intensity and creates a calmer environment. If a fight was happening or imminent, it dials things back so that a nonviolent solution can be discussed.
Note: this power is mind-affecting and it won't ever be used on a PC without an OOC discussion and player consent.]
2. [Exhaustion] - [Offense - The target experiences hunger and weariness. Taking any actions becomes difficult without resting and eating first.]
3. [Worthlessness] - [Offense - 
Note: this power is mind-affecting and it won't ever be used on a PC without an OOC discussion and player consent.]

Background: Lysandra grew up on a farm in the Kingdom of Cups, learning all the ordinary chores that were expected of a farm girl. She never really felt at home there, and left to explore the forest before she had even come of age. She currently lives in the Kingdom of Cups in a grove near the edge of a forest, not too far from the nearby town. She grows her own food for any given day in her garden plot. She's friendly with the local townspeople, especially Belinda, the cute girl who works in the bookstore. She doesn't have any larger ambitions at the moment, but she does get wanderlust sometimes, and the urge to strike out and see more of the world.

This is my first crack at it. Supposedly OP is ok for Arcana, but if these aren't ok, let me know.

[Shjade]

@Shjade a fair point. At the most base level, I imagine it evens out the combatants strength and speed.

So less about balancing "powers" and more, like...physical fitness? "Attributes", maybe? Unless trying to neutralize supernatural powers is a goal for it—relatable, given that's the motivation behind Kes's silence AoE as well, though that obviously only matters to abilities that require an audible component to activate or function.

[Raven Rawne]

Heads-up folks, I got word from the GM that I need to make some changes. Therefore, please ignore the character sheet for now, since there is no way of telling what will stay and what will go. I will come back with a new CS soon. 

[Fiadh]

Heads-up folks, I got word from the GM that I need to make some changes. Therefore, please ignore the character sheet for now, since there is no way of telling what will stay and what will go. I will come back with a new CS soon.

sits tight

[Aiden]

Ok I'm back I have a concept in mind but need to flesh it out.

This message brought to you by the game “Belatro” and the warhammer Harlequins.

[Wolfling72]

Ok I'm back I have a concept in mind but need to flesh it out.

This message brought to you by the game “Belatro” and the warhammer Harlequins.

Just couldn't stay away...

[TheBlackThrone]

We're at big game status. For any new folks who may join this RP, please prioritize choosing a card and building a character around the card's interpretation. In some submissions, I can tell when the writer makes the character first, and then tries to force the interpretation of the card into what they desire. It doesn't make for a character unique to this game. Instead it makes for a generic character that can fit any fantasy RP. I am looking for those who take the concept and really run with it. So if you build the character first and then force the concept, it will delay approval of your CS. It might even make you feel the need to have to redo the entire CS, which is what I do not want you to have to do, but to save some effort, just do card first and build the character around it.

I do not know when I will allow Major Arcana again at this time. We will see how the game expands. It just started so it is not too late to join, but please be prepared to add to the lore and story. Some writers have started some factions that are good starter areas for those who do not know where to begin. 

[Deathnote]

I don't really know much about Tarot Cards, but I've been looking through a few of the Minor Arcana and I think I might have an idea for the Three of Cups... or would the Two of Cups work better?

Has anyone seen Sense8?  I'm thinking of creating a character with similar abilities.

[Shjade]

From what I recall of Sense8, doesn't that basically mean not having any abilities without having a network of other people to share consciousness with?

Though I suppose you could have a network of NPCs as an extension...?

[Raven Rawne]

There be Dragons. You have been warned!

Knight of Swords

Name: Idhiz
Age: 25
Race: Sword
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual
Height: 6'1" / 187 cm
Weight: 187 lbs / 85 kg
Hair Color: None
Eye Color: Gold
General Description: An imposing wall of black scales, golden eyes, and sharp claws. Idhiz is a big girl, tall and muscular, standing on clawed lizard legs. Her arms are humanoid, sans for large claws on the tips of her fingers - she keeps them sharpened to a fine point. She has a lizard tail, wide at the base and narrowing towards the tip, lined with two rows of pointed scales on the top of it. Her whole body is covered in tough scales, acting as base layer of armor. But, like any armor, there are softer scales where the body is flexing, and also on the whole belly. Her head is lined with horns, cascading down her neck like slicked back hair. She has no way to make facial expressions, like all reptiles, and her maw is filled with pointed teeth made for holding and ripping away pieces of whatever she bit on. Her forked tongue tends to idly flap for any new tastes/smells.

Personality: Idhiz is Action made manifest. She's never idle, unless she sleeps. Ideally after eating half a cow's worth of perfectly cooked meat. She is also either hungry, or sleeping off after gorging herself into a food coma. Although strangely enough, she can spen hours preparing her meals with spices and cooking oils, then roasting, grilling or cooking the chosen cuts to perfection, all in spite of her hunger. Meaning she can be patient, but only if she is constantly working towards a goal she can percieve. If food is somehow not on her mind, then usually it's a good fight, which can then lead to good food. Idhiz is rather notorious for calling people "meat" as an insult, and proclaiming that she wouldn't eat someone is the ultimate honor she can bestow, signalling that the person is no longer a resource to use for her, but rather something more valuble. Which is in line with her kin's tradition of burning their deceased, but eating any outsoders they beat...

Aside from her greatest passions - meat and fighting - Idhiz is fiercly inquisitive, likes to learn (if the subject is practical enough) and enjoys socializing (albeit her way of socializing may vary from the ones she is interested in socializing with...) and contributing to any project laid in front of her. She has a cheery attirude, is quick to laugh and loves to be loud about it, whereas her rage is quick yet utterly destructive.

Likes: 
Meat! Spiced meat! 
Gorging and then sleeping till next day
Experimenting with spices while cooking meat
Rushing into a fight
Being loud
Taking action
Sunlight, warmth

Dislikes: 
Non meat food (you want to poison me with this green stuff?!)
Tea
Wasting good meat 
Being forced to do something after a meal
Inaction, waiting, being passive
Cold temperatures
Shedding
Being told to smile. She literally lacks the muscles necessary for it!


Occupation: Used to be a champion in the army of Swords. Nowadays, mercenary
Card: Knight of Swords
Weapon of Choice: Decorated poleaxe she was issued with as the pack master of her war party
Secondary Weapon: Single edged choppy shortsword
Armor Type: Heavy armor - half plate. No decorations, blackened, protecting the torso, arms and thighs. Also a forehead plate acting as a helmet.

Powers

Upright 
1. [Fortune Favors the Bold] - (Offensive) After a moment of pause, Idhiz can make a lightning quick move, lasting about 3 seconds in order to seize the opportunity and close the gap towards her chosen goal.
2. [Push!] - (Offensive) - Idhiz brace herself, then lounge forward with the power of a wrecking ball, smashing through the obstacles on her chosen path to greatness. Viable targets contain shield wall formations and actual walls (unless they are too thick or reinforced somehow)
3. [Wind Against Our Backs] - (Support) With a fierce roar, Idhiz empowers herself and her allies, as if they had a wind blowing at them from behind. Running is effortless and faster, all movement costs less energy and gains extra speed. Hearts are filled with the sense of purpose towards the set goal.

Reverse
1. [Chaaaaarge!] - (Offensive) - Unable to wait and bursting with impatience, Idhiz literally, or figuratively charges the first target or goal she comes across. If it's a physical task, she is noticeably stronger and faster at first. If it's mental, she seems to double her IQ. If the short burst is not enough to knock down the task, she autmatically activates Ticking off Boxes until the job is done or she burns out.
2. [I. Will. Not. Fail!] - (Defensive) A stomp into the ground and a terrifying roar announce that Idhiz has had enough. Her scales harden, and she proceeds to turn anything within weapon or claw range into shreds, as long as she doesn't need to move to get it. Holding this stance for prolonged time (over 10 minutes) will lead to burnout and crippling fatigue.
3. [Ticking off Boxes] - (Support) in order to stave off inaction, Idhiz turns herself into a flurry of activity, performing chosen tasks at breakneck speed before eventually crashing down into crippling burnout unless stopped.

Background: Deep in Sword lands, near the Eastern slopes of the Mountain, lay an area dotted with several villages, home to the Dragon Kin. Idhiz hatched and grew up in one of them. There is no real industry, and the land is too barren to farm it. Viscious beasts roam in search of prey, making travel dangerous. In order to escape poverty, the villages trade with the Crown - their needs are met, and they in return, offer young warriors. And not just usual sword fodder either. Dragon Kin are elite linebreakers, shock troops trained to break through entrenched infantry, storm fortifications and break enemy morale. The Kin are extremely pragmatic and treat all resources as usable - most infamously they see every living being as a viable source of meat or their exclusively carnivorous diet. Hence, removing something from the pool of resources to use is a high mark of respect - that's why they burn their deceased and leave the ashes to be blown away by the winds.

Once of age, and having passed the tests of adulthood, Idhiz has proven her worth as a warrior and was chosen for the newly formed warband. Each village is supposed to offer a unit of 30 each year, effectively making them all around training camps. But, in order to prevent population depletion, the Kin have a trick up their sleeve. The newly appointed wariors from all villages meet at the Halls of Heroes - a monument at the heart of their lands. They are encouraged, and very much so, to breed - but only with kin from other villages. They remain at the Halls until the females lay their eggs, usually four in a clutch. The villages collect the eggs, and the youth are pressed into service. Most will never see their mate again. Idhiz was no exception, although she does recall him fondly. If in a very graphic way.

Motherhood for the young Dragon ended after she recovered from egg laying. She would never meet the kids, unless the Crown released her from duty, after gaining enough honor and riches to buy her way out of the army. Suffice to say, it rarely happens. Yet, they all try - the alternative is death in battle. She put her mind to it, and her back too - soon becoming the leader of her warband, led successful charges, lit fire under their Kin's bodies. They knew each other since the hatchery, so each loss was significant. They were down to 25 by the time she was 21, after a particularly nasty campaign. Now in the Cup lands, they had an easier time agaisnt the farmers. That is, until the brass decided they need heavy shock troops to go into a forest and bash into a strange, magical Grove at it's heart. The woodland creatures that lived there were causing much trouble to the war effort, ambushing loggers and caravans going through the forest. Razing the Grove was the best way to ensure that the army's supply lines were secure. Idhiz took her warband in, expecting weak Cups again. Suffice to say, she was wrong. They were constantly harrassed, ambushed and slowed down, until the forest dwellers pushed back hard. The ensuing battle ended poorly, with the whole warband wiped out. Ishiz would join them in death, if not for the sloppiness of her enemy. Wounded, she fell into a stream and hit her head agaisnt the rock, going unconcious. Apparently, she was seen as dead and nobody bothered to make sure. Once she came to her senses, she was alone, amidst butchered corpses of her elite unit. What happened next, she never told, not even drunk off her tail, but she tends to make a point that she burned her kin, as tradition dictates. Wasting the whole unit, and becoming the sole survivor meaning that, should she return, the only thing that would wait was the headsman's axe - for irreplaceable losses of her unit, for failing the mission, for surviving when others did not. Becasue reassigning a lone Dragon to a new warband was too much hassle. No matter what would be put in the paperwork, she knew she would be put to death. And there was no way to come home - no boat to take her, and no open arms to greet her without spoils of war to share. Better to die than come back a disgrace. And thus, once she managed to, Idhiz pushed her luck deeper into Cup lands. Trying to hide her true nature, seeking employment as a guard, mercenary, monster killer, whatever paid. Eventually she crossed paths with the Shuffle Alliance, and enlisted. It was her only way to earn the spoils of war and return home with honor.

[Sirian Eve]

Nice to see more non-human characters. :)

[Raven Rawne]

Admittedly, the harderst part was finding a picture. Everyone paints their dragon girls with boobs. And for some reason, often with hair. And while this pic has a boob plate, it's less pronounced and could just pass as a segment to increase torso mobility.

[Sirian Eve]

I usually find good images on pinterest. Though the picture you used is perfect.

[Aiden]

Are people using a specific resource for their cards? 

I am using Wikipedia, but if anyone has another resource, I would ask for a link to take a look. 

[xPeachyPuff]

Are people using a specific resource for their cards?

I am using Wikipedia, but if anyone has another resource, I would ask for a link to take a look.

I've personally been using these three sites:
https://biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/
https://www.thetarotguide.com/minor-arcana/
https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list

But I think Wiki does the job as well!

[Fiadh]

I used all four of those refs and cross referenced them to try and get the most out of the meaning. Great links! 

[Aiden]

Redacted

[Shjade]

I just googled a few sites and vibed it out from there.

[Deathnote]

From what I recall of Sense8, doesn't that basically mean not having any abilities without having a network of other people to share consciousness with?

Though I suppose you could have a network of NPCs as an extension...?

I was thinking something more along the lines of being able to share consciousness with anyone he has forged a close bond with.  I don’t intend for this ability to be used with any NPC.

[Shjade]

Ooo, that's a nifty twist. That could make for a near unbreakable mercenary trust...until someone betrays the whole group and turns it inside out. The drama.

[WhatLiesAbove]

Has the Ten of Swords been chosen yet? I feel it calling to me, and I'm thinking I may have a concept for it....

If its available

[TheBlackThrone]

Has the Ten of Swords been chosen yet? I feel it calling to me, and I'm thinking I may have a concept for it....

If its available

All the minor arcana can be chosen an infinite amount of times. But the ten of swords has not been chosen yet.