Help Me Make a Deck of Many Things!

[VarianArdell]

I have a player in a campaign that LOVES this particular artifact, but as was stated here, the original is just too swingy. So I beseech you, the collective conscience that is the Playground, to help me build a more balanced Deck of Many Things!

The cards will go here:
(NOTE: This Deck will encompass every card in a standard 54-card deck.)

Spoiler

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[arguskos]

Find and buy the Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (brown cover, try to get the leather-bound version, it's far nicer in physical quality), from AD&D. Why? Because there's an entire section involving Decks of Many Things, including a 54 card version and a full tarot deck version. It's basically exactly what you want, and saves you a ton of work.

[VarianArdell]

Find and buy the Encyclopedia Magica Vol. 2 (brown cover, try to get the leather-bound version, it's far nicer in physical quality), from AD&D. Why? Because there's an entire section involving Decks of Many Things, including a 54 card version and a full tarot deck version. It's basically exactly what you want, and saves you a ton of work.

I've already seen that, but seems a little... I don't know, racist? I mean, if nothing else, I can use it as a last resort, but I'd rather come up with something unique.

Also, what in the Abyss is a Prime Requisite? I'm only familiar with 3.5, 3.P, and 4.0 (a little), so that term makes me scratch my head...

[arguskos]

I've already seen that, but seems a little... I don't know, racist? I mean, if nothing else, I can use it as a last resort, but I'd rather come up with something unique.

...racist? How is it racist?

Also, what in the Abyss is a Prime Requisite? I'm only familiar with 3.5, 3.P, and 4.0 (a little), so that term makes me scratch my head...

Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, and Cha are the Prime Requisites.

I still think using the Tarot deck or the full 54 card is your easiest solution, but YMMV.

[VarianArdell]

...racist? How is it racist?

for that deck, red = good, and black = bad. that strikes me as slightly racist...

[arguskos]

for that deck, red = good, and black = bad. that strikes me as slightly racist...

Same in the normal deck in the DMG, if you look carefully. They categorized it by suits, where the hearts and diamonds have positive effects and the clubs and spades have negative effects. I can all but guarantee it's not racist, just done for organization's sake.

[Dust]

Look into Dungeon #177 for the 4e version of the Deck, which has lots of great ideas regarding cards that are less 'sucks to be you, HAHA' and open adventuring doors instead of closing them.

Edited due to a nonproductive post regarding the racism of suits of cards.

[Chess435]

I'm already working on it. Once I get the 20-or-so page monstrosity typed up out of my Hombrew Notebook of DOOM!!! (tm), I'll put it down.

[Zen Monkey]

The prime requisite is the most important ability score for a class. The prime requisite for a fighter was strength; for a mage it was intelligence. Classes with multiple requirements (paladins, rangers, bards, druids, specialist wizards) had a primary and secondaries. Paladin primary was strength, with secondary requirements in charisma and wisdom. It was 'requisite' in that you needed certain minimum scores to qualify for the base classes (i.e. no 6 dex thieves, no 5 int mages).

[VarianArdell]

I'm already working on it. Once I get the 20-or-so page monstrosity typed up out of my Hombrew Notebook of DOOM!!! (tm), I'll put it down.

that would be amazing! thanks in advance, and could you message me when you finish that?

The prime requisite is the most important ability score for a class. The prime requisite for a fighter was strength; for a mage it was intelligence. Classes with multiple requirements (paladins, rangers, bards, druids, specialist wizards) had a primary and secondaries. Paladin primary was strength, with secondary requirements in charisma and wisdom. It was 'requisite' in that you needed certain minimum scores to qualify for the base classes (i.e. no 6 dex thieves, no 5 int mages).

hmm, sounds like an interesting concept... any idea why the idea was scrapped?

[Ragingsystem]

I don't know how good this is but it's interesting to say the least.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dmt/index.htm

[Andion Isurand]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060614a

[Earl William]

I have a couple of card ideas:

• Fate: a tipped scale. From now on every time you roll a d20, roll 2d20 and take the one closest to an extreme (high wins ties)
• Stars: a small constellation. You gain one cantrip as a spell-like ability.
• Circle: a pentagram. A random powerful outsider is permanently called nearby.

Sorry, no ideas for what cards correspond.

[smasher0404]

Joker1:Draw three cards, player chooses any 2 and the two affects take place