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Action Resolution by Tarot
This action resolution method allows a Chronicler to keep the random nature of dice while adding the esoteric feel of Tarot cards. The unique cards can also give us a few extra options not available from regular dice. There are many different Tarot decks and each can bring a different feel to the game. The Chronicler should decide what type is most appropriate. Most Tarot aficionados take great care to keep their decks protected from uncontrolled use by others. The deck that you decide to use should only be used for game purposes. The small instruction booklet that is included in most Tarot decks should provide the level of card interpretation detail necessary for this method. If the Chronicler or Cast Members want more detail, there are many good books on the subject. Terms
Chroniclers should familiarize themselves with the following terms to
facilitate the use of the Tarot deck for task resolution. Prepare the Deck The first step is to separate the cards into the following groups: Major Arcana (#0 Fool through #21 The World), Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King of each suit), and Number Cards (#1 - #10 of each suit). Number Cards The Number Cards make up the bulk of the Action Deck. They each have a face value between 1 and 10. These numbers will be used to simulate the 10-sided die that is used for the majority of actions in the Unisystem. If the Chronicler wants to add the "flavor" of the Tarot to his game without any other features, they may be used alone. Simply shuffle the deck and draw a random card. The value of the card represents the same value of a rolled 10-sided die. Insert it in the same position of any system-related formula. Return the drawn card to the Deck before shuffling for the next draw. This will maintain the proper ratio of Number Cards in the Action Deck. Court Cards To introduce Tarot-based features to the Action Deck, add Court Cards. The Chronicler should choose a Court Card to represent each Cast Member in the game. According to traditional Tarot interpretation, the different Court Cards represent different personality and physical traits. If the Chronicler wants to match the Characters with actual Tarot interpretations, he can use the booklet included with the deck or any other good book on the subject. If this level of detail is unwanted or unnecessary, just choose appropriate Court Cards. Remember to note which cards represent which Characters. The selected Court Cards are shuffled into the Action Deck along with the Number Cards. Non-assigned Court Cards are not included in the Action Deck. When a Court Card is drawn by a Cast Member during action resolution, the character associated with the drawn card plays a pivotal role in the outcome of the action. The player who controls the associated character is responsible for defining the nature of the role played. This can be a new experience for many players and the system does take time and practice to master. The inclusion of Court Cards in the Action Deck allows the players to affect the flow of the game as if they were the Chronicler. This affect is only for the action that the card was drawn for, however. For example, Drake is at a local library trying to dig up some information on a convicted serial killer named Rupert. He draws a card from the Action Deck and gets the Queen of Swords. This card represents Danielle, a member of a local Wiccen Coven and a computer programmer. Danielle's player is now responsible for determining the outcome of the action. She decides that Danielle once had a programming job in the office that Rupert used to work for, and that she mentioned that job to Drake a few months ago. The game effect is that Drake discovers Rupert's old place of employment in some old newspaper files, remembers that Danielle used to work there, and calls to enlist her aid. After a Court Card is drawn and the effect has been determined, it is not returned to the Action Deck. It is removed from play for the remainder of the session. This limits the number of times that a given character can effect the game this way in a given session. If the Chronicler draws a Court Card, it is disregarded and another card is drawn. All cards drawn by the Chronicler are returned to the Action Deck immediately after resolution of the action. Major Arcana The Action Deck can also be specially tailored for the Tarot by including cards from the Major Arcana. This requires that the Chronicler know a bit about the nature of the Tarot cards in question. Before each session, the Chronicler chooses a few cards from the Major Arcana to include in the Action Deck. These cards should be chosen based on their general Tarot interpretation. The booklet included with the deck, another book on the subject, or the Chronicler's own experience can all serve as sources for these interpretations. The Chronicler should choose the cards he adds to the deck to enhance the mood or feeling that he wants to set for the session in question. If the session is fraught with danger and conflict, cards like Strength, The Devil, and The Tower could be appropriate. If the characters are faced with subterfuge and intrigue, cards like Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man, and The Moon may be better choices. It is not recommended that more than 3 cards be added to the Action Deck in this manner. The more cards that are added the greater the chance that these forces will effect the session. It is up to the Chronicler to determine the exact number needed. When a Major Arcana card is drawn by a Cast Member during Action Resolution, the Chronicler determines the outcome of the action based on the nature of the card drawn. It can sometimes be helpful if the Chronicler makes notes about how the cards will effect game play when he chooses them before the session. This way he is not flipping through books during play to determine what happens. If the Chronicler is comfortable with the Tarot, he may decide to do card interpretations on the fly. For example, Drake has decided to drive by the jail where Rupert is being held. He does a magical scan to see if any supernatural forces are at work. He draws a card from the Action Deck and gets The Moon. A common interpretation of The Moon is "hidden enemies, danger, deception." The Chronicler decides that Drake is good enough at magic to detect the hidden wards that are surrounding Rupert without triggering them. Drake leaves knowing that someone powerful is aiding or protecting the killer. The Moon card would be removed from play until the end of the game session. The Tarot Deck in Play Once the Chronicler has decided what cards are going into the Action Deck he shuffles them all together. This system does not use the "reversed" meanings of the Tarot cards, so don't worry if the deck is rearranged that way. After a draw is made for Action Resolution the card is either removed from the deck (if it was a Court or Major Arcana Card) or is returned to the deck (if it was a Number Card). Allow the Player or Chronicler to shuffle or cut the deck before drawing again. This helps to keep the same feeling of involvement that you have with the act of rolling dice. In fact, the sound of shuffling cards behind a Chronicler Screen can soon replace the sound of rolling dice as a source of anticipation for players. The card definitions presented here are just examples. The Chronicler and Players are free to interpret the cards as they see fit. These suggestions for the inclusion of Tarot cards into the WitchCraft game are designed to add flavor and features that may not be available through other means. They are not intended to make anyone involved feel uncomfortable or to force a particular divination system on those not open to such things. The Chronicler is strongly advised to check with all people involved in the game before trying any of the above suggestions. The game is intended to be recreation and should always be approached in that matter.
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Images from the Witches Tarot - by Ellen Cannon Reed
Unisystem, specific game terms and icons are Copyright
© 1999 CJ Carella.
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