Deck of Many Things

created by novalis
(thing) by passport (8.5 hr) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 2 C!s Mon Sep 10 2001 at 9:36:43

A deck of many things is one of the most powerful magical items in the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons game. It is also one of the most deadly items you can encounter.

The deck is usually found in a leather pouch or a small wooden box. Each deck has either 15 or 22 cards featuring various rune symbols. Drawing a card instantly activates that card's magic. You can draw as many cards at a time as you want, but you must announce the number beforehand, the DMG implies that the deck disappears after a player draws his cards.

  • Sun
    A miscellaneous magical item appears, and the player is blessed with 50,000 XP. That is enough experience to make some characters gain as many as 6 levels.

  • Moon
    The player is granted between 1 and 4 wishes, which must be used quickly.

  • Star
    On drawing the star card the player will have his prime requisite raised by two points. For example a fighter with a 14 strength would be given a 16 strength. While a wizard with an 18 intelligence would be granted a 20 intelligence.

  • Comet
    Nothing seems to happen upon drawing this card. But the character will gain one level if she defeats the next monster she meets.

  • Throne
    The character is blessed with a charisma of 18 and a small castle. Although I have no idea how you are supposed to know where your new castle is.

  • Key
    When the key card is drawn a magical weapon and a treasure map appear at the player's feet. The weapon will always be of a type that the character is proficient in.

  • Knight
    This card makes people! Well actually just one person, a 4th level warrior will appear and serve the player until death.

  • Gem
    Gain your choice of 20 items of jewelry or 50 valuable gems.

  • Void
    Drawing the void card pulls the character's soul to another plane, making them a complete automaton. Not even a wish will bring the character back. Draw no more cards.

  • Flames
    You gain a powerful enemy in the form of an outer planar creature that will not rest until one of you has been destroyed. The exact type of creature is up to the dungeon master.

  • Skull
    Death himself appears to battle the character. He always strikes first and never misses. The player must fight death alone. Anyone attempting to help will gain a death of their own to battle.

  • Talons
    All of your magical items disappear, including the deck. Not even a wish can retrieve them.

  • Ruin
    You are immediately impoverished. All money, gems, art objects, jewelry, trade goods, land, and buildings that are owned by the character vanish forever.

  • Euryale
    Gain a permanent -3 penalty on your savings throw against petrification. This cannot be removed in any way.

  • Rogue
    Nothing appears to happen when this card is drawn. But one of the character's henchmen, or other trusted friends, has completely turned against him. They will wait for an opportune time to show their betrayal.

  • Balance
    Your alignment is instantly and permanently changed to one with nothing in common with your previous one. (Example, Lawful Good may change to Chaotic Neutral or any other alignment that is neither lawful nor good). Draw no more cards.

  • Jester
    Gain 10,000 XP or two more draws from the deck (take the XP).

  • Fool
    Lose 10,000 XP and draw another card. This second card must be drawn, it is not an option.

  • Vizier
    The character can ask one question of the gods, this need not be done instantly. There is no guarantee that they will understand the answer, however.

  • Idiot
    Permanently lose from 1 to 4 intelligence points, and draw another card if you like. Any player who is role-playing his character correctly will draw another card, because after all you just became too stupid to know better.

  • Fates
    You may avoid any situation that you wish, but only one time. This even works for things that happen instantly. You can save this blessing until it is needed.

  • Donjon
    The character and his equipment vanish. The player has been imprisoned in some way, and what happened to his items is up to the dungeon master.

Based on material from the Dungeon Masters Guide
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