network: @dramamamba

[prozaic]

Arcanas, Personas, and elements. All quite interesting, isn't it? According to the forecast app, I am a Hanged Man, though such a term means nothing to me, outside of it seeming quite ominous.

What I am truly most interested in are the magical elements given to us. I did speak to our dear RA about such things, but it seems Braphine didn't gift her with much knowledge, merely that these were a potential power within each of us. However, I do find it a little odd that there was "potential" for ice-element magic within me, given who and what I am.

[Anyone who has seen Shalem in action would know that he just... flops over like a dead fish in the cold. Or tries very, very hard not to. It's as if Shalem is just forever doomed to fucking himself up, no matter what Arts he uses.]

I have half a mind to ask Braphine herself for more information, perhaps even attempt to plead her into fixing this as it's become a problem. However, I'm well aware that the key to summoning her lies in a connection with other people. Consider this a request from assistance from your local serpent.

Comments

[prozaic]

Our very souls, is it? It seems as if everything is centred around our souls, personalities, and being. Hence me being a Hanged Man, is it?

[Pretentious Brit spelling ahoy.]

But, tell me about this "game" that the arcana are supposed to be from.

[metagame]

It's a card game that dates back to 15th century from my world, and this one as well if I had to venture a guess. Back then it was known as trionfi.

[card games are fun!! he is so happy to talk about card games]

The original game had the Fool and 21 trump cards.

Are you familiar at all with the standard playing card deck?

[prozaic]

I am. I tend to run away whenever anyone at work suggested a game or two because I know the shouting and chaos will begin soon.

Anecdote aside, do go on.

[metagame]

Fascinating! I wonder if the tarot exists in a different shape in your world?

[Multiversal tarot card games sounds so much fun to him!!]

Trionfi eventually became known as tarocchi, then tarot. The rules vary between each century, but we wouldn't have the concept of trick-taking, bidding, or trump cards without it!

Not many people know this, but there are both Major and Minor Arcana. The reason I asked if you were familiar with the standard deck is because they're based on the tarot's Minor Arcana suit and court cards.

The suit cards in Tarot are Cups, Swords, Pentacles, and Wands. These correspond to the Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs in a standard deck.

The court cards are the King, Queen, and Page. You would probably know that last one as the Jack.

Though some decks include a Joker. That's inspired by the Major Arcana's Fool.

[prozaic]

Ergo, tarot is the precursor to a standard deck, and the ways to play a standard deck deviated from tarot, though I don't know how to play tarot in the least. How do the face cards come from tarot at all? Emperor and Empress, I can see the similarities, but not the rest.

Still, this is all interesting.

[metagame]

There are as many different ways to play with a tarot deck as there are to play with the standard one.

[Do you want to play a game, Shalem? Please say yes.]

The Major Arcana composes of 22 cards without suits. They are known as the the Fool, the Magician, the High Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hierophant, the Lovers, the Chariot, Strength, the Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, the Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, the Devil, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, the Sun, Judgement, and the World.

I believe there are some versions of trionfi that have cards corresponding with gods... But I don't know which ones. Sorry that I can't be of much help there.

But the Minor Arcana composes 56 cards that are divided into 14 suit cards. There's where you find the King, Queen, and Page. The other cards would be the Ace of Cups, Two of Cups, so on and so on. That should sound more familiar to you.

[prozaic]

So my earlier assumption was completely off the mark. Modern cards being derived from the minor arcana instead makes sense now, though I would need to check those cards myself when I have the time.

Playing with a tarot deck seems interesting though, I'm given to understand it's assumed to be fortune-telling, but it seems there's more? I'm interested in giving that a try. Shall we play a game? I have an idea.

[metagame]

I've never had a chance to play with a tarot deck! They weren't that common where I lived. But I'm sure enough of the rules of a few games to make it work.

So yes, let's play!

[prozaic]

I am considering summoning Braphine for the answers I'm seeking, but she requires a show of companionship, thus it's an endeavour that cannot be accomplished by one person. Thus, I am inviting you to a game or two in her temple. I'll have to scrounge up a tarot deck myself but hopefully it should not be too difficult.

[metagame]

I see... I'd be more than happy to join you.

[...]

You'll have to give me a day so I can prepare.

[He heard it was possible to summon her through acts of companionship. That part doesn't bother him. No, not at all. Actually, it sounds very nice to call a goddess with friendship opposed to what he used to do.

But he... he never wanted to summon Braphine.

To summon a goddess after so long? He hasn't even properly cleansed-- modern bath tubs and showers are so convenient! Such dereliction of his duty... His father... would be so disappointed in him...]

[prozaic]

Take your time. I understand it's a bit of a daunting task, especially when we don't know if it shall even work, especially when we barely know each other.

[metagame]

I'm not worried about that, Shalem. We might not have known each other for long, but I enjoy your company. Braphine's sure to see that our bonds are true.

It's more to do with me, and how she's a foreign god to me.

[prozaic]

[Wait, hold on. Hold up, hold-- please hold--]

You're all right with my company?

[metagame]

Of course I am.

Snakes are sacred and offer protection.

I have no reason to believe you're any different after what you've done to help.

[prozaic]

[Is he actually reading what he's reading? Is this real? He's going to have to check his temperature, go to sleep, maybe take some medicine, just to make sure he's not hallucinating. It's not like it's the first time he's hallucinating, after all, even if this is the first time he's hallucinated a declaration of companionship and camaraderie. He'll wake up from it eventually, right?

Right?]

I beg your pardon? I don't understand what you mean. Any of it in fact

I really dont

[Oops he's slipping in typing anymore.]

[metagame]

Did I say something wrong?

network -> action

[prozaic]

No

Nothing

I'll see you tomorrow

[And with that, he'll really stop responding because he needs to calm himself. He's losing his mind...

At least, by the next day, he has control over himself, enough that he can keep a straight face around Atem. Even if he's still a bit worried. He probably should withdraw a little more in the future, as to not encourage further terrible opinions.

He's waiting at the temple, newly-bought deck of tarot cards in hand. If his disguise hadn't been up, his tail would be visible, and Atem would have seen it scrunched and curled around in stress.]

[metagame]

[He arrives a moment later.

They're summoning a goddess so his need to be punctual is... a little obsessive.

As is how he presents himself. His shoulders tightly forward, his expression stony. He's not even wearing the usual long-sleeved sweater and joggers to account for the September weather, nor does he have his hair tied up in a messy ponytail. Instead his appearance is excessively polished: his linen tunic and apron nary a wrinkle, hair done carefully with bangs pinned back by the wing piece of his crown, and his eyeliner and deep jade eye-shadow impeccable.

(Sorry to anyone who needed the shower this morning on the 5th floor!)

He wants to be excited to play a new game... But he can't, not with Braphine's summon looming over him.]

Well met, Shalem.

[He can't even bring himself to say yo instead!!! It would be improper, and the thought terrifies him that a goddess may find him lacking.]

[prozaic]

[Needless to say, he feels a little underdressed. All right, maybe a lot. He's simply in his regular suit after all, the outfit he's most comfortable with. It's office chic, not formalwear by any means.

His surprise over Atem's conduct is obvious on his face for a second before he smiles, and gestures towards the temple.]

Hello, Atem. I'm assuming you'd just like to get down to it?

[metagame]

Yes...

[Right, the game. He shouldn't worry about Braphine and enjoy his time with a friend. But still...]

Where should we play?

[prozaic]

We've many tables to choose from. [Given this is apparently the local community centre... but given they're attempting to summon the goddess, not have some fun-- well, they're supposed to, but that's not the main priority, is it?-- Shalem casts his gaze over the tablets and further into the sanctuary, at the table meant for offerings.

And he points right at that.]

Come on, that place is just as good as any. It's supposedly the closest to her, after all.

[metagame]

That works for me.

[He steps off in that direction.]

Where'd you find that tarot deck anyway?

[When they're at Braphine's offering table, he holds his hand out for the deck. To see what they're working with to decide what game they should play. Shuffle it, too.]

[prozaic]

At the bookstore, an odd little section at the back for occult games, occult religions and whatnot. [Not even the board and table top games area! Sheesh. Sometimes he has to wonder what bookstores consider good organization, when they don't even follow proper book organization systems.

Shalem sits by the offering table once he reaches it, and slips the cards out of their box, beginning to shuffle them.]

Do you have an idea of how we shall play?

[metagame]

Occult games...

[Ehhh? Like a ouija board..?

He quickly flips through the cards to get a good feel for them... Mmm...]

I think standard tarocchi should work since we've got all 78 cards.

[He holds up the World card since it feels fitting.]

The 22 Major Arcana and Kings are worth five points. Queens are 4, Knights are 3, Knaves are 2, and Pips are worth half a point.

Tarocchi plays a lot like Egyptian War. The goal is to capture the other player's cards. We draw five cards then place one card into a pile like this...

[Places the World on the table for his example.]

Only another Major Arcana or King can trump another one another. The others go by points... So Pips are trumped by Knaves, so on and so on.

After we place a card down, we have to draw a new card. We play until the cards are gone, then we tally our points at the very end. Whoever has the most points wins.

Sound good?

[prozaic]

That's acceptable. [And reasonable! Shalem doesn't need to keep rules for a new game in his head for the entire duration of it.

He gathers up the cards again and begins to shuffle. When he's done, he sets the deck down in the middle of the table.]

After you.