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

[emptyself]

Mine is the “Emperor” and my element seems to be electric?

Nothing wrong with either, but I do think they’re both a bit off.

[prozaic]

Do you wish to have a change as well, or are you satisfied?

[emptyself]

No, I don’t have any complaints.

But I do want to know what made them choose that.

[metagame]

It isn't as ominous as you may think!

I'm actually quite familiar with the Arcana... though my knowledge is more about how the game of tarot is played than anything occult. That part came much, much later.

[sorry gang his ass was 1,000 years too early for the book of thoth which for some godawful reason is canon in yugioh i am going to scream]

But my Arcana is the "World" and my element appears to be nuclear. I thought that was strange at first, too. At least until remembered how the sun generates heat and light.

I know Persona better as Ka. They're a part of our souls, our very essence. Re-Horahkty has always been a part of me as Horahkty, though I admit she's smaller here.

[prozaic]

It was something dormant within you, according to our RA. But you are right, if you have a lot of potential within you, there should be a rhyme or reason to her choosing that in particular.

[townmusician]

i don't know like a ton about tarot myself but one of my group members was kind of into that stuff
so i know some things that seem bad aren't bad and some things that might sound just kinda neutral are actually pretty terrible
like death isn't supposed to mean literally "you're fucked and gonna die soon" if it comes up in a reading
but beyond that idk much. maybe there's a book on tarot somewhere that might have more info?

oh, i'm the tower. and i can do fire magic? i think the tower is one of the bad news cards, too, but what it says about me... idk tbh. maybe i'm gonna fall out a window or i suck

have you tried keeping those little warming packs on hand or something? to help you keep from getting too chilly you just start nodding off or w/e was happening in yoon's palace

[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.

[prozaic]

Brumation is a biological reaction to the climate turning colder. One with lower temperatures than others will become slower and enter a state of torpor to reserve energy and the warmth that they need but often do not naturally have. I do not fall asleep, but simply go dormant to preserve myself in the face of cold.

[Does AK brumation work that way? Who knows? You don't get snakes in snow anyway

Anyway...]

It seems research is needed, in any case. Learning more about these arcana seems to be key to learning how to use our powers better; as well as create bonds, as the goddess is quite insistent on. Perhaps you could help, given your prior knowledge.

[privatedomicile]

yo they like fortune tell and stuff with these cards right one sec

says I got "Wheel of Fortune" like the game show and I can shoot fire so

guess I'm a pretty wild guy

[prozaic]

A commentary about the ups and downs of life, I suppose? Perhaps your life is quite exciting, or you attempt to make it so. But from what I have seen, yes, you are quite wild.

[townmusician]

okay
have you considered carrying heat packs around to help keep you from brumating? it might be worth trying it out at least

maybe but i'm not sure how helpful i'll be
at least in figuring out how the arcana are supposed to help with the whole bonds and connection thing
unless we're all supposed to act in line with them how will fortune telling tools help us out?

[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?

[privatedomicile]

Huh that's actually how it is. No brakes on the SS Pinkman

Shit fortune tellers might be onto something man

[prozaic]

In a protracted battle, they would lose their heat rather quickly, I think. I may just try during the next mission I undertake, but I prefer a more solid solution that will last for the foreseeable future.

In any case, come shopping with me if you're interested. Or perhaps help me brainstorm how to summon Braphine.

[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.

[prozaic]

I won't refute you and I'll even go as far as saying that most fortune tellers are merely grifters, but they do base their knowledge on something that's easily found and appropriated into creating sweeping conclusions based on the themes.

[privatedomicile]

I mean hustle's a hustle but
Goddamn

What's Braphy get outta giving us cards though

[prozaic]

That's an important question to be asking, isn't it? I don't know why we're being represented by cards, but it seems an overcomplication of our duties that she placed on us, and an oversimplification of who we are, in general.

Then again, I'm a mortal, how would I know how the divine thinks and plots?

[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...]