User:Mozzik/Sandbox
The Tokka deck was first introduced as a tool for divination by the Followers of the Fortune's Path sect. The Gypsies' aptitude for this tool might be attributed to their fondness for games of chance. Moon Mages can use these painted cards to predict the future by divining meaning from the placement of each picture. Avatars, Portents, and Taisialaen, or "sky jewels", are dealt into predefined positions known as The Thread, The Path, and The Terminus. Tokka decks are often personalized, and it is uncommon that two would be the same.
Properties
- More control over the style of prediction done compared to other tools.
- Time consuming to predict with compared to other tools (About 30-60 seconds per prediction depending on the DEAL).
- Most complicated tool to interpret.
- Predicting on others is consentual only, since they need to cut the deck to attune the prediction to them.
- Unlike most prediction tools, the exact prediction can be seen by everyone in the room.
- Very long lived tool.
- Deals include a confidence factor.
- Since the make up of each deck is different each deck is a little more personal.
- Sect Affinity: Fortune's Path
Use
Like all prediction tools, before use the mage must know the ALIGN ability (learnable at 4th circle) and have made a successful observation. Furthermore, before the first use, the cards must be RUBbed to bond them to the user. Syntax is to ALIGN <skill/skill set>, SHUFFLE the cards, CUT the deck and then DEAL DECK 3, 4, 5 or 6. To predict on someone else CUT the deck at them to allow them to CUT the deck before DEALing. Each card beyond the first three will add a Kismet.
Example
You prepare to deal from your Tokka deck. Envisioning the layout of the Vibrant Cross in your mind, you briefly rest your hand over the place where each position in the spread will lie.
You pull the first card from your deck with complete confidence, revealing the Spider as a Kismet, but it is inverted!
You strongly turn over the next card, revealing the Crypt as the Thread, but it is inverted!
You draw the next card, playing the Ways as the Path.
You almost drop the last card, dealing the Joyous Mage of Hearts as the Terminus.
The Joyous Mage of Hearts brightens for a moment, as if somehow lit from behind.
You collect the cards and slide them cautiously back into your Tokka deck.
Interpretation
- The way in which each card is dealt indicates the general accuracy of that card.
- Kismets (If applicable) act as a modifier to the entire prediction, increasing it's potential but also increasing the risk.
- Generally the cards can be divided into positive, neutral, and negative - and their influence in a prediction, particullarly as Kismets, relates to this.
- The Thread relates to the magnitude of the prediction. Portents are the most potent here, and Avatars the weakest.
- The Path relates to the duration of the prediction. Avatars are the most potent here, and Portents are the weakest.
- The Terminus relates to the area of influence. Each card has a one to one relationship to a skill. Note however, that because the make up of decks varies the pool of potential cards for the skill is always the same and is NOT the same as the actual cards in each deck.
- The glow or shadow indicates the polarity, and is also where attunement messages would occur.
This particular prediction was a DEAL 4 ALIGNed to Evasion. The Spider is the strongest negative Taisialaen, however it is inverted making it positive and weak, and as a kismet it will influence the Terminus. The Crypt is a negative weak Portent, but also inverted, making it overall positive and fairly weak in the Thread. The Ways is a strong neutral Portent but is weak in the position of the Path. The Joyous Mage of Hearts indicates an unclear Terminus, however the glow indicates an overall positive prediction. Overall the prediction was accurate with the exception of a very unclear Terminus.
Much more on the reading of Tokka Cards can be found in A Technical Study of Tokka (book).
Qualities
When LOOKed at cards have eight qualities. Known qualities are listed from best to worst. Italics indicate a potential starting value when purchased.
Portents Brushwork
striking vibrancy
surprisingly vivid
bold and clear
somewhat bright
average clarity
somewhat dim
Portents Lines
somewhat animated
easily recognizable
plainly drawn
Avatars Brushwork
striking vibrancy
surprisingly vivid
bold and clear
somewhat bright
average clarity
somewhat dim
Avatars Lines
somewhat animated
easily recognizable
plainly drawn
Taisialaen Brushwork
striking vibrancy
surprisingly vivid
bold and clear
somewhat bright
average clarity
somewhat dim
Taisialaen Lines
somewhat animated
easily recognizable
plainly drawn
Age
are pristine and have not yet been used
are still very crisp (1 prediction)
are fairly crisp (20 predictions)
have the occasional nick (50 predictions)
have a few gouges around the edges (100 predictions)
are starting to become frayed (200 predictions)
have grown quite frayed with use (349 predictions)
show much fraying and a number of bends. (549 predictions)
are significantly bent and worn with use. (747 predictions)
are worn nearly to tatters from use. (994-1600+ predictions)
Edges
highly square and even
square and even
fairly square and even
roughly square.
slightly out of alignment
Explanation
Brush quality indicates potential potency, lines indicate accuracy, age indicates the number of predictions performed and edges indicate the polarity. Portents influences the power of the prediction, Avatars the duration and Taisialaens the skill.
Messages
Spread
Celestial Pillars: Lore w/3
Scryer's Arch: Lore w/6
Lunar Circle: Magic w/3
Fateweaver's Glass: Magic w/6
Golden Triad: Defense w/3
Dome of Fate: Defense w4, 5, 6
Staff of the Prophetess: Offense w/3
Scythe: Offense w/4, 5, 6
Pyramid of Awareness: Survival w/3
Vibrant Cross: Survival w/6
Inversions
but it is inverted!
It is inverted.
It appears to be inverted.
Kismet
You pull the (first/next) card from your deck with complete confidence, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as a Kismet.
You turn over the (first/next) card without hesitation, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as a Kismet.
You strongly turn over the first card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as a Kismet.
You smoothly draw the (first/next) card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as a Kismet.
You draw the next card, revealing the (card) as a Kismet.
Thread
You strongly turn over the (first/next) card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Thread.
You smoothly draw the (first/next) card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Thread.
You pause briefly before turning over the next card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Thread.
You uncertainly pull the next card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Thread.
Path
You pull the next card from your deck with complete confidence, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You strongly turn over the next card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You smoothly draw the next card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You draw the next card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You pause briefly before turning over the next card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You uncertainly pull the next card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
You hesitantly turn over the next card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Path.
Terminus
You pull the last card from your deck with complete confidence, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You turn over the last card without hesitation, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You strongly turn over the last card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You smoothly draw the last card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You draw the last card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You pause briefly before turning over the last card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You uncertainly pull the last card from your deck, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You hesitantly turn over the last card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
You almost drop the last card, (playing/revealing/dealing) the (card) as the Terminus.
Light
The (card) brightens for a moment, as if somehow lit from behind.
The (card) darkens for a moment, as though a shadow had passed over it.
Special
The Thread and the Path glimmer briefly in response.
The (card) flares unexpectedly! The image on the card brightens intensely, suffusing the air with a brilliant white light. As quickly as it came, the light fades, returning the card to its usual hue. - Crit success, improves brushwork (at least).
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their colors seem somehow more vivid than before.
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their lines seem to have slightly blurred.
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their colors seem to have faded.
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their lines seem somehow sharper than before.
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their edges appear slightly smoother than before.
The cards in play and the Tokka deck itself all flicker like flame in the wind. When they stop, their edges seem somewhat less even than before.
The (card) abruptly dims! The color seems to drain out of it as it fades to a shade as black as the night. A long moment passes before the card finally flickers and resumes its normal hue.
Cards
The Taisialaen are representations of constellations which correlate to godly avatars, and they are aligned to positive, neutral, or negative depending on the Immortal aspect they represent. Avatars represent people and can be either a profession or a race, and can come with moods, suits, both or neither (listed below) which help indicate whether they are positive, neutral, or negative. Portents are places or things and are positive, neutral or negative depending on what they depict.
Magic Skills
| Skill | Card |
|---|---|
| Primary Magic | Joyous Mage |
| Harness | Wellspring |
| Power Perception | River of Aether |
| Magical Devices | Artificer |
| Targeted Magic | Falling Star |
Lore Skills
| Skill | Card |
|---|---|
| Appraisal | Jewel of Night |
| Mechanical Lore | Broken Circle |
| Scholarship | Silver Scroll |
| Teaching | Crossroads |
| Percussion | Locked Door |
| Strings | Empty Loom |
| Vocals | Thief of Hearts |
| Winds | Twilight |
| Animal Lore | Beast |
| Astrology | Web of Fate |
| Empathy | Healer |
| Musical Theory | Minstrel |
| Trading | Moneylender |
Defensive Skills
| Skill | Card |
|---|---|
| Bone | Living Statue |
| Cloth | Empty Loom |
| Heavy Chain | Warrior |
| Heavy Plate | Keep |
| Leather | Hunter |
| Light Chain | Broken Circle |
| Light Plate | Wounded Veteran |
| Multi Opponent | Nimble Dancer |
| Parry | Crossroads |
| Shield Usage | Knight |
Survival Skills
| Skill | Card |
|---|---|
| Climbing | Stellar Stairway |
| Disarm Trap | Jewel of Night |
| Escaping | Broken Circle |
| Evasion | Nimble Dancer |
| First Aid | Wounded Veteran |
| Foraging | Valley of Mist |
| Hiding | Twilight |
| Lockpicking | Locked Door |
| Perception | Stargazer |
| Skinning | Beast |
| Stalking | Illusion |
| Stealing | Thief of Hearts |
| Swimming | Endless Seas |
| Backstab | Hourglass |
| Scouting | Hunter |
Offense Skills
| Skill | Card |
|---|---|
| Light Edge | Thief of Hearts |
| Medium Edge | Burning Forge |
| Heavy Edge | Dwarf |
| Twohanded Edge | World Dragon |
| Light Blunt | Gnome |
| Medium Blunt | Falling Star |
| Heavy Blunt | Knight |
| Twohanded Blunt | Wounded Veteran |
| Slings | Halfling |
| Staff Sling | Empty Loom |
| Short Bow | Broken Circle |
| Long Bow | Hunter |
| Composite Bow | Woodsman |
| Light Crossbow | Twilight |
| Heavy Crossbow | Illusion |
| Short Staff | Hourglass |
| Quarter Staff | Runebinder |
| Pikes | Wall of Thorns |
| Halberds | Keep |
| Light Thrown | Minstrel |
| Heavy Thrown | Warrior |
| Brawling | Living Statue |
| Offhand Weapon | Beast |
Cards
The Taisialaen are representations of constellations which correlate to godly avatars, and they are aligned to positive, neutral, or negative depending on the Immortal aspect they represent. Avatars represent people and can be either a profession or a race, and can come with moods, suits, both or neither (listed below) which help indicate whether they are positive, neutral, or negative. Portents are places or things and are positive, neutral or negative depending on what they depict.
Taisialaen
| Power Rank | Positive | Neutral | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nightingale | Wolf | Centaur |
| 2 | Wolverine | Lion | Weasel |
| 3 | Magpie | Raven | Viper |
| 4 | Snake | Unicorn | Shark |
| 5 | Albatross | Boar | Coyote |
| 6 | Donkey | Panther | Heron |
| 7 | Dove | Cobra | Goshawk |
| 8 | Phoenix | Ox | Raccoon |
| 9 | Mongoose | Scorpion | Adder |
| 10 | Owl | Wren | Vulture |
| 11 | Welkin | Cat | Shrew |
| 12 | Cow | Ram | Shrike |
| 13 | Jackal | Dolphin | Spider |
Avatar Objects
Races
- Elothean
- Elf
- Dwarf
- Human
- Gnome
- Halfling
- Prydaen
- Rakash
- Kaldar
- Gor'Tog
Professions
- Hunter
- Healer
- Warrior
- Artificer
- Journeyman
- Enchantress
- Minstrel
- Priest
- Woodsman
- Apothecary
- Moneylender
- Rogue
- Thief
- Veteran
- Jester
Avatar Suits
- Hearts
- Court
- Staves
- Pins
Avatar Moods
Positive
- Beaming
- Grinning
- Joyous
- Laughing
- Cheering
- Smiling
- Happy
- Wealthy
Negative
- Frowning
- Crying
- Weeping
- Wounded
- Bleeding
- Sulking
Portents
Positive
- Gilded Egg
- Golden Moon
- Ivory Shrine
- Lucky Copper
- Stellar Stairway
- Web of Fate
- Crossroads
- River of Aether
- Evergarden
- Living Statue
Neutral
- Hourglass
- Knight
- Summoning
- Ways
- Window
- World Dragon
- Endless Seas/Ocean
- Runebinder
- Tome of Secrets
- Keep
Negative
- Crypt
- Barrow
- Falling Star
- Fissure of Earth
- Illusion
- Locked Door
- Void
- Beast
- Valley of Mist
Note: This list does not include custom cards.
It has been mentioned by Diansine that a standard deck has 54 cards, and upwards of 10 could be added beyond that. The exact cards involved are not so important as their general place in the deck.
Custom Cards
Unlike other tools Tokka Cards can be customized slightly - Having new cards introduced to the deck that mimic other cards. Five custom cards were sold with each deck at the Festival of the Gods and more may be available in the future. Lohkrian's demonstrates this:
Before Painting:
G>tap card
You tap a Tokka card that you are holding.
G>l card
You see an unpainted Tokka card.
After Painting:
G>tap card
You tap a Tokka card that you are holding.
G>l card
You see the Defenestrated Student.
G>pull card
You hold up your Tokka card, revealing the Defenestrated Student for everyone to see.
G>combine card with deck
You slide the Tokka card into the middle of your deck and then toss a couple of quick strip shuffles by taking small portions off the bottom of the deck and placing them on the top.
Roundtime: 6 sec.
G>study deck
You can SHUFFLE, CUT, and DEAL this Tokka deck. You can even CUT it at other players. DEAL expects a number between 3 and 6. For example: DEAL DECK 4. You can also use many other verbs on this deck, like PUSH, TOUCH, TURN, and more!
Skimming through the cards, you look to see if any have been added.
You see:
the Defenestrated Student
Roundtime: 5 sec.
These cards may then be selected any time the deck looks for a card with the same properties as the card that was added. For that deck, it is now a valid choice to help describe prediction outcome.
G>turn deck
You flip the deck over and glance down to see the face of the Defenestrated Student. It makes you shiver. You pull the card off the bottom and slip it into the middle of the deck.
Notes
STUDY You can SHUFFLE, CUT, and DEAL this Tokka deck. You can even CUT it at other players. DEAL expects a number between 3 and 6. For example: DEAL DECK 4. You can also use many other verbs on this deck, like PUSH, TOUCH, TURN, and more!
DEAL (without ALIGN first) As you begin turning over the first card, you realize that you are not correctly aligned with fate. Pausing briefly in confusion, you glance down and catch a glimpse of the Unicorn before you can stop yourself. You probably should shuffle the deck again.
SHUFFLE
You cautiously spread the deck out before you, sliding the cards around and thoroughly mixing them before carefully collecting them into a pile again.
Roundtime: 5 sec.
CUT You cut the deck for yourself, removing roughly half the cards and placing the remainder on top of them.
PUSH Squeezing the edges of the Tokka deck between your fingers, you send a cascade of cards casually into your other hand.
TURN You flip the deck over and glance down to see the face of the Frowning Woodsman. It makes you shiver. You pull the card off the bottom and slip it into the middle of the deck.
TOUCH You silently rest your hand on top of the Tokka deck, clearing your mind of all other thoughts.
RUB You slide a card off the top of the deck and place it at the bottom.
SHAKE You holds the Tokka deck loosely and shake it up and down, allowing cards to drop out of deck and into your other hand.
KISS You bring the Tokka deck to your lips and kiss the top card for luck. You hope you weren't kissing the Vulture!
TAP You rap the top of the Tokka deck with your knuckles, trying to maintain a mystical air.
THROW
In a somewhat questionable move, you throw your your Tokka deck into the air! Cards fly everywhere and slowly flutter to the ground! Realizing the error of your ways, you quickly bend down to pick them all up again.
Roundtime: 15 sec.
RUB
You slide a card off the top of the deck and place it at the bottom.
The deck becomes warm under your touch, then grows cool again.
You are struck with the strange, but definite, feeling that the cards in the deck have shifted slightly.
To date two sets of Tokka Cards have been sold at the Festival of the Gods (in prime), one in TF and one in plat. They will soon be available for normal purchase.
Around the time of their general release an IG manual will be published to explain the basic workings of the decks.
Unlike most prediction tools, Tokka cards can be used by non Moon Mages, however they will have no actual predictive qualities when used like this.
Also See
"Moon mage" is not in the list (None, Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Empath, Moon Mage, Necromancer, Paladin, Ranger, Thief, ...) of allowed values for the "Guild association is" property.