![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
NORN CARDS.
NORN CARDS are meant to be a fun little minigame and plot mechanic. They are basically tarot cards, for those familiar, but they are guided by a supernatural current. AKA: they 100% work. The thing is, they tell the future in really vague ways. Those using Norn cards will never be able to actually guess future events with perfect accuracy. The Norn cards only provide thematic clues to be interpreted by characters however you desire.
You are welcome to make the cards say whatever you want. If your character is just doing a spread for themselves or where the outcome only concerns personal matters, feel free to have the outcome be whatever. However, if you want some bonafide foreshadowing about the nature of the game, you can request it here, and your spread will give your character a little foreshadowing for future events, the nature of the game, or some secret weirdness. To keep this from getting ridiculous, we're going to limit gamewide Norn Card requests to once per player per month.
Each set of cards comes with 25 cards, all with various symbols, and a small book detailing the symbolism, detailed below verbatim as it appears in the book. Reverse cards don't mean anything because let's keep it simple.
The book also lists the three 'spreads' the cards can be laid out in. The cards only work when laid out in the following spreads (again verbatim as in the book):Request draws about the nature of the game here!
You are welcome to make the cards say whatever you want. If your character is just doing a spread for themselves or where the outcome only concerns personal matters, feel free to have the outcome be whatever. However, if you want some bonafide foreshadowing about the nature of the game, you can request it here, and your spread will give your character a little foreshadowing for future events, the nature of the game, or some secret weirdness. To keep this from getting ridiculous, we're going to limit gamewide Norn Card requests to once per player per month.
Each set of cards comes with 25 cards, all with various symbols, and a small book detailing the symbolism, detailed below verbatim as it appears in the book. Reverse cards don't mean anything because let's keep it simple.
The book also lists the three 'spreads' the cards can be laid out in. The cards only work when laid out in the following spreads (again verbatim as in the book):
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE: Three cards, one representing the past, the present, and the future.The cards are:
CROSSROADS: Four cards in a Y shape, representing a tough decision between two choices. The center card represents the self. The bottom card represents what holds you back. And the two top cards represent the two choices you are faced with.
INTERNAL STATUS: Five cards in a square with one in the center. The center represents the self. The top two represent positive (left) and negative (right) influences. The bottom represent postive (left) and negative (right) potential outcomes.
1 The Tree - Showing a gigantic tree with the stars twinkling through its branches, The Tree represents endless possibilities and outcomes. The Three's roots and branches reach out to every consideration, every element. This card represents the need to consider all options, past and present, because the issue is at the root of the matter.
2 The Trickster - Showing an ambiguous, androgynous and only vaguely human-shaped figure wreathed in flames, the trickster represents lies and deception. The Trickster is nothing and everything; they belong nowhere, and can go anywhere. In a reading, The Trickster can represent a specific person or a situation where deception and ambiguity are relevant or even necessary, where not fitting into tradition is purposeful, and maybe even a boon... if The Trickster is on your side.
3 Blood - Showing a songbird on a branch, this card represents communication. The imagery relates to the tale of a boy who, upon drinking the blood of dragons, learned how to commune with songbirds. As such, this card relates the the importance of reaching out for new avenues of communication, and trying different, often irregular, angles.
4 The Anchor - Showing an anchor half immersed in water, this card represents stagnancy. Something has stopped, and will not resume. Perhaps this is for the best-- stay where you are, for it is safe, and the water is calm. Perhaps this is a warning-- you are stuck when you should not be stuck. Haul anchor and sail away.
5 The Helm - A golden help with wings sprouting from the side. This card represents changeability-- anyone can wear a helm, after all. Specifically, this card refers to the mutability of identity, and the importance of being able to become someone, or something, else, for good or for ill.
6 The Apple - Showing a golden apple, this card represents immortality and eternity. Getting this card in a spread represents the longevity of something, but at a price. This longevity is not assured, and must be maintained, but one thing is sure: it is important. This card is considered an element of the Tree.
7 The Horn - Showing a french horn held by a triumphant hand, this card represents youth and ignorance. The young think they can accomplish anything, and this fearlessness can be their victory or greatest failure. Getting this card can be a reminder to act as though you are young and fearless, or perhaps it is a warning that you are already.
8 The Dragon - Showing a serpentine dragon curled around a hoard of gold, this card represents greed and hoarding. Perhaps this is for the best-- save up while you can, for scarcity is coming-- or perhaps it is a criticism. Or, worse yet, a warning: Someone is coming to steal your gold. Getting this card in the same spread as Blood is something to watch out for, due to their convergent imagery.
9 The Sword - Showing a sword being smelted over an anvil, this card represents creation, specifically in the realm of legacy and inheritance. A tradition is being followed, yes, but it shouldn't be adhered to with no creativity or flair. Make something new within the confines of legacy. This card is the twin of the Horn, for both represent a thoughtless sort of creativity.
10 The Fire - Showing a wall of fire, this card represents an obstacle to be overcome. Fire can represent creativity as well, and perhaps that is the key to this obstacle that must be overcome-- this card is considered an element of the Trickster from earlier in the deck.
11 Love - Showing a woman waking from a long slumber, this card represents triumph over greed. A relationship-- romantic, familial, platonic-- is of dire importance, and must be maintained within the bonds of love; doing so means eschewing greed and material possessions.
12 The Ring - Showing a golden ring sitting on a hand with only bloody stumps for fingers, this card represents obsession and greed. If the bonds of love are not adhered to and maintained, this is the result-- greed for greed's sake, power for power's sake. Perhaps this is the ultimate goal, or perhaps it is a dark fate to be avoided. This card is considered an element of the Dragon.
13 Adventure - Also known as Destiny, this card shows a boy riding a chariot pulled by wild boars. It represents the necessity of going out into the world to make one's name, to gather fame or riches. Nothing will be accomplished by sitting still. Now is the time to act.
14 The Dagger - Showing a bloody dagger sticking out of the back of a dying man, this card represents betrayal and weakness. Nothing is invincible. There is a weak point in every plan, no matter how unexpected. Loyalty should never be assumed. This card is the opposite of Love, its dark twin.
15 Conquest - Also known as War, this card shows a flock of women riding horses through the clouds. It represents conflict and chaos-- either the glorious victory of conquest, or the dark violence of war. Whether this card is a suggestion or a warning is up to interpretation.
16 The Giants - Showing two hulking creatures stumbling off into the sunset, this card represents necessary evils. Specifically, it implies deals made out of need, with little heed paid to the future. Promises may not be kept. Stupid mistakes may be made. Are you the lumbering giant, being tricked into doing work you'll not be paid for, or are you the one employing this giant's help, with no intention of paying off your dues?
17 The Staff - Showing a long staff with many runes carved into the side, this card represents law and order. Law is fragile as this staff, but it is carved painstakingly. It cannot change or bend, however; it is brittle, and breaks under pressure. This is a shallow justice, the letter of the law, for the spirit is long dead.
18 The Eye - Showing a bloody eye separated from the face, the eye represents sacrifice in the quest for knowledge or a higher purpose. Once, it is said, a wise man cut out his own eye for knowledge and power. Is it time to do the same?
19 The Mermaid - Showing a mythical creature, half woman, half fish, this card represents a creature of two worlds that fits in neither. While the Trickster is dynamic and suggestive, the Mermaid is trapped and tragic; she can only aspire to be comfortable on land and sea, but truly she is neither. Is this a situation you've found yourself in, or another person in your life? This card can represent either.
20 The Cow - Showing a large cow licking a cold clump of salt, this card represents creation. It is said by some that the entire universe was made when a cow licked our realm into existence. Creation, then, is an accident, with no precedent or plan. This card is not a suggestion, for how can one plan for the unplannable? It is instead a warning of tidings to come.
21 The Horse - Showing a stallion riding over a hill, this card represents fecundity and fertility. The fertility can be of riches, of material goods, or more traditional means. Most importantly, it represents something new on the horizon, and a lot of it.
22 The Crows - Showing two crows sitting on the back of throne, this card represents thought and memory. The past isn't over, and it's time to look back to it, and think hard about it. Wise council is needed, especially from one who keeps in mind what has transpired, and applies it thoughtfully.
23 The Dog - Showing a large black dog chained to a post, this card represents a servant, a slave, a bound person who continues to be loyal despite all good sense. They sacrifice without thought when sacrifice is not always necessary. They are mistreated in their role of service. Are you the Dog? Or are you treating someone like one?
24 The Twins - Showing an identical man and woman lying in each others arms, this card represents closeness. Perhaps you've found your other half, or perhaps you need to. This card can represent a warning as well; there is an incestuous quality to this closeness. Do not rely on it too much, do not allow yourself to be consumed by this person.
25 The Rainbow - Showing a rainbow being trod over by sandaled feet, this card represents the end of a journey, of finally returning home, or completing once's challenges. This card represents an end, perhaps of your journey or another's. It can also represent death, but generally a well earned death, one that came when the time was right.
Questions, comments, concerns?
IS THIS VAGUE/SPECIFIC ENOUGH IDEK
What spread are they using? Crossroads
no subject
The bottom card is The Mermaid.
The left and right cards are The Sword and The Dagger, respectively.