The Deck of Many Things

Overview

The Deck of Many Things is a legendary artifact of vast and unpredictable power, capable of altering the fate of those who draw from it. Originating from a divine bargain, the first deck was created when Asteria, a mortal woman, pleaded with the goddess Istus to save the life of her dearest friend, Euryale. In response, Istus crafted a deck of twenty-two magical cards drawn from the constellations, using thirteen of them to alter the destinies of Asteria and Euryale. This event marked the beginning of the deck’s presence in the multiverse.
  Over time, numerous lesser versions of the deck have manifested, some containing fewer cards, while others have appeared in entirely different forms, such as doorways or dice that similarly shape fate. The power of the deck has led to the creation of new magical decks and to the formation of groups seeking to either harness or destroy its influence.
 

Effects and Variants

Each draw from The Deck of Many Things can bring fortune or ruin. The standard deck consists of thirteen or twenty-two cards, each of which has a unique and often dramatic effect. These effects range from granting immense wealth or magical power to trapping the drawer in a distant prison or stripping them of their fortune. Some of the most well-known cards include:

- The Skull: Summons an avatar of death that must be fought to survive.
- The Moon: Grants the user 1d3 wishes.
- The Void: Traps the user’s soul in a far-off location.
- The Throne: Grants rulership over land.

Because of its divine origins, the deck has been replicated in various ways. Some mages and priests of fate have successfully created new cards, leading to a broader array of decks such as the Deck of Many More Things.
 

Historical Significance

Throughout history, the deck has played a role in many great events. Some of these include:

• The formation of the Grim Harrow, an undead horde of those slain by the Skull card, who now seek to eradicate all manifestations of the deck.
• The creation of the Solar Bastion, an angelic order dedicated to protecting innocents from the deck’s dangers.
• The use of the deck by legendary figures such as Asteria, whose fate remains intertwined with its magic.

 

The Deck and Bryton Taysith

In the land of Cormyr, the sorcerer Bryton Taysith of Thaeravel came into possession of a Deck of Many Things, using it to gain immortality after the fall of his homeland. However, the power of the deck was not without consequence. Realizing the dangers it posed - not only to himself but to all who sought it—Bryton chose to hide it away.
  His reasons remain a subject of speculation among scholars. Some believe he sought to evade the attention of the Grim Harrow, the relentless undead hunters bent on eradicating all copies of the deck. Others argue that he feared what further use of the deck could bring upon the world. Boeshoren, the Fey General of Peace, urged Bryton to seal the artifact away, and he heeded the warning.
  The exact location of Bryton’s deck remains unknown. Though some believe it to be hidden in a cave system north of Collinwood, the entrance obscured by ancient magic, others suspect he buried it in a place so remote that even he could never retrieve it again. What is certain is that the deck has not been seen in centuries, though many still search for it, hoping to claim its immense power.
 

Mystery and Speculation

The Deck of Many Things continues to be a subject of legend, with various groups seeking to control, destroy, or harness its power. The Grim Harrow’s relentless pursuit ensures that every known deck is eventually targeted, while scholars and treasure hunters alike scour ancient records for clues to its whereabouts.
  Whether Bryton’s deck still exists, untouched and waiting, remains unknown. Yet, as long as stories of its power persist, there will always be those who seek to find and use it, for better or for worse.