Difference between revisions of "Alexandrian Fortune Cards"

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** '''Six of Obelisks - '''
 
** '''Six of Obelisks - '''
 
** '''Seven of Obelisks - Alexandria's Pilgrimage'''
 
** '''Seven of Obelisks - Alexandria's Pilgrimage'''
** '''Eight of Obelisks - '''
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** '''Eight of Obelisks - The Campaigns of Mythrian'''
 
** '''Nine of Obelisks - Marwynn Unlocks the Obelisk'''
 
** '''Nine of Obelisks - Marwynn Unlocks the Obelisk'''
 
** '''Ten of Obelisks - Alexandria Unlocks the Obelisk'''
 
** '''Ten of Obelisks - Alexandria Unlocks the Obelisk'''

Revision as of 01:24, 12 January 2018

Alexandrian Fortune Cards are a reinterpretation of a significantly pre-Alexandrian game. At their most basic level, they are a set of 52+1 cards: a standard deck with 4 'suits' containing 13 cards, and an additional card with no suit or value. While they are largely used for recreation, gaming, and gambling, there is a strong tradition of fortune telling applications with these cards. In the later tradition, each suit and value are assigned a numerological, alchemical, or astrological meaning meaning, with each card representing a specific experience or event related to the number and suite. The noble cards from 11-13, called the jack, queen, and king, represent significant figures or events in the Alexandrian tradition.

Suits

The fortune cards are divided into four suits that have a number of meanings. One meaning is alchemical, with each suit relating to one of the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. A second meaning relates to different parts of pursuing an ambition, with the four cards representing the inception of the idea, nurturing of the plan, fighting to succeed, and the reward. Finally and most importantly for the modern cards, there is a direct tie between each suit and an aspect of Alexandria's crusade. In traditional decks, the anonymous figures on the numbered suit cards are often depicted as being all of the same race. Halflings, having been fully absorbed into Human society do not have a suit of their own, though Halfling decks often depict Halflings in the place of Humans on numbered cards.

  • Obelisks (Clubs, Wands) - Fire - Creation and Inspiration
    The Obelisk suite represents, literally, the Obelisk Prison that bound the Dark Fiend. However, the imagery around this card is not based on this physical reality, but instead connects to the flurry of activity and interest surrounding the beginning of Alexandria's quest. This interpretation focuses on the inspired mystery that the obelisks represented, the power that Alexandria and the Stand sought to wield, and the release of the Dark Fiend and the start of the Second Crusade. Based on these images, this suite represents inspiration, passion, and inception. Traditionally, the figure on the numbered Obelisks are Human.
  • Hearts (Cups) - Water - Nurturing and Emotion
    In Alexandrian tradition, hearts represent the emotional connection formed by the First Stand that carried them through the entirety of the Crusade. It is strongly connected to the orphaning of the Children of Tragedy and their adoption and rearing by the original stand. It can also represent, in an abstract sense, the slow yet passionate establishment of Alexandria's Empire, which made the Crusade possible. As a result, the main themes in this suite are relationships and love. Traditionally, the figure on the numbered Cups are Sidhe.
  • Swords (Spades) - Air - Conflict and Action
    Of all the suits, swords evoke the most obvious and tangible imagery--conflict, challenge, action, and war. While they tie in to many events, like the defeat of the Dark Wyrm's Spawn and the Prophet's War, they are primarily tied to the Crusade. This suite represents that sometimes insurmountable challenges that the Stand was forced to face head-on to defeat the Dark Fiend forever. Thus, the most important themes in this suite are action, challenge, adversity, and conflict. Traditionally, the figure on the numbered Swords are Gnomish.
  • Octacles (Diamonds, Coins, Pentacles) - Earth - Success and Reward
    The Octacle, or the eight-pointed star embedded in a circle, is symbolic of the foundation of the church and the salvation from the Dark Lord. It specifically represents the physical church, which was humanities reward for the success of Alexandria. More secular interpretations connect this card to financial or spiritual success, and this card often represents coins or gold. These images of reward are evocative of the main themes of success, wealth, health, and stability. Traditionally, the figure on the numbered Octacles are Gilden.

Numbers

The pip cards, which are the cards numbered 1 through 10, follow a strictly with their numerological meanings. The numbers one through four play a significant role in this numerology, with the path to success described be the suits repeated throughout these cards. Synchronous pairings (like a one of obelisks or a four of octacles) are especially significant. The noble cards, on the other hand, represent specific people or ideals and disregard the numerical value of the card. Their number value is typically only used in card games.

Novice's Path

The first four numbers draw upon the same imagery of a developing action that is present in the suits: inspiration, nurturing, action, and success. In the context of the pip cards, these four specifically convey exploratory themes, and often represent embarking on this path for the first time. Their negative meanings represent a breakdown or a failure in the specific theme they represent.

  • One - Inspiration and the Individual
    One has specific meaning as the first and indivisible member of the pips. As such, it represents birth, creation, will, and the individual. On the positive side, this can represent a new endeavour or reliance on the self. However, it can also indicate selfishness, loneliness, or excessive and inflexible will.
  • Two - Balance and Relationship
    Regarded a the fundamental relationship number, two is the combination of two ones. It is the number of duality, relationship, and balance. In can indicate insight, diplomacy, persuasion, or agreement, but when out of whack it can touch upon imbalance, intolerance, or interpersonal strife.
  • Three - Action and Communication
    This is an expressive and outgoing number, and derives from the process of one and two uniting. It represents communication, sharing, and social activity. Its dark side indicates a breakdown of these things, and is an indicator of miscommunication, misdirected energies, and confusion.
  • Four - Foundation and Success
    Four is the foundational number that represents manifestation or proper application. Organization, planning, and building are hallmarks of this number, and it often represents worldly or material success. The downside of this number is fairly obvious--drudgery, obligation, or limitations.

Master's Path

The next four numbers again repeat the four part theme, but do so from the perspective on one who is already successful. This meaning arises from starting with a good foundation or preexisting success, represented by four, and adding a new pursuit to it. These numbers may also convey a mystical or spiritual meaning, as these numbers transcend the mundane. Their negative interpretations indicate a bad foundation or a failure in the new pursuit.

  • Five -- Opportunity and Adventure
    This number is strong with personal expansion motifs, and is symbolic of beginning a new pursuit. Keywords for this number are curiosity, spiritualism, adventure and opportunities. The negative aspects to this number translate into misfortune, dogmatism, or defeatism.
  • Six -- Adjustment and Responsibility
    Six is a number of proactive balancing and maintaining. Its positive aspects revolve around sound judgment, adjudication, comforting, and responsibility. The negative elements arise when the foundation is weak, and covers themes like discord, interference, and antagonism.
  • Seven - Proficiency and Faith
    This is a strongly spiritual number that conveys themes of active competence in personal or spiritual affairs. Themes for this card are reflection, wisdom, perfection, and observation. The dark side of seven is indicated by its absence--fear, skepticism, and escapism.
  • Eight - Strength and Accomplishment
    Eight is a powerful and successful number that is influenced by the double fours. This number is, first and foremost, representative of strength--specifically the buildup of material success or the combination of secular and spiritual accomplishment. Its negative elements are tyranny and oppression, which are the most egregious abuses of power.


Conclusion

The last two cards break from the four part theme, and represent the end of a life or the culmination of successes. They represent mastery and completion, and are influential cards in both their light and dark interpretations.

  • Nine - Completion
    This is a number of completion, and is often seen as the last number in essential numerology. It represents the final completion of ones goals and the wisdom, inspiration, and magnetism of the accomplished man. Its dark side is the hefty weight of losing that which is most important--depression, isolation, failure, and defeat.
  • Ten - Rebirth
    Ten is a special card in that is has no essential meaning--its is a composite number made of a zero and a one. Its significance comes from the fact that it follows nine but transforms into one when you add its two composite digits. Thus, it is a card that represents rebirth, and the completion of one life and transition to another. It can also represent the negative side of transition--upheaval, revolution, or traumatic change.

Noble Cards

The Noble cards represent people that embody specific and powerful aspects of their suit. Although the 12 nobles--one of each suite--represents a specific people in the Alexandrian mythology, each noble has a fundamental meaning.

  • King (13) - The Intellectual Master
    The king is the manifestation of secular and intellectual success. Kings are the builders and maintainers of the physical world, and are responsible for the infrastructure that makes civilized life possible. That are powerful analysts, and are capable of understanding and explaining complex systems through sheer mental power.
  • Queen (12) - The Intuitive Master
    The queeen is the compliment to the king, and is the master of mysticism and intuition. Queens possess an instinctual knowledge of the emotional and unseen world that comes from their will to empathize and relate. They provide inspired and wise council, and can understand the most sophisticated problem by embodying it and navigating it from the inside.
  • Knave (11) The Flawed Noble
    The knave is the misguided noble, who seeks to realize the powers of the King and Queen but lacks the competence to do so. Knave's may fail because they are greedy and desirous of power for its own sake, or they may simple lack the foundation and understanding to achieve what they want. Whether malignant or misinformed, they fundamentally represent a flawed version of an ideal.

Specific Cards

Alexandria

The joker - no suite and no number. The beginning and end of all things. The fool and the infinite.

Noble Cards

Narrative Faces

Card designs are as varied as the artists who create the decks, although the individuals associated with the Noble Cards are generally agreed upon, their representations are not. Generally, on the face images on the number cards obey no common form or imagery as do the Noble Cards above, with decks running the gamut from highly abstract to highly representative.
Some decks, often called Narrative Decks or Narrative Faces, associate a specific event from Alexandria's and the early Church's history with each of the number cards. These tend to be more expensive and are particularly favored by the wealthy and devout.


  • Obelisks
    • One of Obelisks - Antioch Unlocks the Obelisk
    • Two of Obelisks -
    • Three of Obelisks -
    • Four of Obelisks -
    • Five of Obelisks -
    • Six of Obelisks -
    • Seven of Obelisks - Alexandria's Pilgrimage
    • Eight of Obelisks - The Campaigns of Mythrian
    • Nine of Obelisks - Marwynn Unlocks the Obelisk
    • Ten of Obelisks - Alexandria Unlocks the Obelisk


  • Hearts
    • One of Hearts --
    • Two of Hearts --
    • Three of Hearts --
    • Four of Hearts --
    • Five of Hearts --
    • Six of Hearts -- Oracular Bodyguard/Blackguard(Rev)
    • Seven of Hearts --
    • Eight of Hearts --
    • Nine of Hearts - Sayid's Betrayal
    • Ten of Hearts --


  • Swords
    • One of Swords -- The Open Hand (Alexandria's Monkish Fist)
    • Two of Swords -- Ruivë & Hrissë (Kivan's Twin Short Sword's)
    • Three of Swords -- Fallen Star (Stariorn Morningstar of Arek's Blackguard Captain)
    • Four of Swords -- Break of Dawn (Dadtim's Stariron Hammer)
    • Five of Swords - Thorn of Midnight (Antioch's Sentient Shortsword)
    • Six of Swords - The Hammer of the Eight (Mythrian's Longsword)
    • Seven of Swords -- Dove of Wrath (Marwynn's Greatsword)
    • Eight of Swords - The Black Scythe (Sayid's Scimitar)
    • Nine of Swords -- Reciprocity (Sterro's Longsword)
    • Ten of Swords - Entropy's End(Alexandria's Naginata)



  • Octacles
    • One of Octacles -
    • Two of Octacles -
    • Three of Octacles - Formation of the Stand
    • Four of Octacles -
    • Five of Octacles -
    • Six of Octacles -
    • Seven of Octacles -
    • Eight of Octacles -
    • Nine of Octacles - Anointing the Stone Warden
    • Ten of Octacles -