Alexandrian Fortune Cards
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. The more elaborate meanings of the suits are as follows:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Numbers
The pip cards, which are the cards numbered 1 through 10, follow a strictly with their numerological meanings. One through four also duplicate much of the meaning attributed to the four suits taken in a social context, and synchronous pairings (like a one of obelisks or a 4 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.
- 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 is regarded a the fundamental relationship number--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 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 is a foundational card 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.
- Five is strong with personal expansion motifs, and is symbolic of adding a new beginning to a solid foundation--a one and a four. Keywords for this number are curiosity, spiritualism, adventure and opportunities. The negative aspects to this number related to traumatic change to a foundation, and represents upheaval, misfortune, and failure.
- Six is a number of proactive balancing and adjustment which results from applying a four to a two. 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 is a deeply spiritual number that is steeped in the faith and enlightenment that serves as a precursor to eight. 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 is a powerful and successful number that is influenced by the double fours. This number is, first and foremost, representative of strength--specifically the combination of secular and spiritual accomplishment. Its negative elements are tyranny and oppression, which are the most egregious abuses of power.
- Nine 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 represents the wisdom, inspiration, and magnetism of the accomplished man. Its dark side represents the feelings of isolation and depression associated with loosing that which is most important.
- Ten is a special card in that is has no essential meaning--its significance comes from the fact that it follows nine but transforms into one when you add its two composite digits (1 and 0). Thus, it is a card that represents rebirth, and the completion of one life and transition to another.
While each of the noble cards represents a specific person or event, they also have a fundamental meaning. The specific individuals represented by the 12 noble cards are discussed later, but the nobles themselves are explained here.
- The King (13) 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.
- The Queen (12) 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.
- The Jack (11) is the imposter noble, who seeks to realize the powers of the King and Queen but lacks the competence to do so. Jack'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
- King of Obelisks - Antioch
- Queen of Obelisks - Marrwyn Teldandilion
- Jack of Obelisks - ??? (could be Antioch)
- King of Hearts - Dadtim the Younger
- Queen of Hearts - The Silver Dragon
- Jack of Hearts - ??? (could be Sayid)
- King of Swords - Mythrian Arabelle
- Queen of Swords - ???
- Jack of Swords - Sayid ibn Maimun
- King of Octacles - Steros Merroand
- Queen of Octacles - Hedran Riqtelo
- Jack of Octacles - ???
Noteworthy Cards
- Six of Obelisks - Antioch Breaks the Obelisk
- Seven of Obelisks - Alexandria's Pilgrimage
- Nine of Hearts - Alexandria's Betrayal
- Five of Swords - The Black Scythe
- Eight of Swords - The Hammer of the Eight
- Nine of Octacles - The Canonization (or First Cathedral)
