User:MINQUE/Divination

"This is the deck that rekindled my love of divination." ~Cerridween Sprinks

A Black Rose-Painted Deck

"An artist gifted one of [House Nalfein's] noblewomen with an elegant deck of paper-thin, teak cards. Painted upon one side of each wooden card was the ebon rose of the House, while the other had elaborate images of various flowers and plants that could be found throughout the whole of Elanthia. It is speculated that the gift was intended to be a means of divining the future from an artist of House Loenthra. The noblewoman, however, scoffed at the thought that anyone but she could predict, and facilitate, her own future and thus the deck took on an entirely different purpose. [...]

It is believed by many true practitioners of the Art that a Black Rose Deck could still provide a true prediction if properly employed, but there isn't a Nalfein alive that would give it any credibility."

- As written by Seledwyn Var'Taliesin in Divination: A Comprehensive Guide

An Evening with Cerridween

Bustling streets, market sounds, footsteps, door open, creak, close, calm. Serenity.

Incense Burns, light scent, lends itself to a bit of mysticism.

She Wakes as if from meditation. Warm smile, understanding eyes. She is one who is hardened by the reality of this world and yet finds solace in knowledge. She exudes a calm air of acceptance and faith.

As you approach, she gestures for you to take a seat on the cushioned floor. A low table rests between you and Cerridween, a collection of thin wooden cards painted with a black rose rest on the table to the side.

It is only when she speaks that your attention refocuses to your hostess and you notice that her deep red hair is in stark contrast to the dark Raven feather attire so has donned. Her violet eyes flit down to her Rose deck before settling on you.

She opens her mouth and her melodic Elven accent becomes apparent to those with keen enough hearing to notice.

"Welcome. This is a place of sanctuary and I am a guide dedicated to bridging our realm with the spirits."

"Before we can begin I must inform you that this process is not instant and that the knowledge we discover here together may be difficult to hear. As your guide, I will strive to help make sense of the spirits message and afterwards I will provide you with a trinket of our time together."

"If this sounds acceptable and you wish to continue, please affirm by accepting this tea and sharing your name with me."

She pauses, smiling to reassure you. Steam rises from the fragrant tea as you consider your next course of action.

Mechanical & Stylistic Notes to Self

At the end of the session, complete a woven bracelet with the 3 of 218 herbs that appeared during the reading. (TODO: Investigate if it's possible to forage all herbs. Consider substitutes or consider only providing some of the herbs.) If the reading requires growth or moving on, perhaps instruct the participant to burn the weaving of their reading and imagine an outcome in their minds eye.

Remember, as an Empath, Cerri has an affinity to herbal healing. In her backstory, she was an herbalist before she was an Empath. If I can get enough summoning lore and they appear as cards, I should consider using the herb summoning spell to summon them fresh in front of the client. How cool would THAT be??

For the question portion, strike a balance between teaching tarot layouts and choosing the correct one for the situation. Ideally, it should be fast to explain the kinds of questions that can be asked which should lead to clearer answers based on the style chosen.