The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed.
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Ten years ago, one person was chosen by a voice. This voice instructed that person, told them secrets. Told them of powers man was not meant to hold, and gave that person building blocks. The ability, the knowledge, and the assumed right to give people that power.
As their knowledge grew, as their failures gave way to success, the voice became stronger and stronger. Gave the person continued advice, gave them arcane secrets. Forbidden knowledge born of forbidden fruit. And as the fruit was devoured, the seeds of madness were planted in this person’s soul. Their mind was shattered from within and the voice became the dominant figure. Innocents gained powers they should not have gained, and they too were damaged by their experiences.
And as such things become, the situation expanded. The one who had been gifted with this forbidden knowledge began to slip; their madness growing. Indeed, their gift of knowledge grew out of control, and as they lost their way, so too did their charges, who they had unwillingly given inhuman abilities.
Two months before our story begins, an explosion rocked the tower this person’s experiments had slowly been approaching fruition within. Almost all of this person’s charges were killed instantly, and two people alone were able to escape their hell.
However, more important than this was the flux of power released into the air, the earth, and the sea. Most resisted this power’s influence; most continued with their daily lives.
But not all.
For a few innocents, life was about to change forever, and for them, the slowly spreading darkness was about to become a lot more meaningful.
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Arcana
Each power user has a different Arcana correlating with their personality and view of the world. A power will always fit within that boundary, which often restricts it to its area of expertise and its power in battle. The Arcana are represented by the major Arcana of the tarot cards.
0-The Fool
The Fool represents chaos, creativity, inexperience, and potential. Those of the Fool Arcana regularly have yet to find their place in the world, and so their power is weaker and they themselves are without purpose in life, or are moving from path to path of their own free will. However, on the other hand, someone of the Fool arcana can be selfish and careless in their pursuit of identity, directly leading themselves and others into danger, blind to the consequences. The Fool is represented by wanderers, the unemployed, travellers, delinquents, and clowns.
A power user of the Fool arcana typically does not excel or fail in any element. As a result, the power’s potential is significantly less than others should it remain in the Fool arcana. However, the Fool’s potential is also infinite, allowing it to evolve into a new Arcana at some stage. However, after evolving, it must remain in that arcana. Because of its potential and its jack of all trades status, I won’t be accepting many Fools, and those who apply need to have detailed bios.
1-The Magician
The Magician typically represents confidence and power. Those of the Magician Arcana are typically confident, outspoken individuals on the surface, whether that is their true personality or not is irrelevant, as their outward personality displays this trait. They typically have the desire to succeed and rise above their station, and will usually devote a lot of time towards harnessing their power and sway, which is already considerable.
Those of the Magician Arcana also tend to be powerful speakers, able to sway people to their way of thinking with words alone. However, they typically avoid excessive danger, and are easily made afraid by dangerous situations, which can hinder the power they have over others.
On the negative side, a person of the Magician Arcana can be power hungry and arrogant, willing to push others aside for their own advancement.
The positive side of the Magician is represented by advisors, soldiers, and leaders, while the negative side of the Magician is represented by bullies, corrupt politicians, and tricksters.
Power users of the Magician Arcana typically excel in fire based abilities, however they may also tap into a lesser mastery of other elements, excluding physical abilities, which they are incredibly weak at.
2-The Priestess
The Priestess represents serenity, knowledge and satisfaction. Those of the Priestess Arcana are serene, mature individuals, often though not always female. They usually place knowledge in high regard, though for what reason tends to vary from person to person.
Court magicians in fantasy stories would greatly represent people of the Priestess Arcana. They tap into knowledge, and then freely impart much of that knowledge onto others. They tend to find contentment with their station, and only occasionally impart their words of wisdom onto others. However, when they do, the masses would do well to listen to them.
On the negative side, a person of the Priestess Arcana can be manipulative and cunning, using their knowledge to turn people against one another or to hold power they should not. In a less extreme spectrum, those of the Priestess Arcana can be consumed by the very knowledge they seek, and be forced into vice in an attempt to maintain or enhance that knowledge.
The positive side of the Priestess is represented by advisors, researchers, and vice presidents, while the negative side of the Priestess is represented by corrupt religious figures, hermits, and substance abusers.
Power users of the Priestess Arcana are typically proficient in healing and supportive abilities, but can also tap into a single offensive element for protection. However, they are unable to use physical skills efficiently.
3-The Empress
The Empress represents maturity, a regal composure, and emotional control. Those of the Empress Arcana are usually emotionally distant, quietly confident individuals, usually though not always female. They usually prefer to separate the emotional aspect of the events around them and deal with them in a composed manner.
Mothers and queens represent the Empress perfectly. They are usually emotionally controlled, though sensual individuals, full of creativity and quiet love for the world around them. They represent a maternal nature, yet this by no means makes them soft. Mothers are also fiercely protective of their children and anyone else they deem necessary of their protection, and will defend their young to the death; likely the death of their opponents.
On the negative side, one of the Empress Arcana can also be cold and distant, capable of using their maternal influence to manipulate those around them towards their own ends as they wait in the side-lines, unhindered by emotion or guilt. On another spectrum, they can become hooked upon the excesses an Empress comes to receive, and damage their minds and change themselves through this addiction. People of the Empress Arcana come to know power in many forms, and can abuse it towards that same end.
The positive side of the Empress Arcana is represented by mothers, queens, and businesspeople. The negative side of the Empress is represented by abusive mothers, tyrants, and usurpers.
Power users of the Empress Arcana are typically proficient in ice skills, yet are also capable of tapping into healing skills to a less proficient degree.
4-The Emperor
While the Empress represents quiet maternal power, the Emperor represents more forthright power, and the fierce paternal protection of a father or king. People of the Emperor Arcana tend to be more emotional and reckless than the Empress, and are usually though not always male.
Kings and army commanders represent the Emperor perfectly. They are fiercely protective, violently devoted, and excessively grandiose in the name of their morals and all they deem their sons and daughters. Emperors are capable of changing from incredible calm to intense fury in the blink of an eye, and to fool with an Emperor’s charges is to awaken a sleeping dragon, which will leave incredible destruction in its wake. This makes them more predictable than their Empress counterparts, but they pose a much more overt threat when their rage comes to the surface.
On a negative side, an Emperor’s balance of emotion is fragile, and can easily be tipped over and imbalanced on a permanent scale. Emperors tend to be unstable, and desire control of the world around them to some degree. The inherent desire to conquer and rule is in an Emperor’s blood, and some succumb to that trait and discard all semblances of paternal love a positive Emperor usually embodies.
The positive side of the Emperor is represented by high ranking soldiers, presidents, fathers and kings. The negative side is represented by bullies, tyrants, corrupt politicians, invaders, and warmongers.
Power users of the Emperor Arcana are typically proficient in electricity based skills, yet are also capable of tapping into physical skills to a less proficient degree.
5-The Hierophant
The Hierophant represents knowledge and power, as well as authority, adherence to rules, and relationship with the divine. It is kin with the Priestess. However, while the Priestess only occasionally shares her wisdom with others and is content to continue acquiring the knowledge at her leisure, the Hierophant becomes resolved to impart every new piece of information onto others.
Those of the Hierophant Arcana are natural teachers. They often live lives of knowledge impartment and hunting for more knowledge. However, they often also seek to rise above their station and learn of what exists beyond their mortality, unlike the Priestess, who tends to be satisfied with what knowledge she comes across, and does not pursue a specific path most of the time.
On the negative side, the Hierophant can be just as manipulative as the Priestess. However, not content with pulling the strings from the background, they will actively commune with those they manipulate on a regular basis, and make their motives very much clear to the observer. They are not as capable of subtle manipulation as the Priestess, but their danger is much more overt and clear, as they can become reckless in their pursuit of knowledge significantly quicker than the Priestess.
The positive side of the Hierophant is represented by researchers, scientists and teachers. The negative side of the Hierophant is represented by corrupt religious figures, plagiarists, and thieves.
Power users of the Hierophant Arcana are typically proficient in physical skills, but as they make choices in what to do with the knowledge they obtain, they will branch off into the elements of light or darkness to a less proficient degree.
6-The Lovers
The Lovers Arcana represents love, intimacy, sensual contact and desire. People of the Lovers Arcana are spirited, outgoing individuals on the surface, tending towards thrill seeking, meaningful lives and deep, exhilarating relationships. Staleness and repetition are a sure-fire way to lose the favour of a person of the Lovers Arcana, and their favour is valuable and bound to incite adventure in the one who holds it.
Lovers are typically “adrenaline junkies”, participating in parachute jumping, car racing, BASE jumping, speedboat racing, parasailing and other such activities to get their fix. They crave constant adventure and sexual satisfaction, and can upturn their life to get this. However, this does not mean they are without morals. Lovers simply hold a looser view of them than most, but they know the difference between right and wrong. Most of the time.
On the negative side, those of the Lovers Arcana can be easily driven to vice in search of their thrill, and can easily be swayed onto the wrong path while weak because it will give them a purpose, albeit temporary. Lovers often thrive on being a part of the minority, and that alone carries dangerous possibilities.
The positive side of the Lovers Arcana is represented by athletes, adrenaline junkies and intimate lovers, while the negative side is represented by polygamists, substance abusers and terrorists.
Power users of the Lovers Arcana tend to be proficient in illusion control and the affliction of poison, paralysis, fear, and charming effects. They gain a lesser proficiency in healing abilities.
7-The Chariot
The Chariot represents heroics, confidence, self-assertion, victory and war. Where the Emperor is a general, the Chariot is part of the rank and file. An unsung hero in the eyes of the many, but a true champion of the people in the eyes of the few. Their actions, both small and large, serve to aid and further an individual or group.
A lower rank soldier such as a Private is a perfect representative of the Chariot Arcana. Those possessing this Arcana are rigorous in their enforcement of law, morality, or simply just the right thing to do in a relatively unimportant situation. The opinions of the masses matter little to the Chariot. It is unswayable in its ideals and will act as a champion of these same ideals to the bitter end.
However, on the negative side, a Chariot will become ruthless, willing to harm others to make its ideals a reality. Zealots and those brainwashed as young children tend to have their Arcana shaped into this negative representation of the Chariot Arcana. Childhood abuse and improper teachings are a cornerstone of this reversed Arcana.
The positive side of this Arcana is represented by soldiers, pugilists and generally people unaffected by peer pressure. The negative side is represented by zealots, radicals, and corrupt military.
Power users of the Chariot Arcana are generally proficient at physical skills. They are poor at magic, but may grasp an amateur concept of ice or lightning abilities.
8-Justice
Justice represents order, law, punishment, imprisonment and execution. Someone of the Justice Arcana has honed their moral beliefs down to a point, or so they believe at the very least. While the Chariot and the Emperor are in the battlefield, tackling the problems one step at a time, Justice takes the problem to its core while it is weakened, isolating and eliminating it from the world by any means necessary.
A judge represents the sway the Justice Arcana has over the others. Balance of power and the might to enforce this balance is the cornerstone of a Justice Arcana possessor, and driven by confidence and absolute faith in their own morals, they mete out justice in any way they see fit. Of course, lesser variants of this exist. Vigilantes and young, unlicensed detectives help the police in their own way. Justice is a many tiered thing.
However, a darker side of justice exists, as with all things. For those of the Justice Arcana possess absolute confidence in their morality, and morality is a remarkably broad term. One thing is for certain though. Those of the Justice Arcana always believe what they are doing is right. It would take nothing short of a miracle to turn them away from the path they have chosen for themselves. Those who interfere with them are an enemy that must be removed; however they see fit. Many admire their steely resolve, and if one crosses their radar, Justice is to be feared.
Police, detectives and judges represent Justice’s positive side, while its negative side is represented by radicals, terrorists, and rogue enforcers of the law.
Power users of the Justice Arcana start with a moderately powerful grasp on both light and darkness based abilities. As they make decisions on which brand of Justice they wish to mete out, their respective powers will grow in strength. However, as command over the darkness grows, light dwindles, and as mastery of the light swells, darkness weakens. Those who remain balanced despite the immense sway of morality rocking their bodies and souls will never stagnate, but will never grow either. Each individual Justice Arcana user has their own choice to make, and their power shifts depending on their choices.
9-The Hermit
The Hermit represents solitude, introspection, wisdom and searching for purpose or wisdom through solitude. Life and its deeper meanings are unlocked through introspection in solitude. They are similar to the Fool, but they have settled into their quiet period of self-reflection, whereas the Fool’s method of discovering themselves is through a snap decision and the help of others.
The Hermit may seem cool and distant towards other people, and will never impart their knowledge as freely as the Hierophant, and even less than the Priestess. Only when they have totally verified their own knowledge will they share it with others. However, their heightened morality means that they will often not stand idly by while someone is hurt. Particularly strong hermits, on the other hand, might be colder than the norm.
On the negative side, The Hermit can be cynical, bitter, and especially distant. Weariness with the world and social disassociation are cornerstones of this reversed Arcana. They will often do anything to be alone, and are neither trustworthy nor compassionate. Abusive childhoods, bullying, and rape often mold people into this negative representation of The Hermit, defined only by their desire to be distanced from the world.
The positive side of this Arcana is represented by scholars, philosophers and lecturers. The negative side is represented by shut ins, assault, rape and bullying victims, and antisocial people in general.
Power Users of the Hermit Arcana tend to be proficient in abilities that inflict poison, paralysis, fear, charming effects and the like, and are proficient in darkness based abilities to a lesser extent.
10-Fortune
The Fortune Arcana is represented by chance, opportunity, luck and triumph. Hard work and reward for this is the goal of a typical Fortune Arcana possessor. On a looser scale, Fortune is a sister Arcana to the Lovers, seeking thrills and fun, but also seeking potential monetary gain from this. Light hearted and often more than a little materialistic, this aspect of the Fortune Arcana knows how to have both a good time and how to make money off it.
However, on the negative aspect of the Fortune Arcana are gamblers, completely materialistic individuals, and illegal debt collectors and money loaners who would happily place others in dangerous and unfavourable situations for their own gain.
The positive side of the Fortune Arcana is represented by businessmen, gamblers and people who take their chances with life. The negative aspect is represented by addicts, debt collectors, and loan sharks.
Power users of the Fortune Arcana favour the element of air, but can become proficient to a lesser degree in physical skills.
11-Strength
Strength represents brute force, but also something more, such as self-control, gentleness, courage and creative and physical energy. One of the Strength Arcana desires to be recognized, given the reward they deserve for hard work. A cornerstone of the Strength Arcana is its boundless energy and will to rise higher than their station.
On the negative side, however, is the brute, a thug who never received the love they wanted or the recognition they needed. Stagnant and sealed in the same position, they often turn to violence, vice, and other such negative aspects of life to maintain their desire for a purpose, desperately hoping to be recognized in some form or other. To a lesser extent, those who smile despite breaking inside and those who suppress their emotions are also possible outcomes of a reversed Strength Arcana. This often comes as a result of familial pressure to take up a certain occupation or way of life.
The positive side of the Strength Arcana is represented by athletes, celebrities and idols. The negative side is represented by negative versions of the above, as well as thugs, drug addicts, and crime lords.
Power users of the Strength Arcana typically prevail in physical oriented abilities, as well as the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears, paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
12-The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man represents self sacrifice, struggle, and the breaking of old, addictive habits for the sake of knowledge and advancement. The procurement of knowledge and success through struggle is the major personality trait of the Hanged Man, and their lack of need for personal comfort while doing this sets them apart from the Fortune Arcana.
Self-sacrifice for one’s friends is also a large part of what the Hanged Man is. Taking the fall for a friend’s failure, or putting yourself in danger to protect them can often make the Hanged Man seem reckless in comparison to “safer” Arcanas. However, they are usually wise beyond their years, and often just view themselves as a piece in an intricate game.
In reverse, the Hanged Man represents recklessness, stubbornness, frivolity, and violence to obtain what they see as necessary to obtain. While the upright Arcana will sacrifice itself, the reversed Arcana will sacrifice others. Ironically, a reversed Hanged Man is standing upright. They refuse to surrender what must be surrendered, and pain and suffering on a personal level is often a large fear of theirs.
Positive representations of the Hanged Man include champions of the weak, martyrs, and saints. Negative representations include executions, extremists and zealots.
Power users of the Hanged Man Arcana specialise in defensive abilities, forming force fields, walls, and capture devices. They are also proficient in light based abilities to a lesser degree.
13-Death
Death represents renewal, the death of an old self, reincarnation, and the arise of the new. Those who branch off from the lessons and people of their youth often develop a strong connection with the Death Arcana and all that comes with it.
The methods of one who tries to attain independence naturally vary from person to person, but the desire to escape from an old life is constant, and the desire to reform oneself as an independent, recognizable individual is also common. At its core, Death represents individualism, singularity and peace with oneself.
On the negative side, however, are those who would take the Death aspect a little more literally. These people are typically similar to the Hermit’s negative incarnation in that they have grown cynical and bitter with the world. However, unlike the Hermit, they will take more decisive action to erase what they perceive as the world’s greatest flaws, often through violent means.
Due to the natural constants of renewal and individuality, many Fools will become carriers of the Death Arcana, for better or worse.
Power users of the Death Arcana typically specialise in the manipulation of darkness, and are also proficient in the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears and paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
14-Temperance
Temperance represents prudence, synthesis and the joining of opposites. People of the Temperance Arcana tend to be refined, understanding individuals with a penchant for having a soothing effect on those around them due to their demeanour, whether this aura is true or fabricated. They are consistently capable of helping someone on a personal level, whereas most other knowledge imparting Arcana tend to be much more impersonal with their knowledge.
On the negative side is the false one. One who tempers to benefit itself and its own ends. These people are often manipulative, able to make those that consider them a friend dance to their own tune. Their cruel fabrications and penchant for seeming wise through their thoughtless brutality can make their words eternally believable uncontested.
Positive representations of the Temperance Arcana include therapists and psychologists. Negative stereotypes include manipulative friends and corrupt versions of the above.
Power users of the Temperance Arcana specialise in light elemental skills, and also branch into physical skills to a lesser degree.
15-Devil
The Devil represents pleasure, commitment, love, desire and fulfilment. Those of the Devil Arcana seek satisfaction and happiness. They desire love, spiritual completion and financial assurance, and will work hard towards these ends. They enjoy mindless leisure and of course, will occasionally dip into the vices of alcohol or drugs to relax themselves; as much as is safe, of course.
On the negative side, however, there is one who has succumbed to their temptation and surrendered to their darkest desires. Violence, excess, brutality, and overemotional nature are a cornerstone of this reversed Arcana.
Those of the Devil Arcana walk a fine line between positive and negative. An over the top reaction, a poor decision, a reaffirming of oneself, a change in one’s perspectives. These can change the Devil Arcana’s position in a person and allow them either true happiness or an immediate fall from grace.
Power users of the Devil Arcana specialise in fire based skills, but may also possess proficiency in dark elemental skills to a lesser degree.
16-The Tower
The Tower represents hard work, expectation, reward for one’s efforts, and the passing of power from parent to child. Those of the Tower Arcana tend to either have extremely successful parents/outer family, or have accomplished something of great worth as a child. The feeling of success this gives moulds one’s Arcana into the Tower, and they show confidence, pride and love for what they have accomplished, and will often be all too happy to share the secrets of their success with others.
On the negative side the case is mostly the same. However, the Tower bearer has become arrogant and conceited. They will be condescending and think less of their peers, whether in the open or in private, and will often strive to continue their success even after the flame has died. As such, this negative representation of the Tower Arcana burns out early and often.
However, the Tower’s namesake is often presented as lightning struck and ablaze for a reason. Positive or negative, if the source of one’s pride is undermined, proved false, or otherwise demeaned or made worthless, the Tower Arcana bearer will fall into depression and often vice.
Power users of the Tower Arcana prevail in physical oriented abilities, but can also become proficient in electricity based abilities to a lesser degree.
17-The Star
The Star represents trust in others, love, self-confidence, faith and altruism. Those of the Star Arcana tend to be incredibly connected with their close friends, and trust and grow to believe in someone very quickly, although this is not always the case. The common factor remains their deep belief in those they come to trust and their reliance on them. Often within a circle of friends, they tend to be the binding tie due to their compassion and deep trust and confidence.
On the negative side, The Star is conceited and delusional, believing themselves to be incredibly important and often showing arrogant natures and little actual connections to those they claim to be friends. They lack the manipulative nature of a reversed Temperance bearer, but retain the callous nature and avoidance of real intimacy.
The Star tends to show either true or false confidence and charisma regardless of their true feelings. They are similar to the Magician, but ultimately are more quiet in their confidence and mannerisms, and tend to be less driven by emotion as a result.
Power users of the Star Arcana specialise in ice based skills, but show a lesser proficiency in electricity based skills.
18-The Moon
Composure, creativity, loyalty, observance and trickery are the most prominent traits of the Moon Arcana. Bearers of this Arcana tend to be tricksters by nature. They may form friendships, but they will never admit this. Their own emotion is often their greatest source of weakness, and they often show their affection through little actions rather than words. They are subject to pranks, jokes, dark humor and daydreaming. They have a lot of creativity and the ability to place it efficiently.
On the negative side, those of the Moon Arcana show a cold demeanour, and it is often genuine. Their trickery and pranks become much more dangerous, and they are often proven to be remarkably obsessive about specific things, which they will cling to often and without release, showing dangerous attraction and violent protectiveness of this object or person beyond the constraints of logic and reason.
Power users of the Moon Arcana specialise in water based abilities, but are also proficient in the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears and paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
19-The Sun
The Sun Arcana is represented by strong emotion, energy, creativity, life, and compassion. Those of the Sun Arcana tend to be the life of the party, and will often act as emotional crutches, muses, inspirational people and good friends to those they are close to. Similar to the Star Arcana, they form attachments quickly. But rather than being the ties that bind a group, they break the ice, unify a group to begin with, then comfortably settle in. A predisposition towards hyperactivity, being easy to excite and quick to emotion in general are constants of the Sun Arcana.
On the negative side are those who would once again use their falsely sunny demeanour to manipulate those around them towards their own ends. They can commit the most brutal, violent acts with a smile on their face, never allowing their cheery façade to crack. Another facet of this Arcana is the “false sun.” The sun that shines, showing all of the traits of the positive Sun Arcana, while feeling broken, empty and hollow inside.
Power users of the Sun Arcana tend to specialise in fire based abilities, but are also experienced in light abilities to a lesser degree.
20-Judgment
LOCKED
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For years, we have looked to tarot as a way of predicting our future. Some would scoff upon it, thinking it as a useless method of trying to predict the ever changing future. Others have thought otherwise, and consistently used tarot to predict their fate.
Of course, fate cares not for who believes in it and who doesn’t. Destiny. Time. Fate. The future. It delivers us all to the same end. There is no avoiding it. No denying it. There is only the effort to fight to change it every day.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Of course, fate cares not for who believes in it and who doesn’t. Destiny. Time. Fate. The future. It delivers us all to the same end. There is no avoiding it. No denying it. There is only the effort to fight to change it every day.
Ten years ago, one person was chosen by a voice. This voice instructed that person, told them secrets. Told them of powers man was not meant to hold, and gave that person building blocks. The ability, the knowledge, and the assumed right to give people that power.
As their knowledge grew, as their failures gave way to success, the voice became stronger and stronger. Gave the person continued advice, gave them arcane secrets. Forbidden knowledge born of forbidden fruit. And as the fruit was devoured, the seeds of madness were planted in this person’s soul. Their mind was shattered from within and the voice became the dominant figure. Innocents gained powers they should not have gained, and they too were damaged by their experiences.
And as such things become, the situation expanded. The one who had been gifted with this forbidden knowledge began to slip; their madness growing. Indeed, their gift of knowledge grew out of control, and as they lost their way, so too did their charges, who they had unwillingly given inhuman abilities.
Two months before our story begins, an explosion rocked the tower this person’s experiments had slowly been approaching fruition within. Almost all of this person’s charges were killed instantly, and two people alone were able to escape their hell.
However, more important than this was the flux of power released into the air, the earth, and the sea. Most resisted this power’s influence; most continued with their daily lives.
But not all.
For a few innocents, life was about to change forever, and for them, the slowly spreading darkness was about to become a lot more meaningful.
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Arcana
Each power user has a different Arcana correlating with their personality and view of the world. A power will always fit within that boundary, which often restricts it to its area of expertise and its power in battle. The Arcana are represented by the major Arcana of the tarot cards.
0-The Fool
The Fool represents chaos, creativity, inexperience, and potential. Those of the Fool Arcana regularly have yet to find their place in the world, and so their power is weaker and they themselves are without purpose in life, or are moving from path to path of their own free will. However, on the other hand, someone of the Fool arcana can be selfish and careless in their pursuit of identity, directly leading themselves and others into danger, blind to the consequences. The Fool is represented by wanderers, the unemployed, travellers, delinquents, and clowns.
A power user of the Fool arcana typically does not excel or fail in any element. As a result, the power’s potential is significantly less than others should it remain in the Fool arcana. However, the Fool’s potential is also infinite, allowing it to evolve into a new Arcana at some stage. However, after evolving, it must remain in that arcana. Because of its potential and its jack of all trades status, I won’t be accepting many Fools, and those who apply need to have detailed bios.
1-The Magician
The Magician typically represents confidence and power. Those of the Magician Arcana are typically confident, outspoken individuals on the surface, whether that is their true personality or not is irrelevant, as their outward personality displays this trait. They typically have the desire to succeed and rise above their station, and will usually devote a lot of time towards harnessing their power and sway, which is already considerable.
Those of the Magician Arcana also tend to be powerful speakers, able to sway people to their way of thinking with words alone. However, they typically avoid excessive danger, and are easily made afraid by dangerous situations, which can hinder the power they have over others.
On the negative side, a person of the Magician Arcana can be power hungry and arrogant, willing to push others aside for their own advancement.
The positive side of the Magician is represented by advisors, soldiers, and leaders, while the negative side of the Magician is represented by bullies, corrupt politicians, and tricksters.
Power users of the Magician Arcana typically excel in fire based abilities, however they may also tap into a lesser mastery of other elements, excluding physical abilities, which they are incredibly weak at.
2-The Priestess
The Priestess represents serenity, knowledge and satisfaction. Those of the Priestess Arcana are serene, mature individuals, often though not always female. They usually place knowledge in high regard, though for what reason tends to vary from person to person.
Court magicians in fantasy stories would greatly represent people of the Priestess Arcana. They tap into knowledge, and then freely impart much of that knowledge onto others. They tend to find contentment with their station, and only occasionally impart their words of wisdom onto others. However, when they do, the masses would do well to listen to them.
On the negative side, a person of the Priestess Arcana can be manipulative and cunning, using their knowledge to turn people against one another or to hold power they should not. In a less extreme spectrum, those of the Priestess Arcana can be consumed by the very knowledge they seek, and be forced into vice in an attempt to maintain or enhance that knowledge.
The positive side of the Priestess is represented by advisors, researchers, and vice presidents, while the negative side of the Priestess is represented by corrupt religious figures, hermits, and substance abusers.
Power users of the Priestess Arcana are typically proficient in healing and supportive abilities, but can also tap into a single offensive element for protection. However, they are unable to use physical skills efficiently.
3-The Empress
The Empress represents maturity, a regal composure, and emotional control. Those of the Empress Arcana are usually emotionally distant, quietly confident individuals, usually though not always female. They usually prefer to separate the emotional aspect of the events around them and deal with them in a composed manner.
Mothers and queens represent the Empress perfectly. They are usually emotionally controlled, though sensual individuals, full of creativity and quiet love for the world around them. They represent a maternal nature, yet this by no means makes them soft. Mothers are also fiercely protective of their children and anyone else they deem necessary of their protection, and will defend their young to the death; likely the death of their opponents.
On the negative side, one of the Empress Arcana can also be cold and distant, capable of using their maternal influence to manipulate those around them towards their own ends as they wait in the side-lines, unhindered by emotion or guilt. On another spectrum, they can become hooked upon the excesses an Empress comes to receive, and damage their minds and change themselves through this addiction. People of the Empress Arcana come to know power in many forms, and can abuse it towards that same end.
The positive side of the Empress Arcana is represented by mothers, queens, and businesspeople. The negative side of the Empress is represented by abusive mothers, tyrants, and usurpers.
Power users of the Empress Arcana are typically proficient in ice skills, yet are also capable of tapping into healing skills to a less proficient degree.
4-The Emperor
While the Empress represents quiet maternal power, the Emperor represents more forthright power, and the fierce paternal protection of a father or king. People of the Emperor Arcana tend to be more emotional and reckless than the Empress, and are usually though not always male.
Kings and army commanders represent the Emperor perfectly. They are fiercely protective, violently devoted, and excessively grandiose in the name of their morals and all they deem their sons and daughters. Emperors are capable of changing from incredible calm to intense fury in the blink of an eye, and to fool with an Emperor’s charges is to awaken a sleeping dragon, which will leave incredible destruction in its wake. This makes them more predictable than their Empress counterparts, but they pose a much more overt threat when their rage comes to the surface.
On a negative side, an Emperor’s balance of emotion is fragile, and can easily be tipped over and imbalanced on a permanent scale. Emperors tend to be unstable, and desire control of the world around them to some degree. The inherent desire to conquer and rule is in an Emperor’s blood, and some succumb to that trait and discard all semblances of paternal love a positive Emperor usually embodies.
The positive side of the Emperor is represented by high ranking soldiers, presidents, fathers and kings. The negative side is represented by bullies, tyrants, corrupt politicians, invaders, and warmongers.
Power users of the Emperor Arcana are typically proficient in electricity based skills, yet are also capable of tapping into physical skills to a less proficient degree.
5-The Hierophant
The Hierophant represents knowledge and power, as well as authority, adherence to rules, and relationship with the divine. It is kin with the Priestess. However, while the Priestess only occasionally shares her wisdom with others and is content to continue acquiring the knowledge at her leisure, the Hierophant becomes resolved to impart every new piece of information onto others.
Those of the Hierophant Arcana are natural teachers. They often live lives of knowledge impartment and hunting for more knowledge. However, they often also seek to rise above their station and learn of what exists beyond their mortality, unlike the Priestess, who tends to be satisfied with what knowledge she comes across, and does not pursue a specific path most of the time.
On the negative side, the Hierophant can be just as manipulative as the Priestess. However, not content with pulling the strings from the background, they will actively commune with those they manipulate on a regular basis, and make their motives very much clear to the observer. They are not as capable of subtle manipulation as the Priestess, but their danger is much more overt and clear, as they can become reckless in their pursuit of knowledge significantly quicker than the Priestess.
The positive side of the Hierophant is represented by researchers, scientists and teachers. The negative side of the Hierophant is represented by corrupt religious figures, plagiarists, and thieves.
Power users of the Hierophant Arcana are typically proficient in physical skills, but as they make choices in what to do with the knowledge they obtain, they will branch off into the elements of light or darkness to a less proficient degree.
6-The Lovers
The Lovers Arcana represents love, intimacy, sensual contact and desire. People of the Lovers Arcana are spirited, outgoing individuals on the surface, tending towards thrill seeking, meaningful lives and deep, exhilarating relationships. Staleness and repetition are a sure-fire way to lose the favour of a person of the Lovers Arcana, and their favour is valuable and bound to incite adventure in the one who holds it.
Lovers are typically “adrenaline junkies”, participating in parachute jumping, car racing, BASE jumping, speedboat racing, parasailing and other such activities to get their fix. They crave constant adventure and sexual satisfaction, and can upturn their life to get this. However, this does not mean they are without morals. Lovers simply hold a looser view of them than most, but they know the difference between right and wrong. Most of the time.
On the negative side, those of the Lovers Arcana can be easily driven to vice in search of their thrill, and can easily be swayed onto the wrong path while weak because it will give them a purpose, albeit temporary. Lovers often thrive on being a part of the minority, and that alone carries dangerous possibilities.
The positive side of the Lovers Arcana is represented by athletes, adrenaline junkies and intimate lovers, while the negative side is represented by polygamists, substance abusers and terrorists.
Power users of the Lovers Arcana tend to be proficient in illusion control and the affliction of poison, paralysis, fear, and charming effects. They gain a lesser proficiency in healing abilities.
7-The Chariot
The Chariot represents heroics, confidence, self-assertion, victory and war. Where the Emperor is a general, the Chariot is part of the rank and file. An unsung hero in the eyes of the many, but a true champion of the people in the eyes of the few. Their actions, both small and large, serve to aid and further an individual or group.
A lower rank soldier such as a Private is a perfect representative of the Chariot Arcana. Those possessing this Arcana are rigorous in their enforcement of law, morality, or simply just the right thing to do in a relatively unimportant situation. The opinions of the masses matter little to the Chariot. It is unswayable in its ideals and will act as a champion of these same ideals to the bitter end.
However, on the negative side, a Chariot will become ruthless, willing to harm others to make its ideals a reality. Zealots and those brainwashed as young children tend to have their Arcana shaped into this negative representation of the Chariot Arcana. Childhood abuse and improper teachings are a cornerstone of this reversed Arcana.
The positive side of this Arcana is represented by soldiers, pugilists and generally people unaffected by peer pressure. The negative side is represented by zealots, radicals, and corrupt military.
Power users of the Chariot Arcana are generally proficient at physical skills. They are poor at magic, but may grasp an amateur concept of ice or lightning abilities.
8-Justice
Justice represents order, law, punishment, imprisonment and execution. Someone of the Justice Arcana has honed their moral beliefs down to a point, or so they believe at the very least. While the Chariot and the Emperor are in the battlefield, tackling the problems one step at a time, Justice takes the problem to its core while it is weakened, isolating and eliminating it from the world by any means necessary.
A judge represents the sway the Justice Arcana has over the others. Balance of power and the might to enforce this balance is the cornerstone of a Justice Arcana possessor, and driven by confidence and absolute faith in their own morals, they mete out justice in any way they see fit. Of course, lesser variants of this exist. Vigilantes and young, unlicensed detectives help the police in their own way. Justice is a many tiered thing.
However, a darker side of justice exists, as with all things. For those of the Justice Arcana possess absolute confidence in their morality, and morality is a remarkably broad term. One thing is for certain though. Those of the Justice Arcana always believe what they are doing is right. It would take nothing short of a miracle to turn them away from the path they have chosen for themselves. Those who interfere with them are an enemy that must be removed; however they see fit. Many admire their steely resolve, and if one crosses their radar, Justice is to be feared.
Police, detectives and judges represent Justice’s positive side, while its negative side is represented by radicals, terrorists, and rogue enforcers of the law.
Power users of the Justice Arcana start with a moderately powerful grasp on both light and darkness based abilities. As they make decisions on which brand of Justice they wish to mete out, their respective powers will grow in strength. However, as command over the darkness grows, light dwindles, and as mastery of the light swells, darkness weakens. Those who remain balanced despite the immense sway of morality rocking their bodies and souls will never stagnate, but will never grow either. Each individual Justice Arcana user has their own choice to make, and their power shifts depending on their choices.
9-The Hermit
The Hermit represents solitude, introspection, wisdom and searching for purpose or wisdom through solitude. Life and its deeper meanings are unlocked through introspection in solitude. They are similar to the Fool, but they have settled into their quiet period of self-reflection, whereas the Fool’s method of discovering themselves is through a snap decision and the help of others.
The Hermit may seem cool and distant towards other people, and will never impart their knowledge as freely as the Hierophant, and even less than the Priestess. Only when they have totally verified their own knowledge will they share it with others. However, their heightened morality means that they will often not stand idly by while someone is hurt. Particularly strong hermits, on the other hand, might be colder than the norm.
On the negative side, The Hermit can be cynical, bitter, and especially distant. Weariness with the world and social disassociation are cornerstones of this reversed Arcana. They will often do anything to be alone, and are neither trustworthy nor compassionate. Abusive childhoods, bullying, and rape often mold people into this negative representation of The Hermit, defined only by their desire to be distanced from the world.
The positive side of this Arcana is represented by scholars, philosophers and lecturers. The negative side is represented by shut ins, assault, rape and bullying victims, and antisocial people in general.
Power Users of the Hermit Arcana tend to be proficient in abilities that inflict poison, paralysis, fear, charming effects and the like, and are proficient in darkness based abilities to a lesser extent.
10-Fortune
The Fortune Arcana is represented by chance, opportunity, luck and triumph. Hard work and reward for this is the goal of a typical Fortune Arcana possessor. On a looser scale, Fortune is a sister Arcana to the Lovers, seeking thrills and fun, but also seeking potential monetary gain from this. Light hearted and often more than a little materialistic, this aspect of the Fortune Arcana knows how to have both a good time and how to make money off it.
However, on the negative aspect of the Fortune Arcana are gamblers, completely materialistic individuals, and illegal debt collectors and money loaners who would happily place others in dangerous and unfavourable situations for their own gain.
The positive side of the Fortune Arcana is represented by businessmen, gamblers and people who take their chances with life. The negative aspect is represented by addicts, debt collectors, and loan sharks.
Power users of the Fortune Arcana favour the element of air, but can become proficient to a lesser degree in physical skills.
11-Strength
Strength represents brute force, but also something more, such as self-control, gentleness, courage and creative and physical energy. One of the Strength Arcana desires to be recognized, given the reward they deserve for hard work. A cornerstone of the Strength Arcana is its boundless energy and will to rise higher than their station.
On the negative side, however, is the brute, a thug who never received the love they wanted or the recognition they needed. Stagnant and sealed in the same position, they often turn to violence, vice, and other such negative aspects of life to maintain their desire for a purpose, desperately hoping to be recognized in some form or other. To a lesser extent, those who smile despite breaking inside and those who suppress their emotions are also possible outcomes of a reversed Strength Arcana. This often comes as a result of familial pressure to take up a certain occupation or way of life.
The positive side of the Strength Arcana is represented by athletes, celebrities and idols. The negative side is represented by negative versions of the above, as well as thugs, drug addicts, and crime lords.
Power users of the Strength Arcana typically prevail in physical oriented abilities, as well as the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears, paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
12-The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man represents self sacrifice, struggle, and the breaking of old, addictive habits for the sake of knowledge and advancement. The procurement of knowledge and success through struggle is the major personality trait of the Hanged Man, and their lack of need for personal comfort while doing this sets them apart from the Fortune Arcana.
Self-sacrifice for one’s friends is also a large part of what the Hanged Man is. Taking the fall for a friend’s failure, or putting yourself in danger to protect them can often make the Hanged Man seem reckless in comparison to “safer” Arcanas. However, they are usually wise beyond their years, and often just view themselves as a piece in an intricate game.
In reverse, the Hanged Man represents recklessness, stubbornness, frivolity, and violence to obtain what they see as necessary to obtain. While the upright Arcana will sacrifice itself, the reversed Arcana will sacrifice others. Ironically, a reversed Hanged Man is standing upright. They refuse to surrender what must be surrendered, and pain and suffering on a personal level is often a large fear of theirs.
Positive representations of the Hanged Man include champions of the weak, martyrs, and saints. Negative representations include executions, extremists and zealots.
Power users of the Hanged Man Arcana specialise in defensive abilities, forming force fields, walls, and capture devices. They are also proficient in light based abilities to a lesser degree.
13-Death
Death represents renewal, the death of an old self, reincarnation, and the arise of the new. Those who branch off from the lessons and people of their youth often develop a strong connection with the Death Arcana and all that comes with it.
The methods of one who tries to attain independence naturally vary from person to person, but the desire to escape from an old life is constant, and the desire to reform oneself as an independent, recognizable individual is also common. At its core, Death represents individualism, singularity and peace with oneself.
On the negative side, however, are those who would take the Death aspect a little more literally. These people are typically similar to the Hermit’s negative incarnation in that they have grown cynical and bitter with the world. However, unlike the Hermit, they will take more decisive action to erase what they perceive as the world’s greatest flaws, often through violent means.
Due to the natural constants of renewal and individuality, many Fools will become carriers of the Death Arcana, for better or worse.
Power users of the Death Arcana typically specialise in the manipulation of darkness, and are also proficient in the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears and paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
14-Temperance
Temperance represents prudence, synthesis and the joining of opposites. People of the Temperance Arcana tend to be refined, understanding individuals with a penchant for having a soothing effect on those around them due to their demeanour, whether this aura is true or fabricated. They are consistently capable of helping someone on a personal level, whereas most other knowledge imparting Arcana tend to be much more impersonal with their knowledge.
On the negative side is the false one. One who tempers to benefit itself and its own ends. These people are often manipulative, able to make those that consider them a friend dance to their own tune. Their cruel fabrications and penchant for seeming wise through their thoughtless brutality can make their words eternally believable uncontested.
Positive representations of the Temperance Arcana include therapists and psychologists. Negative stereotypes include manipulative friends and corrupt versions of the above.
Power users of the Temperance Arcana specialise in light elemental skills, and also branch into physical skills to a lesser degree.
15-Devil
The Devil represents pleasure, commitment, love, desire and fulfilment. Those of the Devil Arcana seek satisfaction and happiness. They desire love, spiritual completion and financial assurance, and will work hard towards these ends. They enjoy mindless leisure and of course, will occasionally dip into the vices of alcohol or drugs to relax themselves; as much as is safe, of course.
On the negative side, however, there is one who has succumbed to their temptation and surrendered to their darkest desires. Violence, excess, brutality, and overemotional nature are a cornerstone of this reversed Arcana.
Those of the Devil Arcana walk a fine line between positive and negative. An over the top reaction, a poor decision, a reaffirming of oneself, a change in one’s perspectives. These can change the Devil Arcana’s position in a person and allow them either true happiness or an immediate fall from grace.
Power users of the Devil Arcana specialise in fire based skills, but may also possess proficiency in dark elemental skills to a lesser degree.
16-The Tower
The Tower represents hard work, expectation, reward for one’s efforts, and the passing of power from parent to child. Those of the Tower Arcana tend to either have extremely successful parents/outer family, or have accomplished something of great worth as a child. The feeling of success this gives moulds one’s Arcana into the Tower, and they show confidence, pride and love for what they have accomplished, and will often be all too happy to share the secrets of their success with others.
On the negative side the case is mostly the same. However, the Tower bearer has become arrogant and conceited. They will be condescending and think less of their peers, whether in the open or in private, and will often strive to continue their success even after the flame has died. As such, this negative representation of the Tower Arcana burns out early and often.
However, the Tower’s namesake is often presented as lightning struck and ablaze for a reason. Positive or negative, if the source of one’s pride is undermined, proved false, or otherwise demeaned or made worthless, the Tower Arcana bearer will fall into depression and often vice.
Power users of the Tower Arcana prevail in physical oriented abilities, but can also become proficient in electricity based abilities to a lesser degree.
17-The Star
The Star represents trust in others, love, self-confidence, faith and altruism. Those of the Star Arcana tend to be incredibly connected with their close friends, and trust and grow to believe in someone very quickly, although this is not always the case. The common factor remains their deep belief in those they come to trust and their reliance on them. Often within a circle of friends, they tend to be the binding tie due to their compassion and deep trust and confidence.
On the negative side, The Star is conceited and delusional, believing themselves to be incredibly important and often showing arrogant natures and little actual connections to those they claim to be friends. They lack the manipulative nature of a reversed Temperance bearer, but retain the callous nature and avoidance of real intimacy.
The Star tends to show either true or false confidence and charisma regardless of their true feelings. They are similar to the Magician, but ultimately are more quiet in their confidence and mannerisms, and tend to be less driven by emotion as a result.
Power users of the Star Arcana specialise in ice based skills, but show a lesser proficiency in electricity based skills.
18-The Moon
Composure, creativity, loyalty, observance and trickery are the most prominent traits of the Moon Arcana. Bearers of this Arcana tend to be tricksters by nature. They may form friendships, but they will never admit this. Their own emotion is often their greatest source of weakness, and they often show their affection through little actions rather than words. They are subject to pranks, jokes, dark humor and daydreaming. They have a lot of creativity and the ability to place it efficiently.
On the negative side, those of the Moon Arcana show a cold demeanour, and it is often genuine. Their trickery and pranks become much more dangerous, and they are often proven to be remarkably obsessive about specific things, which they will cling to often and without release, showing dangerous attraction and violent protectiveness of this object or person beyond the constraints of logic and reason.
Power users of the Moon Arcana specialise in water based abilities, but are also proficient in the affliction of poison, charming effects, fears and paralysis etc to a lesser degree.
19-The Sun
The Sun Arcana is represented by strong emotion, energy, creativity, life, and compassion. Those of the Sun Arcana tend to be the life of the party, and will often act as emotional crutches, muses, inspirational people and good friends to those they are close to. Similar to the Star Arcana, they form attachments quickly. But rather than being the ties that bind a group, they break the ice, unify a group to begin with, then comfortably settle in. A predisposition towards hyperactivity, being easy to excite and quick to emotion in general are constants of the Sun Arcana.
On the negative side are those who would once again use their falsely sunny demeanour to manipulate those around them towards their own ends. They can commit the most brutal, violent acts with a smile on their face, never allowing their cheery façade to crack. Another facet of this Arcana is the “false sun.” The sun that shines, showing all of the traits of the positive Sun Arcana, while feeling broken, empty and hollow inside.
Power users of the Sun Arcana tend to specialise in fire based abilities, but are also experienced in light abilities to a lesser degree.
20-Judgment
LOCKED
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Template
Name
Age
Gender
Place of Birth
Appearance
Personality
Strength
Speed
Vitality
Reflexes
Stamina/Endurance
Fighting Style
Arcana
Primary Element: Leave blank if Fool
Secondary Element: Leave blank if Fool
History
______________________________________________
Rules
No godmodding, metagaming or powerplaying. This should be obvious
No insulting of other members of the RP. Talk to me if you have a problem with another RPer. If I’m around and it absolutely cannot wait, talk to Jesse (Insanity Wolf)
___________________________________________
Necessary Roles
Main villain (make a basic bio and I’ll PM you what you need to know)
An escapee from the main villain (I’ll be controlling the other one)
Name
Age
Gender
Place of Birth
Appearance
Personality
Strength
Speed
Vitality
Reflexes
Stamina/Endurance
Fighting Style
Arcana
Primary Element: Leave blank if Fool
Secondary Element: Leave blank if Fool
History
______________________________________________
Rules
No godmodding, metagaming or powerplaying. This should be obvious
No insulting of other members of the RP. Talk to me if you have a problem with another RPer. If I’m around and it absolutely cannot wait, talk to Jesse (Insanity Wolf)
___________________________________________
Necessary Roles
Main villain (make a basic bio and I’ll PM you what you need to know)
An escapee from the main villain (I’ll be controlling the other one)
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