[RPG] How to a PC use the Tarokka Deck in Curse of Strahd

curse-of-strahddnd-5emagic-itemsprops

I'm playing this module, so please, please keep answers spoiler free!

I just obtained an official Curse of Strahd Tarokka Deck. My character just obtained one tarokka deck as well. My character has Augury prepared and of course wants to use the deck as spell-casting focus for that spell. But are there any other ways for the deck, both as a prop and as in-game item to be useful and add fun, dread and mystery to the game?

I'm not looking for your ideas. I'm looking for ways described in the module, or lore from previous editions and visits to Barovia. Anything published goes.

If there will be story parts when a deck owned by character will make a difference, please liberally use spoiler tags so I, and other readers, can decide if we want to see them. If there are skills that characters can pick up, describe them and only hide specific story surprises associated with them, or with learning them, please. As far as I understand deck is only available after Madam scene, so that's no spoiler.

Best Answer

There are no mechanical descriptions (for PCs) of the Tarokka deck in the current edition.

Looking at Curse of Strahd and Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft (and using D&D Beyond to search through other official sources), the deck doesn't appear as an Item with any associated actions, abilities or mechanics.

They appear in the stat block of a character in Curse of Strahd:

Tarokka Deck. [Character] keeps a deck of tarokka cards in [their] wagon. Although the cards aren’t magical, [Character] can use them to perform a card reading for the characters, like the one that can be performed by Madam Eva.

In Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, the advice is given to the DM, rather than a player:

Tarokka decks allow you run encounters where fortune-tellers predict characters’ fates. Once you’re familiar with the cards and their meanings, you can interpret them in ways that tie in to the characters’ pasts or events in your adventures. You can also use the results of tarokka readings to guide your campaign and make sure predictions come to pass.

Currently, officially in RAW, they are mundane cards and essentially a focus for the magic of the Vistani.

However,

in the details of the Tarokka Deck in Appendix E of Curse of Strahd, it states:

Anyone can craft a deck of tarokka cards, but only someone of Vistani blood can imbue the cards with the gift of prophecy. Once they are crafted and empowered, they must be stored in accordance with ancient tradition, or they lose their efficacy. When not in use, tarokka cards must be wrapped in silk and stored in a wooden box.

If your PC has obtained a deck in this state and they have been given this power, you will be able to use the gift of prophecy, if your character knows how to perform a tarokka reading. However, the rules for this are aimed at the DM, since it will likely drive the plot.

Related Topic