This is what I love about Aubedore, and why I'm reluctant to codify meanings of cards. There are absolutely some readings that simply don't work, but it's pretty amazing how many of them either do, or like in this case, sorta kinda do.

I was reminded the other day about how much I like Aubedore because I was watching something that included a tarot reading. The tarot reading included eight cards, and "by chance" they were all the major Arcana, and I've found that that happens a lot when people "write" tarot readings; they are drawn to the major Arcana. Aubedore is, essentially, an entire tarot deck of ONLY major Arcana, and I think that allows for a pretty wide variety of readings without a deep understanding required by traditional tarot.

I had fun pulling a pair of pieces out of essentially a random set of cards.

Meanwhile, I keep meaning to print a deck and try your game.

My spouse has looked into tarot readings, and once explained to me some of the symbolism behind the various suits and ranks. Describing the Dreamer as "the entry-rank card in the Academy" gives hints of that, leaving me to wonder how much more can be gleaned from Aubedore's structure.

Did you make those? They're amazing, and I love them. I need to look through them more carefully, but I want to say how hilarious and wonderful it is to me that Gwendlyn Di Corci represents The Lovers. I can't get over how much that amuses me.


The Realms were definitely conceived as having an increased importance (to a point), sort of like climbing the ranks, moving from 13 (entry-rank) to 1 (top rank). I'm glad that there's enough in the cards to provide some depth to people's imaginings.

I take no credit for the artwork, of course, not even for the symbols in the text area, but yes, I assembled the page. And yes, finding a Magic card that explicit was jaw-dropping.

One of the unexpected difficulties was finding a Huntress that didn't look like an archer or an elf; otherwise, Caller of the Hunt might have been my first choice. I was also surprised how versatile basic Plains could have been, had I chosen to use it outside of the Field: It has decent representations of Oasis, Pond, Path, Tempest, Wall, and perhaps more. It even made me wish there was a Bridge in the set.

Meanwhile, my spouse was happy to see the lower ranks of the Duties in particular, showing the darker side of life that we often choose to ignore.

Gwendlyn Di Corci has long been a personal favorite of mine. I can't quite explain why. Maybe because, as you say, it's very different from most of what Magic does, both visually and flavorfully. But she's always stuck out to me.


I think you did an amazing job with these. So many of them are just perfect fits. I also love that you did pretty much exactly what I would have asked an artist to do if I commissioned one to do this set, and that is to style most of the cards as female with a few key exceptions, like The Priest.

This also makes me really appreciate the art direction at Wizards of the Coast, that there are enough diverse representations of females on the card to be able to do that for most of these cards. Cartel Aristocrat makes a wonderful Baroness, as Court Street Denizen makes a great Soldier. I think one of my favorite choices here is Cloistered Youth for The Orphan. That's such heartbreaking artwork anyway, and it just fits so perfectly.


The Duties were, if memory serves, the most difficult of the Realms to assemble, although deciding what best fit into The Fixtures as opposed to an object or place of a different Realm was a challenge, too. Basically, The Duties were designed as "the people and the things they use," thus the inclusion of the Shield, The Arrow, and The Anvil. At the highest ranks, there are jobs of varying prestige, like the Seamstress, who presumably makes clothing for the Aristocracy, down to the soldiers, hunters, and archers. But I very much wanted some at the bottom that, as you said, it should be the "duty" of society to help, like those who are Lost, Suffering, and Orphaned, and even those who must resort to theft.

I'm glad the choice seems to have resonated!

Anyway, Brentain, thanks for doing this! It's always really cool to see something like this made out of my stuff. Very cool.

Brentain, these are so cool! I love the art choices!

So THAT'S why Vasilias ripped Ariva from Ikass...many, many years before Sharaka was born. Narrow escape, huh?


The fact that the M:EM does not already have Snow Horror Brushwagg Riggers is an oversight, and a shame I fear we shall have to live with for the remainder of our days...


To be fair, this is not a good situation for Alessa, and I'm glad to see her riding away from trouble on a magical unicorn.


I like to think that Orida wandered into a woodcrafts shop. They were burning some of the wood, and Orida, in panic and confusion, drew the Doom Clapper and accidentally hit several planes, sitting on a nearby table.


Lourima: "Fine. There. Just then. See how I didn't kill you? We're even."


I like the idea of a planeswalking Chimera, although I don't think Chardis is the one I'd match it up with.


Lady Nasina: "There must be a way. I refuse to believe that this is the end of his story!"

After "Across the Stars," Aria's story takes a very bizarre turn, apparently.


Most things do.


A Snow Atog Ninja, you say? Is that an Atog that gets a boost if you feed it Snow cards, or a Snow Creature - Atog Ninja?




Well, the first half doesn't make much sense, but the second half sure does!


Aloise: "Oh, this sounds like fun! Can I come?"
Gruff: Nods enthusiastically, then tries to hand Aloise a handful of grubs.
Aloise: "Thanks! But, uh, do you mind if I do the cooking?"


Syl: "I fear these matches are beginning to verge on the ridiculous, dear brother."
Chardis: "Yes, dear sister. Perhaps we should think of something to liven them up."
Syl: "Yes," she smirked, "I think perhaps we should."


I love that Fisco decides he needs a wide variety of spells and weapons just to look for a book in a library. I presume it is a mountain of books. Also interesting that the framing prompt called the location of the interior one. Probably an oversight on my part when I wrote the thing.


I'm not going to make the joke. I know you think I am, but I'm not...




Kimberley was grounded by Jinsen, Eyeless couldn't find her way, Lia Xin tried to tell Raiker that she couldn't make it, but couldn't get the words out, and Orida just didn't give a ****.


What would she do, just drape it over her shoulder like a sash?

Ellia and Ilyria were also at the same party. Either one of those will kill a party good (Intentionally or otherwise) but given their history inviting them both was tempting fate. I'm surprised it was "Pin the tail on the Baloth" that caused mayhem.

I would have thought Denner would be good at that game...

It was not adequately explained to him that he was looking for a drawing of a baloth, so he just went and found the nearest real one...

Nasperge: "You sleep a lot and like to be pampered, am I right?"
Cat: "Meow."


Wow, that's...strangely plausible. Aloise is looking for it out of scientific curiosity, and Lady Nasina wants to learn the story. Cara's relationship with the coin would be VERY interesting, I think.


Kahr: "...and then take a left at..."
~Ilyria arrives~
Ilyria: "Hey, guys."
Kahr: "Oh, curses."


Sounds like The Duchess's plan on Jakkard backfired.


How much did you drink at the Barrel and Ox tavern, young lady, that you lost a giant's trail?


Kahr, Bolas, and Vasilias? How many god-kings can we fit in one story?


To be fair, it's one of his best bets.


Why do we not have a Skeleton Nightmare Rhino Spellshaper in the M:EM? WHY?!?


The question of whether or not Lukas is fly is the least of your concerns, Beryl.

...Is it bad that I started thinking of a real cat's meow and then immediately doubled back with a super deep baritone voice saying 'meow'?


...Or did it?!
*dun dun duuuuuuuunn*


Less than the giant...

I dunno, how many does it take to change a gem of becoming?


They have a really solid union.

"Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about?"

"Meow."


I bet taverns hate happy hour when Giants are around.


Three god-kings 'walk into a bar...


Yeah, and they're always demanding benefits. Do they realize how expensive it is to provide full dental for a Nightmare Rhino?

Wow. If there's such a thing as a good time for Phyrexia to show up, this prompt was it.


Whoever she killed probably deserved it.


THAT'S what's going to give you power? Okay, but be careful where you point it...


Too much Goldschläger, probably.


Alar should totally team up with Sri Hara. He could be the wise old pachyderm that takes the brand new 'walker under his wing...or ear, I suppose.


Well, yippy Yi!


I would not expect that it would, no.


When Zhiran asks Gruff if he knows what happened on The Wheel, the goblin grabs the archmage's hand and leads him to a nearby bush, spreads the leaves out to reveal a bug nest, scoops some up, and starts eating them. Zhiran simply sighs.


Anyone else think that the Barrel and Dragon tavern sounds like a business ventured undertaken by Morgezka Shanak and Beryl Trevanei?

"She hung my friends. Also, she called my ship a boat."







"If I can offer a small, constructive note, that's not actually how Beryl spells her name," Aloise said.

"Very well," the dragon said. "I shall burn this tavern to the ground, and start over again."

"You know what?" Beryl said. "It's fine."

Time permitting...




This is NOT the sequel to The War of the Wheel that I had planned.


Antine: ~whimpers~ He said he just wanted to look at it...


Alessa with a trippy hallucination? You don't say...


It would be Vasilias who goes on a power trip from being "it."


I spent a few seconds trying to think of which guild they would both side with before I realized they would totally side with the Guildless. Also, I'd read this...


Funnily, one of the earliest short stories I ever remember writing (I was a freshman in high school) was about murderous unicorns. Granted, they were in the Amazon Rain Forest and killing hunters, but this prompt still seems strangely "full circle" to me.


By being a murderous unicorn.

~drops mic~

I imagine the Shifter would be interested too



Ha!


"Have you had a fight with your boyfriend, Larasa?"
"Shut up and do something bookish."


This does NOT sound good.


Orida: "I already met a Sharaka, though I can't remember much about her; she was an annoying piece of ****, but kinda alright for a **** giant lizard."
Daneera: "Can you tell me what's wrong with her, then? I said she reminded me of Morgezka and she attacked me!"
Orida: "...now that you mention it, she has tried to kill me too. Maybe it's her way to show affection, **** me if I know."


Can viashino whistle?


Sharaka: "It's ok, girl, breathe, I won't eat it until you return, though it looks bloody tasty. But what do you mean, 'that frog is a person'?"

@Anyone able to edit the generator: can you please add a couple of my characters? I wonder what they're up to.
Elphimas: they/them, hero
Kalit Mudroha: he/him, villain (weapon of choice: Kalit's Claw/venomous sword)
Ungar Landvik: he/him, villain

Also, I'm going to change the "official" name of my viashino to just Sharaka. Sharaka Tharnak sounds suspiciously similar to Morgezka Shanak

Well, she certainly has a type, I guess.


I think all three of these characters would get along well...eventually...


They can sort of hiss a little. Maybe Tryst would get the intention?


Done. I deleted Sharaka's second name in the generator to reflect this, as well.

EDIT: After some further testing, Elphimas's gender-neutral pronoun causes some syntax problems (most prompts that call the pronoun will say "they is.") To fix this, I simply changed Elphimas's "pronoun" to Elphimas.

I love that, of all that, it's getting a splinter which is somehow the last straw.



Me, too!

Tentative title: Gate Expectations



"Anyone can whistle," Tryst said, "once you pull out the right teeth..."