A mysterious and unsettling artifact. In the possession of Raidion Thornbear, the deck was the only thing found with him when he awoke on the shores of Wish.
Kept in a worn leather pouch, the cards bear a shimmering gold pattern, and are marked with ominous imagery; black water, mountains, and twisted vines, the very same symbols carved into the hidden chambers of Mount Atria. No matter how far Raidion tries to cast them away, the cards always return. They whisper to him in the night, and when he touches them, they burn his skin. Yet despite this torment, their purpose remains a mystery.
Legends speak of souls once bound in service then could never move on, instead their spirits were trapped. These souls, bound within the cards, exist in a restless state, clinging to fragments of their former power.
The deck’s influence is unpredictable. In moments of crisis, when fate wavers between triumph and disaster, the cards can be called upon to reveal themselves. Some say they offer guidance, lending strength to those in need. Others claim they exist to manipulate, replacing destiny with chaos.
Whether they are a curse, a warning, or something far more dangerous remains to be seen.
Contributors[]
The Deck of Many Friends is a collection of 22 cards, each representing the soul of a former adventurer. A unique collaboration of actors, games industry talent, and Kickstarter supporters.
Contributors designed original characters, each with distinct mechanics that reflect the spirit of the adventurer they represent. These souls are brought to life with artwork by Matt Owen, ensuring every card has its own unique story.
Each card’s contributor, it's artwork, and unique mechanic remain a mystery until the card is drawn in-game.
Mechanics[]
The Deck of Many Friends offers players a unique way to alter fate in moments of desperation or misfortune. When faced with a crucial roll, be it their own failure or an opponent’s unexpected success, players can choose to draw from the deck in an attempt to change the outcome.
How It Works:
Players may call upon the Deck of Many Friends at any appropriate moment, whether in or out of combat.
If a player rolls poorly or if an NPC rolls particularly well, the player can decide to draw a random card from the deck.
Each card is marked with a number, and this number will replace the original roll — for better or worse.
The card's number becomes the new result of the roll, regardless of whether it's higher or lower than the original roll.
The deck can be a powerful tool, but with its unpredictable nature, drawing a card is always a risk, one that can turn the tide of battle or lead to even greater misfortune.
Drawn Cards[]
The following cards have been drawn from The Deck of Many Friends. May contain spoilers.
Artwork
Character Name
Creators Name
Episode drawn
Description
Mechanic
Ravenna Snax
Erika Mori
Episode 13
A purple-skinned Tiefling with a crossbow and an affinity for crows.
Hostile creatures within a given area must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, they take damage from her swarm of ravens.
Erastus Gracey
Andy Farrant
Episode 17
A gaunt, skeletal human clad in a tattered overcoat, shivering from a cold only he can feel. He carries two daggers and harbours a grim fascination with all things dead and dying.
TBC
Jacksey Flaxseed The Tabaxi Taxi
Robbie Daymond
Episode 17
An irrepressible tabaxi. A real bundle of energy!
Upon a successful roll, he can offer an instant escape or an additional bonus to a players next roll.
Sabanzu Mar
Abubakar Salim
Episode 22
This mysterious blue-skinned creature defies recognition, with no one able to identify their origin. They are enigmatic and otherworldly.
"I lead you not into the fire because it will burn you, but because it is warm". - Sabanzu Mar
On a failed Wisdom saving throw, a randomly selected target will follow Sabanzu wherever he goes.
Rebulast Markov
Rebecca Ford
Episode 22
The largest humanoid anyone has ever seen, Rebulast is a towering figure with a single eye, a bald head, and skin adorned with intricate tattoos and patterns.
She proudly claims the title of Hero of The Shadowfell.
Targets within a certain radius will suffer weapon degradation, potentially destroying non-magical weapons.
Niven
Johnny Chiodini
Episode 27
A humanoid form, patched with hair and burdened by heavy eyes. Layers of asymmetric fabric, torn, mended, and torn again, drape over a muscular frame.
Targets can instantly gain all the benefits of a long rest without needing to rest.
Mudlark
Luke Westaway
Episode 29
A kobold with rusty orange scales and a grimy, dark green jacket that looks like it’s never seen a wash. Part street urchin, part rogue, part back-alley salesman.
The inside of his filthy coat is lined with pockets, each one hiding something dubious: potions, daggers, trinkets, and whatever else he can store.
Upon a roll, the favoured creature gains an item from a random magic items table.
The Card With No Name
Rahul Kohli
Episode 32
A soul trapped within the Deck of Many Friends, a soul with no name. They arrive in a swirl of smoke and dust: dark skin, poncho, Stetson hat, a cigar in the corner of their mouth, and a crossbow slung casually in one hand. It’s as if they’re just passing through.
On a successful roll, this card grants either haste to nearby party members or allows members to roll their next saving throw with advantage.
Vortex
Austin Wintory
Episode 32
A mysterious humanoid whose form seems to shift beneath layers of heavy, embroidered cloth. Genderless in appearance, they glide silently, their arms hidden beneath the thick folds of fabric, as if they have none at all.
Casts Mass Healing Word on all creatures friendly to them.
Prince Belemnor Bellompa Makkonen (Prince Bell)
Sam Lake
Episode 38
[As written by Sam Lake]
Bel is thin to the point of being skeletal, all sharp angles and jerky moves, like a marionette or a scarecrow. He has soulful eyes with a hint of hurt to suggest a past tragedy, just the right amount to make you want to sympathize with him. And a brash grin that makes you think that the thing in the eyes is a trick to con you. He wears a worn and faded nobleman’s outfit.
Depending on who you ask, Bel is many contradicting things. A prince whose kingdom was robbed from him. A traitor and liar of the worst kind. A hero. A coward. Often these contradicting testimonies are spread by Bel himself, the songs he performs and poems he recites. Always about himself. His performances accompanied by the deep, vibrating sound of his shaman drum.
Prince Bell gifted his drum, a purple instrument adorned with a bird’s skull on the front, to a member of the party (a bard). Its true power is revealed upon the roll of 1d6.
The drum functions as a bardic spellcasting focus. On a 6, it grants the holder a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and increases the spell save DC of bard spells by +1. In addition, twice per day, the drum can be used to grant a +2 bonus instead.
Grizha
Jane Douglas
Episode 38
A rust-coloured kobold who fights with two blades and insists they have eyes everywhere. Tenacious, sharp, and just a little unnerving. They’re a kobold from a different world and time.
When drawn, this card reveals the armour class, damage resistances, immunities, and remaining hit points of every creature within 30 feet of the player who drew the card.
