Deck of Many Things - would you draw?

[EKKM]

In the thread about PnP magic items we would like to see in DDO, I half jokingly added the Deck of Many Things. For those that don't know the DoMT is credited with destroying many campaigns by either killing off the entire party or overpowering some of them to riduculous levels. Essentially, everytime you draw a card a random powerful effect happens as described in the following link:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/artifacts.htm#deckofManyThings

Looking at the list of possible effects would you draw from the deck if it was implemented in DDO?

In one of the earlier editions I think the imprisonment card meant you were trapped in another plane with little to no chance of rescue (edit Thanks Freeman - the card is actually the void): . If in DDO this meant a chance at having your character suspended for a period of time (say a week) would that change your mind?

Just for fun.

My vote would be yes.

[rest]

Absolutely!!!

[Korvek]

Sure, I'd draw.

[Freeman]

In one of the earlier editions I think the imprisonment card meant you were trapped in another plane with little to no chance of rescue. If in DDO this meant a chance at having your character suspended for a period of time (say a week) would that change your mind?

I think that's the one they call "The Void" in this edition, and yes, I believe that's the card I drew on my bard. Still, given a chance, even in DDO, I'd do it again. How about having that be an option on your 20th reward list, a chance to draw from the Deck? Obviously, you couldn't gain a level, but being able to lose one would be an exciting possibility. I doubt they would go through the trouble to code it, but it is fun to contemplate, at least.

The Void

This black card spells instant disaster. The character’s body continues to function, as though comatose, but her psyche is trapped in a prison somewhere—in an object on a far plane or planet, possibly in the possession of an outsider. A wish or a miracle does not bring the character back, instead merely revealing the plane of entrapment. Draw no more cards.

[cdbd3rd]

Unresoundingly, YES!


Dragon magazine had a similar deck based on Tarot. Used that before in a campaign as it wasn't so overpowered.

[Bekki]

I would!http://home.att.net/~cdbd3rd/evilgrin.gif

And I have!http://home.att.net/~cdbd3rd/eek.gif

[Jixxel]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull

[cdbd3rd]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull



As you said, "my mule"....

Gone. :p

[Freeman]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull

Ooh, but what about all those nice BOUND items I'm sure you have occupying several slots. That would definitely make things a little more risky. I don't know if I'd look forward to re-running some of the raids that many times.

[Crarites]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull

Whats happens then when you pull Rogue Five of swords Jack of spades One of your friends turns against you.
That mule will have alot of resources and now he's your enemy. heh

[Litz]

I wouldn't go first but if the odds were in my favor I would.

[EKKM]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull

Hmmm, tricksy. I guess the downside in DDO would be that you could plan for it. I think it would have to only appear in quests that required siginificant equipment to complete so that type of shenanigans could be avoided partially.

Also feel free to share any PnP Deck stories. It has been a while since I played, and even longer since we were crazy enough to use the Deck so I can't recall exactly how it appeared. I do remember, out four characters, that two were either killed or rendered useless by the Deck and the other two only profited slightly. I recall one had to fight death, and lost.

[gfunk]

ummmm .. no.. not enough upside, maybe on an alt I was considering deleting, or on a newly rolled character.

the good:
-Immediately gain a +2 inherent bonus to one ability score (just a tome in disguise... meh)
-you are granted 1d4 wishes.. (maybe...WOP rapier, WOP rapier, WOP rapier, WOP rapier, )
-Gain the service of a 4th-level fighter. (only good if he is a halfling fighter I could call mini-me and smack around)
-Gain a +6 bonus on Diplomacy checks plus a small keep (having my own residence in stormreach would rock...for a day... then i would be bored)


The bad that outbalances it all:

-Immediately lose all wealth and real property (lol...naked, penniless lvl 16 ranger seeks employment)
-Defeat dread wraith or be forever destroyed. (seems unfair you dont get to respawn as a wraith)
-All magic items you possess disappear permanently. (nooooo my titan belt..noooo)
--1 penalty on all saving throws henceforth. (with ever more beholders in the game, this wouldn't be good)
-Lose Intelligence (permanent drain). You may draw again. (duuhhh.. ok)

[kill_charlie]

without question i would. If i lost a lev. so what ill get it back if i get suspended for a a bit no biggie. i think it would bring a new level of game play. A decision that actualy affects the charictor. Ive been playing D&D since first addition. and the one thing DDO lacks is cosenquences. People actualy had to plan and do more than "hack and slash" there was planning and team work. i would even be open to you can only be reserected so many times. or your body had to be carried to a priest to be reserected. somthing that causes just a bit more planing and team work. And what ever happened to playing your alighnment? why shouldnt a evil thief be able to loot the body of a fallen "comrad". The ability for certain charictors to speak and understand languages. How fun would that be?

[Bogenbroom]

Love the Deck, but there are other random effect items I would rather see first. Wand of Wonder comes to mind, and the prismatic spells. jmho

[Shagn]

We have something similar. It's called the Potion of Wonder.

[Poe76]

Always pull from the deck, in p&p our groups pulled every chance we got, and you are right, it did have consequences, still do it.
Love the deck and would pull in DDO for sure. How would the gain stronghold card work though? Is the Horn of Valhalla in DDO?
Was always one of my favorites. I think DDO could use a little more randomness and consequence as well, would be fun.

People please remember the fun!

[cdbd3rd]

The Deck never stood a candle's chance against the ultimate creation of random chaos - The Machine of Lum the Mad. :D

Only once did I ever see one where the DM had actually formulated out a huge array of effects for the buttons, knobs, levers, keys, etc. I don't remember much about what happened except that I survived it.:cool: We had had the sense to run from the 'vastly superior' forces that were heading our way to retake the place we'd discovered it at.
The DM told us that later - like many levels later - when/if we thought we could retake the place, we might get another shot at it.
Alas, the campaign fell apart before we got to that part. Was hard to keep a static group rolling in the military.

[EKKM]

Love the Deck, but there are other random effect items I would rather see first. Wand of Wonder comes to mind, and the prismatic spells. jmho

That would be great too. Wasn't one of the options dropping a piano or anvil on the target? That and the shooting butterflys option - Doctorwhofan would want that option I'm sure!

[MageLL]

Rules altered for DDO in red
Deck of Many Things Plaque Tarot Card Playing Card Summary of Effect

Balance XI. Justice Two of spades: Change alignment instantly.
(new coding for ddo, but something I think we all would like)
Comet Two of swords Two of diamonds: Defeat the next monster you meet to gain one level.
(Finger of Death clicky LvL 20 (1 use) + gain next bubble xp)
Donjon Four of swords Ace of spades You are imprisoned.
(Flesh to Stoned)
Euryale Ten of swords Queen: of spades -1 penalty on all saving throws henceforth.
(-1 Saving Throws 24 hours debuff no cure)
The Fates Three of cups Ace of hearts: Avoid any situation you choose . . . once.
(Teleport Clicky 1 use)
Flames XV. The Devil Queen of clubs: Enmity between you and an outsider.
(-2 Saves vs (random race) for 24 hours debuff no cure)
Fool 0. The Fool Joker (with trademark): Lose 10,000 experience points and you must draw again.
(-10k xp ala the old death penality)
Gem Seven of cups Two of hearts: Gain your choice of twenty-five pieces of jewelry or fifty gems.
(End quest reward window pops up giving you a choice of jewelry (1))
Idiot Two of pentacles Two of clubs: Lose Intelligence (permanent drain). You may draw again.
(-1 random stat Debuff for 24 hours no cure)
Jester XII. The Hanged Man Joker (without trademark): Gain 10,000 XP or two more draws from the deck.
(+10k xp)
Key V. The Hierophant Queen of hearts: Gain a major magic weapon.
(end reward window pops up with a choice of 20 different weapons)
Knight Page of swords Jack of hearts: Gain the service of a 4th-level fighter.
(summon pet clicky 1/1 per rest)
Moon XVIII. The Moon Queen of diamonds: You are granted 1d4 wishes.
(1d4 cake of wishing added to inventory)
Rogue Five of swords Jack of spades: One of your friends turns against you.
(party member spells and attacks can damage you for 24 hours debuff no cure)
Ruin XVI. The Tower King of spades: Immediately lose all wealth and real property.
(you lose 10k plat and take 5% permenant damage on 1 random item if you don't have 10kplat you go negative money)
Skull XIII. Death Jack of clubs: Defeat dread wraith or be forever destroyed.
(teleported to an arena to fight a wraith lose = 1 bubble worth of negative xp)
Star XVII. The Star Jack of diamonds: Immediately gain a +2 inherent bonus to one ability score.
(end reward with all +2 tomes)
Sun XIX. The Sun King of diamonds: Gain beneficial medium wondrous item and 50,000 XP.
(end reward window +50k xp)
Talons Queen of pentacles Ace of clubs: All magic items you possess disappear permanently.
(random item takes 10% permenant damage)
Throne Four of staves King of hearts: Gain a +6 bonus on Diplomacy checks plus a small keep.
(+6 diplo perma and re-usuable teleport to portable hole clicky 1/1 per rest)
Vizier IX. The Hermit Ace of diamonds: Know the answer to your next dilemma.
(token that lets you forgo question and answer part of black abbot pre-raid)
The Void Eight of swords King of clubs: Body functions, but soul is trapped elsewhere.
(insta death)

[cdbd3rd]

Every once in a while I would bring in a Wand of Random Spells for my players.
Pretty much basically as it sounds. Used it in 1st ed, so there were four spell lists to roll on, then a roll for the spell level, then finally a roll for the spell that triggers with a button push. One charge expended per level of spell fired off (DM option on what version of spell if it were say reversible or something, but generally was directed to the benefit of the party rather than against it.

...unless they have the misfortune of rolling a delayed blast fireball in that medium sized cavern. :p

With limited charges, would usually only get 1 or 2 major spells out of it before it crumbled. That way it didn't really unbalance anything, and the players enjoyed the randomness of it.

.

[JakLee7]

MageLL - that is AWESOME.
Not only does it seem balanced for the game, but it actually looks like fun.
That could be an end boss for a quest! I would totally love to run a quest where this was the final boss - the randomness would just rock.

[Poe76]

Good job! Way to figure it out, gotta have a chance to draw from that.

[Venar]

I dont agree.
He basically just took out all bad effect by making them temporary. You cant even lose an item.
That deck would be too strong.

[Seanus]

I didn't read the deck you refer to, but I definately remember it from PnP. I'd draw all cards, and use the avoid any situation card to keep my soul. XD That is, of course, if I pulled it first...

[MageLL]

I dont agree.
He basically just took out all bad effect by making them temporary. You cant even lose an item.
That deck would be too strong.


As well as toning down the rewards.
You should never gain a full level as a bonus (IMO) however a bubble is more likely.
25 magic rings is un-resonable toned down to 1.
Only -1 Int would be un-fair to characters who uses it as a primary stat, thus changed to random.
Taking permenant damage is very dramatic especially if your wop rapier or a similarly hard to obtain item is hit. If it gets to the point of being 50% broke it won't take long before it is only useable for a short time before needing repaired.
Additionally lots of items are 1 use only. Those that re-charge aren't all that great anyway.

Of course people using the deck will likely try to hide or bypass some of the negatives. Like un-equipping certain items or hiding them in the bank. The appereance of the deck would have to somewhat random and prevent a person from un-equipping anything before it appeared.

Lastely permenant penalities isn't going to go over very well. Having a 24 hour debuff will suck but you can play through it. Getting 2 of them in a row would really suck. The deck should be fun, rewarding and possibly hurtfull.

If there was even a slight chance of your character being permenatly deleted, rare items being lost, characters being permenately gimped then it would be a virtual waste of development time.

Those are just my thoughts on a hypothetical idea that probably will never happen, feel free to add your own ideas.

[EKKM]

MageLL - thanks for making the great list. I do agree however that the negatives in the list are not strong enough. The idea of the deck is that the positive cards have an equally negative card. Therefore, IMO, if there is a card that causes you to gain a magic weapon, there should be a card that causes you to permanently lose an item - ie 100% perm damage. Otherwise there is no incentive to not draw from the deck.

Likewise, I think that the possible loot you could include a small random selection raid loot from all the raids so it would be possible to run this quest (likely a major raid), risk the Deck, and possibly pull any raid loot in the game. Also, having in a major raid type quest would mean that people leaving major items behind to avoid being lost to the deck would be without them for that raid.

Death isnt such a deterrent in DDO as it is very temporary. I think for the death effect of the deck to mean anything the deck would have to be in an area like Von 6 or the last part of the shroud and boot you from the instance if you died so you could not get the end xp or raid loot.

[arcticwolf666]

Does a bear ....

uh, heck ya!

[Uska]

If all the things of the deck were available yes and I mean good and bad if you drew the void well I would say you would have to pretty much forget that character a week isnt good enough I mean you knew the risks to take the goood with the bad.

[William_the_Bat]

I used one in a campaign I ran once. Great fun. One of my players insisted that she could tell a red face card from a black face card even if it was upside down. She drew 3 red cards in a row before I made her stop. Another character drew the "enmity with a devil" card and that propelled the next several adventures. Someone did draw the instant death card, but another player used a wish to fix that.

Years later, I wanted to have some fun with another group, and they had to fight off some bandits who had the dreaded "Deck of Maybe Things". The bandits displayed some odd qualities, and it wasn't until the party tried out the deck that they discovered just how weird it was. I'd picked out some fun but not overpowering cards from MTG for the players to pick from. Giant strength, flight, weakness, etc. My favorite one, though, was "Pacifism". The person who drew the card becomes a pacifist and unwilling to fight for any reason for 24 hours. The player who picked that one roleplayed it beautifully, suggesting to instigate a vicious leaflet campaign against the evil cleric who was menacing them at the time.

[transtemporal]

Definitely! In fact, I already did (look at my location)!

There was a cool version deck in the encyclopedia magica that had something like a thousand different cards. That was awesome. :D

[Uska]

I didn't read the deck you refer to, but I definately remember it from PnP. I'd draw all cards, and use the avoid any situation card to keep my soul. XD That is, of course, if I pulled it first...

Your gm shouldnt have let you draw all cards you were only supose to be allowed to draw from 1-4 so that would stop your idea.

[arcticwolf666]

What they should also implement is the deck and robe of useless items.

Summon puppies for guard dogs, a wand that shoots confetti etc. Would be a fun trick to play lmao. Of course they would have to labeled as summon monster, wand of fireball or some such. That would be the funniest thing evah! lol

[bigpapataz]

We could add a few like like

REBORN:
1% chance of your toon being stripped and made lvl 1

[Grimdiegn]

I have in pnp no reason not to in DDO!

[Rog]

can we say Polymorph other. you are turned into a cat,dog ect. for 24 hours no saves.

[Arianrhod]

All my Chaotic characters would draw. The lawful ones, probably not. Of course, I give all my Potions of Wonder to my chaotic characters too ;)

[Bekki]

I would, but before I did I would send all my stuff and gld to my mule. Just in case I might pull the Ruin card ( which is the card where you lose all material wealth). but after the prep I would definatly pull

Ummmm beings as how you have to OWN it...:confused:
Would not the MULE...
count as being MATERIAL WEALTH!? :eek:

YIKES! :eek:

[Bekki]

I would!http://home.att.net/~cdbd3rd/evilgrin.gif

And I have!http://home.att.net/~cdbd3rd/eek.gif

To explain...

I had a Character once who for Fun
would sit down with another Players Character and we would play

"Deck of Many Things" Roulette! :eek:

We each pull until someone pulls a Bad card...:eek:

Made for an interesting Time killer...:D:D:D