Daroka

The Daroka is the most common deck of cards used across Aiaos, used both for games and for divinatory purposes. Five notable variants exist, all based on a standard format of four suits of ten cards each, and fourteen additional cards in the high suit. This organisation was inherited from the Tarokka introduced to Aiaos by Vistani travellers:

• The Darochi - One of the earliest decks, developed by the orcs of the Darklands in the time of liberation from the Dark Lords. As well as a game deck or divinatory tool, the Darochi symbolises taking control of one's own destiny, as an individual or as a people. It's imagery is rooted in light and shadow, and uses a great deal of celestial imagery.
• The Menzandi - A version of the deck devised by the drow, and later spreading to other elves, noted for its dark and fatalistic imagery. The Mahnzaran is a dwarvern deck, based almost precisely on the designs of the Menzandi, but used almost exclusively for gaming.
• The Book of Stygis - A deck developed in the Ophionic Empire and used for sacred meditation and divination, the Book of Stygis was brought north by refugees and developed away from its serpent-dominated imagery into the deck known as the Daroka of Agradine. Many gaming decks in the Sacred Republic are based on the Daroka of Agradine, although the Church of the Eightfold Way frowns on secular divinatory practices.
• The Runika - An unusual deck design, featuring non-figural runic designs based on the Titanic alphabet. Whilethe deck structure mirrors that of the Daroka, the influence of runic divination makes the esoteric use of this deck unique. As a game deck, it is used in much the same way as any other Daroka.
• The Elemental Daroka - Hailing from Caino, the Elemental Daroka was developed by the genasi and their kin and incorporates many aspects of elemental symmetry.

Item type

Toy