Runika

The Runika is a Daroka deck developed in eastern Yethera, based on the magical runes of the ancient Titanic civilisation. It is unusual among daroka decks in that the designs are made up of geometric patterns and clusters of runes, rather than designs representing figures or objects, and combines elements of Titanic rune divination with the conventional Tarokka roots of the cards. Despite its roots in Titanic runes, the deck is not derived directly from giant culture, and those giants who do play cards use a simplified version with pictograms instead of runes.

Imagery

The Runika features the known runes of the Titanic alphabet. The suits of the low deck feature simple, numbered cards - 1-9, with each card signified by the number of times its suit appears - sorted into suits equating to four of the prime runes of the Puthak - the low alphabet of TItanis - Aht (stone), Nis (fire), Tun (storm) and Vil (ice). Literacy in the Puthak being rare, and the runes being similar, some suits transpose the other primes into the pattern: 'hill' for stone and 'cloud' for storm. Each suit also has a more elaborate 'Master', blending the rune with a geometric design representing one of the letters of the Turak, or high alphabet.
The high deck uses another fourteen letters of the Turak. Like the low deck, the designs are geometric, rather than figural.

The cards

	The High Deck
I	Het (beginning)	Emergence; an unformed thing or concept; the start of a journey.
II	Vau (people)	Community; the creation of bonds; cooperative effort.
III	Nuk (earth)	Foundation; enduring things and ideas; primitive states.
IV	Tur (mountain)	Escalation; a bridge; as above, so below; aspiration.
V	Esh (sky)	Freedom; a superior state; clarity and vision.
VI	Kes (city)	Development; civilisation and society; an organisation.
VII	Jah (sea)	Vicissitudes; a calm before the storm; waiting.
VIII	Dan (wave)	Catastrophe; a reversal of fortune; sudden and irreversible change.
IX	Mot (right)	Destiny; a great work; the right course.
X	Maug (evil)	Disruption; perversion of nature; sickness or poison.
XI	Hem (blood)	Life; natural impulses; family and heredity; a blood relative.
XII	Rau (cattle)	Wealth; husbandry and agriculture; growth.
XIII	Sor (sun)	Day; revelation and truth; envy.
XIV	Dor (moon)	Night; mysteries and secrets; deception.

Aht (Stone)

The suit of Aht represents the sleeping mind, dreams and spirituality. It stands for internal resolutions, motivations, agency and beliefs. When the aht rune is replaced with ort (hill), readers acquainted with the giants often read the suit with a more negative inflection.

1	Avaht	Uncertainty; clouded paths and unforseen consequences; oone who is lost.
2	Yuaht	Resolution; decisions made, courses set, risks accepted; an explorer.
3	Zeaht	Conviction; guided by beliefs and principles; a crusader.
4	Uraht	DIrection; signs on the road ahead; a quester.
5	Niaht	Dream; aspirations and ambitions; a goal.
6	Ivaht	Vision; the pull of a calling; a mentor.
7	Jiaht	Experience; the lessons of life events; cause and consequence; an elder.
8	Laaht	Supplication; submission to a higher power; a priest.
9	Ehaht	Fanaticism; moral abdication in pursuit of a goal or duty; a zealot.
Master	Seh (chalice)	Subconscious; the inner voice; impulses of the mind behind the mind.

Tun (Storm)

The suit of Tun represents strength of mind and purpose; wisdom, will and nobility. It also stands for foresight, insight and prophecy. When replaced with Hou (cloud), its meanings are essentially unchanged.

1	Avtun	Honour; absolute mopral certainty; a leader.
2	Yutun	Dignity; moral and emotional composure; a counsellor.
3	Zetun	Patience; stoicism and calm; a sage.
4	Urtun	Foresight; prediction and prophecy; a seer.
5	Nitun	Hindsight; mistakes and consequences; the defeated.
6	Ivtun	Learning; growth and improvement; a rebel.
7	Jitun	Understanding; advancement and application; a magician.
8	Latun	Empathy; insight and solace; a healer.
9	Ehtun	Abuse; cruelty and judgement; an abuser.
Master	Huu (orb)	Will; the still and silent mind; inner force.

Vil (Ice)

Vil is the suit of clear thought and decisive action. It stands for the strength of reason and logic.

1	Avvil	Aggression; swift and intemperate action; a fighter.
2	Yuvil	Violence; physical or emotional harm; a killer.
3	Zevil	Resilience; stamina and resolve; a survivor.
4	Urvil	Manipulation; plitics and control; a schemer.
5	Nivil	Study; formal learning and received knowledge; a student.
6	Ivvil	Strategem; broad approaches and long views; a general.
7	Jivil	Deception; lies, subterfuge and misdirection; a thief.
8	Lavil	Hypothesis; new and bold ideas; a scientist.
9	Ehvil	Antithesis; falsification or skeptical views; an iconoclast.
Master	Ket (axe)	Logic; the clear, controlled mind; rigorous analytical methods.

Nis (Fire)

Nis is the suit of emotion and passion, of creation and creativity.

1	Avnis	Love; deep attachments and trust; a friend.
2	Yunis	Compassion; kindness and understanding; a philanthropist.
3	Zenis	Rage; blind anger and swift judgements; a judge.
4	Urnis	Fear; loss of power or control; a slave.
5	Ninis	Sorrow; loss of connections or loved ones; the bereaved.
6	Ivnis	Craft; skill and attention to detail; an artisan.
7	Jinis	Art; creativity and expression; an artist.
8	Lanis	Nurture; life, protection and healing; a parent.
9	Ehnis	Destruction; death and violent transformation; changes.
Master	Dar (brush)	Expression; strength of character and personality; clarity of heart and voice.

Item type

Miscellaneous