Games: Shokran - The Card Game of Three Houses and its Connection to the TAROT
It is played with 132 cards in total, a set of 66 for each player. Still, unlike the typical game with the numbered cards, it has three sets of the known [TAROT], which are [Active] and [Passive] and finally, the [Balance] cards. There are two ways to play [Shokran]; based on the idea of giving and taking. In the first game, [Su] is to ‘give’ away all of your cards through spreads, and in the second, [Se] is to ‘take’ out all of your opponent's cards. Typically to decide which to play, one flips a coin, and the one who guesses right gets to determine; however, the other player always starts.
The Three Houses also take after the Three Pillars of Kabbalah - with the Active/Ascendant Powers being the Pillar of Severity/Form, Boaz. The Passive/Succedent Powers are part of Jachin, the Pillar of Mercy/Matter-Energy. And finally, the non-blessed members of the Cadent House are among the Pillar of Balance/Awareness.
[Su Shokran] works in how one would typically use a [TAROT] spread; however, as a member [Arcana] has its uses, so does the card itself, and one must strategize with the hand they are dealt to make the best spread of cards they are given. The first to run out of cards loses, and it can be played in sets of 3 or 6, but the player is given a hand of double what is decided that round and one extra. The extra card is known as a [Trump], and the player can change what that card is; this allows them some form of choice in their hands and the ability to save the best card for the final round, which is typically the decider. The better spread wins and usually must correlate to the opposite hand, meaning a [Active] beats [Passive] and [Passive] beats [Neutral], and [Neutral] beats an [Active]. With this said, it works with the numbers of the Arcana, the lower-numbered one typically winning. If a card is of the same numbered Arcana, it works on a three-way basis. If the card is the same, house and all – It cancels each other out. The one who wins the hand gets to layout the next spread. The idea of the game is to make the best spread with the hand you are dealt and use the predetermined sets before your opponent can, and use your [Trump] when it's best needed.
[Se Shokran] is a little different, and it works in a similar fashion of laying out three random cards, with six in hand to decide on placing another three above them, so they are all face down before the player. The way one does this is more based on a balance of chance and strategy; by placing the three top cards down, one knows what they have; however, in this turn-based game, they must pick one of the random cards to put in the middle, where the defending player can select one of their chosen cards to defend. A win takes the card; a loss has the defender take your card, and a draw sets the two cards aside. This game works in the same manner as [Su Shokran]; in the aspects of the houses and all; however, this game aims to seize all of your opponent's cards, and the higher number wins.
It has been a decade since, and the overhaul of the [TAROT] has been one of the most significant known additions in recent history. Elly had thought of the New [TAROT] idea of a second and third part for the faction whilst she was playing with Gwenhael one day when he pointed out her strategy of defence was lacking, and her offence was too overbearing, but finding a balance between them is the best course of action. Initially, the idea Elly had based on her game was scrutinised; however, after much discussion between the [Saints] and Factions, it was decided to go with the model she had designed her game on. The name [Shokran] means “Thank You”, a term commonly used in Agrovia after sparring with someone, both loser and winner, who thank each other in good faith. Elly had invented the game of [Shokran] as a child when playing the typical game of cards with Veld. Since then, it has become prevalent throughout Agrovia.
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