#Seriously tho anyone reading this PLAY THE ARCANA IT'S GREAT

[timetravelingshark]

So what exactly is this "The Arcana" you keep reblogging stuff for and what's it about? I am curious.

Okay, so I haven’t played it too much yet (I’m only like a fourth of the way through Julian’s route and that’s it, RIP) but the gist of it is that it’s a visual novel where you can romance six different characters. It’s set in a fantasy world, primarily in the city-state of Vesuvia, which is based off of Renaissance Venice with some definite Middle Eastern and Indian influences as well. Tarot is an overarching theme in the stories: the main character, each love interest, and all of the supporting characters have different cards from the Major Arcana that represent them and give insight into their character. The Major Arcana has some pretty interesting forces at play within the world and greatly influence the story. There’s a chance of getting a good, aka Upright, ending, and a bad, aka Reversed, ending. It all depends on the choices that you make while playing.

The main plot is that your character, who is a magician in training (in this world, magicians can actually use magic and are considered very valuable) who is summoned to the palace by the Countess Nadia. She tasks you with finding out who exactly is responsible for the murder of her husband, Count Lucio, who was burned alive in his bed on his birthday three years ago. (What a way to go, yeesh.) The lead suspect is a man by the name of Julian Devorak, who was the head doctor for the palace and treated many Vesuvians during a horrific outbreak of plague within the city a few years ago. He confessed to the murder before disappearing, but his guilt may not be so set in stone..... You’re assisted in the investigation by your somewhat flighty but extremely talented and mysterious Master, Asra, and Portia, one of Countess Nadia’s most trusted servants. A few other very interesting figures pop up along the way, each giving their side of the story of Lucio’s death.

Along the way you meet a cast of amazing characters, all of whom have really awesome designs and fun, unique personalities. I’ll describe the love interests below the cut because holy SHIT I ended up writing way more than I originally thought and also while I haven’t played many routes this is what I’ve picked up from browsing the tags.

First: Asra Al-Nazar

Your Master and one of your dearest friends. Very enigmatic and a man of few words, and is definitely one of the more subdued and laid-back love interests. He tends to disappear for bits of time to places unknown and has a deep understanding of magic and the magical realm itself. He’s got History™ with many of the major players in the story and knows more than he lets on. He’s very Somft™ to the Apprentice and cares about them greatly. Just generally a very sweet if mysterious guy. Lotta people really like him and for good reason.

Countess Nadia

The widow of Count Lucio and the ruler of Vesuvia. She’s very poised and generally keeps a cool demeanor about everything. She’s a very competent ruler and loves her people. Has, hands down, some of the absolute BEST outfits in the game. Like this girl ALWAYS looks good, and like a wealthy aunt, is always willing to make her loved ones look good, too. Very intelligent and crafty, and loves horseback riding and music. Doesn’t care much about the class of a person, and rather their talent and character. However, like all people, she does have flaws. She holds grudges for a very long time and holds them with a white knuckle grip. She’s also extremely reserved and finds difficulty in trusting people, expressing herself, or making herself vulnerable. Like Asra, is very Somft™ with the Apprentice and is very easy to simp for. 

Julian Devorak

The man I’m currently simping for. And yes, you can smooch the accused murderer! He’s a very tall goth doctor who cares way too much and has a massive guilt complex that he hides under a mask of drama and suaveness. Very much a protector type and would do absolutely anything for the people he loves. This man tries not to worry the people around him but at the same time probably survives off of like an hour of sleep and caffeine and he really looks it. He likes being very smooth and cool but if you throw him off his game this boy gets FLUSTEREDDDDD it’s great and hilarious. Kind of has Flynn Rider vibes. Love him to bits. (Can you tell that he’s the only character whose route I’ve played so far???) He wants to find out who killed Lucio, and why. (Minor spoiler: he doesn’t know if he did it or not and would rather like to find out) Feels as though he’s failed everyone he loves and can swing between joy and melancholy very quickly. He’s also ridiculously self-sacrificing. Despite all this, very loveable.

Portia

Nadia’s most trusted servant and also my homegirl. Very sweet, bubbly, and snarky, but is also a total ride or die. Very loyal to Nadia, but will side with the Apprentice over her on certain issues. She knows pretty much everything that goes on in the castle and all the secret nooks and crannies. She lives in a little cottage in the middle of the palace gardens alongside her kitty, Pepi, where she has a huge garden full of fruits and vegetables and flowers. She’s definitely a cottagecore type girl. Also pretty adventurous and willing to go do crazy shit if need be. She’s rather secretive, though. Her personality is quite a bit like my own, which is probably why I don’t really have her on my to-romance list, but I’ll still do her route to satisfy the little completionist gremlin that is my brain.

Muriel

Count Lucio. Or at least, his ghost.

Ah, the BEEG BOI. At a whopping 6′10, he’s the tallest and most muscular of all of the love interests, so if you’re into that Muriel is absolutely your man. He’s very stoic and grumpy, and almost always has a furrowed brow, even when he’s happy. Very much a hermit and likes to keep away from civilization and society. Underneath it all, he’s very gentle towards the ones he loves and especially loves animals and nature, especially dogs and his beloved chickens. Seriously, this boy loves his chickens. When he smiles it’s absolutely adorable. Kind of afraid of his own strength but has no qualms about using it if necessary. Don’t piss him off, he’s scary when he’s angry. Like Nadia, holds a grudge for a long time and is again, very antisocial.

And lastly (and most surprisingly),

Ah, this trainwreck. He’s such an asshole, but such a loveable asshole. Full of himself and with a flair for the gaudy and dramatic, he’s one hell of a piece of work but with the Apprentice’s help becomes an actually good person. Despite his vanity, cruelty, and pettiness, when he decides he likes you, you’re one of his people and he’ll love you wholly and move the heavens and earth for you. Still kind of holds a flame for Nadia despite everything, which is actually really sweet, fight me. He’s kind of got a hero complex and runs headfirst into things without thinking and desperately needs someone to hold him back by the collar at all times because while not pure of heart, this man IS dumb of ass. His facial expressions and dramatics are absolutely hysterical and he’d rather die than admit it but he’s such an ugly crier and it’s hilarious and also very endearing. He’s also kind of in denial about being actually dead, and instead refers to his state as a ghost as being an “Oopsie” and that he’s “Just stuck >:(” He actually doesn’t know who killed him, but is determined to find out. Underneath his pomp and circumstance he’s actually pretty vulnerable and super lonely and could probably do with some hugs and actual human connection. As I said, he does become a good man, or at least a better man, but it takes work on both his end and yours. A pretty divisive route among fans. I’ve personally played the first two chapters of it and honestly I really love him. At the same time, I’m pretty sure if I met someone like him IRL I’d try to strangle him, so there’s that. He’d probably be into that though, the kinky bastard.

So yeah! There’s the main characters and a bit of the plot. Sorry for such an essay but I really wanted to explain all this since you were curious (^^;) I’d definitely recommend playing it, I've had a lot of fun! 

(Also, tip: the scenes that you can buy with coins are just little add ons and treats for the player- the game is very explicitly NOT pay to win and what matters when it comes to getting a good or bad ending is what non-paid dialogue options you choose while interacting with them.)

[trans1ents]

Can I have a tarot reading? (This is such a cool idea btw) but my favorite character is easily Nadia right now, and I’m not even focusing on her route. I really admire her as a powerful woman (even though she doesn’t remember.. like how she got there) and you know she’s a pretty strong gal even though she’s still soft on the inside and like woW there is so much love in my heart for her? and I guess just a three card reading if thats okay!

Thank u!!! I love writing but I don’t always have the energy for it, and I’m like sub-par at drawing, so I just figured I’d do some readings because hey, you know?? We’re all here to be tarot dorks in this game??? why not irl??

Honest to god tho I feel you, I can’t choose a fave between the main the three... If you bring Muriel into the mix, I’m Head Over Heels for that man, but we only know like two things about him because he’s only said like twenty words lmao so I’m just here crying over my friend and boy

Nadia could honestly throw me through a window and I’d say thanks like... I know she’d never, but she’s good. Honest to god when I first started playing, I was seriously intimidated by her and her authority, but playing her romance route has just. sweetened me up to her so much. she’s a sweetheart who’s made her own way despite life (and lucio, what a mcfuckin burden), and she just doesn’t plan on stopping for anyone or anything that’s in her way. what a WOMAN. im fuckign dying.

I got your reading for ya right here though!! Sorry bout the photos and their quality, I’m at my girlfriend’s house rn

I give out free tarot readings for fans of The Arcana! More Info here!

(Tips are very appreciated, however!)

First Card:Fire Kitten - Upright

Fun fact for all y’all who do readings with me, I default on my cat deck. Hope that doesn’t ruin anything for you because me and these cats?? We’re fucking family. I love my magic cat-os.

Anyway!!! Fire Kitten!

Fire is the element that embodies risk, emotion, and creativity. It’s very much an element in tarot that surrounds the heart, and doing what you wish to do-- expressing yourself to the world around you without worry, whatever the consequences may be.

Fire Kitten is a card that asks you to approach your current creative endeavors with an open mind. Embody the temperament of a curious child-- look at every from all angles, and don’t be afraid about what goes into creating. Create. Create vigorously, create vicariously. Don’t be afraid of what may scathe and burn you in the process, as often our best mode of learning is just to do. Go forward, push through, and see what you make. Anything is better than planning, and never following through.

Second Card:Eight of Fire - Upright

Fire is just your suit tonight! Which is good, because the suit of fire is one of my absolute favorites.

Most of the time, people tell us to think before we act on impulse. Now, I’m not saying you should splurge a million dollars on the next thing your heart wants (If I had a million money I’d just buy more coins and get those sweet, sweet Lover’s route books). However!If there’s an itch, a sudden voice in your head or your heart calling for something, heed it. The time for action is now. If you follow what your heart tells you to do, you’ll end up in a far better place than if you ignored it, and let the opportunity pass. 

Being the eighth card in a set of ten, however, the Eight of Fire also tells me that whatever project or problem your life is currently caught up in, is coming close to an end. Push through! Work whatever you’re currently working on with all the heart and creative mind you can muster. If you want to try taking a story in a new direction? Follow it. See where it goes. Use that child-like curiosity to propel you forward, and make whatever you’re making as great as it can be. This is a very creative period of time for you.

Third Card:Seven of Sea - Reversed

The Suit of Sea, like the Suit of Fire, is very emotionally connected-- however, even moreso than the last. The Suit of Sea often pertains to deep thinking, emotions, and problems/ideas regarding current relationships, past relationships, or relationships to come.

What the Seven of Sea is telling you, is that the illusions in your life that were one holding you back, are freeing themselves. Pertaining to this particular reading, perhaps it’s ideas about a current project that you may have wanted to try, but didn’t know how good they would be. Keep going through these ideas, plotting what would happen, what would come of it, if anything good, and push through with the good ideas in mind, leaving the faulty ideas behind you as you move forward. Don’t be afraid to snip bad and stagnant ideas or thoughts off of your creative/emotional rose bush, as it’ll leave more room for the good things to grow.

Again, follow your heart, and move forward knowing that the choices you make are the right ones.

This was a very good reading, and it incorporated a few of my favorite cards from this deck, so I’m feeling a lot of good energy from it! Thanks for coming by, and good luck with whatever your working on! If the cats have anything to say about it, everything will go all according to keikaku (keikaku means plan).