#fortune-teller

[joannaliangart]

Question time (2023) risograph fortune-teller, digital illustration

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first project for the democratic multiples class I took in the summer, between my 2nd n 3rd year! I loved this class so much; lil stressful because we were making so many projects in a condensed course load but augh I LOVED it...

this was our lil first intro assignment, and I think?? my first time using the risograph printer at school!!

I really like the idea I had for a fortune-teller as an 'about me' thing its so fun hehe

[dailycharacteroption]

Fortune-Teller (Bard Archetype)

(art by SandraBelrose on DeviantArt)

I do love Paizo and how they have handled a lot of things, they haven’t always been perfect, of course, but they’ve always been improving in different ways.

Sometimes, however, you see a subject and even when it’s handled as best they can, you definitely can feel when it’s a delicate subject.

Such was the case a few times throughout the Villain Codex book, and with this archetype in particular.

Fortune-telling has been a part of civilization for a very long time, both as a way to try and make sense of the universe, and, unfortunately, as a way to grift people who seek such understanding.

Regardless whether you believe in any form of prognostication yourself, you probably ought to learn the folklore and use of such tools yourself rather than paying anyone else to.

In any case, it’s not actually the association with cons that is the delicate part of fortune telling, but rather it’s association with classist (anti-carnie) and racist (anti-roma) sensibilities, and the fact that this archetype is associated with the villainous carnival chapter doesn’t help.

Does that mean that you can’t have evil or morally bankrupt carnivals in your games? No, but you probably should try to avoid pitfalls commonly associated with it. But that’s a subject for another time.

Interestingly, the fortune-teller archetype themselves has no abilities associated with grifting, and actually does have some power of future-sight, which isn’t surprising, given the power of divination in a fantasy setting.

As we will soon see, they can be quite potent in the game.

Starting off, these bards add an array of various divination spells to the arsenal of what they might potentially learn. These range from reading auras to providing guidance to glimpsing the future and past, and piercing the veil of illusion.

These fortune-tellers naturally use speech for their performances, and can consult a divinatory tool such as cards, a crystal ball, or something similar to potentially enhance the effects as they proclaim boons for their allies or doom for their foes. However, there is an element of real divination to these prognostication, meaning that allies might be bolstered more or less depending on the result, while foes might find it harder or easier to resist their harmful performances as a result.

They can also use their divinatory focus to empower their divination spells as well, making them a bit more potent, perhaps lasting longer or providing clearer answers.

More powerful individuals are able to lay the fates of their foes bare for all to see, making it easier for others to avoid their blows. What’s more, when near the end of their rope, such foes also see their demise coming, which might strike fear into their hearts, as well as potentially reveal the nature of their doom to them.

Divination utility and powerful, but somewhat volatile buffs and debuffs are the name of the game with this archetype. I’d personally recommend a buffing and healing support build with this archetype, providing consistent buffs from spellcasting to make up for the inconsistency of the performance buffs. That being said, there’s still other ways to build with them instead, should it appeal to you.

Now, you might have noticed that this archetype doesn’t actually have anything to do with grifting in it’s abilities. So, in theory, you could take this archetype and be an actual fortune-teller or soothsayer. Whether you do one or the other or somewhere in between, however, I hope you’ll avoid some of the nastier tropes and pitfalls associated with such a profession.

What started out as a thinly-veiled extortion racket has evolved into something stranger when Chief Ikbin, leader of the White Reef grindylows, demonstrated actual prophetic ability. Now, instead of trying to bilk sailors for their money in “preventing” disaster while travelling through the shortcut in the reef, she now charges much more for genuine prophecy on the success of a ship’s ventures. There is still the protection fee to prevent raids and guide them through the reef itself, but….

Right in the middle of a normal session, the fortune-teller Masha seizes up, babbling something about “rolling destruction”. Her client and onlookers don’t know what to make of the episode, but it was a true prophecy, for a deadly weapon, a juggernaut dedicated to the Prince of Ruin, will soon be set loose upon her home city.

Every day that the carnival is in town, Xamba tells petty fortunes to most patrons, reminding them where lost objects are, giving half-hearted projections about wealth and love. He was once a prophet to a king, and twice prophesized the rise of great figures. However, the second of those two brought his home to ruin. He knows in his heart that the third will avenge it, however.

[emperornorton47]

[hedgewitching]

Mt friends are faithful.

[canciqer]

next up is revenge era

[vorpalfae]

˖⁺‧₊˚☽◯☾˚₊‧⁺˖

[slliphylla]

"Fortune Teller Amy"

I loved her card glide in Sonic Frontiers and I love her using it in sonic forces speed battle with this beautiful outfit 💖✨ I already had preordered Amy's Tarot Cards and the other day I saw the last TailsTube (It was Adorable!) and I ended starting this out of hype and inspiration right before the event ended. I like that I'm improving with my speed 😁

[wizardtributedauntlessmaximoff]

[nelkcats]

The Medium and his assistant

Amity Park was a roller coaster, but after eliminating the GIW, talking to the Fentons, and getting some sort of alliance with the ghosts, Danny felt like he didn't have much else to do. He took Ellie's advice to travel a bit, but tried to make it a little more exciting.

Although the money he had been given could last forever (and longer with Vlad's card in his pocket), he wanted to earn his own money. So he made his trip a fun job, turning part of his vehicle into a trailer. Thus was born his career as a medium and fortune teller, traveling around the world, listening to the dead, advising people, etc.

Technically, thanks to Clockwork Danny could see the future, but he doesn't need it, or at least not always. And talking to the dead was practically his day-to-day, so he thought he had chosen well.

During one of his trips, when he passed through Gotham he found a zombie (which turned out to be a halfa!), the poor thing was lost, and wandering, so he helped him and did the most sensible thing possible: he offered him a job. Jason, who hadn't been back for a long time and his memories were scrambled, decided that he needed a vacation anyway, for his own sanity (not seeing the Joker's face was a bonus) and accepted the offer. Of course, he covered his face in case someone recognized him as the son of a millionaire, Danny approved.

Both traveled around the world, offering their services and bothering a certain Constantine who complained every time they had the same client (Danny replied that it really wasn't his fault, but the British man was still upset). A year later they returned to Gotham.

The Batfam assumed that Danny's business was a scam. But Bruce was desperate, he wanted to talk with Jason, to hear about him, even if it was a scam, so he visited them. When Danny asked who he wanted to contact, Bruce replied "Jason Todd."

Danny, who knew full well the identity of his employee, raised an eyebrow and glanced surreptitiously at his assistant, who was avoiding his gaze. He sighed before continuing his 'work', glancing at Jay from time to time.

A few days later, Dick Grayson showed up with the same request, and Danny made sure to kick Jason as soon as he left.

[reibudraws]

Fortune Teller

[beillus]

She read him his astrology. He gave her gynecology.

Talk to me on Twitter <3 Support me on Patreon ^^ Buy me a Ko-Fi :3c

[qu0rky]

hey so i just played the new story quest for the sumeru event and??? it was insane, i’m going insane…

Haikaveh caring for Mehrak… KAVEH PROGRAMMED MEHRAK TO SPECIFICALLY RECOGNIZE ALHAITHAM’S VOICE?! WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS IT’S LITERALLY LIFE CHANGING INFORMATION THEY’RE IN LOVE YOUR HONOR (Neuvi).

Hoyo try making a single Haikaveh scene where they don’t act like a married couple challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)

What if… we get to see them again for the final quest where the festival will presumably take place… And Cynari… and Candehya… Sabzeruz festival? More like Pride Parade.

[chipper-smol]

WOOO THEY'RE DONE

i underestimated how long this would take, but honestly i'm glad i did it, cause it was indulgent and the results are satisfying as hell

if you wanna play with their sprites I'm gonna put a link to the google drive they're in along with the original file so you can make your own Loop expressions!

[gulava]

The in-between of black and white, silver is a refined and distinguished color, better known as a noble metal. Its use in jewelry, sculptures, and for monetary value has it associated with wealth and nobility. This color represents balance, grace, the passage of time, renewal, purity, honesty, redemption, and strength. In western cultures, its purity is considered dangerous to evil. There's also the concept of a "silver lining," which suggests that even in difficult or challenging situations, there is always hope for a better outcome.

[atomic-chronoscaph]

Ad illustration by Andrew Loomis (1930s)

[canciqer]

Gerard is a mechanical fortune-teller

Actually, I'm thinking of doing that with every era.