As one commentator noted in a reply to this post about using playing cards as an inspiration mechanic, this would also work with more image-based cards. Here's how I would do it with a deck of tarot cards.
The system below gives a mechanical incentive for players to roleplay scenes that reveal more about their characters:
During a period of downtime, a player may nominate themselves to roleplay a tale-telling scene.
That player draws a single card from a standard tarot deck. The card drawn determines the content of the tale, as per the tables below.
The player will then tell a story based on that theme in the voice of their character to the other characters present. The story should reveal something about the character’s backstory or give the other players a greater sense of that character’s past.
After a player completes a tale-telling scene, their character gains inspiration.
Examples
- A player draws the Six of Wands and tells a tale about their character running into their estranged father in a busy market.
- A player draws the Hanged Man and tells a tale of how their character was forced to surrender to the opposing side when they were employed as a mercenary soldier.
- A player draws the Star and tells a tale about the example set by their character’s mentor—whose sacrifice for a great cause gave them hope for the future.
- A player draws the Two of Pentacles and tells a tale about how their character learned to adapt to a life of poverty on the streets after their noble family’s downfall.
- A player draws the Ace of Pentacles and tells the tale of why they gave up being a baker to pursue a life of reckless adventure as a picaro.
Major Arcana
The
Fool. Innocence
|
Justice.
Truth
|
The
Magician. Power
|
The
Hanged Man. Surrender
|
The
High Priestess. Intuition
|
Death.
Endings
|
The
Empress. Abundance
|
Temperance.
Balance
|
The
Emperor. Authority
|
The
Devil. Addiction
|
The
Heirophant. Spirituality
|
The
Tower. Upheaval
|
The
Lovers. Harmony
|
The
Star. Hope
|
The
Chariot. Determination
|
The
Moon. Fear
|
Strength.
Courage
|
The
Sun. Success
|
The
Hermit. Introspection
|
Judgment.
Rebirth
|
Wheel
of Fortune. Luck
|
The
World. Travel
|
Minor Arcana
Cups
|
Pentacles
|
Swords
|
Wands
|
|
Ace
|
Love
|
New
career
|
New
ideas
|
Inspiration
|
Two
|
Partnership
|
Adaptation
|
Impasse
|
Planning
|
Three
|
Celebration
|
Teamwork
|
Heartbreak
|
Progress
|
Four
|
Mediation
|
Scarcity
|
Rest
|
Homecoming
|
Five
|
Regret
|
Financial
loss
|
Conflict
|
Disagreement
|
Six
|
Childhood
|
Generosity
|
Transition
|
Recognition
|
Seven
|
Opportunity
|
Investment
|
Betrayal
|
Challenge
|
Eight
|
Withdrawal
|
Mastery
|
Confinement
|
Change
|
Nine
|
Content
|
Luxury
|
Nightmares
|
Resilience
|
Ten
|
Bliss
|
Wealth
|
Wounds
|
Burdens
|
Page
|
Curiosity
|
Development
|
Knowledge
|
Discovery
|
Knight
|
Creativity
|
Hard
work
|
Ambition
|
Passion
|
Queen
|
Compassion
|
Nurture
|
Freedom
|
Confidence
|
King
|
Diplomacy
|
Security
|
Clarity
|
Leadership
|