Deck of Many Things
- English Name: Deck of Many Things
- Requires Attunement: No
- Rarity: Legendary
- Item at DnD Beyond
The Deck of Many Things is one of the most popular and well-known, yet also one of the most chaotic items in Dungeons & Dragons. What initially appears to be a normal deck of tarot cards with unusual designs turns out to be a true treasure bag among magical items. It literally does many things – a lot of things.
Whether you are the Dungeon Master or a player, these cards can really spice up your adventure. Depending on which card you draw from the deck, you activate various effects that can have a significant impact on you and your environment. Some are just good for fun.
Depending on the version, the deck has either 13 or 22 cards. Before you draw one or more cards from the deck, you must clearly state how many you intend to draw. Which card you draw is determined by rolling a D100. Once a card is drawn, its effect activates and the card disappears, so you generally have little power over it, except when the card allows it.
The following effects can, for example, occur:
- You can be cursed and suffer a penalty of -2 on all saving throws. The curse can only be lifted by a god or by drawing the Fates card.
- You can completely undo an event from the past. This is one of the few effects that can occur whenever you want.
- Twenty-five pieces of jewelry worth 2,000 GP each or fifty gemstones worth 1,000 GP each appear at your feet.
- You gain the ability to cast the spell “Wish” 1D3 times.
- You permanently reduce your Intelligence or Wisdom by 1D4 + 1 (to a minimum of 1). You can draw an additional card in addition to your predicted draws.
- An NPC chosen by the DM becomes hostile towards you. You only learn the identity of this NPC when he or someone else reveals it. Only a wish spell or divine intervention can end the NPC’s hostility towards you.
Each card must be drawn no later than 1 hour after the previous one. If the chosen amount is not reached, the remaining cards automatically fly off the stack and all activate at once – leading to ultimate chaos.
