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*Later, in [[The Bonehunters]], Fiddler dealt another game at the request of Adjunct [[Tavore]] before the Bonehunters returned to [[Malaz City]].<ref>[[The Bonehunters]], [[BH/22|Chapter 22]], UK MMPB p.1023-1027</ref>
 
*Later, in [[The Bonehunters]], Fiddler dealt another game at the request of Adjunct [[Tavore]] before the Bonehunters returned to [[Malaz City]].<ref>[[The Bonehunters]], [[BH/22|Chapter 22]], UK MMPB p.1023-1027</ref>
   
*He dealt another game at Tavore's behest in [[Letheras]] during [[Dust of Dreams]], though it was dissimilar to his usual style and was more of a reading than a game.
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*He dealt another game at Tavore's behest in [[Letheras]] during [[Dust of Dreams]], though it was dissimilar to his usual style and was more of a reading than a game.<ref>[[Dust of Dreams]], Chapter 3, UK HB p.100-105</ref>
   
 
==Notes and References==
 
==Notes and References==

Revision as of 19:40, 11 October 2016

The Deck of Dragons, sometimes referred to as the Fatid,[1] was the dominant oracular system worldwide, with the exception of the Lether continent which used its predecessor, the Tiles. It is possible that the card deck could be succeeded by the Coins in the future.

The Deck consisted of a series of cards depicting the members of the pantheon. The deck accurately portrayed the pantheon, with new cards added as necessary for new members. Most cards represented entities with specific roles in Houses, with a few non-aligned cards that were without a House. During a reading, these cards might be animated.[2]

According to Quick Ben, "...the High Houses of the Deck relate to certain warrens and as such they present a kind of window looking in on those warrens—conversely, of course, things can in turn look out from the other side, which is what makes a reading so . . . risky. The Deck is indifferent to barriers—in the right hands it can reveal patterns and relationships hidden to mortal eyes."[3]

During a reading, cards were shuffled[4] then dealt one at a time, with the resulting divination dependent on which cards came out. According to Hairlock, the First House set the course.[4] Different patterns could be used to lay down the Deck. For example, in a spiral pattern, working through the entire deck, the last card could signify either an apex or an epiphany depending on how it placed itself.[5] Another pattern would be to lay in blocks (which way the local powers would oppose each other).

The appearance of a card could vary by responding to local conditions. A card could change slightly of its own accord depending on where the reading was performed to indicate how the world and pantheon were unfolding. For example, during the events of Gardens of the Moon, the card of Oponn would probably show the Twins no matter where the reading was performed; however, because of the specific situation on Genabackis at that particular time, the card also showed a spinning Coin next to the Twins.

Not only the attributes or background of a card could change, but also the focus point of a card. Most positions in the Deck of Dragons depicted one individual, usually an Ascendant. A card often did not refer specifically to this Ascendant but instead could refer to a person in the local area whose role corresponded to the position portrayed. During one reading on Seven Cities, for example, the card of the Assassin of High House Shadow showed up, referring to Kalam Mekhar as the local Assassin as opposed to Cotillion, the Ascendant Assassin on the card. On another continent, the card would probably have a different look to it.

The person performing the reading could hold on a card and it was always their call to continue or end a game.[6]

One new addition to the Deck was the card/role of a Master of the Deck who could add cards and sanction new Houses. The position, unsought for, was occupied by Ganoes Paran.

Organization of the Deck of Dragons

Listed as per the Glossary of Gardens of the Moon, UK MMPB p.707-709 unless otherwise referenced or in brackets. For associated Ascendants please refer to the page of the individual houses.

  • High House Life
    • King
    • Queen
    • Champion
    • Priest
    • Herald
    • Soldier
    • Weaver
    • Mason (Builder)
    • Virgin
  • High House Light
    • King
    • Queen
    • Champion
    • Priest
    • Captain
    • Soldier
    • Seamstress
    • Builder
    • Maiden
    • (Hounds)
  • High House Dark
    • King
    • Queen
    • Knight
    • Magi
    • (Herald)
    • Captain
    • Soldier
    • Weaver
    • Mason
    • Wife
  • High House War[1]
    • Lord of Wolves/Lords of War[1]
    • (Hunter)
    • Guardians of the Road/Guardians of the Dead[1]
    • (Mercenary
    • Army-Soldier
    • Lifeslayer
    • Deathslayer
    • Herald )

Known Users

Though anyone may have picked up and used a Deck of Dragons, not everyone had the capability to utilize its predictive powers. The following were known users within the Malazan Book of the Fallen series:

Readings

Tattersail

She was a skilled and experienced Adept and performed several readings during the events in Gardens of the Moon. She used lacquered wooden cards.[4]

  • The first reading was shortly after the Enfilade of Pale in the company of the newly soul-shifted Hairlock.[13]
  • Her second was a few days later, at the behest of Tayschrenn who was blocked in his own efforts to read the Deck.[14]
  • Her third reading was a complete layout of the Deck in an effort to sense the motivations of all the players surrounding the coming convergence in Darujhistan.[5]


Iskaral Pust


The Ladro Keep Reading

  • In Deadhouse Gates, Kalam Mekhar tried to avoid a reading of the Deck by an unnamed woman who was also sheltering from a sandstorm in Ladro Keep.


Fiddler

Fiddler's readings of the Deck took a form similar to card games, with Fiddler as the dealer issuing cards to players.

  • He dealt another game at Tavore's behest in Letheras during Dust of Dreams, though it was dissimilar to his usual style and was more of a reading than a game.[17]

Notes and References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gardens of the Moon, Glossary, UK MMPB p.707 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":0" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.90 - example
  3. Dust of Dreams, Chapter 5
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.89
  5. 5.0 5.1 Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 4, UK MMPB p.144
  6. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.91
  7. Night of Knives, Chapter 3, US TPB p.138
  8. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 2 Chapter 7, US HC p.283
  9. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 3, UK PB p.116
  10. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 6, US HC p.164
  11. Return of the Crimson Guard, Book 1 Chapter 2, UK PB p.92
  12. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 9, US HC p.214
  13. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 2, UK MMPB p.89-91
  14. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 3, UK MMPB p.108-110
  15. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 20, UK MMPB p.582-584
  16. The Bonehunters, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.1023-1027
  17. Dust of Dreams, Chapter 3, UK HB p.100-105
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