Strength
Outlining the ninth major arcana card.
Keith Hiscox
2/28/20262 min read
As we pause our work with David on finalising the designs for the minor arcana cards in order to write this latest entry in out tarot blog, you find us in a celebrative mood - having recently attended a family wedding. We've been reflecting on what builds and maintains relationships and the inner strength and discipline required to manifest your own "happily ever after".
Card Meaning
The Strength card traditionally speaks of willpower, courage and compassion. Taming, controlling and channelling power to achieve your goals. This is one of the major arcana where the more literal representations of physical strength are purposefully set aside to focus on inner strength, strength of conviction or purpose. Given the nature of tabletop roleplaying games and the need within the ruleset to represent physical action we would include interpretations linked to physical prowess here, meaning our Strength card works in tandem with last month's Chariot, and readers may wish to permit the more literal meanings of strength to broaden the representations usually indicated by the card.
As a Yes/No indicator this card is usually a Yes, through traditional eyes this would assume that yes is contextually driven by patience and strength of character. Within the expanded frame of reference for Fools Reborn gameplay one might add to that a likely Yes answer to queries related to physical force, but in keeping with the traditions of the card this success should be brought about through appropriate and proportionate use of force - Strength controlled and tempered by Wisdom.
Setting Specific Design
This card remains broadly in line with traditional tarot imagery, as it already contains medieval and natural elements in keeping with the world of the game.
The lion here represents both physical strength and the wild emotions that must be brought under control in order to achieve success. The medieval damsel staring down that lion represents the executive function and control which tempers and channels the wild strength within.
Mechanical Impact
When drawn during character creation Strength may indicate a link between the character and the medieval professions of Smithing, Building or Mining. Alternatively it may just indicate that the character has hidden reserves of patience and determination.
A wildcard for any mundane character that has purchased it for their deck, Strength has an unusual special Triomphe feature that triggers when Drawn, rather than when it is played in a Meld. The drawing player sets aside all drawn cards until after this feature is resolved and draws themselves a fresh hand. They may then decide whether to keep their original hand or swap it for the new one. Whichever hand is discarded is then shuffled back into the Deck (It is theoretically possible for this special feature to temporarily cause a character to nearly faint - if it completely depletes their Deck. In such a situation the temporary swoon is recovered from almost immediately, and does not prevent the character, from acting but could still have narrative consequences.)
This card is one that sometimes has a different numerical position within the Major Arcana, sometimes swapping places with Justice, depending on the deck. In play these cards always use their face value so depending on the decks used two players may have different meld values when playing ostensibly identical cards. We are sanguine about this outcome - it's not a game changer given the nature of Strength's special feature rules.
Next time we'll be coaxing The Hermit into conversation. Until then you might want to read on below to find out about some of our other cards.
