The Deck of Many Things

The Deck of Many Things is a legendary artifact dating back to the Age of Arcanum, a historic era of magnificent magic and catastrophic ruin.

Discovery

During the exploration of Wave Echo Cave, a band of adventurers bypassed the final seals of the legendary Forge of Spells. After defeating “The Blacksmith”—the formidable iron Guardian of the Forge created by the master craftsman and dwarven blacksmith Gond—the party uncovered a cache of ancient relics. Among these treasures of the Pact of Phandelver lay the Deck of Many Things, recovered alongside other legendary items including the Plate of the Pact, Cabal’s Ruin, the Circlet of Larrelion, and Nolzur’s Magnificent Pigments.

Characteristics and Effects

The deck is a legendary item composed of a series of cards made of ivory or vellum. It is infamous for its chaotic and absolute power. Drawing a card from the deck is an act of extreme risk, as the magical forces bound to the cards will instantly bestow either wondrous blessings or catastrophic ruin upon the drawer.

Notable Draws

During a Highharvesttide festival celebrating the defeat of Nezznar the Spider and the reclamation of Wave Echo Cave, the elderly adventurer Farwald drew two cards from the Deck of Many Things. The artifact’s magic immediately took hold, rendering him a little less sharp but notably more talented in his abilities.