Do Cartomancers (Witch Archetype) begin with a Spell Deck?


Rules Questions

Liberty's Edge

My wife is making a Cartomancer for PFS play.

Harrow Handbook wrote:
Spell Deck: Each cartomancer carries a special harrow deck that allows her to communicate with her patron. Its ability to hold spells functions identically to the way a witch’s spells are granted by her familiar.

By Contrast, the Wizard's Arcane Bond:

Core Rule Book wrote:
Arcane Bond: ... Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork quality.

Does a Cartomancer begin with a Harrow Deck or does she have to buy one? Does the phrase "Each cartomancer carries..." mean that each cartomancer begins play with one? A Harrow Deck is 100 gp. The average starting funds for a witch is 105 gp. In PFS, she can afford one, but at the cost of 2/3rds of her funds.

Thank you.


I definitely think you begin with a spell deck, just like a wizard begins with a spellbook.

Of course, the Harrow Born and Harrow Chosen traits will provide a free Harrow deck, if you feel it is an issue.

Liberty's Edge

We don't have the books those are from.


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Harrow Born (Humans of Golarion)

Harrow Chosen (Varisia, Birthplace of Legends)

Not having the Harrow Handbook, I don't know if there is any additional text that might be more explicit, but it just doesn't seem possible for a witch to begin play without the source of her own powers....

The "each cartomancer carries" line certainly seems to strongly imply that you would start with one.

Liberty's Edge

Thank you for the assistance.

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