I am making a character that uses the Harrow Deck and I am hoping to learn how to use this deck at the same time my character does.
It is a pretty steep learning curve that takes a lot of intuition and creativity.
I have some pretty basic questions, and for those who are just as confused as me, I feel having us all work this out in the same threat to be helpful.
1. What kind of questions can be asked?
In the sample at the end of the book, the question is something akin to is my mother getting remarried a good idea. The way the cards fall in the story make great sense from an experienced Harrower, but I need more. Do the questions have to be vague? Can you ask, "Are we going to survive if we charge the castle?" or "Am I going to die today?"
2. How much detail do you give about the role card in the choosing?
The example just says this is your relation to the question, but didn't really explain what that card was. Are they supposed to look at that card and get the meaning on their own? Or is this just a way to get a role card and then use it if it appears in the spread?
3. Who do the cards in the spread represent?
If you are asking "Will I be wealthy?" and you get the betrayal card in the true position, does this mean you will betray someone, someone will betray you or just that somewhere soon you will be witness to a betrayal?
Trying to learn all of these cards is daunting, but I am enjoying myself. I hope you guys find a way to answer my questions politely and then add your own. I think the Harrow deck is a pretty exciting addition to our game and I would like to learn how to do this justice.
There are now a few ways (spells and feats) to make a Harrow reading more "accurate". But even those cannot guarantee success or failure on a particular action, and an experienced Harrower would be aware of that.
Readings should be kept vague, even if the Harrower feels strongly that the cards are prophetic. The common usage of the cards is not for supernatural augury (though such is explicitly possible), but rather like a mirror, reflecting the choices of the subject instead of the appearance.
Thanks for your post, but this does little to answer the questions I am posing.
Could you maybe read my questions again and try to answer those?
I'll have more to add, but it may be a few hours.
I have time :)
Take a look at the other thread I posted as well, the Harrow Exercises. This is to also help me get a handle on this.
First, as assume that your questions are about the roleplaying aspect of the Harrow deck and not the mechanics of it.
1. What kind of questions can be asked?
You can ask any question but be careful of asking questions you are not prepared to know the answer to. Questions about death are not recommended for example. If a PC learns that he will die soon, is he prepared for that? Your questions should not be too vague because the answer could be interpreted in different ways and you won't know which interpretation is the correct one (until it's too late). Your question should not be too pointed either. If it's a yes-no question, the reading of the cards might not explain the bigger picture. Because the reading will include many cards, it's the connection between those cards that matter instead of the individual cards themselves. The reading tells a story.
3. Who do the cards in the spread represent?
I think that if you have cards that are partial matches, they can help give context to the "lead" card being analyzed.
Right, these questions are all about the roleplaying aspect and not mechanics..
Well, maybe not, lol. The mechanics of reading a harrow deck?
My character is the one doing the readings and not the other way around.
So, if someone asks will I die tomorrow, do you think this is too direct of a question?
The other players at the table will be using this tool to help guide us, and the DM will be making small adjustments to his whim based on my readings (on target or not). Since my character only has a profession skill of +4, I have determined I will be a poor reader at first, but in time I will get better.
Would it be better to field questions like:
Is the Baron what he seems to be?
Will taking on this new adventurer lead to fortune or doom?
and questions like this should be avoided?
Will people laugh at me if I wear this hat?
Am I the fairest in the land?
So, if someone asks will I die tomorrow, do you think this is too direct of a question?
Not too direct but what if the reading says that you (or another PC) will die? What do you make of it? As a GM, I would perhaps kill this character which might not be what the player wants but the cards should be respected somehow. Maybe the character dies BUT he is being revived after. Do you avoid combat the next day to not die? (Maybe someone will kill you in your sleep though!) That is why I said to not ask a question you are ready to know the answer.
Is the Baron what he seems to be?
Will taking on this new adventurer lead to fortune or doom?
Good questions that lets the cards tell a story. Careful about giving 2 choices in the question (fortune OR doom). Let the cards tell their own story instead of putting boxes in front of them. It's more gray than black & white.
Will people laugh at me if I wear this hat?
Am I the fairest in the land?
Doesn't matter if the questions are silly or not, but I would only focus on one good question instead of a Q&A. Asking the right question to have valuable information is better than pointed yes and no question that leaves little to nuance.