"The Complete Windrow-Ravenswood Deck" is an Adventure in Tarot Storytelling

It's been a while since I've boosted a signal for some fellow creators here in a Monday slot, but since it's the Halloween season I wanted to shine a spotlight on a recent release from Dee Arbacauskas. If that name sounds familiar, she's the mind (and hands) behind Tormented Artifacts, and I talked about some of her leather work a while back in Get Your Hands on Some Tormented Artifacts! (Especially if You're a LARPer). However, while you should definitely take a look at her practical, wearable art, this week I want to talk about a different, unique piece of work... namely, the Windrow-Ravenswood deck.

Because it's more than just a deck of cards.

Before we get into that, though, wanted to remind folks that I have a newsletter now! So if you don't want to miss any of my weekly releases, make sure you sign up today!

All right, now, let's get into this lovely little bundle, shall we?

The Dual Story of The Windrow-Ravenswood Deck

First, let's start off with the really real story of the deck as it's told by the creator. We'll move into the juicy framing device later.

The origin of the Windrow-Ravenswood poker deck came to the creator as part of an art challenge that went more than a little out-of-control. To paraphrase her introduction, the ideas were coming to her almost faster than he could get them down on the page. While the flurry of activity resulted in some beautiful rough work, getting them cleaned up, organized, and available for purchase took time. The first run of the deck caught a lot of attention (and for good reason), and that drove further work to expand on it, and to fill in the gaps.

For example, expanding the deck by creating the Lost Arcana allowed the poker deck to transition into a full and proper tarot card deck. You can get all of this as a bundle on Drive Thru RPG, by the by. At just under $20 it is a hell of a steal!

But what's the second story?

The second story is in the Complete Windrow-Ravenswood Guidebook (not to be confused with the 2-page guide currently available for using the deck). Because in addition to being a guide to this unique tarot, offering both interpretations and translations for those familiar with more traditional decks, the book also presents us a framing for the deck's so-called founding. It paints a picture of a shadowy institute, a bizarre family lineage, and it chronicles the journey of the deck down the years. There are even several winks to the Cthulhu mythos, for those who enjoy the occasional Easter egg. Told primarily through the communiques and letters sent by "The Archivist," the book intermingles the practical aspects of using the deck with a surprisingly captivating story about the deeper, darker world from whence it hails.

 

While the full and complete guidebook is not currently available, it should be out in early November. Prices, according to the author, will be $11.99 for a digital copy, and $29.99 for the standard color hardback edition.

EDIT: The book is out! Take a look at The Windrow-Ravenswood Deck Guidebook!

So How Can You Use This Deck?

As everyone here knows, this is a gaming blog where I talk about RPGs. Interesting as this deck is, what does it have to do with a roleplaying games? Well, the answer is going to depend entirely on you, the games you play, and your imagination.

There are so damn many possibilities...

The first use for the deck is as a practical game piece. If you're a Chronicles of Darkness LARPer, for example, then these decks would make an ideal stack to draw from while players determine success or failure for their actions. Particularly for a Mage game, though they'd fit well enough in Vampire, Changeling, or others as well. For those who enjoy games like Savage Worlds Deluxe, this deck would be a handsome addition to the initiative pull. Especially if you're playing a game like Rippers, and you want a little extra ambiance.

Even if you're not using the deck itself as a game piece, it makes a lovely prop. Whether you're a Malkavian who believes the cards talk to them, or you want to use the cards as something left behind by a serial killer, they're something that can be interacted with. They can add an extra layer of fun to the game... especially if the players can pass them around and admire them for their beauty, and creeping dread.

The last use, and one I would suggest for any burgeoning storytellers out there who are looking for a solid world to base a Chronicles of Darkness: Mortals game or a Call of Cthulhu game in, is to adapt the cards, the setting, and the story as part of your campaign's bible going forward. While the setup could be a cousin to the SCP Foundation and other, similar creepy pastas, it's much narrower in scope, and allows you to keep things a little bit more grounded. And there are just enough references to the timeline, as well as to the sights that the Archivist witnessed, that you could attempt to ascertain what dire deeds Ravenswood committed in his pact to make this deck.

At the end of the day, it's a fun, handsome creation with unique art. Whether you use it as the basis for an entire campaign, or you just pull it out for Halloween poker nights, I seriously suggest giving the full Windrow-Ravenswood deck bundle a look, and staying tuned for when the final guidebook drops here in a few weeks!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

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Madness Awaits With The Sculpted Call of Cthulhu Dice Tower!

H.P. Lovecraft's mythos seems to have become a touch stone for readers, writers, and gamers everywhere. From Call of Cthulhu games set in the dead center of the mythos to tabletop games like Pathfinder and Dungeons and Dragons who brush up against him to varying degrees, the big-C has become something of a rock star in the gaming community.

Which is why if you who want the (old) gods on your side when it's time to play absolutely need one of these.

Make a will save, and then you can roll your dice.

What you're looking at is a Cthulhu dice tower designed and sculpted by the very talented Fred Fields. If you're wondering why your game shop doesn't have these available (especially since the owner is always wearing Miskatonic University tee-shirts), the reason is because this little beauty is currently a Kickstarter project. The video for the project is below, but you can still get in on it if you act quickly by going to the Cthulhu dice tower's page!

Seriously though, if you want to play a cultist who is serious business, or you're contemplating running a Call of Cthulhu game of your very own and want to let your players know they're in for some hardcore madness this is an accessory that's well worth the time and money.


If you have a hot tip about something going on in the world of roleplaying games, or you have a project you think would fit right in with our Moon Pope Monday feature then feel free to reach out and send Improved Initiative an email! If you'd like to help support this blog then stop by The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page and become a patron today. If you want to be sure you're getting all of my updates then you might also want to follow me on Facebook and Tumblr as well.

It's Never Too Early For Cthulhu Christmas Carols

 

While some people may argue that Halloween is too early for Christmas carols, it's never too early for a Cthulhu Christmas! "We Three Priests" is brought to you courtesy of Morte Mcadaver, whose official website can be found here. Stop on by, and see what other dark delights this macabre musician has in store for you.

Improved Initiative always aims to make your gaming just a little bit more enjoyable. If you enjoyed this installment of Moon Pope Monday then support us by remembering this site runs on Google AdSense. If you'd like to keep up with your author in his other endeavors then stop by Facebook or Tumblr to stay updated. Also feel free to check out our sister blog, The Literary Mercenary.