Chapter 8: The Demayth Deck of Cards

In the dynamic and often perilous world of Demayth, combat is more than just a clash of steel or a volley of spells; it is a strategic dance, a test of skill and foresight, represented by your personalized Demayth Deck. This deck of cards is the heart of Demayth Adventures combat, replacing traditional dice rolls for your actions and allowing you to express your Demigod's unique abilities and fighting style in a tactical and engaging way. Building and mastering your Demayth Deck is crucial for survival and success on the battlefield.

Understanding Your Deck: Core Components

Your Demayth Deck is a carefully constructed collection of cards representing your Demigod's offensive, defensive, and magical capabilities. It works in conjunction with your Spellbook, a separate record (kept in your Book of Wisdom or provided by your Battle Master) that details the specific spells and abilities available to your character.

  • Deck Size: Your starting deck contains a specific range of cards, ensuring a balanced foundation. As your Demigod grows in power, you will have opportunities to add new, more potent cards, refining your strategies and increasing your options.
  • The Spellbook: This crucial document lists all the spells and abilities your Demigod knows, organized into three Chapters (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3). These chapters likely serve an organizational or thematic purpose, as the spells and abilities contained within each are considered to be of a similar power range.

Common Card Types

Your starting deck will be composed primarily of two types of cards:

1. Common Demayth Chapter Cards (DC)

These cards represent your access to the various spells and magical abilities detailed in your character's Spellbook.

  • Function: Each DC card allows you to cast one spell or ability that you have assigned to a specific Chapter (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, or Chapter 3) within your Demigod’s Spellbook.
  • Chapter Number: The number (1, 2, or 3) printed on the card indicates which Chapter you can cast from.
  • Player Choice: You, the player, decide which of your known spells belong in which Chapter. This allows you to strategically organize your powers. You might place frequently used or essential spells in a chapter corresponding to cards you have more of in your deck. (This is explained further in Chapter 13: Demayth Grimoire).
  • Starting Deck Requirements: Your starting deck must contain a minimum of 4 DC cards per Chapter (12 total) and a maximum of 10 DC cards per Chapter (30 total).

2. Common Battle Cards (BC)

These cards represent your Demigod's physical combat skills – basic attacks, defensive maneuvers, and tactical adjustments.

  • Function: Each BC card has a combined value of 6 points distributed between its Attack (ATK) and Defense (DEF) values (e.g., ATK 4 / DEF 2, ATK 1 / DEF 5, ATK 3 / DEF 3). These values determine the effectiveness of your physical attacks and your ability to block or parry incoming blows.
  • Effects: Some BC cards may have additional effects listed (e.g., "Push target back 1 space on hit," "Gain +1 Defense next turn if this block succeeds").
  • Starting Deck Requirements: Your starting deck must contain a minimum of 4 Battle Cards total. You may include up to 4 copies of any single Battle Card.

Specialist Cards (Gained Through Advancement)

As your Demigod gains power and reaches specific milestones (detailed in Chapter 17: Leveling your Demigod), they gain access to more powerful and specialized cards:

Demayth Mastery Cards

These represent advanced mastery over a specific school of magic.

  • Function: Similar to DC cards, but dedicated to a single school (e.g., Demayth Mastery: Destruction). When played, you can choose any ability from that school listed in your Spellbook, regardless of its Chapter.
  • Benefits: Offers greater flexibility within your chosen specialization and often includes bonuses specific to that school.
  • Acquisition: Typically earned at Power Milestones.
  • List of Mastery Cards: Alteration, Augmentation, Chronology, Conjuration, Destruction, Divination, Protection, Psyche, Reprisal, Restoration, Necromancy, Witchcraft.

Battle Master Cards

These represent advanced combat techniques and martial maneuvers, offering more tactical depth than Common Battle Cards.

  • Function: Have ATK and DEF values like BC cards, but also include unique prewritten effects.
  • Acquisition: Typically earned at Power Milestones.

Examples of Battle Master Cards:

  • Aggressive: Godlike Strike [ATK 10], Critical Strike [ATK 3, Double Damage], Demigod Strike [ATK 7, Draw 1], Disarming Strike [ATK 5, Disarm], Tackle [ATK 5, Move & Grapple], Throw [ATK 5, Throw Target]
  • Defensive: Godlike Guard [DEF 10], Evasive Maneuvers [Halve Damage], Demigod Guard [DEF 7, Draw 1], Counter Strike [DEF 5, Counterattack 3], Trading Blows [DEF 0*, Take Full, Counter Full], Uncanny Dodge [Reflex save to evade]
  • Stance: Godlike Fighting [ATK 7/DEF 7], Battle Master [ATK X/DEF X], Demigod Stance [ATK 5/DEF 5, Draw 1] (Note: These defensive cards can potentially be played even when outmatched, offering a chance to mitigate or counter attacks).

Godlike Cards (Gained Through Advancement)

At the pinnacle of Demigod power, represented by achieving Demigod Milestones (typically Levels 7, 14, and 21), characters unlock access to the most potent cards available:

  • Godlike Demayth Cards (GDC): These extremely rare cards break all limitations, allowing you to cast any 1 ability from any chapter in your Spellbook. It grants ultimate tactical flexibility and often includes powerful bonuses. Also, these cards allow you to cast godlike spells obtained through books or the divine.
  • Godlike Battle Cards (GBC): Represent transcendent combat skill. Their ATK and DEF values are calculated dynamically. It provides devastating offensive power and nigh-impenetrable defense that scales with your character's growth.

GBC Formula: GBC Value (ATK/DEF) = Your Spellcrafting (SCM) Modifier + Your Character Level

Building and Using Your Deck

Building Your Starting Deck

When creating your character, carefully select your starting Demayth Chapter Cards and Battle Cards (within the specified limits) to reflect their background, skills, spell Focus (SCM), and intended combat style. A heavily armored warrior might favor high DEF Battle Cards, while a swift rogue might prioritize cards with movement effects or high ATK. A mage will lean heavily on Demayth Chapter Cards reflecting their chosen schools.

Weapon and Armor Bonuses

Bonuses from equipped weapons and armor enhance the values of your cards:

  • Battle Cards: Weapon bonuses might increase ATK or Damage; Armor/Shield bonuses increase DEF or give Damage Reduction.
  • Demayth Cards: Magical weapons or items might grant a Spell Bonus, enhancing specific aspects of spells played with DC cards (Spell Attack, Spell Defense, Healing, Shields, Damage), as specified by the item.

Calculating Value: Total Card Value = Base Card Value + Miscellaneous Bonuses + Item Bonus

Mastering your Demayth Deck – understanding the synergies between your cards, anticipating your opponents' moves, and knowing when to play the right card at the right time – is key to achieving victory and forging your legend in the world of Demayth.

Unique and Specialized Cards

The Common Demayth Cards (DC), Battle Cards (BC), and even the powerful Mastery and Godlike cards form the foundation of any Demigod's deck. However, the realms of Demayth are vast and filled with ancient magic and forgotten technology. As you adventure, you may come across rare and unique cards with highly specialized functions that bend the normal rules of combat and action economy.

  • Inventory Cards: These are a unique type of utility card that represents a Demigod's preternatural ability to access their gear in the heat of battle. Playing an Inventory Card allows a character to quickly change their equipped items—such as swapping a sword and shield for a two-handed axe, or donning a specific magical trinket from their backpack—without spending the usual Standard Action Point (SAP) required for such a task. While playing the card itself may still require an action, it streamlines the process of adapting your equipment to a changing battlefield.
  • Other Special Cards: The possibilities for unique cards are endless. You might discover a legendary Battle Card that always deals a specific type of elemental damage, a rare Demayth Card that allows you to cast a spell from a school you aren't proficient in, or a utility card that lets you interact with the environment in a special way. These cards are often found as treasure in ancient ruins, given as rewards for completing epic quests, or crafted by master Scribes. Their unique effects are always described on the card itself.

These specialized cards are highly sought after and can open up entirely new strategic possibilities, allowing you to further customize your deck to reflect your Demigod's unique journey and accomplishments.