The Ballad Deck
Just as we have the Tarot Cards, the 3I has The Ballad Deck. Scholars have shown that the Ballad Deck started as a New-Agey commercial product based on
Child's Popular English and Scottish Ballads. The title of each card and the image on the card is drawn from a ballad, folksong, or other source.
Examples:
The Death of Queen Jane is based on
Child #170 the image is a woman laying on a bed, and a man in royal robes kneeling by it.
Interpretive meaning:Reality crushing Illusion, Lies scattered by truth, Birth and Death, Private Sorrow and Public Joy.
Reversed: Truth rejected for Illusion. Festering misery.
Get up and Bar the Door is based on
Child #275 the image is of a man and woman refusing to look at each other while thieves rob them.
Interpretive Meaning Petty Quarrels, Disunion leading to being exploited by others.
Reversed Peace, Unity in the face of Foes.
The present day decks across the 3I vary widely in which ballads are represented. Many ballads and stories not represented in Child's nor even part of Solimani folk tradition are represented in the cards in different areas of the 3I. In spite of the widespread knowledge of the origins of the cards, they are widely seen as effective. Superstitions based on the cards both for fortunetelling and magic are commonplace. Urban legend holds that the Zhodani may have created the deck to corrupt the Imperium.
The cards are seen as illicit in some areas, inspired in others, and good silly fun in still other places.
The popularity of the Cards makes references to the Ballads commonly represented in the Cards current.
Agents of the Zhodani and
Ine Givar are known to use fortune tellers as covers. Also, many ancient scams and frauds are still carried on under the cover of the mantic arts.
It should be noted that the Ballad Cards allow the use of musical themes and background music to be integrated into play. This can be used to heighten suspence and provide several different types of atmosphere.