In The Cards

Having studied the individual meanings of the cards we must also take a look at combinations. A few genuine examples have been included, actual readings that have been played out in real life. For the first example we have the Wizard of Rods, flanked by Strength. These cards are here opposed to the Wizard of Coins, flanked by the Rogue. In the middle we have Judgement.

This reading centers around the two Wizards, who may represent two individuals, conflicting schools of magic or warring magical factions. The Wizard of Rods stands for magic of a rigid and unbending nature, guided by a moral code that will not flex, for good or for ill. The Wizard of Coins in turn represents a more mercenary form of magic or mage, guarded and ruthless, with a strong sense of independence.

Moving on to the two flanking cards we see Strength. Sometimes representing moral strength and purity of heart, sometimes physical strength, it may also stand for an individual, such as a powerful warrior, usually of good intentions. Here we see it guarding the Wizard of Rods, closely aligned with the mage card, giving it increased power.

On the other side there is the Rogue, flanking the Wizard of Coins. A difficult card to interpret, of many and complex meanings, it too may represent an individual, and also cleverness, cunning and secrets. Flanking the Wizard of Coins it heightens the potency of its mage card, but in a more indirect manner than Strength.

The cards are clearly set up for confrontation, and the Judgement card indicates that it will be a critical one for the reader of the cards, one that will influence his or her future for a long time to come.

Excerpt from 'The Chaltar Deck Of Cards - An Introduction'

As the sun climbed ever higher in the sky Zaerini felt increasingly nervous. Dynaheir and Edwin had set the time of their Wizard Duel to high noon exactly, in an empty field just outside Nashkel. It was a beautiful and sunny day, with a clear blue sky dotted only by the occasional cloud. The breeze was mild. The birds were singing in the trees. And Rini felt as if she were about to throw up at any moment. The two mages had both assured her that they would refrain from lethal spells, but she wasn't entirely sure she could trust them, particularly Edwin. She didn't think he would break his given word intentionally, but if he lost his temper anything might happen.

Zaerini sighed and rubbed her aching eyes. The fact that she was extremely tired didn't make her feel any better. But that book she had found beneath the Gnoll Fortress had been really fascinating, and she hadn't been able to put it down once she started reading it. It had detailed ways of making favorable impressions with people, as well as providing some amusing anecdotes about famous con artists. She already felt as if her ability to charm and bluff had increased.

"Now let's go over this one final time", the half-elf told the two antagonists. It was with some misgivings that she had agreed to act as judge. "No use of lethal spells, or of any other lethal force, direct or indirect. Is that understood?"

Both wizards nodded with some reluctance. They were standing on opposite sides in the magical circle that had been drawn in the middle of the field. Once the duel started nobody would be able to get in or out of it until the winner was proclaimed. Right now they limited themselves to giving each other hateful looks, but the spells would start flying soon enough. "There will be no 'accidents' either", Rini went on. "That will be cause for disqualifying the survivor from ever joining my group, and it will also make me very angry. And before you ask, it includes 'accidents' taking place after the duel as well as under it. Clear?" Both wizards nodded again. Edwin in particular looked rather disappointed, Zaerini thought.

"Seconds may not interfere with the duel", Rini went on.

"Minsc will be good", Minsc said, nodding his head vigorously and cracking his knuckles. "If his Dynaheir tells him he may not help her hurt the wizard, then he won't, though his blade cries out for justice."

"Concentrate on gathering your addled wits long enough to drag your witch off the battlefield", Edwin sneered. "I will have her crying out for mommy before long."

Dynaheir's mouth became a narrow line. "Thou darest mention my mother? Thou wilt regret those words once I have thee begging for mercy." She sounded angrier than Rini had ever heard her before. Time to intervene.

"That will do", the bard said in her firmest voice. "Save the taunts for later. Edwin, you have brought no second. Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

The Red Wizard shook his head. "Nobody worthy to do so is able to appear as my second at this time. If I cannot have skilled representation I prefer to have none at all. (Not that I should need any aid, of course. I am, after all, of noble Thayvian lineage, with the blood of generations of Red Wizards flowing through my veins, and an education surpassing that of any little backwater barbarian.)

"It's your choice, I suppose", Zaerini said, shaking her head doubtfully. "Any questions? No? Then it's time to begin." She stepped out of the circle and waited a moment, hoping for the butterflies in her stomach to settle down. The duel had drawn a large crowd, and people had come from all over town to watch. Being on the Baldurian border the Nashkel people weren't quite as leery of magic as Amnians in general, since they were very used to travelers coming through. Right now they expected something exciting to relieve the tedium of an otherwise ordinary day. There were people everywhere, some of them had even climbed into the trees to get a better look. Others had brought picnic baskets. Rini tried to make out her friends and immediately spotted Imoen's bright pink hair.

I still can't believe she did that, Rini thought. And I wonder what's with that goofy smile she's been wearing ever since last night as soon as she thinks I'm not watching. I sure hope she doesn't have a crush on somebody again. I mean, she always seems to fall for the guys already taken. Let's just hope it's not Khalid or Jaheira will likely try to strangle her. That woman isn't one to take kindly to anybody flirting with her husband.

Zaerini gave the druid an uneasy look. Jaheira was looking rather annoyed, but then she always did. Khalid had his arm around her waist and was giving her adoring looks. Imoen didn't seem to watching him in particular. She would probably be all right then.

"The rules have been declared and accepted by both combatants", Zaerini formally declared. She had read up on Wizard Duels, and certain proprieties needed to be observed. "They will now be given a final opportunity to withdraw from the challenge." She paused and waited, slowly counting the seconds out until a minute had passed. "The time is up. The circle is closed." As she spoke she cast the brief incantation that the two wizards had shown her, sealing the magical circle. It now glowed with a dim green light, now and then flickering with silver flames. From this point on there would be no outward interference. The circle would block all external weapons and spells as well as keep the two mages inside. Pity it couldn't be used in real battle or it would have been even more useful, but it only worked under the ritual circumstances connected with a Duel.

"Seconds, stand at the ready!" Zaerini cried. Minsc stood just outside the circle, looking rather unhappy. It was obvious that he wanted nothing more in life than to fight at Dynaheir's side, but this time he would have to let her do battle alone. His only role would be to assure that no cheating went on, and to call a halt to the Duel if she was fatally wounded. Duels weren't always restricted to non-lethal spells, and even when they were accidents had still been known to happen. Edwin had refused his right to bring a second. For some reason that seemed wrong to Rini. She just thought both mages should be equally matched, and she even found herself scanning the crowd, hoping for a volunteer. But there was none, and she was forced to go on. "Wizards, prepare yourselves."

Edwin and Dynaheir crouched on either side of the ring, hands inches away from their bags of spell components, ready to move as soon as the sign was given, each of them also clutching the plain wooden staff that was the traditional weapon of a Duel. They were locking gazes with each other, each of them trying to unnerve and outthink the opponent. Dynaheir's polite manners and formal attitude had hardened into an icy resolve and her eyes were as hard as stone. Edwin resembled a stalking predator, and Rini had the uneasy feeling that if his spells didn't get him what he wanted he would leap on the Witch and try to rip her throat out, rules or no rules. "On the count of three", Zaerini declared. "One…two…THREE!" She sent up a small shower of blue sparks that went 'bang' as they exploded in the air, thus declaring the Duel officially started.

The two mages wasted no time. Dynaheir winked out of sight like a drop of water on a hot stove, turning completely invisible. At the same time several identical versions of Edwin popped up around the Red Wizard. Moving as one they made it quite impossible to tell which was the original. I just bet he loves that, Zaerini thought. So many copies of himself to adore, he must be almost ready to pass out with joy. The Edwins chanted another spell and golden dust formed into a cloud around them. With a start Rini noticed the glowing outline of a human being, the dust settling upon it to form the impression of a woman made from gold. Dynaheir was no longer invisible.

"Ha!" Edwin cried out triumphantly. "You can't hide from me, witch." Then he staggered backwards as a small swarm of angry red missiles slammed into him, causing his mirror images to shatter. Once again the two mages were evenly matched.

"Oculum Occluens!" Edwin yelled, and a thin black beam shot out of his hand towards Dynaheir. At the same time the Rashemani Witch chanted a spell of her own. "Laesio Auris Totalis!" she cried, and her voice rang out like a giant bell on the final word. Edwin shook his head as if in surprise, then furiously batted at his ears. With a start Zaerini realized what must have happened. He had been deafened, and so was unable to cast another spell until the curse wore off. Meanwhile Dynaheir seemed to be having problems of her own. She staggered around the magical circle, her hands stretched out in front of her like a small child playing blind man's buff. Obviously she had been blinded, and so was at least as disadvantaged as her opponent, probably more so.

The wizards each recovered at the same time, leaping into the fray once more. This time Edwin picked a slightly longer spell. Sweeping his arms threateningly in Dynaheir's direction he seemed to fling something towards her. "In Vivacem Horribilis!" he cursed, and Dynaheir's eyes widened with sudden fear, her hands trembling. Then she screamed and ran, oblivious to all else in her efforts to get away from whatever horrible vision was pursuing her. But she had managed to launch a spell before getting hit, and as Edwin came after her he found himself slipping and skidding across a slippery pool of black grease. Unable to keep his balance he eventually landed heavily on his back, spitting out a long string of entirely non-magical curses. Once he got to his feet again the spell he had cast on the Witch had worn off. Now she didn't look frightened any more, but extremely angry. "MORPHEUS!" she screamed, her voice no longer the slightest bit calm and collected. At the same time Edwin declared "Musculus Insignificus!", pointing his finger at Dynaheir with a mocking smile. The smile turned into a vacantly blissful expression and he slumped to the ground, fast asleep at the sound of the Witch's Word of Power. Dynaheir would have moved in to finish him, but she too was stricken. Edwin's curse had rendered her as weak as a kitten. She couldn't even stand on her legs or raise her arms over her head, much less attack. A scream of frustration reminded Zaerini of a baby having a furious temper tantrum.

Still the mages were evenly matched, and as soon as they both came to they picked up the pace of the battle. Curse after curse hissed through the air, accompanied by many sound and light effects. At one point Dynaheir had made Edwin's nose grow until it was as long as his arm and he hardly could see around it. He, on the other hand, had cursed her to make great warty toads and black snakes drop from her mouth every time she opened it. Needless to say, both the wizards were affected in their spellcasting by these handicaps, but neither wanted to give up. "Pruritus!" Edwin shouted, and Dynaheir's face contorted as her entire body started itching as violently as if she had gone to sleep on a mattress stuffed with nettles. She started scratching herself hard enough that her nails drew blood. "Nooo!" she screamed. "Not t-the Itching Curse!" A flood of slugs, spiders and toads jumped out of her mouth, causing her to shriek again.

"A real classic", Edwin smirked, the effect somewhat spoiled by his enormous organ of smell. "Try casting now, Witch!" Dynaheir didn't respond. She simply twisted one of the rings on her fingers and the Red Wizard stumbled and almost fell, twisting with sudden pain as a spell took hold of him and made him gasp with agony.

"No mercy f-for the wicked ones", Dynaheir declared. More toads scattered before her. "They m-must be struck down, in the n-name of all Good. For if they are spared they shalt spread their v-venom elsewhere. Thus was I taught by my sisters in far off Rasheman, and my Othlor will praise me for this when I report back to her." Edwin was on his knees by now, his face pale and sweating from the pain. There were several gasps from the crowd by now, and the watchers were pressing in towards the magical circle, upset shouts coming from more than one of them.

He's hurting too bad to cast! Zaerini felt her heart pounding wildly, and there was a roaring sound in her ears. She'll kill him! I have to call it off, that sort of spell is too dangerous to be allowed! The noises from the crowd were deafening by now.

And then Edwin's quarterstaff swept up and struck Dynaheir neatly across the nose with a terrible, cracking sound. Blood spurted everywhere and the Witch screamed, the noise quickly cut short as another blow hit her head and knocked her unconscious. Edwin staggered to his feet, leaning heavily on the staff. He was still pale, and his eyes were sunken dark hollows, but he was grinning widely. "And I", he said, "was taught that in an emergency situation it always pays off to know some rudimentary hand-to-hand fighting. Three guesses as to which one of us got the most practical education?" Dynaheir didn't answer, not surprising since she was still out cold. Minsc was pounding the invisible wall that closed off the magical circle, roaring threats against the Red Wizard and calling him a cheater.

"HOLD IT!" Zaerini was surprised at the sound of her own voice. She had had no idea she could sound that authoritative. "The rules are clear. Everything except killing curses was allowed, and Dynaheir used a potentially lethally dangerous one. I would have disqualified her myself, but Edwin has beaten her fair and square, not to mention black and blue. I declare him the winner. This Duel is over."

"Just a second", Edwin said, pulling a narrow object out of his sleeve. He hurried to Dynaheir's side and knelt down by her, fiddling with something at her waist. As the magical circled faded and dimmed a bright light flared up around the Witch and her stricken form blurred.

"Dynaheir!" Minsc bellowed, rushing to his witch's side. Edwin prudently got out of his way and came strolling up to Rini, a very pleased look on his face. He sighed with relief as the curses started to wear off and his nose resumed its normal size. The half-elf could only stare at the fallen Dynaheir as Minsc gasped with surprise and dismay. The Invoker was still slim, dark-skinned and purple-robed, and still sported a broken nose and a black eyes. But she was no longer a she. A male wizard lay unconscious in Minsc's powerful arms, and he even had a short beard to prove his gender. Around his waist Zaerini recognized the Gender Changing Girdle she had found on the ogre near the Friendly Arm Inn. She had shown it to Edwin on their way back from the Gnoll Fortress, and explained what it did, but how he had been able to break into her room to get it without her noticing a thing remained something of a mystery.

"Actually", Edwin said, "I don't think you will be reporting back to your Othlor just yet, Witch. Not unless you want to receive something entirely different from praise, anyway. As a matter of fact I think your career will go straight down the privy if they get wind of this, assuming they let you live. I'd say we have a Checkmate here." He paused and bowed grandly to the cheering crowd, grinning like a small child displaying a perfect grade to its proud parents. "Behold!" he cried. "I give you Edwin Odesseiron, Master of Magic, the Wonderful Wizard of Thay!" Then he turned to Zaerini a slightly worried look in his dark eyes. "Er…you won't tell the witch how to remove the belt, I trust? That would spoil all the fun."

"Maybe", Rini said, her lips twitching slightly upward. "You did steal it from me after all. How much will you pay me to keep my mouth shut?"

"Er…a hundred?"

"Not enough."

"Two hundred?"

"Nope."

"This is blatant blackmail", Edwin said, sounding more than a little annoyed. "What do you want me to do? Run naked through the street with a target painted on my backside and yell 'Amnian soldiers are all inbred, half brother, half sister, half sheep'?"

"Maybe later. Right now I just want you to buy me a nice dinner at the inn." Zaerini grinned mischievously and led the wizard off. "And I'll expect you to include dessert as well. This Duel Judging business is strenuous work. I'm in serious need of some chocolate."