Asra'starot deck is an unusual item. Unlike many fortune tellers who are con men, this deck provides you and Asra with genuine answers. Asra has spent the last three years teaching the Apprentice how to listen when the archetype spirits speak - though they do not quite use words. Asra's reputation as a fortune teller is due to his skill with these cards.
Asra made the deck himself, designing each card based on what he believed best represent each archetype.
According to him, the cards can be difficult. There is something about them that makes the Apprentice uncomfortable, though they have learned to use the deck regardless. In now missing part of the Prologue, when Nadia steals one of the cards for the Apprentice to track, they can feel the upset energy of the deck. Likewise, when it is finally returned, the Apprentice feels very relieved and almost thinks they can feel the same of the deck.
Major Arcana[]
Each of the major arcana has a unique animal figure as the subject. The main cast all have specific cards associated to them through zodiac signs and animal symbolism. Asra gifted Muriel and Julian with figurines of them.
Number
Card
Title
Upright
Explanation
Reversed
Explanation
0
The Fool
The Fool stands on a cliff's edge, overlooking the limitless potential of their future.
The way is uncertain, but you have all the tools. Make the leap. Do not let insecurity bind you.
The Fool rushes in without guidance, ignoring all the warning signs.
Beware of acting rashly. Consider the consequences of your actions and tread lightly in the dark.
I
The Magician
The Magician makes real that which is unreal, manifesting desires from nothingness.
Now is the time to take action, before all comes to naught. Stay focused: You have a job to do.
The Magician manipulates and obscures the truth. Their honeyed words seem like hope in the haze.
Be wary of lies from the mouths of charismatic charmers. They will not keep their promises.
II
The High Priestess
The High Priestess stands guardian to the gates of mystery, offering arcane secrets to the initiated.
Listen to your dreams; allow intuition to guide you. All will be revealed in time.
The High Priestess stands between you and your inner self, blocking the way forward.
Be careful of losing touch with your intuition. Do not close your mind to the world's mysteries.
III
The Empress
The Empress embraces her inner beauty and kind nature, allowing it to flourish in the world around her.
Now is the time to nurture your relationships, carefully cultivating your connection to others.
The Empress gives until there is nothing left for herself, leaving an empty husk behind.
Do not sacrifice yourself for the sake of others. They may not return what they have taken.
IV
The Emperor
The Emperor is in control of his own destiny, building his empire on a solid foundation.
Trust your experiences. You can learn much from observing the consequences of your actions.
The Emperor rules over his world with an iron fist, allowing nothing to escape his grasp.
Be careful not to hold too tightly to your empire. Plants only grow when given room to flourish.
V
The Hierophant
The Hierophant values tradition above all, encouraging conformity and trust in established institutions.
You may find yourself seeking instruction in new areas of life. Place your faith in long-trusted methods.
The Hierophant has grown too comfortable in the fortress of tradition, at the expense of necessary progress.
It is time to break conventions, question your longheld beliefs, and embrace positive change.
VI
The Lovers
The Lovers embrace each other, united by the knowledge they are stronger combined.
Remember the value of connection and communication. A new partnership may soon be in your future.
The Lovers turn from each other, allowing the bridge of communication between them to crumble.
It may be time to re-examine your relationships and decide whether your values truly align.
VII
The Chariot
The Chariot is in complete control of its own destiny. It hurtles towards victory, unhindered by adversity.
Work hard and stay focused. Your drive will be rewarded; the road will lead you right.
The Chariot careens out of control, losing its way as it becomes stranded on the road.
Sometimes you must learn to release the reins in order to move forward.
VIII
Strength
Strength can be quiet; often she shines through patience and compassion, not aggression.
Trust your own strength. You will find courage inside when it is most needed.
Strength has lost her careful equilibrium, and with it, control of her inner beasts.
Now is the time to reconnect to your core. Do not lose your confidence: you have power yet untold.
IX
The Hermit
The Hermit knows the value of silence and embraces it in all things.
Look inside yourself for the answers you seek. Take time for introspection in the days ahead.
The Hermit hides in his cave, shutting out the world and ignoring its lessons.
Be wary of retreating too far within your own mind. Others still have valuable things to share.
X
Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel turns endlessly with the passage of time, changing fortunes as if by whim.
Take heart: you are still the guardian of your own fate. Work hard and life will provide the rest.
The Wheel must return all to its beginning- life cannot remain in the sun forever.
Forces outside your control may conspire to bring you down. Embrace this: it is the way of the world.
XI
Justice
Justice carefully weighs every option, making her choice with complete objectivity.
You may soon be faced with a decision. Allow Justice to guide your hand, and you will find peace.
Justice has allowed bias to cloud her judgment, darkening the world with chaos and lies.
Take a step back and gather all the facts before you make a decision. Your choices have consequences.
XII
The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man relinquishes control, sacrificing himself to the judgment of the World.
Sometimes, the best strategy is a swift retreat. Take time to regroup and re-examine your options.
The Hanged Man is offered as tribute against his will, and self-determination is wrested from his grasp.
Be careful of stagnation- your own goals have value. They don't deserve to be put on hold.
XIII
Death
Death reaps that which has run its course, allowing new life to grow in the space left behind.
Do not fear change: all things must come to an end. Beauty lies in the transition.
Death turns his back on his duty, allowing things to fester and rot in his negligence.
Do not delay the inevitable- you threaten your own future in the process. Change will come.
XIV
Temperance
Temperance shuns extremes and embraces harmony. She finds tranquility in the midst of struggle.
In all things, there is a balance. Take the middle road- it will not lead you astray.
Temperance allows conflict to overwhelm her peaceful disposition; she reacts with extreme measures.
Be at ease: some things can not be forced. Take a step back and recenter yourself to see more clearly.
XV
The Devil
The Devil knows there is power in perception. He binds those who cannot see their path to freedom.
Shake off his veil: you are not trapped. There is always a way out of even the darkest places.
The Devil loses influence over his flock as the chains of bondage drop from his tight grasp.
It is time to clean house: purge the things that harm you from your life. Take back your power.
XVI
The Tower
The Tower rises above the world, a beacon of great upheaval and crumbling structure.
It may be painful, but the Tower offers a balm: things will be better when the dust settles.
The Tower is a portent of destruction. Ignoring its message is never wise.
You may be delaying an inevitable disaster. Take heed: the Tower has a way of crumbling regardless.
XVII
The Star
The Star has faith in herself that radiates through the darkness, guiding the lost and weary.
Believe in your inner light. You may have endured great hardship, but it only makes you shine brighter.
The Star has allowed doubts to dampen her light, losing faith in herself and the world around her.
Now is not the time to despair. Keep believing and let your star shine bright. The world needs you.
XVIII
The Moon
The Moon creates illusions in the dead of night, obscuring truth and casting long shadows.
Do not ignore your inner voice. Trust your intuition to lead you true, and the darkness will fade.
The Moon hangs low and dim in the sky, obscuring the way forward with darkness and confusion.
It may be time to examine what fears are blocking your path. Your next step will become clear.
XIX
The Sun
The Sun shines brightly on your path, illuminating what seemed lost in the darkness of night.
Rejoice in the hope of a new day. Nothing can stop you now; success is in your future.
The Sun shines weakly in the sky, threatened by storm clouds building on the horizon.
You may be struggling to see the good in a bad situation. Things will be alright; storms always clear.
XX
Judgment
Judgment looks within for absolution, shedding time-worn insecurities and guilt.
You should forgive yourself of past mistakes, heal old wounds, and start anew.
Judgment cannot shed his past. He has become ensnared in self-doubt and flagellation.
Do not be too hard on yourself. Mistakes will be made- what matters is how you learn from them.
XXI
The World
The World celebrates a journey come full circle. A land of new opportunity lies at your feet.
The road has been long, and often brutal. Take this time to be proud of all you have accomplished.
The World strays from its path just before its final goals are met. Something holds it back.
You may be lacking closure. Don't risk losing your way when your journey is almost at its end.
The Cast's Cards[]
0. The Fool - The Apprentice
The fool is the only card without a figure in it, as the Apprentice is the only main character never seen. The fool represents the beginning of a journey, and describes the apprentice's role in the story. In Asra's route during Chapter VIII - Strength, you fail to find an alebrije that you identify with.
I. The Magician - Asra
The fox on this card has Asra's lavender eyes. Fox figures appear twice in game - once as a little figurine in Asra's kitchen in Nopal, and once when you and him were choosing alebrije together. Asra claimed to identify with an indigo fox one. The Magician themself chooses to appear as the violet eyed fox when teaching Asra. Asra wears a fox themed outfit and mask during the masquerade.
II. The High Priestess - Nadia
The owl has Nadia's ruby red eyes. Nadia has a carved owl figure on her bed's canopy, and her dressing gown has the same feathered pattern as the owl's wings. Her companion Chandra is an owl, and she also wears an owl themed outfit and mask during the Masquerade.
III. The Empress - Nasrin
Nadia's mother wears a mask that resembles the Empress card during the red room ritual.
IV. The Emperor - Namar
Nadia's father wears a mask that resembles the Emperor card during the red room ritual.
V. The Hierophant - Valerius
Valerius' pin is in the shape of the ram's head. His position as Consul, and his attempt to remove Nadia from her position to return to what he was doing before she awoke, also lines up with the Hierophant's depiction and meaning, being a teacher or counselor that stands for tradition and convention. In Book XIX: The Sun in Nadia's route, it is revealed that he was in the process of becoming a demon through deals made with the Devil. Each deal stole power from the Hierophant, but his bindings were broken and he and the Hierophant returned to normal.
VI. The Lovers - Aisha and Salim
The characters depicted on the card look very similar to their familiars, and they are very much in love.
VII. The Chariot - Morga
Morga's facial markings, the long lines down either side of her face, match those of the Chariot. She also wears a cheetah pelt around her waist.
VIII. Strength - Nasmira
Nadia's sister, Nasmira, wears a mask that resembles the lioness of Strength during the Masquerade.
IX. The Hermit - Muriel
The bear has Muriel's green eyes and tattered cloak. In his house he has a little carved bear statue. He also lives a secluded lifestyle, away from other humans. Muriel wears a wooden bear mask during the masquerade.
X. Wheel of Fortune - Natiqa
At the Masquerade, Natiqa wears a mask that resembles the feathered puma on the Wheel of Fortune card.
XI. Justice - Vlastomil
Vlastomil wears a pig mask during the Masquerade, and works as a judge in Julian's trial. In Book XVIII: The Moon and Book XIX: The Sun in Nadia's route, it is revealed that his power is stolen from Justice through deals made with the Devil, which turned him into a demon.
XII. The Hanged Man - Julian
The raven has Julian's grey eyes. He frequents a bar known as the Rowdy Raven, and is often chaperoned by Malak - a paranoid raven who hates the city guard. He also owns a small carved statue of a raven that was gifted to him by Asra. Julian wears a raven mask and a raven themed suit during the masquerade.
XIII. Death - Valdemar
During the Masquerade, Quaestor Valdemar is wearing a mask of a horse skull with a black veil, matching the one on the card. Valdemar is also shown to have an obsession with death. Also, in Book XIX: The Sun in Portia's route, Valdemar offhandedly mentions that they "couldn't be the way [they are] today" without Death, implying they are something other than one of the Devil's demons. It is also implied with both Nadia and Portia's routes that as with the other courtiers, their power is stolen from the Death Arcana.
XIV. Temperance - Volta
During the Masquerade, Procurator Volta dons a mask similar to the dove featured on the Temperance tarot card. In Nadia's route, you can choose to read Volta's fortune, which will reveal a Temperance card, reversed. It is possible that Volta also represents temperance reversed, as temperance seems to be the one thing she lacks. In Book XVIII: The Moon and Book XIX: The Sun in Nadia's route, it is revealed that her power is stolen from the Temperance card through deals made with the Devil, which turned her into a demon.
XV. The Devil - Lucio
The goat has eyes the same red as Lucio's plagued sclera. Lucio himself appears in game as a ghostly goat, after apparently trying to become the archetype itself. Lucio also is a personification of what the Devil card represents- greed, selfishness, and material wants.
XVI. the Tower - Vulgora
This card has a stag and a swarm of red beetles depicted on it, relating to the Red Plague. Choosing to give a reading to Vulgora on Nadia's route will reveal The Tower, and Vulgora wears a red stag beetle mask at the masquerade. Along with the other courtiers, Vulgora became a demon through deals with the Devil. It is implied that these deals stole power from the Tower as with the other demons.
XVII. The Star - Portia
The cat has Portia's blue eyes and she owns a house cat, Pepi. The water-bearer of the card and her zodiac sign, Aquarius, align with her actual job as a hand maiden. Portia also wears a cat mask during the Masquerade.
XVIII. The Moon - Navra
Nadia's sister, Navra, wears a wolf mask during the Masquerade.
XIX. The Sun - Nahara
Nadia's sister, Nahara, wears a yellow outfit and dons an eagle themed mask during the masquerade, closely resembling the eagle depicted on the Sun card.
XX. Judgement - Nazali
Nadia's sibling, Nazali, wears an elephant mask during the Masquerade.
XXI. The World - Nafizah
Nadia's sister, Nafizah, wears a turtle mask during the Masquerade, as well as a circle above her head patterned with the tree design from the card. She also has a tiny turtle as a familiar. In Lucio's route, she seems to have a spiritual relationship with the World Turtle.
Minor Arcana[]
The minor Arcana are separated into four suits: cups, pentacles, swords, and wands. Within those, each suit contains one card each of 1-10, page, knight, queen, and king.
In Asra's tarot deck, each suit has an animal assigned to it as follows: