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Talis was a card game popular in Faerûn,[2] being considered "one of the four universal games" along with draughts, chess, and dice.[4]

Description[]

It involved a deck of 70 or 78 cards,[2][3][4][note 1] including four regular ("planar") suits (flames, stones, waves, and winds) and one trump suit of 22 cards, called the major arcana. Major arcana cards included the Sun, Moon, Star, Comet, Throne, Key, and Night cards, among others.[1][3]

Many games could be played with a Talis deck. Common examples included:[1]

  • whist,
  • poker,
  • talison,
  • elemental empires, and
  • old wizard.

Decks[]

Most decks were made of lacquered parchment or paper and stored in a wooden case.[2] A typical set might be purchased for 2 gold pieces,[2] although bargain sets made in Candlekeep could be purchased for as little as three silver pieces from Aurora's Emporium.[1]

Other Uses[]

Some inhabitants of Faerûn used Talis decks for non-magical divination purposes.[1]

History[]

Circa 1368 DR, the ambitious halfling from Waterdeep, Joshuan Havabuck, ran multiple schemes and business in the Dock Ward. One such prosperous enterprise was selling pornographic Talis card decks.[5]

Notable Talis Users[]

Appendix[]

Inspiration[]

A deck of Talis cards is described as similar to a deck of tarot cards.

Notes[]

  1. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition states there are 78 cards in a deck; however, Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue claims four twelve-card suits and a 22-card trump suit, which would be 70 cards. For reference, real-world Tarot decks have four fourteen-card suits and a 22-card trump suit for 78 cards.

Appearances[]

Novels
Azure BondsThe Wyvern's SpurTymora's LuckThe Yellow Silk
Video Games
Referenced only
Baldur's Gate III

Reference[]

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