Unknowable Truth
Value: 4
Secrets • Ravens • Books • Flame
Meanings: Truth, searching, futility
The raven stands watch over the unknown.
As we strive for understanding, the closer we get to the truth, the farther away it becomes—we know this to be true, but only after we’ve made the journey. The truth we learn is that we cannot actually know the truth.
At the very heart of the Secrets family, the Unknowable Truth is the ultimate secret—the secret that cannot be, by its very nature, learned. But still we try anyway. It is futile, and yet it is productive. Even when you climb an infinite mountain, you’re still moving forward.
Divination: When the Unknowable Truth card is revealed, it affirms and advocates for a conclusion. However, it indicates futility regarding a plan. Otherwise, it means that the answer requires more searching, perhaps searching elsewhere.
Game Narrative: Something is affirmed. A question is answered with a “yes.” An NPC is searching for something. A book with questionable contents is found.
Joy: The PC learns the truth about something (but it probably raises more questions).
Despair: The PC’s plan fails in such a way that it is clear that even retrying is futile. An NPC with ill intent is searching for the PC.
The foolish find the unknowable frustrating. I find it sustaining.