Card 23

Elusive Sleep

Value: 6
Visions • Swans • Blades • Water

Meanings: Futility, worry, stress, awareness


The richest noble cannot buy sleep. The strongest among us cannot compel its submission. Even the wisest person might lose a night’s rest to anxiety. Still, when we’re awake, we are aware, and that awareness can be crucial.


Divination: Elusive Sleep indicates one is wracked with worry. . . or should be. It might indicate that the stress that one feels is a real detriment, and that whatever is being attempted is utterly futile. Last, this card turn might suggest that the key to success lies in vigilance.

Game Narrative: Someone is wracked with worry. An NPC notices something important. An NPC’s actions are futile. No one can sleep.

Joy: The PC notices something vital. An NPC foe struggles against something impossible, wasting time and energy.

Despair: The PC’s actions are useless. The PC cannot sleep and suffers for it. A vigilant NPC notices something the PC would like to remain hidden.


Sleep can be difficult prey for even the most skilled hunter when it wishes to be.