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Hanafuda Earrings

A Memento to a Second Coming of Age

"Every inferno begins with a spark, every spark begins with a moment of action, every moment of action begins when you truly believe."



H
anafuda Earrings are a style of Elven jewelry designed to mimic playing cards of the same name, albeit with a much smaller version of those cards. On their own they aren't necessarily culturally significant and the earrings themselves are mundane, only becoming magical after a unique interaction with Elves specifically.

For those unfamiliar, every Elf has what they call a Spark; a fragment of pure draconic magic that gives them both life and a unique connection to one of the elements. For most people this means they give off an aura and have traits like a magical instinct similar to Detect Magic, but under the right circumstances, such as near-death experiences or desperate acts of heroism, these sparks can "ignite". It's in this moment that Elves are overclocked, temporarily granting them a draconic level of elemental power and permanently changing them in some way.
Putting this here as a placeholder

An Elf's Spark igniting is seen as a second coming of age, and the lasting effects, either visually, physically, and/or magically, vary heavily. Which brings us back to the Hanafuda Earrings, a prime example of items being influenced by the event. As a result of ignition, the design on the cards will change completely to reflect the newfound connection between the Elf and their core element. This change gives off a surge of elemental magic similar to an upcasted Thunderwave in what we can only assume is an effort to protect the user from whatever threatened them. From this point on the earrings become magical. The buffs, bonuses, and boons granted by the item vary, but are always related to the element. The most consistent effect is a spell or ability unique to the user, much like Runic Gear, which is communicated through the card's new design.

Rarity

  • Rare

Type

  • Non-Magical Trinket with Potential

Association

Common Price

  • N/A

Additional Notes

  • Because of how the earrings become magical, the item is pretty much exclusive to Elves. However, they can still be gifted while retaining their magical effects regardless of the new user.

  • In Yasurun, there's a tradition of giving blank versions of the earrings to new Demon Hunters or Adventurers whose Sparks haven't ignited, as a parting gift and symbol of protection; so if/when they return home with completed cards there will be undeniable proof of their story.

Mechanics

  • In the context of a game, this is a trinket that grants a passive effect and/or a once per encounter spell/ability. Both of which being related to a character specific element.
All the art is made by me unless labled otherwise!

Comments

Author's Notes

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, this one is blatant. I can have one article where I don't put any effort in masking an inspiration and how obsessed I am with it, as a treat. I didn't even make up an Elven word for this. Not only are Hanafuda Earrings real and not just a Demon Slayer thing, not only are they actual Japanese playing cards, but I actually have a pair of Tanjiro's in real life. Clip-ons though, I'm still not cool enough to get my ears pierced (yet). I'm telling you, man, that first Hinokami Kagura altered my brain chemistry and it'll continue to influence my work for the rest of my life.   Oh and for those who don't know what the hell kinda weeb shit I'm talking about, the earrings don't actually do this in the show they're purely a design/symbolism thing. The reference is blatant but I assure you I DID expand upon it and gave it a meaningful connection to Elves. Anyway, that's all for now. Have a good one!


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Jul 8, 2024 10:41 by Ephraïm Boateng

Demon Slayer is awesome, and it's nice to read something connected to it, even if like you said, they don't really do anything in the show. I really like what you did with them here, tho!

Jul 8, 2024 18:29 by Jon

Thanks so much!

While I would love to go on an adventure, writing them is enough for me.
Jul 12, 2024 14:59 by Myth Cross

Oh that is a very cool item! I like the personal touch and the story that comes out of owning a set of Hanafuda earrings! Great detail!

MYTH X

Tell me stories! Here's your Ticket to the World of Arc Sagas!

Jul 20, 2024 12:13

Hey, inspiration can be a good thing, and I do like how you expand upon just an aesthetical thing to have some fun cultural traits and importance. Can't wait to see the item card!   It does make me curious if there's any historical earrings then people seek after, like a fabled demon hunter or adventurer who just happens to get a very strong ability from their ignition. That or if there's even a limit how many cards can be activated from the same spark, leading to some wearing like 3 of them on each ear.   Either way, great prompt!

Jul 20, 2024 19:10 by Jon

Okay wait hold on you might be COOKING here, I'll have to make a note of that immediately! Thanks so much!!!

While I would love to go on an adventure, writing them is enough for me.
Aug 1, 2024 07:20 by George Sanders

I like the storytelling potential of a non-magical trinket that has potential in the right hands (or ear).

Read about the great items submitted for the Summer Camp Prompt I sponsored "A personal item that keeps you safe".
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Aug 1, 2024 10:58 by Jon

Right??? That is ABSOLUTELY the vibe I'm going for with this world!

While I would love to go on an adventure, writing them is enough for me.
Sep 2, 2024 03:11 by Lilliana Casper

Yay, a Demon Slayer fan! It's so cool that your Hanafuda earrings actually do something.

Lilliana Casper   I don't comment much, but I love reading your articles! Please check out my worlds, Jerde and Tread of Darkness.
Sep 2, 2024 04:06 by Jon

Niiiiice, I'm glad you like it!!!

While I would love to go on an adventure, writing them is enough for me.