1. A Dreamer's Awakening in Tingen

Klein Moretti / The Fool, a contemporary Chinese man, finds himself in the body of a suicide victim in the gas-lit, mysticism-laced city of Tingen. He quickly realizes he has transmigrated into a world both familiar and alien, where the crimson moon hangs over a society divided by class and haunted by the supernatural. Klein must adapt to his new identity, care for his impoverished family, and navigate a city where secrets and dangers lurk in every shadow. His journey begins with confusion, fear, and the desperate need to survive in a world ruled by hidden laws and ancient powers.

2. The Crimson Moon's Shadow

As Klein investigates the circumstances of his new body's death, he uncovers a world where the supernatural is real and deadly. The crimson moon is both a symbol and a source of power, and Klein's family is threatened by poverty and the unknown. He discovers a black notebook linked to the Antigonus family, drawing the attention of the Nighthawks—secret Church agents who hunt Beyonders. Klein's first steps into the world of mysticism are fraught with danger, as he learns that every secret has a price, and every act of survival leaves a mark.

3. Birth of the Tarot Club

Attempting a luck ritual, Klein is pulled into a mysterious gray fog, where he accidentally summons two strangers—Audrey and Alger. They believe him to be "The Fool," a powerful entity, and together they form the Tarot Club, a secret gathering of Beyonders who exchange knowledge and resources. This club, existing outside space and time, becomes a microcosm of the world's struggles for power, survival, and meaning. Klein's journey as a Seer begins, and the Tarot Club becomes both his sanctuary and his stage.

4. Secrets, Sacrifice, and the Nighthawks

Klein's investigation into the Antigonus notebook entangles him with the Nighthawks and the city's hidden supernatural underbelly. He learns the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Indestructibility—power never disappears, only changes hands. The cost of power and the weight of sacrifice is made clear as Klein witnesses the madness and death that stalk Beyonders. His mentor, Old Neil, succumbs to insanity, and Klein is forced to confront the reality that every gain is paid for in blood and sacrifice.

5. Masks, Fate, and the Acting Method

To survive as a Beyonder, Klein must master the "acting method"—living in accordance with the potion's core concept to digest its power. The line between self and role blurs, and Klein's journey becomes one of masks and performances. Fate is revealed to be manipulable, and coincidences are rarely random. The Tarot Club grows, and Klein's understanding of the world's hidden rules deepens, even as the cost of power and secrecy mounts.

6. The Devil's Son and Tingen's Fall

A madman's plot to birth the son of an evil god threatens to destroy Tingen. Klein and the Nighthawks race to stop the ritual, facing betrayal, loss, and the ultimate price of heroism. Captain Dunn Smith sacrifices himself, and Klein is killed by the traitorous Ince Zangwill, who seeks godhood. The Law of Indestructibility is made manifest: power, once gained, never disappears, only changes hands. Tingen is left a city of ghosts and memories.

7. The Price of Power and Resurrection

Klein is resurrected through his connection to the gray fog, discovering that his new powers come with limitations and dangers. He leaves Tingen for Backlund, seeking revenge and answers. The Tarot Club expands, and Klein's journey becomes one of survival, adaptation, and the search for meaning in a world where every act of heroism is paid for in loss and trauma.

8. Backlund's Smog and the Faceless Masses

In Backlund, Klein becomes a Faceless, mastering disguise and performance. The city is gripped by deadly smog and plague, the result of both natural forces and cultist plots. The suffering of the poor is rendered in heartbreaking detail, and Klein is forced to confront the limits of his power to help. The Tarot Club becomes a network of knowledge and influence, but every victory is paid for by the faceless masses.

9. The Sea God's End and New Faith

Klein's journey takes him to the sea, where he witnesses the death of the Sea God Kalvetua and takes up the Sea God's Scepter. He literally becomes a god to the islanders, responding to prayers and shaping a new faith. The narrative explores the dangers of primitive belief, the cost of power, and the possibility of transformation. The Tarot Club's influence grows, and the cycle of power and sacrifice continues.

10. The Cycle of Fate and Despair

Derrick and the City of Silver are trapped in a cycle of repeated explorations, reliving the same tragedies. With the Tarot Club's help, they break the cycle, confronting the Angel of Fate and the hidden hand of Rose Redemption. The narrative delves into the nature of fate, the power of memory, and the possibility of breaking free from despair.

11. The Maturing Tarot Club

The Tarot Club matures into a true secret society, with its own economy, rules, and network of influence. Members trade powers, knowledge, and services, and the club becomes a marketplace for survival and ambition. The cost of power is measured in gold, blood, and the willingness to risk one's soul. The approach of new storms—both literal and metaphorical—threatens to upend everything.

12. Masks, Debts, and the Spirit World

Klein's journey as a Marionettist and Faceless is both a mastery of disguise and a meditation on the masks everyone wears. The spirit world and the foggy town are places of exile and hidden knowledge, where the rules of reality are suspended and the cost of escape is high. Debts, both monetary and mystical, become central to survival, and the psychological cost of constant disguise threatens Klein's sanity.

13. The War Erupts and the Black Emperor's Ritual

War erupts as Feysac bombs Backlund, and the Loen Kingdom is thrown into turmoil. George III seeks to become the Black Emperor through a ritual set against the backdrop of war. The Tarot Club's members are caught in the maelstrom, each facing their own trials. The ancient secret organizations, the Churches, and the kings all move their pieces, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

14. Rose Redemption and the True Creator

The City of Silver's expedition uncovers the truth behind Rose Redemption: the future gods and Kings of Angels conspired to overthrow the ancient sun god, giving birth to the True Creator and setting the apocalypse in motion. The Tarot Club's discovery of this truth reframes the entire history of the world, revealing that the apocalypse was set in motion long ago by those who now rule.

15. Sefirah Castle and the Scholar of Yore

Klein advances to Scholar of Yore, gathering ancient knowledge and rare ingredients with the help of the Tarot Club. His ritual triggers a resonance with Sefirah Castle, the mysterious space above the gray fog, and he glimpses the true nature of the world's history. The past, present, and future collide, and the cost of knowledge is higher than ever.

16. The Lord of Mysteries Awakens

Klein prepares for the final ritual to accommodate The Fool's Uniqueness, but the will of the ancient Lord of the Mysteries—the Celestial Worthy—awakens within him. The battle is not just external, but internal: Klein must fight to maintain his self-awareness and humanity, using his anchors, faith, and the support of his allies to resist the tide of madness and destruction.

17. A Duel of Gods and the Price of Sacrifice

Amon, the God of Deceit, challenges Klein for control of Sefirah Castle. The battle is fought on every level—physical, conceptual, and narrative. Klein is forced to use every ounce of cunning, power, and luck to survive, even as he is pushed to the brink of annihilation. In the end, it is not power, but the willingness to face annihilation for the sake of others, that determines the outcome.

18. The End of an Era, The Dawn of Another

With the battle won but the cost immense, Klein enters a deep slumber to prevent the full awakening of the Lord of the Mysteries within him. The Tarot Club is summoned for a final gathering, each member given a commission to spread faith, protect the vulnerable, and prepare for the coming apocalypse. The world is left changed but not at peace, and the story ends with the promise of new journeys and the eternal struggle between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Characters

Klein Moretti / The Fool

Klein is the heart of the narrative—a modern man thrust into a world of mysticism, forced to adapt, survive, and ultimately ascend to godhood. His journey is marked by intelligence, caution, and a deep sense of responsibility. As The Fool, he becomes the center of the Tarot Club, a secret society that shapes the fate of the world. Klein's psychological struggle is profound: he must balance his humanity against the encroaching madness of power, using anchors—faith, friendship, and memory—to resist losing himself. His relationships with the Tarot Club, his family, and his allies are the threads that keep him grounded. Klein's legacy is not just in his deeds, but in the hope and faith he inspires in others.

Amon / Mr. Error

Amon is the embodiment of cunning, risk, and the pursuit of excitement. As a dual-pathway true god, he is both a formidable foe and a reflection of Klein's own struggles with identity and power. Amon's schemes, avatars, and manipulation of rules make him a nearly unstoppable force, but his inability to truly understand sacrifice and humanity is his greatest weakness. His duel with Klein is not just a battle of power, but a contest of wills, courage, and the meaning of self.

Audrey Hall / Justice

Audrey is a young noblewoman whose journey from naive idealist to powerful Dreamwalker mirrors the story's themes of growth, sacrifice, and the limits of good intentions. Her empathy and willingness to help others are both her strength and her vulnerability. Audrey's experiments with dreams and the subconscious reflect the novel's interest in the boundaries between self and other, reality and illusion. Her role in the Tarot Club is pivotal, providing resources, information, and a moral compass.

Alger Wilson / The Hanged Man

Alger is a Beyonder of the Sailor pathway, a man of the sea with a dark past and a pragmatic outlook. His journey is one of self-preservation, ambition, and the struggle to maintain his humanity in a world of shifting alliances. As The Hanged Man, he is both a source of information and a seeker of power, willing to make deals and take risks. His growing understanding of Klein's role and the Tarot Club's purpose marks a shift from self-interest to collective action.

Derrick Berg / The Sun

Derrick is a young man from the City of Silver, a cursed land cut off from the world. His innocence and determination are both a source of strength and vulnerability, as he faces the truth of humanity's origins and the weight of the past. Derrick's journey is one of awakening to the realities of power, history, and the possibility of change. His relationship with the Tarot Club is both a source of hope and a reminder of the cost of innocence.

Emlyn White / The Moon

Emlyn is a proud, doll-obsessed Sanguine who is chosen by his Ancestor to pray to The Fool and become the key to his race's survival. He is forced to confront the reality of faith, the burden of leadership, and the cost of pride. His journey is one of reluctant growth, as he learns to balance personal desire with collective destiny. His role as a connector between the Sanguine, the Tarot Club, and the broader world becomes ever more important.

Cattleya / Admiral of Stars / The Hermit

Cattleya's role is that of a broker, facilitator, and negotiator. She helps the Tarot Club mature into a true secret society, managing transactions, alliances, and the flow of information. Her connections to Queen Mystic and the Moses Ascetic Order bring both opportunities and dangers, and her own ambitions begin to surface as she seeks the blood of a Mythical Creature and the path to demigodhood.

Queen Mystic Bernadette

Bernadette's quest to become a Sage and her struggle with her father's legacy reflect the broader themes of history, fate, and the cost of knowledge. Her cooperation with Klein is born of shared ideals and a willingness to fight for a slim chance at a better future, even as the world descends into chaos.

Red Angel Medici

The Red Angel's return to Backlund is a harbinger of disaster. His cunning, patience, and willingness to play the long game make him a formidable foe and a dangerous ally. His interactions with Klein are a dance of mutual benefit and hidden threats, as both seek to use the other to further their own ends. Medici's presence is a constant reminder of the cost of power and the inevitability of conflict.

The Tarot Club

The members of the Tarot Club—Audrey, Alger, Derrick, Fors, Emlyn, Cattleya, Leonard, Xio—each play a crucial role in the final act. They are both ordinary and extraordinary, carrying out missions that spread faith, protect the vulnerable, and prepare for the coming apocalypse. Their stories are a testament to the power of friendship, sacrifice, and the belief that even the smallest actions can change the world.

Plot Devices

The Gray Fog and Sefirah Castle

The gray fog is a mysterious space Klein accesses through ritual, granting him the power to summon, communicate, and manipulate fate. Sefirah Castle, the sefirah he controls, is both a source of immense power and a prison, where the will of the ancient Lord of the Mysteries threatens to consume him. These spaces are both sanctuaries and stages, where the Law of Indestructibility and the Law of Convergence are made manifest.

The Law of Beyonder Characteristics Indestructibility and Convergence

These laws govern the world: Beyonder powers, once gained, never vanish. They are transferred, inherited, or stolen, but never destroyed. The convergence of Beyonder characteristics brings together powerful beings, events, and opportunities, but also new dangers, as the ambitions of gods, angels, and mortals collide.

The Acting Method and Masks

To digest a Beyonder potion and avoid madness, one must act in accordance with the potion's core concept. This "acting method" is both a path to power and a source of danger, as the line between self and role blurs. Klein's journey as a Faceless and Marionettist is both a literal mastery of disguise and a meditation on the masks everyone wears.

The Tarot Club as a Secret Society

The Tarot Club matures into a true secret society, with its own economy, rules, and network of influence. Members trade powers, knowledge, and services, and the club becomes a marketplace for survival and ambition. The cost of power is measured in gold, blood, and the willingness to risk one's soul.

Rituals, Faith, and the Spread of Stories

Rituals—whether for advancement, resurrection, or godhood—are central to the narrative. The spread of faith is not just a means of awakening The Fool, but a testament to the power of stories, memory, and the ordinary people who become extraordinary through their choices.

The Price of Power and the Weight of Sacrifice

The narrative repeatedly emphasizes that every act of heroism, every gain in power, and every victory comes at a terrible cost. The deaths of the poor, the suffering of the innocent, and the personal losses of the protagonists are all rendered in stark detail. The story is a meditation on the nature of fate, the limits of agency, and the meaning of sacrifice.

Analysis

Klein Moretti's journey—from bewildered transmigrator to reluctant god—is a study in adaptation, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in a world ruled by hidden laws and ancient powers. The narrative is driven by the Law of Indestructibility and the Law of Convergence: power never disappears, only changes hands, and fate draws power as power draws fate. Every gain is paid for in blood, loss, and trauma, and the true cost of heroism is borne by the faceless masses.

The Tarot Club, formed in the gray fog and matured into a secret society, is both a sanctuary and a stage, a place where secrets are traded, missions are issued, and the endless cycle of power and sacrifice is played out. The acting method, the Law, and the endless coincidences that shape Klein's fate are metaphors for the roles we play, the masks we wear, and the price we pay for survival and meaning.

The story is a blend of steampunk, mysticism, and psychological horror, where every character is both a pawn and a player, and every act of heroism is paid for in loss. The cycle ends, the world changes, and the curtain falls, but the story continues. The Fool, the Clown, the World—all are roles in the endless cycle of power, sacrifice, and destiny.

Last updated: April 30, 2025