Life After Everything: Astro Oceans 🌊 Tarot Tabletop RPG

What's Inside

❓What this project is about

After four years of world-building, Life After Everything: Astro Oceans invites you to explore the cosmos within and beyond, a 78-card tarot deck with full interpretations and a complete guidebook, a solo journaling RPG, and a two-book tabletop system that turn reflection, imagination, and friendship into adventure.

🃏The Deck

⭐Major Arcana

The Major Arcana of Life After Everything charts the mythic journey of transformation, from collapse to creation, from self-forgetting to cosmic remembrance. Each archetype is reimagined through celestial symbolism, portraying the human experience as a constellation of lessons, losses, and luminous awakenings scattered across the inner cosmos.

🪐Planets

The Planets suit, reimagined from Pentacles, represents Material Energy, the grounding forces that shape the visible world. It speaks to work, health, home, and the art of building something lasting from within. Just as planets form through gravity and time, this suit reminds us that stability and abundance are created through steady orbit, turning inner growth into tangible reality.

🌌Nebulae

The Nebulae suit, reimagined from Wands, channels Creative Energy, the raw cosmic fire of inspiration and becoming. It’s the restless force that fuels imagination, ambition, and transformation, appearing in moments of spark or frustration alike. Like a nebula birthing new stars, this suit reminds us that creation often begins in the chaos before clarity, urging us to shape possibility into form.

💫Constellations

The Constellations suit, reimagined from Swords, embodies Mental Energy, the power of the mind to map meaning across chaos. Like stars connected into patterns, it reflects thought, clarity, and communication, the ability to transform scattered experiences into insight. This suit reminds us that understanding is an act of creation, and every realization is its own constellation.

🕳️Gravity Wells

The Gravity Wells suit, reimagined from Cups, embodies Emotional Energy, the unseen pull of feeling, memory, and connection that shapes your orbit. It reflects love, loss, intuition, and empathy, the invisible currents that guide your choices and bind you to others. Like gravity itself, these forces can’t be seen, only felt, reminding us that the heart’s pull is what gives our journeys weight and meaning.

Forget everything you think you know about tarot. We're not here to predict the future. We're not here to divine hidden truths or tap into mystical forces. We're here to use these 78 cards as tools for seeing things differently and personal growth.

"In the cosmos after everything, the cards don't tell your future, they reveal your present moment's infinite possibilities."

The Shift from Fortune-Telling to Growth

Traditional tarot asks: "What will happen?"
Growth-focused tarot asks: "What perspective am I missing?"

Traditional tarot seeks: Certainty about the future
Growth-focused tarot seeks: New ways of seeing the present

Traditional tarot assumes: The cards hold answers
Growth-focused tarot assumes: You hold the answers, the cards help you access them

The Life After Everything Tarot Deck features striking black-and-white illustrations enhanced with Holographic Foil Stamping that catches light like starlight across the cosmos. Each card shimmers with depth and detail, while the Holographic-Gilded Edges create a radiant spectrum when fanned in hand, transforming every reading into a luminous exploration of your inner universe.

Deck Specifications: Forged in Starlight

I am committed to creating a deck that is as beautiful to hold as it is to behold. Every copy of the "Life After Everything" Tarot will be crafted with the highest quality materials. 78 Cards: Standard tarot size (2.75" x 4.75" or 70mm x 120mm). Premium Card Stock: Printed on luxurious and durable 350 GSM art paper, matte UV varnish, Hot foil stamping (Holographic) on both sides, Holographic gilded
edges

💴 Gold Edition

The Gold Edition of the Life After Everything Tarot Deck is a luminous reimagining of the original, featuring gold foil detailing and gold-gilded edges that gleam with celestial warmth. Each card is bathed in soft milky light blue hues, evoking the calm glow of a nebula at dawn. Designed as both a collector’s piece and a work of art, this edition captures the essence of the cosmos in every reflection, radiant, elegant, and made to feel like holding a fragment of starlight itself.

 both decks are the same size, standard tarot size 70mm x 120mm (2.75" x 4.75").

The difference isn’t in size, but in the finish and aesthetic:

Cosmic deck → holographic foil + holo edges
Gold deck → gold foil details + gold edges

📘Tarot Guidebook

The Life After Everything Guidebook is your companion through the cosmos, featuring full card interpretations, reflective prompts, and The Alchemist Way solo journaling RPG. It bridges mysticism and play, offering practical insight and narrative depth as you explore the landscapes of change, creativity, and the infinite worlds within.

Welcome, traveler. You've found something different. This is a space where the old rules don't apply. New possibilities are waiting to unfold.

"The old world is gone. What comes next is up to you."

This isn't your typical tarot book. We're not here to predict your future. We won't tell you what's going to happen. Instead, we're going to explore what it means to be truly alive in the cosmos after everything.

📌 Key Concept: Catastrophic Echo Chamber - The endless loop of worry, comparison, and performance anxiety.

Many people feel trapped in what we call the Catastrophic Echo Chamber. This is that endless loop of worry, comparison, and performance anxiety. The World Engine uses it to keep us disconnected from our authentic selves. But that doesn't have to be your story.

Life After Everything is about breaking free from the Catastrophic Echo Chamber. You know that endless cycle of worry, comparison, and trying to be perfect? That's the World Engine's way of keeping us trapped. It keeps us stuck in someone else's idea of who we should be.

"Your authentic frequency is the only signal that matters."

📌 Core Practice: This book teaches three essential skills for authentic living.
This book helps you:
- Find your real voice in all the noise (Signal vs. Noise)
- Live with full presence and energy (Embodied Presence)
- Discover what comes next when you stop performing (Radical Aliveness)

📌 Essential Tool: The Three Sacred Questions - Use these mantras throughout your journey.
The Three Sacred Questions of the New World:
- So what? - Breaking free from the Catastrophic Echo Chamber's thinking
- Why not? - Challenging the World Engine's limitations
- Hmm. Interesting. - Creating space for authentic curiosity

The Cosmic Truth:

In the vast cosmos after everything, you are not a mistake. You are not behind schedule. You are not broken and in need of fixing. You are a unique constellation of experiences, wisdom, and potential. You have never existed before and will never exist again. Your only job is to discover what wants to emerge when you stop trying to be someone else.

Every moment of authentic presence is a victory against the World Engine.

The old world is gone. Your authentic world is waiting.

Personal Reflection Space:
```
What "old world" patterns am I ready to leave behind?
What would my "authentic world" look like?
One small step I can take today:

This comprehensive guidebook is your key to understanding the language of the Inner Cosmos. It includes detailed interpretations for all 78 cards, custom spreads, and a deep dive into the core lore.

The Alchemist Way is the solo RPG woven into the Life After Everything guidebook, a reflective, story-driven experience where tarot draws become moments of choice, memory, and transformation. Each session unfolds like a personal myth, guiding you to navigate the shifting constellations of your inner world and turn reflection into adventure.

📝 Journal Prompt:
What does "the old world is gone" mean to you personally? What old patterns, expectations, or ways of being are you ready to leave behind?

✍️ Need help starting? Try these:
- "The old world for me was..."
- "I'm ready to stop..."
- "What I want to leave behind is..."
- "The new world I want to create is..."

🎯 Interactive Exercise: Want to go deeper? Try the [Catastrophic Echo Chamber Worksheet] to identify and break free from your worry loops.

Astro Oceans

Astro Oceans TTRPG is a rules-light tabletop RPG about celestials navigating the star-seas and helping new worlds take their first breaths. Built around a simple d20 chassis, it focuses on mood, choices, and character journeys instead of heavy math. The Life After Everything tarot deck weaves directly into play, offering prompts, twists, and emotional beats that transform each session into a living tarot spread..

This game is played with friends, a set of polyhedral dice (from 4-sided to 20-sided), and a special Tarot deck called the Life After Everything deck. One person takes on the role of Gamemaster (GM), who helps frame the scenes and play the rest of the cosmos. The other players (that's you\!) take on the roles of these celestial beings.

Together, you'll create a story.

The Astro Oceans Rulebook gives players everything they need to create characters, explore strange worlds, and master the flow of celestial energy that powers their abilities. It’s a complete system designed to be accessible, flexible, and full of narrative potential whether you’re diving into quick one-shots or long-form campaigns that chart the evolution of your celestial across eras.

• Streamlined rules that keep the focus on story, not rule lookups.
• Play as unique celestials with their own burdens, gifts, and arcane relics.
• Use tarot draws for unexpected turns, emotional reveals, and worldbuilding sparks.
• Designed for one-shots, short arcs, or longer campaigns with minimal prep.
• Perfect for groups who love introspective, cozy, or gently weird adventures.

For storytellers, the Gamemaster’s Guidebook expands the universe with deep lore, factions, relics, and ready-to-play adventures. It provides creative tools and cosmic secrets to help shape unforgettable sessions, guiding you through the mysteries that swirl beneath the surface of the stars. Together, these two books create an entire RPG ecosystem one built to inspire imagination, collaboration, and a sense of awe at the infinite world within and beyond.

• Easy onboarding for both tarot readers and TTRPG newcomers.
• One unified resolution system for conflict, exploration, social scenes, and arcane magic.
• Tarot draws add surprise, synchronicity, and emotional depth without slowing things down.
• Ideal for 2–5 players plus a GM, or for solo/duo play with optional prompts.
• Supports both “low prep” nights and more elaborate long-term campaigns

The "world" of this game isn't a planet. It's the entire, endless, beautiful cosmos, treated as a vast, navigable ocean. You sail your strange, personal vessels not on water, but on currents of gravity and streams of solar wind.
 

🎥The Team

We’re a small team of artists and storytellers who’ve poured real heart and hands into bringing this world to life, each piece crafted through genuine human collaboration and creative care. Thank you for supporting real artists and the hands that bring imagination to life.

Hi, I’m Samuel Nichols, an artist and creator of Gifted Ocean, a creative studio where all my nerdy obsessions finally get to live in one place.

I’ve spent over twenty years in the creative world, but I’ve always been the kind of person who gets equally excited about astrophysics videos, anime, learning new skills, or spending time with my animals. If I had infinite time, I’d probably try to learn every musical instrument ever invented… and still find room for another sci-fi series.

Gifted Ocean is where all of that curiosity takes shape. The worlds I build, like Life After Everything and Gifted Saga TCG, grow out of a mix of illustration, storytelling, game design, and personal growth stitched together into something that feels alive and inviting to explore.

Whether it’s a quiet solo session or a table full of friends, my goal is simple: create imaginative experiences that are creative, human, and genuinely fun to play.

Hi! I’m Laura Dumitriu, an illustrator, content creator, and art teacher who’s been making art for over 15 years (and loving every messy, colorful minute of it). 

I’ve illustrated more than 10 children’s books, but my curiosity doesn’t stop there, I’ve recently picked up knitting and crochet, and I’m always poking around different ways to mix art and creativity. I love diving into all kinds of projects, whether it’s designing quirky characters, telling fun stories, or inspiring others to create their own magic.

Basically, if it involves making something with my hands (or my brain), I’m in! I’m so excited to share this project with you, and maybe even sprinkle a little bit of joy and silliness along the way.

🌟 WHY BACK NOW

The first 48 hours of any Kickstarter are critical, and in a universe built on momentum, your early backing matters even more. When you jump in on Day 1–2, you’re not only reserving limited rewards, you’re helping push Life After Everything: Astro Oceans into the spotlight, unlocking stretch goals faster, and sending a clear signal that this is a universe worth believing in.

• Lock in limited rewards like early-bird pricing and special editions before they’re gone.
• Boost our visibility on Kickstarter so more magic-makers discover the project.
• Accelerate stretch goals that add more content, upgrades, and surprises to everyone’s rewards.
• Shape the future of the Astro Oceans line by showing there’s demand for more.
• Become part of the “founding wave” of celestials who helped bring this universe to life.

These initial prints are destined to become legends. Back now to claim your place in the cosmos before they drift into memory.

🛍 Pledge over Time available!

Pledge over Time available for Life After Everything!

In LAE, we are utilizing the new feature of Kickstarter: Pledge over Time.
You can now pledge for the Tier you want and split the total amount to 3 equal payments.
Just make sure your selected pledge is $125 or more, then select the Pledge Over Time feature before checking out and you should be all set!
Make sure to check the Pledge Over time related article of Kickstarter here for more details.

📝Pledges

Tiers & Rewards

This section breaks down what is in each tier. As you move up in tiers, the savings compared to buying the add-ons individually increase! See the graphic below for an overview.

PDF Tier - $30

Explore the universe in digital form. Includes all core PDFs: the Tarot Guidebook + Alchemist Way Solo RPG, Astro Oceans Rulebook, and GM Guidebook.

• Tarot Guidebook (PDF) (+ The Alchemist Way Solo RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• Astro Oceans Rulebook (PDF) — Player core rules
• GM Guidebook (PDF) — Lore & worldbuilding guide

$70 — Tarot Explorer

Begin your journey through the stars with the 78-card Life After Everything Tarot Deck and printed Guidebook. Includes all unlocked stretch goals Rewards.

• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Tarot Guidebook (+ The Alchemist Way RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG

$75 — Digital Voyager Deluxe (PDF)

The Digital Voyager Tier grants full access to the Life After Everything: Astro Oceans universe, core rulebooks, The Alchemist Way solo RPG, two adventure zines, two STL minis, and all digital stretch goals for one complete cosmic journey.

• Tarot Guidebook PDF (+ The Alchemist Way Solo RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• Astro Oceans Rulebook PDF — Player core rules
• GM Guidebook PDF — Lore & worldbuilding guide
• Ronin’s Honor (Adventure Zine) — Story of duty & loss
• Echoes from the Void (Adventure Zine) — Mystery beyond the light
• Ten of Constellations STL — 3D-printable celestial guardian
• Eight of Nebulae STL — 3D-printable cosmic wanderer
• + All Digital Stretch Goals

$99 — The Alchemist’s Bundle

Everything you need for deep introspection and artistic play. Includes the Life After Everything Tarot Deck, Guidebook, Journal, and Pouch, Plus all unlocked stretch goals Rewards.

• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Tarot Guidebook — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• The Alchemist Way Journal — Reflective writing companion
• Tarot Pouch — Celestial deck sleeve
• Cosmic Dice Set — Star-forged polyhedrals
• All unlocked stretch goals Rewards,

$129 — The Twin Deck Collector

Two decks, one destiny. Includes everything in The Alchemist’s Bundle plus the Kickstarter-exclusive Gold Edition LAE Tarot Deck. Plus all unlocked stretch goals Rewards.

• Tarot Guidebook (+ The Alchemist Way Solo RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Gold Holographic Collector Tarot Deck, — Gold-tier collector variant
• The Alchemist Way Journal — Reflective writing companion
• Cosmic Dice Set — Star-forged polyhedrals
• Tarot Cloth — Starfield altar mat
• Tarot Pouch — Celestial deck sleeve
• All unlocked stretch goals Rewards,

$149 — The Ocean Wanderer (TTRPG Core Set)

Set sail across the Astro Oceans with the Rulebook, GM Guidebook, Dice Set, GM Screen. Plus all unlocked stretch goals Rewards.

• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Astro Oceans Rulebook — Player core rules
• GM Guidebook — Lore & worldbuilding guide
• Cosmic Dice Set — Star-forged polyhedrals
• GM Screen — Fold-out reference veil
• All unlocked stretch goals Rewards,

$199 — Cosmic Convergence

Own the full cosmos. Both tarot and tabletop worlds together, every deck, book, dice, in one definitive bundle. Plus all unlocked stretch goals Rewards.
✨ A $335+ value — save $136 (41% off).

• Astro Oceans Rulebook — Player core rules
• GM Guidebook — Lore & worldbuilding guide
• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Gold Holographic Collector Tarot Deck, — Gold-tier collector variant
• Tarot Guidebook (+ The Alchemist Way Solo RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• The Alchemist Way Journal — Reflective writing companion
• Cosmic Dice Set — Star-forged polyhedrals
• GM Screen — Fold-out reference veil
• Tarot Pouch — Celestial deck sleeve
• All unlocked stretch goals Rewards,

$299 — Collector’s Altar

A sacred collector’s edition including everything from Cosmic Convergence, plus a magnetic Collector’s Box, foil-stamped covers, certificate, and signed art print.

• Heirloom Box
• Astro Oceans Rulebook — Player core rules
• GM Guidebook — Lore & worldbuilding guide
• Tarot Guidebook (+ The Alchemist Way Solo RPG) — Full interpretations + Solo RPG
• Gold Holographic Collector Tarot Deck, — Gold-tier collector variant
• LAE Holographic Tarot Deck — Shimmering 78-card cosmic archetypes
• Ronin’s Honor (Adventure Zine) — Story of duty & loss
• Echoes from the Void (Adventure Zine) — Mystery beyond the light
• Ten of Constellations STL — 3D-printable celestial guardian
• Eight of Nebulae STL — 3D-printable cosmic wanderer
• The Alchemist Way Journal — Reflective writing companion
• Cosmic Dice Set — Star-forged polyhedrals
• GM Screen — Fold-out reference veil
• Tarot Cloth — Starfield altar mat
• Tarot Pouch — Celestial deck sleeve
• Printed Map — Celestial world chart
• All unlocked stretch goals Rewards,

$1111 — The Cosmic Architect 

The ultimate collector’s edition for those who want to become part of the story itself.

Includes everything from the Heirloom Tier, plus:

• Custom One-of-One Rune or Tarot Card, illustrated and signed by the creator — made uniquely for you.
• Your likeness, name, or symbol woven into the lore of the Astro Oceans universe as an NPC, relic, or constellation.
• Private Signed Copy Set of all books with a custom dedication from creator Samuel Nichols.
• Founder Credit in both the Astro Oceans and Life After Everything books, honoring your role in bringing this world to life.

✨ A personal relic, a written legacy, and a permanent mark within the cosmos of Gifted Ocean.

🌠Stretch Goals

Each milestone unlocks new relics, music, and worlds, expanding Life After Everything: Astro Oceans into a living universe shaped by our collective journey.

⚓ The first souls set sail. 

Unlocks a full set of eight ready-to-play characters each with lore, backstory hooks, unique relics, and ready-to-play stat sheets. Includes printable character cards + digital files for instant campaign setup.

Free STL

👑 A monarch forged from stardust. Unlocks a high-resolution 3D printable STL miniature of  the King of the Nebulae, a celestial being featured in  Astro Oceans lore. Includes pre-supported and  un-supported versions for resin printers.

Special Edition Rune Deck

The language of creation revealed. A 24-card oracle of cosmic runes bridging Tarot and RPG play, printed in metallic foil and housed in a mini tuck box. Applies to: Free for $99+ tiers; add-on for others

🎧 Limited Edition Vinyl

Hear the cosmos breathe. A collector’s vinyl pressing of the Astro Oceans  Original Soundtrack on cosmic-marble wax never to be reprinted once gone. Applies to: Available as add-on only once unlocked  (limited to 100 units total)

Five of Constellations

The second celestial statue in the saga an intricate 3D printable figure representing  unity among the stars, unlocked for all backers.

🧭Solo Campaign

A new journaling campaign for The Alchemist Way trace the constellations that don’t yet exist.

The Companion App 📱

A digital portal into the Life After Everything cosmos.

A cross-platform hub linking Tarot, Runes, and RPG play digital draws, dice, maps, and synced cosmic journals.         

Applies to: All backers     

📦Shipping

💰 VAT, TAXES & IMPORT FEES

Please note: VAT, GST, customs duties, and other taxes are not collected as part of this Kickstarter campaign. If your country requires import duties or taxes upon delivery, you will be responsible for those fees.

We recommend checking with your local customs office for details about possible charges. By pledging to this campaign, you acknowledge that additional taxes or duties may apply upon receipt of your rewards, and that backers are responsible for complying with local tax regulations.

📃Schedule

The designs are complete, our factory is secured, and we’re ready to bring this collection to life, with your support.

Our timeline has been carefully planned to give every part of the project the attention it deserves, from proofing and final file checks to manufacturing, quality control, and worldwide fulfillment. Production is set to begin in May 2026, with delivery to backers estimated for November 2026.

We’ve built in realistic buffers for manufacturing and shipping to ensure a smooth process, and we’ll keep you updated through each major milestone, printing, packaging, and freight. You’ll always know exactly where things stand as your rewards make their way from our hands to yours.

Transparency is at the heart of this campaign. We’ll share progress photos, factory updates, and production news right here on Kickstarter and in our community channels, so you can follow along as this cosmic collection takes shape.

🌊 About Gifted Ocean

Gifted Ocean is an independent art and game studio founded by Samuel Nichols and supported by artist Laura D. With over two decades of experience in design, the studio focuses on crafting original worlds that merge art, music, and interactive storytelling.

Our first two major projects, Life After Everything: Astro Oceans and Gifted Saga TCG, represent our commitment to creativity, community, and craftsmanship. We believe great art and games come from passion and play, and we’re excited to keep building experiences that inspire others to create their own adventures.