The One Who Holds The Joker

Cards mean everything here.

If you want rations, you can buy them with a pair of twos.

If you want matches, you need a pair of threes.

A full house, sevens over tens, lets you conjure fireballs.

And four aces give you a second life.

How do you get cards?

You play fun little challenges using the cards you already have. If you win, you get cards. If you lose, you either lose a part of yourself or your card.

A two saves a fingernail while the queen saves a lung.

Monsters? What are you talking about? Those are people, just like you. They've simply had to pay. After all, everything has a price, and there are always ways to repay your debts. Don't think about it too much.

Do what you can to win, and you could achieve even your wildest wishes. Power and riches come to many here. Even immortality isn't off the table. Doesn't that sound exciting?

Please come down to The House of Cards. We will surely enjoy your stay.

...

Jack was born in The House of Cards, but he was raised by his father without seeing the horrors this place had to offer. Then one day, his father got a gift.

"Happy birthday, Jack! Here's your present, a red Joker card."

"Wow! Thanks, Dad!"

"Now promise me that you will never lose it. No matter what."

And after Jack made that promise, his father disappeared the very next day.