diff --git a/src/core/Global.ttslua b/src/core/Global.ttslua
index 08e5268e..0ac0f349 100644
--- a/src/core/Global.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/Global.ttslua
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ local NOT_INTERACTABLE = {
 
 local chaosTokens = {}
 local chaosTokensLastMat = nil
-local IS_RESHUFFLING = false
 local bagSearchers = {}
 local MAT_COLORS = {"White", "Orange", "Green", "Red"}
 local hideTitleSplashWaitFunctionId = nil
@@ -143,14 +142,6 @@ function onLoad(savedData)
   math.randomseed(os.time())
 end
 
----------------------------------------------------------
--- encounter card drawing
----------------------------------------------------------
-
-function isDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Deck' end
-
-function isCardOrDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Card' or x.tag == 'Deck' end
-
 -- Event hook for any object search.  When chaos tokens are manipulated while the chaos bag
 -- container is being searched, a TTS bug can cause tokens to duplicate or vanish.  We lock the
 -- chaos bag during search operations to avoid this.
@@ -179,82 +170,6 @@ function tryObjectEnterContainer(container, object)
   return true
 end
 
-function drawEncountercard(params)
-  local position = params[1]
-  local rotation = params[2]
-  local alwaysFaceUp = params[3]
-  local card
-  local items = findInRadiusBy(ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS, 4, isCardOrDeck)
-  if #items > 0 then
-    for _, v in ipairs(items) do
-      if v.tag == 'Deck' then
-        card = v.takeObject({index = 0})
-        break
-      end
-    end
-    -- we didn't find the deck so just pull the first thing we did find
-    if card == nil then card = items[1] end
-    actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
-  else
-    -- nothing here, time to reshuffle
-    reshuffleEncounterDeck(params)
-  end
-end
-
-function actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
-  local position = params[1]
-  local rotation = params[2]
-  local alwaysFaceUp = params[3]
-  local faceUpRotation = 0
-  if not alwaysFaceUp then
-    local metadata = JSON.decode(card.getGMNotes()) or {}
-    if metadata.hidden or getObjectFromGUID(DATA_HELPER_GUID).call('checkHiddenCard', card.getName()) then
-      faceUpRotation = 180
-    end
-  end
-  card.setPositionSmooth(position, false, false)
-  card.setRotationSmooth({0, rotation.y, faceUpRotation}, false, false)
-end
-
-function reshuffleEncounterDeck(params)
-  -- finishes moving the deck back and draws a card
-  local function move(deck)
-    deck.setPositionSmooth({ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS[1], ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS[2] + 2, ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS[3]}, false, true)
-    actualEncounterCardDraw(deck.takeObject({index=0}), params)
-    Wait.time(function() IS_RESHUFFLING = false end, 1)
-  end
-  -- bail out if we're mid reshuffle
-  if IS_RESHUFFLING then return end
-  local discarded = findInRadiusBy(ENCOUNTER_DECK_DISCARD_POSITION, 4, isDeck)
-  if #discarded > 0 then
-    IS_RESHUFFLING = true
-    local deck = discarded[1]
-    if not deck.is_face_down then deck.flip() end
-    deck.shuffle()
-    Wait.time(|| move(deck), 0.3)
-  else
-    printToAll("Couldn't find encounter discard pile to reshuffle.", {1, 0, 0})
-  end
-end
-
-function findInRadiusBy(pos, radius, filter)
-  local objList = Physics.cast({
-    origin = pos,
-    direction = {0, 1, 0},
-    type = 2,
-    size = {radius, radius, radius},
-    max_distance = 0
-  })
-
-  local filteredList = {}
-  for _, obj in ipairs(objList) do
-    if filter and filter(obj.hit_object) then
-      table.insert(filteredList, obj.hit_object)
-    end
-  end
-  return filteredList
-end
-
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 -- chaos token drawing
 ---------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua b/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
index 57455b30..5cac0f66 100644
--- a/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/MythosArea.ttslua
@@ -12,9 +12,16 @@ local ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_AREA = {
   lowerRight = { x = 1.58, z = 0.38 },
 }
 
-local currentScenario
-local useFrontData
-local tokenData
+-- global position of encounter deck and discard pile
+local ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS = { x = -3.93, y = 1, z = 5.76 }
+local ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_POSITION = { x = -3.85, y = 1, z = 10.38 }
+local isReshuffling = false
+
+-- scenario metadata
+local currentScenario, useFrontData, tokenData
+
+-- GUID of data helper
+local DATA_HELPER_GUID = "708279"
 
 local TRASHCAN
 local TRASHCAN_GUID = "70b9f6"
@@ -117,6 +124,68 @@ function returnTokenData()
   }
 end
 
+---------------------------------------------------------
+-- encounter card drawing
+---------------------------------------------------------
+
+-- 'params' contains the position, rotation and a boolean to force a faceup draw
+function drawEncounterCard(params)
+  local card
+  local items = searchArea(ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS, { 3, 1, 4 }, isCardOrDeck)
+  if #items > 0 then
+    for _, j in ipairs(items) do
+      local v = j.hit_object
+      if v.tag == 'Deck' then
+        card = v.takeObject({ index = 0 })
+        break
+      end
+    end
+    -- we didn't find the deck so just pull the first thing we did find
+    if card == nil then card = items[1].hit_object end
+    actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
+  else
+    -- nothing here, time to reshuffle
+    reshuffleEncounterDeck(params)
+  end
+end
+
+function actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
+  local faceUpRotation = 0
+  if not params.alwaysFaceUp then
+    local metadata = JSON.decode(card.getGMNotes()) or {}
+    if metadata.hidden or getObjectFromGUID(DATA_HELPER_GUID).call('checkHiddenCard', card.getName()) then
+      faceUpRotation = 180
+    end
+  end
+  card.setPositionSmooth(params.pos, false, false)
+  card.setRotationSmooth({ 0, params.rotY, faceUpRotation }, false, false)
+end
+
+function reshuffleEncounterDeck(params)
+  -- flag to avoid multiple calls
+  if isReshuffling then return end
+  isReshuffling = true
+
+  -- shuffle and flip deck, draw card after completion
+  local discarded = searchArea(ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_POSITION, { 3, 1, 4 }, isDeck)
+  if #discarded > 0 then
+    local deck = discarded[1].hit_object
+    if not deck.is_face_down then deck.flip() end
+    deck.shuffle()
+    deck.setPositionSmooth(Vector(ENCOUNTER_DECK_POS) + Vector(0, 2, 0), false, true)
+    Wait.time(function() actualEncounterCardDraw(deck.takeObject({ index = 0 }), params) end, 0.5)
+  else
+    printToAll("Couldn't find encounter discard pile to reshuffle.", { 1, 0, 0 })
+  end
+
+  -- disable flag
+  Wait.time(function() isReshuffling = false end, 1)
+end
+
+---------------------------------------------------------
+-- helper functions
+---------------------------------------------------------
+
 -- Simple method to check if the given point is in a specified area.  Local use only,
 ---@param point Vector.  Point to check, only x and z values are relevant
 ---@param bounds Table.  Defined area to see if the point is within.  See MAIN_PLAY_AREA for sample
@@ -124,16 +193,15 @@ end
 ---@return Boolean.  True if the point is in the area defined by bounds
 function inArea(point, bounds)
   return (point.x < bounds.upperLeft.x
-      and point.x > bounds.lowerRight.x
-      and point.z < bounds.upperLeft.z
-      and point.z > bounds.lowerRight.z)
+    and point.x > bounds.lowerRight.x
+    and point.z < bounds.upperLeft.z
+    and point.z > bounds.lowerRight.z)
 end
 
 -- removes tokens from the provided card/deck
 function removeTokensFromObject(object)
   for _, v in ipairs(searchArea(object.getPosition(), { 3, 1, 4 })) do
     local obj = v.hit_object
-
     if obj.getGUID() ~= "4ee1f2" and -- table
         obj ~= self and
         obj.type ~= "Deck" and
@@ -146,13 +214,31 @@ function removeTokensFromObject(object)
   end
 end
 
-function searchArea(origin, size)
-  return Physics.cast({
+-- searches an area and optionally filters the result
+function searchArea(origin, size, filter)
+  local objList = Physics.cast({
     origin       = origin,
-    direction    = {0, 1, 0},
+    direction    = { 0, 1, 0 },
     orientation  = self.getRotation(),
     type         = 3,
     size         = size,
     max_distance = 1
   })
+
+  if filter then
+    local filteredList = {}
+    for _, obj in ipairs(objList) do
+      if filter(obj.hit_object) then
+        table.insert(filteredList, obj)
+      end
+    end
+    return filteredList
+  else
+    return objList
+  end
 end
+
+-- filter functions for searchArea
+function isDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Deck' end
+
+function isCardOrDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Card' or x.tag == 'Deck' end
diff --git a/src/core/MythosAreaApi.ttslua b/src/core/MythosAreaApi.ttslua
index a3fcbcf2..4eeeb693 100644
--- a/src/core/MythosAreaApi.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/MythosAreaApi.ttslua
@@ -7,5 +7,14 @@ do
     return getObjectFromGUID(MYTHOS_AREA_GUID).call("returnTokenData")
   end
 
+  -- draw an encounter card to the requested position/rotation
+  MythosAreaApi.drawEncounterCard = function(pos, rotY, alwaysFaceUp)
+    getObjectFromGUID(MYTHOS_AREA_GUID).call("drawEncounterCard", {
+      pos = pos,
+      rotY = rotY,
+      alwaysFaceUp = alwaysFaceUp
+    })
+  end
+
   return MythosAreaApi
 end
diff --git a/src/playermat/Playmat.ttslua b/src/playermat/Playmat.ttslua
index bcc65c47..91b1b94c 100644
--- a/src/playermat/Playmat.ttslua
+++ b/src/playermat/Playmat.ttslua
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-local tokenManager = require("core/token/TokenManager")
-local tokenChecker = require("core/token/TokenChecker")
+local chaosBagApi = require("chaosbag/ChaosBagApi")
+local mythosAreaApi = require("core/MythosAreaApi")
 local navigationOverlayApi = require("core/NavigationOverlayApi")
+local tokenChecker = require("core/token/TokenChecker")
+local tokenManager = require("core/token/TokenManager")
 
 -- set true to enable debug logging and show Physics.cast()
 local DEBUG = false
@@ -49,17 +51,17 @@ local THREAT_AREA = {
   }
 }
 
-local DRAW_DECK_POSITION    = { x = -1.82, y = 1, z = 0 }
-local DISCARD_PILE_POSITION = { x = -1.82, y = 1.5, z = 0.61 }
+-- local position of draw and discard pile
+local DRAW_DECK_POSITION    = { x = -1.82, y = 0, z = 0 }
+local DISCARD_PILE_POSITION = { x = -1.82, y = 0, z = 0.61 }
 
-local TRASHCAN
-local STAT_TRACKER
-local RESOURCE_COUNTER
-
-local chaosBagApi = require("chaosbag/ChaosBagApi")
+-- global position of encounter discard pile
+local ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_POSITION = { x = -3.85, y = 1.5, z = 10.38}
 
 -- global variable so it can be reset by the Clean Up Helper
 activeInvestigatorId = "00000"
+
+local TRASHCAN, STAT_TRACKER, RESOURCE_COUNTER
 local isDrawButtonVisible = false
 
 -- global variable to report "Dream-Enhancing Serum" status
@@ -83,11 +85,11 @@ function onLoad(save_state)
 
   -- button creation
   for i = 1, 6 do
-    makeDiscardButton(DISCARD_BUTTON_OFFSETS[i], {-3.85, 3, 10.38}, i)
+    makeDiscardButton(DISCARD_BUTTON_OFFSETS[i], i)
   end
 
   self.createButton({
-    click_function = "drawEncountercard",
+    click_function = "drawEncounterCard",
     function_owner = self,
     position = {-1.84, 0, -0.65},
     rotation = {0, 80, 0},
@@ -147,18 +149,35 @@ function spawnDeckZone()
   })
 end
 
-function searchArea(origin, size)
-  return Physics.cast({
+-- searches an area and optionally filters the result
+function searchArea(origin, size, filter)
+  local objList = Physics.cast({
     origin       = origin,
-    direction    = {0, 1, 0},
+    direction    = { 0, 1, 0 },
     orientation  = self.getRotation(),
     type         = 3,
     size         = size,
-    max_distance = 1,
-    debug        = DEBUG
+    max_distance = 1
   })
+
+  if filter then
+    local filteredList = {}
+    for _, obj in ipairs(objList) do
+      if filter(obj.hit_object) then
+        table.insert(filteredList, obj)
+      end
+    end
+    return filteredList
+  else
+    return objList
+  end
 end
 
+-- filter functions for searchArea
+function isDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Deck' end
+
+function isCardOrDeck(x) return x.tag == 'Card' or x.tag == 'Deck' end
+
 -- Finds all objects on the playmat and associated set aside zone.
 function searchAroundSelf()
   local bounds = self.getBoundsNormalized()
@@ -170,9 +189,7 @@ function searchAroundSelf()
   -- table position of the playmat
   local setAsideDirection = bounds.center.z > 0 and 1 or -1
   local localCenter = self.positionToLocal(bounds.center)
-  localCenter.x = localCenter.x
-      + setAsideDirection * SEARCH_AROUND_SELF_X_BUFFER / 2 / self.getScale().x
-
+  localCenter.x = localCenter.x + setAsideDirection * SEARCH_AROUND_SELF_X_BUFFER / 2 / self.getScale().x
   return searchArea(self.positionToWorld(localCenter), bounds.size)
 end
 
@@ -196,19 +213,17 @@ end
 -- Discard buttons
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 
--- builds a function that discards things in searchPosition to discardPosition
+-- builds a function that discards things in searchPosition
 -- stuff on the card/deck will be put into the local trashcan
-function makeDiscardHandlerFor(searchPosition, discardPosition)
+function makeDiscardHandlerFor(searchPosition, )
   return function ()
     for _, hitObj in ipairs(findObjectsAtPosition(searchPosition)) do
       local obj = hitObj.hit_object
       if obj.tag == "Deck" or obj.tag == "Card" then
         if obj.hasTag("PlayerCard") then
-          obj.setPositionSmooth(self.positionToWorld(DISCARD_PILE_POSITION), false, true)
-          obj.setRotation(self.getRotation())
+          placeOrMergeIntoDeck(obj, returnGlobalDiscardPosition(), self.getRotation())
         else
-          obj.setPositionSmooth(discardPosition, false, true)
-          obj.setRotation({0, -90, 0})
+          placeOrMergeIntoDeck(obj, ENCOUNTER_DISCARD_POSITION, {x = 0, y = -90, z = 0})
         end
       -- put chaos tokens back into bag (e.g. Unrelenting)
       elseif tokenChecker.isChaosToken(obj) then
@@ -222,11 +237,52 @@ function makeDiscardHandlerFor(searchPosition, discardPosition)
   end
 end
 
--- build a discard button to discard from searchPosition to discardPosition (number must be unique)
-function makeDiscardButton(xValue, discardPosition, number)
+-- places a card/deck at a position or merges into an existing deck
+-- rotation is optional
+function placeOrMergeIntoDeck(obj, pos, rot)
+  if not pos then return end
+
+  local offset = 0.5
+  local deck, card, newPos
+  
+  -- search the new position for existing card/deck
+  local searchResult = searchArea(pos, { 1, 1, 1 }, isCardOrDeck)
+  if #searchResult == 1 then
+    local match = searchResult[1].hit_object
+    if match.type == 'Card' then
+      card = match
+    elseif match.type == 'Deck' then
+      deck = match
+    end
+  end
+
+  -- update vertical component of new position
+  if card or deck then
+    local bounds = searchResult[1].hit_object.getBounds()
+    newPos = Vector(pos):setAt("y", bounds.center.y + bounds.size.y / 2 + offset)
+  else
+    newPos = Vector(pos) + Vector(0, offset, 0)
+  end
+
+  -- actual movement of the object
+  if rot then
+    obj.setRotationSmooth(rot, false, true)
+  end
+  obj.setPositionSmooth(newPos, false, true)
+  
+  -- this avoids a TTS bug that merges unrelated cards that are not resting
+  if deck then
+    Wait.time(function() deck.putObject(obj) end, 0.3)
+  elseif card then
+    Wait.time(function() obj.setPosition(newPos) end, 0.3)
+  end
+end
+
+-- build a discard button to discard from searchPosition (number must be unique)
+function makeDiscardButton(xValue, number)
   local position = { xValue, 0.1, -0.94}
   local searchPosition = {-position[1], position[2], position[3] + 0.32}
-  local handler = makeDiscardHandlerFor(searchPosition, discardPosition)
+  local handler = makeDiscardHandlerFor(searchPosition)
   local handlerName = 'handler' .. number
   self.setVar(handlerName, handler)
   self.createButton({
@@ -479,7 +535,7 @@ function doDiscardOne()
 
     -- get a random non-hidden card (from the "choices" table)
     local num = math.random(1, #choices)
-    hand[choices[num]].setPosition(returnGlobalDiscardPosition())
+    placeOrMergeIntoDeck(hand[choices[num]], returnGlobalDiscardPosition(), self.getRotation())
     broadcastToAll(playerColor .. " randomly discarded card " .. choices[num] .. "/" .. #hand .. ".", "White")
   end
 end
@@ -782,8 +838,10 @@ function drawChaosTokenButton(_, _, isRightClick)
   chaosBagApi.drawChaosToken(self, DRAWN_CHAOS_TOKEN_OFFSET, isRightClick)
 end
 
-function drawEncountercard(_, _, isRightClick)
-  Global.call("drawEncountercard", {self.positionToWorld(DRAWN_ENCOUNTER_CARD_OFFSET), self.getRotation(), isRightClick})
+function drawEncounterCard(_, _, isRightClick)
+  local pos = self.positionToWorld(DRAWN_ENCOUNTER_CARD_OFFSET)
+  local rotY = self.getRotation().y
+  mythosAreaApi.drawEncounterCard(pos, rotY, isRightClick)
 end
 
 function returnGlobalDiscardPosition()