Dr. Si's Curse of the Crimson Throne - Alpha Group

[Shayuri]

Maya prowls into the room and looks around. The wall hangings with strange emblems on them catch her eye for a moment, but then she focuses on the Varisian woman who had brought them here. A dozen questions spring to mind, not the least of which was, 'how did you know we seek him?' But she asked the most important first.

"How can we find him?"

[Dr Simon]

Zellara picks up her Harrow deck and shuffles it deftly, holding it open to each of you. The intent seems to be that you each replace the cards you were given.

"A year ago, thieves stole my Harrow deck from me. It has been in my family for generations, and as any Varisian will tell you, the older the Harrow the more truth it speaks. It was my only source of income and so my son Eran hunted down the thieves. They were in the employ of a man named Gaedran Lamm and as a reward for his discovery Lamm had my son killed and dumped in the river.

"I went to the guard, but they were not concerned about a penniless Varisian widow, and Lamm had evaded them for years - they were far too slow to catch him even if they had wanted to help. So I searched around, I sold almost everything I had to pay bribes and I consulted the Harrow until finally I had what I sought, Gaedren Lamm's address. But I am powerless to do what needs to be done, to bring about justice, so I found you, others who have been wronged by Lamm with the power to make him pay for his crimes.

"And so I can offer the only two things I have left. Lamm's address, and a Harrow reading to guide you. Lamm can be found in an old fishery north of here, at West Pier 17. Here he trains his gang of child pickpockets, and counts his stolen treasure. Do with this information as you wish."

[Walking Dad]

Bael nods and puts his Harrow card back. He does it in a way, that prevents the others from easily spotting which symbol he had. He then listens to the reading.

[kinem]

"My condolences. I lost my sister to that monster and I will certainly try to help.

How were these delivered to us?" Tristan asks as he holds forth the card.

[airwalkrr]

"Did the lady not explain that she spent all her resources searching fer souls such as us that been wronged by that basterd? Well, milady, I be glad te make Lamm pay fer 'is crimes. A good whumpin' of his 'ead with me hammer and justice shall be done. As good Torag teaches, ain't no justice like that of a stone connectin' with an evil skull. I do thank ye fer yer persistence in seekin' us ought, and I vow by Torag's forge that Lamm will pay for 'is vile deeds. I say, the sooner we go to 'is 'ouse and start dolin' oot vigilante justice the better. What say ye, comrades? Most of ye look like yer at least halfway decent in a fight anyway."

[Shayuri]

"Fishery. North. West Pier seventeen," repeats Maya grimly.

She nods at the widow. "I will add Eran's name to the names of those avenged. His shade will let you rest."

When the Shoanti notices the Harrow deck, she decides the Varisian must be asking for the return of her card. She plucks it from her pouch and tucks it into the deck.

"Thank you for your help."

[airwalkrr]

Och, forgive me manners, might ye be wantin' this back? Khadmeade asks, brandishing the card he received earlier.

[Dr Simon]

"You must allow an old fortune teller to keep her tricks," Zellara says to Tristan with a sly wink. "Now, I shall give you a reading. Listen well and it may guide you in times ahead."

"First, the Choosing." Zellara presents the Harrow deck to each of you in turn to draw (and replace) a card. [OOC: See below]

This done, she shuffles the deck and lays out nine cards on the table, face down, in a thre by three square.

"The Harrow speaks of the Past." She turns over the column of cards to her left. They cards are The Winged Serpent, The Mountain Man and The Waxworks. "There is powerful alignment here. You have felt helpless, trapped, affected by an external physical power. The Winged Serpent speaks strongly. You have been awaiting the right time to strike."

"The Harrow speaks of the Present." She turns over the middle column of cards. They are The Trumpet, The Crows and The Mute Hag. "The Trumpet sounds a call to arms, it is time for you to stand up and show your true powers. The Crows speak of the taking of loved ones and of valuable items, these things are hidden but may be made clear. Beware the Mute Hag. There are dark secrets here, or dangerous blood pacts that may bring dager to all."

"The Harrow speaks of the Future." She turns the final column of cards. They are the Carnival, The Paladin and The Empty Throne. "All may not be as it seems. Beware of illusions or false dreams, but these may turn to the good in the end, if you stand firm under adversity. Even if you prevail there will be a loss that brings bad tidings."

"The Harrow has spoken." Zellara gather the cards up again and shuffles them, seemingly oblivious to the four people before her.

OOC

Before the full Harrowing each of you select and replace a card. There are several ways you can emulate this:

- If you have a Paizo Harrow Deck, draw a card and tell me the result.
- If you have a deck of ordinary playing cards, draw one and tell me the result (include both jokers).
- Roll a d6 and a d10 (re-roll 0), tell me the result. You can use Invis Castle or ask me to roll if you like.

[airwalkrr]

d6 = 6
d10 = 6

[Walking Dad]

ooc: Harrow Draw (1d6=5, 1d10=3) for Bael.

[Shayuri]

Maya seems impatient with the Harrow, but the Varisians have some status. They too were an old people; a people native to these lands. And the woman had been of help. She would honor the ritual.

(She draws a 1 and 1... Roll Lookup )

[kinem]

Tristan wonders if there is really something to this harrow reading. He wishes he could cast detect magic to check if the cards are really magical or if the woman is casting a spell, but decides that it would be considered rude. I would have checked out the card before, but I thought Bael had planted it so I didn't bother.

In any case, the reading seems vague enough that it might not mean anything. "The future holds some good and some bad" - yeah, my momma told me that much when I was five, lady.

Nonetheless he respectfully draws a card.

draw: 1 and 9

[Dr Simon]

Bael's card is The Publican. "The Publican speaks of the power of fellowship. Cleave to your friends and find support in one another but beware, the time may come when you can find no refuge in the place that you call home."

Khadmeade draws The Courtesan. "The Courtesan weaves a tanngled web of intrigue with her feminine wiles. Beware that as you walk its strands you do not become ensnared."

Maya draws The Paladin. "The Paladin stands firm in the face of adversity, but sometimes stays when it would be better to withdraw. Which will you do, I wonder? This dilemma will, I think, be key to your survival."

Tristan draws The Cyclone. "There will be a tumultous time ahead, you will be snatched up in the grasp of evil and cast one way and another. When all settles, it will be a time for renewal."

[airwalkrr]

"This Harrow hocus pocus intrigues me, madam. I hafta say I look forward to seein' how yer predictions carry forth on the field o' battle. Well, what say ye, my fellows? Let us be off to do Lamm one over."

[kinem]

"Indeed. I'm something of a wizard myself, so I'd like to find out more about it. Thanks for your help, Zellara. If I make it I will return here and tell you what went down."

Yes, perhaps there is something to the cards.

Tristan stands up, hefts his glaive, and heads for the door.