Malvoisin's Curse of the Crimson Throne, Chapter 1: Edge of Anarchy (IC)

[CanadienneBacon]

Taking note of Gadeann's hard look, Girri swivels her head to match his stare. "Come now, you can't deny you saw her skill with the cards...the cards so supple in her hands, the way a lover caresses her betrothed. She's a pro. She said herself that her deck was pricey enough to be worth stealing."

Girri continues, not caring that her words are ill-chosen or that they are heard by all. "Zellara's been practicing her craft since at least since I was a wee tot. Don't any of you believe for half a hair that she doesn't have the geld to pay us." Girri fixes Zellara with a hard look of her own. "Still, there's no point in trying to squeeze blood from stone. If a Harrowing's all we'll get, then a Harrowing it shall be. I'll settle for that plus the Right of Plunder and a favor to be owed."

Remaining standing, Girri speaks to the others. "Think me a fool if you like, but there's more to a Telling than one might assume. And to this Teller, no doubt. The cards be what they be, and a deal struck. For my part, at least." Girri nods her acceptance and assent to Zellara.

 

[Voadam]

Orman smiles at Zellara. "I would love a read of the cards. Go on."

 

[Legildur]

Edlin's face betrays nothing of his thoughts as the exchange continues around him. Placing his die away he places his hands on the table. "I'll roll the dice with Lamm, and I'll see your cards," he says simply.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Quintel...Karastro Quintel

"I would like to see the results of the cards as well. As far as the plunder is concerned, Lamm's actions did much to my family, if he can repay that, then I will take my share. The rest of mine I intend to put to good use in other ways."

"Think me a fool if you like, but there's more to a Telling than one might assume. And to this Teller, no doubt. The cards be what they be, and a deal struck. For my part, at least."

"Yes...Yes I wouldn't doubt that." Karastro looks cooly at their host, "I work with and for the law in justice in this city, why us and what do you really have to gain from toppling this man from his throne?"

Diplomacy: 13

 

[Malvoisin]

"Yes...Yes I wouldn't doubt that." Karastro looks cooly at their host, "I work with and for the law in justice in this city, why us and what do you really have to gain from toppling this man from his throne?"

Zellara replies to the warlock, "You speak so blithely of justice, yet you still must ask me this? Is the life of my son worth so much less than the life of your father? My desires mirror your own. Make Gaedren Lamm pay for his crimes. Together, you may accomplish what none of you may do alone."

Zellara then fixes Girri with a hard look. "And you, foolish girl, has your stubbornness caused you to become deaf as well as blind? The discovery of Lamm's hideout cost me more than you can know, and this deck is all I now have left! Your reward has been promised. Now be silent, and learn..."

The heavy aroma of burning incense grows stronger, almost cloying, as it fills the darkening room. As Zellara begins to turn over the cards before her, she speaks in a low voice, emanating as if from somewhere far away. "The Harrowing speaks of the past."

Harrow Reading Card Layout

"The Publican signifies relationships once so strong. How they filled your days with camaraderie, with hope and joy. Whether the love and fellowship of those days may come again, who can say?

"The Winged Serpent, all wise in knowing where and when best to strike. But whose was the hand that directed the stroke? And was the end result for the better...or the worse?

"The Vision. The revelation of arcane knowledge. Secrets learned, mysteries told. But the price was high, and the price must always be paid. Always."

Zellara turns the card at the top of the second column. "The Harrowing speaks of the present.

"The Rakshasa is reversed. The shackles of enslavement are shaken off. Freedom from oppression is won, and there is much cause for rejoicing.

"The Uprising follows. The groundswell is overwhelming. Even now, former things pass away. Even now, Korvosa holds its breath.

"The Betrayal resonates so strongly. Indeed, I feared it was so. The folly of selfish ambition leads only to ruin in the end."

Zellara's hand trembles slightly as she reaches for the top card of the final column. "The Harrowing speaks of the future."

"The Hidden Truth, yes. Do you have eyes to see past that which is obvious? The light of true understanding will illumine your eyes before it is too late, if you will only allow it.

"The Rabbit Prince, oh so strong. The battle is unavoidable of course. Lamm has set that wheel into motion. And he, but the beginning. But combat is such a capricious master. May your blade remain unbroken, O Prince.

"Finally, The Tangled Briar. Alas, for an ancient foe returns in triumph! Woe unto you, Korvosa, whence he comes! Woe unto us all!"

Zellara's voice shrilly rises with her last utterance. Then, she takes a deep, unsteady breath and bows her head. After a moment, she looks up again, with clear eyes and steady hands. As she gathers her cards from the table, she says simply, "Are you ready? Gaedren Lamm awaits."

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Not finding Zellara quite to her liking and perhaps resenting--if she is honest with herself--her obvious lower station amongst everyone assembled, Girri falls silent during Zellara's Telling. As the cards are turned and a tale told, however, Girri soon finds herself engrossed in the fate being read. Stomach queasy and heart set aflutter far faster and stronger than at the touch of any man, Girri revels in Zellara's Telling. Pride, past indignities, and the long suffering of the recent winter's endless cold are all forgotten and left by the wayside.

When Zellara finishes and questions her readiness to hunt down Lamm, Girri's pride returns with a vengeance. Shooting Zellara a fleeting glance filled with hot ire, Girri holds her tongue. "One day I'll have power like hers to delve Fate."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Quintel...Karastro Quintel

As their hostess speaks her harsh reply, Karastro watches her intently. "I meant no offense," he says bowing his head.

Bluff(if needed): 19

Why come to us now? There is more to this woman than she says...

As Zellara spreads out the cards, Karastro sees his past in them. His relationship with his father, his father's murder, and the discovery of his strange powers. Seeing things clearly, he contemplates the meaning of remainder of the cards, before just shaking his head. Coincidence, nothing more...

The reading complete, Karastro nods in Zellara's direction, "I am ready, but anymore information on Lamm's location would be beneficial. Any defenses...guards you know of...."
He looks at his companions. "I am no warrior, but I am okay with this," he says as he taps his crossbow.

[sblock=ooc]How is the deck and readings seen by the poplulation at large and by those that follow Abadar?[/sblock]

 

[Malvoisin]

The reading complete, Karastro nods in Zellara's direction, "I am ready, but anymore information on Lamm's location would be beneficial. Any defenses...guards you know of...."

[sblock=ooc]How is the deck and readings seen by the poplulation at large and by those that follow Abadar?[/sblock]

Zellara answers, "As to specific defenses, I cannot say. But, I would expect that Lamm is not alone. People of his like attract the worst sort of scum."

[sblock=Evo]I would say that most Korvosans don't mix too much with the Varisian subculture, tending to view them as gypsies and vagabonds. Thus, the average person probably doesn't know much about Harrow decks or readings, unless they've had cause to seek out a fortune teller. The church of Abadar probably doesn't know or care much about it one way or the other, either, so long as people aren't being cheated out of their money.[/sblock]

 

[stonegod]

Coldan has seen this exercise many time. Apparently all Varsian women has a deck, though it was more of an idle distraction to Shiara than a calling. But this Varsian... she has the skills. He could see how she drew himself to add his own spin to the reading. But, his ghosts kept interfering. Kept singing to him. So, much of it was lost. Until he saw the Uprising.

It did not sit well with him. Chaos in Korvosa would serve no one except the Order, who would relish in clamping down. Hard.

Lost in thought, he barely heard Zellara's question to the group. After a moment, he waved his hand dismissively. "I am ready."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Quintel...Karastro Quintel

"As to specific defenses, I cannot say. But, I would expect that Lamm is not alone. People of his like attract the worst sort of scum."

"I assumed as much as well, thank you for sharing your suspicions."