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The door is abruptly pushed open, and a man with Pale blue skin saunters into the briefing room. He is covered head to toe in colorful clothing, cut in a Varisian style.
Friends! Welcome! My name is Auron, and I was passing through when I was so rudely interrupted by some woman claiming rank. If anyone would like their fortune told to pass the time, I am always available!
He then pulls a beautiful harrow case, several cushions, a blanket and a Harrow Mat out of a seemingly too small backpack, and sets up on the floor.
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A young woman with short, dirty-blonde hair and pale green eyes wanders into the briefing room. "Hello? Am I in the right room?" Upon seeing the blue-skinned man sitting on the floor, her eyes light up. "Oh! Hello new friend," she smiles as she wanders over and without preamble sits down on one of the cushions.
"Are you camping out here?" she asks curiously, staring at the mat, cushions, and other implements that have been set up.
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Auron gestures to Corona at the cushion opposite him
Welcome Miss! Please, have a seat across from me and I will tell your fortune. The first card here represents your past:
Auron flips the first card, revealing 'The Trumpet' aligned appropriately
The trumpet represents Power, wading into the thick of things and coming out for the better. I see in your past, you have faced many trials and tribulations dealing with a... darker side perhaps? But you didn't let that keep you down. Instead you took it in stride, and used it as a force for good!
And the second card represents your present:
Auron flips the second card, revealing 'The Crows' inverted
Hmmm... This is a very troubling sign. It portrays shocking loss. But with it being inverted, it represents loss with a Righteous purpose, or a loss that can be avoided. Hopefully, this is a good omen! This is an indication that we can potentially fix whatever problem that will arise!
Finally, this third card represents your future:
Auron flips the first card, revealing 'The Marriage' aligned appropriately
Fantastic! The Marriage represents a union that can never be broken! This represents a permanent change! This is an Incredible sign!
Your reading is an obvious good omen!
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"Ah, another arrival! Please, have a seat with me! Let me tell your fortune!"
With a flick of his wrist, Auron flips the revealed cards back over, and scoops the whole deck back into his hand, nimbly cutting and shuffling with one hand
He grins, and offers the deck to Einn
"A cut of the deck, if you please? And not with your weapon. The last time I asked an Ulfen, he nearly took my hands off!"
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"So let us see what your past holds..."
As he flips the first card he
"Ah, the Brass dwarf! He represents toughness and nigh Invulnerability to danger, but inverted as such, it implies a heavy fate or loss. It seems that you had a troubled past young one. Let us see how your current fate it different...
He quickly flourishes the second card, and
"The Snakebite... a true embodiment of Poisonous vitriol, driving companions apart or corrupting the Just... Perhaps you could use a force for good at your side. Luckily, I know just the man for the job! I try to bring a touch of luck, and the Harrow is on my side!"
"Let us see if the future is any brighter!"
With a steady hand, he flips the final card, as his face turns a paler shade of blue
"The Eclipse can represent a loss of faith, or self worth. Perhaps this sense of gloom is what is casting a shadow upon the harrow for you. I think you could use a little bit extra luck for the next bit. I shall ensure that nothing bad happens to you, and we can proceed through this gloomy reading into a Brighter Future!
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As the pale man performs his reading, Corona looks on with interest but doesn't interrupt. However, her eyes grow wide as he reads what the fates have in store for her.
"That was amazing! It's as if my entire life up to this very point must have played out right before you eyes," she gasps. "And loss with a righteous purpose? A sign, it has to be! A sign that I'm on the right track with what's left of my life," she smiles serenely.
"Oh...but I don't know about that last card. I think I'm a little too young to get married," she frowns. Then her expression brightens. "But I'm never too young or too old to make new friends. That must be it. The last card is clearly the herald of the beginning of an epic friendship, a story that will become legend! Until this world is lost to the void, I mean."
She then looks up, expression brightening even more as the tall, blonde woman enters the briefing room. "See? Maybe this is who the cards were talking about." She waves cheerfully. "Hello new friend Einn! I'm Corona, Corona Merrion. This is...um...." She glances at the pale man. "What was your name again, new friend?"
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Having scooted over to make room for Einn, Corona falls silent as the man once more reads what the fates have in store for their new friend.
"Ohhh...I'm sorry your reading wasn't a more pleasant one," she comments to Einn, patting the woman on the shoulder sympathetically. "But don't worry - as your new friends, we'll take care of you!"
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A shy half-orc opens the door and quietly sits down. His eyes nervously shift between the other Pathfinders gathered, as he fidgets uncomfortably. It's obvious that he is half-orc, but his features are much more human like than orc. And while he would be considered large for a human, he is fairly small compared to his orc brethren. He wears a worn breastplate that seems too small for his body, clearly made for a man of normal size. But his most striking features are the numerous tattoos and ritualistic scars that cover his body anywhere you can see exposed skin.
"Umm hi. I'm Korug. I uhhhh.... just got back from Tien. Yeah I'm not much of a talker."
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The color returns to Auron's face, bringing the almost-permanent smile with it
"Sometimes, the Harrow tells you what you need to hear to rise to your fate, giving you that little push you need to improve yourself. That, and the littlest one is right, you know. We are like Family as Pathfinders. And we Varisians take care of our family. Speaking of family, it looks like we have a new arrival!"
Auron gestures to an empty area on the floor, once again reaches into the tiny backpack to pull out a MUCH larger cushion and lays it in front of the Harrow mat
"Care for a reading Korug? It can't be much worse than some of the others I have given today."
As he says the words, a small wind picks up the cards and draws them into a wreath about Auron's head. They seem to be plucked out of the air one by one, as if an invisible hand was drawing them into a pile on the floor. With a few casual shuffles, he offers the deck to the man-and-a-half.
"Care to give your fate a shot? It looks like the cards might favor you."
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A light wind that sweeps around Auron gently blows the top card off of the deck, placing The Publican in the first position in front of Korug
"Ah, the Publican. A very auspicious start to your reading! In your past, lies Fellowship and Comrades, a group that you have formed a close bond with. Within this group, you found Refuge in your greatest need. Close friends make very steadfast allies."
Just as he finishes speaking, another gust flips The Paladin, overlapping the first card
"And the Paladin represents Standing strong and tall in the face of challenge, and following through with what you know is right. It is a card of Steadfast Endurance, no matter the cost. This speaks very highly of you young one! Stand tall and proud for what you know is right!"
As he finishes the last sentence, Auron draws the last card, placing The Survivor inverted next to the other two cards.
"The Survivor represents Victory, but sometimes with a heavy toll. In this alignment, it can represent very heavy loss, or terrible news. It looks to me that standing up for what you believe in might have a high cost, but you know it is the right thing to do. Perhaps your might could help Einn through a difficult situation as the days pass."
As he finishes his reading, he looks up to see the newest arrival, and his fluffy friend
"Welcome Uldar! Please have a seat at the table, but be mindful of your furry friend. Drool on the cards could cause for a disastrous fortune. Let us see what the fates have in store for you!"
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Corona looks up and smiles at Uldar and his canine companion. "Even more new friends! This is the best day!" She waves the two to come over and join the rest of them. "Auron has been reading everyone's fortunes and they've all been good! Er, mostly good. But the bad parts shouldn't be anything that can't be weathered with a little help."
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The Chelaxian woman enters into the inn, confidently and with poise, her blond hair combed in a fashionable style. She looks around, summing up the crowd, sees the halfling and gives a crooked half smile. Seeing that he is sitting with what are most likely other pathfinders, she walks up to the group and inquires, Is there room for one more?
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As you wait patiently within the home to the Venture-Captains Hiedmarche that also serves as the Pathfinder Lodge of Varisia, suddenly you hear a soft knocking at the door. Before you can answer, the door opens and a young woman enters. "We apologize for the wait. Th. . . the Venture Captain has been detained. She asked me to deliver this," placing a sealed note on the table for you to read as you are ready, "and also,. . ." with a motioning call to someone behind her, still outside the room "to offer refreshments."
A small assortment of servants, likely agent's-to-be still in training walk in, each carrying small platters which they deliver to the table in front of you, opening, and then retreating from the room. One contains small pieces of cut fruit, another crackers and some sort of dip, another sliced bits of meat, and so on. The servant's say nothing else, though if asked for more information, they simply reply that the Venture Captains should be here any moment to answer that more accurately.
I will cut straight to the point. The owner of the Green Market, Zeeva Foxglove, needs our help. I’d normally require a more substantial explanation than what she’s given us, but Zeeva is a friend, and she knows a thing or two about prophecies. If she says disaster is about to strike Korvosa, I believe her. Time is of the essence. When you receive this message, head to Korvosa at once. Travel to Eodred’s Square and inform the local guards that you are looking for Zeeva, and she will come out to meet you. I’ve enclosed a letter of credit that should be sufficient to secure you passage to Korvosa. Best of luck to you, Pathfinders. I look forward to reports of your success.
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch
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Corona also doesn't appear put off by Korug's dining habits as she cheerfully helps herself to some grapes. "Hi new friend," she waves at the Chelaxian, "you've not missed much. We were just having our fortunes read by friend Auron before you got here!" She pauses, popping a few grapes into her mouth. "Mms, shweet!"
"But anyway, it was amazing! Maybe he'll have time to do one for you before we have to leave for uh..." she checks the note again, "Korvosa, that's right! Surely we'll have the time. Oh, I'm Corona by the way."
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Having only a few moments to read the note and eat a bit of the food presented for you, there is suddenly another knock at the door, and yet another servant's head pokes in. "I'm terribly sorry Pathfinders, but the Venture Captains have just informed me that they will not be able to make this meeting at this time. I was instructed to inform you that arrangements have been made for you to travel to Korvosa, and ask you to follow me. Please also bring that", as the young woman indicates the note in your hands, "and grab anything you might need for a small boat ride."
Greetings,
I will cut straight to the point. The owner of the Green Market, Zeeva Foxglove, needs our help. I’d normally require a more substantial explanation than what she’s given us, but Zeeva is a friend, and she knows a thing or two about prophecies. If she says disaster is about to strike Korvosa, I believe her. Time is of the essence. When you receive this message, head to Korvosa at once. Travel to Eodred’s Square and inform the local guards that you are looking for Zeeva, and she will come out to meet you. I’ve enclosed a letter of credit that should be sufficient to secure you passage to Korvosa. Best of luck to you, Pathfinders. I look forward to reports of your success.
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch
After allowing you to make any stops along the way, you are escorted to a large ship at the docks. A stylized inscription on the side of the ship reads "The Varisian Wind", where rooms have been purchased and readied for you as you sail south east through towards Korvosa, staying within sight of land of the Varisian cost through the Arcadian Ocean.
The trip itself is fairly uneventful, but does offer plenty of time for you to do further readings, meet the other agents, and get to know each other well before finally arriving.
An ill wind stirs whitecaps on the dark Jeggare River, carrying with it the faint odor of spoiled meat. Travelers crossing High Bridge into Korvosa grumble and pull their collars up against the cold. Past the somber city gates is a sprawling square plaza. Throughout the area, small clusters of people gather close together, stuffing their hands in their pockets as they engage in quiet conversation. Several guards hover around the edges of the plaza. A gray tabby cat rests nearby, its bright yellow eyes seeming to watch over the crowd.
Asking about a bit, you find that the locals seem to be friendly enough, and helpful, claiming that this square district is called Eodred’s Plaza. As indicated, you manage to get one of the guard's time, and ask for Zeeva Foxglove. "“Zeeva Foxglove told us that she had important guests coming from the Pathfinder Society. She assured us that she would know when they arrived in this square. Don’t really understand it myself, but I suggest waiting right here until she shows up. I'll go see if I can fetch her for you.”
The guard wanders off, but quickly returns in the company of a large-eyed woman in a green gown waves, and then introduces herself by handing out cards bearing her name, Zeeva Foxgloveand the address of the Green Market in South Shore. A cat bearing a striking resemblance to the one that rested on the square’s cobbles walks alongside her. “I owe you an explanation,” she says, “But let us travel as we talk, for my market cannot do without me for long. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there are actually three disasters waiting to strike.” The merchant walks briskly, slipping gracefully past the crowds and carriages. “It began after I heard about a Varisian caravan parked outside the city. The vagabonds had lost everything to bandits, and, my marketplace is so profitable now, I can afford to share my bounty with those whom fate mistreats. I brought them some produce, and in return, their fortune-teller offered me a harrow reading.”
Foxglove’s rosy complexion pales. “The spread foretold good fortune, almost to excess—that is, until she turned up The Yellow Prophet. A legendary lost card, although I didn’t know that then. Its appearance upset the soothsayer. She said the card required that three more cards be drawn, and she did so hastily, giving me hardly any insight. What I’ve learned since is that each of those cards portends a dark fate, . . . a disaster.”
She produces a deck of cards from her handbag. “It seemed the fortune-teller was hiding something, so I obtained my own harrow deck and researched the cards’ meanings. But I am still in the dark, and my own auguries tell me that time is running short. I need brave investigators, well-versed in the arcane, to determine where these calamities will strike, or, failing that, track down that fortune-teller, so that she can explain her strange behavior.”
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"They're right new friend Zeeva," Corona nods in agreement as she hustles along, huffing and puffing a bit under the weight of her gear. "Auron knows about the Harrow and does really good readings! I'm sure he'll be able to unravel things in no time," she continues brightly, offering the sylph a smile.
"And maybe the rest of us can be helpful too and track down your mysterious fortune teller! Um...what was her name?" she asks.
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“She and her troupe vanished into Korvosa days ago. They could be anywhere. Maybe ask around? She cut a memorable figure,a Varisian half-elf with scraggly black hair and rotting teeth. I never caught a name, though, or I think tracking them down would have been much easier. Please hurry. I have a strange feeling about all this, and while some of you may not believe in it, it is far from an exact science, I agree, I don't want to risk being wrong."
Stopping for a moment in her, "You know, perhaps there is something you could do. I heard someone mention that one of you has some experience with the Harrow. Perhaps you could do a reading for yourselves. Being that you are all entwined now in whatever danger it is, it's possible that a new reading might lead to further clues?"
Auron:"Yes, yes indeed. We could do something called a Choosing, a sort of abridged version of a reading. We will need to take nine cards, each from the same suite as this odd card you mentioned, the yellow prophet." As Auron begins working on her deck, removing all of the cards in the Suit of Books to form a new deck, then offers it around for a proper shuffling.
While dong that, Zeeva also removes her deck, drawing three cards she wants to show you from her previous reading, showing them around to see if anyone might spot any clues.
The Cricket: “A card for quick-witted travelers, some of whom find glory, while others return empty-handed.”
The Unicorn: “This card promises rewards from a friend, but some friends are false, and some prizes are poison.”
Once Auron has finished, she is left with a small deck of only nine cards in her hand, face down, but holding them out for everyone to draw one.
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"Any port in a storm," Corona mutters, shooting Emma a bit of a dirty look as she draws one of the nine cards. "There's lots more to this world than what you can see with your own eyes, you know."
"Euhhhh....what's this one supposed to be? It doesn't look very promising," she asks, looking rather worried.
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"Hmm. let us see what these cards portray...
Aha! The Betrayal! This is a selfish card, taking advantage of another for your own benefit. Inverted, it can represent a selfless gesture for the benefit of another. Perhaps this could represent a choice between to two?"
"Ah! The Cricket! The card of my people! It represents a clever traveler, with great reward at the end! One whose mind is as quick as their action!" As he speaks, Auron pulls a duplicate of The Cricket card from an inside coat pocket. "I keep this one close to my heart, for luck and to remind me of home!
"This last card, The Unicorn! can represent boons from a friend. But not all gifts are true, and sometimes friends are not what they seem. It is a good thing we are all Family here, no?" He says with a sly wink toward Zeeva.
"Let us see what I draw!"
Auron looks at the backs of his Mismatched Harrow Deck, thinks for a moment, and draws a card
"Ah! the Hidden Truth! This can represent the ability to see what is unseen, and reveal the situation for what it truly is! I think this will be a Very beneficial boon to us on our adventure, especially if we are to avert tragedy!"