"You all be superstitious fools with your future telling cards, but Calistria has sent me here, and so I will play your silly game. Give me a card, if ye must."
Staring at the cards longingly as they pull more pleasant memories to the surface against her will followed very quickly by the memory of the bloody alleyway. Voice cracking slightly, "Ple.. Please do."
"I never expected to participate in one of these, but if it helps I'll try." Looking to Emma and Aerel (or rather their right ears) Marvel asks "Can't be harmful, can it?"
Aerel shrugs smoothly. "Only if you accept it as an absolute truth, Master Manyshot." His lips quirk in a faint smile. I suspect that I am the one in the most danger of that, as I am the only one here who remembers a time when prophecy worked.
Zellara examines each card chosen in turn.
"Nicholas has chosen The Dance, which means that staying in Harmony is important, but not to the point of remaining in lockstep with others. I see a man...I think it's a man, with long limbs engaging in an eerie, deadly dance."
"Aerel has the Rabbit Prince, signifying the capriciousness of combat. I see a battle with royalty who is not royalty, a tangled web, and the gleam of blades."
"Shaeda has The Crows, which can either indicate the taking of someone important, or an act of theft. Are you sure your stake in this battle is purely religious, dear? I see someone who dwells in darkness and takes from the dead."
"Emma has chosen The Cricket. Interesting, that's the card I myself chose to send you. It may be especially fortuitous. It represents speed and good passage. Which is good, because I see a chase with an uncertain outcome."
"And Marvel has The Juggler, which means fate is on your side. The chase is in your future as well, though your role may be different."
"Now, let us see the past, present, and future of all of you."
She reshuffles the deck, and lays out nine cards.
"The left column represents the past, which is unchanging. The Marriage, the Fiend, the Desert...and the Desert is misaligned, but the other two are aligned. A union of persons or ideas, many losses in a calamity, and a passage with little hope. This looks bleak, as if there was some foul conspiracy in play."
"The center column is the present. The Wanderer, the Rakshasa, and the forge, and the Wanderer is aligned. Finding worth in cast-offs. Perhaps that represents ourselves, as we are all the detritus of Lamm's evil deeds, yet together we may defeat him."
"And most importantly, the future. The Locksmith, the Rabbit Prince and the Joke, with the Rabbit Prince and Joke aligned, and the Locksmith misaligned. Keys to a new destiny, danger overcome by artifice, and capriciousness of combat. There is battle in the future, but we all knew that. A LOT of battle, as the Rabbit Prince is also Aerel's chosen card. But the locksmith suggests that this fight may lead to something more, something bigger. And what I learned of the past is disturbing, as if events outside our control have been set in motion, and we must rise to meet them."
"Interesting, and troubling. But I do not foresee failure. I think you will succeed in defeating Lamm, but that doing so may lead to a larger, more important fight."
Aerel looks at his card, expression contemplative. Battle and capriciousness? Fair. False royalty, though... I wonder if the king counts? He flicks his ears, intrigued by the words directed at the others. As Zellara reads out Shaeda's card, his violet gaze goes to the halfling woman, a faint hint of curiosity in his expression. I wonder, as well...
The more general reading causes him to tilt his head, and he lowers his eyes to the cards. A conspiracy that has already happened? That does not seem especially relevant, does it? Unless someone's not sharing something... He mentally shrugs, putting the thought aside. The present and future both seem more reasonable to him, though the prospect of a great number of battles does not particularly please him. There will be much death, or so the cards would have us believe. Intriguing, but not ideal.
He remains silent for several moments, before speaking, his voice soft and serene. "An interesting reading, Madame Esmeranda, and one we ought to consider as one possible aspect of the future." He looks at the Rabbit Prince again. "Ought I be concerned that my card is part of the future? Is there any specific significance?" He asks, curious.
"Superstitious nonsense it may be, but certainly entertaining. As for the crows you call it? Theft or kidnapping? No, nothing has been stolen from me. I am here to ensure vengeance is meted out as She sees fit."
Fate on my side... I hope so... Marvel replies more to himself than anyone else, hearing his daughter's laughter all too clearly, drowned out by the argument they had the day she disappeared.
"I - I am only in this to find my daughter and get her home. It sounds as though the cards expect us to find more than what we seek."
"Well when the main preditor is removed there is a rush to take that newly empty throne so when he is gone other will think they can rise.." Staring at the table and rubbing her hands on her skirt to chase off the phantom of cold sticky blood, "Tha..Thank you."
Nodding to Emma, Marvel adds "On that note of when Lamm is gone, am I correct in understanding that he has a lot of children working for him? If so, where should we bring the children once Lamm is gone?" Eyes suddenly widening in horror Marvel hastily adds... "Are the children likely to fight us?"
Nicholas' blood chills at the reading of the past. Conspiracy would be right, Nicholas thought, trying not to show outward emotion. Maybe there is something to this.
To Manyshot's, Nichopas answers, "Yes. It will be difficult. Gaedren forces them to with the threat of the whip, though we may avoid them by coming at night."
"Your daughter is kidnapper, mayhap it will be me that finds her, per my card, eh?"
Shaeda smiles at Marvel's question and turns towards Emma, "mayhap the other 'children' are really just halflings. What do you say dearie?"
Aerel shrugs slightly at Shaeda's words. "The truth will become clearer in time, I am sure." He says, his quiet voice clear despite its relatively soft volume. "Allowing your path to be chosen for you by the cards can be problematic, nowadays, but we may see ourselves achieving something more than we expect."
He turns his monochromatic gaze to the others, his lips quirking slightly as he listens to them speak. "At this time, the future lies ahead - it is not here yet." He flicks one ear, then continues. "I believe that I shall at least investigate the... fishery, was it? To engage or not is a different question, but it is not one that can be decided without information."
The elf pauses, considering Nicholas' words. "Bonds of fear make for disloyal warriors." He observes mildly.
Lifting her eyes to look at Sheada and exhaustion rolls though her veins. "I should not have called you a child. Bigotry and malice are not stopped when met with the same. We have agreed to work together and while I doubt your offer of friendship I should be able to rely on your faith, correct?"
Shaeda shakes her head, "oh no Emma, I fear you are mistaken. You can count on both. Just because I be busting your chops a bit means not that we are not friends, Nor do it mean that I be angry with you, for I am not. I shall aid you lubbers in seeking revenge on this Lamm fellow, but there is no reason we should not enjoy each other's company whilst doing it."
Letting her eyes drift back towards the table, "You have an odd want from company and friendship but if that is to be the way of things then I suppose I can manage."
"Friends..." Marvel says, tasting the word as though he hasn't uttered it in a long time. Then looking Shaeda directly in the eyes (for a short while!) with his first smile in a long time "Yes - in a matter of life and death, it would be good to be surrounded by friends. All of you can count on me - while my tongue might be as limp as stale wet bread, my arrows mostly strike true and I know how to remain unseen. It is easy when you are, well, when you are boring." Marvel says, as the last remains of his smile fade.
"If it makes you feel better, Manyshot, you have not been boring so far," Nicholas says. "I'll keep the enemies off your back while you shoot. So are we all agreed on a night raid? I would not want to run the risk of injuring any Lambs, his chidren that is. No matter how big the bond of fear, their loyalty may susrprise you, Aerel. Most of them are orphans, and he is their only food source."
Aerel tilts his head, thinking for several moments as the others discuss friendship. Friends, hm? Can I afford to acknowledge these folk as my friends? To lose friends among the short-lived races is what causes one to become Forlorn... He sighs, thinking of the horror stories he'd been told of such an existence. To be so emotionally damaged...
He returns to the present slowly, his expression contemplative, before speaking. "You will be able to rely on my spells, arrows, and blade. I am trained as a..." he pauses, frowning mildly, "there is no good word for it in Taldane. Literally, it translates as 'spell-dancer,' but that does not properly convey it..." The elf trails off, shaking his head at the difficulties of human tongues.
"In any case, I am adept with blade, spell, and bow. I will aid you in this endeavor, because it is one that we all share. Lamm must cease, and the children be freed." Aerel turns to look at each of his new companions. "We are going to do both." He looks to Marvel. "And your daughter will be safe.
He looks to Nicholas, tilting his head in a surprisingly birdlike fashion. "Perhaps. We shall see."
Marvel seems to liven a bit more up, as the talks turns to action. "Thank you Nicholas, though I must say that my typical evening doesn not include attacking a crime lord's base of operations."
Looking to Aerel Marvel continues "Thank you, and I hope you are right. Your wife was... working with her was the one time my work felt like I always dreamed it would. She was a good person - extraordinary person - and I would gladly have helped you in this undertaking even if my daughter was safe and sound."
Shifting his gaze to the others at the table"I agree. At least we need to scout the location tonight - and if we see our chance, we strike."
Marvel recalls the the churches of Abadar and Sarenrae in town are both known for taking in orphans. As is the temple of Asmodeus, but being in Lamm's care might be preferable to that.
"Yes." Aerel replies to Marvel softly. "She was." He lowers his gaze, falling silent. After a moment, a sad smile blossoms on his lips. "Thank you for your kind words, Master Manyshot."
Glancing over at Aerel and opening her mouth to speak but shutting it instead. Looking back at the table, "We will only get one chance at this so we should spend as much time preparing as possible. Since we know where he lives we need to be very familiar with those streets and al.. alleys."
Obviously not knowing how to react to Aerel's reply and reaction, Marvel decides to shift the discussion somewhat.
"I - once we have defeated Lamm we can lead the orphans to the curch of Abadar. They'll be taken care of there and the church can help them become productive members of society in time. I suppose if there are too many for the church of Abadar to take all in, then Sarenrae's temple is an option as well."
"And I agree with Emma as well. The first order should be preparations and scouting, but if we see our chance we should be prepared to take it.
Abadar? Aerel's lips twist slightly, his ears twitching with mild disgust, but he shrugs inwardly. Oppressive and hidebound he might be, but... Sarenrae would be better.
He sits back in his chair, watching his fellows patiently. "Rushing headlong into things leads to death, all too often, but wait too long, and you do not live."
"A limp tongue you say Marvel? Yes, it is probably for the best that we have met. Mine own tongue can likely get the job done if needs be."
Shaeda smiled innocently.
"More like your tongue will turn every person in this city against us," Nicholas stated.
"Oh please! In my experience, the citizens of Korvosa really appreciate a curvaceous halfling with a talented tongue."
"Aye, I'll give you that, though I don't that will work on all men," Nicholas says.
"That's why we have Aerel, for those guys!"
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Aerel flicks his ears in exasperation again, though his lips curve upwards with mild amusement. "I would be willing to listen to Shaeda speak for as long as she wants to talk." He says mildly. "Perhaps the words she uses will not be the ones beneficial to the endeavor we seek to execute, but I think we can rely upon her tongue to get us where we need to go." He arches a brow. "Not that I'm unwilling to experiment, but my tongue is rather unskilled. It might get us in more trouble than we started with. Which is not without its benefits, I suppose..."
Nicholas Snickers at Aerel's innocent comment.
"See, we're all set! Wait, what was the plan?"
Marvel seems torn between whether falling of the chair again or laughing is the best option, in the end settling on a slight smile directed towards the table.
"I, well, the plan was that we wait a few hours - until most people sleep. Then we set off to first scout the surroounding areas of the house to determine any escape routes, scout the outside of the house determining any guards and the likely layout of the house." as Marvel speaks he takes out an arrow and seems to be speaking directly to it, making erratic gestures and at one point almost stabbing Aerel's arm, but not seeming to notice it. "I suppose... I suppose any scouting close by the house would be best performed by either those able to remain quiet, or perhaps Nicholas and Shaeda pretending to be drunk and... well... I mean, Nicholas has the right age and Shaeda as a follower of Calistria, they could, well, you know what I mean, don't you?" Marvel says almost pleadingly to Aerel's right ear.
"I would prefer we strike tonight, but it should depend on our scouting."
I thought Aerel was going to be the one, Nicholas thought sighing. Then again, who would think that of an old elf? That thought brought a smile to his lips.
"The plan sounds good to me," Nicholas states. "We'll have to watch for any curious guards, but if they're anything like the ones in Old Korvosa, we won't have to worry about them. Hopefully we can hit them tonight.
"We get to hit Gaedren, and I get a date to boot. This day is certainly looking up, especially if it goes as far as Manyshot's vivid imagination," Nicholas says, leaning casually back with his hands behind his head.
"I... my vivid imagination, I, I simply meant holding hands and perhaps a kiss, I would never suggest, I mean, I'm a devout follower of Abadar, not of The Lucky Drunk, I... ooooh..." Marvel hides his face in his hands as he probably turns into the truest representation of red in the room.
Looking back and forth as the others talk and letting her gaze fall on Marvel, "You do know that they make little followers of Abadar by laying together, right? Or they give coin. And do not speak ill of the Gods. The Lucky Drunk is one of the ones that helps people. If you want to blaspheme do it against Norgorber or Gorum."
Shaking her head and looking back around, "This is not something we should rush into. As much as I want that man bloodied and dead on the street we need to be able to find in alone. I do not relish the idea of fighting all of his slaves. We should watch and wait for a time. Learn where he goes and why."
Glaring at Emma Marvel replies "As a father I certainly hope I know how children are made - it should just be within the sanctity of marriage. As for blaspheming, that certainly seems to be a way of life for followers of the Lucky Drunk." Realising what he just said without knowing the religious affiliations of the majority of those present, Marvel hastily continues "I'm... sorry. My nerves are thin now that we are this close at having Lamm within our reach, it is easy for tempers to flare, however unjustified that may be."
"As good as waiting would be, Madame Esmeranda informed us that Lamm often moves his base of operations and is quick to notice if someone has found him. While waiting and observing would give us more information, it also could lead to our mark disappearing completely."
Sighing and keeping her eyes on the table, "That is fair. We will see what is to happen when we get there."
Looking back up with a glare, "Those devoted Cayden Cailean are not layabout drunkards. They are people who yearn for more out of life than just eking by. But that is a stigma that they must suffer. Just as those devoted to Abadar must suffer knowing that everyone thinks they are only concerned with keeping their own purse full of coin. Follower of And your opinion concerning when physical intimacy is just that, your opinion."
Shaking her head and her glare vanishes to be replaces with a pained look, "But that does not excuse my bard. And for that I am sorry."
Aerel watches the discussion quietly, allowing the younger folk to discuss their issues freely. After watching with quiet amusement, as Marvel panics, he takes pity on him and speaks. "I agree with Emma. Let us see whether there is any need to try to act before we decide whether some of us should do so. If we do decide to go during the day, though, it might be wise to perform such an act."
He pauses, thoughtful. "Is anyone skilled at moving unseen and unheard? To say nothing of comfortable moving around in the dark. I have better eyes than most humans for seeing in dimly lit areas, although not in complete darkness."
"I am more skilled at catching peoples attention and keeping it. But I am sure I can manage to make a distract if need be."
"I can move unseens, especially when not in my chain shirt, but I've been reading for such a long time, that my eyes aren't all that adept at noticing things outside my books. And of course, I need light to see anything."
Religion, Nicholas scornfully thinks. Once again, Gaedren knew what he was saying when he said that religion only made chaos between men that would otherwise agree.
"Let's drop the religion discussion for later. We have a mission," Nicholas says. "My talents are more martial than stealth."
Biting her tongue to avoid sticking it out at Nicholas. The halfling is a bad influence. I have not wanted to do that in some time. "I do believe we have moved on."
"Madame Esmeranda, how much time do you believe we can afford to spend on scouting and information gathering, before we risk Lamm noticing something is off?"
"I wouldn't tarry long. Surely Lamm's paranoia is well-founded; we can't be the only people in this town with a desire for vengeance. He has not lasted this long without being cautious, and may know who some of you are if your inquiries about him have been noticed. Probably has any number of hiding places prepared that he can move to at even a hint of trouble. One mistake could cost us our only chance."
”Marvel, please, there is no need for you to defend your prudish attitudes. Calistria, and I as her priestess, accept that there are some who think as you do. As for Nicholas and I doing the scouting, I am willing to carry forth my part of the ruse however far is needed. Vengeance is the goal, and I am called to support that effort however I must.”
In response to Aerel’s questions, ”my eyes are better than most humans as well, although not near as good as a dwarf or a gnome. I think of them as my ‘bedroom eyes’ since many prefer the lights at least to be low during our business transactions. However, as to sneaking about, I have never perfected the skill, as I am unashamed of my actions, my calling, and my profession, and thus I never have felt the need to sneak.”
"It does lend a certain level of ambiance to the engagement, does it not?" Aerel says agreeably, smiling serenely. "But it would appear that stealth will be more difficult than one might hope. Of course, if they are all asleep, it might be much easier."
He lets his eyelids drop half-shut, thinking. "My own experience with Lamm is less than direct. Is he the sort of person who would even think to post guards?" The question is not directed at anyone in particular.
[dice=Knowledge (local) (untrained)]1d20+3
Aerel recalls that Lamm is almost never seen in public, and is highly mistrustful and paranoid. Hence why it has taken so long to track him down.