The man who tried to destroy you is within reach. I know about what Gaeden fed you to keep you on his hook, and I know where he is. I can’t reach him myself, but I know some other people who can; you can meet them and me at my place, 3 Lancet street, sunset tomorrow. Gaedren will meet his fate, and you will mete out your justice upon him!
Your loss must be unbearable, and for that, I am truly sorry. I know what Gaeden Lamm has done to you, for he has done something similar to me. I would see him taken down; I know where he is but cannot strike him down myself. Meet me at my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset tomorrow . There will be others like you. Gaedren will face his fate, and justice will be done.
I know of the suffering that Gaeden reaped upon you! You are one of many he has hurt, myself included, but now is the time to end the blight he inflicts upon the world. I know where he is, but cannot strike him down myself. Meet me at my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset tomorrow. You will meet others like you, and justice will be done!
...
Tierce slams down the glass of ale he had been drinking. Ale?!?! What was I thinking, Father would scold me for not drinking something more proper!
He looks down at the harrow card with confusion and curiosity, he picks it up and reads the note, his eyes widening in understanding. He gets up from his drink, tosses down the coin he owes for his tab and heads to his room.
Must make sure I'm good and sober for this... an eye for an eye...
.
A cold chill swirls in the air, and the lanterns flicker from a few houses and late night businesses. Srilik clanks through the streets, footsteps echoing off the cobble stone. He looks down one of the alleys and sees a young couple is having a moment. They stop at the sounds of his footsteps and look at him. In a dry routine voice Srilik gives the younglings the speech, "Move along. The alleys are a dangerous place to be this time of night." They grumble some curses in his direction but get up and disappear down the opposite end around the corner.
Srilik sighed, he hated this part of town. So many people here without respect for the Gaurd, and too many of them were troublemakers. Why couldn't I have been assigned to the upper districts? At least I would have someone to talk to on a slow night. A cold gust of wind blew down the alley causing Srilik to shiver slightly despite being covered head to toe in cloaks and heavy armor. This wind is terrible, I thought the weather was supposed to be getting better. Just as he was about to turn to move along a card flew and touched his chest getting stuck among the many bands of leather on his armor. What's this? Sriliks eyes narrowed as he read the card. This card was no accident. Perhaps I will see what is going on. At least I have tomorrow off.
I know who you are and what you have been through. Gaeden Lamm’s time is come! Come and meet me and others like you at 3 Lancet street, sunset tomorrow. We cannot undo the past, but we can shape the future. Justice will be done!
I worry most for this card I have drawn. The Eclipse can signify a loss of faith and purpose, which I do not wish on anyone. But if you are feeling these things because of what Gaeden Lamm stole from you, do not fear! Meet me and others like you at 3 Lancet Street, sunset tomorrow, and we will see if we can get your brother back to you. Justice will be done, keep your faith strong!
Gaeden has taken more than just your brother, and I will help you get it back. Come to 3 Lancet Street tomorrow and sunset, and meet others like you who wish to set things right and rescue their family and honor. Justice will be served upon the monster that preys on children, and you will be its instrument.
Its up to you all to figure out how you approach 3 Lancet Street and the next day. :)
Dorian studies the card and the note. no other information
moving to the window, he checks it secure glancing out the window he spies a couple in the ally then chased away by what he can surmise as the town night watch.
I might feel slightly safer this night, assuming the night watch isn't so easily bought off,
ha, wishful thinking. get some shut eye, I'll scout out this location in the morning. see what its all about. make sure it isn't a trap.
As he opens the closet to hang his cloak Dorian finds a bottle. half full of whiskey. he starts to reach for it. stopping mid-reach, No, that was another life, I am through with that he fights the urge but soon finds the bottle in his hands.
looking at the bottle his hand shaking. then he hurls the bottle at the wall shattering it.
he lays back down on the bed and is soon asleep.
Segnam relishes in the luxuries of the evening, enjoy whatever pleasures he might in his regular haunt. In the morning, he finds the card a second time and wonders wherever he might have received such a thing.
Rereading the message he tightens a fist. Lamm... The thought, a cyclone of memory and rage, passes through him swiftly. He gathers his things and departs the establishment. Wishing several of the girls well.
Segnam does not walk, however. He's far too good for that pedestrial nonsense. He lounges upon a chair, a gift from his father's father. At a glance the chair appears normal enough. Then one notices that the clawed feet are actually feet, and actually clawed. More likely, though, one notices first that the lounge is ambulatory and carrying a small Rakshasa-blooded Tiefling.
The Vision... Fitting. Whoever sent this message knows that I'm the man for the job.
The lounge ambles down the street, back to Segnam's lodgings. Many passerby have become accustomed to the sight. Others gawk. One woman screams and runs the other direction. Segnam sighs and continues his arduous trek to the Inn.
Lirana runs her fingers around the edge of the card as she looks about, trying to see if she can spot anyone who may have left this card for her?
Why would someone send me such a message? Why not just tell me outright if they have seen my little brother? Do they fear Lamm's retribution if they give out any information? That would at least make sense.
Lirana decides to return to the temple for the rest of the day as she ponders her decision to meet with whoever left the card.
The next day, at the appointed time, a cloaked and veiled Lirana knocks upon the door.
If this person fears being seen giving out information, I should at least take care to hide my identity while I am in this part of town.
Waking from his stupor, Tierce checks the position of the sun and realizes he slept most of the day away. He quickly readies himself and washes. Don't want to be smelling like rancid wine when I meet this person...
He dons his armor and weapons and makes sure to grab his wayfinder. He looks at it for a long second, knowing who it really belonged it. I will see you avenged!
He begins heading towards the appointed place and is about to knock on the door when he almost bumps into a cloaked and veiled woman. "Excuse me Lady, dreadfully sorry... are you the one I am here to meet? Or have you come for the same reason?"
Lirana peers through her thin veil at the gentleman who bumped into her. This person doesn't have the look of either a fortuneteller or one of Lamm's men. And the same reason? Were others given a card as well?
"You are forgiven sir. As for being the one you are here to meet, I would have to say no. If I have come here for the same reason, well, first I would have to know your reason for being here otherwise I could neither confirm or deny if my reason is the same."
In answer to her question, Tierce holds up his harrow card with the message on the back. "Did you get one of these as well?"
Lirana slowly nods and holds up her own card for an answer.
"Shall we go in and see what this meeting is about?'
Tierce smiles slightly before remembering his reason for coming "Yes, let's do just that."
He knocks upon the door, waiting for an answer. While waiting he adds,
"I'm Tierce, Tierce Vraie. Pathfinder Chronicler"
"Lirana Caldori, priestess of the Eternal Rose, Shelyn."
Tierce chuckles slightly, "I believe our goddesses have something in common." He takes out a long necklace from within his armor and shows her the three stinger symbol of Calistria. "More or less..."
The clawed feet of Segnam's gift scrape against the cobblestones as he approaches the named meeting place. తెరువు! he calls out with a gesture.
You there! He calls out to the others waiting outside. Is this your doing?
The small felinoid being is sipping a glass of wine while the lounge carries him along the street. He makes a direct line for the door.
Segnam Chamtivost Lussoriosi. A pleasure. He nods to Tierce. I'm sure He adds with a purr and a smile to Lirana.
They knock, and there is no answer immediately.
Srilik wakes up in the morning extremely groggy after a night full of haunts. Damn card, reminding me of Lamm. I was hoping I was done with that life.[i] He does his morning routine like always, dressing up in several layers of cloaks to hide himself. Then he heads to the main guard station to ask about Lancet Street and that general part of town.
He then runs a few errands before returning home mid afternoon. [i] Patrolling the streets will be a good disguise, only the person who sent the card will know who I am... Which means they also likely know I am a Nagaji, Srilik scowls, though someone would be hard pressed to see it under his cloak. Eitherway, I might as well see what is going on.
Srilik gets his uniform together and all equipped then leaves his house in time to get to Lancet Street and hour before sundown. Once there he begins "patrolling," passing by the building once every 5-8 minutes.
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A few minutes before sundown Srilik starts seeing several people come to the meeting place, exchanging pleasantries and showing each other harrow cards. So it begins. Srilik slows his pace and moves towards the same side of the street that the others are on, spotting the tiefling and his chair approaching from the other side of the street, Yelling to the others.
"Is this your doing?
Srilik picks up his pace and moves to the group, "Is everything alright here?"
Srilik determines that 3 Lancet street is the house and shope of a Varisian storyteller and harrow reader and fortune-mistressed named Zellara.
The door swings open on its magic trigger.
The house is pretty, and well furnished, bright and cheery in contrast to their odd purpose for being here. There is one main room, as it is a small enough place.
The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice.
The haze comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
There is a paper weighted with a rock on the top of the basket, and an old weathered deck of harrow cards on the table, the backs of which match the cards they hold.
Lirana stares a bit at the catlike person's unique mode of transportaion "No, this was none of our doing and my name is Lirana Caldori. Shall we assume you too received a card?"
Lirana will enter house once the door opens and looks about.
Tierce will examine the tapestries for a few minutes with thought before looking at the paper. He will carefully lift the rock and pick up the paper, looking for anything that is written upon it.
At the question, Segnam unfolds a scarf. Embroidered surprisingly well inside is The Vision from the Harrow Deck. He smiles and refolds the scarf, settling back into the seat of his chair.
Like Tierce, his attention is drawn first to the tapestries, then to the Harrow Deck on the table.
If there isn't a lingering magical effect, he counts the cards and sorts out what is missing (if picking them up doesn't kill him).
Lirana looks about at the tapestries. "Hello? Anyone home?"
Tierce glances over to Segnam as he looks at the tapestries "Fetching aren't they? I remember seeing a few similar to this back at the Grand Lodge, but I just can't place their origin..."
Lirana pushes back her veil to get a better look about the room.
"Is our mysterious contact later for her own appointment? Rather rude to arrange for us all to show up and then to be late. Or is she just planning for a dramatic entrance?"
Srilik steps into the room as quietly and inconspicuously as he is able to. which isn't very inconspicuous at all. He doesn't say a word to the others and just observes the room around him.
After the others entered the house. Dorin walks across the street and approaches the door.
listens for any unusal sounds from within. only normal conversation seems to dominate the interior.
he pulls out the Harrow card and checks to location yet again, just to be sure.
This is the place, why the others?, if it is a trap, the others are most likely victims as well
Dorian knocks at the door.
It seems that the tapestries are just tapestries. Decorative, and maybe telling stories of their own, but neither Tierce nor Lirana know what that story might be ...
The cards radiate /extremely/ powerful magic of varying kinds, the strongest being illusion. The ones that are missing are the ones that the people present have. Well, and the Courtesan...
The note on the basket simply says, 'I apologize for being late, please make yourselves at home and enjoy this bread and wine. I'll be there as soon as I can.'
Because late to the party and last to arrive is a lanky half-elven woman with a wide brimmed hat and a mouth that is slightly to big for her freckly, friendly face.
"Hey! What's going on?" She inquires, lacking any stealth at all, and smirks, "Did you all get cards too? My card said I'd meet people here?"
Just to let you know that Dorian really the last to arrive he just knocked on the door.
Unless Halaea is outside addressing him...
Yep, she's late. :)
Tierce shows everyone what is written on the note, "Appears our host will be late..." Or this is an elaborate trap...
Dorian turn as the girl approaches.
Seems there is something going on at this place. what brings you here?
The Chair maneuvers over to the door and Segnam again attempts to open the door with a spell, prepared to close it at once if need be.
తెరువు!
Tierce reads aloud or shows anyone the note if asked, "Not so sure about this. Being made to wait for their own party says something about our host."
Halaea shrugs at Dorian, "I got a card telling me to be here, though how I got that card is beyond me."
She shrugs again, "Seems fishy, but its the only lead I've got."
For what its worth, the room doesn't feel murdery! Though that's probably not worth a whole lot to these individuals in this circumstance. Besides, there's some people lurking at the door!
Srilik watched everything unfold in front of him, not saying or doing much. He preferred to keep his guard up and not let any distractions prevent him from doing his job.
"Not so sure about this. Being made to wait for their own party says something about our host."
Srilik speaks up in response to this knowing just what kinds of things can keep a man late. In a monotonic voice typical of a bored guard Srilik replies, "Perhaps our host is caught up in some unfortunate events, could be a prior engagement running long, or more than likely, considering this part of town, thugs."
Outside, Halaea shrugs, and opens the door, trailing in with the others and leaving Dorian to figure out if he wants to come with or what.
Dorian enters as well still appaerently unsure as to what this gathering is all about.
interesting assortment he mutters as he examines his surroundings.
I can only assume you all have beensummoned here as well by a mysterious host?
Indeed. We now have our Locksmith and our Courtesan. He gestures to Dorian and Halaea respectively. Might I introduce The Eclipse, The Crows, The Forge, Lirana, Srilik and Tierce are indicated, And of course, with a flambouyant gesture to himself, The Vision.
With introductions done, he sighs. Now if only our host would arrive... His chair returns him to his spot by the deck, he continues examining it in the mean time.
"Don't much feel like a crow to tell you the truth. Has everyone else been wronged in some way recently?" Tierce looks thoughtfully at his Harrow card.
dorian eyes Segnam curiously. why would you say the locksmith?
I am no rogue nor locksmith
Dorian is of lean build gaunt skin, he looks of elf were it not for his beard. he wields a bow and clad in scruffy leather armor. his features indicate a past of heavy Shiver usage.
Come now, my good man, surely you know that the Harrow is rarely that straightforward. Look at your card. Is that not what our host chose for you?
Lirana answers Tierce. "Sometimes I think that there isn't anyone left in this city who hasn't been wronged recently."
Lirana moves to pick up the basket and set it atop the table. "Well, I suppose we may as well partake of the refreshments provided until our mysterious host arrives. If anyone is concerned about foul play, I am capable of casting a spell to detect poison in things before we eat or drink anything."
She will then remove the cover from the basket.