You did not sleep well this night. A sudden and severe thunderstorm battered the city, waking you up at night and invoking strange nightmares of bloody war when you manage to doze off again. As you finally decide you had enough and stand up groggily, the thunderstorm comes to an end as a new dawn rises slowly above the rooftops and the Shingles of Korvosa, illuminating the wet cobblestones with a crimson tint. As you begin your morning routines, something seems a bit off but you can't quite put your eye on it for a while.
You hastily dress up for the appointment with a client you have in the morning. It is a young Varisian woman with the lower part of her face covered by a bright scarf - to protect you from the dry wasting cough she has. Your fortune-telling comes out pretty bleak, so you take a liberty to spice it up with a bit of white lies, inserting a few jokes to cheer up the poor lady and raise her spirits to help combat the sickness. As she leaves, you shuffle the deck and notice that one of the cards comes up twice. Confused, you pick it up - the card looks old-fashioned and is definitely not from your working deck, though it also appears too worn out to come from your heirloom deck. It is The Joke - an image of a laughing giant amused by an intrepid bard. On the other side of the card there is a handwritten message in brown ink.
Currently between jobs, you use the downtime to take care of your armor and weapons. Your old whetstone doesn’t do its job so well anymore, so you decide to jog down to the smithy to pick up a new one. When you return, a Harrow card awaits you on the table. Alarmed, you inspect the house but there is no sign of breaking and entering. The old-fashioned card depicts a circus Bear riding a unicycle. On the other side of the card a handwritten message in brown ink is addressed to Tymo Flint.
Another night passed idly without the Oni scouring the city for signs of Gaedren Lamm. You feel depression, boredom and guilt hungrily waiting at the edge of your soul. You tell yourself that you must stay strong if the Oni is ever to have his vengeance, but it’s hard to concentrate within the familiar confines of your home, where everything reminds you of her. You decide to get some fresh air. As you open the door, a small piece of paper that was tucked into the frame from the outside falls down on the floor. You pick it up - it is a Harrow card, depicting a Cricket dressed up in an old-fashioned style. On the other side of the card a handwritten message in brown ink is addressed simply to The Oni.
Today is the day for you to get a new tattoo on one of the remaining free spots of your shoulder blade. As you come over to your inking master, she greets you with a smile and says she has a surprise for you. After a few painful hours the image is done, but you have a hard time making out the details on the swollen skin. The master gives you an old-fashioned Harrow card, saying that she found it yesterday and it inspired her to do the image, since she felt it somehow suits your personality. The card depicts a solemn knight kneeling before an Empty Throne. This is not what you expected - but you like the image and feel strangely attached to it. On your way home you spin the card around and notice a handwritten message in brown ink, which you’re pretty sure was not there before.
You go to the market looking both for food and for a job to see if you can join a caravan anytime soon. But nobody is looking for guards on this particular day. Frustrated, you decide to cheer yourself up at a nearby Varisian tent. You spend some time watching the dancers and performers, but when you leave the tent you find your purse gone from your pocket. Luckily you already spent most of what you have taken with you. Double-checking to make sure you haven’t misplaced it, you instead find something small and thin - a Harrow card depicting a Juggler. On the other side of the card therer is a handwritten message in brown ink.
I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.
Z.
Edita's face has a shame- and painful look for a moment.
"Gaedren is indeed an impostume this city suffered from far too long. Maybe it really IS time to excise it... All the better for the people of Korvosa..."
Wondering what a strange message that is, Edita feels attracted to it. Her mother always used to foretell future using these kind of cards...
She gathers her stuff, including weapons, wakes up Snorey and makes her way to Lancet Street.
Kyoden picks up the card and examines it. "Interesting... Its my first real lead, but who sent it and who are these others it speaks of? Maybe I've been closing on Gaedren and this is actually a trap. Regardless, I have no choice but to go if I'm to get any answers."
At that he heads to his bedroom and removes a false panel in his closet revealing a mask, his blades, and other assorted gear. "Apparently tonight we hunt..." he says to the mask as Kyoden gathers his gear. Before leaving for Lancet, he tucks his mask in his cloak and looks himself over in the mirror to make sure nothing is out of place. He tucks the harrow card in his pocket and makes his way toward Lancet.
Examining the card from a distance, eventually Garran reaches out and picks it up. Seeing his real name on it, his eyebrows climb into his hair. So, I've been recognized. Someone from the old life is reaching out to me. A predatory smile crosses his face. If its Gaedren, he'll find steel in his belly soon enough. Garran sits down to read the message.
Looking around in circles as he tries to figure out how this happened.
I really need to figure out how they do that.....Father is going to kill me when he finds out I have been robbed yet again. I have to admit, it is a neat trick.
Alistair reads the card again.
Lancet street....I think that is near Beast and Boar....
Sunset..Well better start walking
as I have no money to get a carriage. Should get there by sunset...
Mivaela looks at the card and smiles. The revenge that had alluded her might now be possible. She had no idea if she should trust whoever left this card, but any chance to strike at that monster was definitely worth her attention. Besides, leaving a card like that was just the sort of message she would hope from her goddess.
She hurried out the door, telling her familiar to stay behind. Mivaela was eager to see who sent the card and how she could get her revenge on Lamm.
As you get to the place, you find a small, humble home, in slight disrepair but decorated with bright wallflowers and green vines. You try the door and it opens up, unlocked.
The interior consists of a single cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling human hearts, and 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, holding a flaming sword 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. On the table there is a simple note covered by a stone paperweight:
"Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you."
Garran enters the room, armed and armored, sword and shield across his back. Rather than take a seat, he looks about the room, stidyimg the tapestries and the others who seem to have been invited.
Kyoden arrives at the location early and scouts out the location. He waits until he sees others make their way in. "They don't look like Gaedren's typical thugs. Maybe this isn't a trap." He then makes his way into alley. Making sure hes not seen, he pulls his hood over his head and dons the mask of The Oni.
"Time I make an entrance..." The Oni says as he crosses the street and enters the small home. The Oni is armored with his daisho at his hip. Seeing their host is not here yet, he finds a spot on the wall to lean against where he can study and watch the other attendees.
Edita walks right to the front door. Her long steps show confidence, but her face looks a little afraid. She stops right in front of the door, mumbles some ancient words of power and the flow of magic suddenly becomes visible to her like the wind when it carries autumn leaves.
With a deep breath she enters. "Good evening! Now look at that colorful bunch we are..." she says, trying to relieve the tension.
The sudden change of environment awakens Snorey, who was sleeping on Editas shoulders until now.
With a drowsy glance he looks in everyone's face, a childish grin in his face.
"Evening," The Oni responds gruffly. Pulling out the harrow card he found on his doorstep he continues, "Did each of you find one of these?"
Mivaela enters and looks at the others and then the note. She's been hungry and starving too often in her young life to pass up free food, so she hungrily digs into the bread and drink as she sits in one of the chairs. She eyes the monkey suspiciously, holding her bread closer to her.
"Yeah, I got one of those cards, too. I don't recognize any of ya as Lamm's kids - so why are you here? Did that bastard steal from you or somethin'? Have his crew give you a beat down?"
You sense a moderate aura of illusion magic, though you have a hard time pinpointing a specific object or creature radiating it.
Edita frowns for a moment while observing the interior of the hut.
"So that old bastard has used all of you? Seems like the council of payback in here... To me Lamm seems to be a scourge to this city and its good people. Meaning he has to go... at least."
Edita hands a small piece of bread to Snorey saying: "Is Mommy's litte baby hungry? Here, take, Precious..." And she puts a soft kiss on the monkey's forehead.
"By the way, does this place seem a bit off to you as well?"
Seeing the brash woman eat and drink the offered refreshment, The Oni thinks to himself, "Either confident or reckless... or she knows who called us together. Those could be poisoned." Then in response to her questions, he replies with unmasked anger and rage, "You could say he stole something from me. He or someone he knows murdered someone I cared very deeply for. I will make sure he is brought to justice"
Mivaela stops eating for the moment and her voice softens. "Oh... I'm sorry to hear about that. I know he would kill us kids who got to be too much trouble. Beat me to the edge of death and left me in a pile of trash. The goddess saved me, otherwise I wouldn't be here either. I didn't realize he was murdering decent folk, too. I guess it doesn't surprise me, though. I'm sorry."
In response to Edita, Mivaela looks around and shrugs. "Seems like most fortune-teller shops I've been in. I guess from the card, that's what she does. It's nicer than the places I've worked and lived, but can't say anything seems odd. That's just the mystical vibe they like to give for customers. Make us seem exotic or something." She shrugs again, but takes another careful look around for anything unusual, but goes back to eating.
Snorey lets the kiss happen with a bit of reluctance in his face. But he gladly takes the bread, leans back against Editas neck and eats.
*mumble*
The old wretch got me on some drug one of his flunkies concocted. Wanted to control his little "future magic project"... ...and... yes. Actually, I've got the one with a knight on it...
Edita shows a Harrow card with a message on it. The card depicts a solemn knight kneeling before an Empty Throne.
Having stopped off at three taverns on his way to his final destination. Alistair knew his father would be mad at him for starting those tabs but he just did not care. Seeing that the building with the number three on its side was within sight, he continued to stumble his way to the door and announce himself.
Pardon my tardyness. I have recieved a request for my presence at this location.
He pushes the door open and enters.My name is Lord Alistair.....
He stops and looks at the others and looks down at his card. He then looks up again at the group before him. He holds the card up for all to see.
Is this good or bad?
A motley assortment. A Varisian woman with a monkey, a somewhat intoxicated nobleman, a masked man - not a bad idea, but he could be trouble - and one of Gaedren's former lambs it looks like. I wonder if she ever knew she was as disposable as I was. Garran holds up his card, with the bear on the unicycle, speaking for the first time. "I also received a Harrow card, although the name on the card is...incorrect. I had been out of the city for a time, and was surprised to receive this upon my return."
Looking at the rather casual young woman, Garran says, "I would also have a care how readily you eat and drink - if this is a trap by Gaedren or one of his lackeys, the food may well be poisoned."
Looking at the rather casual young woman, Garran says, "I would also have a care how readily you eat and drink - if this is a trap by Gaedren or one of his lackeys, the food may well be poisoned."
Mivaela looks at the food, shrugs, and keeps eating. "Seeing as how often I've almost starved compared to how often I've been poisoned - I'll play those odds. Besides, the goddess will protect me until I get my revenge. She already saved me once."
With an afraid widening of her eyes Edita takes Snorey's bread away. (Quite to his diappointment)
"My card shows a cricket. I have no idea if that means anything. Does anyone know who summoned us all here?" The Oni says laying his card on the table.
A woman with long, dark hair approaches the house in brisk steps and enters, regarding all of you with a smile. She is middle-aged and fairly attractive, with clearly Varisian features.
You happened to be looking out the window as the woman appeared and you're pretty sure she didn't come from behind a corner but manifested out of thin air!
As she addresses you, she casually produces a harrow deck from her pocket, idly shuffling the cards. Her skill with the deck is obvious as the cards seem to float and dance through her fingers without her even looking at them.
“Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. My name is Zellara, and I have a reason to remain hidden, you see—a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This man has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When Lamm’s pickpockets stole it, my son Eran tracked them down and returned my deck to me. But Gaedren had him followed, and soon after he left my home, Gaedren’s thugs murdered him.
I sought help from the Korvosan Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here, at Westpier 17, where he trains abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures.
But I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if they were willing to help, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. And even if they arrested him, what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay.
I have little means to help you against Lamm, but I do have some skill with the Harrow. With the cards giving you a glimpse in the workings of fate, you would be better prepared for the task of seeking him out in the Old Fishery.”
Alistair looks at each person as he hold his card, the Juggler. When the woman enters and makes her speech, he listens careful.
He bows to the woman
As you wish Mistress Zellara. For this information...you have my blade.
"What he has done to me, doesn't matter anymore. Those times are gone now." Edita says. But it is clear that she just recites those words like the prayer of a child - learned by heart, but never really felt at heart.
"But we have to stop him to make this city a better place. Speaking only for myself I would gladly participate in your reading, Vrăjitoarea."
*Shakes his tiny fist angrily as the topics comes to Lamm*
Reminded of her grandmother, Mivaela watches Zellara's skill with the Harrow deck with a mix of awe and sadness. As she listens to Zellara's tale, those emotions melt away into raw anger.
"I long for vengeance on Lamm with all my soul for what he has done to me. But after hearing the evils he has caused to others, I will help all of you get revenge however I can."
At the offering of a reading, Mivaela is deeply moved and softens significantly. Although she muddles through doing readings for clients, she has not had a true master of the Harrow perform a reading for her since she was a child. A flood of memories rush through, and for a moment she forgets all that has happened and instead a small child watching her grandmother in wonder again. With the distance of memory, Mivaela can't help but imagine that her grandmother might have looked much like Zellara in her youth.
"I would be deeply honored for you to perform a reading."
Garran listens to Zellara as she explains her struggle with Gaedren. Though he isn't particularly concerned with the problems the others have with Gaedren, he owes Gaedren for the betrayal. For that, he would gladly help. "I'll assist you with this task. I owe Gaedren steel, and this seems a fitting way to give it to him. I do have one question for you." Here, Garran holds up the card and asks, "Where did you get this name?"
"Not everything the cards show is a fact of the present.", Zellara quietly murmurs as she swiftly splits the deck into six parts, sets one of them aside and shuffles it, then deals each of you a card. "The Harrowing links deeds of future with names of past, sometimes even past lives of a soul that is linked to one's fate."
The Peacock
The Crows
The Demon’s Lantern
The Locksmith
The Avalanche
The Cricket
The Betrayal
The Locksmith
The Brass Dwarf
The Rabbit Prince
The Paladin, misaligned
The Sickness, misaligned
The Cyclone
The Crows
The Oni narrows his eyes as Zellara tells her story, trying to gauge the truth of her story. Assuming it to be true, he responds, "I am sorry for what this man did to you. As you seem to already know, Gaedren took someone very dear to me as well. I will see him brought to justice for what he has done. I have no experience with harrowings, but if he is truly at the docks, then tonight will be his last..."
"Every Harrowing begins with a Choosing", Zellara starts explaining as you flip over the cards she dealt. "It signifies an event or a person that has influence over your fate."
Zellara takes the card with a multi-colored Peacock (actually resembling a draconic creature more than a bird) from Alistair, remarking: "Allegiance may shift as surely as the Peacock changes its plumage. Remember where your true loyalty lies, and it will guide you through any sudden personal shifts."
From Edita, she takes back a card showing humanoid crow-like figures engaged in a game of chance. ”Beware those who wish to steal the dearest away from those who have nothing.”
As Mivaela hands over The Demon’s Lantern, representing will-o-wisps over a drowning traveler, Zellara muses: ”Avoid unnecessary confrontations with those who should be allies, lest you find yourself in an impossible conundrum.”
Garran holds up a card depicting a cloaked Locksmith with a keychain: ”Your pursuits may open the keys to a new destiny.”
Finally, the masked Oni reveals a card with a fearsome Avalanche, causing Zellara to frown. ”In your steps, the unrelenting disaster follows. Yet if your spirit is strong, perhaps the disaster will only befall your enemies.”
As she collects all your cards, she shuffles them back into the main deck with great speed.
”Remember these portents while we begin the Spread, getting a glimpse in how past events are intertwined with what’s to come!”
Garran raises an eyebrow as Zellara begins the Harrowing. Though he didn't put much faith in the telling of fates through the use of a deck of cards, he supposed it wouldn't hurt anything. Still, he was eager to hunt down Gaedren and kill him. Hopefully, none of these others would get in the way. His card didn't seem to indicate much - although maybe he'd end up getting rich off of this, too, apart from his revenge.
Zellara lays out three cards one after another.
"We now look at the secrets of the past, immutable and set in stone. First comes the Cricket, in a favorable position. The Cricket relies on speed and quick passage to succeed, and the cards show that the same qualities were valuable in your past as well. Then I see that your past has been marred by the Betrayal - as is of course inevitable when your paths cross with such as Lamm! Finally - oh, it’s The Locksmith again, and in an aligned position!"
Zellara raises her eyes at Garran: ”This is an omen - the Harrow chose you. I see that you have locked away your past to unlock your new destiny. Tread carefully, for ahead lies the key to your fate - and perhaps more than just your own.”
”Let us now turn our gaze to the multitude of the events of the present”, she continues as another column of cards is laid out next to the first one.
”The Brass Dwarf revels in fiery chaos and enjoys smoke, and as he prepares to dance in Korvosa, you stand strong in the face of the unfolding peril. The Rabbit Prince is aligned - he represents the capriciousness of combat. If you are quick and cunning, you may be able to catch the fickle luck by its short tail. And the Paladin is misaligned - it means standing fast under adversity is a foolhardy affair, and you should choose the subtler way to victory.”
”Finally, armed with the insights of past and present, let us take a peek behind the veils of the future. But remember, the future is ever changing, affected by the most miniscule of chances, and what is revealed today may or may not come to pass. In the Age of Lost Omens, no prophecy is inevitable. If you are ready, we shall begin at once.”
Zellara’s face turns paler and her eyes become milky white as she falls into a sort of trance. She slowly moves her fingers above her deck until a card after a card jump out, like pieces of iron to a magnet.
”I see a terrible Sickness around you. Everything seems covered by a veil of blood, the living will envy the dead!… And yet... the card is misaligned - a good omen! You will maintain great health and survive the epidemic. The Cyclone is in a strong position - tumultuous, evil plots will catch you in their webs. Deep in the ocean of possibilities, something otherworldly stirs, its mere dreams causing ripples in the waves of fate. But most of all, fear...” Suddenly, she grabs Edita’s arm in her trance. ”Fear those who prey on the dead! Beware the Crows! They take the treasures, they take the loved ones… they must be stopped if your destiny is to come to pass!”
With the harrowing concluded, Zellara lets go of Edita and slumps into a chair, her skin becomes very pale and her breath fast and shallow. ”Please, you must excuse me… The current of spirits is too strong around you. I’ve got to rest - and you have to act quickly if you want to catch Lamm in the Fishery. Good luck, and may your actions bring peace to Korvosa - and to your souls.”
Allistair nods towards the woman.
I thank you kindly Mistress Zellara
Turning back to the assembled group.
Well...We were brought together for a reason. We each, it would seem have an itch to scratch with Lamm. Is everyone in on this or not....what say you?
Edita is visibly moved by the reading. "Whatever that means - this had truth in it for sure. And it seems, dire times are ahead. We should get to trust each other for I fear there will be need for friends if we want to succeed in this future we got a glimpse upon. I'm Edita..."
After introducing herself, she continues: So - when do we start to the Westpier?"
"I've never understood these harrow readings and it seems that hasn't changed. A disaster in my wake? As long it involves Lamm that is fine by me."
As the woman finishes, The Oni nods to her and appreciation and then turns to the rest of the group. "I am definitely in on this. I need to have a word with Lamm and it will definitely be easier with allies."
Realizing the truth in her words and the fact that their host already knows who he is, Kyoden then addresses Edita. "You are most definitely right Miss Edita. We do need to trust each other." Kyoden reaches up and removes his mask with his left hand offers his right. "I am Kyoden Goju, or the Oni as my enemies know me by."
Alistair bows at the woman.
Lady Edita, a pleasure.
He looks at her and then at the others..
Well since we are all here and it looks like we all came prepared for some type of confrontation..how about we get going now. By the time we get into that area it should be dark enough to hide our intentions.
He is about to introduce himself when the mask man starts to talk. Alistair turns to him and listens intently.
Allies are needed in something like this. Especially ones you can trust to have you back.
As the mask comes off Alistair nods at the trust that was just pushed onto him. He smiles at the man in a comical way.
Here I thought you were planning on attending Master deLondres' masked ball tonight.
He extends his hand as well and nods at both Edita and Kyoden
Alistair
Garran remains skeptical about the results of the Harrow, even after she enters the trance. After all, he wasn't entirely sure he believed in Harrowing. Still, he now had Gaedren's location, and allies to go after him with. Maybe this wasn't as bad as it could have been.
As others introduce themselves, he notes the masked man's removal and revelation of his identity. He took the time to look over those who had introduced themselves, and says, "We leave for the Westpier now, Edita. If we give Lamm too much time, he will evade us and it will cost us a great deal of time to find him again. He is as slippery as an eel, and as pleasant as one, too." Starting for the door, Garran stops and says, "My name is Garran Fain. Gaedren betrayed me and sold me to the watch. I owe him." He then moves to open the door, not checking if the others follow him.
Alistair looks at the others and then at the back of the man that just basically walk out on them. Not caring if the came or not.
Well he can just rock me to sleep....not many friends that one.
He seems friendly enough....
He smiles easily and then looks over at the last person that is part of this rag tag group of Lamm haters. He bows slightly and asks...
and you are?
Snorey follows Garran hectically to the door. Stopping there, he jumps up and down, screeches and looks Editas way.
"It eases my mind to see that I am not alone with my opinion of Old Lamm. Good to meet you all."
Slowly, Edita stands up, grabs her crossbow and loads it.
"It has to be done. Better now than later."
Then she walks to the door and picks Snorey up, giving him a sorrowful look.
Mivaela listens to Zellara's reading intently, hanging on every word. She knows the power of the Harrow especially in the hands of a master.
"I cannot thank you enough, Zellara, for this reading and for pointing me towards Lamm. I will not let you down."
Mivaela follows the others. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I was never good at manners, but name is Mivaela. And having numbers is a good thing when it comes to Lamm. I doubt he'll be alone. I am so very eager to see that scumbag again. Let's go!"
With introductions made, Kyoden replaces his mask over his face and starts to head to the door. "Let us depart for the docks. Lamm will not get away tonight."
Watching as the others depart and then he looks back at the woman.
Mistress...
He tilts his head down a bit and turns to leave. He mumbles to no one in particular.
This is going to be a long night, glad I still got some mead left.
He watches as the others move along in front of him.
The last reflections of the twilight glow paint the rooftop silhouettes purple against the darkening sky as you make your way to the old fishery. The reek of brine and the stink of week-dead fish hang thickly in the air here.
The old fishery itself is a creaking, decrepit, but still solid building, perched atop a steep embankment some 13 feet above the Jeggare River, with most of the structure extending out over the river on wooden pilings.
The old double doors in its side are tightly closed, with a drooping signpost hanging above. The sign it once displayed is long gone, leaving behind only a single short length of rusted chain.
A fifteen-foot-wide loading dock abuts the side of the building. A few carts sit nearby, partially loaded with large, tar-caked barrels marked with a fish-shaped splotch of red paint on the side. Double doors to the immediate south of the loading dock’s ramp provide access to the building’s interior, while a rickety flight of stairs descends ten feet to a point just three feet over the river’s surface, where a simple door provides a secondary entrance.
Before you approach the vicinity of the fishery, you manage to spot a small, emaciated figure approaching the loading dock doors and knocking in a simple pattern - two knocks, then one, then two again - causing the door to come ajar from the inside and slipping into the building.