I'm going to withdraw Zina. I just don't have the time to get a reasonable background together this week. Sorry.
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I was just experimenting with a Card Caster Magus at level four, who'd work well as a cousin of the Soldado family. Crunch, personality, and appearance are all done, so I just need to get some backstory written down and format it all for the boards, and then we'll be in business.
Zellara looks tiredly at Litsy, eyes shutting for a moment or two. "Litsy, you've seen the beginnings of Korvosa's danger. Those bells weren't for no reason; the king, whether loved or hated, is dead, and already, rumors fly about the cause. As for your second question...the cards told me, of course. Aerodus, would you have trusted me if I'd come to you as a spirit rather than a woman of flesh and blood?" "Ac a' iya'au, harc." Her form moves closer to Laijiri, stopping just short of touching her, and she smiles. "I entrust that deck to your safe-keeping. It's my last link to this world, and though my heart is at peace, I think it isn't my time to leave." Images flood Laijiri's mind as Zellara reveals the power of her Harrow deck. The two boys nod at Aerodus slowly, still scared of the manifested ghost and unable to speak. It's all in Laijiri's Head:
Item: Zellara's Harrow Deck With Zellara's images swirling in your head, you can see that this deck is more than a stack of cards. Despite the worn condition of the card backs, the images on the faces are so vibrant they seem to move when viewed out of the corner of the eye. The deck itself handles with surprising ease, almost shuffling itself. A bent, torn, or lost card always seems to mend itself or reappear when no one is looking. These features are subtle manifestations of the spirit that haunts the cards. In life, Zellara lived by this deck, and in death, she has become the deck. Zellara can sense the world around the deck via sight and sound, and she can communicate with anyone who holds the deck via empathy. She can create a major image once per day, often doing so to generate an image of herself manipulating the cards—in this manner, she can carry on conversations with other creatures. She can also identify a magic item’s properties if one of her cards is touched to it, as the spell identify, up to 3 times per day. When she does so, knowledge of the item identified manifests in the mind of one creature she chooses who is also holding at least one card, or she can opt to describe the item’s functions via a major image.
Varisian: And to you, child.
A brief shimmer appears behind the children, leading to three high-pitched screams, followed by a fourth. Zavi stands suddenly, tumbling Imperia across the floor, as Zellara appears, this time weak around the edges, in the corner of the room. "It's over? I...apologize for leading you as I did, but the truth would have been too difficult to accept beforehand. I do not think I lied to you about anything. My son was killed by Lamm nearly a year ago when he stole that deck of cards you now carry, Laijiri. I tracked him down and confronted him two weeks ago, and he took my head in revenge. I was, as I said, unable to deal with Lamm myself, but you've done an excellent job in my stead." She turns to the children, and as she does, you can see a vague shadow of the table behind her. "I'm sorry for frightening you, little ones. You're all welcome to stay at this house as long as you need to. The rent was paid through the summer, but you'll have to supply your own food. There is...one more thing, if you'll listen to an old ghost. In the reading I did for you, I saw much more than I told. I may have told you this deck is not ordinary. In the hands of a skilled reader, it shows much, and I saw the coming of troubled days for the city. The Uprising and The Peacock-" She flicks her hand, and the two cards appear "-these cards show the near future, but I also see a chance for you to help make this city (which I loved and which I think you do too, for all its flaws) a better place. The coming days will be filled with strife and struggle, but you may have the strength and the will to drive it along the right path." She stands near the stairs, falling silent.
Zellara looks at the coins forlornly before fixing a long stare on Litsy. "I thank you for the coins, but the only payment I need is Lamm's death. There is enough to eat and drink here, and the children will not go hungry while I live. Please, return to your friends and finish the task."
Seeing that Giorgio is looking for information about Lamm's hideout, Zellara speaks up again. Her voice seems tired, as if performing the Harrowing has taken a lot out of her. "The address is #17 Westpier. It's a few streets to the north of us, and the fishery is right up against the waterfront. I only had the courage to go down that street once. There's an old ship in the back, and it smells atrocious. Beyond that, I don't know much. It was a few weeks ago when I scouted it out. I feel exhausted. I'll bid you good night; there are beds upstairs if you'd prefer to sleep before you go after Lamm."
”I will need those back to perform the Spread, if you don’t mind.” Zellara gathers the cards from you and shuffles nine times, each time bridging the cards perfectly together. ”The Spread will help you understand where you came from, who you are, and what your fate will be, as a group.” She swiftly deals nine cards, face-down and in a square. ”The first three help us understand how our fellowship arrived at this point. “She flips the first column over (The Teamster, The Cyclone, and The Crows) and points at The Teamster. ”A driving force none of us could ignore; Lamm. We have all suffered at his hands, but you have grown from it. Alternately, I used his name, and you came.She pauses for a moment, and her hand rests on The Cyclone. [b]” A disaster none can escape. This is not natural, but something manufactured. A complicated card, and one the mists of prophecy obscure. “ Her finger reaches out and touches The Crows lightly. ” Shocking loss for all. For me, my son, for you, friends, family, or a personal injury. Together, these cards show our collective pasts, and strengthen us for the future. Zellara quickly flips the middle column over (The Unicorn, The Foreign Trader, and The Brass Dwarf) and a smile grows on her face. [b]”The middle column reveals much about our present. For example…” Her finger taps The Unicorn lightly. ” Haha! Lamm, though he knows it not! The Unicorn offers what the subject seeks, and we all seek vengeance and justice, do we not? “ She pauses again before lifting The Foreign Trader to look at it more closely. Finally she continues. ”I must respect The Foreign Trader, for in this position, he is a Merchant Prince. He represents our agreement here, for I see it will conclude satisfactorily, and yet will have impacts on our lives beyond what it offers.” She points at The Brass Dwarf. ” Two readings, but the alternate rings truly to me. A dark fate for one who’s long eluded it. His fate will save many from greater danger, but it is not without risk. In these cards I see success, and yet at the same time, both more and less for our fellowship. Satisfaction, perhaps; Fulfillment, no.” Finally, and slowly, she reveals the last column (The Twin, The Uprising, and The Peacock). ”These cards represent the coming days, weeks, and months. “Her lips draw into a tight line and then relax as she sets The Twin down. ” I do not believe this card will do its worst. Under different circumstances, its revelation here could reverse the entire reading, but here it means duplicity, or perhaps indecision. Beware the two-faced ones!” Once again, a long pause, and then she places a hand on The Uprising. ” A strong card at its strongest in that position, and why I trust The Twin. In the coming days a force stronger than you all will rise. Resisting will bring only suffering; you must roll with it.” Finally, she holds The Peacock up, moving it around for all to see. ” A shift in society, and not for the better. Simple to read; chaos where there was order, and order where there chaos could have helped. The future is grim, but it can be survived with fortitude and grace. This concludes our Harrowing. Know that Fate is with you this day. Please, make Lamm pay for his many wrongs.”
Zellara takes a glance at each of your cards and begins speaking, her voice growing both stronger and more transient as the Harrowing seems to take hold of her. "Giorgio, The Juggler, my friend. A time draws near when rhythm and balance will be of great importance to you. Keep your steps light and quick and your success is assured. Beware the misstep. "Soon, The Locksmith will offer you the keys to your destiny, Aerodus. Though it may be against your nature, do not hesitate to grasp them. They will serve you well. "The Rabbit Prince. Though you’ve prepared for a long while for this moment, remember that battle is nothing if not random. Though you may be brave and skilled, take care with the knives, Gern. "The Peacock represents the passage of time, and the shifting of attitudes. Though I ask for decision and action, you would do well to hesitate and consider. Kazaradin, not all is as it seems in your future. "Laijiri, The Dance. Staying in step seems wise, but the patterns you see do not represent the greater good. Step out of them at your peril, but know that your actions may save lives. "Ah, Litsy, the Harrow shows only vagaries here, not the details I would like. There may come a time when your actions run you afoul of those in authority, and victory may seem impossible. Do not fear, for the Demon’s Lantern also represents a guide at the perfect moment."
Giorgio's Sense Motive:
As far as you can tell, the woman seems to be desperate for help and relieved that you seem to be taking her seriously. Nothing about her behavior seems to indicate a trap. Zellara pulls nine cards from the deck, laying them face-down in a single row. "First, we must have the Choosing. Arrayed before us is the suit of keys. Appropriate, as speed and maneuverability seem to benefit our endeavor. If each of you would be so kind as to pick a card and show what it is, the Harrow will tell you of your place in the coming events. I would usually ask what you seek, but I think I already know something of the answer." Card 1:
The Dance, a woman dancing through the galaxy Card 2:
The Crows, counting their ill-gotten gains Card 3:
The Locksmith, with his skeleton key Card 4:
The Demon's Lantern, a man drowning in the swamp and will of the wisps Card 5:
The Avalanche, a hill falling upon a wagon Card 6:
The Rabbit Prince, dressed as royalty and with a broken blade Card 7:
The Peacock, a cockatrice Card 8:
The Juggler, tossing elephants and church-towers Card 9: The Cricket, shuffling a deck while sitting next to a peach
Zellara clears her throat again. "If you seek time to plan and you're willing, I can perform a Harrowing for you. I listen to the music of the city and my Harrow deck tells me more than most. It may be that you will take away some insight from it. If you are interested, I simply need your cards back. I'll even do it free of charge." She collects the cards that had been placed on the table, a small smile on her face. Then she begins shuffling her Harrow deck, the cards dancing across her hands. She seems both expectant and lost in thought. |