Linus the Harrower's page

About Linus the Harrower

On Zorcudum Jirinidin Varisi’s fifth birthday, his whole clan sat down around the campfire where their caravan had stopped for the night. He sat across from his mother, and she began the first harrowing; an ancient tradition among the Varisians.
First, Zorc’s mother drew his Signifier card: The card to represent him. She drew the Unicorn, a card representing Charisma, freedom, and goodness. A creature kind enough to offer up its bounty, but never be bound. Many of the Clan members nodded in agreement; such a fitting card for the clan rapscallion.
Next, Zorc’s mother drew and flipped over the card to the left. The clan gasped and some even laughed as the card revealed was The Idiot: A bad omen, but perhaps a funny one. The card represents a foolish or naive decision. This card did play out years later, as Zorc fell for a Devil’s coy, and signed a contract which forced his clan into servitude in the Devil’s Circus. Many nearly starved as every copper earned was given to the Devil to repay for Zorc’s foolishness. Few blamed Zorc, as he was just a child, but he blamed himself quite heavily.
Back at the campfire, his mother drew the next card: The Big Sky, a card representing freedom and the end of oppression. For many years under the oppression of the Devil, many in the clan clung to this card as a good omen. And indeed, it did play out. As a skilled musician and storyteller, Zorc did everything he could to keep the children especially happy, but after he got fed up, he marched into the Devil’s office tent, demanding a challenge. He signed a new deal with the Devil, claiming that if he won in a fiddle contest, the Devil would let his people free. However, if the Devil won, then Zorc’s Aasimer sister, who was still unbound by the Devil’s contract, would have to give up her soul. After a crazy competition, the Devil lost, as Zorc had sabotaged the fiddle just the night before. The chains were unbound, and his people were freed, much like in the story of the big sky.
His mother drew the fourth card. It showed the Publican, a symbol of brotherly camaraderie and friendship. This card also played out in a big way. After his people were freed, Zorc was enjoying himself at a tavern in Absalom. In walked a Sczarni agent, and offered Zorc a drink, which Zorc gladly accepted. After a long conversation and many a tale told, Zorc was initiated into the Sczarni, taking on the name “Linus” for protection. From then on, he could do good deeds without having to follow anyone else’s rules, and he liked that fact.
The last card was turned over, and it portrayed The Hidden Truth, meaning a secret that must be uncovered. While it hasn’t come true yet, Zorc has a growing suspicion that the old fairytale about the Starstone Challenge in the center of Absalom wasn’t just an old legend. Perhaps the stone in the center really does grant immortality and the chance at godhood. It’s probably just legend, and hey, cards can be wrong. Just…
Not so far…