"As do I," Yenrry says. "Do you have any additional information that might be of use, Zellara? You have already given much, but I am greedy. If not, then I see little reason to delay. The night is young, the streets are empty and Lamm is breathing."
Vyshael remains in his seat, somewhat shocked at everyone's sudden energy and movement, It seems their passions run hot... Mine are much colder and more calculating... Still, it would be folly to pass up the benefit of the group.
He turns to face the door and says, "Perhaps we should discuss how we mean to do that before rushing off blindly. I would know what my allies are capable of.. and that they're actually my allies, for that matter, before rushing into danger."
Chavakala shifts anxiously, "There should be no doubt that I am your ally. My sister was dear to me and I intend to avenge her against Lamm, as I did against Eugeni. As for my talents, the spirits seems to have taken a liking to me. Sometimes they cause trouble, making me lose or drop things. But most of the time, they provide aid - shielding me, hiding me, creating false lights or sounds. And...they can do more deadly things too...like bringing a cold so terrible that it draws the very life from my foes as it did to Eugeni."
She turns to Zellara, "Like the others, I am ready to face Lamm. But, I too would like to know more. Zellara, we all seek more information to prepare ourselves for him. I too am a Varisian and was taught the Harrow by my aunt. Would you consent to a Harrow reading for us to help us know what we may face?"
Vesera seems to actually smirk as the halfling almost seems to be out the door already, before they even know anything more than a simple address. Just as she's about to ask how to proceed herself, Vyshael speaks up asking those questions.
"I have to agree with Vyshael here. So far we don't know much more than an address. I can't imagine that in 40 years we're the first ones to ever learn his whereabouts, so I would think he does have something in place to deal with unwanted visitors, and considered that none of those that went before us actually managed to kill him, I would say his measures are quite effictive."
She walks over to one of the chairs and sits down, obviously expecting that this will take a bit longer before they actually start.
"As for my abilities, well I've been trained as a healer for the last decade. I'm familiar with many cures, both mundane and magical. I can sometimes inspire fear in my enemies or hope in my allies, but I admit this is not necessarily my speciality."
Vyshael nods as he takes in the information given, and then smiles at Vesara's comments. Great minds do think alike, it seems...
He remains seated, his fingers bridged before him, and says without looking up, "Lest you think I hold myself to a different standard, I am a ... near-graduate, shall we say... of the Academae... specifically, a Transmuter, specializing in physical enhancements."
"Some of us age a little quicker and are eager to go to work," Yenrry says, eyeing Vesera. "But, I suppose a little caution is warranted."
Settling in a chair next to Vesera, Yenrry says, "I have been taught a little magic - nothing, I am sure like you Academae or practiced types - but enough to be of assistance. Additionally, I am capable with a bow and have been taught a little fencing over the course of my acting career. Of course, I haven't actually been stabbed back yet, so we'll see how practical that training really has been. Finally, I am useful for raising spirits, gathering information, deception when necessary and sneaking around when the situation warrants."
Levelling his eyes at Vyshael for a moment, Gethric has an intense expression on his face. He states flatly and simply "I like knives" before breaking off another chunk of bread to eat.
Zellara is smiling, her deck fluttering betwixt her fingers. "May I offer you a Harrowing before you set out to bring an end to Gaedren? I'm afraid I know little more of him or his henchmen, except that he has at least two loyal 'subjects'. The cards may reveal more of the ordeals to come, however..."
"Zellara, I would greatly appreciate a Harrowing. The cards may indeed help us learn more before our attempt. Perhaps while you begin, you could tell us if you know anything more about these henchmen.
She moves forward and settles into one of the offered chairs.
Vesera nods as Chavakala speaks "I too would like to know as much as we possibly can about this fiend and his helpers"
She looks at the others, especially those that had almost stormed out before "This will not take too long, and it might just be what we need to guarantee success"
"Yes, of course, a game of cards is just what we need to inspire us to take down an evil, criminal bastard." But Yenrry sits back in his chair and stares intently cards. It is clear, despite his vocal skepticism, that he is interested in the outcome of the Harrowing.
Gethric leans forward in his chair, intently listening and watching to await the Harrowing. There is a none too subtle twisting of the yarns of fate at play, it will be prudent to listen to all of their workings that may be heard
Zellara nods as she gestures for you all to sit, her shuffling of the deck never-ending. When you've all settled down around the table, she draws out nine cards, face-down, and lays them down in a three-by-three pattern. She gestures to you all. "First we must conduct the choosing. Pick a card."
As you all pick a card, she speaks to you in turn:
"Gethric, you picked the Crows; they represent the loss of loved ones."
"Chavakala, you picked the Dance; it represents harmony, and the consequences of missing a step."
"Vesera, you picked the Demon's Lantern; it represents hopelessness, but also the glimmer of hope in the horison of a new dawn."
"Vyshael, you picked the Avalance; it represents an unbending, relentless disaster."
"Yenrry, you picked the Cricket; it represents travel and good luck."
"Milena, you picked the Locksmith; it represents the many doors of life, and how they can all be opened."
She gathers the cards from you shortly after, leaving you to ponder what roles you have in this Harrowing. Shuffling her deck, she draws nine new cards, spreading them once more in a three-by-three pattern face-down. The light in the room seems to dim slightly as she flicks her hand, the left-most row of cards revealed: The Survivor, the Liar and the Midwife. "The past...through great ordeal you have only grown stronger. In spite of the evil that made you suffer, you have also found great worth in something unexpected - yet with these boons were danger..."
Her voice grows louder when she turns the middle row of cards: The Avalanche, the Publican and the Carnival. "The present... There is a great disaster looming over you - yet it can be averted! You can prevent it so long as you do not give in to delusions and false dreams. Never relent - only by facing the danger as relentlessly as it would crush you can you prevail!"
She grows even more intense, even though she lowers her voice to a whisper. She turns the last row of card: The Waxworks, the Crows and the Empty Throne. "The future... it brings good tidings. It is a certainty that you will have great resolve and energy to prevent another grievous loss - but be warned... failure will cause more dire consequences than you could possibly fathom..."
She looks at both Gethric and Vyshael, as she has Harrowed your fate...
LG spot: The Survivor (NG) (partial match)
LN spot: The Liar (CE) (partial misaligned match)
LE spot: The Midwife (NG) (partial misaligned match)
NG spot: The Avalanche (LE) (misaligned match)
TN spot: The Publican (CG)
NE spot: The Carnival (CN) (Partial match)
CG spot: The Waxworks (CE) (Partial misaligned match)
CN spot: The Crows (NE) (Partial match)
CE spot: The Empty Throne (LG) (Opposite match)
Gethric - The Crows
Chavakala - The Dance
Vesera - The Demon's Lantern
Vyshael - The Avalance
Yenrry - The Cricket
Milena - The Locksmith
Vyshael chuckles slightly at Vesara's comment.
Very diplomatic... I would probably not have kept myself from calling them foolisg, either by word or tone...
He then turns his attention back to the table, his eyes curious but skeptical.
I have never found Divination to be simple, but surely it does not require all of this ... drama... That must be there to distract from the actual magic at work here... or lack thereof.
His eyes narrow as he realizes, And it seems to work, for she has deftly avoided answering any of our questions about how she knew where to find us or how she delivered the messages in the first place.
As the card he picks is revealed as the crows, Gethric is stunned. His right hand subconsciously moves to spin the iron ring on his left hand. This lady makes me uneasy, though I fear her predictions are all too accurate He listens to the remainder of the harrowing in respectful silence, hanging off and mulling over Zellara's words.
Vyshael shudders slightly, Of course, I draw disaster... because life hasn't been hard enough.... I hope the gods enjoy this little comedy that they've made out of my life.
Noting her gaze, Vyshael meets her eyes evenly and sighs, "So, then, I shall continue to come to disaster? I will cause it? I am sorry, but my knowledge of your art is limited." ...as is the information it provides, apparently.
Yenrry sighs as the reading is complete. So many words. So little meaning.
Jumping down from his chair, he ties his hair back in a ponytail as he speaks. "All right then. So we're going to cause or fall into disaster. Good to know. Shall we be off, then?" He intentionally avoids looking at Gethric, as his was by far the most disturbing reading. He hoped by making light of the cards he would minimize the weight they had placed on the group.
Vyshael winces at the thought of harming children. She is right to ask the question, and it is Lamm who makes you answer it.
He sighs and offers, "While they may be old enough to make their own decisions and offer violence, I would say that they are also Lamm's victims, having grown up in a web of evil. As such, I suggest that we should attempt to capture them if we can -- and if we must strike them down, then we should aim to incapacitate rather than kill... But not at the risk of exposing ourselves to mortal danger."
"Hopelessness, how... charming" she says, sitting up straight in her chair as she examines the card, and listens to the rest of the harrowing.
'Grown stronger through the past... well, that's not so terribly wrong. The prediction for the present and future however, they sound alot like the stuff I tell people sometimes, when I don't know anything at all'
"Well, I have to admit, I was hoping for something more... tangible. The amount of people guarding him, or the safest way into the building?"
As the others had started talking about the children now, she too thinks about that dilemma, and finally says "If noone kills Lamm, then those children are already beyond help, no matter if they actually die tomorrow or in 5 years. I think we all can agree on this. So if, in the process of getting to Lamm we have to kill some of them, then this will be extremely unfortunate, but it can't be helped. However we should try to incapacitate them, whenever possible. Maybe they can be redeemed."
"I've no stomach for gutting children, but even a child can hold a blade well enough to cause damage."
"We can give them a chance to lay down and leave, but if they don't...."
Hearing Zellara speak, Chavakala ponders her words, By Desna, few Harrowers would be so blunt, especially Varisians. But, the Dance, now there is a card that makes sense. The city in turmoil, a chance at Lamm, and surrounded by new companions. How can it not be the Dance? I must move carefully lest all fall to pieces around me.
She watches Zellara closely. "Do not despair companions. We all know our city faces troubles and we go to stop one that has caused all of us pain. The Harrow guides and warns us. It does not dictate our fate. Heed Zellara's words, but your choices are your own."
Considering the words about the children, she muses, "Gethric is right. I think the easiest course is to provide the children a chance to flee. Have any of you prior experience with the children of Lamm? Are they corrupt or is there a chance that we could turn them against Lamm or at least convince them to flee?"
"The children are merely trying to survive. They believe their best chance is in service to Lamm. If we can, somehow, convince them otherwise, I don't believe they will give us much trouble. But, of course, my experience is based on doing business with Lamm, not trying to snuff out his life."
Zellara gathers all the cards on the table and starts to shuffle them once more. Upon mention of tangibility she offers only a sigh. "I cannot fault that some of you are disappointed. Chavakala has the right of it, truly. Harrowers deal with maybes and vague terms - blasphemous of me to admit this - yet there is also truth behind the cards, even if you close your eyes to it. I ask only that you are cautious, whether or not you heed my reading."
"I am afraid I can offer little more."
"My small stature may be of assistance. I could dress as a child and convince the others to come drink with me. I would feel rotten with myself, but it's better than the alternative, I suppose." Yenrry thinks for a moment and then says, "If this sounds agreeable, I will need to return home and gather some things. Otherwise, I am open to other suggestions."
"I'm not so great at sneaking around, but I would be happy to help with any persuasion we need to accomplish. Yenrry, your plan sounds very good."
"I thought we were trying to breach his home? I doubt we'll have much chance to encounter the guard in such friendly circumstance as to have them accept an invite to liquor."
Chavakala apologizes, "I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. My skills may be of more use elsewhere, but I believe Yenrry's plan is to draw Lamm's children away, perhaps by seeking out one of the more influential youths, and remove them from the picture is a good thought. We can then move in on Lamm without them underfoot."
Vyshael smiles at the thought of removing the children, "If you could succeed in that, Yenrry, it would be a fair load off my mind -- I would rather not deal with the worry of harming a child... or, being totally honest, having a child injure me." He then nods at Milena, "I also agree with your suggestion of approaching in smaller groups, as to avoid attracting too much attention. Does anyone know the area well? Perhaps there's an inn or watering hole we could regroup at?"
"I fear I don't, but it is near the docks. There has to be something although it might be a bit...rough. Perhaps an inn where we could get a room and watch the fishery as well. I can scout ahead with one of you if you would like and see if we can find a suitable location."
"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that area either, but I do agree. If we can manage to lure some of the children away, it will be alot easier to take Lamm down without hurting one of them by accident. However this also bears a risk. If our ruse fails, and just one of them manages to run off, then there's a good chance that Lamm has disappeared again once we reach him."
Zellara rises from her seat and pulls out a parchment from the insides of her vest. "Here is the last I can offer of aid. It isn't much, I'm afraid, but..."
She rolls out the paper on the table - it is a map. "It is in your hands now. I believe you will succeed."
You know of the Bailer's Retreat, which is right next to Zellara's home - it is the closest bar around the area based on the map Zellara gave you.
"While I am quite sure you have a keen eye, I'm sure so do Lamm's children. They will be watching for anyone sneaking around their hiding spot. I have another suggestion however..."
She raises her index finger to her left shoulder and the small bird perched there jumps on it immediately "I have my doubts they will be watching the sky for birds as vigerously" she says and grins.
Putting Leilani down on the map, she begins speaking to her in the celestial language, while pointing at certain spots of the map.
Standing and cracking his knuckles "I'm keen to set eyes on where he is hidden. I'd suggest we come at it from the dockside - there should be more to cloud our silhouettes and less light behind us. We can regroup after you've run your 'errands'. Who else is skirting the shadows with me?" by his inflection it is clear he doesn't think much of the plan to tempt the guards with liquor.
Speaking quietly to Zellara on the way out "I thank you for this 'gift', I only hope that cutting off the rotting branch can let the tree recover..."
Leveling a stern gaze at Vesera "You expect me to take your word and your word alone of what this bird sees? Send it if you want, but I plan to walk the shadows and see through my own eyes."
She sighs, but at the same time knows that he's right. 'Would you trust one of them yet?'
"Well, I can't stop you of course, and it might actually be good to get a second view on the object. Leilani is still a bird after all, and often thinks like a bird, she might dismiss something crucial as unimportant."
"The more we know, the better. I'll help Yenrry with the alcohol while others scout and make sure no one slips away. Unless someone knows of a tavern or inn close by, let's plan to meet at the one closest to the fishery in two hours."
"There is a tavern next door - Bailer's Retreat. It's a bit of a dive, but will serve our purposes quite well. I'm just a few minutes from here - Chavalaka can come with me and we'll get supplies for our little ruse. But is tonight the night? Are we simply spying, or are we taking action? I am unclear on the plan of action."
Vyshael rubs the bridge of his nose a moment and then says, "Spying for certain... whether we invade immediately, I imagine, will depend on what is found by those who scout, be they bird or halfling -- however, I think swift action is warranted before he ups and moves himself and we lose him again... but, again, not so swift as to be foolish. Dying due to lack of preparation is a poor way to get vengeance. However, I do prefer the idea of discussing this further in the inn rather than in the street."
"We should be careful what we say in a crowded tavern though. One false word into the wrong ear and all we try to do could be a disaster."
Once she's outside she whispers to the bird and it flies off, towards the abandoned fishery.
"In the street you at least see if someone is close enough to overhear you talk, however a group like us would draw attention there for sure. So it may be best to go to this tavern, but we should not mention Him by name, nor name the building we're after, or anything that could give it away."
Gethric looks to Milena and nods "Aye, we'll be careful but we should be ok to get at least a passing glance. You're welcome to come along."
Nodding to all as he departs, Gethric moves out towards the Old Fishery with Milena.