Edge of Anarchy

[Yimzin]

At this point a beautiful middle aged Varisian woman opens the door quietly, slips in, and then shuts it again, just as quietly. She smiles to the assembled group, "Thank you, thank you all for coming," and then moves quickly over to the table. The woman gestures for all to take a seat at one of the six remaining chairs as she herself sits down, pulling out a deck of worn cards.

As she plays about with the deck the cards seem to float about her hands and the table as if there were merely an extension of herself and her will. She continues to play with the cards until everyone is seated. Once everyone has taken a spot to sit down she speaks in a soft, but clear voice.

"Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have to reason to remain hidden, you see - a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he 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 of 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 pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son.
"I sought help from the 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 his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures.
"And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest 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."

[nick]

"Then pay he shall!" Vaulkhar looked around the table, meeting the gaze of those who would and nodding to each. It seemed they all had reasons to hate Lamm.

He looked back at the strange woman solemnly. "I do not know what gods you pray to, but my people care for and honour the dead of the tribes. If you permit me I will give prayer to the ancestors to guard the steps of your son."

[Ferahgo]

"I'm in," growled Calandrel,"Lamm will pay for what he did to all of us!"

[joviality]

Jessop is agape for a moment as the information washes over him. She knows where the man lives!, he thinks to himself. Years of searching, and I find nothing, yet this woman can know where he lives from the splay of a few cards! While certainly a blow to his pride, this was more information than he had even hoped he would find. Now this was a lead.

Quickly recovering, Jessop takes in the responses from the human and elf. No problems with motivating the others to help, then. However, this did all seem a bit... convenient.

"I would love to see this fiend come to justice, m'lady, as I'm sure would the rest of us. I do not mean to offend, but how do we know what you say is true? For all the gold in the First Vault, this could be some kind of set up from Lamm himself. I certainly wouldn't put it past him. We don't even know your name, yet you offer to us his hideaway on bended knee? It all just seems too good to be true."

Jessop opens his arms, looking exasperated. He clearly hasn't had a victory against Lamm in a long time.

<Knowledge: Local check to see if I know anything more about this woman based on her reputation as a harrower - [dice=20]+6>

<Sense Motive to see if she is genuine - [dice=20]+5>[rand=8752440859097987632932655280456143943888600915679200672055594623]

[Veritas]

"Yonder halfling speaks good wisdom on this. Calandrel, and my human friend, perhaps we should not be so hasty?" Iaur's green eyes looked along the collected group of folk, and to the woman who has so recently arrived. "With all due respect, you are asking us to set aside the rule of law in a city, where, admittedly, the rule of law made haste to convict myself and my colleague due to our differences in race rather than the preponderance of evidence. I make no qualms about the fact that this city is incapable of protecting its citizens, but are we truly discussing taking the law into our own hands without any qualms? I am no Priest of Calistria, prepared to draw a blade with every slight against me.

"Do not misunderstand me. Gaedren Lamm is a stain upon this city and upon good people everywhere, and his removal surely would benefit us all. But, madam, you have not even told us your name. As noted, this is very convenient, and I regret that, at best, we shall have to have further discussion before my curiosity is, at least, satisfied."

[skat]

"Well, Iaur was it? I have been in this city long enough to know a failing justice system when I see it. The only thing it has been good for lately is sending innocent men behind bars, or worse." Janick's eyes set back on the mysterious harrower. "If justice is not brought upon him in a traditional manner, perhaps it is time for someone to take it upon themselves. Each breath that Gaedren Lamm draws is an insult to what this great city city once stood for."
Slamming his fist upon the table, Janick yells:
"It is an insult to me and to those who gave their lives trying to see this man behind bars! You have my sword, as well as my word that the deed shall be done."

[Hephestus]

Janus eyed the growing situation, his chair stiff against his back but it was nothing he wasn't used to from the church. He listened in silence, studying the group, taking in the elves, the halfling, and the humans.
His eyes grew hard at the suggestion of a trap, his face a blank mask as his hands lay folded in front of him.

"It matters not, i feel that this is not a trap. The men i have questioned are all afraid of Lamm, and though they are afraid of what he will do if they don't tell him about people investigating, i'm sure he is just as rewarding for those who tell him a threat to his plans is growing. The law in Korvosa will deal with Gaedren like it always has, by sweeping it under the rug." Janus's thick dwarven accent cut into the conversation.

"I purpose that we leave here immediately, I find myself believing that Gaedren Laam has been breathing for far too long." he growled eager to wrap his hands around Gaedren Lamm's throat.

[Yimzin]

The woman watches the group deliberate before interjecting back into the conversation. "How rude of me, my friends, for not introducing myself. I am eager to see Lamm pay, but that does not excuse my rudeness. I am Zellara, a local fortune teller, some of you may know me," as she smiles to the gathered crowd.

She'll shuffle the cards once more before resting them on the table. Zellara's visage will then take a serious note. "I and you all wish the same thing. I understand your reluctance, but please do not waste this opportunity I am affording you. It would not only be a waste for you, but it would be a dreadful waste for me," as her eyes flash with a bit of anger. "Now, before you leave, to deal with Lamm or not, let me use my gift to aid you. Perhaps it will shed light on my truth or help you in your task of vengeance." The fortune teller then moves her hands over the cards which then seem to almost float up into her hands as she begins playing with them once more."

[Ferahgo]

Calandrel watches as the cards seemingly dance between Zellara's hand with obvious skill.

"Any help you could offer us," Calandrel says, "beyond what you have already given would be most appreciated."

[nick]

Vaulkhar touched the iron head of his hammer, but gestured for her to continue.

[joviality]

Jessop's expression visibly softens.

"Forgive my suspicion, m'lady. Surely you can understand why we may be on edge about a man such as Gaedren."

The halfling sighs.

"I will put my sword and bow in to help in a move against Lamm. They but need direction. Please, continue."

With this, Jessop motions toward her deck of harrow cards.

[skat]

"Well Zellara, if you're going to be putting on a magic show, it's best to leave me out of it. I have little interest in these sort of things. Read the others if you wish, but every moment we spend here is a moment lost tracking down Lamm."
Janick will sit back down at the table, and begin tapping his foot.

[Veritas]

"Very well," sighs Iaur, his wrinkled eyes closing for a moment. "So we shall aid you, it seems. If someone has to come along to at least ensure we don't trip up what little remains of the law in this failing city. And if you must do your jibber-jabber, then you must. Let us get these...what is it, readings? Let us get the readings along, then."

And then, he shuffles forward, turning his head to murmur into Calandrel's ear in Elvish. "Young man, while this fool superstition wastes time, it may make these folk more sturdy in their task. Sometimes it is best to give people what they believe, so that they will better try for their goals. Yonder woman is surely an expert in such things."

[Ferahgo]

"Indeed, Elder Iaur-Turil," Calandrel replied in Elvish, "It should only take a few minutes for her reading, and we can certainly spare that if it means steeling the resolve of our soon to be companions"

[nick]

"Silent enim leges inter arma. And you would do well not to mock the workings of the spirits, elf."