"I'm, uh, Fin Bar-I mean, Berlaw." As much as Fin wanted to opt for discretion, there was a kernel of belief in divination that led him to believe he could find some real purpose in a reading. For such things, only a true name would do. Everyone called him "Barlow" for years now. It wasn't his family's name, but a bastardization from schoolyard teasing. Fin had always struggled with the arcane, so boys used to say the bar was always low when he was around. Over time, he flipped it in his favor as a term of endearment, a challenge of sorts, to never underestimate him. As he found success, he would think to himself, how can I fail with a bar so low?

"I am born of another land, but home to this one. I had it hard growing up, always feeling like an unknowing outsider. It's as though my blood is visible for others to judge. But I know Kord has a purpose for me, that much has always been clear. He does for everyone."

Madame Moulot's expression changes a little as Fin speaks, seems to take on a sort of intellectual interest, something like what a biologist might look like when encountering a new species for the first time. For anyone who might have glanced over at Haldeen, her expression is similar. You realize that not very many people in this part of the world have the opportunity to meet folks from other Kingdoms as these sorts of moves are quite uncommon to begin with, and people who do move into Stoacia would normally go to The Commons, or maybe Waewood (in the north east). 

"Perhaps the cards will reveal all, but I have so many questions! Where does this Silver human hail from, and how does he find himself at my table in Beres, in the company of a farmer from Voture Village?  And, perhaps more importantly for the immediate task at hand, what would he like to know?" 

She frowns, as if deep in thought over such a perplexing mystery.

(OOC: Fin, she is trying to figure you out, and is taking clues from her short conversation with you, and from what with Effulgyn has said about you. If you are actively trying to conceal the fact that you may actually be a Paladin, please try to beat the following insight check (13) with a deception skill roll.) 

Fin steels himself against Madame Moulot's scrutiny and levels his gaze to her's, "I am from a land not unlike this, though differing in very fundamental levels. We were founded under pretense of the same favor, but our views of it are quite different. Even so, my views, the views of my family, differ still from our homeland. We came when I was very young, and though it was not our destination, we came to rest and eventually settle in this land." The cryptic history brings a smile to Fin's ironclad glare. While Divination is a legitimate field of the arcane, many bolster their claims of portents with rogueish acts of misdirection and showmanship. If she could do it, so could he.

"My road continues the journey of my parents: Towards greater understanding of Kord's will, and His vision of his childrens' lands. I have seen great things in Stoacia, but acknowledgement of Kord is a seldom-heard thing. How can so much come from one so great, and yet so little is said in recognition? But I digress...I'm looking for a clearer picture of my path ahead. How do I come to find a greater understanding of my purpose in this world? Where do I find a sign of greater powers at work? Faith is a powerful tool, but it sometimes needs to be validated."

((Not directly trying to deceive, but rather play coy. Still, just in case: 7))

"Very well and understood, Master Berlaw. I see that there is more than meets the Eye, and that my Eye has not been granted the wisdom to see just what!" she shakes her head with a gentle smile. "I know enough to know that you are of a divine nature, one that beckons you from within and without, and that indeed we are in the presence of someone special. In fact," she looks around the table conspirationally, "I now See that we are in the presence of a special group. You are right to keep the details to yourselves. Times are changing, I fear, and not for the better."

Fin draws a card from each pile as the others have done before him, and, with no less vigor than any of the times before, Madame Moulot reveals each in turn. 

"You wish to see a long view of your path in this land, and the first card is The Cleric- interesting isn't it, that this land is indeed founded by the great cleric, Pun? Perhaps your journeys are not dissimilar--and perhaps there lives in you the same power granted by Kord Himself--the power of Faith." She lets that sink in for a moment before continuing, allowing Fin to look at the card himself. He sees that it depicts a cloistered man sitting on an ornate, high-backed chair, on some sort of a platform or stage. Below, and facing him, are two people. 

As if following his thoughts, Madame Moulot continues: "This card usually represents a divine guide or teacher,  for these are disciples at The Cleric's feet--they wish to know the path to righteousness. But my heart says it could also represent YOU--perhaps you are destined for a greater purpose, to be His orator with disciples of your own.  Let's see what the next cards have to say!" 

Fin folds his arms over and smiles wide at the first card, "How appropriate, but it takes nothing more than listening to my rambling to know I'm a man of Faith. The flattery covers it well enough for most. I'm not without belief in the Arcane, though, and I do take stock in Divination, even if with a grain of salt. Please continue."

"Very well then, let's continue." Madame Moulot says, somewhat flatly, as though Fin's words have opened a window and brought a chill into the room. She flips the next card somewhat abruptly, revealing a card depicting three humans standing, seemingly in conversation. One is on a bit of a stage--he is speaking, and has the unwavering attention of the other two, who look up at him with respect. 

"The Three of Coins is a card that signifies the need to know your place in life and to embrace and rely upon your own expertise. In your case, divine knowledge. But see that the two colleagues here bring their own expertise--for the building that the three are in was not built by one man alone. Working together, to each of his talents, will bring great rewards to you. Your destiny is not a lonely one." 

She flips the next card almost immediately and inhales sharply at its image, as though splashed with bright cold water unexpectedly. Peering over, Fin sees a drawing of a large, bipedal being, with a muscular human's torso and arms, but with a ram's legs and head. His horns are long and white, dangerously pointed at each end. He has large, leathery wings, like those of a bat, erect as though in show, or in readiness for flight.  Two humans face him, small against his enormity, shackled and chained as fire laps up at their feet and all around them.

"Yanvu," she whispers, her voice hoarse, the slight petulance you might have detected in her tone earlier now gone and replaced with something close to fear.  "Warlock Devil, servant of Asmodeus, serpent king. He beckons you, seeks you... He...has all but digested and rid himself of Kord... like bread he has consumed Him and is expelling Him as we speak. And he beckons to those with Faith, the greater the Faith, the harder he seeks and as you grow in the eyes of Kord, you become a greater target for his yearning. You know this in your heart perhaps but mark my words: it is your destiny to face the enemies of Kord ere your life ends." 

She lingers in her reverie a moment before looking directly at Fin, alarm clearly spread over her face like a mask. "You carry in your life the word of Kord, and will keep in a company such as this," she gestures around the table, "and the word of Kord will serve and guide you. But the end finds itself in confrontation with the very evil you spend your life wishing to dispel. I can say no more, but this does bring me great fear for you." 

Fin felt greatly empowered after his second card. Portents of divine guidance, a righteous mission, and close allies. He even sat taller, feeling a swelling in his heart. That is, until the final card turned...

He saw it then, with a mix of pride and terror: storied heroes come to their ultimate, and sometimes final, destiny in an epic clash with an avatar of death and evil. "Kord will guide me...as you've seen. I....I will be ready when the time comes." Fin stares dumbfounded at the infernal being before him, as though it could jump to life at any moment. Without a word, he stands and heads out of the room, taking a seat in the next room to think things over.

[OOC If anyone is wanting to follow Fin, let me know! ]

In the meantime, it looks like Madame Moulot is also needing a little bit of a break. She gets up from the table and walks over to one of the shelves against the wall, searches a bit and finds a bundle of twigs and herbs and such, bound together by short, brown fibrous string (similar to what hemp might look like), and with shaking hands lights it. 

"Sage, mostly," she says by way of explanation to no one in particular, answering a question no one asked. "To rid of us of evil thoughts." She places the bundle of twigs in some sort of brazier on the shelf, near a candle, and lets it burn, long thick ribbons of smoke curling up toward the dark ceiling and rippling back out toward the walls. Satisfied, the returns to the table and beckons Arc to join her. Staring at him she asks him to shuffle the cards. 

"Forgive me, my Eye is clouded and needs composure. I can't read your colour just yet. But why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? As you speak I will ask the Spirits to come back to me. And tell me what you'd like them to know." 

“Thank you. No one special. Just a blacksmith’s kid looking for adventure “

54 

65 

95 

"I see. What would you like the Spirits to tell you?" she asks, looking you over with more than passing scrutiny as you shuffle the cards.

Arc takes a moment and thinks. He's been on this 'adventure' and is following his dream. He taps his toe nervously looking for an answer on the walls. He says "I'm just starting on my own adventure and there are so many options to pursue. I guess I'm looking for direction with my adventuring life. Yea, that's what I need. Some advice from someone experienced." He looks up Madame Moulot with those bright eyes. 

Though she is now looking tired in the face--eyes perhaps not as quick to screen his face, expression not as bright, she does take a moment to assess Arc and his swath of jet black hair, his black leather jacket despite how warm it is outside, the gleam in his dark, elven-looking eyes. 

"At first I thought you were yellow--but it is not quite true, I see. You are actually a very bright yet pale green--the colour of spring, the colour of new and good things growing. The colour of creation. It is an energizing colour, and I can see in this company that it is a welcome trait to have, for it is the colour of possibilities manifesting and can bring a rigour and a pleasure to the most mundane tasks." She smiles, with perhaps a little fragility, but her warmth shines through. "I am a purple--the colour of things trying to hide, of the minutes before twilight, of peeking into that which desires to be secret. You are just the opposite." 

She takes a moment to ready herself for whatever will come on the next card--it's as though she has not yet recovered from the card she last flipped for Fin and is dreading to see it again. But instead of a large bestial devil, the card she draws depicts a mostly naked human woman floating in a frame set by a different figure in each corner. There is a genderless elven child in the top left, a genderless aarokocra in the top right, a genderless minotaur to the bottom left, and a genderless tabaxi in the bottom right. 

"The Kingdom card--this is a card that portends travel, extensive travel, to places unknown and unseen. The four figures here represent our Four Kingdoms. Of course it is highly unlikely you will venture outside of Stoacia perhaps you will visit the four corner of its borders--not many have the opportunity to do that! Also, you are in a unique position to meet all sorts of new people and interact with creatures that not many will know. Perhaps the next card will tell us whether these adventures will be good or evil." 

She takes a moment to flip the next card and reveals it to be that of a young man standing at a table with a wide variety of tools laid out in front of him. "This must mean you--The Creator. He holds a tool of his own design high above his head, for he has just created it and is proud of it. On his work table are the elements of earth, air, fire and water and the symbols of cups, coins, wands and swords: all things coming together in concert to create this one item of wonderment. You are destined to find items on your travels and to create wonderous things as you go--this is your destiny..." she trails off, and for a moment is silent. "You seek something now, I can see it. It's a gem. You will find it near flowers, flowers that grow wild, in a place of the dead." 

Haldeen, who has been silent this whole time, quietly gasps. "Madame, that one didn't come from the cards!" she says. Madame Moulot breaks from her reverie. "No, I don't suppose it did." she replies, looking even more tired than before. "Please give me a moment" she says, closing her eyes. Her fingers rest on the last card, the one to her right, and she is silent.

Effulgyn’s eyes narrow at Moulot’s impromptu observation. “A gem?,” he asks, tamping down his curiosity. “Near flowers?”

It's not clear if Madame Moulot heard Effulgyn's question as she flips the last card but she ignores it if she did. 

The card depicts a large golden chalice overflowing with water in the palm of an outstretched hand. A bird is either dropping a coin into the water or taking one out--it is unclear. 

"A fortuitous card, given what you seek to know,  and given who you are at your core, for it tells of new journeys, of new beginnings, of new concepts, all blessed by the spirits. See how the hand is divorced at the wrist from the rest of the arm?" Madame Moulot says, still quiet. "It is the hand of Kord that holds this Cup. And the Cup overflows with creativity and with opportunity. You will create good. This brings me great warmth and comfort." 

Arc says "Thank you. I'll think on what you said." He stands up and looks for the next person. 

The only person who has not been given a reading is Ash. Madame Moulot looks over at him, and starts to do her usual assessment but he stops her short. 

"There is no need to perceive me," he says simply to her, cutting her off. "I don't feel the need to have you attempt to predict my future, and definitely not with cards. My future is my own." 

Madame Moulot regards him nonetheless, takes in his metal arm and how tall he is, how much space he takes in the room. Spreading the cards now facedown on the table with both hands, mixing them all together, she gives a little wan smile. "Dark, stormy blue, almost black,:" she mutters. "I will take one card then if you are sure for the spirits tell me that there is something you should know." But before she can finish her task, she is interrupted by the unmistakable sounds of someone banging on the door in the next room.

(OOC Fin, since you left the room I made the assumption you remained in the main sort of lobby area and that you are now closest to the front door. Of this is correct, and you have not gone into another room (like the one with the pillows you were all in before),  I will give you the option of reacting first--will you answer it, or will you wait for Madame Moulot or Haldeen to get to it first?)

Fin bolts up at the sudden banging as his hand reflexively grabs for his sword. He approaches the door, but stops short to look for either of the owners to see if there's truly cause for alarm. 

((Good to let Haldeen or Madame Moulot make the first move. Fin stands on guard, ready to stand his ground.))

As though they have lived this exact scenario before, Madame Moulot sits quickly at the table and through pantomime urges her guests to do the same. She gestures with her hands a very clear order: remain calm. Meanwhile, Haldeen rushes to the door, shutting the door to the room behind her as she goes. Arc, Ash, Ferg and Effulgyn can not see what is going on, but they can guess, and more importantly, they can hear. 

Fin is the only one who can see Haldeen as she rushes out and as she composes herself at the main door before opening it. 

"Yes hello? The Madame is just ending a session but can see you shortly", she says quickly at the door as she opens it. A young man, clearly Rabbit, steps in. He is wearing a red vest. There are two others standing behind him but they wait on the steps outside.

"Yeah Haldeen hi, here on the boss' behalf. You got some visitors that he's interested in." the young man says, stepping into the room and looking around. 

"Ah they're in a session, Teddy. We can send them down when they're out." Haldeen says casually. But it's too late--Teddy has locked eyes with Fin. 

"Hey you," he says to Fin, ignoring Haldeen altogether. "You'll do I reckon. Boss wants you to come fight tonight. Says he can sell it out with new blood n' that, will give you a cut n' all that. Same for all of your friends, I guess they're in with the Madame?" Teddy steps toward the door of Madame Moulot's séance room. 

Before Fin has a chance to say anything Haldeen interjects, blocking Teddy's path to the door. 

"They are just leaving," she says, "Trouble up in their farm, families to go check on. Urgently." She adds. "They are leaving immediately." 

"Ah, what's a few hours?" Teddy says, stepping forward, and around her. "Farm trouble can wait I reckon." He reaches the door and Madame Moulot, by some sort of instinct, grabs a card as the door swings open. 

"Sorry to interrupt," Teddy says. "And I know you got your farm stuff to go attend to n' all that, Haldeen told me, but you've been given a special invitation from the Ceridwen Clan and I'd wager that you'd shift your, uh, priorities knowin' that." 

Arc gets up and walks next to Fin and pats his back in solidarity. "WE have a schedule to keep for our assignment. We've delayed here too long and need to be on our way." He glances back to the team and Madame Moulet for confirmation or redirection.