The Loom of Envy

Iona Briar’s Dark Weavings: The Loom of Envy

Iona Briar, driven by jealousy and bitterness, has taken her craft as a weaver and seamstress to a dark, arcane level. No longer content with simply creating beautiful garments and tapestries, she has begun to weave curses of envy into her work, using strands of her victims’ essence to rob them of their most valued traits. This sinister practice not only fulfills her own desires but also subtly drains the vitality and fortune of those she envies, leaving them diminished and weakened.

The Pact with Mathis Gravel

To achieve her twisted ends, Iona has made a secret deal with Mathis Gravel, a local thief known for his nimble fingers and quiet discretion. Mathis is a slippery character, always looking for ways to profit without drawing too much attention. He sees Iona’s request as a lucrative opportunity, though he is unaware of the full extent of her dark intentions.

The Arrangement: Iona pays Mathis handsomely in coin, fine fabrics, and even the occasional protective charm, which she claims are meant to keep him safe during his nightly forays. Mathis is tasked with stealing personal trinkets from the villagers—brushes, hair combs, scraps of clothing, or even the occasional glove. He focuses on items that have absorbed part of the owner’s essence over time, carrying traces of their personality, memories, and traits.

Mathis’s Method: Mathis is careful to choose his targets based on Iona’s instructions. She specifically asks for items belonging to villagers she envies: a beautiful young woman, a wise elder, a charming merchant, or a strong and capable farmer. Mathis sneaks into homes under cover of darkness, stealing only small, seemingly insignificant objects to avoid raising suspicion.

The Dark Rituals of the Loom

Once Iona receives the stolen items, she locks herself in her weaving room, a place filled with the faint, herbal scent of dried lavender and the eerie, constant sound of her loom. This room is her sanctuary and her workshop, where she performs her secret rituals. The stolen trinkets are carefully unraveled, revealing threads and strands of hair that Iona incorporates into her weaving with deliberate, practiced motions.

The Weave of Envy: Using these personal threads, Iona creates her cursed tapestries and garments. As she weaves, she mutters incantations learned from old, forbidden texts and whispered advice from Mira Ashford, who unwittingly shared snippets of ancient lore in her youth. The process is slow and meticulous, each thread sewn with malice and intent. Iona’s jealousy fuels the magic, binding her envy into the very fabric of her creations.
Stealing Essence: The hair and fabric carry traces of their owner’s essence—their beauty, wisdom, charm, or strength. By weaving these threads into her work, Iona effectively transfers a part of the victim’s traits into the tapestry or garment. The stolen essence is absorbed, leaving the victim subtly diminished. A wise elder may become forgetful and rash, a beautiful woman might develop sudden, disfiguring blemishes, and a strong laborer could find himself inexplicably weakened.

The Sinister Signs in the Weavings

Iona’s dark creations are beautiful to the untrained eye, but those who look closely might notice something unsettling. The tapestries seem to have a life of their own, a quality that makes them impossible to look away from. They are often described as mesmerizing, yet haunting, and those who purchase or receive them as gifts often feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

The Faces in the Fabric: Hidden within the intricate patterns of the weave are faint, distorted faces. They are almost imperceptible, but once seen, they cannot be unseen. The faces appear lost, afraid, or pained, their expressions frozen in a silent plea. Sometimes, the eyes of these faces seem to follow the observer, flickering with a brief spark of recognition before fading back into the fabric.
Whispered Cries: On quiet nights, when the wind rustles through her shop, the sound of the loom’s rhythmic clacking can be heard even when it isn’t in use. Those who stand close to the tapestries might hear faint whispers or soft, plaintive cries, as if the stolen traits themselves are trapped, crying out for help.

The Effects on the Victims

The changes in Iona’s victims are subtle at first, almost imperceptible. However, as time goes on, the effects become more pronounced. The victims cannot explain why they suddenly feel different, why a part of themselves seems to be missing.

Loss of Personality Traits: Victims may start losing the qualities that once defined them. A wise elder might begin making poor decisions, much to the confusion of their family. A charismatic merchant may find that their charm has faded, replaced by awkwardness and social anxiety. The changes are gradual but undeniable, leaving the victims feeling hollow and disoriented.
Physical Manifestations: In some cases, the theft of essence manifests physically. The once-beautiful face of a young woman might become marred with sudden, unexplainable blemishes. A strong man might find his muscles weakening, as if his strength is being siphoned away. These physical changes are often attributed to illness or stress, but those who know the old ways might begin to suspect darker forces at play.

The Growing Suspicion

While many villagers are too distracted by the growing tension in the village to notice the pattern, a few observant individuals have started to piece together the truth. Mira Ashford, with her deep knowledge of herbal lore and old magic, has begun to notice that the victims share one common link—they all purchased new garments or tapestries from Iona’s shop shortly before their changes began.

Mira’s Investigation: Mira has started quietly investigating the matter, asking questions and examining Iona’s recent works. She senses the dark magic embedded in the fabric but doesn’t yet have enough evidence to confront Iona directly. Instead, she may approach the players for help, asking them to keep an eye on Iona and gather more proof.

Whispers Among the Villagers: A few villagers have started whispering that there’s something strange about Iona’s tapestries. One woman claims that she saw her own face reflected in the fabric, twisted and scared. Another swears that the dress Iona made for her daughter brought nothing but bad luck. These rumors have not yet reached a fever pitch, but if left unchecked, they could lead to a confrontation.

Iona’s Endgame

Iona’s envy knows no bounds, and her dark weavings are only the beginning. She dreams of creating a masterwork tapestry, a piece so powerful that it could bind the essence of an entire person—perhaps even one of the witches. She believes that by stealing the traits she covets most, she can finally become everything she’s ever wanted: beautiful, wise, and adored.

The Ultimate Tapestry: Iona is secretly working on her masterpiece, a tapestry larger and more intricate than anything she has ever created. It is woven with threads taken from her most recent victims and imbued with her darkest incantations. If completed, the tapestry could allow her to siphon not just individual traits but entire aspects of a person’s personality, leaving them an empty shell.
A Dangerous Obsession: Her obsession with this final piece is consuming her. She works late into the night, muttering to herself and weaving faster than ever before. The faces in the fabric are becoming more distinct, almost lifelike, and the whispers have grown louder, filling her shop with a constant, eerie murmur.

Potential Player Involvement

Confronting Iona: The players might be drawn into the mystery if they are asked to investigate the changes in the villagers or if they notice the strange faces in Iona’s tapestries. Confronting her could lead to a tense showdown, where Iona denies everything at first but becomes increasingly frantic as the players close in on the truth.
Breaking the Curse: If the players discover the truth, they may need to find a way to break the curse. This could involve unweaving the stolen threads and performing a ritual to return the stolen essence to its rightful owners. However, doing so may anger Iona, who will not give up her new power without a fight.
The Choice: The players might have the option to destroy Iona’s loom, ending her dark weaving forever, or they could choose to confront her directly, offering her a chance at redemption if she unravels her own work. The consequences of this choice could ripple through the village, restoring the lost traits or revealing the depth of Iona’s treachery to the entire community.

In the end, Iona Briar’s story is a cautionary tale of envy and the lengths one might go to fulfill their desires. Her dark weavings have the potential to shatter lives and relationships, creating a web of deceit and sorrow that only the bravest—or the most cunning—can untangle.

Rumours and events connected to Iona

1. The Disappearance of the Brush

Event: Lila Wainwright, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, approaches the players in a state of distress. She recently lost a beloved silver hairbrush, a family heirloom, and she is convinced it was stolen. Lila is known for her beauty and takes great pride in her appearance. Strangely, since the brush went missing, she has noticed blemishes on her normally flawless skin, which she attributes to stress.
What Happened: The brush was stolen by Mathis Gravel on Iona’s request. The silver bristles, tangled with strands of Lila’s hair, now lie among the trinkets Iona uses in her dark rituals.
Clues:

A few villagers recall seeing a shadowy figure sneaking around the Wainwright home on the night the brush went missing. One older man claims it was “that no-good Mathis Gravel,” but others dismiss this as a baseless accusation due to his reputation as a troublemaker.

Player Involvement: The players can choose to investigate the theft, questioning witnesses and looking for clues. They might find a small footprint outside the window—a match for Mathis’s distinctive worn boots. If they confront Mathis, he will deny everything but may grow nervous if pressed.

2. The Sudden Folly of Eldred Wise

Event: Eldred Wise, a respected elder known for his calm demeanor and sound judgment, begins making erratic decisions. He insists on gambling his family’s savings on a reckless bet with a traveling merchant, nearly losing everything. The villagers are shocked, as Eldred was never one to take unnecessary risks.
What Happened: A piece of Eldred’s favorite hat, along with a strand of his hair, was stolen by Mathis and used by Iona in her weaving. The essence of Eldred’s wisdom has been siphoned away, leaving him prone to rash and foolish choices.
Rumors:

Some villagers speculate that Eldred might be suffering from an illness or curse, as his sudden change in behavior is unlike anything they’ve seen before. Others whisper that the witches are punishing him for speaking out against Father Lucian’s recent sermons.

Player Involvement: The players might be asked by Eldred’s concerned family to investigate the source of his strange behavior. Visiting Iona’s shop could reveal a tapestry with a faint, haunting likeness of Eldred’s face woven into the background, his expression one of confusion and fear.

3. The Whispers at the Market

Event: At the weekly market, the players overhear a heated conversation between two villagers, Mara Finch and Harlan Drury. They are arguing about the recent spate of thefts, each accusing the other’s family of being behind the missing items. Mara mentions that her sister’s best ribbon was stolen, while Harlan insists that someone took his father’s lucky handkerchief.
True or False:

True: The ribbon and handkerchief were indeed taken by Mathis on Iona’s orders. Both items carried sentimental value and were infused with the owners’ emotional essence, making them perfect for Iona’s rituals.
False: A third item, a locket belonging to a visiting merchant, went missing around the same time. However, this was simply misplaced and has nothing to do with Iona or Mathis. The players might waste time tracking this down, creating a false lead.
Player Involvement: If the players intervene, they may need to calm the arguing villagers or offer to investigate the thefts. Piecing together the timeline and locations of the stolen items could lead them to suspect Mathis Gravel, especially if they recall previous rumors about his thieving nature.

4. The Haunting Tapestry

Event: Miranda Little, a seamstress and occasional customer of Iona’s shop, purchased a beautiful new tapestry for her home—a piece of intricate design featuring a peaceful forest scene. Since hanging it, she and her family have been plagued by unsettling dreams. Her husband swears he saw a face in the fabric one night, its eyes filled with terror.
What Happened: The tapestry was woven with strands of hair taken from Miranda’s family, stealing small fragments of their essence. The faces trapped in the weave are faint echoes of the stolen traits, crying out for release.
Rumors:

Miranda tells her friends that the tapestry is cursed, and word spreads quickly. Some villagers now avoid Iona’s shop, while others dismiss the story as mere superstition.

Player Involvement: The players might be asked to inspect the tapestry. If they look closely, they will notice the subtle movement of the faces, as if they are shifting slightly in the dim light. Disrupting Iona’s magic could temporarily release the trapped essence, revealing a clue about her dark weaving practices.

5. The Shadow in the Alley

Event: A young boy named Tobin, known for his sharp eyes and quick reflexes, claims he saw Mathis Gravel sneaking out of Iona’s shop late at night, carrying a small sack. When he tried to follow, Mathis noticed him and threatened the boy, telling him to keep quiet if he knew what was good for him.
True or False:

True: Mathis was delivering a fresh batch of stolen trinkets to Iona. He often makes these deliveries under cover of darkness to avoid suspicion.
False: Tobin might be embellishing the story for attention, as he’s known to do. However, his account could still contain a grain of truth, as Mathis was seen nearby earlier that evening.

Player Involvement: The players could follow up on Tobin’s story, either by questioning him directly or by staking out Iona’s shop themselves. They might catch a glimpse of Mathis slipping inside, giving them a chance to confront him or gather evidence.

6. The Change in Greta’s Smile

Event: Greta Fairweather, once known as the most charming woman in the village, has become withdrawn and sullen. Her bright smile has faded, and she now seems nervous and awkward in social situations. Her friends whisper that she’s become a shadow of her former self.

What Happened: Mathis stole a lace handkerchief that Greta carried everywhere, infused with her natural charm and confidence. Iona used it in a delicate shawl she’s recently completed, now hanging prominently in her shop.

Rumors:

Some say that Greta’s change is due to heartbreak, while others believe she’s been cursed by the witches for some unknown slight. A few have begun to suspect that Iona’s new shawl, which seems almost hypnotically beautiful, might have something to do with it.

Player Involvement: If the players visit Iona’s shop and see the shawl, they might notice a faint, flickering image of a smiling face within its weave—Greta’s stolen essence. If they mention Greta’s change to Iona, she will feign concern but quickly try to change the subject.

7. A Visit from Mira Ashford

Event: Mira Ashford, the village herbalist, comes to the players in secret. She confides her suspicions about Iona’s recent works, mentioning that several of her customers have reported strange changes after purchasing items from Iona’s shop. Mira is worried but lacks concrete evidence and fears being accused of jealousy or witchcraft herself.
True or False:

True: Mira’s suspicions are correct, and she has unknowingly provided Iona with bits of old lore that helped her perfect her dark weaving technique.
False: Mira’s concerns could be seen as mere rivalry between two women in similar trades, but her intuition is strong. Regardless, her involvement adds another layer of intrigue.

Player Involvement: Mira asks the players to look into the matter quietly, offering them potions and protective charms in return. This could be the push they need to start piecing together the mystery of Iona’s cursed weavings.