Vistano the Vistani's Tarot Reading
Allow the great Vistano to read the stars once more, while the Dark One sleeps, and her all-seeing vision within the land sleeps with her, to bring hope to your quest once more!"
As the party assents, Vistano starts to layout the five cards speaking the ritual as he goes, "This first card tells of history. Knowledge of ages past allows you to better understand your enemy, this is a card....of FATE!"
"Next, we layout a card that tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope! This card....is also of FATE! Fate is very popular with the stars, you see!" Vistano declares while laying down the second card at the top of the rotation.
"The third card," Vistano continues, "represents strength and power. It speaks to a weapon of vengeance. A sword of sunlight. This card is not of fate, although that would be OK since fate is kind of their thing. Oh no...this card...she speaks of DESTINY!"
With this Vistano lays down the deck of lesser cards, those of power, but not supreme power, and searches around, "Where did Vistano put that blasted...ah yes, please hold...ah! here it is!" the seer mumbles as he picks up a thin, secondary deck: the deck of greater cards, as he begins the latter half of the reading ceremony...
"Vistano knows that help against so great a foe is needed," he speaks, "so this fourth card sheds light on one who will provide great help against the darkness. This is a card of ULTIMATE FATE!"
"Finally," whispers Vistano, beads of sweat forming on his brow from the intensity of his focus on the threads of fate, "your enemy, a creature of darkness with powers beyond mortality. This card will help lead you to him! This...is the card of ULTIMATE DESTINY!"
"You see!" cries Vistano, "the stars, they tell where you must search! And in so doing, Vistano aids you! The first card, yes, yes, the first card is the five of swords, the Myrmidon! You must look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night!"
Continuing Vistano flips the second card, "Aha! The missionary presents himself, the two of...wands? No, that cannot be right...please hold...the two of..the two of...glyphs, yes, I knew it the whole time! Vistano sees a garden dusted with snow, watched over by a scarecrow with a sackcloth grin. Look not to the garden, but the guardian!"
"The beggar knocks at your door! The six of...what is that, a cup? Please hold....ah, yes! Coins, obviously, I knew that the whole time, I was just testing you! The six of coins is a tricky card, but Vistano, he knows the truth of its meaning! A wounded elf you seek. He will part with the treasure to see his dark dreams fulfilled."
"The Darklord, the worst possible fate, you must face the Dark One alone. Wait a second, I must consult Celestian, please hold.....AHA! Celestian screams in my head that this card speaks falsely! Vistano will seek further guidance to give you the TRUE ally in your fight agains the Dark One!"
Vistano tosses the Darklord card to the side and draws forth a new card that he sets carefully at the bottom of the table. He breathes heavily the strain of channeling the full force of destiny evident upon him, his psyche bending like a wet noodle under the weight as he flips it, "Yes! Yes! This rings true. The Broken One hears your call! Your greatest ally will be a wizard. His mind is broken, but his spells are strong!"
Turning over the fifth and final card, Vistano declares, "The Raven guides you. Look to the mother's tomb. You will find your foe within the darkness."
"Remember well what Vistano has shared this day. These cards will aide your quest to return home by defeating the Dark One." Vistano lowers his head and continues, "There are many here who seek freedom from tyranny, but our dark mistress commands the obedience of the Vistani. I, Vistano, hope you find your way to a brighter fate."
