A strange dream...
You are asleep. The soft sounds of your sleeping party members are a comforting backdrop in an unfamiliar area. You are dreaming normal dreams, a dream you've had many times before. As these familiar dreams run their course, they start to fade at the edges. Slowly, like the fogging of a glass, dark mist fills your vision. A wretched cackle fills the silence-- "At last, you have arrived!" The mists part and you are in a dark tent, alone with an old crone sitting before you. Before her is a small table, covered in black velvet. On the table is a small object that is covered by a worn, red cloth. You hear nothing outside the tent, all is focused within the warm dark of the tent. There is a single candle on the table, burning low.
"Are you ready for your fortune to be told?" She asks, in a voice like a slamming door in a storm. She does not wait for you to answer.
She removes the red cloth to reveal a small wooden box, adorned with a skull. She opens it to reveal a deck of cards. She removes the deck and places the box gently to the side. She is not looking at you as she shuffles, and yet you feel watched, the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. She draws five cards and places them face down in the shape of a cross. One by one, she reveals your parties' fortune.
I “This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy. Ah, the eight of coins—the Tax Collector. The Vistani have what you seek. A missing child holds the key to the treasure’s release.”
II “This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope. Interesting-- the Rogue, Master of Coins. I see a nest of ravens. There you will find the prize.”
III “This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight. And here is the Priest, Master of Glyphs, to point you towards your prize. You will find what you seek in the castle, amid the ruins of a place of supplication.”
IV “This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness. And the Raven, from the high deck, is here to assist. Find the leader of the feathered ones who live among the vines. Though old, he has one more fight left in him.”
V “Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him! The answer is behind the Tempter’s false face, most beautiful of the high deck. I see a secret place — a vault of temptation hidden behind a woman of great beauty. The evil waits atop his tower of treasure.”
“Well now, won’t this be an interesting story.” She laughs with delight, and it is not comforting. The woman is no longer looking at you, instead placing all of her cards back into the box, one by one. She picks up the aged box and cradles it close to her, looking deep into the eyes of the skull that adorns it. Her mouth moves in the dim candle light as she whispers to the skull. Heralded by her discordant whispers, the dream begins to fade. The soft room tilts and distorts, all the while growing darker by the moment. You wake up with only your sleeping party members around you. There is no reason to think you are in danger, everything is as it was before you went to sleep. All is well. All is well. You still feel watched.