Who are you? And what do you wish for?

A victim of a curse, wishing for a cure. I was cursed to never have animals near me. Every single one runs and flees at the sight of me no matter what I do.

Trial the First

Card: 5 of Cups 

You see an old beggar woman on the side of the road. Do you help the old beggar woman? 

Card: Ace of Pentacles, you find a copper coin, do you give it to her? 

Refuse

What was an old woman doing out in the forest? There were stories of fae that could steal your identity if they had something of yours. Was she one of them? The coins had been in my possession for a while, did it count as one of mine? It had touched my fingers, and felt the warmth of my leg. 

I couldn't give it to her. 

She transformed herself to be twice in size and towered over me pointing with a gnarled finger. 

“Selfish, selfish, selfish,” she shrieked and lightning struck through the clear blue sky and she was gone in a puff of smoke. 

Draw a Card and reflect upon it. What curse has she bestowed upon you? 

5 of Wands

I have been cursed with holes. Everything I carry now has a hole worn through and spills and cannot carry anything. My pockets leak coins, my feet touch the ground through the shoes, and my waterskin is cracked and spills everywhere. 

Trial the Second

Card: 7 of Wands

A large swan offers you a way to cross the river for a token. 

3 of Pentacles: You have something deep in your bag, what do you give her? 

A silk handkerchief 

It was the only thing that had not fallen out of the bag, but instead got stuck in the hole. I handed it out to her, she accepted, and tucked it deep into her feathers where I could no longer see it. 

She created a bridge for me to step onto her back with her wing and I was hesitant at first, but she laughed again and said there was no need to worry. I climbed on her and she paddled her webbed feet underneath the waters and guided me to the other side. 

Once I was upon the far shore I turned around to face her and she had vanished. 

Trial the Third 

4 of Pentacles 

You find yourself at the start of an underground maze. Do you try to solve it? 

Yes

All mazes have an exit, they all must lead somewhere. This wasn’t a place of logic, so you cannot solve a fairy maze by using logical tricks. I closed my eyes and traced my hand along the wall, turning and twisting for what seemed like hours. 

6 of Wands 

Inside was a worn scroll, sealed with wax and a bright blue ribbon. I broke it open and read the ancient symbol on the paper. It looked like a stone rubbing, made with charcoal and sealed somehow to not fade or smear. 

The wind in the tunnels picked up suddenly and swirled around me to the point where I could not see and when I opened my eyes I was at the exit above ground. 

What effect did the spell have on you?

10 of Wands 

I feel heavy, like something is on my shoulders. Another curse I suspected. I could hardly stand and wanted to crawl the rest of the way through the forest. I felt that if I rested that I would not be able to stand and my chest was too heavy I had to think to breathe. 

Journey’s End 

The Empress - Deeploam 

They grant wishes to childless parents, and farmers whose fields have grown barren.