Day 1

Card: 7 of Spades: Have any servants complained about chaining the oak?

Roll: 6 Storm 

Storm Roll: 2

Storm Cards: 5 of Hearts, 6 of Clubs 

Journal,

It has been one day since that damned old beggar has laid the curse upon me and my kin. I was not one to believe the superstitions of old, as I am a distinguished man of science, and scientific mind, I do not believe in such needless superstitions, however, there is no harm in taking precautions as the old saying goes ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ As such, I have ordered the servants to chain the branches of the oak to prevent them from falling in the upcoming storms. 

Although there are complaints, I have assured them that it is of the utmost necessity should they wish to keep their employment in this household, implying to both that they shall be relieved from their position should they disobey, and should my own house fall, then they shall indeed be without employment elsewise. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 2

Card: 2 of Diamonds, Why didn’t you give the beggar money?

Roll: 6 Storm

Storm Roll: 6

Storm Card: 2 of Diamonds, 7 of Diamonds, 10 of Clubs, Ace of Hearts, Ace of Clubs, 3 of Clubs 

Journal,

Once again we have had a storm of utmost continence which has ripped through the village and surrounding area, destroying more of the local establishments and causing great damage to the tree. However, it has been proven that the chains still hold fast and have prevented more damage done to the tree than should they have not been placed to begin with. 

It is proof that one of reason can outlast the superstitions of old and that those possessing of a determined nature will endure past the silly nonsense of those who would seek to do us harm. 

I am proved right again in offering no charity to those who would not seek to earn it. Should this beggar seek to earn a proper and rightful wage I would happily offer it to them, but those who live and steal from the hard earned wealth of others will be offered no such penance. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 3

Card: 4 of Spades : How do the servants feel about the curse? 

Roll: 2

Journal,

A fine day indeed! Nothing new to report and this so called ‘curse’ is starting to look more and more like the desperate ravings of a person too lazy to even carry out any sort of ill-suited vengeance themselves. 

Not one of my family has fallen prey to this curse and I doubt that any shall. Still, the servants whisper and plead me to keep putting up the chains on the oak, as so they may still have employment, and I shall indulge in their fancies as long as they do not shirk their other work.

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 4

Card: Queen of Diamonds, If you could say something to the beggar what would it be? 

Roll: 1

Journal,

Yet another day without incident indeed! I should like to see the look upon that beggar’s face when they know that this ‘curse’ has had no effect upon the likes of my person, either through the health of my family or upon my senses. I would laugh upon their face with such glee that it should startle them stone dead! I relish the thought!

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 5

Card: Ace of Diamonds: How many more days do you think you can survive? 

Roll: 2

Journal,

Another day another without storm or misfortune and still my mind tends to wander over to that superstition. How is it that I, having no evidence of this curse, am still plagued by its constant presence in my mind? 

There will come a day soon when it is but a distant memory and yet another when I have forgotten the affair all together! I shall hope it is soon as I believe that I will have many more years to come despite this ‘curse.’

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 6 

Card: Jack of Diamonds: Do you think the beggar knows what has happened?

Roll: 4

Journal,

My thoughts still turn to that old beggar. I hope she knows how foolish it was to try to lay this curse upon me. It has yet to have any effect, other than the few smatterings of leaves falling, all of which have had no effect upon myself, my continence, nor any members of my family no matter how distant or close. 

Truly it would bring joy to my mind to know that she is fuming and stomping her foot knowing that she has done nothing to affect me in my daily life. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 7

Card: King of Hearts: Do you think you can stop the tree from falling? 

Roll: 4

Journal,

I have begun to think that this tree might in fact be impossible to kill! Despite the continuing of whining and chaining off the tree by the servants, I believe that there is no curse upon me at all and the fact that it still remains is a testament to the strong will of nature over the superstitions of the human mind. This tree itself could withstand even the heaviest of chains that are placed upon its limbs and will withstand any storm that can befall it!

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 8

Card: 6 of Diamonds: Do you think the curse can be broken? 

Roll: 2

Journal,

I do wish that the townsfolk would stop mentioning the curse, which has had no effect upon me, and would go about on their daily comings and goings instead of harassing me and my servants. 

There is no curse at all and this needless obsession with the superstitions of yore will only seek to impede progress! I have much to do in the ways of science and discovery and as such have ordered a large volume of the latest editions to be brought out to the home. They shall aid me in research as to the contents and nutrients of the nearby soils. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 9

Card: Jack of Spades, Do you think the beggar knows what has happened?

Roll: 3

Journal,

I am still awaiting the arrival of the books and as such have not had anything to occupy my mind for some time. The affairs of the servants are all so droll and seek only to bore me with their local gossip.

I have not heard hide nor hare of this beggar since I encountered her the first time and I am beginning to suspect that it might have simply been an illusion, a conjuration of a stressed mind that, in this particular instance, showed itself to me as a beggar looking for money.

I shall have to ask around to see if any other person upon the village has seen such a person.

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 10

Card: 8 of Clubs, do you think the beggar is proud of what she has done? 

Roll: 3

Journal, 

I have continued in asking the servants if they have seen or heard of any beggars in the local area, and none have any recollection as to the whereabouts or even the identity of such a person.

Some have even speculated that she was one of the fae, the fair folk, the little people, or what have you. I cannot help but laugh at such speculations! Many have pointed out that I have chained the oak with a most sturdy iron, a banishment off the fae, but I have in turn retorted that iron is a metal most available and one of great strength and endurance. It is of a practical nature, not one borne of the superstitious yarns of old. 

Should this old beggar show herself again to me, I hope that she will be ashamed of the nonsense she spouts. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 11

Card: 7 of Hearts, Have any of the servants complained?

Roll: 5

Storm Roll: 2

Storm Cards: Ace of Diamonds, 2 of Diamonds

Journal,

At last another storm! And I laugh in the face of that old beggar, for naught a single branch of the oak has fallen since this ‘curse’ has befallen me! 

However it should be noted that some of the chains were removed as the storm was of great strength and endurance. There was some chittering and chattering from the servants about the weight of said chains, but it is of no concern of mine if they are not fit to perform the tasks for which they have been assigned. 

Should they fall behind in the adequacy of their tasks then they shall be, thus accordingly, removed from their duties.

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 12

Card: 5 of Spades: Who do you hope to protect from this curse

Roll: 4

Journal,

At last the volumes have arrived! I have little time to write in this journal as I have much to read and to study! But still the thought of the oak plagues me, and I find my thoughts going towards dear Margarate and her youngest. How it would be a shame for them to know how this storm and tree plagues me!

Though I would tell them it is merely to keep the servant’s minds and hearts at ease, for they would weep so at knowing that there was no employment for them after our untimely deaths, and that this is for their benefit to chain the oak, I know that in her heart she would believe me an old fool!

But still, as the tree prospers and grows, there is but little reason not to keep it chained, and so chain it I shall!

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 13

Card: King of Spades: Do you think you can keep the tree from falling? 

Roll: 6

Storm Roll: 2

Storm Cards: Ace of Spades, 5 of Diamonds

Journal,

Another storm weathered and nary a branch fallen from the oak! Though it must be said that the chains are coming off quite frequently in these times, and so it must be concluded that it is the correct course of action in regards to keeping the tree in it’s entirety from falling upon the ground. 

I shall think this tree will stand for hundreds of years!

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 14

Card: 8 of Spades : Do you think the beggar is proud of what she has done? 

Roll: 6

Storm Roll: 3

Storm Cards: King of Hearts, 10 of Diamonds, 3 of Diamonds

Branch Fell

Eulogy Card: 7 of Clubs, An explorer, a sibling 

Journal,

I have received a message of two occurrences which have happened within a time frame of one another in which I believe could quite possibly be in relation to another. Although I am certain that this is, perhaps, merely a coincidence upon which I wish to place blame. 

My dear sibling, Love, has perished upon her expedition into the southern regions near The River, in which she accompanied her husband, the nobel Lord Blakewell. She had fallen from a spooked horse and struck her head upon the harsh and jagged stone. 

A most devastating travesty as she leaves behind her 5 children and 8 grandchildren. If what the beggar said is to be believed I should hope that her heart is filled with sadness as she had deprived the world of a kind and gentle woman and children who will never know their grandmother. 

I shall have the servants supply further chains to the oak on the morrow. 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 15

Card: Ace of Clubs: How many more days do you think you will survive?

Roll: 5

Storm Roll: 6

Storm Cards: Ace of Hearts, 10 of Spades, 10 of Diamonds, 6 of Hearts, 9 of Spades, King of Diamonds

2 Branches Fell

Eulogy Card: Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, 

Journal,

Foolish, foolish that I should be so scared! For there was yet again another storm and two more of those accused branches fell! And two again I have received letters of my kin falling! Drowned they were! Upon the swelling of the lake in the rain we have had these last days! 

It was Jeffery Walko and Tyron Walko, a dear mentor and a dear cousin! Both gone! Untimely from this realm. And that cursed tree.. The top has fallen clean off in this weather! Two…. Two branches have been completely sundered from the trunk. I cannot think as to how it will continue to survive. 

This is mere coincidence! Many people have lost their lives in storms this is not an uncommon occurrence and surely many more will lose their lives in the future! 

I will live a many good more years! I must! I simply must! 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 16

Card: 7 of Hearts: Have any servants complained about chaining the oak?

Roll: 1

Journal,

I had to fire at least six of the servants today! Six of them! The ungracious lot! Not a single one of them agreed to chain the oak today! All of them believe it to be a lost cause and have sought employment elsewhere. 

But what need of I of a superstitious crew? None! None I say! To hell with the lot of them and may their souls be damned. I shall find a new cast of characters to clean and dress my halls tomorrow, should the weather prove as nice as it was today. 

There will be no more fallen branches! And if there are, there will be no more deaths of kin. Simply this is but a coincidence! Simply a coincidence! 

Without further Ado,
Shelley Pallansche

Day 17

Card: 7 of Clubs: Have any servants complained?

Roll: 6

Storm Roll: 4

Storm Cards: 5 Hearts, Queen Spades, 6 Hearts, 3 Clubs

The base of the tree has broken, and the tree has perished.

Shelley Pallansche, along with his brother Deon, a cricketer, his second brother Setfan, another cricketer, and their mother Melody, a poet perished the following day at a family outing when the tree fell upon them as they were adding chains to the oak.