Madame Eva's Tarokka Reading

Player-known lore compiled from Session 6 and subsequent party progress through Session 22.

Context

• When: Midnight, end of Session 6 — after Eliza's confession and execution at the River Iblis crossroads gallows cemetery near Tser Pool (Session 6 @ 02:33:49, 02:52:00).
• Who: Madame Eva performed the reading for the six party members alone, as arranged at camp (Session 6 @ 00:32:21).
• Why: Madame Eva confirmed that escaping the mists requires deposing Strahd von Zarovich; the tarokka reading was meant to reveal where to find the power to do so (Session 6 @ 00:24:16, 02:52:00).
• Secrecy: Eva warned that the reading must stay between the six of them — "tell no servant of Strahd what you have just heard" (Session 6 @ 03:00:48). The party agreed (Session 6 @ 03:01:24).

Eva's boon — Deliver Arabelle's Gift

After the five-card reading, Eva gave a separate errand:

"My great-granddaughter, Arabelle will celebrate her tenth name day in two days' time… purchase for her a toy from a famous toy shop in Vallaki. Blinsky's Toys… deliver it to her in the encampment southwest of Vallaki… keep any change left over… as payment." (Session 6 @ 02:47:44)

The party accepted (Session 6 @ 02:49:05).

Current status

Transcript basis for proxy completion:

• Nightingale identified the doll as Blinsky's Toys make in Ireena Kolyana's likeness; detect magic found no enchantment (Session 16 @ 02:05:12, 02:09:40).
• Party agreed to give it to Arabelle so her seer's gift might read the doll's future (Session 16 @ 02:06:27).
• Nightingale offered to bring the doll to Arabelle that night or next morning (Session 16 @ 02:10:24).
• Session 17 opening recap: party "decide to send it off to Arabelle" while still planning the official Blinsky toy (Session 17 @ 02:05).

Arabelle still wants a bird-boy-themed Blinsky toy (Session 13 @ 03:21:15). Escort home and notifying Luvash remain open.

The five cards

Eva laid three cards from the large deck and two from the smaller deck in a cross formation (Session 6 @ 02:52:00).

1. Nine of Swords · The Torturer — History

"This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancients will help you better understand your enemy."

"There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts." (Session 6 @ 02:52:00)

Party progress — Party believes resolved:

Supersedes: early speculation that Henrik's Coffin Shop might be the house of corruption (Session 10 @ 01:22:29).

2. Five of Swords · The Myrmidon — Holy symbol of hope

"This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection. A holy symbol of great hope."

"Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night." (Session 6 @ 02:52:00)

Party progress: Not found. Mother Night = Ezra — Fiona's warlock patron; counterpart to Morning Lord (Session 20 @ 01:08:34; Session 21 @ 01:21:57). Bridge knight at Argynvostholt directed party to Sir Godfrey Gwilym (Session 7 @ 02:31:53). Western forests hold wolf-shifters in human skin (Session 7 @ 02:38:28). See Order of the Silver Dragon and Argynvostholt and Lugdana and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind.

3. Eight of Glyphs · The Bishop — Weapon of vengeance

"This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance. A sword of sunlight."

"What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of amber doors." (Session 6 @ 02:52:00)

Party progress: Not found. Sylalys's Session 19 vision — silver-and-steel sword in stone, whisper "Find me" — may relate (Session 19 @ 14:37). Twilight's Edge lent by Victor is silver/steel but not confirmed as this artifact (Session 19 @ 01:25:10).

4. Queen of Diamonds · The Tempter — Ally

"This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness."

"I hear a wedding bell, or perhaps a death knell. It calls to thee to a mountainside abbey, wherein you will find a woman who is more than the sum of her parts." (Session 6 @ 02:52:00)

Party progress: Not found. Likely points toward Abbey of St. Markovia (named in earlier campaign context; not yet visited on-screen for this clue).

5. King of Diamonds · The Broken One — Strahd's location at judgment

"Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. When the hour of judgment arrives, this card will lead you to him."

"He haunts the tomb of the man he envied above all." (Session 6 @ 02:52:00)

Party progress: Not found. Presumed to indicate where to confront Strahd von Zarovich at the final hour — likely Castle Ravenloft (Session 6 @ 03:01:54).

Ghostly procession

When Mercurio asked whether others had received this reading, Eva pointed toward Castle Ravenloft and a ghostly procession emerged:

"These are what remains of adventurers who have come in the past. Their spirits are bound here, doomed to make the same march to the castle… None of them succeeded. This is the precipice you must walk… For if you fail, this shall be your resting place. A place without legacy, glory, or love." (Session 6 @ 03:01:54)

Eva added: "This is not the first. And I shan't reveal more than that." (Session 6 @ 03:01:54)

Party progress summary

Related notes

• Madame Eva · Arabelle · Deliver Arabelle's Gift · Izek's Doll · Nightingale
• Depose Strahd von Zarovich · Tome of Strahd · Vallakovich Manor · Victor Vallakovich · Stella Wachter
• Ezra · Consult Madame Eva · Session 06 - Summary · Session 06 - Transcript
• Order of the Silver Dragon and Argynvostholt · Lugdana and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind · Holy Symbol of Ravenkind