Message from the Gambler

A small wooden box containing a handwritten note, a coin, and a tarot card.

The Note

The handwritten note reads as follows:

LISA - SO SOLLY HAD TO RETURN SHOES & GLOVES TO ORIGINAL OWNER
BUT TO COMPENSATE HERE IS SMALL TOKEN OF MY AFFECTATION.

“TO THE RANGER AND HER COMPANIONS”
A POEM BY PHINEAS JOHANSEN

‘FORE NEXT WE MEET AT THE SINFUL SPIRE
MAGUS PLAYS THE FOOL AND THE WITCH ON FIRE
BLACK CROW MUST PAY THE FIDDLER HIS DUE
THEN DROPS THE HAMMER ON THE REST OF YOU

YOU’LL PLAY WITH ME ONE FRIENDLY HAND
THEN FLEET YOUR FATE ON WESTRIVER GRAND
‘CROSS THE TIMELESS SEA OF REASON AND LOSS
WHERE ALL MUST PAY THE FAIRYMAN TO CROSS

THEN OAR THE DARK CHASM OFF HERAS LAIR
LOST HIEROPHANT STEEL AND CRIMSON TIGER SPARE
WHEN CLIMB IN VAIN DOWN THE EBON TOWER
THE MOON WILL BURN ON YOUR FINAL HOUR

The Coin

The metal coin is made of a silvery-white lightweight metal. One side depicts the “Goddess of Magic” and gives here name as “Maja.” The letters “A.P.F.” appear at the bottom. The other side of the coin says “ONE FREE ADMISSION” and the words “PARADISE CITY” beveled along the rim, the image of a cityscape taking up the center.

The Card

The Devil, 15th trump of the major arcana [Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_%28Tarot_card%29]