Tarot

Alicia Driogano is a strega, a witch, able to trace her line back to the ancient witches of Tuscany. Unfortunately, her father is "Big Al" Driogano, a Freedom City Mobster. Alicia felt obligated by family ties to assist her father, and simply showed up one day in his service, using the name “Lady Tarot.” At first, people thought she was little more than a “paid companion.” Later, it seemed like she was the Driogano’s advisor, using her tarot cards to read fortunes for him. It seemed a harmless, if eccentric, affectation, for a man of Driogano’s age and experience to believe in things like fortune-telling.
Eventually, the other mobsters noticed Driogano’s operations ran more smoothly and encountered fewer difficulties with the police. When Boss Oliverti died mysteriously, Driogano was right there to take advantage of that, too. People began to wonder about the mysterious Lady Tarot and decided there might be something to all this fortune-telling business after all.
For her part, Lady Tarot remained loyal to Driogano. He provides her with all that she needs, including bodyguards and a suite at the Southside Palace on The Boardwalk. She continues to use her abilities in his service, and her presence has drawn much more attention from both the authorities and the other Mob families. She thwarted at least one attempt on her life and several against Driogano.
Alicia became intrigued with Foreshadow, one of her father’s enemies. He alone seems to have the unique ability to evade her foresight, and she seemed to be able to do the same where he was concerned. She was attracted to him, but could not betray her father for him. Eventually, Alicia realized she was falling in love with Foreshadow, even though all of the omens and her own fortunes told her it would be a disaster.
She was, of course, correct. Her father used her talents, and Foreshadow’s own feelings, to lure him into a trap from which he would not escape, eliminating him as a threat to the Freedom underworld thereafter. Faced with Foreshadow’s almost certain death, Lady Tarot turned to forbidden grimoires and spells. She sought to save her beloved’s life at any cost...and the cost was indeed high.
Attorney Lucius Cabot brokered a deal on behalf of the infernal powers Alicia called up. Foreshadow would be spared, but she would give up her heart and serve the cause of sin and vice in the world, even if it meant Foreshadow would eventually be forced to destroy her. His death imminent, she agreed.
Foreshadow is still haunted by the mysterious “timeslip” he cannot recall, but that seems to play itself out in his dreams. He doesn’t know what changed Tarot from the reluctant assistant of her mob-boss father to a force that far outstrips his evil, but he is determined to find out what it is and deal with it. Whatever the case, the Freedom City Mob soon learned who was the real power behind Don Driogano’s throne, and who not to cross, if they valued their lives and livelihoods.
Tarot remains at the center of a vast web of criminal influence, subtly pulling the strings to keep the Mob a few steps ahead of the authorities and the heroes.

Physical Description

Special abilities

Lady Tarot has certain mystical abilities from her heritage and training, enhanced by her trafficking with infernal powers. She can foretell the future using a deck of tarot cards; the ability is inherent in her, not the cards, so any tarot deck can serve as her focus. Her visions are of what may happen, if circumstances remain unchanged, but outcomes can be changed.
She has a strong sense of intuition and can cast a number of minor spells using magical rituals, including placing curses on people and protecting them against harm or danger.
Tarot has the ability to influence the weavings of fate as well as perceive them: She can place a powerful curse on others that impairs their abilities and makes them vulnerable to harm, as well as a charm around herself that wards off harm through seeming coincidence and “good luck.” She can spend luck points to provide benefits to others she can see, including negating others’ use of the Luck advantage or hero points. Tarot generally maintains her Fortunate Failure defenses unless specifically using one of her other Fate Weaving powers.
Since her abilities are of limited use in direct combat, Tarot does her best to avoid it. Her premonitions usually allow her to do so with relative ease. For times when they do not, she carries a small pistol concealed in her bag, and is usually accompanied by two or more Mob bodyguards.

Mental characteristics

Intellectual Characteristics

Tarot appears cool and aloof most of the time. She has a mysterious air about her that says she knows much more than she is telling, which is usually the case. She used to be somewhat flustered around Foreshadow, although hid it well. He was one of the only people able to get past her defenses and evoke an emotional response from her.
Originally, she was not happy with helping Driogano run a criminal empire, but felt a sense of family obligation even though he preferred to keep the true nature of their relationship a secret. She suffered in silence, occasionally hoping her love could turn her father into the man she wanted him to be.
Since making the deal that saved Foreshadow’s life, Tarot’s heart matches her cold exterior. She is imperious, cool, and cutting with her remarks and insights. Devotion to the “family business” is all, and anyone who stands in the way of the Driogano Family’s success is an obstacle to be removed.
Tarot is a cunning temptress, using her powers to lure others into vice and lopsided bargains, which she enforces with her occult powers. Oaths sworn to her Family are blood oaths indeed, and betraying them can carry serious—often lethal—consequences.