Tarot

Overview

Tarot is based at Witch Hollow, her estate in Salem, Massachusetts. Tarot is a powerful witch who wears magical armor, wields the magical Sword of the Black Rose, and can see glimpses of the future. Tarot has green eyes, long red hair, a very voluptuous figure (like most females in the series) and a black rose tattooed on the back of left shoulder.

Mission

The Witches of the Order of the Black Rose have for centuries hidden a book of evil magic from those dedicated to the service of darkness. Tarot’s sister, a witch named Raven Hex has betrayed the order and stolen the evil book. Raven Hex has done this in order to bring about a new age in which witches will rule and those who have persecuted witches will be punished. When Raven Hex used this book a series of evil beings entered the world and Tarot's fight against them is the basic narrative of her story.

Relationships

Tarot is advised by her mother, and is assisted in her adventures by her sometime lover, Skeleton Man (Jon Webb, also sometimes referred to as Fright Knight), a human fighter who can speak with the spirits of the dead. Tarot also has a magical familiar, a black flying cat named Pooka.

Creators

Tarot is a creation of Jim Balent and first appeared in the Broadsword Comics publication *Tarot - Witch of the Black Rose* #1.

Origin

Tarot found it difficult living as a family of witches, especially since it was not done secretively. Everyday the family was persecuted by people who constantly insulted them, as they didn't understand witches so they feared them and wished to see them destroyed.

So it was that Tarot, Raven and their mother and father were forced to keep to themselves and perform their traditions in hiding though they continued to do them joyously.

They were happy because, as witches, they could see things ordinary mortals could not including the full glory of both the natural and the supernatural. They were also capable of interacting with beings from the Fairy Realm such as the numerous fairies that now inhabit the mansion that is the family's home.

And though the family tried so hard to share this feeling with the world they were instead hated for being different and humanity remained trapped in their bland world. Finally, this hate came to a climax when the kids at school cornered Raven and Rowan into a tree at recess and one of them threw a stone.

The stone struck Tarot in the forehead, and the children laughed but Raven became enraged and unleashed her fury. Using her magick she snapped the tree limb above them so it injured several kids and broke the arm of the one who threw the stone. The two girls were sent home, and blamed for starting the fight.

When the two come home and Tarot's father learns of the incident he becomes full of anger and contacted the school but in their effort to remain unaffiliated with the family they simply expelled the girls right then, expecting their troubles to end.

However, he turned to the Forbidden Book of Shadows to bring about their destruction but the threefold-law of the witches caused the magick that destroyed the school to consume him as well in its raging fire. So it was that Tarot watched as Raven turned to darkness while she stood with her mother.

Witch War

Raven Hex plans to use spells to bring about a time of terror for mankind and prosperity for all followers of the craft.

But Tarot foresees what will happen if Raven goes through with her plans, a second Burning will be at hand and she will not allow it.

Instead, she will stand up and fight Raven no matter the cost. Tarot is none other than Raven's own sister, Rowan.

At Witch Hollow in Salem, Massachusetts the youthful and fair woman gazes at her Tarot cards, watched by her winged cat, Pooka.

Tarot has tried to use the Tarot cards to find the whereabouts of her sister Raven but finds that her sister's sorcery is preventing her from getting a location.

Instead she is getting visions of a blackness, a blackness that is coming, and a dark warrior who stands in this shadow.

The man seems to be defined by heroics...and death. Tarot decides that he is the starting point in her quest and that if she finds him she will find her sister, so she sets off to prepare.

She knows that since she lives by the first law of witchcraft -otherwise known as the Witch's Creed, "Do what thou will but harm none."- that things may be difficult.

This law will prevent her from using her powers in any negative fashion but does not prevent her from using it to protect herself and/or others.

As she walks through the castle, followed by a flying Pooka she heads off to find something within the house. She knows that she will not be able to defeat her sister's darkness with naught but her spells and robes. Instead she needs something that was crafted with magic, she needs her witch's armor.

So as Tarot arrives in the room where the armor is kept she undresses herself and then applies the enchanted leather armor. It is meant to shield her from any harm that may come upon her.

Her head is adorned with horns to invoke the power of The God and her armor bears the symbol of the moon to gain the power of The Goddess.

Fully dressed, Tarot the Witch of the Black Rose swears that the witches shall NOT suffer another Burning, not as long as she can stop it.

Tarot, now dressed in her armor gazes at the legendary Sword of the Black Rose and at last takes it from the hands of The Goddess statue that holds it.

The blade holds immense power and Tarot fears the fact that she may have to use this power against her own sister. Her thoughts are interrupted by her mother who asks if she would like her to come along.

Tarot says no because the cards foretell a great danger for Tarot's Mother should she come along. Besides, she believes the dark warrior will provide her with all the help she'll need.

She appears to have headed for the Salem Woods Cemetery where she sees three of her sisters conjured ghouls attacking The Graveyard Guardian who believes himself to be unable to fight back and cowers from the impending doom.

Yet Tarot will not allow this and uses her magics to destroy the first ghoul. It is then that the beautiful young woman, wearing a very revealing armor and wielding a mighty sword catches the eye of the Skeleton Man.

He watches her battle his foes for some time but when she is thrown to the ground he decides to step in. Unleashing his fists of fury on one of the pumpkin monsters he is an easily removed threat. And though it seems that once again it is his end, Tarot recovers and saves him from the beast, asking him if he's hurt.

The selfless man tells her not to worry about him but about the remaining creature, however it teleports out of the cemetery before they can attack, taking The Twins coffin with it.

The Graveyard Guardian is now angered and saddened at his own failure and pulls off his face mask. He shouts in his rage as he sums up the events of the night but Tarot tells him to cool down.

She touches him and to her surprise feels a spark, as the Lovers tarot card flashes in her mind. He pulls away in surprise asking Tarot if she felt what he had.

Tarot tells him it was nothing and quickly changing subjects asks him if he's willing to help her in her mission since she is afraid that he is the one she was seeking. He agrees to going along with her, as long as it includes getting the coffin back.

She assures him it will not be an easy task but he is resilient in his decision to join her in her quest and she decides that he must come along, the cards say so.

As October 30 was dawning, two heroes, clad in leather, disappointment clearly seen on their faces are warmed by the sun's first rays as they stand at Salem Woods Cemetery.

Tarot tells Skeleton Man that she must care for him, before the infection sets in because of his multiple wounds. But he assures her there nothing serious and that they can wait.

However, Jon complains about not feeling so good and Tarot tells him it is because his wounds are magical in nature and only magick can stop the effects of magick. She tells him that she has all they need for him in her spell room but they must go there quickly, he tries to tell her he is just fine and is a pretty tough cookie. Yet things don't go according to his plans as his body gives up and his face smashes into the ground as he goes utterly unconscious. Picking him up, Tarot smiles as she holds the dazed man, "You're coming with me...cookie." and so Jon and Rowan disappear in a flurry of leaves.

Later in the mansion as Jon explores the vast abode, he finds himself blessed enough to gaze upon the beauty of the goddess among all women as she emerges naked from the pool. Her smooth skin, perfectly curved form, her appearance is that of both mystery and innocence. It is then that Tarot looks at Jon flirtatiously as she wraps a towel around her body, leaving a tattoo of a black rose on the back of her left shoulder exposed. "I'm glad to see you're awake and feeling better."

Awkwardly Jon answers that he is indeed doing better and Rowan tells him that she is glad but he must now follow her to discuss things. As he follows her he asks if she removed his costume and she answers yes, as it was the only way she could tend to his injuries.

Jon expresses that he was obviously in a deep sleep as he did not notice the removal of his make-up or contacts but Tarot smiles and says she has friends with a light touch, hinting at the fairies fluttering above, unseen to the Skeleton Man.

As they entire the kitchen, Jon tells her that he does indeed like the mansion and Tarot thanks him saying it has been in her family for generations.

In the kitchen, the two robed heroes walk, Tarot going to the counter to pour a cup of hot chocolate. While she does this though, Jon begins bombarding her with questions such as her identity, where the pumpkin ghouls are from, why Raven needs to be found, who has The Twins body, and what's with all the talk about magic...finally he asks her, "are you a magician?"

She smiles at him as she says flatly, "No. I'm a witch." Jon seems to go in shock and gasps in surprise as she sets the hot chocolate down before him, encouraging him to have some while she answers his questions.

He picks up the mug but looks at it nervously and asks Tarot how he's supposed to know its not one of those witch potions so he asks her what it is. Still smiling at him she says its hot chocolate and Jon's palm connects with his face as he feels like an idiot.

Apologizing to Tarot he tells her its just because he has never met a real witch before. She assures him its quite alright as most people have the wrong idea...however, if they really wanted to know the truth all they'd have to do is ask her and she would gladly share but no one does ask. And so Tarot begins the tale of her life, initially interrupted at certain points by a confused Skeleton Man.

As Jon holds his steaming hot chocolate he gasps after hearing the tale and in astonishment he asks if Raven can actually bring the dead to life, his question is answered by a woman who comes out from behind him. Jon turns and walks over to her and greets the kind woman when Tarot tells him, "Jon, this is my mother." At hearing this he turns back to Tarot in shock and asks her if she figured out his name with her witch powers.

She smiles at his assuming comments, as usual, and tells him that it was actually because she overheard The Twins calling him Jon back at the cemetery. Once again, Jon feels embarrassed at his behavior and tells her he'll try to think before he says anything next time.

When Tarot's mother explains how soon their mission has to be completed Jon sighs as he realizes that Halloween is tomorrow, meaning they have very little time so he asks Tarot, "Where do we start." Tarot smiles as she sets her palms on the table, exposing her bare midsection, "We start with you." Jon is horrified and asks why they must start with him and Tarot tells him it is because he is the key to finding Raven, the cards have told her.

Jon tells her he has no idea how he could locate her sister but his best bet would be going to talk with The Twins and asking them the whereabouts of their body. Tarot is surprised and asks him if he means they can sense their body.

He tells her that indeed, they can pinpoint the exact location of their body meaning they can lead them to Raven if she is in possession of it. It is then that Jon explains how he became Skeleton Man when Tarot asks him how long he has been able to communicate with the dead.

Tarot asks him why the ghosts just don't appear and scare people off on their own but Jon tells her most of them find it difficult to do when he's not there and he believes it to be because of his near death experience. He then tells her that's the conclusion of his story and that now all he needs is his costume and they can hunt Raven down.

He asks for the location of his room and Tarot tells him not to worry, as Pooka will lead him there, Jon shouts in surprise, "You have a flying cat?" Tarot smiles at him asking, "Doesn't every witch?" Jon admits he doesn't know and that it's easily possible so regaining his composure he follows Pooka as he leads Jon to his room.

Tarot and her mother then discuss Jon after he leaves and her mother tells her he seems like a nice guy and would be good for Tarot. Tarot tells her mother that is what she wanted to talk about, because she shared a vision with Jon.

Back at the cemetery when he touched her shoulder a flash of The Lovers card was seen by her as a pulse of energy passed through her, making her feel hot, a type of feeling she had never had before. Her mother tells her it means she's in love but Tarot argues and tells her mom that she's being serious and that she does not have time for a serious relationship.

She tells her mother that having her and having magick is all she needs but her mother asks what her heart needs with a smile. Tarot storms off in frustration with her mother telling her, I...I got to go mom, time is running out."