Chark launches another a jolt of fire-red electricity that leaps between Black and Yellow.
She then re-conjures up a disk of force for protection.
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There'd be fewer of them if we could just hit them more often... Chark, finally in range of the xulgath mob, launches a jolt of fire-red electricity that leaps between Black and Red .
She then conjures up a disk of force for protection.
Chark closes the distance to the tower, careful to put Þóðᛞrekkr between she and the xulgaths.
Chark moves to get a clear angle on avoiding Tiny, then launches a fireball of her own, a roaring blast ruby-red fire. She does not share Haldan's qualms about limiting the tower's exposure.
Let's get as close as we can without being seen, Chark says, and hopefully we can get some more detail on what is going on.
Chark is about to agree, but then something catches her eye. Hold up, she says, pointing toward the upper tier. Something is moving up there. Toward the bottom, too.
It doesn't look as though we have other options, Chark says. She asks Charlie and Goliath to make a wide perimeter around the tower to make sure there is no other evident egress. If not, she follows along with Dendillion's suggestion.
We did, Chark replies, yet these gentle souls nearly lost all until we arrived. That loss cannot be replaced, but maybe we can see them safely to their destination. I surmise the Tower will still be there when we return.
Chark is woozy and lets Den do the talking for now, focused instead on getting people (including the remaining shoonys, and any who might be saveable) patched up. She touches a tattoo on her arm and sends forth first one, then another burst of bright whitish flame from her hand washing over the area, the warmth from the flame knitting flesh together.
Charlie (99/99)
Before moving on – presumably escorting the shoonys back to Matten Cleve?: Chark will take 10 minutes to patch up Tiny and Haldan.
Level 8: HP 71 -> 80 Class feat Advanced Domain (Healing)
Skill feat Pilgrim's Token (init ties now go to Chark)
Chark calls upon some divine insight from Sarenrae to guide her hand –immediately, the Varisian sees everything with a flickering red hue briefly, as she launches a second blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air at Red and tries to ensure her spell lands.
Chark repositions herself on the battlefield slightly, keeping a watchful eye on Tiny even as he addresses his own wounds. For now, since the aerialist remains upright, she turns her attention to the land sharks, sending a jolt of fire-red electricity leaping between Blue and White.
Chark stays put where she is, and fires a ray of white-hot flame at Red, another at Blue, and a third at White.
Chark moves to a more strategic position in the open field and tries a bit of magic to turn the tide against at least some of the land sharks.
Chark moves toward the wagon a little, launching a blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air at Red.
Left Ring: (L1, DC 15)
Right Ring: The Dwarven Throwers (L1, DC 15)
Right ring: Smoke Dragon (L5, DC 20)
PARTY ROLES: Either Performer or a specific non-performer
Chark spends much of the week trying to keep the Circus of Wayward Wanderers all engaged in the next show. She encourages the Flamboni Sisters and Fireproof Flynn to join forces into one act – "The Flamboni Sisters and Fireproof Flynn, blazing to new heights!" – and suggests that the Feather-Fall Five would be well-served to include the Majestic Mistdancer in a new aerial show, with tightropes and flips, but some off the pegasus' back as well! She proposes to set up Eliza and Mister Tickles and Axel and his bird friends as the first acts along the midway seen when patrons come in, with the Dwarven Thowers sailing over the midway as the crowd moves forward.
A show for the fine folk of Matten Cleeve seems to be a good idea.
Chark ponders a bit more. This Matten Cleeve appears to be the closest town, she concludes, and what's this "Old Currew's Place"? It doesn't appear to be one of the towers. Perhaps we check that out as well.
Unfamiliar with the local land, Chark secures a simple map of the area and pores over it. You said the family are all about the Swardlands, no? she says, tapping her lip. There are a few towns showing on this. Kerrick is obviously the largest, but...I wonder if it makes sense to move the Circus around the region a bit, get to know more locals and develop a bit of a following. As the saying goes, "If the people of Gormuz will not seek out Kohal, then Kohal must seek out the people of Gormuz."
Chark is adamant that no one takes so much as a copper before the door is shut behind them. I fear we found little more than a few bits and bobs, Chark says with practiced care, nothing that indicates any cause for your hauntings yet. Still, we cannot consider this matter closed yet. With your leave, we will ask about town a bit and see what more comes of things. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once the party has said goodbyes and departed, Chark summarizes on the street outside. A note from a decade and half past of a debt due to one Rogor Swinten. Certainly related, a different note for uncharged funeral services for this same Rogor Swinten some three years later, two before the debt mentioned was due. And, likely related, another note expressing gratitude for the burial of one Yngor Swindon, seven years hence. And yet these hauntings began a little over a year ago. Chark pauses a moment in thought. We must, for now, assume the generosity was based in knowing the family. But perhaps we can learn more of the Swindons and the end of Rogor and Yngor. Did something happen to the family fourteen months ago?
With permission, Chark will lead the group upstairs. Same search pattern, clockwise from the lower left corner around.
Chark continues around the first floor, passing by the side door to check the rest of the rooms before heading up the steps.
Chark takes note of Den and Tiny's find, then says, Let's go systematically, clockwise from the top. Then we'll move up the steps to the second floor. She steps back into the foyer and gives a quick look around before heading through the hallway to the north past the steps toward the opening at the end.
Thank you, Goodman Vandy, Chark says. If you have no mourners at present, let us begin with the viewing parlor.
Chark nods. We can make no promises except to try, she says, but on that, you have our word. Can you tell us a bit more about this young girl? You mentioned that she wears a funeral shroud, but also that you didn't recognize her as someone you tended. What about her face, what you might guess her age to be, any telltale visible markings that might differentiate her from others, as examples? As the meal concludes, Chark wipes a bit of dragonfruit sauce away with her napkin and gets to her feet. Delicious. Now, with your leave, Goodman Vandy, we shall take a look about the manor.
Chark listens intently, trying to parse out any clues Vandy might share. Spoiler:
Chark asks about the body in repose when the time seems appropriate, and will say a brief prayer to Sarenrae if Vandy will permit it. During the second course, she broaches the subject of Kerrick. Tell me, good sir, about your town. As newcomers here, we would like to know more about the good people, as you call them, of Kerrick.
Fire should build the excitement!
Chark will attempt to Aid Den (or Haldan, if allowed by the GM) on the efforts to promote the show.
It takes nearly two days before Chark says anything aloud to anyone, even remaining silent during the meeting with Chief Constable Paldreen. It is the appearance of the stragglers from the Menagerie that finally rouses her from her uncharacteristic brooding. Her eyes are hard as steel as she addresses the erstwhile Menagerie members. The Circus of Wayward Wonders have rules each of our kin must follow. These rules are: She ticks off her fingers, one by one. We do not tolerate bullying, harm, or neglect of any member of the Wayward Wonders, be they beast or person.
If you follow these rules – I daresay you'll find them less onerous than those of your former slavedriver – then you are welcome under our tent to join our family. Break them, and you will no longer be here. There are no exceptions to these rules. Are we clear? Those who agree are brought to meet the rest of the performers, and Chark smiles for the first time. Know that you are free to leave our family at any time, if your heart chooses, she says, her eyes softening as she mingles with the Circus and her mood lightens. We do not – cannot – harbor a grudge against someone who hears a different call.
Chark, still silent, hands a rope from her pack to Charlie and vaguely gestures at Dusklight, then turns to Dendillion. GM: What kind of check to see what's become of him? Chark has cleanse affliction (H 4th) prepared and will cast it if she can discern what she needs to do.
Chark holds her hand up, the flaming scimitar ready to strike the motionless form. The weapon shimmers in the air awaiting her command. For a moment, she hesitates. Damnation. Her hand drops and the blade winks out of existence. Her face twisted in a pained scowl, she uses the same hand to touch a tattoo near her heart and a tendril of wispy red flame drifts from her hand to the body of Dusklight, settling on the bleeding wound and closing it. Wordlessly, she steps to Dusklight's body, kicking the whip far away as she does, to assist in the recovery from the persistent damage.
GM: If she falls, and the GM will allow, Chark will either cast stabilize on her, or move over and Battle Medicine her.
If not, the die has been cast.
No, Chark says with conviction. She summons some divine prescience and sustains her spell.
She then conjures up a disk of force for protection.
We don't want your circus, Chark replies. Only to stop you from continuing to exploit and abuse your people. Despite her bravado, it is clear Chark sees what has become of Den in the battle, and she is running out of spells. Using her last remaining focus point, she sends a blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air.
She then sustains her flaming scimitar.
If she loved you, she wouldn't demand that you to put yourself in harm's way, Chark says, moving past the conflicted and soon-to-be-jilted lover and sustaining her spell...
...then conjuring up a disk of force for protection.
Focus on the Mistress! Chark says insistently. It is she who has corrupted Mazael! She moves behind Goliath and touches a tattoo, evoking a shimmering scimitar bathed in flame next to their nemesis.
Since we're close to the end, I figured that I'd just do Chronicles via RPG Chronicles. Sign up HERE if you'd like one. Did we ever get them issued for the last book?
This spell is harmless, and this is by design; we do not seek any harm to you, Mazael, Chark says, sending a wave of rainbow-hued magical light washing over the area in heatless flames. She then conjures up a disk of force for protection.
Maezel, your steadfast heart is to be admired; but it is devoted to one who does not deserve it – has never deserved it. Mistress Dusklight uses you, as she uses all her "pets."
Chark purses her lips. I am torn. On the one hand, letting Dusklight slip through our fingers here is abhorrent. On the other, we are not in proper condition to remove her. Chark will take 10 minutes to patch up Dendillion and Haldan.
Chark's eyes flutter open, and with a cough she sits up. Thank you, Ringmaster, she says with a wry smile. She composes herself a bit, then touches a tattoo on her arm and sends forth a burst of bright whitish flame from her hand washing over the room, the warmth from the flame knitting flesh together.
Chark (38/71)
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