Chark casts a spell on Charlie to try and free him from being dragged with the fleeing foe. Cast sure footing.
counteract check vs. grapple DC:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20noping out of that. I VOLUNTEER THIS HERO POINT AS TRIBUTE counteract check vs. grapple DC:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
She then conjures up a disc of force for protection. Cast shield, hardness 10. AC now 25.
Chark sustains her spell (bless currently 25 foot emanation, party gains a +1 status bonus to attack rolls while within the emanation), then sends another blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air. Cast fire ray.
spell attack:1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 1 = 31 fire:8d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 5, 1, 4) = 18 On any result other than a critical failure, the ground in the target's space catches fire, dealing 4d6 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn in one of the squares.
Chark moves behind Charlie and calls for a blessing from the Dawnflower, as a flickering orange flame aura grows from her. Cast bless, currently 15 foot emanation.
Chark doesn't know what this thing is, but it having grabbed her companions suggests it does not have friendly intent. She sends a blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air. Cast fire ray.
On any result other than a critical failure, the ground in the target's space catches fire, dealing 4d6 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn in one of the squares.
She then conjures up a disc of force for protection. Cast shield, hardness 10. AC now 25.
Chark steps forward to address the wounds of the party.
She touches an arm tattoo, sending a burst of bright whitish flame from her hand that washes over the group, the warmth from the flame licking over every wound and knitting flesh together. Then she does it again.
[ooc]Is Den still burning, or did that burn out like Chark's did before this and the GM hadn't updated (no criticism, lots of other stuff to track)? [ooc]
If you've any self-preservation instincts, now would be a good time to let them take over, Chark says, sending a sextet of fire-red needles at the sole remaining foe.
With Den's spell removing the xulgath who was in her face, Chark can concentrate on restoring Tiny's vitality. She edges closer and touches an arm tattoo, sending a burst of bright whitish flame from her hand that washes over the dwarf, the warmth from the flame licking over every wound and knitting flesh together.
Chark sends a blazing band of orange-white fire arcing through the air at White. Cast fire ray.
spell attack:1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 = 26 fire:8d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 5, 3, 6, 1, 6) + 1 = 32 On any result other than a critical failure, the ground in the target's space catches fire, dealing 4d6 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn in one of the squares.
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 (or Yellow, if Red is down). Cast electric arc, DC 26 basic Refl.
electricity:5d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 4, 3) = 15
She then conjures up a disk of force for protection. Cast shield, hardness 10. AC now 24.
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. DC 26 Refl
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 will vote for escorting, but the party knows well enough that she will not go against a majority choosing the Tower.
Dendillion takes mental note that there's a performer and an audience waiting for them in Matten Cleave.
Is this a known location? If not, he'll ask for directions
Chark did get us a map back here, and I presumed we were looking at something like this.
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. Cast heal ◈◈◈ twice.
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. Cast sure strike,, then cast fire ray.
spell attack (1):1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 spell attack (2):1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 fire:8d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 5, 5, 1, 5, 6) = 28and that square (those squares, I guess) catches fire, damage to anyone ending their turn in it.
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. Cast electric arc, DC 25 basic Refl.
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. Cast fear, targeting Red and Blue. DC 25 Will save.
Right Ring: The Dwarven Throwers I guess, was trying not to use one of the acts Chark suggested to combine, but we're otherwise out (L1, DC 15)
Action 1: Athletics:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27CRIT success
Action 2: Acrobatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15success
Action 3: Athletics:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20success
PARTY ROLES: Either Performer or a specific non-performer
Chark: Medic OR Pyrotechnics if performances will include Fire traits (non-performer)
Charlie: Animal Handler (non-performer)
Dendillion: Ringmaster (performer)
Haldan: Performer OR Carnival Barker (if non-performer)
Tiny: Security Guard (non-performer)
I freely admit none of this may have an impact in the show and/or its earning potential per the rules; but I feel like it's something Chark would definitely seek to do.
Also, we never discussed the potential of leveling up our previous acts, did we? Mordaine in particular, the prima donna. :)
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.
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 (let me know what that costs) 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?
I think the double doors are between the dining room and the viewing room, so we've already been through those.
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 which I imagine we've already seen when we came in, though obviously didn't search and gives a quick look around before heading through the hallway to the north past the steps toward the opening at the end.
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 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.
