The Spark: A Burning Wheel Campaign

Big Picture:

You live on the outskirts of a vast empire in the small, remote village of Thornwood. Once part of the enchanted kingdom of Eldoria, Thornwood now falls under the iron rule of the Imperial Throne following a brutal conquest a generation ago. The old kingdom, once brimming with magic and wonder, has had its legacy buried under the empire's edicts. The village remembers the haunting tales of the Battle of Falling Leaves and the betrayal of the High Mage, whose spark ignited hope and despair.

In Eldoria's time, magic was a living, breathing part of everyday life. Now, those who possess the "spark" are hunted by the Imperial Inquisition, a ruthless force dedicated to eradicating the old ways. The "spark" might show as a glint in the eye or an involuntary act of magic, making its bearers live in constant fear of discovery. Stories of disappearances and public burnings are whispered among the villagers.

The Imperial Inquisition, led by the infamous Inquisitor Varus, casts a long shadow over Thornwood. Known for his relentless pursuit of magic and his cruel methods, Varus is a name that chills the hearts of those who dare to defy the empire.


Current Situation:

Now, on the eve of the Autumn Festival, a beloved tradition from the old kingdom of Eldoria, the village of Thornwood finds itself on the brink of crisis. The villagers have prepared for the festival with bittersweet nostalgia, but a shadow looms over the festivities.

Rumors have spread like wildfire that a young girl in the village has manifested the "spark"—more than that, she is said to possess the rare ability to practice actual sorcery. Such news has reached the vigilant ears of the Imperial Inquisition, and they are now marching towards Thornwood with grim determination.

The village is gripped by fear and anticipation. While some villagers whisper about hiding the girl or fleeing, there are those who believe in standing their ground and fighting. The first challenge, however, is to find the girl before the Inquisition arrives. As the festival lights flicker and the first notes of music begin, everyone knows that this celebration might be their last moment of peace before the storm.


NPCs

Inquisitor Varus

Description: A tall, imposing figure with piercing eyes and an aura of authority. Varus is the leader of the Imperial Inquisition, feared for his unyielding determination and ruthless methods.

Background: Varus rose through the ranks of the Inquisition by demonstrating an unwavering dedication to eradicating magic. Rumor has it that he once possessed the spark himself but chose to suppress it, seeing it as a weakness.

Personality: Cold, calculating, and merciless. Varus believes that the ends justify the means and is willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goals.

Goals: To root out and destroy all magical influences in the empire, ensuring absolute control for the Imperial Throne.

Kerys, the Hidden Mage

Description: An elderly woman with kind eyes and an air of wisdom. Kerys is a former mage of Eldoria who has been living in hiding since the conquest.


Background: Once a respected mage, Kerys lost her family in the conquest and has since dedicated herself to preserving the remnants of Eldoria’s magic. She has been secretly teaching the young girl with the spark.


Personality: Wise, compassionate, and cautious. Kerys knows the dangers of the Inquisition but is driven by a deep sense of duty to keep magic alive.


Goals: To protect the young girl and keep the spark alive, hoping for a day when magic can flourish again.

Lina, the Young Girl with the Spark

Description: A young girl of about ten years old with an innocent face and a glimmer in her eyes that hints at her magical abilities.

Background: Lina discovered her abilities recently and has been kept hidden by her parents and Eldara. She is still learning to control her powers.

Personality: Curious, kind-hearted, and brave beyond her years. Lina is determined to learn about her abilities and help her village.

Goals: To understand and control her powers, and to protect her loved ones from the Inquisition.

Marcus, the Village Elder

Description: An elderly man with a long beard and a frail but wise presence. Marcus is the voice of reason in the village.

Background: Marcus has lived through the transition from Eldoria to the empire and has a wealth of knowledge about the old ways. He is a respected advisor to the villagers.

Personality: Wise, calm, and empathetic. Marcus tries to mediate conflicts and guide the villagers through difficult times.

Goals: To maintain peace in the village and find a way to protect Lina without provoking the Inquisition.

Thorin, the Village Smith

Description: A burly man in his early forties, with muscles honed from years of working the forge. Thorin has a stern face, a wild mane of dark hair, and intense, steely eyes that reflect his fiery determination.

Background: Thorin’s father, a proud warrior, fought valiantly against the empire during the conquest of Eldoria and was a key figure in the resistance before it was crushed. Thorin grew up hearing tales of his father’s bravery and the old kingdom’s glory, instilling in him a deep sense of honor and a burning desire to fight back against the oppressive empire.

Personality: Brave, passionate, and fiercely loyal. Thorin is driven by a desire to honor his father's legacy and protect his village. He is quick to act and is unafraid to stand up against the empire, often encouraging others to join him in defiance.

Goals: To inspire his fellow villagers to resist the Inquisition and protect the young girl with the spark. He believes that fighting back is the only way to reclaim their freedom and preserve the remnants of Eldoria’s magic.

Role in the Current Situation: As the eve of the Autumn Festival approaches, Thorin emerges as the instigator of the fight caucus. He rallies the villagers, particularly those who share his desire to resist rather than flee or hide. His impassioned speeches and unyielding spirit make him a natural leader, but his fervor also puts him at great risk from the Inquisition.

 Ruben Marino - Journal #2 (Peru)

Sharing a meal with Gus and De Mendoza chilled off any thoughts of real sleep as I slept as light as a ballerina. We all met for what the natives called desyano, pretty good although I don’t want to be downwind of Silas after those beans. Mr. Jackson said he had a contact at the university by the name of Professor Sanchez. Silas and I kept tabs to see if we were being followed. Sanchez, Artie and Jesse were peaching over theories about Mendoza being a Peruvian vampire, one that was over 400 years old to boot!

 Sanchez expected his aide and asked us to look in on her. To ensure their safety we asked them to lock the doors while we looked in on his aide. His aide was pooped! The artifact room was in disarray with her being buried in a rack of old shit. Silas was the first to unearth her, finding her withered corpse with a hole in chest. Her corpse put the screws on Silas' gut and he wretched out his desyano. In the rubble we found a golden artifact with a hand print burned into it, fairly fresh. I think we collectively all stopped breathing when we found some bloody prints leading outside. Following the tracks back outside and back into the building he attacked passers-by to perhaps cover his tracks. Returning back to the professor’s office with the doors caved in, Jesse knocked out cold and De Mendoza looming over Sanchez with rows of razor sharp teeth I stepped forward with a shot into its chest. Nothing. The wound closed up; I could hear the “tink” of the bullet hit the floor. It leapt at me, and as we struggled its saliva was like acid burning me like a cup of hot joe. Stepping up to bat with the golden artifact Silas brained him with it. Everybody's attention turned to Jesse and Professor and in doing so De Mendoza had vanished. We gave statements to the law who encouraged us to leave. 

We decided to leave a day early and head south by boat so as not to be tailed. Jesse knew of a wise woman closer to our destination who would know more about the pyramid and the folklore. We looked like buncha sore thumbs towering over these little colorful people. Jesses contact was nowhere to be found and so after inquiring around we found out she was hiding on a small island afraid for her life. While trying to arrange passage out to the islands we spotted by an older woman and younger boy both with extended bellies. Worms, in your lawn commonly used as bait for fishing, no problem. I had seen plenty of maggots to include leeches across the pond during the war. This was different. I ain’t gonna touch on it too much, De Mendoza who had killed the prof had put a worm in his belly. Sally extracted it, flung it aside and it crawled as if it was trying to escape. These two mooks fit the description if the professor hadn’t been killed. 

We think we made it Nara’s undetected. Our visit confirms De Mendoza was old as methuselah. We got alpacas, goods and sundries for the trip and headed out. Our first night we lost an alpaca to the bloated Peruvians, they sucked the innards dry leaving an emaciated mess behind. Reorganizing the load on the animals, I didn’t mind carrying a little extra weight, I felt important as I wasn't able to contribute as much as Arty and Jesse. Into our trek the next day we came across an injured boy who had recently been attacked by our tail. This was brought to our attention by the gunshot of the father of the boy chasing off our tail. We offered aid to his boy and he offered us refuge on his farm. Julio, of course, was distrusting but he could see the concern in Sally’s face as she tended to the boy.

 

Dr. Sally Jones - Postcard #2 (Peru)

Dear Johnny,

Oh my word, kharisiri are real! They look human, but in an instant, their mouth transforms into a hideous gaping circle of teeth, like a lamprey eel. They feed on people and animals, sucking the fat from their victims, leaving them shriveled like raisins. That, or their victim could be left alive, which might be worse. Instead of feeding on fat, the kharisiri shoves its hideously long tongue down its victim’s throat—like a nightmarish French kiss—and implants a larva in their belly. How do I know all this? Local folklore and first-hand experience! Horrifying yet somehow gratifying to learn of this. I just knew there was something else out there—beyond what normal society accepts. The question is, what more is there? I’ve got to know.

Here's the story. Jackson and our little expedition team met up with a professor of archaeology at the local university. The professor’s student assistant was taking overly long to return with a document, so we searched for her and found her dead, emaciated with a circular wound on her chest. We found the document she was fetching. It dated back to 1543 and mentioned Luis De Mendoza. We also found a large chunk of gold, runes written across it, with residue from a burnt handprint. Pulling ourselves together and grabbing the gold, we followed bloody footprints outside to a chaotic scene of blood and screaming people. As we ran, we heard a gunshot coming from the professor’s office. We arrived in time to see Jackson in a pool of blood and Mendoza hunched over the flailing professor. It’s official, Mendoza is what the locals call a kharisiri. Ruben and I shot Mendoza, but his wounds healed—squeezed the bullets right out of his flesh. Mendoza attacked Ruben, but Silas bashed Mendoza with that heavy chunk of gold, causing acid—probably used by Kharisiri to melt the fat of their victims—to burn Ruben’s face. The professor, meanwhile, was hysterical. Rightly so. There was something moving in his belly. Summoning my medical training and nerves, I cut into the professor’s belly. A disgusting larva slithered out and up my arm. I flicked it away and Ruben squished it. Too bad we couldn’t preserve it for study. I forgot where our Professor Thompson was during this. I think paralyzed with fear and horror. At some point, Mendoza fled. Presumably healed like with the bullets.

We gave a passable testimony to the police. Jackson was bandaged and returned to the hotel. The professor survived the ordeal in his office only to be killed at the hospital. I assume murdered by Mendoza. Unanimously, we decided to set sail for Puno instead of meeting up with Larkin. How would that have gone, anyway? ”Say, Larkin, did you know that your man Mendoza is a fat-sucking, larva-implanting, murder monster from the 1500s?” Larkin is clearly in on it.

In Puno, we discovered more unnatural beings. An old woman and a teenage boy suspiciously observed Jackson from a distance. When Silas and I approached, the boy ran, and the woman was uncooperative. Silas pointed out her distended stomach—like with the professor and his larva—and we hastily retreated to the others. Ruben spotted the boy, who also had a distended stomach. Now we are wary of anyone exhibiting this symptom. One night on our trek to the pyramid, one of our alpacas was attacked by one of those things. It was emaciated like the student in Lima. How many of those monsters are out here? The next day, we came across a man whose son had just been attacked by the old woman and teenage boy duo. I managed to stabilize the son, Domingo, and we all returned to the man’s house to treat Domingo further and to regroup. We will set out tomorrow for the pyramid, guided by the father, Julio.

Sally

Silas - Journal #1 (Peru)
 

It's hard to believe it's only been a week since we landed in Lima.

Everything has changed. 

I have seen what lurks in the darkness.  The monster under the bed.  It is far more terrifying than I could have possibly imagined.

A whole new world lays before me and it is full of blood and fear, and yet, I am consumed with curiosity.  If this is true, what else might be true?  Is there equally blinding light to counter the oppressive darkness?  A part of me yearns to dive in head first and see what this new world has to offer.  Is it possible to contact the beyond?  To talk to the dead?  Is it possible to talk to my Jenny and make up for past mistakes?  On the other hand, a part of me fears that I will succumb to the darkness and drown in it.  We are close to the pyramid and have a guide that will lead us there.  I guess we'll find out in the next few days.  Will I be able to resist, or will the darkness suck me dry?

 

Professor Arthur Thompson - Journal Entry #2

1921-3-23?

I think it’s the 23^rd, but I don’t know. The past few days have shaken my existence. I don’t know what to believe.

Vampires are real. Vampires are real. I can’t say this too many times, vampires are real. It’s one thing to study the occult, but to know the stories are true? I can’t comprehend the things I’ve seen.

The people De Mendoza hurt, now and over the past few centuries, how many? How many lives hurt? He’s still out there, hunting us. He’s turned others and continues to. At least we have the abdomen test, I hope that continues to work. If their stomach is distended, they are possessed. Putting this to paper sounds crazier than it does in my head. If I don’t make it, and someone else is reading this, please know that I tell the truth. I think I do.

A nice family has taken us in for the night after saving their son. The father has promised to lead us to the pyramid. I can only hope that he isn’t one of them, and we are being led to slaughter or possession. Which is worse? Do the people stay trapped in their bodies, watching the demon do horrible things? Do they die and the creature takes over like a puppet master? Are those people walking corpses? I have to put this out of my mind, or I’ll be sick.

I’ve seen so much, but I must finish this. Maybe we can find the source of the evil and stop it. If not, the demon may follow us to our homes and establish a foothold.

I need a good night’s rest. I hope this is not my last entry.

Ruben's Notes

 

Ruben Marino - Thoughts and Impressions, #1

This was the furthest I've sailed, and its majesty is over the moon. The family sent Silas with me, quite stoic, and always dependable Silas. He's always handy and keeps me in check. We got this dame and a professor who also joined us. Sally's a head doctor and probably wouldn't be an easy mark for my flimflam, and the professor is kinda a daisy, but I'm guessing he doesn't leave the school faculty much. Cards, Backgammon, and getting to know each other made the trip go quicker; the weather couldn't have been any nicer, and that's the way I like my duck soup.

Silas knew the lingo, and that made it easier to get around Lima. I felt like Gulliver towering over these natives dressed in their bright colors as I moved my wallet to the inside pocket of my vest. After picking up various sundries and picking up attire that would make us seem less of a mark, we made our way to the appointed time to meet Mr. Larkin.

I gave Augustus Larkin the ol' up-and-down from the moment we entered the hotel and knew he was into dope. I'm pretty sure Sally caught wind of what I was thinking, smart gal. The other two at the table were introduced. To Gus's left was a swarthy gentleman with a fancy sword by the name of Mendosa. The fellow opposite was Jackson Elias, who was clutching his pipe with white knuckles, nervous and why? As old Gus was coughing into his handkerchief and talking with his hands, I could track marks leaving evidence of his vice. He told us that there were riches in the Pyramids, and any supplies we would need would be compensated. It would be a few days before we would leave, and both he and Mendosa took their leave back to their hotel.

A few moments after Mr. Larkin and Mendosa left, Jackson came clean that was his alias, and he went by Jesse Hughes, an author from the States. We swore that his secret was safe, and he'd done some investigating on Mendosa, who is a real bat cat according to the natives. They claimed he was a vampire, which would be scary if you believed in that sort of malarkey. He was also tied into some kind of cult with what he thought maybe had a dozen members. I wonder if Mendosa got Larkin hooked on Smack and is using his knowledge to try and get the golden treasures from the pyramid...?

From the Journals of Professor Arthur Thompson

Professor Thompson - Journal Entry #1

1921-1-15

Exciting news appeared in the paper today, a pyramid appears to have been discovered in Peru. An expedition is being assembled, I must see if I can secure a place in it.

If true, there is so much we can learn. To think that pyramids might have been built outside of Egypt. Most exciting. I’ll be speaking to the Dean today, I just hope approval can be obtained in time, I know these things take time.

1921-1-17

These yanks are so quick with their decisions, unlike the administrators back home. I am cleared to make the journey. Now to secure a place with the expedition leader. If only the approval had come in sooner in the day; I’ll have to visit the telegraph office tomorrow.

 1921-1-19

Confirmation has been received, and I have secured a place on the team. I also made sure to purchase a train ticket immediately upon receipt of the news. The planning process can now commence. With this happening during the semester, I will need to work with the other professors and the Dean to make accommodations.

 1921-2-27

After a month of preparation, the train trip has commenced. I am in for four days of travel on this leg, followed by approximately two weeks on a ship. My understanding is that I will be spending the sea portion of the trip traveling with a few other expedition members. It will be interesting to learn from them and what their varied fields of expertise are.

 1921-3-3

I am back on solid ground, in the city of San Francisco. I have one day to rest before boarding the ship. I wonder how similar it will be to the journey I made across the pond to teach at Miskatonic University. After being stuck on a train for the past few days, I believe that I will indulge in a nice dinner.

As this was my first trip west of New York, it was fascinating to see much more of this country and how large it truly is.

 1921-3-18

We have arrived in Peru. I forgot just how much I dislike the sea, though I admit that it makes this feel like a proper adventure. I’m not certain if my walking is fully stable at this point, but my hope is that it will be tonight, for we have a meeting with our expedition leader and I want to make a good first impression.

My fellow expedition members that were on the ship are an interesting lot: a few blokes that are probably best described as ruffians, and a former student. Her presence was a true surprise, I did not expect to know anyone that would be on this journey, let alone someone that has been in my classroom. Knowing her area of study, I am slightly worried about what we are expected to experience, or is her mental health knowledge not the reason she is here? I was not able to find an answer on the sea journey, maybe her performance in the field will reveal the answer.