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The battle at the saw mill rages on as Danta rejoins the fight! The third necromancer rushed out of the building with a small army of Ghasts, more ghouls continued their attack and the necromancers began using powerful spells such as cloudkill and blight. Despite using shield, the first necromancer dropped to a devastating flurry of hits from Panics summoned fire spirit and Pinks axe.
One of the buildings entrances became bottlenecked by a Wall of Fire cast by Panic, while the other a combination of Morrigans Spirit Guardians and Zelem's Frozen Razors. Eventually the second and third necromancers fell despite their best efforts, and the remaining undead cast down, despite the tough battle the party was victorious!
The necromancers were saved from death, and unfortunately knew or revealed little, but it was learned they were from the Song and Sorrow Traveling Shadow show on behalf of none-other than Gilean Vel himself. They had received boons or powers from the dark God Orcus, and were kidnapping people using the ghouls paralysis and transporting them to the circus. From here they were uncertain what ultimate fate would befall them as Gilean kept the final destination secret, but the necromancers only cared to serve their dark master.
Finally the group descended into the cellar to find a grizzley sight. Piles of bodies lie stacked upon each other, paralyzed by the ghouls touch. After giving them some time, eventually they began to come to. Morrigans cousin Leon was grateful to be rescued, but none of the captives had any particular tie to the necromancers other than they were captured by circumstance. Another individual by the name of Estabon proudly introduced himself. He believed the party was destined for great things, and offered his sword Gilwyr to Morrigan to aid her on the way. It could change into any item or weapon, and would be a great replacement for her non-magical scythe. After giving his thanks, he departed and began to sing a strange tune that echoed throughout the cavern.

Darkness Spills across the land
Evil whispers close at hand
At its heart a shadow stalks
She sings from heaven of a curse
A lover dead, a daughter worse
For a child to be whole
A thousand souls and more he stole
Engines from the darkest dreams
Tear the sky and rend the seams
Wheels and cogs that will not slow
Sundered by the lightest blow
When the sword has failed to win
Change the will and try again
With earnest heart, appeal above
The Muse may send her gift of love
Either miracle is done
Halt the doom or heal the one
When our life, our self is lost
When we learn to count the cost
Love will then transform and reign
And free us from a life of pain

The meaning of this was uncertain, so the group took note of it and began to help the poor captives. Eventually they made their way back to Gleamshore and the twins would help them return to their homes and families. Knowing that Gilean and the Shadow Show lie at the heart of the evil manifested here, the group set off to Saltmarsh to see What Evil Lurks within the mysterious circus.
Upon arrival the group paid for the entry and began to explore the strange show. Setting off to the right, the group got food and played a few of the games while keeping an eye out. Archery, a dunk tank, numerous shows, and a stage band provided much entertainment despite the circus's evil owner. Further up, the group got to see the Perplexing People of Plentiful Peculiarities. The first room had a warforged man named Sentinel. A second had an awakened undead named Tim, followed by a tabaxi named Veil. A weird little fey creature named Sylphie teleported around and played with the party, and hte final room had a centaur who gave them a brief ride across a mock plains. Further up, a friendly game of darts was had, followed by Zelem cheating at bullriding but creating an illusion to pretend it was him doing it.
Since the circus was not going anywhere for awhile, the group decided to play it safe while they got some magical tattoos from the drow Tilly. It took multiple days for all the tattoos to finish, but their bonus's would be a great help in the coming fights.
With those finished, it was time to see the remainder of the shows and the acts, and find out what nefarious things could be found at the circus and the location of Gilean Vel.

Important Characters

Morrigan Oweland - Morrigan is a noble from the town of Saltmarsh. She serves the dark goddess Hecate who has transformed her servant into a fearsome creature of darkness, a unique form of Vampire. Upon return to Saltmarsh she has now reclaimed her position and is one of only two noble families in charge of the port city. Morrigan has formed the Akadian Pact and an alliance of towns in the Plains of Mayfurrow.

Zelem - Tiefling, conman and swindler. He has numerous alter-egos and a strange dark patron. Recently a mysterious tortle has given him a quest to find a powerful artifact, which seems to have been taken by a Priest of Muir. After his disguise was outed, he is now a famed hero of Saltmarsh and revered by the guard, much to his dismay. He has spent much time and money in turning the former town of kennmouth (now, Fortune's Crossing) into a haven for his criminal enterprises.

Panic - A tiefling more like a moth than a devil, the charming Druid joined the group in an effort to save her beloved from a terrible affliction. She is weary about some of her new companions, but hopes that together they can help her. She was recently expelled from Brighthallow, but has learned that Embers terrible affliction might be cured through the mysterious Gilean Vel, who is somehow beholden to the Vel family curse.

Ruven - A trusty half-elf that has worked with Zelem in the past, after her adventures with the Snake God in the south she has ventured to the north with her friend Panic in an effort to aid her on her quest. She seems distrustful of the significantly more evil companions Zelem has found himself in the company of, but has reluctantly continued to journey with them. Upon return to Saltmarsh she has taken up the role of Spymaster and seeks to further the parties goals by learning as much as she can of the nearby regions.

Pink - After exacting revenge on her mutinous crew, she has reclaimed her title as Captain of the Lady Matilda and is now Pirate Lord of the Pinnacle of Freedom Isles. With the assassinations from the Stoneheart Company she has continued on to conquer the remaining ports, and rallied them to her side. She has now returned to Saltmarsh to aid her companions in their endeavors.

Danta - The Half-elf Bard has aided the Owelands in the past and is a friend of Morrigan. Having met an untimely death in the mysterious caves now controlled by Hector, the party has managed to resurrect their old friend who know has joined them on their adventures. He has taken to personally leading the task of forming an entertainment district in Saltmarsh.

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Estabon Sancho - Poet and Knight Errant, this mysterious man was found the sawmill and offered up his magical weapon to Morrigan. He then sang a haunting poem as he departed.