Zarko Zapspark
Stage Performer
Con Artist
The self-styled 'Magnificent' Zarko is a gnome hedge wizard, stage magician, and petty criminal. Expelled from the College of Elbion for conduct unbecoming, his need for alternative sources of arcane knowledge has propelled him back into a life of travel, performance, and occasional adventure. The young illusionist has been known to hire his services out as a magical freelancer, but so long as there is the potential for rewards along the way he might take a gamble and offer his help free of charge under the guise of altruism.
Appearance
Diminutive by human or elf standards Zarko is shorter than a dwarf at a little over three feet in height, only slightly taller than halflings who he is often mistaken for. The pointed ears and exotic features distinguish him from other little folk. His beard would be almost dwarven if it weren't so meticulously groomed.
He prefers tunics in the latest trends spun from high quality fabrics over utilitarian robes, in his everyday life he resembles an urban socialite far more than a maester. During performances however he dons an ebonsilk cowl and high hat to complement his ensemble.
He prefers tunics in the latest trends spun from high quality fabrics over utilitarian robes, in his everyday life he resembles an urban socialite far more than a maester. During performances however he dons an ebonsilk cowl and high hat to complement his ensemble.
Skills and Abilities
Zarko's reputation as a master magician is severely overstated, but he knows enough feats of prestidigitation and minor illusion to fool most backwater hamlets and remote city taverns into thinking otherwise. Having managed to glean only a few truly practical offensive spells from the Foard Maesters, as a battle mage his arsenal is limited. Incandescent sparks of destructive azure missiles, magic in nature, make up his primary repertoire. Although typically reserved for his stage act, he is also capable of producing a great gout of flame at close range.
In matters mundane, Zarko is both an avid gambler and an aficionado of all things fine culture. A gifted albeit troubled student, the gnome retains his sharp mind and hones those faculties on whatever tomes and ancient scrolls he might happen across in his travels.
In matters mundane, Zarko is both an avid gambler and an aficionado of all things fine culture. A gifted albeit troubled student, the gnome retains his sharp mind and hones those faculties on whatever tomes and ancient scrolls he might happen across in his travels.
Personality
Both optimistic and narcissistic to a fault, the gnome nevertheless oozes self assured charm. Zarko is not cruel, but a troubling lack of moral character resulted in his exile from the College at Elbion and current less than legitimate affairs. On the quest for great fortune he has few qualms about getting his hands dirty. He is no killer, but has eviscerated many a pocketbook.
As gnomes are considered outsiders by most Zarko lacks many racial prejudices, viewing all with an equal measure of healthy distrust and paranoia. Typical for his kind he is an accomplished tinkerer, incorporating simple hand fashioned gadgets and machinery into his act. He is not cowardly, but is also unlikely to risk his own life in the name of some higher cause.
As gnomes are considered outsiders by most Zarko lacks many racial prejudices, viewing all with an equal measure of healthy distrust and paranoia. Typical for his kind he is an accomplished tinkerer, incorporating simple hand fashioned gadgets and machinery into his act. He is not cowardly, but is also unlikely to risk his own life in the name of some higher cause.
Biography & Lore
Zarko Zapspark was born in Belgrath and raised by a nomadic community of tinker gnomes. Commonly thought of as a woodland race, there are some who have adapted to a 'settled' urban life style on the fringes of civilization. Taking on many characteristics more similar to dwarves than elves, the young gnome's people are known as prodigious inventors and craftsman with a keen eye for detail.
He spent his early years as part of one such caravan group which made a living plying their trade from township to township as tinkers, traders, and bards. From a young age Zarko was an imaginative and captivating story teller. When a passing wizard recognized his charm as magical in nature his family arranged for him to be assessed by the College of Elbion.
Upon Zarko's sixteenth summer it was determined that he was eligible to attempt the potentiate trials which would determine if he was worthy to study under the Foard of Maesters. Passing some by the slimmest of margins, he was nevertheless initiated into the lowest mysteries of the arcane arts. It was the beginning of the end of his hopes for legitimate magical greatness.
The gnome lasted only a handful of years as a middling student of the Foard before he was brought up on disciplinary charges and expelled from the College entirely. Though he proclaims his innocence to this day, an abundance of evidence to the contrary implicates him in attempting to scry the answers of an examination as well as pilfering alchemical supplies from the school stores.
After wallowing for some time in various Elbion taverns it was the bustling city's nightlife that inspired his decision to take what little he had learned from the Maesters and turn it into a stage act that could bring the joy of magic to people throughout Arethil. Perhaps even making the gnome rich in the process or, at the very least, keeping him fed. Early investments met with mixed results and eventually Zarko found himself in debt with the wrong kind of people.
By now his act is refined enough that his performances make a meager profit however the majority of his earnings come from his obligation to serve as a magical consultant for the Red Guild of Cortos. On rare occasions he is even called upon to disable arcane wards protecting stolen goods and design custom tools for a particular crime.
He spent his early years as part of one such caravan group which made a living plying their trade from township to township as tinkers, traders, and bards. From a young age Zarko was an imaginative and captivating story teller. When a passing wizard recognized his charm as magical in nature his family arranged for him to be assessed by the College of Elbion.
Upon Zarko's sixteenth summer it was determined that he was eligible to attempt the potentiate trials which would determine if he was worthy to study under the Foard of Maesters. Passing some by the slimmest of margins, he was nevertheless initiated into the lowest mysteries of the arcane arts. It was the beginning of the end of his hopes for legitimate magical greatness.
The gnome lasted only a handful of years as a middling student of the Foard before he was brought up on disciplinary charges and expelled from the College entirely. Though he proclaims his innocence to this day, an abundance of evidence to the contrary implicates him in attempting to scry the answers of an examination as well as pilfering alchemical supplies from the school stores.
After wallowing for some time in various Elbion taverns it was the bustling city's nightlife that inspired his decision to take what little he had learned from the Maesters and turn it into a stage act that could bring the joy of magic to people throughout Arethil. Perhaps even making the gnome rich in the process or, at the very least, keeping him fed. Early investments met with mixed results and eventually Zarko found himself in debt with the wrong kind of people.
By now his act is refined enough that his performances make a meager profit however the majority of his earnings come from his obligation to serve as a magical consultant for the Red Guild of Cortos. On rare occasions he is even called upon to disable arcane wards protecting stolen goods and design custom tools for a particular crime.
