Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(Time is 9 am) 

"I'm afraid all the teleportation circles connected to the Drekthar cities were destroyed within 3 months of the war breaking out.  We have sent small groups of mages to the four major cities of the Drekthar to begin the process of creating permanent circles but as some of you know that process takes a year.  Currently we have mages and the Elanaetas druids working on transporting Drekthar tribe leaders and military officers back to the cities to maintain order and oversee the resettlement process.  In terms of mass teleportation, Daegon was the first to truly create a method.  While we've made great strides with the Aurora it is still limited in its capability.  The Aurora can only hold about 120 individuals outside of its required personnel.  Using it to teleport that small of a group would take weeks to months according to our estimates.  Right now we are accounting for a minimum of 120,000 and maximum of 250,000 Drekthar that need to be returned to their homelands."  He stops and flicks his hand motioning the framed map back over to the table.  It stops about 5 feet away and begins to illuminate in different areas.

"The main issue at hand is where that homeland begins.  This has been a topic of much debate and the dicsussion of territorial lines is a very heated one amongst the leaders of each kingdom.  What they can all agree on at least is that the Drekthar retain their capitol and major cities on Zhora but that their territory lines end 40 miles north from  their capitol of Razzil.  The kingdoms of Eshan and Haemor refuse to budge on this point despite the Drekthar territory previously extending 150 miles north of Razzil before the war began.  All the kingdoms want to remove the Drekthar presence from Telgun altogether so that they are confined to the southern end of Zhora." He pauses a moment to breathe deeply and the look of fatigue on his features become more accentuated. He smiles and releases a sigh continuing slowly.

"Despite these setbacks, we've been able to accomplish much over the last 18 hours due in large part to your successful elimination of Daegon.  Your aid in the destruction of the undead will also save tens of thousands over the next few days.  We've been concentrating on the cities that are currently under siege.  Our mages still stationed in the towers have been scouring the continents searching for Drekthar encampments and found at least 3 camps scattered deep within each kingdom's territory.  Many seem to be somewhat stationary but some are on the move.  Right now all of the distant captured Drekthar are being taken to the nearest port cities to be taken to Norzud on the west coast or Dreth on the east coast.  All captured Drekthar near the front lines will traverse across the land escorted by detachments of soldiers.  That's how the ones we captured today will be taken."    He  pauses to take in the room and look over each of you before adding.  "After we end the current sieges, all the leaders are to meet and deliberate.  They've requested your presence for questioning regarding the destruction of the Black Tower and lack of evidence of Daegon's death.  Some leaders are still quite skeptical and feel this is a facade from Daegon to lower our guard.  Is this something you'd be willing to attend?"

"I'll go..." Mucor would reply with a mouth full of food. "But I am not completley convinced he is gone either... It wasn't like we ever found his body." The Minotaur would say as he wipes his large mouth with the back of his hand. 

Aryn listened intently thinking of possible ways she may be of aid and rolling her eyes as Varian talked of the political issues.  She had dealt with political leaders before and felt that the more power they had the worse they seemed to be.  Some, though were pretty good.  She liked Varian and Inara but didn't view them as political leaders.  "That sounds like they're angry with us.  Are we in trouble?  Didn't we almost just die saving the whole of Eraas?  If Daegon is still out there we would've had a dream by now.  He has a tendency to contact us in our sleep when we screw up his plans... I'd think destroying his tower while he was in it messing up his plans.  I'll go as long as we all get to keep our weapons on us.  I don't trust many of the leaders and authorities of this world.  I trust you... mostly."  she says staring at Varian with eyes squinted slightly then smiles picks up a drink and downs it.

Jinara chimes in after Mucor "being blown up tends to cause distraction" with a gentle smile across his face. Looking at Aryn as she finished, Jinara turns to Varian "Speak truthful with us. Are we suspects in eyes of the leaders? Whether Daegon is dead or alive, having entire nations against us would prove...problematic."

"I just wish I had found even a tooth belonging to Daegon aming the rubble.." Mucor would say with a frown. "Some definite proof to put my mind at ease" The minotaur would add as he looks into his empty tankard.

Gaelin waits for his friends to finish before saying, "Would it help if we could show what it looked like for us?  I know Inara can do this but I'm new to it.  Maybe you could help me Varian."  Then Gaelin will try to use Prestidigitation to create an illusory recreation of the tower's explosion in his hand.  The illusion shows individual images of the black tower that appears then flashes white at the top then explodes and fades to dark then ends with the image of the destroyed tower.  Gaelin repeats the images trying to improve the details but only the few images repeat..

Performance?:   10

"I can't deny that a few of the leaders are not pleased with the unknown outcome.  However, none of them question your effectiveness and impact on the war.  I would say they have doubts is the best word to describe it rather than suspicions or qualms.  I would strongly oppose any formal charges that could be brought against you and defend your case.  More than anything I think they want to know what the hell happened for their own peace of mind. Regardless of whether Daegon is gone or not, the best thing we can do is to strike while he is away.  The more cursed souls we cleanse the smaller his forces grow.  Even if he were to come back now, his forces are already diminished by a third.  This time tomorrow hopefully we can increase that to half."  Varian says before watching Gaelin's display.  "I can be of aid in this and think it act as an excellent intermediary."  He looks over to Aryn and says, "Would you be willing to relinquish some of your weapons.  Not all but some for this meeting.  Many such meetings require certain rules be upheld for everyone's safety.  However, each leader is allowed a single armed guard who's allowed only one sword.  Perhaps you could serve as Gaelin's guard.  I don't think I can convince them to allow your bow even if I can convince them to let you have both of your swords or array of daggers."    

Over the next hour or you continue to communicate with one another while Varian assists Gaelin in honing his arcane skills.

(Gaelin make an Arcana check with advantage.)

"I think i can accommodate that.  I'm used to keeping Gaelin alive as it is.  Torq... can I borrow your light sword... or sword of light.... whatever it is?  I'll give up my Arcsword and bow if I have to but they won't suspect a simple hilt to turn into a sword.  Doubt is reasonable.  I have my own doubts.  How much longer before we reach the next siege?"  Aryn asks growing bored of conversation and tosses Sansa another piece of meat.

"I might be able to use my magic to aid with the demonstration as well." Mucor would add with a snort and a nod to Gaelin. "Just say the word, you know I am always willing to help." Mucor would them turn and look to Varian. "Would I be permitted to bring my staff and shield?.. "

"Of course.  You can keep it if you fancy it.  I don't have much use for it anymore." Torq says pulling out the sword hilt and hands it to Aryn.  "I think we should be able to keep our weapons.  I feel like we each guard one another."  Torq stops to think for a bite as he runs through all the information VArian has given them.  "What about all the cities within Drekthar territory now?  Aren't all those still under his curse?  How will you cleanse them?"  Torq asks.

Arcana :  15

"We should be arriving shortly.  You can probably see the city from the balcony.  Unfortunately Mucor, no shields are allowed in these meetings.  We're still working on that plan but that is the next step after clearing the sieges.  We've cleansed the Drekthar Capitol and have stationed a group of forces there to coordinate with the tribe leaders and officers. Our mages are all trained on how to cast the spell used to break the curse but it is limited to a 20ft radius with each casting.  The Aurora greatly expands that capability but still, it took a great deal of energy to cleanse the entire city.  Torq,  I will vouch for each of you but their rules for weapons are beyond my capability to change.  All I can do is request that the rule be amended to two guards or two weapons, which they will most likely prefer and should allow each of you to have them."  Varian pauses looking at Gaelin's latest attempt.  "Better.  You're making good progress.  By the time we meet with the leaders you should be able to easily portray the events that occurred."  

Another 30 minutes passes in conversation and you can see the city through the windows now.  Columns of smoke rise into the air and you hear Varian say, "Prepare yourselves.  We should reach them in 10 minutes."  You each rush to your griffons feeling a bit rejuvenated from the meal and mount up waiting for the all clear to take off.

(You each regain up to 6 spell level slots [4th + 2nd,  6th,  3rd + 3X 1st, etc] and have completed a short rest.  Will post the battle map later today.)

(OOC: Lol, I was confused and thought we were heading to a meeting and not back into combat :P)

Let's go!

Gaelin will ritual cast Telepathic Bond on the group.

You get the signal to take off and dive towards the battlefield.  Three catapults bombard the small city with flaming barrels and stones. To the south you watch as the hordes of zombies, orcs and ogres collide with the city's defensive army.  Goblins release arrows into the shielded warriors as a bright beam of energy streaks down from the Aurora and impacts the ground sending out a wave of radiant energy.  The orcs, goblins and ogres all collapse to the ground and the battle pauses for a split second before the zombies and soldiers continue their clash.

Lightbringers!  (You have a single held action in addition to your round.)

Map: 

Mucor would immediately cast wall of fire in front of the fallen orcs, directing the heat towards the zombies before landing near the edge of the flames. 

dex 18 or take 21 fire damage, half on success

mucor initiative 16

"The twins and I will take the center, Mucor the west and Torq the east.  Gaelin & Jinara, can you handle the catapults then circle back to assist?"  Aryn says telepathically to the group motioning Calypso towards the center of the zombies as she releases two arrows at the western zombie ogre.  As she makes her way to the center she'll release 2 arrows at the eastern zombie ogre.  (Hoping to reach the zombies north of the red ogre in the middle of the soldiers.)

Attacks:  (west)  1-  17     2-    21       (east)  3-  29     4-    16

Damage:  1-     10     2     2-    10     3     3-     11     3     4-      14     3     

Initiative:  20

"Got it.  I'll go east side if you'll take west Jinara."  Gaelin replies back telepathically to the group.  He and Valeera will move straight east as far as they can.  He'll throw a fireball (3rd) at the barrel cluster north of the center catapult and then a second (4th) at the eastern catapult if he's in range.  If he's not in range he'll throw Eldritch Blast at the scattered orcs away from the catapults.

Fireballs:   20                       33

Eldritch Blast:  Attacks:   15      17      18       Damage:    3    8     10

Initiative:  9

(@Aryn. If i am reading the legend right, the orcs around the catapults are all collapsed on the ground)

Held Action = "Alright buddy, let's protect these catapults" Jinara says to DoomTail as he points due east. Doomtail will fly 80 ft in front of the catapults. While flying, Jinara will cast Mirror Image on himself.

Full Round = DoomTail will fly and [action]Dash[/spell] to run from West to East. While he is flying Jinara would cast Fire Storm send 10 10ft cubes in the center of the zombies starting where Mucor's wall of fire ends. 

DC18 DEX, fail = 46, save = 17