Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

"We've tried that.  The enemy goblins can launch arrow volleys up to 300 ft in the air.  Our attempts to drop flasks on them from above that height resulted 2 confirmed hits out of 60.  Our attempt to fly below 300 ft for better accuracy cost us more than half of our griffons and all but 10 of our griffon riders.  The satchels and flasks that did hit were quickly snuffed out by the orcs and ogres manning the trebuchets."  the loxodon trumpets angrily before calming himself to continue,  "The griffons can only carry two soldiers and 2 satchels of flasks at a time.  We can't afford any more losses to our scouts and the capital has their hands full already keeping the entire front manned.    The only way we can guarantee destroying these things is by killing the orcs and ogres guarding it on the ground first.We've gone over multiple options but were down to two; the covert ops mission or an all out charge across the front line.  We think both can be successful but the covert mission has the highest chance of success and lowest chance of casualties if executed properly."

As the loxodon finishes the distant thump sound can be heard.  A moment passes and another thump.  The colonel raises his head and turns to the entrance of the tent then back to you.  "They've resumed the assault.  Come see for yourselves" motioning you to follow him as he exits the tent.

Jinara rises with the loxodon and asks "Two questions. Are they aiming at a particular area of Riverwood? How long would it take us to fly?"

Gabriel hefts his axe and follows the loxodon, falling in line next to the aasimar. "How long have you been on the front lines?" He inquires.

The loxodon over his shoulder says, "Riverwood? Riverwood is over a hundred miles away but I believe that's where your new comrades came from after saving it from a tribe of orcs that made it behind the lines; gods help us if they could reach that far.  The trebuchets are bombarding us here at the front line."  As you exit the light from the sun is immediately blinding even compared to the relatively well lit tent.  Yours eyes adjust quickly and your vision clears to the sight of the loxodon pointing towards two large plumes of black smoke  that rise into the air just over a mile away.  "You see? ...  They use fire to burn and spread fear.  Soon they'll launch a volley of poisonous barrels that will trap and kill those that are injured as well as the clerics and acolytes who have rushed to their side to give them aid... Bastards.  That's why we've had to setup headquarters so far behind the lines.  They torched 70% of our tents the first week the bombardment started."  The loxodon pauses for a moment taking in the situation at hand. 

"Once you're in the air you'll make two passes over the area from north to south to get an accurate location of the trebuchets before you take one pass over the drop zone to ensure it's clear.  All told the flight will take just under 30 minutes.  You'll have time to speak with the griffon riders soon enough to discuss any adjustments to the plan your group wishes to make."  the lodoxon stands and instructs nearby soldiers to go help at the front while you stare into the warzone.

Jinara asks the colonel "Do you have any magic attack or support under your command outside of the divine and religious? If so, do they have any supplies available?"

The loxodon turns his gaze away from the front and responds, “Unfortunately no, our section of the front was relatively calm until 3 weeks ago when the bombardments started. They almost overran us on the first day but our men held. I’ve requested an army group of battle mages but received a letter from command that all battalions are already being used in other critical areas.”  

"Understood. I vote that we make final preparations and fly."

"Today's as good a day to die as any. " Gabriel observes. He bows his head and offers a prayer to Zorin.

"I am ready if everyone else is" the minotaur would say.

(Sorry all! I have been on a business trip and haven’t had any downtime!)

Zinnaer to the group, “I’m ready. How should we proceed?”

"Well if your so intent on accomplishing the mission tonight head to the quartermaster for whatever you need then meet up with the griffon riders at their camp.  They'll return from their recon mission shortly...  Private!" the loxodon shouts at a nearby soldier.  

"Yes sir?" the human soldier quickly responds hurrying up to the colonel with a salute.

"Take this order *handing the soldier a folded letter* and lead this group to the quartermaster.  When they're done gathering supplies lead them to the griffon camp then report back to me." turning back to the group the loxodon says, "I appreciate your bravery.  We'll discuss compensation and further missions upon your return." and after a quick salute the colonel turns back towards the tent.

"Yes sir" the soldier responds awaiting the group to follow him.

Mucor will nod towards loxodon and follow the men to get equipment.

During all of the deliberation Yera had been standing still not saying a word to anyone else, a look of quiet consternation on her face. When their contingent is ready to move, she moves with them.

Gabriel has all he requires in terms of equipment, but he follows the man to the quartermaster and waits patiently while his companions gear up.

Jinara walks a few paces behind the group, but close enough to hear when anyone talked at a normal level. His position is at an angle to see as much facial expressions of the group as he can see while remaining behind. He takes in as much visual detail that that he can on the walk to the quartermaster. (I would like to make 2 observations as a part of this description. #1 is personnel in the area and their emotions from what he can see. #2 the topography, specifically trees nearby, any rocks/boulder nearby, how far I can see. Let me know what kind of rolls you want, if any.)

(BTW Thanks for allowing me to play with you all! I love the level of detail this campaign thus far. The theater of the mind really stands out for me! Can't wait for story to progress!)

(Insight and Perception check)

(Insight=19, Perception=11)

A second duo of explosions shake the ground as you turn to leave the colonel.  As you follow the soldier to the quartermaster you pass by one of the triage tents.  This 20' x 20' tent of cots appears about half full.  Most of the soldiers sit upright with bandages around their torso or head.  Some lie on their cot with bandaged legs and arms.  You assume this is the non-critical injury triage tent.  

Jinara- the faces of most of the soldiers depicts a solemn mood.  The medics appear to be haggard and stressed, probably from being overworked due to the recent bombardments. It appears the soldiers who have been here are weary while the fresh new soldiers briskly walk towards danger in search of glory.

As you make your way you take in your surroundings.  You are walking through a fully functioning command hub in the middle of the barren desert in the south.  Sparse vegetation and rocks are scattered about the rusty brown colored dirt.  Distant mountain chains and large outcrops of cliffs can be seen in the distance.  To the southeast you can make out the large rocky cliff that you assume is your drop location.  The heat from the sun causes the ground to appear as if made from waves as your look further out.  Only the plumes of smoke give you enough of a contrast against the featureless landscape to see the difference in ranges.  

Reaching the quartermaster, you find a bustling cluster of tents with crates stacked to the top of the supports in neat lines to allow for easy movement between them.  Pairs of soldiers walk carrying boxes of supplies along the pathways.  As you make your way to the U shaped entrance two guard soldiers step to meet you and ask your business with the quartermaster.  The soldier guiding you shows the letter to the guards and they let you pass.  Walking under the partial cover of the tents you cut to the right and find a table with a map of the command hub as well as a map of the supply tent.  A partially balding, small male gnome with greyish blue eyes and grey mutton chops hops up on a smaller crate behind the table and says, "Where's the orders?"  Your guide promptly hands the gnome the letter from colonel Stoneheart which the gnome snatches quickly from the soldier's grasp examining it. The gnome peeks his head over the letter to get a glance of each of the party before burying his head back into the letter.  Pocketing the letter a few moments later the gnome hops to the ground and says in a chirpy high pitched voice, "Alright, let me know what you want and I'll have my boys grab it for ya. Also, you will need this."  The gnome walks over to a large open crate near the corner of his table hops into it and retrieves his desired item. Hoping out of the crate he quickly tosses a large leather satchel towards the group. *Bag of Holding* "It'll hold up to 500 lbs of equipment, *pausing for a moment to look at Mucor* but by the looks of it you are already familiar with em.  Orders say you can have one and if you make it back alive you can keep it."

(Basically anything in the player's handbook is available with the exception of bombs or gunpowder related items)

Gabriel accepts the Bag of Holding and begins stuffing it with oil and alchemists fire. 

5 cases of Alchemist fire and 5 cases of oil are brought to you.  Each case weights 40 lbs and holds 32 flasks.