Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

((Rip, dearly beloved Fyra the raven

Seeing as her senses were still tethered to that of the ravens, she was completely oblivious to the arrival of Captain Allema, being both blind and deaf to her arrival. Being unaware as she was, she didn't even consider polite introductions, instead rattling off what she could see. "Alright, so it seems like their trebuchet ammunition is poison barrels. Poor Fyra didn't stand a chance. The griffon riders have control to the south. The trebuchets are wood aside from the joints and little decorational bits. I can see two of them, we'll want to check if the griffon rider's saw more outside my mile range. There are four ogres and a dozen or so orcs at the northern trebuchet, and the other has three ogres and fifteen orcs. Handful of goblins on the ramparts, some sharp sticks to keep people back, and it looks like there's a caravan of orcs and ogres heading away from the battlefield. Lot of zombified monsters on the main battlefield, hopefully we won't have to deal with those since we're apparently cutting to the back lines." She would call one of the ravens back to her.

She would have the other two ravens meet up. One would land beneath one of the palisades and use it's unusual cry (Raven Mimicry ability, nearby creatures must beat a Wisdom DC of 10 or be fooled) to imitate the sound of a wailing human baby. The other crow would continue circling above so she could see how the orcs and ogres would react, and if this would be a viable distraction method.

When the first raven returned to her, it would blink in surprise—Jubilant's eyes were still glassy and unblinking, though a visible blush came to her cheeks. "Oh, we arrived? Jaklar! Excuse my rudeness, Captain," she said, bowing her head as her cheeks glowed with embarrassment. The crown on her shoulder hopped slightly to stay upright as she bent over. "I was doing a bit of scouting of my own and got... distracted."

Gabriel inclines his head to the captain. "Our lives are yours to dispose of. " He remarks dryly. He closes his eyes and mutters an incantation, and for a moment he glows with an eerie pale green light. When he opens his eyes they glow with the same light. (Gabriel casts False Life on himself using a 1st level spell slot for 8 HP. If we are not leaving yet then ignore this until we are.)

Mucor is ready to go!

Mucor would reply to the soldier. "I think we are going tonight! The sooner we get this job done the more lives we save" the minotaur would say with a grin before turning to the teifling "Yeah Gabriel is always like that.. he is nice but a little gloomy. He does seem to get much happier when slaying orcs and undead though so he should cheer up a bit once we reach our destination" Mucor would say with a grin.

Quote from Wreckzors>>

He does seem to get much happier when slaying orcs and undead though so he should cheer up a bit once we reach our destination" Mucor would say with a grin.

(XD)

(it is funny because it is true :D)

Zinmaer had been traveling in the middle of the group as we made our way to the northern part of the camp. The griffons flying above capture his eye and his face show pure amazement, but only for an instant. Once the Captain approaches he shakes her hand which he notices to be a firm grip.

"Pleased to meet you. The name is Zinmaer. We are willing to do whatever it takes. What do you think would be the best way to get to the back lines?"

Before Gabriel response to the captain, Jinara says in celestial "You will know more in due time, my friend. I feel we are destined for many more conversations in the future!" Jinara then turns attention to the captain and awaits for the strategy of entry.

"Greetings captain" Yera says to Ailema while saluting, "If I may ask, are the identities of the Drekthar commanders known?"

“Tonight? Works for us. Well met everyone. I appreciate your trust in us to get you down and out.”  

Motioning to follow she walks through the camp while talking.

We’ll be flying out at midnight using the dark as our ally to cover us.  We haven’t seen any troops near the landing zone over the last 3 days so we should be able to make a quick and quiet landing. Once your there we’ll head back while two other track your progress from the skies.  Once the second trebuchet is destroyed our scouts in the skies will report to us and we will rendezvous at the landing zone.”

As you make your way to a tent near the back of the camp area you see a table with a large map similar to the one from the colonel’s debriefing. Ailema stops behind the table and looks up at Yera.

“The commander for this section of the front is known as Orug the cruel. He’s a brute of an Orc as ironic as that sounds. Makes the zombies look sane. He likes to scalp his oppponents and eat their brains. Sometimes even while they’re still alive. Not much else is known about their hierarchy other than the local commanders. 

(Phone stinks at bolding)

(Gabriel delays his casting of False Life for a more opportune time.)

(Figured no worries)

Jubilant: 

the raven mimics the cry of an infant. Immediately the goblins and orcs halt all action and move in the direction of the sound. As the orcs move towards the sound you can see that at least half of the orcs are zombies who unable to find the source of the noise aimlessly wander about before an Orc barks an order and they resume moving barrels and loading the trebuchet.  Two goblins hop down from the ramparts and search for the source of the noise (I assume it flew away). Unable to find it they scan the horizon and stay alert for about 10 minutes before returning to a relaxed stance. 

She chuckled at Mucor's comment. "Looking forward to seeing him—and all of you—in action." Watching the enemy's reaction, she nodded. Interesting. She would call one of the ravens back to her and leave the other circling the trebuchets, already brainstorming various ways of causing a distraction before they land. "Well," she said, raising an eyebrow. "This Orug fellow sounds like a right barrel of laughs. Sounds like he'll be fun to tangle with. Any weak points you've noticed? And the poison barrels they've been launching, do they appear flammable?"

"They're quick to react but not too bright or creative in terms of tactics.  We've definitely got the advantage in intelligence but they've just been using their vast numbers to overwhelm us.  The poison gas isn't flammable but the barrels of oil and pitch are.  They seems to rotate between the two types every three or four shots."  Ailema responds. 

The next three hours pass going over a brief plan and getting you ready to fly.  Each of you is fitted with a loose harness that is tightened to your forms and assigned a griffon. The beasts feel soft but powerful.  Their wings unfurl and wriggle as they adjust to your weight.   You mount your griffons and take a few short flights practicing your take off, landing, mounting and dismounting.  The exhilaration of flying gives you a distinct feeling of peace until the distant thumps and explosions remind you of your location and mission.  As the sun fades and darkness falls on the front.  The landscape beyond the front is shroud in complete darkness.  Only a few small glimmers of light can be seen far in the distance.  A stream of fire flies through the air and slams into the ground exploding into a fireball before dissipating into a small flickering fire. 

As midnight approaches you make your final preparations and mount your griffons. At the front of the formation sits Ailema who is facing the rest of the formation.  "Remember your training.  Stay calm and listen to your handlers and we'll make sure we hold up our end of the mission.  Our scouts report no change in the enemy movement.  The caravan should be finishing up with the second trebuchet now.  Once we finish our scouting run the caravan should be a couple miles away.  Once you're on the ground, give em hell.  Make sure these bastards pay for what they've done.  We'll be watching from above and will pick you up as soon as we can..." Ailema pauses looking up into the dark sky then to the east towards their target. "Time for battle, time for glory, time for hope." and with a swift flick of her wrist the onyx black griffon spins around and takes 4 lunging steps forward as its wings flap vigorously.  The shape of Ailema appears to float into the air as the black feathers of the griffon blend into the sky, only visible as a moving shadow that momentarily blocks the light from the stars.   Each of your griffon riders follow suit and take flight.  The earliest groups circle around waiting for all to be in the air before finally coming into formation and heading east to the front.  

You pass over your own front lines small fires burn in craters.  You see a few small campfires with soldiers huddled around to stay comfortable in the cool desert air.  You assume you pass over the enemy line that is barely distinguishable from the writhing horde that make the front appear like clusters of wiggling worms.  You pass over your landing zone as one griffon rider banks away and circles the spot.  Turning north you pass over the first and second trebuchet.  Only a few torches lighting the palisade and area near the barrels give you a glimpse of the enemy troops.  To the west the lights of command make it look like a small city in the distance.  To the east you see two lights from the caravan as it moves away in the distance.  You complete your second pass and head back towards your landing zone.  Successfully landing, each of you dismounts and bids farewell to the griffon riders.  They disappear into the darkness moments later leaving you alone thousands of feet behind enemy lines.

Updated map: (X marks your approximate location)

"Time for battle, time for glory, time for hope." 

 "Time to say your prayers."  Gabriel adds under his breath. Then they are off. Gabriel's aasimar blood rejoices in the freedom of the open sky, and for a brief moment his grim countenance is softened. Then they drop behind enemy lines, and Gabriel the Sin Reaper returns. 

"We'll get as close as possible before revealing ourselves. Mucor, Jubilant, would you care to handle the alchemists fire? We'll cover for you. " He whispers.

"Yeah, I got plenty of of flasks" Mucor will say with a snort. Once in the air, the minotaurs eyes will go wide and he will let out a small "whheeeee" as they soar through the air. 

((Are we each on a griffon controlling it's flight path, or is there a soldier flying the griffon and we are just a passenger?) EDIT - I answered my own question. sorry)

Jinara will speak to his griffon in all of his known languages and attempt to connect with majestic creature during the flight. He says multiple times "My friend, I pray to your majesty and wonder. I ask you to join me in glory. Be my companion in this mission. Be my eyes and my ears. I will protect you to the best of my ability and together we will be victorious." Each time Jinara says this, he prestidigitates the smell of meat (goat, horse, or boar were the first ones that came to my mind while writing this) at the nose of the griffon. (I am not sure how you want to handle this one, but I am attempting to persuade an animal like 5 different times.)

Make 2 persuasion checks, one with advantage.

25 & 13