Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

Jinara will whip another Fireball at the SW (Fail = 25 + 5 = 30, Success = 12 + 5 = 17). Anticipating this blast be the finisher, he commands DoomTail to about face and we collect the immovable rod. Once collected, DoomTail Dash and Dodge and fly NE towards Torq and Aryn.

(Summary)

Jinara

Action = Fireball

Haste = Collect immovable rod

DoomTail

Action = Dodge

Movement = 160 ft to pick up the immovable rod, then NE

Haste = Dash 160 ft NE

Gaelin and Jinara's fireballs snap the masts of the two ships as if they were toothpicks.  The burning wreckage falls onto the ships crushing 62 orcs and goblins.  Each of them makes their way northeast, Jinara pausing to pickup the other immovable rod.  They both pass over Aryn who dangles from Calypso's talons and reaches the rod just as a wave smacks into her face.  She successfully retrieves the rod and makes her way north and high into the sky getting a good view of the destruction.

Torq struggles but just barely manages to lift off a chunk of the mast that fell on him.  He flies up into the air meeting Night Dream half way before pausing to catch his breath on the griffon's back as Jinara and Gaelin reach him.  To the west, Mucor summons a line of flame that crackles and burns down the entire length of the ship centered on the masts.  The flames scorch the wood and cloth before they finally succumb to the damage and collapse under their own weight.  

(End of Combat)

You all regroup high in the sky out of the enemy's range and look over the dismantled armada. You hear Varian's voice in your mind, "That won't be necessary.  We've made arrangements."  You wonder what arrangements mean before your vision is suddenly drawn to a large portal that appears in the sky 300 feet to the south.  Emerging from the portal is a ship that seems to be flying.  It has a single short mast with blue sails that bear the symbol of seven towers fanned out in a half circle embroidered in gold and flat wings that protrude from each side.  Centered in each wing is a large pink crystal and protruding behind the stern is a similar pink crystal.  You make your way up to the hovering airship and land on it's wide deck.  You see a plethora of ballistas, soldiers and mages who each man a post while looking over the carnage below.  You see Varian standing in a doorway to the captain's quarters and he motions you to enter.  You follow through and enter a large elaborately decorated room with various alchemical and magical items organized in different nooks.  You see Varian standing out on a private deck that overlooks the ocean and he looks down with a grin and you hear his voice in your head.  "You've done well. I see the spheres and rods came in quite handy."  he pauses as you get closer and speaks from audibly, "This is the Aurora.  The first and only ship of her kind.  She took 5 years to build but she's the future and hope of Eraas.  She is our best kept secret and we must keep it that way.  Do any of you require aid?" 

Jinara says with a bit of scruff in his voice "I could use a touch of healing." He looks around the room to take as much detail of the items in this room. He looks for any reason why all of these magical items are kept on this ship and not in the secure towers back in Traes (I think?). "This is wondrous. Why is this our great hope?"

"As could I and our mounts as well. " Aryn says gripping her shoulder.  She looks around the room and then down onto the horde.  "So what about the ones that are still floating?  Can't some of them escape before your other ships show up?"

You watch Varian send a message to an unseen recipient and very quickly a few priests enter the room and begin healing the various wounds of the party until you are all returned to full health.  "A group has also been sent to heal your mounts. This ship, or rather the three crystals that help keep the ship aloft are incredibly powerful.  They are innately magical but have the ability to amplify magic, inversely similar to adamantine's ability to dampen magic.  Using these crystals we are able to take a single spell and amplify its power exponentially.  Observe."  Varian says as the ship turns and begins to pass directly over the ships.  You see a familiar red bead of energy glowing in Varian's hand and holds up his hand towards the crystal.  The bead of energy disappears and the pink crystal begins to pulse with energy.  Its color changes slightly to a slightly darker hue before it flashes and you see a 5 foot wide sphere of fiery energy streak down towards the eastern cluster of ships.  The sphere impacts the water and immediately erupts into an explosion of fire that consumes everything in a 100 foot radius.   As the flames and smoke dissipate only 3 capsized ships and charred floating wreckage remain of the 6 ships that once inhabited the area.  A half second passes before a thunderous crack hits your ears followed by an intense wave of hot air.  The ship seems lurch up and you feel your stomach jump into your chest before it settles. 

Varian smiles, "With this power we stand a chance of turning the tide of the war.  However, before we can use this weapon in the field we will need your help and the help of others by killing Daegon.  Should he be successful in resurrecting Vaeril I don't know if we would be able to stop him a second time, even with this ship's capabilities."

Map for reference: 

Gaelin looks down at the obliterated ships and stares in awe and in fear of the amazing power of this weapon.  "Where did you find these crystals and what are they?  Is there a limit to their power?  How do you control them?  Is that how you managed to teleport a whole ship?  What do you even need us for?  Why can't you just turn Daegon to dust?"  Gaelin says quickly ending each question with another his mind still trying to reconcile what he just witnessed. 

Torq watches with joy the eradication of the horde.  While he had always been proud of his natural strength and felt magic, while useful to others was useless to him, actually found himself wanting the ability to use magic for the first time.  "This is incredible.  Why can't this be used in the field?  Can you imagine the impact on the moral of our troops? Do you know how many lives we could save?"  Torq says narrowing his eyes, half knowing the answer himself but wanting to hear the justification Varian comes up with.

Varian nods raising a hand as questions are hurled at him.  "I understand, but you all must understand this is the first successful application in the field.  We waited for a moment, a perfect moment where we could guarantee no drekthar survivors to report the power of the Aurora.  You must also understand that until 3 years ago we thought the project was a lost cause until we were able to uncover these three large crystals.  We'd discovered Alexandrite over a hundred years ago, however, the largest crystals we had found were under an inch in size.  We've been working with the dwarves to dig deeper when they discovered a hollowed out cave formation with large crystal structures contained within.  It took a year to extract these three and shape them with adamantine tools.  The last two years have been spent researching, testing and building the Aurora.  It's cost us hundreds of lives to create a method to utilize this ship successfully including Alexander Zadiem, the one who discovered the element and who we decided to name the element after." (History check for anyone who wants to)

"We are still learning but these crystals do have limits.  Currently they can only sustain 20 levels of spells each day.  We don't control them.  We have spent countless hours training to understand the effects each spell has.  For example, a common fireball has its range, radius and damage enhanced by a figure of roughly 5 times.  Other spells each react in different ways.  We nearly killed ourselves and destroyed the ship and crystals the first time we attempted to teleport.  Luckily, we survived and were able to make... improvements.  We need you and others like the Elanaetas to continue to slow Daegon's process and hopefully soon kill him.  We are devising a plan on using the power of these crystals to mass dispel while mass restoring to remove the tattoos without exterminating entire races.  This weapon in the wrong hands has the capability to commit mass genocide on a scale that would rival Vaeril's.  Can you image the consequences should Daegon learn of it and take control of it?   That is why there is the need for secrecy.  That is why the Aurora has not been used in the field.  However, those spheres contain Alexandrite dust.  That is what allows them to be so potent, but the nature of the element in dust form makes it brittle and unable to absorb too much magic.  It also spontaneously combusts once expended leaving no trace behind.  That is why we've been working on testing them in the field."  Varian responds looking over the edge to see the position of the Aurora over the remaining horde.  He pauses a moment before another glowing bead appears in his hand and you watch a similar large sphere of energy be released by the crystal followed by the crack and heat wave as the southern section of the armada is wiped out.  

"While confusing as this may be, there are still those who know much more than yourselves.  If it were simple to track and destroy Daegon, the seven would've done it already.  However, once any wizard or sorcerer reaches a level of skill , it becomes near impossible to scry on them or track their movements due to teleportation and planar travel.  It is more beneficial to the populace of Eraas for the Seven to research and maintain harmony being the planes.  A group such as yourselves can accomplish much if given aid and knowledge.  Just like in the grove you were a capable group but lacking in skill and power for some things.  With augmentation from items you became capable of much more.  I am here to extend a similar token of appreciation for your aid on Zhora so far and official welcome to the Seven as part of your vow."  Varian pauses as he waves his hands and various items congregate to the table. 

(To be continued.)

Two necklaces, a ring, wand, two small books and an axe float over to the table and rest.

Varian looks to Jinara and Mucor, the two amulets with a single large amethyst crystal centered in them lift into the air. "For those who have much but are lacking the stamina to maintain spells in your mind, I offer these amulets."  

He turns to Gaelin as the thin books and wand stack themselves in front of him and says, "For the man who is an artisan of all but a master of none.  I offer you a healing tome and damaging tome that will add to your abilities in combat as well as a wand I think you'll find both helpful and fun.  Do be mindful of where you point it.  It's capabilities are endless."  

Varian smiles as he looks at Aryn gently placing the ring on her finger, "To the most well rounded and capable, I offer you this ring with the ability to unlock your inner potential."  

As Varian turns to Torq the axe hovers in the air and arcs of lightning dance around the weapon and seem to intensify as it gets closer to Torq.  "For the Lone wolf I offer you the twin of your hammer.  Like your hammer you are powerful by yourself, but together with your group and with its twin you will be so much more."   

"With these items and coordination you should be able to conquer Daegon.  Do not underestimate his abilities or grow arrogant of your new power.  He is a cunning man and will drive a wedge between you if he can."  

"So does it amplify any spell cast near the crystals?" Mucor would ask as he scratches the top of his head, causing a few spores to fall to the ground around him.

(OOC: Missed your other post) 

Mucor would take the amulet and work it over his horns and around he neck. "Thank you very much for this" he would say with a nod. 

Aryn would allow Varian's gesture but only because she thought it was a powerful item, and boy was she right!  Looking over to Mucor she sighs and says, "No, wait Mucor... there's a latch... ughhh forget it." as she watches him contort his body to fit the amulet over his horned head.  She clears her throat and looks back to Varian, "Thank you.  Please excuse him... he's actually quite useful."

(Never change Mucor!  Your character makes me laugh so hard sometimes.  Also... thank you xtra!  This thing looks awesome.)

"Yes, but you must be quite close.  Do be careful though.  Over extending crystals of this size releases an energy blast equivalent to 20 of the augmented fireballs at once." Varian says cringing out a smile as he watches Mucor struggle with the amulet before turning to Aryn with a smile and bow.  'You're quite welcome.  I trust you shall all put them to good use." 

"What if... I were to cast something else... something like... [Tooltip Not Found] on myself? Or.. perhaps something such as Enhance Ability... " Mucor would ask as he rubbed the hair under his chin "... or... something like awaken... could I perhaps... raise an entire army of giant oak trees to fight for our cause?"

Gaelin looks over to Aryn as Mucor continues to talk and slowly picks up his new items and puts them in his bag.  Then telepathically to Aryn, "Do you think Varian would take back our items or just Mucor's if he keeps asking questions?"

(OOC: Mucor is pretty wise but not real smart.... soo... ya know...)

Torq admires the craftsmanship of the axe and grabs the handle.  He stands and gives it a swing testing out the balance and decides he likes it. “Thank you. I will try to learn and grow as you say.” Torq says with a bow. 

(Sweet!)

Varian stares at Mucor with the look of a loving mother who's just finished a long shift at work.  "We've tried, sometimes they worked, other times people died.  How about we just leave the shiny pink crystal alone and let us handle it.  There are limits to it's power so the testing has been restricted to account for those things to avoid the giant explosion of energy I mentioned previously."  

"Phew, that was close." Aryn responds to Gaelin. 

 Jinara says in elvish "Many thanks. This will of great benefit in the days to come."

Mucor would sigh disappointingly and look to the others.