Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

Quote from Xtracrispy07 >>

(No, you basically have the day to do whatever you want, ask questions, see how Esterlin, Castle Daybreak, Inara, etc are doing.  Anything you like.  Just needed a break from map making for a bit.  You guys have been blasting through everything I've thrown at you... partially my fault for giving you beastly items but your strategies have been on point.)

OOC:  I would like to point out that I used no special items during that last fight :P other than flying on my griffon.... but that doesn't count lol. 

(OOC: Would mucor be allowed to cast awaken on his griffon while using the gem?)

(@Mucor- Yes to awaken... We'll see how long Mucor lives next battle :)   @ Gaelin will get to that this afternoon)

After finding out the effects of the invisibiliity spell, Mucor would take his gem and spend the rest of the evening casting awaken on Stonewing, focusing hard trying to keep his grip on the tiny gem over the course of the spell in his huge hand.

Gaelin-  28

Mucor-  81

As Gaelin casts his spell the gem glows brightly and Gaelin instantly vanishes.  As does the area around him in a 1 foot radius.  You only manage to keep track of his movements because the ground and walls around him suddenly vanish as he walks by then reappear after he leaves that space.  This is also particularly frustrating for Gaelin who bounces off the corners of doorways as the wall disappears from view.  

Mucor informs Varian of his intentions and Varian allows him to seclude himself from the group and head to the stables to begin casting the spell.  The pink crystal glows and pulses with each passing minute. An aura of energy begins to glow around Stonewing, but after the first hour a second aura appears on Calypso.  With each hour that goes by another griffon begins to glow faintly.  Mucor continues his casting hardly noticing the change in the other griffons focused only on Stonewing and as he finishes his spell the crystal shatters into dust.  Mucor is blown back 2 feet and looks around partially dazed.  The griffons all rush to his side and say in (pick a language) "Are you okay?"  Mucor, expecting to only hear one voice now turns around rapidly and sees the other griffons who each spoke in their own voice and tone.  

While Mucor is off casting his spell, Varian leads the group back to a large familiar room with mages who cast illusory projections of maps and images.  "Here is Esterlin.  From what we are able to gather the horde of nearly 12,000 is nearly done with their siege towers and catapults.  They've been bombarding the walls with their trebuchets for a few weeks and have nearly taken down the center wall.  The ships that surround the city have been attacked every 3-5 days with 2-3 clusters of ships attempting to punch through their lines.  So far the lines have held out but they only have a few weeks before their supplies of food run out."  

Map: 

(ooc: I will say they speak common)

Mucor would rub his face as he staggers to his feet. "Yes.. I am... " He would say before pausing a second. "Hold on... how many of you did I awaken?... All of you?" He would say pointing to each one. "Well this is... great!" He would say with a smile. "I hope you are all happy with the gift I have given you in repayment for all the help you have given us" He would say with a smile, moving to each of them and patting them on the head. "I do hope that you will continue to help us in our fight to save the world" He would say with a nod.

(Sweet!  Nice job Mucor! )

"When was the last naval attack?  If the siege equipment isn't done yet we could try to destroy the drekthar ships that keep attacking. Or, we could try to sabotage and kill as many of the horde as possible before their siege equipment is done.  From the looks of it, the horde is stationed in various areas, so if we were to attack their ground troops we wouldn't be taking on 12,000 at once right?"  Gaelin asks looking over the illusion before him.

(Before we head off to sleep Gaelin would like to ask Varian more about the wand, like does it damage, heal, enhance things or is it completely random.)

"We could also split up and have you casters take out the ships while Torq and I sabotage."  Aryn adds.

The ship brigade has held this long. What if we focus our strength where they have been hitting the city walls and work in different directions from there. If the enemy ships attack while we are work, I can get there extremely quickly." Jinara says

"The last attack was two days ago and yes the horde seems to be split into four separate clusters.  Each strategy has advantages and disadvantages but I will leave those decisions to you." Varian responds.  

(@Gaelin- It is a completely random wand.  If you use it roll a d100 and we'll see what happens.  Depending on the target it could be great or it could be bad.  It can release spells of all sorts and has its own magical abilities not known to you.)

I agree with Jinara and Aryn, If we split into two groups we should be able to cover ground quickly from each side. If there isn’t the possibility of a naval attack tomorrow I’m in favor of focusing on the siege equipment. 

"Hey, why don't all of you just relax, I am OK and Maybe I will see if they can bring you all a little extra food, you deserve it after the last battle" Mucor would say with a smile to the griffons, patting each of the griffons on the head before heading back in and talking to the wizards and his companions. "So my awaken spell worked very well. Instead only one griffon being woke... they all did.." He would say with a snort. 

(Since the spell takes 8 hours and then a rest some where in there I don't know when I would be able to relay that information)

(Y'all left to attack the armada at dawn (6:00) so even with eating, testing, etc it's late afternoon.)

As the group finishes their deliberation and Mucor rejoins them for dinner he shares his experience with the spell's result due the the crystal's amplification.  Varian is quite intrigued by this result and adds, "That's actually remarkable.  The last time we tried to cast a similar spell the crystal immediately shattered and exploded on the caster.  He survived but had a few burns and scratches.  Perhaps the crystal had an unseen crack or flaw in it.  Either way, you should count yourselves lucky for such a circumstance.  I'll leave you to eat and discuss your plans.  You are free to return to your quarters to rest.  Tomorrow morning, or even tonight your bard now has the capability to transport you to Esterlin.  I've informed the mages there of your arrival sometime within the next 24 hours."  Varian continues to contemplate the results of Mucor's spell in his mind summoning an ethereal parchment and quill as he departs, leaving you to discuss your plans for Esterlin.

"That's awesome Mucor!  Good work, but if Calypso had gotten hurt I'd probably have stabbed you." Aryn says with a polite but serious smile.  "So you've missed a lot regarding Esterlin.  We're going to split into two groups and attack the ground forces from opposite sides.  I think all that's left for us to do is decide the teams.  Gaelin, Valeera and I could take one side and Mucor, Jinara and Torq the other.  That gives us a mix of ranged and close quarters in each group."  Aryn says as she continues to fill in Mucor on all the details they learned from Varian.

"I'm fine with that arrangement." Gaelin replies.

(@Xtra- so do we just walk through the circle that's already there or do I have to use a 5th level slot to cast the spell?)

"Works for me." Torq responds as he downs a few fish with a single gulp.  He was ready to test out his new weapon.  

(You will be able to simply walk through the permanent circle without using any spell slots.  If anyone has anything else they'd like to do go ahead an post.  I'll be updating the Esterlin map tonight and will post tomorrow or tonight your arrival to the city.)

You each make your preparations before turning in early for the night.  You awake early just before dawn and gather your things ready to face the challenges that await you.  You gather at the stable and are formally introduced to each of your griffons who can now speak common and are quite intelligent.  They agree to continue to fight alongside you and you set off towards the teleportation room guided by Gaelin.  Along the way you pass Lara and Varian who each give you blessings on your journey.  You step into a long hallway and open the door marked for Esterlin.  You watch as Gaelin tells Valeera to walk through and she vanishes in a flash of light.  You each rush through the permanent circle and land in a large open stone room.  You exit through a single door on the southern wall into a similar hallway where guard mages inspect and allow you to pass, aware of your pending arrival. 

You exit the hallway and are met by two other mages who escort you up a multiple flights of stairs to a similar but slightly different stables room of a large tower.  The walls on each side appear to be open except for four large columns that hold the top of the tower above you.  The sky is still dark here and you realize you've traveled far to the west and the sun hasn't risen yet.  To the south you see the ocean and the lights from the line of ships protecting the city. To the east a large river delta with the eastern islands where a few candle lights shine in the windows and to the west a bay that houses a large series of docks and shipyards with the majority of the city behind it.  To the north you see the city of Esterlin and the walls illuminated by braziers periodically placed.  Further north is nothing but darkness with no signs of the drekthar that you know are lurking behind the treeline.  One of the two mages who escorted you speaks as you take in the surrounding area.  "The sun will rise in two hours .  You are free to request any supplies you may need and we will bring them to you if it is possible."  

(You each still have the bags of holding, rope, grappling hooks and crates of oil/alchemist fire from the previous engagement.  Only the immovable rods were taken back.)

Map:

(Assuming we know the general locations of the horde camps from the map Varian showed us yesterday.)

"Gaelin, Valeera and I will take the east if you three want to take the west.  Gaelin, cast the spell where we can talk to each other telepathically.  I say we see how the first attack goes then decide whether to regroup or continue separately before moving towards the center.  What do you guys think?"  Aryn says as she looks over the city and peers into the darkness to the north.

Perception:  (trying to see if I catch a glimpse of any campfires or smoke trails in the moon light,  if there is moon light.)    21