Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

Mucor would take a moment to survey the battlefield .... and spend a minute muttering a incantation in minotaur under his breath. As he does so, his shaggy hair will begin to swirl around him as an air elemental appears in front of him. With a knowing nod to the large elemental creature, the figure quickly moves across the battle field and begins gently carrying the bodies of the fallen under a cushion of air and transporting them to the grove... laying them gently in neat rows among the large weeping willow trees. "I can take care of the burial ceremony for our fallen allies..." Mucor would say to his companion as the still soldiers seem to gently elevate as though sleeping on an invisible cloud and fly towards the grove. 

"I see.  Then we should return immediately, unless you need to tend to things here."  the mage responds.  

Jinara looks at a couple soldiers (acolytes preferred) and says "Bring me (I don't think we ever named them, but I want the two high ranking soldiers who I gave the enchanted daggers to) and Iris. We need to address any damage to the wall by the main entrance, tend to the wounded, prepare the burial site for the fallen, and re-built the oil trench."

"[#1 Soldier] Please lead the efforts with the trees to address the burial site and rebuild the oil trench. [#2 Soldier] Handle the damage to the outer walls and ensure a proper medical camp for any wounded soldiers."

He says telepathically to Mucor "Buddy, [#1 soldier] will help with the burial ceremony. Why don't you enlist your tree friends to set that up while we are in Traes?"

(When Iris arrives) "My dear. I hope your are fine. Where you can, provide assistance to the soldiers. In addition, I want you to focus a small portion of your morning to create wards on the exterior of the keep. Take guards with you when you go, but I feel this is necessary. I think Daegon will return in the near future and this will help with the hoard he brings." (In essence, I want her to take the 10 mins each day to cast Guards and Wards and place the 25 10x10 squares equidistant between the 200 ft mark of the bonfires and the road traveling East/West and maintain that measurement on castle sides that do not follow the road.)

"Thanks Gaelin.  You kept up pretty well Torq."  Aryn says with a smile as she turns to go up to the vault.  Once there she would instruct Maximus and the others guarding it to keep a close watch over the area and begin taking watches in groups of at least two.  "These are dangerous times.  Should anything happen, have Herbert contact us immediately."  She'll bow and rush back to the group with a nod.  "Vault is secure.  Let's go."

Mucor- The air elemental quickly moves around the field picking up the dead delicately in an almost reverent display of respect and moves them to their final resting place.  The castle becomes a sprawling network of collaboration and mourning.  Some families cry over their lost relatives while others jump in to assist the acolytes and priests with the wounded.  Herbert casts a few spells that aid in replenishing the awakened trees causing their bark to rapidly grow rapidly over the damaged sections that had been hacked or cut away.

Jinara- The soldiers are brought to you quickly and nod in acknowledgement and rush off to carry out your orders.  Iris bows trying to conceal a slight blush as Jinara calls her my dear and rises saying, "I am fine.  I will see that it is done.  Be careful.  We await your swift return."  

Aryn- Maximus, Theodore and the bears agree and split into pairs.  

The sky begins to brighten as the clouds move south and part.  Warm rays of sunlight pierce through the clouds casting rays on sections of the castle and field.  You gather around the mage and he casts a familiar spell that transports you all to a familiar tower.  You arrive and are immediately taken to Varian who looks at you with puzzled eyes.  You inform him of the assault and his face darkens.  He listens intently as you recant the events and says, "There is much to discuss.  Come."  

You follow him to the same, mostly empty room where you find Laura and an orc standing beside her unrestrained.  You reflexively tense up before you recognize it as the orc who survived the removal of the tattoo.  He drops to one knee and says in a deep blunt voice, "Thank you for saving me.  I am sorry for... what my people have done... What I, have done."  and stands slowly.  Laura places a comforting hand on his shoulder and says, "We've discovered quite a bit over the last few weeks.  We believe with some luck, we can safely remove this curse from all the drekthar under Daegon's control.  In order for it to work Daegon must be killed."

"That's correct." Varian adds stepping forward. "Which is where you all come in.  I've been trying to gain as much information as I can about Daegon's whereabouts based on your interaction with Davara.  I am now fully convinced Daegon has seized control of the black tower and has become its new master.  That explains his ability to teleport an entire horde to attack you.  Though this tower's ability to enhance spell is incredible, the toll it takes on the body is great.  Daegon will be weakened from this attack and will need time to recuperate.  If you are up to the task, now is the time to strike.  The longer you wait, the longer Daegon has to recover and launch another assault anywhere on Eraas.  During these two weeks, Daegon launched 6 similar attacks on cities within the heart of Telgun and Zhora.  (eastern and western continents of Eraas.) Lyliva, Isovale and Ardess have fallen.  Over 500,000 are dead and have joined the ranks of the undead.  Only Arix managed to withstand the attack.  Shaka and Telgate are still under siege.  We aren't sure if they will last through the day. We've dispatched all the mages we can while still saving some to protect our own city.  If you're able to kill Daegon, we might be able to stall the sieges long enough to deploy the Aurora and use a new spell we've created to combat Daegon's foul magic.  We believe the spell is tied to Daegon partially and if he is killed it might weaken the bond to the creature's body.  If you are willing, we can get you within 10 miles of the black tower.  Once you enter within a mile we won't be able to assist  or see you through any magical means."  

"I apologize Gaelin... I am afraid that I cannot leave the air elemental alone or I am afraid that it may assault our soldiers. I don't think I can leave unless someone else can dispel or banish the creature." Mucor would reply with a look of of disappointment... "In the heat of battle and then the sight of our fallen... I forgot about needing to leave right away..." 

Herbert walks over and says, "I can handle the elemental friend."

(*Slow whistle*)

Torq instinctively reaches for his weapons and fights the inner hatred while he listens to the orc speak.  He knew Daegon's spell was the true cause of the war, his family's slaughter and the countless lives lost.  Still, he hated the orc in front of him and stood silently off to the side flanked by Alexandria and Juliana looking at his friends to see their response.  He was ready to fight.  A little banged up but he would do whatever he could to ensure Daegon's demise.

"I used a great deal of my power during that fight but I am ready to leave now." Mucor would say with a nod to Herbert.

"If you have anything that can restore both our bodies and some of our spell casting ability I think we would be able to accomplish this task.  We are tired from the previous battle but not fully depleted.  Do you think Daegon would recover within 8-9 hours?  If not we can rest now and embark immediately after.  We would also need our griffons and some additional supplies to help us get in.  Can you tell us anything about the tower?  Any known traps, walls, defenses? " Gaelin replies.

Aryn clinches her jaw while she listens to Varian talk about the attacks.  "Why were we not told?  We could've helped.  We could've saved those people."  she says with a tear forming in her eye.

Varian goes to answer Gaelin before Aryn jumps in and his face slightly flushes with color as he turns to her.  "All of these attacks have taken place in the last 48 hours.  While you are a quite capable bunch, the seven felt it best that you remain at your castle in the event that it should come under assault as well... and for good reason.  Imagine girl, if your group hadn't been at your castle when the armies of the undead arrived.  How quickly its inhabitants would've been slaughtered and your teleportation circle compromised deep within the Azuven empire. Your vision is clouded by emotion, blinding you from seeing the bigger picture."  he retorts back quickly before calmly turning back to Gaelin and the others.  "I am not sure the recovery time Daegon will require.  We have never tested the tower's enhancements in the same manner, and exercised much more precaution because we were not under any pressure or time constraint.  Daegon is trying to win a war of attrition quickly through the use of dark magic.  He is surely reducing his physical body's lifetime but as you may or may not know there are ways of overcoming the limits of your physical self.  He may even be using the tower's power to help restore himself.  The possibilities are endless when you have no disregard for ethics."  Varian says before turning back to Aryn.  "I understand your passion but this is no time to squabble amongst ourselves.  Half a million innocents is nothing compared to the mayhem that will ensue if Deagon continues his attacks or Vaeril is brought back to this plane of existence. We must strike quickly.  We've no telling when or where the next attack will come. I will have the mages prepare a feast for you that will restore you greatly.  I will also send for your griffons.  Make your requests for supplies, within reason, and I will see that they are met.  Time is of the essence.  The best scenario if you require restoration is that you will depart in the next 2 hours. Follow me."  he says and leads you to a large private room with two long dining tables that are bare. 

Two mages enter a few moments later and begin to cast an incantation that lasts 10 minutes.  The wooden tables become platforms of light with glowing runes dancing about on its surface and inches above the table top.  When the mages finish the table flashes blueish white and a myriad of food appears before you on the table.  "Take your time and eat.  Make your requests for supplies and they will be brought to the stables.  I will meet you at the stables in a little over an hour. "  Varian says as he exits the room leaving behind only your group and the two mages who stand patiently awaiting your requests. 

(Be nice on the requests.  If you want a rare item, specify what it is, why it would be important and roll a d20 no modifier.  )

(@Xtra what was the item Varian had in Traes? Not the staff, but one of the others. I'm on my phone and do not immediately remember.)

(@Jinara- Tome of Leadership and Influence   )

Before Varian leaves,  Jinara would quickly get up from his chair and walk with him out of the room. "Varian. A moment. I inquired with one of your mages about a specific tome. They mentioned you would know more about it. While it wont be of aid in this fight, I fear this will not be our last battle. This tome would greatly enhance my abilities to adapt and create spells to combat Vaeril. Do you have this tome?"

Aryn would bow her head slightly trying to conceal her anger and embarrassment.  if they had left the castle, it would've been overrun.  She knew Varian was right but she still didn't like it.  She would contemplate long and hard as she began eating and look to the mages once she had finally come up with all the things she wanted.  "Here's what I want... do you have a cask of oil and alchemist fire, rather than the crates full of flasks?"  (Like a 1ft X 6in barrel.  could carry between a quart and a gallon.)

• Slippers of Spider Climbing, 
• a bag of holding full of either casks or crates split 50/50 alchemist fire and oil, 
• two bundles of alc fire/oil strapped to Calypso,
• 5 casks of alc fire/oil for her bag,
• as many of those spheres with dispel magic that they'll let her have.

10

Gaelin watches intently Aryn's face when Varian replies.  She sees her duck her head and know better than to draw attention to her by walking over.  When they sit to eat he sits next to her and though he wants to put his arm over her shoulder, he'd prefer not to have a knife stabbed into it.  He listens as she lists off all her wants and wishes and Gaelin follow up with, "What's the whole bag for?  You think we'll need that much?"  he says whispering into her ear before speaking up and looking over to the mages,  "I'll also request Valeera be fashioned with four bundles.  Also put 4 more in the empty saddles.  If you have any spell scrolls please bring me:  Fireball,  Heal and Greater Restoration."

16

Torq, Alexandria and Juliana would commence eating immediately.  Torq was starving, as he normally was after a battle. After a few minutes he would pause and look to the mages after hearing the other requests.  "I'd also like our griffons strapped with bundles and a 5 extra casks of oil and alchemist fire for my bag.   If you have enough of the spheres, we'll each take some as well."  Torq says then drops a fish into his mouth and resumes eating.  

"I am ready to go" The minotaur would say with a snort. "I wish to be done with this once and for all.." Mucor would add after eating a surprisingly small amount of food compared to normal. His face hard and focused. "I don't need anything else.." he would say quietly.

(Jinara-  persuasion check:  30.)

"We will see to it that your griffons are sufficiently equipped.  We do have casks of each liquid and should be able to accommodate your request.  I will have to check with our quartermaster on the slippers and scrolls.  I'm not sure what the spheres you speak of are but I will inquire of Varian." the mage responds as he casts a familiar spell.   You take an hour to eat, some nibbling while others gorge themselves.  Towards the end of the hour four mages enter carrying various items. 

• Aryn, you receive a bag of holding full of casks of oil and alchemist fire.  You are also handed a pair of dark leather moccasins that feel light and flexible.   
• Gaelin- You are brought four scrolls: 2 Fireball, 1 Heal & 1 Greater Restoration.
• Torq & Aryn- a different mage sits a small box on the end of the table and says, "This is from Varian.  He said you are not to open it until we leave."  
• A second bag of holding is brought in and laid at the opposite end of the table.  "This bag also contains casks of oil and alchemist fire. You make take as many or as few as you like.  Your griffons and dragon have been equipped with the supplies your requested." a mage says with a bow.  
• Jinara- Varian smiles and looks over you peering into your mind.  He nods and says, "I am in possession of such an artifact.  I think given the circumstances, it should be put to good use.  Follow me."  You follow Varian up a series of steps and enter a large private room.  He waves his hand and a chest appears in the southeast corner of the room.  He opens it and pulls out a tome blows a bit of dust off it and hands it to you. "Return this to me when you are done reading it."  You hurry downstairs and begin eating.

The mages all leave the room and you open the small box to find 15 spheres within.  As the hour comes to a close you feel somewhat rested.  You all return to full HP and regain up to 7 levels of spells slots. (ie: a 7th level slot, 2 3rd level +a 1st level, a 4th+ 3rd level, etc)