Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

ooc: I will be camping all next week and will not be back to normal until next monday. I will try to post but I doubt I will be able to much at all. Please feel free to control my character as much as needed so that I do not hold up the game. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience! 

(Small Retcon. Apologies for delay. Rough weekend at the house with the family)

To Aryn, "Yes. this is where I grew up. It has been a time since I walked these hallowed halls, but they are still hallowed. Many of these acolytes know more about the history of this land then all of us combined, but be mindful. Also, let's try not to blow the place up (looks at Mucor with a slight grin hoping he recalls the Black Tower). I already did that once and I would like to not do it again. Come this way" 

"Gaelin, stay out there with me. We are going to talk with Wymeron. Aryn, Mucor and Kelgos wait behind different columns as inconspicuously as you can. I do not want to immediately create a confrontation by having all of us waiting for a standoff. Mucor, if you are ok with it, I would like you to enhance Gaelin and I with Owl's Wisdom (Enhance Ability at 3rd level). Aryn & Kelgos, if things do turn towards combat, move swiftly at the acolytes with non-lethal attacks. Reducing cannon fodder quietly may prove essential.I do not want to outright attack the leader of my temple, but if he or an acolyte attacks, I have no problem with any of us defending ourselves." Jinara says while they make their way to the front entrance. As they approach the final turn, they all spread out to head to their respective directions Gaelin and Jinara walking down the center of the foyer. He turns to Kelgos, "your presence may be needed. If we need to reveal that card, I will let you know."

"Nice and quiet, no casualties if possible. Understood." Aryn replied with a smile.  She had seen Jinara be enthusiastic before but this was something a bit different.  He seemed to be fearful yet excited.  She knew this was his task and his mission and was glad to see his calm quiet demeanor fade and his personality come out.  No matter what, she had his back.

Stealth:  20

( :(  nobody cares about Torq…  jk)

Torq assumes his role as scout and takes off high into the air.  "I'll try to find them and keep you posted on their progress." he says to the group in his mind.  He'll fly straight up and use the sun to block his form from being noticed while he scours the city for Wymeron.

(Will roll perception when I get back to the office.  On the phone.)

(Ah crap! Sorry Torq! I honestly meant to type exactly what you did. Wife was rushing me to lunch and I forgot to. #NeverForgottenUnlessDistracted lol)

(No worries Mucor.  Hope ya'll have a wonderful trip!)

Torq perception:  18   Kelgos Stealth:    19     

Gaelin- Thanks to Jinara's memory and confident nature the acolytes you encounter seems to be relatively at ease.   (Once Wymeron appears...) You notice he seems troubled, not fearful but somewhat anxious by Jinara's presence and that though he's caught off guard he feels confident in his ability to handle this new annoyance.

Kelgos bows silently in agreement and follows closely behind Aryn.  It takes about a minute but Torq is finally able to spot Wymeron and his two escorts as they make their way up the road towards the temple.  The walk is somewhat steep as the temple is the second highest point of the city, partially carved into the cliffside while the keep walls and entrance tower over the rest of the city from the top of the cliff.  Torq informs the group and you wait patiently for a minute or two before you make out the group steadily moving towards you.  Wymeron seems to be in a hurry while the others try to keep pace.  Wymeron notices Jinara and Gaelin as guests standing at the entrance and looks curiously until he gets closer and recognizes Jinara.

Wymeron's face immediately turns to a frown then calms into a sinister grin.  "You see... even the most feral of dogs return to their home once they are unable to make it on their own." he says loud enough for everyone to overhear.  "Come, what misfortune or disgrace has brought you back to my doorstep?  Does he owe you a debt good sir?  Did he say we would pay it on his behalf perhaps?" he asks looking at Gaelin with the grin still on his face. 

Jinara's eyes stay locked on Wymeron with a stern face, very little waiver in his expression as Wymeron speaks. He places a hand on Gaelin's shoulder (Jinara will spend 1sp to subtly cast True Seeing on Gaelin) to signify that he has this as a moment of silent passes. Jinara responds "This visit is not about me Wymeron. This visit is about you. While we have our differences (he says with clear distaste for that statement coming off his tongue), we seem to have an underlying commonality in Davara that should justify us discussing some very pressing information. As our lady teaches, power comes from truth and knowledge, and these hallowed halls deserve the truth. What say you about your dealings in the feywild?" 

(My goal here Xtra is a persuasion roll, but I am not sure if it is now or later in the discussion. I not trying to intimidate as Jinara still has an innate fear of the man that he has not fully resolved)

Gaelin- your blink rapidly as Jinara's spell takes effect on you until your vision clears.  You see your original vision but also a veiled landscape in a shade of white and blue.  Wymeron stands before you and is flanked by two drow elves dressed in similar attire to Kelgos.  Hovering beside Wymeron is a small amorphous orb that shifts and swirls but seems to do nothing other than follow close by Wymeron as he takes a few confident steps forward and looks Jinara in the eyes.

Wymeron steps forward with his similar smile though his eyes glare violently at Jinara and he nonchalantly holds up a hand as the acolytes to either side of him take a step forward.  "Who are you to question me boy! The feywild is a mystical land of fairytales.  Why would I want to visit such a place when I have much more valuable artifacts to discover here.  Perhaps if you had stayed here, or followed instruction you would not be so misguided."

Wymeron Insight:    19

Jinara- roll a contesting deception check!

"The two people flanking him are drow disguised as acolytes." Gaelin says telepathically to the group.  "Jinara, did you prepare your Arcane Anchor spell?  Torq and Mucor go after the one on the left.  Aryn and I will take the one on the right. Kelgos and Valeera, keep watch and help out with whoever needs it." he adds.

"Of course they are.  Will do." Aryn replies in her mind drawing a couple arrows out of her quiver as she peeks around the column.

Deception - 22 (Not sure what how I am trying to deceive him.)

Jinara shutters slightly at the tonal increase of Wymeron, but quickly realizes the original purpose of their trip; information gathering. Jinara says telepathically "Yes it is prepared, but Wymeron is wise. Hold any attack for a moment. Information is key right now and we need certain individuals to hear what Wymeron has to say. We know he is trying to deceive us. Gaelin, chime as you see fit. Additionally, if the acolytes are shadowblades, then we may have a bigger concern of the night queen's presence in the temple itself. Gaelin, can you look around and see if any other disguised acolytes in visual range?"

(Xtra. I am going to assume the conversation started about 20 ft apart and his steps but him 10 ft out.) Jinara takes one step towards Wymeron signifying security in his conviction or defiance to a leader. Either way he moves forward and says "Questions lead to truth. Truth leads to power. Those who deceive only build a house of cards. (slight chuckle) Ironic that you chose Davara's temple as your house of cards. Misguidance comes when you forget the purpose of your actions. Davara guides me everyday leading me to where I need to be. (If Eraas has such valued artifacts, why were you outside the howling woods in the feywild less than 24 hours ago? Tell us about your alliances in the feywild."

(You're rolling because he's trying to see how much you know and how much of a threat you are.)

Gaelin- You look around at each person visible to you in your heightened state and find all other acolytes around you appear as normal. Along one of the side walls of the temple entrance you see Varian veiled in a blueish pink aura walking casually towards the commotion and maneuvering behind Wymeron's trio.  No one else seems to take notice and you assume he is invisible to all others.  He notices your gaze fixed on his and with a smile and single finger gesture (shh) reassures you that all is under control as he continues to move in closer.  You see in his other hand one of the metallic spheres that you used against the cursed drekthar.

Wymeron sneers and looks around at the onlookers. "And what proofs do you have of this outrageous claim?  None I assume.  Now tell me why should I even acknowledge you, ... a deserter and now apparent blasphemer of Davara?" he says looking up to the entrance of the temple then to his escorts and back to Jinara.  Some of the regular acolytes nod in agreement, not knowing of their leader's transgressions. "Yes, the proofs!" one acolyte shouts.

As the tension builds between the former master and apprentice, you hear Varian say calmly. "Good...  Continue to press him for a confession.  Things may get dangerous.  If they do focus on the shadowblades.  Jinara, you and I will handle Wymeron. I'm almost in position for your proofs."  

(Xtra. have we seen a symbol of the queen of darkness or of a shadowblade? Like a run or a coat of arms or something?)

(Nope.  No markings, clothing, tattoos or brands. Such is the nature of the shadowblades... plausible deniability while still sending a clear message.  Everyone knows they work for the night queen but no one can prove it.)

"Two words...grotto and kelgos." He says with no facial reaction. 

Jinara says telepathically "hold kelgos. Wait for Varian just a second longer."

(Hopefully we can retcon a bit before Jinara says "Grotto and Kelgos.")

"Watch your tone Wymeron.  This is Jinara of the Lightbringers.  The group who single handedly defeated Daegon and ended the Drekthar war.  Unsatisfied with saving one world Jinara endeavored to save another.  We traveled to the feywild and defeated an army of lycans where we discovered your treachery.  You want proof, you want truth, you no longer comprehend the term...you can't handle the truth!"  Gaelin says raising his voice and puffin himself up a bit as he remains in his spot.

(Insert Jinara's words.)

Intimidation:   21

Torq will draw both his weapons while in the air and hover above the shadowblade on the left ready to drop on him at a second's notice.

(Allowed)

As Gaelin mentions Lightbringers the surrounding acolytes look at one another in astonishment and back to Jinara and Gaelin nodding.  For the first time Wymeron's grin fades and you see the familiar expressions of confusion and fear scroll across his face.  As Jinara utters his simple phrase  Wymeron's face drains of color.  "Fools, all of you.  This will not be how it all ends." he shouts as he begins to cast a spell.  You hear a metallic clinging as a metal sphere appears from the air and lands at Wymeron's feet.  A split second passes before a bright flash of arcane energy bursts from the sphere.  The two acolytes flanking Wymeron now appear in their true form as drow shadowblades.  They scowl and reach for their swords as Wymeron looks at his hand in disbelief.

Roll Initiative!

Map:  

I cast Counterspell at 4th level! If it succeeds, I will have a small RP that I want, but the fight can still happen.

oh and initiative = 13

(Where is Varian on the map?)