Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

"I'll go with Aryn and agree with leaving the griffons.  Zinmaer and Jinara can go with Mucor and that will provide a somewhat even distribution of magic users given we have an odd number.  Jinara and I can cover a lot of ground with one spell and take one of you with us in the event things get bad."  Gaelin says. 

(OoC: Griffons are pretty useful and may expedite the battle if we use them. Not sure how mounted combat works, but that is an extra 10 attacks per round if done right. Also, if we get to the point where one gets hurt pretty bad, we can send them all away. Just a thought.)

Jinara hears the group's opinions and agrees to group with Mucor and Zinmaer. "Mucor, when you become a beast, can you fly?" Jinara asks. (If he can fly on his own, Jinara can cast Fly from his ring of spell storing on Gaelin, Aryn, and Zinmaer so we can fly and have the better vantage point on the smoke plume. If Mucor cannot fly, Jinara would open the discussion to the group for gaining and additional advantage.)

Zin is fine with the decisions as well.  

"I can take the shape of flying creatures" Mucor would say with a nod. "I can also cast a spell to turn one of you into a [monster]giant eagle[/spell] if you wish" 

"I can fly, no problem!" Jinara says while tapping the top of his boot. "The others can use a boost if that how we want to approach."

(I think they are definitely a good weapon to have but they are only useful in close range.  Judging by the last combat we could easily be surrounded and with such a low AC they could be killed from opportunity attacks.  I don't think the benefit outweighs the risk if we're going against higher numbers.  Of course Xtra could just be messing with us and the smoke isn't anything at all.  I'm good either way with what the group wants to do though.)

"We could always just send in a scout and have them report back to us.  how fast can you fly Mucor?" Aryn adds.  

(DM Question... can I maintain concentration after shifting into an animal? If I cast polymorph and then change into a giant eagle?)

(I still have the Fly from when we first took the castle. Inara cast Fly at 5th level into it which means I can concentrate on 3 people. That would cover Gaelin, Aryn, and Zinmaer. I have winged boots. If Mucor can fly under his own prowess, then we all can fly over if that is what you are concerned about.)

(You can maintain concentration while in wild shape.)

"I can fly pretty fast... but if you just want someone to scout out the area, I have a better idea..." Mucor would say as he scratches his head. "I could cast a ritual that would provide me with a great deal of useful information if you wanted to wait for me to perform it... Or I could simply summon a flock of bats to fly ahead of us and report back to me their findings..." The minotaur would say with a grin.

OOC: talking about casting Commune with Nature

(You should just lead with that.  That's awesome.)

"I'm fine with waiting."  Aryn says.

(If you cast Commune, what three facts would you like to know?  Specific questions will have specific responses, whereas broad questions will have broad responses.)

(Sorry for lack of posting yesterday afternoon. Mucor would ask... Altough I might not be using this right. Before I RP it let me know.. )
1) How many evil creatures are around the nearby camp (specifically where the smoke is coming from) (if "evil" isn't good enough, he would say undead or humanoid)
2) How many and what types buildings and fortifications exist around the nearby camp
3) The location of the strongest undead or fiendish creature in the area (the whole 3 miles)

Mucor would look to Aryn and with a wave of his staff, the shadows around him would fall from the nearby trees and transform into eight swarm of bats. Mucor would look to the swarms as they flutter loudly in the sky... blocking out any light form the moon. "Go... investigate the camp nearby" The minotaur would say pointing to the smoke with his staff. "And return with information... I want to know numbers of enemies, types of enemies, and the weapons they possess" As the swarms of bats disappear into the trees to perform their task, Mucor would begin setting up his space to perform the ritual. Taking the back of his staff, he would begin making designs in the dirt before sticking the staff into the ground in the center and holding on to it tightly.. The minotaur would close his eyes and rest his large head on the staff as he slowly began mumbling under his breath as if talking to the staff....

1. There are eight evil creatures around the campfire. 
2. There are no fortifications or structures around the campfire
3. There are no undead or fiends within 3 miles.

The bats return after you finish your ritual and obtain information about the local landscape and inform you there are eight goblins around a campfire armed with swords and bows.

"I have gathered that there are eight goblins armed with swords and bows around the nearby campfire" Mucor would say with a snort. "I feel as though I have already used enoughof my magics finding this information...I Don't know that I am willing to use much more before coming into contact with the enemy... I say we just sneak over and quickly take care of this threat....

(OOC: I feel like I asked the wrong questions lol :P)

"Agreed.  We probably don't even need to split up." Aryn responds as she begins to head southwest.  (Xtra never said it would be a hard encounter.  Could just be something simple... or a trap. Let's kill stuff though, :) )

(Let's do this.  Pull out that Pass w/o Trace)  "We should be on our guard but these goblins may not even be the group we're looking for. Either way they are a danger to anyone nearby and should be eliminated."  Gaelin says and prepares himself for battle.

Stealth:  21 

Initiative:   20

OOC: it is totally a trap.

Mucor would nod to the swarms of bats "Follow me and stay close" He would whisper to the bats and companions while casting pass without trace. As the shroud of darkness covers them (and the bats?) he will make his way towards the camp.

Stealth and Initiative for everyone!  

Stealth:  29

Initiative:  19