Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

"Yes, we need to get moving on the horde.  Before we go though let's see if our friends had anything interesting."  Gaelin will say as he removes the hut and casts Detect Magic.  If anything from the spies belongings pings he'll go get it.  He'll also rifle through their stuff for anything of note.

Investigation:  21

As thy mount up to leave the brig he'll cast Sending targeting Herbert and say,  "Herbert, be on the lookout for trouble.  We've aided Traes in breaking their siege and Daegon knows.  Contact us if any danger should arise."

"I'm still full from the orcs last night but I'll take a snack for later.  Thank you."  Button says smiling.  You watch as the mushroom takes a dagger and cuts off a couple fingers before returning to Mucor's back.

@Gaelin- No magical aura's emit from the deceased or their belongings.  You find 200 gold between the two but nothing else of value.

"Understood.  No sign of danger so far.  I'll have the army group prepared and send word immediately should anything happen. Blessings upon you."   Herbert replies.

You make your way back to the keep carrying the covered bodies of the two spies.  Baern and Beladin escort you back to the war room where a group of surprised officers stands looking over a map of the surrounding area.  Baern asks about the horde and if any word of the horde has reached them.  They inform you that the horde appears to have split into two large groups numbering about 4000 each.  One group headed northwest into the mountains while the other headed northeast towards the coast.  The town of Favrael has been completely destroyed and only 19 made it out.  Two detachments of 3000 were sent out this morning to track and eliminate the two hordes.  

"Do we split up or go after each group as one?" Aryn asks.  "I think if we leave now we can eliminate one horde today."

(What time is it?  How far would the orcs have made it judging by the distance to Favrael?  Let me know if I need to roll anything.)

"What is Favrael's significance to the war? Is Esterlin more valuable to the cause?" Jinara asks the dwarf.

Mucor would stand back, talking with button a bit while listening to the conversation going on about where to strike next.

"Favrael is just a local town of about 300.  The city is about 12 miles to the north but poses no significance to the war.  Just another unfortunate town caught in the wake.  Esterlin on the other hand is the third largest city in the Eshan kingdom."  Baern replies.

(It is 8 in the morning.    Given the lateness and exhaustion from the battle the previous day you gauge the hordes are about 20-30 miles away depending on travel pace.)

"We should stick together.  Let's take the northwest group first before they disappear into the wilderness and kill more innocent people.  If the northeast group is heading to the coast they may be trying to sail away and they'll be easy targets in ships."  Gaelin says before adding, "We can at least spend today tracking down the hordes.  When we return we'll focus on Esterlin." 

As Gaelin speaks he watches the other officers closely seeing if they look suspiciously curious about their plans.

Insight:   25

(Can't escape the eyes of the bard.)

(Ironically, that helped me out a lot. I've been trying to figure out a good place to introduce someone between now and Esterlin.  It is with a sad heart that I must inform you that Zinmaer has dropped from the campaign.  As usual I will try to leave an opening for him to return in the future if possible.  I've had a few friends ask about D&D over the past few months but didn't want to shake the group dynamic that we've been building. With the loss of Zinmaer I don't want the group to feel weakened from his absence so I've invited one who expressed interest to join temporarily to get their D&D feet wet with the potential for a long term slot.  I hope that is okay with all of you. I'd love to have 8 people in the group but I feel like 5-6 is the perfect number for this campaign. )

Gaelin you notice a stout Aarakocra listening intently to your plans regarding the horde.  You rolled high enough to discern that his attention doesn't seem to be making mental notes for malicious purposes so much as a longing to tag along.  You sense a degree of anger at not being able to aid in destroying the hordes.  

(Randy, whenever you're ready you can introduce yourself.)

(OOC: WELP ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST... Mucor will once again pour some ale out into the ground for a fallen comrade. I feel like an old man in this game :D It stinks that he is gone. IF nothing else, he did a lot of damage! :D)

(Dang.  That sucks.  Hopefully he can be the first to come back.)

Gaelin peers back at the Aarakocra keeping up his guard on the mysterious officer.

(Thanks Xtra for the invite!  Hello everyone.)

You see a short, (5'6") Aarakocra with cream colored feathers.  Around his brow, along his shoulders and towards the tips of his wings the feathers change to a forest green.  He has piercing emerald green eyes and an unusually stocky build for a bird.  Near the center of his bare chest is a green patch of feathers that resembles the shape of a shield.  On the right side of his belt you see a Warhammer that seems to be emblazoned with flame and on the left a strap that seems to hold the bladeless hilt of a longsword.  He takes one step forward takes a bow then straightens and says in a surprisingly deep and eloquent voice (like a young Sean Connery), "With your permission sir, I would like to join this group in their search for and elimination of these hordes.  You know I am a formidable fighter in battle and can act as a guide since I am quite familiar with the area."  

"That ain't up to me Captain.  That'd be up to them."  Baern responds before turning to the group.  "I can vouch for Captain Torq.  He's a damn good fighter.  Reminds me a bit of myself in my younger years.  We call him the flying bear for his ferocity in battle.  Man can take and dish out a beating." 

(Welcome Randy!  We won't bite... too much  :)   )

"It's us against 4000, one more person couldn't hurt.  Either way, the longer we wait the further away they get.  We get 10 minutes to gather our things and prepare then let's go."  Aryn says before walking over to the map and making a quick sketch circling the areas where she and the others think the hordes could be.

(Let me know what/ if I need to roll.)

"Did you have wings and a beak in your younger years?" The minotaur would say with a straight face looking down to the dwarf. 

The officers go silent as Mucor asks his question.  The silence lingers for a full second before Beladin bust out laughing and slaps Baern on the shoulder before blurting out.  "Ya but when he quit fighting they fell off and all his weight went to his gut."    Beladin continues to laugh and the officers smile one dares to chuckle as Baern turns to them and yells, "What are ye looking at. I'll slap the color from your faces if'n ya don't button it up."  

(@Aryn- make a sleight of hand check.)

Sleight of hand:   22

Aryn looks hard at Mucor and tries to tell if he's joking or being serious attempting to hold back a smile. (*dying*)     

Insight:  25

Jinara casts Detect Thoughts on the Aarakocra and presses deeper into his intentions/emotions/reasons. If he resists, my INT check is 8. Bonus action, convert 1 1st level spell slot for 2 sp.

Gaelin smiles and says, "We accept your offer Torq.  You can ride Bronze Claw if you can't keep up yourself.  Ten minutes." he says, looking over Torq's wings, trying to move the conversation back to tracking down the horde. 

MUCOR DECEPTION! 16

Aryn sees the minotaur grin wide right as Beladin jumps in to give his friend a hard time. She thinks that he thinks he is pretty hilarious. 

(Lmao)