Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(Sorry for the delay, Merry Christmas everyone!.  I'd like to improve the weretwins and help them train with their new weapons once they're done.)

(Merry Christmas!)

(Merry Christmas! Mucor will work on finishing the grove and commission his ring. I will RP it once I get the time to post something good :P)

(Merry Christmas to all you guys!)

(Jinara would first, finish his spell he is crafting. Then he would work to expanding the library and resources in the tower by traveling to 5 of the major cities/villages they has been to that could benefit his library.  He would talk to whomever he needed to and acquire books focused on several items. 1) spell crafting & manipulating spell effects, 2) becoming more influential and charismatic

Second, he would ask mages where he might find any of the following:

(Staff of Power or Staff of the Magi, Ioun Stone of Mastery, Tome of Leadership and Influence)

Finally, over this period, Jinara would take time to pray to Davara and grow that connection. 

Aryn will spend much of her time playing with and feeding Sansa. She’ll make an obstacle course and dummy targets for Sansa to run through and attack. Aryn will also visit Valeera and request that she help with training the tiny dragon.
While Sansa rests or trains with Valeera, Aryn will visit with Herbert and see if any news about a spell has reached him. If not she’ll ask that he transport her to the Grove and she’ll speak with Inara in person. 

persuasion:  19

Mucor would Spend nearly all of his time in the grove. At the beginning of each morning, he would stop by and visit with button before approaching Treebeard and the other awakened trees he has created. After working with them and Herbert on the best way to complete the grove, The minotaur would spend large portions of his day moving around the grove and casting spells. He would spend hours casting move earth to create a number of small creeks and brooks that spread out through the grove from the central pond like a spider web, working to help irrigate the soil. As the already fertile soil became more enriched, the minotaur would cast mold earth to create large mud sculptures of each of his companions around the bank of the pond in the center of the grove. Once each of the mud sculptures was completed, he would cast transmute rock to solidify the sculptures into beautiful stone. On more than one occasion, Mucor would spend eight hour periods awakening other large trees and casting plant growth until the point of exhaustion. on one morning however... Mucor would make his way to the wizard tower.. moving through the arcane building with extra care not to touch anything. Once there, the mintaur would approach one of the mages there. "Hello... I was hoping you could help me to create a magical item. I was hoping for maybe a ring that could be used to cast a spell called... alter self." Mucor would ask in a hushed tone. "I was hoping it would be powerful to last for long periods of time.. possibly until I choose to turn it off?" Mucor would ask while locking eyes with the mage.

Torq will spend most of his time with Alexandria and Juliana.  He'll train with each of them daily, having them switch weapons while aiding in the construction process by moving supplies and heavy items for weight training.  Once the blacksmiths finish their weapons he will have them thank Mucor for the intricately made handles and have them become familiar with each weapon.  He'll use his military training to teach them battle tactics and improve their coordination of attacks together. 

Torq will also pay to commission a bathhouse/ massage parlor be built.  (Took out 150 platinum and 1200 gold from equipment for bathhouse.)  Towards the end of the first week he'll request Herbert transport he and the girls to Esterlin so they can revisit Tranquil Waters and Torq will foot the bill.  (Let me know how much that costs.)  If Torq has enough gold left over, he'll take the girls back after the 2nd week to relax and repair the massive gains we've accumulated over the 2 weeks.

Gaelin will head up to the tower to research a spell he is familiar with but is unable to cast.  He looks to Iris and Jinara and asks they give him whatever tips and books they have to master Counterspell.  He'll listen closely to their instructions and spend much of his time reading and practicing with Valeera in her den.

In the off time, he'll request Valeera help the masons and miners to increase the production and use Skill Empowerment on the masons and carpenters to improve their efficiency. 

He'll use the evenings and nights to spend time with the group and Valeera talking about the time she was gone and in private speak with Herbert to see if he has the ability to transport people between planes.  He secretly plans to surprise Valeera with a trip to the feywilds after they speak with Varian and hopefully deal with Daegon.

(Hey everyone, thanks for being patient with me.  I think 20 of the last 48 hours I've been on the road.  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are prepared for 2020!  Mucor & Torq, yours will be in a separate post coming shortly.)

• Aryn-
  • You spend the first day and a half coordinating with Zinmaer and the carpenter to build an elaborate obstacle course that anyone could use with small intricate holes and sections that only Sansa or a small creature could fit through.  You run the course alongside Sansa, practicing your parkour skills while Zinmaer watches and critiques both of you.  Sansa quickly learns to twist and maneuver through the course and you switch to running it backwards until she's fully mastered it.  Once completed you go to enlist the help of Valeera, who is already busy with the miners and masons, but agrees to help during the downtime.  Valeera focuses on enhancing Sansa's breath ability showing her how to contract her abdominal and neck muscles to direct the breath.  Learning from a dragon the process is rather quick and Sansa makes rapid progress.  During the night, Valeera takes Sansa hunting, which is begins quite comically as the giant dragon hovers above the fields, pond and forest watching Sansa chase field mice and fish.  As each day goes by Sansa's behavior and size increase slightly.  Her movements are more confident and predatory at times as if she's switching between relaxed and focused.  
  • While Sansa practices with Valeera you pursue Herbert who informs you Inara eagerly awaits you in the Elanaetas Grove.  He transports you there and you are guided to Inara in the temple standing alone in the center beside the pedestal of water.  A droplet falls and lands int he middle of the pool with a small splash that breaks the tense silence as you approach.  "Welcome Aryn.  It's been too long since we last met.  I understand you have questions regarding magic that can change one's race.  Such magic is ancient and known by very few, but I happen to be one of those few.  The spell itself was the precursor to many of the transmutive spells so commonly used today.  The spell is quite dangerous for the being and requires stamina and willpower.  It is not impossible but I must warn you that once the spell is cast only the strongest of magics is able to reverse it."  She grabs your hand gently and leads you out the side of the overgrown stone temple into the garden and walks slowly pointing out the many flowers and plants of the garden.  "Nature has a way of choosing the right vessel for each of us.  I know it can be hard at times to understand why we end up the way we do but it is all part of a greater plan.  So come now, tell me why the sudden interest in this magic? "
• Gaelin-  Need a DC 13 Arcana check.  (If you succeed you learn the spell.  If you fail you can spend another 3 days and attempt it again.)
  • You spend the majority of your first week with Iris and JInara, while he's there, taking notes and reading an Abjuration tome that details the components and runes of the spell.   Intermittently during your study, Jinara and Iris have you cast spells while they practice their own research for Arcane Anchor. The whole process is boring and time consuming but you will yourself through it. The better half of the second week you spend practicing, mostly unsuccessfully, at casting the spell while Iris launches cantrips at you.  Towards the end you begin to grasp the spell and can successfully cast it at least half of the time.
  • Three times a day you cast Skill Empowerment on the mason and carpenter who quickly set to their work.  Meanwhile, Valeera aids by melting the iron and stone to hasten the stone cutting process.  The blacksmiths also fashion her multi-person saddle with thick ropes and hooks allowing her to airlift large loads of stone and supplies from the quarry and forest.  Your combined efforts to aid the the construction reduce the time by  13 days.
  • Hebert is pleased to see you and informs you that he is able to transport between the planes of existence.  He is slightly opposed to the idea at first but warms once you quickly sum up the reason why you want to take Valeera there.  "I would be very interested to see such a place.  I have only ever visited the feywilds once, but that was long ago.  Come find me when you have hte time and I shall do my best to aid you in this endeavor."  he says and returns to his work in the grove alongside Mucor.
• JInara- Make an investigation & Persuasion check.  Also make a DC 15 Arcana check (on success- you gain access to Arcane Anchor, on fail- you can spend another 1 day/s to attempt again.)
  • You spend a few days working on finishing your research and creation of Arcane Anchor.  Your progress is partially interrupted by Gaelin who you immediately set to studying and practicing, only stopping his progress to test your own progress towards mastering the new spell. 
  • You make your way to the various major cities, returning to Esterlin and Traes where you received warmly.  Under the approval of Varian, who you never see during your visits, you are allowed to look at and study the myriad of books in their libraries but are not permitted to take outside the towers.  After the first visit you begins taking Iris with you and the two of you make your way across the two continents spending many hours in study.  (Spell levels to be determined by investigation check)
  • While on your visits you inquire about various magical items which cause some uneasy and curious looks from the mages.  Some of them take notes and promise to inform you after they make inquiries while others laugh and say no such things exist.  (Outcome determined by Persuasion check.) 
  • Iris gains: 3 levels

• Mucor-
  • You awaken 3 tree/s the first two days that aid you in the construction of the grove.  You spend many hours casting cantrips while concentrating on others.  Treebeard and button also aid you in the process; Treebeard in moving the large heavy stones for the temple and Button intricately placing and growing mushrooms throughout the grove.  Using your spells you create interlaced creeks forming a beautiful delta that branches out from the pond in the shape of a sun, visible only from the sky.  Around the edge of the pond you create a cobblestone path with periodic statues of your allies in a touching testament to your friendship.  Int the center of the pond you make a small island temple of stone similar to the one in the Elanaetas Grove but much smaller.  You cause ivy and vines to encircle the temple and place an open skylight in the middle of the ceiling and form curved viney benches with gaps in the north and south to allow people to enter.  The grove becomes more and more alive with each passing day and the sweet smell of mushrooms, honeysuckles and various flowers fills the air.  Your efforts reduce the Grove construction by  18  days.
  • Taking a break after awakening the trees you commission a ring that Iris seems to be somewhat apprehensive but confident in her ability to create something you'll like with the help of the priests and acolytes.  "It won't last for extended periods of time but you will be able to have up to 4 hours of the spell each day.  Your ring will cost you 1000 gp and be completed in  11  days."  Iris responds.  Near the end of the second week Iris comes to visit you in the grove with a shiny silver ring.  "It's finished.  I hope you like it." she says and leaves to return to the tower.
• Torq-   (Take off another 100 gold for both trips, 50g each. I added a combined character for Alexandria & Juliana.  Messaged you the details.)
  • You take advantage of the new obstacle course built by Aryn and Zinmaer and train alongside them.  You force yourself not to fly and find the challenge difficult but refreshing as you muscle your way through the first few times.  Over time you begin to incorporate your wings, more for balance than flight and begin to move dexterously through the course.  Alexandria and Juliana train diligently becoming quite skilled at the various weapons available to them.  At the end of the first week their weapons and armor are completed and they begin to train with them solely, only switching between one another to get used to their new weapons.  
  • Weapons & Armor- Alexandria's greatsword is wider than most, being made from mitral rather than steel which greatly reduced the weight.  The long double sided blade is serrated on the bottom 1/3 of the left side and has glowing blue runes that travel halfway up the fuller in the middle of the blade.  Electricity arcs between the runes and the ornate wooden handle and hilt provided by Mucor is perfect for shielding her hands from the electricity. The handle provides a gorgeous twisting pattern that blends well with the blade and the tangled pommel houses a shiny sapphire that glows dimly.  Juliana's greataxe seems blurry to you at first sight until you get closer and see that the air around it seems much colder forming a small cloud around the metal.  White runes glow through the haze and together create an ornate aura around the weapon.  The large curved edges of each axehead are perfect for chopping through shields and sharp enough to sever limbs with a single blow.  The contrasting, twin wood handle from Mucor wraps around and through the double-bit axe head and secures it in place better than any normal handle while providing a superior grip, not to mention a incredible appearance.  The dull white dragonscale breastplates slide over their heads and with some quick adjustments easily fit and form to their bodies hiding their curves but allowing them to transform into their hybrid forms without breaking the armor.  The breastplates are still cold to the touch and have a layer of padding behind them sown in.  
  • You commission the bathhouse and construction rapidly begins in the interior rooms of the mountain.  With the help of Valeera and the miners a space is excavated and carved to fit the request.  The carpenter and masons hire additional help with the gold you give them and construction begins in the second week.  There are  10  days left of construction.
  • At the end of each week you take the girls back to Esterlin, with the help of Herbert and the Esterlin mages, to visit the Tranquil Waters spa.  You enjoy the relaxing and much needed massages from your strenuous workouts and leisure activities that tend to get rambunctious.  You return to Castle Daybreak refreshed and ready for whatever the next stage of your journey awaits.
  • Throughout the training you and the twins help with lifting and creating the piles of supplies that Valeera picks up and transports to the construction sites.  Your combined efforts increase the speed of construction by  10  days.

Everyone-As each day passes you begin to feel the shift in seasons from mid to late Autumn.  The air becomes drier and cooler while the leaves of many trees transition to red, orange and yellow. You find yourselves wearing more clothing in the morning and evening due to the cool wind coming off the mountains. A midnight storm passes over and brings the first snow covering the castle in a beautiful thin veil of white until the warmth from the sun melts it all away, except for the mountain tops which remain white.  The streams and tributaries grow from the snowmelt and cause the pond to rise a couple feet. The weather turns back to warm and dry as the second week comes to an end.  The construction of the additional castle wall, grove and fortress are all completed with your help and stand as a testament to the strength of your combined power.  

• Aryn & Torq- pick one of the options below as a benefit to your fortress being completed.  
  • Fortress: Unless otherwise noted you can only do this once until you take an extended rest (1 week at the castle)
    • Using your reaction, you cause someone targeting only you with a spell to make a DC 16 Con save or take 1d6(force)/ spell level and the spell have no effect.
    • As an action, you cause all allies (within 60ft of you) to automatically hit with attacks until your next turn. (Still roll to crit)
    • You use your action to cause 2 creatures within 60ft to regain all lost hit points.
    • When you use action surge, you automatically crit on successful attack rolls. You can do this a number of times equal to your Castle level
• Mucor- You gain the ability to cast the spells listed below with the aid of Herbert based on the frequency allowed in the table.

  • Grove perks
    Spell	Casting Limit
    Reincarnate	1/ Season
    Foresight	1/ Season
    Greater Restoration	1/ Month
    Heal	1/ Month
    Resurrection	1/ Year

(Will progress the story along in the next two days or once everyone's posted again.)

*wipes sweat from brow and massages hands*

(Welcome back!  Glad you had safe travels.  Also, sweet!  Still processing all this.  What level is our castle now?)Aryn clears her throat resuming the previous topic

Aryn will choose the When you use action surge, you automatically crit on successful attack rolls. You can do this a number of times equal to your Castle level option.

Back at the grove with Inara Aryn replies, "It's not actually for me Inara.  It's for Mucor.  You see, he's such a kind gentle man with a big heart.  He sees the others in the group, like my brother and Torq finding relationships that he longs for it too.  Loneliness has been ingrained in him for so long that he's worried we'll leave him as well.  He even said if he dies in our next battle he wants to be reincarnated instead of revived because everywhere he goes people are afraid of him because of his appearance.  I'm worried that if he's this focused on it that he might sacrifice himself somehow or be overly aggressive so something does happen.  There's no sense in him dying to change his race if that's all he's after right? So if he's willing to die for it I'm not worried about his willpower and if you could see how hard he's been working on his grove back at the castle you'd know he has the stamina for whatever this spell throws against him.  If there's anyone who could live through it it's him."  Aryn stops and goes silent for a few seconds and her face changes to a mixture of sadness and worry.  "Do you think he'd be mad at me for coming to you behind his back?  Do you think I'm doing the right thing?  I don't want to hurt his feelings... I... I guess I just want what's best for him.  He's so sweet and goofy.  He never fails to make me laugh.  He also know how to push my buttons like my brother.  I don't know what to do because I don't know how to help.  The only thing I know is  200 ways to hurt others... or steal from them without them knowing. Sorry... I uhh... so how long does the spell take to do?"  

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Mucor would say as he takes the silver ring and holds it in his large furry hands. As he returns back to to the grove, he would make his way to the small temple.. moving quickly and confidently as he slid the silver ring on to his thick finger. Once inside the newly constructed temple, he would look up through the skylight.. shielding his eyes with his thick and powerful arm. The minotaur would close his eyes for a moment as the warm rays of the sun hit his face and a slight breeze blows through his fur. A moment later, after taking in a deep breath. The air would feel colder as a chill runs down his spine, but the suns rays would feel warmer. Opening his eyes, his thick hair on his arm arm would be replaced with tan skin. The long shaggy mane surrounding the head and neck of Mucor would have transformed into thick head of long wavy brown hair. With a smile on his face, Mucor would move out of the temple and look into the water... seeing the reflection of muscular human with long wavy brown hair, dark green eyes, and a smooth face as though cleanly shaven. He would place his hand on his strong cleft chin and open his mouth to reveal a set of white sparkling teeth. "It worked..." he would mutter under his breath. 

(Awesome.  So there are still 10 days left before the bathhouse is done right?)

I'll choose the 2 creature max heal.

Torq will admire the weapons and request a few test swings if the girls will allow it.  He had tried larger weapons before but found them too unwieldy and preferred the less restrictive one-handed weapons that allowed him to utilize his wings and agility.  Torq's feathers ruffle at the cool air but keep him quite warm.  Torq will take a flyover of the completed castle and see if there are any weaknesses or upgrades that need to be made.

Perception:  22

If Torq sees the random unknown human in the grove he'll dive down with both weapons drawn.  "Halt!  State your business here.  You're too well dressed to be a refugee.  Lightbringers, come to the grove immediately."  he yells at the human then uses the earpiece to contact anyone in range.

"Hey there Torq! It's just me.. Mucor" I had a ring made so I can alter my appearance... do you like it?" The human would say, standing in the same armor that the minotaur normally wore every day he has been with the aarakara. One hand still on his chin while the other holding his staff. 

"What?!?" Torq replies before taking a moment to look him over closely.  "I see.  Well then... nice new look.  I suppose that could come in quite handy should we need to infiltrate Daegon's ranks."  Torq continues neverously, embarrassed he didn't notice the clothes and rushed to judgement.  "I'm sorry.  It's been so long since we actually had a fight and all this training...  All clear guys.  It's just Mucor." Torq adds in the earpiece realizing his friends may be on their way in a hurry.

"It is only temporary I am afraid.. Trying it on I suppose more than anything" Mucor would say as he looks himself up and down. "So did the twins ever get their new weapons? I hope they like the handles I created. If they don't like them, I can see about havi someone else create something better." He would add with a look of worry. 

(ooc: I image him looking like the prince after turning back into a human in the beauty and the beast)

Aryn-Inara looks back at you with soft compassionate eyes and says, "I see.  The spell itself takes 24 hours to complete.  It is tedious but if you think he is truly committed to this change then he should be able to survive it.  You have done what you thought best.  More than most would have done for a friend even.  Remember, each of us has different gifts.  Some more visible than others but still just as important.  The eyes are nothing without the rest of the body.  Speak with Mucor about our conversation and if he chooses to, let him know I will be here to assist in any way I can."

"Thanks Inara.  I will speak with him tonight.  Also, don't be a stranger.  We've missed you at the castle but I know you're busy."  Aryn says before leaving and coming back to the castle.

She returns just in time to hear Torq's call and rushes to the grove to find Torq and human Mucor talking.  "What's all this noise?   Oh... hey Mucor.... I see you found a method of changing your race."  She says rhetorically.  "Mucor, when you get a free moment I'd like to speak to you in private."  

Once the hustle and bustle has settled down she'll find Mucor and say slowly then begin to speak rapidly as she tries to explain herself, "So I've been working on somewhat of a surprise for you... I spoke with Herbert and then Inara at the grove.  Inara knows of a spell that can change your race but says that it would be dangerous for you.  She also said it takes 24 hours to cast so it must be difficult...  I hope you're not angry with me for asking without your permission but I thought it was a much better option than you dying to be reincarnated.  You don't have to do it unless you want to.  I was just trying to keep you from dying.  I still like the minotaur you, minus the smell sometimes but we all get covered in blood and guts so we stink most of the time anyway."

When Aryn approaches, Mucor would quickly move towards her and smile. "Do you like it? I had a ring made. The transformations dont last long and i can only do then a few times a day but I figure It should allow me to try out different appearances and see what people like most!" The tall tan man would say with a smile as he blows a loose bit of hair out of his face. As the day continues on, he would change his appearance a couple more times.... next to an elf and then to half elf. Each time he would keep long wavy brown hair, his deep green eyes, and large muscular frame. When Aryn visits him again, she would find him returned to his natural self sitting in the sunlight inside the small temple of the grove. When she begins to speak and quickly picks up the pace, a wide smile would spread across his face as he holds up his large hand. "Woah there, slow down." He would say before resting his large hand on Aryns shoulder. "I...I.. and touched that you would take the time to speak with inara about helping me ." He would add with sincerity, before bending down to eye level with her. "I wouldn't do anything to harm myself... It is a full time job working to keep you and your brother alive and out of trouble, and one that I enjoy." He would say with a laugh and a smile. "I do not fear death however... My specific type of druidic magic is focused on death and how it brings about new life. There is a balance in it." He would say with a nod.Tye minotaur would turn and look away for a moment however..."24 hours..." He would mumble before going quiet for a bit..

ooc got to go, he is thinking about the spell and if he is worth the hassle of someone casting a spell like that.