Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(Sorry for being absent after the explosion guys. I was out of pocket all weekend building s closet system for our nursery. I'll catch up today and chime back tonight.)

(No worries.  It's been a busy weekend for me as well. )

With the help of Mucor's earth elemental you spend only 5 minutes picking through the remains of the tower.  Torq, Aryn and Mucor are unable to find any signs of life.  You do find the corspe of the storm giant, whose skin still shocks you when touched.  The elemental, being able to easily mold and flow through the rubble brings you a small locked adamantine box that surprisingly appears to be in perfect shape other than covered in dust.  No other signs of Daegon or Aemyra's presence exist.

"Hey Keldrosh!  Will you reach out to Varian in Traes and tell him we're done but can't contact him magically because we're all spent?  Also, tell him to send a mage to come get us.  On second thought... tell him we need him to come to us personally.  There's something he'll want to see himself."  Aryn says telepathically using one charge of the band on her finger.  "Hopefully someone will arrive soon."  she says to the group in her mind.  

When the elemental delivers the box Aryn will check it for traps.  If it's trapped she'll try to disarm it and pick the lock.  

Sleight of Hand:  22

Investigation:  19

Aryn-"Okay... I'll send word to our mages here."  a few minutes pass in silence before Keldrosh's deep voice resounds in your mind again, somewhat out of breath.  "I delivered the message myself.  They should be arriving soon."   While you wait you decide to take a crack at the box. You don't seem to find any traps (missed DC by 1) and set off to picking the lock.  It is a difficult and complex lock but you reflexively smile as you hear a click signifying success.  At the same time you feel a wave of necrotic energy flow through your hand and intense searing pain up your arm.  

Aryn make a DC 19 CON save or take:  67 , half on success.

The box opens to reveal an undamaged pouch of various cards, a small clear crystal spindle and a silver chain amulet with a hollow circle of onyx.

Con:   15

Aryn will quickly pull her hand back and yell, "Oww!"  Bastard!  Gaelin what are these?"

Mucor would move towards Aryn as she investigates the box delivered by the elemental. When the necrotic energy flows through her, he would sigh and slap her on the shoulder. "Ya better watch yourself before you end up loosing all your hair like me" He would say as he cast cure wounds (5th level). He would then look over her shoulder and use the butt of his staff to sift through the items inside the chest. "What do you suppose is in here..." He would ask as he leans heavily upon his staff.

28

(OOC: HOLY CRAP why can't I roll that well normally lol)

Gaelin will begin ritual casting Identify on the items one by one and allow the smallest grin to creep on his face at Aryn's exclamation once he knew she was alright.  "Hold your horses.  This takes a while.  I'll let you know when I'm done." 

(Wow)

About 30 seconds pass from the moment Aryn hands over the box before the an area 100 feet off to the south flashes with arcane energy.  Varian and two mages stand at the ready and immediately do a double take when they look at the destruction around them. They quickly make there way to you and Varian speaks calmly but with a quizzical expression different from his usual composed face.  "What happened here?"

Mucor will just lean on his staff.... letting someone else do the talking... taking one hand and running it along his horns... checking to make sure they both survived the explosion.

"As we approached from a distance we noticed the tower was lit up like a beacon.  Beams of energy were pulsing from statues placed in atop the wall to the north, south, east and west and flowing into a large pink crystal that sat at the top of the tower.  When we were within a thousand or so feet we flew higher up to get out of range of the four ballistas that were stationed on the towers located at each corner.  We spread out and made our attack plans telepathically and executed them flawlessly.  Within a few seconds we destroyed each ballista, the western gate and killed all but two giants, leaving only a massive horde of skeletons, zombies and orcs.  The horde was separated into two groups, those within the inner courtyard and those outside the walls.  We also managed to destroy one of the statues that was fixed atop the gate and the beam of energy emitting from it flickered then disappeared immediately after it was destroyed."  he says pointing out the former locations of the towers and gate approaching the explanation from a military point of view.

"With the main objectives and statue destroyed, we began the second phase of our attack focusing on the inner courtyard since the enemies outside the walls couldn't easily get to us.   We continued to drop bundles on the inner horde and decided to try and distrupt the magic by attacking the large crystal atop the tower.  We dropped a bundle and full bag of casks onto the crystal before it flared white then seemed to implode.  The upper half of the tower was sucked into this tiny ball of light then it exploded and knocked all but Aryn, Valeera and myself out.  The explosion leveled the remainder of the tower and surrounding walls scorching everything nearby.  Despite this set back we were able to quickly heal ourselves and revive our griffons before searching the rubble.  The only trace of Daegon we found was this box."  Torq says pointing to the unlocked box in Gaelin's hands. 

"That.... Yeah that is pretty much exactly what happened" Mucor would add with an approving nod to Torq. "I don't think you have to worry about anyone using this tower for evil purposes any longer..." He would add with a pained snort. 

Varian listens closely as Torq explains in detail what occurred.  He ponders for a moment before looking over at the box and its contents.  He waves his hand over the box for a short while and his eyebrow raises in surprise.  "It seems you were lucky rather than good or perhaps it's fate or divine intervention.  Whatever the reason, you all survived something that few could.  While the loss of the tower is burdensome, I feel it may be a blessing in disguise.  The tower itself had a negative energy that sought to corrupt those who were to weak to resist it.  One such as Daegon would have quickly embraced it and been able to use its power easier than you or I.  However, part of his soul would be lost and trapped within the crystal you destroyed.  While it is uncertain and unlikely that Daegon escaped, I am certain these were his things...  Though it would be safer for me to keep them, I believe you've earned the right to have them.  This pouch contains a deck of cards that have been blessed or cursed, depending on your interpretation and can ruin your lives or greatly aid them.  If Daegon himself wan't desperate enough to use them, I advise you to practice the same restraint.  This spindle is what has allowed him to maintain him body and recover much quicker than a normal person.  It removes the needs of the body allowing one to focus on a task for months or even years without need of food or drink.  Lastly, this amulet is what has allowed him to escape our view for so long.  Though he could transport himself to other planes, such a spell is costly but with this amulet it becomes simple for one with the proper training."  Varian says as he holds up each item and explains it power.  He places each of the items back into the box and hands it over to Gaelin before continuing.  ( Deck of many Things, Ioun Stone of Sustenance,  Amulet of the Planes )

"Well done Lightbringers.  I will have Theodas and Bryzaris transport you back to your castle so you may rest.  When you are fully recovered, send word and I will send a mage to come get you.  It is time to commence the great cleansing.  We should be able to determine if Daegon is still alive once we begin.  If there are any complications I will reach out to you.  There is still much to be done, but for now your task is complete and you've earned a respite.  Have you need of anything before we depart?"  he asks as he motions for the elf male and human female to step forward.

"I could use a nap" Mucor would add with a small grin.

"I'll take the deck. I'm ready to leave if they are."  Aryn says quickly and will waltz over to Gaelin to grab the pouch.  "Thanks Mucor."  she says telepathically while she clinches and unclinches her damaged hand and fingers.

"I think we should take all of the items... I think they could all be useful" Mucor would add with a nod to Aryn. "I am ready to go when you are."

"I could use the necklace.  Let's go home."  Gaelin adds and stands to his feet.

The two mages step forward and begin casting a familiar spell as blue arcane energy coalescences around their hands.  Valeera shifts into her humanoid form and you feel your stomachs lurch slightly as you are instantly transported to the vault within your castle.  The griffons quickly rush out and head towards their perches, eager to rest after dying.  Theodore and Maximus greet you and seem relieved at your safe return.  You exit the inner keep and look out on the afternoon sky.  The warmth of the sun shining down on you with a cool breeze.  The southwest tower of the gate is fully supported and the corpses removed.  A general cheer breaks out as passers by notice your return and for a moment the entire castle erupts into joyous cries of praise at the return of their heroes.  Unaware of the real accomplishment and story of survival that is sure to become known all across Eraas.  

(You have the whole afternoon and night to do whatever you want and rest.  I'll post the start of the following day tomorrow.  Again, I can't say how proud/ surprised I am at how that went and how you all handled this.)

The nearly hairless minotaur would peel a bit of his charred and flaking horn as he made his way to the grove. Limping and leaning on heavily on his staff, he would slowly lumber towards the newly constructed structure. Once inside he would lay down on the cool stone floor and look up through the opening above... Just laying there.. thinking about his actions during their assault and how he nearly killed everyone he cared about... the closest thing he has ever had to a family.

Aryn would check on Calypso and make sure he's recovering and well fed.  Then she'll head to Valeera's den and check on Gaelin.  After that she'll visit the tower for Jinara and Torq's hiding places to make sure everyone is doing okay.  Then she'll make her way to the kitchen and find some mushrooms and pieces of meat before heading to the grove.  She'll cast [Tooltip Not Found] on herself and sneak her way around to see Mucor lying on the floor then slowly approach, sit down and set the bowl of mushrooms and meat next to him.  

"Hey big guy.  You holding up alright?"  she ask softly.

Stealth:  29

"What the!?" The minotaur would reply as Aryn manages to surprise him. Mucor then would sit up and smile, straining a bit as his tender muscles and bones ached. "I am not easily surprised... but it is a pleasant one... Thanks." He would add with a grin. "I guess I was just lost in my head a bit.." Mucor would reply as he looked down to the bowl and grabbed a mushroom. "I messed up today... I nearly killed everyone I care about.. The closest thing I have to a family... I almost destroyed it all in an instant." The minotaur would say as he slides his knees close to his chest and rests his large horned head on them. "I don't know how I would live with myself if I hurt you..." The minotaur would pause for a moment before quickly adding " or any of the light bringers... I cannot imagine the pain and anger you and Valeera would feel if your brother had died as a result of my actions.. or Torq and the twins if one of them had perished... " Mucor would stop as his large bovine-like eyes glass over. ""Maybe it was for the best... growing up alone by myself in that dark swamp... Maybe it was just a way of training me for the rest of my life because what if I am not supposed to care about people... what if I am just a dangerous monster that is destined to hurt those around him.." Mucor would turn away from Aryn and pull off new silver ring on his finger and toss it across the chapel. "Maybe it was stupid for me to try to be anything but a monster.." He would add before dropping his head into his hands... crying like a large naked mole-rat with horns.