Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

Gaelin smirks as he notices the change and knows he has control over the werewolf for the time being. "Got him.  This will last for an hour but no one can damage him in any way until I give the okay."  Gaelin says telepathically.  Gaelin will take a couple steps towards Draco and say,  "Alright Draco, show us where anything of value is and let us know if there are any traps in the area." 

"Damn it..... DAMN IT" Mucor would shout as the realization hits him that he was only going to be able to recover one body. Mucor would grab the corpse and hoist it over his shoulder before heading out of the cave. Once outside he would look for the prisoners. "How many did the earth elemental kill..... HOW MANY? Do you know this man? " He would ask as he points to the body on his shoulder..

Mucor- Two women scream at the sight and begin to weep, another man from the prisoners raises his head and says softly. "Three... including the one you're holding.  Only the ones that were too exhausted to continue on foot.  We stopped once we made it to the beds for a short break when it attacked.  Nasty creature.  Skewered Barton from within the wall and disappeared before we even noticed he'd fallen.  He was just a simple farmer.  He only told us his name and occupation before they laid into his with their torture instruments.  They're all in a better place now son.  They'd been through so much pain I'm surprised they survived this far." 

Others- Draco nods and smiles politely, "Of course.  There's a couple nice chests full of gold, platinum and gems off to the side here.  Careful, the one of the left has a spring trap with a poison spray if you don't use this key."  he says pulling out an iron key and hands it to Gaelin.  "There were some fine wines and food int eh barrels before the earthquake but it looks like those broke."

You open the two chests and find everything is as he said finding 500 platinum, and 10,000 gold in coins as well as two rubies worth 1000 gp each and an emerald worth 2000 gp.  

(@ Gaelin-Well played)

"Did he mention any loved ones... Any plans? If I had the resources to bring him back to life.... do you think he would wish to return?" The elf would ask as he rubbed his face with one hand and continued to hold the body over his shoulder with the other. 

(ooo shinies 100 platinum, 2000 gold per person.  Want to put the gems into the vault?)

"Well done Gaelin. We need to get out of here and back to the castle so we can take full advantage of this."  Aryn says telepathically to the group before asking.  "Now Draco, do you have any maps of hideout locations or if we gave you a map could you note them?"

Mucor- Unfortunately I can't answer any of them questions.  I only known him a day or so.  He was captured before me.  If it were me, I'd rather be in paradise.  I don't know if he was a follower of Kirix but I like to think he's at rest now." the prisoner replies with a weak smile, his jaw still bruised from the unspeakable tortures from the werewolves.  

Aryn- Draco looks to Gaelin for confirmation and opens up, "I.. do not have any maps here but if you have one I can certainly try my best to provide all the information I can." the werewolf says with a bow.  It's partially off putting how awkward this giant wolf hybrid creature acts under Gaelin's spell compared to its normally bloodthirsty and relentless behavior.

You begin making your way out of the cave and after about 20 minutes reach the exit to find Mucor and the others huddled together.  A solemn look of grief on Mucor's face as he stares at the body of Barton.

Torq is nearly stunned by the sudden change in Draco and watches astonishingly as the werewolf bows.  "You've never used this on me right?"  Torq whispers to Gaelin.  As they make their way out Torq will follow far behind severing a few werewolf heads, for himself and for Mucor's mushroom friend.  He'll fly up next to Aryn and say, "You should talk to him.  He cares for all of us but is particularly fond of you.  Today really hurt him.  I haven't seen ever seen him like this.  Maybe you can calm him down before he tries something crazy."

"I'll talk to him.  He's just been going through a rough patch lately."  Aryn replies to Torq.  "Alright Gaelin, get us out of here." she says once they finally reach the exit of the cave.

Gaelin chuckles at Torq's concern.  "No.  But if you were to go on a rampage I might.  I did consider it as a contingency option when we were aiding Varian save the drekthar forces.  Just in case."  He'll smile while his sister barks orders at him and simply say, "Alright everyone.  We have one chance at this so listen closely.  I'm going to open up a portal in that large tree over there and you're going to run through as quickly as you can.  You'll appear in a courtyard in a slightly warmer climate and be able to receive medical attention."  He pauses to turn to the group and griffons.  "If you want to carry those who are unable to move quickly it would better our chances.  We have 6 seconds then whoever is left will have to wait here until tomorrow.  If we line up and time it right we should all be able to get through.  I will go last and can make the safety bubble to protect any left behind." 

Perception to find a large enough tree:  26

I need two people to make an acrobatics or athletics check individually.  

Gaelin spots a magnificent large Spruce tree with a snow covered canopy.  The trunk is straight and roughly 12 feet wide.  

At the mention of getting out of here... Mucor would pick up the body and sling it over his shoulder once more. If it appeared that Gaelin was having a problem finding a large enough tree, Mucor would tap his staff to the ground and cast plant growth. 

Acrobatics:  10

Athletics:   19  (woohoo)

You all gather around the tree.  You aid the more exhausted prisoners mount the griffons while Torq Alexandria and Juliana each carry the other three prisoners.  Gaelin counts off and opens the portal.  Immediately the griffons, Mucor, Jinara, Torq and the twins rush through.  Valeera & Draco step  through the portal followed closely behind by Aryn who stumbles on a root she passes through. Gaelin just barely manages to slip through as the portal closes while aiding his sister get to her feet. 

You exit the portal into the Castle Daybreak's outer courtyard.  The sun sits at the top of the sky and your stomachs rumble for nourishment.  You alert the acolytes and priests who immediately rush to the prisoners' aid.  You receive a combination of mixed looks as you escort Draco to the dungeon within the keep.  Jinara flies up to the tower to retrieve Iris who gathers some maps of Telgun and Zhora. You all congregate in the dungeon placing Draco in one of the silvered iron cells and request he point out all the locations known to him.  He gladly obliges and marks each area of the map with a small circle.  

(Will provide the map tomorrow.  I'll say you have 5 minutes left before the spell ends in case there's anything else you wish to do with him.) 

"Damn...  Thanks."  Aryn says frustrated at herself for tripping on a root.  Once Draco finishes marking all the locations Aryn will say,  "Thank you for all your help Draco.  You've been a great help.  Is there anything about Kar'Gal we should know? Who are the other leaders within the Hive?"

Mucor would gently remove the body from his shoulder and hand him over to one of the priests. "Clean up the body. I am not done with this one." Mucor would say before following Draco to the holding cells. Once he was inside, his appearance would begin to change back to a minotaur as the effects of the ring begin to wear off. As the silvered gate is closed and the werewolf stands alone inside the cage, Mucor would tap the stone around the cell and cast stone shape over and over. Each time he does, the stone morphs and moves up along the back of the bars and works to reinforce the cage and adds additional support.  He would then look around and if he spots the two awakened bears that he had helped to armor and train, he would instruct them both to keep watch on the cell. He would allow his companions to ask their questions as he looked at his thick hands and fur covered arms.. he would let out a snort and make his way towards the grove. 

“Thanks Mucor!” Gaelin would say. “Whatever happens in the next minute is me and fine.” He says to the group. Gaelin will take control of Draco and expend all of his spell slots on non harmful spells if possible or target the floor to make sure he doesn’t have anything to escape for at least 8 hours. 

“Alright he should be tapped of spells. Are we aiming to keep him or no?” He asks 

As Mucor leaves he’ll give a look to Aryn as if to say go after him. 

(Apologies all.  I should be back tomorrow.)

As Draco finishes the map and hands it back to you, you find multiple circles drawn all over.  15 locations in total.  "These are the hideouts I am aware of.  In regards to Kar'Gal, he is intelligent and and ruthless.  He is said to wield powerful magic and has 4 lieutenants, Yinmaris- a female weretiger known for her wisdom and cruelty, Aefaren- a female weretiger who is Kar'Gal's bodyguard and partner, Virric a male weretiger who is as bloodthirsty as a werewolf but still as cunning as his tiger compatriots, and myself.  We are the four who organize and control our dens or prides.  Seven years ago there was a revolt by the werewolves within the hive that caused a great disruption.  Virric thought it best to eradicate our kind and leave the tigers and rats to control the area.  That is when Kar'Gal took notice of me.  He promoted me in an attempt to stiffen the werewolves, placing me in charge of the majority of the dens and it worked.  The revolt was quickly resolved and for the last few years we've enjoyed the benefits of cooperation."  He smiles after he finishes, a sense of pride in accomplishing his duty to Gaelin.   (map below and added to the campaign notes.)

Theodore and a single awakened bear join you as Gaelin takes of Draco to find he is an 11th level Transmutation wizard.  (Sent you the spell list)  He doesn't seem to know many spells but you quickly use all of his abilities safely and render him relatively harmless.  You ensure the prison cell is closed and locked before the spell ends.  Draco shakes his head a little and looks out through the bars of the door and smiles squinting his eyes.  "I see I am outmatched ability...  Though you have spared my life for some reason.  For what do you bestow me this mercy?"  he asks with a slight snarl to his voice.

Mucor- The priest nods and carries the body off to the clean it with the others.  You exit the prison cells and make your way back to the grove passing Herbert who rushes to assist the priests and acolytes.  You enter the grove and find it peaceful and cool compared to the direct sunlight above you. The sounds of the swamp fill your ears and you feel home once more.  The inner rage within you wants to subside but something inside seems to hold it and keep the anger burning.  You breathe deeply snorting loudly with each breath as your muscles tense.

(What happens next is up to you.)