Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(I knew that would come in handy one day lol)

(That it did.)

The same white arcane energy that healed Kelgos now spreads over Aryn's shoulder causing a black cloud to be expelled from the puncture wound.  The cloud disappears into vapor and Aryn regains her composure feeling much better though still exhausted and sore.  Valeera takes her leave to grab some food and returns after about an hour.  Kelgos wakes up and requests some food, which Valeera is quick to provide in the form of a large buck.  "Here, I've already had 9 while I was out."  You quickly make a spit and roast a large hunk of meat.  Within an hour you are all full and feeling the exhaustion of the day, evening, night?  You aren't sure anymore with the constant setting sun at your location.  Rowan arrives shortly after you finish your meal and informs says, "Greetings.  How's our prisoner doing?  Still alive for me to question I hope..."  She looks over to Gaelin and casts a quick message spell, "Perhaps you should bind us telepathically so we make speak freely without fear of being heard."  Gaelin immediately begins ritual casting Telepathic Bond and at the expiration of ten minutes links your minds into a collective group.  "Now then, we can speak freely with one another.  Are any of you familiar with spells that block divination magic or that could keep us from being monitored?" 

Jinara says with a pondering face "I may know something, but I need the night to see if I can conjure it"

"Gaelin, are you able to create your bubble? I know it protects us from physical danger.  Does it also protect us from spells?"  Torq asks in his mind unsure of the answer.

"Yes... that's a really good idea Torq.  Everyone gather around me." Gaelin replies telepathically and begins ritual casting Tiny Hut.  When I finish, the dome will be warm, dry and match the stone floor to blend in.  The interior will be darker than outside to provide more shade from the sunlight.  "All of you can enter and leave as you please but I have to stay inside.  It will last for 8 hours.  I know we have a lot to do but it might be best to go ahead and rest." he says getting comfortable.

"Rest sounds wonderful.  If you need me I'll talk more in the morning."  Aryn says laying out her cot and sits in a manner Mucor is now familiar with.  She disrobes and changes into a simple nightgown placing her belt of daggers across her lap and begins to breathe rhythmically falling into a trance.

(Unless there are any objections...)

Rowan agrees and inspects Kelgos one last time before adding, "I'll return in the morning to keep watch over the village.  I've spoken with the lord of Mithrendain.  She has agreed to join our fight and is most interested to learn of our findgings on the Night Queen's treachery.  Rest well Lightbringers."  She bows and exits the dome and you see her form shift into that of a giant eagle that quickly soars out of sight through the tunnels.  Valeera kisses Gaelin goodnight and exits the dome turning back into a dragon and lies down on her platform breathing heavily and loudly.  Aryn and Gaelin quickly find sleep while Jinara, Mucor and Torq take their time and settle in slowly.  Torq perches just outside the dome while Mucor lies close to Aryn watching her twitch in her trance state and imitates her posture before entering his own trance.  Jinara is the last to slumber looking around the cave entering and exiting the dome a few times before settling inside.  He contemplates to himself struggling between thoughts of his past and the urge to sleep before rest takes hold.  

Aryn & Mucor- you awaken earlier than the others and find Kelgos awakens shortly after.  While you sit quietly inside the dome Kelgos examines his leg and tests it stretching, turning and bending it for a few hours before whispering,  "Not bad... I may still be useful after all."  He exhales and remains silent once more as a cloud seems to stay permanently on his brow as if he's deep in contemplation.  Another hour passes and the others wake as the dome fades.  Immediately the amber light from the sun causes your eyes to squint and you look around to see Rowan preparing a meal from the remains of the buck.  Rowan locks eyes with Gaelin and taps her forehead.  Gaelin once again begins casting Telepathic Bond and at the expiration of ten minutes you all are able to communicate telepathically.  "Any luck for protection from prying eyes?" she asks the group.

(You all successfully complete a long rest.)

“Kelgos, what can you tell us about Wymeron’s movements. How long does he stay around the queen?  Does he have his own quarters? You mentioned traveling between planes... what do you mean by that? “ Aryn asks telepathically. 

"Yes, I remembered a spell from my studies.  It should be able to keep Kelgos safe from view for 8 hours.  Jinara, I know you had a plan as well.  Are you able to protect multiple people at once or just one individual per spell?"  Gaelin replies thinking of Nondetection and waits fro Kelgos' response to Aryn's questions.

(OOC: So I dont know if I ever got an answer.. Is Button Jr. attached to Mucor or was he just a stow away under his armor?)

(@Mucor-Apologies. I probably missed it. Button seems to be attached to you on a molecular level.  When you underwent your transformation the spores from him growing on your back fused with your DNA.  This was the final transformation of Button augmenting your body and spore abilities.   Halo of spores range increased to 30ft, Spreading spores range increased to 60ft.)

Kelgos ponders for a moment trying to recollect until you hear his voice in your mind, "I was only in the castle for a short time between missions.  While I was there he stayed in a separate room within the castle apart from the Queen's.  He was never there more than a few days at a time but things may have changed since then.  I know he uses the portal in the inner courtyard to return to the material plane.  It comes out in a subterranean grotto somewhere on Zhoral... Zhorass... Zora?  I think that's the name, or something like that; I've never had to use it for missions so I only know what I've heard from others.  From there I don't know his whereabouts but apart from the Queen's bodyguards and armies I would think he'd be a much easier target." 

"Good, we should use it now." Rowan chimes in looking at Gaelin. 

(History check for anything about this grotto or wymerons travels during my time?)

If yes, guidance = 10 + 4

Jinara- You recall Wymeron would on occasion take "religious treks in search of artifacts and knowledge" and be gone for a day up to a few weeks depending on the distance and importance of the trip.  While you saw him leave the temple on rare occurrences, sometime accompanied by an acolyte or instructor, you more often received the news from a fellow acolyte or one of your instructors. You didn't mind the absence and regularly looked forward to them as hard as he was on you and some of the others.  You remember one "trek" that seemed to stand out from the others.  Wymeron left with two acolytes and returned alone but in very good spirits.  You overheard him saying that he'd found something remarkable before he saw you in his peripheral vision and quickly scolded you raising his hand to strike but stopped himself and simply escorted you to your quarters.  That was strange from him but his eagerness and levity seemed to be greater than his anger at that moment.  Since that trip he had begun taking sporadic short treks and his demeanor quickly returned to the scornful head master you knew.

"Perhaps it would be best to fight a two sided battle.  While we ensure Wymeron's demise on our plane, Rowan and the villagers can cleanse the forest." Torq proposes in his mind.  He wanted to help the villagers here but knew first hand that taking out a general from the army could do more damage than winning a battle while the general lived to fight and lead another battle.  He was also ready to get back to the twins.  He thought this trip would be short but with things moving along as they have, he feared this may become an extended stay.

As things wind down and their new ally is further questioned, Mucor would excuse himself and attempt to find a quiet place hidden from view. Walking out into town he would attempt to move inbetween a few of the homes before sitting with his back against a rock. With a deep sigh he would shift his armor and uncover Button Jr. "Hello friend.. I apologize if my clothing makes it difficult for you to see.. I uhh... was not expecting you." The elf would say with a frown before shaking his head and forcing a smile. "Do not think I am unhappy to see you.. Button has always been a dear friend.. but." The elf would let out another sigh and rub his eyes with his hands. "part of me wanting to go through with my transformation.. was so that people would accept me. So they would no longer fear me and.. well... I worry what would happen if people were to see you." He would add as he gives his mushroom growth a pat on the head.

"Rowan, I know you've already said this is your fight now.  Do you really think your group would be fine without our help?"  Gaelin asks following up behind Torq. He'll turn and look at Valeera and say only to her, "Are you okay with us leaving?  Would you want to stay and fight here or go with us?"

"I agree with Torq's assessment.  We have allowed this aggression to go unanswered for too long.  It is our responsibility to drive them out.  The people just needed a spark of confidence... which you gave them.  With the bridge secured and our combined strength with Mithrendain, we should be able to clear the remaining lycans from the forest.  It will be difficult no doubt but manageable as long as our defenses and illusion around the bridge hold.  If you can subdue Wymeron, it will give us an even greater chance.  Can any of you scry on Wymeron?  If we know his current whereabouts we can plan better."  Rowan replies.  

Gaelin- Valeera smiles at you and replies, "I go wherever you want me to go. Rowan is a dear friend, and if you wished me to stay and fight with her I will but you... you are everything to me. I do not wish to pass another week let alone another 300 years without you in this place."

Mucor- While the others stay in conversation you venture off to the side of the large open cavern of Valeera's den and settle yourself in a corner and look down at your collar.  You see a small blackish grey looking mole with blue dots looks back and smile as you speak.  It slowly sprouts up creeps across the outer layer of  your skin never losing contact, tickling slightly but without any pain, until it rests on your palm. "It's not an issue.  The clothing keeps us warm and safe.  I can always hide on your back if you want.  That's where I usually go when you start to sweat or breath heavily.  You give life to others... heal them and nurture them.  I don't know why anyone wouldn't accept you, even in your old form." The small button says in minotaur.  It looks back to the group and adds, "All the people at the castle accept you... I accept you... and most importantly they accept you... shouldn't that be enough?"

"I suppose you are right friend." Mucor would reply with a smile. "I seem to have become selfish in that regard. I used to hope to find at least one person that might accept me.. that might talk to me and care about me.. and now I have found many." He would add as he stands up and dusts himself off. 

Jinara pulls out a small tome from pocket and a quill, and begins jotting a few things down. As he does he says to Rowan "I have a few ideas on how we can find him. I also have a few ways we can confront him once we locate him. The big thing I think will be keeping him on one plane of existence. Unsure of how he holds his powers, some clerics have the ability to teleport/plane shift divinely given to them. He may have this, but given that he has been using the grotto, he may not. Either way, we need to plan everything to happen on the same day as to eliminate his ability to switch out spells and better prepare for us."

"Agreed." Aryn adds watching Mucor slide off to the side.  She'd wait a few minutes then sneaks over...

Stealth:  19

Thinking she's being quiet and sneaky she moves over to Mucor and kisses him on the forehead.  "Thanks... I think I was about to go down there.  Is that Button?"