Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(OOC: Well If needed, The ghost island crew just needs to give Mucor a picture of a big tree on that island and Mucor and Aryn could be there pretty quick.)

"Very well.  Let's knock that out first then we can go investigate the crystal." Gaelin replies and turns to the ghost king, "We will block off the tunnel from those creatures.  Thank you for letting us speak with you." then will follow Jinara back to the tunnel.

"Before we depart, please ask them where the most central point in the structure is. I think that will be the optimal location to cast the spell." Jinara says telepathically

(assuming he does and we get an answer, Jinara will lead the group to that location.)

Gaelin & Jinara- Gaelin asks and the ghost replies indicating the spot where you currently are is roughly the center.  From what you can see with the two light spells up the large chamber you're in is roughly 120-150 feet wide.  From the entrance to the chamber was only about 50-60 feet. You stand a bit closer to the entrance of the chamber and begin casting your spell.  Upon completion you hear the faint sounds of howls from outside the chamber as two of the creatures have entered the keep through the tunnel.  A moment passes and you hear another pair of howls and bodies falling to the ground.  You rush towards the sound and find the two corpses of the pale undead creatures lying on the stone floor, their bodies partially charred from the radiant damage sustained.

Jinara- you'd know that this spell could harm the ghosts if they enter the area so you could prepare a password for them to use to allow them to avoid damage.

Aryn & Mucor- "Yes.  You have two older sisters.  Zilmae and Venaerys, they own a bakery in Zhesa.  They were born normally.  I still don't know what could've happened to cause you this misfortune my child.  Come let me show you how they look."  she says taking your arm and guiding you , in a very similar pattern through the house showing you the various portraits of the family.  You see your sisters as children and again as young teens then as adults.  Their features resembling their mother.  Black hair and green eyes, very similar to your current appearance.  The irony is lost on you however as you study the paintings closely and feel an internal struggle between rage and joy.  "They'll turn 30 this spring... and you... you turned 24 a month ago." she says looking back at Mucor.

(@Mucor- from what you can tell Lilyana appears to be on the youthful side of middle aged, which for an elf could be anywhere from 50-200.)

(Yes. The password will be "Nadeir") Jinara would relay the password to everyone in the room prior to starting to cast. He would tell Gaelin to inform the ghosts that they have 10 minutes to gather any ghosts that are in their group not currently present.

Once complete, Jinara would stand up and look around and say to Gaelin "It is finished. This place is protected for 24 hours from undead creatures who do not know the password. The door is still open so having a lookout throughout the night is a good idea, but they will be damaged heavily if they enter. This gives us a chance to rest and prepare what we need for the crystal and repairing our newly created entrance. If we need to cast it again and stay a 2nd night, that can be arranged."

"Thank you Jinara. Should we take a look into the chamber to investigate and plan overnight?  Do you want me to message Aryn and Torq and bring them here for the night to rest?  I can teleport to the castle and teleport them back here if Mucor and Aryn can meet me there." Gaelin asks trying to see what the group thinks in terms of next steps. 

(@Xtra- What time is it?)

"Are Aryn and Mucor back from their personal trip? I would hate to take away from their research. Torq & the Twins might be reasonable. They are at the Daybreak, right? Regarding investigation, I would say either we recommend or teleport the troops, but not both in the same night. I fear it might limit our resources in the event of something unknown rearing its ugly head." Jinara says.

(@Gaelin- You've been inside the keep for a bit now and you peek out the tunnel to see it's mid to late afternoon.)

Mucor is constantly looking from pictures to his mother and to Aryn. None of this seemed real and every time he felt excitement at the news of family members and the history of his family.. it was met with anger... anger inside at the years stolen from him. "I guess I was off by a few years." Mucor would reply in response to finding out how old he was. After a while of listening to his new information, he would rub his head and let out a small snort. "Lilyana.. or.. mother.... Is my father a good man?" He would blurt out before taking a deep breath as he struggles to calm himself. 

Aryn watches the story of her love unfold before her and she does her best to hold her tongue.  She reminds herself she's only here for support, not revenge.  Even though she knows Lilyana knew nothing of her husband's lies she still feels angry towards her.  How could a mother not know, how could she have allowed them not to show her the baby. At the same time she fights the urge to throw up at the thought of being a mother and not knowing and feels sympathy for Lilyana.  She slows her breathing and calms herself smiling when Mucor looks at her putting on the best supportive face she can muster.  No matter what the story there was going to be hell to pay for someone.  "You're young. I guess I'm rocking the cradle." Aryn says with a smile.

Aryn & Mucor- Lilyana looks at the portrait then back to Mucor, "I like to think of him as a good man.  He was a good father to the girls.  I don't know what was going through his head at the time but I plan to find out." Lilyana says and thinks for a moment before looking deep into Mucor's eyes.  "You have my eyes Vesryn...Mucor... I'm sorry, that is what we were going to call you.  Do you like the name Mucor? or Vesryn?  You can change it if you want."

"It is a nice name... but one I had never heard before. I guess it feels a bit like you are calling me by someone else's name" Mucor responds, trying not to offend his mother. "I think I'll stick with Mucor for now. Perhaps one day I'll feel as though the name Vesryn belongs to me".

"I'll send Aryn and Torq a message.  I don't know how much longer Aryn and Mucor will be away or how it's going since last night." Gaelin says then casts Sending to Torq and Aryn.

Torq- "Hey, hopefully I'm not disturbing you.  We have made a discovery and could use your help if you're willing. Twins are invited too."

Aryn- "Hope you're having fun.  How much longer do you think you and Mucor will be away? We found something and might need your help." 

“I can probably come back tonight. I don’t know about Mucor   He may want to stay. Will it be quick?” Aryn replies to her brother in her mind while still trying to listen to Mucor and Lilyana. 

Aryn & Mucor- Lilyana looks at Mucor with a tender smile, "Oh I know dear, I was just asking.  I only want you to be happy.  You don't have to use that name at all. I'm just so... so confused with joy and anger and sadness I just don't know what to do.  How about we grab a bite to eat?" she asks clutching you hands.  If you agree she'll lead you to the dining room where an orante table, plates and silverware lay perfectly placed for a group of four.  "Folduin should be coming down soon so being a bit early won't hurt anything.  If he doesn't arrive soon I shall go and fetch him myself." she says with a thin angry smile. 

(I know most if not all of us have some type of plans so no pressure on posting a bunch over the holidays.  I'll try to check in and advance the story as much as I can.  Hope you ad your families are are safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!)

"I am struggling with those same feelings Lilyana." Mucor would reply with a smile. "But I would like to eat... I didn't eat much for lunch, I was a bit nervous about meeting you." 

"Aryn said she can come tonight not sure on Mucor.  I'll check in again later before we decide on anything.  Iris, can you send messages to people or teleport us back to the castle tongiht?" Gaelin asks.

“We have the barrier for 24 hours. If we go, I would say we check with our guests and see if they will be ok while we are away. If they will not, then I say we stay and bring our comrades here.” Jinara says 

"I am ready.  Let me know when and where you need me."  Torq replies excited by the thought of a battle.  He enjoyed the break from fighting and spending time with the twins but he could feel his adrenaline pumping just from Gaelin's message.  He would turn to the twins and say, "Let's get in some more practice.  Gaelin and the others need our help."

"Thank you again for letting us stay for dinner and speaking with us.  It means a lot to Mucor, as I'm sure it does for you." Aryn says to Lilyana taking a seat next to Mucor.  She wasn't really sure how things were going but she racked her brain with a way to talk to Mucor about potentially leaving.  She knew Gaelin would only ask for their help if it was something big and as important as Mucor's past is, the life of her brother and friends was important as well.  For now, she'd sit and wait for Mucor to meet and confront his father.  Gaelin can wait.