Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

(yeah I was out all weekend as well!)

(Does that name ring a bell?)

"Thank you for everything." Mucor would reply with a smile before giving a small nod and making his way back towards Inara. "I think I have learned how to control my new power. I... hope that the next few days are more relaxed. I don't know that I can handle many more changes." The elf would add with a sigh. "I hope to raise my father from the dead tomorrow... I guess he was working with vampires. I... don't really know what to think about him... buy my mother seems nice." He would say aloud... almost to himself before working to open a portal back to daybreak. 

Jinara history:  23    Iris History:  18    Map detail:  24

Jinara- You know the name sounds familiar but can't place it.  Your face wrinkles slightly as you concentrate and rack your brain for where you saw it. Then it hits you.  Antonidus was the author of "Land of the Fey." he is the wizard who had taken ten excursions to the Feywild to study the time distortion.  You remember the last mention of his book was the preparations for the 11th excursion and plans for the 12th and final trip.  You aren't sure how much time had passed by before his notes were taken and published but you know he is the one who could help fill in pieces of the puzzle... if you could find him, and if he's still alive.

Aryn- Epos nods and requests a map of Zhora be brought to you.  While you wait Jinara contemplates on the name and iris says, "I believe I could circle an area that would match up with all the accounts though it will depend on the detail of the map and my memory of where these places are." As Jinara begins to have his revelation, an archivist brings out a map of Zhora.  It is quite detailed and denotes each mountain range whether small or large.  Iris looks carefully over the map and consults her notes as she settles in on an area southwest of Razzik.  Within the Arak desert are two small mountain ranges, The Blowing Peaks to the north and Smoking Hills to the south.  Iris consults her notes again but can't determine which mountain chain the mine was set in.  "It's one of these two, I'm sure of it.  Whether the portal is on the mountain chain or somewhere in between I do not know.  Perhaps Wymeron can clarify that for us."

Mucor- "I had faith you would.  There is a fine line between fate and coincidence.  Though you appear to be thrust through a gauntlet of anguish and tribulation you have survived, even thrived on your own.  You have survived to have loyal friends and even become reunited with family.    If one looks for murky water in a swamp they will be sure to find it.  It is only those who go in unexpecting who see the beauty of the lilies within the swamp and have the ability to appreciate it. No one knows what the future holds for us.  All we can do is make the best of the time we still have." she says with a smile.  "Blessing be upon you Mucor.  I hope you find resolution and comfort."   You open the portal and appear back in your own grove at Daybreak.  The grey cloudy sky has a small red tint to the west signaling the coming end to the day.  You spot Herbert and Gaelin talking off in the distance and they inform you of their status in regards to your father.  Gaelin appears to be checking you over with his eyes and has a somewhat curious look on his face.

"Good work Iris.  This is a good start." Aryn says happy to be making some progress. She turns, smiling to Jinara and notices his expression. "Jinara are you alright?  You look kind of distracted."

(@ Xtra- About how large of a circle is that in terms of mileage?)

"I know this name... I swear I do...Where? hmmm...AH! Plane traveler. He's the plane traveler!" Jinara says in euphoria. "Aryn. Antonidus was/is a researcher of the Feywild. Remember how Valeera was gone for moments when Gaelin did his thing, but she was gone for like a thousand years?!? Antonidus was trying to understand that paradox. he traveled a dozen times documenting his trips and memories. If only I can remember where I read about him."

(Ha, Gaelin would definitely be eye'n Mucor)

Insight:   25    Mucor are you different?

"Plane Traveler?  So you read about him?  Did he visit the same spot in the feywild each time?  It sounds like we need to talk to Rowan or Valeera or." Aryn stops and looks at Kelgos.  "Kelgos, do you know of a wizard who traveled to the Feywild a bunch?" she asks.

(Would I remember if he visited the same spot?  If i need to roll History = 17)

Mucor would seem normal... although maybe a little cleaner. The elf no longer seemed to shed spores from his hair as he moved, and smelled a little less musty as well. The more you look at him, the more normal he seems... perhaps even seeming more normal than the last time you saw him. 

"Hello friends, how are you doing? Do you think we will have any problems bringing my father back from the dead?" Mucor would ask with a smile as he looked from Herbert to Gaelin. Standing close to the elf, Gaelin could notice the slightest smell of smoke coming from his friend.

(Apologies all, this weekend was an ordeal.)

Jinara- You remember that Antonidus' first three excursions were to different locations to determine a safe spot.  Starting with the fourth he would always enter the feywild on the bank of a large river in what he considered to be the middle of the feywild.  From the bank he journeyed in a single direction then would plane shift back to his study at the expiration of 5 days.  The 11th excursion was to the Northwest.

Mucor- Herbert replies, "All the preparations are made.  We can perform the ritual at first light."  

Gaelin, Torq and Mucor- You each find rest in your own way.  Somewhat nervous for various reasons.  Torq, you enjoy the time with the twins but the lignering pain of loss creeps into the back of your mind. Gaelin, you have brought back people from the brink of death but never from death.  Not like this.  You are out of your element but know it is possible.  Mucor, you still struggle with the flood of new information, between your family, Aryn, Button and now the wildfire spirit, your mind is reeling and you welcome sleep.

Kelgos history:  4

Aryn- Kelgos thinks for a moment. "I did not meet him but we were briefed on a wizard who was traveling to our plane.  He had made an agreement with both sides that he would not meddle in our affairs.  In exchange he would be granted protection from harm.  We were instructed to keep eyes on if we spotted him but not to converse with him, only to observe and send word back to our superior."

Gaelin would go to bed early and wake up before sunrise.  He'd nibble on some breakfast to settle his stomach but not each too much for fear of throwing up.  Once in the grove he'd look at Herbert and the corpse of Mucor's father.  Once Mucor was there he'd ask, "Are you ready?" also asking himself the same question mentally.  If Mucor responds in the affirmative he'd cast Resurrection on the body and try to look as if he knows what he's doing.

"How long ago was that? Are you aware of any encounters others had with him?"  Aryn asks partially surprised her hail mary worked.

Mucor would wake early and skip breakfast entirely. He didn't know the last time he had purposely missed a meal but this morning was important. Moving through the grove, he would make his way towards Herbert and Gaelin. "Yes, I am ready. Thanks." He would reply with a small snort. Steam left his nostrils in the cool morning air as he watched patently as his friend executed his spell.

1

Gaelin & Mucor- The cold air and light snow fall does little to warm your spirits.  As soon as Mucor agrees Herbert and Gaelin begin.  The withered body is placed on a small bed of flat slate stones.  Candles are spread evenly along the outline of the body and lit one at a time.  Herbert brings over a a small basket containing warm clothes and sets it to the side.  Gaelin begins rhythmically chanting and you watch the flames of the candles begin to pulse.  This chanting and pulsing of energy continues on and on for nearly an hour before the flames seem to flicker.  As you near an hour the candle by the left foot wavers then suddenly goes out leaving a wispy trail of smoke that floats over the body and seems to hover.  A few seconds later the candle by the right foot goes out and smoke coalesces with the other.  One by one the candles each begin to go out and their seemingly infinite trail of smoke coalesces above the body creating a cloud that hovers an inch above the corpse.  The cloud lowers slowly closer and closer wrapping around the body like a blanket.  The cloud glows white with arcane energy and pulses three times before the edge of the cloud reaches the stone.  The cloud seems to burst and a cool breeze sweeps through that carries it away.  You all look at the body and find it in the same condition as before, withered and lifeless.

Herbert kneels to examine the body and after a minute says, "Death is not an easy burden for the soul to bear.  Even heavier for those who have died in a violent manner.  I am sorry Mucor.  It appears the soul of your father has suffered too greatly to return to the world of the living.  I do have a spell that will allow you to ask him five questions.  I must warn you though, he will be under no compulsion to answer truthfully if he views you as an enemy.  His answers may not be easily understood but perhaps they will be enough to settle your heart."  You would know Herbert is referring to Speak with Dead.  You can make a DC18 Medicine check to confirm the information Herbert shared.

Aryn- "It was many years ago.  Somewhere between 50 and 200 years.  I am not.  I was just a spy.  Unless I was given information, the only things I knew were what I witnessed first hand."  Kelgos says trying to recall what little information he could.

Medicine:  29

Gaelin has no idea if Herbert is trying to make him feel better or not.  "I uh.  I'm sorry Mucor." he stutters and hesitates when he reaches out his hand to touch Mucor's shoulder.  He gives him two soft taps and looks back at his hands then to the corpse then to Herbert with a oh shit look on his face because he doesn't know if he just perma killed Mucor's dad.

“That’s a long time.” Aryn says a bit miffed by the lack of info but understands where Kelgos is coming from. In their line of work it is very much about being in the need to know group when it comes to information. “Thanks for your help.” She adds. Turning to Jinara she says, “sounds like we may be making another trip to the Feywild after we interrogate Wymeron.”

“My thoughts exactly. If I can get my bearings once we. Get there, I should be able to use Antonidus’ notes to track his journeys.” Jinara says

Aryn nods at Jinara and turns to Epos, "Epos, do you have anything else written by Antonidus or discovered in his study?"  Aryn asks then adds, "It's late.  We can research it tomorrow. If you can have whatever you find prepared for us in the morning I think that would be a good place to start."  She'll turn to Iris and say, "Can you check in with Gaelin to see how things are going?  We should probably turn in for the night or at least a bite to eat we've been researching for hours."

(How many hours has it been?)

(You've been awake for 13 hours and researching for 8 hours.)

Aryn & Jinara- Iris replies, "Yes I can send him each a message.  Is there anything in particular you'd wish for me to ask?  It would be good to rest.  Thank you for your assistance today Epos."   Regardless Iris will cast sending and say to Gaelin, "Everyone ready to reconvene tomorrow?  Contact me before you teleport." and add in any personal message.

Gaelin- this message would arrive around midnight your time while you're already asleep.

Mucor would begin shaking as he clenches his fists. The elf isn't shaking from the cold... but rather an anger building inside of him. "Or he refused to come back to answer for what he did so many years ago." He replies as wipes his eyes with the back of his hand. "If he cares at all about me... if he has ever second guessed his decision to abandon me in that cold swamp... then he will answer truthfully. Mother doesn't want to believe that he was an evil man. Perhaps by answering my questions he can prove that he was only doing what he thought was best... even if that meant throwing me away." The elf would say to Herbert before glancing to Gaelin. 

medicine 17