Updated Map of the Lands of Faerûn

Current status of Imperium conquest.

The Knights of Ivory have retreated to the Ivory Bastion in the Spine of the World mountains and
some surrounding hills. They hold one minor landing at the River Snowspray. Currently under attack by Imperium forces..

To the East, the armies of Thay have had continued success as of late pushing West..
To the South, the armies of Amn and allies have been pushing North.. although this has been with many battles and losses.

A number of areas are still contested where no armies enter (or the armies enter and are never heard from again!): To the east, the High Forest and High Moor, Most of the Lurkwood to the North as well as the Evermoors.

Local Area Map

The Sewer battles and the Cult of Reglios' Ziggurat

DM: many moons have passed in real life - this summary is of action that took place in November 2018 - so will be somewhat brief. hoping to return to the Laughing Moons campaign soon..

The Laughing Moons were engaged in battle with trolls and other sewer monstrosities. The heroes' spells, attacks and more dealing swift and deadly damage to the sewer denizens.
At a sewer juncture, the party engaged a number of dire cave fishers, as well as swarms of rats under command of the Rot trolls
and venom troll. Every time the heroes attacked, putrid waste and venomous sludge spewed over them. 
But the Laughing Moons were victorious, thinking back that if they had ventured down these sewer passages earlier in their career it may have been their deaths! A number of interesting magic items and other treasure were acquired from the vanquished foes.


The party started to a far off chanting.. venturing closer they could hear the words:

“the light shines upon us. The dark surrounds us. The magic helps us. The elements feed us. In the end death takes us.”
Then there was another phrase in another language:
"QWegg'erybi Tangishar Zullanic!
 (DM: Morthos was able to translate: “Death to the God Emperor!”)

The Heroes looked at each other - 'Death to the God Emperor - the Leader of the Imperium. It seems they had stumbled upon a death cult..

 Scouting ahead, they found a massive chamber, with a 5 tiered ziggurat in the centre. Each level was 10' high.
At the top is a cloaked figure in white, looking to be an older man, silvery-white long beard. On each level of ziggurat are 15 white-robed humanoids facing inward heads and arms raised.

Speaking in common they say “the light shines upon us. The dark surrounds us. The magic helps us. The elements feed us. In the end death takes us.”

Then in infernal: “Death to the God Emperor!”

As each mantra is said a different energy fills the room for about 1/2 a minute

• Light the room is infused in a soft white glow
• Dark the room fills with shadows and a cold breeze
• Magic swirls of different colours and what look to be arcane symbols glow about the vast chamber
• Elements fire, snow and rain tiny tornadoes dance and race about the room and figures
• Death a black cloud swirl up around the feet of figure the white clothing rotting away, skin and flesh withering to bone.Once it reaches about waist to chest level on some and others become full skeletons. Then with a final gust of wind they are back to white robed figures.

As each new mantra starts the different energy types swirl up and around into the central figure.. he seems to be getting taller.

The figures then speak the final line and fall to their knees. Bowing their heads they touch the floor

with head and hands continuing to chant in infernal “Death to the God-Emperor.”

The Laughing Moons, not one to pass up on a fight. Prepare and with total surprise attack!

Once engaged, the central white-robed figure transforms into a tall three-skulled figure - A Skull Lord! Lord Reglios. Siphoning all types of energy from the followers into his being to empower him..

The Skull Lord uses his legendary powers and abilities to great effect, his death cult followers sacrificing themselves willingly to aid and defend him.

 
1. Arjhan
2. Aust
3. Rurrick
4. Reinhardt
5. Morthos
6. Namfoodle


 Battling back and forth, many of the Laughing moons fell unconscious in battle but in the end, successfully defeated the skull lord of the Death Cult Reglios.

Nearly all the cultists were dead except a couple, no longer under the Skull Lord's power. Aust led the survivors..
A number of interesting and powerful treasures were found and as they gathered these the walls and ceilings started to shake and rumble. It seemed Lord Reglios' ziggurat was crumbling upon his death. Successfully retreating, the party returned to the Broken Sword inn to rest and recover.. It was two days now until the God Emperor's celebration. The Major met the Laughing Moons and was quite excited to hear of the Lord Reglios' death cult demise.
"You may get a 2nd reward for zis! Vell done!" The Major said with his clipped regimental accent, a smile and a clap on the back of each hero. Buying them all a round of drinks, the Laughing Moons relaxed in the tavern..

Letter from Aust's sister, Plants & new Musical Band forming?

Aust receives a letter from his sister. All is well - she has returned to the two's homeland. (written in Thieve's Cant)

My dear brother Aust, it has been sometime since we spoke. Much has happened, I am 1st mate on a new ship - The Bronze Siren. She is a small sloop, built for speed. We are a courier vessel for the Imperium currently. A good captain, he treats the crew well. I have sailed into a familiar place Aust! Our homeport! It is strange and wonderful - I think? -  to be back.. Much has changed. There is a group we.. Ahh how can I say this..? House Sevni-Liss now rules here.

(*-Aust knows the that Houe Sevni-Liss is a drow house of little worth since you were there. There is a long history of battle, backstabbing, trickery, betrayal and more between your 2 Houses)

They seem to have a new matron mother. She is quite the.. Senger Elg'caress I am told. (*- senger elg'caress is drow for Lord Bitch)

In any event, be careful when you travel here! I assume they look for us still. If you do ever come here, go to our old haunt we used to study at and drink. P.B. is still loyal to our House. (*-Aust knows this is the Dark Shack run by Pinkle Bean (Pinkle Bean is a derro whom makes the best tea - renown along the Sword Coast)

I will be here for less than a day to re-provision, and then we sail North with missives for the Imperium army going to siege the fortress of the Knights of Ivory.

All the best my Brother, always miss you.

**************

The 3 plants Aust was able to recover from the lighthouse at the edge of the world:

Astral Blade tall plant and can be found in damp places/dark places. It blooms once a year, for 1 week.

It has long thin, edged leaves, which are usually light orange. It also grows quite small flowers, which can be light bronze and grey.

These plants grow in small groups and need no light, tricky to control and maintain their growth.

Rubbing a slashing weapon with the sap from this plant gives +2 damage for 10 rounds after application. A live plant can be siphoned of 1-3 doses of sap every week. They last 3 days before losing potency.

Thimblemere is an extremely rare, small bushy plant. It blooms in winter only.

It has squared leaves, which are usually mint green. It also grows huge flowers, which are dark gold or a blue/silver.

These plants grow in huge numbers need some type of light possibly not sunlight, difficult to maintain their growth.

They can be used as medicine - the flowers taken to a herbalist can be created into a poison remedy. Each flower bud will create a poison antidote. 1 dose. Can be taken as a reaction during combat. The leaves make a extremely fragrant tea.

The third plant died and is not recoverable. Had wide triangular leaves. 

********************

Aust is working on posters to put up in cities and towns he passes through it reads: 

Are you a passionate Musician seeking to have your music heard by the world? Do you want to make people happy through song and story? Down on luck? Well seek out Aust Of Astora to see if you are capable to join The Moons Muses! Either at the Moon Landing outpost or check a local tavern close to were this poster is placed. If Aust is not at The moon Landing speak to one of The laughing moons to find out when he will return. ~ The Moons Muses.

Midnight visitor, bounty again and into the Sewers!

When last we saw our heroes, the Laughing Moons returned to Waterdeep looking to be successful in removing the bounty on Rurrick. The Major advised he would take the writ to the Waterdeep

guards as well as to the imperium.

Meanwhile Namfoodle staying at the inn after a long exhausting search at the library on other planes (see previous post for what was found) retires to his room normally shared room with Rurrick, awakes in the dead of night from a deep dreamless sleep, to see a figure standing in the room.

It coughs and spits out something dark onto the floor. “Ahh my old friend, you don’t sleep lightly.. And NO wards to protect you!” It shakes its head. “I can see why I was always the better mage at college!”

A small magical light flares in the figures hand and Namfoodle sees the face of Doctor Barthalmu Soell! Blood drips, from multiple wounds and one arm hangs limply.

“I think I evaded the..” His grinning skull-like mask twists into an even more crazed smile as a blade juts through his chest and he slides limply to the ground. “Namfoo…”

A shadowy figure holding a short wicked blade dripping blood in one hand and a short fine chain swings in his other steps forward. From the window to the awakening wizard’s right – now it seems the LAST of the OCTAD - hears a hiss.

Combat! The wily and accomplished wizard defeats a tentacled mass creature – some denizen from another plane of existence then the cloaked figure winks out (teleport or dimension door..) which had knifed the doctor. The commotion raised other guests at the Broken Sword Inn and then the proprietor – Randarr. At first thinking of calling the guard as it seemed Namfoodle had murdered the poor doctor, but after some thought, Randarr being a member of the Black Diamond Thieves’ guild – decided to go with the sketchy word of the wizard.

Opportune time for the rest of the Laughing Moon’s to arrive and investigate. It seems Doctor Soell’s soul had been sucked out of his body and looked to be destroyed, determined after Aust valiantly tried a Raise Dead spell.

Some cover up and looting of the poor doctor’s magic items then took place.

***

A new day, and new tasks.

The majority of the party visits the Spire of Aamaex to look at acquiring and or creating new items of magic. While, Namfoodle with guards of Rurrick and Keena visit a library to do some research on the once great Wizard’s Octad. While there, a guard saw the face of Rurrick. The prominent poster magically created by the power of the magical Green Flaming Red Pickles all along the SwordCoast is not lost on the young guard OR the 5000gp - Dead or Alive! He gathers some cohorts and confronts the dwarf. Namfoodle is also brought in and nearly dealt with force after some sarcasm. Keena.. hides QUITE successfully and evades the Waterdeep guards.

Taken to Imperium HQ, the two adventurers are taken to a room with a nice view. On the way, they are contacted by Aust (message spell) whom get’s the crew together to find out why Rurrick was taken in! Arriving, they get up to the room and after some deliberating, it seems the bounty was still open for Rurrick!

An audience with the General - an expert swordsman - confirms that House Martanna and ALL its holdings belong to him. NOT to the former Lady Martanna. It seems the General head of the engineering battalions in the Imperium army had to pay the 5000gp to the Waterdeep guards! Now Rurrick is indebted to him. The party finds out it is for heretical acts against the god emperor- worshipping false gods! After some negotiation, to cancel the debt, the Laughing Moons agree to a dangerous quest – under a Geas spell – to trek north to the spine of the world, and infiltrate the Knights of Ivory stronghold and kill the leader of the army besieged by the Imperium.

The party needs gold and recall the last time they had been in Waterdeep, they had delved down into the sewers to fight a Naga so many moons back. There was some areas of the creature’s realm they had not explored.. perhaps there was more treasure down there? The Laughing Moons explore down into the dank and foul reeking sewers.

The party moves forward encountering some diseased 

trolls as well as fungi covered cave-fishers. Battle is engaged. A fiery chromatic orb cast by Aust at the same time as a firebolt from Namfoodle lights up the methane and combustible gas in the area! Multiple spells and battle destroys most of the putrid force..

Will the Laughing Moons be victorious? Until next time..

Aust the bard, learns of a 2 new songs

A Toast to Waterdeep

Here's to the City of Splendors

Deep water where the edge of the sea

Meets rivers of gold; all the coins ever made

Flow past — gods, throw some to me!

(A traditional toast, sung in the taverns of the Waterdeep, heard while staying at the Broken Sword Inn)

 Another longer ballad Aust learns while playing with the duo brother and sister whom performed at the Laughing Moon tavern in MoonLanding:

A Prudent Thief

A prudent thief should never drink so much that he becomes bold.

Because a thief who boasts and brags will rarely live to grow old.

For silence is a thief's best bet and if he breaks this etiquette. 

Undoubtedly what he will get...will be more trouble than gold.

Consider Zhele a thief from Greel, who drank at the Swan and Grouse. 

He made himself quite popular by buying rounds for the house.

One night in drunken revelry, he made a bet with prideful glee, 

But later on he would agree...he never should've been soused. 

A thief's best friends are luck and speed, alertness, cunning and stealth. 

And ale can cause these all to flee and cheat a thief of his wealth. 

But add to this a drunken dare to steal a lock of the Empress' hair, 

Then even a fool should be aware...this may be bad for your health. 

So Zhele did stumble through the door in his most fearless state. 

He slipped in shadows past the guard and snuck through the palace gate. 

Then giggling he scaled the wall so drunk he thought he could not fall.

For wasn't he the best of all...and surely favored by Fate. 

As he climbed in he saw a girl who was dressed in cloth not fur. 

A palace maid? Perhaps a cook? T'was difficult to be sure. 

A homely lass she did appear, but anyone looks good through beer, 

So when she asked, "Why are you here?"...he said he was there for her. 

He showered her with compliments for flattery was his skill. 

And so they spent a pleasant time as any young couple will. 

But as the dawn lit their embrace, he recognized the lady's face 

From every golden coin it graced...and suddenly he felt ill. 

He'd heard that drink was dangerous and now he knew for a fact.

For thieves caught in the palace were hanged or stretched upon a rack. 

But as this thief was kind and bold, the empress gifted him with gold. 

(Then the guard made sure that he'd been told...he'd be killed if he ever came back.) 

And so he was a thief no more for that was part of the deal. 

His bet was lost because she gave him what he went there to steal. 

So other thieves may scorn and mock his name and tale but still they flock 

For a drink and a look at the Empresses Lock... the finest tavern in Greel. 

A young man shows up at the Broken Sword Inn in answer to the posts Aust has put out and about.

Nilnass Maervron. The young man - 'Nil' to his friends - probably just under 20 but you think he may have some elven blood (not full 1/2 elf) - tells you he is from a small port South of Baldur's Gate. He has worked as a caravan guard, coachman, steersman on a riverboat, and says he has played every bar and tavern south of Waterdeep along the SwordCoast. Looks to know how to play the violin, lute and flute. As well as sing both tavern songs and high society ballads and can do a story telling.

Namfoodle: research in Waterdeep

While the Laughing Moons investigate the bounty on Rurrick, Planar study is the task at hand for the wizard Namfoodle:

While searching through an abandoned pile of old school books in the youth section of a little-used library - The Tomes of Santi - you come across a tattered scroll that details how to contact a devil by the name Chantos XinCAsstrolin  that you think if with the proper bribes and or gifts/sacrifices, would take you to outside the 1st gate of the Nine Hells.

You visit a bookstore - Dentin's Books and Curiosities - Near abandoning a search for more information on the Astral plane, you come across a tome on the Fey Wild and determine an entry point - permanent gate - to the Fey. You determine this gate is in an abandoned temple (god: unknown) in the Evermoors.

Mission Impossible - Laughing Moons style

We rejoin the Laughing Moons as they take a moment of respite and breakfast at the Broken Sword Inn and tavern. 
A few tasks the group decide upon:

Following up on the bounty for Rurrick: Rurrick - in disguise - with Aust, Reinhardt head off to visit the House Martana located in the North ward. Taking a carriage they have an uneventful journey there. It seems to be a warehouse or some type of business as they squat brick building has no windows, a set of double doors and a small door with a sign above with the letters HM

Aust asks about any bards and hears of one of the best: Rhistall Fengalla, as well 2 others that have performed at the party's tavern! A brother and sister: Hilda and Prescott

Morthos and Arjhan visit the magic shop of The Spire of Aamaex. The tall narrow tower slowly spinning, the single door opening once every hour as it reaches directly North south east and west. Skoothoth - "The Stork" -  the strange spindly creature provides some interesting items for the 2: an ioun stone for Morthos to improve his skills and a 5 unique helmets for Arjhan's dragon: Poppy. Morthos goes to visit Namfoodle whom toils away on research for his work to create the Staff of Power while Arjhan goes to rejoin the rest of the Laughing moons.

After some discussion and planning; as well as words with a suspicious Waterdeep guard and a small boy selling apples (chased by a storekeeper for the apples!), the LMs scout the building and seeing signs of disrepair and little use in many months, they break in! Investigation by all the party shows that the building looks to be an importer/exporter type business, not used in many months. Rurrick invokes the power of his hammer to scan for treasure and after a while.. found! Looking to be underneath the ground of the office. The party without shovels and picks start to dig with hands, crowbars and anything they can find. They find a brick wall and decide to smash through! A dark room is found as well as a set of stairs up to the office! Party facepalm
Other than a few bottles of good wine, the party finds some long worm-like creatures that dig into Rurrick's hand and start burrowing up is arm! Quick work but Arjhan and Poppy to blast the grubs with fire. The rest are frozen and then electrocuted by Poppy as well. A black sphere of darkness is found. After most of the party says "No!" Rurrick picks it up and then realizes he cannot put it down! It seems to be a black sphere of shadow.
After some experimentation, as well as stabbing his swords (Shadow blades) into the sphere, he is transported to a shadowy black, grey and white realm. The bard finds himself standing amongst a vast number of humanoid featureless figures.. then looking down he sees another whole level of these humanoids of different shapes and sizes. He safely returns, although time in the shadow(?) realm goes at a different pace.
After arcane study, they first thought the sphere was a failed sphere of annihilation but determine that the sphere is a Gate to the Shadow realm. Usable once per week.
Finding some evidence pointing to an estate out in the East farmlands for House Martana, the party leaves. 
They meetup at the airship with Morthos, negotiate getting some armour added to the ship which adds the most excellent protection but may make the ships a little slower at max speed. 

The Major receives a summons from a 2nd Commander Santo for the Laughing Moons - in charge of arranging the God emperors event. The party goes to the once grand castle of Waterdeep, partially in ruins still from the original siege by the Imperium to take the city, now the Imperium palace. A welcome visit with Santo  whom advises they will be receiving an award from the Imperium for the great work. 8 days hence.

AS the LMs are leaving a lieutenant advises the Major and hands an envelope with the Imperium seal.

They are  to meet the Chancellor.. Right now. "Mein gott! I have never met him.. he is the right hand of the God-emperor!"

All weapons are taken and then the Laughing Moons head up a long passage wide that turns into a long ramp upwards darkness on both sides. The party realized after a while no magic works.

The Chancellor a humanoid creature over 8' in height sits on a throne in the middle of a vast dark chamber. receives them and thanks them cryptically for their work against Tharizdun. He/It? seems to be able to read each of their thoughts.. Long fingers over a foot long wave them away in dismissal.

The Party decides to follow-up on the estate of the House Martana. Taking a carriage they travel out into the hinterlands. They find the estate and determine the Martana estate has fell into disrepair. The grapes wither on vines, gardens are overgrown and more. The gate is locked and chained. The party goes espionage mode and climbs the wall.

Moving around the overgrown hedge maze and finally up to the boarded up mansion.

QUEUE the Mission Impossible music

Aust goes 2nd story work and breaks-in. It seems then the party notices that the building still seems to be in use! Noise heard below. Those that broke in exit the window again and try to repair. and then knock on the door. After some discussion and confrontation with an upset and sad Elvish Lady Martana and her daughter and sullen son, the Laughing Moons learn the Lord Martana was killed in a duel with a scheming Imperium General Zelnas - a master swordsman. They know nothing of any bounty. and are happy to sign off to cancel the bounty! They advise the 3 elves they are welcome in Moonlanding. The mother thanks them and looks to ponder on this seriously as the Martana estate will soon become the property of the General Zelnas.

Case closed......?

Back to town and to the Broken Sword Inn.

• Aust learns that the Black Diamond thieves guild has not been in contact for a few days.
• Reinhardt gets a message regarding his father to meet a certain Doctor Landeras whom has more information at the Windy Lass - a very expensive and high society tea house, known for its excellent variety of teas, coffee and desserts. There is a reservation for up to 8 people.

One task down. where to next Laughing Moons?

The Splendours of Waterdeep

We return to the Laughing Moons once again in their headquarters, getting some rest and relaxation, as well looking towards their next goals in Waterdeep.

MoonLanding Outpost has become a village and is quite the bustling hive of activity. Once a large camp of Imperium troops were based here on the opposite side of the river from the outpost. They have all moved onwards. East. To battle the armies of Thay led by its conclave of wizards and sorcerers. The outpost - village - has now become a mining town, the silver mines now open again, and a variety of miners gathering supplies or having tankards of ale speak of other rare metals found in the mountains to the east.

The Laughing Moons have not been idle:

• Morthos researches how to summon servants of his new patron and confronts his new patron - FACE to cosmos..
• Reinhardt continues to train, as well as develop the giant skeleton's longbow into a ballista - with assistance from Rurrick. Comforting Ceasaria as well on the fate of Blakburn
• Namfoodle (with some assistance from Morthos) works on building the wizard lab in the cavern once holding the statue to Tharizdun. Eerily lit still from the swirling ruby dust of the former prison/gem - dispelled by Namfoodle

•   Namfoodle sends a message through Aust's sending spell to the 2 former prisoners. No reply.. yet
• Namfoodle researched the greater familiar spell and was able to summon a fungi creature from the Astral plane! 

• Arjhan trains his 5-headed dragon. The small creature - Poppy - looks to be growing. 
• The Dragonborn has a Pistol-Claw completed by the Sergeant. Looking to be quite deadly. A unique creation by the dwarf engineer!

• Aust starts to advertise to create a new musical, entertainment group. Does some research into the best bards in Waterdeep.

Pickle madness for Rurrick and Arjhan. Rurrick visits his favorite vendor with no disguise (still has a bounty of 5000GP Dead or Alive). Arjhan joins in and they sample some more pickles. 
The party notes that there is a wide area where no one resides around the merchant's tent!
Aust also deals with "13", negotiating on the master naturalist's skills to try and grow some unique plants from the Astral plane.  
On the return, some bounty hunters confront Rurrick and then call the Imperium. Aust is directed to visit the Cardinal on the morrow.. owing his contact in the Imperium a favour. (or the Laughing Moons owing the favour - or Rurrick!)

The party tries to access the Warlock's room to no avail. The invisible passage across the dark abyss of no magic is gone. Namfoodle tries to use the Harpy skull to sense the presence of he Warlock and sees - UP CLOSE - their recent foe Tharizdun. It looks like the warlock was taken by the slumbering evil god.. this has an impact on the scrying device. 

The party make ready to take their airship. Once aloft, they speedily head there, seeing a number of interesting landmarks, and potential encounters, but the party is on a mission to get to Waterdeep!

Nearing the large city, they are confronted by 2 small craft of the Imperium loaded with weapons and troops. After some belligerent talk from a Lieutenant Jaster wearing the gold and black of the Imperium starts to search the ship. Seeing the various firearms it is not looking good for the Laughing Moons. Until a trooper races aboard and after a whispered conversation, the party hears some of the words, 'laughing moons', 'allies of the Imperium' escort to..' and then see Lt. Jaster visibly pale in complexion and look in surprise/terror at the LMs. Then blustering apologies, call the guards searching and advise the party they will be escorted with full honours to the Imperial Fortress of Waterdeep!

A hastily prepared band is playing when they glide in to land An honour guard will be ready and a familiar face - the Captain! Osric Amadaeus - will greet the Heroes of MoonLanding! Now a Major, accompanies the party - while in town.  The Major advises he can help with ship repairs as well as some potential armament upgrades.

The party finds their previous inn, and starts to do some exploring. It seems massive preparations across the city are in progress to celebrate the 500th year birthday of the god emperor's rule of the Imperium in six days.

The party visits the Tower of Four again, a renown shop of magic and mystery. It has changed, now it looks to be a revolving tower. The door only opening once per hour. The proprietor has not changed the tall spindly humanoid creature is there to help them. A number of party members have gold so are interested in acquiring magic items and spells!

The other priority is follow-up on the bounty for Rurrick as well as the disintegrated Blakburn as a number of other plans are in the forming as the Laughing Moons explore the city of Splendor!