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!

The Stargem, Rod of 3 Parts and Tharizdun

We rejoin our heroes in the Astral Sea on the island at the edge of the world. Discussion continues on the best course of action.
There is a small ruin part way up the hill they explore. After some have to battle vampire vines, Aust, Namfoodle and then Reinhardt enter. It seems to take them to a massive chamber with no ceiling - blue sky and sunny - a welcome change from the purples and black of the astral plane. A massive tome 4 feet wide and 5 feet high lies on a pedestal 10 feet up - a giant's book? After some acrobatics, the party climbs up and it looks first have to Aust's history of all he can remember. Then when Namfoodle looks it is the long history of the old gnome. It mentions a way to get by the clones without battle, but the party does not determine how to do this. Aust tries to unsuccessfully close the book, and the party leaves.
 With Aust's brilliant insight they decide to summon a clone of him and try and have his memories wiped by the magical effects of the Astral sea. The Laughing Moons, one after another battle their clones. Some killed, most tossed to drown in the swirling oceans of and fall off the edge of the Astral world.
Until finally the evil clone of Aust appeared. The battle took some time as Evil-Aust misty-stepped about. But finally with Arjhan's good wrestling skills, they were able to subdue the clone and with the memory loss of being dipped into the Astral sea, a parlay was had.
It seemed the clone remembered nothing now, even its drive to kill Good-Aust. Some deft persuasion and the innate good nature of both Austs - even in the now memory absent clone-Aust - came to the forefront. The clone did not want to die and the only way it could now survive - according to Aust and party - was to take the place in the lighthouse. Clone-Aust agreed (after a tremendous roll of persuasion by Good-Aust). The creature now named Leon (after Aust's former teacher) actually looked forward to helping people navigate the Astral plane and sea. Some banter and discussion happened with the puppet in the bag of holding - Aust wanted his musical instrument - and the deal was struck. 
The Deva angel confirmed clone-Aust wished to take her place. A moment later, the Stargem - a triangular stone - was in Morthos' one hand and the Rod of 3 parts in the other.
Research was needed, as well as returning to the land of Faerun as they all sensed a dire urgency still. The Chained One awaited them..

The raging storm on the edge of the Astral plane behind them, Morthos used the power of the Rod of 3 parts to create a gate to their home and the Moons Wings sailed through.. to a unfamiliar place.

The airship floated over a desolated hill. A ring of broken stones amongst withered grass and trees shows an old ruin.

A vast graveyard lay below them for as far as the eyes can see in all directions.

Near some of the stones a worn and broken table still stood. Behind and partially on top was a skeleton. When the party came near it rose up and in a hoarse scratchy voice said “What’ll you have?” They realized this is Zee, their once bartender manager of the tavern/inn. It seems over 300 years have passed according to the skeletal tavern keeper. She pour drinks in broken mugs of putrid water with squiggly moving insects, and worms flowing from the bottom. In a broken and cracked voice she tells the group of Tharizdun's return - all have perished. Meanwhile others of the group see familiar names on tombstones and grave markers:

• The Captain
• Tylnn
• Barfuu
• The Cardinal
• The abbot
• Aust’s sister
• Morthos' mom and sister
• Reinhardt's father
• Rurrick’s parents
• Tynng
• Hogan
• and more..

Some of the party think things are not quite right.. questioning much. So the Laughing Moons delve into their headquarters.
On the first level they find a small skeleton.. with a fine crossbow. A henchman and dear friend of Aust's. Rooms have changed passageways are gone. The party feels an evil presence. Onwards and deeper.. The passage to the dragon is filled with webs. But the party determines they must go down.. down to the chamber where Tharizdun slumbers. 

Descending the steps behind, the party finds a nightmare has taken over their once base

In the main room a single black cloaked figure sits facing away from them, standing he turns slowly.

As if a jagged blade had hit him half his features are gone and only skeletal bones remain. The other side is withered flesh. BlacBurn the shadow monk speaks to Reinhardt. “How could you leave me to Him?”

 As if that was a moment of insight and a shadow passes over the monk, he laughs. “You took too long my once mentor! I found a new one.. One whom showed me the true way! Pahhsim, look! Our old mentors finally return after over 3 centuries!"
Pahhsim a rogue and mage backstabs Namfoodle, leaving the mage bleeding out.  Battle ensues  With that the party realizes the room has changed and is now a vast pit filled with skeletons. They step on the bones of many dead creatures as they move about in battle. A skull in each corner of the 8-sided room spews out purple mist that seems to drain the party of energy and life. 
 During this time, Arjhan senses something and a tiny voice in his head whispers to him. "Master you must save me!" The Dragonborn runs off without a word to the party or an answer to their shouts.
Blacburn is held and near death a disintegrate ray from Namfoodle turns the monk into a blowing dust.
Pahhsim - which the party quickly realizes is Mishhap falls as well his final words to Aust: “Aust.. Father.. I am so cold.. I miss you.”
The bard dismisses this.. "it is NOT real." Moves on without a 2nd glance at the fallen rogue assassin.
Meanwhile Arjhan races up to the room over the dragon's lair. His egg - the gift of Tiamat - calls him. He finds the black orb cracked and damaged. Cradling it protectively, he returns to the party. The baby dragon inside murmuring to him.
The Laughing Moons trek onwards. In what was once the training room, they see an old gnome sitting at a desk writing, an orc standing over the frail and wizened old gnome. With a start at the noises and conversation in the hall the gnome turns, "Namfoodle!" Some discussion before the orc slams a club down on the back of the old gnome. "Write!"
At first Namfoodle tries to enter, but Aust stops him and then persuades him to come back here after - if he is still here. "This is not real!" 
 Morthos has a vision of one of the servants of his patron - Solaa the Fallen Angel - warning him something is not right.A citrus (orange lime and lemon smell) as well as an brimstone smell permeates the air as she talks to the warlock.

“He will betray us! Do not do what He asks. I remember you thinking of a change a new life.. A new patron..we can do this.. Together.. One of the rods was created by an OLD One.. Contact..” Her image wavers.. “HE comes!” and she is gone.

Finally they move into the passage that leads to the room that holds the Chained One. Something is not right.. it goes on for as far as they can see into a purple mist and darkness. Skeletons lie on the floor with no skulls. They realize one is Tyyng - their old cook, another is Tylnn the rogue companion from their early years. They move on. The party comes upon a shelf on one wall filled with skulls it seems of many of their friends and comrades.
Destroying the skulls they tire of these nightmares of Tharizdun. Aust pulls the shelf down with a crash - getting frustration out. 
Morthos then is contacted by his patron the Arch Duke of Hell - Asmodeus. 

A 8' tall EXTREMELY handsome man appears..”ahh my young Morthos.. You have the rod of 3 and the star gem! Most eeeexcellent.. She IS a delight to see.” He will holdout a long hand that stretches out to the near comatose angel.. inside the gem and strokes her cheek. As he does her skin burns.. “Her sacrifice  to stop the Chained One from waking will be nothing to saving all the planes of existence! Well done my true hero.. You have done well you and your servants here” with a wave of one hand to the party..

“Your rewards will be truly worth it!”

The image wavers.. The Arch Devil says some words you do not hear..

“Ensure to place the stargem correctly between the 3 rods! The 3 must form a precise  triangle on His chest. The point must be..” The ArchDuke of Hell looks off to one side. “ Noo! You are behind this?! Do not betray us all, we all will perish.. Nev..! “ then it seems a wave of sickly glowing green energy wipes out the image and the corridor that once went off to infinity returns to a long dark tunnel, all the formed blocks ebony dark stone.. A purple glow is ahead from the Chamber of the statue to Tharizdun!

Then finally they see head a black sphere filling most of the passage. From the excellent skills and research over the years the party determines this is a sphere of annihilation.
Using his vast skills of concentration, Namfoodle is able to take control of the sphere and move it slowly forward into the room. 
Morthos concentrates on the stargem and gets a brief message from the deva.. but not enough information on how to set the stone or the rods in the statue!  He realizes that if set improperly, one way awakens Tharizdun and the other puts the bringer of Eternal darkness back to sleep.

All the chains are broken it seems holding Tharizdun. The final chain gone. Little time remains now! There is an inset in the statues chest 30' up which will hold the gem and rods.
At that moment, Namfoodle loses control of the sphere and it starts to glide towards the party! He tries to regain control and fails.. Aust tries and is unsuccessful. Morthos gathers his wits and focuses on the giant black ball of nothingness! He takes control! Now he has the star gem in one hand, the Rod of 3 Parts in the other and is concentrating on a sphere of annihilation! What to do as in mere moments the dark god is about to wake!
Then Namfoodle is able to successfully take control and all determine no magic works in the area so Arjhan tosses a rope over the statue so Morthos can climb! The warlock climbs and inserts the rods deftly and with trembling fingers the stargem. they all click into place as the eyelids of Tharizdun open! And then.. close again!
Tharizdun slumbers once again. This time not held by the chains of now fallen OCTAD magic. but the Rod of 3 Parts and the StarGem.

The Laughing Moons triumph! As the dark magic dissipates the party's headquarters returns to normal. Without realizing it before a dark heavy presence that dwelled on all their souls and spirits is gone! Their allies and comrades not dead.. all it seems created by the evil god. Except.. Blacburn and Mishapp are fallen. The first still a disintegrated pile of dust. Aust revives Mishapp whom is a young boy again - Zee is VERY happy to see Her Bard.

• Arjhan's egg hatches - a 5 headed baby dragon - each head a different colour looks up to her master!
• Morthos the warlock realizes he has a new patron.. one of the Old Ones.
• Reinhardt receives a message from his old mentor - it seems the monk is asking the devout follower of Heronious to build an abbey in MoonLanding. This is a momentous honour for the monk! His old master advises to be careful, as all religions in Imperium lands are outlawed except worship of the God-Emperor. Reinhardt is given a contact in the Imperium HQ to gets the supplies and more to start the project.
• Namfoodle receives the knowledge on how to create a staff of power from his god Boccob. All is needed now are the components and or gold to create! This takes weeks if not months of research time off the project!
• Rurrick receives word from the Golden Citadel. A regiment of dwarven engineers have come across a tomb that belonged to the warrior's great, great, great, great Uncle. It seems they need some help to open - they need the King of the Golden Citadel as well.
• Aust receives a letter from his sister. All is well - she has returned to the two's homeland. 

The Warlock is gone.. taken by Tharizdun possibly? As well the dragon is not there currently..

The surrounding area of MoonLanding Outpost is back to its busy and bustling norm  as troopers, siege weapons  and more head east to fight the armies of the Thay. 
A gift comes to the party members, each receive 3000 gold Imperials for their fine work. What will the Laughing Moons do next?