The Butterfly, the Beholder and the Black Duke!

When we last left our heroes of the Laughing Moons, they were battling desperate cultists of the Chained One. Finishing the remaining ones off with little trouble (well the drow rogue played dead and the troll hag regenerated) a number of magical items were found on the bodies. Spending some time idling in the temple to Tharizdun, a number of the party were influenced by the power of the slumbering greater god and started to chant and moan to the idol. Some fast work to exit the chamber helped - although Morthos' eldritch blast on the idol reflected back to him.. closing the door to the area finally returned the party to its senses.

After a short rest, the intrepid adventurers resumed their exploration. They came across a wizened elderly alchemist/artificer by the name of Professor Nacheenn Sayencer. Living in one of the hemisphere shaped rooms, instead of windows out to the ocean depths, his overlooked Waterdeep and a barren blasted land with a sky of red, with a variety of monstrous and evil looking creatures flying about..
This human in the employ of the Black Duke was in the process of creating life and confronted the party looking for a single gold hair. None of the party had the required hair except the boy Mishapp. At first scared, he finally - after some persuasion he agreed to the plucking of a hair.. the Professor was agitated increasingly so and with this became near delirious with happiness.
Answering a number of questions from the Laughing Moons somewhat cryptically as he worked on his life-invention until he finished.
"Life! i have done it!" He cackled as the blue and gold butterfly bigger than 2 fists flew up and about. It landed finally on Mishapp's out-stretch hand.
The Professor was happy and had no issue with the creature leaving with the party. A new 'pet' for Mishapp....?
The heroes came across a sphere that was filled with water. some 'Ki' work by the monk Reinhard froze up a vast amount of the water revealing a long sea serpent which attacked! Quick thinking by the party sealed the iris door..
Another sphere chamber looked to have a constant snow storm around a giant skeletal figure in the eye of it. No exploration of this room as the party moved onwards.
Thus they enter the MAZE.
The maze which looked to be constructed by the beholder as it went upwards, downwards and more. There seemed to be illusion magic permeating the area as well as traps. Part way through 1/2 the party disappeared! Some went forward, others back and the groups were all separated. Finally after much frustration, and some good deducing (using the levitation amulets which had a form of telepathy with other users), the party was once again together for the most part.. until they heard sounds of combat - gunshots - above! The Captain, Sergeant, Mishapp and Raf all were still missing.. they must be in battle!
Traveling upwards as fast as possible using all forms of movement: flying, levitation, spider-climbing and more they come to a vast spherical room.. where the final Bosses await! As the party moves up, Aust realizes in horror the walls are covered in a caustic material and his boots start to melt and deteriorate! As they emerge the party also realizes they have been under an illusion while in the maze which was sapping strength from them and affected them in harmful ways.....

As they emerge from the shaft of the maze the Laughing Moons see:

• Mishapp is held in a levitation beam high above the ground. The Captain is heavily wounded but reloading. The Sergeant is missing one arm (right) and on his knees in pain
• The Black Duke is finally seen. An 8' tall figure in black platemail, carrying a trident and large shield. He stands back and directs the forces from a raised pulpit of sorts behind a force of what look to be 1/2 steam-powered 1/2 flesh automatons
• The Beholder floats high above, his one eye of levitation on the boy Mishapp, most of his other eyes including his main eye trained on the party!
• A number of exits or chambers dot the walls high up, where  each look to have a group of skeletons with crossbows
• A wizard - the party had met earlier - with a glowing shield around him is ready to cast
• A glowing dark portal behind the party look to be spewing forth strange monstrosities..

Some words are traded between the party and the Beholder.. then the party notes the trident of the Black Duke each prong is one part of the Rod! The Black Duke's forces have found all 3 parts! All they need to do is go to massive chamber underneath the party's dwelling to awaken Tharizdun! The Laughing Moons realize this could the only time they can defeat the Black Duke and his plans so many of the heroes call upon their patrons and deities and the battle is about to commence! (some amazing rolls of % dice do the following!)

• Morthos reaches out to Asmodeus whom grants the tielfing warlock with enhanced abilities! He grows to a height of 8', his tiefling features more devilish then ever!
• Arjun calls forth his one and unique friend the Ancient Red Dragon and then calls upon his deity Tiamat! Both are successful. The Dragonborn growing to a height of 12 feet, with large dragon wings shoot out of his back! His skills as a Paladin to the dragon goddess increase!
• Namfoodle calls upon the magic ways of Boccob. His skills as a wizard grow to Archmage level! His form grows even more ancient and wizened with this exceptional boon from his god!
• Aust's abilities as a bard become legendary as he calls upon his god Procan! A wave of water rushing out and around him. the Bard seems to be standing on the wave..
• Rurrick has a battle of wills now with 2 legendary items the hammer Doom and the Cloak.. (the party knows little of this item as an identify by Aust had no effect) Rurrick decides to cast down his hammer for the power of the dark shadowy cloak (it regenerates, and allows him to fly and more...). As he does, 6 tendrils whip out and about under the dwarf's control! The cloak envelops the dwarf.. his once ruddy golden skin now even more greyish in hue, with black veins highlighted.
• Reinhard.. will he call on his god?? Will Heronious answer the plea..? 

 You need to wait for next session for the outcome!

3 mermaids and the Cultists

Our Heroes continue to unlock the cells in the underwater base of the Black Duke.

   Some empty.. another filled to the cell door with bones. The Moons decided to dig, then break and blast (with Morthos' eldritch blast) into the bones. The graveyard did not appreciate this affront and a ghost shot forth.. Rurrick the target is possessed by the long dead ghost of a poor fallen slave.
   A battle ensues as the party tries to once again defeat their tank - dwarf warrior. Hard going.. Aust and Morthos debate.. and Morthos decides to use the great and unique power of the pickle he ate - he is able to use a single time a divine level turn/destroy undead.. with that the spirit is destroyed blasted out of existence.. Rurrick recovers quickly.
A number of interesting magic items are found..:

• broken glasses that allow a user to see in the infrared (Aust uses mending to fix!)
• 6 skulls that seem to be able to answer a few questions.. although with some insults and sarcasm thrown in

NOTE: the Laughing Moons ask about the Rod of Three Parts - their primary quest currently. It seems the Black Duke's forces have been busy. 2 parts are now in their possession! Somewhere above the party.. CLOSE.. only the third is required now to either raise Tharizdun from his slumber or keep him sleeping!

• A ruby - it seems to be a magic prison. With 2 creatures imprisoned (?) in it? A human female and a gaseous humanoid.. whom nearly swapped places with Aust!
• An IOU note fro 2000gp in Waterdeep
• A living eye which seems to be able to allow a user to cast a wizard eye spell

   Adventuring further into the base.. they enter another of the long shafts heading up into the dark. Rurrick uses his cloak and flies up to another iris door. In side the party finds a large hemisphere room with large glass windows looking out into the cold depths of the ocean. Steam-powered machinery large tanks, one connected to the outside for sea water, the other belching out black smoke and steam into a vent in the ceiling. 2 slaves are encountered - who seem to be under a extremely powerful charm - the heroes assume the beholder - they both have choker type necklaces that allow the user to levitate at will! Useful in a base created by a beholder..
   In the room they also encounter what seems to be used to power to the base.. 3 mermaids imprisoned in a large tank.. All 3 mermaids seem to be drained and gaunt.. the party realizes after some investigation, if they free the mermaids, they may not be able to survive down here. Aust - using some sign language written on the foggy glass promises to return..
 Venturing further up the main shaft, they come into another large hemisphere room. This one filled with strange and alien type plants and trees. Aust recognizes some mushrooms that grow in the underdark. Good for food..
   A tree near the windows seems to ooze some sap.. which looks to have refreshing properties.  Aust fills a vial, then another but when Morthos decides to do the same the tree seems to come alive with thorny vines and attacks the thieves!
   Fire seems the be the downfall of the vegetation. between the fire and the blows of the party, the tree starts to fall - towards the glass holding back the ocean!  CRACK! a small crack appears in the glass.. Amazed and horrified looks amongst the party.. they quickly leave.. Arjun takes one look back before closing the door - the crack looked slightly.. bigger..?
   Further exploring and they come upon a circular passage.. with doors on inside and out. A very perceptive Aust hears chanting from the inside doors.. There seems to be multiple entries.. so they decide to split their forces and attack! Strategy and tactics!
   Inside a vast chamber they see a large idol to the Chained One - Tharizdun. Side alcoves each hold strange square pillars covered in runes and sigils. Amongst these pillars and the idol they see a number of worshipers of the Chained One:
   A 9' tall Hag, multiple humanoid creatures.. cultists? 2 giant skeletons which seemed to be fused and created from multiple creatures. as well a Lizard like humanoid with the head of a giant-wolf.
    A surprise attack by the Laughing Moons catches the cultists unawares! Massive damage is done by all the party and the evil creatures reel back under the onslaught.
Spells and attacks take the battle back and forth, but it looks like the party will be victorious..
The situation: 2 monster skeletons are down, the wolf-headed lizard humanoid and the hag are down. One drow rogue assassin, a mage and a warrior cultist still fight on with no sign of surrender..

 

The party seems to have this group of cultists nearly defeated.. 

Until next time!

Into the Depths

   The Laughing Moon heroes are in a wide shaft with a large hatch at the bottom. After some investigation and some leverage and more of the hatch, it was opened a crack. When the hatch - about 6" think of solid iron - was lifted, the depths of the ocean below could be seen. Cold.. cold seawater. The heroes looked up into the darkness of the shaft above. devising a variety of ways to scout upwards.
   After some more work, they found another iris door with 2 levers above. With spells and rope, the party made it into a long corridor which went off into darkness to the left and right, with alcoves spaced along both walls, some empty and some with statues.
More investigation and they realized the variety of statues were most likely petrified humanoid creatures that the beholder(?) hit with petrification ray..
Most were ignored until a 1/2 elf female  -beautiful was seen by Reinhard! Then some plans were hatched.. "how about greater restoration..?"
   Aust then sparked on the idea of putting the selected statues IN the bag of holding - where the puppet, Sir Rael Nero Falragin - the 3rd, resides. Sir Rael, has requested some interesting and strange materials over the past weeks. Enough supplies and more to build a small home..? After negotiating with the puppet, Aust and the Laughing moons were able to store a number of the petrified statues in the bag. "No more! All these statues are filling up my living room!"
One of the last alcoves held a featureless humanoid statue.. but the party did not investigate.. we will get back to this one later.. 
   At the end of the passage, another shaft went off into darkness. Some of the party realized that the complex seemed to be made more for someone whom could fly... or levitate! (i.e. beholder). The passages seemed as well to be not hewn stone or built. (Beholder disintegrate ray..?)
   Venturing up, there were iris doors on both sides. Opening one, they encounter a skeletal creature with one tentacle arm (still flesh). A battle ensues.. with many of the party having to climb up a rope to get into the thick of it.
At one point, Nanfoodle and Morthos were the final 2 in the passage, and then Nanfoodle noticed the alcove with the featureless humanoid was EMPTY!? Then.. it went dark as Morthos climbed the rope. A voice near Nanfoodle.. chuckled evilly. Fortunately for Nanfoodle he cast fly and was able to rise out of the darkness.
Battle finished with the skeleton and a jelly - which Rurrick was destroyed - all 3 of them! Looking over the skeleton, it looked to be the tentacle had been fused or combined to the ogre-sized skeleton? Strange experiments... the party recall hearing as a rumour...
In the chamber was another iris door. Behind that there looked to a long corridor with doors/hatches at a 45 degree angle downwards on each side going off into the dark. Prison cells possibly?
   Some deft work by Aust - showing Mishapp how to pick locks -  and the doors were starting to open. A variety of interesting and not so interesting encounters behind each:

•  This a matryoshka cell with a dozen layers - all smaller cells. A cell within a cell within a cell.  After unlocking many times (great practice for Aust!) The lone prisoner is a cigar smoking derro.. The party was able to store the diminutive creatures with Sir Rael in the bag of holding. Negotiating with Sir Rael continues as more is added to 'his' bag of holding home!
• Empty except for a large blasted charred mark on wall humanoid shape. 
•  Closed cell, not locked. This cell is empty except for group of rats around a nearly skeletal gnome. The floor of the cell is a concealed pit trap. It dropped down 20ft and at the bottom of the pit is a Gelatinous Cube - which Arjun fell into.. fortunately Sergeant was there and able to pull the Dragon-born out of the cube! Namfoodle blasted the cube into nothingness with his cantrips.
• Human man - Runell, can barely walk. Missing one arm (courtesy of beholder).  who believes he has already died and the world around him is Hades. The Laughing Moons are having an interesting time trying to persuade him otherwise...
• Empty except for a statue of a young boy looks to be trying to hide under the bed.
  The party decides to take this one as well into the bag. "NO MORE!! none will fit now.. my friends cannot come visit me!" Sir Rael shouted from the bag of holding.. The party wonders at this.. it seems THIS bag of holding has air in it... whom are the puppet Sir Rael Nero Falragin - the 3rd's friends? How do they visit..? Or is it the ramblings of a crazy animated puppet?
  
• Full of water. At bottom is a small chest made from a large black shell clam.This looked to be ornate.. and after a dive into water Aust discovered it is actually a chest of sorts! Very nautical look..
• Empty.. until a loose flagstone was discovered by Arjun. Inside is a small leather bag, with some cheese (few weeks old, coinage, an owl feather quill,a small jar, and a small partially burned book. The pages are bound with string woven through holes near the spine. It appears that a good dozen pages have been ripped out. This book is a standalone work from eccentric tiefling author Sanya Tanellt, a scholar of the Hades, Hell and the Abyss and its denizens. It was originally intended as a primer for would-be plane shifters and astral travelers, but the manuscript was partially destroyed in a fire and now the contents are damaged. Scanning the work there looks to be has scrawled almost two year's worth of ramblings and half-thoughts in the margins of the text. Aust and Nanfoodle think that if read, it may help any whom decide to venture into the lower planes.. 
• 2 statues.. One man  totally broken apart, the other similar looking, male kneeling over the remains.. Both look to be elvish.

   With that we leave the party until next time.. more cell doors to be opened..  more of the lair of the beholder - 'Xx'  and the Black Duke awaits the courageous Laughing Moons!