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!