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!