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!