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..
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?
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