The Sewer battles and the Cult of Reglios' Ziggurat

DM: many moons have passed in real life - this summary is of action that took place in November 2018 - so will be somewhat brief. hoping to return to the Laughing Moons campaign soon..

The Laughing Moons were engaged in battle with trolls and other sewer monstrosities. The heroes' spells, attacks and more dealing swift and deadly damage to the sewer denizens.
At a sewer juncture, the party engaged a number of dire cave fishers, as well as swarms of rats under command of the Rot trolls
and venom troll. Every time the heroes attacked, putrid waste and venomous sludge spewed over them. 
But the Laughing Moons were victorious, thinking back that if they had ventured down these sewer passages earlier in their career it may have been their deaths! A number of interesting magic items and other treasure were acquired from the vanquished foes.


The party started to a far off chanting.. venturing closer they could hear the words:

“the light shines upon us. The dark surrounds us. The magic helps us. The elements feed us. In the end death takes us.”
Then there was another phrase in another language:
"QWegg'erybi Tangishar Zullanic!
 (DM: Morthos was able to translate: “Death to the God Emperor!”)

The Heroes looked at each other - 'Death to the God Emperor - the Leader of the Imperium. It seems they had stumbled upon a death cult..

 Scouting ahead, they found a massive chamber, with a 5 tiered ziggurat in the centre. Each level was 10' high.
At the top is a cloaked figure in white, looking to be an older man, silvery-white long beard. On each level of ziggurat are 15 white-robed humanoids facing inward heads and arms raised.

Speaking in common they say “the light shines upon us. The dark surrounds us. The magic helps us. The elements feed us. In the end death takes us.”

Then in infernal: “Death to the God Emperor!”

As each mantra is said a different energy fills the room for about 1/2 a minute

• Light the room is infused in a soft white glow
• Dark the room fills with shadows and a cold breeze
• Magic swirls of different colours and what look to be arcane symbols glow about the vast chamber
• Elements fire, snow and rain tiny tornadoes dance and race about the room and figures
• Death a black cloud swirl up around the feet of figure the white clothing rotting away, skin and flesh withering to bone.Once it reaches about waist to chest level on some and others become full skeletons. Then with a final gust of wind they are back to white robed figures.

As each new mantra starts the different energy types swirl up and around into the central figure.. he seems to be getting taller.

The figures then speak the final line and fall to their knees. Bowing their heads they touch the floor

with head and hands continuing to chant in infernal “Death to the God-Emperor.”

The Laughing Moons, not one to pass up on a fight. Prepare and with total surprise attack!

Once engaged, the central white-robed figure transforms into a tall three-skulled figure - A Skull Lord! Lord Reglios. Siphoning all types of energy from the followers into his being to empower him..

The Skull Lord uses his legendary powers and abilities to great effect, his death cult followers sacrificing themselves willingly to aid and defend him.

 
1. Arjhan
2. Aust
3. Rurrick
4. Reinhardt
5. Morthos
6. Namfoodle


 Battling back and forth, many of the Laughing moons fell unconscious in battle but in the end, successfully defeated the skull lord of the Death Cult Reglios.

Nearly all the cultists were dead except a couple, no longer under the Skull Lord's power. Aust led the survivors..
A number of interesting and powerful treasures were found and as they gathered these the walls and ceilings started to shake and rumble. It seemed Lord Reglios' ziggurat was crumbling upon his death. Successfully retreating, the party returned to the Broken Sword inn to rest and recover.. It was two days now until the God Emperor's celebration. The Major met the Laughing Moons and was quite excited to hear of the Lord Reglios' death cult demise.
"You may get a 2nd reward for zis! Vell done!" The Major said with his clipped regimental accent, a smile and a clap on the back of each hero. Buying them all a round of drinks, the Laughing Moons relaxed in the tavern..

Letter from Aust's sister, Plants & new Musical Band forming?

Aust receives a letter from his sister. All is well - she has returned to the two's homeland. (written in Thieve's Cant)

My dear brother Aust, it has been sometime since we spoke. Much has happened, I am 1st mate on a new ship - The Bronze Siren. She is a small sloop, built for speed. We are a courier vessel for the Imperium currently. A good captain, he treats the crew well. I have sailed into a familiar place Aust! Our homeport! It is strange and wonderful - I think? -  to be back.. Much has changed. There is a group we.. Ahh how can I say this..? House Sevni-Liss now rules here.

(*-Aust knows the that Houe Sevni-Liss is a drow house of little worth since you were there. There is a long history of battle, backstabbing, trickery, betrayal and more between your 2 Houses)

They seem to have a new matron mother. She is quite the.. Senger Elg'caress I am told. (*- senger elg'caress is drow for Lord Bitch)

In any event, be careful when you travel here! I assume they look for us still. If you do ever come here, go to our old haunt we used to study at and drink. P.B. is still loyal to our House. (*-Aust knows this is the Dark Shack run by Pinkle Bean (Pinkle Bean is a derro whom makes the best tea - renown along the Sword Coast)

I will be here for less than a day to re-provision, and then we sail North with missives for the Imperium army going to siege the fortress of the Knights of Ivory.

All the best my Brother, always miss you.

**************

The 3 plants Aust was able to recover from the lighthouse at the edge of the world:

Astral Blade tall plant and can be found in damp places/dark places. It blooms once a year, for 1 week.

It has long thin, edged leaves, which are usually light orange. It also grows quite small flowers, which can be light bronze and grey.

These plants grow in small groups and need no light, tricky to control and maintain their growth.

Rubbing a slashing weapon with the sap from this plant gives +2 damage for 10 rounds after application. A live plant can be siphoned of 1-3 doses of sap every week. They last 3 days before losing potency.

Thimblemere is an extremely rare, small bushy plant. It blooms in winter only.

It has squared leaves, which are usually mint green. It also grows huge flowers, which are dark gold or a blue/silver.

These plants grow in huge numbers need some type of light possibly not sunlight, difficult to maintain their growth.

They can be used as medicine - the flowers taken to a herbalist can be created into a poison remedy. Each flower bud will create a poison antidote. 1 dose. Can be taken as a reaction during combat. The leaves make a extremely fragrant tea.

The third plant died and is not recoverable. Had wide triangular leaves. 

********************

Aust is working on posters to put up in cities and towns he passes through it reads: 

Are you a passionate Musician seeking to have your music heard by the world? Do you want to make people happy through song and story? Down on luck? Well seek out Aust Of Astora to see if you are capable to join The Moons Muses! Either at the Moon Landing outpost or check a local tavern close to were this poster is placed. If Aust is not at The moon Landing speak to one of The laughing moons to find out when he will return. ~ The Moons Muses.