Session 41: A Recipie for Disasters

Key Plot Developments
The team, exhausted from staying awake as they run away from the Demon Lord of Consumption, arrives at a narrow passage. They see an enormous stalactite carved into a bleak, black tower.


 * Bogtooth is worried if the ritual will even work; they have five goblins, not six. He's ready to fight to preserve his family.
 * Misu is happy to have reached Vizeran's tower but fears Juiblex's retribution.
 * Trix is happy Lemon stayed with the group instead of following Juiblex, but he fears Juiblex could sneak inside someone's nose as they slept and expand. He also acknowledges tensions with Glyn regarding Drigglezub.
 * Tremble is there to help and doesn't grasp the full weight of the ritual of demon lords, but is grateful for the chance to help Jimjar.
 * Glyn is thankful for Long-Ears. He doesn't believe Trix has any more resentment towards him and is starting to trust in Misu.
 * Pix was morbidly intrigued by Juiblex's composition and is trying to piece the motivations of these demon lords together.

Finn explains the tower's layout to the group and gives them command words for the levitation magic that serves as the tower's elevator. They enter Araj, the 'tower of vengeance.' Tremble wants to get food for Squii from the kitchen on the second floor. Misu and Glyn think Squii would be good friends with Long-Ears. Trix explains the difference between a vassal and friend to the confused worg; Long-Ears eventually reaches an appropriate understanding and pounces on Trix (a hug). Trix notes that Lemon is nonresponsive to questions after entering the tower.

Tremble goes to the kitchen but can't find anyone to cook and has no recipes. Trix goes to the bedchambers on the third floor and can't get Lemon to respond to him. Pix and Bogtooth join him on the third floor; Pix takes a room for Tremble and herself. Trix exits the tower (followed by Bogtooth) and speaks to a newly conscious Lemon. He thinks the wards Vizeran has placed on the tower interfere with Lemon's consciousness. Lemon says he likes not having to think for a bit--a break from the recent stress. Trix, who was turned into a plant briefly in the tomb, empathizes.

Misu goes up to Vizeran, who is significantly more workmanlike, precise, and competent than he behaved after they left Gravenhollow. He has her cast cantrips to prove she's the same she was (he claims to have memorized her magical aura from their earlier meeting). It's clear he acted like Sarith to put the group at ease and throw any potential spies off guard. Misu is extremely impressed; he reminds her of her mom.

Tremble, in the kitchen, realizes Unseen Servants are delivering food (mushrooms, wine, and rothe meat) to the fourth floor. One of them lifts a tray with Squii on it. Tremble follows up the stairs, reaching the fourth floor and encountering Vizeran.

Vizeran gets to business and explains the root of the demonic incursion: the house of Baenre, the 5000-year-old first house of Menzoberranzan. Gromph Baenre, the archmage of Menzoberranzan, was Vizeran's rival. He conspired to exile Vizeran and condemn the De'Vir family. Then, he used a grimoire to try to summon demon lords and bind them to his will, but failed.

Vizeran pauses before continuing; as he tries to get Pix, Trix, and Bogtooth, Finn is left to entertain the goblins. He sings Diggy Diggy Hole; as Glyn notes, despite being from the Underdark, he sings the surface dwarf version. Soon, all six party members meet with Vizeran on the fourth floor. The drow lays out his plan:


 * He wants create a talisman called the Dark Heart. This item will draw the Demon Lords back to Menzoberranzan--to the site of their summoning--and let them destroy each other. After blood and battle (such as the world has never seen), the last lord left standing will be weakened enough to be defeated. Once defeated, their essences will return to the Abyss.
 * For the ritual, he needs:
 * The intact and unhatched egg of a purple worm, for channeling great physical power.
 * The central eye of a beholder, to break down magical resistance and overcome magical forces.
 * Six feathers from six different angels—the authority of the celestial realms and a force to enrage fiendish creatures.
 * The heart of a goristro, to reach and influence the hearts of other demons.
 * Thirteen timmasks, also known as “devil’s mushrooms,” sprouted from the footprint of a marilith, a balor, or a goristro—a lure to draw demons in.
 * A few drops of blood or ichor from a demon lord, to connect with the demons the ritual will call.
 * Gromph Baenre’s grimoires and notes on his ritual, to assist in better understanding the power that summoned the demon lords.
 * He isn't sure of the impact Graz'zt's horn will have on the ritual, but Glyn gives it to him to study.

Then, Vizeran explains the threats posed by each demon. Notably, the Demogorgon is on the surface, gathering aquatic forces near the Sword Coast. He discusses where he thinks the group could get each ingredient; there are two beholders he knows of in this area of the Underdark, one of which is MIA after traveling towards Mantol-Derith, and the other of which is known as the Eyemonger because it kills other beholders and takes their eyes. He thinks they can find petrified angels in a Gallery of Angels in the Labyrinth.

They ponder what Nicholas Ice Cream must be planning. Misu thinks Nicholas is in Baator, but Trix realizes he can't be; rather, he used the Dream spell to mess with Misu just like he did with Pix and Glyn, and must be doing the same to devils from afar. Nicholas, Trix thinks, wants people to look for him in hell and follow a false lead as he tries to get his staff of power, which would grant him supremacy over the other demons. The group realizes they need to move quickly to stop the demon lords from achieving the goals--whether it's Zuggtmoy using the Araumycos to expand, Baphomet getting the Maze Machine, or Nicholas getting his staff.

Vizeran gives everyone a scroll of protection from fiends and a piwafwi (a drow cloak of elvenkind to improve stealth). He suggests the team splits up to cover ground. As they debate, Glyn shows Vizeran the pin with the cap and feather he found in Miss Anna's grove. Vizeran identifies it as being a sign of Bregan D'aerthe, the rebel group of drow men who he sometimes relied on for spell components and intelligence. The group settles on two teams:


 * Glyn, Misu, Pix, and the shield guardian, who will heed Grazilaxx's call and help deal with mind flayers to get the Society of Brilliance's help with quick teleportation.
 * Trix, Tremble, Bogtooth, and Finn Dubh Cata, who will go to the Wormwrithing tunnels to the north and try to get a purple worm egg (and, time and power permitting, confront the Eyemonger).

The group, satisfied with the plan, retire to their chambers. Pix tells a story to Tremble. Misu prays to hell and receives an endorsement from Ix'Thor; if her plan succeeds, the demon lords will be banished and there will be an untold amount of death and devastation in Menzoberranzan. Trix tries to pray but is interrupted by Finn knocking on doors and checking in on people. Glyn looks for an almond-like thing for Lemon and sees Finn in the kitchen; he asks Finn about the surface song and Finn thinks he must have picked it up from surface dwarves. Then, Glyn visits Trix (interrupting his prayers again). Trix explains why Lemon isn't talking. Glyn pushes him, asking why Trix doesn't like to talk. Then, he brings up Drigglezub. Trix, shocked, tells Glyn to leave.

Glyn leaves. He fails to connect to Graz'zt (because of Vizeran's wards). He falls asleep.

The next day, the group will awaken and go their separate ways--this time, by choice.

Memorable Quotations

 * Finn: Does anyone have any questions?
 * Tremble: I don’t have a question, that was just a lot.
 * Glyn: Does anyone ever mix up the bed chambers and the torture chambers?
 * Trix: Where’s the restroom?
 * Finn: I’m not really familiar with goblin defecatory habits….

Bogtooth: Is this enough goblins? Is this ritual even gonna work?


 * Long-Ears: I AM NO CAT! MASTER, I WILL EAT EVERYTHING!! WE WILL PROCESS AND THEN WE WILL CONSUME!
 * Lemon: It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.

Long-Ears: I AM VERSATILE, LIKE MY MASTER.


 * Trix: Lemon’s in charge, pretty much.
 * Lemon: I’m--I’m not the leader 'cause Bogtooth’s the leader.

Tremble: Bogtooth knows a lot about socializing animals. At first, they all tried to eat each other but then he told them all not to, and then they were all friends! Some of them are still a bit strange, like the goat who always looks like he’s wondering why he’s alive.


 * Long-Ears: Lord Glyn, IS THIS YOUR BESTIE?!
 * Tremble: You can have multiple besties!
 * Long-Ears: WHAT?! Lord Glyn, WHAT?!

Tremble: Hmmmm, so this is the kitchen. It is just now occurring to me that I do not know how to cook.


 * Long-Ears: SO, YOU’RE SAYING THAT AFTER I ASCEND, I SHOULD NOT ACCIDENTALLY FORGET HOW TO LEVITATE AND FALL TO MY DEATH?
 * Glyn: You can also take the stairs…

Squii: Wha? Gah--no food for Squii--wha?

Bogtooth: We’re here to have your back, Trix! You DO know that it's during your most vulnerable times that you’re most likely to be attacked, RIGHT?


 * Lemon: I’m gonna be honest with you: I don’t know what pain is.
 * Trix: “Did you take any damage” is another way of saying it.
 * Lemon: I have never taken any damage.

Misu: Fior-Ghlan the Pure may have raised me..but he’s a weak punk.


 * Misu: We are being followed.
 * Vizeran: By whom?
 * Misu: Juiblex.
 * Vizeran: No, you’re not.
 * Misu: Yes, we are.
 * Vizeran: No, you’re not. I’m an Archmage. I’ve been scrying on Juiblex and he is not heading in this direction.

Trix: I did pee in the torture room, to be clear.


 * Vizeran: Cast a cantrip, please.


 * Tremble: Oh, okay! Do you have a torn rag, or…?
 * Vizeran: …Finn…
 * Finn: Hah! Sure! I don’t need this! [He tears his cloak; Tremble fixes it.]
 * Vizeran: One more time.
 * Tremble: : Okay! [He repeats the process.]
 * Vizeran: You’re clean.
 * Misu: What would it cost for you to teach me that?
 * Vizeran: Many years of study. Time we don’t have.

Long-Ears: PROTECTION AGAINST FRIENDS? I WILL PROTECT ALL MY FRIENDS!!!


 * Vizeran: Yes, Tremble. I understand. Sleep is necessary.
 * Misu: This man is better at my own job….

Misu: If you alert the worms, they’ll come after you, right, VIZ?


 * Trix: You were foaming at the mouth with ice cream…?
 * Misu: I was—
 * Trix: REMOVE CURSE!

Ix'Thor: You know, we've been keeping tabs on you! And your plan of unleashing all these demons in a huge city is REALLY evil. SO many people are gonna die! You are well on your way to getting yourself into hell!


 * Pix: This is the story of the owlbear who learned how to make CAKE!
 * Tremble: WHAT! How do you even MAKE a cake?
 * Pix: So, there was this owlbear--you know, HOOT HOOT RAWR RAWR--and he was different from his family and friends. Instead of going out on adventures, he would go and let his nose take him to follow delicious smells. 'Till, one day, he followed it to a little cottage and thought, 'Mmmm what’s that smell?' He passed the baker’s passive perception and saw it was a golden cake. He watched the baker icing all the cakes and he reached out and wanted to eat the cakes! Especially the one with the strawberries! And he reached out and accidentally knocked over the spatula! Clang clang clang! And the baker looked over and, to his surprise, the baker said, 'Hello there! Would you like to come inside for tea?' He was a little big for the seat. But he ended up getting some cake with the strawberry on it and the owl bear talked about how different he was and how he followed his nose everywhere. Once the sun started to set, he said, 'I’m sorry I have to go back to my family!' And the baker said, 'Why don’t you come back tomorrow? I’ll teach you have to make cake!' And he did come back the next day! And the next day! He learned how to make cakes and pies and quiche!
 * Tremble: What’s a quiche?
 * Pix: It was like a thing that mom had when she met with a merchant in the market and it was a little stale!
 * Tremble: I don’t really remember that much about mom….
 * Pix: You can always know mom is there by the touch of some soft fur, a warm fire, and a story in your heart. Goodnight, Tremble.
 * Squii: KQUIISH! [He wakes up.]
 * Tremble: Quiche? I don’t think we have any he--
 * Squii: Zzzz. [He immediately sleeps.]

Long-Ears: MY MASTER! THERE WAS A COLD BREEZE!


 * Glyn: Hey, Trix? I know that you cared about her.
 * Trix: ...you have to go…..
 * Glyn: Okay…

Vizeran: Therapy can play a role, but, in the end, it comes down to the decisions that you all make.


 * Glyn: Hey, Graz’zt?
 * Long-Ears: Master, should I call?
 * Glyn: Sure, if you think he’ll answer.
 * Long-Ears: HEEEEEEEEY, GRAAAAAAAZ’ZT!