Rage of Demons Adventure Overview

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### **Part 5 - The Vast Oblivium**

The Expeditionary Force returned the shard of eldritch amber to Vizeran DeVir at the Tower of Vengeance so he can begin enchanting the shard in preparation for the *dark heart* ritual. After refining their ranks and marching order, the Expeditionary Force set off west into an area of the Underdark known as the Wormwrithings in search of the Vast Oblivium, where they can hopefully claim the central beholder eye that Vizeran needs.

Soon after they set off from Araj, the adventurers have an encounter with the region's namesake residents. No losses are suffered, but several purple wormlings needed to be cleared from a side passage created by a burrowing adult worm. The Expeditionary Force made its way through the Wormwrithings, taking care to move at no more than a normal pace so as not to agitate the burrowing purple worms. Eventually, they came across a natural cavern from which boomed a voice, "Turn back or suffer a death so horrible you cannot imagine! You have been warned!" Unimpressed, the adventurers pressed forward to discover that the voice was nothing more than a *minor illusion* created by Hanne Hallen, a young drow. Hallen, not even fully mature, convinced her mother to take her on an egg hunting mission and later became separated from the group. The adventurers offered Hanne food and water, and in return she agreed to lead them to a purple worm nursery not far from the Vast Oblivium. In addition, she assured the adventurers that her mother, Zhora Hallen, would give them a reward if she is safely returned to Menzoberranzan.

The Expeditionary Force made the grueling trek 48 miles west into the Wormwrithings, to the lair of Karazikar. As the adventurers approached the Vast Oblivium, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Maus attempted to investigate, but instead succumbed to a temporary madness which stole her consciousness for several minutes. The adventurers then decided to proceed without the rest of the Expeditionary Force for their own saftey, continuing deeper into the Vast Oblivium. They came to a 30-foot shaft plunging into the darkness, criss-crossed with rope bridges and milling with the beholder's slaves. Surprisingly, one the slaves revealed himself as Jimjar, one of the adventurers' previous companions. With Jimjar's help, they were able to convince Karazikar's slaves to hide and offer their master no assistance. Moving through a long tunnel, the adventurers arrived at the great central shaft of the Vast Oblivium known as Karazikar's Maw and were greeted by the beholder's prophet, Shedrak of the Eyes. Shedrak led the adventurers across one of the hundred-foot long bridges that spans the chasm and they were gifted by the presence of the great beholder, Karazikar. The powerful beholder was barely able to mention an enigma called "The Maze Engine" before an epic aerial battle ensued above the massive chasm. Karazikar used his eye beams to great effect, disintegrating bridges, flinging foes about, and keeping Kruul suitably afraid of him for much of the battle. Karazikar was finally slain by a *lightning bolt* cast by Grin Ousstyl. The beholder's central eye was successfully claimed.

Once the adventurers defeated the beholder and liberated the slaves, all that was left to do was to free Karazikar's prisoners and loot his treasure horde...

### **Part 6 - Rumblings in the Dark**

After the adventurers emptied every last coin of Karazikar's horde into their coffers, they set about to release his prisoners, of which there was only one. Karazikar kept a single modron, which he was slowly interrogating about the existence and location of the strange device he called the "Maze Engine." The quadrone, who labeled itself as 38 of 763, divulged to the adventurers the location of what it called an "Orderer," 337 miles south, which bears a strong similarity to what the adventurers know of as the Maze Engine. This places it roughly 48 miles south of the Gallery of Angels, where they can find the next set of reagents Vizeran needs for his ritual. 38 agreed to lead the Expeditionary Force to the exact location where the Orderer is detected.

Before leaving the Vast Oblivium, the adventurers were rejoined by their old friends Jimjar and Prince Derendil, who gladly agreed to journey with the Expeditionary Force. Prince Derendil, now some sort of quaggoth messiah, brought with him four devoted quaggoth disciples who he believes to be members of the elite honor guard of Nelrindenvane.

As the Expeditionary Force departed from the Vast Oblivium, Mauser sent a detachment of gnomish forces to escort Karazikar's freed slaves to Blingdenstone, along with an official letter to the Diggermattocks. They completed only one day of travel south, when Tik-Tik decided to examine the Expeditionary Force that night at camp with a *gem of seeing* that he looted from Karazikar's horde. With the gem, he uncovered the presence of two intellect devourers that had infiltrated the Expeditionary Force on behalf of the mind flayers from the colony of Cyrog. The creatures were slain and the infestation halted, but force members Iandro Alathar and Splinter Darkmorn perished in the process. The bodies were burnt and the Zhentarim and the Lords' Alliance were properly notified. After discovering the infestation, a second detachment comprising Brim Coppervein and Griswalla Stonehammer of the Emerald Enclave along with Rystia Zav of the Harpers was sent to catch up with the first detachment and warn both them and Blingdenstone about the intellect devourers.

The Expeditionary Force came upon the purple worm nursery that Hanne Hallen had marked on their map the next day. They encountered a pair of fomorians who had been using the eggs as bait for greedy adventurers who they would slay and devour. One of the fomorians was able to escape and activate one of the nursery's echo chambers, summoning a pair of nearby purple worms. The worms, along with a neothelid that also was alerted by the vibrations emanating from the echo chamber, stormed the nursery but were felled by the adventurers. As the battle drew to its conclusion, Hanne's mother, Zhora, and her egg-hunters arrived and had a brief interaction with the adventurers. As recompense for delivering Hanne safely to her, Zhora promised the adventurers shelter at her family's home if they are ever in Menzoberranzan. The adventurers concluded their business in the nursery by claiming several purple worm eggs.

### **Part 7 - Voyager from the Stars**

**22nd, Eleint**

The Expeditionary Force made its way south towards an area of the Underdark called the Labyrinth, named for its dark, twisting tunnels once used by the dwarves as mines. About halfway to the edge of the Labyrinth, the Force encountered the remnants of a refugee band of orcs from the Iceshield Clan. Their clan had nearly been wiped out by a group of adventurers in the Dessarin Valley (refer to the Iceshield Clan in Princes of the Apocalypse), and they were journeying north through the Underdark hoping to find a new home to rebuild their clan.

The Iceshield chief, Grim'or, had drunk from a pool tainted by demon ichor and was transformed into a fiendish tanarukk. The tanarukk, now calling itself the Doomhand, began to infect the rest of the dwindling clan with its demonic corruption. Thar'drek, the clan's Eye of Gruumsh, as well as the hand of Yurtrus and the two remaining claws of Luthic, recognized the Doomhand's fiendish influence on the tribe and sought to rally allies within the clan.

The adventurers infiltrated the Iceshield camp, with Mauser Crystalfist posing as a goblin who journeyed with Ront, fellow prisoner at Velkynvelve and an orc of the Iceshield Clan. Maus used Ront's axe to challenge the Doomhand to a grok'moga, an ancient orcish tradition. The Doomhand accused Maus of breaking the rules of grok'moga when she used magic, and the shaman, Thar'drek, seized the opportunity to revolt against the grip of demonic corruption. Orcs helped the adventurers to fight against orcs, until the demonic taint was cleansed from the clan and the tanarukk lie dead.

In thanks, the Iceshield Clan offered to pledge its support to the Expeditionary Force and sent its hand of Yurtrus, Lug'nad, to aid their wounded and prepare their dead. The Expeditionary Force and the Iceshield Clan shared the feast of Highharvesttide, breaking bread together under the strangest of conditions and momentarily putting aside any racial or political tension. The celebration helped to boost the spirits of all of the factions, the Expeditionary Force continued on with renewed morale.

After journeying further south, the Expeditionary Force crossed pass an ancient structure similar to a tower, jutting from the side of a deep rift. The adventurers decided to investigate the structure, discovering that a group of mind flayer thralls of the demon lord, Orcus, were also investigating the structure. As they descended into the structure, dispatching any mind flayers and grimlocks they found, they eventually came across an archive of sorts, with dozens of cylinders etched in Qualith. Maus was able to examine some of them, which displayed the blueprints of several strange, crustacean-like ships. Before the system crashed, she was able to take notes on some of the images.

Deeper into the structure, the adventurers encountered two mind flayers attempting to harvest the brains from prisoners that had been magically put in stasis in large tubes. One githyanki prisoner survived, and was revived. She calls herself Deneb, and claims to have been captured by the mind flayers while sailing across the cosmos. She has no concept as to how long she has been in stasis, but the evidence suggests that it has been at least several centuries. As a sign of trust, she was given a *flametongue* scimitar by the Expeditionary Force, which she subsequently joined in the hopes of slaying more mind flayers.

### **Part 8 - Yeenoghu's Hunt**

**10th, Marpenoth**

Deneb helped the adventurers to clear out the rest of the mind flayers in service to Orcus from the husk of the buried *cuttle command*. They were being lead by both an alhoon and a bodak, working together to raise the ship's crew into undeath in the name of their demon lord.

At the request of Farryl Kilmander, on behalf of the Lords' Alliance, the Expeditionary Force established a second outpost, which was named Fort Nautilus. The primary purpose of the outpost is the excavation and research of the strange, alien craft buried in the rift. Each of the factions present seemed eager to garrison their own representatives to ensure a fair flow of information. The Harpers and the Emerald Enclave, whose forces were on detachment, were notified as soon as the outpost was completed.

Closer to the Labyrinth, the Expeditionary Force began to experience rumbling tremors the further south they pressed. After defeating an ambush by the Cult of the Black Earth, the Expeditionary Force encountered an earth beacon, which was specially crafted around a *Daern's instant fortress* that had been lost in the Underdark. The adventurers made short work of the Black Earth Cultists, slaying their leader, the stonemelder, Sharod, and claiming the *instant fortress*. Unfortunately, no one possessed the *identify* spell required to discern all of the command words. Farryl Kilmander at Fort Nautilus was notified via the *sending* spell, and units have been requested from the Lords' Alliance to assesses and retrieve the *instant fortress* and temporarily store it at Fort Nautilus.

Once the Cult of Black Earth had been dealt with, the Expeditionary Force trudged further south toward the Labyrinth, though the tremors continued. With each step closer, their hunger began to grow. Both Khuuhrukehul and Mauser seemed to succumb to a ravenous appetite, along with several others, costing the Expeditionary Force extra supplies. Soon, they were upon the Labyrinth itself, entering via a system of twisting tunnels called the Spiral of the Horned King.

The northern area of the Spiral has become a zone of conflict between ramping minotaurs who worship the demon lord Baphomet and ravenous gnolls loyal to their demon lord, Yeenoghu. The minotaurs and the gnolls have bloodied the very walls of the Labyrinth with the gore of their prey. Not far into the Spiral, upon the shore of a large lake, the Expeditionary Force came face to face with the demon lord, Yeenoghu, as he and his gnolls fell upon one of Baphomet's chosen, a mighty goristro. Yeenoghu slaughtered the creature, ripping out its throat before dashing off into the darkness away from the Spiral, leaving his gnolls to feast on the corpse. Once Yeenoghu was far off, the Expeditionary Force assaulted the gnolls in an attempt to claim the dead goristro's heart. In the heat of battle, Khuuhrukehul forced himself upon the adventurers' newest companion, Deneb, who forced herself right back in a brief, terrifying, and passionate moment of lust. Once the gnolls were slain, the Expeditionary Force was able to collect not only the giant, black heart, but also several timmasks that Vizeran also needs to complete the *dark heart* ritual. Victorious and invigorated, the Expeditionary Force made camp at the edge of the lake.

### **Part 9 - The Maze Engine**

**25th, Marpenoth**

Triumphant, the Expeditionary Force set forth into the Labyrinth toward the location Vizeran DeVir marked enigmatically as the Gallery of Angels. The howls of ravenous gnolls and the clacking hooves of rampaging minotaurs remained ever-present, echoing throughout the old shafts and tunnels. Tik-Tik attempted to mentally connect with the githyanki, Deneb, and was enlightened to discover his ancestors were once a powerful force among the stars. He also learned that Prince Derendil's memories may have been created or tampered with, as Deneb was quick to point out several inconsistencies with Tik-Tik's vision of Derendil and what she knows about the nature of mind flayers (which she refers to as *illithids*).

After several days of journeying, the Expeditionary Force came upon a small war band of gnolls lead by a guilt-ridden fang of Yeenoghu called Deadeye Kurr. The warped magics of the *faerzress* have quelled Deadeye Kurr's natural feral instincts, filling him with an endless remorse for those he has slaughtered. After allowing the rest of his band to be slaughtered by the Expeditionary Force, Kurr offered to lead the heroes to a haven of Yeenoghu's cultists, called the Filthriddens, deeper in the Labyrinth in the hopes of diminishing the demon lord's power and influence. Kurr also agreed to serve as the Expeditionary Force's guide while within the Labyrinth.

The month of Uktar rolled in with a minotaur ambush at the Expeditionary Force's camp, which was easily thwarted. It wasn't long before the Force arrived at the Underdark shanty town now known as the Filthriddens, which was built around an abandoned mine still rich with ore and lorded over by a fanatical disciple of Yeenoghu named Grisha. Minotaur heads and skulls were displayed in effigy, claiming this cavern of the Horned King's domain for the Beast of Butchery. Although numerous, the cultists and their undead thralls were no match for the Expeditionary Force, which cleared the Filthriddens of its nefarious lot and made it suitable for an outpost. Outpost 33, as it was named, was built around the mine entrance with the intention of cultivating the ore when the outpost is made workable.

On the 9th of Uktar, the Expeditionary Force finally arrived at the Gallery of Angels. Despite what the heroes were expecting, the angels encountered there were petrified for ancient crimes long forgotten by the gods who condemned them. Touching the calcified celestials left an imprint of the imprisoned soul, sometimes with strange effects. The heroes chiseled off the six feathers they needed, from the stone forms of Anaya, Baatral, Lorabelios, Nemevon, Tamiel, and Zarod. With the feathers claimed, the Expeditionary Force continued on into the Labyrinth, guided by both the modron, 38, and Deadeye Kurr.

Shortly before reaching the Maze Engine, the Expeditionary Force encountered a group of modrons marching onward through the Labyrinth on an endless attempt to find their way back to Mechanus. They identified themselves as 337 through 350 of 763, and their superior was able to help guide the Expeditionary Force to a great chasm churning with magma and the Maze Engine wedged halfway down. The heroes battled the nalfeshnee, Slaughtertusk, who was sent to guard the Maze Engine by the demon lord, Baphomet. Slaughtertusk escaped the fray, and fled to summon the Horned King, leaving the heroes but a short time to activate and align the Maze Engine. The machine hummed, whirred, and spun for 72 seconds, during which all manner of reality-bending anomalies were triggered, including the resurrection of Shoor Vandree, the group's old nemesis from Velkynvelve. Just before the Maze Engine reached its alignment, the Horned King made his appearance and charged the heroes. Tik-Tik was quickly able to acquire a bit of the demon lord's blood for Vizeran's ritual before the Maze Engine aligned, banishing all extra-planar beings close by back to their planes of origin. This included the modrons, 38 and 337 through 350 of 763, and the demon lord, Baphomet, himself. Victorious, the heroes eliminated the Horned King from the final confrontation and acquired another of Vizeran's reagents.

As the Expeditionary Force was making its way out of the Labyrinth, Sovereign Basidia of Neverlight Grove made urgent contact through a type of rapport spore similar to the *sending* spell. Basidia informed the heroes that the Demon Queen of Fungi, Zuggtmoy, began her nuptial procession from the towering rot of Yggmorgus at Neverlight Grove and now approaches the giant mass of fungus known as Araumycos. Basidia was able to use the dreaming consciousness of Araumycos to augment his own magic, allowing the Expeditionary Force to use the closest giant fungal mass to *teleport via plants* to the fringes of Araumycos. Once inside Araumycos, with the help of Sovereign Basidia, the heroes were able to enter rapport with the dreaming mind of Araumycos. While in rapport, the heroes swam through the vast eternity of the astral plane, towards the sleeping consciousness of Araumycos, which had become corrupted by the presence of the Demon Queen of Fungi. Tik-Tik used the *gem of seeing* he found in Karazikar's hoard to quickly identify the corruption infecting Araumycos's astral brain and the heroes were able to eradicate it and free Araumycos from the tendrils of Zuggtmoy. To the surprise of both the Expeditionary Force and the Demon Queen of Fungi, the fetid wedding was then suddenly crashed by Juiblex, the Faceless Lord, along with his army of oozes and slimes. A three-way battle ensued, with the Expeditionary Force facing off against Zuggtmoy's spore servants and Juiblex's formless children. After a grueling slugfest, the Faceless Lord emerged triumphant over the Demon Queen of Fungi, lapping her up into his quivering mass. With Juiblex weakened, the heroes were able to overcome it and send it back to the Abyss, removing two further demon lords from the final confrontation in a single battle. The myconids of Neverlight Grove were overjoyed with the preservation of Araumycos, and decided to remain within its fungal wilds to resettle and prosper. As a parting boon, Sovereign Basidia donated several myconids to the Expeditionary Force and performed one final *teleport via plants*, allowing the group to quickly travel from within Araumycos to a fungal cavern not far from Blingdenstone.

### **Part 10 - The Council of Blingdenstone**

**20th, Uktar**

The Expeditionary Force made their way back to Blingdenstone to rest, resupply, and prepare for their incursion into Menzoberranzan. Upon arrival, the Force was treated to a heroes' reception, given a parade, and made guests of honor at a celebratory feast. While indulging in the festivities, it became apparent by the banners and soliders that the Lords' Alliance had also arrived in Blingdenstone on diplomatic terms. After the heroes had time to recuperate from their long journey in the Underdark, the Diggermattocks called a meeting to discuss options moving forward.

In addition to faction representatives Nathaniel Strayl of the Lords' Alliance and Davra Jassur of the Zhentarim, the council was attended by Lord Dagult Neverember, Lord-Protector of Neverwinter. The Lords' Alliance also sent Vajra Safahr, assistant to the Blackstaff and also a representative of the Harpers, as an arcane advisor to Strayl. Eldeth Feldrun represented Gauntlgrym, Yantha Coaxrock spoke for the Stoneheart Enclave, and Chipgrin Goldwhisker stood for the Goldwhisker Clan. Two additional chairs were for the infamous Volothamp Geddarm and Sir Axelrod Blackstone of the Travelogue in Aion, both present as consultants with regard to the discoveries at Fort Nautilus.

The council discussed much, with emphases on the incursion into Menzoberranzan and the Lords' Alliance request for spell gems to help with the research occurring at Fort Nautilus. It was decided that the *dark heart talisman* will be placed at Neverlight Grove for the final confrontation, and the five factions set out immediately to fortify and prepare the area for the epic battle. The Lords' Alliance offered to provide temporary structures and archers high upon the ledges, the Harpers promised guards and wards that will prevent the demons from leaving Neverlight Grove once they are drawn in, the Emerald Enclave has been requested to assure that the area is free of innocent life and lushly carpeted with fungi, the Order of the Gauntlet vowed to provide paladins and clerics as ground troops to treat the wounded, and the Zhentarim consented to provide assassins and soldiers to help battle lesser demons.

After taking a moment to banish the wicked entity known as Ogremoch's Bane within the Rockblight, the heroes said farewell to the Expeditionary Force until their reunion at Neverlight Grove. For the incursion into Menzoberranzan, it was decided a smaller group comprising Khuuhrukehul, Mauser Crystalfist, Tik-Tik, Jorlan Duskryn, and Grin Ousstyl would be more effective than the full power of the Expeditionary Force. On the 24th of Uktar, the heroes set off once more into the Underdark, moving quickly thanks to Kruul's tracking skills. Roxy Slateshard and the detachment of burrow wardens accompanied them halfway to the City of Spiders, breaking off to establish a final outpost, which was named Fort Smoothhands. The heroes encountered a single drow outpost a day outside of Menzoberranzan and sent all of its inhabitants to meet their spider queen.

On the 27th of Uktar, the heroes arrived at the great jewel of Lolth, the majestic city of Menzoberranzan. While waiting for the contact arranged by the Council of Spiders to attend to them, the heroes decided to seek out Zhora Hallen, of the Dark Hunters, whose daughter they saved in the Wormwrithings. Hanne, grateful to the heroes for saving her, helped them once again by touching base with Khalessa Draga, a Lords' Alliance spy, who agreed to set up a meeting. After but a few days, the heroes were introduced to Kharza-kzad and Severa Xorlarrin, members of the Council of Spiders and of the Fourth Noble House of Menzoberranzan. Severa brought the heroes to her family's compound, the Spelltower Xorlarrin, for an audience with her mother, Zeerith. Zeerith explained much about life in Menzoberranzan, and offered the heroes sanctuary for the length of their stay in the city. Before anything else, she punctuated, the heroes should be presented to the Matron Mother of the First House of the city, as a show of proper respect.

### **Part 11 - City of Spiders**

**30th, Uktar**

Khuuhrukehul, Mauser Crystalfist, and Tik-Tik were presented before Matron Mother Yvonnel Baenre, the most powerful drow in the city of Menzoberranzan. The adventurers were escorted by Severa Xorlarrin, eldest daughter of Matron Zeerith Xorlarrin, matriarch of the Fourth Noble House of the city. Among those present were Quenthel Baenre, Matron Baenre's youngest daughter and a priestess of Lolth, Matron Baenre's mind flayer advisor, El Viddenvelp, and the Matron's granddaughter, Liriel. The heroes needed a way to get to *Zhaun'ol'leal*, the grimoire of Gromph Baenre, and House Baenre needed a scapegoat to deflect the blame for the rage of demons. For their mutual benefit, it was decided that House Mizzrym would be framed for the demonic incursion. In return for allowing the heroes sanctuary within Menzoberranzan, House Baenre would enable the infiltration and subsequent downfall of the Fifth Noble House. The first step was to acquire Gromph's grimoire from Sorcere, the drow academy of magic.

Once again, Severa Xorlarrin, an instructor at Sorcere, was able to aid the heroes in their movement about the city. While in her presence, the heroes were able to bypass the great jade spiders that guard the terrace of Tier Breche and enter the tower of Sorcere with little interference. After gaining entrance to the academy, the heroes witnessed a chaotic ripple in the *faerzress*, causing the drow mages to lose control of their summoned demons. The heroes, Severa, and other instructors were able to defeat the demons and restore order to Sorcere. As Severa departed for a lecture, she directed the heroes to the office of the Spider Mage, down in the depths of Sorcere. Upon meeting the Spider Mage, Tik-Tik and the archmage were reminded of their spectral meeting within the halls of Gravenhollow. The Spider Mage, acting on behalf of the Council of Spiders, was able to augment the weapons given to the heroes by Vizeran DeVir, awakening greater potential within. He then gave the heroes instructions to make their way to Luskan, the City of Sails, when they had repelled the rage of demons. There they are to wait to be contacted by the lich-drow, Kharza-kzad. With his business concluded, the Spider Mage gave the heroes the passwords to the wards in the upper levels of Sorcere, where the Headmaster's office is.

Entering the Headmaster's office was a simple chore, with the aid of Tik-Tik's *chime of opening*. Once inside, Gromph's office proved to offer one riddle after the other. A search of the office uncovered a tenebrous doorway, which Tik-tik was absorbed into. After following Tik-tik into the void, Khuuhrukehul, Mauser Crystalfist, Grin Ousstyl, and Jorlan Duskryn found themselves in a shadowy prison-realm. On the advice of the Spider Mage, Grin cast one of his most powerful spells to dispel the dimensional trap, expelling the heroes into Gromph's inner sanctum. Within, they discovered Tik-tik trapped within a diamond, a drow priestess bound within a *magic circle*, and the archmage's grimoire upon a podium. Wisely, the heroes resisted conversing with the drow priestess, who called herself Y'lara, and left the sanctum with the diamond and *Zhaun'ol'leal*. They defeated the statue protecting Gromph's office and brought the diamond to the Spider Mage to be dispelled. Victorious, the heroes made their way to the Bregan D'aerthe safehouse to get the grimoire copied.

### **Part 12 - The Fall of the House of Mizzrym**

**Feast of the Moon**

 A contact for Bregan D'aerthe, Krilelyn H'Kar, soon met Khuuhrukehul, Mauser Crystalfist, Tik-Tik, Grin Ousstyl, and Jorlan Duskryn at the safehouse. The heroes were escorted to the ruins of House Do'Urden, the very house responsible for the destruction of Vizeran DeVir's own house, which are now occupied by the mercenary group, Bregan D'aerthe. The leader of Bregan D'aerthe, Jarlaxle, aided the heroes in concocting a plot to frame House Mizzrym for the rage of demons. The plot involved the copying of *Zhaun'ol'leal* and planting one of these copies inside House Mizzrym minutes before an allied house swarms inside, finds the book, and attempts to cleanse the rest of the house as a punishment for treason. The plan also hinged upon striking a bargain with a rival house whose might matched that of House Mizzrym. The heroes had three ten-days to prepare for the incursion while agents of Bregan D'aerthe copied the grimoire: once for the evidence that would fall into the hands of House Baenre, once for the Spider Mage, and once for Bregan D'aerth themselves. The heroes would then keep the original for Vizeran's ritual.

The heroes spent a little time enjoying what there is to enjoy in the City of Spiders. Khalessa Draga, a spy for the Lords' Alliance, had to postpone their meeting, fearing for the safety of her cover. They spent time among the merchant stalls, partaking of the luxurious clothing and rarified exotics that the bazaars of Menzoberranzan had to offer. It was decided that the heroes would approach House Duskryn to ally against House Mizzrym. As a lesser noble house, House Duskryn stood to gain if the Fifth House of the city were to fall from Lolth's grace. Thanks to what little leverage Jorlan Duskryn still had with his family, a tenuous alliance was forged. The heroes would infiltrate House Mizzrym with the aid of *dust of disappearance*, find access to a *teleportation circle*, and notify Havel Duskryn, the house wizard, of its sigil sequence.

On 30th, Nightal, the combined forces of House Duskryn, Khuuhrukehul, Mauser Crystalfist, Tik-Tik, Grin Ousstyl, and Jorlan Duskryn infiltrated the defenses of House Mizzrym and began the siege and extermination of the Fifth Noble House of Menzoberranzan. First, the heroes used their *dust of disappearance* and snuck up the crystal staircase leading to the Mizzrym compound in the ceiling of *araurilcaurak*. After sneaking through the common wing, they were able to claim a *teleportation circle* and summon in Duskryn reinforcements. Once the Duskryn troops began to swarm House Mizzrym from within, the full-scale siege began. The heroes infiltrated the female wing, where the female nobles and their servants dwelled. They dispatched several neogi visitors led by a master called K'Thach and then sent Aunrae Mizzrym, a priestess of Lolth, to see her spider goddess before claiming victory over the wing.

Meanwhile, the Ruling Council of Menzoberranzan was meeting in their chambers. Aunrae was able to get word to her mother, Miz'ri Mizzrym, before she was slain. For their part, Matrons Baenre, Duskryn, and Xorlarrin saw to it that the council meeting kept Matron Mizzrym from her crumbling house. The heroes next descended upon the Temple of Lolth, dominated by Matron Mizzrym's twin first daughters, Greyanna and Sabal. While wading through the dangers of the Temple, the heroes stumbled upon Ilvara Mizzrym, pregnant with some writhing mass, and Shoor Vandree, standing beside her in undeath. From Ilvara's womb burst a vicious draegloth, a last attempt by Lolth to stop this mockery. The demonic draegloth, a terrifying combination of a drow and a glabrezu, ruthlessly attacked the heroes while Shoor Vandree seemed to concentrate his ire on Maus, saying little other than "shit gnome." Soon, the draegloth, the wight of Shoor Vandree, and the high priestesses Sabal and Greyanna all lie dead and vanquished. Tik-Tik was also able to rescue several of his own clutch that House Mizzrym had kept as slaves, in addition to Aljanor Keenblade, an agent for the Order of the Gauntlet who was sent to recover agent Khalessa Draga of the Lords' Alliance before the heroes received their orders. Now freed, Sir Keenblade promised the heroes he would help extract agent Draga. Jorlan Duskryn was able to convince his house to help Sir Keenblade in his task.

After returning to the command center in the Mizzrym common wing, High Priestess Prae'anelle discovered the planted copy of *Zhaun'ol'leal*. Infuriated, she demanded the heroes confront Matron Mizzrym immediately, to which the heroes complied. House Mizzrym was found guilty of treason before the Ruling Council, and Matron Mother Baenre sentenced Matron Mizzrym to exile from Menzoberranzan, while the rest of her family were to be exterminated. Not wasting any time, the triumphant heroes made their way back to the Tower of Vengeance, so Vizeran DeVir could begin crafting the *dark heart talisman*. Soon, the rage of demons would be upon them all.

### **Part 13 - Rage of Demons**

**6th, Hammer**

 Witness the finale of *Out of the Abyss*! Coming Soon!

### **Part 1 - The Spider's Web**

**1st, Tarsakh**

It was not long after the threat of Elemental Evil had ended that the Council of Spiders decided to move forward with its grand scheme to rid the multiverse of the Demon Queen of Spiders once and for all. The heroes of the Underdark Expeditionary Force, Mauser Crystalfist and Tik-Tik, were summonded to Waterdeep along with a newly liberated member of Tik-tik's clutch, a samurai who calls himself Clang.

With the resources of Lord Dagult Neverember and the Lords' Alliance, as well as aid from Jarlaxle and Bregan D'aerthe, the heroes were given transportation to the city of Luskan, far to the north. There, they rendezvoused with their old friend, Grin Ousstyl, and the infamous Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan who Lolth tricked into ushering the Rage of Demons into the Underdark.

### **Part 2 - The City of Doors**

**9th, Tarsakh**

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### **Part 3 - Sins of the Father**

**11th, Tarsakh**

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### **Part 4 - Hell is Other Devils**

**20th, Tarsakh**

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