A Mommy Airbnb

We find ourselves at the top of Zariel’s tower after Brywynn killed her with the Tidal Wave spell. Bahmut’s forms are transported into the scepter that is at the north of the map. RC walks over to the scepter and touches it, but is hit with damage. It seems as if the scepter has been cursed after having been in the presence of an archdevil for this long.

We look at Zariel’s throne, but see nothing of importance. Caulkin looks at the crown on Brylwynn’s head, but sees that it has not changed yet.

After 3 rounds, we feel this hard burst of energy shoot up from the tower and a red, glowing orb/beacon appears. Caulkin notices that the devils and other creatures on the fly have taken notice of this and we need to make a quick escape. Pearl casts fly on 4 of us. Baptiste carries Caulkin, Glittr carries his mother, and RC flies on Bahmut’s back on the way down the tower to Larael’s protection orb.

As we approach the ground, we see a few weak imps coming towards us but we fight them off easily. However, there are larger devils approaching the tower as we near the ground and talk with Larael.

We enter her protection spell and we leave this plane as we are whisked back into the material plane.

We find ourselves back in Waterdeep. We speak with Larael briefly. She lets us know that Avernus is likely going to erupt into civil war and that will distract them for years to come. 

We speak with her about Krislynn and how she was imitated by the Rakasha for the last several months.

We head back to our residence in Waterdeep and agree to meet in 48 hours after we’ve all had time to rest.

Back at our place, Glittr uses Cleansing Touch on Krislynn and he feels a sense of magic lift from her. He is unsure what is lifted, however. She sleeps for the night and gains the benefits of a long rest. The next morning, she awakens and is a little bit startled.

Glittr and her speak and he shares with her all of the information they have about her and what has happened to her over the past two years.

She apologizes for all of the pain that she inadvertently caused when she left to complete a mission for Torm. she says that she left to go to Silverymoon for a more political mission when the city was being attacked by fiends. She was hunting devils and demons when she overheard two of them say the Rakasha’s name aloud, which made the Rakasha target her.

Glittr and his mom speak further and start to make amends with one another. She agrees to stay behind and rest at our home for a while so she continues to recover.

In thinking back on her story, there are a a lot of parts that overlap and make sense with our story and journey. One detail that stuck out to him is that she learned the Rakasha's real name, which devils and demons hate. His name was Nakrathnaut. 

The day before, Pearl uses identify on the piece of the scepter that dealt damage to RC when he picked it up. We get the sense that Zariel is still attuned to the item. The scepter is also considered an artifact. It is the Staff of “Schnar.” The pieces are all used for a specific purpose. For example, the piece Zariel had was used to capture and contain Bahmut’s other forms.

This is not something powerful like using a level 9 wish spell over and over again.

Once Pearl casts identify on it, we see 7 bright, yellow tulips grow and pop up around us. 

Bahamut speaks to RC and shares that the three pieces of the scepter he created are in our profession. “Attune to them and then set the intention to break the corrupt magic within the crown that Brylwynn wears. Wait until Zariel’s influence has left the evil one before you do this. You [RC] should be the one to attune to the piece that has Bahmut’s souls. It is your job to release those souls from their imprisonment.”

They are implements of bonding and binding. The giant queen, Serissa, has bound one piece to her throne to exchange her power. Zariel used one piece to bind souls to her will. We will use the last piece to break the binding that Beshaba has used on the crown to free our friend from her imprisonment.

RC speaks to Bahmut directly and tells him that he is excited to be able to put his souls back together. Him and RC share that they are excited to kill Hephaestus finally.

RC reminisces about the day he found Bahmut’s egg as they began their adventures together. They talk about Beshaba more and how they need to take her down. Bahmut asks RC what it's going to feel like when his souls are released from the scepter and they have a chuckle. 

The next morning, we blow the conch and visit the Temple of the Storm Giants under the sea to speak with Serissa. We need to get the 3rd piece of the scepter that she has. 

She fills us in on what she’s been up to; mostly working on giant-human diplomacy.

Serissa brings us to an off-room in the storm giant lair where they practice divination magic. 

RC recalls the instructions given to him which is to attune to the item and set intentions while doing so, essentially stating “undoing Beshaba’s curse.”

RC attunes to this third of the scepter. As he does, he feels warm and powerful, being the first party member to attune to an artifact, not just a magic item. RC feels like essences of Bahmut in the scepter.

RC feels a new type of immense power as he does this. He sets the intention and sees the vision of Brylwynn essentially “pulling” off the crown as the three essences of Bahmut cheer her on.

Serissa uses the third part having already attuned to it. Baptiste has one last attunement slot left and attunes to the third piece. 

Two of our team members and Serissa are attuned and ready to go, finally able to remove the crown from Brylwynn. She is feeling scared at this time, having had the crown for over a 1 year in-game (and 3 years out of game). In fact, Baptiste has never known her without the crown on her head. 

As this process happens, the room almost darkens as it resists being removed from her head. There is a surge in the air as the light in the room is sucked up by the crown. 

The three of them activate the scepters as purple wisps of energy begin erupting. We see Beshaba try to resist the removal of The Crown of Horns and we are successful. After a tough struggle, the crown is removed and transforms into a Tiara. Brylwynn places it in the Bag of Holding for safekeeping for the time being.

Pearl casts Identify on the Tiara. She determines it to be

Once Attuned the tiara gives: adv. On saving thrones against spells, cast sunburst once per day, and a +1 to their AC. It does not come with an item name, however. This resets at Dawn. 

Back at our residence, RC is able to use the scepter and unbind the 3 pieces of Bahmut’s soul. RC feels emboldened by this as the three pieces of Bahmut are reunited. 

We refill Caulkin’s ring with a 2nd level Misty Step and a 3rd level Revivify.

On the third day back in town, we met up with Larael again and give her updates on what we were able to accomplish. Larael speaks with Brylwynn and shares that the Tiara is one of Mystra’s most sacred relics, and that Larael once wore it many years ago. It is called The Tiara of the Dawn.  

Larael shares that she is excited for all of the good things that have happened, but she has some bad news.

Krowen has gotten an extensive update on how to get us to the abyss. Krowen speaks with us and gives us these updates: good news is that he knows how to get here, but the bad news is that it’ll be difficult.

First, Sigil: This is where the portal will lead us to. This is the meeting ground for the other planes. Creatures from all of the planes will be there, but the issue is that leading scholars report that this area is not made for mortals of the material planes. They are forgetful or forget a lot of what they’ve seen there. We don’t know a lot about what goes on here. We know there is a great respect for the leader or known as the Lady of Pain. There is to be no weapons, bloodshed, or lying. Breaking peacekeeping terms is capital offense met with instant death. It seems that the Lady of Pain acts as judge, jury, and executioner. 

It is strange and hard to imagine because this is supposed to be an area where angels barter and trade. All creatures are beholden by these rules, fiends, angels, and demons. It is true neutrality. 

Also, only people that the Lady of Pain wants to be there, can be there. You have to be “invited” in a way. 

How to get there is even dicier. He hands us a piece of paper with runes carved all over it. He thinks if we use this, we can find a way to the gate or portal. This other being/other worldly entity implied there is going to be a “test” to get in.