The Flying Tower

When last we left our heroes of the RedWater Fellowship, they had defeated a guardian (?) of the tower and were flying high up into the air.
After much experimentation with the set of controls (6 buttons, 4 levers and 2 wheels) the Fellowship had determined how to fly the wondrous tower.
Cedric says, “I agree with Kantif, our main priority should be to stop our ascent. Although I do agree that this fortress will be a strong base, it will become quite obvious to anyone nearby when we head off somewhere. On that note we can’t expect to have the element of surprise if we get back to the Duress estate, we must be vigilant” 
The next step was decided to fly down to gather the horses and Gothi's monstrous companion, Jawbone. Further experimentation with the controls by Graxus and Gothi allowed the group to open a circular stairwell from the control room which led to a number of more levels. Searching through these, they find a dead 1/2 elf in what looked to be a bunk room. The body's organs had been removed. A search of the room recovered a 3 horned skull which seemed to be the skull of an infernal being which had some interesting dialogues with the party. A 2nd door is locked.
Meanwhile, Gothi deciding to walk down the wall outside using her boots of spider climbing, encountered some more spiders. Coming to the rescue, Kantif, Doc Holliday and Cedric engage the arachnids. Defeating the creatures, Kantif gathered some more parts of the creatures. they decide to take the tower to their horses. Everyone was wounded and tired, and decided to take a short rest, talking once again with the horned skull - which calls itself Bisbanh.
While travelling, Doc Holliday does some tinkering devising some new bullet types.
Delving further down a 2nd circular stairwell. Further levels included a library/study, there are ladders and 20 foot high shelves, all empty\, except Cedric noted a makeshift tiny little house made of

scraps of wood, cloth and scraps. Knocking on the tiny door no one answers. Footprints were noted to track through the dusty shelves.. the party moved onwards.
Down a passage through a door, they meet a 7' tall gargoyle. (2 sets of wings, 4 arms). Speaking to the creature, Doc Holliday asks to pass. The gargoyle - a very sad but sarcastic creature - would not allow them to pass. There was discussion of whom owns the tower and a deed. He is interested in fruits from the Shadowfell. So Cedric recalled there was a satchel back at the 1/2 elf body. Heading back Cedric, met a young woman whom it seems lived on the same level. Graxus pushed a button - number 2 - and the gargoyle warned Doc, whom decided to run back up.
Gothi again walks out and down the tower wall to find her companion and the party's horses. Jawbone had tracked down the bear and was gorging himself on the animal. Jawbone was very happy to see her master and brought the horses back to the tower and saw a blue shimmering shield surrounding it. Those inside felt a wave of what seemed like static electricity.
Cedric spoke with the young human woman briefly and then at the pounding footsteps, she retreated
into her room and with a smile at Cedric, closed the door again.
Doc Holliday suggests forging a document to be the deed. Kantif, with some skill at forgery, writes up the deed. Then Kantif and Doc head back down to confront the gargoyle, while Cedric continues to search.
Gothi meanwhile has brought the horses and Jawbone to the tower and surprisingly she is able to push the double doors open, leading into a circular room in a shambles and looked to be a stables of

sorts. Graxus notes Gothi's entrance to the tower through the view orb in the control room.
Kantif and Doc show the forged deed to the gargoyle - whom seems find with them passing and congratulates them on this in his sad voice.
Cedric knocks on the woman's door and she opens and invites him in. Sitting down at a fireplace, has a conversation again with the woman, the room seems bigger than the tower. Having tea, Cedric has a goblet of water and discuss the previous owner - an elf lord - and current events, the Black Runes, IUZ, the Overlord Romack and more. She learns of the party's names but does not pass on her own.
Meanwhile, Doc Holliday is praying to his goddess to convert the fruit into a Shadowfell fruit. Unfortunately the Raven Queen was not paying attention it seems.
Deciding to work on this potential ally - whom wants something from the Shadowfell later, the party decides to move the tower to the Duress Estate. While moving, Doc Holliday takes the small coffin holding the infernal dog - ally of the fallen elf lord. Taking the collar off the scaled black-skinned 3 headed dog comes back to life(?). Trying to tame the infernal 3-headed monster, Doc Holliday realizes it is an evil creature. even though he seemed to tame it and decides to put the creature back to sleep using the magical collar.

As the RedWater Fellowship flies the tower closer to the Duress Estate, they prepare for war to crush the invading Black Runes. Using the orb, they look down and see the various windows of the estate are lit. Torches and guards are at both internal and external gates. Graxus pushes the 6th button to activate the shimmering shield, which electrocutes Gothi - whom was on the outside of the tower using her boots of Spider climbing. This flash of blue energy also brings the attention of all the forces on the ground. Blasted by the electrical energy, Doc Holliday is able to swing out to help the ranger.
Landing the tower in one of the dead vineyards behind the manor, they look out to see over a hundred figures coming towards them. Doc Holliday fires his musket and cuts down one of the humanoids.
The figures at first were not doing a battle charge, but after confirming they were Black Runes, another volley is fired out.
Battling off the ground, using all their missile weapons, they continue to shoot and cut down the Black Runes. Some return fire, but the fire was sporadic and mostly ineffectual. A troop of 20 troopers, fire crossbows.
A Black Rune wizard with a tower shield guard is able to launch a fireball into the tower stables, doing damage, as well a giant lobs boulders crashing into the tower taking out blocks and making the whole structure shudder and shake. Many Black Runes fall as the Fellowship continue to rain down
fire. A 2nd fireball hits the tower but the shield - activated by Graxus protects the tower and inhabitants. The shimmering shield crackles and pops and then disappears.
Graxus then casts multiple fireballs - using his sorcerous skills - the explosion lights of the night, and the massive explosions cut down many of the Black Runes, screams of pain and agony echo through the night. Lukaan was throwing down blobs of fire and taking out the Black Runes from on high.
No one at the controls, the tower starts to float upwards. Bolts and a boulder once in a while crashed into the tower, shaking it to its foundations. Deciding the battle could not be won this night. the RedWater Fellowship's flying tower headed off into the night. Some of the party fell unconscious, but the healing skills of Cedric and the Doc were put to good use. Heading back to the Holliday tribal camp, the tower was badly damaged but still flying.
Setting down in the rocks high above the camp the party rested. A large creature was seen flying in the moonlit sky.. but did not seem to notice the tower moving close to the ground.
A message came to Doc from his mother, about meeting at an old place from his youth, the next day, where they would enjoy the river and meals.
Lukaan, mentioned he could see these Black Runes quite clearly, their armour emblazoned with the Black Rune ... with crossed hammers. The looks the party gave each other perplexed the mage.. a great battle had been won the mage thought.. many enemies killed.. why was the party looking stunned.. (DM: The symbol of the GreySkull mercenary company - LINK)

The Crows, a Prisoner and the Tower

The RedWater Fellowship watered their horses and looked out around. What looks to be once a well made cobblestone road leads to a broken bridge. On the other side of wide slow moving river, the weed filled road disappears in spots but appears to lead up to the keep or tower. On the far side near the road a tall dead tree, appears to be a withered oak, fairly common to this area, Doc Holliday notes. its barren grey branches the resting place for a flock of large black crows.
A crow’s cage hangs from one large branch, what appears to be a gaunt figure sitting in the prison-cage.

Gothi, on the back of Jawbone, grinned and sprang forward, the monstrous dog-shark easily crossing the river. While the beast hunter crossed, Doc Holliday waded out to the centre area and noted a corner of a box(?) sticking out of the silt and rocks under the ice cold water. Diving down, he tried to move the the long box - man sized in length, possibly a coffin - but even his giant strength was unable to lift. With Cedric and Doc, the box was lifted out to shore. The black wood hardly warped and rotten, it seems this coffin had been in the waters for some time.

Kantiff, using his roguish talents looked for traps, but saw none and cracked open the long box. Inside was looked to be the remains of an elf warrior.. the armour and much rusted. Noting the heaviness of the coffin, the party investigated and found a secret compartment filled with bars of copper.
As Gothi reached the order side, the crows shout down with raspy calls as she approached. Staying a fair distance away, Gothi found some interesting tracks of a bear so decided to follow those.


Packing up the loot, the party dug a grave with the assistance of Graxus' spells and buried the fallen elf, with a ceremony to the Raven Queen.

Crossing over, the party approached the dead oak calling out to the gaunt figure. looking to be an older human male. Scraggly long beard and red hair are streaked with silver. Wearing worn and ragged shirt and pants. His skin and flesh is pecked and torn from the crows. At first thought to be dead, Doc Holliday detected life and the lifeforce of the prisoner was felt.
After some investigation, the party determined that the man was held with both magic and mechanical wards. Using their combined skills, they finally released the prisoner whom turned out to

be Highmage Lukaan Hilfos. A wizard of of the city of Greyhawk and once assistant to Leomund the White. Lukaan was captured by the guild Arcane Lore of Wayberry, for breaking the laws and thought he could escape.. Not having the best spells prepared he killed 2 Maskers - by mistake - and was sentenced to  “drainage”. His power being taken and then finally.. death.Once a 18th level wizard, the man was little more than a novice.. of the 5th rank.
Once released, the crows angrily burst into the air cawing and circling for a minute then fly off to the southwest. Their meal taken. Lukaan stretches first..many cracks and pops heard.. Then he slowly moves one hand mumbling.. And a single shower of sparks will shoot forth from a finger. Grinning, then chuckling then laughing, the wizard will cast the spell a few more times.. Then will rush over to the slow moving river to drink.. Coughing, he will see his face and will look back to the party.. With a smile. He cast prestidigation again and again cleaning himself and clothing. Though ragged, it will look fairly presentable.
He vows to help the party for now, a life debt of sorts. Doc Holliday provides him some makeshift clothing, and the party moves onward.
Gothi, whom had found and lost and found again the tracks to the bear, sadly rejoins the party. Her quarry safe this time..

Heading up to the tower keep, the party determines after recollection by Doc Holliday, the best way to enter was through the top, where once when Holliday had been young and in love, with Gilwin he
had climbed to the top under a dare and met something in the dark..

Starting to climb, the Doctor found some good handholds and footholds. The tower was in disrepair.. Walking by him with a grin again, Gothi walked up the side using her boots of spider climbing.
With ropes and climbing, the party makes it up to the tower heights.
Searching minimal is found, so the party decides to go down though the trapdoor and explore. Finding a mass of webs, and these webs are thick and sticky, the party was attacked by a group of spiders. The largest looking to be a formidable opponent. Doctor Holliday aimed carefully and fired a perfect
shot and it had no affect on the massive arachnid. The creatures smaller allies though were destroyed with non magical weapons. After a tough battle, the party did some scavenging and were able to acquire some body parts, eyes, and a large black rock inside the undead(?) spider.. its heart?

Moving ever downwards, they came to another round room. A amber sphere about 4' across, pulsating in the middle had what looked to be a set of 6 buttons, 4 levers and 2 wheels on a stand/console by it. 3 large tapestries hung on the walls. Words it seems in a row of what was soon to be determined infernal probably advised on what all the various buttons, levers and wheels did.
Doc Holliday started to ponder the implications of this language in a former elf keep..

Gothi.. unable to stop herself, pushed a button and then another! The party
felt a lurch as if an earthquake and then a rumbling hiss came from the stairs and a massive humanoid shape stepped into view.. the resemblance to a human was minimal.. the large form had a number of tentacles and sharp teethed mouths with long tentacle tongues (?) which proceeded to attack the party..
This was one of the toughest battles the RedWater Fellowship had had since the heroes had joined together. Nearly every member went down unconscious, but in the end, they prevailed against the undead/infernal creature.

Taking a breath and binding wounds and bringing others back from the brink of death, the party moved the tapestries and saw these were 3 large windows.. then realized they were now 400 feet in the air and getting higher. The party it seemed were in a cloud castle, a flying tower.. Lukann gasped and advised that this was it appeared to be one of 10 Elf cloud keeps lost  100s of years back.. now what to do next as the keep was flying straight up and quite quickly..

Doc Holliday's face goes a little slack, he then informs the heroes that his mother has been in contact, she - it seems - has some skill in witchery and was able to - using a sending spell - advise him:
"The Black Runes have arrived at the Duress estate!"