First, to clarify, Elohwyn got to the painting before anyone else and started looking it over. But no one noticed the skull-on-a-string until everyone got there; it was concealed in the shadows of Griffin Gate and Elohwyn was distracted by the more obvious images.
The Coders return the last afternoon in somber spirits, exhausted. Navigating the maze took quite a long time even with Maculus's magic sight and intellect. On the way they had to fight off a huge swarm of water-leapers (fanged demons) that almost drowned Eslas and Anderida, and once their boat flipped upside down without warning. The boggle was hanging off the Red Moon in the painting and dropped into the water when the Coders came closer. It pointed at them and laughed, then their fine Lunar boat turned into a giant yellow duck made of a rubbery material! The Coders decided not to take more chances with Boggle magic, so Anderida prepared a powerful Mindblast that blew its head off entirely.
The painting was little different than what you saw, except that the Coders saw an iron gauntlet lying by the gate, and no hanging skull. They interpret these signs as being specific to one or more members of your respective parties.
Alas, the boggle was not so easily outdone. Its head popped back up and it seemed unhappy. With a wiggle of its nose, a giggle, and a wink, each of the Coders was beset by its magic. A small stormcloud appeared over Julan and shot him with small lightning bolts; this cloud keeps coming back when he is stressed. Anderida became roaring drunk and started singing songs of the Heartland. Maculus's fine robes turned to dung. Nosering became a small tin of processed dwarf food. And Eslas shot herself from her bow across the room. That did it for the Coders, they were mad too. Maculus cursed it with a massive Madness spell. The poor boggle turned into an elf and begged for protection, claiming that it was now mortal and couldn't swim. The Coders gathered themselves quickly and paddled the duck-boat away as the elf-boggle cried and treaded water. They didn't see it again, but Anderida expects it to be very unhappy for the next visitors.
Again they paddled for a long time in the painting-maze until they escaped, and used up more magics fighting spectral carnivorous fish. Once they left the maze, the can of dwarf food opened and Nose Ring climbed back out, very confused and nauseous. Anderida collapsed on the deck with a whopping headache, groaning about binging on boggle booze. Maculus bathed himself meticulously, Eslas sulked and tried to air dry, and Julan tried to relax so the storm cloud would disperse. They decided that they had done their job and should leave. On the way back to camp, a hungry swarm of bloodbirds attacked them, then a rogue kraken weed ensnared the boat. The Coders' magics and sword arms were tired by the time they made it back to camp, and they swore they'd never return to this crazy place again.
Nonetheless, Julan and the others agreed that the mission was a great success thanks to both teams, and offers to sit down and discuss the mission more in a private room at Erigio's again. Anderida says that Tison/the group may keep the silver wand as a gesture of good will. If you want, you could reciprocate the gift.
Once you return to Pavis, word spreads like wildfire that a great mission to Puzzle Canal had succeeeded, and for weeks you'll never have to buy a drink in Pavis County if you tell your tale. You are now reknown as the best waterborne explorers in the River Valley; if someone has a job that involves water and battle, you are the first names on any citizens' lips. Some folks even know that you're not bad in caves, either.
Caernak is still enjoying attention from his heroquest, and accumulates 1000L in gifts by the end of Sea Season. Tison and Arcus also catch some of the River Voice action, gaining 250L apiece. Ahh, and Bendrath pays Tison 300L to spend a week researching explorations of the Devil's Playground during this century. He hints that he has the party in mind to do some exploring there.
There's plenty more to do next gaming session. Oh yes, I now have stats for Arcus's hawk, Caernak's wife, Pachala's two cronies, and Elohwyn's trained-up Vingan duo. I have magic stuff for Tison, too. More later this week.