Orientation (Part 1)

[KingGoblin]

Lazuli Lazali Lulura, AKA Squishy

AC 16 | HP 11/11 | HD 1/1 | Inspiration Yes | P.Perception 15

Saves: Str -1 | Dex +3 | Con +1 | Int +2 | Wis +5 | Cha +0

Resistances: Acid and Poison

---

After looking at the map, Lazuli nodded, a whole body motion that leaves waves up and down almost hypnotically. "Lou, I like your idea. But yeah, I think looking at the map, Chaeek is probably right, his way is the most efficient. Either way, let's go on down to Administration and get those packets!"

 

Actions

Move: -

Action: -

Bonus: -

Reaction: -

 

[JubalBreakbottle]

Celsior Loriniscil, Prince of Alfheim

Inspiration Yes | HP 8/8 | HD 1/1 | Step 2/2 | Shield 1/1

Recovery 1/1 | 1st-level 2/2

---

Celsior watches his new crew discuss amongst themselves, clearly in need of leadership. He packages away his observations of them. Eventually, he would need to motivate them.

"Right. Let's go to collect our welcome packs first." The prince heads toward the stairs toward Administration via the gymnasium expecting his crew to follow him.

Mechanics

Active spells: Familiar (stored)

[Cointhief]

Tarto prepares to monitor the next group of cadets as Bacon resets the simulation glyphs. Those taking notes in the audience speculate what the next challenge might be. Defending a heavy cargo caravan with only a trio of Damselflies? Time trials through magmitic asteroids on a 12th century Squid Ship? Perhaps a round of Helm Wrack, where Spelljammers mentally battle for attunement without fracturing their psyche?  For an organization to prepare for beyond infinity, it need embrace all the possibilities infinity holds.

Passing through the busy halls of the Academy, few take notice...except perhaps a raised brow at Nazira's Emerald Newcomer Commendation. Everyone seems to be dressed in the same red uniform except for you. They all appear equally engaged in some chaotic or deadly task with a rapidly approaching deadline.

A group of corps cadets much younger than you huddle up around a captive mind flayer, bound in a straightjacket and tentacle-cuffs as they wheel him up and out the window...a crane and winch waiting to take him up and away to who-knows-where. Another group seem to be collecting and cataloguing specimens of the various strange organisms making the halls their home: ghost fish that phase through the walls carrying messages, purple undulating worms that seem to be cleaning the ceiling, a big fluffy saint Bernard with a barrel of 'emergency ale' attached to its collar.

One cadet attempts to sweettalk a pair of security guards, explaining how the color on his clearance helmet was altered by the light-exposure of a certain sextuplet star system. At one point a magical voice announces: ~Ectoplasmic breach on Spelljammer Nexus level. All personnel, be prepared for supernatural anomalies.~ but most just roll their eyes as if it were business as usual and carry on. A pair of officers walk by, mentioning how in spite of improvements three out of ten exploratory fleet still result in All Hands Lost.

Descending the magical lifts, stone stairs, rope ladders, and fireman poles you finally reach Administration level. An overweight June-buggish Thri-keen receptionist gives you the slightest glance over her bifocals as 4 arms endlessly multitask and toil with mail, packages, forms, stamps, forms, and more forms. The color scheme on her exoskeleton seems about 20 years out of fashion (or maybe that's what Clownspace Ray Gun fire does to chitin).

She plucks from a small, ornate desk a series of Sending Stones, delivering the same message over and over "Academy accounts payable, Sor’kur speaking, please hold." Motioning you all forward with a knowing, glazed look she distributes a small welcoming package of goodies and toiletries.

Everyone receives:

• 1 red-level cadet uniform
• 1 spare red-level cadet uniform
• 1 roll TP (single ply) 
• 1 magic toothbrush that doesn't work
• 1 Bar of coconut castile soap-on-a-rope, wrapped
• 1 miniature spaghetti strainer, some kind of Plasmoid hygeinic tool no doubt
• 1 small jar of Scramsax Selects: Exoskeleton Polish (Spot test on an inconspicuous area. Warning: keep away from open flame)
• 1 pair space socks
• 1 crunched up peppermint candy
• 1 voucher for a box of personalized pencils and stationery
• 1 50gp general purpose requisition voucher for the academy stores
• 1 blue-level security clearance helmet

"I don't suppose it's my lucky day and you've already gotten the run-down on security?" she asks, still arm deep in work.

Glancing around the area, you hear the familiar clinks and chatter of a bar...part of the nearby Visitor's Lounge. Somehow Popsicle is already on his second drink, shooting the breeze with an overdressed fire genasi carefully nursing a cocktail of her own. A small number of other off-world dignitaries are gathered, seemingly all business. You overhear part of the conversation when one of them intentionally raises his voice to make a point "Mirt had better be careful. If he can't get these thefts under control Prince Andru is going to pull his investments." Finally, also adjacent to the receptionist's area is a guarded chamber marked as "Record Room" requiring purple-clearance.

Please feel free to jump into any of that and interact/modify or start scenes of your own.

Edited November 9, 2023 by Cointhief (see edit history)

[JubalBreakbottle]

Celsior Loriniscil, Prince of Alfheim

Inspiration Yes | HP 8/8 | HD 1/1 | Step 2/2 | Shield 1/1

Recovery 1/1 | 1st-level 2/2

---

Celsior is the first to collect his material. As he steps away from the thri-kreen, the prince replies, "I see red uniforms and blue helmets, so I would appreciate a refresher on security to avoid potential disintegrations." He assumes a regal pose to wait for his crew to collect their gear.

Meanwhile, he keeps a pointed ear out to eavesdrop on the Visitor's Lounge. While he would not want to mingle now with a handful of gear, more information or gossip is always good ammunition.

Mechanics

Active spells: Familiar (stored)

Action: History check on Prince Andru

[BobtheWizard]

"Lou" Louis Dufray (Goblin Ranger) sheet

---

AC: 16 | HP: 12/12 | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 17 | FeaturesAdv. on saves vs. charm
60' Darkvision
BA Hide or Disengage
Fury of Small: 2/2 LR
Favored Foe: 2 /2 LR
Hit Dice: 1 / 1d10+2 LR
Conditions: none

---

Yep. The others ignore his recommendation and suggest another course. He follows along to admin, thinking that sticking together is better than following the directions. At Administration, Lou collects his welcoming package and looks inside. He's probably never going to use the toothbrush, soap or toilet paper. He's still a goblin after all. And what are the strainer and shell polish? He definitely doesn't need those. He eats the peppermint candy and puts on the blue helmet and space socks while he waits for the reply to Celsior's question.

He looks around at the others.

"Anyone want to trade their peppermint? I have some things I'm not going to use."

The socks aren't very comfortable so he cuts a hole in the end so his toes can stick out. That's better. He wiggles his toes with joy.

 

---

Mechanics Main Hand: Empty Off Hand: Empty Manipulate: none Action: none Bonus Action: none Move: none

 

[DM-Tareth]

Yahs Anirys Plasmoid Monk 1 CG

AC: 16 | HP: 9/9 | HD: 1/1 | PP: 13 | Inspiration: Yes | Speed: 30 ft
Str 11 (0) Dex 16 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 16 (3) Int 11 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

Attacks: Spear (P)1d20+5;1d6+3 | Unarmed(B) 1d20+5;1d4+3 | Sling(B)1d20+5;1d4+3 | Quarterstaff-Mop(B) 1d20+5;1d6+3
Magic: Sacred Flame (DEX vs DC13; 1d8) | Shield of Faith(Bonus; +2AC)

---

Yahs takes the package of useful items and sorts through them one by one until she has a dozen separate tiny squiggling pseudopods each holding a candy, tooth brush, or now, slightly soggy roll of TP. After a few minutes the plasmoid squeezes herself into the uniform. Unfortunately, the limbs on her left side end up being slightly shorter than those of her right. This gives her an odd, unbalanced gait as if she were walking on a storm tossed ship deck as well as making the cadet look as if she's stretching off into the horizon if seen at just the right angle. Oblivious to the somewhat eye twisting appearance, she limps over to the goblin and offers him her slightly-absorbed-but-still-quite-edible piece of peppermint candy. "You're welcome to have mine." She offers along with a gummy grin while she waits along with the others to hear the details regarding security.

 

 

[Mild Scribe]

 

Nazira "Naz" Amar

---

Nazira had the grace to blush red when singled out for a commendation. She wasn't unhappy to be recognized exactly but right out of the gate felt more like a target on her back. She might not be so lucky next time either. The serious matters resolved Naz followed along making only minimal comments and thanking the scattered cadets that made a comment to her for their concern. Taking the lead in battle was simple necessity, but outside of it she was just a cadet it wouldn't be right for her to try to impress authority on them she didn't actually have.

In the meantime Naz let herself enjoy the sites such as they were. She'd been many places and seen many a wonder in the Realms and her home was a land of magic and wonder to top any of them, but she'd never seen quite so many oddities gathered in one place before.

Watching the goblin modify his socks Naz chuckled a little, some things at least never changed. She definitely could trade away the peppermint, shame they didn't have any lemon, but thought they might at least see their dorms though. The security though that was important.

"Security would be great. I think I saw a few doors with colors, but yeah we've got two here. Is the red for every day and the blue for special situations?"

That made the most sense to her but everyone had their own way of doing things

 

---

HP 12/12 AC 15Uncast (13 Magic Armor)
+3 Dex
+2 Shield

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Mild Scribe (see edit history)

[The Eyeball Kid]

Chaeek looks through the stuff in his welcome pack, his mind racing with possibilities for using all of the items -- especially the combustible polish. When Lou asks about the mint, Chaeek sniffs it a moment and then shrugs, saying, "I'll trade you for the polish..."

When Celsior asks about the the security measures, the hadozee nods, saying, "Yes, please tell us about the security protocols. How, precisely, would you trigger them? And is there some...", he looks around the room a moment before continuing, seeming a bit disappointed, "...thing you could demonstrate the disintegration on? I'm sure it would be most educational and a good way of driving home the point about following the protocols!"

Hearing the loud talk about stealing, Chaeek cocks an ear to try and hear more while he waits for the Thri-keen to find something to disintegrate.

Edited November 9, 2023 by The Eyeball Kid (see edit history)

[Cointhief]

---

Celsior or DC 12 History

Prince Andru Cozar is the ruler of the Rock of Bral, an infamous but important hub of travel and trade not just in Realmspace but the greater Spelljammer networks. Essentially a large city on an asteroid hidden in the Tears of Selune, Andru is content to allow the large populace to mostly police themselves...concerning himself instead with financial schemes and political intrigue. Having ascended to power under mysterious circumstances (the death of his brother), he keeps his advisors close, delegates most routine responsibilities, and rarely holds court.

Still, his people appreciate Andru's neutrality in most matters...and the fact that in the first fifteen years of his reign he tripled the size of the Realmspace navy. It is these more princely roles of mediator and powerbroker Andru is known for.

---

Eavesdropping on the visitors, you gather that certain navigational star charts were recently stolen from the Spelljammer Nexus here at the Academy. Monthly funding has already begun to decline as a result of the perceived failings in management, and Mirt (founder and CFO of the Academy) is not happy.

Sor'kur makes some kind of odd cicada sound, likely a curse of the damned in her native tongue (or mandible, as it were), before ~Listen, its not that difficult. Its a five tiered system: Green, Red, Blue, Purple, Gold. Need a mnemonic? How about this: Gentlemen Rogues Buy Precious Gems. Each higher tier has access to itself and all tiers below. You want to get somewhere you don't have access to? Well you bring me a freshly inked and notarized Form A732, along with 3 letters of recommendation. Now, you newcomers are tier 2: Red. But you get a Blue helmet just for the Sky Dock. What's that? 'Why'? Honey, I don't get paid enough to know.~ continuing her 1 billion simultaneous tasks.

At Chaeek's interest the receptionist lights a cigarette, resigning to a short break and preparing to engage in her favorite pastime: dish. ~You know, I saw it happen once...right over there. Haughty little tinker gnome shoved her way right through, as if driven by divine right. Those checkpoint officers drew a nasty, green-glowing blade...~ she picks up a long quill to demonstrate her recollection ~...a nick to the Achilles tendon, a slash to the back, a thrust to the kidney...it wasn't until that final killing blow that *poof*. Gnome dust.~

I sort of forgot earlier that Thri-keen can't talk. Woopy doopsy.

Edited November 10, 2023 by Cointhief (see edit history)

[DM-Tareth]

Yahs Anirys Plasmoid Monk 1 CG

AC: 16 | HP: 9/9 | HD: 1/1 | PP: 13 | Inspiration: Yes | Speed: 30 ft
Str 11 (0) Dex 16 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 16 (3) Int 11 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

Attacks: Spear (P)1d20+5;1d6+3 | Unarmed(B) 1d20+5;1d4+3 | Sling(B)1d20+5;1d4+3 | Quarterstaff-Mop(B) 1d20+5;1d6+3
Magic: Sacred Flame (DEX vs DC13; 1d8) | Shield of Faith(Bonus; +2AC)

---

"Gentlemen Rogues By Precious Gems." Yahs repeats. "Got it. And thanks for the guidance ma'am." She adds slinging a pod against her forehead in a rough salute. Forming a pouch along her lower abdomen, the plasmoid dumps everything but the vouchers and her helmet into the soggy container. Tucking the helmet under her arm, she turns to her companions.

"If I recall the map correctly, Stores is one the way to the Cadet Quarters." She says. "It seems like it would be more efficient if those of us who needed to pick up our gear stopped there before continuing on to get our bunk assignments. Any objections to stopping there first on our way back up?"

 

[The Eyeball Kid]

Chaeek shrugs. "Alright by me."

[BobtheWizard]

"Lou" Louis Dufray (Goblin Ranger) sheet

---

AC: 16 | HP: 12/12 | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 17 | FeaturesAdv. on saves vs. charm
60' Darkvision
BA Hide or Disengage
Fury of Small: 2/2 LR
Favored Foe: 2 /2 LR
Hit Dice: 1 / 1d10+2 LR
Conditions: none

---

Lou takes Yahs' peppermint very carefully. He's afraid one of his sharp nails might pop the plasmid like a water balloon. He then hands over his polish to Chaeek for another mint. He had no idea what he would have done with the polish anyway. He doesn't have a shell. After pocketing the mints, he agrees with Yahs.

"Sure, let's stop by the stores first."

 

---

Mechanics Main Hand: Empty Off Hand: Empty Manipulate: none Action: none Bonus Action: none Move: none

 

[KingGoblin]

Lazuli Lazali Lulura, AKA Squishy

AC 16 | HP 11/11 | HD 1/1 | Inspiration Yes | P.Perception 15

Saves: Str -1 | Dex +3 | Con +1 | Int +2 | Wis +5 | Cha +0

Resistances: Acid and Poison

---

Lazuli took her welcome pack, and stuck it into her half-emerged backpack. Really, she seemed more interested in waiting to see if she needs anything before doing anything else with it.

She listened to the safety lecture in her head, and spun her ganglia about to look into the bag, and around at everyone else. "Sure, sounds fair to me, if you all want to wait while us spelljammer cadets get our basic training on the way up. Might be more efficient to split up, honestly, at this point, but we have time." Then, she pulled out the red uniform from her pack, and stuck it to her 'front.'

 

Actions

Move: -

Action: -

Bonus: -

Reaction: -

 

[Cointhief]

The Thri-keen receptionist's stories get much less interesting very rapidly, and you realize the little bru-ha-ha with the disintegrated gnome was the highlight of her decade. Her mental voice continues to rattle in your noggin' until you turn a corner out of sight and skedaddle.

Ascending a level in your snazzy new threads, you approach a thick, granite bricked partition pierced only by a single tiny window with strong iron bars...resembling a jail cell. Peering inside, it looks like the clumsiest archmage in Candlekeep got wasted and started casting Burst of Wind spells at a dragon's hoard. Perched atop this strange pile of arms, armor, tomes, and curiosities is a metallic statue with cold, iron eyes and a fantastic polished brass mustache.

As you approach, the statue's eyes alight a bright purple and a scrambled, distorted voice informs itself *Proximity Alert, Sleep Mode Deactivated* as a blast of steam curls from its pretend nostrils. You might realize this is an autognome, a mechanical construct...bedecked in a leather tool-vest but otherwise a bolt-naked robot.

A cone of red light scans the pile of stuff nearby, and the awkward program retrives its target: a handsome black bowler hat. Turning to you all, its mouth moves but the words do not match the sounds in the slightest: *Greetings (species variable)...ffffk. Compilation Error, line 38 character 7, get.species() method not referenced. How may I assist you?*

This must be the quartermaster.

So basically, Corps Cadets (not Spelljamming Cadets) get 1 free simple or martial weapon here. In addition to normal PHB stuff, your choice could also be:

• 1 Chainsaw Blade (1d6 slashing, 2 handed. On a hit, you can continue grinding for another damage roll one additional round without rolling to hit)
• 1 Second-Hand Pistol (1d10 bludgeoning)
• 1 Buckshot Sawed-off Shotgun w/holster (2d6 bludgeoning, 2 handed, 2 shot reload)
• 1 Dynamite Stick (3d6 bludgeoning 5ft radius, DC 12 dex save. Can be rigged as time bomb or thrown up to 60 ft. Multiple sticks can be attached to each other which increases blast radius and damage)
• 1 Void Bulb (strange alien orb resembling a living organism. On a failed DC 12 str save, all creatures and objects are pulled to the center of the blast area, a 15 ft radius sphere)

Proficiency in Firearms isn't automatic, but you could gain it during downtime using the normal rules.

Everyone can spend their 50gp voucher here as well on whatever. However, there is no change. If you don't spend all 50 the balance is lost. Tools might be a good choice, as level 1's don't usually have those that match their proficiencies. You can also use it on a healing potion or a level 1 scroll.
 

Also, if you guys do decide to split up, that's fine with me. Just let me know where you want to go.

Edited November 11, 2023 by Cointhief (see edit history)

[BobtheWizard]

"Lou" Louis Dufray (Goblin Ranger) sheet

---

AC: 16 | HP: 12/12 | Initiative: +3 | Passive Perception: 17 | FeaturesAdv. on saves vs. charm
60' Darkvision
BA Hide or Disengage
Fury of Small: 2/2 LR
Favored Foe: 2 /2 LR
Hit Dice: 1 / 1d10+2 LR
Conditions: none

---

Lou takes a look around the store. Someday, he hopes to trade in his scale mail for some studded leather, but he hasn't found any in goblin size yet. And it will have to wait since there are new toys here to play with. Even with his astral travels, there are some weapons he hasn't seen before. He picks up the pistol and examines it.

"How much for this and how much ammunition do you have for it?"

He then looks at the dynamite and drools. He pictures himself attaching it to the outside of a ship we are boarding. "This could be fun. We should buy as much of this as we can."

---

Mechanics Main Hand: Empty Off Hand: Empty Manipulate: none Action: none Bonus Action: none Move: none