Chapter 2: Terrors of the Void

"Evasive maneuvers!" Captain Sartell calls, "Man the artillery!"

The Moondancer begins to turn away from the neogi vessel, giving you time to get to your stations before it can begin its attack. Just as the neogi vessel is about to get within range, two galleons glide into view and begin pummeling the nightspider with ballista bolts and mangonel stones, forcing it to break off its attack and make for the cover of the asteroids.

The battle is suddenly over and you can see the names on the side of the ships as they approach: Stalwart and Incorrigible.

Captain Sartell smiles and waves for you to join her on the deck, "I guess it's our lucky day," she says, "I know the captain of these ships, Daar'vik. Good fella, but he's a bit stiff."

The Stalwart pulls up alongside the Moondancer and you can see a large Githyanki man in armor and with a large sword strapped across his back approaching, "Captain Sartell," he greets her with a curt nod, "Why is it that you are always in trouble when we bump into one another?" he asks.

Sartell's grin widens, "Guess I'm just lucky," she says, her posture fully relaxed now.

"That's one word for it," Daar'vik says without smiling, "If you're on your way to the Rock of Bral, we can give you an escort," he offers.

Captain Sartell readily agrees and you head out once more, following Daar'vik's ships.

Imti stays with the ballista while the Moondancer sails under escort. No sense abandoning her position just yet.

While she waits, she observes the starry surroundings, and she asks of her crew, "So, how do you prepare your pickled brains? Do you fry them, roast them, stick them in a pot?"

This One sits down by his mangonel. Stand down lads he says before shutting down. He sits motionless and when one of the lads tries to touch him, he speaks again. Just taking a rest, don't worry.

"We don't have to show some sign of support?" Quaxiver watched the other two ships make short work of the nightspider, and was tempted to also join in the fray by letting loose their own weaponry, but Captain Sartell didn't seem to think it necessary.

"Friends of yours? Why do I get the distinct feeling that they're some sort of authority?"

"Incorrigible. Haha, I like the sound of that!"

Given the time and lack of deep discussion on the culinary options of pickled brains, Imti rests near the ballista's firing mechanism. Her breathing slows, eyes distant and unfocused, entering into a thoughtful and tranquil state of being.

The crew around Imti looks faintly ill as she asks about pickled brains, choosing not to respond and keep that particular conversation going.

Captain Sartell smiles, "Daar'vik is a good man," she says, eyes traveling back across the years, "He's saved my hide more times than I care to count. If he wasn't so damn ornery all the time, I'd swear he's in love with me."

To Quaxiver, she nods, "He's captain of these two ships. Part of the Rock of Bral's guard force."

Several hours later, the Rock of Bral comes into view. Sunlight illuminates the rooftops and spires of a city built across the top of a gigantic asteroid. The asteroid's underside has structures as well, including fortresses and giant sails. Wooden docks protrude from one end of the asteroid, and a variety of ships are moored there. Space-dwelling fish scatter in front of you as your ship adjusts its heading until the docks are straight ahead and level with the ship's main deck. Pier workers stand ready to catch ropes and tie off the ship as it glides alongside one of the docks and slows to a stop.

"Welcome to the Rock!" says Captain Sartell. "This is where we part ways, but I'll offer you one bit of advice: Go and speak to Commodore Krux. He's had a lot of run-ins with the astral elves and might be able to help you sort out what happened to Oerth if you're interested. Usually spends his evenings at the Happy Beholder tavern."

Imti stretches, then thanks her ballista crew for a job well-done with high-fives and fist-bumps. "Teach those other guys how to use this thing, eh?" she says in parting.

"Thank you, Captain," she says while extending her hand to Sartell for a shake. "Appreciate the ride. What's next for you and your chaps?"

Quaxiver grinned at Sartell's confession. "Good to have allies with benefits. We owe you a debt for getting us off Oerth. Anyway, if you need a crew, you can look for us. Although I admit I'd be wanting my own ship. Too bad that nautiloid smelled of brains." He directed the last one at Imti.

"Pickled brains!" Imti corrects helpfully.

Captain Sartell considers Imti's question and then shrugs, "Honestly, I'm not sure. Seems like I got myself a crew, though. Maybe we'll go find some honest work, who knows?"

She smiles to Quaxiver, "Happy to help, really," she says, "Turns out it was a good idea. I don't think we could have handled that Star Moth without your help, so I'd call us even."

Imti bids Sartell farewell. "Go make some memories, Captain!"

She steps off, ready to find the Happy Beholder. Or at least, someone who knows where the Happy Beholder is.

"Let's go find this Krux, I would very much like to know about these world-destroying elves..."

"You have to admit, it's not very efficient," says Imti. "Like, if they have to keep doing it all the time? Might as well hop on a ship and leave like we did, because it's very obvious that they have ships and they do sail the sea."

When we reach the Rock, then we can gather enough information to take an informed decision. We are just speculating right now.
But we have to do something. This One still sits motionless, but he is clearly paying attention to his surroundings.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" says Imti, gesturing to one of the streets leading away from the dock.

Asking around on the Rock, it isn't hard to get the location of the Happy Beholder, a lively tavern near the docks. You enter the establishment to find it packed to the brim with people of all different races, many of which you haven't ever run across before. A large, spherical creature with eyestalks and a watchful central eye tends bar in this establishment.

Filling one side of a table meant for six is a broad-chested, hippo-headed man with a green parrot perched on one shoulder. The haggard figure squints at you over the top of an enormous tankard, then waves invitingly to the seats across from him, "You look like you're new on the Rock. What brings you to our part of the multiverse?"

A new evil have appeared. That is what brings us here. To learn more about it, hear other tales and ultimately defeat it.
This One examins the commandor for his reactions
Crystalline plants that draines a planets lifeforce and send it elsewhere in our multiverse.
Does that sound familiar?

Imti shrugs at the mention of 'evil,' but says nothing else. She tucks her broom across her body and against her shoulder before sitting at the offered table.