"I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things."
- Tom Waits

"Beware the sweet song o' the Stellar Siren!"
- Dubloon McAnchor

TO: Fortuna
FROM: Shroktath

I've decided on a "gift" for Dave's character. I'd like Fortuna to get a lesser quicken metagmagic rod. 

TO: Basile & Hazel
FROM: Khalid

Hazel - Belt of Physical Might (Str+4) (40000gp)  Narrative, "As Khalid was digging through a neglected corner of Auberon's treasure trove, he found the corpse of a smallfolk.  The tiny but finely robed, it was easy to miss among the detris of countless other warriors.  It wore a belt that was well marked with those symbols of the holy warriors of the warren." 

Basil’s - Celestial Armour (+4, ie AC +10) (38400 gp).  Narrative, "Khalid found that the warrior held tenaciously to one last secret.  Almost imperceptible under the warrior's tabard was chainmail, incredibly fine and light;  it was perhaps light enough even for an investigator."

TO: Khlaid
FROM: Fortuna

I love the Ukrainian Christmas exchange idea. It really got me thinking about Khalid’s character. Rather than pepper the gift getter with questions (or get a gift certificate and card😝) I decided to try to find something of flavour to give. 

I sorry for a few reasons. First off I’ve been one of those last minute shoppers that don’t give their DM any time to review. And secondly, I’m on of those people who didn’t follow the group gift exchange rules. 

Here is my idea, hoping I get a get out of jail free pass and it’s allowed.

Khalid’s War Room Tent

With a secret keyword, this small miniature tent expands to an opaque sphere of any colour you desire around yourself. Half the sphere projects above the ground, and the lower hemisphere passes through the ground. As many as nine other Medium creatures can fit into the field with you; they can freely pass into and out of the tent without harming it. However, if you remove yourself from the tent, the duration ends and all occupants are returned outside and the tent miniaturizes again.

The interior of the tent looks like a general’s war room, outfitted with planning tables and strategic boards and storage chests. 10 spartan bunks and an eating area flank the sides of the tent in smaller sectioned off spaces. You can control the lighting and temperature of the spaces at will. Items that would normally fit within the space can be left within when the tent is miniaturized. If the item is attuned to another user, a new space is created to suit their past experiences and memories. Stored items can only be retrieved if the tent is retuned to the person who controlled the tent when the items were stored there. An extra dimensional space that is not attuned to a person for 1 year ceases to exist and any stored items are expelled into the ethereal plane.

The interior of the tent is a separate dimension that only those permitted in can enter. Teleporting or scrying into the space is not possible unless someone has previously been in the pocket space. Rules for teleporting to another plane are still fo as normal. Someone inside or outside the tent cannot see, hear, attack or cast spells to the other side without entering or existing to the other side. The item cannot function in an anti-magic field and a successful dispel magic check vs the level of the person attuned to the object will cease the duration and miniaturize the tent again.

This space reminds you of home.

Stocking Stuffer Bonus

A mahogany square box monogrammed with Khalid’s initials. Inlaid in ivory on the sliding cover is a battle scene depicting Khalid’s bravery and leadership qualities commanding a rag-tag bunch of goblins and friends against an obviously overwhelming force of evil. 

Within this box are 9 single magical firearm bullets.

1. Alchemist’s Bullet

2. Dispelling Bullet

3. Dizzying Bullet

4. Dustburst Bullet

5. Dwindling Bullet

6. Tracer Bullet

7. Burrowing Bullet

8. Adamantine Bullet

9. Silver Bullet

TO: Shroktath
FROM: Basile & Hazel

During the session, Wheels Within Wheels, I awarded you guys a knowledge of the Thaliose Hothex’s misperception of your intentions.

You learned that Thaliose believes that the Mindflayers of the Inner-Sphere have the Crown and that you are on your way to capture it form them.

• Thaliose knows repairs to the Inordinate Amount were awarded by the Board of Directors of Bral

• He knows that your mission to travel to the Inner Sphere to confront the mindflayers backed by Andru Prince and Okkalappa

• He believes that Prince has paid you to recover the Crown for himself.

• He also believes that you intend to double-cross Prince and keep it for yourselves (mostly because that’s what he would do).

• He doesn’t know about the Kinori (space whales)

• He thinks his ploy to split the Goblin crew was a success

Pilot’s Personal Log, Middle Watch

I’ve always believed that no opportunity should ever be lost to avoid abandoned Dwarven Citadels. Everything that has occurred since we moored at this green-haunted rock has only served to confirm this.

The Brinkmanship showed up one watch after the Command Team disappeared below decks. I interposed the Inordinate Amount between them and the Citadel and advised that the adventurers were exploring the Dwarven ruin and would be back shortly.

Pilot’s Personal Log, Fore-sphere Watch

One watch ended, another passed, and a third began. Still, no word. Thaliose, not renowned for his patience in the first place, casually moved the Brinkmanship into a non-combat position that could quickly become a combat position and unfurled his tactical sails.

Despite this message/not-message, at least he hasn’t nagged me for updates. In response, I had the goblins draw out through their regularly scheduled heavy weapons drills and maintenance to ensure anyone observing could see them.

Meanwhile, I also had the Shannons have the new pet ogre, Blarg, running all over the Boulder, trying to give the impression that the entire crew wasn’t recuperating from their near-plant food experience inside the Citadel. I don’t know if it fooled anyone, but at least it wore the big fella out.

Pilot’s Personal Log, Last Dog Watch

Veronica just advised me that one of the new crew members that we have under observation sent a signal to the Brinkmanship to confirm that the Command Team was not on board and that part yof the Goblin Crew is missing. He’s a canine moreaufolk named Hrundus. We’re under orders to let him behave as if we don’t know what he’s up to. I cannot wait to maroon him on a certain abandoned Dwarven Citadel. It’s the only thing they’re really good for.

Pilot’s Personal Log, Last Dog Watch – Supplemental

The Brinkmanship just made off without a word. We caught Hrundus moving to sabotage our sails. Executive decision – I had Coalman place him in chains, and let Glenn & Blaine drag him to the Hold of Holding, where Dakota and Veronica have him under constant watch. I’ve decided to lean into some evil Ylfe stereotypes. Communicate with Thalisoe now, you little dogshit.

Pilot’s Personal Log, Middle Watch

And that’s when the singing started… Fucking cursed Dwarven Citadels.

Shilynn Luckborn. The Harbinger. 

You return from Auberon’s realm weighed down with unimaginable wealth and an uncanny awareness of the fragility of life, the universe, and everything. Sentar’s value to cannot be overstated. The portal established by the Legion of Luckums disappears behind you as you step back onto the creaking decks of the Inordinate Amount. The overboard claxon is ringing merrily. Brendon and Edgar walk by in a trance, ignoring you completely. And someone somewhere is singing beautifully in three part harmony (roll for a Will save). Home is the chaos you know

The place that Connor, Alexis, Charolette and Lewis checked out was not real (the actual shrine…). They visited a site that was purported to be a waypoint for the Lost Goblins of Hel-Ezhan… a goblin shrine to Maglubyiet – dead god of the goblins, constructed a century after the Cleansing was completed. (they went to the ACTUAL shrine, not the one that Thaliose had attempted to use to lure the crew apart).

Lewis & Alexis: The shrine itself was a hoax. The forgery was good. It was very good, but the “goblinoid” writings used too much Elvish grammar. It also missed a big part of Maglubyiet’s Lore… “it missed the farts for the forest”… When Maglubyiet lit his farts on fire to burn down the Elven forest… it focused on the forest not the farts… it didn’t mention the farts at all. That’s the best part of the story! No goblin would have missed that.

Connor: “I want to believe that somewhere in the Shattered Sphere, besides on Sentar, some goblins could have survived the Ylfen-fucker genocide… I gotta’ believe that they’re out there somewhere…” 

The cloud of ice planetesimals dragged a collection of space debris and asteroids in its wake, of which the Dwarven Citadel is a part. The more the field expands, the more the field can expand.

Going around it would not take you entirely off your intended trajectory, but it would add several more days to your journey. The Brinkmanship took this route. Going through it, however…

Your lizarmen crew reported hearing the humming first, at a subsonic level. As such, they were the first to succumb. When they couldn’t make the ship turn around, they dove overboard and attempted to swim through space towards it. Several more followed. 

While the crew of the Inordinate Amount was occupied trying to gather these up, that’s when the real trouble started when Blarg and three of the healthier ogres… With both Shannons still on board, he seized control of the Boulder and made for the source.

IF ASKED: One of the members tell legends of stellar-sirens, luring Spacefarers to certain doom. But they are not native to the Shattered Sphere… certainly “invasive species” are possible… but how could one have got here?

As we stepped through the time gate, the realm of Auberon quickly became another place and time in history. Fortuna reflected on the fact that she has crossed over to the first time an echo of Luckums existed in a time and place without the G-Nome.

“We are in uncharted territories; the future is unknown. Sure we saved the spheres, but the architects or whomever had left us a loop hole to make it all possible. Luckums was a Chronomancer, I certainly am not. I'll have to double down on my preparations. Although I didn't share the exact past with these new versions of my companions, they are my present and future."

The smell of space travel phlogiston and the claxon alarm sound had pulled Fortuna away from her speculative thoughts to the rickety hallways with the Inordinate Amount. There was a problem with the crew because of some mind-effecting humming music. Khalid took control of the situation with the crew as we tried to gather information.  

During our absence the Boulder had returned from their side quest and rejoined our ship. Connor’s group of goblin adventurers had visited the goblin shrine to Maglubyiet to try to uncover the Lost Goblins of Hel-Ezhan. It turned out to be an Ilfin fake, fabricated in the years after the Ilfin cleansing. There is power in stories and a revisionist history. The Brinkmanship had also shown up during our absence. That cunning slime-shit Thelios had checked in on his plans to sabotage us with the help of one of our crew members. The goblins had captured and detained the canine moreaufolk Hrundus who had communicated our troubles to the Brinkmanship which departed soon after.

That had been a day ago and now we had new problems. Thankfully, Basile or Hazel were able to exorcize and protect the crew as we rescued those lured by the haunting hymn and were jumping overboard. In my past, there had only been one Ratfolk companion. Afterward, we had followed the Boulder through the asteroid field to try to locate the source of the problematic sound. When we narrowed the source to a singular asteroid, we rescued our sister ship and its ogre crew. The edge of the asteroid field had many derelict vessels, and the source of the sound was a rock nearby.

Thelios had travelled safely around the asteroid field and at the expense of three of his crew catapulted a beholderkin-siren creature known as a Stellar Siren onto the nearby rock. I wondered what else Thelios had picked up on Bral to hinder us. We had taken flamewings down to the surface of the rock to find the creature. I had been too distracted flying as close to the canyon edges and spiralling between openings to be of any use looking around. Eventually someone spotted something, and the joyride had to end. We had found the catapulted crate-cage that had held the creature and the remains of a crew member. Well at least half of the mangled corpse. Basile made use of his alchemical mastery to collect and repurpose some wet-plant material that had psychic blocking properties. We were told to stuff it in our ears at the right time to protect us from the sound-beast which we did. Protection from evil and Invisibility sphere were cast to prepare for our encounter with the creature as we started to follow tracks.

The battle with the creature had been both intense and quick. As we first entered its lair, we were hit by a geyser as the ground beneath us cracked and a column of fire and steam erupted. That had just about done me in, and I had quickly climbed up on my flying disk. We held our actions briefly as Hazel healed the better part of my wounds. The last two abandoned Brinkmanship crew member revealed themselves and with a crazed-dominated looks about their faces, clawed and advanced on us. Sensing another eruption from the geyser, Shroktath pushed us out of the way just in time. That is when the creature hovered up from its hiding place. I was ready for it, thanks to the Metamagic Quicken Rod Shroktath had gifted me. I blasted it with a fireball and a disintegration spell before it could attack us. Much to my surprise the creature survived my barrage and launched one of its own. It had eyestalks that shot out multiple magical effects. Khalid got hit by one and feel into confusion for a moment. I got hit but everything happened so quickly I didn’t know what had happened or how close to death I had been. Basile launched the most divine intense beam of light I had even seen. The creature should have been toasted but some how survive. Sensing battle turning in the creature’s favour, Shroktath rushed it and started to grapple with it. This afforded me the opportunity to fly my disc to higher ground. I shot force missiles at it to distracted so I could try to disintegrate it a second time. That didn’t kill the creature, but it looked like we had regained the advantage. That is until it attached tentacles to Shroktath and did a synaptic pulse stunning almost our entire group. Things looked dire. It was Khalid that fired a lone bullet laced with lightning that finally put an end to the abomination.

We returned to the Amount with the traumatized abandoned crew members knowing we had survived Thelios’ plot again, but he had succeeded in slowing us down. We determined travelling straight through the asteroid field was dangerous but would help us recapture much of our lost time.

We had sometime on our hands, and this is when Shroktath shared his plans with us about the Magluon Cup to bond our crew together in a way we had never yet succeeded.

“Hieronius’ holy arsehole!” I don’t know how many times I said that. I couldn’t help myself. Shilyn was piloting through an asteroid field so dense and unpredictable that it had scared off Thaliose and his crack crew, and it was a thing of beauty and terror. I’ve always liked Shilyn, and I’ve always had respect for her, but wow. This was like watching a master painter create a work of art for the ages or something. I’ve seldom felt so alive. I kept thinking that my high spirits must have been annoying Shilyn, but every once in a while, I caught a wink or a bit of a sideways grin from her, particularly after she did something particularly amazing. Like this one time, these two larger asteroids were coming at us from opposite sides, and she turned right into the larger one using it to slingshot around the both. We grazed that big boy, and you could hear the sides of the Amount scraping it as we circled round. I’d have paid good money for that ride.

I should have been watching the crew… but I just couldn’t stay away. After the loss of my gardener powers, I’ve been feeling down and a bit lost. I just really needed to have that rush, that thrill of being alive. So, thanks, Shilyn. I can see why she loves piloting through wildspace so. Made me wish I could do it.

But, anyways, how did we get here? What were we doing juking and jiving around rocks in wildspace?

We’d returned loaded up with treasure and triumph through the portal created by the Legions of Luckumses… and walked right into a shitstorm. We came up onto the main deck and several of our crew were flailing in orbit around the ship, some were running around, others trying to hold down some of their crewmates who had these weird expressions on their faces. And then we heard it. A chilling sound that filled you up with a beautiful, lonely wanting, a cry that called you to follow. I could feel all of us fighting the pull - successfully - and we quickly understood why the ship was in such chaos.

Hazel cleansed the ship of this evil, and after we got the crew inside his spell’s protection the sound’s enchantment was broken. Our Ogre allies, however, had not fared so well. Their ship had fallen entirely under the pull of this evil song, and, in search of the sound, had plunged deep into the asteroid field from where it was coming. We quickly got our shit together and followed. We could rescue the Boulder, put an end to this danger, and - hopefully - use the asteroid field as a shortcut to our destination and get ahead of the Brinkmanship all at the same time. 

Luckily, Connor and Jennifer and the others had returned from the Boulder, and their mission to follow up on Thaliose’s planted “lead” on the lost goblins of the shattered sphere. Sure enough, it was a fake, but an interesting one. It was old, and someone had done a pretty good job of setting up a shrine to Magluon - one of the chief goblin gods - at the place on Thaliose’s planted map. But they hadn’t done anywhere near a good enough job to fool goblins. The stories of how bad the fake had been tumbled out of them in an excited rush, and they generally seemed settled down by the having checked it out in person, even if the results were disappointing.

Except Connor. He was still angry and driven - you could feel it. My heart really went out to him. I think I’d be feeling the same way. I grabbed him, pulled him to about an inch from my face, and I damned well promised him that I’d do everything I could to help him find the lost tribe of his people. Or I’d die trying. I meant it and he knew it. I hope it made an impact.

Anyways, it was shortly after we entered into the asteroid field, that I just couldn’t resist popping up into the cockpit and watching Shilyn work her magic. I’m not sure how long I stayed. Longer than I should have, I’m sure. But hells bells, that was something.

Lucky for us, several of our crew, and of course the incredible Jennifer, knew what we were up against. The enchanting song was a space siren. They were a kind of beholder (Oh. Yay.) that invaded other planes, and lured travellers to their edible doom.

We caught up with the Boulder as it was closing in on the source of the song, and managed to cleanse their crew (including Blarg, who’d hurled himself off the Boulder in his desperation to get to the song). The song was coming out of a larger asteroid that seemed incredibly unstable. Every once in a while, seemingly at random, a huge geyser would erupt into wildspace. A challenging place to explore. We searched and searched for the source of the song - Khalid and Luckums piloting well - but after hours in our flamewings we were starting to see double and going over the same ground, getting lost… Then, in a minor miracle, we stumbled upon some wreckage. 

We quickly landed, eager to check out the first lead we’d had in forever, and what we found was a strange crate all busted open like a gujamellon at an autumn festival. From what we could make out, the carate’s markings showed it had at least passed through Brahl. Smeared on the splintered remains was a strange goop that Basil identified as a concoction that tamped down the impact of psychic powers. We scooped it up, and followed some tracks from the wreckage into a cave.

After hours of tiresome searching, things got really exciting really fast. It turns out that Thaliose had stored this siren beholder in the crate we’d found, and then flung it into the asteroid field where it, inevitably, released its cargo on impact. The Brinkmanship made its getaway. Gotta hand it to Thaliose - a devilishly brilliant plan to cause chaos and destruction on good old our side. (I’m starting to see what Basil said about him). Only one minor fly in Thaliose’s ointment - apparently the crate hadn’t been perfectly secured and three of his crew had been entranced by the siren, and flung themselves onto the crate as it was being catapulted out into the asteroid field. One of them quickly became a meal. The other two were turned into crazed slaves of the beholder siren.

As we entered the cave, they attacked us. And a geyser blew up in our face. And the beholder attacked us too. Not really the greatest start to a fight, but we’d had worse. We’d all gained some impressive powers and gear in the course of our latest adventures and it was hard not to be impressed by my comrades in action. Fortuna was ripping out deadly spells like pouring wine from a jug. Hazel too. The beholder was clearly fading and so I closed, and tried to end the beast.

See, one of the items we’d found was an ancient Azlanti spear. Hazel had picked up that one of the many trophies and artefacts in Auberon’s hoard wasn’t just a statue. It was holding a real spear. And what a spear! I’d never wielded a weapon like it. Perfectly balanced, a masterwork of masterworks and practically radiating powerful magic. Best of all - in the shaft, there were three slots to securely hold ioun stones (Those Azlanti knew a thing of two). I’d been practising with my new weapon, getting a good feel for it, and maybe I got a bit too cocky? I attacked that monster. I did some damage. I did not finish it off.

Then, it had it’s turn. It reached out and grabbed me with it’s tentacles and I could just feel all of my will draining out of me. I fought it with everything I had, but when I reached for that protective force of life, the power of the gardeners, that had been my guardian practically since the Cygnet Terrace, it was still gone. It was just me. Somehow, it was enough, but just when I thought I’d weathered the storm, the beholder let out a psychic blast staggering me and Basil.

Khalid finished the damned beast off with a lightning bolt blasting from his pistol - my mates really are an impressive team.

We caught our breath, and the two survivors of Thaliose’s crew had come to their senses. They told us the whole story of how they got there. I wasn’t exactly feeling full up with tenderness and mercy at that moment, but my mates decided to show them some, and bring them onto our crew.

We headed back to the Amount. Now, all we needed to do was survive weeks of passing through a brutally dangerous and unpredictable asteroid field, all the while shepherding a ship full of Ogres.

No problem.

Basile sits quietly watching the nervous looking Hrundus.  Basile has been maintaining this silent vigil for an hour and has not said anything.  The nervous ticks, glances and general air of concern on HRUNDUS’s face are a mask. . .no a mask on top of mask.  Occasionally Hrundus will ask Basile if he has question, Basile has remained watchful and silent.  Hrundus maintains his innocence.  He protests his confinement.  This concern however goes deeper, it is not the concern of a man who has been caught.  It is a subtle almost imperceptible concern of someone who may be uncovered.  That is the thread Basile pulls on.  He knows that Hrundus is performing, maintaining a persona, but that takes work, it takes effort, and it requires stamina.  So Basile sits and watches in the corner from the darkness.  A small fragile form with a stare so intense it seems to strip bare all hope of disguise or subterfuge.

An hour into the “interrogation” Brendon walks in and places a sack of items on the table in front of Hrundus.  He removes various objects and curios belonging to Hrundus.  Objects recovered from his cabin, from his person.  Brendon looks at Basile, “Anything we should be worried about here mate?”

No noticeable difference can be seen on the equipment.  But the thought weave draught had been applied on these items.  As Hrundus looks, thinks, or comments on the objects it builds a web of interaction, data, and relationship with the owner.  At first certain objects seem to glow (only to Basile) as Hrundus glances at them.  But over the next hour the web seems chaotic and less instructive than it should be, until Basile spots the pattern.  There is a coin of little value and common worth that has become black during the building of the web.  As other objects glow intently from activation in the web this object has remained barely glanced at.  It is a little-known technique used to counter-act those with access to the draught. Basile now knows that this person is skilled, experienced, and most likely exceptionally dangerous.  That coin is important, so critically important that Hrundus is willing to give up secrets about other objects to maintain this one item’s obscurity.

At the end of hour two Hazel comes in and removes all the other objects except the coin.  As the other objects are removed and the coin stays in place Basile can see the almost imperceptible worry and eventually panic build in Hrundus.  It is at this well-timed moment when only the coin remains that Basile uses detect surface thoughts.  Used to soon this would be a waste.  A hardened mind such as his opponent will have been trained to rebuff such simple techniques.  But three hours of relentless pressure, silent intimidation HRUNDUS lets it slip.  A single scene barely a flash.

Hrundus is holding the coin, playing with it like a trinket.  He is staring at Hrundus.  Swagger your reputation precedes you.  I have a job for you, and it is not going to be easy.  Have you heard of a ship called the Inordinate Amount . . .

The scene fades. 

Brendon pauses before leaving, oops forgot something, sorry boss.  He snatches up the coin and removes it with the other belongings.

After another hour of careful observation, Basile gets up walks out.  Later Khalid comes in and says, “Our investigation cannot prove you did anything wrong.  But nor can we allow you to stay.  You will be put off at the next port and confined to quarters until then.”

Interlude.  Luckems stares at the coin.  This is a crafty piece of work alright.  A spell bomb as Basile said.  I hope he knows what he’s doing.  Luckems casts dispel magic on the coin with a spell trigger of being in the presence of Thelios on his ship.

Hrundus is put off the ship with all his belongings at the next port of call.

Basile is able to determine that he is Canine Moreaufolk (he’s a dog-person) “superspy”.  He is a “Vigilante” character class… giving him a dual identity. Although he appears to be a simple low level spacefarer, he is in fact a master of disguise and disassociation.

He is going by Hrundus

His vigilante name is Swagger

His “real” name is nowhere to be found in his surface thoughts…

Basile's Arcana and Sense Motive and alchemical study reveals the following:

• Spell Layering Metamagic has been used on him… He is under a “Geas Spell” not to reveal anything about Thaliose, his true identity or his mission, and if that is removed (say, with “Dispel Magic” it would release a Disintegrate burst large-area effect and a Psychic Crush immediate area effect). The “interrogator” might survive, but the damage to the surrounding spelljammer would be devastating. Spell layering on Hrundus is “inside” him.

• There is one more spell “layered” beneath the disintegration/psychic crush, but you do not know what it is. You do know that it is active and undetectable.

• This is not the first time that spells have been layered in his mind in this way

• The effects of undergoing this repeated splintering of personality has caused considerable emotional and psychological damage/scarring. You suspect that this might be a leverage point.

• Given your SPELLCRAFT role, you do not know how to safely undo the layering. You've never encountered anything like it before. If there’s a magical solution, you do not know what it could be.

• Fortuna is able to determine that Hrundus cannot be scryed (Mind Blank).

Basile gains two other insights from the two seafarers that went overboard with the Stellar Siren:

• The rank insignias each have a “hidden geas on them” that affects the recipient to whom the item is bound: “search for that which provides you your purest freedom”

  • Each is deeply bound to this rank insignia.

• The two “abandoned” members of Thaliose’s crew that went overboard with the Space Siren have the following geas cast upon them: “search for that which assures the protection of the Brinkmanship”

  • This could be countered with dispel magic or remove course… as per the geas spell.

  • Neither has been subject to “spell layering” in the same manner as Hrundus

Cast Identify on some objects she has:

1. Wildspace Wayfinder with a steelstone ioun stone. Always points to the center of the Sphere. Ioun stone effect unknown.

• Wildspace Wayfinder points to the centre of the sphere.

• With the steel stone ioun stone it points towards the nearest source of steel stone, and orients the holder from that point to Sentar.

• When the ioun stone orbits, the subject gains +1 to Wisdom, can distinguish ordinary stone from steel stone, and gains insight awareness into the “structure” of the Spheres

2. Ilfin Goblin Slayer Sword. (Could possibly be used in the games ending ceremonies, either as a prize if it's a boon to goblins or as a sacrificial destruction if it's Ilfin evil.) 

• The sword is not evil, any more than any “bane” sword is evil. It does have a connection the Plane of Evil, and Hazel is able to explain that this is because it was used as part of a genocide.

• The Ylfe treat it as an “artifact” but in fact, goblin bane swords are more like “collectors’ items” at this point

• Jennifer explains that they are no longer made but that they used to be quite common. Many were discarded into Spelljammer “forges” once the goblins were exterminated, as they were seen as magic items that no longer really served a purpose

3. Time Piece from Brail

• It is non-magical. It keeps the time. But it is also counting down to something

4. Dragonhead tokens of rank from the Brinkmanship to see if they have other purposes beyond physical identification. If there is a tracking component to the tokens, we will leave them behind and place one in a lead box within Khalid's tent. They might be magical passkeys. The abandoned crew members might have knowledge as well.

• the rank tokens themselves are fairly simple, magically. They are imbed with an arcane mark unique to the bearer.

• They indicate rank on board the Brinkmanship which as well as Thelan Level (which denotes a crew member’s proximity to the Devil-May-Care spirit that the Brinkmanship cultivates inits crew

Status Markers:

I would like to create our own rank markers by crafting a minor wonderous items for each crew member as insurance. Using the Status spell (either using wish to access or a divine caster on board) and craft wonderous items. They would allow me(or if the party wants to asign someone else) to know how they are doing (Status) and location within the limits of that spell. I'd like to lean on Khalid's military knowledge for their design. They could also serve the dual purpose to be attuned to various Arcane Locks we cast around the ship, making those impassible unless physically broken or the crew member has the marker with the right access. Maybe someone can setup the Arcane Locks?

Learn about the Space Whales:

Since Jenifer hide the crown in the herd of space whales, it's best we know as much about them without giving away our interest in them to others outside our party. Perhaps finding a way to communicate with them would be essential.

• Kindori are mildly psychic. This connection binds the pod together with the Pod Mother (the lead whale)

Prepare for the prison infiltration: 

In secret we need to consider deep disguise options, both magical and physical. I believe most of the planning will happen at our rendezvous point before heading to the prison. However cutting down preparation time will be essential to either catch up with or bet Thelios to the prison. Any knowledge we can magically gather about the prison would be very helpful. 

• The prison is called Manzessine. It is on an asteroid that has an irregular orbit around the planetoid Mezsoul (see attached), also known as “the Last Planet” as it is the largest inhabited “planet” in the Shattered Sphere. Mezsoul is inside Illithid Space.

Investigate Theliose's plans and capabilities further: 

With the help of the party I think we should Interrogate the Canine Moreaufolk named Hrundus.

Probe the minds of the 2 abandoned Thelios Crewmembers for further layered Thelios plans)

Cast Scrying once per day on either Thelios or another crew members identified by the two sources above.

• Thaliose cannot be scryed

Also keep up any deceptions for those scrying us, playing up our problems. We need to know more about his relationship to the prison and his plans. We are assuming there is none and he just wants to profit off the crown but should make sure to avoid a surprise.

• I have given Preston a full break down of the results of his interrogation of Hrundus

The plan is to build a miniature model of the Brinkmanship and a list of it's crew and capabilities. (Don't actually need the DM to create all this detail)

It's best to let Thelios believe his plans are working and not to strike back yet so he lets his guard down while we setup our own plans based on the intel we gather soon.

• Understood! Cool. So far as you can tell, you’ve got Thaliose tricked.

Thaliose. What makes him tick? Love of Self… he doesn’t care if people love him, he cares whether people love themselves as he loves himself.

Any known weaknesses that he has? Ego? Flattery? Sex? A temper? Vengeful  nature? Poor willpower? Yes. All the weaknesses. All the vices. By all accounts, they’ve buckled a swash of destruction through the spheres, but his CHARISMA, WISDOM and FIERCELY LOYAL & TALENTED CREW OF SWASHBUCKLERS have always helped clean up the mess. His crew is carefully selected and vetted.

Where is he really strong, and maybe even overconfident? Strong – LOYALTY OF HIS CREW; Overconfident - Everywhere

Anything in the stories of the two crew members that could clue us into Thaliose's character and weak points would be beneficial.

• Following the Basile Treatment, it is clearer than ever to you, that you can almost certainly NEVER TRUST THESE GUYS

• They are a jolly pair of salty space dogs and bear Thaliose and the Brinkmanship no ill will for their plight. Asked about the Space Siren, they laugh and say, “Aye, twas awesome, twas.”

• In fact, if you let them mix with the crew during Maglulon, they’re philosophy of BROH FREEDUMB seems to have a lot of uptake amongst the crew, including the Gobs

• These guys don’t see themselves as “abandoned” – it’s more like “I knew the risks when I signed the waiver,” and “Dude, that was sa-weet!”

• They are deep in the sway of the “Cult of Thaliose” – which isn’t really a cult, but more of a Way of Life… like Matthew McConaughey “Alright, alright, alright…” or the Johnny Knoxville Jackass guys…

• In fact, the more you learn about the Brinkmanship, the more AWESOME it sounds. Like the most EPIC ongoing Frat House party ever. Wow, the last thing you want is for the GOBLINS to find out about this place… ‘cause the place sounds like a GOBLIN FIESTA with fewer shipboard fires…

• Thaliose wants nothing less than the absolute freedom to do whatever the hell he wants – not because he is a monster, but because he wants to be constrained by no authority above him and no entangling alignments beyond the Brinkmanship and its crew

The Brinkmanship. (Riffing of the map ideas) How does it work in terms of crew? Shifts? Departments? Pilot/s? Navigation? Weapons? What storage areas? Are there any areas that no one goes to (where, say, someone could hide, or hide something)? Are there any off-limits areas? Is there a ship's magazine, or any other sensitive areas? What is ship's security like? What type of precautions is Thaliose/his crew known to have in place on the regular?

• These guys reveal NOTHING Of logistical value about the organization of the ship.

• It sounds like routines and responsibilities change constantly

• The ship has “layered security” throughout. Tonnes of off limits areas… the higher your rank and broader your LOYALTY (measured in “THELANS”), the greater your access…

• Basile suspects there may be something magical at work here… but the CHAOTIC psychology is also a strong factor

• Khalid advises that whoever’s organizing this crew’s roster must be a LOGISTICS GENIUS… like, utterly TERIFFYING… in order to make the Brinkmanship function under such circumstances

His Crew. Any rifts, jealousies, hard feelings between the crew? Personality conflicts? Are there any factions in the crew (new/old, racial,...)? How does Thaliose inspire loyalty? Purely financial? What are the feelings of the crew towards Thaliose? How has he punished/disciplined them? What have been their feelings about that? 

• I think I’ve covered most of this.

Crown Replica:

Thelios believes the crown is in the ilithid prison and that we plan to retrieve it and profit off of it. We need to create a replica with some magical properties to fool magical identifications. Can someone in the party create the replica or failing that can we find a crew member to do the task? I can create the fake magical item from the object by adding some sort of magical properties. Hopefully there will be a situation where we are bested by him and have to reluctantly hand over the fake. All theses preparations should be done in the protective secrecy of Khalid's Tent.

• The Crown of the Lost Sphere is made of Steel Stone. It is singular. Blacksmithing would not apply. You would need some steel stone, or try to pass something off as steel stone

• Shaping Steel Stone would be difficult… you do not know how it is done. Jennifer explains that the Moon Elves of Sentar know all about shaping Steel Stone

Oh, and I just can't remember. Does Thaliose still have a known spy on board? The answer to that question would be important in any plan to mess with him.

• Besides the one you’ve already caught (under a GEAS, interrogated by Basile) you are ALMOST CERTAIN that there are no more spies…