Skulls and Starships takes place in the Diaspora, a cluster of space stations and asteroids that is outside the jurisdiction of any of the major powers that rule over the unnamed solar system that you live in. The Diaspora itself is ruled by the Free Captains, a loose organization of elite captains that serves as the law in the Diaspora, as well as keeping any of the major governing powers from coming in and bringing a permanent end to the independence of the Diaspora and the piracy that comes with it.
You will be starting out as low-ranking pirates whose careers did not get off to the start that you hoped after being drugged and press-ganged into the crew of a cruel captain. But over time, you will hopefully develop the skills needed to change your fortune, build your reputation, and navigate the politics of the Diaspora as you become legendary pirates yourselves.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
The Galaxy is larger than the lawless space of the Diaspora, and the Free Captains are not the only group that's responsible for maintaining order. There are other factions that try to exert their will in the galaxy, neither of which are too enthused about the continued existence of pirates who make a fortune off of raiding their cargo.
The Pact Worlds
The Pact Worlds is a collection of independent governments and associations within the galaxy, bound together for mutual protection and trade. The pact was formed in 4100 AR by Absalom Station, Eox, Verces, and Castrovel in response to Vesk aggression towards planets in the system and has continued for over 600 years provide mutual protection from hostile forces, and facilitate interplanetary trade and law enforcement. Since its' formation, membership of the Pact Worlds has grown, and as of today, 19 self-governing entities call themselves members of the Pact Worlds. The Pact Worlds currently exists in an uneasy alliance with the Veskarium after the invasion of the Swarm in 4691 AR.
The Chelish Empire
With the Veskarium and the Pact Worlds calling a truce, the Chelish Empire is now considered the largest rival to the Pact Worlds. Domineering and militaristic, Cheliax commands one of the largest fleets in the galaxy and is unafraid to use it, as they have waged multiple wars of expansion, conquering neutral planets that do not fall under the protection of the Pact Worlds. Fiercely devoted to Asmodeus, the Chelish Empire has an intrusive set of laws designed to regulate the lives of its' citizens to the fullest degree. The Chelish Empire has come into contact with the pirates of the Diaspora twice, in 4643 AR and and 4660 AR, with both conflicts ending in Chelish defeat.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
I am the daughter of Edward Dillinger, Senior Executive VP of a company called CORE - a spaceborne company that mines and drains dead moons and planetary husks of their natural resources using spell jamming ships with arcane technologies. As an executive and scholar myself, I worked alongside my father as Junior Supervisor of Planetary Operations using my magic and leadership skills to help run the operations. I did this for many years.
CYGNUS 4
Recently, my father led a CORE team to the planet Cygnus 4 for drilling when a strange, unknown structure was unearthed deep beneath the surface – a black rune marked monolith the size of a small building etched with red symbols no one understood. As they studied it, it was discovered to be emitting a type of radiation not found on the electromagnetic spectrum - on a wavelength yet to be discovered. This discovery prompted great curiosity and attention from the company, and my father's team of scientists.
Excited about this discovery, my father contacted me aboard the ship "Emeritus" to explain his findings. During the transmission, a horrific alien scream cut through communications. Then, something attacked them, and the transmission abruptly cut out. Fearing the worst, I joined the team to mount a rescue. When we had teleported to the surface, what we found was the monolith and much more. The radiation had altered the physiology of my father's initial team, transforming the survivors into some unknown, horrible, mutated form of organic monsters that was difficult to describe - but clearly terrifying and deadly. Among our revelations based on evidence, records, and notes from my dead father and his team was how to manipulate this form of radiation into spell like effects to create more of these monsters - and to command those who have mutated.
The worst thing I learned, after reading the studies, was that I was able to all of those things.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
The clang and whir of the Chum Guzzler is disrupted by a loud cacophony of music coming from a room down in the cabins. "Thank you, we've been Gin and Tonic, we'll be here all week!" The Lashunta sisters' performance is met with scattered applause and a few heckled shouts. The tallest Lashunta, a broad shouldered and bespectacled woman with short black hair, complete with pink stripe begins to pack up her cyber drums back into the backpack shaped case before setting about getting something to drink for her and her sister. The shorter Lashunta, a bubbly, black bobbed chick in a trendy pick jacket finishes packing up her instrument and mic before bounding over to sit beside her sister. "Well? Feel any better, Toni?" Gin is practically glowing with endorphins from performing, Toni cracks a slight smile, "Ugh, fine. you're right. I guess playing for the crew is better than not playing at all." Gin laughs as she punches her reluctant sister's arm. "This might not be what we expected when we went on tour, but hey! we still get to go worlds wide! The whole galaxy will know Gin and Tonic, we just gotta get outta here somehow!" Toni chuckles, her sister always had the right way to look at things. "Thanks sis." She leans her head over as her antennae reach out and touch Gin's in a Lashunta hug. "Hey! don't you get any ideas about playing that trashy L-pop music 'round here anymore!" A drunk and cock-eyed elf spits out at the sisters, as he tries to push Gin against the bar, "Hey, you're pretty cute when you aren't singing! how 'bout a kiss" The disgusting elf begins to invade Gin's space.
CRACK
The elf's eyes seem to snap into alignment as his face is kinetically reconstructed, sending him flying across the room. Toni cracks her knuckles and wipes the blood off before calmly walking over to the heap of elf on the floor. "Didn't you hear us when we finished our set?" She pulls out her magmalite blade and ignites it inches from the elf's smooshed face, burning an eyebrow off the drunk.
Name: Dani Delani Age: 26 Skin: Brown Hair: Short, curly, dark brown/black Eyes: Dark brown with white specks Notable Characteristics: Homemade mechanical armor, may be unfinished. Last Known Location: Disaj System, Azlanti Star Empire Emergency Contact (Relation): Tiera Delani (Mother) Filer of Report (Relation): Theo Vedivon (Fiance), Tiera Delani (Mother) Consideration: Armed and potentially dangerous. Unlikely to be cooperative. Status Wanted: Alive and with no permanent damage. Suspected Location: Unknown Leads: None Allies and Contacts: Unknown
Thrash was born into Lizardfolk nobility. From the moment he hatched fron his egg, he was educated in matters of nobility and trained for the important role he would one day fulfill. His Mother was the captain of the Sun Catcher., A large incubation ship that was responsible for raising the next generation of lizardfolk for the entire system. She had helped to raise countless lizardfolk over the years but only managed to have one egg of her own. Young Thrash was loud and outspoken but tried hard in order to please his mother. From the day Theash hatched, it was planned that he would one day replace his mother as captain of the Sun Catcher when her time as captain came to an end. Thrash's father worked as the head engineer on the ship and the three of them were very close.
One day there was an explosion on the deck so the Sun Cather. Thrash's father raced to the scene to try to repair the damage before any harm could come to the hatchlings. When he arrived, he was immediately gunned down as pirates poured through the flaming hole of the ship. The bloody lizardfolk was able to sound the alarm moments before the pirate captain put a disintigrator pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. Realizing they were under attack, Thrash's mother told him to stay put and locked him in his room before leading the security team to fight off the intruders. A bloody battle took place as the crew of the Sun Catcher fought to keep the pirates from stealing the defenseless lizardfolk eggs. While the fighting was taking place, Thrash managed to unlock his door and make his way into the bloody corridor. While looking for his mother, Thrash was grabbed by one of the pirates and quickly carried off the ship. Thrashs mother managed to save the next generation of lizardfolk..but at the cost of half her crew, her husband, and her son.
That was 18 years ago. Thrash doesnt know his real name... or the name of his parents.He barley remembers the faces of his their faces... but his mother searches for him to this day.
Thrash was given his name by the crew of The Cromson Bounty because of how he used to fight and thrash about when he was first brought aboard the ship. The captain of the pirate ship realized that although the lizardfolk was only six years old, he was already better educated than many of his crew. He could also see that the lizardfolk would grow to be quite strong Indeed, if he were to take after his mother. for the next 18 years Thrash served as a shock trooper aboard the ship, fighting ruthlessly when required. During that time, Thrash earned a very dangerous reputation... known for eating parts of those that would cross him and eventually became the first mate. Although no one dared say it to his face, members of the crew would sometimes call Thrash soft for refusing to harm children or those that could not defend themselves. Thrash on more than one occasion prevented the taking of slaves on different raids on ships and settlements. Through the years captain Iron-tail tried to remove all memory of his past.. but could not completely turn Thrash into a blood thirsty pirate. This resulted in many disagreements between the captain and his first mate. Eventually Iron-Tail attempted to kill Thrash while docked at s port after a disagreement over what their next target should be. While the captain and first mate fought, thrash managed to bite off the captain's hand and take his disintigrator pistol. The wounded captain fled and Thrash took the weapon before quickly rushing aboard a different spaceship... hoping to put some distance between himself and the entire crew of The Crimson Bounty. The ship just so happened to be headed to a place that Thrash knew pretty well. The lizardfolk had hoped that his reputation could help him to join another crew.. or even start his own before word got back to Iron-Tail about his location
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
All of you came to Port Peril looking to kickstart your careers as pirates and spent last night at the Formidably Maid, one of the more notorious drinking establishments in Port Peril. You recall the sensations of the previous night-the ringing laughter of a wild night, the heady joy of excess, the scents of rich stewed meat and perfume lingering in their nostrils- a sharp contrast to the sensations you're currently experiencing-a pounding headache, the sickly taste of cheap wine in their mouths, the hard floor, and the soft, constant hum of a ship's engine. As you wake up, you notice that you're in a room with a bunch of strangers (with the exception of Gin and Tonic, who already know each other) and that you've been stripped of everything save the clothes on your back.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Once this thought arrives, it stays. It sticks. It lingers. It dominates. There’s not much I can do about it. Trust me. It doesn’t go away. It’s there whether I like it or not. It’s there when I eat. When I go to bed. It’s there when I sleep. It’s there when I wake up. It’s always there. Always. I haven’t been thinking about it for long. The idea is new. But it feels old at the same time. When did it start? What if this thought wasn’t conceived by me but planted in my mind, predeveloped? Is an unspoken idea unoriginal? Maybe I’ve actually known all along. Maybe this is how it was always going to end. Darren once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.” You can’t fake a thought. And this is what I’m thinking. It worries me. It really does. Maybe I should have known how it was going to end for us.
Maybe the end was written right from the beginning.
I haven't been courting Darren for very long. About three months. Maybe four? I don't remember. We both work at the same company. I met him in the bar one evening - it was trivia night aboard the ship. He was a recent hire, I hadn't seen him before. We sat near each other that night. He had a charm to him, a magnetism. Handsome. A strong jaw. The short cut blond hair. His eyes. He was smart, intellectual. We talked for a bit and lost track of time. He was confident. Interesting. At the end of the night, he gave me his room number. I found it in my pocket. He slipped it in while we were talking and laughing. Two weeks had gone by. It was difficult to concentrate on work when we were apart. I missed him when he was on assignment. When we were together, we would talk about anything and everything. It was about two months into the relationship when I started to notice strange things about him.
I'm thinking of ending things.
NOW
I wake.
A pounding headache. Pain. Behind my eyes. All over my head. It's cold. I'm barely clothed. I raise my arms, look at my hands. I'm shaking. I feel..different. Like something has changed. Something HAS changed. Something is off. I look around. I don't know these people. I stare at them, unsure. Confused. How did I get here? This isn't the Emeritus. It's all fuzzy. I don't remember. Why is it fuzzy? I can't remember. The monolith. The radiation. The horrible, horrible screams. I blacked out. Like, my soul and body were torn apart. It hurt. Bad.
My mouth is dry. It hurts to swallow. I feel weak. Very weak. My eyes burn, and tear. Everything hurts. I try to speak but it's nothing but a hoarse whisper. My thoughts are muddy, unclear, a mess of chaos I can't form anything intelligent from. After a few seconds, I stop trying because i'm so exhausted. My eyelids flutter. I can't focus.
Dani groans and sits up, shoving a wave of hair back from her face. The dark-skinned young woman is wearing well-made red and black clothes that hug her body closely, and has red-lensed goggles shoved up high on her forehead. Her hand goes to her belt, first nervously, then with increasing panic as she finds it bare of weapons or tools. She scootches back against the wall and gives everyone around her a nervous look, brown eyes wide as her hands ball nervously in and out of fists.
Thrash would lay sprawled out in the center of the floor. His large scaly chest would heave up and down as he blows small bubbles in the pool of drool next to his face. A few moments would go by as those around him begin to wake before the lizardfolk is seemingly startled from his slumber. Sitting up quickly, Thrash would let out a rough gravely hiss as he squeezes the sides of his large green-scaled head between his thick clawed hands. The bright orange frills running from the top of his head down his back would appear bent in twisted in what you would assume is the equivalent of some kind of Lizardfolk bedhead. "What the hell happened..." He would growl as he staggered to he feet. Thrash would quickly wipe the shimmering drool from his cheek with the back of his hand before looking around the room. "Well at least I won't starve..." He would say just under his breath with a small huff and a smirk after seeing the other captives. As he continues to look around the room his hands would slide down to his hips. When his hands do not find his swords there the lizardfolk would take a step back.. looking around the floor for his equipment. "Hey! Where's my shit!" He would growl before picking up his drool covered tricorn hat from the ground and putting it on his head. "And who are all of you?" He would ask standing in little more than his hat and pants.
Gin awakens first between the duo, caused mainly by the shouting. She cradles her pounding head in her hands as she gets up, slurring quietly, "Ugh... Quiet down, you. I'm trying to..."She trails off as one of her hands go to the hard floor, touching around. She squints her eyes, blinking. The wings on the sides of her face flutter. "This isn't... Toni!" She shouts frantically, her eyes quickly darting around the room til she spots her sister a few feet away from her. She dashes over to her side and starts shaking her. "Toni, Toni... Wake up! We've been... Um... Starnapped!"
As she works on waking her sister up she gives you all the side eye, almost saying,Get close and I'll ******* kill you.
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Toni lazily swats at Gin, "Mmmm.. Stop, what are you--" Toni's sensors twitch as she registers others breathing and the scratchy lizardfolk's voice. She shoots up, looking around. "Where the f^@k are we?! Gin!!! Why did you let me talk you into that extra Cardassian cider?!" The panicked Lashunta reaches for her stuff, finding it gone. "Did..you say starnapped? what the F^@k do you mean starnapped? Also, where did you put my stuff?" She takes a deep, calming breath, eyes closed, then reaches out and telepathically communicates with gin, "Gin...are we safe in here? That big guy seems mad"
“Oh, come on, Toni, we both knew you needed to relax some more— wait! Don’t turn this on me!!” Gin retorts, flustered. “Starnapped! Like kidnapped but for stars like us! And.. uh...” She looks to the others, gauging their status. “Indie bands like them, I guess...”
Gin’s antennae twitch when her sister speaks to her telepathically.“I-I don’t know. None of us have our stuff so I guess we’re safe...?”
The yellow lashunta looks to the strangers again, mainly to the lizardfolk. “I’ll tell you who I am if you tell me who you are first.”
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
"Hey! Watch where you're shooting those daggers Tator Tot, you ain't the only one that's had a rough night.." Thrash would growl towards the young lashunta. When her friend Toni seems to wake up and starts shouting, the lizardfolk would hold his hands over his head and hiss. "Aarrrgg my head! Why ya got to be so loud!?" He would shout before rubbing his eyes with his hands and taking a few deep breaths. The muscular lizardfolks back would heave up and down as he tries to calm himself down. "The name's Thrash... " He would say looking towards the two lashuntas. "I'm hungry.. my head feels like its about to split in two.. I've been robbed and I'm really pissed off at the moment so I apologize in advance if I come off a bit rough... I am really a sweetheart once ya get to know me." He would add with a forced sharp toothed smile before turning and pacing around the room.. looking for a door or window.
Toni nods, "We're Toni-" she points to Gin, "And Gin. We're sisters, and L-pop stars." Toni stretches uncomfortably before turning to see the others, "Gin, have you met these people yet?"
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Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
“I’unno if I can trust you or not so sorry for the daggers! Not!” Gin sticks her tongue out at Thrash, huffing a bit as she turns to Toni. “I haven’t, no. I was worried about you. The lizard is really the only one talking, the other two have been really quiet.”She looks at the other two girls, squinting.
“Hey,”She calls out to them. “What’s your names?”
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Thrash "Yer a spicy little chicken nugget aren't ya! I've eaten folks bigger than you fer less.. GIN" Thrash would shout back pointing a clawed finger at the girl. "Maybe gin is short for Gingerbread cookies... They always look nice but are the WORST, they always taste like garbage.... that would make sense then." He would say aloud to himself as he glares towards Gin before turning to look at the two silent women. "Yeah, who are you? You two look about as thrilled to be here as the rest of us." he would add while trying to straighten his bent and folded frills.
As you argue, bright light comes flooding into this poorly-lit room as the door flies open and a bunch of men with tactical batons enter into the room, with an ugly olive-skinned man at the front. He has a whip in his hand and smiles unpleasantly, revealing a set of silver grills like the ones Jared Leto's godawful Joker had in Suicide Squad. "Still just waking up? On your feet! Get up on deck and report for duty before Harrigan grinds you up into sausage and has Fishguts cook you up for breakfast!"
"Hey! Where are we and where is our stuff" Thrash would hiss as he shields his eyes from the bright lights. "And is there any chance I can get some of that sausage yer talking about? I'm starving over here" The lizardfolk would say with a grin as he slowly lowers his hands once his eyes adjust.
While the arguing happens, Dani stares at the shouting trio. When Gin starts talking about indie bands, she says, "I'm not a..." but trails off as the conversation blows onwards.
Honestly, Danielle, you'll never get a word in edgewise at the capital if you don't learn to just TALK. Don't let others shut you up.
Mother would be so disappointed. But of course, that was why she was here. When she's asked her name, she starts, "My name-" but is then cut off again as the olive skinned man walks in and starts talking. The dark-skinned woman rises carefully, eyeing the new men.
When you don't know what's going on, in Lissala's name, don't show it by opening your mouth. Be quiet, listen, make the occasional assenting or engaged noise, and LEARN. Only when you can speak while knowing what you say should you begin to talk.
Coming Soon: Do Not Post
Skulls and Starships takes place in the Diaspora, a cluster of space stations and asteroids that is outside the jurisdiction of any of the major powers that rule over the unnamed solar system that you live in. The Diaspora itself is ruled by the Free Captains, a loose organization of elite captains that serves as the law in the Diaspora, as well as keeping any of the major governing powers from coming in and bringing a permanent end to the independence of the Diaspora and the piracy that comes with it.
You will be starting out as low-ranking pirates whose careers did not get off to the start that you hoped after being drugged and press-ganged into the crew of a cruel captain. But over time, you will hopefully develop the skills needed to change your fortune, build your reputation, and navigate the politics of the Diaspora as you become legendary pirates yourselves.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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The Galaxy is larger than the lawless space of the Diaspora, and the Free Captains are not the only group that's responsible for maintaining order. There are other factions that try to exert their will in the galaxy, neither of which are too enthused about the continued existence of pirates who make a fortune off of raiding their cargo.
The Pact Worlds
The Pact Worlds is a collection of independent governments and associations within the galaxy, bound together for mutual protection and trade. The pact was formed in 4100 AR by Absalom Station, Eox, Verces, and Castrovel in response to Vesk aggression towards planets in the system and has continued for over 600 years provide mutual protection from hostile forces, and facilitate interplanetary trade and law enforcement. Since its' formation, membership of the Pact Worlds has grown, and as of today, 19 self-governing entities call themselves members of the Pact Worlds. The Pact Worlds currently exists in an uneasy alliance with the Veskarium after the invasion of the Swarm in 4691 AR.
The Chelish Empire
With the Veskarium and the Pact Worlds calling a truce, the Chelish Empire is now considered the largest rival to the Pact Worlds. Domineering and militaristic, Cheliax commands one of the largest fleets in the galaxy and is unafraid to use it, as they have waged multiple wars of expansion, conquering neutral planets that do not fall under the protection of the Pact Worlds. Fiercely devoted to Asmodeus, the Chelish Empire has an intrusive set of laws designed to regulate the lives of its' citizens to the fullest degree. The Chelish Empire has come into contact with the pirates of the Diaspora twice, in 4643 AR and and 4660 AR, with both conflicts ending in Chelish defeat.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Prologue 1
CORE
My name is Ashley Dillinger.
I am the daughter of Edward Dillinger, Senior Executive VP of a company called CORE - a spaceborne company that mines and drains dead moons and planetary husks of their natural resources using spell jamming ships with arcane technologies. As an executive and scholar myself, I worked alongside my father as Junior Supervisor of Planetary Operations using my magic and leadership skills to help run the operations. I did this for many years.
CYGNUS 4
Recently, my father led a CORE team to the planet Cygnus 4 for drilling when a strange, unknown structure was unearthed deep beneath the surface – a black rune marked monolith the size of a small building etched with red symbols no one understood. As they studied it, it was discovered to be emitting a type of radiation not found on the electromagnetic spectrum - on a wavelength yet to be discovered. This discovery prompted great curiosity and attention from the company, and my father's team of scientists.
Excited about this discovery, my father contacted me aboard the ship "Emeritus" to explain his findings. During the transmission, a horrific alien scream cut through communications. Then, something attacked them, and the transmission abruptly cut out. Fearing the worst, I joined the team to mount a rescue. When we had teleported to the surface, what we found was the monolith and much more. The radiation had altered the physiology of my father's initial team, transforming the survivors into some unknown, horrible, mutated form of organic monsters that was difficult to describe - but clearly terrifying and deadly. Among our revelations based on evidence, records, and notes from my dead father and his team was how to manipulate this form of radiation into spell like effects to create more of these monsters - and to command those who have mutated.
The worst thing I learned, after reading the studies, was that I was able to all of those things.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Prologue 2-Gin and Tonic
The clang and whir of the Chum Guzzler is disrupted by a loud cacophony of music coming from a room down in the cabins. "Thank you, we've been Gin and Tonic, we'll be here all week!" The Lashunta sisters' performance is met with scattered applause and a few heckled shouts. The tallest Lashunta, a broad shouldered and bespectacled woman with short black hair, complete with pink stripe begins to pack up her cyber drums back into the backpack shaped case before setting about getting something to drink for her and her sister. The shorter Lashunta, a bubbly, black bobbed chick in a trendy pick jacket finishes packing up her instrument and mic before bounding over to sit beside her sister. "Well? Feel any better, Toni?" Gin is practically glowing with endorphins from performing, Toni cracks a slight smile, "Ugh, fine. you're right. I guess playing for the crew is better than not playing at all." Gin laughs as she punches her reluctant sister's arm. "This might not be what we expected when we went on tour, but hey! we still get to go worlds wide! The whole galaxy will know Gin and Tonic, we just gotta get outta here somehow!" Toni chuckles, her sister always had the right way to look at things. "Thanks sis." She leans her head over as her antennae reach out and touch Gin's in a Lashunta hug.
"Hey! don't you get any ideas about playing that trashy L-pop music 'round here anymore!" A drunk and cock-eyed elf spits out at the sisters, as he tries to push Gin against the bar, "Hey, you're pretty cute when you aren't singing! how 'bout a kiss" The disgusting elf begins to invade Gin's space.
CRACK
The elf's eyes seem to snap into alignment as his face is kinetically reconstructed, sending him flying across the room. Toni cracks her knuckles and wipes the blood off before calmly walking over to the heap of elf on the floor. "Didn't you hear us when we finished our set?" She pulls out her magmalite blade and ignites it inches from the elf's smooshed face, burning an eyebrow off the drunk.
"We'll be here. All. Week."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Prologue 3-Dani
MISSING PERSON REPORT
Name: Dani Delani
Age: 26
Skin: Brown
Hair: Short, curly, dark brown/black
Eyes: Dark brown with white specks
Notable Characteristics: Homemade mechanical armor, may be unfinished.
Last Known Location: Disaj System, Azlanti Star Empire
Emergency Contact (Relation): Tiera Delani (Mother)
Filer of Report (Relation): Theo Vedivon (Fiance), Tiera Delani (Mother)
Consideration: Armed and potentially dangerous. Unlikely to be cooperative.
Status Wanted: Alive and with no permanent damage.
Suspected Location: Unknown
Leads: None
Allies and Contacts: Unknown
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Prologue 4-Thrash
Thrash was born into Lizardfolk nobility. From the moment he hatched fron his egg, he was educated in matters of nobility and trained for the important role he would one day fulfill. His Mother was the captain of the Sun Catcher., A large incubation ship that was responsible for raising the next generation of lizardfolk for the entire system. She had helped to raise countless lizardfolk over the years but only managed to have one egg of her own. Young Thrash was loud and outspoken but tried hard in order to please his mother. From the day Theash hatched, it was planned that he would one day replace his mother as captain of the Sun Catcher when her time as captain came to an end. Thrash's father worked as the head engineer on the ship and the three of them were very close.
One day there was an explosion on the deck so the Sun Cather. Thrash's father raced to the scene to try to repair the damage before any harm could come to the hatchlings. When he arrived, he was immediately gunned down as pirates poured through the flaming hole of the ship. The bloody lizardfolk was able to sound the alarm moments before the pirate captain put a disintigrator pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. Realizing they were under attack, Thrash's mother told him to stay put and locked him in his room before leading the security team to fight off the intruders. A bloody battle took place as the crew of the Sun Catcher fought to keep the pirates from stealing the defenseless lizardfolk eggs. While the fighting was taking place, Thrash managed to unlock his door and make his way into the bloody corridor. While looking for his mother, Thrash was grabbed by one of the pirates and quickly carried off the ship. Thrashs mother managed to save the next generation of lizardfolk..but at the cost of half her crew, her husband, and her son.
That was 18 years ago. Thrash doesnt know his real name... or the name of his parents.He barley remembers the faces of his their faces... but his mother searches for him to this day.
Thrash was given his name by the crew of The Cromson Bounty because of how he used to fight and thrash about when he was first brought aboard the ship. The captain of the pirate ship realized that although the lizardfolk was only six years old, he was already better educated than many of his crew. He could also see that the lizardfolk would grow to be quite strong Indeed, if he were to take after his mother. for the next 18 years Thrash served as a shock trooper aboard the ship, fighting ruthlessly when required. During that time, Thrash earned a very dangerous reputation... known for eating parts of those that would cross him and eventually became the first mate. Although no one dared say it to his face, members of the crew would sometimes call Thrash soft for refusing to harm children or those that could not defend themselves. Thrash on more than one occasion prevented the taking of slaves on different raids on ships and settlements. Through the years captain Iron-tail tried to remove all memory of his past.. but could not completely turn Thrash into a blood thirsty pirate. This resulted in many disagreements between the captain and his first mate. Eventually Iron-Tail attempted to kill Thrash while docked at s port after a disagreement over what their next target should be. While the captain and first mate fought, thrash managed to bite off the captain's hand and take his disintigrator pistol. The wounded captain fled and Thrash took the weapon before quickly rushing aboard a different spaceship... hoping to put some distance between himself and the entire crew of The Crimson Bounty. The ship just so happened to be headed to a place that Thrash knew pretty well. The lizardfolk had hoped that his reputation could help him to join another crew.. or even start his own before word got back to Iron-Tail about his location
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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All of you came to Port Peril looking to kickstart your careers as pirates and spent last night at the Formidably Maid, one of the more notorious drinking establishments in Port Peril. You recall the sensations of the previous night-the ringing laughter of a wild night, the heady joy of excess, the scents of rich stewed meat and perfume lingering in their nostrils- a sharp contrast to the sensations you're currently experiencing-a pounding headache, the sickly taste of cheap wine in their mouths, the hard floor, and the soft, constant hum of a ship's engine. As you wake up, you notice that you're in a room with a bunch of strangers (with the exception of Gin and Tonic, who already know each other) and that you've been stripped of everything save the clothes on your back.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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1
I’m thinking of ending things.
Once this thought arrives, it stays. It sticks. It lingers. It dominates. There’s not much I can do about it. Trust me. It doesn’t go away. It’s there whether I like it or not. It’s there when I eat. When I go to bed. It’s there when I sleep. It’s there when I wake up. It’s always there. Always. I haven’t been thinking about it for long. The idea is new. But it feels old at the same time. When did it start? What if this thought wasn’t conceived by me but planted in my mind, predeveloped? Is an unspoken idea unoriginal? Maybe I’ve actually known all along. Maybe this is how it was always going to end. Darren once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.” You can’t fake a thought. And this is what I’m thinking. It worries me. It really does. Maybe I should have known how it was going to end for us.
Maybe the end was written right from the beginning.
I haven't been courting Darren for very long. About three months. Maybe four? I don't remember. We both work at the same company. I met him in the bar one evening - it was trivia night aboard the ship. He was a recent hire, I hadn't seen him before. We sat near each other that night. He had a charm to him, a magnetism. Handsome. A strong jaw. The short cut blond hair. His eyes. He was smart, intellectual. We talked for a bit and lost track of time. He was confident. Interesting. At the end of the night, he gave me his room number. I found it in my pocket. He slipped it in while we were talking and laughing. Two weeks had gone by. It was difficult to concentrate on work when we were apart. I missed him when he was on assignment. When we were together, we would talk about anything and everything. It was about two months into the relationship when I started to notice strange things about him.
I'm thinking of ending things.
NOW
I wake.
A pounding headache. Pain. Behind my eyes. All over my head. It's cold. I'm barely clothed. I raise my arms, look at my hands. I'm shaking. I feel..different. Like something has changed. Something HAS changed. Something is off. I look around. I don't know these people. I stare at them, unsure. Confused. How did I get here? This isn't the Emeritus. It's all fuzzy. I don't remember. Why is it fuzzy? I can't remember. The monolith. The radiation. The horrible, horrible screams. I blacked out. Like, my soul and body were torn apart. It hurt. Bad.
My mouth is dry. It hurts to swallow. I feel weak. Very weak. My eyes burn, and tear. Everything hurts. I try to speak but it's nothing but a hoarse whisper. My thoughts are muddy, unclear, a mess of chaos I can't form anything intelligent from. After a few seconds, I stop trying because i'm so exhausted. My eyelids flutter. I can't focus.
What the **** is going on.
Dani groans and sits up, shoving a wave of hair back from her face. The dark-skinned young woman is wearing well-made red and black clothes that hug her body closely, and has red-lensed goggles shoved up high on her forehead. Her hand goes to her belt, first nervously, then with increasing panic as she finds it bare of weapons or tools. She scootches back against the wall and gives everyone around her a nervous look, brown eyes wide as her hands ball nervously in and out of fists.
Dani:
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Thrash would lay sprawled out in the center of the floor. His large scaly chest would heave up and down as he blows small bubbles in the pool of drool next to his face. A few moments would go by as those around him begin to wake before the lizardfolk is seemingly startled from his slumber. Sitting up quickly, Thrash would let out a rough gravely hiss as he squeezes the sides of his large green-scaled head between his thick clawed hands. The bright orange frills running from the top of his head down his back would appear bent in twisted in what you would assume is the equivalent of some kind of Lizardfolk bedhead. "What the hell happened..." He would growl as he staggered to he feet. Thrash would quickly wipe the shimmering drool from his cheek with the back of his hand before looking around the room. "Well at least I won't starve..." He would say just under his breath with a small huff and a smirk after seeing the other captives. As he continues to look around the room his hands would slide down to his hips. When his hands do not find his swords there the lizardfolk would take a step back.. looking around the floor for his equipment. "Hey! Where's my shit!" He would growl before picking up his drool covered tricorn hat from the ground and putting it on his head. "And who are all of you?" He would ask standing in little more than his hat and pants.
Gin awakens first between the duo, caused mainly by the shouting. She cradles her pounding head in her hands as she gets up, slurring quietly, "Ugh... Quiet down, you. I'm trying to..." She trails off as one of her hands go to the hard floor, touching around. She squints her eyes, blinking. The wings on the sides of her face flutter. "This isn't... Toni!" She shouts frantically, her eyes quickly darting around the room til she spots her sister a few feet away from her. She dashes over to her side and starts shaking her. "Toni, Toni... Wake up! We've been... Um... Starnapped!"
As she works on waking her sister up she gives you all the side eye, almost saying, Get close and I'll ******* kill you.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Toni lazily swats at Gin, "Mmmm.. Stop, what are you--" Toni's sensors twitch as she registers others breathing and the scratchy lizardfolk's voice.
She shoots up, looking around. "Where the f^@k are we?! Gin!!! Why did you let me talk you into that extra Cardassian cider?!"
The panicked Lashunta reaches for her stuff, finding it gone. "Did..you say starnapped? what the F^@k do you mean starnapped? Also, where did you put my stuff?"
She takes a deep, calming breath, eyes closed, then reaches out and telepathically communicates with gin, "Gin...are we safe in here? That big guy seems mad"
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
“Oh, come on, Toni, we both knew you needed to relax some more— wait! Don’t turn this on me!!” Gin retorts, flustered. “Starnapped! Like kidnapped but for stars like us! And.. uh...” She looks to the others, gauging their status. “Indie bands like them, I guess...”
Gin’s antennae twitch when her sister speaks to her telepathically. “I-I don’t know. None of us have our stuff so I guess we’re safe...?”
The yellow lashunta looks to the strangers again, mainly to the lizardfolk. “I’ll tell you who I am if you tell me who you are first.”
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
"Hey! Watch where you're shooting those daggers Tator Tot, you ain't the only one that's had a rough night.." Thrash would growl towards the young lashunta. When her friend Toni seems to wake up and starts shouting, the lizardfolk would hold his hands over his head and hiss. "Aarrrgg my head! Why ya got to be so loud!?" He would shout before rubbing his eyes with his hands and taking a few deep breaths. The muscular lizardfolks back would heave up and down as he tries to calm himself down. "The name's Thrash... " He would say looking towards the two lashuntas. "I'm hungry.. my head feels like its about to split in two.. I've been robbed and I'm really pissed off at the moment so I apologize in advance if I come off a bit rough... I am really a sweetheart once ya get to know me." He would add with a forced sharp toothed smile before turning and pacing around the room.. looking for a door or window.
Toni nods, "We're Toni-" she points to Gin, "And Gin. We're sisters, and L-pop stars." Toni stretches uncomfortably before turning to see the others, "Gin, have you met these people yet?"
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
“I’unno if I can trust you or not so sorry for the daggers! Not!” Gin sticks her tongue out at Thrash, huffing a bit as she turns to Toni. “I haven’t, no. I was worried about you. The lizard is really the only one talking, the other two have been really quiet.” She looks at the other two girls, squinting.
“Hey,” She calls out to them. “What’s your names?”
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Thrash "Yer a spicy little chicken nugget aren't ya! I've eaten folks bigger than you fer less.. GIN" Thrash would shout back pointing a clawed finger at the girl. "Maybe gin is short for Gingerbread cookies... They always look nice but are the WORST, they always taste like garbage.... that would make sense then." He would say aloud to himself as he glares towards Gin before turning to look at the two silent women. "Yeah, who are you? You two look about as thrilled to be here as the rest of us." he would add while trying to straighten his bent and folded frills.
As you argue, bright light comes flooding into this poorly-lit room as the door flies open and a bunch of men with tactical batons enter into the room, with an ugly olive-skinned man at the front. He has a whip in his hand and smiles unpleasantly, revealing a set of silver grills like the ones Jared Leto's godawful Joker had in Suicide Squad. "Still just waking up? On your feet! Get up on deck and report for duty before Harrigan grinds you up into sausage and has Fishguts cook you up for breakfast!"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"Hey! Where are we and where is our stuff" Thrash would hiss as he shields his eyes from the bright lights. "And is there any chance I can get some of that sausage yer talking about? I'm starving over here" The lizardfolk would say with a grin as he slowly lowers his hands once his eyes adjust.
While the arguing happens, Dani stares at the shouting trio. When Gin starts talking about indie bands, she says, "I'm not a..." but trails off as the conversation blows onwards.
Honestly, Danielle, you'll never get a word in edgewise at the capital if you don't learn to just TALK. Don't let others shut you up.
Mother would be so disappointed. But of course, that was why she was here. When she's asked her name, she starts, "My name-" but is then cut off again as the olive skinned man walks in and starts talking. The dark-skinned woman rises carefully, eyeing the new men.
When you don't know what's going on, in Lissala's name, don't show it by opening your mouth. Be quiet, listen, make the occasional assenting or engaged noise, and LEARN. Only when you can speak while knowing what you say should you begin to talk.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!