"Thank you," Miken says. He shows the cover of the book he's studying: Silverhand's Systems of Spelljamming. "I've always been better with theory than practice. I... I'm not sure I have what it takes to actually fly a ship." He glances at the nearby table of other new recruits, then looks down, avoiding your gaze, and continues quietly, "I... don't want to let my team down."

[Miken seems fairly dejected. Someone might be able to reassure him with a Charisma (Persuasion) check, or take his mind off of things by engaging in a conversation about his studies with an Intelligence (Arcana) check. Or you could think of some other, more creative solution. Or, of course, you could choose to ignore him...]

“Your team? Why aren’t you sitting with them?“

Zaius slaps his hands on the table and hoots with glee at Rel’s song, enjoying himself immensely.  He calms down as Miken joins the group at the table “Yes, have a seat mate!  You studying to be a jammer, you must be a caster then.  My name is Zaius” he reaches out a hand “I’m in the Corps, myself.” 

He leans forward “What have you heard about the competition, then?  We have not heard much ourselves.”  He pauses and frowns as Roy asks about Miken’s team “Yeah, why didn’t they leave a seat for you?”

Rel looks with interest at the book he rescued for the human.  "Systems of Spelljamming, eh? Look, I love a story as much as the next guy, but I'm more of a Billy Quiverstaff guy than an Al OneStone, if you know what I mean?  No?  All I'm trying to say is that you don't have to be an expert on every stitch of the Weave to be a successful 'jammer.  How did you do at the orientation?  Were you able to fly the little ships around with your helm?  If so, I'm sure you'll be fine."

Persuasion 25

"Oh, well, I mean I was only assigned to the group this morning, so I don't really know any of them yet, and I guess they're sitting with some other people they know?" Miken replies to Roy and Zaius. "That's part of it, I guess, I want to make a good first impression."

To Rel, he says, "I did do alright in orientation. But it seems like there's a difference between the small models and the real thing. Though," he adds thoughtfully, "I suppose the point of them was to simulate the actual sensation... so maybe you're right. Yes, I'm sure it will be fine."

[You've reassured one (1) cadet!]

As you finish up your meals, you hear a voice announce, "New recruits, please report to the Simulations Deck for your training assignment. Repeat, new recruits to the Simulations Deck."

OOC: Is Veena aware of and/or watching our group in the dining hall? Is she sitting at a table with her gang?

Quote from Zalmanni >>

OOC: Is Veena aware of and/or watching our group in the dining hall? Is she sitting at a table with her gang?

[I think she's definitely holding court for her followers at one of the tables. She probably noticed and gave you a dirty look as you entered, but hasn't been paying attention to you since then.]

Rel slaps Miken on the back. "You'll do great!"  He then turns to his teammates.  "Looks like it's time to continue our training!" and heads off to the Simulation area.

Erma follows the others and fiddles with the straps of her armor. It's become almost breath-restricting after the food.

Quote from DMKarrion >>

Quote from Zalmanni >>

OOC: Is Veena aware of and/or watching our group in the dining hall? Is she sitting at a table with her gang?

[I think she's definitely holding court for her followers at one of the tables. She probably noticed and gave you a dirty look as you entered, but hasn't been paying attention to you since then.]

 "Well that's our queue...." Roy says as he pushes himself away from the table, picks up his tray of dishes, and hive his teammates a conspiratorial wink and smile, ".... time for some fun."

And with those parting words quietly Roy walks over to where Veena is sitting drops his tray on the table in front of her with a bang saying, "Now be a good lass and take care of these for me," then turns and walks away before she has a chance to respond.

“Oh, the simulation deck! Maybe it is more Reavers, let’s go mates” Zaius rubs his hands together with excitement.  He gives a chuckle as Roy drops his tray off in front of Veena and bares his teeth in an unfriendly smile at the group at the table before following his team out of the room on their way to the simulation deck.

Veena sputters incoherently as the trays are dumped in front of her. Some of her cronies laugh, until she silences them with a glare.

You arrive at the Simulations Deck at the same time as another team of cadets (you recognize Miken among them), all of you gathering in the main hall where today's training officers—Saerthe Abizin and Boatswain Tarto—stand waiting. A few members of the other squad murmur excitedly, but a glare from Boatswain Tarto as she chews her cigar quiets them.

Saerthe Abizin scans the congregation with silver eyes. Their stern gaze shifts to a wide grin. "Well, this is going to be fun."

[I don't think I shared the art of Boatswain Tarto last time, so here she is. Erma, you recall that Tarto was the officer overseeing your first, simulated, losing battle yesterday: a classic no-nonsene drill sergeant archetype, she's tough on her cadets because what she teaches may just save your lives out there. Meanwhile Saerthe Abizin gave the pilots among you their initial basic training: quick-witted and exuberant, Saerthe uses their skill with illusion magic to accentuate their flamboyant showboating.]

Tarto steps forward and addresses the assembled cadets. "Today's training will test each of your skills and talents, individually and as a team. And, since we have so many of you today, we thought we might make it a little friendly competition. Instructor Abizin and I will be observing your progress, and awarding points according to your performance. Whichever squad achieves the most points, wins."

Saerthe continues, "You will need to choose roles for the members of your team. Obviously, one cadet with spellcasting ability will need to be chosen to fill the Spelljammer role, and pilot your ship. You may also, if you wish, elect one of your team as Captain; it's the captain's responsibility to make the hard calls to ensure the survival of the ship and crew, as well as the success of the mission. You can expect your crew to follow your orders, but don't abuse your power or you may find yourself with a mutiny on your hands!"

Tarto scowls at this last remark, and finishes, "The remaining members are Shipmates, and operate the vessels rigging, weapons and so forth, as well as anything else needed to achieve your mission objectives. We'll give you just a few minutes to assign your roles, then brief you on the mission parameters."

[In my notes I have Gloix down as the primary pilot, with Rel as backup. Does anyone want to take on the Captain role? A crew relies on their captain to be intuitive, sensible, fair-minded, and decisive, making the Captain role a good fit for someone with a high Wisdom or Charisma score.]

Upon arriving, Rel spots Miken and gives him a friendly wave.  He salutes Tarto saying "Reporting for training, Bos'n" and smiles broadly remembering the scene when they last saw her.  After listening to the Instructions, he again rubs his hands together in barely-contained excitement.  "Alright, Gloix, you're gonna be an awesome pilot.  I'll back you up if you need it, but I'm sure you won't. Now, who else wants to do what?  I'm not too familiar with weapons, but if it's just 'point and pull the trigger' I'm sure you all can teach me.  Or whatever else is needed.  Too bad I can't bring the baddies down with a lampoon rather than a harpoon."

“Ah, a competition” Zaius breaks out into a wide grin “Let’s go then!”  He turns to Rel “I don’t know mate, you held your own pretty well in our first simulation.  You will be fine,  and you can sing our glories later. Maybe you should be the Captain.”  He turns to the others “Not the Captain type me-self, but I can handle rigging and weapons, just point me in the direction of the baddies.”

"I can pilot" Gloix voice cokes into their minds as he joins his team foe the competition.     He was not the most talkative one so had left the reassuring and socializing to the others while he observed.  

[No takers for the captain's chair? It's only for this training exercise, not a lifetime appointment, so don't feel too much pressure. But it's totally fine if no one wants to. (I admit I'm a little surprised Rel isn't jumping at the chance to boss everyone around... ;)]

After a long pull on her cigar, Boatswain Tarto surveys the assembled crews. "Each crew is to navigate their ship through a debris field on the outskirts of Coliar, a sodding big gas giant. There, you're to salvage the captain's logbook from the wreckage of an abandoned ship, then return to your starting point with your own ship intact."

Tarto levels a steely eye and says with a glare, "Intact, not first. Get the mission done well; not quick."

Miken gives you a friendly wave and calls out "Good luck!" as your two groups are led into separate simulation chambers. Saerthe accompanies you across the wide, domed space within the chamber to a central platform, on which stands a training spelljamming helm. Nearby, Mister Blip stands near a table set with magical gear and mysterious devices. His eyes shift to a green color as he approaches you and hands you two pieces of parchment. One is a crude sketch of the logbook you're to retrieve; the other is a detailed chart of inner Realmspace.

Blip's eyes change to bright blue as he returns to the table, and after manipulating a few dials and switches, and checking several lights and readouts, the autognome declares, "All systems operating within nominal parameters."

Saerthe steps back from the platform, holds their palms outward, and begins an incantation. The sigils scrawled along the walls and floors glow brightly, intensifying as the training officer weaves their powerful illusion. "Good luck, cadets," they say, "and don't be afraid. Though these illusions are realistic, thanks to my arcane prowess, they are just that—illusions."

Blue-white lines form around you, etching the shape of a ship deck around the platform upon which you stand. The room then melts away amid an explosion of colors, textures, and sounds that place you on the deck of a ship that is shaped like a gigantic hammerhead shark. You recognize it as a simulation of the ship you toured during your orientation yesterday, the Flighty Foundling. As the real one was then, the ship is situated in the Sky Dock atop Spelljammer Academy. Far below you can faintly hear the waves crashing against the shores of the rocky island; above you, scudding clouds fill the sky.

[You'll be familiar with the capabilities and layout of the ship thanks to your tour during orientation:

For the moment we don't need to track where everyone is exactly on the ship, except maybe whether the pilot is at the helm or not.

The "crew/ship sails out for the first time" tends to be a big, cinematic moment in the kind of fiction Spelljammer is inspired by, and I encourage you to have a bit of fun with it. It's the first mate calling out orders to "weigh anchor" or "cast off" or something something mizzenmast. It's crew swarming the rigging or coiling ropes or battening hatches. It's swelling orchestral scores and sweeping panoramic camera angles as the ship starts to get under way. It's the Bounty leaving Portsmouth; the Enterprise leaving space dock; the Hispanola setting sail for Treasure Island. (And there will be a skill check)]

Quote from LAXGunner >>

“Ah, a competition” Zaius breaks out into a wide grin “Let’s go then!”  He turns to Rel “I don’t know mate, you held your own pretty well in our first simulation.  You will be fine,  and you can sing our glories later. Maybe you should be the Captain.”  He turns to the others “Not the Captain type me-self, but I can handle rigging and weapons, just point me in the direction of the baddies.”

 Rel tries and fails to appear modest.  "Well, I do have certain... inspirational qualities that tend to bring out the best in others.  Since this is only a simulation, and this isn't a permanent choice, I'm willing to serve as Captain, if no one else wants the chance."

Waiting a moment or two to see if anyone objects, he will then say, "Very well then.  Mr. Gloix, please take your position at the helm. Mr. Zaius, I appoint you first mate, you have charge of weapons systems and security, you may make assignments as you see fit.  Mr. Roy, you are our ship's engineer, in charge of any repairs, for now your station is on the fo'c'sle (forecastle) as a lookout for obstacles and enemies.  Mr. Zaius, you are our rearward lookout, please station yourself at the sterncastle.  Madame Erma, you are ship's surgeon as well as second mate.  Please keep track of everyone's wellbeing during the simulation, and offer reinforcement wherever needed.  Any questions?  If not, prepare to launch!"

Roy nods at Rel’s orders and heads to the appointed place.