Toni listens intently to every word the captain says, trying her best to understand their situation. When Mr. Plugg gives them their assignments, Toni nods, then scrunthes her face in confusion. "How do I do that? Also, why us? I don't know anything about keeping a ship running."

"Your gear is with the quartermaster. But that is not your concern right now."

Thrash: You are given a pair of boots, leather gloves that go up to your elbows and a poncho before being taken down a ladder to a room that bears a resemblance to the trash room from A New Hope. There's probably nothing swimming around down here. A cocktail of foul smells assaults your nasal passages as you descend. You see two chutes in the wall, the one on the left labeled 'To Incineration', the one on the right labeled 'To The Compactor'. "Food and other organic waste goes down the incinerator. Everything else goes down to the compactor. Don't **** it up." Plugg calls down. 

You will need to make a DC12 Wisdom check to do the day's work without tossing anything down the wrong hole and a DC12 Con Save to not take on a level of exhaustion after finishing your work.

Toni: "We need every hand we can get to make this ship work. Quarne should show you how to do your job. Now get to it and stop wasting my time with questions." You're taken Quarne is a bald man with cybernetic enhancements in his right eye. He's wearing an orange shirt with no sleeves, but you do see surgeon's clothing hanging up in a closet as he leads you to Life Support. As you traverse through the ships' ventilation systems you see that the filters are huge. "Now as long as nothing goes wrong in Engineering, the Life Support systems on this ship should work and provide oxygen. But that's only a bare minimum. In order to keep tolerable standards of living, we'll need to do our part, change the air filters, and maintain the temperature control. Your job today is to change the filters and keep them fresh. Cusswell should be able to help you out. 

You will need to make a DC13 Strength check to remove the air filters and a DC12 Wisdom check to properly replace them. Fortunately, you have a friend in Rosie Cusswell, a halfling woman who was assigned to work in life support. She has short brown hair and is dressed in a grey jumpsuit with fingerless gloves. She is willing to help and grant advantage on one of the checks. 

(I ******* hate how the bold text gets stuck on this website)

Ashley: I don't even know if you're on the same plane of existence as I am, but I trust that you know how to handle a mop. Go throughout this ship and wipe the floors down until I can eat off of them."

Ashley needs to make a DC12 Strength check to clean the floors. As you do, you come across a red haired woman with ear piercings, a backless blue top that reveals cleavage and a tight pair of leather pants. Around her neck is a pendant with the skull and crossbones. "You doin' okay? The drugs that they give you shouldn't take that long to recover from." 

Dani: You're lead to engineering. A female gnome runs this station when you get there, she tells you that today you'll be working on the consoles, helping to keep the ship functional and direct power to a specific system whenever the Captain says it needs to happen." 

To operate the power consoles, you will need to make a DC13 Intelligence Check.

Gin: You are taken to the ship's kitchen to work with Fishguts. It's a mess of silverware and pots and food. Fishguts himself is a short fifty year old man who appears to have given up on life. He's completely let his hair grow out, his clothes and apron are stained, and you are able to smell alcohol on his breath. "Plugg must not like the last few meals I've cooked for him. It's been awhile since the last time I've had someone helping down here." He slurs, drunkenly. Despite his intoxication, he's more than capable of working in the kitchen and explaining that you'll be helping him prepare food and occasionally butchering an animal for the occasions when Harrigan wants something a little more fancy.

Roll a DC12 Wisdom Check to help Fishguts prepare tonight's stew and make it edible.

As you help Fishguts make stew and biscuits, he has a moment of sobriety and whispers the following to you. “It’s poison, this ship, but don’t let anyone hear you say it aloud. The hull listens, see, and the cap’n hears it all. Poison the Wormwood is, though, rotten to the core. You’ll not meet a more nasty, sour piece of work than Cap’n Harrigan in all your days in the Diaspora, and his crew’s the same, ’specially the first mate, Mr. Plugg. Vicious little sod, he is. He’d take his own mother’s liver to the butcher to make pies with, he would. But they leave me alone, mostly. They know I can’t harm ’em.”

wis check 5

con save 17

Thrash would immediately make himself at home in the in the stinking piles of refuse and scap. The lizardfolk at first had no problem tossing the largest pieces of metal into the compactor while taking bites of any food that still seemed edible. After making short work of the larger items, Tye lizardfolk began to slow down. Taking time to look for any small pieces of metal that he might be able to fashion into a a knife. As Thrash focused most of his attention towards looking for an improvised dagger, he began to toss items into the wrong chutes. After a while he soon realized he was falling behind and started to make even more mistakes as he started to rush. "all the metal stuff goes in the compactor for sure.. but does wood to in there too? I eat organic things and Indon't eat wood so It can get smashed too.." Thrash would mutter to himself before shrugging and letting out a frustrated hiss. "Metal - smash it, wood - Smash it, Paper - Smash it, leather - Smash it" Thrash would mutter as he began to work faster. "Rotten chicken  - Burn it, Chicken bone - Smash it, moldy apple - Burn it, melon rind - Smash it" Thrash would continue as he works, feeling confident that the two chutes should just say "Things you eat" And "Things you dont eat"....

Investigation to find a small blade of some kind? 10

Dani casts an eye over the engine, summons up every bit of expertise she can from her mother's stories and descriptions, and gets to work.

Int check, hypothetically I'm good at these, but the dicebot's hatred probably puts a dent in that: 4

DC13 Strength check to remove the air filters: 18

DC12 Wisdom check to properly replace them. : 9

Toni listens carefully as Quarne shows her around, trying to keep it all straight in her head. It’s all so much new information, especially without Gin to help her. Toni was well suited to the heavy lifting, used to doubling as her and Gin’s roadie in top of playing drums, but even with her new friend, Rosie’s help, Toni just couldn’t figure out how to get them re-attaches correctly. Every time she would get more and more flustered and frustrated, eventually laying on the ground and sobbing softly to herself, scared, confused, tired, sick and feeling all alone without her sister.

The Captain tells me what to do. I barely register it, but I get it.

I can barely walk now. I can feel my strength returning. Somehow I get to where i'm supposed to be. My heart beats erratically. I can feel it. In my chest. Like it's protesting. Yes. Slowly, slow slowly, I can feel it adjusting. Adapting.

It's a slow process, so I wait. It's like..something..is recovering inside me. I can feel myself becoming..me..again. 

I take the mop. A woman speaks. I don't answer. I just do what i'm told.

When she leaves, I stand there for what seems like too long a time. Still. Perfectly still. Looking at the floor. Finally, I start.

DC12 STR check: 9

It's not a good job. But I don't care. My limbs are weak. Back and forth. It gets ever so easier with each pass. I'm more focused on recalibrating than the job at hand. I don't even know where I am? Where are the others. 

For the first time, i'm able to lift my head and look around. This isn't the Emeritus. No. My vision seems to be clearing. I cough again, it's not as painful. I try to speak and realize i'm able to, again, better. Where are my clothes?

How did I get here?

With every passing second, my body adapts and my mind clears. Less foggy. Stronger. Clearer. Focused. My heart struggles to find it's beat and I sweat, not because of the mopping. I can't remember much before. But I try. Right now, adjust. 

Soon.

Soon.

When the captain leaves and orders are given, when given a moment alone, Gin shouts, "They literally KIDNAPPED us to WORK?!"

Gin doesn't exactly looked pleased with the arrangement, but then again she could be throwing out trash or something something particularly nasty so... whatever. As they're preparing the meal, the Lashunta tries to keep herself occupied by drumming on some pots and pans and humming a tune, trying to think of the silver linings. She also definitely doesn't try to spit in the stew.

Wis: 21

Oh she totally spits in the stew when Fishguts isn't looking.

When he calls to her attention, she leans a bit to listen. "... I'd believe it. Thanks for the info, old man. You're not as terrible as everyone else is on here, you know? How'd you get stuck here anyway? They kidnap you too?"

Thrash: You aren't able to find any pieces of metal that could be forged into a dagger. As you thoughtlessly toss items down the chutes, Plugg storms down the ladder with boots and other gear. "Is your lizard brain too small to perform this simple task?! Inorganic matter goes down the compactor chute! Foodstuff and organic matter goes down the incinerator chute! I've gotten reports that chicken bones and pieces of wood are being tossed into the compactor chute. If I have to come down here again I'll have Scourge give you a lash. Now come up to the Mess Hall before I decide to toss you down the incinerator chute."

Dani: You're not able to wrap your head around the power console and you end up shorting out the ship's power, leaving it dead in the water. Fortunately, the gnome that runs Engineering is able to get the ship running again before it turns into a crisis, but needless to say, she's not pleased. Neither is Mister Scourge, who shortly afterwards comes into Engineering and beelines it towards you.  "This too hard for you? Maybe you'll try harder to avoid ****-ups like this after spending a day in the Bilges with the lizard. Now get to the Mess Hall. It's time for dinner and Bloody Hour."

Ashley: You don't do a good job with the mop. Fortunately, no one notices because Dani and Thrash are ******* up harder than you are right now. Meanwhile, the red-headed woman mops the floors as well, but you see her look at you as you ignore her, unsure if you're really messed up and not in the headspace to converse with her or if you're just being a real *****. Regardless, when you and her finish up, she shows you where to put the mops away. "I don't know if you're in the headspace to eat, but it's dinner time and it's mandatory to be in the Mess Hall."

Toni: You're able to pop the air filters out, but putting them back in is too much for you and the strain of having to perform in an unfamiliar environment causes you to break down. "No no, you can't be doing any of that." Rosie says. "The Wormwood isn't a place where you want to be caught puffy-eyed."

Gin: Either Fishguts doesn't see you spitting in the stew, or he simply doesn't care, but either way, no fuss is made about it. "Close enough. About two years ago, I was gamblin' with Harrigan. I was havin' a real bad night and I was real drunk. After bein' cleaned out, I made one last bet instead of walkin' away there. I bet him that if I won that round, I'd get back what I lost and double. He asked what he'd get if he won. And then in a real dumbass move, I bet my life and then lost. Now Harrigan couldn't care less about what happens to me, but he does happen to enjoy my cookin' more than anyone else on this ship. I suppose it's the only reason that he hasn't let Plugg and Scourge off me yet." Fishguts seems to appreciate the words you have to say and having a cooking mate that isn't absolutely horrible.

As you finish up the stew and biscuits, a young woman comes in and fills up some bowls with stew before placing them on a tray and taking them to the Captain and some of the other ships officers. The rest of the crew lines up with trays and you pour them a bowl of stew and give them a biscuit, like it's lunchtime at school.

And also like lunchtime at school, you have to find a place to sit at and eat your poorly made food in peace.

The engine was nothing like the ones she'd worked on in her teens. When she's scolded, Dani is outwardly silent and cowed. The only sign of anything else is her left hand, clenched behind her back in a fist so tight that her knuckles are several shades paler than her skin.

You do not need to win every battle to win a war. Sometimes you must retreat to a better position. In other words, learn when to keep your mouth shut, Danielle. Arguing is only useful when you can win.

Dani gets her food and tries to find a corner where nobody will bother her while she picks at her food, eyeing everyone around her and seeing what conversations she can listen in to.

"Wow..." Gin says in astonishment after hearing Fishguts tale. "That really was a dumbass move." She deadpans. "No offense. Seriously. You weren't in the right mind set. Kinda sucks you're kinda stuck here now, but don't worry! I'll keep you entertained for as long as I'm on here! Whichhopefullyisn'tgonnabeforlong-- Let's serve these people!" She grins, trying to serve the folk with a bright smile even though she wanted to bite everyone's face off (save for the poor suckers who got kidnapped like she did, and of course not Toni).

When given the chance to sit down and eat too, she grabs a plate full of biscuits and hops on over to wherever Toni decided to sit. "I wouldn't eat the stew," She whispers to her sister. Had where they sat not been near the two quiet people or Thrash, she would telepathically advise each one of them to stick with eating the biscuits instead. 

Thrash would scratch his head and shrug at the criticism of his job at sorting the filth. At the mention of food however, The lizardfolk would race up out of the stinking pit and quickly make his way to the mess hall. Once there, he would get in line and take a tray. Thrash would hold his head up high with his eyes scanning for any signs of his fellow captives. When he was close to getting his food, he would notice Gin serving food behind the counter. "Hey, how ya holding up tator tot?" Thrash would ask in a much different tone than when they woke up hours before. "I hope my stink doesnt ruin anyone's appetite, but if it does I guess that just means more for me right" Thrash would say with a tip of his tricorn hat and a wink. When he gets his food portions he would look down at the soup and then look back at Gin... then back at the soup...and back at Gin. once more before shaking his head and quickly drowning the whole bowl right there in line. "Who knew yer real calling was cookin. I think ya make a better cook than I do a garbage boy" He would add before making his way towards an empty table and taking a seat. Once sitting he would quickly finish his meal before making a point to flag down any of the other captives and motioning them towards his table.

Ashley: You don't do a good job with the mop. Fortunately, no one notices because Dani and Thrash are ******* up harder than you are right now. Meanwhile, the red-headed woman mops the floors as well, but you see her look at you as you ignore her, unsure if you're really messed up and not in the headspace to converse with her or if you're just being a real *****. Regardless, when you and her finish up, she shows you where to put the mops away. "I don't know if you're in the headspace to eat, but it's dinner time and it's mandatory to be in the Mess Hall."

Ashley looked at the red headed woman but nothing more. Not blankly, but not intently. There. Yes. Can you feel it? Changing. Stronger. She let go of the mop and it clattered to the floor when the red head walked away. She walked into the mess hall and looked around.  Ah. That one.

"You are the one who helped me. I never got a chance to thank you." she said to Dani. "May I join you?"

When you are alone, make allies.

Mother, I thought you said friends were weaknesses. Make up your mind already.

Did I say to make friends, Danielle?

Dani shakes herself out of the memory in time to hear Ashley and see Thrash gesturing for her to come over. She considers, then nods at Ashley. "The green one wants us to go over. But we can stay here if you want."

- I still don't understand. How could something like this happen?
-We're all in shock
- Nothing so horrible has ever happened around here.
- No, not like this.
- In all the years i've worked here.
- I would think not.
- I didn't sleep last night. Not a wink.
- Me neither. Couldn't get comfortable. I can barely eat. You should have seen my wife when I told her. I thought she was going to be sick.
- How could he actually do it, go through with it? You don't do that on a whim. You couldn't.
- It's scary is what it is. Scary and disturbing.
- So did you know him? Were you close, or...?
- No, no. Not close. I don't think anyone was close with him. He was a loner. That was his nature. Kept to himself. Standoffish. Some knew him better. But..you know.
- It's crazy. It doesn't seem real.
- It's one of those terrible things, but unfortunately it's very real.

As Thrash scans the crowd he spots the drunk girl move and sit next to the quiet girl at a table across the room. "Well shit, how'd I miss them" He would say with a hiss before leaving his empty tray on the table and plopping down hard in a seat next to the two women. "Hey, how are you two lasses holding up?" Thrash would ask with a tip of his hat "Hope ya dont mind my smell, I didnt get a chance to scrub up before chow time." The lizardfolk would say with a toothy grin. "So the names Thrash.. I know Gin is serving up the tasty stew and I haven't seen the other girl Toni .." He would say before taking a moment to look from one girl to the othern "So who are you two?" Thrash would ask as he puts both of his thick elbows kn the table and rests his large head in his hands.

"Thank you for helping me earlier." Ashley says to Dani, smiling weakly. She looks very tired. "I'm not really sure why i'm here or what happened before this. I will leave the choice up to you if you wa-"

Then the lizardman slammed down at their table, she startled. She stared at the creature, perfectly still, like a motionless feline predator.

Gin stands there, eyes wide in horror, mouth agape after seeing Thrash quickly guzzle down the stew she made sure to spit in a couple of times for good measure. "A... Ahh... Aha..." She tries to smile again. "I... Haha... Yep. Mhmm. G... Go on then."

When he leaves, her expression drops into one of panic and quickly serves everyone else, trying not to think of it.

Dani is starting to reply to Ashley when Thrash plops himself down. She gives Ashley a quick nod and a simple, "You're welcome," before turning to look at the lizardfolk carefully. "My name is Dani." It wouldn't be wise to share her last name now. She was far from the Empire, but still...she was in enough of a worrisome situation as is.

Listen, don't speak. Learn as much as you can before you open your mouth.

"Hi Dani, nice ta meetcha" Thrash would reply before looking towards the red haired woman. "And you.. don't look like you wanna talk to me. That's fair" The lizardfolk would say before leaning back in his chair. "Ya don't know me and I don't know you but maybe over the next few years we'll all get to know eachother a bit better." He would add with a grin. "I get the feeling we are gunna be stuck her for a while... that is unless I keep f***ing up the garbage.. then you might not have to worry about this guy causing ya grief." The lizardfolk would whisper  while looking around the room. If Thrash got the feeling that the two of them didn't want him at his table, he would tip his hat towards them and move back towards his original table.