As the party set out to leave the derelict nautiloid and continue their voyage to the Rock of Bral, a nightspider appeared from behind an asteroid. Clearly, the nautiloid was left as a trap.
The nightspider moved in as quickly as it could against the party’s star moth, but Charlie kept the faster ship at long range. When it seemed the star moth was gaining advantage in the continual volleys of ballista bolts and mangonel stones, the nightspider turned to leave. Sensing an opportunity, Charlie set the star moth in chase.
As they closed range to board, two galleons came into view and immediately began firing on the nightspider. When they were within range, Xerek used his telepathy to communicate with the newcomer. By revealing that Captain Sartell was with them, they persuaded Commander Daar’vik they were on the same side. At the same time, Flapjack was able to sense that there were many people taken on board to be forced labor for the neogi pirates and their umber hulk shock troops. They used this information to convince Daar’vik to join them in boarding the nightspider to claim the ship and free the prisoners. Daar’vik agreed until he heard that there were umber hulks to be dealt with. He said his crews would need convincing, but he would do his best.
So, the party closed in to board the nightspider through an opening into the bridge that their attacks had created. On approach, Idakath cast a stinking cloud on the weapons deck, causing half of the onboard neogi and both umber hulks to have retching fits. Once the star moth was in position, Inrim, Kiboko, and Xerek entered and faced off with a trio of neogi pirates.
The battle was hard, but they were making progress in the bridge when the other neogi released the umber hulks. Kevin placed a moonbeam at the entrance to the bridge, helping buy the party some needed tactical advantage. As the other neogi and their umber hulks neared the bridge, the party still on the star moth could see Daar’vik’s crew boarding the nightspider from the cargo bay. It would cost a number of his crew their lives, but together, they were able to overcome the might of the pirates.
The rest of the party then boarded the ship, discussed plans with Daar’vik, and came to the aid of the prisoners. They made clear they planned to keep the nightspider, which Daar’vik thought a bit crazy. When he realized these were students under Tarto, he laughed at the grief they must have caused her, but also thought it fitting. Ultimately, he agreed to provide the party an escort to the docks at the Rock of Bral, assuming that a nightspider, star moth, and damselfly all showing up at once might not be well-received by the local navy.
So, they made their way to Bral. Along the way, they convinced fifteen of the prisoners to stay on board as hired hands to help ensure their growing ship collection could be operated. Finally docked, Sartell and Flapjack parted ways with the gorup, urging them to waste no time looking for Commander Krux, since he was their best hope of finding a way to save Toril from impending doom.
And the party would do just that… after a couple days of shopping and exploring Bral.
Next chapter: Spelljammer 2022 – Session 10, 2023-02-22