PT 011: Main

USS, 7:16 PM

Ok, let's get started with a recap.

USS, 7:19 PM

You guys have picked up some new "guests" after a mission on a plane destroyed by the "resource gathering" of the Kymal.  One is a Kymal lizard person "prisoner" whom you have partially converted from his cultural brainwashing.  He is a former captain named Mir.

USS, 7:21 PM

The second is Lost Chance, a tabaxi guardian, tasked with guarding a temple housing one of three "power orbs".  After some research by ship arcanist Williamson, you learned that the orb seems to be capable of summoning various animal and creature species whose DNA is stored within the orb.  Which leads to the third newcomer, Guest, a floomph who was accidentally summoned by Theo.

USS, 7:24 PM

After working out living situations for the three newcomers, you made another jump to a plane, one seemingly clouded by smog.  Being unable to find a means of communicating through the smog, you receive a communication from a business calling itself Casino Mélodie, run by a very colorful dragonborn named Itsiko Sythr (Itsy, for short).

USS, 7:24 PM

After some discussion, you agreed to transport in (with some protective gear) and use his phone line to call in to the Planefleet base on the ground.

Theo, 7:25 PM

(I missed that bit, but Theo was probably busy.  Am I still on the ship or was I on the away team?

USS, 7:26 PM

You're gonna be on the away team, cause this is where we're picking up.  You guys are gearing up to head down.

USS, 7:26 PM

Is there any particular devices you feel you will want to bring?

Theo, 7:26 PM

Theo just brings his normal gear.

USS, 7:28 PM

Ok, so you guys gather to beam down.

USS, 7:28 PM

Azaela is also with you.

USS, 7:29 PM

Your mission will be to make contact with base if possible.  Once that mission is completed, you are tasked to come back aboard.

USS, 7:30 PM

Grax: "I am ordering Dr. Williamson to scan the upper atmosphere, see if she can determine what that smog is made from."

USS, 7:31 PM

Grax: "Commander, you are to report back at the first sign of trouble."

Xho, 7:32 PM

Of course, sir.

Xho, 7:33 PM

Do you feel the base is still there?

USS, 7:34 PM

Grax: "Frankly, I'm skeptical.  But if they are, then we need to investigate.  Not just for our sake, but to learn what they might be doing to help the ecosystem here.  Given the recent discoveries we've made, we could be of service."

Xho, 7:35 PM

If they care enough to wish to fix it.

USS, 7:35 PM

Grax: "True.  Either way, we should reach out."

USS, 7:36 PM

Grax: "Oh, one more thing, take this."

USS, 7:37 PM

Grax hands you a folded cloth.

Xho, 7:37 PM

Xho takes it and inspects it.

USS, 7:37 PM

Unfolding it, you see it's actually very large like a tarp.  And it's marked in arcane runes you recognize as the standard teleportation circle symbol.

USS, 7:38 PM

Grax: "In case Duma can't locate your signal through the smog.  Lay it out and send an emergency broadcast over your comm."

Xho, 7:39 PM

What is the capacity?

USS, 7:40 PM

Grax: "If you can unfold the whole thing, it should be able to get all four of you back on.  It's not ideal, you will need time and space for it to work, but it's the best back-up we can muster."

Xho, 7:41 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 7:41 PM

Understood.

Theo, 7:43 PM

Theo nods.

USS, 7:44 PM

Grax salutes you as you step on the pads.  "Ok, prepare for landing."

Xho, 7:45 PM

Xho salutes back, of course.

USS, 7:46 PM

You guys feel the familiar sparkly tingle and Zoom!  You find yourselves now in the lobby of a casino.  People everywhere are gambling, laughing, smiling, drinking.  Servers of all shapes, sizes and species seem to be bringing chips and drinks around on trays.  Everything seems bright and happy.

Theo, 7:46 PM

I hate this place.

USS, 7:48 PM

A familiar dragonborn comes by, dressed in his violet leisure suit, multi-colored shiny scales adorning his body and standing at 3'6" (you guess Itsy isn't just a play on his name), but now sporting a cigar and some fancy sunglasses.

USS, 7:48 PM

Itsy: "Hey!  Nice to meet you in the flesh.  Just the four of you?  We have plenty of room for your friends."

Xho, 7:49 PM

We felt we should ensure it was conducive to our cultural mores first.

Xho, 7:49 PM

I am glad to meet you, however.

USS, 7:50 PM

Itsy: "Xho, you called yourself right?  Or do you prefer Commander.  Some military types want the title, others find it a bit gauche.  I'm fine calling anyone what they ask me to."

Xho, 7:50 PM

Xho is acceptable. Perhaps you could show us around?

USS, 7:51 PM

Itsy: "Gladly!"

USS, 7:52 PM

Itsy: "This is our main floor, a sampling of everything around here.  As you can see we have slot machines over there."

Theo, 7:52 PM

Theo eyes the machines.

USS, 7:52 PM

As he says that, one player's machine starts dinging and blinking as coins come pouring out on the extremely excited young woman.

Xho, 7:53 PM

Interesting.

USS, 7:53 PM

Itsy: "Well, looks like someone got lucky.  We've got other machines down there too, some poker tables and one that is a virtual dragon dice display.  Very fancy."

USS, 7:53 PM

Itsy begins to walk you around.

Xho, 7:56 PM

Dragon dice?

USS, 7:56 PM

Itsy: "Of course, we also have the real thing as well.  Right over here.  Some poker tables, including some Waterdeep Hold'em.  Black jack.  Baccarat.  And are you familiar with the goblin game Toppo?"

Theo, 7:56 PM

The pirates played that one a lot.

Sage, 7:56 PM

Do you greet everyone personally? Seems like a lot for the owner to do?

USS, 7:57 PM

Itsy: "You roll dice and try to get combinations.  The rarer the combination, the more it pays out.

USS, 7:57 PM

Itsy: "Well, you guys came from such a long way, seemed like the least I could do."

Xho, 7:58 PM

Do you utilize much illusion in your environment?

USS, 7:59 PM

Itsy: "I'm sorry?"

USS, 8:01 PM

Itsy: "We have some to add a bit of shine, if that's what you mean."

Xho, 8:03 PM

I thought perhaps it would save on costs in the long-term and entice people to spend more.

USS, 8:04 PM

Itsy: "...I am sorry, I'm not sure I understand what you're inferring."

Xho, 8:04 PM

Using illusory décor.

USS, 8:04 PM

Itsy: "Ah.  Yes, as I said, we add a bit of shine.  Keep the lights on.  Arcane lighting just shines brighter."

Xho, 8:05 PM

Or allowing new consumers to see someone winning nearly immediately.

Theo, 8:05 PM

Theo wanders off occasionally to check out one of the machiens or another.

USS, 8:05 PM

((Theo, roll investigation))

USS, 8:06 PM

Itsy: "Ah, yes that was fortuitous to me.  But surely my decor speaks for itself, I don't need such tricks."

Sage, 8:06 PM

Sage will look at the food and drink being handed out see what quality or how fresh it appears

USS, 8:07 PM

((Also investigation))

Theo, 8:07 PM

((Meh, 12)

Sage, 8:07 PM

((10 ))

Xho, 8:08 PM

((Clearly the dice are reminding me to get on Roll20.))

USS, 8:08 PM

(( :) ))

USS, 8:09 PM

Itsy: "Ah, I see your friend here knows his foods.  Who'd like to see our bar and restaurant?"

Xho, 8:09 PM

All of us, I think. I am interested.

Theo, 8:09 PM

Sure.

Xho, 8:09 PM

((12 investigation, 13 insight. Maybe I SHOULDN'T have gotten on Roll20! ))

Sage, 8:09 PM

indeed

USS, 8:12 PM

He walks you through a set of doors and you find yourselves in a fairly spacious seeming restaurant.  People are all over and, again, very happy and the decor is quite fancy.  Can I get perception checks?

Sage, 8:13 PM

((9))

Xho, 8:14 PM

Is this the off-season or peak time?

Theo, 8:14 PM

(18=9!)

USS, 8:14 PM

Itsy: "It's been a very good off-season."

USS, 8:16 PM

Sage, you're focused on the dishes going round to see what ideas you can take with you back to the ship.  But Xho and Theo, you both notice that, in the back of the restaurant is the same woman who just won at the slot machine.  Almost to a tee.  Same outfit, same face, hair seems a tiny bit different, but otherwise identical.

Xho, 8:16 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 8:19 PM

Itsy: "Can I get anyone anything?  You guys like seafood?"

Xho, 8:19 PM

Would it be possible to see it without the illusion?

USS, 8:20 PM

Itsy: "If you're not hungry you can just say so.  There's the performance room just next door, that one's my favorite.  I have a rather nice voice if I say so myself.  It's where I got my start."

Xho, 8:22 PM

Ah? Interesting. No, I am just aware my colleague likes to see how the magic is done.

USS, 8:22 PM

Itsy: "...maybe later.  Why don't you play some games in the meantime.  Some free chips on me?"

Theo, 8:23 PM

Sure.

Theo, 8:23 PM

Theo takes any chips he offers.

Xho, 8:24 PM

Is there a map of the facility?

USS, 8:24 PM

Itsy waves a server over.  She's a rather nice looking orcish woman in a very tight-fitting suit.  On the tray are enough chips to register as 1000 gp a piece.

Theo, 8:25 PM

Theo takes a few and eyes them.  "Thanks."

USS, 8:25 PM

Itsy: "There's a directory in the central chamber if you need to get somewhere.  Or just ask me or a server."

USS, 8:25 PM

Itsy: "Well, you kids have fun alright?"

Xho, 8:26 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 8:26 PM

He turns and leaves.

USS, 8:26 PM

The server stays, still holding out the tray.

Theo, 8:26 PM

How's it working here?

Theo, 8:26 PM

Theo looks at the woman.

USS, 8:26 PM

Server: "Very nice, sir."

Theo, 8:27 PM

Theo casts Detect Magic.

Xho, 8:27 PM

Are you a person or a facsimile?

USS, 8:27 PM

Server: "Tee hee, you're so silly."

Sage, 8:27 PM

Sage will pick up a chip ((looking to see what it says on it or any designs))

Xho, 8:28 PM

That is not an answer. Interesting.

USS, 8:29 PM

The chip doesn't seem to have any specific markers on it.  It's red colored and has a 5 in the middle of it.  A blue colored one has a 50 in the middle.

Xho, 8:29 PM

Is any of it real, Mr. Forgewight?

Theo, 8:32 PM

Illusions.

Theo, 8:32 PM

Theo pokes the server with the wand.

USS, 8:33 PM

She is poked.  Her expression does shift.  She looks less pleased now.  "Sir, that's not appropriate."

Theo, 8:34 PM

I wonder when the last time there were any real people here?

Theo, 8:34 PM

…. also what's generating all of this.

Xho, 8:35 PM

Can you see anything of what is beneath it?

Theo, 8:35 PM

Very little.  This person is, as far as I can tell, not real.  Everything that is real is covered in illusion.

Theo, 8:36 PM

Theo offers Xho the Wand of Detect Magic.

Theo, 8:36 PM

Might be a good idea to hold onto that.

Xho, 8:36 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 8:37 PM

Is this our base?

Theo, 8:37 PM

I wouldn't eat the food.

Theo, 8:37 PM

Hard to tell.

Sage, 8:38 PM

So what’s our immediate goal now?

Xho, 8:40 PM

I am not sure. We need to see the real situation. is it possible to dispel the magic?

USS, 8:41 PM

Itsy shows back up at this point.  "Hey, so you had to make a call you said.  I can take you to a phone room, if you want.  Or make a call myself.  Just want to help."

Theo, 8:41 PM

.... how long have you been here?

USS, 8:41 PM

Itsy: "Just doubled back.  Why?  Should I know anything?"

Sage, 8:41 PM

Sage will use divine sense

Theo, 8:42 PM

... no, I mean, here.  On this world.

USS, 8:42 PM

Itsy: "I was born here."

Theo, 8:42 PM

When was the last time anyone was here before us?

Xho, 8:43 PM

((23 Insight on that.))

USS, 8:45 PM

((He is not being wholly honest.  And Xho, with the detect magic wand Theo just handed you, you can see he's illusory as well.))

Xho, 8:45 PM

… you are not even real. What is generating the illusion?

USS, 8:45 PM

Itsy: "...I hate magic."

USS, 8:45 PM

Itsy: "End program."

Theo, 8:45 PM

Well, you're drowning in it.

USS, 8:46 PM

The casino, customers, food everything disappears.  Where there was food, you now see some globs fall from illusory tables and trays to the floor.  You are in a white space covering the floor, walls and ceiling with just Itsy.

USS, 8:47 PM

Itsy: "...if casinos aren't your thing, I can make it a water park.  Or a theater, I am a pretty great song and dance man."

Xho, 8:47 PM

Who are you?

USS, 8:49 PM

Itsy: "Technically speaking I am Bard Program #1219, but I liked Itsiko Sythr.  Means Big Song in celestial."

USS, 8:49 PM

Itsy: "I was the entertainer here when this place was actually a casino."

Sage, 8:49 PM

What happened?

Xho, 8:50 PM

Was the issue related to the atmosphere?

USS, 9:00 PM

Itsy: "Yeah.  Toxic waste.  Leftovers during the height of the manufacturing boon."

Xho, 9:01 PM

Was this our former base? Are you a sentient AI or a nonsentient program? Are there any organic sentients remaining here?

USS, 9:02 PM

Itsy: "Ok, first of all I am not sure how I feel having my sentience called into question here.  Like, does this all sound prerecorded to you?"

Xho, 9:03 PM

Our engineer would likely not have needed to ask the question; I am not an expert, unfortunately.

Theo, 9:04 PM

Spontaneous sapience is not unheard of with advanced AI.

USS, 9:04 PM

Itsy: "Secondly, no.  This was just a casino-slash-restaurant-slash-high end lounge room.  Think I met some guys from your base, though.  Couple of fellas wearing uniforms like hers (points at Azaela) used to come in all the time.  Tipped well, good kids."

Theo, 9:04 PM

Theo is inspecting the walls, trying to find something along the lines of an emitter.

USS, 9:04 PM

Roll me another investigation check, Theo.

Sage, 9:05 PM

How long have you been alone?

Theo, 9:05 PM

(18)

Xho, 9:05 PM

Did they leave or die? Do you wish to stay here?

USS, 9:06 PM

Itsy: "Lastly...I don't think there are anymore.  When the air became toxic, those who could left.  Those who couldn't did their best to keep things going.  I don't know what state your base is in or what happened to them."

USS, 9:07 PM

Itsy: "My internal timepiece broke a long time ago, friend.  No way of knowing how long it's been."

USS, 9:08 PM

Itsy: "My terminal isn't supposed to run eternally, it started breaking down a while back when some folks started living here.  I make good company.  When they left, I thought I'd power down and wait for someone else to come by, but my circuits are so fried, I don't think I'd be able to come back on."

USS, 9:08 PM

Itsy: "So...I've just been...on."

Xho, 9:09 PM

That sounds extremely dangerous. If you would like, our chief engineer could take a look and see if repairs are called for.

Sage, 9:09 PM

How toxic is the air?

Theo, 9:10 PM

I can fix it, easily.  The runic language is elven, pretty similar to what we use.

USS, 9:11 PM

Itsy: "Chemicals out there wouldn't harm you, I think.  But your friends would feel sick within 3 hours of direct contact.  Within half a week...they'd be deader than disco."

Xho, 9:11 PM

What is "disco"?

USS, 9:11 PM

Itsy: "Exactly."

USS, 9:12 PM

Itsy: "If you fix it, I can at least power down.  Get some rest and hope someone will last through to wake me up if and when it all sorts itself out."

Xho, 9:12 PM

If you do not wish to stay here, it is possible we could bring you with us as well, although I would defer to Forgewight and the captain as to whether that would be both possible and acceptable.

Xho, 9:13 PM

It is potentially a good fit. Currently we have only one illusion chamber and that has seemed insufficient for the crew we have at present.

USS, 9:14 PM

Itsy: "I mean...this scene's pretty dead.  I don't think it really fits my vibe anymore."

Theo, 9:15 PM

I'll have to check out the console first.

Xho, 9:15 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 9:17 PM

Itsy: "That's in the basement.  I haven't been down there in a while."

Xho, 9:17 PM

Please allow us to check your console first.

Xho, 9:18 PM

He is the most qualified individual on the ship, and that way if something goes wrong you will not be in such a precarious position.

Theo, 9:18 PM

Can you lead us down there?

USS, 9:19 PM

Itsy: "I can show you to the basement, but I can't go down there with you.  No means to project myself outside this room."

USS, 9:20 PM

Itsy: "Word of warning, I think some rats may have gotten in.  We used to get pests and now there was no way to keep them out."

USS, 9:21 PM

Itsy: "This is really kind of you."

USS, 9:22 PM

Itsy: "Super swell.  Follow me."

Xho, 9:22 PM

Xho follows him.

USS, 9:24 PM

He opens up a panel and pushes it aside.  Underneath you see some concrete steps leading down and some faint flickering lights.

Xho, 9:25 PM

Xho has security go first and then follows.

Sage, 9:25 PM

Sage heads down

USS, 9:26 PM

Azaela does not see anything.

USS, 9:26 PM

She waves you in.

Theo, 9:26 PM

Theo goes toward the lights!

Xho, 9:26 PM

Xho follows.

USS, 9:28 PM

Azaela goes to secure the perimeter when all of you hear a low grumbling sound.

Xho, 9:28 PM

Xho looks around to try to find the source of the noise.

USS, 9:30 PM

Looking around, you see a tentacle swish past and out of sight.  Following the sight of that, you see a large hide, big toothy maw and two other similar tentacles.  You recognize this as a creature capable of thriving in a hazardous, toxic environment...an otyugh.

USS, 9:32 PM

Roll for initiative.

Xho, 9:32 PM

((8!))

Sage, 9:32 PM

((9))

USS, 9:33 PM

Theo you still with us?

Theo, 9:33 PM

(Yeah, sorry.))

Theo, 9:33 PM

(19)

USS, 9:34 PM

Theo, you go first.

Theo, 9:35 PM

Ugh.  The smell.

Theo, 9:35 PM

Theo sets out a small Turret with lil spider-legs.

Theo, 9:36 PM

(That's what I got for now.)

USS, 9:37 PM

The otyugh stands between you and what Theo recognizes as the terminal in a defensive position.  You see that behind him is a pile of the goop that was serving as the food beneath the illusion.

Theo, 9:37 PM

Glad I didn't eat anything.

USS, 9:38 PM

Then, a voice appears in your head.  "NO TAKE!  MINE!"

USS, 9:39 PM

Sage.  It's your turn.

Xho, 9:40 PM

((Are otyughs normally capable of using language?))

USS, 9:41 PM

((...uh...roll me a...nature or history check?))

Sage, 9:42 PM

Sage will cast bless on Azalaea, Theo and Xho and move into melee with the creature drawing the rolling pin out

Xho, 9:42 PM

((22!))

Sage, 9:43 PM

((That's it))

USS, 9:45 PM

Xho.  You are up.

Xho, 9:46 PM

Xho gets ready to do... something, if  the thing attacks, but doesn't attack it quite yet. "Otyughs normally do not speak common. We do not intend to take anything at this time; what here is yours that you wish to keep?"

USS, 9:47 PM

Ok, that brings us back to Theo.

USS, 9:49 PM

Unless people plan to attack or move past, I will say initiative is currently broken.

USS, 9:49 PM

The otyugh is now looking at Xho, confused.

USS, 9:49 PM

"LIES!  WANT!  TAKE!"

Xho, 9:51 PM

I am not lying. We want to mend a piece of broken machinery in this room. Is that what you consider yours?

USS, 9:52 PM

Otyugh: "BIG SHINY!  NO FOOD!"

Xho, 9:52 PM

… I am not sure I follow.

Sage, 9:52 PM

do you want food?

Xho, 9:52 PM

Xho gestures at the console. "Is that the object you are concerned about?"

Theo, 9:52 PM

(Sorry, internet went out.)

USS, 9:53 PM

Otyugh: "FOOD!"

USS, 9:53 PM

Otyugh: "TRADE?"

Theo, 9:54 PM

We can trade food for the big shiny?

USS, 9:54 PM

Otyugh: "MAYBE!  HAS FOOD?"

Xho, 9:55 PM

Sage, do you?

Xho, 9:55 PM

... have you always been an otyugh?

Theo, 9:55 PM

I have a candy bar.

USS, 9:56 PM

Otyugh: "...what otyugh?"

Xho, 9:56 PM

The form you are currently in.

Sage, 9:57 PM

Sage will pull out all the baked goods in the stove and some fruit and some jerky

USS, 9:57 PM

Otyugh: "FOOD!"

Xho, 9:57 PM

Have you ever looked more like us?

USS, 9:58 PM

Otyugh: "MAYBE LIKE HIM."

USS, 9:58 PM

It flicks a tentacle at Theo.

USS, 9:58 PM

It uses another tentacle to grab all the food Sage dropped.

Theo, 9:58 PM

Theo blinks, and casts Detect Magic.

Xho, 9:59 PM

... perhaps a magical effect of the toxic atmosphere?

Theo, 10:00 PM

I think that the sludge has caused some uncontrolled polymorphing.

Theo, 10:00 PM

Theo indicates the sludge.  "Don't touch that."

USS, 10:01 PM

The otyugh begins to shuffle away with its prize.

Xho, 10:01 PM

Wait one moment, please.

Xho, 10:01 PM

Do you think there's a way to change him back, Doctor?

USS, 10:02 PM

It stops and turns back to you guys

Theo, 10:02 PM

This isn't my area.  Maybe?

Xho, 10:03 PM

I will call the cleric.

Xho, 10:03 PM

Xho hails the captain and tries to explain the situation to him first, though.

Xho, 10:04 PM

Xho also tells the otyugh she is going to bring it more food.

USS, 10:04 PM

Grax: "If we can salvage the terminal and set it up, it's possible this "Itsy" will be of great help."

USS, 10:05 PM

Otyugh: "FOOD!"

Theo, 10:05 PM

Theo offers a candy bar.  "What is your name?"

Xho, 10:06 PM

There is also an abnormal otyugh who may be a polymorphed humanoid, sir. I would like to bring personnel to try to dispel it, or at least determine with certainty whether it is an otyugh or  not.

USS, 10:06 PM

Grax: "Is the creature a potential threat?"

Xho, 10:08 PM

Not at present.

Xho, 10:08 PM

If transformed back it too may be of assistance, however.

Xho, 10:08 PM

Also, it would like more food.

Sage, 10:08 PM

doesn't seem to be, as long as we provoid food

USS, 10:08 PM

Grax: "...I can send more food."

USS, 10:08 PM

Grax: "And some additional security."

Theo, 10:08 PM

I get the feeling that it's been forced to subsist on this sludge, which has caused its transmutation.

Xho, 10:10 PM

Are Williamson or Von Kemp available?

USS, 10:11 PM

Grax: "We'll send down someone to convey results to Williamson.  I'd rather keep other essential staff onboard for now."

Xho, 10:13 PM

Yes, sir.

USS, 10:13 PM

Otyugh: "More food!"

Xho, 10:14 PM

Yes. More food.

Xho, 10:14 PM

And we will try to help you.

Theo, 10:14 PM

It's coming.

USS, 10:14 PM

Otyugh: "...food not help?"

Xho, 10:15 PM

Excellent point. Food is help. Crafter, start working on the console.

Theo, 10:15 PM

Theo nods.  ".... mind if I get over there, big guy?"

Xho, 10:16 PM

It's possible this is our personnel.

USS, 10:16 PM

Otyugh moves aside.  "Not food.  Is warm.  No need warm."

Theo, 10:17 PM

Theo makes his way over to take stock of the console.

USS, 10:18 PM

Eventually the ground team arrives with some fresh baked rolls (like...a whole lot of them) and Von Kemp.

USS, 10:18 PM

Von Kemp: "Ah, hyello z'ere.  How is being?"

Xho, 10:19 PM

Excellent.

Xho, 10:19 PM

Xho will take a roll herself as well. Proof of good faith.

Xho, 10:19 PM

This otyugh may or may not be a polymorphed humanoid.

Xho, 10:19 PM

It speaks Common.

USS, 10:19 PM

The otyugh takes the rest of the rolls.

USS, 10:20 PM

Von Kemp: "Hrm.  Otyugh no speak languages of humanoid sentients.  Is strange."

USS, 10:20 PM

Von Kemp: "If like True Polymorph, I can fix."

Xho, 10:21 PM

Uncertain. It may be due to the toxic sludge in the region.

USS, 10:21 PM

Von Kemp: "In that case...that would be problem."

Theo, 10:21 PM

Theo nods.

USS, 10:22 PM

The otyugh sees the roll in Xho's hand and is looking expectant.

Xho, 10:22 PM

Xho gives the rest of it to the otyugh.

USS, 10:22 PM

It eats it happily.

Xho, 10:23 PM

Are there others like you here?

USS, 10:23 PM

The otyugh nods.  "Pack."

Xho, 10:24 PM

Do they all speak common? This language we're speaking now.

USS, 10:25 PM

Otyugh nods.  "Plan.  Talk.  Hunt."

Xho, 10:25 PM

What do you normally hunt?

USS, 10:26 PM

Otyugh: "Monsters!"

Xho, 10:26 PM

What do the monsters look like?

USS, 10:26 PM

Otyugh: "MONSTERS!"

Xho, 10:27 PM

... fair.

Xho, 10:27 PM

Xho looks to Von Kemp. "See what can be done, please."

USS, 10:28 PM

Von Kemp nods.  "Ok Otyugh.  Sit heyre very still please, yes?"

USS, 10:31 PM

Von Kemp arranges the ritual in a little alcove and you watch as he takes the otyugh off with him to the side.  About ten minutes pass and there's a flash.  And then Von Kemp exits the alcove, blushing.

USS, 10:31 PM

Von Kemp: "Anyone be having uh...clothes, yes?"

Xho, 10:32 PM

Xho strips off her outer shirt, leaving just an undershirt, and tosses it to him.

Theo, 10:32 PM

Theo is elbow deep in the console.

USS, 10:33 PM

Von Kemp runs off and returns with a halfling woman wearing Xho's undershirt.

Xho, 10:33 PM

((Nah, she's wearing the uniform shirt, Xho is just in the undershirt and pants now.))

Xho, 10:33 PM

Hello.

USS, 10:33 PM

((Sorry, means overshirt))

USS, 10:35 PM

The halfling composes herself best she can and gives a small salute back.  "Officer Saelle Redthorn of off-plane base Hephaestus, Commander."

Xho, 10:36 PM

Is this Hephaestus? Can you tell me what happened here?

USS, 10:40 PM

Saelle: "We were attempting to advise on reduction of waste in the face of the ongoing atmospheric crisis.  When it became clear that our aid was not being accepted by the governments, we evacuated all non-essential personnel from the base.  I was one of twenty to stay behind with Commander Ugnavi in an attempt to evacuate civilians as toxicity levels grew.  During the process, the chemicals eroded the support structure to the base and both the portal off-plane and the crew were lost.  ...the next few decades between then and now are kind of a blur, Commander."

Xho, 10:41 PM

You spent them as an otyugh, apparently. Where are the other otyugh?

USS, 10:42 PM

Saelle: "...uncertain, but I think to the southwest.  ...I do remember a great hold for catching dire rats to eat about a click from there."

Xho, 10:43 PM

Do you know how many there are?

USS, 10:44 PM

Saelle: "Uh...four or five, I think."

Xho, 10:44 PM

Xho eyes Von Kemp.

Xho, 10:44 PM

"You may need more personnel. And some clothing or perhaps blankets."

Sage, 10:45 PM

And more food to negotiate with

Xho, 10:46 PM

An excellent point.

Xho, 10:46 PM

Xho contacts the captain again to explain the situation!

USS, 10:46 PM

Grax: "We pick up too many more passengers and I'll begin to worry about spacing."

Xho, 10:47 PM

There is precedent for doubling up temporarily when needed, sir.

USS, 10:49 PM

Grax: "We'll send more food.  First, send up Theo with the terminal.  You don't need an engineer and I think decontamination will go better in stages."

Xho, 10:49 PM

Yes, sir.