Journey to the Center

"Journey to the Center" is episode 72 of SuperQuest Saga. The path has been set. The party sets off toward the Center of the Galaxy where The Crawling Chaos and the unknown lie in wait.

## Synopsis

### Introduction

* Will Stark shall be your icosahedral dungeon master for this evening.
* Josh Freeland is playing Sebastian Crenshaw, level 15 paladin.
* Your Special Guest Jake is playing Persephone Goldpetal the firbolg druid.
* Brian is a level 13 wizard, level 2 rogue.

### Recap

Last time a lot of shit happened. The party had an audience with the Nova Kings who wanted know what the fuck is going on. Everyone was introduced with a lot of cool titles except for Echo who did not reveal any of his. The Nova Kings needed time to discuss what they heard so the party had some time to kill while they waited for an answer. Echo met Lieutenant Vermilion who proceeded to educate him on dragonforged ships and gave him some dope armor. Percy met with some old friends on the soulscape and got three legendary new forms. Sebastian swore a new oath to Primina, got some new duds, and is a paladin again. The Nova Kings have decided that the Draconic Star fleet along with the Grand Coalition will accompany the party. Carter had an experience.

### Level Up!

Sebastian is a level 15 paladin, Oath of the Guardian. He has 166 HP total and has taken the Shield Master feat.

Persephone is a level 15 druid. She has 96 HP total and has access to level 8 spells and CR5 Wild Shapes.

Echo took silver-white dragoon armor upgrades. He’s incorporated the new armor upgrade into his nanotech which grants +1 to AC, +2 to melee damage, his sword damage is now cold and magical, the armor has 3 ability charges per day to use Counter Burst. While his Bladesong is activated, he gains a flying speed of 40-ft with hover. Echo’s AC is now 20 (25 with Bladesong and 30 with Shield). He identified the piece of tech that was taken from The Logician and incorporated it into his armor as well. It’s a Mastery AI component that passively optimizes his actions so he gets a +1 to his proficiency bonus. He has 124 HP.

### Anime Friendship

The 24 hours after Lightsong and Brightwind bring the message about the Nova King’s decision is a chaotic and frantic one as the staff of *The Chronepsis Zero* and the citizens of Triumvirate ready for the mass launch.

Echo, Primina, Sebastian, and Watt have taken up Persephone on her offer to conjure some therapy dogs for their last night. She conjures up twelve large dogs for them to hang out with and Sebastian orders smoothies as they watch old Blood Gala Tournament footage. Echo pauses the footage when they get to Splak and asks how he’s doing his magic. Echo then goes outside to try to break dance. At some point, Echo tries to peek into the Nova King’s spas, but no one is there. The three of them show off their new abilities and armor to their teammates. Everyone has a white/silver/blue color theme going on.

### Independence Day

The hour of the scheduled launch arrives. The entire host of the D.S.S., the U.F.S.S., and the Goblinoid Republic ships that were sent to Arvandor all hover in formation. 100,000 ships are ready to launch with 50,000 staying in reserves to temporarily occupy Arvandor airspace.

*Victory’s Ascent* along with Lightsong, Brightwind, Lieutenant Vermilion and his Crimson Wings, and many others fly at the back of the fortress ship herself. As the time draws nigh an intercom link comes into the *Victory’s Ascent* system. The audio signal of the Nova Kings plays through the ship’s P.A. system.

*“In less than an hour the Grand Coalition fleet, a fleet made up of military forces from around the entire galaxy, will set forth on the most important expedition in written history. Emperor Solastaren has set himself to gaining power over an ancient weapon of unparalleled might, and in doing so will inevitably let loose an entity much worse. This entity has no interest in ruling or conquering the peoples of this galaxy; its only interest is an all-encompassing destruction. No known power or being in existence will be able to stand against this monster of the outer dark should it converge upon our reality.

So once again we are called to war. Not to fight against tyranny, oppression or persecution- but against annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live, to exist. And should we win the day, this war will not be remembered as the culmination tension between two petty nations but as the day the galaxy declared in one voice:

We will not go quietly into the night!
We will not vanish without a fight!
We’re going to live on!
We’re going to survive!

Today, by the powers invested in us, we rename this Grand Coalition. Our children and theirs after will remember us as The United Galactic Resistance and celebrate this day into the next age!”*

The psionic roars of approval from tens of thousands of dragons can be heard as stellar and pulsar dragons let loose radiant laser breaths as a grand applause. The fleet sets forth with their first jump on the journey.

The journey to the central region of the galaxy will take roughly twelve days; coordinating Aether-jumps with so many ships takes an expert level of logistical precision.

### Twelve Days

On the journey, Echo avoids playing space chess with Watt. “I don’t understand why he doesn’t want to play anymore!” Watt says Echo is the best player he has ever played, and beaten, by the way. Persephone thinks that attitude might be why Echo is avoiding Watt. “Well if he’s going to be a sore loser like that, maybe I don’t want to play with him then!” Percy tells Watt that now is not the time for the crew to splinter. Primina offers to play with Watt instead.

Sebastian takes time to find Echo and Persephone separately to thank them for everything and apologize for what everyone has gone to. He’s ready to take everything head on.

Persephone tries to make the most of the time they have together and keep things light. She organizes a lot of home movie nights, therapy dog time, and offers to be there to spar or talk if anyone needs to get anything off their chest. She tells Sebastian there’s no need to apologize, they’re here together as a family and they’re going to save the galaxy. They’ll kick the nasty darkness back into the dark and live to tell the tale. “We’re not gonna say goodbye cuz no one’s gonna die.”

Echo spends time really weighing what matters to him and making the most of the time they have left, like Persephone. He spends time meditating and getting his mind right and cleansed for what comes next. He tells himself he’s going to need to be at his best; he can’t have these things weighing him down, they’re anchors, so it’s time to let things go. On day five he cracks and plays space chess with Watt. Echo’s heart is just not in it and Watt beats him soundly. Echo wants to go one more round, but loses again. Echo flips the table, but quickly apologizes and casts Prestidigitation to clean up. Sebastian comes by and puts a quarter on the table to reserve the next game. Watt goes easy on Seb, but still beats him. Some of Persephone’s dogs also play space chess.

Primina really deeply enjoys the quality time together, but there are a lot of moments where she keeps to herself in a quiet contemplation. She doesn’t seem to be in a dark mood, but she’s in a somber and thoughtful mood. Echo understands exactly what she’s going through.

Persephone takes some time to weave her spells and Songs to create a terrarium in a common area of the ship as a memorial for Victoria.

Echo makes everyone friendship bracelets; they’re leather and adjustable with lettered beads spelling out “Victory’s Hand.” He tells the group that they’re a team; they’re more than a team, they’re family; and they’re more than family, they’re friends.

Once the fleet reaches the central region of the galaxy, travel speed slows down even further. The treacherous clusters of super black holes makes Aether-jump plotting a nightmare. That paired with sending out a constant flow of scouts to detect possible hostiles brings the journey to a snail’s pace. Every day one or two scouts fail to return to the main fleet despite all the care and prudence they are taking. On the third day in the central region an entire battalion is lost as their navigator misplots them too close to a black hole and they are lost beyond the event horizon. But slowly and surely the United Galactic Resistance’s fleet jumps through the interstellar minefield of the central region, and on the fifth day they prepare for the final jump.

The mood becomes more grim as time passes. Three waves of scouts have been sent on the final jump and none have returned, even hours after the scheduled meet up time. Navigators have checked, double checked, and triple checked calculations dozens of times over and have unanimously agreed that their calculations are correct. They’re not sending the troops into a black hole beyond an event horizon, they’re just not coming back.

Eventually, the Nova Kings call the fleet to ready for the final jump. “We will be commencing the final jump in t-minus 10 minutes. I’d advise everyone to expect the worst. Consider any elven or illithid ship hostile and fire at will. The plan is to cover *Victory’s Ascent* as they make their way to the access point and open the way forward. Afterward, those clear to escort *Victory’s Ascent* will follow as all remaining forces defend the gate and prevent enemy entry.”

Persephone casts Heroe’s Feast. She creates Arcadian food for Echo, has some Old World recipes for herself and Sebastian, Watt eats doritos and mountain dew. Primina asks for one more shot at ice cream and Persephone has rainbow sherbet flavor. Prim loves it.

The timer counts down from ten as everyone prepares to jump simultaneously.

"10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1–"

Through their psionic link, all crew members reel in pain as Sebastian is stabbed by four attacks from behind as The Ambuscade appears. The entire fleet, without *Victory’s Ascent*, jumps in a flash.

### It’s The Ambuscade. It’s What He Does.

Echo turns around and jumps out of his console as he casts Hold Monster on The Ambuscade, but the spell has no effect. He puts out his hand and his armor warps onto his body in a spark, then he activates his Bladesong. The Ambuscade’s robotic body begins to whirr as it powers up; sections of his armor in the shape of short swords fly off his body and creates a wall of blades that divides the room into two, trapping Sebastian on one side with him. Primina rushes to disengage the tank and as it drains and lowers she transforms into her half-dragon form. Sebastian is pissed and pulls out his sword to attack The Ambuscade; one attack hits and Sebastian imbues the attack with a third level Divine Smite. The Ambuscade resists the fire damage from Seb’s sword. Watt is no good in a fight so he rushes out of the way to hide. Persephone raises her staff, which now has the Orb of Thalassia installed where the moonstone was, and casts Grasping Vine. She channels the energy then slams the staff down onto the floor of the ship, a root comes from the bottom of the staff and rushes towards The Ambuscade. The root grabs him by the leg and pulls The Ambuscade 20-ft towards Percy through his blade wall, though he manages to avoid damage. Percy casts Primal Savagery on herself and lashes out at The Ambuscade, but misses.

Echo moves in to flank The Ambuscade and attacks with his sword; both attacks hit but The Ambuscade resists his cold damage. The Ambuscade’s body begins to hum and, in a whirlwind, he moves 40-ft to slash through Primina, Echo, and Persephone before landing on the far side of the room using his Swath of Destruction. Primina takes full damage and is knocked prone, but Echo and Persephone manage to dodge some of the damage. The Ambuscade goes invisible. Primina stands up and readies an action to attack as soon as she can. Sebastian uses Lay on Hands to heal himself and readies an attack if The Ambuscade appears on his side of the blades. Watt continues hiding. Persephone casts Faerie Fire in the area she last saw The Ambuscade, but the spell does not reveal anything. Her Grasping Vine disappears.

Echo backs up against the wall next to Percy and whistles as he casts Faithful Hound. He tells Percy he’s putting his invisible good boy out there and she asks why he didn’t bring the dog out when she conjured all the other dogs in the ship. Echo tries to look for The Ambuscade and doesn’t see anything. The Ambuscade appears diagonally behind Persephone and unleashes six attacks on her back. All six strikes hit her, dealing massive damage. Primina’s readied action pops off and she charges in with her claws, horn, and bite. Her claws and bite miss, and The Ambuscade parries her horn attack. Sebastian successfully makes it through the blade wall, taking half damage as he crosses over to the other side. He charges his blade with a Branding Smite and attacks The Ambuscade. On the first hit, Branding Smite’s radiant damage lights up The Ambuscade so he cannot turn invisible again. Sebastian uses a Divine Smite when he hits with his second attack and brings The Ambuscade down to bloodied. Persephone tells everyone to give her some space and she points the Orb of Thalassia at The Ambuscade. She rotates the orb and casts Watery Sphere, but The Ambuscade is not hindered by it. Persephone puts her hand into the Watery Sphere and Wild Shapes into her Water Elemental form, slipping inside to occupy the same space as The Ambuscade.

Echo swaps his damage type to force, hovers above his Faithful Hound and casts Lightning Lure, but The Ambuscade avoids the attack. Echo fires his gun on the Freelancer instead, shooting where his butt would be and dealing damage to Percy in the process. The Ambuscade uses his Swath of Destruction again, hitting everyone and landing behind Echo and his Faithful Hound. Echo and Persephone manage to avoid some damage, but Prim and Sebastian are knocked prone. Primina is now bloodied. Echo uses a Song of Defense to absorb some of the damage he took. Primina stands and charges The Ambuscade with her triple attack, but doesn’t land any hits. Sebastian stands and uses the Needler to cast Magic Missile and hits The Ambuscade. Persephone dismisses her Watery Sphere and tries to roll up on The Ambuscade in her octopus Elemental form. She tries to slam The Ambuscade with her tentacles, but misses.

Echo’s Faithful Hound attempts to bite The Ambuscade since he is within reach and does a good hit. Echo attacks with his swords from in the air and The Ambuscade parries the first attack. Echo uses the momentum of the parry to do a front flip and deal a critical strike, downing their foe. The Ambuscade’s body starts beeping.

### Chaos

Primina tells the party to put the body in the tank, there’s an ejection option there. Echo calls up a visual of the outside of the ship and fires his gun at the floor, opening a portal using the Arcane Gate spell in an attempt to suck the body out into the vacuum of space. Watt can’t hold on and starts flying towards the portal, Persephone manages to catch him by the foot with one of her tentacles. Echo closes the portal quickly and it takes a few seconds for the cabin to regain pressure. After a minute passes, they see the explosion outside.

Persephone changes back to her firbolg firm and says she had planned to absorb the blast in her Water Elemental body, but Echo’s idea was more cool. Primina adds that it was more dangerous as well. Percy thinks it all worked out well, and now they only have Gil left to fight.

Sebastian uses Lay on Hands to heal Primina a bit. Persephone casts Aura of Vitality to bring Primina and herself up to full health, and gives Sebastian a little extra as well. Watt fires up the ship and prepares the A-Reactor for the jump. Primina gets back into the central tank, everyone else gets back into position. They’re a little banged up but they’re ready to go. They jump to the final destination and into pure chaos.

A blinding, swirling quasar lights up the starscape in this new location from a great distance, casting light on two major scenes. One is a chaotic and massive star battle: illithid, elven, and resistance. Elven dreadnaughts let loose iridescent light beams that slice dozens of ships in half. Illithid nautiloids crush dragon and elven ships alike in gargantuan, writhing tentacles. Draconic breath vaporizes waves of fighter ships. The second thing basking in the gaunt quasar light is a planet-sized Lovecraftian monstrosity. Not alive, but seemingly petrified and made entirely of black Umbrium; like a disgusting, frozen starfish with a thousand arms trying to embrace and crush all things.

## Characters

### The Party

* Sebastian Crenshaw: a half-orc paladin. Ready to record his metal albums.
* Persephone Goldpetal: an albino firbolg druid. Ready to be done with these robots.
* Codename: Echo: an elf wizard/rogue. Ready to team up with Spak of the Yard for the next Blood Gala.

### NPCs

* Lightsong and Brightwind: two stellar dragon siblings, good friends of the party.
* The Nova Kings: three massive gold dragons, the only known Nova Dragons. Triarchy of The Draconic Star Sovereignty.
* Primina: a genetically engineered young woman. The MacGuffin. Also a dragon.
* Watt Wainwright: an elderly gnome who just wants to play space chess against a formidable opponent.
* The Ambuscade: a warforged. The penultimate Freelancer. Not very chatty.

## Trivia

### Out of Character

* Freeland wanted a unique oath for Sebastian since he’d been through so much on his journey that the oath options in the sourcebooks did not fit him. William and Freeland worked together to homebrew the Oath of the Guardian.
* Persephone’s new forms are based on Special Guest Jake’s favorite Pokemon, Rapidash, and William’s favorite Pokemon, Luxray.
* The Mastery AI component is a re-flavored Mastery Ioun Stone.
* William hides a Deck of Many Things in each of his campaigns, the one in this campaign was hidden in the books in The Library of Ancients.
* The Ambuscade is a souped up marelith stat block

### World Building

* Victory’s Hand is the party's team name.
* The Ambuscade has been hiding in *Victory’s Ascent* since the collapse of the Library of Ancients. He ran straight to the ship after he killed The Logician.
* Echo’s Faithful Hound looks like a komodo dragon

### Dice Breakdown

#### Nat 20's (2 total)

* Brian (Dexterity Save)
* Brian (Attack)

#### Nat 1's (2 total)

* William (Attack as Prim)
* William (Attack as Prim)