New Unique Ship Challenge

SHIP: "Queststar", modified Varan owned Lamprey Ship
MODIFICATIONS: Psi-Helm (drains all PSP's as a major helm drains spells), Vane of Location.  A
pair of bladed skids have been added to the under-hull to allow for ground landings.  The hull has
also been reinforced to allow water landings.  The modifications were purchased from tinker gnomes
and have actually worked out quite nicely.  The crew is usually quite about their dealings with the
gnomes since that fact usually drives beings who are dubious to begin with about the Illithids
theories over the edge.  "Well, if they consort with gnomes, they MUST be insane!"
MISSION: Saizeieil and Niathdainan are sages seeking to verify their theory of the Phlogiston.  In
it's simplest form the theory is: The Phlogiston is actually a large (galaxy sized) nebula or cloud that
contains many more crystal spheres than is commonly believed.  The theory further states that the
Phlogiston is disk shaped, spins and has a harmonic resonance that allows (or actually IS) magic.
Outside this disk shaped nebula, conditions are more like wildspace and magic does not exist.
CREW: Saizeieil (Illithid, LN; replace Body Equilibrium with Sensitivity to Psychic Impressions)
All three of the ships illithids have resolved to not return to the elder brain and have adapted a more
pragmatic relationship with their Varan allies, seeing them as (near) equal sentients instead of cattle.
Niathdainan (Illithid, LN; replace Body Equilibrium with Heightened Senses)  Having had dealings
with Neogi to obtain exploration permission in the Fringe, Niathdainan sports several body piercings
between the tentacles that were customary when closing a deal.  Dakis has acquired a couple also
from equipment deals.
Zainedias (Illithid, LN(G); replace Body Equilibrium with Cell Adjustment)  Zainedias has joined the
crew due to their similar alignment and the desire to be with other like-minded Illithids.  He has a
very un-illithid view of other races, seeing the potential and beauty in each.  His contribution to the
ship when joining was a Vane of Location.
Althas (Psionicist 4/h,Varan (human)/f) She is quite loyal to Zainedias and is essentially his student.
She specializes in healing psychometabolic psionics.  Many think the human crew are charmed
slaves, but Althas denies and resents this.
Dakis (F5/Varan/m Myrmidon kit) Dakis shares the Illithids views of the universe, but would have
never made it as a scholar.  Instead, he has taken up the role of body guard and diplomatic go
between.  When races hostile to Illithids are encountered, they stay below deck and he assumes the
role of captain for the encounter.  His employers (Saizeieil and Niathdainan) has located a rare
Gemsword for him in reward for his loyal service.  He seeks to have the gems recharged every time
an Arcane is encountered.
Orrask (T5/Varan/m Salvager kit) Orrask fancies himself an archeologist.  He is also something of a
con artist when the situation demands.  He conducts much of the ships trading and buying at ports
and makes sure that non-theory related items found at ruins are not over looked.  He has a bit of
crush on Althas, but she is too aloof to acknowledge his advances.
Ramdikis (Div 6/h/m Academician kit)  Quite old and beginning to loose his mental edge, Ramdikis
is coming to grips that he will not live to see his lifes' work validated.  He is as clever with his spell
use as ever, but finds exploring ruins to be more difficult with each year.  He has imbibed several
potions of Longevity and does not wish to further push his luck.  He has an assortment of potions
and a scroll of Create Minor Helm that he keeps in case of an emergency.
Rathar (Psi 6/Varan/m) Although he subscribes to the flow theory, his main motivation for being
aboard is to learn psionics from the Illithids.  His path (choice of devotions/sciences) is following
that of a standard illithid.  He secretly hopes to gain their confidence enough to actually be taught
the dreaded Mind Blast attack mode.  He is unaware that only true illithids can master this deadly
burst of mental power.  He and Althas do not get along well, but keep a professional air about their
work and training.
Iyksaais (Psi 2/Lizardman/f)  Signed on as an extra spelljammer (not much demand for a pscionicist
on most ships) and to see as much of the universe as possible.  She feels that this ship was the best
option for the latter.  Being infertile, she saw little value in remaining with her people who view her
as an abomination.  She is researching (using the ships resources) a pscioinicist version of the
Spelljammer non-weapon proficiency.  She research is far from fruition (if at all possible).
CARGO: The cargo space has been converted to a library and research laboratory.  Many references
to various theories about the multiverse can be found there.  There is even a strange crystal and
bronze magical device that appears to contain a mist that looks like the Phlogiston.  The Illithids do
not talk about it and neither deny nor confirm if it really does contain a bit of the flow even in wild
space.  If the price is right (very high), the illithids might consider allowing mages to conduct
research using their facilities for a few weeks.  This is very rarely done, but provides extra income
when large sums are needed.  Few also are willing to work for a prolonged period in the presence of
the watchful illithids.

Terry
TLHawk@???-??.org