Off to Doomspace

After defeating Gargenhale's mutinous crew, we made our way to the brig. There, in the two cells were two elves, one female and one male. The female, dressed in fine clothing, carries herself with the air of nobility. The male, upon espying who has come to the rescue, quickly changes form to a freckled, ginger female. Jade, startled by the sudden transformation pointed out that she had heard stories of beings that are capable of changing their form and appearance at will. Upon saying that, the creature then transforms into the likeness of Jade. Not a great idea, Jade takes offense, but the creature reaches through the bars and casts a Cure Wounds spell on Jade, healing some of the battle wounds from the previous fight which lightens the mood.
 
Meanwhile, Gargenhale introduced the other prisoner as Princess Tia of the Xaryxian Empire. Eeblock, being a bit suspicious at someone so important being captured by somewhat that has shown himself to be, not all that competent, inquires with the princess as to how she was captured. Tia proceeds to give us a quick family history, she is the eldest child and heir to the throne of the empire, but her brother Tim, usurped her title and made arrangements to have the princess delivered to our world where she would perish along with the rest of the inhabitants. At the mention of the name Tim, Thomas interrupts asks for clarification on the name to ensure he heard her correctly. It turns out, Tia's brother and the king's advisor is one and the same. She gives us the reasoning as to why Tim is draining our world's energy, and her objection to this course of action is what caused Tim to seize control of the Navy and follow his own wishes. Tia states that if we can get her to our world, she can perform a ritual to stop the destruction once and for all. However, she advises that we will need allies to help break the blockade around our world and hopefully, convince at least some of the Navy to join her side.
 
After releasing Tia from the brig, the changeling requests rescue as well. She proceeds to tell us her name is Valana and she was captured by Gargenhale when he pirated another ship. Valana had been working as the entertainment and the captured ship and was permitted to perform the same duties on the Last Breath, at least until she sang a song Gargenhale didn't like. He sent her to the brig for that and she has been there since. Thomas offers her to join the crew of the Moon Dancer in return for freeing her from Gargenhale.
 
Upon returning to the Moon Dancer, introductions are made and Tia's story is relayed. Krux happily exclaims that the reason we are heading to Doomspace is to meet with his friend Warwick Balstimoff. Blastimoff has been working in Doomspace to form a coalition of the various factions hiding out in Doomspace. His goal is to have a force that can make coordinated and effective assaults against the Empire ships. Krux indicates the last time he had contact with Blastimoff, he was on the moon of Aruun and that is where we should plot our course. To get to Doomspace, we need to navigate the Astral Sea for a period of 3 weeks. During that time, Eeblock works on mending the Last Breath. Tia and Valana get more familiar with the party and crew. Valana discloses that when they take the form of a male, that their name changes to Valanar and the best way to address them is as they or them rather than he or she or him or her. That way, keeping track of what gender is being presented won't matter. Thomas spends much of his time trying to learn more about Spelljamming from Topolah as well as gather as much information as possible from Krux about Blastimoff.
 
When we eventually arrive at the moon of Aruun, the rock's surface is thick jungle, presenting no place for the Moon Dancer to land. Krux requests Harry lower the ladder and he proceeds to descend towards the planet. Thomas follows along, eager to be back in a lush, forested area and the rest of the party, including Valana, follows. Just as the last party member touches the ground, a gunfire blast is heard and a Gif - Warwick Blastimoff - bursts through the jungle into the small clearing. He immediately states it is time to go and heads directly towards the ladder. In close pursuit of Blastimoff were several starfish like creatures, sending volleys of radiant energy in the direction of Krux and the party. Knowing they would be sitting ducks and easily picked off by the creatures if they simply tried to ascend the ladder, the party decides to fight. These creatures have extremely long tongues and are able to use them to grasp their enemies and drag them closer. Both Krux and Blastimoff are caught this way, but the battle savvy party were able to make relatively quick work of the the assailants. Unfortunately, that wasn't the last of the troubles. Two large, bullet shaped creatures emerge from the earth and quickly knock both Krux and Valana unconscious. A short battle ensues in which one of the creatures is slain and the party manages to escape to the Moon Dancer after heavily wounding the second creature.
 
Blastimoff relates his tale of how his efforts to unite the warring factions into a single, coalition have failed. However, there is one person - Vocath - whom all the factions purchase weaponry and war machines from. Vocath is a Mercana and has taken up residence on one of the nine moons of En. He has humbly named this moon after himself. Blastimoff suggests that we may be able to muster a fleet with the assistance of Vocath as he is owed favors from all of the various factions. Having little to no other choice, a course is set to Vocath.
 
Upon arrival, the Moon Dancer docks and is immediately hailed by a guard inquiring as to our business. Thomas relays that they have business with Vocath at Blastimoff's recommendation. The attitude of the guard appeared annoyed at Blastimoff's presence, but relayed the message to Vocath, who agreed to meet with the party. Against Thomas' wishes, Tia joined this landing party, hoping to plead her case and help smooth things over and gain the upper hand in the negotiations. a group of guards lead the away team through the streets and into an octagonal arena where Vocath was awaiting them. After hearing the party out, he agreed to lend his aid if the party is able to survive three rounds of combat in the arena. Three consecutive rounds of foes. With no other apparent options, the party agrees to the terms.