Episode 76 - Vendetta

Intro
Jason: Hello, and welcome Celestial Expanse, a real play D&D podcast set in the Celestial Expanse universe. My name is Jason, and I'll be playing everyone's favorite heretic elf, Theran. Tonight, you will witness much chicanery, tomfoolery, ballyhoo, and if you're lucky, maybe even some skullduggery. But now I want to introduce the Prime Minister of Sinister, the Foreman of Fornicating Skyward, the Numero Uno of rolling numero uno, Matthew. How are you tonight, Matthew? Matt: Pretty fan-fuckin-tastic, because I just looked at my stocks and they're shooting up, and I'm pretty happy about that. Jason: Stonks. Ben, playing Rell. How are you Ben? Ben: I'm alright. Jason: Boston, playing our favorite shrub Juniper. How are you? Boston: Pretty damn good today. Jason: Wow. Rebecca, playing the kind and generous Martle. How are you Martle? Rebecca: I'm good. Jason: How's Rebecca? Rebecca: Yup. Jason: Natalia, playing Z. How are you Natalia? Natalia: I'm with Rebecca. Jason: Alright. Mitch playing Zarial. How are you Mitch? Mitch: Pretty good man, pretty good. Jason: Back to you, Matt.

Episode Description
The Crew go to start their next mission with the Judge "Magnum" but you can't leave the bar without paying your tab.

Summary
The episode begins with them going over their mission with Magnum. The wanted people are on the planet Barama in the Jakara Core system, which is the same system as Starbase Cronus. There's a lawkeeper station there, likely with a dirty lawkeeper keeping things quiet. Magnum asks the crew to take the wanted people alive and not destroy the base, which is in an unknown location on the planet. At least one major ship of theirs is in orbit at all times. They should know where their leaders are, so Magnum wants them alive to interrogate, willing to share the info with crew. Martle and Zarial both try to guess her motives. Martle feels like she's good, but Zarial feels like she's bullshitting them and casts detect thoughts. He hears, "I can't believe everyone thinks I need help, I should be able to take this on by myself. Hopefully personal vendetta will help with my investigation." Magnum asks to dock her smaller ship on theirs, and they tell her about Jörmungandr's sentience.

Magnum goes to pay her tab. A female dwarf with red hair, a braided beard, and a scarred face walking past looks at Magnum, bumps into her, and spills her beer on her beard. First she acts indignant, then says she knows Magnum. She accuses Magnum of arresting all her brothers. Magnum says her brothers smuggled drugs on a Parliament controlled asteroid for the mining crew. Martle and Zarial tell Magnum to leave it. Theran separates Magnum and the dwarf and tells the dwarf if she wants to get at Magnum, she'll have to hit him. The dwarf tries to hit him with mug, but hits a goblin instead and starts a bar brawl. Zarial tries mass suggestion, but it doesn't work. They extricate themselves, and on the way out Zarial casts Fog Cloud, making people think there's a fire, then locks them inside by shooting the access pad.

They board Jörmungandr, Jörmungandr allowing Magnum to dock. Jax updates Martle on Magnum's arrival, the marines, and ship upkeep. Z preens a bit, and Zarial telepathically tells her "Lol. Come see me later, I've got advice." Z denies everything. Martle is confused by all the reports, so Zarial takes them. He tells Jax to send a notary to him in the garden.

Martle introduces Magnum to Jörmungandr. They give the pilot the coordinates, and the episode ends as they launch.

Memorable Quotes
Jason: Fuck! All of our weapons are at the door. Ben: All of your weapons are at the door.

Ben: I don't think I'm actually strong enough to carry you. Boston: I don't know I'm like half your size. Almost. Matt: But he has a minus what, 2 to strength? Ben: No, I'm only a 9 strength. Jason: You're very average. Boston: I'm stronger than you? Ben: It's my third best stat, Matt, I'll have you know. Boston: What do you mean your third best stat? Jason: He rolled a dumpster fire shit for this character.

Boston: I have the boop and the good boopin.

Jörmungandr: I am much more than just an AI. I am the eternal soul of the god of this galaxy. Theran: See? Not AI. Jörmungandr: I am the one that keeps this galaxy intact. I am the one that protects it from all that is of the void. I demand the respect as such. Martle: And you're doing amazing, sweetie.

Trivia

 * Martle rolled an 18 on her insight check on Magnum. We don't know what Zarial rolled.
 * Rell's best stat is at a 20. His worst is still at 7.