Episode 62: The Blue Goblin's Skull Report

General Summary

As the events aboard the Blackjack unfold, the crew gains a new, albeit temporary, member. Aymer returns to the group after being reassigned during a double wedding, expressing relief at avoiding a moon assignment and joining what she considers the "adult table." She brings with her a fresh perspective and a schematic of the Dreadnaught class ships, revealing details about the Infernal Triumvirate's flagship, particularly a small, accessible cargo hold at the front of the ship.   Shel, contributing further, explains that this hold might be infiltrated using Xeno's spigot, which Thunderfox is mysteriously wearing again. The ship, guarded by hobgoblins and demons, prompts Lance to have all the crew's weapons silvered to counter the devilish threats effectively.   Meanwhile, Nia engages in a deep conversation with Jenny about the nature of the Divine Gate and the permanence of those who choose to stay on Erathia, driven by a strong purpose and a powerful anchor to the world. She learns that while some, like the Infernal Triumvirate, utilize constructs to bypass divine limitations, these methods are closely guarded secrets.   Nia devises a bold plan to impersonate Shel, using his mannerisms and speech patterns. With Aymer and El chained, they approach the Blue Goblin's Skull under the guise of Shel having escaped during a recent far-realm excursion. The trio arrives on a griffon, and Nia attempts to deceive the devils about her identity. Despite her efforts, the devils are skeptical until she switches tactics, offering the elf ladies as entertainment. This ruse distracts the devils, culminating in El declaring she will only entertain "with a pole." A bone devil obligingly offers his tail, and El's dance captivates nearly all the devils on board.   With the majority of the enemy distracted, Lance executes a stunning move. Becoming invisible and flying into the center of the deck, he stops time, buffs himself, and unleashes a devastating attack. The resulting explosion decimates the hobgoblin crew and sends the demons reeling back to hell, save for a formidable goat-headed lord who resists the initial onslaught. Nia's attempts to subdue him with psychic attacks prove futile, and it's up to Tiik, who enlarges and battles fiercely until Aymer, fueled by a potion of speed and ancestral rage, decapitates the devil lord with a dramatic slash of her rune-etched greatsword.   After convincing the remaining crew—a spelldriver and navigator—that resistance is futile, Nia leads the group deeper into the ship. They encounter more resistance, including a soulforged spelldriver and a corpulent devil on a supposed pleasure cruise. Both are swiftly dealt with by the team, demonstrating their prowess and determination.   Finally, the team reaches the secret cargo: a gigantic far realm brain. It telepathically threatens them, proclaiming conquest and subjugation as its kin begin to establish a foothold on the moons. Nia captures this menacing declaration and the brain's demonic escorts on her ident-a-hedron, gathering crucial evidence of the looming threat.