Read the official adventure here → The Punchline Directive

Last night we wrapped our Spelljammer Academy campaign in full Heavy Metal meets D&D style — with fire, psionics, berserker goblins, giant amoebas, and the rise of a very tall Captain.

Here’s what went down:

🎓 Leveling Up

The crew had reached Level 3:

• The Captain unlocked new psionic powers and learned unsettling truths about his past.
• Buff toughened up and added new firepower.
• Hal upgraded his homunculus into a rideable robotic cat — complete with a mechanical dwarven beard to match the Belt of Dwarvenkind and Dwarven Thrower he’d earned.

🚀 The Mission Begins

Ordered by Mirt to investigate the H’Catha Station, the crew departed in their skiff.

Every day of the journey brought new dangers:

• Swarming crystalline bugs that encrusted the hull.
• Giant astral eels that tried to devour the ship.
• An enormous space amoeba that nearly ended the mission.

🛶 Stealth Insertion

Arriving at the station, the crew used their Spelljammer Boat of Folding to scout the docking bay.

The Captain cleverly used psionics to ball up the Neogi webbing into a massive floating sphere.
Buff then cast Phantasmal Force, making the sphere appear as a terrifying beholder!

When a squad of Goblins (servants of Zhor Vess, the Cryo-Scarred Mad Lizardman) arrived, the illusion worked perfectly — the Goblins panicked.

Smoke bombs + surprise attack = goblin slaughter.
But Zhor Vess, hunting vengeance, retreated into the vents.

⚔️ Neogi Ambush

Heading to the skiff, the crew discovered Neogi Raiders holding their crew hostage:

• The Neogi psychic lashes nearly dropped the Captain and Buff.
• Hatchlings burst forth from the dead Neogi — overwhelming the deck.
• Buff moved for a better angle — opening the door for Zhor Vess to strike!
• Buff was taken down. The Captain was nearly killed. Only Hal’s robotic cat and quick healing saved them.

💪 Captain Unleashed

Fueled by two illegal potions, the Captain’s strength surged.

He grappled Zhor Vess in a brutal fight. Despite psionic backlash, he pinned the Mad Lizard long enough for the crew to finish him — ending Zhor’s tormented quest for revenge.

🧠 The Artifact & The Truth

In the control core, the Captain interfaced with the Artifact:

• The location of The Punchline was revealed — but only the Captain could sense it.
• Even more shocking — his full height returned!
  He realized he had been shrunk by a wizard and trapped in a glass jar long ago.

🛠 Final Battle: Neogi Strike

After repairs, the crew attempted to leave H’Catha — but were ambushed by a massive Neogi warship.

Buff couldn’t steer the damaged skiff fast enough. Two natural 20 cannon blasts sped toward them — certain doom…

When three Academy Galleons dropped from hyperspace.

One Academy ship took the hit — sacrificing themselves to save the crew.
A massive battle raged, driving off the Neogi — but at great cost.

🎖 Graduation

The crew returned home as heroes — bloodied, burned, and victorious.

• They graduated from Spelljammer Academy.
• Were awarded permanent command of their skiff.
• And given new orders:

“Find The Punchline.”

🚀 What’s Next?

Our campaign now launches into full Spelljammer Wildspace Adventure mode — chasing the mystery of The Punchline and Steve’s deeper plans.

Big thanks to my players — this was one of the best finales I’ve run in a long time!

👉 Want the official adventure?
Here’s the full module: Spelljammer Academy Finale: The Punchline Directive

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