SPELLJAMMER

ACADEMY
EXPANDED

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Spelljammer Academy Expanded
Spelljammer Academy is a four-part adventure
that introduces players to the world of
spelljamming, takes player characters through 1st
through 4th levels, and serves as an intro
adventure to the Light of Xaryxis adventure. It is a
fast-paced adventure, designed to be played
through in four, 2-hour sessions.
The first half of this supplement provides
additional optional content for DMs to enhance
and expand the adventures at Spelljammer
Academy. This additional content includes rival
NPCs for the player characters to interact with
and compete against, additional events to flesh
out the character’s experience at the Academy,
and some miscellaneous suggested changes and
tweaks.
The second half of this supplement provides
advice and optional content for incorporating the
Light of Xaryxis adventure following Spelljammer
Academy. This additional content includes a
completely re-written 1st chapter and suggestions
to make the player characters the actual stars and
focus of the campaign.
As always, this supplement is intended to give
DMs ideas, helps, and inspirations; use it to the
extent and in the way that provides the most
benefit to you.
1
 RIVALS AT SPELLJAMMER ACADEMY
Rivals are a natural and dramatic part of any
school or training setting. Harry Potter’s
adventures at Hogwarts would have been far
duller without Malfoy and his posse. We will
leverage NPCs already presented in Spelljammer
Academy adventure (and maybe some of our own
creation) to create our rivals that the player
characters will be able to interact and compete
with during their time at the Spelljammer
Academy. Ideally, the number of rivals used will
equal the number of player characters.
Traitors Among Us
In the Spelljammer Academy adventure, Miken
Haverstance is revealed as the intruder being
used by Vocath to target Mirt and the Academy.
However, you may select any of the rivals
presented here to be the traitor instead,
depending on your campaign and the suspicions
of your players. Each rival NPC presented below
includes an additional “traitor” feature that only
applies if they are selected as the traitor in your
adventure. If selecting another traitor, replace all
mentions and actions of Miken with that of your
selected traitor beginning in third adventure,
Realmspace Sortie!
Encountering Rivals
The characters will have an opportunity to
encounter or interact with the rival squadron at
the following times:
Rival Encounters Table
Level Rival Encounter
1 Welcome to Wildspace. Miken Haverstance
is also a brand-new cadet involved in the
starting combat simulation. When starting,
he is already injured and falls unconscious
shortly thereafter.
1 Cadet Quarters. The rivalry begins during
their Academy Orientation tasks as the
characters meet Veena Nightguard who
attempts to claim their assigned bunk.
Veena is accompanied by the additional
selected rivals such as Krik’Lit the Thri-
kreen and Pffred the Plasmoid.
2
Level Rival Encounter
1 Cadet Initiation. Veena leads the senior
cadets as they perform their own, unofficial
initiation of the new cadets. Miken
Haverstance is one of the new cadets
subjected to the initiation event.
See below for details of this event.
2 Test of Mettle. The characters compete
against the rival squadron in the
spelljamming mission simulation. Miken
Haverstance has been assigned to the
squadron of Veena and the other selected
rivals.
The rival squadron scores 2 points higher
than the required passing score for success
(8 points as written in the Spelljammer
Academy adventure. They will boast about
their high score unless the player characters
managed to score higher.
2 Combat Training. The characters face off
against their rivals head-to-head in a
training simulation with bragging rights on
the line.
See below for details of this event.
3 Tyrant Ship. At least three of the selected
rivals, including the selected traitor, have
been assigned to this mission as personal
supports of Petty Officer Winston Ryeback.
The events play out the same and these
rivals are eventually sent back to the
Academy aboard the Flighty Foundling.
4 Homecoming. Rivals that are not the
selected traitor may also be involved in the
efforts of defending the Academy and
preventing the extraction of the prisoner.
Rival NPCs
The following rivals are based on NPC’s
presented in the Spelljammer Academy
adventure.
Miken Haverstance
Miken is a young Human who is eager to make
his career and fortune as a spelljammer so he can
provide a good life for his young fiancé. However,
he is shy and timid and lacks self-confidence. He
speaks like a British orphan.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, Miken was
promised by the mercane, Vocath, enough wealth
to set him and his fiancé up for life if he carried
out his attacks. Miken naively believes that the
attacks are only meant to damage the Academy or
harm some officers, rather than actually kill
anyone.
Miken Haverstance
Medium humanoid, neutral good
Armor Class 12 (ring of protection)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 8 (−1)
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Ring of Protection. Miken is equip0ped with a Ring of
Protection, granting him +1 to AC (included in stats
above) and +1 to all saving throws.
Spellcasting. Miken can cast the following spells:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt
1st level (1/day each): magic missile, sleep
Actions
Shortsword . Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
Veena Nightguard
Veena is a Moon Elf who seeks to become a
renown and high stationed spelljammer, not only
to live up to her family name, but to make a name
for herself as well. Veena self-assured and thinks
herself superior to others and often speaks in a
condescending tone.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, Veena
willingly entered into a partnership with the
mercane, Vocath, to further her political interests
within the Academy. Vocath promises that his
missions and tasks that he assigns to Veena will
create change within the Academy that will allow
her to quickly secure a position of high influence.
Veena Nightguard
Medium humanoid, lawful evil
Armor Class 15 (mage armor)
Hit Points 53 (10d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
Skills Perception +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Fey Ancestry. Veena has advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put Veena
to sleep.
Spellcasting. Veena can cast the following spells:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt
1st level (1/day each): shield, mage armor
Actions
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) slashing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing
damage.
Bonus Actions
Motivate (2/day). As a bonus action, Veena chooses
one friendly creature that she can see. That creature
can immediately move up to its speed or make one
melee, ranged, or spell attack.
3
 Krik’Lit
Krik’Lit is a Thri-kreen who is quiet and brooding
and speaks very little using as few words as
possible. Unless speaking to another Thri-kreen,
she uses her telepathy to communicate in a dry
voice. Her glossy black chitin is mottled with
patches of white, and her eyes are a bright, vivid
green.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, Krik’Lit seeks
to free herself and her family from a owed debt to
the mercane, Vocath. Krik’Lit sees the evil deeds
requested by Vocath for what they are, but is
determined to repay her family’s debt through her
dutiful service.
Krik’Lit
Medium monstrosity, lawful neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 8 (−1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Chameleon Carapace. As an action, Krik’Lit can
change the color of her carapace to match the color
and texture of her surroundings, giving her
advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to
hide in those surroundings.
Thri-kreen Telepathy. Krik’Lit has the magical ability to
communicate mentally with any number of willing
creatures she can see within 120 feet of her. A
contacted creature doesn’t need to share a language
with her, but it must be able to understand at least
one language.
Actions
Multiattack. Krik’Lit makes four attacks, two with her
shortsword and two with her daggers.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 20/40,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
4
Pffred
Pffred is a happy-go-lucky Plasmoid with grand
aspirations of becoming a legendary adventurer of
interstellar renown. He has a squeaky voice and is
constantly whistling.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, Pffred agreed
to carry out the tasks given to him by the
mercane, Vocath, in exchange for a promised
legendary magic item that would ensure his
renown as a grand adventurer.
Pffred
Medium ooze, chaotic good
Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 8 (−1) 10 (+0) 15 (+2)
Damage Resistances acid, poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Amorphous. Pffred has advantage on ability checks
he makes to initiate or escape a grapple, and climb
difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings,
without needing to make an ability check.
Spellcasting. Pffred can cast the following spells:
Cantrips (at will): vicious mockery
1st level (1/day each): cure wounds
Actions
Pseudopod. +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 5
(1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Bardic Inspiration (2/day). As a bonus action, Pffred
can choose one creature within 60 feet who can hear
him. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die,
a d6. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature
can roll the die and add the number rolled to one
ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes.
The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20
before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but
must decide before the DM says whether the roll
succeeds or fails. Once the Bardic Inspiration die is
rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one Bardic
Inspiration die at a time.
The following additional rivals can be used if
additional rivals are needed. It is suggested that
the number of rivals be equal to the number of
player characters. As always, you are encouraged
to create your own rivals for your campaign.
Adrexx, the Blue
Adrexx is a Blue Dragonborn with a noble
bearing, treating friend and foe fairly and
honorably. He views every challenge as an
opportunity to prove his might, holding no actual
ill will towards his foes. Adrexx seeks to become a
hero of legend through persevering through all
challenges before him.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, Adrexx has
been duped by the mercane, Vocath, to believe
that he has been sent to the Academy on a top-
secret mission to thwart a sinister plan to
surrender the planet to mind flayers. Adrexx has
sworn an oath to do all he can to stop this evil
plan, even if he doesn’t understand how his
actions actual contribute to this higher goal.
Adrexx, the Blue
Medium humanoid, lawful good
Armor Class 14 (chain mail)
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 8 (−1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Damage Resistances lightning
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Actions
Multiattack. Adrexx makes two attacks with his great
morningstar.
Great Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing
damage.
Lightning Breath (2/day). Adrexx exhales lightning in
a 30-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in
that line must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw,
taking 5 (1d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a successful one.
TPK-99
TPK-99 is an autonomous droid programmed to
serve Veena Nightguard. Its primary directive is to
protect Veena. It does not have a will of its own
and communicates mainly with beeps and
whistles.
Traitor. If selected as the traitor, TPK-99 was
actually a gift to the Nightguard family form the
mercane, Vocath, which has been secretly
programed to carry out Vocath’s orders. When
discovered, Vocath wishes to retrieve the droid
before any of its data and be traced back to him.
TPK-99
Medium construct, unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 8 (−1) 8 (−1)
Damage Resistances poison, psychic
Senses passive Perception 9
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Actions
Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/90
ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Blade Spin. Blades extend from TPK-99 as it spins
around. All creatures within 5 feet of it must make a
DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 2d8
slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a successful one.
Bonus Action
Injection (2/day). As a bonus action, TPK-99 can
inject a creature within 5 feet of it with a healing
potion. The target regains 7 (2d4 + 2) hit points.
Reactions
Interception. When a creature TPK-99 can see hits a
target, other than itself, within 5 feet of it with an
attack, it can use its reaction to reduce the damage
the target takes by 1d10 + 2 (to a minimum of 0
damage).
5
 Additional Events at Spelljammer
Academy
The following events can be used to help flesh out
the character’s experiences at Spelljammer
Academy as well as provide additional
introductory training to the mechanics of
spelljamming. These are presented in the order in
which they are intended to occur throughout the
Spelljammer Academy adventure.
Orientation (1st Level)
Part 4: Cadet Initiation
This event takes place during the character’s first
night at the Spelljammer Academy, and after the
events of Intruder Alert! section. If using this
additional event, you may also consider running
the events of Part 1: Preflight Meal from the Trial
by Fire adventure as a lunch or dinner on the first
day to give the characters a chance to meet Miken
prior to the initiation.
Read or paraphrase the following:
You are rudely awakened by many hands that grab
you and cover your head with a sack. The voices of
other academy cadets surround you with a mixture
of cheers, sneers, and warnings to be quiet. They
carry you through the halls of the academy and
onto what feels like a floating ship. Pushing you
against a railing, the hands release you and take
the sack from your head. You find yourselves,
along with several other new cadets, lined up on
the side of a small spelljamming vessel, floating
high above the ocean just outside of the academy.
A mass of more senior cadets encircles you, giving
you no quarter for escape.
The moon elf Veena stands on a raised platform
and call out to the entire group. “My fellow
brothers and sisters of the Academy, these
groundlings seek to join our esteemed ranks of
spelljammers. Tell me, my good friends, do we
allow just anyone to join us?” The crowd of cadets
reply with a resounding, “No!” “What shall they do
to prove their bravery and worthiness to join us?”
6
The crowd responds back with a repeated chant to
“Jump! Jump! Jump!”
Veena now addresses you directly with a slight
sneer, “As have all of us and those that have come
before you, you must prove yourselves to be of
strength and valor. Now prove yourselves and
jump!”
In addition to the player characters, Miken is also
part of the new cadets that is being forced to jump
into the water below. After a minute of
deliberation, he jumps off the flying vessel after
saying timidly, “Well, if I must.” The sounds of his
screams are eventually swallowed up by the roar
of the churning sea below. Miken is injured but
survives the fall.
The surface of the water is hard to distinguish
in the darkness making the distance below hard
to determine. The other cadets may exaggerate
the height of the fall, a lie that a DC 12 Wisdom
(Insight) check would reveal. A character can
make a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) or
Wisdom (Survival) check to determine the actual
height of the fall and that landing in the water
would likely result in significantly less damage
than a normal fall.
MAKING THE PLUNGE
A 50-foot drop would result in 17 (5d6)
bludgeoning damage, which should be perceived
as potentially lethal to a first level character.
When jumping, each character attempts a DC
15 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics)
check to reduce the damage of the fall as
determined on the following table.
Check
Result Results
0-7 The damage taken from the fall is not
reduced.
8-14 The damage taken from the fall is
reduced by 5.
15+ The damage taken from the fall is
halved.
Any character reduced to 0 hit points fall
unconscious. Either another player character or
senior cadet can rescue them and take them to
the infirmary.
If a character refuses to jump, the other cadets
will not forcefully throw them overboard, but the
character will be branded a coward by everyone in
the academy.
The characters who made the jump are pulled
from the sea by the spelljamming vessel and
taken back to the Cadet Quarters where their
successful initiation is briefly celebrated before
retiring back to bed.
Trial by Fire (2nd Level)
Part 2.5: Combat Training
This event takes place in the afternoon after the
events of Part 2: Test of Mettle but before the
events in Part 3: Sabotage! Instead, the events of
Part 3: Sabotage! will play out at the end of this
second training exercise.
After the characters get lunch and have a chance
to interact with their rivals over the results of the
morning training, the characters report back to
the simulation deck where they are paired against
a squadron of other cadets. This time, the training
exercise will be a straightforward combat training
where squadrons of cadets face off against each
other. Naturally, the characters are paired with a
squadron of their rivals with bragging rights at
stake.
Encounter: Spelljammer. The opposing
Spelljammer ship start about 200 feet away from
each other and combat begins immediately.
Use the hammerhead and squid ships for use
in this simulated battle. Alternatively, use any
other spelljammer ship of your choice to
introduce the characters with a greater variety
of spelljammer vessels.
Use the rival stat blocks found above. Ideally,
use a number of rivals equal to then number of
player characters, and include the eventual
traitor.
The regular parameters and circumstances of
simulations apply.
When the outcome of the battle is determined,
but before is officially concluded, continue with
the events of Part 3: Sabotage!, and see additional
suggestions for that section further below.
7
 Other Changes & Useful Tips
This section is comprised of miscellaneous tips
and suggested changes and is organized in order
of appearance in the Spelljammer Academy
adventure.
Orientation (1st Level)
Starting Equipment
The adventure is not clear what it intends for
player characters to do in regard to starting
equipment. During their Academy Orientation on
their first day as cadets, they are given a voucher
worth 50 gp to purchase whatever equipment they
want. This seems to be intended for new cadets to
procure their starting equipment, but the
adventure does not mention anything about player
characters not taking their starting equipment at
character creation. And if the player characters
are not intended to have starting equipment, then
it’s unclear what the characters are fighting with
during the initial simulation prior to the Academy
Orientation section.
If the player characters already have their
starting equipment, an additional 50 gp of
standard equipment items is unlikely to offer
them any meaningful benefit at this time (with the
exception that some characters may be able to
increase their AC with an armor purchase,
something I’d not generally recommend for 1st
level characters right off the bat).
To not complicate the character creation
process, I recommend having players choose the
starting equipment for their characters as normal
and simply removing the 50 gp voucher from the
Welcome Pack received in Administration.
Visiting the Stores becomes an orientation task
applicable only to corps cadets to receive
specialized equipment.
Part 1: Welcome to Wildspace
The adventure recommends ending the combat
simulation after two rounds. If your players enjoy
the combat aspect of D&D, I’d recommend
extending the battle to at least three rounds, or
until a dramatically appropriate time to end the
simulation.
8
Part 2: Academy Orientation
Stores
As mentioned above under Starting Equipment,
an additional weapon for corps cadets is
unnecessary if characters are already beginning
with their normal starting equipment at character
creation. Instead, each corps cadet is given an
energy weapon of their choice and an energy cell
to charge it.
Energy Weapon (generic)
Melee or ranged weapon (any)
An energy weapon works the same as a normal
weapon but gains the following trait:
Energize. This weapon can be charged by
equipping an energy cell. When you make an
attack with this weapon, you can choose to
activate the energy cell as part of the attack. On a
hit, the attack deals 1 radiant damage in addition
to its normal damage. Up to 30 attacks can be
made with this property before the energy cell is
depleted. You can swap out the used energy cell
with a new one as an action.
Trial by Fire (2nd Level)
Timeline
The Spelljammer Academy adventure states that
the beginning of the Trial by Fire adventure is the
“official start of your academy training” and that
the characters are “fresh from orientation”
implying that the adventure picks up the very next
day. However, a single day of orientation and a
fighting a couple of space bugs hardly seems
enough to realistically merit a character level
increase.
Instead, I suggest that a week has gone passed
since the events of the last adventure during
which the characters have been able to train,
study, and advance to level 2. Read or paraphrase
the following:
A week has now passed since your first eventful
day at the Spelljammer Academy. Your days have
been filled with training in the art of Spelljamming
or in the Spelljamming Corps. Today your days of
study and training will be put on display and
evaluated by the academy officers.
Part 3: Sabotage! Picking Up the Pieces
The immediate events following the explosions in Roll initiative and have the characters describe
the simulation chambers offers a good setting to what their character does in the situation. The
run a skill challenge. DM then calls for an appropriate skill check and
narrates the results. The table below provides
Shattering Illusions suggested actions and associated skill checks that
When the outcome of the previous combat the character may attempt, although they are not
simulation is determined, but before is officially limited to just the actions listed. Feel free to share
concluded, read the following: this list with the players to help provide them with
options and ideas.
Suddenly, the illusion around you violently ends in
Sabotage Skill Challenge Table
a wave of silvery blue light, and you stand within
Task Skill Check (DC 13)
the simulation chamber where your training
Treat injury (x3) Wisdom (Medicine)
exercise began. Magical energy ripples like a
Rescue trapped Strength (Athletics)
turbulent cloud around you, reaching out to touch cadet (x2)
the rune-scribed walls, then exploding outward as Open the exit Strength (Athletics) or
bolts of lightning, sending Saerthe, Tarto, and door Intelligence (Investigation)
others flying to the ground. Extinguish fire Wisdom (Survival)
Deactivate Intelligence (Arcana)
Each character must make a DC 13 Dexterity runes
saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) lightning damage Calm panicked Charisma (Persuasion) or
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a cadet Wisdom (Insight)
successful one. Investigate the Intelligence (Investigation) or
cause Wisdom (Perception)
Other TBD by DM

Failed attempts may result in actual

consequences, such as failing to treat an injured
cadet could result in their death.
Continue for 2 or 3 rounds (depending on the
number of player characters), at which point help
arrives.

9
 Realmspace Sortie! (3rd
Level)
Timeline
While the exact passage of time is not specified,
the Spelljammer Academy adventure states that
the beginning of the Realmspace Sortie!
adventure “follows directly” after the events of the
Trial by Fire adventure, which may imply that the
adventure picks up the very next day. However, a
single day of simulation trainings hardly seems
enough to realistically merit a character level
increase.
Instead, I suggest that a week has gone passed
since the events of the last adventure during
which the characters have been able to train,
study, and advance to level 3. Boatswain Tarto
and Saerthe Abizjn have also had time to heal
from any injuries sustained from the recent
sabotage of the simulation deck. Read or
paraphrase the following:
Another week has passed at the Academy. The
simulation chambers continue to be repaired.
Amidst your on-going training, studying, and
duties, the hallways are filled with whispered
rumors of potential spies and traitors within the
academy. Everyone eyes each other with distrust
as they pass.
Mission Equipment
The Spelljammer Academy states that Boatswain
Tarto provides the characters with a bag of
holding to transport the adamantine meteorite
during the fourth adventure, only after the
characters initial mission was delayed. This
leaves to question how the characters were
expected to transport the meteorite had their
retrieval mission not been setback by the actions
of Miken (or the traitor of your choice).
Instead, include a bag of holding in the initial
listing of equipment and indicate that it has been
provided to help transport the meteorite.
10
Docking with the Tyrant Ship
The adventure states that the characters are
“dropped unceremoniously into the tyrant ship’s
Cargo Deck” and then tasked with taking the
spelljammer helm up to the Command Deck to
install. However, according to the maps and
diagrams of the Tyrant Ship, the Cargo Deck is
not accessible unless you first go through the
Command Deck first, making it impossible for the
characters to actually start in the Cargo Deck.
To easily bypass this issue, just make one of the
vertical Access Shafts of your choosing extend all
the way down and out of the ship, creating an
opening for the characters to dock and unload at
the Cargo Deck level first.
Combat Encounter Helps
This adventure features several combat
encounters that have the potential to quickly
become more deadly than intended. Monitor how
the characters are faring throughout the
encounters and consider implementing some
safeguards if you consider it appropriate.
Clockwork Horrors
The clockwork horrors have a high AC and make
multiple attacks each turn. If needed, consider the
following tactics to make the encounter less
deadly:
Only two clockwork horrors attack the party
while the third continues to assemble the
fourth horror.
One of the clockwork horrors flanks the party
and goes to attune with the ship’s
spelljamming helm. If successful, it begins
piloting the ship off course.
The third clockwork horror will retreat if the
other two horrors are destroyed.
Magma Mephits
While three magma mephits are not a serious
threat by themselves, the heavy smoke can be.
While the DC of the Constitution saving throw is
very low, levels of exhaustion gained through
smoke inhalation can quickly become a death
spiral with a couple of unlucky rolls. If needed,
have Miken provide each character with a damp
cloth after 2 or 3 rounds which will provide
advantage on subsequent saving throws.
Solving the Mystery
Depending on who the traitor is, you may
consider changing some of the details
surrounding the attack on Petty Officer Ryeback
to better lead the characters to the right
conclusion. Consider making the following
changes as appropriate:
Changing Spell Scrolls. Change the spell
scrolls from Vocath to metallic plates inscribed
with sigils, much like those found in after the
sabotage in the simulation chamber. These
plates were given to the traitor by Vocath pre-
inscribed with their magic such that a
spellcaster would not be required to plant and
activate them. These metallic plates can be
recovered in the aftermath of the fire.
Joint Alibi. Give the other two NPC cadets
assisting the mission a joint alibi that they
were together when the blast went off.
Additionally, they both agree that the traitor
was put in charge of the galley equipment.
If the players fail to determine who the traitor
is, don’t panic or force a discovery at this point.
The mission can still continue as planned,
although everyone onboard is likely to be more
suspicious and paranoid than before. In part 4,
Vocath’s henchmen will arrive to collect the
traitor at which point the truth will be revealed.
Behold H’Catha (4th
Level)
Graduation Gifts
A magic item as a graduation gift is a great idea,
especially considering that the player characters
will be level 5 after this adventure and there are
essentially no other magic items throughout the
entire Spelljammer Academy adventure. The
characters are long overdue for some magic
items, particularly martial characters.
However, the provided listing of magic items is
not great (unless you happen to be a warlock, in
which case the rod of the pact keeper is great). A
+1 shield or weapon is a welcomed benefit for any
martial character, and a bag of holding and
goggles of night are nice utility items, but none of
these are particularly exciting as a 5th level
character’s only magic item.
It would be better to provide graduation gifts
that were both unique to the Spelljammer
Academy and reasonably beneficial to the
characters, such as those suggested below. As
reasonably practical, customize these gifts for
each unique character (or replace them entirely
with something more fitting to your characters).
For All Characters
Medal of Service. For their exception service and
role in uncovering Vocath’s plot against the
Academy, all of the characters are awarded
special medals crafted from the adamantine
meteorite that they helped recover. While worn,
the medal provides a +1 bonus to all Charisma
saving throws and a +1 bonus to Charisma skill
checks when interacting with cadets and officers
of the Spelljammer Academy.
For Corps Cadets
+1 Weapon. Each corps cadet character also
receives a +1 weapon of their choice. Each
weapon is engraved with the emblem of the
Spelljammer Academy and is the identification of
an official Spelljammer Academy Officer.
For Spelljammers
Each spelljammer character
Spelljammer Cloak.
also receives an official Spelljammer Academy
cloak which identifies them as official
Spelljammers of the Spelljammer Academy. This
cloak provides a +1 bonus to AC when worn.
Continuing the Campaign
If you are continuing the campaign past the
Spelljammer Academy adventure, consider where
the characters will be stationed or assigned
following their graduation.
If you are planning to follow the adventure into
the Light of Xaryxis adventure, consider following
the guidance and outline below, in which the
characters continue to serve at the Academy as
officers until the next adventure kicks off.
11
 Light of Xaryxis
Despite its premise of leading into the Light of
Xaryxis adventure, as written Spelljammer
Academy does a poor job of that. The beginning of
Light of Xaryxis is based on the assumption that
the player characters have no previous knowledge
or experience with spelljamming, which is entirely
contrary to the premise of the player characters
progressing through the Spelljammer Academy.
This opening also creates a disappointing premise
of the player characters being relegated as tag-
along supporting characters which continues
through the entire adventure.
This section aims to incorporate the
Spelljammer Academy adventure into the
beginning of the Light of Xaryxis adventure by
completely rewriting the first chapter and then
following those changes throughout the rest of the
adventure. While we’re at it, we’ll use this
opportunity to our advantage to make the player
characters the actual center and stars of the
adventure by giving the player characters their
own spelljammer ship and reducing the roles and
numbers of the NPCs
I’ve limited the content below to just those
aspects of the adventure that would require some
adjusting to incorporate the Spelljammer
Academy adventure. Things not mentioned below
either do not require any changes, or the
adjustments needed are too insignificant to merit
specific mention. In any such cases, it’s your call; I
believe in you.
Reducing NPCs
Many of the NPCs introduced in the Light of
Xaryxis adventure either have a specific purpose
that is negated by the changes below or are not
integral to the overall adventure plot. During
much of the adventure, it’s possible for the player
characters to be outnumbered by the additional
NPCs traveling they are traveling with. This can
create a lot of burden on the DM and take the
spotlight away from the player characters.
With that said, NPCs can be a great and fun
part of the game even if they are not essential to
the main plot. There is no upheld virtue that fewer
NPCs is objectively better. While the advice below
is to help minimize the NPCs, you are encouraged
to leave in, or add, the NPCs you like the most.

12
A New Beginning -
Chapter 1: Astral Rain
This section replaces Chapter 1: Astral Rain of
the Light of Xaryxis adventure. If continuing from
the Spelljammer Academy adventure, between 1
and 12 months have passed by since the
characters graduated from the Academy. During
that time, they have continued to serve at the
Academy as officers and have completed any
number of assignments and missions as
determined by the DM.
Morning Routine
Growing crystalline vines interrupt the characters’
morning training exercise and destroy the
Spelljammer Academy. It’s a race to make it
aboard a spelljammer ship to escape the
catastrophe.
A sudden trembling interrupts your routine
morning training session in the Academy
gymnasium. Cries of earthquakes begin to echo
from the stone hallways, a particularly frightful
disaster considering that the Academy is
constructed entirely in a free-standing rock tower
off the coast of Nimbral.
But before you can even exit the room, it
becomes clear that the cause of the trembling is
no ordinary seismological event. A crystalline vine
bursts out of the ground and punched a hole
through the roof as it explodes upwards. The
sinuous vine of iridescent crystal grows larger as it
violently tears its way upward through the
Academy.
The ground churns again, and more eruptions
burst through the floor and walls all around you.
From these sites sprout smaller crystalline vines
that uproot themselves and begin lurching
forward surrounding you.
The tremors begin during a training session so
the characters are assumed to be equipped with
all of their adventuring gear.
Encounter: Astral Blights. Six astral blights
appear and quickly attack the characters.
Tremors. During the battle, the Academy
continues to tremble as it is torn apart by the
crystalline vines. At the end of each round,
each creature must succeed on a DC 12
Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The Astral
Blights have advantage on this saving throw.
Crystalline Vine
The vine here is one of several growing near the
base of the Spelljammer Academy. These vines
sprouted after astral seeds fell from the sky and
crashed into the sea and base of the Academy.
The vines weave around and through the stone
pillar that is the Spelljammer Academy and are
still growing.
The vines are warm to the touch and pulses
with light. They are made of an iridescent mineral
that is impervious to the characters’ spells and
weapons. A character who makes a successful DC
10 Intelligence (Nature) check determines that
the substance is a type of living crystal. The vine is
warm to the touch and pulses with light. Any
character who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana) check realizes that the vine’s roots
extend deep into the earth and are feeding on the
planet’s thermal energy. There appears to be no
way to stop this process.
Finding an Exit
After the encounter with the astral blights, it
should be made obvious to the characters that the
Academy is being torn apart as the vine grows
larger and the shanking intensifies. Making a
quick escape is their only chance to not go down
with the rest of the Academy. The characters
know the Academy well and know that their
quickest route of escape is to take the outside
path that leads from the gymnasium up to the
Spelljammer Nexus level, and then take in
interior stairs up to the Sky Dock where they
could escape on a seplljammer ship.
Taking the Scenic Route
Taking the outside route to the Spelljammer
Nexus level, the characters get their first glimpse
of the magnitude of the crisis facing them.
13

Once outside you get your first glimpse of what is
happening. Surrounding the Academy are dozens
of gigantic crystalline vines sprouting across the
island and the sea. The tremors become full-blown
earthquakes as the crystalline vines plunge their
roots into the earth and reach hundreds of feet
into the air. Several of these vines are growing
directly through the stone pillar of the Academy as
they twist and weave around each other. The
section of rock you’re on begins to break away.
You’re only option now is forwards and upwards.
The characters must travers about 90 feet of open
stairs running along the cliff side to reach the
Spelljammer Nexus level. This normally easy task
is complicated by a group of astral blights and the
increasing tremors that threaten to knock the
characters off the edge.
Encounter: Cliffside Astral Blights. A total of
six astral blights threaten to block the character’s
escape route; four are located on the stair path,
one is located on the cliff side just below the path,
and one is located on the cliff side about 20 feet
above the path.
Lying in Wait. The astral blight located below
the path is ready to attack any creature that
comes within range. Once grappled, the astral
blight will use its next turn trying to knock the
creature off the cliff.
Violent Tremors. At the end of each round,
each character must make a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw. On a failure, the character loses
their footing and falls from the path. That
character can attempt a DC 12 Strength
(Athletics) check to grab a hold of the path’s
edge. On a failure, the character falls 60 feet
before landing on a crystalline vine that bursts
out of the cliff side, taking 21 (6d6)
bludgeoning damage. Over the course of two
more rounds, the vine grows tall enough for
the character to climb back up to the path.
Opening a Path. At the end of the first round,
two astral blights are knocked off the cliff. At
the end of the second round, one more astral
blight is knocked of the cliff.
14
Spelljammer Nexus
As the characters enter the Spelljammer Nexus
level of the Academy, read the following.
Any semblance of the Academy’s former structural
integrity is now gone. Crystalline vines grow up
towards the sky, rocks and debris falls down to the
sea below, and everything in between shakes and
moves, creating a chaotic and disorientating
scene. As you quickly navigate the interior
corridors of the Academy, you can’t even be sure
you’re heading upwards anymore.
As you pass through the central nexus room,
the Academy completely splits in half. Now an
unmistakable feeling fills your gut, the half you are
on is falling. A quickly growing chasm, now 15 feet
wide, separates you from the other side. To your
left, a 5-foot-wide moving crystal vine spans the
chasm. Either way you go, you know you only have
one chance at this.
Jumping across the chasm requires a successful
DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check (a character
automatically succeeds if their Strength score is
15 or greater). Running across the crystalline vine
requires a successful DC 15 Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check.
On a failure, the character falls but is able to
grab hold of smaller crystalline vines extending
out of the far cliff side, 10 feet below the edge.
Climbing up the cliff without aid requires a DC 12
Strength (Athletics) check.
Sky Dock
When the characters arrive at the Sky Dock, read
the following.
As you arrive at the Sky Dock, or what’s left of it,
you find it nearly deserted with only a small group
of cadets who have also managed to make their
way here. Above, you see several spelljamming
vessels have already taken off and are fleeing the
world ahead of the crystalline vines that are now
reaching towards the sky. A few spelljamming
vessels remain at the dock.
The players can take the ship of their choice,
selecting from those listed below, or from a listing
of the DM’s choosing. As Spelljammer Academy
officers, the characters would be well familiar
with all these ships and their basic stats. If
needed, provide the players with the basic stats of
each ship and the following information so they
can make an informed decision.
The Transfer Attunement property of a
spelljamming helm on Academy ships function
universally between Spelljammer Academy
Officers without the need for touch, so long as no
one else is currently attuned to it.
The additional cadets in the Sky Dock will
follow the player characters and function as the
ship’s crew.
After choosing a ship, encourage the players to
give it a new name of their own choosing.
Choice of Spelljammer Ships
Damselfly
This swift but cramped ship is made mostly of
metal. It can’t float on water, but its legs enable it
to land safely on the ground. A sliding hatch just
behind the wings allows access to the ship’s
mangonel turret. The ship’s cargo hold can easily
be turned into crew cabins or another weapon
deck.
Damselfly ships are often used as courier
vessels and armored transports. Explorers and
pirates like them because they’re fast and sturdy.
Military leaders use them as command ships for
the same reasons.
Hammerhead
Hammerhead ships are popular craft, especially
among pirates and merchants carrying heavy
cargo. They can float on water and sail across it,
but they aren’t built to land on the ground (their
keels would cause them to tip to one side).
Standard weapons on a hammerhead ship
include fore and aft mangonels, a ballista, and a
reinforced bow for ramming.
Space Galleon
The space galleon is a mainstay among the host
of vessels that ply Wildspace and the Astral Sea.
Space galleons can easily pass for ordinary
seafaring galleons. Because they can land on
water and move across it like their namesakes,
they can sail into ports on terrestrial worlds
without attracting undue attention. Like an
ordinary galleon, a space galleon isn’t built to land
on the ground (its keel would cause it to roll on its
side). The ship’s standard weaponry includes two
forward-mounted ballistae and an aft-mounted
mangonel.
Squid Ship
Among the oldest types of spelljamming vessels,
squid ships are popular with privateers and are
often used as patrol ships. Standard weapons on
a squid ship include a forward-mounted
mangonel, two aft-mounted ballistae, and a
reinforced bow for ramming. The tentacles that
extend from the bow account for nearly half the
ship’s keel length.
Squid ships can float and sail on water, and
they can land on the ground.
Urgent Communication
Once onboard their chosen spelljammer ship, the
party quickly finds a sending stone which puts
them in communication with Commodore Krux.
Krux is relieved to have finally get a hole of
anyone from the Academy and quickly demands
to know what is going on down on the surface.
After hearing what the characters have to say,
Krux suggests that they better meet and regroup
before attempting anything else. He instructs
them to meet him at the Laughing Beholder on
the Rock of Bral, a location that Spelljammer
Academy officers would be familiar with enough
to find.
Leaving it All Behind
As they characters lift off and head for wildspace,
read the following.
As you look back on your shrinking world, the
vast extent of the catastrophe laid before you.
Scores of crystalline vines erupt from the surface
of your world. Climbing upwards, many of the
vines reach high enough to break through the
clouds. You set your course as the terrible roar of
destruction is soon swallowed up by the void
between you.
15
 Adjusting Other
Chapters
This section outlines the additional adjustments
that will need to be made to subsequent chapters
to flow with our new adventure start outlined
above. As we move further through the adventure,
fewer and fewer adjustments will be needed.
Chapter 2: Attack of the Star
Moth
Notable NPC Adjustments
Consider the following NPC changes:
Captain Sartell. Captain Sartell’s purpose in
the adventure is to introduce the concept of
spelljamming and ferry the characters to the Rock
of Bral. By changing the opening premise, she
does not serve any remaining purpose to the
adventure and can be omitted.
Flapjack. Perhaps my favorite NPC, Flapjack’s
purpose in the adventure is to provide some crash
course training in running a spelljammer to any
spellcasters in the party, although the party is
never tasked with piloting their own ship. By
changing the opening premise and providing the
characters with their own ship, Flapjack can be
utilized as a spelljammer for the party is no player
character wishes to fill that role (or as a backup
spelljammer even). In this case, Flapjack can be
encounted in the Sky Dock when the characters
were fleeing the Academy. Otherwise, he does not
serve any remaining purpose to the adventure and
can be omitted.
Traevus. Although he doesn’t serve any real
purpose in the overall adventure, he does provide
an opportunity for an attempted mutiny during
this chapter. However, the players will have other
opportunities to feel betrayed and play through a
mutiny later in the adventure. For this chapter,
we’ll replace this encounter with the “Cargo
Leak” encounter below.
Urgent Communication
If the characters didn’t get in touch with
Commodore Krux prior to leaving the planet, they
should do so now (see chapter 1 above).
Cargo Leak
During the battle with the astral elves, the
characters hear the sound of breaking crates and
movement coming from the ship’s cargo hold
16
(likely caused by an attack from the Star Moth),
creating a situation that the characters will need
to address as soon as their business with the elves
is concluded.
Depending on the size and layout of the
character’s spelljammer ship, select one of the
following options to run.
Option 1: Space Eels & Swine
Unbeknownst to the characters at the time, their
selected spelljammer ship had live cargo onboard
that was intended to be transported for
commercial purposes. During the battle with the
astral elves, four space eels and eight space swine
have escaped their cages. They are now running
around in a state of panic ready to attack any
target that presents itself.
Option 2: Gaj
Unbeknownst to the characters at the time, their
selected spelljammer ship had live cargo onboard
that was intended to be transported off planet for
research purposes. During the battle with the
astral elves, a gaj has escaped its cage and is now
on the loose.
Chapter 3: Treacherous Salvage
No particular changes are necessary to this
chapter.
Chapter 4: A Friend Indeed
Notable NPC Adjustments
Consider the following NPC changes:
Commodore Krux. In this version, Commodore
Krux is a retired spelljammer officer of some
renown, though his best days are admittedly
behind him. Krux is willing to share that he once
battled against the Xarysian Empire, which led to
his greatest defeat. This is still a sore source of
shame for him, so he is unlikely to share more
than this. Krux recognizes the star moths as being
from the Xaryxian Empire. Their appearance and
attack on the planet have renewed his vigor for
one more escapade against the astral elves.
The Commodore’s past experience with the
Xaryxian Empire and multiple wildspace systems
make him a good source of helpful exposition
when needed.

Flinch. Flinch doesn’t serve any essential
purpose in the adventure and can be omitted
completely.
Fel Ardra. Fel’s main purpose in the adventure
is to fill in as a spelljammer pilot if needed. By
changing the opening premise and providing the
characters with their own ship, Fel Ardra can be
utilized as a spelljammer for the party is no player
character wishes to fill that role (or as a backup
spelljammer even). Otherwise, Fel can still be
used if you are incorporating the Change of Ship
encounter below, although there won’t be a need
for Fel to continue traveling with the party after
that.
Starbough. If the characters are not traveling
on the Second Wind, then Starbough will serve
no role in the adventure and can be omitted.
Adventures on the Rock of Bral
This is a good place to incorporate additional
locations or adventures on the Rock of Bral into
your campaign. The Astral Adventurer’s Guide
offers an overview of key locations in the Rock of
Bral and there are many more resources available
online, both old and new, that flesh out details,
encounters, and adventures that can be had in
this fantastic location.
If you do want to incorporate more of the Rock
of Bral in your campaign, consider delaying the
character’s rendezvous with Commodore Krux.
Either the Commodore is also traveling to the
Rock of Bral and hasn’t arrived yet or has left
word at the Laughing Beholder that he will meet
the party there at a later date. This message could
also plant the seed of a side quest anywhere on
the Rock of Bral.
Meeting Commodore Krux
Krux is disheartened by the news that the
Spelljammer Academy has been lost and resolves
to get revenge on the Xaryxian Empire. This is
also a chance for personal redemption for Krux’s
past defeat against the astral elves. The
commodore is quick to point out that they’ll have
no chance facing off the Xaryxian Empire alone,
but that he knows where to find help.
Whether now or later in a more private setting,
Krux shares that his associate, Warwyck
Blastimoff, is currently forming a coalition against
the Xaryxian Empire in another Wildspace
system, Doomspace. But to find Warwyck, they’ll
first have to obtain a navigational map of
Doomspace from his friend, Topolah, who lives on
a stay asteroid at the edge of Wildspace.
Change of Ship
If the character’s spelljammer ship is badly
damaged, or you would like to provide them an
opportunity to change vessels, Commodore Krux
offers up the use of his living ship, the Second
Breath. Unfortunately, the Second Breath is
currently leased out to Fel Ardra, who demands
some kind of recompense. Run the “Fel Ardra”
section of chapter 4 as it appears in the
adventure.
Chapter 5: Living on the Edge
Jolly Boats
Whatever spelljammer ship the characters arrive
in, assume that it is equipped with at least one
jolly boat that can be used to ferry the party to
Topolah’s tower and back again during the Oh,
Mama! encounter.
Chapter 6: Grave Alliance
Notable NPC Adjustments
Consider the following NPC changes:
Flinch. At the start of the “Mutiny” section,
Flinch is possessed by Agony the ghost. If Flinch
is not with the party, Agony can possess any other
available NPC (such as Krux or Topolah) or a
player character if you don’t think the player
would mind the temporary encroachment on their
character.
Topolah. After providing the characters with the
Wildspace orrery and connecting them with
Grimzod, Topolah does not have any further
essential purpose in the adventure. Leaving
Topolah behind as the party gives chase of the
Last Breath during the “Mutiny” section of this
chapter is a natural place to leave her behind.
Change of Ships
If the player’s current ship is in bad condition, or
you would like to provide them an opportunity to
change vessels, Grimzod can offer the characters
use of the Last Breath instead. Otherwise, the
Last Breath is not considered to be in good
enough shape to undertake an astral voyage after
its recent battles.
17
 Dumping Dead Weight Chapter 9: Discord and
After Xedalli has joined the party, there is no Diplomacy
further plot requirement for Grimzod to remain No particular changes are necessary to this
with the party. If you decide to not involve the chapter.
vampirate further, he reluctantly stays behind
citing the state of his crew or ship as a plausible Chapter 10: Space Invaders
reason but gives the party the bottle of No particular changes are necessary to this
Champagne du le Stomp he promised as good chapter.
luck.
Chapter 11: Crowning Moment
Chapter 7: Trust Issues
No particular changes are necessary to this No particular changes are necessary to this
chapter. chapter.
Chapter 12: Light of Xaryxis
Chapter 8: Arena of Blood
Notable NPC Adjustments
Dealing with Vocath
Because of the sabotage and attacks that took Consider the following NPC changes:
Grimzod Gargenhale. If Grimzod is no longer
place in the Spelljammer Academy adventure, the present with the party, Commodore Krux
player characters may immediately assume that resolutely volunteers himself to deliver the ring to
Vocath is their enemy and refuse to negotiate with Xaryxis to, in his words, “make up for my past
him, assuming they don’t just attack him outright. failures.”
You can counter this by providing information
that is contrary to the character’s current
knowledge and assumptions. Adding moral
ambiguity creates dramatic tension and tests the
characters to see if they can put behind their
preconceived notions to work with someone they
might not like too well for the greater good of
taking on the Xaryxian Empire and saving their
world.
The information in the More than Just Business
sidebar can be shared by either Warwyck
Blastimoff or by Vocath himself. Seeing that the
characters are members of the Spelljammer
Academy, Warwyck shares the story of Mirt’s and
Vocath’s prior history with each other. Otherwise,
upon meeting Vocath for the first time, he asks
the characters if the Academy has sent them to
return his stolen helms before providing his side
of the story.
More than Just Business
When the sun in Doomspace collapsed, Vocath
used the mercane’s fleet to evacuate people from
the doomed world of Fyreen and provided free
spelljammer helms to them. Mirt got himself
involved in this process and ended up making off
with several spelljammer helms for the Academy’s
use. Although the helms were very valuable,
Vocath is more concerned with the personal slight
of being stolen from than recovering the helms.

18