Vass was a freed Mind Flayer Druid that was captured by the scientists of the Blackwood Institute and experimented upon. She was rescued by the Phoenix Nebula, and in return she made their ship come to life.
Vass was likely a human that underwent ceremorphosis. After an unknown period of time, she escaped the Illithid colony and regained her free will. A druid, she wanted to preserve the natural aberrant ways.
She was captured by the Blackwood Institute and experimented upon. In 3E452, the Phoenix Nebula were breaking into the institute and ended up freeing her. Although Fek the githzerai was apprehensive of her, they let her stay aboard the ship.
In return, she slowly made the ship The Phoenix Nebula become sentient and 'purple'. The ship was now able to teleport at will as well.