“IF YOU WANT A FIGHT THEN COME GET ONE! DONT HIDE AND USE LIGHTENING TO DO YOUR BIDDING COWARD!” Ward yells at wherever the lighting originates from before moving towards Johnathan to check on him

Travin sheds his disguise, appearing once more as the Junker that he truly is, he narrows his eyes at Delphine um and the newly arrived fox. But says nothing.

When the sky begins to turn more hostile and looks as if it's going for Johnathan, Travin pulls off one of his patches from his robe and brings an iron pot out of his second chest on his back. The patch springs into a 10ft wooden pole and travin places the iron pot on one end and attempts to hand the other end to Johnathan. "Here, heheh Jonathan mades the sky mad hmmm? Now Johnathan gots ta protects himself from the lightning yeh yeh! This will help, holds the pole up as you go yeh! Iron attracts the lightning and then it arcses off 'cause the woods ain't gonna lectricutes the Johnathan hmmmm? We need to find somewheres inside. yeh?"

Johnathan was shocked to see the fox being so friendly. He was halve expecting it to act like Didymus with the arrogance and the annoying keen smell. But as he tells him this was Delphinium friend, the one that helped them, he changed his him. This one looks like it might be alright, I don’t want to anger Delph. He looks at the robot arm. Besides, looks like someone already got him. Sorry Hemmingway, I thought you were someone else. Johnathan goes to reach for the tea, more to be nice than wanting the tea itself, when he feels something. Something was off. He looks to the sky and for a split second he sees lightning strike towards him. Without thinking he uses his powers to summon an ice-like coffin around him. He crosses his arms and stands up straight, as if he was asleep. When the lighting strikes it appears to hit the coffin, leaving Johnathan in one piece. After a few moments the ice around Johnathan melts and he emerges. Huh, that was close. Guess something is kinda mad at me. He looks to the sky. And people wonder why I don’t like them. He sees Ward approach. I’m fine really. It just got a bit too close. He sees Travin balancing a pot on a stick. I don’t think that will help, besides I’m sure that was the last of it. Johnathan looks to the sky to see if it calmed down.

Reaction: Tomb of leviathan (60 temp hp for a round, lightning damage hits tomb)

Kerwyn walks over, looking tired after the fight.  It’s only been what, an hour at most?  He puts his cool new light sword in his belt and goes over to Delph and this new odd fox.  “You said you were gone a couple weeks little fella?  It’s only been an hour at most… probably less than that.  That force guy did a number on you, made you blind and then sent you somewhere.  Don’t you worry Delph.  Me and good ole Boulder Chilled over here laid the smack down on him.  Took him out.  I know, you probably wanted us to just pinch his cheeks, tell him he was a naughty boy and knock him out, but ole Boulder Chilled had other plans for him with that maul of his, and my glaive kinda made mincemeat out of him.  In other words, we sought vengeance for you Delph.  It’s good to have you back!  I thought you were a goner….  Mr. Fox… Hemingway…. How long have you known Delph?  What’s your deal?”  Kerwyn starts to knock the dirt and little bits of mud off his winged boots as he talks to them.  

Travin merely stands there with the pile outstretched insistently, waiting for Johnathan to take it. "Travin is helping Johnathan! Takes the pole hmm? Just in cases!"

Delphinium looks at the disguised Travin "Oh!  That's a really good illusion Travin!  I'm impressed."  Then he looks back to Shavaris from their perch on her shoulder and seems to be in a bit of confusion as she informs them its only been a short time.  "Huh?  I've been traveling for a couple days with Hemmy from where the stallion used to be.  Not to mention the couple weeks we spent in the Feywild.  It's been a crazy journey trying to get back to you all." 

Hemmy looks over to Shavaris and Delph talking and adds "Delph, I think our journey in the feywild must have had some kind of magical influence pushed on it.  A feylord is likely.  It could of been someone using a powerful magic item on you or me too.  That can certainly cause disruptions between realms, might of even been the Alicorn you're holding.  Also always possible we just got really unlucky when we crossed between realms... or lucky considering we found your friends." He then goes back to conversing with Johnathan.  "Quite alight to mistake me for someone else Johnathan.  I pride myself on being a gentleman though and quite understand that many foxes look very similar.  If ever in doubt, You'll never find me without my Version 8 APATSA though.  Oh right, That stands for All Purpose Arc Tech Stealth Armor.  Patent pending."  The mechanical arm makes a bowing motion and then makes a muscle pose like it's showing off as Hemmy describes it.

Delph grumbles. "Yeah, that sounds like he would do that kind of thing.  Being all helpful and cool but still a jerk!"  The fairy frowning and mad looks over to Steven as he rushes up to the tiny fairy and declares he got so many the fairy smiles at them at first then they begin to look around.  They give Steven a very quizzical look and says "They are dead though.  Knock-out means you can fight them again AFTER you knock them down.  That's just plain killing.  You should check to see if any are still alive.  Then they count.  How many did I get though?  Unfortunately, I didn't knock-out any either I think.  I got sent to the feywild during the fight." at the deadly looking sky and adds off topic "Hey, the sky looks really angry should we get to cover?"

Hemmingway looks like a normal fox (those with some arcane knowhow will recognize them as an awakened fox) with a mechanical pack on their back, they walk on all fours but they seem to have some special control over what looks like armor that is fitted around their body.  The robotic arm comes out of the backpack as a 5th limb (6th if you count their fluffy red and white tail) and seems to have a huge range of motion.  It even extends outwards to ten feet with a metallic clicking sound as it hands Johnathan the cup of tea.  Turns out to be a good thing the arm can extend so far as a bolt of lightning strikes down on Johnathan and if not for the extendo arm Hemmy would of been caught in the blast as well.  Instead the fox yips in surprise as they leap back from the blast and their mechanical arm quickly pulls out a double-barreled shotgun. (somehow managed to put away the tea cup at the same time)  The ice casing around Johnathan leaves the fox a bit confused as they slowly get closer to the ice tombed Johnathan.  Once he pops out unharmed the Fox seems delighted.  "Oh!  Good show sir!  Amazing trick.  Handsome and fabulous I see."  The robotic arm puts the shotgun away as the Fox praises him and gives him a wink.

Delph glows at Kerwyn "Awww, you sought vengeance for me?  Thank you Kerwyn!  I'm gald to be back.  I just wish with better news."  oddly Delph seems to ignore all the bits about killing.  Hemmingway replies to Kerwyn's question "Oh!  I've known Delphinium for years!  We were best friends in the Summer Court.  Hunting together, working with his dad, I helped him with his training, and so many good tales!  Like this one time Delph was on a hunt for..."  Delphinium interrupts the fox "Hemmy we should get out from under the storm."  Hemmy nods "Too right!  Does anyone need any healing or help?"  The fox looks to them for a reply.

Shavaris looks at the fox with interest.  Wondering if the fox had plans to stay with Delphinium or was just helping them find their way back?  she decides not to ask as the weather starts turning for the worst.  "I was thinking we should head into the woods, but maybe we need to head back into the village and find some shelther?  Also, Delph, did you say you came from where the stallion was slain?  Is it not there anymore?"

The fairy droops a bit at Elthana's question and that sign of anxiety reappears.  "Ummm, I bet there are several stallions in the village.  Right ward?  We should probably head that way to get out from under the storm.  It's still looking really nasty up there.  You all want to get to safety right?"  The tiny fairy does not seem keen on this line of conversation as their eyes dart a bit tellingly towards the alicorn then back to the others.

As Ward sees the lightning continue he thinks for a moment before taking off Guilty Spark and handing him to Shavaris. “Guilty Spark, log 1, playing chicken with the gods. Shavaris, if you could hold him for a moment.” Ward says calmly before grabbing his Scimitar, taking the Orrey “Ill return it in a moment.” Ward says and holds the Orrey and Scimitar in one hand, and a few bottles in the other before raising the Scimitar. “YOU HOLD NO POWER OVER US, I FEAR TWO GODS THE LAND AND THE MOON AND YOUR ARE NOT ONE. SEND YOUR BOLTS YOU COWARDLY DOG!” Ward says, his voice deepening and eyes glazing over white as he stares towards the sky.

"Log 1, Playing Chicken With the Gods, recording in progress."  Guilty Spark says as he's handed to Shavaris.  

The Traveling Ward's voice calls into the heavens as he mocks the powers that be, tries to call down the lightning, and even offers up the Orrery in an attempt to bring down the lightning.  

What happens, however, is something completely different.  

Darkness begins to creep into the landscape around them as the forest surrounding their position turns unnaturally and impenetrably dark.  Dark purple light pierces the dark and dances over the clearing, over the area where all the bodies are.  The lightning crackles overhead...and they hear the sound of a bell.  Something about the sound is wrong.  Out of tone with their reality; it's as if the bell is playing through water.  

One section of the forest in particular glows a brighter purple...and then there are figures outlined in the light, nine in total.  They slowly step forward.  The things would have probably been purple, but their bodies are covered in a fine layer of white ash which shows up lavender over their natural skin tones.  Their heads are bald, and their chins are adorned with tentacles.  Each of the beings is in a state of self mutilation.  Their leather clothing is tight and ghastly, and more often than not, the leather garments are woven into the flesh of the things.  

One holds up hands that have huge spikes driven through them.  Another's stomach has been cut open, the flaps of abdominal flesh held open by medical instruments that show off its innards the same way a wizard may dissect a frog.  It's viscera look ready to spill out on the ground.  Another has a near opposite wound, its back split open to reveal to lung-like organs inflating and deflating like a death angel execution.  

The leader, however, is the one that seems most physically intact.  It's ashen form steps forward, tentacles quivering beneath a head that is section latitudinally and longitudinally with scar tissue.  A nail has been driven into each of the intersections of this scar tissue.  

It pauses, some sixty feet from Ward, and its eyes are set on the Orrery.  

-=The Orrery of the Wanderer.=- It, he, says, holding one hand out.  -=I will have it now.=-

“Ah, we meet ones who’ve started this storm. Do you have a name?” Ward says, before giving the Orrey back to Johnathan. “He will hold on to it for the moment. Just while we speak of course. Oh and Stephen stay with me, I don’t want them getting the wrong idea about our intentions you see.” Ward says, making sure to turn away from them when he says it and give Stephen a look to try and indicate to stay chill.

When Hemingway offers healing to anyone who needs it, Travin it the first to suddenly appear next to the fox, getting slowly closer to his face, before saying "Travin will takes a heal yeh yeh! Some orcses done did hit Travin's face withs a greataxe, hmmmm? See!? See Travin's axewounds hmm? Looksee here heh heh!" As the weird junk person gets a little too close for comforts with the newcomer he points to his most recent bloody wounds on his face, whilst laughing and jeering.

At the arrival of dissected nine, Travin looks dower, suddenly fearful and anxious, he hides behind Birt, looking for answers or reassurance out of Johnathan or Shavaris. "What is them...?" He looks around for any other changes, any ambush or hidden enemy.  (Perception 10)

Johnathan starts freaking when the land was turning dark. He believed Darkness was coming. But it wasn’t darkness, it had a hint of purple. He was so tired and weak he didn’t even realise Ward took the Orrery. When he offers it to the sky Johnathan is not impressed. That’s it. I’m getting a safe. Everyone is touching my stuff. I don’t try and steal his bomb stuff, and offering it to the gods. Not. A. Chance. He snatches it from Ward and puts it in his pocket. Johnathan watches as these figures approach them. I see. So it wasn’t a God that made the lightning, it was them. Johnathan turns to Ward. You just had to push them Huh. Next time don’t involve me or my stuff. Johnathan looks to the figures. I don’t know why he offered you something that doesn’t belong to him but the Orrery is mine. Johnathan gives Ward a very dirty look. In the past 24 hours he has had 3 members of the dawn guard take his stuff, and ironically it wasn’t even the rogue! Johnathan looks at the creatures. They weren’t gods, they looked like undead. He tries to thing what they could possibly be.

Acrana: 23

Hemmy smiles at Travin and says "Of course.  You must be Travin.  I see the chair.  Delph said they being your friend.  Come here.  It's not the best healing but it'll patch up open wounds at the very least."  The robotic arm pulls out what appears to be some kind of spray bottle with a big red plus sign on it.  The fox looks over Travin and their wounds and arm seems to respond to their will as it positions over the wounds and begins to spray.  It seems to cover up exposed bleeding and wounds but doesn't heal deeper then that.  There is even a slight tingling sensation that tickles a bit as it disinfect the wound.

Travin is healed for: 7 hp

As Hemmy finishes up healing their hairs suddenly stick up in agitation and the forms begin to show themselves.  The robotic arm pulls out the double barreled shotgun one again and points it at the newly arrived beings.  The fox seems extremely scared and says "Be careful Travin... they are.... evil."  The fox looks over to Deplhinium who also seems to sense the absolute evil that is these new comers. 

Delphinium was trying to deflect the conversation they knew they were going to have to have for a little longer and they should of been careful what they wished for because a distraction came.  As the fairy was replying to Shavaris they suddenly look over to where the mutilated beings were beginning to manifest.  They glow blue with a summoning of their power and even manifest their large Astral arms and Visage.  Soon the fairy is coated in a blue Astral form and they look very ready to fight.  "Shav... these... I've never felt a more horrifying presence in my life." The blue fairy is shaking.  They look almost sick.

As the creatures demand andsome of their friends begin to talk to the beings the fairy panics a bit and yells at their friends, "Don't give them anything!  Don't ask them for anything!" Good basic information when dealing with evil fey but Delph isn't sure it'll help with these beings or not or if what rheir friends did was enough to give these things power over them.  They just know that many powerful beings (especially fey) can gain powers over people when asked for things or are given things. They look to the beings and say "You're not getting what you want here.  Begone!  You are not welcomed here!"  Delph definitely looks ready to fight with their dozen astral arms out and spiritual Visage mask apparited.  

"Sir Hemmingway, is it?  Why nice to meet you.  I am so very glad you were able to help our Delph find his way back"  she shifts her eyes to Delphinium but no longer asks them about the stallion.  She figures that conversation can wait.  Turning back to the fox as they are offering, "Would you mind?  I have quite a gash from one of the orcs."

Ward then takes off his friend, she isn't sure what to call it, but apparently Guilty Spark - she does recall that now, but holds it for him as he asks.  But when he starts taunting the Gods, she thrusts it back at him, "What have you done?  Why must you taunt Gods when we have enough to worry about?  Enough on our plate and we need to find the unicorn?!"  She asks Ward in exasperation.  

As the creatures appear, she stands rooted to her spot.  She doesn't know if it is fear or confusion or what, but she has never seen beings of this sort before.  Are they what Ward brought?  She looks to Travin as he calls her name, "It's alright, I'm sure they'll eventually leave.  We need to get back to the village."  She sees Delph's reaction and it doesn't make her feel any better at all.  How are they going to leave without the Orrery?  Eloise appears at her side as she waits to see what happens next.

Kerwyn wanders over as well, kneeling down and looking at Hemmingway, nodding as Shavaris speaks with him.  “Hello Hemmingway, my name is Kerwyn.  I took a gash from those guys as well, can you heal me as well?  I don’t need much, but I didn’t know we were going to get into a fight again so soon…” He looks with a glare over at Ward and the Orrery.  

After that happens, Kerwyn stands up straight and his voice goes into an odd otherworldly sound.  He repeat verbatim the message that he received from the Auryn.  He touches his headband as he does so, then his eyes straighten up and focus after he finishes.  This is what he says : 

“Fellow AURYN bearers, this is Rumble of Hunger of the Twilight Embers. I bring grave news. Greko the Green has fallen at the hands of the Lord of Darkness in a conflict at the Temple of Time. He sacrificed his life so that others of the Twilight Embers would survive. Do not engage with the Lord of Darkness and Ganondorf at the Temple of Time, they are too powerful at this moment”.

“BE AWARE, Lelith Lathrana the fey elf ranger formerly of Twilight Embers has proved false. She is in league with the Lord of Darkness and is not to be trusted. She is a master of deception and disguise and claims to be able to walk across planes, so be wary. Do not trust her”.

“Ro Aleron of the Twilight Embers has travelled willingly to Subternia in a misguided search for power and is likely never to return. If he does, he will not be the same.

“There is also positive news. I am with The Order of the Phoenix, they currently have no Auryn so cannot communicate. They have discovered though that the Childlike Empress has been reborn anew. She must be found and defended and ascend to the throne of the Ivory Tower. Her identity and location are unknown and she is being sought by both the forces of light and darkness”.

“Order of the Phoenix have leads on the Triforce of Courage and the Triforce of Wisdom. Twilight Embers are no closer to the retrieval of the Alicorn and may well assist Order of the Phoenix at this time”.

“Any updates from Dawn Guard and Andromeda’s Answer would be appreciated. Also, greetings Andromeda’s Answer”.

(Back to Kerwyn) “Whatcha think?  I need to tell ‘em what the hell is going on here.”

-=Human names, human memories, they have no place, nor meaning, in our existence.=-  The pin-headed thing says, continuing to hold one of its hands out.  -=We are explorers in the further regions of experience. Demons to some, angels to others.=-

As he steps forward, two others follow; one has had the tentacles on its face docked, each of the damaged nubs being capped with silver studs.  The beak beneath the tentacles chatters up and down relentlessly, producing audible clicks as it does so.  The other one, the one with spiked hands, flanks this one, the two of them on either side of their apparent leader.  

The two flanking beings begin doing...something.  The Dawn Guard can feel it.  Hear it in their heads as they try to make contact.  Many of them begin to relax, to comply with the creatures as they're instructed not to resist.

The leader points one hand at Stephen.  

-=Your flesh is now mine.  If the construct attempts to do anything, destroy it.=-  The pinheaded creature commands Stephen...and Stephen's eyes turn purple as he draws his Greatmaul.  

One of the other creatures being to approach Johnathan, looking into his eyes as it addresses him.  

-=You mind is strong, but hear my voice.  Do not attempt to resist or you will be met with destruction.  Give us the Orrery.=-  

It becomes clear, very quickly, that only The Traveling Ward isn't under their mind control.

"Interesting, a bit boring for my taste but fair enough. Why don't we talk a bit first, however, as you don't seem to be allied with those who wish to kill us? If you would allow me to I would also like to cast something upon myself that would make my words a bit more precise." Ward says, dropping the spell he had prepared and casting Enhance Ability for Charisma if they don't stop him.

The pinheaded creature stops Ward from casting his spell by using Counterspell.
-=Speak quickly. My patience wears thin, and your lack of flesh bores me. Say your piece so that we can get back to the work that matters.=-

"I can tell that you do not follow the events of this level I guess of the world, and that is understandable as it seems you operate outside of it if I guess correctily. I hold no qualms with that, however, this area of the world is currently within a war that has the ability to tear this realm and likely others apart. We are using the Orrey to attempt to stop that. Here is why you should care, while I do not know what specific items it is you seek, there are many in this realm, and those are all liable to be destroyed and soon if we are not able to stop the progress of this Darkness that haunts our world. I cannot stop you here, I know when I am outmatched, however I think I can appeal to you. If your goal is to explore the further regions of experience, taking this from us now will only limit that in the future once this world is gone. I do not even ask that you assist us with our mission, but to simply delay taking this object until our mission is done or we fall in battle. Does that seem like a fair deal to you." Ward says, not reaching out his hand as he thinks it will probably piss them off.

The thing laughs. Actually laughs at Ward. It's laugh is so hideous that if Ward wasn't made of sterner stuff, it would have damaged his mind. -=This world and its needs are trivial to us. Think of the beautiful suffering that its destruction will bring forth. Your mind is so pathetic and primitive that it cannot appreciate the full reaches of experience or the physical condition. Whatever happens to this world means nothing to us. We want the Orrery. Take this deal, before I alter it.=-

"I misspeak, it is not the world's needs that I believe you care for, it is the objects contained in this world that will soon be destroyed if we are not allowed to stop it. You seek suffering in a short-sighted manner, the destruction of a world is short in comparison to how long I assume you shall live, a living world contains far more suffering and pain than the short moment of its destruction, and you will spend the rest of your life chasing that high again. But if you truly believe I do not understand, then show me and maybe I can see it through your eyes."

-=You are nearsighted in your desires.=- The being says. -=Do you think this is the only world? Do you think this is the only existence for which we drink suffering? If you have any wish to remain on this plain, you'll give us what we want now, or you will become the onslaught of an agony which you cannot comprehend. I will not ask again.=-

"Once again, I cannot stop you. I do wish to understand you, however. And I do not believe this to be the only world, but I do believe it to be one of few worlds with objects such as the Orrey. And I do believe you gain more in the suffering of its life. I do wish to remain here, I have a mission to complete of course, but I want to see through your eyes at least for a moment. If after that I understand then this conversation will be over, but I think it would make things very interesting to you if I still disagreed afterward." Ward says, moving a bit away from the Orrey to show that he will not stop them should they wish to take it, but still holding their gaze."I have seen a great deal, and I do not mean that in a cocky way. But I have seen the suffering of this world, caused and experienced a great deal of it myself. I have done horrible things to the people of this realm, so I truly do not see my perspective as far off from yours as you do."

The creature that had approached Johnathan takes the Orrery from him and walks back toward the leader, showing the device to him before stepping away, forward the purple glow.

"If you wish to walk away then so be it. Once again, I cannot stop you without my allies. But I hope you remember this conversation, as I feel we will meet again." Ward says, before sitting down and beginning to brew himself some tea.

Ward is wracked with extreme pain. An agony completely and utterly alien to him as he sits. He flops to his side and convulses as the thing standing before him simply watches in rapt fascination. His mind is broken, his body is broken, he feels his neurons and sensations shattering. He would pass out but it simply hurts too bad. The Traveling Ward's body looks different as if something has been taken from him.

The creatures begin to depart. Three, then four of them reenter the light, including the one carrying the Orrery.

-=You will do well to remember this day.=-

Ward continues to writhe on the ground for a little while as the rest of the party begins to snap out of it.

Johnathan takes a moment to regain his senses. It was like a weird dream, a dream he had no control over. As he looks up he sees the monsters have left. He quickly goes into his pocket where the Orrery would rest and doesn’t find it there. It’s gone… My one hope is gone. Johnathan falls to the ground as he realises that he has lost the only thing capable to rewind time, to undo his curse. If he had just a few more days he could’ve unlocked it. He could’ve mastered it. I have failed again. I’m stuck like this forever. Johnathan stands up and walks over to a fallen body of an orc. He reaches down and bites into its flesh and beings drinking. He has tears falling down his face as he lets go of his restraints. As he drinks his pale skin becomes more vibrant and life like as his withered form starts to become more life like. It felt good, really good. For so long he had animal blood to delay the inevitable, but the taste of a humanoid felt amazing. 

After the meal Johnathan stands up, blood covering his face. He has stopped crying and walks over to Ward. You took what didn’t belong to you. Are you happy? THAT was my only chance to save myself. THAT was what I needed more than anything in this world. And you took it from me for what, to play a game with lightning. Why does everything take from me. If it’s not my own allies it’s monsters they taunt into this realm. THIS IS WHAT I GET FOR TRYING TO SAVE DELPH!! Johnathan looks down at Ward with pure rage and picks up any firebombs on Ward. His arrogance cost me everything. Johnathan turns from the party and beings to head off into the woods. I’m getting a drink, DONT follow me. With that Johnathan heads into the woods to kill every single animal creature he comes across in a blood rage.