Stephen looks from Travin, to Shavaris, and back to Travin.  

"So?"  He says, though he isn't clear about what part he's contesting before answering Johnathan's question.  "I'm Boulder Chilled Stephen Austin.  Why am I tied to this?  I literally...oh.  Good talk."  

Delph seems to be thinking curiously on the top of Shavaris' head as she mentions Lord Vader, "I feel I've heard that name before.  Hmm, must not be too important if I don't know them."  They look over at Travin and the man dragging him.  The fairy blinks a couple times and says "Oh hello.  I'm Fireflight.  I didn't start the fires though I am wondering why they were started.  Seems a bad thing to do as a guest in a town."  Delph looks to Travin and follows up with "You should apologize Travin.  Its the right thing to do."

The fairy looks around at all the people seeming to notice them and smiles and waves "Hello people.  We sure are popular.  You don't need to be shy come and say hi!"  They wave at the people staring and pointing at them.  Then whispers to Sharavis "We should probably get going."

Boulder Chilled's eyes shift from Fireflight, to Travin, back to Fireflight.  

"I know..."  He mutters, then watches the Fairy make more of a scene.  "You guys act like there's something to be afraid of.  Empire?  I'm sure I can take 'em."

"Afraid!  I'm not afraid.  I just don't want to hurt all these people.  Of course, if we have to, I could beat up more then you." The fairy seems to think a moment then adds "Which would be a fun contest but I don't think my friends would like that."  Delph looks to the others and asks earnestly "Right?"

As Johnathan starts moving he hears Shavaris mention the fact that this bounty was placed before the fire instant.  Johnathan remembers the Empire encounter near the docks they set off on  and knows it has something to do with Shavaris’s past. He wanted to ask about them but he knew they needed to move now. If no one else moves with Johnathan he will do as Shavaris says and meet up with them on the north road. Where is that mad man and the snail eating snail when you need them?

Travin gleefully cheers as he is dragged down the road and jiggled multiple times "Weeeeeee! Travin enjoying beings carried, but Travin also has feets! Hmmmmm. Shavaris hi! Yes Travin is old now, but Youngs in all the ways that count! Heh heh heh, Did Shavaris see pretty lights? Travin mades distraction yeh yeh and Travin knows what Dawn's guard is thinkings hmmmm! no real fires, so that's what Travin did! Yeh yeh! Good distraction hmmmm? Good Travin! Wes can leave! Hello Fireflight! Still holding alicorn eh? Stiiiiiiill suspicious.... Travin wents to the doctor! Now Travin is cured of all weirdnessesses! Yeh yeh!" He smiles and then gives a knowing wink to Shavaris, his excitability a massive difference to when she saw him crumpled on the floor not ten minutes ago. The difference to shavaris would likely mean that one of these outward expressions is an act, or, the junk man has already forgotten about his high emotional state from before.

Johnathan sees Kerwyn walking on the street. He had no idea why the man was shirtless and had feathers around them and he stops for a sec trying to hold back his laugh. He snaps out of it. Kerwyn, we need to leave now. Grab your shirt and stuff and move. We have a bounty on our heads, and it’s a big one. Johnathan will rush Kerwyn as much as possible, taking care to keep an eye on the gathering crowds. Once Johnathan and Kerwyn make there way to the rest of the group Johnathan turns to the Dawn Guard. If you want to see the dead stallion then we need to go west, should we get the carts or go on foot? I think we can lose the crowd easier if we travel on foot in the woods. What’s the plan? Johnathan gives a glance to Shavaris, expecting her to kinda lead the group on this. Out of everyone here she seemed the most normal and level headed. 

Delphinium looks around at all the people that seem to take an interest in them and seems delighted.  "It's nice to be wanted.  I feel really popular.  Do you think those people heading into the forest are going to find the stallion for us?" The fairy seems to contemplate a little bit then seems to flutter up from Shavaris' head and says "I'm going to make sure they are.  Could be they are trying to hide it too!"  The fairy bolts ahead in a flash.  Electricity trailing behind them with their incredible speed.  They don't even look behind to see if they messed up Shavaris' hair.  Instead they hone in on one of the people with posters that was looking at them and then turned to head towards the forest the Dawn guard was heading.  Delphinium aims to land on top of their head  IF they can manage it one way or the other they make them answer their question "Hey!  Where are you going to in the forest?  Is there something or someone over there?  You should tell me... now." The fairy gives them a very innocent smile as they say the word "now" that is completed undone by them holding their hand up and having it crackle with bits of blue light and snaps of electricity as a blue mask of energy giving them an eerie look forms over their face.

Monk feature used - Visage of the Astral Self: 1 ki point

Intimidation Check: 15

Folks would watch Delphinium get closer and closer to the guy they caught up to.  Little bits of blue shimmering from their hand as they get closer to them.  Eventually they seem to be begging and pleading with the fairy as Delph gets closer and closer until they one they are scaring closes their eyes in which Delph boops their nose then flies back to the rest of the dawn guard.  They land right back on Shavaris' head and say "They said around twenty folk in armor waiting for us that way."  the fairy begins to hum a bit and seems in good spirits.

"well done Fireflight! Yeh! Now thats we know where the enemies is, Travin can't waits to see Stephen fight hmmm!? Who will knock more armours out? Stephen Austins or Fireflight? Heh heh!" The junk man pat's the arm that is holding him off the ground in a 'let me down now' gesture. Trav seems happy to be around the guard again without being forced to go anywhere other than away from the town.

Good scouting Delph. I’m not gonna ask what in oblivion you did but good work. Johnathan turns to the others. Our position is compromised, the enemy knows where we are. We are outnumbered and we have no idea what theses armoured men are armed with. Johnathan goes quiet for a moment. And what’s worse I think they know we want the dead stallion, it’s no accident they are in the direction we need to go. We need to hide and find a way to sneak past them. Or does someone have a better plan?

"You think you can knock out more than me?"  Boulder Chilled Stephen Austin says to Delphinium.  He holds one hand up to his ear and cups the side of his head like he literally cannot hear what is being said to him.  "You...think...you can knock out more than me?  Ho.  Ho ho.  That is a good laugh, Fireflight.  A really good laugh."  

Stephen Austin backs away, holding his hands up over his head as his eyes widen.  He clearly meant it as a good natured challenge, even though he was being a bit of an ass.  

"Do you know where the Cimmerians come from?"  Stephen said, looking around with a wry grin as the looky-loos around the street watch.  "We were first in the world.  When Hyboria was pushed from her mother's womb, Crom was there, and he was watching.  And Crom spit on the babies head, as he does with all babies, and then made a crossed motion of the spit with his thumb.  And then he said 'now you have strength and courage', as he says to all babies born.  And he cast Hyboria out into the world.  And then, when Crom peeled off the top of Ymir's skull and Ymir's blood became the Giants and Ymir's brains became the snows of Hyperborea, Crom allowed Hyboria to birth the Cimmerians.  We were first because someone had to hold the Giants at bay."  

Stephen turned around in the street, his eyes searching amongst the people gathered around them.  His eyes gained a distant, savage look.  

"Boouunty Huunters!"  He called, his voice booming like thunder, rolling like a wave down the road.  He pointed to a man standing nearby.  "You, weak one!  Are you amongst these Empires?  Empure?  Emperors?  Bounty Hunters!?  Are you with them?!"  

The man shook his head and Stephen lunged for him, then laughed as the man fled in the opposite direction.  

"Booooouuuuunty Huuuuunters!?"  The Cimmerian screamed into the air again.  "We know you are there!  Show yourselves!  Be worthy of the battle!  Come to collect your just reward!  Your time to stand before Crom has come!  I, we, shall be the means of your deliverance!"

Several of the people watching casted glances from one another.  Even one of the nearby town guards looked nervous.  

A little girl walked by chewing on some sort of candied apple on a stick.  She looked up at Stephen, who looked down at her.  She made a face.  Stephen roared.  She screamed as he pulled the apple from her hand and took a huge bite out of it, gave it a couple of chews, and then spit it into the air, creating a gross spray of apple chunks.  Her father, standing next to her, reached out, his diminutive hand grasping for Stephen's arm.  Stephen, instead, grabbed the man's wrist and leaned in close, whispering.

"Do you know who I am?"  He said, fleks of apple falling from his lips.  "I am the teeth in the darkness.  The talons in the night.  I am ripper.  Tearer.  Slasher.  Gouger.  Mine is strength.  And lust.  And power.  I AM STEPHEN!"  

Apply chunks sprayed the poor guys face.  A wet patch formed on the front of his breaches, then he was following his daughter down the street as they fled.  

"Someday, Delphinium, I will have to stand before Crom and tell him the Riddle of Steel.  I am ready.  Go on, Delphinium.  Ask me what is best in life."  He smiled as Delphinium asked the question.  "Crush your enemies.  See them driven before you.  Hear the lamentations of their women." 

Then Boulder Chilled Stephen Austin took off at a brisk pace heading west.  

"STEEEEPHEEEEN!"

Ward hears Stephen as he buys the Pepperbox and shakes his head. "Well then, guess this won't be a quiet trip. Batter your doors friend, it might get a bit hairy." Ward says, loading the pistol and putting it to his side. He will quickly run to the Mayor and if he sees him talks to him. "Get the people inside, but if you can, I want you to witness this. There is no beast or bastard that cannot be killed. Everything bleeds, even gods." Ward says before moving towards the group and leaning over to Travin. "That sovereign glue you have, would I be able to borrow some? It'll make this a bit easier to handle." Ward says showing the pistol and the pipes. If Travin says yes he will glue the Pepperbox to his arm, making sure he is still able to use his hand and reload it, and if he has time then glue the pipes around his left arm, getting the poison darts from Shavaris and stick them into 5 of the barrels. "From the pan and into the fire I think the saying goes." Ward says looking toward the rest of the group.

Just what we needed, another man that has lost his mind. So much for sneaking around. Johnathan let’s the crazy barbarian run towards the woods. He looks to see the party gearing up for a fight, despite his protest. He gives a quick glance towards the sun. This is gonna be a problem. Johnathan knows he can’t fight as well in daylight, his only hope was to find shade in the forest. Johnathan clicks his fingers as he stretches his arms. I guess we fight then. I needed something to let off steam with anyway. Johnathan uses his illusion powers to conjure an exact duplicate of himself and walks side by side with it. Let’s get this over with, I’ve got studying to get back to as soon as possible. 

Delphinium wasn't sure about all the tearer, slasher, and lamenting woman part but beating up some bad guys was right up their alley.  As they group watches Steven get more and more excited they all watch as the big man runs off to fight a bunch of bounty hunters.  Delphinium looks to their friends and says "Well... he seem fun.  Bit violent.  I'm going to have to really watch this one to make sure he doesn't kill folks too much." 

Delph flutters off of Shavaris' head again and looks around a bit. Delph also looks at the girl that lost her apple to Steven and thought it quite rude he took the apple from her.  The tiny fairy getting a sense this was another big person that has a hard time being nice and not killing.  Thinking on that the tiny fairy zooms after Steven to flutter beside them as they run.  Their speed almost ludicrous as their zoom off like a bolt of blue light.

When Delphinium catches up to Steven they say to them "Remember.  The challenge is to knock out not kill.  If you kill them they don't count.  Lot harder that way since it's easy to kill.  Since I'm obviously WAY better at not killing, I won't fly off ahead to get a head start.  I'll wait till we both get to them."  With that Delphinium will fly at a speed to keep pace with Steven and not their more ludicrous speed they've been showing lately.  Which should allow the others to keep up pending how fast he moves.

Ward converses with his Docent for a moment before speaking to the group. "Multiple Spellcasters, up to 5th level spells. One seems to be a force user, even. They overestimate themselves." Ward says matter of factly, taking out his rounds and anointing them with the centipede poison. "Also, everyone to me, take a look at this so you can get an area of the terrain." Ward says, taking out a box with a scroll attached and inputting some leaves, giving a 1000-foot map of the area to everyone in the group that looks at it. 

The charge down the road was uneventful...until the battle formation began to step out of the trees on the left and right side of the road.  

"Orcs, frontline!"  The booming voice of a Hobgoblin commander says as he saunters into the middle of the road.  A horse hair plume runs across the top of his helmet from ear to ear.  A shield is in one hand.  He's using his sword to point with the other.  "Hobgoblins, wedge formation!  Nock!"  

Battle lines are quickly formed as well regimented warriors fall into formation.  The Orcs unsling their Greataxes while their Captain barks orders to them, forming a skirmish line to protect the Hobgoblins who form wedges and produce crossbows.  The crossbow wielding Hobgoblins take aim.  An Orc and another Hobgoblin step out next to the Hobgoblin Commander and appear to be preparing spells.  

"Ogres, vanguard!"  The Hobgoblin says.  Four Ogres take up a defensive position at the rear of the formation with two big Orcs controlling them.  Then, in the middle, a Stormtrooper in sleek, black armor produces a strange weapon from his belt that ignites like a flaming sword...

"Dawn Guard; by order of Lord Vader, Sovereign Ruler of Fantasia, you are under arrest for crimes against the Empire."  The lightsaber wielding trooper in the rear of the formation calls.  "First and foremost, aiding the Childlike Empress and disrupting the progression of the natural order.  Lay down your weapons and surrender immediately."

"Well hold on, that is not a comprehensive list in the slightest! What does aiding the Childlike Empress even mean? I've never even met this individual/ child whatever that name means!" Ward shouts from the side of the group, still invisible and grasping a feather in his hand as he invisibly grins and suppresses a chuckle.

Shavaris continues to creep along the left side treeline as the bounty hunters line up and make their decree.  She smiles at Wards retort, then lines up her shortbow at the orc in spellcasting robes.  She takes a deep breath and lets the arrow fly, sinking into his chest... increasing the damage with her sneak attack.

Attack: 19, Damage: 15

As the arrow hits it's intended mark, a vivid ghostlike apparition lifts off of the orc and floats over to the hobgoblin next to him, delivering him a tickle of necrotic damage (1).

Blood sprays from a wound in the Orc spellcasters chest...

There's a sort of 'fwoomp' sound as something is shot out of the center of the formation at the Dawn Guard, followed by the 'thwack' of arrows being fired.  A storm of incoming arcs over the Orc front lines.  

"Forward!"  The Orc Captain shouts. 

Orc Stormtroopers in light armor rush across the field, greataxes swinging as they bear down on the Dawn Guards lines.  As they complete their charge, the injured Orc spellcaster in the center of the formation touches the Orc Captain's back and shouts to the heavens before thrusting her hands skywards.  She begins some chant...

The Orc attacks connect with Travin and Kerwyn, though the Orcs have a harder time hitting Delphinium and Stephen Austin, the latter of which just laughs as he sidesteps a Greataxe blow...