Enshrouded Korthos - DnD 5e, 2024 - with adjustments for incompetence on my part.

Vespera is having problems thinking about anything other than the splitting headache. Harknail tries to dial down the pain so that she can function.

MEP-RU sends the following out trying to get better fidelity about what to expect…

”MEP-RU REPORTS. Message received, standing by, clarification requested. What will appear or happen. Where best to be positioned? Over.”

@MEP-RU, position irrelevant. Global event. Spatial and temporal readjustment. 

At the end of the countdown, the universe blinks. ( if you have seen Three Body Problem this would be easy ). It is as if you blinked for slightly longer, for about a full second, there is just black for a second and then everything is back to normal. Except, you did not blink, everything , everywhere did, all around you, flicker and done.

There is an immediate change, nothing dangerous, but strange and unusual. Before the flicker, it was early morning, now, it is early evening. 

@MEP-RU, according to your AI, it is not only early evening, it is early evening the next day.

Manny is blinking in a lack of understanding.

MEP-RU continues to broadcast, maybe to MEP-Crystal or maybe to the AI, but it continues to interrogate for understanding. (Silverlining just continues to stand about.)

MEP-RU, statement. Adjustment indicates the system was not running within acceptable parameters. RE-adjustment indicates system has been adjusted before.

Inquiries; How many prior adjustments have been made? When were they made? And Who controls the adjustments?

@MEP-RU, 

Prior Adjustments = unknown. 

Precise date = unknown.

Entity in control = MEP 5,  Location = Mount Misery Peak

Speculative information: Upon arrival MEP 5 intends to contact HOME. Possible timeline 3 years ago.  Possible adjustments made = unknownable. Anywhere from 1 to infinite.

Speculative - possible goal:  synchronize point of origin 1. HOME with point of destination 2. HERE and now.   

WARNING: MEP 5 has much superior mass.  Communication with MEP 5 extremely hazardous. Infiltration software present, infiltration attempts made by MEP 5. 

Manny hears noises and sees lights of the MEP-RU, "so Silver what is going on?  I don't see what that 2 minute countdown was about?"

Silverlining turns towards Manny, a look of confusion on his face. “Sir, I am unaware of what you are referring to. Two minute countdown?  I heard no such thing, I only just arrived here same as you.”

But as Silverlining speaks, MEP-RU communicates discretely with the hands and relays the following. 
“Another MEP located at Mount Misery Peak made world adjustment. MEP-5, great mass, possibly dangerous, possibly trying to align here with Home. Nothing further.”

Silverling then asks if Vespera will be alright.

Vespera answers, "The pounding headache is gone after light changed. What happened?" After a moment, she said, "Harknail is telling me something about another, more powerful spirit adjusted the world in some way."

Silverlining still looking confused, “If you say so.”

However, his hand continues to sign, “It appears to be true. MEP-5 must have been here longer than any of us. It appears more massive than even MEP-Crystal. Reports indicate it is responsible for adjusting us forward approximately 18 earth hours.”

Manny's jaw drops, adjusted 18 hours in a fraction of a second?

Vespera really doesn't get it, but Harknail is impressed.

( Any plans ? ) 

Manny looks to the others, "Losing time is not good as  it disrupts the natural order, but I don't understand time and not sure what to do? I assume we figure out who or what did this, but I am not smart enough to figure that out"

Silverlining states, “We were in the hunt for the lost souls in the forest. We have the key now to obtain the crystal. We should stick to that plan. Any deviations at this point only delay their rescue further.”

Perhaps it’s the monk’s upright adherence to humanity that leads him to the statement. Or perhaps it was MEP-RU chemically manipulating the body. It was probably a combination of both to be honest. 

Manny states with gratitude, "thanks be I am around so many much smarter then I."

Vespera comments, "I can't do anything about a spirit that can play with time, searching for lost people is something I can do, so let's get back to that and hope they have survived so far."

( Back to the Crypt then ? If so, do you go straight for the crest door, or do you revisit the Shadow room and the Knight ? )

Straight for the crest door, we might want to deal with the shadow and knight eventually, but we have more important things to do first, save people!

Which is how Harknail would advise Vepsera if she wasn't inclined to pass on unneeded fights as well.

You go back into the Crypt. Nothing seems to have changed. You get to the door and slot the crest. 

The stone door raises to reveal a small chamber with two statues and three benches. In the middle of the benches is a low pedestal. On top of it is a crystal not unlike the one in the village, but perhaps a third of its size and not as bright. 

On the left wall of the room there is a book shelf with a lot of books and documents. Many of them look old but all are well preserved. Some sections are new and appear to be in regular use. 

On the right wall, the shelves hold tools and jars the labels of which indicate that they are used in maintaining the seals of the sarcophagi and / or embalming more recent additions to the Heyton Crypt. 

The purpose of the room itself is revealed by an inscription on the floor, right in front of the door as you enter. It is a contemplation chapel for holding vigil. 

The ceiling has a starry night sky scape full of geometric patterns.