Out skirts of the Village

The group of you return to the village. Kveit has been using her remote viewer to keep tabs on the approach of the Timmermen's craft. About 10 minutes ago they came into full view. As predicted, you see one larger vehicle, it erupts from the black clouds like a whale breaching from the ocean, spitting lightning backwards behind it from the circular modules attached to to the rear.


Seconds later, eight smaller personal craft burst forth behind it. The streak through the air and swarm around the larger craft like sharks chasing a scent. Whenever two craft come into close proximity more lightning arcs between them. The connections seem to propel the smaller craft forward in huge bursts of speed, but once separated they slow down and regroup.


At the rate they are traveling you have about 20 minutes before they arrive overhead. You all have managed to reach the treeline. Ahead you can see the people of Uncegilla Cove rushing about. The Mayor and the Guild Councilors are huddled together, excitedly discussing something. Occasionally someone will approach them, and they will point or gesture and give an order and the petitioner will run off to do whatever it was they were told to do.

Aileen Verigar, Mama Zifnaby and Repin Mohsen are herding the younger children (ages 2 - 9) into one corner of the green. They seem to be trying to keep them entertained or at least occupied. Irving Winters and Triun can be seen organizing the town malitia. They are armed mostly with farm implements and tools, but you see one or two swords and shields. Whenever someone starts to draw a blade they are immediately reprimanded and shouted down. The order is repeated several times that no one is to look as thought they want to fight, they are just there for show.

Amburn runs past with baskets of bread and baked goods in her arms. Klia and several other older girls follow closely behind equally laden with food. Coming up from the mill you see six men rolling three casks of winter cider. This was all meant for the feast later. Now it seems as though they are preparing an offering. The Seer confirms that is what is happening.

Your group has gathered at the edge of the forest as discussed. The Seer is ready to enter the aldiea and help with the preparations.

A humming and crackling sound can be heard in the distance. It is growing louder and louder until the Timmermen ships come into view overhead. The canopy of the forest keeps them from spotting you as they move toward the village. The larger transport vehicle lands in the square. It takes up a lot of space but the people are well out of the way. Once it lands a large man covered in armor from head to toe emerges. His helm puts you in mind of a demonic bull.


He steps onto the stage and you hear the reat thuds of his steps. Under his feet the boards creak and groan, protesting his weight. Moments later, another figure emerges. This one is smaller and it is so covered in armor you cannot tell if it is a man or a woman. Upon its head is the visage of a skull. THe black eyes stare out at the gathered villagers with malevolence.


The smaller craft whiz by and circle the aldiea. They seem to be looking for stragglers, but their eyes are turned inward and they do not notice your group. Each rider has a different helmet depicting a different creature. Most you recognize, or at least think you've seen a drawing or depiction of them before. Some however seem alien and strange. Do they depict creatures native to the lands beyond the mountains?

The Seer makes his way to the two figures. Your group is left alone in the woods when you notice even the bugs seems to quieted down in reverence.

The gathered crowd turns to see Kveit. The skull faced Timmerman turns to the Seer and says, "What is that child talking about?"

A roar comes from the hulking bull helmeted Timmerman. "AAAARRRR, I told you. The Seer has betrayed us. We raised him up from the chattel and gave him privileges meant for his betters. A ask the privilege of striking him down, High Lord." Taking a piece of metal off of his back he holds it out in front of him. It unfolds into a gigantic ax.

The bull seems to sense the arrow coming at him and with a quick swipe of the ax he knocks the projectile aside. His head turns and his gaze locks on Kveit. Snorting once the hulking man charges at the small mutant girl. His weapon cuts a wide arc through the air. Just as he is about to bring it to bear against Kveit, the skull faced Timmeman raises a hand and the bull stops short.

"Hold, Lord Bull, we will hear what she has to say. She has shown the bravery and bold action previously found in Uncegilla Cove servants. We believe there is more going on than your simple mind has grasped."

Keeping his gaze locked on Kveit, he responds, "Lord Death, I know there is more here, but this girl! She is insolent! Putting her in her place will show the rest of this waste hole of an aldiea where they belong!"

The skull helmmed Timmerman, Lord Death replies, "In time you may have your chance. For now we shall see how this plays out."

The metal on Lord Death's arm shifts and coils, it breaks apart and flows into a wicked trident of black steel. Kveit's own nanites ripple momentarily, but stay in control. He levels the weapon at the Seer. "Explain yourself, Seer"

The hawk Timmerman is holding the struggling Kylia by her wrists, both wrapped in a single gauntleted hand. Her efforts seem a complete waste as the larger man bends down and wraps an arm around Amburn's waist and hefts her over his shoulder roughly. The movement brings Amburn around and she begins struggling against the hawk, but she can't seem to find a weak point in his armor. He moves steadily toward the transport vessel with the girls.

Chaig's years of fighting and bullying have paid off somewhat. He lands two or three solid hits on his two assailants before the goat manages to get his whip around Chaig's neck. There is a flash of purple light and Chaig chokes out a scream before falling unconscious. Kveit being closest can see black burn around Chaig's neck, and small wisps of black smoke rise from wound. The owl kicks the unconscious child, the goat bends over and grabs him by the wrist and drags Chaig toward the transport following the hawk.

The owl Timmerman is still empty handed, but without anyone actively fighting him he is able to quickly choose someone to take. He approaches the seamstress Aileen Verigar. She is hiding three of the town's orphans children behind her. The owl approaches her and points at her wards. The matron of the orphanage steps forward but the sudden appearance of a three foot blade in the owl Timmerman's hand keeps her back. They exchange words, to quietly to be heard at a distance, but by the woman's gestures, you can guess she is offering herself as well. For some reason the owl considers this acceptable. One of the children is passed to a nearby villager, then Aileen and the other two walk in front of the owl as he prods them toward the transport.

Galen's skill with the blade is proven. With one quick lunge he skewers the hawk headed Timmerman by finding the weak point under his arm. Reaver's point exits the enemy's back inches below Amburn's face. The young woman lets out a shriek of surprise when the blood splatters on her face. The watching townsfolk scream in horror and shock. The other Timmermen are have unreadable facial expressions, but confusion is what you would guess is their primary reaction.

The hawk face turns and regards Galen for a moment. This close you can see the human eyes inside the helmet. They are obscured by the tinted material of the visor, but the unmistakable light that was his life can be seen to fade as Reaver drinks deeply of his blood as it pours from the wound. An eternity stretches out between Galen and the Timmerman, then suddenly reality comes back. Galen no longer looks at the face of an enemy, but holds the weight of a corpse and a young woman up with his blade.

The Bull doesn't even notice as Pha pounces on him. The younger man's claws find some purchase and draw blood despite the heavy armor on his opponent. The bull reels back and roars, gathering himself quickly and charging toward Pha. His huge axe cuts a wide arc as he attempts to decapitate Pha in a single blow.

With the Hawk killed by Galen, seven of the lower ranked Timmermen remain in addition to the Bull and Death.

The Goat was dragging Chaig toward the transport, so he is nearest Galen and Carrick. Owl is herding his three selected charges toward the middle of the green as well, but has stopped in his tracks.

The other five Timmermen step forward to enter the fight. Pha, who is attempting to deal with the Bull, now has the Hound to deal with as well.

Galen and Carrick see the remaining Timmermen close in on them. They are facing off against Goat, Owl, Boar, Badger, and Hyena. Goat maintains his distance to use his whip to full effect. Owl and Badger lunge at Galen, each using some kind of gauntlet with wicked looking claws. Blue-white sparks jump between the ends of each finger. Boar produces a short spear style weapon while Hyena unsheathes a curved blade, slightly shorter that Reaver and begins a whirling dervish display. The assailants close with the swords man as he finishes getting Amburn to her feet.

Yaru's first blast is arching toward Goat when suddenly it veers off target and gets absorbed by the metal roof built over the town well. None of the Timmermen seem to take notice, but several towns people shriek and move back to avoid being struck. Galen deftly avoids the Owl and Badger as they lunge at him. Carrick avoids the spear, but in doing so leaves himself open to the Hyena's attack. His force field absorbs most of the blow, he takes a wound but is still standing. He fires back with his crossbow, but his enemies are on guard and dance out of the way.

Pha attacks the bull again, and his assault gets through again causing another bleeding wound on the large man. He now sees the Hound creeping up behind him, trident in hand. The Bull raises his ax again and swings for Pha, the Hound charges in to assist his superior.

Yaru moves away from the well and launches another bolt of energy at Goat. This one connects, leaving the Timmerman smoking and reeling. He shakes off the injury the best he can and turns to face Yaru. He dashes forward and raises the whip which crackles with the strange purple energy.Owl and Badger still circle Galen. Owl feints an attack, attempting to draw Galen's attention so Badger can get under his defense.

Carrick and his Reaver are still dealing with Boar and Hyena. Using the same pack tactics as the other two Timmemen, Hyena feints and attack to set Boar up for a charge.

Galen seems to anticipate the owl's feint and does not buy into it. He is knocks the badger's attack aside with the flat of his blade, knocking the Timmerman off balance and leaving him open for counterattack. The greatsword Reaver strikes true and lands a devastating blow upon the Badger. His armor is sundered and you can see a wound gushing blood. The badger limps backwards and takes up a defensive fighting stance, though his wound makes it clear he no longer has the strength to fight.Carrick has less luck reading his opponents. Falling for Hyena's feint, he commits to his own improvised attack with the stock of his crossbow as a club. He smashes through the eye plate of the Timmerman's armor, and sends him reeling. Carrick;s commitment to the attack leaves him open to the Boar's spear. It slashes Carrick's thigh.Yaru was not anticipating being left alone to deal with Goat, and his inexperience with battle is showing. The energy whip strikes him, leaving a black, smoking wound. The shock of the whip attack throws off Yaru's own energy attack and it strikes the ground far from Goat's feet.Pha manages to dodge the Hound's trident, but the Bull is to much for him and his ax strikes true, wounding Pha. Pha sends some kind of energy back up the Bull's ax that causes him to release it with a howl. Then taking advantage of the opening, Pha rounds on the Bull and slashes open his throat. The hulking man stumbles back ward two or three steps and collapses to his knees. Shock reads plain in his eyes. One hand covers the wound as blood flows between his fingers at an increasing rate, the other hand is clinched in a fist and trembles. the bull seems to be gathering his strength. He lurches to his feet in a suddenly and moves to charge Pha. However he only makes it a half step before collapsing flat on his face. His ragged breath escapes as a pathetic, wet, choking sound as death overcomes him.Everyone hears two horrid wailing voices cry out in supreme agony. Turning to see what could be the source of that noise you see Kveit wrestling with Lord Death. Somehow Kveit has escaped her bonds and the young mutant girl is locked in an impossible embrace with the ghoulish Timmerman. Their limbs and bodies seem fused together, Kveit's own bone spur pierces Lord Death's chest while his pale hands, that had been covered in black armor moments ago, attempt to crush her throat. Arching bolts of a strange purple energy erupt form their skin as they scream in macabre harmony. A bolt arcs toward the transport vessel and it rocks with several small explosions. The owl Timmerman rushes toward his leader and is struck by another. In a flash of light that leaves you momentarily blind, his flesh is burned away leaving only a blackened skeleton and a small crater. A group of villagers bolt through the square, headed to homes for protection most likely, the slowest two don't make it, each struck down by their own arcing bolt of death.

It lasts only seconds, but the aftermath leaves everyone stunned and speechless. Roiling clouds of black smoke obscure the place where Kveit and Death last stood. A long moment passes before the smoke clears and you are able to see what remains. The two figures still cling to each other, but they are completely encased in dull gray metal. They look like lovers exchanging an embrace, except their faces are contorted in anguish and hatred and a wordless scream of pain. Their dull eyes locked upon those of their enemy, perhaps forever.

Hound being the closest Timmerman now approaches cautiously. Another spark from the transport makes him flinch and step back. Boar back away from Carrick slowly, keeping his weapon ready and moves toward the transport ship. He takes a device from a compartment and points it at Death and Kveit. Yaru can tell it is some kind of scanner that determines a person's vital health status. "HE'S STILL ALIVE. They are both STILL ALIVE! We are done here brothers! We have to return to the stronghold now if we are to render assistance."

The Timmermen all move away from their opponents. Goat and Badger head for the smaller personal transports, the rest scramble toward Lord Death and Kveit. They begin to lift them onto the transport.

Galen and Pha chase down Goat and Badger who were headed for the personal transport craft. Claw and sword quickly dispatch the wounded Timmermen before they make it aboard their respective crafts. Carrick bodily tackles Hyena and the two tumble into Hound knocking him to the ground.

The Timmerman Boar is struggling to drag the fused Kveit and Death aboard the transport. Yaru lets loose another bolt...

The Timmerman Boar is struggling to drag the fused Kveit and Death aboard the transport. Yaru lets loose another bolt of electricity directly at him. It arcs and seems to amplify just before hitting it's target, the two people he was carrying, and the transport vehicle. An explosion from the transport rocks the village square. The buildings closest to the transport landing area are damaged. Windows shatter and support beams crack. The villagers and the Seer all duck for cover. The smoke thins and you can see the large transport, and the ground around it, are on fire. Kveit, Death and Boar can be seen laying on the ground in the middle of the flames.

The Hound Timmerman, the last remaining active Timmerman solider, is scrambling to his feet and running toward a personal transport. He slams a fist down on the control console and the vehicle powers up.

Pha leaps onto the back of Hound just as he finishes the power up sequence. The surge of the shocker overloads the machine and it hurtles into the sky, taking Pha and the dead (read: CRISPY) Timmerman with it.

On the ground, fire from the explosion on the larger transport has spread to the some of the festival structures. If not dealt with quickly the whole aldiea could be in danger. The chaos and terror have spread throughout the villagers and no one seems to be taking charge. Many of the council members have disappeared in the confusion.