SE04 : EP45 - Reveled through Darkness

The group looks the artifact installed into the floor. Orwyn Ilvarien investigates the contraption, surmising that the dark orb on the top of the machine is the part that controls the weather.  The orb is held in a set of sculpted hands, fingertips ending in claws.  Lord Daphix seems to see some familiar workings to the device. Kellasin Leafstrider reached out attempts to manipulate it. "It makes me feel... disconnected. It's pushing me into some other place, a place of shadow."   They decided to remove the orb. They will attempt to cage the movement in with immovable rods. Then Albatros, Ryder, Eñahkais will try to gingerly pry it out. With deft movements, the three pull the orb up and out. They place the dark sphere into one of their bag of holdings. Daphyx places a drift orb into the claws to replace it.    Satisfied they have caused a reversal in the weather they make their way out. As they swim up they feel the warmth of the sun. Breaking the surface they see the brilliance of daylight. The brightness of the sky is reflected over and over again in the clouds. Making it appear to be midday in all directions. No shows can from and it's an unnerving sight.   They make it back to town and see the townsfolk reeling from the daze they had been living in. They head off the manor. It's locked down tight. Fortifications are engaged and all windows and doors sealed and shuttered. They are expected.   Knowing the daylight is their main advantage, Orwyn and Daphyx begin to magically open the windows around the building. They feel resistance as bracing timbers fall, giving way to the shutter being blown in. They then start diving into the building.   Suddenly they are in a heavily shadowed room. They can see each other fine, but the room is alien.   The voice of the Producer chimes in, "Bravo! Good show all around."   He regales them with the tale from his perspective. Going over the twists and the turns, his addition he enjoyed twisting the knife on Ryder the most. He snickers at the whole affair.   "I have enjoyed this all. Time to give you a gift Ryder, a small nugget of knowledge. Your favorite, a secret." The producer's words turn to syrup. "You see the one who tipped us of too your spoiling of our fun. A friend of your Ryder... a very, close person to you. Vicious, cruel, and turned to dark purpose by an old foe."   "You see Ryder the mystery of your scared neck has illuded you. Because it is unlikely you could have understood all those years that the maker of that would be you. The dark reflection of you that swore allegiance to your now enemies. That in a last oath of loyalty this dark Ryder had to kill you."   The group digests this new information about Dark Ryder.    "Ask me one question about this person and I will answer honestly. But you only can choose one."   A spotlight encircles Ryder. They speak, "What pact did they pledge."   "Ah in seeking knowledge, unknowable knowledge and perhaps with a dash of boredom, he swore oath to a demon of considerable power."   Ryder finds it somewhat unbelievable that any version of themselves would be shackled in that way. But digesting the existential blow of a multiverse leads to many variations, some that are even unrecognizable.    The producer speaks again, "I have only two stories left to tell. One of Parathas, though of course, he failed to come along with you. So Daphyx it's your tale I must tell. The other paths you could have taken. Othe lives you could have had."   Daphyix growls, "So you wish to take us back to the Underdark."   "Yes."