Towertop

[Anastasia]

Most of the rest of the way is without challenge. Yet as you get closer - ahead you can see the mist thickens abruptly into a near absolute wall of fog, blocking vision ahead.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Dispel, you think?"

Alyssa asks as she inspects it.

[Anastasia]

The wall of fog looks quite solid.

How are you inspecting it?

[Iron Dragoon]

I can cast detect magic and do so.

[Anastasia]

Gimme the dread Spellcrafting.

[Iron Dragoon]

Spellcraft:

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 5 + 57, total 62[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

It's magically gathered and dense fog, solid enough to resist even true seeing, as it's a solid object. A dispel should work.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Dispel will work. Emily? You seem to be having better luck with it than I am."

[Anastasia]

"I've expended a lot of energy," Emily demurs, "I'd prefer to save more power for ahead if possible."

[Iron Dragoon]

I've used my dispels too. I have spell engine to swap them out, but that's a 10 min spell.

[Anastasia]

"I can do it," Jarem offers, "Can you two be ready? This has the feel of a setup for an ambush."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, floating Life-Drinker to the ready and preparing a spell in her mind.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+34
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{40}

Before you the wall of fog crumbles. 500ft ahead of you is a walled fortress, no obvious way in. It seems hazy, shifting and indistinct. Yet that's hardly what you have time to look at. For ahead the fog thins out entirely, revealing hundreds of them. Winged birds carved of what looks to be solid iron with eyes of glittering gemstones. They hover all about, like a flock about to come low on you. Behind them, just against the wall of the fortress, is a single person.

He is a short half elf, hair frizzy and red. He has a rapier in hand, his other hand empty as he beckons you on. "Ho there," he calls, "Sorry, bank's closed, go home."

As he talks, the walls of the fortress ripple open like spreading smoke. From one hole a great big, black hound emerges, bigger than most horses. It snarls and stares the party down, licking its chops before uttering, "Fools who attack us will suffer the ultimate penalty."

[Iron Dragoon]

"That's good news for us, then, since we primarily only want the slaves, not teller services."

[Anastasia]

"Aaahahhahahahahaaa!" The half elf throws his head back, wearing light clothes, iron bracers and several sparkling rings. "I heard the message you gave the boss. It sure didn't sound like that was your plan. You want the entire place.." Grinning at that, "You're pretty." As you watch him, his hair seems to frizz more, becoming little puffs of wind carried away on the breeze.

"Corryn Featheroak and Bannoth," Bastian cracks his knuckles, "Heard of you two motherfuckers. You know this isn't going to end well for you."

"Bastian," Bannoth growls low, baring his teeth. "Emily Aryn. Your mother has too many willing servants and catspaws. Too many believe a fool."

"What did you say?" Emily bares her blade at that, "My mother is not a fool. Take that back."

With those long, sharp and white teeth visible, Bannoth growls back, "Your mother fellates red dragons and then drops her pants for Waukeen's gold. She perverts herself with the blood of whatever catches her fancy and shows her mutant face as proudly as a whore wears the pearls a paying customer gives her."

Emily's expression tightens, "I am going to kill you," she grinds out, "I will not have my mother's name sullied by a coward who runs away from everything Good!"

"Dog," Ianvasah spits to the side, "Be silent when your masters talk."

Bannoth took 10 on relevant Knowledge checks in this post.