Rak would walk towards the middle of the group. As the veil covers him and his companions, he would slide his flaming amulet under his armor and mutter under his breath as he asked for guidance "Let's hope the sound of the wind can cover the clanking of my armor.." He would pray to Bane as he tries to make as little noise as possible.

stealth 15 plus 2

Then, something terrible happens.

From high above comes a loud grinding noise as large sheets of ice break off the fortress walls and tumble down the mountainside. Suddenly, great doors of ice previously hidden under snow stand open more than three hundred feet above you, and from between them flies a huge dragon made of dark iron - like a metallic construct. Its eyes glow with a bright golden light as it lets out a terrible roar, hurls itself into the air, and glides away from the fortress, then turns and heads north toward Ten-Towns.

"Welp... I guess it should be easier to take the fortress now." Rak would whisper to the others.

'What in the name of all that is good and holy was that thing!' Kilmus is grateful for once that those voices couldn't be heard by anyone else.  

(Mobile)

Mica gives a panicked yelp from the looking-glass of a prison his mind has become. Whatever that construct was combined with the daunting task of destroying an entire fortress made him terrified for his own life, but still, he no longer could control what he has become. 

 ‘Mica’ turns to the rest of the group, ducking into a nearby bluff of snow to avoid being noticed by the construct. Opening his beak, he emits a sound you haven’t heard before - it’s raspy, deep, and has a tinge of an accent. Phineas would recognize it as Infernal. It looks like Mica was granted his first wish in a roundabout way - whatever Fiend inside him had its own voice. “There’s no use in going after whatever that is - at the speed it is traveling, catching up would be a waste of our efforts. I would recommend taking the base now while the construct has left. If something is powering it here, perhaps we could destroy it,” he says, smiling. Metallic souls couldn’t be harvested. 

Phineas glares at the Infernal-speaking bird, a mix of fear and anger on his face. He shakes his head, slowly releasing the grip on his sword as he turns to look at the metallic dragon flying off toward the Ten Towns. 

"He's right,. We'll never catch up to where it's going and, let's be honest, what would we do if we did," he says. "Let us see what we can find inside. Perhaps there be a way to kill this thing without facing it."

The halfling continues moving forward. 

Rak would nod in agreement and keep moving forward as well.

"Make sure to watch out for footsteps in the snow," says Mica, giving a wink and as much of a charming smile a Kenku could at Phineas. "Wouldn't want someone unexpectedly attacking you." 

A stone-faced Phineas stares briefly back at the Kenku, his eyes studying the bird. After a moment, he says quietly to Mica in Infernal. "Best watch who pulls your strings, puppet. Not all fiends just want to see you dance for their enjoyment. Some have much darker desires." He turns to lead again, stopping briefly and speaking in Infernal again over his shoulder to the Kenku without turning to face him. "And, know my little feathered friend, I have no intention of getting burned because you decided to dance in the flames. I will, if it comes to it, do what needs to be done and cut those strings....one way or another. I've done it before. I'll do it again...and not lose a wink of sleep." He then leads on saying nothing more. 

X1 - ENTRANCE

You quietly approach the Fortress, finding stairs at the base, and carefully climbing up. Moving east from the top of the stairs leads you to the entrance of the fortress: a ten-foot-high double door of featureless stone. An arrow slit facing in your direction guards the approach.

Phineas motions to the arrow slit, moving to avoid it as much as possible. At the doors, he tugs lightly to see if they are locked or barricaded. 

Investigation: 17

The door is, as you'd expect, locked. You are able to avoid the arrow slit. Clearly, something or someone with a bow or crossbow could peg you guys from just outside the door.

Kilmus takes up his now customary position near the rear of the party - but even from there, the tension between the birdman and the halfling is palpable. 

Blade out, the paladin comes to a halt 20 feet away from the imposing entrance and turns to face thri backtrail, ready to strike down anyone who tries to ambush them from behind

Perception (?) 9

"Hey Kilmus... Did I miss something between the bird and the short one?" Rak would ask as he clutches his greatsword tightly. "I guess if they kill eachother that leaves more treasure for us right?" The githyank adds with a nod as he move closer towards his companions. "You think you can get this door open?" Rak asks as he gives Phin a quick guidance slap on the shoulder. 

Phineas mutters, "I be no pickpocket or burglar, elf-kin, but I'll give it a go." He fishes the small knife from his pack and begins working on the lock, quietly uttering a prayer to Tymora for a little luck. 

Pick that lock attempt: 10

Plus Guidance: 3

Mica tilts his head back at Phineas with amused curiosity, retorting back in Infernal;

 Mica extends his hands at the frigid lock, sparking a small flicker of fire inside it, just like he watched Mica's original personality heat the bars of the cages to rescue the Dougan's Hole children. "Try it again. The frost - sometimes it makes the locks stick."

"Your little fingers can work a lock better than mine. Here.. maybe this will help Rak would say as the gith moves to block the snow from blowing in the Phin's face while also producing his flaming amulet and casting additional light on the area where he is working. (ooc; don't forget your 1d4)

Phineas looks to Mica for a second, before turning back to the lock. He says over his shoulder in Infernal. "I had hoped I was, fiend, but it seems the puppet has been put on the shelf. Perhaps he and I can carry on our conversation when you are doing playing about." He tries the lock again with all the additional help.

Lock again: 11

"Who goes there? State your business, strangers!" a voice calls out from the arrow slit. 

Phineas curses under his breath, turning slowly with his extended out away from his blades and a smile on his face. “Ho there, friend. We just be looking for a bit of shelter from the cold. A quick respite and maybe a tankard or 2.”

Deception: 0