And so our Heroes marched onwards to the palace. The road on their journey was quiet, and as they walked only the slight clip-clops of hooves, and crunch of dirt was heard. Nary a merchant, monk, or traveler was seen besides the group and the eery stillness stretched on for days. They couldn't hear distant animals, and only the blowing of the wind was enough to break their stillness. The march was hard as they tried to cover as much ground as quickly as possible. When they finally reached both the palace and the forest, there was the smell of sulfur in the air, and the clouds seemed to billow from the forest, thick and red.

A Dragon was seen flying overhead, an ill Omen for those who recognized such signs, it disappeared beneath the clouds into where it presumably lived. The palace, was of course beautiful (as most palaces are) it seemed to be magicked from pearls into shape, and there was a thin iridescent bubble surrounding it. An enchantment to ward off evil. Guards lined the road, and soon the dirt and grass was replaced by brick and gold.

The Guards wore Red armor that seemed to have black dragons scorched into their chests, as a sigil. and on the tips of their pikes flew flags of red silk, with black dragon patches sewn in, with gold embroidery.

As you got close to the front gate, a Guard with thicker armor, and a foot and a half taller then the rest stopped you. "Halt, who goes there?" She asked, eyeing the adventurers, "What business have you here?" Her voice was oddly formal, and had an accent that sounded like it came from a far away place. The eyes of her helmet glowed with blue fire.