"A tear in the veil between realities. A large, unstable portal into the Mists - Fade - " he quickly self-corrects, but he says the rest in an exasperated grunt, as if a petulant student reciting by wrote. "Spewed out spirits and demons and other things too."

He unslings a leather pouch from his shoulder and unfastens the flap. Inside, there is dried meat and dried fruit and toasted nuts - things that won't spoil quickly in the heat. He offers it to Astrid first.

"As for what the minions of the Elder Dragons of my home are like, it depends on the dragon and what spectrum of magic is their domain. But all, to a one, operate under a hive mind. They twist the land, shaping it in the image of their master, making it unlivable to aught else as the Elder Dragons glut themselves on the world's magic. I'd prefer demons and Fade-touched giant spiders."

A low, stuttering sound in his throat; almost a chuckle.

"Giant spiders of any kind always have a satisfying crunch."

Ones infused with the raw magic of the Fade would be a very tasty treat indeed.