Varmystix narrows his yellow eyes down at all of you before it hisses again.  "Very well. Enter the temple if you so desire, but you shall be under my personal supervision. Guards, inform the high priest and the children... we have soft-skinned guests seeking knowledge."

Adran: The name Rhashaak does sound a bit familiar. You've heard rumors among the denizens of Adderport and Newthrone that some the Poison Dusk and Blackscales apparently worship a god named Rhashaak that takes the form of a fiendish dragon and lurks deep in the jungles of Q'barra. The Poison Dusk and Blackscales are their servants and raid settlements of both humanoid settlers from New Galifar and Hope as well as other lizardfolk tribes for resources and prisoners, which are most often used as food or ritual sacrifices. They are a ruthless bunch.

Silthras: You're entirely unfamiliar with Rhashaak.

Grudnik: The best cover you can find would either be behind the columns in the colonnade or the spaces along the sides of the staircase that leads up to the temple proper. 

Victorin: The only entrance you can find is the main stair that leads up into the temple proper. You find the same sources of cover that Grudnik spots. The well appears to drop down 20 feet before ending in a featureless stone floor. 

Having decided on the most suitable position to provide cover, Grudnik focusses his attention on the dracotaur, trying to read it's intentions despite not understanding the conversation.

He also watches the guards to determine how tense they are, and ready for a fight.

Insight: 16+1=17

“Indeed.”  Erbert readies himself to proceed as it seems that the moment has been defused and they are going to be allowed to proceed.  He relaxes and prepares to enter the temple, settling himself into the seat on Rufus.  He says in a whispered voice, “Keep a sharp eye out, they may change their mind…”

Silthras translates the words of the priest, then bows formally to them.

"Your wisdom and strength are admirable." He looks around at the assembled warriors and nods. "We may be soft-skinned, but we are not without uses. If there are things we can do to aid your people, you need but ask. The return of favours and of hospitaility is a custom among my people."

Again, Silthras translates his own words and any reply from the priest.

Ancidus bows as well. "We appreciate your generosity." (hopefully granting advantage to any further persuading Silthras may need to do)

Adran seems little at ease by (Silthras's translation of) Varmystix's words. "This Rhashaak that they worship is dangerous. We can go in, but we must be on guard at all times. We cannot let them get the drop on us."

Vic slides up with the group as they prepare to enter the temple. “The well is empty.  It does not appear to lead to any of the lower levels. Our path must lay within the temple. Be on your guard, I don’t trust them.” Vic also studies Varmystix, looking for any signs of deception or trickery.  Insight 17 plus 2 for deductive intuition.

Varmystix lets out an irritated hiss and move up the main staircase, then barks something in draconic once he crosses the threshold. The guards snarl at you and gesture toward the dracotaur as if ordering you to follow. 

Grudnik, you have faced your fair share of enemies before, but very few have ever borne this much visible disdain toward you and your group. It is clear that this creature thinks that you are nothing more than prey, but so far it is suppressing its instincts and looks a little curious. You're not sure how long this curiosity will last and give way to violence, though. This peace may fall apart ultimately, but for now it seems bloodshed can be avoided.

You all enter the temple. A wide hall runs from the portico entrance to the back wall of the temple, bisecting the structure. The ceiling rises fully 20 feet above a central row of columns, each encircled with scrawling draconic text detailing the victories and triumphs of the dragon Kha'shazul during the Age of Demons. Shafts of sunlight lance down from gaps in the stone roof above, illuminating a bas-relief of a skeletal dragon sculpted into the wall at the end of the hallway. The dragon is shown in victorious battle against a horde of demons, rising like a swarm of locusts from the caldera of a raging volcano. A hallway opens up to the left of the entrance and another stands at the northern end of the passage that heads right.

A blackscale lizard that smells of incense with a staff made from bone and ornamented with trinkets like feathers and humanoid teeth emerges with their eyes narrowed at all of you. "Soft-skins seek knowledge? What do you want?" They ask, tapping their staff on the ground impatiently.

(( Earlier ))

While he waits for the response from the priest, ans as the others speak openly in common about betrayal, Silthras implores his deity for guidance and patience as he examines the priest and his companions, looking for any sign that they comprehend the words being spoken.

Irrespective of what he determines he says forcefully in common, "These people are our hosts; cut the chatter!" He seems a little annoyed, perhaps even fearful.

Perception: 20+2 = 22

(( Now ))

Silthras bows low then draws a deep breath, "Understanding. Of this place, of it's wisdom and of it's ways. We seek to respectfully and peacfully learn what we can of the history of this place."

He then repeats his previous offer: "We may be soft-skinned, but we are not without uses. If there are things we can do to aid your people, you need but ask. The return of favours and of hospitaility is a custom among my people."

"But first...we have travelled long and far, and would seek a place to rest."

Again, Silthras translates, adding, "Any polite suggestions? Our hosts are powerful and generous and should be respected."

Sweat is dripping from his brow despite the chill that seems to eminate from him, and he seems to sense along with everyone else that whatever peace they have brought themselves is a fragile thing. His eyes constantly look for defensible positions, and ways down...

Grudnik looks across to Silthras at his small outburst, and the corners of his mouth twitch imperceptibly in what could have been a smile. In some ways not being able to understand the other side left little pressure on himself. They would either fight, or not, and there was not much he can do to influence it. Silthras was possibly feeling the weight of responsibility.

After Silthras translates what is being discussed, he voices his suggestion. Whether it was polite enough he was not sure.

"If we are to respect our hosts, and ensure we do not impose on them for any longer than is needed, should we just kuur doovol. Let us drop the charade of seeking knowledge, and simply ask to go beneath?", he asks, wanting to get on with the job at hand before the tides turn.

Silthras nods to Grudnik; in for a copper in for a gold. Speaking again to the priest, he adds. "My colleague has heard that there is much wisdom to be gained beneath the temple."

Erbert squirms in his saddle on Rufus and says, “Ermmm, hmm.  Have they seen an altar below, with a nice, spherical magical gem below it?  We would most like to study that, in addition to any tablets or relics regarding this history of this place…. Why not ask, I guess?”  Erbert’s eyes dart around looking for defensible positions..

Ancidus would like to study the iconography in the temple for insight into how it relates to the temple's original purpose, or to insight into the original founding of the temple and binding a demon. (Assuming insight, but if not feel free to use the roll and adjust the modifier: 18)

Going into the temple, Adran lets his heavy armor put some extra weight into his steps as he walks, on the off chance that he would be able to tell if there is a lower level of the building based on any underground sound that his boots create.

Perception: 12 (8+4)

Vic is also drawn to the carvings along the temple’s walls and as the others talk with the Blackscale.  He studies the displays, looking for any carvings or pictures of the relic they are seeking, was it used in the defeat of the demons?  He also looks for any signs of an entrance to the lower levels of the temple.  Investigation 12. plus 4 for deductive intuition.

He whispers to Ebert “Best not to give them too many clues of what we are looking for, especially if it is more than knowledge we seek.”

“Right, right, right..” Erbert says, excitement peeking through, his upper teeth overlapping his lower lip as he looks at Vic.  “Maybe just tell them we like interesting spherical objects and tablets.  We should be direct, but say nothing about ‘magical.’”

The priest scowls at Silthras, but not in such a way as to imply they understand what the Common-speakers are saying. "Beneath temple? Hm... Fine. You rest here, under watch. But not long. After, we take you to children of Rhashaak. They carry wisdom you seek, no doubt."

The dracotaur and the priest exchange a look and the priest leaves, eventually returning with six more blackscale warriors from another room. They stand guard at the eastern and western hallway entrances as well as the main entrance, eyeing you warily but not overtly attempting to attack you. 

Ancidus, your study of the iconography leads you to believe that the dragon represented here, which the Temple of Kha'shazul is no doubt named after, was worshipped like a god at some point by the people that lived in modern day Q'barra during the Age of Demons. There are a good many reliefs that portray the dragon's victories over the demons, but nothing about the demon being bound. Perhaps that knowledge lies below. 

Adran, the clanging of your boots echo throughout the stone chamber with remarkably good acoustics. All the reverberating sound makes it hard for you to tell based on sound alone that there is a lower level. 

Victorin, like Ancidus you find no references of any sort of magical item or relic used to defeat the demons. There are no entrances to any lower level in this chamber, but there are the eastern and western hallways that branch off from his chamber. Perhaps an entrance below lies in the east or west wing of the temple.

Erbert takes the opportunity to rest, but then begins pacing back and forth, hands behind his back.  He sits down and takes out his journal, taking notes on everything that has transpired.  When he is sitting amongst everyone, he quietly says “I wonder if now is our opportunity.  Should we press forward on our own, or let them lead us into who knows what kind of trap.  I don’t know that I trust them, and now that they are out of sight, any of your convincing talk Silthras may be out of sight, out of mind.  They may be hostile when they return.  What are your thoughts?  Should we handle those watching us now and press forward on our own, or let them guide us… perhaps to our doom.”  Erbert is rubbing his chin, thinking over the options, looking over your shoulder at the guards and their positions.  

As the message that there will be time to rest is received, Adran takes a more relaxed position, though he never stops paying attention to the guards in the room. He places his hand on the eye symbol in the center of his shield, muttering a few words that cause the eye to faintly glisten for no more than a second.

He uses Harness Divine Power to exchange a Channel Divinity (which he'll get back at the end of the short rest) for a first level spell slot.
He also expends a single hit die to restore 3 (1+2) hit points.
His horse relaxes somewhat, still waiting outside, regaining 6 (5+1) hit points from a single hit die.

Adran considers Erbert's comments. Never a fan of unnecessary combat, he pipes in. "I say we follow this thread of good will until we can follow it no longer. I don't expect we will be able to go on without any fights, but we might as well try. If we will walk into a trap, we shall at least expect it. Nobody should do anything that we do not see done first, nor go anywhere we have not seen gone."

Insight check on the look the dracotaur and the priest exchanged: 21

"We should practice peace for as long as possible," Ancidus advises quietly. "They have had time to send runners to other parties. They have the advantage of numbers, and we cannot leave without losing our goal. Perhaps we will find another exit, but this is our best entrance."