OOC: I've already made the assumption, but I should ask to clarify... From this distance does the chanting sound like anything that Folzi has maybe heard that the Sisters would be performing?

OOC: Hence the clarify! History check Saute. I noted your BG info too. Archaeologist are super cool btw would have been one if like not outside or bugs or the insane heat or the blatant misogyny in the department at my uni!!

History checks Folzi but with disadvantage because it truly is hard to hear clearly.

History: 17

OOC: Saute WHAT dice Gods do you pray too? 17 with disadvantage?! Sheesh I'm super jealous!! I'll PM you!

Hearing the individuals ahead of him in the formation beginning to consider their options, Haldur hesitates for a moment before speaking himself, but finally feels the need to voice a concern.

"Um.. excuse me, if I may." He begins quietly, clearing his throat after a slight pause. "I know that our instincts are to aid anyone above that might have survived or might need assistance, but if we are anywhere in the same area that we were in yesterday, isn't there a chance that we could run into those distinctly colored Casters that we barely escaped from? If we need to confront them again I will fight with all my strength of course, but are we ready for another encounter again so soon? If they've had most of a day to fortify their position in or around the Temple and consolidate their strength, we might be walking directly into the lion's mouth, so to speak."

Haldur shrugged a shoulder slightly and smiled weakly, "Just a thought."

     Foliz shakes his head at Hrain's suggestion. "Yeeeahhh... I don't think these are the chants of the Sisters." 

OOC: Could an Arcana check do any good to see if they are chanting a ritual spell and wich could it be? In case yes and to speed it up. 17 antoher roll in case it has disadvantage too 5 ) 

Lebenha takes a few steps forward, trying to hear more clearly the chanting over the hushed voices of her companions. After a few seconds she returns to share her thoughts.

"If there are the Sisters, they would need help. If there are the attackers, better stop whatever they are doing before they complete it. That's my thinking." she says lookig to Hrain.

"By the sounds of it, your first fight didnt end up so well. And while sneaking by to look at the ruins might be the safer option, what do we do if there are any actual survivors? Rescueing people with all that rubble will probably get us exposed to whoever resides in the temple anyway, so using the moment of surprise to our advantage and finishing them off seems like a smart thing to me. And do not forget, this time you got reinforcements." Lyra smirks, curious what the group will decide on.

Thomas turns to look at both Leb and Lyra, then turns to Hrain as he speaks,

"Their reasoning on the matter is quite astute, Captain."

     "It sounded like they were pretty indiscriminate with their killing yesterday, but who knows," Folzi replies to Lebenha. "Though you're right about being exposed once we get up there and poke around the fallen garrison." Folzi prepares his crossbow as it appears they may be going up. 

OOC: Saute oh the better world that Auerlian's Empire tried creating, three centuries of human life span fighting for the Four and now this dragon upstart. If only religion could be so fluid! I think Sune might be a good choice. They seem rather bent on material and physical wealth so to speak!

Lebenha can not discern anything else from the sounds.

"I know for a fact the temple is stocked with loads of supplies meant for the Sisters...errr as well as the Sisters," Carrigan replies looking around and leaning on her staff. "I mean whatever you all decide I'm going with the biggest number of the group," she adds with a shrug of her petite shoulders pulling up the furlined hood of her cloak. "Choose thought," she adds quickly, "it's bloody fresezing down here," she groans.

"We go up, whatever we face, may the four protect us and aid us in casting down our foes. We do not know what we will find above but their is every chance that we will be hard pressed. This will not be a time for mercy, a caster bleeding out on the floor is still capable of creating a fireball that could kill us all.

If we find any survivors from the attack I want them kept safe until all threats are neutralised. Carrigan, I want you to help with that, Cara you too if necessary. Even if you need to take them back through the tunnels. Just make sure you don't lead a pack of casters with you."

Hrain sighs to himself and looks over at the Mystran cleric and his rune covered staff illuminating them all. 

"Thomas, would you please say a prayer for all of us, the blessings of Mystra would be welcomed by us all I'm sure."

Finally he turns to the casters "I regret that we have not had time to train together, we Shepherds have not had any experience of fighting alongside casters and I'm sure the reverse is true for you. We will have to learn together but we will try to shield you from direct attacks as best as possible so you can strike with impunity." Looking over at Haldur he nods, not speaking for a while. "Your counsel was wise, but I feel this is a time to take a risk, I know you will stand by my side without question, and I thank you for it."

Looking back to Thomas he gives a look to suggest he may begin if ready. 

The young mercenary meets the paladin's gaze, and he nods in appreciation to Hrain.

"Yes sir. I'm with you till the end, Captain." Haldur pauses again, and looks around at everybody else assembled. "I'm with all of you. May whomever emboldens your spirit drive you safely to victory today."

With that, the sellsword flexed his hands as they gripped the smooth haft of his halberd. He breathed deeply, steadily, letting his lungs fill with the chilled air of the tunnels before exhaling the visible mist. His visage hardened, darkened, and his brows came together in an alarming expression. The young warrior was nearly gnashing his teeth as his aggression built, yet he maintained his composure and bearing. He tensed his muscles, shifted his limbs, and mentally prepared himself to bring unyielding and unforgiving steel to the throats of his foes.

     "Yeah, I'm used to watching out for number one anyways," Folzi chuckles to himself. He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a pinch or dirt. Then speaking in gnomish, he says a few words and rubs the dirt over his legs. "Well.... Shall we?" 

(Longstrider, Folzi's speed if 40 now)

Thomas agrees to say a quick prayer, but keeps it very short, likely out of concern for the freezing temperature.

Lyra briefly closes her eyes and exhales deeply. She's clenching her fists to an extent that her nails nearly dig into her palms and her body tenses up. She leans forward just a bit and you can see her right hand make a little gesture so normally that it might have happened unintentionally. Lyra stretches out her index and middle finger, the other fingers are bent. She then opens her eyes again, and the same blue sparks frame her face that had appeared while within the garrison earlier. Her pale face shows a dead serious expression. She pulls out a simple dagger from within her cloak. "Let's go."

OOC: it's a narrow spiral staircase which possibly say one party member at a time could ascend. Is the party continuing in the same order up stairs?

The stairwell is carved into the bedrock itself much like the tunnels below. The temperature rises slightly but it's still damp and cold here. The party moving up the steps finds no obstruction until reaching the top where Folzi finds a large oak door.