Brixo looks up at the dwarf corpses and grimaces, "Evil forces at play indeed". 

He quickly scans the tunnel for an area of loose stone or earth, then lifts his hand and makes a gesture with his fingers, causing a couple of dwarf-sized areas of ground to excavate as he casts mold earth. 

He turns to Rhubble, "I do not know if you bury dead. Seems like right thing". He deposits the earth as small piles at the head of the makeshift graves. "If you want bodies returned to city, I can do this thing for you", he offers. 

Rhubble scratches his beard. "These are grim times. We should bring them back to Gauntlgrym for identification and burial. Grizzle, Dunder, you stay here. We'll return within the hour."

Inquiry, the bodies are completely butchered. There is no pattern in the method of murder.

Brixo nods in agreement, unfurling the bindle that he uses to carry his belongings. The sack is larger than it appears, and Brixo begins to transfer his belongings into a backpack. He then lays out the sack to its full size and gestures to carry the bodies within. "Not the best coffin, but make carrying easier for now."

Wazzok watches in awe as Brixo molds the earth and pulls the mutilated dwarves down. She rearms her shield and, drawing a rather plain looking rapier, moves to the front next to the lantern bearers. 

Best keep our wits about us now. Those dwarves were placed there deliberately, perhaps as a perimeter, or a warning.

perception : 13

Inquiry continues staring at the bodies as they are put into the sack. “This... isn’t right. Beyond the obvious, as well. These killings are... chaotic. Butcherings, more than actual murders. This looks likes the work of demons, not devils. Asmodeus wants to control the world, and to eventually tear it asunder, but... not like this. He is careful. He plots and knives. His followers are capable of such destruction, true, but they don’t normally operate like this. Devils are brutal but efficient. Brixo, are you sure that the shrine we head to is devoted to Asmodeus?”

"I am. Shrine of Sacrilege is name" he says whilst covering the corpses in cloth. He turns to Rhubble, "We take dead now or come back for later?"

"We can't just leave them here. They may be gone, but something might try and eat them if we wait. And that's disrespectful." Cori finally comments, having been watching the scanning the cavern with her bow since they found the bodies. Her usual smile is dimmed, her features lined with concern. "Hopefully whatever did this isn't around still."

Brixo looks perturbed at the suggestion, and attempts to look for any tracks or evidence of the attacker whilst the others decide a course of action.

Survival: 17

Chazrael nods and examines the area for any tracks. 

Survival - 6

(Just for confirmation, two dwarves will be guarding the bodies until you return.)

Brixo finds several sets of tracks in the dirt of the tunnel floor, leading ever deeper into the mines. They appear to be made by gigantic bare feet.

"Green one, small one, other small one, blue one, bearded one; I found foot tracks over here." Brixo calls.

"Brick, you can call me Cori. It has to be easier to say."  The female halfling bounds over to Brixo. "Do you know if they're fresh tracks or not? Or other stuff people can learn from footprints? Can cover you while you do it if you want."

"Cori. I can do this name. Hard to tell age of tracks in caves such as this."

"Should we follow? I know we are supposed to be investigating several things, but perhaps this is the more imminent danger?"

"Okay. You tried looking. That's what's important. Think it was a hit-and-run? I mean, after they did what they did and all. Using terror tactics and those sorts'a things? Know people like to do that sometimes."

 Wazzok shakes her head solemnly

"I have not a head for strategy, but the way that they were mutilated takes time. Time, and anger most unbecoming."

"No spirit of the natural world did this. We follow. Destroy evil. Remove cancer from dwarfhold." Brixo adds, standing resolute with his face a stoic mask of determination. 

Chazrael nods ."Agreed. The sooner we find this creature, the better." 

"Off we go then." Rhubble says. "Lead the way, man of earth." 

Brixo follows the tracks for several silent minutes, now accompanied only by Rhubble and his companions. 

After another half hour of such travel, you are startled by harsh whispering in a tongue you do not understand and a faint crunching noise. The sounds appear to be emanating from a gaping hole in the right wall of the tunnel, which presumably emerges into a natural cavern.

Quote from JJWattaker99 >>

"Off we go then." Rhubble says. "Lead the way, man of earth." 

Brixo follows the tracks for several silent minutes, now accompanied only by Rhubble and his companions. 

After another half hour of such travel, you are startled by harsh whispering in a tongue you do not understand and a faint crunching noise. The sounds appear to be emanating from a gaping hole in the right wall of the tunnel, which presumably emerges into a natural cavern.

Hearing the crunching noise Wazzok will hold her fist in the air as a signal for her companions to stop (not that they would necessarily know that this is a signal to stop, but she is not taking the risk to speak with potential danger so close) then she will try to sneak closer to get a look at what they are dealing with.

stealth : 8

perception : 25