Giving Morrigan a small bow Sydril responds…”Please call me Sydril and let me leave you with this.”  In quiet voice she recites a short poem.

"Part in peace: with deep thanksgiving,
Rendering, as we homeward tread,
Gracious service to the living,
Tranquil memory to the dead."

By the end of the introductions and conversation Zook casts Detect Magic.  Does he see anything in the 30 foot radius?

Camilla nodded in deep appreciation at the poem. "Wow. That was pretty good. I certainly don't hear enough poetry." she admitted.

“Tarak. Shaman whose temple was razed. Seeking those who did it. Possibly the same group we now trail,” answers the half orc.  He paces back and forth as he speaks, his hand grasping at something hidden inside his chain mail.   "I'm happy to take the lead going in," he offers, hefting his huge axe.   Looking at Markus, he adds, "Maybe alongside you?"

Introductions are made. Poems are shared. As Zook completes his low murmuring, his eyes flash with a bright light for but a second before holding a strange hue. He looks about, not noting anything in the small building. A slight magical essence, though, pulls at him from somewhere down the stairs. 

Camilla followed the pack, somewhere in the middle. Definitely not in the front. Nor in the back.

Sydril stays back, letting the others pass with the intention of entering last.

Zook will take middle of the line and try to discern what school of magic he is sensing.  “Ummm...hmmm....there appears to be ummm...some sort of magic emanating from the stairs below. Let’s pause our march until I can discern it’s nature.”

ENTERING THE VAULT OF THE DEVOURER
AREA 1: The Entrance Hall

Coming down a wide set of stairs, you find yourself in an entrance hall. It is clear there has been a battle here. Bodies of various sizes are prone around the room among a scattering of arrows and blood stains. A shallow pool, stained with lifesblood of a corpse and a few patches of floating algae, takes up the center of the room. You can see a hallway to the west and a hole broken through a mural in the northern wall.

Tarak will move around the eastern side of the room and position himself next to the northern entry, hands clenching and unclenching on his axe. He’s a ball of nervous energy and seems ready at any moment to run off alone into the darkness.  

Walking near the front of the group, as soon as Morrigan sees the bodies she steps forward quickly. As she does she glances around for any danger (Perception? 12). If she sees no immediate danger, she rushes to the bodies and searches for a way to identify them. She then begins writing anything of note she notices in her book, hoping to be able to add to her book for her lord. "It appears that those ahead of us have already encountered some trouble. My book shall be full by the end of this I think."

Camilla examines the bodies. Poopy stayed close, looking, too. "Hm. Oh, ouch, that one looked like it hurt. See how it severed the external carotid artery?" she nodded sagely to herself. 

Camilla notes half a dozen bodies on the ground and in the pool. Two are human, a man and a woman. Four are goblin. It doesn't take much effort to see that these unfortunate died in a battle as there is plenty of evidence of slashes, piercings and even a few magical burns.

Morrigan, jotting notes (and wielding an impressive 15 Passive Perception) observes that the mural depicts orange and green flames with a large eyeball behind the fire. The iris is a fanged mouth. The water is not more than 6 inches deep and, while slimy, appears harmless. While she is studying one particular goblin body from afar, though, she notes it move, not a twitch, but a subtle slow stretch of its hand to get a better grip on its scimitar.

Sydril steps in last surveying the carnage.  "Always death."  She murmurs to herself.  She scans the bodies, trying to tell if they all part of the same group.

Investigation  14

Sydril's scan of the bodies reveal that it appears two groups were involved in the skirmish: the goblins and the humans.

Thanks to Morrigan's watchful eye and the investigations by Camilla and Sydril, the party is not surprised when three of the forms previously prone among the dead rise, drawing their blades. One starts screaming at the top of his lung in a guttural language. His voice echoing off the walls and met with a responding shout from the west, where the sounds of footsteps, metal and animals screeching can be heard. The three goblins then move to attack.

It's time to roll initiative!

Goblin 1 (AC15, HP7): 4
Goblin 2 (AC 15, HP7): 16
Screaming Goblin (AC17, HP21): 4

"Hmmm....well this seems problematic."

If the DM would allow it, Zook would have cast mage armor before descending the stairs or upon seeing the dead bodies.  If not, no big.

Initiative: 12

Poopiative: 13

Camilla shot up from her medical examinations.

"Oh!" Camilla said, pleaseed. "Some are still alive! For now." she smirked.

She weaved her hands around and formed a small ball of fire between her hands, ready to launch out firebolts.

Sydril pulls an arrow and nocks her bow.  "Never say always."  She says as she gets ready to site a target.

Initiative 19

Markus: 10