-----The sound seems to rouse Dilton to speak. The raspy throated warrior says toward the Storm Priest, “Are ye sure ye jest wanna charge in thar?”
-----"No point in charging, 'less ye've got something t'charge." Sol admonishes as he moves forward to overtake the eager Storm Priest, signaling Garrison to come with him. "We'll stick wi' th' same order, except I'll swap wi' Garrison. Now, whilst we're down there, him an' I will stay a few feet ahead o' th' rest o' ye, so if any traps spring, th' rest o' ye are more likely t'stay safe."
-----Reaching the hole, the Gorian continues to give instructions in quick order, "Garrison'll be holding th' torch. Pass a torch t'Dilton, should th' rear need one as well. Stay sharp, an' Dilton - yer still responsible fer making sure we are not surprised from behind." A hiss accompanies the Lathanian blade as it slides from Sol's scabbard, and he waits only a moment for the hunter to light the torch before heading down the stairs.
-----"Well," says the priestess as she falls in line with the marching order. "I hope no one seals us in." A slight tapping sound is heard as she tests the wall of the staircase with her walking stick.
-----"I love an optimist," Sol quips from below.
-----The tapping reveals nothing and, likewise, nothing menacing happens to those on the stairs. However, as the party descends, the clouded sunlight behind them proves to be a hindrance. The darkness from below the ground seems to suddenly engulf each one and there is a moment where the eyes take a moment to adjust to the changing illumination, even with the torches.
-----The steps on the descending stairs are rough and as uneven as the stones that make up the walls. An earthy smell seems to waft up out of the darkness below as if exposed ground was expected at the bottom of the descent. Suddenly a low chiming sound is heard as if someone striking a large metal gong.
-----Just then, Sol’s feet touch down on the wide floor of whatever chamber they have descended to. The flooring beneath feels as solid stone and it is so proven by the flickering torchlight. Still the earthy smell is strong here.
-----As Garrison reaches the floor of the chamber, his torch reveals that this lower room must be circular in shape though at first glance, the chamber’s size is indeterminate.
-----Suddenly, small cruel voices yell from just beyond the torchlight in front of Sol. Two small spears sail into view, one of which bounds harmlessly off Sol’s armor. The other one hits the wall just off the left of the opening the party descends through.
-----Sol's blade raises as he moves forward, waving his free hand for Garrison to follow, so that the flaring torchlight will follow him. The warrior honed directly towards where the spears came from.
-----Garrison moves up to just behind Sol’s left shoulder and holds the torch up. Little is revealed at first as the size of the room appears to hold nothing else other than darkness.
-----Everyone freezes momentarily as the sound of a large portal being slammed is heard dead ahead of Sol’s position.
-----Sol suddenly quickens his pace as the woodsman behind him hisses a warning about traps. Still the Gorian warrior strides ahead on the flagstones beneath their feet. Quickly they reach the other side of the room and at this point it would appear the room is circular and about thirty feet across.
-----Right in front of Sol is a large wooden door with metal reinforced hinges that have seen better days.
-----"I know about th' danger o' traps; why d'ye think I'm going first? Now lend me yer shoulder... we're going t'force our way through on th' count o' three." Sol quickly says as he settles in to position a few feet in front of the door, motioning Garrison by his side.
-----"This place," Jeilin says to Dilton as she studies the ceiling of the room, gesturing around with her silver rod. "Seems well constructed for a goblin hideout. And see the door that Sol is about to charge-?" At this, she stops and winces in anticipation of flesh-propelled metal crashing into stationary timber.
-----“Damn!” Garrison quickly exclaims as he hurriedly thrusts his torch into Lovan’s hand before he moves beside Sol. The Gorian had already taken a stance before the door and the woodsman hurried lest Sol eagerly began moving too soon.
-----The Storm Priest frowned at the sudden intrusion upon him, but nevertheless watched in interest.
-----Dilton had followed the motion of Jeilin’s rod as she theorized and began to nod. Just before the impending action, he said in his croaking voice, “Me thinks peoples once dwelt hereabouts n’ th’ goblinses took t’hidin’ here.”