The party returns to the stairway and descends, Garrick in the lead. The dwarf estimates a descent of around twelve feet before the steps end in an intersection between two narrow hallways. The rubble on the floor around the hallway to the left suggests that the passage had until recently been bricked up.
Ilryan will cast light, and look and listen down the hallways.
"Hmmph, from what we have observed so far, it would not be impossible to believe the goblins somehow gained access to this place through the left passage, only to collapse it behind them through sheer stupidity!"
Ilryan can tell that the recently-opened passage bends after ten feet or so, and that the other passage widens ahead.
"Let's take the widening path. I have a feeling that rubble-strew passage might be how the goblins came in."
"Logic is in what you say. I will follow."
Garrick nods, "Aye, that's likely but I can't imagine they got here by accident. But we need to save Ameiko before we worry about backtracking the vermin."
The corridor bends and opens into a wider area devoted to storage. Two wheelbarrows sit against one wall, along with several open bins of clean sand, a closed bin, and a couple of barrels filled with broken glass. A narrow passage branches off to one side.
Unless he sees anything of interest, Ilryan will continue down the passage.
There's nothing apparent of interest, and the oracle doesn't even hear anything other than the party's movement.
Looking down the narrow passage, Ilryan sees a couple of doors before the passage turns back in the general direction the party came from. There is rubble on the floor in the corner.
Garrick looks around the floor, trying to find tracks that would lead to Ameiko.
Garrick finds no interpretable tracks.
Ilryan will open the near door.
The room revealed is another storage area, this one for finished glass goods such as windows and glassware. It's likely that the goblins haven't been here, as they wouldn't have been able to resist breaking things.
Ilryan will continue to the other door.
Ilryan finds that the next door is locked.
As Denialan approaches to examine the door , the elf's keen ears pick out the faint sound of agitated goblins coming from somewhere in the direction of the other two doors around the corner.
"Goblins are nearby," Denialan whispers as his elvish ears catch the faint sounds from afar, "something is of bother to them."
He points towards the two doors and makes a quick gesture with his head, asking his allies whether they should investigate.
"Yes, we can't let them escape. Who knows what damage they'll do!"
Garrick smiles grimly, "Aye, and soon they'll be even more bothered...", raising his axe and moving toward the door.
Vidar sighs in irritation, "Let us just get this over with..." and prepares for combat.
The party advances down the hall. Once closer to the doors, Garrick can tell that the noise is coming from behind the far door.
Garrick points to the far door with his axe, then hustles toward it. He stops at the threshold, looking at each of his companions, and mouthing silently, 'Ready?'
Garrick opens the door, revealing a small stone chamber with a tunnel leading away to the north. Goblin voices echo from some distance down the tunnel.
Garrick whispers, "Another bloody tunnel. That's not good. Anyone speak goblin?"
"I do not, it could hardly be classified as a "language" at the best of times.
They do know we are coming, it is really all we need to know at this time.
And...they will fear us..."
Garrick says, "They're coming, make ready."
"Quickly, let's split up and come at them from around the corners."
"I will go with master Oakbeard then."
"Get them!"
As you're forming up to head down the tunnel, Vidar (the last one into the chamber) hears something extremely disturbing: the door next to the one you've gone through is opening.
Round 1:
Initiative order
Ilryan
Enemies
Garrick
Denialan
Vidar
"Desna, guide our hands!"
Ilryan will cast bless, then move 20 ft. down the hallway.
Well, this is just absolutely lovely...
Drawing his dagger, Vidar hurries to get to Garricks side, if there was fighting, he'd much rather have the sturdy dwarf between himself and the unknown danger.
Okay, if I heard the door and the goblins are still distant, I'll cast bless and move toward the now-open door.
Round 1 (ongoing):
Initiative order
Ilryan-acted
Enemies-acted
Garrick
Denialan
Vidar
Ilryan, there is a half-elf in the doorway, who bears a familial resemblance to both Ameiko and Lonjiku. On seeing you he does not hesitate, but punches at you twice. You dodge the first blow, but he catches you with the second . At the same time, a pair of goblins round the curve and spy Garrick. They scream and run back the way they came from.