Aramil softly countered " I feel if we do not grab at least some rest, we are asking for trouble. We are all tired, hungry and, those of us who are injured, need it most of all." The others seemed to agree and asked that they spend a few hours eating and replenishing their strength.

Begrudgingly, the archer complied and sat in the northeastern corner away from the party smoldering in contemplation. Pomeer, quiet this whole time, stared vacantly at the dead bodies around him. It didn't seem agitated, but resigned to the fact that that could be its fate as well.

9 PM: The party consumed a cold dinner and exchanged choice conversation in hushed tones. " Aramil," the lorist noted " You seem more suitable for traditional combat than tapping magical energies. Do you think you are prepared and confident in your designed expertise?"

Turning to Gailwind from his kneeling position, Aramil nodded slowly
" To be completely honest, as a youth, I hated magic. I think I rebelled against a family of magicians and wanted to be different. I've made my peace with it and do really enjoy the study and learning involved. As for why I fight so well..." he shrugged and gripped his quarterstaff " I guess all that time spent fighting rats made those instincts sharp." A rare smile stretched Aramil's lips, but was quickly replaced with a look of seriousness.

" This is all fair and well that we stay to rest and sum up our strength, but what will the plan be next?" asked Teflar while he watched the kobold sleeping in the middle of the floor. " Our friend Pomeer doesn't seem too happy about all this."

The archer chuckled mockingly " The korbashlavid is of no use to us. It doesn't fight and it hasn't guided us yet except to bring us to the goblin's doorstep hours ago, which we could have guessed ourselves. What benefit does he truly offer?" Vrai sharpened his arrowtips with short strokes of a whetstone and briefly glanced at Nanith pacing annoyingly back and forth.

Erelis diverted the conversation with a tactful response " We should take a look through that door. Who knows, we came into this room in the same manner and avoided a killer rat swarm. Maybe we can do the same again or find valuables if it's a storeroom."

Nanith stopped his measured strides and stood in the center for everyone to notice " I think Erelis is right. These portals offer us opporunity and I think we should take the time to examine everything." There wasn't much response except for the archer who grinned inwardly.

The dwarf spoke for all. " Go ahead then and we'll watch yer backs."

Vrai, Erelis, and Nanith preceded over to the wooden door. The thief tried its crude handle. " Ah, it's locked. Excellent!" He ran through his tools and found a keen pin to insert in the keyhole. Within seconds, the lock was bypassed with a tiny click.
" I must learn to do that." said the archer as he readied his bow five paces away. Ninnipin opened the door slowly into darkness. Peering in for a few seconds he opened the door even further " My, my my....look what we have here!"