Addendum: I will first send my bird flying fairly close to the windows of the domicile from whence the screams are being heard, so that she can see what is inside, and send it to me via our amulet.
pant pant Harald dusts, or rather goops himself off, then starts walking towards the palazzo in a decided stride. Ideally that would take him 4 rounds 
You heard the man, Solsken. There’s money in it. Had you other plans for the day ? We’ve had the booze, this is the brawl. The bordello will have to wait. Besides I expect these jokers we’ve killed weren’t exactly filled with good cheer. They look like warmed up seagull puke, nothing good came come of it. The plague might be in town.
Ah, cheer up, will you ? What’s the worst that could happen ? Gods our guide ! (Not a typo : Harald casts Divine Favour on himself just before entering)
Err, -came +can.
“Might we have a moment to confer? I would like to know what we’re facing. Despite my formidable appearance, I am not without limits. Oya can take me when I’m old and gray!”
I’d like a Diplomacy check to convince the group to wait.
I’d like to switch to my crossbow as well, if I’m moving to the rear, otherwise keep the Morningstar for melee.
Giacomo holds a cloth up to his wounds to stop the loss of blood. “Friend Alchemist! Can I trouble you for a healing potion?” He cries. “Or perhaps a spell?” looking at the druid (?). He calls to Valente “What do we face in there? Quick tell us what you know that we do not fight as blind men!”
I would like to do a local knowledge check(s) to see if I know anything about the situation, who might be behind the attack, and anything about the interior of the palazzo.
Giacomo should not present as a thief, unless someone does a successful sense motive check on him.
I believe you can - I should have a reasonable stock of them as at caster level 1 they’re only setting me back about 8 gold per time to make.
Excellent. Giacomo will take a healing potion, paying 8 gold if needed.
Harald holds the magical spell cast in his hand for the time being and waits next to the entrance to the palazzo until these Southern pansies are done dithering about.
While I’m here, I’ll listen to try and determine whether there are things moving about inside, people fighting, that sort of thing.
Your falcon sees small fights going on inside the palazzo, between gangs of zombies and guards. In an upper-level bedchamber, a very well-dressed old Elf or half-Elf is laying into zombies with his sword; he’s a master swordsman but the rapier doesn’t seem to be especially effective. The library is a mess; there’s clearly been a fight here and ink and blood have splattered the walls, chairs, and books, though no one is fighting there now. The entrance hall has three zombies inside.
Noted.
Valente shakes his head. “My responsibility is to Genoa and the House Valente. I don’t know myself exactly what’s in there; we’ll find out as we go. I can’t wait.”
You know that House Valente has numerous enemies, both within and without Genoa. Locally the Marioni and Alexandrii families have been making a push to evict Giacomo Valente from the Dogeship; Genoese Doges don’t typically serve as long as their Venetian counterparts and local powerful families are dismayed that the Valentes have held the post for so long. Externally, Genoese merchants constantly clash with Venetian, Amalfitan, and Pisan traders across the Mediterranean, which might provoke an attack. Finally, the Valentes are known to have dabbled in Papal politics, which might open them up to retribution. However, you don’t know specifically who did this.
The potion restores you to full health. Your cheek knits very quickly, leaving an angry red welt, though no pain.
You hear the sound of many small battles within the Doge’s palace and even in a few of the smaller palaces in the area. You also hear the sounds of zombies stalking the streets.
While the others are talking, I go to the wagon and open up the chest where I’ve stashed my chain shirt, and start putting it on.
“You northerners! Always rushing towards the next battle! I have not had such a great time in this life that I am in a hurry to be reborn!”
Is the palazzo open area or cramped hallways, can I use fire without barbecuing everyone? Well other than myself, I’ll live. 
[Speaking low such that only Harald can hear me as we both hurriedly approach the palazzo.]
“OK Harald, there’s a number of creeps inside that house-3 inside the entrance-and on an upper level bedchamber is a fellow elf in a state of besiegement. I have a hunch that he is worth saving, and your Bear’s Endurance will run out in two minutes. Let’s go.”
I’d like to do the same, and probably knowledge (nobility) as well to see if I know anything that might have been missed.
Joseph grins and follows Valente, Harald, and whoemver else is on the front line into the palazzo, turning to speak over his shoulder at any of the stragglers.
“Come on, you lot! It’s just a burning palace full of enemies intent on doing us harm! Nothing to worry about, eh? But we need to move quickly if we mean to save anybody on the upper levels!”
Activating “inspire courage” again as we enter the building. I should have 11 rounds remaining for the day.
Giacomo notes the Brute putting on his chainmail. He will follow the brute into the Palazzo. He figures he was the first to attack the zombies outside and so manners dictate that he allow another person the honor of going first here. Once inside he will try to flank and sneak attack any zombies engaged with party members or other non undead persons.
“Think that elf will be able to hold his ground until we make it through ? I’m in no hurry to play the catburglar but if lives are at stake, all these fiddly bits those Eyetaleeans put on their buildings could maybe let me reach the upper windows… louder Or I could try and bash a hole if one of the Southerners is game to push past the welcoming party and save that bloke. What say you lot ?”
Before we go in, I’ll need a marching order or formation, so that I know who’s at the front of the group, who’s on the flanks, and who’s at the rear. Usually the leader of the bunch would propose one, and that’s Joseph, more or less.
In open space I’d suggest an hexagonal formation with Harald and Aji up front, Giacomo and Solsken on the wings, Joseph in the middle (ideally within whip reach of the frontline) and Taye & Zach bringing up the rear.
In 2-wide corridors I think something like Harald+Aji / Giacomo+Joseph / Taye+Zach will work, with Solsken behind where his spear’s reach will hopefully get in the way of infiltration from the rear. Eventually he’ll be able to just fly above us since he seems more oriented towards an evasive, tiny bird Wild Shape caster build than the more in-your-face Kung Fu Allosaurus kind of druid :p.
Giacomo had planned to walk in ten minutes later, find a barely moving zombie, stab it a few times to get some goop on a dagger, and say something about what a tough fight it was and how we should all be proud of ourselves.
However he will go along with Joseph’s scheme. It really does seem like the best set up.
Yes! The formation which I have envisioned will work quite nicely! Thank you, Kobal, for anticipating my tactical genius!
Once we get into the building proper, a knowledge (Engineering) check will hopefully help figure out the safest/fastest way to move upwards in a burning building.
Works for me. I have 10 crossbow bolts, I’ve cast two of my six spells. I’m not really built for support though. I have True Strike if we get in a bind and have to score a hit. I also get a 5 for Fire Resistance.
“I will cover our rear friends. Hear me well, though, if I say ‘get down’ any person that does not wish to die screaming should get down!”