(Are the books both in Common?)

(Who wants the wooden pipe? Probably Kess with her instruments?)

Quote from scorch19 >>

(Who wants the wooden pipe? Probably Kess with her instruments?)

 (Is it an instrument or a smoking device?)

[[ 36ep 22gp added ]]

Chipper eyes the Grimoire of the Four Quarters with detect magic. Assuming he sees nothing awry, he then begins to take a cursory glance, wondering if it might hold information about what kind of devils Fiona may have summoned. "I'd imagine that imp will be somewhere near." he says. "At the very least at she had the sense not to mess with demons. Both evil, but at least one can be reasoned with before they bite you."

Arcana: 18+7 = 25

Smoking device, both are in common. 

Nothing from detect magic. The book contains a wide range of topics, included how to summon a devil, how to barter with devils, and even how to deduce a devil's true name. One page in the summoning section is unique. It looks similar to a spell scroll or page from a spellbook, but both of those would trigger detect magic. Chipper is able to identify it as instructions for Summon Fiend.

Kessintra will take whatever poison darts she can salvage from the chest trap, plus the 2 she already has, and offer to split them between Chipper and Razz (2 each). "In case we ever run into an enemy using Silence, you'll still have a ranged option." Then she takes a closer look at the old letter. Might it offer any clues about the skeleton?

Investigation: 8

There are 2 extra darts in the chest. The letter is hard to make out due to its age. You think it says, 

"

Dear Lovina Watcher,

I would like to thank you for your hospitality. The past few years have been difficult with the ongoing war. Your companionship has kept me going, despite everything. Even as I take my leave you will remain a trusted and loyal ally. I promise that your aid will not be forgotten.

From, Lord Vasili von Holtz

"

Kess reads the letter aloud for everyone. "A war...Is this from when Strahd was conquering the land?"

((Have we met anyone named von Holtz? We never asked the Baron's actual name -.-;;))

Ada is distracted by the cats. She frowns at Razz's snarky comment. She kneels down as best as she is able in her armor and starts petting them. She is still doing that when Kess unlocks the chest with the key. Ada accepts her share of the gold and gives a curious glance at the deeds. 

"Lovina Watcher. Is that Fiona's mother or grandmother?" Ada asks. 

"Could be. All of this stuff seems very old, but I can't tell if it's all from the same era." Kessintra reluctantly picks up the old pipe between two fingers and holds it up. "Chipper, does this seem magical? I can't imagine why they'd save it otherwise..."

Setting the pipe down on one of the shelves, Kess will take out The Devil We Know and skim through it for anything of particular interest.

Investigation: 18

This book seems much newer than the rest of the chest's contents. It seems to be attempting to persuade people to worship devils. It includes a few absurd statements, like, "devils are relatively harmless because they can't violate their contracts," and, "devils wish only the best for their worshippers. They only harm those who don't." The writing seems similar to how Fiona spoke.

Garrick returns to the door with the scratching behind it.

(Does it sound like fingernails or claws? Perception 5 or animal handling 7)

You put your ear to the door to try to listen closer. As your search returns inconclusive, a plaintive female voice meows like a cat and says, “Can little kitty come out to play? Little kitty is sad and lonely and promises to be good this time, really she does.”

Kessintra quickly loses patience while reading Fiona's ramblings and tosses the manuscript aside. She moves back to the library to check the desk and wine cabinet for items of interest.

Perception: 20

The cabinet holds a fine collection of wineglasses. The desk contains 5 blank pieces of parchment, 2 quill pens, 4 jars of ink, 2 wax candles, and a wax seal.

"Hm, these wineglasses could fetch a good price, if anyone has room to carry them." Turning her attention to the writing supplies, she tilts her head thoughtfully.

((Are the ink and such essentially a Forgery Kit?))

I'd say so. They match the PHB description almost exactly.

Kessintra chuckles excitedly, removing a few items from her pack to make room for what she has deemed forgery supplies. "This should come in handy." They do already have samples of Strahd's handwriting after all; they just need a good opportunity to use it. It is then she notices that Garrick has left the room. She heads into the hallway, moving closer to the scratching door. She has the unfortunate experience of hearing the voice behind it too.

"Um...Ada, you like cats. I'll let you handle this." She  calls as she motions at the door with a grimace and backs away.

((Items dumped for space unless someone else wants them: crowbar, mess kit, hammer.))

(I’ll store the wineglasses)