Standing sentry, as she’s too stupid to offer any real assistance (for she doesn’t know how to read anyway...), Hino just sits in one of the comfy chairs in the room, waiting for the bookworms to worm their way through the books.

Upon hearing the nearly imperceptible snick of the secret door being opened, though, broke her out of her hazy day dreaming. Quickly hopping up to her feet with lightning speed, she runs to catch up with Orvok, nearly bowling Mav over. 

“Emporious, wait.”  Isa calls out as Emporious steps out of the room. “Look what Orvok found - this might be what we are looking for!”

Emporious pokes his head back into the room just as Hino jumps up. "What's that? A secret passage? I suppose that makes a certain amount of sense. Though I'm not sure why one would hide something meant to be a safety precation yet here we are. Lead on then." He follows after the rest.

"Not just the secret passage, he also found a book with just the letter I on the spine, this might be the clue we are looking for."

Isa asks Orvok "Could I see that book?"

Orvok nods, and passes the book over to Isa, before heading through the secret door...

"Thank you." Isa replies, she takes the book and inspects it for an additional clue that she might find on or in it.

Investigation of book: 18

You head downstairs through the secret door to the bottom level. You have three new rooms to explore. M17, M18, and M19.

If nothing additional is found about the book, Isa tucks it in her pack and follows the rest through the secret door and down the stairs.

The book is blank, like a dummy prop.

"Hmm...intesting." Emprious murmurs falling in at the back of the line tapping his chin in his usual thoughtful manner.

Barbär reluctantly leaves his cat buddy behind and follows the group along the way. He starts down the hallway to M17, and gives a look and listen 3

Maybe this way, and we work room to room?

"Not sure we need to skulk around like common thieves..." 

"I will remain here and read the books!" Matreous announces, petting the cat, as you guys descend.

The door looks normal, and when you press your ear against it, it's quiet.

Hino confidently strides down the stairs, and heads down the hallway towards M17.

”Nothing behind the door, Master Barbär?” she asks. Seeing him nod the affirmative, she’ll cautiously open the door and proceed into the room. 

Skulk? I found my self more often in the company of Soldiers, and not some Ghoul. Besides, i'm a bit loud to sneak. However i do know a few tactics if you dont mind.

To Hino;

Im not hearing anything that belays any thing inside, though its always safe to be on the lookout.

Unaccustomed to dungeon delving tactics Emporious impatiently says, "Well go on then lets have a look." 

M17 - ALCHEMICAL LABORATORY

Take a look at the map in Discord, AREA M17. The air here smells of astringent chemicals. Long wooden tables stretch across the room, laden with vials, beakers, and flasks holding various liquids and powders. Books are stacked between the glassware and chemicals. Yellowed paper charts and blackboards full of complex formulas cover the walls. 

Since its books with letters on the spine we're looking for Mav will search around

[Investigation: 13]

Hino uses the tip of her sword to push scrolls and books gently around the table. Rapidly growing bored, she spins on her tippy toes, and marches out of the room. “Boooooring. Another bookworm hideout.”

She’ll go back out into the hallway outside the room and lean against the wall, whistling a little ditty as she waits for the others. 

The books here cover chemical science and alchemy.

Four clay figures rest on a table in the middle of the room. They range from a rudimentary, barely humanoid shape to a small, winged body so lifelike that it almost appears to be a real creature that is merely asleep.

The puzzle book with the letter B on its spine is propped up against a large beaker.