"Fistandia's memoirs in the study suggest she considered herself to be a knowledgeable collector of rare specimens"

Rubbing his ears, Ollezall remembers reading of an age where celestials and Tiefling were considered rare specimens, mystical in fact; some cultures used to believe grinding down the powdered horn of a Tiefling or ingesting the tea made from the ears of his race was a fertility aid.... Barbarian ideas of a more Savage time; by comparison it makes Syd appear like a landed gentry noble.... Heh, Syd in a suit and tie, with a walking cane. Ollezall chuckles momentarily to himself at the thought.

"Syd I would say you are on the money; or perhaps were. In the best case scenario those fiends in the prior room were destined for this vessel. Worse case, we have a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater on the loose... Or a Demogorgon. Anyone else smell cooking?"

Cerlinde carefully examines the creatures in the jars and tries to remember what she knows of each of them.  (assuming arcana checks for the creatures)  she also does a thorough search of the room and looks at any evidence of what happened with the empty jar..

19 arcana

16 arcana

13 arcana

9 investigation

(passive investigation 17.  I think I can just “take” a 17 on that if I don’t roll better, since she is not rushing.  Wasn’t sure how many arcana checks should be either :))

Cerlinde is so entranced by the collection she immediately goes in to look at it.  She says “This is fascinating!  I’ve read and seen pictures of some of these creatures-  what an amazing collection.     I wonder what happened to this container that is empty.   I hope it is nothing dangerous..”

With Dyumi's suggestion, Syd swings the lantern slowly around the room, hoping its arcane light will reveal some secret.  Syd steps just slightly forward to gain a better viewpoint and Ollezall notices that amidst the clutter of the various glass jars, there is a smaller jar on the eastern wall of the room that initially appeared to be empty, but in the lantern's glow, now clearly contains a wispy ball of of scintillating light, slowly pulsing and changing colours.

Having seen no creatures in the room outside of any of the jars, the party can deduce that either they've already vanquished whatever was previously in the larger empty jar, or there is likely something lurking elsewhere in the mansion.

(What would you like to do?  Look around further, any checks, etc.?)
(Edit:  Of course, @Tesservett beat my post in w/those checks, I'll get back to those in a bit!)

Quote from Furujiru >>

Mohdrak gave an encouraging nod to the two little ones. He still had no idea what they were but they began to grow on him. He normally cooked by himself but he could envision himself leading a kitchen like this. It would be good practice.

'We're cooking for ten so we best keep it simple.' He clipped the apron behind his neck and back with the cloth strips. It was a different design as his horns could not fit through a normal one. Though lovingly kept, it started to show signs of usage. Perhaps it was time to go look for a new one.

He opened up cupboards and drawers and gathered everything he needed to make something from scratch. The easiest meal to make was to use the cured meat and sauté it over the fire. He did remember to also sauté vegetables in a different pan. He could not recall any of the others claiming to be a vegetarian but it did not hurt to be sure. Besides, they could use the greens to grow a little more.

'Is there a dish you wish to make?' Mohdrak asked Cumin and Coriander. 'Something of a local specialty or that you enjoy eating?'

As he moved around the kitchen doing the delicate dance of cuisine cooking, Mohdrak took mental note of all the foodstuff and drinks to estimate how much days they could last in the manor without having to ration everything.

"Oh no, master minotaur, we have no particular culinary interests, we live to serve!  You direct us and we will be the best sous chefs we can be!  I'm sure we can find whatever you need to make your favorite dish."

As Mohdrak rummages through the kitchen and pantry, sizing up the stores, he comes across something unusual amidst the seasonings.  With his culinary background and interest in the arcane, he recognizes it as a Heward's Handy Spice Pouch, a very useful item for the adventurous chef on the go!

By his estimates, there are sufficient supplies to last their party for at least two weeks, as the kitchen and pantry are very well-stocked.  However, he also suspects that the enchantments of the mansion may ensure that they will not have any difficulties with provisions.

(No worries on the checks!).

The rest of the group with her in the cellar will notice Cerlinde also takes some time to sketch out the floor plan/ layout of the place on a sheet of parchment as she goes.    She always seems to have a small purple quill in hand when she needs it, and it writes neatly with any color of ink although she never dips it in any ink jar-, and also- her map is professionally well done and carefully labeled. in elegant script.  . (Proficiency in cartography and calligraphy)  

Quote from Tesservett >>

Cerlinde carefully examines the creatures in the jars and tries to remember what she knows of each of them.  (assuming arcana checks for the creatures)  she also does a thorough search of the room and looks at any evidence of what happened with the empty jar..

19 arcana
16 arcana
13 arcana
9 investigation

 (passive investigation 17.  I think I can just “take” a 17 on that if I don’t roll better, since she is not rushing.  Wasn’t sure how many arcana checks should be either :))

Cerlinde is so entranced by the collection she immediately goes in to look at it.  She says “This is fascinating!  I’ve read and seen pictures of some of these creatures-  what an amazing collection.     I wonder what happened to this container that is empty.   I hope it is nothing dangerous..”

Cerlinde identifies the first creature they spied as a cockatrice.  Amongst the macabre collection, she also recognizes a flumph, a small grell, and a pseudodragon.  Cerlinde continues to wander down down the room examining the specimens with a scholar's eye, while sketching on her map.  One jar, containing several severed hands, catches her attention as being especially abhorrent.  Entranced as she is, Cerlinde can only muster a halting exclamation when the hands begin to move, pushing the lid off the jar and crawling out toward her!  The first one attacks her, causing Cerlinde to drop her quill and parchment, while the others scatter about the room, moving toward the rest of the party.

(Round 1)

Claw - attack: 11, damage: 4

“crawling.. claws!” Cerlinde manages to exclaim as she steps away from the one attacking her.   She bonus action moves her hex to it (targeting wisdom) and then, using her staff as an arcane focus- tries to shoot it with a fire bolt…

12.  To hit

if hits 10.  Fire damage1.  Necrotic

What nature of magic is animating the severed hands?

(The severity of my response depends on the answer)

Nevermind.

Ollezall starts to shake; his eyes, terrible windows of fury. With mouth contorted in foul rage he utters Divine words and gestures towards a hand. Brilliant, radiant light flashes from Ollezall's hand towards a claw. 

guiding-bolt to hit 19 dealing Damage: 13

As the hand is smote on the floor, still in vile disgust, Ollezall will mutter "...filth".

Syd will set the lantern to one side and, shockingly, attempt to skewer a severed hand with the point of his greatsword.

Sword Attack: 17 Damage: 11

Quote from Potaido_ >>

What nature of magic is animating the severed hands?
(The severity of my response depends on the answer)

 (Since you asked, even though I'm sure you know based on your response, it's Necromancy.)

(Round 1)

The tiny monsters targeted by Cerlinde, Ollezall, and Syd are all obliterated by their respective attacks, but the remaining swarm of the reanimated hands disperses to attack the party.  The party can see four of the foul things, but they're unsure if more are lurking.  Cerlinde, Syd, Ollezall, and Dyumi are each targeted by a claw.

Cerlinde - Claw - attack: 10, damage: 4

Syd - Claw - attack: 14, damage: 2

Ollezall - Claw - attack: 23, damage: 6

Dyumi - Claw - attack: 22, damage: 4

(Oof, sorry @Potaido_, someone had to be the first PC to get hit in this adventure.  I think we're just waiting on Dyumi for Round 1.)

"Attacking claws? Not a bad idea!"

Dyumi will attack the crawling claw with Primal Savagery. Attack: 10 Damage: 10 Acid

(Last of Round 1)

In his state of righteous anger, Ollezall was able to deliver a crushing strike through his magic, but it left him vulnerable to attack by another of the claws.  One manages to propel itself through the air, delivering a surprisingly robust punch to his kidney.

Dyumi attempts to return the slashing favour after parrying another claw's swipe, but he misses the mark against the tiny creature.  Unfortunate, as it would surely have been a devastating blow!  While largely concealed by his cloak, when Dyumi dashes forward the party catches a quick glimpse of his face.  They notice it seems a bit... different.

(Round 2 Begins!)

Cerlinde, trying to remain calm, shifts her curse and blasts the one who attacked her friend Ollezall..

19 to hit

1 firebolt if hit

4 necrotic if hit.  

Dyumi will draw a pair of handaxes and attack a claw. If the first blow kills one, he will focus the second attack on Ollezall's claw.

Attack: 17 Damage: 3

Attack: 9 Damage: 7

Ollezall will target Cerlinde's claw with sacred-flame for 6 damage; Dexterity 15 save 

Ollezall looks repulsed.

(Round 2)

Cerlinde is able to strike another claw, but it is the damage from the curse that overwhelms the creature, causing it to shrivel up and expire.

Dyumi draws his handaxes and swings at the hand attacking him, managing to sever three fingers, but not quite finish it off.

Ollezall calls down more sacred fury, incinerating yet another claw.  Saving Throw DEX 7

The claw opposing Dyumi uses its two remaining fingers to fling itself at his face, attempting to poke him in the eyes.
Claw - attack: 8, damage: 4

While Syd readies his next move, the claw attacking him leaps upward, attempting to deliver a wicked slash.
Claw - attack: 8, damage: 5

(This rolling is getting a little ridiculous, you all are Team Teflon out there!)

Dyumi will repeat his finger-chopping.

Attack: 13 Damage: 8

Attack: 9 Damage: 3

Round 2

Syd scoffs at the pathetic crawling hands, and stabs at another one.

Sword Attack: 12 Damage: 10

Welp, max damage

(Last of Round 2)

Syd's heroic attack obliterates yet another claw, leaving only the two-fingered hand remaining.

(Round 3, such as it is)

(Since you are annihilating these things thanks to my incredibly inept rolls, by DM fiat I am going to give ol' two-fingers one last shot before Dyumi's round 3 attack finishes the job.)

After witnessing the merciless slaughter perpetrated upon his manual comrades by the orc, "The Deuce" will attempt to land a last-ditch eye poke on Syd.
Claw - attack: 23, damage: 6

So close, yet so far.  As the hand hurdles through the air past Syd's face, with a half-bemused, half-pitying expression, Dyumi steps in with a perfectly placed swing of a handaxe, cleaving the pathetic hand IN TWAIN!  As the bits of hand slide leisurely down the wall, the party feels a sense of calm return to the room.

(You are now out of combat, congratulations!  What would you like to do?)