(OOC: Juniper, having fallen for the illusion, now finds herself alone on the roof with a dead baby, a puppy, no rope, and no spell slots. She could long rest, then assume the form of a giant eagle and get herself out of this situation following the rest. Any sign of Foxglove?)

(If Emma looks around she will spot Foxglove.)

“Emma! There is a rope in my saddlebag. Kal, if you can send one end of the rope up to me using your magic, I can join you down there!”

A little confused, Emma looks around until she spots Foxglove. Oh, right. Juniper had a pony. "I see it!" She calls as she starts running towards Foxglove. She looks through the saddlebags until she finds a rope. "Found it!" She calls, running back. "I'll throw it to you!" Then, she'll throw it up to Kal if he's still on the balcony, or - if she can - straight to Juniper otherwise.

(Kal followed Emma down the rope)

Kal stops Emma before she tries to throw the rope up to Juniper.  "Hold on," he tells her.  "I can get it up there easier."  With a word and a wave of his hand, a spectral hand appears before him (Mage Hand), moving to grab the rope from Emma, then carry it up to Juniper.

With the rope, can Juniper make it down to the ground with Walter and Lancelot bundled up? She only needs to tie the rope and slide down it one-handed.

With one hand, Juniper wraps the rope around herself. Then with Lancelot and the still form of Walter in one arm, she gently lowers herself to the ground.

"What are you waiting for, come on!" Emma calls. She's already ahead, as she started walking away from the house the moment she saw Juniper lowering herself down. "Let's get away from this creepy house!" And the spiders, ghosts and flesh monsters inside.

Not that she knew where else she could go, but anywhere was better than here, probably. Vaguely she remembered talk of some pool by which those who brought her to this land should wait. But they can think about that later.

Juniper carefully lowers herself, Lancelot, and Walter’s lifeless body to the ground. She nods to Emma’s entreaty, and in a daze, joins her.

“Are we really here?” She stares at the house for a moment, where two of their companions on this journey met their end.

Abruptly, she turns away, takes a breath.

“I think you should stay with us,” she tells Lancelot as she gently lowers him to the ground then releases him.

Still holding Walter cradled in the nook of one arm, she throws her other arm around Foxglove’s neck.

“I am so sorry for leaving you for so long, my handsome dear!,” she whispers, nuzzling the soft ivory-coated pony. She reaches under a saddlebag flap and pulls out a browning apple and holds it as Foxglove takes a bite.

To Emma’s statement about a lake, Juniper nods slowly.

“But first…,” her eyes lead Emma’s glance to Walter. “My clan does not believe in burial. I would offer this sad memory to Rillafane. Will you help me build a funeral pyre?”

"May I suggest we get away from this place first, THEN build a funeral pyre when we're away from the cursed house?" Kal suggests.

Quote from VanderLegion >>

"May I suggest we get away from this place first, THEN build a funeral pyre when we're away from the cursed house?" Kal suggests.

 
Juniper nods agreement. Her eyes cast about for Rose and her brother. Some part of her wants their spirits to know that their baby brother had… made it out. At least that is how it seemed to her in the moment, that with their help Walter’s soul had escaped a fate worse than mere death.

Juniper looks around and spots a sight under a nearby tree. There is the transparent form of Rose and Thorn smiling back. Next to them is the nursemaid cradling an infant in her arms. The ghosts then dissolve into light and disappear.

Emma nods absentmindedly. Burial, pyre? No, Juniper was right. Emma was preoccupied with her own safety, but now that Juniper raised the matter, giving the dead baby a proper passing is the right thing to do.

When Kal offers to leave first, she nods again. "Let's move then."

A few tears stream down Juniper's cheek when she sees Rose and Thorne and the nurse's ghosts vanish into light. She sniffs, wipes her cheek with a cuff, points her chin up, and follows Emma and Kal away from the house, leading Foxglove.

'May I never set foot on this accursed place again.'

She looks around for Lancelot and sniffs the air for any signs of danger.

Perception: 24 (Crit / rolled IC)

Looking around Juniper finds Lancelot wandering around nearby sniffing at the ground. Seemingly happy with finally being outside again.

Then snifts the air but senses no danger nearby.

(Are you waiting for me?)

(I believe we are. Emma wants to go, at least. According to his last message, Kal does too I believe. Juniper said she "follows Emma and Kal away from the house".)

(Well, if you are ready, then you level up to 3rd level.)

After finishing with business as the old house, the remaining party members make their way back to the Old Svalich Road. They have a choice: either return to the woods to find Stanimir and the rest of the Vistani or continue along the road in the opposite direction.

(OOC: Kindly remind me of the implications of the two choices. Did we come from the woods?)

(You came from the woods where you were chased by a pack of wolves. Stanimir and the rest of the Vistani were held up by a falling tree. They encouraged you to go a head. However, when you heard the sound of crying you headed towards the house.)