Very much unsurprised, Mittens points out the agonized faces hidden amongst the trees of the paneling to the others. "I get the feeling that the Dursts were real nice, upstanding citizens of the highest degree," he remarks dryly, his voice practically oozing with sarcasm. Resting his hands on his hips, he says, "Pooky and I didn't spot anything else worth noting." Gesturing a thumb at the wall nearby, he says, "That other small room we didn't check yet is probably just a closet of some sort, and there should be a kitchen nearby if the architect that designed this place wasn't insane. Maybe that's the other door in the little alcove?"

The last of the Dusk Elf maidens admires the carved mahogany table... the high-backed chairs with sculpted armrests... the cushioned seats... the so polished and resplendent silverware and crystalware... "A wealthy family, lover of luxury, with a refined taste". Then, when Mittens points out the clues of hidden horrors she adds "And yet, they were keen to hide disturbing signs under the alluring veil of their luxury. Who knows why? If I were an 'upstanding citizen of the highest degree', like our..." it takes her a while to remember the unfamiliar word "...tabaxi companion, Mittens, correctly says, I wouldn't put any hint of the possible threats I represent. Ah, who knows?"

'The thrill of the hunt, Svetlana ...' the Voices in her head hypothesize 'The perverse family that lived in this house perhaps invited strangers to kill and torture them! And hiding clues to their intentions right before the eyes of potential victims gave them the pleasure of mocking them, making them feel even more in control!'
'It's a possibility' admits Svetlana.

"Still," the savage wanderer remarks matter-of-factly, "silver has power... at least against certain creatures... perhaps we would do well to take it with us" and she puts the silverware into her backpack.

After that, the last of the Dusk Elf maidens approaches the new door indicated by Mittens; she looks back for a moment to check that all her companions are actually ready to move into a new room and, if this is the case... she cautiously tries to open the door.

As Hazel surveyed the grand dining room, her gaze lingered on the finely crafted details that spoke of a family both wealthy and steeped in a culture of refined tastes. However, the discovery of the hidden, twisted faces within the elegant carvings shifted her perception subtly, from appreciation to a more critical analysis.

"The Dursts certainly embraced a dichotomy," Hazel mused aloud, echoing the sentiments expressed by her companions. "On one hand, presenting a facade of opulence and normalcy, while on the other, embedding within their decor a narrative far darker and possibly a testament to hidden truths or inclinations."

She approached the wall where Mittens pointed out the agonized faces, her fingers lightly tracing the lines that formed the disturbing images. "Art often reflects the innermost thoughts and feelings of its creators. These faces might represent the Dursts' fears, their enemies, or perhaps their victims. It's a chilling thought that the beauty of this room could be a mask for such horror."

Turning towards the silverware that Svetlana was gathering, Hazel nodded in agreement. "Silver does hold protective properties in many legends and practices—against werewolves, spirits, and other malevolent forces. It's wise to take it with us. Not only could it serve as a practical defense, but its presence here, so prominently displayed, might also signify its importance to the family."

As the group prepared to move towards the new door Mittens had indicated, Hazel paused, her thoughts momentarily turning inward. "As we continue to explore, let us be mindful of what may lie beneath the surface. The aesthetic allure of this house seems increasingly to veil secrets that are far from benign. Every room, every piece of art, every choice in decor might be a piece of the puzzle that is this family's legacy."

She then prepared to follow Svetlana, ready to face whatever lay behind the next door. "Let's proceed with caution," Hazel added, her voice steady despite the eerie revelations. "Each new room could bring us closer to understanding the true nature of what haunted this family—and perhaps still lingers here, waiting for us."

“Nothing to be unfortunate about.” The rogue answered Svetlana, taking the three bundles of bolts. Feeling ready for war, Lorin tied the cask of wine to his pack. He would be satisfied with a good drink, of course, but his mind focused on how the alcohol could be used as a weapon. Provided the monster was neither incorporeal nor had a body made of flames, they just needed to drench it in the thing to turn any spark in quite the attack.

On the next room the only thing to cause him a strong impression was the chandelier. That thing took time and skill to make, any crafter could tell. The kind that only a small fortune can afford. Then Mittens pointed out the details in the wallpaper. The faces on the trees made for a terribly familiar scene, one of the many he wanted to forget.

“Depends on the artist. It’s not rare for a work to be simply wat the client demands.” He answered Hazel. “My bet is on victims.” Going by Svetlana’s reaction it was nether a historic moment nor a scene from local folklore. “Nobles wouldn’t show enemies if not to boast about defeating them, but the pattern is too hidden for that.” Just like before. “And dinner parties are about impressing guests. Showing their fears, a sign of vulnerability, goes against the principle. Doesn’t make sense.”

The unsuspected surrounded by hidden killers, their suffering on the very structure of the hunt. Unsuspected attack, ambush, treason and death. Snake and skulls.

“I don’t know if the family worshiped a dark deity or a fiend, but at this point I am practically sure they were part of a murdering cult.” He looked at the chandelier. “Don’t think we’ll be able to use this silver.” It would be hard to get and even harder to make usable in a fight. “Let’s check the alcove.”

Uncia inspected what Lorin and Mittens had managed to uncover in the cabinets. They'd had more luck than she had, apparently. Unfortunately, what was waiting inside the locked cabinets was of no use to her, so she left the items to her companions if they wanted them. She trailed after the rest of the party back across the hall and into a room on the opposite side of the one they'd just examined, lingering in a small cubby for a minute before emerging into a large, ornate dining hall.

Uncia noted her surroundings with a mixture of relief and dread. With the exception of the hidden grotesque images her companions kept noting, this house seemed to be completely free of monsters thus far, which was odd given the fact that the children who'd sent them here had said that there was a monster here, and had seemed to be quite afraid of it. She'd love it if there turned out that there was something else going on here, but somehow she didn't think that that was the case. Looking towards her companions, she asked, "Anyone see any signs of anything living so far? The kids said that there was a monster, after all. There might be more than one." After all, in her experience creatures like that tended to gather together.

"The house seems completely devoid of living beings, Uncia..." the last of the Dusk Elf maidens replies to the tabaxi "...but, after all, the children said that the monster was in the basement. Rose and Thorn could be right - and therefore there could only be that monster there - despite the numerous disturbing clues".

"Or, if as I fear, the children are already dead - and what we see is only... what remains of them, who cannot find peace..." Svetlana reflects "...then other monsters may have also later found refuge in the house - but they could just as well be non-living monsters... many monsters, in fact," she shivers slightly, uneasily "fall into this category".

As Hazel absorbed the exchanges and observations from her companions, the notion that they were perhaps dealing with a history steeped in secrecy and potential malevolence seemed increasingly likely. Each room revealed more layers to the house's grim narrative, each artifact and decoration possibly a testament to the Dursts' dark affiliations or troubled legacy.

"The hidden agony in these carvings and the persistent theme of disguised threats lend a sinister undertone to this opulence," Hazel remarked quietly, her gaze sweeping across the dining hall's lavish setting. "It seems we're not merely dealing with a family that appreciated luxury; we might be unraveling the legacy of a family ensnared by their own dark pursuits."

Addressing Uncia's practical concerns about the absence of any overt signs of life—or unlife—Hazel nodded thoughtfully. "Uncia raises a crucial point. Despite the tales of a monster, our search has yet yielded only whispers of the past, not the growls of the present. Yet, we should not let down our guard. The lack of immediate danger does not assure safety, especially if the threat resides, as suggested, below in the basement."

Turning to consider Svetlana's chilling notion of non-living monsters, Hazel felt a chill run down her spine. "If indeed the children are manifestations of unresolved spirits, and the monster they fear is something akin to them, we may be dealing with threats that are not just physical but spectral. This could complicate our efforts to confront or even understand the nature of our adversary."

Hazel then stepped closer to the group, lowering her voice slightly as she shared her perspective. "We should continue our exploration with a dual focus: remain vigilant for any signs of the creature mentioned by Rose and Thorn, but also gather as much information as possible about the Dursts themselves. Their history, their secrets, might provide us with the insight needed to navigate the dangers that lie ahead."

She paused, then added, "Let us proceed to the basement when ready, but let’s ensure we have thoroughly examined our current environment for any more clues or resources that could aid us. Our preparedness may well define our success—or survival."

OOC: Hazel suggests they make a detailed inspection of the remaining areas on their current floor before descending into the basement, looking for any more hidden clues or items that may help them understand the Durst family better or prepare for potential encounters.

The door that Mittens mentioned earlier could belong to a closet does indeed belong to a small cloakroom. It contains a few well-made cloaks and a silken top hat sitting on the top shelf. The final door leads to the kitchen.

The kitchen is tidy, with dishware, cookware, and utensils neatly placed on shelves. A worktable has a cutting board and rolling pin atop it. A stone, dome-shaped oven stands near the east wall, its bent iron stovepipe connecting to a hole in the ceiling. Behind the stove and to the left is a thin door that is ajar, which appears to lead to a well-stocked pantry.

In the southwest corner of the kitchen, is a small door set about halfway up the wall. Next to the small door, hanging on the wall, is a small brass bell.

As you explore the kitchen, it dawns on you that you haven't seen any sort of stairs or entry way to a basement.

Mittens had to suppress a slight grin when his prediction of the nearby rooms was correct. He loved being right, though he had to admit that any nitwit with half a brain could have made the same guess he did. He chose to enter the kitchen and take a look around there first. The closet looked kinda boring in his opinion, and he felt like the kitchen contain much more interesting stuff than some musty old closet would. 

Once he's in the kitchen, he slowly paces around the cramped room with Pooky sitting on his shoulder. He only pays half attention to Hazel while she rambles as the inspects the kitchen and pantry. Lifting a pot from off a counter and peeking at its underside, he asks in a distracted tone to no one in particular, "What do you think it’s going to be this time? Maybe a pumpkin carved to look like a skull? Flour made of bones?"

Investigation: 20

Mittens' deductions prove correct, and the last of the Dusk Elf maidens gives him a furtive smug look. It's nice to be able to count on someone with a quick mind when you're in the midst of danger. And in Barovia, usually, you're in the midst of danger. She checks the wardrobe, checking whether the top hat contains anything, or whether, for example, there are notes or clues left between the tails of the cloaks...

However, Svetlana's attention is mainly captured by the well-made cloaks... 'This one, in purple with silver embroidery, is really beautiful...'
'I like the longer one better, green like our forests!' the Voices in her head interject, evidently also interested when it comes to fashion.
'Don't listen to them Svetlana! Choose the fur-lined one! A cloack must be hot, as well as beautiful...'
'Of course, though, that one with the ermine collar is probably not less warm and so much more elegant...'

The savage wanderer smiles at hearing, for once, the Voices in her head speak in an interested way rather than in an alarmed, pained or embittered way... they really seem like Dusk Elf maidens conversing with each other in the market, in front of the beautiful clothes of a good merchant taste... she however remains with her initial idea and wears the purple cloack with silver embroidery and wears it.

Forcing herself to return to the grim reality of the potentially haunted house to be freed from a monster, the last of the Dusk Elf maidens returns to the kitchen and cautiously tries to examine the fireplace flue, in case someone has hidden something there.

 It is at that moment that Svetlana hears the tabaxi hypothesize 'Flour made of bones'... She turns her azure eyes to him again: "Ah, so even outside Barovia these horrors are common... For a moment I had dreamed that the places outside Mists were better..."

Mittens examines the kitchen, but he doesn't find any more hidden faces or sinister images this time. Instead, he is able to determine that the small door set into the wall is a dumbwaiter. It's quite small, and he realizes he would be the only one who could squeeze inside. Everyone else is too big.

Svetlana doesn't find any clues inside the hats, but the cloaks are beautiful, obviously made for a wealthy family.

“There’s good chance the children are also monsters in disguise.” He said sharing Uncia’s thoughts. It was strange that they didn’t hear anything since entering. “Or an ability of whatever is in the basement, bait to get folk inside. Maybe even to bind us through our words.”

Maybe they followed Strahd. He was called a devil, after all. It wouldn’t be surprising if his reputation had a larger gain of truth that the Barovians imagined. And we need to defeat him in order to go away. The thought made Lorin much more inclined to look for followers of Ezra and Vistani. There was a chance either of them could offer help. The Vistani, specially, could be an easier answer.

The kitchen was surprisingly clean – the shadar-kai half expected to find traces of blood and the stink of rotten flesh. After the art they saw finding the Dursts are cannibals wouldn’t be shocking. Instead there was no sign of life, not even of the monster. No sign of a way to the basement, either.

“There are better places, but there’s also plenty of horrors.” Specially if you’re not rich, the voice of his mind completed rather bitterly. “I think it better for us to check upstairs before the battle. Last thing we want is for something from there to get at our backs as we fight the monsters. That said, let’s hope this door is the way down, otherwise we have a new problem.”

 OOC: Is the door locked?

[[ OOC: OK, as alreayd posted, Svetlana keeps one of the cloaks for herself and wears it ]]

"The small door set into the wall, you mean, Lorin?" the last of the Dusk Elf maidens asks, puzzeld "I doubt that is the access to the cellar... It's just a dumbwaiter..." her azure eyes quickly review the adventure companions one by one "Maybe only Mittens could manage to get through there... and considering that we could not follow him, it is not a course of action that I would recommend to him. There will be a different access, which we have not yet found".

The savage wanderer was about to examine the small door better, check if it was locked and possibly open it... but she sees that the Shadar Kai is already examining it and, considering him much more competent than her in the matter, she lets him do it, keeping simply ready to defend him in case something unexpected arises.

🕯️🖤Hazel Harkness🖤🕯️

As Hazel navigated the well-appointed kitchen, her eyes were drawn not only to the mundane elements of cookware and cutlery but also to the more curious features such as the dumbwaiter and the small door that Mittens had identified. Each element of the house seemed to weave a more complex tapestry of the Durst family's lifestyle and perhaps their secrets.

"Indeed, Mittens," Hazel responded thoughtfully to his half-joking query about the possible horrors that could be found in a kitchen such as this. "While we may not find bone flour or carved pumpkins, the ordinary here seems to overlay a much deeper narrative—one that might not be so ordinary after all."

She turned her attention to the dumbwaiter, considering its implications. "This dumbwaiter could have been a conduit for more than just meals—perhaps messages, or even small items of significance. Its size restrictive, yes, but its pathways might lead us to uncover more about the house's inner workings."

As Svetlana donned one of the luxurious cloaks, Hazel noted the shift in the atmosphere, a brief lightening in the otherwise grim exploration. "It's important to find moments of beauty, even in places like this," Hazel remarked softly. "But let us not be seduced by the veneer of opulence. The luxury here could very well be a façade, masking the darker truths of this family."

Addressing Lorin's concerns about the basement and potential threats from upstairs, Hazel nodded in agreement. "Lorin makes a prudent point. Before we delve deeper into the belly of this place, ensuring nothing malevolent lurks above us is wise. A thorough sweep of the upper floors could spare us from being caught unawares."

Hazel moved closer to the group, her voice firm yet calm. "Let us proceed upstairs with caution, prepared for what may come. Our vigilance here in piecing together these clues not only aids in our understanding but may well safeguard our lives."

As the group considered their next steps, Hazel remained alert, her senses sharpened by the underlying currents of mystery and menace that seemed to pulse through the Durst mansion. She was ready to continue the exploration, her resolve fortified by the shared determination of her companions.

OOC: Hazel suggests they thoroughly inspect the upper floors before attempting to locate and enter the basement, to ensure their safety from any potential ambush or unseen threats. They could always check outside for upper floor windows to gain entry that way. She remains keenly observant, looking for any signs that could indicate hidden rooms, traps, or other secrets that the house might still conceal. Checking the cloak room carefully for a secret door while also trying on the top hat. Investigation Check: 15

Mittens pops open the small door set into the wall and takes a peak at the small chamber beyond. He thought it might have been a dumbwaiter, but seeing it now confirmed his suspicion. Looks like he could fit inside if he really wanted to, but he wasn't keen on the idea of sending himself upstairs without the backup of the group. Fortunately, he knew the perfect person for such a perilous journey. 

"Hey Pooky," he starts slowly, giving his teddy bear familiar at his side a sideward glance. "How would you feel about taking a little trip on the dumbwaiter?"

Before Mittens could even finish speaking, Pooky was already empathetically his head side to side, very much opposed to the idea.

"Oh come on! It won't be that bad! You can't die, remember?" replied Mittens in an exasperated tone. 

Pooky rests his ''hands'' on his hips and looks up at the tabaxi in an incredulous stance. 

Mittens folds his arms and glares at the teddy bear. "Last time I checked, I was the wizard and you were the familiar."

Pooky gives Mittens a long, hard stare with his single button eye before shaking his head in defeated. He then starts trudging towards the dumbwaiter and hops up into its confine glumly. 

"Perfect!" Mittens exclaims, clasping his hands in front of him in delight. Turning to face the others, he says brightly, "Pooky can scout out wherever the dumbwaiter goes. I can borrow his sight, but I'll be blind myself. Make sure nothing eats me while seeing through Pooky's eyes. Well, I guess it would be an eye in this case." 

With that, he starts pulling on the rope that raises the dumbwaiter. As he does, he closes his own eyes, and after a moment of concentration, he moves his senses over to Pooky. From Pooky's vantage point, he manages to see himself disapear out of sight as the dumbwaiter rose towards the upper floors.

“Thank you, Hazel” the last of the Dusk Elf maidens places an affectionate hand on her thoughtful friend's shoulder, smiling. "Yes, I am aware of the façade and, believe me, I will not forget it. However, this will not stop me from putting to good use these excellent quality cloaks... they will help us suffer less from the cold... and also to look elegant - which is perhaps a factor of secondary importance at the moment, but if it is a result that can be achieved without drawback, then... why not? You sure don't want to wear one too? I think the one with the ermine collar would look very good on you, by the way".

Svetlana is then fascinated when Mittens sends Pooky out to explore - it's a great way to explore a troublesome passage without danger: "Is this a little golem at your service?" she asks "I had heard about constructs that can be animated with magic... Stone golems, flesh golems... Have you created a rag golem?"

But soon after the savage wanderer realizes that the tabaxi, if he is busy using his rag golem's senses, may not even hear her... then she focuses mainly on the task he has entrusted to her: protecting him! She stands next to him, with her senses alert, ready to interpose her shield and body against any possible threat that may arise.

The door to the dumbwaiter was unlocked. Pooky climbs up inside and Mittens pulls the rope to raise the contraption up to the second floor of the house. Through Pooky's eyes, Mittens can see that the dumbwaiter arrives in what looks like a servants' room. There are a pair of beds with straw-stuffed mattresses. At the foot of each bed is an empty footlocker. Feeling the rope, Mittens realizes he can pull the dumbwaiter up to the third floor if he wants to.

"Looks like there's a servant's quarters above us," Mittens mumbles, sounding a bit distracted. "It's just a couple of beds and some footlockers."

Tugging a bit on the rope, the tabaxi continues, "I think I can pull this sucker all the way to the top floor." With that, he pulls on the rope, and the dumbwaiter with the petulant Pooky on board begins to steadily rise to the third floor. Hopefully the monster wasn't in the final room the dumbwaiter led to. While Pooky couldn't technically die like a person could, the teddy bear familiar wasn't a fan of being torn to shreds and being banished back to its home plane. Summoning him back also took FOREVER, so it was a win-win situation for everyone involved of Pooky didn't get destroyed. 

🕯️🖤Hazel Harkness🖤🕯️

As Hazel observed Mittens interact with his familiar, Pooky, her expression softened with a mix of amusement and warmth. The rapport between wizard and familiar was always a unique bond, and Mittens’ half-playful, half-serious exchange with Pooky highlighted the trust and reliance inherent in such partnerships a relationship that in many ways Hazel was a little envious of. “Mittens, “It’s heartening to see such coordination," Hazel commented, her voice tinged with appreciation for the dynamic duo’s teamwork.

Turning her attention to Svetlana, Hazel smiled gently at the offer of the ermine-collared cloak. "Thank you, Svetlana, for your generous offer. While the allure of elegance is tempting, especially in such dire surroundings, I must decline for the moment." She gestured to her current attire, practical and suited for the task at hand. "I prefer to keep my mobility unhindered by additional adornments, however stylish they may be. But I do appreciate the sentiment."

As the dumbwaiter ascended with Pooky inside, Hazel maintained a close watch on Mittens, who was now temporarily vulnerable while linked to his familiar's senses. "Mittens, do keep us informed of Pooky's findings. Any detail, no matter how small, could be crucial to understanding the full scope of what we're dealing with here." Hazel's tone was calm yet firm, a reflection of her constant vigilance and commitment to the group's safety.

"Furthermore, the absence of a direct route to the basement, as noted earlier, suggests that there may be hidden mechanisms or secret passages we have yet to uncover. Let's keep an eye out for any anomalies in the house's construction—uneven flooring, peculiar wall panels, or out-of-place decorations that might hint at concealed doors."

OOC: Hazel continues to do her best to monitor the situation closely, ready to provide assistance or make strategic decisions based on the information Pooky gathers from the upper floors. She remains especially attentive to any structural peculiarities or hidden elements in the environment that could lead them closer to discovering access to the basement or understanding the Durst family's secrets more fully.

Mittens continues to pull on the rope. Pooky ascends higher, up to the third floor. As Pooky arrives at the top of the house, all remains quiet. Through the bear's eyes, Mittens sees what looks like the house's master bedroom. Burgundy curtains drape the windows. In the center of the room is an elegant, four-poster bed with gossamer veils. Pooky is also able to make out a vanity with a wood-framed mirror and jewelry box, and a padded chair. There is no one in the room, but as you all continue to search the house, the silence and stillness create a growing sense of unease.