Lyra lowers her hands from her nose and mouth—an instinctive reaction to the smell in the ruined shrine—as Alisande offers her the holy symbol. "Oh… thank you. I'll keep it safe." She studies the amulet closely, and then adds. "It feels wrong to leave it here, among so many dead. I'm sure its owner would rather it rest in another shrine to Moradin, where a cleric of the All-Father could put it to use again."

Lyra slips the symbol around her neck beside Tymora's silver coin and her lucky moonstone. As she adjusts them, she whispers quietly to her own holy symbol, "You don't mind, Lady Luck, do you? This is just for safekeeping."  Then, more audibly, "I bet Sister Garaele in Phandalin will help us return it properly."

When Meira mentions Gareth again, Lyra nods quickly. "Yes, please! Let's find him. This place is dangerous! I know Gareth is careful, but I'd feel better if we all stayed together."

(OOC: Is the ceiling over this staircase also covered with webs?)

Zephyros eyes the dusty box with curiosity. While suspicious, his inquisitiveness grasps the better of him. The veteran approaches the abandoned object sluggishly, and picks it up looking for small details to figure out whom it may have belonged to or what may be inside it, or even if it might be trapped.

Investigation: Nat 1

Ironheart watches the interaction between the Cleric and the Wizard. He never understood faith- hoping something you can't even see to protect you. The burly man also was confused. He ponders, 'Why do the devout and pious pay respect to different gods? Certainly they'd account it as disloyalty. You can serve only one master...-' Zephyros' thoughts are interrupted, and to his delight. Glad to take his mind to a more concerning matter, the bear of a man responds to Meira, "I'd agree with you. Fire is an excellent weapon against webs, and Gareth is absolutely most unwise right now. We need to find him."

Zephyros Also checks this staircase for webs before slowly and cautiously advancing to the room above.

Perception: 13

Lyra,

This staircase is not covered in webs.

[[OOC: A holy symbol of Moradin has been added to your inventory.]]

Zephyros,

You pick up the dusty box and inspect it. It's a simple box with no markings or elaborate engravings. A simple latch holds the box closed. You have no idea who owned this box or if it's trapped. It's not overly heavy but you do suspect something is inside. Presuming you open the box, you find a bottle inside filled with a red liquid, corked, and cushioned with straw.

Moving up the staircase, it leads you to the second floor of the fortress where a hallway splits north to south and across from the staircase is a closed door. To the south you see a wider stairway leading back down to a lower level. To the north, you see the hallway turn west. A door to the north lies open.

[[OOC: A potion of superior healing has been added to your inventory.]]

Rasziel follows along and grimly nods in agreement as the bearded warrior decides to locate the straying ranger. It was indeed unwise to abandon a coherent formation as there was most likely more threats to deal with before the halls of ancient Axeholm would be safely used as a refuge for the people of Phandalin. He had taken due note of items found and expected nothing less from his diligent and dutiful accountant.

Meira follows along with the others as they head up the stair. "Should we just see where that passage goes to the west? See if we can find Gareth?  Then we can come back and check the doors."  She looks to Zephyros, seemingly ready to follow his decision on the matter.