Stella frowns, looking around. "I'm not sure that it wasn't the druid who did this, given what Lord Hartley told us."

Rinn frowns, looking about at the mess and turning to Stella at her comment. "Indeed, but I'd believe that whoever is doing this is not quite right in the head now." Stepping gingerly around the room and the accompanying mess, the elf looks for tracks or signs of what or, at the very least, what direction whatever did this went.

Survival: 10

Alys: You know two things. 1.From your research on Yellow Musk Creepers, you've never heard anything about the efficacy of using a scarf or other implement to cover your mouth and avoid the musk. Whether that be because no one's ever tried it or because it doesn't work is unknown. 2. You spend some moments looking at the carved symbol on the wall, trying to connect it with any of the various races. You don't recall any races where this symbol is prevalent, even among races such as Goblins, Yuan-Ti, or Orcs that are usually more associated with worshiping evil deities. While you don't know what this means, you do know that Theleus has definitely gone off the deep end.

Rinn: Unfortunately, you're unable to find any tracks in the clutter.

"Hmm..." Alys would go on her tippy toes once and a while to take closer looks at the carved symbol. She'd take out her journal to document it for later. "I can't say I recognize this from any of my research or have knowledge of what this symbol means." She'd back away and move closer to the others. "But I've got the feeling Theleus has definitely gone off the deep end."

"Hmm, we will have to attempt to research this when we get to a library. Preferably one that hasn't been completely ruined by a mad Druid and/or his bear companion. And I'm also curious about what caused a Druid that was apparently sane for years to go mad." 

Everyone: After stepping over fallen bookcases and ruined books, you find another door at the end of this room.

"If'n its like I say'n earlier, 'nd there's a bigger one inside -- O-or maybe one that's got some freakier things going on fer it -- then maybe its the cause? But 'cause it couldn't quite take over our druid's friend minds like it did the others, there was some sorta tussel fer a bit?" Barnabus suggest uncertainly. "Oo! Maybe that's why 'e sent a letter! 'e couldn't quite tell his 'ole boss what was goin' on, but could warn'em till he figured things out." He puffs out his chest and grins smugly.

After doing all of that vocalizing Barnabus quiets for the move on to the next door, crossbow at the ready once more from the back of the others.

"I hope that that's the case, Barnabus. But everything about this man leads me to believe that he's insane, right down to the fact that he's still in a place like this."

The next room is a hallway, with the ruined paintings and musty smell that you've come to associate with the manor. Alys, from what you can gather by looking at the parts of this manor that haven't been destroyed, you can tell that this manor is about 270 years old. The path splits once again, with a door at the end of the hall, and a door at the right. Which way will you go?

Rinn moves towards the door on the right, placing his ear near to listen for noises beyond. 

Perception: 14

While Rinn listens and does his checks, Alys would be jotting down notes and sketches of the paintings and defining features of the manor. "This place is about 270 years old..." She'd mutter aloud to the others between notes.

Rinn, you don't hear anything in the next room, but you do smell something incredibly foul, even more so than the musty scent that generally pervades this manor.

“Something reeks,” Rinn whispers, gesturing toward the door. 

"Probably more Zom-zoms. Which means... could be a good idea to take'm out as we go, me thinks." Barnabus whispers back along the train, but otherwise kept his weapon trained as always on the door. "And if not, still worth a look. Could be a clue on what happened here exactly."

Keshateeger winkles her nose at the smell.

Stella nods, turning her rapier in her hands. "Let's go."

Obsidian hops down from her shoulder and stays at the back of the group.

You all open the door to find a formerly beautiful dining room, but the dishes have all been destroyed and the tablecloths are ruined. The room is connected to a kitchen, where you smell the horrible odor of rotting food, as well as undeath from five yellow musk zombies that are ambling around. You assume from their clothing that they were the cooks here.

They have not currently noticed you at the moment.

 Also, roll a DC12 Con Save.

For shits and giggles.

Con ST...: 20

Con ST(DC 12): 3.

The moment the smell hits Barnabus....  he has smelled some foul things in the past. He has even gone undercover at one point in a suit of literal trash. But never has the half-orc noise been given a taste of the horror that had lied beyond the doors. Losing all semblance of composure and professionalism, the young spellcaster turned around and began noisily barfing on the ground.

Con: 13
Initiative, if needed: 15

Con Save: 9

Vastra succeeds. The sound of Barnabus' vomiting attracts the zombies to your location. Everyone, roll for initiative.

Vastra: 24
Zombies: 2

(Barnabus, you're going to miss the first round, as you vomit on the floor.)

Barnitiative: 24.