Fionn follows  "Always the direct approach i guess"

Perception 17

"Stay close and keep an out around the corners. Any good stuff you see, we can come back for it later." With that, Velda pushes onwards, towards the door underneath the stairs as quickly and quitely as possible, testing the door to see if it is locked.

Nova would just follow from the back. 

Fionn readies his crossbow

The door under the stairs looks nearly identical to the one at the entrance to the cellar and opens just as easily. You all tense for a moment as it lets out a loud CREAK! Halfway through being opened. After a few tense moments of nothing happening, you decide to make your way through the door weapons at the ready.

The door opens to a ten foot long passage that seems to open up at that distance. Advancing slowly and cautiously down the hallway towards where it seems to open up you notice as soon as it opens up thick dust covers the flagstones of this somber hallway. The walls are decorated with faux columns every ten feet, and the double doors at the west end of the hall are sheathed in copper plate, now green with age. A relief carving of a mournful angel graces the doors.

"Watch out for anything in the shadows." With that, Velda pushes onwards to the bronze doors, checking the room to determine if anyone has recently used this passageway or not.

6 for Perception

Velda, you can tell after about 10 feet (the first fake pillar on the south side of the hallway) that the only footprints in the thick dust, are you own. Or those made by your companions following you. Do you continue toward the door?

Velda turns to the others. "Right, looks like this passway is unused. I don't know where this door is leading, but it's on the same wall as the one outside." Looking at Nova with a face that says 'I'm sorry for what's coming next' Velda clears her throat, before continuing: "Chances are that there are people behind either one of these two doors. I want us to make the most of the fact that we might be able to surprise them, so for that I suggest we go through both doors at the same time. If they lead to the same room, we'll be fine. If they don't, and no one's behind the doors, then we're fine. And if one of the two groups finds people behind the door and the other doesn't we're fine too. We have the drop on them, and the others can quickly join up, because we know where the other group is. If that sounds like a plan, I'd suggest Nova and Fionn to pair up with Cadence or me, so we have both of our strengths in either group. Does that work for you?"

You all notice that the Velda that was akward and stumbly this morning has gone, and before you stands an experienced fighter, trusting in her instincts.

In the presence of much stronger, more capable and independent warrior women, Nova was fighting to keep full focus. This was not a pack she could ever lead, not that she carried much Alpha characteristics anyways. The Druid was just content everyone was together and that she was somewhat filling a role by watching their backs. Not being in a wide open space made her feel a little cramped, but there was plenty to look at and smell. Her eyes would wonder around any time the group paused and her mind would flit from one random thought to the next as she’d tilt her head to sniff around. There were so many different scents to investigate, she’d try to narrow down the ones she knew first, hoping that if she was lucky, she may be able to lock on to Gert’s scent.

Nova would tilt her head a little in confusion to what Velda was referring to as their strengths. She’d then glance down looking over herself. The half elf would open and close her hands, realizing she had been the only one without weapon ready in hand. Or maybe lack there of? The liability? Looking up with her mismatched eyes Nova would simply nod. “Yeah.” The plan was layed out now, clear and easy enough to follow. She’d accept whoever was willing to pair with her. 

Cadence stops in mid-stride. "This tune is off."  She looks up at Velda, "Do not scoff.  If they do not come this way...then we shouldn't either, ok?  Lets try the other door.  All four."

Fionn just steps back to where he can see/cover both doors with his crossbow

"Cadence, we might be able to surprise them if we use a path they don't. If you're not comfortable taking on these doors here, why don't you and Fionn try the ones in the hall outside, and Nova and I take on this set here?" Velda is determined to cover as much ground as quickly as possible, in the hopes of finding Gert as soon as they can.

Nova would continue huffing the air while Velda and Cadence discuss.

Sniffer: 22

Cadence shrugs, and walks out of the hallway, giving Fionn a head nod, and heads to the other door, and listens at it carefully. 

Perception : 22

Cadence holds three fingers up for Fionn, then makes a hand signal for yapping. She looks at the door. Does it have a lock on it that seems obvious or anything?

Fionn nods at Cadence

So Fionn stands ready behind the northern stairs for cover with Cadence at the door (ready to open it I assume) Go ahead and roll initiative, so I have it for later, when you post your surprise round actions.

Meanwhile... Back in the Hall of justice(😜)

Velda and Nova stand abreast in the middle of the hallway 10 feet from where the entered ready to approach the double doors at the western end of the hallway. 

Initiative 10

Initiative: 7

Velda is ready to kick the door down as soon as Cadence does the same.

Initiative : 9

After a moment of not hearing Velda kicking anything down, Cadence smirks to herself and shakes her head at her own foolishness.  Then she points through the wall towards Velda casting Message, "On three. One, two....three"

Cadence attempts to open the door.