Erven finds Walter's body wrapped in blankets at the top of the main stairs and we start to head back down, as rapidly as possible, but still on guard, keeping an eye out. 

Onyx, you place the bones you found in the other crypt and begin to close the lid.....check PM. 

"The creature the children spoke of. I do not know if it is real or just some fabrication of their minds. After all we have seen I am ready for anything." Bertolt says seriously.

Talion looks relieved, he was beginning to suspect that Bertolt was also hearing voices. "I doubt that's all we find." He glances down at Lucky Bear and throws her another piece of ration. He's still wary but it's fading.

While they wait, he continues watching Onyx, but keeping his distance. What I wouldn't give for a warm bed.

Meanwhile, Erven and Sho come back to the basement as rapidly as they can, with Walter's body wrapped up in a blanket for interment.  

Onyx seems lost in thought for a moment.  He looks down wistfully at his armor, then places the sword alongside the bones.

You all watch as Onyx - with great difficulty - attempts to drop the great sword that seems welded to his hand.  It takes many many minutes of concentration, but finally he is able to unclasp his fist from around the handle.   He arranges it neatly in the coffin, and in the proper position for a knight, and slides the lid closed.  A great whooshing sigh can be heard throughout the room, an exhaled breath.  Your mind is clear, finally, though the impulse towards your final task remains - as it always has.

During this time, Sho and Erven return, a bit out of breath.   They have a small, dark bundle with them...

Quote from DarthDrizzt >>

"The creature the children spoke of. I do not know if it is real or just some fabrication of their minds. After all we have seen I am ready for anything." Bertolt says seriously.

 As if to punctuate your thoughts, another roar pierces the gloom and drowns out the ever-present chanting and deep rumble of drums...

Quote from Ereshion >>

Talion looks relieved, he was beginning to suspect that Bertolt was also hearing voices. "I doubt that's all we find." He glances down at Lucky Bear and throws her another piece of ration. He's still wary but it's fading.

While they wait, he continues watching Onyx, but keeping his distance. What I wouldn't give for a warm bed.

 Lucky Bear's ears perks up and her eyes follow the morsel you have offered.  She sniffs, looks back up to you, and gobbles it up.  She waits expectantly...

Erven notes the difference in Onyx.  "Onyx, who was that.  Can you tell us anything?"  He hands him his original sword from the other room.  "We saved this one for you.  This is your sword."

After hearing the response from him, he turns to Talion and Bert, "Here is Walter, where should we bury him?"

Talion feeds Lucky Bear another portion, then turns to watch the pair return. Erven's question takes him a little by surprise. "With Esme, maybe? He was her kid, right?" He shrugs and nods in Sho's direction, "That's his specialty."

He examines the returned pair more closely, looking for signs of change, wary of the slightest suggestion of posession. His gaze comes to rest on Sho, "You look worse for wear. Did the doll escape?"

Some of his attention remains on the distance Onyx, and he is surprised and relieved when the warrior seems to give up the sword. Could be a trick. He watches the man closely for a time, then waits for his response to Erven's question. Everyone is going to have tales to tell after this. None of them pretty.

Sho takes Walter's body, and carefully unfolds the tightly-wrapped bundle, revealing a diminutive skeleton. He kneels beside Esme's crypt and slowly lowers Walter's remains in Esme's arms. He reaches out and lays his hand on Walter's forehead, and under his palm the tiny cracks within the child's skull begin to heal. He finishes his usual prayer of thanking the Whispered One for taking their souls, then closes the crypt behind him.

Sho returns Talion's gaze equally. His breathing is calm now, though he still may look a little paler than usual. "The doll, no." He says evenly, "But the mist still lingers. You were right, we should look for other exits." He concludes, turning his gaze on Onyx.

Quote from WhiteByakko >>

Sho takes Walter's body, and carefully unfolds the tightly-wrapped bundle, revealing a diminutive skeleton. He kneels beside Esme's crypt and slowly lowers Walter's remains in Esme's arms. He reaches out and lays his hand on Walter's forehead, and under his palm the tiny cracks within the child's skull begin to heal. He finishes his usual prayer of thanking the Whispered One for taking their souls, then closes the crypt behind him.

Sho returns Talion's gaze equally. His breathing is calm now, though he still may look a little paler than usual. "The doll, no." He says evenly, "But the mist still lingers. You were right, we should look for other exits." He concludes, turning his gaze on Onyx.

 As you finish some of the movements to complete your benediction, a loud rumbling sound seems to bounce around the halls, causing dirt and rocks to fall.  You hear cracking from above you as the house beams begin to splinter.  Something, or somethings, seem very angry about what you just did with Walter's body...or, it could be a coincidence.  Either way, the drum beats faster and with more force, with the low "buhmm" part of the cadence getting sharper and sharper...

What would you like to do now?  Path?

(( After Onyx has explained what happened ))

Talion nods to Sho, "Yes...the direction Onyx was going, I think there was another exit there..."

Onyx quietly takes the sword.  He seems a little distracted still, or perhaps just reticent.

"As I said, a good person.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Thank you for grabbing this.  I thought I would be wielding the other one for a little longer."

He waits, evidently waiting for the others to decide their direction now.

Bertolt will move to be with the rest of the group, readying his crossbow so that it is loaded and ready to fire. As he finishes loading it he sets it on the improvised loop on his belt, drawing the shortsword on the other hip. "Shall we venture forth?"

Erven prepares himself and if everyone is ready, walks down to the south east room, on the way down to the next level.  He readies his rapier, leads and tries to go as quietly as he can.  He will try to peer into the room to the southeast before entering.  

Stealth : 9

Perception :  10

Here is a map.  Perhaps it will be easier (for me) if you just say where you want to be in terms of coordinates.

(( F16 via most direct route works for me; if nothing accosts us, see if the way is open to the wolf den, ie. D16 ))

Erven was thinking of going south to F14 to have a look southeast....

I was thinking like...

(Agree with the path, that is what Erven was thinking)

This time he’s checking for traps as we move forward :

Perception :  15

Passive perception :  15