(( Doesn't help much, but Talion would recognize Invisibility; and on the minus side, he's also like Bert to ritual cast Detect Magic on the various assembled items, so even more time is used.

Edit: And Onyx might know Magic Weapon ))

I went by class lists of spells that each would know. It’s possible I missed one or two. Especially if new books have additions to the list. Either way a minimum of a couple of hours. 

Quote from callmeLothar >>

The ledger is filled with names and dates - a quick count would give you the names of 200+ people going back some 75 years.  The writing style is rather elegant and sure - it's definitely written by someone who knows what they're doing with an ink and quill.

 

 (( Can we recognize the writing? I know we've seen Madame Durst's and Strahd's writing so far. ))

((:I think we saw Mr Dursts  too, iirc, on an apology in the wolf room. ))

Sure yeah, when you compare the writing, it looks like they both wrote in this book.

Arcana: 9

Quote from DarthDrizzt >>

Arcana: 9

 Unfortunately, you try to decipher the markings on the outside of the last two scrolls but to no avail. Nothing intelligible can be made from it. 

 (( Once the detect magic is resolved, we can take a short rest and then continue.

Are we happy with Erven as Scout followed by Onyx to block doors/corridor, followed by a gap for Erven to run in to, followed by the rest?

If so, then all ok with going downstairs?

How far ahead does Erven want to go?))

Bertolt will do as Talion asks, taking the time to cast Detect Magic as a ritual while the others rest if they so wish.

Erven readies himself after the detect magic from Bert, prepares to lead down to the basement.  "I'm going to go 40 feet ahead to stay out of your light.  I will go _very_ slow, looking for traps and listening for any attackers.  If I hear something or see something, I'm going to stop and make my way back to you."  He readies his shield and sharpened rapier, ready to face what is below.  "I wish that we could have a longer rest, but I don't know that it is safe in this terrible place."

As he is walking around, preparing, he comes to Sho.  His eyes lock with his and he says "I'm sorry that I lost my temper back there and said such harsh words to you, threatened you.  Must be this house, the stress of everything... I know that you have helped us survive and while I may not fully understand or agree with the one you worship, Bert has convinced me that perhaps I was not thinking correctly about the situation.  We need each other to make it out of here alive.  I am sorry if I disappointed you back there, I did the best that I knew how to do..."  Erven nods toward Onyx and says "I will come back to you if I see something.  It will be good to have your strong sword arm behind me."  He looks to everyone else, "Tell me when you are ready to go."  Erven straightens his pack on his back, slings his bow over his shoulder and prepares to lead the crew north and then down the stairs...

Sho stares at the elf, piercing eyes studying him, seeming to be considering something. He doesn't look irritated or impatient, he finishes listening silently, but does not reply directly. He tilts his head to look at Onyx standing behind the elf, and raises an eyebrow at the former, a look that says 'I'm not the one whom he left behind for dead'. He leaves it up to Onyx before walking away.

[just a note, from your experience in the tunnels and confines of this basement, 40 feet represents a long way ahead - just FYI]

@Bert - your casting of detect magic doesn't reveal anything other than what you've seen already.  The cloak Erven took glows with enchantment and exudes a muted green swirling aura.  The scrolls also swirl with energy.  And of course, the other items and the walls themselves seem to glow. 

You set up in your configuration: Erven well ahead, followed by Onyx, then the rest (guessing Talion is guarding the rear with Bert and Sho sandwiched in between...)

Erven creeps ahead down the stairs and barely notices Lucky Bear beside him, padding along just as stealthily.  Erven descends the stairs warily.  He gets to the bottom of the stairs and sits for a moment.  The chanting and drumming is loud, very loud; and Erven can clear hear what is being chanted: 

Erven, you get to the bottom of the stairs and to your right, you see another shorter set of stairs.  Beyond these stairs, a large chamber open up.  Peering in the room carefully, you notice exits to the south, which matches with what you remember from the dollhouse diagram. The exit on the easternmost side is slathered in complete darkness - it seems to be where the chanting and drumming is coming from.  The exit closer to you leads further south, also very dark down that way.  You also notice perhaps a dozen small alcoves carved into the wall around this larger chamber....  Erven, what do you do?

@rest - do you follow Erven closely down the stairs? 

MAP

When Bertolt gives the bracelets the all-clear, Talion still doesn't trust them. He empties the stuff from one of his pillow-case-healers-kits into the other pillow case, then uses mage hand to put the bracelets inside the now empty pillow case. He ties the pillow case off, then add it, the chain shirt, candles, and torches to Bert's bag, if Bertolt doesn't object.

He then moves with the others to the stairs...

Erven looks down at Lucky Bear and sees what he is doing.  He gives the top of his head a scratch and pet.  He then looks through the gloom to see if there is any movement.  If he sees none, he will slowly creep back up to the party and let them know.  His feeling is that they should all go in together if nothing is there.

Perception :  15 

Hit die: 6 

Quote from Twombley >>

Erven looks down at Lucky Bear and sees what he is doing.  He gives the top of his head a scratch and pet.  He then looks through the gloom to see if there is any movement.  If he sees none, he will slowly creep back up to the party and let them know.  His feeling is that they should all go in together if nothing is there.

Perception :  15 

Lucky Bear looks up at you expectantly and licks your hand.  She sniffs the air and her hackles are raised.  She seemingly waits for your command.  You can roll again as this hall is pitch black, so you experience it as dimly light.  The alcoves are also dark.  Disadvantage for sight...
As for your other senses, you clearly hear the ghostly yet forceful chanting coming from the south east corner of this room; you feel the deep bass vibration of the drum echo in your chest; every so often, surprisingly, the sound of water sloshing hits your ear...

When Erven returns and describes the scene, Talion sighs, "Let me have a look...but stay in front of me! I don't want to get skewered by some angry undead cultist in a row boat."

If Erven is willing to lead, Talion will tell the others to wait then follow him back down, and peer past him in a reprise of his prior behaviour with Onyx. He will not enter the room (yet), but will look around at the room, and the visible alcoves...

Trying to remain quiet and unseen: 21

Perception: 12 (passive 14)

Quote from Ereshion >>

When Erven returns and describes the scene, Talion sighs, "Let me have a look...but stay in front of me! I don't want to get skewered by some angry undead cultist in a row boat."

If Erven is willing to lead, Talion will tell the others to wait then follow him back down, and peer past him in a reprise of his prior behaviour with Onyx. He will not enter the room (yet), but will look around at the room, and the visible alcoves...

Trying to remain quiet and unseen: 17

Perception: 21 (passive 14)

 You see a bit more detail in the room.  In the alcoves there are small items, each different, from what you see.  There is an exit further on in the chamber to the south and east - you hear the same as Erven - chanting, drumming "She is the Ancient.  She is the land."  To the south and west, another entrance that leads 10 feet and changes direction...  The smell wafting around this room is offensive - rot and decay and a healthy mix of swampiness, soil, and mold.

Talion whispers to Erven, describing what he has seen, then says, "Wait here, and cover my...retreat...if necessary." If Erven agrees, Talion takes a step into the room, prepared to flee the moment he thinks he had been spotted.

He glances first at the two nearby alcoves, then down the corridor to the south, while remaining in the northwest part on the room. Finally he proceeds along the North wall examining each of the alcoves he passes until he gets the thinnest sliver of a view into the water room. Crouching in the darkness, he watches for movement, trying to understand what is going on in the room...

Erven nods to Talion and waits at the opening, watching him move and scanning for any movement in the room or response as he is moving.  He keeps a close eye on the alcoves.  He switches to his bow to be able to shoot and cover Talion.