"Doors to the outside are on this floor, so best to check here first. Just because there isn't an outside to us, doesn't means there isn't one to others, which is why Sarelor should carry that sword, if he knows which end is which. Keep an eye out for wedges or the like that can be used to jam doors shut". Digger looks around the room...if there's anything to look at. "Besides, if there's a kitchen it will be  on this floor. Kitchens have knives. I hope. We need tools."

OOC: I haven't seen any mention of...well, anything: Furniture, books in bookcases, knickknacks, rugs, etc. Other than the two way displays, of course: Sword and shield.

Is the place really that bare? If not a couple well placed candlesticks might well close out the out of doors.

If so...well, that's awhole other worry.

OOC:  There's been no furniture yet, but you've only been in an entryway and a 'main hall' so far, so I don't know if much furniture would be expected to this point.  I do imagine there are probably a couple other innocuous paintings and such on the walls.

Also please note I tweaked the map a bit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Sarelor shrugs and attempts to retrieve the sword. "It's more sword than I've been using, but I'm certain I could adapt to its use."

As with the shield, the longsword easily comes off of its mount.


This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 03:23, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Digger points to the door directly across the room, "Kitchen is likely to be in back, with outside access. I'd say let's work our way back, then around." He proceeds to follow his own advice and heads for the door.

OOC:
If I've got placement right, we're at the double doors next to a fireplace? The door on the other side of the fireplace, although I'll probably kick myself for not sticking my head up the chimney.

OOC: I wouldn't let you just walk by it!

Digger moves to the door on the other side of the fireplace, opens it, and enters.

The centerpiece of this wood-paneled dining room is a carved mahogany table surrounded by eight high-backed chairs with sculpted armrests and cushioned seats.  A crystal chandelier hangs above the table, which is covered with resplendent silverware and crystalware polished to a dazzling shine.  Mounted above the marble fireplace is a mahogany-framed painting of an alpine vale.

The wall paneling is carved with elegant images of deer among the trees.

Red silk drapes cover the windows, and a tapestry depicting hunting dogs and horse-mounted aristocrats chasing after a wolf hangs from an iron rod bolted to the south wall.

Digger nods in satisfaction, "Dining room. Kitchen will be next door. These knives are eating knives, but they seem like they might be silver. Howling monsters in basements always mean skin changers when the bards tell of them. It's a cliche, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Pity there isn't a fruit bowl" He picks up one of the silverware knives and sticks it in his belt, then heads for the other door hoping the kitchen is next door.

Kyra, following digger and Morek, looks around the dining room, notingbthe pictures and such. The knives were of little use, so she left them where they were.

She followed the others sikently

OOC: Since there's no real action items yet, I'll just keep revealing the rooms.  If anyone wants to take an action while exploring, just let me know.

The kitchen is tidy, with dishware, cookware, and utensils neatly placed on shelves.  A worktable has a cutting board and rolling pin atop it.  A stone, dome-shaped oven stands near the east wall, its bent iron stovepipe connecting to a hole in the ceiling.

Kyra looked at the carvings and frowned. "Seems the theme here is not what it seems...even the decor has evil lurking in the shadow"

She grimaced then continued to the next room

In the kitchen, she searches for a sharper knife to use as a weapon
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Digger starts searching for anything useful. "Folks, you know what you need most, but  keep an eye out for water ale, wine, foodstuffs, and empty flour sacks and bottles. Also knives strong enough to whittle with. They'll be good as weapons or tools."

When he's done, he'll check the closet to the south, then the door north.

Rummaging through the kitchen, Digger finds two kitchen knives which would function well as daggers.

Behind the stove and to the left is a thin door leading to a well-stocked pantry.  The food inside appears to be fresh.

Behind a small door in the southwest corner of the kitchen is a dumbwaiter—a 2-foot-wide stone shaft containing a wooden elevator box attached to a simple rope-and-pulley mechanism that must be operated manually.  Hanging on the wall next to the dumbwaiter is a tiny brass bell, to which is attached wires, presumably leading to buttons in other areas.

Sarelor grabs one of the silver knives from the dining room and sticks it in his belt. In the kitchen, he takes a utensil and stirs around in the oven to see what's been cooked.

Kyra makes her way to the pantry, grabbing some food and anyt water/wine/ale and waterskins for the group, bringing it to the bench. She takes a piece of bread, and tearing a piece off, takes a bite.

<OOC: I'm assuming there will be stuff like flour, salt, herbs, etc, as well as bread, dried meat, fruiot, cheese, etc.  Please correct me if i am wrong GM>

In reply to The Narrator (msg # 27):

Digger passes a knife to Kyra and offers the other to Morek. Then he checks the NW door hoping for a taste of water, cool water.

OOC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amDo-KqUjpA

Kyra takes the offered knife without a word, but nods to digger in thanks. Holding it, she keeps it in hand.

Digger takes the knife and tucks it and his belt. To err on the side of caution and preparedness was always a good idea.

Salelor finds nothing of interest in the oven, just some leftover bits of now-burnt scraps.

The pantry is fully stocked and would certainly have everything Kyra listed.  She takes a bite of the bread and...it is certainly bread!  Quite bland, but edible and filling.

A couple jugs of ale and a barrel of fresh water is also found in the pantry.

Well, hell, if we've found water, Digger will join Kyra at her work of reducing the pantry's contents by at least half a loaf and a chunk of cheese.

"We can eat later, you'll neither starve nor die of thirst in a single day. If we stop to eat, we're wasting time for what we came in here for. If you eat on the way then you've got full hands when we may have need of fighting. Focus on why we're in here, get it done, and then we can worry about the rest of it."

Digger shrugs, "Even coal mine owners give lunch breaks. It isn't for morale purposes. The miner's work harder with a full belly. Trust me, 5 minutes for a quick bit of bread and cheese is well worth it after a skipped breakfast. And it IS what we came here for, originally. Suspicious screaming which seems to have stopped and disappearing children and countrysides can wait 5 minutes, as well. I'd rather find out what was going on with a full stomach. Something is trying to rattle us. Don't let them or it or whatever."

OOC:
Were there pokers by the fireplaces? One would make a good crowbar.

Kyra smiled as an idea pops in her head. "Digger, Sarelor...gather some food, enough to do us all a day. Morek....follow me."

The half elf returns to the dining room and points to one of the silk drapes. "Tear that down and follow me." She pulls down one of the drapes and returns to the kitchen.

With dagger in hand she curs a big square and a long strip. Getting the food, she places half in the square and begins rolling it up tight. With the strip, she tied each end, making a makeshift pack for the food.

"my mother was a seamstress...taught me a few tricks." her smime faded as her gaze went far away, remembering something. Becoming sombre, she focused on getting the small packs of food, taking one and handing the other to sareldor.

"That solves that problem. something for water and we will be good. I suggest we take a drink them move upstairs." Thr half elf takes a deep drink, then with dagger in hand, was ready to move.

Morek did as he was told, and set to getting the curtain down. First he tried to whip it, in order to dislodge the curtain rod so that it could be used as another improvised weapon. Failing that, he leapt up and grabbed on, using gravity and his own weight to try to rip it down.

Digger looks up from his meal, then points at the jugs of ale in the pantry. "Two jugs, already filled. And better than water after a long day." Then he reminds her, "And we still have a couple unknown spots down here before moving up. Closet in front of the dining room access between the two dining room doors, and something large across from it."

OOC:
Believe it or not, Beer/Ale is the original sports drink (not the modern light stuff, so much, of course). Good nutrition value when your electrolytes are wonky and your fluid levels low. Pickles, too.