Well this explains the shaft. This room was once a blacksmith's, and you land in the base of the forge's chimney. Luckily for you the ashes are cold.

There is an anvil and a set of tongs here. There is a steel drum lies in the corner.

There is a door on the south wall.

Joseph puts down the burlap coffee sack and lets Bernard out.

Bernard starts sniffing everything.

Forever curious, Gunnar swipes the set of tongs and goes to investigate the barrel. Using the tongs to poke around to expose what he can to the dim lantern light. Occasionally pulling out any small piece that he can.

Using the tongs to pry open the lid, you recognize the smell and shade of the lamp oil in the drum, about three-quarters full.

Litton stands behind Gunnar, also watching the southern door. He listens close for any sound.

Thomas takes a few moments to slowly sweep his baton through the ashes at the bottom of the chimney once everyone is clear. He isn't really expecting to find anything, but reasons that there's at least a chance that something might have been lost amidst them if the chimney had been used as an entry and exit route, never mind when the place was still active as a forge.

Thomas finds nothing noteworthy, not even a lump of coal.

Litton speaks softly, "Do we want to take some of this lamp oil?"

"Depends how much juice this lantern can handle," says Haf, "we don't have to weigh ourselves down carrying masses of oil with us. We might be able to return here without making ourselves extra flammable. I don't fancy being fried before we find this Mason fellow. Erm.. take about a vialfull, or enough to see us a day."

Haf inspects the oil with his finger, swirling it around in the liquid and tastes it from the tip of his gloved finger.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Tue 10 Jan 2023.

It tastes like lamp oil. Probably made from rendered whale blubber or from some similar cryptid. Quite vile.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Tue 10 Jan 2023.

"I don't have any containers to carry the oil and Haf is probably right. I'm going to check this door carefully, be ready for anything..."

Gunnar heads to the southern door to open it as quietly as possible with his pistol in his other hand.

Gunnar opens the door to two hallways going south and west.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Tue 10 Jan 2023.

"Too heavy to haul around unless you want to go back up for a dolly," Thomas observed lightly. "Good to know that we can refuel here, though."

He peered through the door at the two branches of hall stretching beyond. "Not much to tell them apart. Someone take a quick look each way?"