((Will you take it?))
((If that question isn't a convincing reason not to take it, I don't know what is.))
See where the commotion upstairs is coming from.
Boganski heads upstairs. There is a landing area with a door off it, then a long hallway with three doors on the left.
Outside the first hall door is Jackson. He looks extremely disheveled, and rather agitated. He is attempting to give a treat to his rabbit.
The door which he is standing near clearly leads to the room from which the noise is coming.
"What, I'm down here investigating and they're having a party?" He shakes his head
Take the knife, inspect it a bit closer. Then go and inspect basement room 2
((really, it's just a knife that looks like it may have been used in some ancient evil ritual. What's the worst that could happen?))
Fortescue takes the knife over into the light and examine it. Closer inspection shows that it's not as rusty as you though at first, it's mostly just coated in dark grime, the majority of it on the blade. It looks like this:
You then move on to basement room 2. The door creaks open. The small room is fairly empty, though judging by the black dust it was once used to store coal. Examining the walls you find the coal chute to the outside, now boarded up.
Then the lights go out.
The pounding noise continues somewhere upstairs.
Take the sharp kitchen knives then continue my search in the next room along.
Jones Searches the Kitchen:
You take a butcher knife, and two smaller knives that are in good condition and have well sharpened edges. ((1d6 and 1d4 respectively)).
You feel like your mind wandered for a minute. What were you doing? oh yes...you step into the dining room. There is a long mahogany table with seven chairs. Three places are set. Two are unused, a rather smelly tureen is on the table, empty except for a little brown goo. There is a built in sideboard, which appears to contain only dishware.
The pounding noise continues upstairs.
Stay put for a second and try to catch my breath, don't let anyone in that room. Give Cheddar a treat.
Jackson attempts to give Cheddar a treat. Cheddar quivers. Jackson makes placating noises. Cheddar sits still. Jackson offers the treat again. Cheddar's distress finally abates and it starts nibbling the treat.
Boganski has arrived to see what is making all the noise.