Its all in the Cards.

All at once, Briar’s submissive and cowering shape is snapped into rigid surprise. She certainly hadn’t expected that response. With equal swiftness, she found release in an empathetically hunched over position as she flitted down beside the weeping woman. "I am so sorry!" The fairy cries in return. "Where did she go? You can still protect him if you help us! With a mama’s guidance, we can save him."

Alyria stays alert, ready to respond if things go south, but lets Briar keep managing the situation.

Ectotears fall from her face fading into nothing before even touching the floor. "She took him to the basement. To that, a cursed alter. Said she needed something pure and innocent for a ritual."

Ashtar's face curdled in disgust. How could anyone be so cruel? Seems the basement was in their near future.

Briar sighs in order to stifle the tears that want to overtake her. "I am so sorry, mama…" Trailing off, she looks up to the group briefly before returning attention to the weeping specter. "We’ll do everything we can. Just wait here." The fairy stands and takes a step towards the door. She stares into the hallway and mutters a flat and deadpan, "I think we have our next clue. Let’s go."

Ashtar nods, and follows Briar out.

The specter waves her hand and wall containing the mirror swings open revealing a set of stairs heading upwards to the next floor.
"The way to the basement is hidden in the storeroom up there. Bring my Baby back..."

"So after being suckered in by evil children we're now trusting crazed specters?" The Tabaxi grouched as the others seemed to go along with all this..

Ashtar looked at their feline companion with amusement. "Please, by all means, show us how to get out of this place through your sheer cunning. Grace us with the magnitude of your intelligence."

Briar stares into the revealed stairwell with a numbed expression. "Sometimes you just need to have a heart," she mutters. She looks back to the spirit and quietly assures, "We will find him." With a sigh, she looks to her friends. "Shall we?"

"Let us see what we can do," the Paladin says in a determined voice as she leads the way down the now opened corridor, silently praying it doesn’t lead to whatever caused the horrific scene at the gallows.

Climbing up the stairs the smell of death gets stronger and more pungent. Dust and cobweb coat everything.
There are four doors. Waiting to be opened.

When Brair goes to open the first door she finds that it is locked.

Ashtar looked at Alyria sheepishly. "Use the ‘big boots key’? Oooor…" He slipped out a key from his coat. "Let me try this."

He walked over to try the key.