The 1st Floor & the Ballroom

Back on the 1st floor, head into the kitchen.

Search the room for two Knives, the Cellar Key, a Box of Biscuits, and a Can of Oil. The Shoebox holds a Revolver — reload it right away by dumping any loose bullets from your inventory into it, which frees up space. A zombie attacks while you're in the coal closet where the shoebox and oil can sit; deal with it, then use the Water Jug on the water-filled barrel nearby before grabbing the Pot of Soup.

Use the Cellar Key on the locked door by the conservatory and head down.

Grab the extra Revolver Bullets and a book explaining what the Heavy Statuette from the 2nd floor is actually for, staying clear of the Rats-that-sound-like-cats prowling the cellar — they can't be killed, only avoided.

Across from the kitchen is the dining room, home to five zombies.

The smoking room only opens from inside the dining room. A possessed ashtray fills it with toxic smoke the moment you enter.

Use the Water Jug near the ashtray to put the smoke out, then wait for the air to clear before searching properly — retreat if it starts filling back up. Grab the Lighter and the record for Chopin's Posthumous Opus 69 while you're in there.

The key you picked up at the end of the art gallery opens Jeremy's Study. Piece together the coat of arms display inside — one of the blades you're carrying is what the puzzle actually needs — and the room also has a record and another book worth grabbing. This is your last chance to finish exploring the house properly before heading into the caverns, so double back for anything you skipped.

Defeating it drops the Ballroom Key, needed for what's next.

Ghosts fill the ballroom but won't attack unless provoked — avoid touching them. Go back for the Gramophone you left at the stairs and play Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre (the green-labeled record) to clear a path through the dancing ghosts. With them out of the way, take the large Pirates' Key hanging above the fireplace mantle.

Head down the stairs inside Jeremy's Study. A new Jump action becomes available from here on, replacing the Close command you've barely used.

The first stretch looks harmless, but the bridge ahead is rotten — the planks give way the moment you step on them. Run across rather than walking; there's no way to cross carefully.

Save once the path is clear — the opening the Cthonian leaves behind leads to a flooded dock area.

Flying-pigeon-creatures patrol this room but are only dangerous if they catch you mid-jump — a Sword swing or a close-range shot clears them. Jump pillar to pillar to cross. Missing a jump drops you back in the water near the Cthonian tunnel, so take it slow rather than risking a redo. Save once you're across.