Lia looks at the lock gates… Hmm… Dwarvern? Stone? We’ll maintained or cracked?

Does it look like they might shatter to the right frequency? Or is it waaay stronger than that?

(Not saying she’ll do it, just looking!)

It's possible, but you don't know how far the drop is, so if you were to shatter the gates at this upper portion, the boat might be swept into an empty, but rapidly filling lock, which might be... problematic.

Lia considers shattering the lock gate but decides she doesn’t know enough about what’s happening on the other side of the top gate to make is a sensible move right now…

She tentatively stage-whispers to the control room, ”How you getting on in there?… You need more hands?…”.

(Assuming Galingal and Stena weren't able to move the chains by pulling on them?)

Galingal looks around the room for anything that could be used as a lever to help get the chains moving.

Stena walks out and says,

"Mechanism's been destroyed. Try yer luck."

She keeps moving until she is back st the boat to speak to Buppy in Dwarven,

"We a going to need to back track. How muchtimeis that goingto add?"

The chains shift a bit, but without some sort of leverage to rotate the shaft, Stena and Galingal aren't able to apply enough force in the cramped mechanism. The geared shaft is close to 4 inches in diameter, and has a hole through it, maybe an inch in diameter, presumably part of how the shattered remains of the wheel were secured.

Buppy scratches his head. "The fastest would have been that place that our boat is too tall for... might be able to squeeze under if we tore the cabin down, but that'd be back tracking four hours. If we head back out and keep going around looking for something else, I'm not sure how much more that will add. Ten or more hours maybe? I can take Jimjar and have a look at the mechanism?"

"Hey Jimmy, want to give a hand with the lock?"

"Sure. Stena and Galingal, bet you a hot meal Buppy and I can get it sorted! Whatcha say?"

"Whatever. Fine. Fix it and you can have a hot meal."

The two shorter folk hop out of the boat and into the lock house. There's some discussion, and sounds of a blade hacking into something, before eventually there is a clank of chain and clattering of gears. Ahead of the boat, the gates of the lock part slowly, allowing a few inch wide gap, through which water is pouring.

Jimjar and Buppido emerge. "Hot meals, you owe us Stena!"

You all wait while the lock fills, and eventually the water moving through the gap slows. Jimjar and Buppido head back in, and with more rattling, the gate on this side of the lock fully opens.

"Once the boat's in the lock, we'll close this side and let the other drain."

You're able to get the boat in the lock, and it seals behind you and the water level begins dropping. Metal rungs sunk into the side of the wall reveal a way down for Buppido, who has stayed up top to fully open the lower lock once the levels have equalized.

Lia watches the lock working and mutters “Ingenious!…” as the boat moves through and drifts slowly down inside the lock.

Stena watches passively as the lock starts filling and responds to Jimjar with,

"Fine."

She climbs abroad to wait.

"You don't have to cook 'em, you can just buy us something nice next time we're in a tavern!", Jimjar calls after her.

The boat levels out, and the stone gates open fully, revealing a tunnel forward. After a few more moments, Buppido scampers down the ladder and hops aboard, giving a bow and a grin.

You move onward, entering a region where the current is pulling you through a series of low hanging stalactites. At least from what you can see, the boat should be able to make it through, but it requires navigating around the descending obstacles.

((I'd like Perception checks and Athletics checks from everyone as you work as a crew to spot the best path through, and navigate your way through.))

Lia: Perception = 18 , Athletics = 18 

Stena gives Buppy and Jimjar a small nod of acknowledgement.

Perception: 9

Athletics: 7

Galingal Perception:  18  

Galingal Athletics: 3  

Perception 21

Athletics 4

Jimjar Perception: 7
Jimjar Athletics: 16

Buppido Perception: 4
Buppido Athletics: 14

Ranador Perception: 16

As a group, you are able to do a much better job of spotting the stalactites than avoiding all of them, but manage to avoid the worst of it, taking a few scrapes along the way. You end up in a channel however, where a row of stalactites box you in, the best you can do is aim for the widest gap...

((Boat takes 6 damage if the roll exceeds 5, no significant structural damage under 5.))

The wood of the cabin scrapes against stone, creaking and cracking, echoing across the water. Ranador gives a yelp, and turning, you see a series of ropy tentacles seeking to grasp him from above. Looking up, the tentacles are attached to a creature that looks like a walnut with a beak. 

((Galingal is the only one with a high enough Perception check to have spotted it, and is not entirely caught by surprise when it begins going for Ranador.))

Creature Initiative: 11

Galingal Initiative: 9  

Lia’s initiative: 6 

The creature grasps at Ranador with its tentacles, seeking to drag him from the boat.

Tentacle Attack: 22 Damage: 6, if it hits, Ranador CON Save vs DC 11 : 2

((If it misses, it'll bit at him as well. Beak Attack: 20 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.))

Lia: 13
Tentacled, Beaky Ball: 11
Galingal: 9

Jimjar: 8
Buppido: 16
Neth: 19
Stena: 8
Ranador: 9