"I think that I could squeeze through this rat tunnel and see if there's a bigger nest back there - perhaps find a way to block this?" Bryn says while kneeling on the floor and looking into the tunnel.

"Rylia, can you make your magic lights float throught he tunnel so we can get a better look before crawling in there?" (Perception when the lights go: 21)

“If you want to explore this tunnel and want me to, I can go first. If there’s indeed a nest and they suddenly attack, I can stand a few bites,” Arr suggests. “That said, we could just seal the vent and block this way for thieves and rats equally.” Then he peeks into the hole to judge how far it goes and if it gets any wider to allow for better maneuvering. (Perception: 13)

Braxiel now seeing the hole a little closer will investigate and do a cost analysis of which option will yield the best for both his merry band and the metallic merchant.

investigation: 14 

Rylia moves one of the orbs closer while Brynn, Arr, and Braxiel check the entrance of the tunnel. You see that it seems to curve upwards where it seems to narrow a little. Brynn, Rylia, and Braxiel seem to fit. Arr, Paladin clearly does not pass through here. Coltinar, Maybe.

//-- DM Anyone who wants to try to enter the tunnel can roll acrobatics with advantage
I would say that Rylia can control one of the orbs to follow whoever enters, lighting better the way--//

“Do you know where this shaft leads to?” Arr asks Rust. “If it is only for ventilation, we imagine it connects with the air outside your shop, perhaps on your roof, or does it lead somewhere else?”

"Yeah, I think I can make it! Rylia, will you light the way? Maybe crawl in there with me? Those magic missiles may come in handy!!" Bryn will draw a pair of daggers and work his way in... (Acrobatics w/ adv in game log: 24!! Nat 20 =)

Braxiel could summon a small animal to scout for us instead as a ritual

Quote from ZelocktheDragon >>

Braxiel could summon a small animal to scout for us instead as a ritual

 Arr agrees that this would be a much safer option.

Brother Coltinar, "Good Job everyone.  It would seem that we can use a scout to investigate the vent for now."

If they need to follow, he will join them.  Athletics: 13 in the log.

Brother Coltinar continues to help Rust clean up..."A nice establishment you have here.  It was nice of Elaydren to recommend your shop to us.  We sure hope you can help us get our gear and supplies better equipped to deal with things."

"These go over here", as he asks where to put things in their proper place? "What about this?  We'll get you reorganized in short order."

"Oh, you want me to squeeze in there with you Bryn?" Rylia says in a teasing voice. She had already caused one of the globes of light to move into the passage to provide him with light. "I certainly can follow you. Can't have you going off on your own," she then says, a bit more seriously.  She is about to try to move into the tunnel as well when Braxiel suggests summoning an animal scout and she hears Arr's agreement.  She steps away from the entrance telling Bryn, "Why don't you hold up while we try something else." 

She makes a very quick motion and a small flying snake with bright bluish-green skin appears right at the entrance to the tunnel.  "It can check out the passage and I can see what it sees! What a good idea Braxiel!"  She takes a moment to shift so that she can see through the snake's senses, standing now as though blind next to the tunnel.  The snake proceeds inside. (Flying Snake Perception: 9)

Paladin scratches his head, a nonsense habit as he's never had an itch in his life. "Braxiel, I don't think I can fit in there. And I have an embarrassing habit of getting lost. Perhaps you could help me figure out another way in?" 

While helping to clean up, Arr came across a number of artisan tools with which they felt oddly familiar. Especially, with the instruments in the tinkers’ tool set, they felt a connection and knew what they could do with them. ‘It must be that we had some training with these tools,’ they think to themself.

In response to Paladin, they say to Bryn, Rylia and Braxiel, “We also don’t fit through there. If you decide to go, best don’t go too far, because you’re on your own.”

//---DM I assume Braxiel and Rylia are referring to find familiar, which needs a few components and 1 hour of ritual to cast. In Rylia's case, in the backstory we had already defined that there was a familiar that was "dismissed", so I'm going to assume that Rylia did an action to make it "reappear" and that Braxiel will start to think that could be usefull to have a familiar.---//

Coltinar offers to help get into the tunnel, even though the space seems cramped for someone his size. And while the others decide what to do, he and Arr help Rust organize the space.

Rust looks a little surprised when he mentions Elaydren.
"Ohh, so you came recommended, that´s good! Elaydren, Elaydren! I don't remember that name, the rats bites must have affected my memory" She says, trying to be kind because she doesn't remember who it is.

Then, when Arr asks about the passage, she replies, "I have no idea where that leads, I've only been in this shop since a short time and I always thought this was a fixed, air-only grille."

Bryn is already sneaking into the tunnel entrance confirming that he can get in, but Braxiel comes up with the idea of conjuring a small animal that can do that, which Arr agrees to.

Rylia, hearing Braxiel's idea, remembers that this is a perfect task to "wake up" her little flyer. As Coltinar and Arr help Rust get things in order, and Brynn, Braxiel, and Paladin consider the possibilities of getting into the tunnel, Rylia steps back and makes quick, smooth movements with her hands, as if she were manipulating a soccer ball. air not to drop it. Between her hands appears a small green swirl that takes shape until her little "flying" appears.

Coltinar move to Rust and Arr whispering, "Act normal.  What are the odds if there was a thief, they are still here...I wonder if anyone can see invisibility. Arr protect Rust."

Coltinar moves to Paladin whispering, "If the thief is still here by chance can you guard the stairs in case they want to exit?"

Brother Coltinar will ready an action.

If he detects noise where it should be and is somewhat confident that it's not normal that isn't part of Rust's shop, he'll cast Faerie Fire to cover a 20ft square area to encompass as much space that might be used to hide by a would-be thief.  If this never happens then he retains the spell.

Cast Faerie Fire on desired location.

Brother Coltinar moves to inform the others as well of his concerns covertly while helping clean up the place.

He whispers to the others near the vent, "What are the odds if there was a thief, they are still here.  If I sense anything I will cast Faerie fire and hope it shines light on the situation. Act normal but be ready to assist."

Rylia had adjusted her senses to observe through her familiar's senses.  She sends the flying snake into the tunnel, having it move slowly to see where it might lead. As a result, she doesn't hear the comments Coltinar makes about a thief still being present.  

Rylia sends her little flying snake down the tunnel. Brynn says something to her, but she no longer listens. Her senses are no longer there... Brynn and those around her realize that the small human seems to be in a kind of trance.

The small animal enters, and at this moment, Rylia begins to hear the echo of mixed voices coming from the room and coming from the other side of the tunnel.
The snake cannot see properly, but with its Blindsight and keen perception, it is possible to sense even the presence of small insects that it is happy to eat along the way. Rylia tastes distinct flavors, different than usual, but not necessarily bad. She can smell wet musg mixed with pebbles coming from the walls.

The flying snake advances about 15 feet where the tunnel splits. A narrow pipe rises completely horizontally for about 20 to 25 feet and the snake follows it until it comes across a small welded railing that faces onto the street. Rylia hears the whistling of the wind that enters in and the voices of people passing by in the street.

The snake flies back down to the fork. There, Rylia sees the shapes of a shovel and a pickaxe left leaning in the corner.

To the west, less than one feet elevated, is another opening for a second tunnel. The little flyer advances in that way. The smell of clay here is fresher, as if this patch had been excavated not long ago. There is the sound of running water. About 15 feet ahead This narrow tunnel leads to a much wider one with about 10 feets wide. From the smell it makes, the running water must be sewage and Rylia feels a little queasy.

On the other side of this there is a wall-fixed ladder. The snake moves up there until it reaches what appears to be a manhole cover which, given the noise on the other side, certainly opens onto the street. She finds a crack where she pokes her head and can see a narrow alley and the back of some buildings. To the east, far away, is the street where Rust's shop is located.

Rylia mentally signals for the snake to return back to her. She then switches her senses back to group. "Seems to be new digging from the sewers connecting to this. Didn't see anyone specifically. But there's a ladder and manhole to the street."

Brother Coltinar whispers to Rylia, "Perhaps the thief is still hear invisible or they're gone."

Rylia looks at Coltinar, speaking to him telepathically in Common. 'I can check. But what makes you think there's someone here?' She then uses her Telepathy to cast Detect Thoughts.  Concentrating on the area around her, she tries to determine if there are any creatures she can't see here.  If necessary, she will continue to concentrate on the spell, walking about the space to cover all of it. 

Can paladin see the flying snake outside? Revealing the exit?