Kordia doesn't get them off, but she thinks she nows how the locks mechanism works now. Make another DEX check with advantage this time

Is anyone gonna free Flax?

Ember will try

Athletics 8

Looks like she's giving a help action.

Dex Check / Lock Picking > [combat log] == 18

"If at first you don't succeed -- use a different pick," Kodia mutters as she works on the manacles on her wrists.

If nothing else works, Beshlog will step in again and just try to break the chains with brute force like he did for the dark elf.

Athletics: 16 or 26 (with Ember providing the help action)

Kordia manages to pick the locks on her manacles, freeing herself completely. She rubs her wrists, the skin somewhat raw.

Meanwhile, Beshlog leverages his great strength, the blood of his massive ancestors apparent as his muscles flex. While Flax is still in the manacles, he can at least use his arms.

Kordia sighs and walks over to the strained bodies, "Mind if I give it a shot before you pull a muscle?"  She will slip between their bodies and get very close to Flax to hide her actions as much as possible.  "Don't cha just hate it when they look over your shoulder?" she whispers in Flax's ear as she attempts to lockpick his manacles.

Dexterity:  18

Indeed, Kordia does manage to free Flax with her expert skill. He rubs his hand and stands. 

Now that everyone is able to walk around of their own free will, you should probably figure out a way through the portcullis which is blocking your path deeper into the depths of the dungeon...did I say dungeon? I meant harmless basement that totally isn't a massive mimic...

Kordia steps back with a satisfied smirk and takes a small bow.   "It's all in the wrist. And thank you all for showing up and releasing us. "   

Looking about, she mutters a phrase and does a hand jive invoking Dancing Lights 

 "I really hate being left in the dark -- this time, literally - now, what in all the Nine Hells is going on in this town?" 

And with a final bit of hand waving and finger directing, she will place the four orbs of light around the room to light all the dark corners.

As more motes of light join the ones Artan conjured, the room is revealed to be a long tunnel, with ceilings of about 8 or 9 feet. The walls, ceiling, and floor are all better defined than the spiral tunnel, which was previously rough hewn stone. Instead, the stone is mostly smooth, with small intricate designs upon then, most notably a carved grasping hand. Small ditches, maybe about an inch deep and wide, run through the floor.

On the other side of the portcullis, maybe about 30 feet away, is a lever.

"Does anyone have a "Shrink" spell or "Mage hand" or do we need to lasso the handle?"

Salastor shakes his head, staying silent.

"Uhhh... not sure what you mean by a 'shrink' spell," Beshlog replies. "Are you talking about that one to either enlarge or shrink stuff? I'm not really sure how that would help in this situation... But I do know the mage hand spell."

Kordia keeps renewing her cantrip, Dancing Lights complaining to no one in particular at the use or uselessness of a light that barely lasts a minute.  With a big sigh and shrug of her shoulders, she will redirect the four orbs through the porticullis to light the way, each orb 10 feet from each other until the last 'spotlights' the lever and the area around it for Beshlog to have 'best line of sight' on it.

"Hard to believe there isn't some hidden lever on this side of things.  But, I suppose you don't want shackled prisoners to get any ideas..."

"I meant any spell that could shrink someone small enough to slip through the bars to go pull the lever.  But whatever works.

"I think the mage hand is a bit safer..." Beshlog says. "Here, I'll go ahead and try it..."

Beshlog uses mage hand to pull the lever.

Flax feels the tension in the chains ease as the locks click open. He stretches his limbs, grateful for the freedom of movement. Turning to Kordia, he nods appreciatively. "Thank you for the help," he says, his voice sincere. "I owe you one."

After he nods to Kordia in gratitude, he turns his attention to the portcullis blocking their path. He examines it, searching for a way to open it. Hearing the discussion about using magic to pull the lever, he steps back to give the spellcaster room to work, ready to assist if needed.

"Salastor, you want to earn our trust, why is your master who is expecting us, who everyone keeps telling us to see, so hard to get to? How would you normally get to him?"

Considering what happened last time Beshlog pulled a mysterious lever, I'm surprised he just did that.

Beshlog leverages his ancient magic, conjuring a hand made of force, which flies forward, directed by the magical energy and wills of the wizard. It reaches out, and pulls the lever, and the clicking of gears can be heard. The portcullis, which is rusty and old, slids up into the ceiling with a horrible scraping sound which echoes through the tunnels. As it finally locks into place above your heads, a faint "cha-chunk" can be heard off in the distance, deeper in the gloom. You stand tensed for a moment, ready for a trap to activate or something, but nothing happens. For now, at least, you appear to be safe.

Do you continue on into the darkness?

No.  Ember uses her tinderbox to light a torch.  We advance into the torch (and magic) light.

Flax emanates a subtle aura, comforting energy, wrapping those closest to him in a sense of safety as they stand before the raised portcullis. He looks around at the others, his gaze steady yet reassuring. "Looks like we're in the clear," he says, his voice calm but cautious. "Let's not waste any time. We should move forward, but stay vigilant. Who knows what might be waiting for us down here." With a nod to the group, Flax takes point, if danger is ahead he'd rather it come at him before reaching his rescuers.