Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Always eager to help, Strix checks his pack for a foot. Alas, he doesn't have one that he hasn't already turned into a work of art. However he does have a desiccated hand, which he uses a bell string to secure to his rope and then lowers over the edge.....

perception 12

"That does sound like something I'd describe as a 'wave echo'," Incantis muses. "I wonder the cause." Zhudala, still in raven form, perches on Strix' shoulder, looking beyond. Incantis wargs through her, and speaks. "You and me Strix, our avian eyes will see the way." Zhudala resist flying down to nibble at the desiccated hand.

Perception w/ Devil's Sight: 18

Dekhan, the noise is overpowering but at the same time indistinct and messy; you can't figure out what might have caused it.

Strix, as you approach the edge, you (and Incantis via Zhudala) can see the pit quite clearly below.  There's nothing in particular piled up or stored there; it's just a lower part of the cavern.  It's not a massive drop, but you will need to descend in order to continue forward, either to the north or the east.

Strix, as you lower down your foot, the smell is unpleasant, but it doesn't appear to attract anything.

Scupper looks at Strix somewhat shocked that he still has a severed hand then a smile breaks.

"Lad, you never fail to amaze. Right then. Let's tie a rope round this stalactite and it'll make descent safe enough...what about the other side? Anyone wanna jump across with the other half?"

Quote from jsmall >>

Zhudala, still in raven form, perches on Strix' shoulder, looking beyond. Incantis wargs through her, and speaks. "You and me Strix, our avian eyes will see the way." Zhudala resist flying down to nibble at the desiccated hand.

 Strix jumps with a start, flapping the bird away and backpedaling away from it. Talking birds are creepy. 

With no bites he reels in his bait and frees it up from the rope, which he gladly hands to Scupper - let the pirate tie the knot a!

Scupper ties a firm bowline knot around the stalactite and tosses the other end back to Strix.

Anchors away, lad!

Scupper, you tie an effective knot that is unlikely to come undone by accident.

Are you all climbing down the rope?

Mumbling, he begins his decent. 

23 athletics

Strix heads down first, like a champion athlete, all memories of the creepy talking bird put behind him.  One by one you all follow.

 Which path will you take?  

Once in the pit...Scupper wets a finger and holds it up as well as trying to judge the direction of the noise. He picks up the glowing arrow and prepares to fire again.

Perception 12

Now which way do we go?

Much of a muchness I suppose. How about we go left. Varinth says, pointing to the right.

Scupper, the tunnel headed east seems straighter, and you can just see what might be the opening into a larger cavern area at its end.  The tunnel leading north is less clear; either it splits, ends or twists around forty feet from where you stand.

Flip a coin?

"Leaving up to fate, I agree." Incantis pulls a copper at random, running his finger over the serpentine tail-eater on one side, and circle of stars on the other. He flips it, saying, "Serpent northwest, stars southeast."

(1/2 = serpent, 3/4 = stars): 4

"As this serpent consumes itself and absolves its fate; so too have we chosen our path." Incantis holds out an arm to Zhudala, looking apologetically toward Strix for spooking him.

Varinth whispers Can Miss Dala do a bit of recon? he nods to the northwest

Works for me, how shall we proceed?

Incantis nods at Vaz' suggestion, and his eyes blank over white as Zhudala flies cautiously ahead of the party. He reaches out, now blind, for a shoulder to grab.