(OOC: Thanks for that explanation.)

While others decide what to do next, Maldorn tries sticking his head into the hole and having a look. HE is feeling particularly curious today.

Maldorn, you are able to slip your head and shoulders into the hole. What remains of the fountain appears to be a mixture of stone and water pipes. You get the top of your head low enough to look around the underside of the fountain and do see your arrow sticking out a little ways off.

Milo calls, "Can you see the problem?"

Jambiya, as you look back toward the Cadaver's Arms, you can see Geth and Munchy watching you and the others.

Jambiya waves at Geth and Munchy, while replying to Milo, “Well, the problem is that someone carved a whole cavern out under the statue.”

Maldron follows up on Jambiya's comment: "The pipes seem alright as far as I can tell, but a cave full of monsters under any structure can do quite the damage indeed. Who knows what they destroyed down there. My friends and I did most of the work needed to deal with the monsters in there, especially the big one, but there is little we can do about the tunnels themselves... all damp and moist and just begging for more monsters to claim it and call it home. Opening this hole here might at least help airing them out a bit."

Turning back to his companions: "Perhaps we out check this other passage you mentioned now... make sure we air that one out too."

Aseid nodded to the suggestion. "Let's finish what we started." He glanced toward Geth to see if the idea anyhow bothered the man.

"The card sharks, you mean? We'd have to find another way in," Erric says, looking at the tavern. He continues playing his tune. (Let me know when it's been a minute of playing. WIS15 save or charmed for an hour.)

"Well," Jambiya says, gathering the party and lowering her voice. "The rat said the other, well lit 'tunnels' were to the east, and that would be under the tavern. So... there's a mystery here, but it may not be that everyone there is in on it. I wouldn't put it past the gnomes to be treasure hunting or something with the card game as a cover."

Probably another 30 seconds is needed, Mobius.

Milo steps back at the mention of monsters. "What? Down there? How do you know that? Can you see them?" He takes another step backward.

As the party starts to discuss the tavern and appears to be losing interest in the fountain, its hole, and the apparent monsters ready and waiting to escape into the square, the halfling snaps his fingers. "Hey! You can't just leave this hole here with monsters on the loose. What if they come up and start attacking people?"

"Right now it seems like the monsters might come out from under the tavern. Probably though the tavern." Politely explained Aseid. "Do you think we can investigate the matter? Or would you rather deal with it on your own?"

Maldorn was about to respond, but Aseid did a much better job than the old man could. Hence, the ranger stayed silent and waited for the party's and Milo's next step.

Erric continues to play, listening as best he can, realization slowly dawning on him that the rats probably have nothing to do with the card game. Those grumpy gnomes probably weren't even playing cards!

Milo furrows his brow. "The tavern? What are you talking about?" But he looks more alarmed and confused than dubious.

"Right, the tavern..." Maldorn says while hoping others can fill in the information needed. If indeed it is needed.

Jambiya sighs a little dramatically, but warms to her subject as she invites Milo closer. “We have reason to be curious about the doings of the gnomes,” she nods towards their storefront, “In relation to the ruins,” she looks pointedly at the ruined temple, “And their so called card game every night in the tavern,” she indicates the Arms with an eyebrow. “In short,” she says conspiratorially, “I think they may be up to something nefarious… or at least suspicious… or, well, I am at least really curious.”

She looks around at the others. “Or, I’d like to see the tavern’s cellar, at the very least.”

Jambiya's act of inviting Milo into the conspiracy and offering information ... for free no less! ... immediately captivates the halfling. Taking on her secretive demeanor, he brightens. "Really? Those gnomes are mighty suspicious, I agree. I've been watching them for weeks, but I can't catch them doing anything except working. You think something besides the card game is going on? But no one else goes in or comes out. I used to hound Geth for information, but he promised nothing interesting was going on. I mean, they never did that until after Largo got back from his trip. Before the trip, they kept regular hours like the rest of us, but once he got back, they're in there every night — all night. No more drinks together. No more socializing with anyone else in the Square. And that smell! Every one of them has this odor now. I guess it's all the booze and a lack of soap. But ... the Arms doesn't have a cellar that I know of. Why would there be a cellar entrance in one of the guest rooms? I've never been in there. Sergor and Mara won't let anyone in. They say Largo pays them to keep it for just them."

"I think we burned that social bridge. We may have to sneak in sometime in the deep night. Either that or our new associate here..." Maldorn gestures toward Milo "...plays the face of the party, either as a distraction or we can put our coin together and let him bribe the tavern owners."

"They're in there all day too?" Erric says, piping up.

"Or maybe we can get there through the tunnels that Jambiya and Erric just discovered? Or are they too narrow?"

Jambiya shakes her head. "The rat said there were no connections large enough for us, and Erric and I looked for hidden doors, and didn't find any. I think if we want to know what's in that back room, we will have to go in there from the front..." She pauses, considering. "Though, if they are occupied every night with their nefariousness, then their shop would be unoccupied..."

Maldorn nods: "I like Jambiya's suggestion."