Symon stands over the body for a few moments, not moving as the others mill about and not responding when addressed.  After a few moments he shakes his head and watches the others make plans.

"I can go through first if you like.  You don't hide something like that if there's nothing beyond it."

If the old man (back at #1145) is still around Kethra will ask him, "Hey, watchman, what's with this tunnel?"

Quote from Ursus_the_Grim >>

"I can go through first if you like.  You don't hide something like that if there's nothing beyond it."

"You're right. Jairus, tie some rope around Symon's foot. Davian, can I count on you to pull him out when things get bad?"

Kethra will offer one end of the rope to Wolf Davian, first letting him sniff it and then will gently offer it to him if he's okay with it, so that the both of them can easily pull Symon out. If not, she'll take the rope, loop it once around her waist and will be ready to pull him out by herself.

Leaning down beside Symon getting ready to enter, "Symon, make 2 sharp tugs if you need us to pull you out, 3 to let us know it's safe. Jairus, Rubin, be ready to fire your crossbows to cover his retreat. Mr. Tyde, I'll trust in you to shed light if the situation needs it."

While Symon gets ready to go in, Kethra gathers the rest for a quick huddle. "Jairus, Rubin, I didn't want to say this in front of him...but be ready to shoot at any rats too. And Mr. Tyde, once we get Symon out collapse the tunnel with your magic if something's chasing after him."

Wolf-Davian sniffs at the rope presented to him. He growls softly in understanding and takes it in his mouth, tail wagging. Deliberately planting all four feet to indicate his readiness, he slowly backs up to take the slack from the rope. The canine cable car is ready.

(The watchman scarpered a long time ago.)

Symon slowly inches into the tunnel.  It seems mostly safe, unless someone were to pull one of the supporting beams out.  Ahead of you the tunnel looks partly blocked with debris, but you think you can pick your way through it.

Rubin stays back, figuring one person risking this tunnel is enough.

He would look it over though, trying to figure out if it is newer than the rest of the complex, maybe some secret entrance that strange priest they just fought had been using or something.

Perception: 20

Survival: 17

"It looks like it goes on," Symon relays.  He attempts to continue onwards, the possibility of discovery outweighing the fear of injury.

Jairus watches carefully, both the tunnel and at their backs, in case trouble should approach while they are focused on Symon, but sticks to the plan and makes no move at present.  

"That's a smart idea! I don't know very much about magic, but I trust you've got something cool that will keep our friend safe. Actually, please tell Symon to keep his voice down and use the rope to communicate - just in case there's anyone on the other side of that debris. And be careful with using light...eh, but you probably already know that."

Kethra puts out the one torch that she was passing back and forth with Rubin earlier, and hands it to our wizard. "Here. It's not magic, but you might need an extra support beam while Symon chips away. Maybe it'll Help him? I don't know."

Symon, you make it through without any difficulties.  It begins to slope upwards, and then ends in a trapdoor.

"All clear here," Symon calls back. "Looks like it goes up from here."

"Do we wish to check that path out, or finish up down here first?"  Rubin asks, once he hears of where the tunnel leads.  "Seems it is likely a back entrance or something..."

"I'd say we finish up here, first, Rubin," Jairus offers.  "Narrow passage with a trap door like that, might be a one way trip.  Don't mean to sound all negative like, I just mean we might end up coming out somewhere else and not want to backtrack.  No doom and gloom here.  All positive vibes, yessir."  

OOC: Jairus tries to survey mentally what remaining areas they have yet to thoroughly explore here, other than this tunnel.

There are actually no other unexplored areas that you know of.

Jairus rubs a hand through his hair, then sighs.  "Nope.  This is it.  Alright, let's get at it, then."  He carefully creeps down the tunnel, then examines the trap door thoroughly to see if it is trapped, or perhaps rigged to bring down the tunnel, before any attempts are made to open it.

Stealth (if needed for careful movement):  20

Perception:  8

Investigation:    6

Lastly, he searches for tracks to see who or what, if anyone, has recently traveled down this path other than their group:  5

OOC: Some real low rolls there.  He doesn't know that IC of course. :/

Rubin follows after, doing his own looking over of the area.

perception: 8

Survival: 18

Wolf-Davian looks to Kethra for instructions on rope use as he is still holding the tattered end in his mouth. 

He sees his companions descending into the hole and approaches with caution. Peering into the hole he inhales deeply trying to catch a scent.

Perception 20

You see the signs of a few groups of people moving along this passage, mostly clad in the rugged practical shoes of the townsfolk.  One odder, deeper set of prints seems to be that of the priest you killed.

Rubin fills the others in on the information from the tracks, then is ready to follow the others through the trap door.

Beyond the trapdoor is a wooden shed.  You hear what sounds like the murmuring sounds of the town from somewhere outside the shed, and sunlight shines through the windows.  It appears to be early evening.

“We ready to do this? Could be more of them woe bringers. Maybe we send the quiet folks ahead to try to scout it out first?” Jairus says quietly.