Map:

You carefully enter a small cavern after crossing the wooden pathway. A wooden pulley system has been constructed around a large hole in the floor. A bucket big enough to hold a humanoid is held up by thick rope. Three alcoves next to the lift contain wooden boards and mining equipment.

“Ok, who goes first?”  Hifu says, looking below.

Nyx says, "Lets consider this first. If they dwell downstairs.. and it doesn't look like they dwell on this level.. then they would keep the bucket down there as well. Which means someone came up with it and hasn't gone back down. Or it's a trap. Or both."

She examines the whole contraption and also tries to see how far down it would go.

You look through gaps in the construction and the estimate the next level is about 15 ft below.

Looking down into the hole, Kravek will try to see if there is any lightsource down there. 

I will go first he says 

He fixes his gear to make sure everything is firmly in place. I will hold the next floor while you go down. Should we try to get the bucket up or just climb down the rope?

Nyx says, "I'd say just the rope. See if any of the flooring here can be pried open and lets use our own rope even."

Hifu looks in the alcoves next to this at the additional mining equipment and boards, looking for anything else that might help.  Any additional rope there?  

James nods agreement with Karvek going first.

"We can lower you down in the bucket, its the safer way."

"It looks like, with this pulley system, anyone should be able to lower themselves down, but if we lower you, you can keep your weapons and shield at the ready in case there is danger waiting."

"Once you are down, the rest can be lowered down, and I can go last and lower myself."

James grabs the ropes and steadies the bucket so Kravek can climb in.

“Ha, yeah c’mon big boy - get in the bucket!”

Anyone can use the bucket and pulley system, but only one at a time. You can secure extra rope at the framework, move the bucket Out of the way and climb the rope, in that case give me a athletics check.

Kravek will get into the bucket, unsure of what he is going to face down there. He takes out a torch and lights it hold it in one hand and holding the rope with the other for stability. 

Once im down ill let you know. he says as he looks to the pulley system. Im ready. 

On his way down Kravek will hold the torch downward to light the way and see how far down it is. On his way down he mumbles to himself in giant

 If he gets near the bottom (and the bottom is not water) he will toss the torch on the ground and take out his shield for protection. 
If he hits the bottom he will get out and call back up Im down. Trying to keep the words short to not make to much noise down here. Then taking out his hammer with his free hand preparing for trouble. 

(perception for trying to see or hear creatures 23)

The mechanism creaks as the bucket lift descends to the floor of a small cave where two dusty tunnels lead in opposite directions. You hear the cascading water echoing through the cave and in the flickering light of your torch you see quite a few Kobald tracks coming and going west and a single track going north. 

After looking in the alcove, Hifu helps with shuttling down the others if they wish to go, steadying the rope.  

In the alcove, if there is a second bucket, Hifu will quickly relieve himself (#2) in the bucket and leave it next to the pulley system as a duplicate / dummy bucket system with a messy surprise in the bottom of it for any adventurers that follow after the group.  He is feeling the last of the effects of the mead he consumed.  As he descends he lets out a muffled odd sounding snorting laugh.

James helps Hifu as the pair lowers, first Kravek and then Nyx and Gilgin.

Once Hifu has finished revealing himself, James helps to lower the large dragonborn down as well.

Once everyone else is down safely, James climbs into the bucket and descends to rejoin the others.

Gilgin snickers at Hifus prank and unties the bucket once everyone is down. 

“Right laddies, which way now?”

Map:

(I assume Hifu is useing a torch) 

To the north Hifu and Nyx see a wide chamber. A second exit from that chamber is leading west, letting in the sound of the waterfall. The floor in the north end of the cave is five feet higher than in the south end, with a rocky ridge separating them and a slope on either side leading to the top of the ridge. The walls above the ridge gleam with gem deposits.

To the south Gilgin sees a dead end (s) with promising deposits and a tunnel leading west further into the mine.

Once everyone is down Kravek will place his hammer back into his beltloop and pick up the torch. 

Responding to Gilgin he holds the torch towards the ground. Most kobold tracks lead west. He then moves the torch over a bit But a single one goes to the north. Perhaps we should go north first before we run into the bulk of their force. 

“Good idea Kravek, Maybe we’ll catch ‘im on the privvy!

If you want to track them n, roll me a survival check (2 people or one with advantage)