Vedui, as you move along with the group, you are well hidden while moving forward.  As you move forward, you can occasionally hear a faint scratching sound coming from the passages around you, but you do not see the source they always retreat as the party moves forward.

Bryn looks around for more tracks or similar signs of things passing.

Investigation: 7

Jormund stops—standing silently—and points at the shield over the drain cover, watching his companions to see if they look at him, and at the cover to make sure it doesn't move.

If they seem not to notice him and move on further without him, he makes a soft "tck tck tck" clicking sound that's nonobtrusive.

"There are rats all around us, I can hear them in the walls"

Quote from rustleinthewoods >>

Jormund stops—standing silently—and points at the shield over the drain cover, watching his companions to see if they look at him, and at the cover to make sure it doesn't move.

If they seem not to notice him and move on further without him, he makes a soft "tck tck tck" clicking sound that's nonobtrusive.

 

 (Waiting to see if Bryn discovers anything before reacting to Jormund’s shield gesture)

Bryn, you discover 2 things as your investigate the area. First, you discover something shiny buried in the filth, and find that it is a short sword buried in the much. Although dirty, it is not rusty, which means it can not have been here long. You also notice the sigil on the sword is that of the town of amphail. This sword is most likely that of a town guardsman. 

Second, your foot strikes against something solid in the water. Bending down to investigate, you discover that you've found a boot. However, as you try to pick it up, you notice that a gnawed ankle bone is all that remains of the body once attached to this foot. 

Can you roll a con save for me to judge your response to this find?

Bryn Con: 17

(lololol here come the cookies!!!!!)

((Hello again, friends. A couple days ago, I noticed that this thread had become active again. I've been trying to catch up and find the motivation to post, but it's just genuinely been hard to find. I don't know if or when I'll be able to contribute meaningfully again, so I think it would be best if I left the campaign. I have nothing against any of you - I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in this game. Thank you for this experience, and I wish you the best as you move forward.))

Hey Artemis, no worries! We were glad to have you, and I know things have gotten tougher to engage as the place has slowed. Take care!

Bryn, as you lift the boot attached to the decimated ankle, it pulls from the muck with a sickening slurp and you stumble back a and slam heavily into the wall, pulling the boot towards you as you catch yourself. Only then does realization hit about what it is your holding and a wave of nausea rolls over you, as your stomach empties into the trench at your feet.

Bryn, you have disadvantage on ability checks for a minute.

Jormund, the shield is still in place.

Vedui, you still hear the distant chitter of tiny feet around you.

Ann, you are limited in your vision, but you hear jormund's signal and the stumbling about of somebody ahead of you.

What do you guys do next?

Bryn takes a moment to compose himself and then goes over to Jormund.

"There are rats everywhere....but sound normal sized...  Let's continue on...when we get near the next access point we can try to stealth on the position"

Whispering just loud enough to be heard by present, friendly company, Jormund says, "There's a shield covering that access drain. Wouldn't want 'em to sneak up behind us through there. Wondering why somebody stopped it up. Think rats'd pour out if'n we moved it?"

"One other thing... this smell's got me thinking... these red robes like to play with plagues. The Mail-maker has taught me a way to sense poison and disease. Mebbe I kenna use it to track 'em or at least to avoid trouble. Think it's worth a go? Takes me a handful of minutes to start and lasts a handful o' minutes. Could be this whole place is poison and disease and I go blind like staring at the sun... but could work."

Vedui will look closer at the shield  "Is from one of the guard's?  In which case they were stopping it up to prevent something from coming...and maybe we should make sure it stays that way."

Investigation  13

Vedui, as you examine the shield closely, you are surprised to see it move, almost imperceptibly. As you watch it, you see that it is moving with a slow, steady, rising and falling motion, almost like something alive is holding it. With close examination, you see a ragged scrap of cloth sticking out of the corner of the shield.  Although ragged and muddy, it is the same color as the uniform of the town guard, a sort of ruddy, autumn orange. 

“I’m used to forests and open spaces, I’ll follow your lead Jormund.”

VEdui will sign to the other to get there attention and try to talk to whatever is holding the shield.  "Hello...are you with the guard?"

When you address the shield out loud, you hear a sudden scrape, and see the shield reflexively pulled tight against the opening, as if somebody was startled on the other side.  After a pause, you hear the timid, tenor voice of a young man speak back "H..hello? Who's there? Don't try anything, I've got a sword!"

Jormund speaks to the shield, “We ‘ent rats. We’re here to help. Sir Henry sent us down here. Let’s get you outta here, yeah?”

You see the top of the shield lower a fraction and a pair of eyes peek over the top. Slowly, the shield lowers and you see the face and shoulders of a young man come out from behind the shield, as he says "Sir Henry sent you after us?  Thank the god's! Please give me a hand, I can't move my legs anymore, they've been jammed in here so long!"