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"Woody check the cover, we go your back."


Perception(Wis)(2): [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7

Checking the cover [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10 that was the perception check before looking at the lock or cover.

Check for investigating the cover: [1d20+4] = 9+4 = 13

Sue doesn't notice anything untoward but is fairly sure no gang members are in evidence.

Woody notes that the metal lock is fairly complicated but in also probably a common design.
Inspecting the metal-banded wooden cover further, Woody discerns that the rust has eaten deeply into the locking plate and could probably be prised open fairly readily.

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The lock is something like DC12 or DC13 for picking but those not proficient would be disadvantaged.
The lock could be forced with an Athletics skill check, maybe DC 12 or DC13

"Sue, I would say you should be able to force this lock open with your Strength. Give it a try."

Sue will pull out his warhammer and give it a good whack.

Athletics(STR)(7):[1d20+7] = 11+7 = 18

"Guess I am good for something after all."

The hole lock bends under the force of the blow.
Seconds later the locking plate clangs as it drops from the cover into the dark depths below.

***
Working together the group can easily lift the sewer cover to reveal a three foot wide hole and a strong smell of 'drains'.
Wide-spaced iron rungs are set in the side of the shaft, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

"It's time to go. After you Sue." Woody will put on his goggles of night and descend after Sue.

Sue will make sure that the way they slide it allows it to be pulled back closed from the bottom.

"I'll go first, but I'll make sure to go back and close it. Being down here isn't completely legal."

Sue lowers himself onto the ladder into a six foot diameter vertical shaft. The ladder descends further than he can see. The separate iron rungs set into the wall seem to be robust. Gritting his teeth he continues downwards into the stench and darkness.

Just after Sue disappears from the view of those above he can just see the floor of the six foot wide shaft. The air reeks appropriately but seems to be readily breathable although any creature tracking by scent may be disadvantaged.

Reaching the bottom of the 'ladder', Sue finds himself in a thirty foot square cubicle, on a three foot wide ledge perhaps eight foot from the ceiling. The ledge runs all the way around the chamber. A dozen feet below the ledge is unpleasant-looking liquid. Several three foot diameter shafts, at varying heights below the ledge, lead off in broadly south-westerly directions. There are two passages level with the ledge: one to the north and one to the north west. Both are a dozen feet across. Each has its own vertical grating. Sludge drips intermittently from both of them into the slurry below. The 'plopping' sound echoes eerily.

What next?

Jim will ease himself down the hole after Woody. Pausing on his way down the rungs, he quickly checks to see if there is any visible interest in the group from any he may see in the street as he pulls the wooden cover closed.

Perception: [1d20+6] = 14+6 = 20

Woody and the Jim follow Sue to the three foot wide ledge far below.

Jim tells them that he saw a young girl, early teens, sat on the rooftop opposite where they entered. Between them the group are certain that it was Charlie, one of Able's close friends, the one that makes him blush.

Sue pulls out the map.
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The stick drawn one.
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Can he determine which direction?

"Any ideas you two?"

Woody will cast his light spell on a coin for now so Sue can see better for riding his map. When Sue puts the map away Woody will extinguish the light.

When Sue asks if they have any ideas, Jim hesitates for a moment then dryly replies Don't get killed?

The group examine the map. The Light shows that the two stout sewer gratings are slightly rusty, the north-western one being set into stone walls whereas the northern one is set to swing open on pivots when unlocked.

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Anyone making a Survival skill check, DC10 determines they need to head north to intersect with the route marked..