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GG nods to Renwick as he comes alongside. Noticing the fellow looking up he does the same, intrigud to see if the ropes are fastened to this ceiling or whether they disappear through some opening above into the rooms on the level overhead.

GG surmises that as the building apparently has no large opening into the city outside that the ropes are probably for multiple heavy but small cargo, consistent with the barrels stored hereabout. Are pulleys, sets of block and tackle and so forth in evidence?

If the ropes don't go through the ceiling above GG says quietly to Renwick, "We can delve down into the depths towards the Underdark later. Let's now work upwards through the rest of the building." With that he heads back to the stairs, indicating upwards to the others with a stabbing finger gesture. He takes point and takes the spiral upwards.

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I don't recall, has anyone determined the contents of any of the barrels?

"Hmm..." Flatbelly, who is usually quiet, peeps. "We can explore the house farther, but shouldn't stall too much. If this is a route to the underdark we should inform the authorities ASAP. The city is in grave danger."

Looking up, you see a platform, with about 1/2 an inch space all around.

The ropes are coming through various holes in the platform. You can see some of the ropes are wrapped around pulleys at the bottom and head back up.

You both quickly surmise this must be a freight elevator.

No, you all have not touched the barrels. Just looked at them.

[it sounds like the elevator is above us and not currently accessible. is that true? Does there appear to be a way to lower it quietly?]

Yes, the height looks like it is at the second floor.
You would need to try the ropes to see how quiet it is.

Also, as you stick your head in. You notice that the dead silence extends into the elevator shaft.

GG says, "If you can find a way to jam that, or lock it off, any drow upstairs can't use it to escape into the Underdark. I'm headed upstairs." He heads for the stairs.

GG moves his mouth. But Renwick does not hear anything come out.

GG taps his ear then points to himself and then points in the direction of the stairs before moving towards the spiral staircase that leads both up and down. If his hearing returns he taps one ear and then gives a thumbs up sign to indicate the edge of a possible spell effect. If nothing untoward presents itself GG heads upstairs.

Renwick waggles his fingers in the (universal to him at least) sign for 'magic'.
He nods and follows, axe ready

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HA!

Adrik will follow GG up the stairs.

[precisely so]

Giving the barrels a leering eyeball that conveys greed, excitement and a promise of personal attention later, Tornak turns away and follows the others upstairs keeping his crossbow at the ready. His eyes darting around, he keeps Twitchy close but not on the trigger of his crossbow.

Flatbelly wonders at the the exciting hand gestures all around, looks down to the pit with sting of nostalgia in his heart, looks up, breaths heavily and follows...
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(OOC: I thought we might cut the ropes, but on the other hand it may only alert the drows they were discovered.)