Cordit shrunk back down to a halfling. She understood the need, but she was clearly disappointed, saying, "It sure was fun bein' a big ol'ape!"
The group travelled up the tunnel, which wound back and forth and grew narrower, more unstable, and of a softer earth. Increasingly roots and debris hung from the ceiling, and occasionally, when someone brushed a root, dirt fell on them.
Finally, it came to an end. Either it had collapsed ahead, or the creatures that had dug it had given up. It was too narrow, wet, dirty, and unstable to make for a good spot to rest. The dwarves looked around and had a brief discussion among themselves before saying, "We ken that we cannae be more'n a hundred feet, two a'most, from the surface. Some o'us brought oor shovels. D'ye ken we shood try t'dig oor way oot?"