Title says it all.

How big is the gap where the stairs used to be, how big is the drop?

Very big.

I don't have an exact quantitative measurement.

You can't see the bottom from the top.

You'd die if you jumped down or fell.

It would be nearly impossible to get down by scaling the rock wall.

It would be extremely difficult to get down with a rope or chain.

It took a while to walk down the staircase (when it was functional), and the bottom half of that staircase is destroyed.

It is effectively impossible to move a large number of people down, particularly if there is resistance from below, particularly if they are heavily armored or carrying heavy equipment.

I think most people are mistaken OOCly about just how big it is.... most people think its maybe a flight of stairs, 2, or 3, not the massive pit it is.

Since it's probably going to come up:

Repairing the stairwell between Upper and Lower Sanctuary will require several days (at least) of uninterrupted construction work done on both sides, with supporting resources provided.

The later stages of this work (when scaffolding is up around the middle) will be very vulnerable.

Vesa Nothing was ever done IG to make this clear and I think most people are mistaken OOCly about just how big it is.

Maybe a sign that says "Warning: This drop is several stories. Trip at your own risk."

Or

"Warning. These stairs are several stories high, hold the hand rails"?