How do i know if my sauerkraut is edible or ready?

I left my cabbage sit without a brine for 3 days and i had a towel atop the cabbage and a plate for the weight adn the towel was damp from the cabbage. i just added water to make a brine last night and now the cabbage is submerged. im wondering if the batch is already messed up or if it will be fine adn i should continue on with the process.