Jak cuts through the hardened skin with the enchanted dagger quite easily removing the head from the undead creature. Nothing happens as he does this as the black ichor drips from the severed head.
Nesserin Attempts to stabilize Malthus as the others see to the destruction of the creature.
"Such monstrosities lurking here. We need to see to ourselves before we can continue further."
Nesserin carefully bandages the wound and effectively stops Malthus from losing anymore blood. The bard still lies there unconscious but is at least safe for now.
Jak sets down the head and stuffs the knife in his belt. He shrugs out of his backpack and pulls his tinderbox and a flask of out of it. "Last call before I burn this thing. Anyone got salt?"
Jak stops himself from dousing the body with oil, twice. Only his idolization of Jawn prevents him. He repacks his flask and tinderbox in his full rucksack. After reshouldering his gear, he climbs out of the hole that they're down.
Assuming Cole and the mule are alright. He anchors more ropes, so they can haul everyone up including the body.
Herrick takes a few moments to collect himself as the fear slowly begins to leave him. Once he has regained his normal laconic composure, he helps Jak destroy the remains of the body, hacking up all the body pieces with his sword until they are in very small pieces.
"Lets's get out of here and regroup. I'm worried about Cole and the bard needs some serious help as well."
Nesserin nods "Yes, it appears the danger of this place has not been exaggerated."
Nesserin stands guard shield and sword at the ready as the team makes their exit
The priest stands by the Paladin, prepared to fight.
Jak climbs up and anchors ropes from the mule for the others.
Well, I'll be a bit upset if our chicken wrangler also turns into some foul creature from the pit as well, what?
Jak finds his way up and disappears from sight as he pulls himself out of the hole.
Seeing Cole, he shouts down to his companions, "Get up here. Cole's not doing well," while finishing to climb up. He covers his nose and mouth with his left elbow as he advances toward Cole to avoid the breathing the smell and black cloud of smoke or dust. When he gets to the body, he touches the magic dagger to Cole's chest, ready to jump back if he explodes.
I'm strapped down with armour... Jawn, get up there!
Jawn starts to climb up the rope at Jak's insistence. the rest of you wait below.
Whose next?
Herrick carefully lays Malthus against the side of the tunnel and takes out his sword and shield. "I"ll guard the bottom of the pit while the rest of you climb up. I'll tie the bard to the rope and you can pull him up, then I'll climb up myself."
Well as the groom said to the bride on the honeymoon... up I go, he says chortling at a joke only a teenage boy or rugby player would find funny.
He straps his shield to his back, sheaths his sword and grabs the rope, hauling himself upwards with a red faced grunt of exertion.
Nesserin stands guard with Herrick as the others secure the higher ground.
Jawn pulls himself up the rope. He is up halfway and notices that Jak has stopped yelling for assistance. Gilhaut climbs next pulling himself right behind Jawn.
Jak struggles with Cole to hold his breath against the sentient foul, black smoke. His eyes bulge as he fights for his life.
Get your arses up here!
The priest pulls his holy Symbol and yells Leave the boy! The power of Ascheillus compels you!
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With the last word he inhales and the black smoke rushes back into Cole's body. As the smoke is sucked into Cole his whole body spasms flailing about wildly as if the smoke fights to get back out. Right then you cry out as your wrist erupts in pain where Cole still grips you. Before your eyes you watch Cole's body wither away turning to turning to ash just as you black out.
Still climbing the ropes or awaiting below you all hear Jak cry out in pain and then it is followed only by the noise of the mule whinnying in complete fear.
Jawn and Gilhaut climb as fast as they can worried about what might be happening there. Finding yourself in the cave you see the mule there trying to pull itself free of the wood that its reins have been tied to. The cave smells of rot and the air is extremely dry.
Jak lies on the ground dagger still clutched tightly in his hand. But the hand holding dagger is now as black as night. Where Cole was left lying only ashes can be seen with some even blowing about the cave.
Herrick drops into a defensive stance with shield raised high when he hears Gilhaut's call of help. His eyes look at all the exits and barks a short command to the paladin.
"Nesserin, head up the rope and see what's going on! You're more spry than I am. I'll stay behind and make sure no one eats the bard."
Nesserin curses as trouble seems to find the group at every turn. With a renewed sense of urgency Nesserin makes his way up the rope as quickly as possible.
He is quite spry.
As Jawn struggles futilely with the mule, he glances down at poor Jak and sees his blacked hand.
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