Zane attempts to lift the crate of Ruidium. A strenuous task but not impossible. He immediately knows that moving this thing alone will severely slow his movement if nobody is to help him with it. (There is only one crate).

So far the bodies of the two robed individuals remain in this area.

Let me know if there are any other things you wish to do in this area before heading back towards Briarwood Manor to exit. 

Zane says, "Ok, that's too much. I'll clean up and follow you in half a minute."

As the others turn to leave, then Zane drags and drops the bodies and the crate into the water and then rushes after the others.

Since Rel had been the one to bring up the question of what to do with the ruidium crates and the bodies, she helps Zane dispose of both.

"I am afraid of what happens when the Ruidium sits in the water, perhaps corrupting it.  Especially as it seems as if this channel has an underground connection with the ocean from what these two were saying.  But I'm not sure what else we can do since we are retreating."

For the bodies, she suggests (and helps with) carrying the bodies to the corpse pit and depositing them there.  Not wanting them to awake as demonically-animated Ruidium zombies or who knows what else if they are immersed at length next to the Ruidium crates.  For good measure she smashes them (the corpses) hacks off hands and feet with her shortsword before tossing them in to lessen the effectiveness of said potential zombies.

Casting Guidance on herself and others as needed, generally, she tries to remove or obscure all evidence of either the men or the crates.

Tex heads back to the manor, leaning on Lizzy. When they arrive to the ladder, he laments, "Can we get Lizzy back up or do we have to leave her here? I could unscrew her head and just take the important part and rebuild the rest of her later, if we don't have time to hoist her up."

"Would it be faster than lifting her up? We have ropes and enough muscles. Who knows, we might need her help up there." Lana would definitely help to haul Lizzy up, using all the available ropes, the same way the construct was brought down.

“It certainly takes longer to rebuild her. Besides, it would break my heart to leave even part of her here.” Tex will fasten ropes around Lizzy and helps to lift her up.

It does take a little bit of extra time but you are able to work together and hoist Lizzy back up to the manor. You make your way to the exit, being cautious of any new threats that may have emerged but find it to be safe as you exit the manor.

Stepping out and looking into the sky you can see the the moons sitting in a speckled field of stars. Catha's normal warm and inviting bright light is mostly overtaken this night by the crimson shine of Ruidus, almost completely into its full moon phase, giving a haunting reddish hue to Port Damali. 

Where do you wish to go to next? It is close to midnight at this point. 

Tex claps his hand on his forehead, “Look! That’s Ruidus! It’s almost full, but not yet. If there’s a ritual involved with the moon, I guess it requires the full moon.”

"That makes sense Tex, which means we have some time. It is late and I do no think the Library of the Cobalt Soul will be open at this time. Shall we get some rest at the Inn?" says Bellamy

Zane yawns super wide once back in the open air and just nods and starts moving in some direction. Then sees others moving in a different one and follows them instead.

As the party is spending time lifting Lizzy out of the depths, Rel would stand aside and use her sending stone with Jarsali Firahel.

She would take a moment to ask if anyone has anything specific they want to say (in what she thinks is a twenty-five word limit).  If so, she might change what she says.  But if the others leave it to her, she activates the sending stone and communicates to Jarsali:

Infiltrated Briarwood manor.  Abandoned except monsters (fought).  Hole under carpet.  Underground tunnel.  Waterway.  Men unloading ruidium from skiff.  Temple ritual.  Sounds bad.  Eliminated men.  Retreating.

Tex nods approvingly to Rel and mounts Lizzy for their way… home? “Where we go? I hope we go to get a good rest.”

"Inn? We should hurry up into the closest temple to get that thing out of Tex's hand." Lana looked at others with surprise and then asked Tex. "Or do you plan to live now with this thing protruding from your body? As we speak, we do not know what it does to you right now. I understand the hesitation of taking it out yourself but surely there is at least one cleric in the city that does not sleep yet and can help."

"Well I am not familiar with any temple here. Does anyone know the way?" says Bellamy

“Me neither. But I wouldn’t mind to sleep first, too. I’ve trouble concentrating already and can barely stand. The hand doesn’t really hurt.”

(OOC Do we have any temple on the way to the inn? Lana is kind of supposed to know this area?)

The closest temple to you now in The Crescents is known as The Pearl Shrine. A temple devoted to Avandra, The Change Bringer

Lana gave Tex a long look. "Don't you think these can be symptoms of sickness from the poison of this rock? We are all tired but there is a difference. I'd say this thing is beginning to affect your mind and does not want to be taken out. It's your life, of course, but The Pearl Shrine is close enough and they might be able to heal you."

If Tex refused again, she would not press the issue anymore, shrug and go straight to Jarsali with the report.

After Rel sends the message via the sending stone, Jarsali responds almost immediately. "Thank you, I was about to send a search party. I will notify the Marquis. Be prepared for an assault."

Tex considers Lana’s words and nods, “You’re right, let’s see the temple. If it’s on the way anyway.”