The creature makes it by both Creak and Balmaris, looking none-the-worse for their attacks. However, before it can make it all the way to Rynna, Adric levels a swing at the creature and with a final swipe sends it back into the nether, with no sound or body to show for it.

Combat Over!

 "I don't know about the rest of you, but that fight took a lot out of me. How about we take a rest?"

(OOC - I doubt we can take a long rest here - but certainly a short rest would be greatly appreciated - I can spend hit dice to get HP back)

Creak makes the noise of a deflating balloon and nods alongside Adric.

(Yeah, I was meaning short rest. This isn’t a good place for a sleepover)

"I can cast a ward about us that will give us warning if anything wants to make a meal of us," Rynna spoke.  "I think we need more than just to catch our breath."

“I don’t really think that we’ll get that kind of time.”

“Agreed- This place sucks- Red Alert- Imma nap.” Creak votes for a short rest. 

"Alright then, where do we want to rest?"

Rynna wrinkles her nose at the wispy remains of the black creatures.  Do creatures like that rot?  Maybe she didn't want to find out.

"Put up the ward, we need to rest." Gralwynn sputtered, looking visibly drained. "And I'm out of magic, maybe 1 more shift left in me. At the rate you all seem to bleed, I'd  think it best if we take our time, let the sword swingers keep watch of both room entrances."

Heading to a corner to huddle up in and meditate, she added "And next time any of you see a shiny, let The Bird check it first!" over her shoulder.

While lying on his back napping, Creak shoots up a thumbs up directly above him.

"Perhaps if we make a barricade and with my alarm ritual, we could rest properly.  I'll start the ritual," Rynna suggests.

Carefully making out the periphery of the ward, Rynna begins the rigorous set of gestures, words and intent that form the warning ward.

Adric will begin resting.

Creak is already asleep, the sounds of sawing logs fills the room.

 "I wonder why the bird was at a logging mill?" Gralwynn half mutters from her state of semi-consciousness

Creak is emitting the entire script, fully voiced, of Bram Broker’s, the famous dwarven playwright, Dracyala, Dwarven Lord of the Night in his sleep now.

"If only we could use those logs to help barricade this place...." Balmaris will take what little strength he has left and attempt to use the tables, chairs etc to block the doorways as best as possible before finding a corner to lean up against to rest.

Joining her friend in barricading the door, it is soon as secure as possible.

"The ward is up but let me take first watch.  I need to study my spellbook anyway and you need to get back your strength," Rynna suggests.

Your group quickly builds barricades and establishes magical warding and tucks into a rest. While the eerie chanting continues throughout the night, you do manage to get a relatively solid night of sleep. Nothing seems to come out of the darkness to toy with you, nothing tests your barricade, and the magical ward lies silent as death itself.

Rynna:

 You all gain the benefits of a long rest and come awake in the dark room as you'd like.

(OOC - does that negate the strength loss from the previous combat as well or is that permanent)