Gorin assumes his strike wasn't strong enough and drops the weapon

"You are better suited for this Arkon"

Sarris watches as 'the axe' does not affect the spectral axe.  "Bloody hell, what IS that thing?  It can't be a necrotic version of a spiritual weapon, can it?"

Mal is waiting to move on.

(Sorry, missed Mal was up, Mara next I think)

Ekko’s quick pulses of echo and the pinch of Gorin’s sleeve fill Marasatra with the whole grim ledger of failed strikes (relaid by Ekko). If force, steel, and eldritch bolt all slip through the phantom, it is an anchorless ward—likely bound only to the physical axe or to this chamber.

“Everyone fall back — now!” she snaps, already side-stepping toward the corridor. “Gorin, keep the blade but stay midway in the column; if the specter pursues, hurl the axe back into the room and seal the door. Zim, cover our retreat; Arkon, you’re rear guard once we clear the threshold.” She touches the wall to steady herself, eyes glazing as she shares Ekko’s sight and hearing to track the weapon’s drift while shepherding the party out into the previous hall offering Guidance for jamming the door. 

Action: Guidance upon request (This is a tricky spell for initiative rounds, I guess she readies Guidance for when Gorin seals the door so that he benefits for as long as possible from Resistance vs. Slashing if that is the damage type of the axe anyway)
Bonus: Share Ekko's Sense
Move: through corridor into previous room

Ekko's action: none, the bat stays put trying not to impede movement

Arkon is confused by the real axe not hurting the floating axe and follows Mara's orders to retreat.

The axe swings itself at Gorin once more.

Attack: 18 Damage: 8

Relieved to hear the order to retreat, Val & Mal withdraws to the east.

Zim retreats

With everyone retreating, Gorin does so aswell.

"Well that was weird, I guess we cannot really clear that room than." he says to the others. 

Sarris sheaths his longsword, "Can we just close it and perhaps spike the door?  Maybe mark it with a big circled 'X' as a warning for others?"

"Go ahead if you have the means to do that, but we will of course report about the spectral axe to Zodge before he sends anyone down here. I think we will serve him best by simply continuing on now though." Val says, quite ready to move on now.

Sarris nods and slogs back thru the water to the rock pile.   He selects 4 large-ish stones and makes a small 'pyramid' near the closed door.  On the wall above the stones, he will make a circle with a broken arrow image as a marker / warning.     Satisfied with his effort, he nods and moves back with the others. 

Frowning, he draws his dagger and hand axe.  "Bloody narrow hallways..."

The ghostly axe does not follow, leaving the room with the physical axe in the water.

(Back to the intersection?)

If no other plan is brought forward, Sarris can lead the group back to 'the stinky area' where our previous explorations indicated at least one potential 'new place' to explore.   "I still say we should toss some fire into that place and let it burn out all the stink.    As long as it doesn't explode..."

"I'm certainly not the expert here but I had the impression it would actually explode if ignited, which could possibly lead to a cave-in. That said I will happily leave that decision to those better suited to make it." The young redhead says, ready to hold her nose again if needed.

((Can Gorin roll something to determin if he thinks the gas will explode vs just fire away? as Artillerist of the party))

"If we can get rid of it without getting exploded, that's fine with me." Arkon agrees.

Marasatra wipes slime from her gauntlet and speaks up, ticking options off on slender fingers: “First, the simplest: vinegar-soaked linen. If anyone’s carrying an alchemy jug we can command it to yield vinegar by the gallon and knot strips over mouths and lantern vents. A sharp scent, but it neutralizes sewer fumes and won’t ignite. Second—create or destroy water, or even a shape water rinse—would sluice the worst muck into that sump and thin the gas, provided one of you has the spell prepared. Third, a focused draft: a gust of wind or even bellows can keep air moving toward the exit so explosive gas never pools around us. Lastly, strong resin incense in clay censers would mask the stench without open flame… though I confess I left my ritual stock of myrrh and storax back at the study. Poor planning on my part.”

She glances down the dank passage. “Anyone has any of that available or better ideas? I mean an actual cave-in would put a quick end to our investigation.” On further reflection Marasatra adds, “If anyone’s concerned about hidden vapors or contagion, I can cast detect poison and disease—it will flag any noxious pockets before we wade in. I could also attempt purify food and drink on the standing water, but that spell clears only a small volume at a time; scouring an entire corridor would take hours if possible at all.”

(Last time in the room, there showed nothing else in the room but rubble. If the dragon cultists hadn't moved anything into the room, then there stands to be reason for it to explode.)

"I'm pretty sure the cultists would have used this room more if they could use it, so let's assume it will explode when ignited. Let's us the good old tactic of walking quickly through while covering mouse and nose." Gorin says