In all, the initial strikes of the party were effective in dealing against the insect menace as the mutated things tried desperately to swarm their targets in a reckless self destructive rush. Bolts and knives struck their flesh and stuck fast but if they were hurt none showed it, not even slowed. One such mosquito-thing took a bolt to the eye and let out a death shriek like glass shattering before collapsing and laying very still.
Hawkes attack was easily the most effective as the heavy blade crashesld through chitin and flesh with impunity as it sheared through the two foes, their upper bodies thrashed violently for a few moments before their multi-faceted eyes faded to blackness.
Macy met with similar results as her rapier stuck through its chest and still it rushed forward, until the dagger struck brainmatter, eliciting another shriek and a series of muscle spasms before falling limp to the floor. Each creature shed a grotesque green and red slurry of lifesblood to pool below their fallen forms.

The dragonfire however effective had been misjudged. Macy and Hawke, closer to the doorway and fighting enemies, the two received minor burns on their arms as the heat inched just a tad too close for comfort. The remaining insects outside the doors promptly fell away atop the other charred corpses, adding to an impressive mound of the shriveled husks already on display.
Minor injuries aside, [b]no party member had received damage or infection.[/b] the area ahead, a staircase leading into the darkened heart of the prison, was clear. Few other insects had come with their bretheren.

The warden had instructed them to join with the main host much further down but a blockade of broken doors and corpses had blocked the stairwell just 3 levels down from the main office. The guardsman that had done so leaned against a wall with a sword stuck through one, the other had fired their crossbow through their own heart.. suicide. Both bore the signs of infection but neither had mutated enough to reanimate. 
The side door to the secure isolation cells was torn open, with many cell doors opened. Floor 47 being one of the few more secured areas for truly dangerous criminals expecting execution, it was likely the power failure and spells launched in the area had disrupted the locking enchantments. 3 such criminals, armed with stolen weapons from the guardsmen dead at their feet would indicate they were not friendly.
In their late fourties with heavily muscular frames, the 3 men strutted forward without fear of the party holding weapons.

"LISTEN UP!" addressing the group and the other prisoners at once. "WE RUN THIS FLOOR. Either you're leaving your gear and walking through, or we're killin' you and takin it. Whats it gonna be?" From around the circular room, many prisoners steooed from their cells to cheer and shout their encouragment.

The largest man in the back, a scar and a milky white eye accentuating his bald features, leered at the women with open hostility. Among other, likely, emotions. 

([b]options: remove the barricade /or/ clear the floor and proceed to the second secure stairway.  [/b]