Jason

*Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light...**This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's third installment,* ***House of Ashes***
***.***

**Sub-Pages**

* **Jason**
* Gallery

## Biographical Information

### Nickname(s)

Lieutenant Kolchek
Hotshot (by Clarice)
The best of the best (by Miller)
Mailman Two-One Actual (Callsign)

### Occupation

USMC Force Recon Marine (First Lieutenant)
Leader of Mailman 2-1

## Relationships

### Other

Salim (Ally/Enemy)
Nick (Subordinate)
Joey (Subordinate)
Merwin (Subordinate)

## Game Information

### Playable Chapters

**Theatrical Cut**
The Temple
After the Fall
Brothers
The City
**Curator's Cut**
Underworld
The Signal
Enemy of My Enemy
**Both Cuts**
The Raid
Bloodbath
Strange Aeons
Semper Fi
Daylight (Determinant)

### Death

Semper Fi
Daylight

### Cause of Death

Head crushed
Impaled by spear
Throat ripped out
Dropped from great height
Eyes gouged out

## Technical Information

### Model

Jack Green

First Lieutenant **Jason Kolchek** is one of the five main protagonists and a playable character in *The Dark Pictures Anthology*'s third installment, *House of Ashes*. He is a United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance First Lieutenant and the squad leader of Mailman 2-1. He was voiced and motion captured by Paul Zinno and was modelled on Jack Green.

## Appearance

Jason is a man with fair skin and an athletic build, as evident in his muscular arms. He has brown eyes and short brown hair. In memory of the 9/11, Jason always wears a gray baseball cap with the respective inscription. He sports two tattoos, on his left wrist and right forearm.

Jason's uniform is mostly identical to Nick's, but with a predominant woodland camouflage. He wears a blue T-shirt, shemagh, a black watch on his left wrist, desert camouflage fatigue pants with kneepads on both legs and brown combat boots. His outfit includes an interceptor PASGT vest with small bags, tan backpack and earpiece with flashlight and radio; he is armed with a modified M4A1 carbine and combat knife.

As the game progresses, Jason's appearance becomes more stained with dust. During confrontations with Iraqis, he can be shot in the right forearm, but the wound could be patched if Nick found the med-kit.

## Personality

Jason is a very competent Marine and is described as "best of the best". He frequently makes good calls both on the surface and underground and can sometimes be considered the leader of the group.

Jason appears as a fierce patriot who joined the Marine Corps after the September 11 Attacks in a way to "honor the dead". As such, he has a deep hatred towards the enemies of the United States, including Iraqis. This is shown in his first interactions with Salim, with whom Jason forces himself to cooperate to stand against the vampires. He can also commit war crimes against Iraqis, such as killing some shepherds and using forbidden W.P. grenades against soldiers, although he can, on the contrary, be ethical and tolerant towards them despite his dislike.

Jason always tries to put tasks above emotions and remains calm and reasonable in most critical situations, even sometimes criticizing others for their emotionality. He is pragmatic, ready to kill an infected Clarice and Rachel, which makes him seem cold-blooded and lacking in empathy. At the same time, Jason cares about each of his comrades, as evidenced by his motto "Semper Fi". The most striking example is when he accepts Salim as one of his own and risks his life to save him, despite the persuasion of the others.

As revealed in Act 3, some of Jason's facade is a pretense through which Nick and even Salim can see. The biggest lie is his patriotism as he joined the Marines not because of the September 11 attacks, but in an attempt to find his purpose in the life he was lost in. Moreover, at the moment of the tragedy, Jason was "stoned outta his skull" and found out about it only a week later. Also he, like Nick, feels guilty for killing an innocent woman, though he tries to hide it.

## Biography

Jason was born on July 22, 1972, presumably in the southern region of the United States, based on his accent. Prior to joining the military, Jason's life was going poorly - and when the opportunity to join showed, he jumped at it. Even though outwardly he seems extremely patriotic and faithfully serves the motherland, this is all a façade - he was "stoned out of his mind" when 9/11 happened and found out about it only a week later. Even Jason's decision to join the army was for no reason and he doesn't really know why he is fighting.

Three weeks prior to the raid, Jason and Nick were involved in an incident at a checkpoint: they were guarding it from suicide bombers when a woman with a bag approached them. Despite Jason's order to stop, she continued walking, causing Jason to order Nick to shoot her. It turned out that the woman was a simple civilian - she carried groceries in a bag and didn't hear Jason due to having headphones on. This greatly hurt Jason, who later deeply regretted it, although outwardly he didn't show it.

On May 30, 2003, Jason was involved in a mission in search of weapons of mass destruction. When the American units arrived at the landing point in the Zagros Mountains, they were ambushed by an Iraqi patrol. Due to the warfare, Jason was plunged into the depths of the Zagros Mountains alongside his comrades and enemies. To survive what lurked below, Jason had to forge an alliance with the enemies from above. His fate would then be decided by the player, in which he would escape alive or die buried beneath the sands.

## *House of Ashes*

### Main Story

#### Act 1

Jason greets Eric as the latter arrives at Camp Slayer. There he meets Clarice and guides both her and Eric through the camp, introducing them to Nick, Merwin and Joey. Later, Jason is present with the others at a briefing where he requests for a possible air support. After the briefing, Jason is seen packing White Phosphorus with Nick and before the operation begins, they share their opinions about Eric.

In the helicopter, Jason confronts Nick since the latter doesn't pay attention. Landing near the target LZ, Jason leads the group of soldiers to raid the building. He then accompanies Rachel to question the shepherds and inspect the huts. During the firefight, Jason tries to cover for an injured Joey. After separating from the group, Jason finds a shepherd and may shot him in the process, unknowingly watched by Salim. As they confront each other, an earthquake happens, plummeting both sides into the caves below, including Jason.

Shortly after falling into the caverns, Jason manages to reunite with Nick near some temple ruins with a large gate. Opening the gate, the pair hears Merwin and finds him seriously injured and hanging from wires as Clarice tries to pull him out. While they are helping Merwin, Clarice is suddenly dragged into the darkness, forcing Jason and Nick to flee, carrying Merwin in a process. They continue to flee the creatures hunting them across the caverns, potentially losing Merwin at multiple points, and eventually reach the chasm where Rachel and Eric try to hide from Dar.

#### Act 2

Reaching the temple, the guys may find Eric lamenting Rachel or his body impaled on a stalagmite. After hiding in the temple, Jason plans to form a defense perimeter and tells Eric about the creatures, much to his disbelief. The lights in the temple go out and Jason with Nick inspect the generator in the main hall. After fixing it, they walk down a hallway where the lights went out again and find a room set with tripwire. Continuing to explore, the guys hear Joey's scream, to which Jason insists they follow the scream. If Eric and Merwin are alive, Jason can stay to keep an eye on the latter.

In the caverns, the Americans are ambushed by Dar, whom Jason can be injured in the process. Later, Jason finds Nick again in the caverns after the latter is separated, where he can be alone, with the creature's corpse and/or with Salim. In the latter case, Jason will be in a standoff with Salim, which can end up with Salim injuring Jason.

Going back to the temple, Jason and Nick decide to set defenses around the hallways, setting up cameras and blocking passages. They later find a radio transmitter in the chasm and while they are discussing trying to use the radio, Jason is ambushed by a vampiric Joey. After fighting Joey back, the Americans try to tune the radio, only for them to be ambushed by Dar and get the vampires' attention.

After retreating into the temple, the boys find Rachel with possibly Clarice running into the temple, where Jason may put Clarice out of her misery. The Americans fight the vampires and retreat deeper into the catacombs, where they find Salim and Dar. Both sides are initially hostile, but upon hearing the vampires approach, they decide to cooperate. Upon entering the sacrificial chamber, the group is ambushed by a swarm of vampires. One of them grabs Jason and drags him deeper into the catacombs, but Jason manages to kill it. After exploring the catacombs Jason meets Salim and the duo cooperates. They walk through the catacombs until reaching a pit emitting green light and decides to go down with the elevator the archaeologists built.

#### Act 3

Reaching the bottom, the duo stumble upon the remains of an unknown structure. Here, Jason and Salim share their experiences, and rallying stronger, decide to explore the structure to find a way to harm the vampires. They eventually find a giant vault storing three giant cocoon mounds, one of them being the motherlode. They are forced to retreat when a vampire awakens, but thanks to Nick with Eric and Rachel, Jason and the others retreat into the Star Chamber. They decide to explore the archaeologists' camp and study the origin of the vampires, finding their reason for falling to earth. Afterwards, they may deal with an ordeal where Rachel is infected. Jason decides to put Rachel out of her misery, but can choose not to and instead help cocoon Rachel in fluid (which Jason and Salim have found out can preserve the flesh) or kill the parasite pulled from Rachel with the UV lamp.

The group then plans to bomb the cocoon vault, to which Nick volunteers to do so. Jason keeps in contact with Nick and will always press the trigger of the bombs, regardless if Nick survives or dies. Escaping from the structure, Jason realize that Salim is separated from the group The others persuade Jason to leave Salim behind, to which he may accept or deny. In the process of saving Salim, he may be killed by the vampires or impaled by a spear thrown by The Ancient One if he's still alive. Reaching the elevator, he may be spiritful or lament about the others' deaths, especially Salim's.

In the caves, the group will be attacked by a vampiric Clarice/Rachel, whom Jason can die to the latter in the process. The party successfully reaches the surface again, but is immediately confronted by vampires when an eclipse rises. Jason with the others fights the vampires with a flare and a knife, surviving or dying in the process.

### The End

In the evening, in Camp Slayer, Jason will be seen interrogated by an agent about his cooperation with Salim and his team.

* If Jason inhales the gas of the fossilized creature, he will cough roughly.
* If Jason is dead, his body will lie inside a bodybag.

## Possible Deaths

Possible Deaths
 Impaled by spear
 Daylight | Throat ripped out
 Head crushed
 Dropped from great height
 Eyes gouged out
 Throat ripped out

## Relationships

### Nick

Nick is one of Jason's men. Jason ordered him to fire at the civilian, which Nick struggles with during the events of the game.

They are shown to be close and Jason can be supportive about Nick's struggles. However, he is disappointed that Nick is getting distracted from the present situation and his lack of attention can put them in danger. They remain together for a large section of the game and are shown to respect each others' opinions when it comes to decisions. They know each other very well as Jason can tell when Nick wants to say something. On the opposite, Nick can say whether Jason lies or not.

* Relationship Consequences

* Low Relationship
* Normal/High Relationship

* After holding Merwin's mouth two times and after Jason injects the morphine on him, Jason tells Nick he needs him.
* The Curator comments on their relationship that they are "brothers in arms" with a darkness in their past, which will test the strength of their friendship.
* When Nick tries to smoke his cigarette, Jason tells him it's not the time to do that, to which Nick throws his cigarette away.
* If Nick goes to destroy the motherlode, Jason decides to lie about the many vampires coming at him.

* After holding Merwin's mouth two times and after Jason injects the morphine on him, Nick begins to panic as the creatures arrives but Jason tells him to get a hold of himself.
* The Curator asks if they are really close as they appear or will it be the case of "each man for himself".
* When Nick tries to smoke his cigarette, Jason tells him playfully that it will kill him, to which Nick disregards his remark and tries to smoke his cigarette.
* If Nick goes to destroy the motherlode, Jason decides to tell the truth about the many vampires coming at him.

### Eric

Eric seems to put a lot of trust in Jason as he put Jason in charge of the raid, Eric can be shown to question Jason in his choices but can put that aside and congratulate or be angry at him for not following his orders in the raid.

Jason can be restrained in his interactions with Eric, but can also potentially show anger bordering insubordination at the casualties they have suffered and the faulty intelligence which led them into this situation. Jason doesn't fully trust Eric's commands and tries to take the lead whenever possible at his place. If Eric died, Jason can angrily express in the interrogation that Eric led them into Hell.

* Relationship Consequences

* Low Relationship
* Normal/High Relationship

* When asked by Nick about his opinion on Eric, Jason says that Eric wants to show everyone who is the boss.
* Jason blames Eric for leading his team on a useless operation. (Curator's Cut)
* Jason refuses to obey Eric's orders to guard Merwin if he is still alive, and prefers to investigate with Nick about the voice of Joey they had just heard. (Curator's Cut)
* Jason refuses to let Eric take the lead to investigate and orders him to stay put. (Curator's Cut)

* When asked by Nick about his opinion on Eric, Jason says that Eric is a nice guy.
* Jason is compliant to Eric and lets him investigate while volunteering to guard Merwin if he is still alive. (Curator's Cut)
* Jason is assertive when Eric proposes to take the lead and orders him to stay, whom Eric doesn't and follow them. (Curator's Cut)

### Rachel

Jason and Rachel are shown to have a professional relationship. He "affectionately" refers to her as the Queen Bitch, but does not antagonize her. They do not interact much during the game, but the rare scenes they share can affect the survival of Rachel and Eric.

Rachel can first disprove of Jason if he killed a shepherd during the invasion of the site, and if he broke the pagan effigy, making a shepherd angry and try to stab him until Rachel shoots him down. Rachel will also not like Jason hitting the shepherd when Rachel interrogates one.

Jason and Rachel will have their real first disagreement if an infected Clarice is brought into the temple. Jason will insist on shooting her, and Rachel will attempt to prevent this - requiring Nick to hold her back so that Jason can get a clear shot. If Clarice is shot, Rachel will not be happy; if not, he will give a sidearm to Rachel, telling her to "save a bullet for her friend".

He can sympathize with her in the Star Chamber over the loss of Eric, if he died; alternatively, they can speak about how both of them are ill, if Rachel was infected and Jason inhaled the fossilized vampire.

After Salim activates the console, she can begin to turn - Jason will insist on shooting her, to which she can agree or disagree. If Rachel agrees, Jason will shoot and kill her. Alternatively, if Rachel disagrees, he will lower his gun if they have a high relationship stat, but try to shoot vice versa. Should Rachel successfully disarm Jason, they will argue about the situation.

### Salim

*Main article: Jason and Salim*

Jason and Salim are sworn enemies, serving as soldiers for their respective countries at war with each other. While Salim has no grief with the United States, Jason has a deep hate of the enemies of the United States, including Iraq due to the 11 September attacks. Their personalities also seem opposite: Jason decided to serve his country by his own will while Salim is a reluctant soldier; Jason is uncultured as Salim is knowledgeable; Salim is a veteran while Jason served for 3 years only; Jason is intolerant in contrast to Salim who is willing to put his differences aside with the enemy. The events of *House of Ashes* will reunite them despite their differences and the two will have to work together.

Throughout the game, they act cooperative and fully willing to put aside their differences, possibly being friend or act bitter and cold towards each other depending on the player's decisions.

* Relationship Consequences

* Low Relationship
* Normal/High Relationship

* If disarmed, Jason asks Salim not to shoot him.
* Jason refuses to answer Salim's question about his home.
* Jason tells Salim that it will be each man for himself. (Curator's Cut)
* Jason asks Salim if he's truly on board to destroy the cocoon mound.
* Jason doesn't come back to save Salim. (Curator's Cut)
* On the elevator and if Jason didn't come back for Salim but waited for him, Jason says to Salim that he knew he was a tough guy the moment he layed eyes on him.
* If air support comes 5 hours later after the eclipse and one character other than Jason is alive, Salim will joke about getting a souvenir with his stake and leave.
* If air support comes 5 hours later after the eclipse and Jason and Salim are the only two characters left alive, Jason calls out for Salim but the latter leaves without saying anything.

* If disarmed, Jason shouts at Salim to shoot him.
* Jason answers to Salim about what his home is like.
* Jason tells Salim he can count on him. (Curator's Cut)
* Jason comes back to save Salim. (Curator's Cut)
* On the elevator and if Jason didn't come back for Salim but waited for him, Jason congratulates Salim for making it back alive.
* If air support comes 5 hours after the eclipse, Jason will shake Salim's hand before he leaves.

## Trivia

### Playability

* Jason, along with Nick, is the most playable protagonist, having 12 playable chapters in total.
	+ Jason has 9 official playable chapters in Theatrical Cut, that being one in The Raid, The Temple, After the Fall, Bloodbath, Brothers, The City, Strange Aeons, Semper Fi, and Daylight.
	+ Jason has 8 official playable chapters in Curator's Cut, that being one in The Raid, Underworld, Bloodbath, The Signal, Enemy of My Enemy, Strange Aeons, Semper Fi, and Daylight.
* Jason appears in 20 chapters.
* Jason can replace Rachel in Strange Aeons if the latter died.

### Pictures

*See also: Category:Pictures found by Jason*

* Jason can find the most pictures, with 8.
	+ Jason can find 3 white pictures, 4 black pictures, and 1 gold picture.
* Only Jason can find Disarmed and Tripwire.
* Jason appears in 4 pictures: Disarmed, Staked, Comrades, and Squeeze.

### Secrets

*See also: Category:Secrets found by Jason*

* Jason can find the most secrets, with 34.
* Only Jason can find Pagan Effigy, Gas Mask, Staked Woman, Bloodless Corpse, Randolph's Journal - Part 4, and Cylinder Seal.

### Facts

* 9/11 on Jason's cap is a reference to the September 11 attacks.
* Jason's carbine has the following modifications: Aimpoint CompM2 sight with cantilever mount, M203 grenade launcher, Magpul MOE stock and magazine (which are anachronistic to 2003).
* Jason, Nick, Andrew, Brad, and Erin are the youngest protagonists in their respective groups, with Jason and Nick both being 30 years old.

### Deaths

* Jason is the final protagonist who can die, starting with Semper Fi.
* Jason has the least deaths (with 5) and tied with Salim and Nick for having the least chapters to die in (with 2).
* If Jason interacted with the fossilized vampire and failed to dodge it, in The End he will cough violently, revealing he was poisoned and will die soon.
	+ Contrarily, his candle in the repository didn't go off when the candles were presented.
* Jason is one of many characters in the game, as well as in the anthology who can die from:
	+ A head crush. In Jason's case, his head can be crushed by a vampire.
	+ Impalement. In Jason's case, he can be impaled by a spear.
	+ Having their throat ripped out. In Jason's case, his throat can be ripped out by vampire Rachel or The Ancient One.
	+ Falling to their death. In Jason's case, he can be dropped from a great height by a vampire.
	+ Having their eyes gouged out. In Jason's case, his eyes can be gouged out by The Ancient One.
* Jason is one of many characters in the anthology who can kill the protagonists. In Jason's case, he can kill Rachel.

### Other

* Jason shares the same face model as:
	+ Noah Riggs from *Hidden Agenda*.
	+ Billy Bates from *The Inpatient*.
	+ Joseph Roberts from *Man of Medan*.
	+ The judge from *The Devil in Me*.
* Jason makes an appearance in *Dark Deception* multiplayer spin-off, *Monsters & Mortals* as one of the two mortals.
* Jason can be disarmed by all of the other protagonists: 2 times by Rachel, 1 time by Salim, 1 time by Eric or Nick if Eric died before.

### Trophies

* Jason is associated with 4 trophies:
	+ He shares with other protagonists the trophies "*Golden Path*" and "*Six Minutes of Night*".
	+ He shares with Eric, Nick, and Salim the trophy "*Ain't Got Time to Bleed*".
	+ He shares with Salim the trophy "*Semper Fi*".

## Quote

* Spoken by Jason
* Spoken about Jason

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/TheDarkPictures/status/1550495921120677891?t=4jP0OBS8-cuQwz\_YGks9NQ&s=09