Session 5 Summary: Bargains in the Dark and Whispers of Devils
Pushing deeper into the goblin warrens beneath the Pit, the heroes navigated through a web-choked cavern belonging to the unsettling arachnid creature known as Lord Longfingers. Rather than resorting to immediate violence, the party parleyed with the web lurker, striking a grisly bargain: the bodies of the goblins they had slain in exchange for safe passage and information. True to his word, Lord Longfingers, adorned in a gruesome crown studded with six sparkly gems scavenged from past victims, warned them of the gremlin “pests” inhabiting tunnels further south.
Following this creepy passage, the party discovered a baffling network of impossibly small, foot-wide tunnels, seemingly carved out with nothing more than spoons – far too small for any of them to explore. Nearby, they located a heavily barricaded door leading downwards. The combined strength of the party managed to break through the barrier, though not without Variel taking a less-than-graceful tumble partway down the revealed staircase, fortunately avoiding serious injury.
Descending these stairs brought them deeper into the Pit, where they were quickly intercepted by shadowy figures – Caligni. Rather than attacking, these dark folk ushered the adventurers into a larger cavern to meet their enigmatic leader, Nithiss. She questioned the party’s purpose, asking if they had come to serve “The Remnant.”
It transpired that the Remnant, an owl-like creature named Remnant Insiroul, sought powerful individuals to help him purge the “stain” of an invidiak demon called Ooun from these caverns. Having failed themselves, the Caligni now served Insiroul, who offered the heroes a tempting reward for undertaking this dangerous task: a powerful blade forged from darkness itself.
Leaving the Caligni and their offer for later consideration, the party sought the main entrance to the Pit’s second level. They discovered a foreboding complex dedicated as an extended shrine to the notorious Sandpoint Devil. Their initial exploration was met with hostility: ambushing mimics disguised as dungeon features and a monstrous, two-headed snake. Showing calculated mercy, the heroes spared one of the mimics after defeating its companion. In return for its life, the creature fearfully revealed intel about this level: a group of cultists resided to the north, while a particularly large and dangerous cultist could be found to the south.
Deciding the deeper threats could wait, the party ascended back to the first level to deal with unfinished business: Minargul, the goblin witch. Locating the goblin bunk room, they swiftly dispatched the sleeping goblin commandos before they could react. Pressing on to the witch’s shrine, they confronted Minargul herself, silencing her permanently before she could utter a spell or plea, thus fulfilling Tunch’s earlier request.
The heroes now stand victorious over the Whistlefang leadership, having secured passage through Lord Longfingers’ domain and gained valuable intel about the cultists below. They face choices: delve deeper to confront the Sandpoint Devil cult, potentially accept the Remnant’s dangerous offer, or return to Sandpoint to report their findings and recuperate.