While exploring, the Company encounter many strange rooms, including one with a huge empty vat inside where they fight off two undead creatures composed entirely of worms and insects. Jeremi calls upon his faith in �ton to turn the vile creatures away. Later, they discover a room with a huge pit inside, at the bottom of which is a massive giant who appears to have broken his chains and climbs out to do battle with the company. After a few seconds of panic, the Company realize that the giant is actually an illusion, albeit a very powerful and convincting one that incorporates sight, sounds, and smells. After the giant disappears, a hybrid female lion-human creature leaps out of the pit to attack them, and throws a bottle on the ground near Orongorg. The bottle shatters and a strong whirlwind is released. It quickly encirlces Orongorg and succeeds in beating him to death while the rest of the Company do battle with the evil magical beast. Jeremi, too, is caught in the whirlwind and is near death before he can use his magic rope to pull him out of the cyclone.
The magical beast attacks with a dagger and uses a special power to drain wisdom from Rafe. Rafe and Uso finally kill the monster using spells and weapons.
Terribly wounded and disheartened at the loss of their new companion, Orongorg, the Company are near collapse when they encounter Sebastian who has returned with an elven holy warrior in tow: Kalimat, the paladin of �ton who went missing several days ago. Sebastian found the elf in a near maddened state, and learned that Kalimat's cohort had been killed by a group of evil monsters who seem to be working together to achieve some unknown objective. Whatever their plans are, they definitely involve the Banewarrens. Kalimat has been guarding a breach in the Banewarrens' defenses but is eager to return to the surface to inform his superiors of what has happened. He also promises that his brethren in the church will be able to heal the company to near-full strength. With this heartening news, the Company make preparations to leave the Banewarrens for the time being.
The Company agree, and wrapping Orongorg's body with linens to preserve it, they reconnoiter through the rest of the area. During their investigations, they encounter two foul creatures of the undead, which Jeremi summarily destroys by calling upon the divine power of �ton. They also come across a gigantic metal construct, a seeming guardian, who charges at them as they enter its chamber, but then explodes after delivering only one blow with its huge sword. The resulting explosion sends shatters of metal and iron throughout the area, but more importantly Uso and Jeremi are able to determine that whatever magick that had been built into the guardian has been dispersed among the adventurers of the Company, who now feel either stronger, nimbler, or more durable. Take this apparent boon as a good omen, they continue their explorations.
Throughout the rest of the complex, the Company also encounter a group of other beast-men, one of whom is very snake-like and powerful in the ways of sorcery. These creatures are clearly not residents of the Banewarrens but, like the Company, appear to be intruders. There is a fierce battle, but the Company is victorious in the end.
Near the end of the day, the Compay found a two-level room with a huge contraption inside that appears to be missing pieces. Mystified by the significance of this contraption, the Company continue to the door where Sebastian had found Kalimat standing with a wild look of fury in his eyes. Kalimat explains to them about an ugly beastial witch-woman who slipped past him after she and members of her crew had breached a door. It was she and her companions who slew Kalimat's follower, a relatively inexperienced monk. Kalimat had succeeded in killing four of the witch-woman's followers, dog-like men who wore tribal jewelry and bone rings.
The Company find the door, but are completely ineffective at breaching it. Discouraged,
