Episode 52

After a long rest, Collective Action steps through the newly activated portal, descending deeper into Vigil’s Keep. They emerge into a square room with four identical staircases, each leading to a matching portal. At the room’s center lies a compass rose, marking the four cardinal directions.   Before they can make sense of their surroundings, an Elf spots them, shouts some nonsense, and immediately bolts through the southern portal. The adventurers give chase, soon encountering the peculiar Elf who introduces himself as "Yakman."   Yakman is talkative but incoherent, rambling wildly and accusing the party of being demons using illusions. Despite their efforts, his words provide little useful information, so they leave him be for now and step back through the portal—only to find themselves re-entering the compass room from the north.   Attempting to explore further, Groban sends Hootcules through the eastern portal, but the owl is swiftly destroyed by an unseen force. Deciding against that path, the adventurers head west instead.   As they navigate the maze-like corridors, they encounter several oddities, including:  

Wild-magic quasits, whose presence causes unstable magical effects.

An ongoing battle between a devil and a demon.

A mystical glaive embedded in a stone pillar.

Dead-magic zones, where spells refuse to function.

  After wandering aimlessly, they return to Yakman, hoping to restore his sanity and gain useful insight. Barnabus casts Greater Restoration, and divine Magic works its way through the Elf’s fractured mind, restoring some clarity to his thoughts.   Yakman remembers coming to Vigil’s Keep long ago as part of an adventuring party, though he is the only survivor. Unfortunately, he admits he doesn't know the way out—but Blair finds something potentially useful among Yakman’s scattered belongings.   Hidden within the mad scrawlings of his journal, they discover a poem that appears to describe the path through the maze. Additionally, among his camp’s possessions, the party finds a metal scepter, though it is missing several gemstones.   With Yakman in tow, the adventurers escort him safely out of the keep, then return to follow the poem’s directions.   Their path eventually leads them to a Balor, accompanied by lesser demon lackeys. The powerful fiend is immediately hostile, but instead of attacking, it makes an offer: If the party destroys its devilish rivals lurking within the maze, it will help them escape.   Rather than trust the demon, Blair refuses the deal and initiates combat. The battle is brutal, as the Balor’s immense strength and Magic push the adventurers to their limits. Despite this, Collective Action prevails, striking the fiend down. In its remains, they find:  

A mushy Balor heart, still pulsing with dark energy.

A glowing gemstone, which fits neatly into the scepter.

  With more dangers ahead, the party presses on, following Yakman’s directions deeper into the maze.