Forbidden pit

[Martin]

Hi. Is it possible to get passed the gate near Brother Tarlus without Hirge as a companion?

 

[VDX_360]

No. Hirge is required to trigger that aspect of the quest. Each Companion has an unique Companion quest that requires that Companion to trigger and complete. More details on Hirge's quest is here. (The link contains spoilers.)

 

[Martin]

Thanks VDX. So I'm level 20, what level would I get Hirge at? Would she have special skills like Griss now has?

 

[VDX_360]

If you're level 20, I'm surprised you didn't come across Hirge already. You first find her camped out in the Great Inori. She's the leader of the ill fated expedition into the desert.

To get Hirge, you need to talk to her in the Great Inoria and trigger the quest Restoring the Faith. It's a simple trip into the nearby dungeon to retrieve a lost amulet. To gain access to the dungeon, you'll need Awareness 2, or Adaon in your party. Either one will work to spot the lever to disarm the gas trap at the start of the dungeon.

After completing the quest, Hirge is able to join you as a Companion. She's a cleric so she has a few fighting skills and a few magic skills.

Having Hirge in your party will let you start the Three vs. Eleven quest as well as The Ancient Seal quest you first asked about.

 

[Martin]

I've met Hirge and completed Restoring the faith. But kept Griss as a companion. She is now level 18. If I now take on Hirge, at what level will she be?

 

[VDX_360]

Companions CAN NOT have less than 50% of your XP. If they join your party with less than that, their XP jumps up to the 50% mark. So if you're level 20 (between 540,000 and 700,000 XP), Hirge will be between Level 16 and Level 17 (250,000 and 350,000). If you've been Level 20 for awhile, it most likely she'll be Level 17, and almost ready for Level 18. But that comes out to whatever your exact XP is at the moment she joins.

Companions in your party get slightly more XP than the 50% floor so your favorite Companion will have a slight edge in XP over a Companion you use once in awhile.

 

[Martin]

Brilliant. Very helpful, thank you.

 

[VDX_360]

Oh, if you're only going to use Hirge for the Pit, you can build her out in full undead mode. Crusader and Nivaria's Barrier do well. Prioritize Crusader as it gives the most bang in the pit. Arbeno's Might only adds some extra damage as shadow enemies have good fire resistance but it will add damage, esp if Hirge is using a 2-H maul.

The shadow enemies that roam the pit count as undead and outsiders. They're very weak against Spirit damage. So definitely go in with Spirit weapons.

Death Protection is vital, too.