In my previous blog entry I covered the first dungeon level which is not a dungeon at all but supposed to represent a tower built into the side of the volcano. I had each of the six characters that made up my party up to 7th level of experience and had acquired 4th level spells. In this blog entry I will update you on my progress thus far as well as detail the second dungeon level.
The second dungeon level was a difficult affair as the stairs from the first level place you in the lower right hand corner of the map while your ultimate goal resides in the top left corner. The ultimate goal being the stairs that take you up further to the fourth dungeon level. There are a lot of encounters that you will have to endure as you make your way from one corner of the map to the other.
The monsters that you encounter are more difficult and more varied than those that you encountered on the first dungeon level. You will frequently encounter Ronin, Friars, Witches, Strangling Vines, Bengal Tigers, Ashers (a form of undead) , Looters and Goblins.
The Friars, Ronin, and Witches can be deadly because of their spellcasting abilities. You need to always dispatch them first when they are encountered with other creatures and you need to have your priest character cast MONTINO as well right away. MONTINO will SILENCE your opponents which makes them unable to cast spells. You can find yourself in a sudden world of trouble if half of your party is suddenly put to sleep.
I was able to “grind” each of my characters up to the 10th level of experience while mapping and exploring the 2nd dungeon level.
I have also been mapping and exploring the 4th dungeon level as well due to the design of the 2nd dungeon level. You will note in my map up above that I color coded or highlighted two different areas of the dungeon. I did so because these areas can only be accessed via the fourth dungeon level. I spent a considerable amount of time searching for secret doors to no avail and had to resign myself to leaving those areas unexplored. It was only after exploring the fourth dungeon level that I learned I could access those previously unexplored areas. While on the 4th dungeon level I had a particularly difficult “boss” fight with a “Living Legend” and his undead minions. I was able to come away victorious and now with something called the Crystal of Evil in my possession.
I have not been able to access the third dungeon level yet as the second dungeon level connects to the fourth dungeon level by way of a stairway. I believe the stairway to the 3rd dungeon level is the stairway I cannot yet access on the first level.
The second level had a few things of noted interest. The first riddle of the game can be found on this dungeon level and you will need to answer that riddle before you can access the stairs to the fourth dungeon level.
One of the hidden areas of level two pays homage to the first game in the series by placing you outside the office of the grand wizard along with his office hours. You are informed that the wizard is *OUT*. Veterans of the first game will appreciate the humor and tip of the hat here. Ignoring the sign and going into the grand wizards office will instigate a tough battle with undead. You will then find a desk and when you search it you will discover a staff. I have experimented with the staff and have found that it will freeze my enemies in place by casting MANIFO.
The other highlighted area of this level appears to merely be window dressing. It is the Grand Wizard’s dining room and wine cellar however I found no interesting objects.
I am almost finished exploring and mapping the fourth level as well and I will report back when I am finished. I found a stairway to what I believe is the fifth dungeon level however I cannot verify because every time I try to cast DUMAPIC to get my bearings the spell fizzles out. I am apprehensive that none of my spells are going to function on that dungeon level.
Fost shrugs his shoulders and holds the torch aloft. “Well; we should finish exploring this level and then try those stairs again.”
The large barbarian, Niall, flexes his massive arms and growls; “Who have you been talking to?”
Fost answers; “I’ve been breaking the fourth wall and addressing our readers.”
Niall growls; “I do not know what a fourth wall is but you are making me very angry!”
Fost stares at Niall for a moment, shakes his head, and then proceeds down the dimly lit corridor.