Pool of Radiance
               Ruins of Myth Drannor - part 5

                  Solution by Vic Horsley

Continued from last issue

House of Gems. Go up the steps to this ruined Temple, inside you
will meet three gargoyles, try to keep in the open it can be a
little awkward if you get caught behind the stonework, then move
up the path and you pass through a picture gate, into the
Northeast Area.

Go to the left [west] hugging the southern boarder. Just past the
large stone slab you will see a tree, as you near it 4 undead will
engage you. Don't run north here, stay put. After killing two or
three of them another group further north will come in, let them
come to you, it is reasonably easy to take out half of them with
your magic if you stayed put as said.

From the fight go to the far left and turn north, infact hug the
perimeter and go all the way round, providing you don't stray in
towards the centre, there will be no encounters, this will also
help you map out this area.

When you arrive back to the spot that you entered this area, it
might be a good idea to check your health and magic. If you are
low go back down to the Crypt and rest, otherwise it will be too
tough. Back at the top, move in towards the building, "House of
Gems", 5 undead will meet you all are soldiers except one, don't
open any doors, now go left around the building close to the
walls.

At the Northwest corner of the low wall is a round building
[Forge] and here are 3 undead with another 5 a little way to the
west, all will join in this fight so be ready for them.

Rest in the forge and move on east along the wall with the half
pillars, as you near the Dome move out a little, 8 undead are
behind the tower, if you stay in near to the wall, it is hard to
see what you are doing but out in the open it's the same as any
fight.

After encounter move to where the undead came from and search the
area, it's a small courtyard, to the lower left is a plinth with a
pair of booted legs on it, you can click on this, there are no
traps. To the east of the courtyard and in the top right corner of
this building, is a tower with a broken dome, there are 3 soldier
undead guarding a chest [they are quite strong], it holds a staff.

Go to the east around the tower [it's the tower you came out
through, from the dungeons] to the front door, stop here, a look
at your map will reveal that this whole area is now visible, it is
now best to check your health [you can sleep in that last tower if
need be] make sure they are all fully topped up. Arm each of them
as best you can with the heaviest weapons you have, for the next
move magic is of no use, so make sure your magic users have stout
weapons, when all this is done, save your game before going
through the door.

Inside in this first room you meet a Golam, the only thing that
harms him are the heavy weapons, so forget anything else, on first
entering he is in the top right corner, so stop, and organise your
party. You only have a couple of moves so use them well.  Put your
cleric to the back [he or she can heal as needed] push your best
fighter a little forward, that's about all you can do before the
Golam makes his move towards you, he only needs a couple of swipes
to lay you flat, so get everyone up to him for at least one
strike.

A good tip to remember is the Golam glows from faint to deep red
periodically, when he starts this make your strike, it's when he's
at his weakest, if lucky you are able to get in two strikes, this
will help finish him off quickly, it will be more than luck if you
finish this encounter intact, it will probably require
resurrection or a trip back to the tree.

All over and all fit, in the same room is a chest, in the left
hand corner, get the axe and key. Now on to the second room to the
right, be careful it's trapped. From the four holes in the top
wall come electrical bolts, they definitely kill if you are even a
little weak, take one of your strongest take him up the side of
the left wall to the top, then make sure you are in run mode and
run him over to the right-hand side and straight down and through
the door way to the right, you need to keep him moving to do this,
you will no doubt take hits anyway, check your health and take a
potion if needed.

Retrieve the Key from the chest, and go back to the doorway that's
nearest to you, there should be a small cross like mark in the
door post, put the key into this and the lightening bolts will
stop, it is now safe to bring the whole party over to this side.

The closed door is the one you were unable to open when going up
the Tower from the dungeons, it is now another way into the
dungeons should you need it, both the stone stairways arrive at
the same location, so go up and meet "Harldain Ironbar's Ghost",
it is not possible to converse with him at the moment, take the
door to the left.

Both stairways here can be used but there's nothing to see so go
to the left along the wall. As you turn to the north two gargoyles
block your path, no problem, go to the dome and walk along the
platform around it, then down to what is a small enclosed
courtyard.

It is best to stop your party at the top of the flight of wooden
stairs, take your two strongest down halfway [no further], then
one by one bring the others behind them. At the bottom are 3 giant
Scorpions, who later are joined by 2 others, these here are quite
deadly, as you move further down the stairway try to keep your
magic user's to the rear of the party and use them to strike the
back marker scorpion, from the relative safety of the stair, now
use your fighters to block the stairway and also take on the
leading scorpions.

There is not a lot left to do here, go a little to the north from
the stairs to see a body pinned to a beam, pull out the sword
[Flame blade] and the body will speak, the spawn will be released
and the egg sacs around should collapse, if any still pulsate just
slash them with your swords. The water will now run pure, look
around the area but there's nothing else to do, so return the way
you came to "Harldain Ironbar".

It is now possible to understand "Harldain Ironbar" when he
speaks, so ask all questions and trade with him, then leave the
building the way you came, go down into the Glib Gardens and to
the stone circle with the ornate statue like city well, it will
now appear active, click on it and speak with the water Nymph, she
is looking for water bells, so help her out, now save game [most
important].

Turn back the few paces to the stone slab, remember I said to
leave it when we covered this area, walk on to it, you may have to
try it a few times to find the right spot [there may be a problem
here, in that the program things that you have covered this area
at a earlier time, and it will not open the way, just move your
players about it and keep clicking, if this fails reload the game
and try again, it does work] before crashing through to the tomb
below.

Dwarven Ruins-Ancient Tomb: There's only one way out of here, so
go to the right and through the doorway to the short passage and
up to the first door you see, first smash the logs then place your
party at the door. When opened it will reveal 2 undead and a
wraith but be careful because from behind you will come 2 shadow
men. When it's over, from the chest retrieve the necklace that
lets you understand the gargoyle language, now you can rest.

Go along the bottom wall smashing the logs and crates on your way
right, the next room [or tomb] has a Naga or snakeman inside, he
shoots poison at you but it has little effect [had you come here
at a earlier time in your travels, it's unlikely you would have
survived, just move your fighters right up to him from the outset,
a couple of swipes and it's all over, open the chests and get
Gloves, Boots and Necklace, go through the secret door into the
next room [no one in here], get sword and Armour for Sorcerers
[very good but very heavy].

Come out of the door and walk right up to the end of the passage,
smash the items here and return the way you came to the door. Now
go left and north to the very top of this area keeping to the left
hand side, the top room has 5 soldier undead, the chest in here is
open but trapped. Get your rogue to make it safe and get another
small head [skull]. From here go south.

Follow the road down south and east, it comes to a tomb where you
see a light pulsating, open the door go in and close the chest,
this will stop the light, it will also bring a wraith from the
left hand room, so place all your players to the right. As their
turns come up, just move them around in this vicinity until the
wraith appears through the doorway, then it's easy. When
annihilated the lights will come on and you can proceed into the
left room, here you will find the scroll of "The Singing Word".

Come out of the rooms and go as far right as possible, the door
can be opened because you have the Glyph, these doors will now
take you to "The Halls of Stone", the sealed area.

Two wraiths are waiting for you, on dispatching them, open chest
and get armour, then go and open door in next room to the left,
now go back to the surface via the stairs over to the mid right of
the dungeon.

Surface North & Central: Now would be a good time to call back at
the Tree for a little more information. Go to the shop if need be,
then cross over to the central area and follow the path down to
the two circles where the gargoyles are still waiting to speak to
you.

Say you are the ones, that is what they want to hear, the 'Tusk
Lord' will come. Be careful where you place everyone here as he is
very strong. Some of your weapons won't harm him but you will soon
work out which ones [magic does work], When done he will leave a
key and the block at the side when touched will release another
Orb, to fly away to the 'Orrery' [Giant cracked egg]. If you have
any fatalities, then you should visit 'Odelinde' a little way to
the east, then go to the dungeons.

The Deep Halls - Mopping up: The place to go to is the room close
to where you released 'Nottle' from the cell, it's on the West
side close to the main teleporter. This room is held by the
'Dragon Glyph' and you should now be able to pass through [if you
are still unable to pass this door, it will be necessary to return
and do this after you start the Catacombs, I will point out later,
when to do this].

There are 4 or 5 very strong mage in this room and the idea is to
get to the chest before you kill them or they disappear [it's very
unlikely you will get to the chest]. Concentrate on getting rid of
them, toss in a couple of Fireballs, that will sort out the men
from the boys, when done rest here and save.

Walk through the swirling blue teleporter and be transported to
the room to the East, that is blocked by boulders. The first thing
you see is 3 'Arracaats' just above you, they do not cause much of
a problem. To the right of this room [it's a library] is a scroll,
it teaches you 'The Word of Splashing'. It's the 'Water Glyph' and
your whole reason for coming here, there is nothing else, so just
walk around the area and teleport back.

To the north of where you are now in the 'Deep Halls'. About half
way up is one of the two sections on this level where you need the
'Water Glyph'. Go through the double doors, there's nothing in the
first room, the next holds 3 undead and a wraith that comes
through the wall, the barrels in the third room are all empty,
leave these three rooms via the top door.

It comes into a small courtyard, with one room from it, inside are
2 wraiths and a chest, kill the wraiths and get a 'Water Bell',
leave this area and go to the east where there is another section
held by the Glyph.

This one is a little tougher than the last, go through the double
doors [this again is a library] 3 wraiths waiting. You should be
strong enough to beat these whichever way you prefer but if you
have any problems with this, then stay at the main door, let them
come to you and use 'Turn undead', while swiping them.  You find
nothing in these three rooms so go to the top double doors.

Place your strongest to the front and open the doors, between the
remaining two rooms are 6 Shadow Wraiths, turn undead works very
well against them, although you sometimes need to get in one
strike for it to work, the chest in the second room is empty but
look around for the bag that they leave, this contains the second
water bell, there should now be nothing left to do in the 'Deep
Halls' and you need one more bell, so move on.

The Halls of Stone - Mopping up: Go to the top left hand corner
[NW] of this dungeon, through the double doors in to a courtyard.
The path goes up between two rooms [there are no enemies about],
the left hand room has two chests [axe and sword], the other is
empty. Go to the top of the path, there is only one room left,
this has two doors, it doesn't matter which you open but as you do
3 wraiths come from behind you, so take note, kill them and get
the final water bell. The well in the room is empty and the chests
hold gold, no traps.

This dungeon is also now completed, so take the bells back to the
'Water Nymph' in the Glib Gardens and speak with her, she will
give you three items for the bells and you will also receive
advancement points. If you wish a trip to the 'House of Gems'
would also reveal a couple of useful items to purchase, but watch
out for more gargoyles as you enter this area, they can be a
nuisance.

Now go down to the Southern area. Look in on the Wizards, rest and
go out to the half arena [amphitheatre] in this area and go to the
middle, just below the steps. As you move in a swirling blue cloud
will appear, this is a teleporter and you should step into it.

Catacombs-First Cellar:  Come out of the circular room go east to
the wall, then head north, smashing the logs and crates on the
way. As you go past the back of the circular room some Drow will
appear. They are very strong in large numbers but you will only
see between 2 and 4 at this spot and they shouldn't cause you any
problems. After that scuffle carry on north.

The first door to the right holds 2 wraiths, it is also where the
stairway will take you close back to the spot that you were
teleported from. All the nasties down here are stronger than
anything you have seen up to now, so bear that in mind when
attacking, now proceed north again, through the next door, smash
all the tables and chairs, if you have a mind to.

Go through the next door to the north-east, a few paces to the
north is a room laid out like a meeting place. There are 12 undead
here but a round of turn undead, followed by a few slashes and
another turn undead, cleared the lot, but to do it like that, it
is no good just rushing in, so take it slowly.

Above is a very small room, there are only 4 or 5 undead here, the
same manoeuvre works for them, get some gold after fight.  On the
west side of this area is a door leading to the south-west but
it's locked and needs the 'Rusty Elvin Key'. Just above this, to
the north is another door, it needs the 'Old Elvin Key, you can go
no further this way for now, so return to the circular room.

From the gate go east again to the passage a few strides away, a
little way down here and as you make the turn south, is a hidden
door in the north wall, you may see a light coming from the room.
In here is a very strong mage [he is a liche], he is surrounded by
a protective barrier but it won't stop you, it is very important
to get your player up close to him as quickly as possible, this
will stop him using some of his magic and also save your lives. He
cannot survive your weapons, or can he, his protective sphere does
not disappear with him and 'Dispel Magic' does clear it either, so
get out of there quick, find his life box and destroy it.

Carry on down the passage [or road] to the junction, the other
side of the wall in front of you holds four rooms, the door is to
the west, first three rooms hold nothing, the fourth has a 'Mohrg'
[extra strong undead] inside, kill him, smash the coffins and get
the staff and gems, then leave these rooms.

From the door directly north on the opposite wall is another door,
head for that, it holds 2 wraiths. Kill these you need them out of
the way, the door in here needs a key, it is up to you but this
room is a good base in which to tackle the next problem.

To the west of you and outside this door are three rooms, they are
Orc headquarters and hold about a dozen of the big brutes, they
are also extra strong in both weapons and magic, the only way I
could get rid of them was to lure them either to this room or just
outside, that way they come individually and you are not overrun,
but to do this is not easy, as you have to stretch your party and
then bring them back one at a time

Concentrate on the headquarter's top door and place your party
between that door and this door, make sure your strongest are
nearest to the orcs, and then open their door. You need to place
one foot inside to engage them, also your program will be telling
you that your party are too far apart. To overcome this, make sure
whoever is your leader is in the middle somewhere, once engaged
start pulling your party back one at a time [not one player all
the way but 1 to where 3 is, 2 to where 4 is, 3 to 5 and so on],
if you can get half of them back into the doorway and also manage
to draw the orcs with you, you'll win, but it does take some time,
so save first and give it a go.

If you find it still not possible to do and you have not yet
achieved the 'Water Bell' retrieving from the dungeons, go back
and do this, it will help build up your strength and possibly give
advancement to some of your party.

Back in the Catacombs and having destroyed the orcs you have a
choice of where to go, either past the door of the circular room
and through the room to the south west, where you will meet a very
strong team of 'Drow', who are hidden behind a wall and have magic
darkened [use dispel magic to see them]. You need to spread your
team, or you will be destroyed by fire, try to get the mage in the
middle first, this will really help your chances.

It would be a much more sensible ploy to leave those drow until
later and go north, where you will be able to open up most of the
dungeon. I cannot express enough how important it is to save at
every turn, around every corner is danger and much more so down
here.

As the layout is the same as the previous dungeons, it only leaves
me to point out a few points, which could otherwise be difficult,
in the top left hand corner of the dungeon is a ladder to the
second level, but getting there is awkward, as you complete each
room [there are six before the ladder] make sure you are fit and
if need be retreat to the previous building and recover before
moving on to the next room, this is particularly important with
the fifth and sixth rooms, take my word for it, as you will not be
fit enough to get through both of those rooms in one go.

There are a number of keys to pick up but most of the chests are
not trapped, however it would be advisable to use your Rogue and
search these first, there are also quite a few secret doors in
this dungeon, so press up against all the walls as you go.

On the far north-eastern side is a room with another ladder down
to the second level.

Apart from a few skirmishes, most of the fights are large and can
catch you out, be prepared to back all your players into the last
safe room or corner that you left, it sometimes means forgoing a
turn or two, but can give the best result. The hardest of these
may be the south-east corner, there are three rooms joined by a
back courtyard, in these rooms are numerous drow and scorpion like
creatures, they can overwhelm you if you just rush in; so do this;
below the rooms outside is a corner, where you will need to get
your party into, but first you will need to stretch them up the
length of the building to the top door. Leave the bulk of them at
the bottom turn, put your leader just past the first door and then
one other member right up to that top door, now move the rest of
your players up as far as possible towards the apex. Get your
player to open that top door and as soon as possible, click on and
attack the drow when it appears on the screen. There should now be
enough moves for you to move all your team right back to that
corner, so protecting them on three sides. Place a poison cloud on
that bend because that is where the drow will stop [and attack you
with magic and arrows], keep your fighters to the front and start
with bows. Your magic users should use their scrolls to begin but
not all magic works so concentrate on keeping your fighters alive,
if after all that you are still unable to destroy them, look at
the section on the 'Lower Keep', there lies a remedy.

In the middle section of this cellar, is a room that holds, what
should be your final 'Orb' [you will now be able to use the
Spinning Spires], the door behind the orb goes to the tree, if you
use it to visit the tree, go east over the bridge and use the
spire there to return to this spot.

Unlike the previous dungeons, once you have cleared the areas of
foes, that is not the end of it. Should you go back, you may very
well find others to fight, so be aware of this and do not walk
around with half measures of health.

Further west of the orb room, against the Western Wall is another
room, with a ladder down to the second level, before descending
you will meet a group of 'Ghost warriors' who will warn you of the
drow in the south.

The drow have a habit of hiding behind walls and pillars, so be
careful when going around these walls or entering any rooms with
pillars, if you have any doubts push one player out ahead as a
scout, also make sure you destroy completely any boxes, some
'Liches' keep their power in these and if not destroyed, the liche
will keep regenerating.

There are some useful items, armour and weapons to pick up on your
journey around this cellar but bear in mind, that the weight could
cause you some problems, especially when in combat, so you might
like to consider off loading it when you go to the orb room,
although 'Nottle' doesn't seem interested in you now, instead use
that spire by the tree to go to the 'Ormyrr' in the southeast,
trade with them and return to the 'Catacombs' via the spire a
little way to their west.

More next issue





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