Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor - part 7

                       By Vic Horsley

Concluded from last issue

Catacombs - The Prisons:

Arrival here is by one of the only two entrances to the prisons,
the other is not available to you, until you get a long way round
this level. This is the very south western corner of a dungeon
that is almost a reversal of the one above [only in its layout]
and you need to go East, then North, then West and finally South.

Although you have to go as above there are still many side pieces
to fill in. Don't leave any as some of the things you pick up down
here are important to the game, the first section is like a large
square with two exits on the Eastern side, one in the north part
and a wooden gate at the Southern part.

From the ladder go along the southern edge East moving from room
to room, the denizens down here are in greater numbers and
stronger, be prepared for some really long and hard fights, almost
every room contains a fight, drow, arraccats, cult soldiers,
wraiths, gargoyles, shadows and mage.

Having gone as far east as the wooden door, it's about half way
across, stop and leave the door closed, move to your immediate
north, to the room here, after the fight get the key that will
open the next door for you. Now come out of this room and go back
all the way west to where, you will open that sealed door, it is
probable that you will meet a party of drow on your way here, so
be ready.

It is now a matter of going around this area in a clockwise
direction and search every room, it is also advisable to block all
doors and entrances by using two of your strongest warriors. This
is very important, as you can't possibly survive many encounters
unless you do, so don't open any doors until they are in place and
saved.

When returning to the gate in the south, go through it but be
careful. There are a couple of really hard fights in what is a
type of compound with several rooms and cells.

One fight on the southern edge of the compound, is tricky, as you
touch the door or go into the cell one to the west a green
radiation is emitted, in it's self it should not cause you any
problems, it drains but very little so ignore it, but enter this
room quickly with all your party. Get right inside and close the
inner gate, leave the outer door open. There are a couple of
undead inside here to deal with but your biggest problem lays
outside, from where a large party of undead and mages [liche]
attack you, block the gate with at least one fighter and use much
magic [it will travel through the railings]. This is a good
example of what to expect further round this level, getting
sandwiched between attacking parties happens a few times, from
this encounter. There is a room a little to the east that lets you
escape this compound and is also a place to rest.

Directly north of the green room but quite a long way, is a
triangle shaped area, it is blocked by a temporary wall that has
access at either end, it is also guarded by many drow and you need
to clear these to gain entry. There are some nice items to be had
from the chests, it may be necessary to have your rogue click
several times on these chests to open them,

In the top corner of the triangle and in the last chest, the ghost
of 'Hachaam Selorn' will be revealed, listen to what he has to say
and take his sword to his coffin in the 'Dungeons' [you can do
this when you come to the next ladder to the tree, go up it and
from there straight to the dungeons, do the job and come back the
same way], where he will tell you about the 'Baneblade', he will
also give you the 'Rivening Word' to get behind the 'Glyph of
Moon'.

Now move east and north through many encounters both large and
small, at the Northeast corner you will find the only other save
way out of here, it is a ladder to the Tree, It is important that
you carry out Hachaam's task now, it will help you to proceed.

It may also be a good time to visit the tree. If you find your
friends missing and a band of cult soldiers there, dispatch them
and go through the blue teleporter that you will see behind them,
on the other side you will be at the northern part of the 'Second
Cellar', it's the area you were unable to enter when doing that
level. When finished return the way you came, should the scenario
not be like this then go to the tree when finishing this present
level.

Back in the Prisons, go West a short way through more rooms, then
North a short way before turning West again, most of these rooms
contain some kind of foe, although a couple are empty. You are now
about half way across the very top of this level and about to
approach a room that has a stairway to the southern part of the
city,

Do not go up this next stairway to the southern city. There is no
way back to here. If you do go up by mistake, find your way back
to the tree and come back to the last ladder down from there and
follow through to this position.

Go west you will now be in a large square section with many
buildings and rooms. This square goes to the south tapering off to
a corner in the South-west, it almost touches the area already
completed at the beginning of this level.

First of all push to the far North-western corner, beware. There
are many cult and mage around, you are nearing the end of this
level and the groups are getting larger and more powerful, save
and block all doorways before going through them.

Going South you will come to a room that has three doors, go in
the first door there are only two cult members in here, get all
your party in and get rid of them. Now clear the back room and
rest, leave all your party in here except one fighter, get him
[her] to open the other doors of the first room but only place one
foot outside the lower room. This will engage a number of cult who
will attack from all directions. Now get that fighter back to the
inside door and protect it with one other. If this is achieved you
will now be able to beat this attack. Now clear the other rooms in
the vicinity before going south through the passage of the two
rooms to the last section.

Out in the courtyard you bump into more cult and in the Northwest
room [it has a secret door] are a band of shadows, using turn
works well and should only leave you with one or two to deal with.
Now go south to the far corner, before opening the gate, for which
you now have the 'Glyph', save your game and rest if needed.

The last room on this level and not so easy, as you open the door
a mage will poison you and another will send a fireball, these
will not finish you but will leave you very low on health, so
before opening the gate keep your party as far back as possible
and be prepared to retreat them even further over the next few
moves, it will also help to cast bless on your party, use fire and
electric charges from a distance.

When finally into the room and in the middle you will meet the
ghost of 'Miroden Silverblade', he is the protector of 'Baelnorn'
but grows weak, listen to his story and he will spirit your party
away to safety [actually it is in a round room in the middle of
this level and can be seen on your map], he will talk of 'Gems'
and 'Anorrweyn Evensong', pick up all the spoils from the chests
that he offer's and go through the blue teleporter.

The City:

You surface in a dome just north of 'Anoraweyn's' shrine, visit
and she will advise you on what to do next, she says to go to the
'Castle' but first you must visit 'Harldain Ironbar' in the 'House
of Gems'. If at this stage you were unable to go to, or could not
see the teleporter in the tree, then go there first.

If at a earlier try you were unable to cross the bridge between
the north and central parts of the city, do not worry now, as this
route is open once again, a call in on 'Nottle' at his wagon is
also possible if you now wish to take 'Tudo' the rogue into your
party but he won't trade with you.

On the way to see 'Harldain Ironbar' in the 'House of Gems', the
cult will try to stop you, they are all over the city, although
these parties are smaller than the ones you encountered down below
and therefore less powerful.

If you with to gain some experience at this time and also earn
some extra points, a trip around the city wouldn't go amiss, it
will mean fighting the cult and a few other groups but there is
nothing that you are unable to cope with at this time.

Now to meet 'Ironbar', take note of his questions and answers and
take the Tumble bar, it will open the statue base on the far side
of this building. This is also a good time to sell him any items
that you no longer require.

Place the Tumble bar into the statue base and descend the steps,
smash the stone markers, open the chest and retrieve the 'Green
Emerald of the Weave', as you come out of this underground room, a
group of cult will be waiting for you be ready for them.

Go to the Dragon Spine, you get there by opening the gate
previously sealed, that is next to the 'Wizards Hall' in the
southern city, as you walk up the path, several Dragon-Kin will
appear these are similar to gargoyles and cause little problem, at
the top click on the spine, you will be taken into a film
sequence.

Transported back to the lair of the 'Baelnorn' you are met by
'Anorrweyn' and 'Miroden Silverblade', listen to what he has to
say, he gives you the Word of Redemption 'Ethgonil' and opens the
gate into the Castle, then the ghosts disappear, rest your party,
save and go through the teleporter.

Castle Cormanthor-Castle Passage:

This is one long passage, with rooms and cells off to either side.
There are no long off shoots apart from one smaller passage near
its end, it does meander all over this area but you just need to
keep pressing forward, open every door as you go.

The first room from the start, is slightly to the north, it has a
stairway that goes to the Southern City, just north of 'Anorrweyn'
and close to the dome that you came through earlier. There are a
couple of wraiths and two undead in this room.

The next room that you come to [the door opens and points
Southwest] contains Dragon-kin. There appears to be, only one.
When the door opens but it calls several other's that take up
positions around him, the aim is to kill the central one but it
may be necessary to kill the others in achieving this, it is
really tough and you will not survive if you just rush in, so try
this, initially don't go near the door but place your whole party
close to the wall to the south [where the blacked out corner is],
you will be at a slight angle to the door. This is preferred as
the dragon-kin shoots powerful poison at you and one hit will kill
some. Now save the game and send your leader half way to the door
[still at an angle], send one other player [a fighter] past the
leader and to the door to block. This will now engage the
dragon-kin, use plenty of Fireballs, Searing light and Magic
Missiles. This does take a little time so don't rush it, it works
really well. Now get 'The Baneblade', it's a good idea to equip
this now, just south of this room are four Arraccats, so don't go
past where I said until the room is completed, then take care of
them, no problem.

The passage goes on and through two rooms [small fight] out into a
courtyard, go to the door to your right, these are cells, after
another fight get key and talk with 'Athan', who is a prisoner in
the cell to the south, listen to him and decide whether you want
him to join you or otherwise, look in the other cell and then
cross the courtyard to the other door, go through, open the other
cell doors as you go, some fights, one of these cells holds a list
of all the prisoners here but you cant take it with you, so make a
note of what it contains.

There is a fight in the last of these three rooms, be aware as
magic is used. Also watch your back as another cult party may
attack from the other side of the passage. Now move on and through
another two rooms and another encounter, none of these fights
should give you any real problems, be alert to them just in case
and watch your health.

Now there is another set of cells and skirmishes, you come to a
'Lizardman', it's up to you what you do with him but he does say
'he likes humans' and that 'they taste very nice', or words to
that effect.

After killing two dragon-kin and getting the key to her cell, you
find 'Nathlilik', after listening to her, decide if you want to
release her or not, remember she is supposed to be on your side
[maybe and maybe not].

The passage now takes a long dive south passing through a few
rooms on the way, at the bottom turn. There is a door in the wall,
it goes to the Tree, to the left of this door you come to a large
open space. There are two fights going on here and you are dragged
into them, but you are able to fight these from a distance, so use
magic where possible. This area also has two exits, one to the
North [this leads to the passage end] and one to the Northeast.

First go up the small passage to the Northeast, it opens into a
wider area that has a round room in its centre. This room has a
door at top and bottom, open the bottom door after blocking it,
inside this room are ten undead [Mohrg], firebombs will take care
of them, smash the box to kill the liche, just north through the
top door is another mage beat him and move on up through the
pillars, be careful the barrels are trapped. Now on to the
conclusion of this small passage but it leads nowhere.

Go back to the main passage and North, it comes to a crevice with
a bridge over it, before crossing this bridge make sure you are
healthy and save [if you need to sleep, go back to the round
room], it will be necessary to place your party on the bridge and
two players [one the leader] over the other side, this is the only
really awkward fight on this level. There are many cult mage and
dragon-kin and they all attack at the same time, as soon as you
engage try to get your two leading players back to the others at
the bridge. This is your best chance. If done like this you will
be able to pick them off relatively easily. When done place the
gem in the well, which will collapse it, search this large area
and move on up the passage north, do not touch the Golams who
would have attacked you if you had fought your battle in this
cavern.

There is only a small walk to the end and maybe a scrape with two
dragon-kin, at the stair check you health. If not 100% go back to
the round room and rest. Now head up the ladder.

Castle Cormanthor-The Grounds:

Into the daylight again, the first thing you encounter are several
dragon-kin, they are no real problem but the reason you need to be
fit when coming up the ladder [stairway]. This area is not very
large but there are a number of very awkward encounters and only
one place where you are able to rest within the grounds.

From the doorway go first to the left [west] and north it is a
very small section but will uncover this part of the map, a
probable meeting with a couple of dragon-kin but nothing much,
follow the western wall up and the castle wall back to the door
and save.

Just to the east of the door are some steps going up to a path
that rises higher, leave this path until later and go east along
the bottom path against the wall, after a few steps save your
game, we are going to try and get to the only resting place in
this area, but have to pass another set of steps, all of which
have enemy along them. There may also be enemy coming from the
east. If this is so you have two choices one to fight them [its
hard at this stage], the other to reload and try again, they are
not usually there the second time, another thing to do here is
keep very close to the southern boarder, especially as you run
past the small Minaret [tower], your destination is the furthest
stairs[or steps] to the East. When you make it save again.

Place our fighters on the bottom of the steps and the other party
members behind them, it may be necessary for you to walk one
fighter up some steps but try not to move the others, this fight
needs a little patience but once over you can go up and rest. This
is your only rest place in this area but easy enough to get back
to.

Now back the way we came the steps by the Minaret lead to a
platform containing several cult members but you can deal with
them by blocking the stairway and lobbing magic at them. If you
need to rest after this, which is most likely, go to the resting
platform and then return to the first set of steps that you were
told to leave, the steps close to the door through which you came.

These steps go to a long turning ramp that rises up towards the
castle, half way up and you will come across 3 mage, several cult
and a few dragon-kin, on to the top of this path, where there is a
fire shrine surrounded by several dragon-kin and to the east of
this on the steps are four mage. This is one fight but use
incinerate on the mage, helps a lot.

Stay on the same level but push a little west to the next set of
steps. If you stay at the bottom of these steps, throw incinerate
to the top this will reduce the power of the 5 cult and same
number of dragon king, you will get a letter from these.

Turn back east and go up the other wider steps. This will lead to
the Drawbridge, on the path to this are 5 dragon-kin, lower the
bridge. If you wish, it is now possible to go out into the city
and 'Odelinde'[the Naga] will restore your points if you go to
her, unburdening yourself with item's not required is also a good
idea, so you could sell them, the only enemy met while doing these
things, was a group of cult in the southern area when going to
sell items but they caused little trouble.

From the drawbridge return to the western steps, the ones where
you picked up the letter, go up and to the bottom of the next set
of steps, do not go up but place one fighter on the first or
second step. This will engage more cult at the top, they will come
down the steps but only one at a time, as there is no room for two
abreast, cast incinerate at the top of the steps it will slow them
down besides taking some of their points, incinerate also belays
magic users from casting their magic.

This fight is not over with this group, they will be joined by
others from the east of this platform, the fight is not hard but
requires patience, once completed the out side of the castle area
is clear and you can roam around freely.

Go up the steps to the top, look around and then go through the
broken glass canopy to the castle door and enter.

Castle Cormanthor-Dragon-kin Aerie:

From the door you have to take the path behind you, it winds
around and down to the left, you will meet two dragon-kin fairly
near to the top, it is then clear to the bottom.

When you get near to the bottom of this ramp, at the point where
it straightens out, stop your party place one fighter at the front
and save the game. Now fire a arrow at one of the dragon-kin. This
will engage them and they will attack, they can only come up the
ramp one at a time but there are many of them and also some cult,
again it takes a little time but is the safest way.

This room is small, so you can see all of it, search but the only
things to pick up are the spoils in the central area. There are
two other exits from here, the one to the left goes up to a small
walkway between the castle and a tower, it has a small band of
cult on it but nothing else, go back down the steps and take the
other down stairs to the right.

Castle Cormanthor-Silverspear Armoury:

There is one large fight in here but providing you are healthy,
there's nothing to worry about and you are quite capable of
handling it. When the battle is over smash the 'Vessel of Souls'
and find a stairway beneath it, the two chests in the corner are
trapped and hold potions scrolls and a letter, once this armoury
is cleared, you are able to rest here.

Castle Cormanthor-Hall of Armathors: When you first arrive here 3
or 4 cult are close by and there are three others behind the
stairway, fight these and stay near to this stair. If after
dispatching these 6or7 you need rest go back up to the armoury and
sleep, the next fight is a real tough one.

Back in the hall which is oval shaped and to the right are a large
contingent of cult, they are spread about a bit and in smaller
groups but all join in the same fight, a small corner is needed
for protection [though they throw so many spells at you, no where
is safe].

I found the best place for protection was against the North wall
between a pillar and what looks like some bales or it may be stone
blocks, place two fighters between these two items and save. Now
move one of those fighters forward to engage the enemy by firing
an arrow, then get back to the others.

Try to get as many incendiary spells lobbed at the groups as
possible, not only does it weaken them but also prevents the mage
from casting their spells, one of these spells will take care of
the mage [four] to the north east if fired at the centre of them,
but be aware of the two in the centre right [one is close to the
other but hidden behind the pillar], they can cause you most
damage.

It is necessary to watch the cult and the dragon-kin but get rid
of the magic users first, it is a lot easier to work once they are
out of the way, use some of your protection spells on your team
before you start and remember some of these will run out before
the battle is over.

It is very important that you rest before tackling the next level,
also make sure you have your own game and one other game [the auto
will do], save them both, you cannot rest on the next level.

It not possible to go down the stairs to the east of this hall, at
least not at the beginning, so use the teleporter to move on.

The Pool Cavern:

See the map in the Screenshots section

When you first land here, the attack comes from three directions,
so look around you, each group has a mage, try to take care of
these first, it is a lot easier to fight with them out of the way.

Travel to the east side of the cavern going along the south edge.
This will help map out the area, then go up the east side to the
pool, as you arrive at the pool you will be asked questions. If
you answer these questions, it is a trick and will involve you in
a fight with several groups of cult. This fight is very hard and
uses a lot of your resources, which you may require a little
latter, it is also unnecessary to do at this stage in the game.

Clicking on the bottom line by agreeing to carry on with your
quest will save you being annihilated, so carry on to the top of
the east side, past the mage with the protective shield around
her, just pass through it, behind her in a small alcove, is a
large blue gem. If you click on this gem, it will summon 'Miroden
Silverblade' and the 'Baelnorn', it will also draw you into a
fight with 3 Mage, all are 'Kya Mordrayn', it is best to fight
these three up close, they cannot use their magic so well and it
will save you losing out.

When 'Kya Mordrayn' dies it tears a hole in the web of spells
protecting the pool. This lets 'Anorrweyn Evensong', wield the
power of the 'Mythal'[she also restores all of your party to full
health] but it also brings the 'Dragon Pelendralaar' and this
beast takes some beating.

Pelendralaar will come from the left to the place where you have
just fought 'Kya', magic hurts him little, although 'Magic
missile' gets some hits and all conventional weapons will damage
him most. If you are all near to him on his turn, he will
eliminate at least half your party with one swipe or fire, you
have to keep some players away from him, plenty of health spells
are needed as well as 'Raise the dead' but you are only able to
raise your dead with the dragon moved. This means drawing him away
and then restoring life but there is one easier way of finishing
him.

The easiest way to eliminate 'Pelendralaar' is to trap him on the
south side of the pool, just below where 'Kya Mordrayn' was. There
is a thin strip where the path narrows you must trap him in there,
it's done by running your team away from him in a clockwise
direction, stretch them as far as you can with each move and make
sure the dragon comes after you [if he doesn't, push one player
back a little towards him and try again] it may be necessary to go
around a couple of times to get him in the correct place. If you
can get him into that narrow path and some of your party back to
the place where 'Kya' was, with just one player to the far left of
the dragon, he will be stuck. Now move that one player around to
the others. If any of your party are killed before you complete
these moves, go around again reviving them on the way.

The moves described above sound complicated but they are not and
it's quite easy to do. Now take one of your fighters [with a bow]
and come down the right wall [East], to a position directly right
of the dragon [if he didn't move with you all in the area to his
north, then he shouldn't move now]. When the turns come around
just move the players in the north around a little [not too far],
you cannot fire over the pool, the Bowman should fire his arrows,
not all will strike and it can take a very long time, to make it a
little quicker bring a couple of others down to the Bowman [slings
will do if they do not have bows], do not bring all players down
as the dragon will definitely move and all will be lost.

When 'Pelendralaar' dies the game goes into a film sequence and
the game is basically over with the 'Pool of Radiance' destroyed,
however you can if you wish carry on. There is not much to do
unless you didn't finish all of the tasks [you can still do
these], a trip around the different non players in the game will
bring thanks and gratitude but that is all there is.

The End

July 2002 V.H.





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