Let's Play Ultima Underworld 2: World 6 Pits Of Carnage! 1/2

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"Avatar kicks ass!" Somehow the garfitto is limited to two words.

Yeah, spells like paralyze, mass confusion, time stop are overpowered. The enemy doesn't get a saving throw so there is nothing that can stop me, especially since I have rechargable wands that can cast some of those spells.

The only dangerous foe is the brain creature with its mind blast which does its intelligence (35) minus the Avatar's intelligence (mine is 27) points of damage. Not much of a threat as I'm a high intelligence mage, but a dumb fighter with low intelligence of 12 can get killed quickly. The brain creature can see much further than I and I can get attacked out of visual range plus mind blast does not have a projectile that I can trace to its location.

Brain creatures are only a slight pain in my book. But then again, there's only like two places where you encounter them. I rarely bother chasing them in the maze, I just run through the maze like a rat on crystal meth.

What I found to be the toughest monster was the Dire Reaper. It takes a lot to kill it and it packs a monstrous punch, but the worst part is that if you back away too far it starts chucking Lightning at you. I ended up saving a scroll of Time Stop to use just for that encounter.

Even the lich at the end of a long and narrow corridor who'd sometime spam-kill you with fire was not this problematic, because if you were lucky it would be floating off in a corner of the room, and react too late to your presence.

The only other monsters that were dangerous to fight were the Despoilers, the Dread Spiders (in large numbers) and Morphius, all because of their poison. Oh, and Dorstag of course, but I rarely bothered to fight him head-on.

Ok, I'm free to continue updating this now. Updates will still be slow as I am busy but I intend to finish this. Takes many hours for an update. I've forgotten my photobucket emails, I was using three accounts for this LP. I started this around June 2009 btw.

*bump*

Part 9: World 6 - Pits Of Carnage 1/2.

Now with even more animated gifs.



Time to tackle the third last world.

This world doesn't have its unique music so instead:
Listen to Ultima VII "Fellowship Theme":
http://abmp3.com/download/3226937-fellowship-theme.html




Near the entrance I meet a man.



What sayest thou?

I know I am the poorest here, nay, the poorest anywhere, unfit to appear in the Arenas. And yet, if you let me live, I swear I'll find some way to be useful for thee. Wilt thou take me as thy slave?

Very well, if thou dost truly wish it.

Oh, truly thou art the most generous and benevolent master one could ever wish for! I will serve thee as best I can, as long as breath remains within me! Tell me, how may I serve thee first?

Tell me thy name.

My name is "Krilner the Coward."

Surely just "Krilner" wouldst suffice.

When I arrived here and had to fight in the Arenas, the first warrior I faced said it would amuse him to spare my life if I would swear an oath to always give my name thusly. I'd as soon not chance his wrath by doing otherwise... But surely my problems are beneath your concern. What else wouldst thou know of?

Tell me of this world.

Truly, art thou from another world than this? But indeed, I am yours to command, and I shall tell whate'er thou dost ask. Ours is a world of violence, where a man's worth (or a woman's, for that matter) is judged solely upon prowess in combat.

'Tis barbarism thou dost describe!

One must always be prepared to defend oneself here. 'Tis considered more proper to challenge a foe first, after which etiquette permits one to simply attack them on the spot if they refuse. But the only "law" is that which one man may enforce upon another on the point of his sword.

How, then, might I avoid being attacked?

People here enjoy being the first to spot a newcomer to the Pits, especially one who seems weak. They'll kill thee for thy food and weapons as soon as look at thee, if they doubt thy prowess. After two or three victories in the Arenas, thy name will spread, and thou wilt be treated the same as any other.

I shall undoubtedly be victorious!

Until then, walk always with thy weapon in hand. If thou doth seem prepared for battle, 'tis more likely they will challenge thee rather than attacking outright.

Good advice bro, too bad I'm unarmed and unarmored. But of course, I then I have wands.

Tell me of this underground complex.

Thou know not of the Pits of Carnage? Mothers frighten their children with tales of this place... There is but little more law above than here below, that little being the whim of the Guardian. He has ever rules over land, for he is immortal, and his magic is too strong for any to defeat him in combat.

These Pits are the most notorious prison in the land, and the entrance is sealed by his own hand!

A savage lot, we have down here -- they've built four Arenas down here for ritual combat. Perhaps if thou dost do well in battle, thou canst earn a place of respect, and partake of what small luxuries are to be had down ehre... And I will stay by your side, as faithful advisor!

You presume much, methinks.

I humbly beg your pardon, master! Please, let me aid thee more that I might earn thy forgiveness!

How has thou survived so long in such a place?

In truth, master, it has not been easy. I was born a weakling in a world of warriors, with neither the skill nor the stomach for battle. I was fortunate that the first who fought me down here saw fit to spare my life. SInce then I have hidden in this small chamber, scavenging what small scraps of food I might.

I seek a magical gem.

It must be the gem Dorstag carries thou dost speak of. He laid claim to it as soon as it was found, for he is the mightiest warrior here, and none dare deny him anything. You'd best give up hope of acquiring anything he covets.

Tell me of this Dorstag.

None has ever defeated Dorstag in battle! His skill with the crossbow is legendary. He's beaten many in the Arenas, but only keeps the strongest warriors for his slaves. With all the bodyguards he keeps, you could never hope to attack him in his quarters. If you must fight him, challenge him in an Arena duel.

I must go now. I will speak with thee more anon.

Farewell, master. Oh, and if any wouldst slay me, thou wilt seek to protect thy property, wilt thou not?

Nay, thou must fend for thyself!

I beg thy pardon for my presumption. I will strive to serve thee more humbly.



Moving on, I find a pile of bones on my way out of Krilner's lair, this must be how he keeps other away from his abode, Clever.

If we could make a dynamic AI that reacts to this kind of game devices...



I then came on the lucky gal who first contact this latest "noob".



Thou dost look to be mighty indeed.

That's more than I can say for you.

You annoy me, and I've a notion to separate your head from your body. I challenge you fight me in the Arena!

I accept thy challenge, thou oaf!

Allright, then, where'll ya fight?

1. I choose the Arena of Earth,
2. I choose the Arena of Air.
3. I choose the Arena of Fire.
4. I choose the Arena of Water.

I choose the Arena of Air.



So we get instantly teleported to this Air Arena.



Those blue "repulsor circles" allow me to jump up onto the ledge.



It's over warrior, I have the high ground.

The AI isn't smart enough to jump up.



Fireball!

That was easy.



Exiting the Arena, I talk to another warrior.

Canst thou answer some questions for me?

Listen, stranger, people do better if they mind their own business down here, get it?

What manner of place is this?

Never heard of the Pits of Carnage, before they threw ya down here? Ha, that's a rich one! Best watch yer step down here, or you might lose your feet! And don't think o' goin' back the way ye came -- the Guardian's magic sealed the doors ye came through!

What doors did I come through?

Did ya hit yer 'ead fallin' in? The trap doors to th' north! It's a new life for ya now -- nobody breaks the Guardian's seal! Thou'rt never seein' daylight again, not in this world, mate!

This door must be the place to use Altara's Scepter.



The four arenas are located in the center of the map. Each with geography following an element.



A view of the Earth Arena.

Earth!



Fire!



Wind!



Water!



Heart!

?

Those kids show up everytime the elements are mentioned.



Oh my!

This world is mine. Do you like what you see?



Wall: Dorstag RULES
I want my own fan-graffito!



Heading east of the Hall Of Losers, I come across some living quarters.



Art thou a mage?

Indeed I am, but not much of one, I dear. I'd fare better in battle if I were as learned as Zaria.

What spells knowest thou?

Few that serve in battle. I know Magic Arrow and Resist Blows, but few spells of the higher circles. I know how to cast a Fireball, but have not the Flam rune that is required for it!

Mayhap thou might find one on the lower levels.

Nay, whatever treasures may rest below can stay where they are! Fierce monsters dwell there, and few would take care to explore their territory. Dorstag took a party down there once, but I doubt he'll ever try that again.

How so?

Why, they were all killed except for him! I hear a giant troll in the deepest cavern did them in. But that's old news around here. 'Tis said a creature born of dark sorcery lurks down there now.

What have you heard about it?

Well, don't say I told thee, but something has formed there, something born of the blood of thirteen bold warriors and wizards fallen into the muck, who then rose up into something that looked like a tree, but was not.

Hast thou slain many with thy magic?

Alas, I am like Zoranthus -- I spent too much of my time studying lesser spells and those not useful in combat.

Perhaps the Arena of Air would be safest for thee.

Of course! 'Twill be harder for my foes to reach me, giving me more chance to attack them with my small magicks. Thou art clever! Allow me to repay thy advice with a little of mine own.

I am not brave enough to steal from Dorstag, but I think you might be. Just before his chambers, on the northern wall, there is a secret door! Behind it lies the chamber where he hides his treasure...

Who is Zoranthus?

They say Zoranthus was once the most promising mage of his generation -- he graduated from the Scintillus Academy at 16! But he dropped out, shut himself away to study his private projects. Some say he now lives down here, in the lower levels of the Pits, but who knows? None have the courage to venture below.

This fellow will also teach me how to cast the spell Valor if I give him a rune of Flam.



Another room with some interesting special effects.



Cool story bro. Too bad you killed yourself with it.



The last room of interest.



What sort of wagering do you do?

Well, here's how I work it. A bold warrior, such as yourself, gives me five gold coins. Then I arrange a fight in the Arena against two opponents or more. Anyone tough enough to come back to me alive, I pay off their act.

That's barbaric!

Is that an insult or a compliment? Anyway, life is rough, and there ain't enough food to go around. So with me a fellow down on his luck at least has a chance.

How much do you pay then?

You beat two foes, I pay you 8 gold. Three foes is worth 12, four's worth 20, and if anyone ever beat five men, I'd pay 'em 40 or 50, I guess. Nobody's ever lasted long at those odds, though.

Your payoffs are terrible!

A fellows got to keep body and soul together somehow. And you know, a lot of those that come to me haven't got much choice...




Heading south I come upon the barracks, where most of the prisoners live.



I quickly got into another fight.



I may look unarmed and unarmoured, but see those wands in my bag? one of them is a wand of Paralyzation.



There are even unarmed prisoners in here.



Hail, warrior.

Pfah.

Thy manners could stand some improvement.

And who's going to teach me? Thou?

Aye, indeed, I think I will!

Art thou challenging me to a duel?

Nay, 'tis not what I meant.

Well then, coward, I challenge thee instead!

I decline thy challenge.

Then methinks I'll just strike thee dead right here and save some time!



This world is only big enough for one martial artist.



They even have goblins down here.

Good day to thee.

Could be day or night, for all we can tell -- and there's precious little good about it! You annoy me, and I've a notion to separate your head from your body. I challenge you to fight me in the Arena!

Meh, I just slay him there and then instead.



I keep getting into fights, here is one in the Arena of Water.



Whee!



Leaving the barracks, I head to the southwest of the map.



A fireball trap in front of a door?



Evading the trap I meet up with the female mage, Zaria.



Dost thou fight in the Arenas, milady?

Thou wouldst imply I'd not do battle because I am a woman? Truly, thou art almost as base as the rest down here. I say almost, for at least thou art bold enough to insult me to my face, where none other dost dare!

I humbly apologize for offending thee.

For a moment I thought thee bold, to come insult me within mine own chambers. but I see thou art naught but a coward. Leave my sight, for thou art not worthy of my attention.

She is annoying to talk to. but does teach me a couple of spells.



I leave her and journey northwest.



The northwest corner contains a set of rooms.



Dorstag, the topdog and his followers inhabit this suit.



I have heard of thy prowess in battle.

Aye, but who hasn't? It's only because I'm so good with me crossbow, Patatrac, that my sword doesn't drown in blood. I've never lost a fight, ye know. Never.

How dost thou come to be down here, then?

If the Duke hadn't sent his men to jump me when I was asleep, an' if there hadn't been ten of them, I'd be up above still. But it don't matter what any of us was before. What's down here is all we'll ever have -- 'cept for the folks like you what get tossed down here every now and then.

I was not thrown down here as thou wert.

Ha ha! You must have been a jester, up above! There ain't no way out o' here once ya fall through them doors, not with the Guardian's seal on'em! Come tell me more jokes sometimes, and maybe I'll give you a little food.

Dost thou have a magical gem?

You mean me lucky gem? The bloke that found it wouldn't give it to me when I told him, so I had to cleave his skull open for it. What's it to you?

Can thou tell me of the lower levels?

Aye, that's where I toss people that bother me with too many questions! Ha ha ha ha!

I can attack him here and now to get the blackrock gem but let's find an alternative solution.



East of his chamber is the entrance to the Pits, I strike the ground here with Altara's Staff.

This level is fully explored, there are a set of stairs leading down to the next level but I decide to enter into arena fights hosted by Jospur.

I think I'll try my luck.

Ah, good, you're a sporting type! How many do you feel bold enough to face, then?

Send out five, and I'll slay them all!

Ah, I understand. Well, it is truly the most glorious death a woman could ask for.

Since the odds are against me, I get to choose which Arena to battle in.

I choose the Arena of Earth.



Which I prepared in advance with many Runes of Flame.



Did I win?



I believe the payoff is 50.

Oh, of course. I was just joking about the 40. Wouldn't want you to get upset, now... For that much money, I could offer you some meat instead. Food's worth its weight in gold down here, you know.


No, want gold! Hoarding virtual gold is what larpers do best!



My arena feats means less dissing.



Another fight, this time with Runes of Stasis.



You've done it again! Amazing...

His demeanour starts to change as I keep winning.

Oh, 'tis THEE again. I am honor-bound to take thy money, but Guardian knows, thou shalt be my financial ruin! Come, what wouldst thou with me today?



Sometimes I get to fight mages, who can hurt their own team. Unlike Doom, they don't turn on each other when there is friendly fire.

You again! I refuse to do business with thee! 'Tis simply a waste of my money.

Thinkst thou so? Then I shall simply spread the word thou art a liar and a cheat!

Okay, okay, let us do business, then! But 'tis naught but throwing my money away!

Send out five, and I'll slay them all!

'Tis no easy task to find five warriors foolish enough to fight thee, Helicopter, but I shall try. Guardian knows, there's fools enough in the Pits o'Carnage!



Me casting the spell Shockwave.
One think I noticed is that the males are much tougher than the females.
The arena battles are tough to my unarmoured body, Mass Confusion helps a lot.





Sure I do.

An unlimited amount of XP and gold to be farmed!
Surely it will be better to limit the number of arena fights? Also, next thing you know, there will be a game influenced by the Underworlds called "Arena".



Hast thou any news to tell?

Thou art the biggest news we've had in a long time. Watching thee fight, well... It all but brings tears to one's eyes.

Wouldst care to do battle in the Arena?

Nay, I fear thou art too great a warrior for the likes of me to face. I beg your pardon for declining.

An adoring fan?



Chatting with Krilner gives a hint to kill Dorstag and get the blackrock gem.
I return to Lord British's Castle for some chit-chat.



Have the Yeti proved troublesome in thy efforts?

There are no signs that Yeti were anywhere near the place where I kept the equipment...

I fear that the mysterious castle thief has been venturing into the other planes.

Geoffrey:

Avatar! I was just thinking of thee.

How hast thou been, Geoffrey?

I have heard that thou hast passed an examination on an alien world. Is this true?

Aye, and 'twas a difficult test!

Methinks that there is a parallel here... in my philosophy, smaller events are often symbols of larger ones. Perhaps, as thou hast passed this test, so thou art passing a greater test of courage whereby thou wilt defeat the Guardian!

That is a stretch, my friend.

Perhaps 'tis true. I do have a tendency to apply my philosophies to everything.



I then get more training in unarmed combat from Garg.
While in the Prison Tower, I enchanted and dressed myself in leather armour of toughness. My arena fights taught me how weak I am without armour, and with the enchantments, this leather armour is stronger that plate.



Back in the Pits, I descend the stairs in the northeast.



Emerging in a giant cavern.



BATS! BATS! BATS!



Time to start mapping!



In one of the side tunnels, I loot a wand of daylight, now I don't have to rely on those spheres of light.



Another side tunnel has a tombstone.
Do you know what reference this is?



The exit tunnel is to the north, alternative path is to levitate or fly myself up to the bridge.



This tunnel looks different.



It leads to a lair of headless and I show off my new flamewind spell.



Following the path, I come across a secret door.



With a earth golem too big to fit through the door.



The wand of fireball gets some use. The golem was guarding a jeweled shield.



Next I meet a couple of gazers.



The speed spell slows down everything but me, allowing me to dodge their lightning balls while I fry their stalks with fireballs.



Next are some weak spiders.



Ending with a moving floor trap. I proceed to drop into it.



And landing in the midst of some hungry rats.



Searching the cell I discover a secret door.



Which leads to a teleport that brings me back to the start, grrr.



I pass the moving floor trap and return back to the top of the bridge.

I'm in your cave, crossing your bridge.



Some interesting architecture.



Plaque: You'd do best to go back the way you came...



And here ends part 1 of the Pits of Carnage!

Current stats:
Level 15 maxed
Mage skills maxed.
Offensive spells:
Level 1 - Magic Arrow
Level 2 - Cause Fear, Deadly Seeker, Rune of Flame
Level 3 - Bleeding, Lightning, Repel Undead
Level 4 - Frost, Poison Weapon
Level 5 - Fireball, Rune of Stasis, Smite Undead
Level 6 - Charm, Paralyse, Sheet Lightning
Level 7 - Magic Satellite, Mass Confusion, Shockwave
Level 8 - Flame Wind, Smite Foe

Maximum level reached and all spells unlocked. I still can gain skill points from XP despite hitting the level limit.

Should we remove level limits in games?

The power is yours!

It lives! It lives!

If I did, I've forgotten it by now.

MOAR!!

you'll find a weapon at Doric's grave, but the reference escapes me too.

You'll still gain skill points even though you're at the max level. Accumulating XP is therefore still useful.

That's what I said!

total reading comprehension fail.

Wonderful LP. Carry on good sir.