It all ends here with either the deaths and destruction of the party or the Master Below
Just before leaving for the Depths below Caed Nua keep there was one final thing to do in Durgan's Battery... find the White Forge, this included facing some ice trolls and wolves to get something and unlock the door, a tough fight but easy to win and move on.
Then there were a group of ghosts but really strong ones in a large number. It took time to defeat them and multiple deaths while avoiding some traps, it was almost going to be a loop of deaths because they could not work out the best way to defeat them... before they got a lucky break and defeated the group of ghosts, allowing them to move toward the White Forge which was the next stop before leaving the dreaded place.
Finally in the White Forge and after activating it... the party would quickly realise it was a mistake to be here, it did not end well. Four Forge Guardians activated with the forge, relentless and brutally strong killing machines set to vaporise those opposing them. No matter what was cast and how strong it was, it just was not enough as these forge guardians slayed everyone in the party and that was the end of Durgan's Battery.
"We did our best but we must end this with the Master Below now, just some more floors down there and we will be able to face it and hopefully be victorious but if not, well we will die honourably and trying" announced TheGoliath as they left after that death and headed back to Caed Nua.
"Well at least we got some easier fights on some of these floors which will be nice, but I expect it to get harder so we cannot let our guard down" claimed Pallegina as the party took the last few steps before getting back down to level 8 of the Od Nua Depths.
With the group is Durance the Priest who wanted to accompany them and will be useful. The first big fight in animat's and blights, but a big group where both sides cast big spells back and forth, seeing damage galore but the healing and strength of the party prevailed and they were able to continue killing some more as they kept diving deeper.
Further down the levels of these dreaded depths are a bunch of Fampyrs, not liking their new visitors and seeking to put them down, to dispose of them how they see fit.
"Okay TheGoliath, let's test out these new wall abilities we got and watch our enemies crumble, shall we?" asked Hiravias before TheGoliath nodded and they began. Hiravias had the wall of thorns that got placed on the ground to go with the wall of force placed be TheGoliath... the damage was immense and greatly reduced the endurance of many of the fampyrs, seeing numbers dwindle as the tentacles came out next to help finish the rest off.
"We are making great progress and have not died yet. I think we are doing rather spectacularly if I say so myself" said the Grieving Mother before smirking as they walked down into the next level.
This floor contained a room full of floor spikes which they ran across and got hurt while moving to the next door... only to find out they cannot unlock this one like the others. So they all healed and headed back up to Caed Nua and returned with a trade of the Grieving Mother for the Devil of Caroc who has the best lockpicking ability and allowed the party through another door to face things like spiders, Manehas and Vithracks while finding secret treasures in hidden spots.
Delving yet deeper into the next level down gets worse, filled with disease pudding ooze and swamp spore creatures. The spores were the real issue here as their pollen bits would temporarily put someone unable to do anything and this made it harder at times to heal or do damage, while getting the parties endurance dropped right down low and proving how useful the priest is, when you remember to cast more of the additional prayers to stop the party from being controlled and afflicted.
"Here everyone enjoy some faith and removal of afflictions" shouted Durance as he worked on getting everyone moving and taking less damage from afflictions.
Not only was the big spells like fireball and overwhelming wave required, but also the tentacles as the Devil of Caroc went down and others were looking to follow soon! It looked like it was about to be a party wipe but then... persisting and getting through each enemy saw a victory and the ability to then quickly rest in the spot and finish off the other swamp spores and such on this level.
"We are close... the last couple of levels before the Master Below and this is getting intense. Be prepared all, this place is relentless and unforgiving" announced Pallegina.
Up next is the Guardian of Od Nua with Adra Animats, a tough battle to get the victory in but no time was wasted. Hiravias used Relentless Storm to damage enemies randomly around him before using Overwhelming Wave and TheGoliath got the tentacles out once more. Pallegina went down shortly after but Durance revived her to fight once more before he went down and she did once more.
It was up to another Relentless Storm and the Pull of Eora which worked well in helping secure a victory, they would have to be careful in the upcoming bigger fights though and think clearer about what to use and how to handle the situations...
One more fight before the Master Below was underway against the Spirit of Od Nua and it's friends, all spirits hellbent on stopping enemies of Od Nua. All the area of effects started with Barbaric Shout which didn't minimal, Relentless Storm had become a favourite for Hiravias and was really effective.
Healing came out from Pallegina to stop the party from getting too low, while Hiravias used Cleansing Wind to help everyone out, Durance meanwhile used Armor of Faith to buff the party. After the other spirits were defeated it was just the Spirit of Od Nua who got overwhelmed and taken out rather easily as heals kept anyone from falling.
"Finally we meet. You must be the Master Below, the one we have to concern ourselves with for the sake of the Caed Nua Keep" claimed TheGoliath.
"Yes I am this Master Below you speak of, you have done well to get this far, the furthest any being has gotten" announced the Master Below an Adra Dragon. Both sides talked for a short while but it ended up being they needed to fight to the death.
Kana had joined up with the group and so had Eder when they had a quick rest back on the surface. Eder and Pallegina stayed close for the melee range damage and to take the brunt of the hits, due to being stronger and able to. This left everyone else casting what they could to quickly do damage if they hoped to win... yet they did not stand a chance in this fight, none at all!
Eder and Pallegina were able to last a short while and the party were able to get some damage done, just not nearly enough. the Master Below took those two out before moving on to the others. Only TheGoliath and Hiravias were alive but were knocked prone and unable to get back up.
"You... you have defeated us and we cannot go on anymore. We were not strong enough and I wish would could have had a much better fight" said TheGoliath under his dying breath as the Master Below finished him off, proceeding to then eat every party member and head back into slumber, undefeated and the true ruler of Od Nua and none would dare follow after this news would reach the surface and people of Caed Nua and surroundings would mourn their loss.
This was part #32 and the final part for my Pillars of Eternity series.
It more than likely will be a 2 week break before another smaller screenshot series starts, to give myself a bit of a break and prepare and play some games. You can still watch my SNES A-Z series which is currently about 2 videos a week, down from 3.
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