Ultima-Underworld on Pensive Ibex

Lizards and Wizards

luk@pensiveibex.com (Luk Weyens) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I just got down here and now my feet are wet! I sure hope I won't die of a cold in this place.

Not only am I wet, now I'm also poisoned! Stupid thorny plants. I'm still puzzled why my arms are exposed. Shouldn't this mail shirt cover everything? What piece of gear am I missing?

What luck! I tried a code and as luck would have it, the gate just opened! Not sure what I would've done if it failed, would that passage just close off forever?

It seems I have picked up some of that intolerance to rudeness. Have at thee, foul knave!

After that battle with the bandit and suffering all that poison damage, it's time to lay out my bedroll and enjoy a night's sleep. My dreams are haunted by this old man, urging me on to collect Cabirus' talismans. But I'm on a quest to save a princess! Why should I care about Cabirus?

Friend or foe? I'm not to be trifled with!

I have no idea what you're saying, but you seem friendly enough. You almost seemed like one of those monsters I passed, except you still have your head on your shoulders.

A mute wizard locked in a cell by these lizardman? Let's see if we can figure out what is going on.

So it appears this guy understands lizardspeak and can mime the meaning of any word to me. So bit by bit I'm going back and forth between this wizard and his captor in order to piece together the story of what happened.

Apparently this naughty little boy, stole some food of the lizardmen. He was on death row for his offense. A bit harsh if you ask me. But since having a wizard owing me a favour surely is a good thing, I returned some food to the lizardmen from my own stash. Don't tell them the chicken legs are already 3 days old. Remember Pensive Ibex, great wizard! (Although I'm not sure what good a wizard could do me, that can't even free himself from this cell...)

More exploring from the base of the lizardmen. A large river runs through this section, filled with plenty of misty clouds.

Whenever there's water, there surely are lurkers about. Good thing they have the ill sense to come near to shore, so my axe can do the talking.

This seems to be the caved-in-stairway from the upper floor. Slowly filling out the map of this floor.

Either someone tripped so badly they fell out of their armour, or a lurker had a little snack and coughed up the indigestible pieces.

Another one of these rotworms. It strange seeing these lowly critters around these parts. I'm used to dealing with beholders and big spiders! Get away from me, anklebiters!

I pulled it. Nothing happened. Rather something probably did happen, but I have no idea what or where.

Flying monkeys? What's next? Pigmen?

Time to cash in that experience with the new RA chant I learned. My attack skilled bumped up from 19 to 29. Headsplitter grins in my hands.

Have you come to test my new abilities? *slash*! *swish*! *crunch*! I'll reduce you to a pile of blood!

How sweet! Lovers in the abyss. That's a good name for a band. Where did I leave my flute?

Now this seems interesting! How do I get my hands on this Magic Crystal?

There's more of you? If there are red, green and grey lizardman, does that mean I still have to meet red goblins? Does it work that way?

From up close you look awfully white there friend. Not so grey, rather albino. Are you ill? Anyway, I shall look for your leader and will report back soon. Any information about this place is good to know.

A window is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?

Not sure why they even put it here. Not a great view. One star out of five, asked for oceanside view, got black darkness.

Someone surely died pulling this lever. I shouldn't pull it. I really really shouldn't. The evidence is right here. Why am I even entertaining the thought? I'm gonna pull it. I have to. It's an adventurer's nightmare not to pull a lever. Okay, I pulled it. Nothing happened. AGAIN. Which is an adventurer's second greatest nightmare! Or did that other lever nullify the bad effects of this lever? Sigh...

Behind some big spiders I find this little pile of loot, which tells me the thieves' hideout is behind the storage room. I passed the Western and Eastern storage room when that rude bandit turned me away. I'll visit it later.

So I'm guessing I can spin the disc around to either create a key for the Eastern or Western storage rooms? Intricate design!

Fine words. But what do they mean? This level sure has been filled with signs that have been scratched out in awkward locations.

Hail Zak! How goes it? Did you realize that if I had a speech impediment your name sounds an awful lot like a dwarf I know?

You're weird, dude. Thanks for showing me, but I'm not really interested. I've got plenty torches on me. But hey, if I ever run out, you're the guy I'm coming to. Zak the Illuminator. Sounds good, think about it.

This must be the creature Ossikka wanted to slay! It must be the brother of the beholder I slayed down in the dwarven mines (sorry, mountainmen). I have experience with your kind, I won't be as easy a target as I once was!

Hm... Not what I was expecting. I was looking for a book that would provide more information on Cabirus' sword. Not a useless chant. Does that mean the creature Ossikka was sent to slay is even more fearsome than the beholder? What say you, Headsplitter? Are you as excited as I am?

I found the book. I didn't even capture the monster that was guarding it. I'll tell you. It was a rat... Ossikka, the leader of the lizardmen, was slain by a rat. I hoped for more. At least I found the book. And apparently there's a rift between the grey lizards and the red and green ones. What Ossikka gone, who will take up the mantle?

The ghastly ones have the haft and the blade is hidden in the southeast of this floor? I haven't even been able to get there. I see more exploring in the near future. Let's head back to Ishtass to tell him the news.

I had to go back a bunch of times... I had to bring proof of Ossikka's demise. Upon bringing the book, Ishtass was not convinced. Bringing the piece of scroll from Cabirus adressed to Ossikka did finally convince him. And more information (though not much) about the sword was granted! A wizard took a piece below? Would that be the same wizard I freed? That would be rather handy. I'll find out soon. Let's go look for the blade first.

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Helping The Mountainmen

luk@pensiveibex.com (Luk Weyens) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We've dallied enough in the mountainmen's base. Time to earn our keep. Let's enter the mine and slay the creature that haunts its halls.

Nice to know there's so much gold in abundance in this place. Too bad nothing I have on me lets me harvest it. I've tried the rock hammer several times in vein. Even after equipping it, it won't even register as a weapon I can swing at the vein.

Damned rats. Bit me and now I'm poisoned. Only mildly, let's hope it wears off quickly. What if it doesn't wear off? Oh dear. Better save, just to be sure.

Looks like a friendly face might reside here.

Shak, my man! I've heard so much about you! Shak Attack! The Shakinator! And great info on Cabirus. So two of the 6 talismans are a sword and a shield. Said sword is broken in two parts. Too bad I'm an axewielder.

You drive a hard bargain, my friend. At least I finally got all this excellent gear. Check out my new digs. Chain mail chest piece, leggings and boots. I'm certified slash-free.

Shak, old buddy, old pal. Mind repairing my axe for me? I'm slaying this beast in these halls, and I want everything to be in tip top shape. 17 minutes? Yeah sure, I'll wait. Hold up. Are those real life minutes? Are you for real? That's my only weapon. Alright then old buddy, old pal, get comfortable. We're stuck with each other for the next 17 minutes. How's life been?

Where has the time gone? We've been talking so long my torch ran out. Don't you worry though, I've got plenty to spare. In stark contrast to the amount of axes I have on me...

Wow, such an excellent axe! Thanks for sharpening the blade, my friend! I'll visit soon. Give my regards to the wife and kids. It's time for a face-to-face with the ol' monster and my brand spanking new axe

They sure do put up a lot of warnings, every mine is a bit unstable. What are the odds of something happening?

What's that behind me? Yeesh! No wonder you need a hard hat.

Lucky I brought a rock hammer with me, or I would've been stuck on this side. I'm sure Old Shak would've chuckled at the thought

This way to the monster. I have to say, the mountainmen really love their signs.

Another cave-in. Must've been man-made, locking the monster in.

Nothing the rock hammer isn't able to solve.

Behold! The beholder! I did die here on my first encounter. Had a bit of a fumble, and took too many orbs to the face. After a second attempt the beholder was no more! And there was much rejoicing.

Thank you for this gift! I'm not sure how to use it though. I am but a simple Tinker. I'll put it on my shelf, when I get home. As a reminder. But wait! I've got something for you too! This flute. Which has... Uhm... Magical properties! Once played all those near you can't help but dance a silly little jig. Go ahead, play! See, I'm dancing! Completely out of my control! Okay then, have fun with that, buh-bye now! (think he bought it?)

Okay, I'll look at your treasure room. (show-off much?)

I'm sorry! I had no idea I wasn't allowed to say the D-word. It won't happen again, your kingship.

Why is it so far down? Why are there no stairs? Do you just throw your treasures down the pit? What if you need to repay someone? Or if you give out a loan?

Say one thing about Ironwit, his wit or his memory for that matter is not that sharp... Your parents really screwed up naming you.

Let it not be said of Pensive Ibex that he won't help those in need! I'll go look for your blueprints. I'm a friend to all dwa... mountainmen.

Do NOT stray off the path. Death awaits.

I found the potions at the bottom behind a locked door. But guess what else I found, these filthy creatures! *trumpets blare* Here comes Pensive Ibex to save the daaaayyyy!

Since Ironwit didn't know which potion was which, I thought my pal Shak might know. He can identify things. Let's see here. Shak what can you tell me about this potion here? Well... That's kinda what I figured myself. So no help then?

What about this other potion? Red, you say? Well, I can't deny it. Thanks, Shak. I'll just walk all the way back now.

Did some more exploring and found the Ankh room. That's good, I gained a couple of levels slaying monsters. But I don't want to use Summ Ra anymore, that chant is too random.

Huh. Wonder what caused that. Might be able to clear it?

A little further down the road, I found some more of my friends. A whole bunch of them. Only two on-screen, but there were at least 5 or 6 of them in this corridor. Slashed them up good, while the others were throwing stones at me from the back.

Found a fountain in the waterworks down below. And a little lurker came to say hello. Always looking, always judging.

Meh. Not really interested in upgrading my bargaining skills. I'll just wing it.

That's what I'm talking about! Let's get some hits in!

Don't just came at me, bite me, poison me and then run away! I'm not done with you! Get back here! Oy!

Another big spider, I've just dealt with your brethren back there. Stand back and I might... HAVE AT THEE! YOU ASKED FOR THIS!

What is this magnificent piece of equipment? This battle axe will be the bane of my enemies! I'll name it Headsplitter (for obvious reasons). On a sidenote, look at all the stuff I had to drop to make room for Headsplitter, I kept my other axe as a backup. Shak won't surprise me with his 15-minute quick repair again.

I've looked all around, but I can't seem to enter this area. There's a portcullis that's closed across a bridge. The lever, which supposedly opens it, is on the other side of the gate. I've searched the rooms north of there for secret passages, but couldn't find any. Maybe it's a staircase from level 3 that goes back up here, as a kind of secret?

Once my exploration of the current floor was done. I returned to the Golden Path to help Ironwit find his blueprints. Now I just have to figure out which potion is which. If I were to brew two potions, one flying, one poison and leave them in a room, which would be which? Since green is often associated with poison, I'd think people would assume the red one to be safe. So that means the green one is actually the flying potion, let's try that! Hooray! It works!

And there are the blueprints! Excellent! Let's get them back to Ironwit. I wonder what they are for?

D'oh. My flying potion ran out. There's no way to get across anymore. I'll just have to bite the bullet and hope I won't break any bones.

That did hardly any damage at all. You would think with all this gear on me, I would land harder. Maybe my bed roll broke the fall?

I'll have you know many dw... mountainmen have heard of me! I am Pensive Ibex! Remember me!

Not much else to do here, onwards to the next floor!

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Minor Celeb

luk@pensiveibex.com (Luk Weyens) — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Warning: I did a kernel update this weekend, since then any fullscreen application displays major stuttering. I’ve since downgraded my system again and everything’s working as it should be, but this session was played in windowed mode. Hence, why some screenshots may look different from the ones before.

What's on the other side? Just a bunch of leeches... Yuck! Just boring platform then?

Oh wait, there's this guy too. Quite literally lurking. Wait. Are you judging me? Go bother some other adventurers! I'm outta here.

A little further there's this door I noticed just now. Just across the chasm. I've got some experience jumping gaps, this should be a cinch!

More than 10 reloads later, I finally managed to clear the gap. Guess I found another way down. That's the third staircase, so far. But I'm not ready to go down yet. I guess that means I have to cross the gap again. Sigh.

Okay, since I was exploring some more, I came back to the ankh room in order to capitalize on the levels I gained defeating slimes and goblins. 5 chants of Summ Ra later and my Axe skill went up with 1. I had some luck with Defense, but I wonder how useful it is, they do say Offense is the best Defense.

Time to enter the grey goblin camp. I found the queen and asked permission to talk to her husband, she was quickly led around the bush by my charming self. It's the bushy beard that gives me some bonus charisma.

Remember the locked secret door I found in the last session? Well this is the other side of it. Guess I now know it leads to the heart of the grey goblin camp. Not that I really need it, since they just opened the front door for me.

I didn't post about Bragit in the previous session. He's the first human I met in the dungeon and told me how he escaped his cell in the grey goblin camp, by using a pole. Not quite sure how, though. The ceilings are pretty low here...

Best not take go the shitter here, it might be the last visit I take. Splash! Aiiieeee! Gone gone gone.

Talk about a hole in the ground.

Large keep out sign and no way to open it. I guess the king might be carrying a key? Or someone around here might. If things turn south, I might get something out of it. If I live to tell the tale.

I guess it's obvious how this guy thinks about his green brothers. Not much else interesting to say, so I'll take my leave.

Sheesh! I'm sorry I wanted to strike up a conversation. I thought maybe you had something else to say. You know, talk about your day. But fine, I get the message. I'll get out of your way. I'm starting to like these grey goblins less and less. Let's hop in to see the greener variety.

Wow. Such warm welcome. Much hospitality.

What is this? New York in the 40s?

After pampering this guy and choosing my words very carefully, he finally opened up. Only to hear this guy go on about King Ketchaval. I guess they really don't like each other.

Okay, so I know a little more about the other inhabitants of the abyss. The first part is about the lizardmen. And I learned my first two words. Now I'll just guess whether Sseth is yes or no.

So maybe the keep out door has one of those talismans? Maybe I'll have to break in after all...

Another keep out door. This time in the green goblin camp. They're not that different from each other after all...

After talking to the green goblins and basically getting no motivation to do something about the greys or the greens from either side, I decided to leave them in their hate for each other and continue my journey down. I took the entrance I discovered in this session and bumped into a mine entrance. It didn't seem wise to journey into the mine, apparently you need a hard hat. I only have a hard head. Ey-yo!

Turning to the right, I find a room with two slimes. I grab my axe, and make short work of them.

Who leaves a crown lying around? Why were those two slimes guarding this crown? Maybe I should declare myself king. King of the misunderstood.

The room on the other side of the slime room contains two living skeletons. Now that's more like it. Swing and hit and swing and hit.

I found a key lying around that fits this door. Since there're banners on either side of the door, this must be another settlement. I wonder who I'll meet! (Please no more goblins)

Why, yes, yes I am Pensive Ibex. Slayer of slimes. Scourge of skeletons. Gasher of goblins and walloper of worms. What, pray tell, might I do you for?

A fearsome beast, eh? Well, I can't turn down a challenge like that. I WILL find this beast. And I WILL slay it with mine own two hands. And my axe.

I wonder how you got your name. Did your parents give it to you? Were you redubbed at some point? What's your story, man?!

I will slay the beast! This will be the last you have seen of the Menace in the Mines. I shall set forth, hencewith! After I do some more exploring. You see I found this key that seems to open your locked doors, and I'm curious to have a look around. Surely, you don't mind? The beast has terrorized the mines for so long, what's a couple more hours, eh? Agreed, then? Huzzah!

Behind one of these locked doors in the hall of the mountainmen is a staircase down. Might be a direct connection to a deeper level of mountainmen?

At least it doesn't have a sign that tells me to keep out. So if I find a way to get in, I'm allowed? That's how it works, right?

I will partake freely from the supply room that's been kept behind lock and key. Thank you very much. Goodbye.

So does that mean I shouldn't murder the grey/green goblins? Perhaps there's a way to reconcile? We'll see. I'm determined to find out what's behind those locked doors at some point.

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First Steps

luk@pensiveibex.com (Luk Weyens) — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Warning: I’ve gone back into the game to take some screenshots that I found noteworthy to mention but forgot to take at the time. So you might see me with more advanced gear than what I actually had at the time…

Meet PensiveIbex! The greatest Tinker of his time!

Should I die, this is where I'll come back to life. Or so the game suggests. Better not put it to the test, right?

Ah, one of those famed jumping puzzles. I'm a great platformer, this should be easy...

How the mighty have fallen (literally). I must have done this part more than 10 times before getting a feel for it. Top tip, look down to check you have enough runway.

What's this? Some kind of shrine? Couple of phrases to remember. I've jotted them down, but no use for them just now. EDIT: Thanks Wouter! Apparently they're for levelling up. You can gain levels throughout the game, but if you don't visit a shrine, it's just bupkis

Looks ominous! I managed to pick the key up a short while ago to open this door. I'll save my game here, just to be sure. Who knows what'll be waiting for me on the other side of the door...

Well that was disappointing... Just a little old worm? No loot? Nothing?! Fat lot of good that key did me!

Ooooookay. I can look through this and see the outside? What else does it do? What am I missing?! Tell me your secrets!

A river! Let's swim around a little and explore. YIKES! What's this thing? Wait... WAIT! I can't pull out my weapons in the water? Run awaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!

That goblin didn't know what hit him! Well... They did. I hit them. Hard.

I'm starting to think these rooms aren't that dangerous. In fact, I'm not even going to save here. That's right, PensiveIbex the Tinker, lives life on the edge of a badly worn hand axe. Bebeh.

And there's the proof in the pudding. It does look like some kind of puzzle room, or other.

A secret door, eh? But I don't have a matching key for the lock. Aww... I marked it on the map, will have to circle back for it!

Stylish gimp suit, my grey friend. Does everybody share your fashion sense? You want me to meet your king? I'm honoured! But you know, so busy, I'll come back though. Please tell your liege not to wait up for me.

Another short jumping puzzle later. Which I found mechanically more tricky than the last one. Here lies Korianous. I never met him, but this spot looks wonderful for a night's rest. Don't let me keep you, mate!

Hope you don't mind me taking some of the things you left here, eh Kori old chap? No? Thought so, cheers mate! Everyone does keep going on and on about how good you are! Look at my new attire! I even have a shiny new axe, world, watch out!

That golden box also had some shiny baubles in them. They might fetch a nice price somewhere. If I ever figure out how the bartering system works...

Well, apparently it isn't all that smart to go to sleep with the light on. The light died during the night, and I've been walking around blind for a good couple of minutes before I realized what was going on. Luckily this whole place is littered with candles and torches. One wonders why everyone keeps those things lying around. If anything torches should be worth their weight in gold around here.

While I was admiring the banner that hung up here. The battle music started, I jumped up out of my seat. My girlfriend giving me a look of surprise, as a skeleton was charging me. Quick, hurry, move out of the way! Ready arms! Aim, swing, CHARGE! Goodbye, skeleton. Such a nice cowl you have. Mine for the taking, you say? Mighty kind *tips leather cap and drops it on the floor*

Hey mate, I've bumped into your grey friends earlier. Want me to see your queen? Heard that before, I'll tell you the same thing I told those other guys. I'll circle back to your base. Gotta go now, bye bye!

Aha! This is apparently the way down further into the abyss. I've passed a couple of goblin camps on the way here. I'll hold off going down and explore the map some more. I still have to find the human settlement and I'll have to look into the blood feud between the grey and green goblins.

Mighty handy! With a click of the button we're back up to full health! Smashing. I didn't yet need it badly, but it's good knowing it is around.

Some more green goblins about, attacking me without provocation! Those green devils sure are working on my nerves. I might visit their grey brothers soon, might join hands and rid ourselves of this green menace roaming about. In other news, I've found my first spell! Although, how much use it will do me with just 2MP remains to be seen.

Another way down? Was the other staircase a trap? Is this one a trap? Are there secrets to be found? I'm dying to find out, but there's still so much left to do on this level!

Looks like another platform I might be able to jump to? I'll leave it here for now. Let's see if we can jump across next time. Or even, if it's worth doing in the first place.

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