Pool of Radiance:Ruins of Myth Drannor
                             A Walkthrough By:Xylanic
                                                       Copyright October, 2001


                                
                                   

Version 0.1
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Table of Contents:

1.Author Information, Contact Information, Etc.
2.Some Basic Game Information
3.Walkthrough Part 1:Arrival to Dwarven Dungeons
More to come as FAQ is updated.


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1.Author Information, Contact Information, Etc
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A. Contact Information
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  You may contact me in one of several ways.  My main mail address is
Xylanic@aol.com.  I also do not mind AIM messages, but do not always expect
an instant response.  You may also contact me through ICQ 51016774.  Please
title all mail with the heading POR FAQ, Pool of Radiance FAQ, or something
similar, so I know what it is and do not delete it.  I will give credit to
anyone who has information to add to the FAQ, or to correct me if I am wrong. 
The newest version of this FAQ is always at WWW.CheatCC.com and
WWW.Gamefaqs.com.  Don't ask me for the latest version, or when it will be
out, I work at my own pace. I do not mind mail asking for help, as I have
played through most of the game now.  I do not mind criticism, but I am not
perfect, so don't expect me to be. One last portion of information, I am not
Technical Support. Please go to Poolofradiance.com if you have technical
problems with the game.  Thank you.

  Again, the easiest way to contact me is XYLANIC@AOL.COM.

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B. Who Am I?
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  I am a Professional writer who writes Fantasy and Horror in my spare time. 
I spend a lot of time at the Survivor Board on Gamefaqs as well if you wish
to find me there.  I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be, so if you find
a small mistake in the document, I don't mind criticism for it, but do not
care for flames very much.  I do this because I happen to enjoy this game,
and enjoy the story, and most of all, because I enjoy writing.

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C. What's in this FAQ?
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  This FAQ is designed mainly to get you from one point to the next, and where
key items are and how to use them to get from that point.  It will not cover
how to fight every battle, although some key battles I will give tips for. 
It will also not cover the best type of party to use, or what equipment to
use, as that debate can go on for ever. It will also not cover in detail the
rule system, or how that works, as there is plenty of other material out there
for that. I do plan to cover each game area as fully as possible, and explain
a bit about the area as well.  I also plan to detail how to complete each
quest as fully as possible, and where some of the best items are. At this
time, I have no plans to give a complete item list, or where to get everything.

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D. Where Can I read this FAQ?
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The following sites are Pre-Approved to use this FAQ, and do not need to mail
me for permission. Any other site is requested to mail me at Xylanic@aol.com,
I am very giving, as long as I know you are using it.

Gamefaqs.com
Gamespot.com
Cheatcc.com

Any other sites are requested to mail me. Thanks.

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E. Version Update Information
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10-04-01-Released Version 0.1, With basic format, and contact information.

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F. Thank You's
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Thank you to Robin, for giving me purpose.
Thank you to All the people who will very soon be flooding my mailbox with
tips and suggestions =).

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G. Frequently Asked Questions.
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This section will soon be updated with the questions I get the most from mail
and AIM.


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2. General Game Information.
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A. Starting the Game, Initial Story
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  As I stated earlier, I will not be telling you how to play the game in this
FAQ, or about the Dungeons and Dragons Rules for 3rd Edition.  There are many
other manuals included within the game that shed light on this subject. This
section is designed mainly to get you started, not to tell you what is the
best party to have.  This section will also shed a bit more light on the story.

  Once you have started up and begun the game, you will observe the initial
movie, which details the events that occurred at the end of the original Pool
of Radiance Games, which are excellent as well by the way.  The destroyed
Pool of Radiance underneath New Phlan has begun to spawn anew, and is
producing undead, and causing all that it touches to become an undead creature. 
Elminister, the saintly good wizard who seems involved with everything in
Faerun, has come to Phlan after hearing this, and speaks with the council.

  Elminister has charged Athan and his companions, a band of great heroes, 
with tracking down the reason the Pool has begun to spring anew...Apparentely,
it has to do with a connection to another pool in the dreaded Myth Drannor,
an ancient city that was once one of the most glorious cities in the realms,
and is now without a doubt, one of the most dangerous places to visit.  He
has given them the Guantlets of Moander, a special artifact that has the power
to defeat the pool, and prevent it from spawning new pools, that could
eventually cause all the realms to become a pool of Undead.

  A second party, of Amateurs, has been asked to keep watch over the pool
below New Phlan for possible emerging undead and other dangers. (That's You.) 
Shortly after arrival in watching over this pool, a portal opens, and Athan
is seen in a great battle, calling for help.  However, when your amateur group
goes to assist, Time is warped, something goes wrong, and you arrive hours
later, to find the scene almost empty, and the party dead...And you alone,
trapped in the middle of Myth Drannor, one of the most dangerous places period,
as a novice character. Good luck.

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B. My Party
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  Although as before, I will not advise on what party to use, the party I
have used to work through the game is the following:

  Initial Party I Used:

  2 (Two) Half-Orc Fighters-Str 18 Dex 17 Con 17 Int 5 Wis 3 Chr 1:I felt
that I did not want Barbarians, due to personal factors. Again, I am NOT
telling you what party to use, just what got me through the game.  The maxed
Str, and almost maxed Dex and Con as Initial stats worked well, and the others
can be improved Later.

  Kestrel (Default Thief) Her overall stats are better then most you could
roll for a thief to be overall efficent, and besides, she was awesome in the
book adaption that comes in the Collectors Set.

  Skylar (Default Cleric) Again, her overall stats are more efficent then
one that you could create, and In my opinion a cleric is a much needed member
of your party.

  I would like to add one suggestion here, that being, A starting sorcerer
is not needed. Why?  As you will see in the walkthrough, a Sorcerer can be
picked up within 30 minutes of the start of the game, with decent stats as
well.  However, it is your decision.

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C. Game Tips
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  This section will be for submitted tips and other information in general
that will be collected in one spot. IE, coming soon.

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3. Walkthrough Part One-Arrival to the Dwarven Dungeons
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A. Your Arrival in Myth Drannor
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  When you arrive, Athan's battle has long been over, and you stand in a ruined
central courtyard area.  Orcs, devious pig-faced creatures, Scavengers, loot
the bodies of the slain, however, these seem not to be the individuals who
killed the mighty adventurers in the first place.  You are thrust into combat
as soon as you finish reading about your circumstances. This is a short, easy
combat against 2 orcs(AC:14 HD:1d8) and should not be a problem for you.

  When the battle is complete, You will find a document one of the orcs was
carrying, bloodstained rags that tell a little more about what is happening. 
In short, the rags were Athan's Journals, and reading what is left of them
reveals that a group known as the Scarred Ones have taken residence in Castle
Cormanthor, and that the Mythal, age-old magic that has protected the City
of Song, Myth Drannor, for generations, is being corrupted by them.  Athan
sought a way into the Castle, but had found none.  Mentions of allies, City
Heights, and a Skeletal Arm were also there, but the rest was blotted out.

  After finishing reading, search the battle area for a little gold, and a
few other basic goodies, then head east (to your right.) Directly east of
your arrival area is a shrine within a tree stump, with a set of stairs leading
up into it.  Destroy the zombies here (AC:10 HD:2d12+3) and then search the
Topmost barrel on the ground nearby, within is a Hardwood key.  You may hear
a voice telling someone to get away from his wagon, this is normal, and will
wait just a moment. With the key, head into the shrine and open the chest
for some goodies. Use the healing fountain if you need it.

  Now, from the shrine, continue east, to the ruins of a bowl shaped bulding,
with a small wagon parked inside.  The voice you heard is shouting from within
the wagon, which is currently being besieged by two Zombies (AC:10 HD:2d12+3). 
Defeat the zombies and you will be thrust into conversation with Nottle, a
halfling trader who does his business with unsavory types such as orcs and
Drow, and who trades right here out of Myth Drannor.  Interesting how a
halfling can stay alive in Myth Drannor alone and not be able to fend off
two Zombies, eh?

  In return for your assistence, Nottle will give you a magic Word, Tam-tamak,
the knocking word, which opens a shelter that two Elves live within who he
thinks may be able to help you. He informs you they live in a tree stump
directly to the west, across the bridge by where you arrived.  You can also
get more information about the surroundings and Nottle himself by choosing
certain dialogue options. When you have finished, and possibly inspected
Nottle's wares as well, head back to the area that you arrived at and cross
the bridge to the west across the chasm.

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B. Faeril and Beriand and into the Dungeons
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Coming by 10-06.