Toggle Background Color

Update 33: Hot Hot HOT!





Everybody ready?

Ready when you are.

Come on! Let's get a move on already!

Here's the party that was voted in for this part of the Labyrinth.



The 3rd Stratum has to be entered from the Deep City. You can't get into it from Armoroad.

Very well. Let's go.







Holy carp, it's burning hot down here!

I wonder why we're not dead from all the heat. We should be burnt to a crisp by now.

Magic?



That's what Faye would say.

...Of course she would.

And welcome to the lava level. Yeah, not exactly an interesting aesthetic. That's really not one of EO3's strong points if you haven't noticed already. All the good looking Strata were in EO2. Oh, and here's a small detail I'd like to bring your attention to.



Notice how the staircase leading down from the 8th floor and the staircase leading up from the 9th floor are in completely different places, unlike the other floors where the staircases are connected. This is because the Deep City is in between the 8th and 9th floors. So the Labyrinth is actually disjointed, instead of just being one straight trip down. Just thought that was a neat little detail.





No blue flowers here either.

Well duh-wait. Kid brings up a good point. In a place like this, I don't know if there's gonna be anything like that growing. Heck, I don't know if we're gonna get any other markers for those.

Hmm, I certainly hope that's not the-Get into position!







That's right, we've got a new battle theme! The battle music changes after a certain point in the EO games, which is usually once the plot begins escalating. That usually happens around the 4th Stratum in most cases, but since we've discovered the Deep City, it happens in the 3rd Stratum instead. Ah right, the new enemies.


Rattle Nozuchi
HP: 328
TP: 92
STR: 25
VIT: 21
AGI: 23
LUC: 27
TEC: 23
Attack Type: Pierce
Exp: 907
Item Drops:
-Drop 1: Red Iron Chip - 50% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Ahlspiess (Spear) and Jolly Roger (Rapier. Must be restocked.) 3 needed for Barrette (Helmet.) 9 needed for Fortune Choker (Accessory.)
--Piece of Nozuchi’s outer skin which contains red iron.
-Drop 2: N/A
-Gold: Red Iron Scale - Kill with Volt. 80% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Caster's Clothes (Clothes.)
--Its high iron quotient makes it turn red when heated.
Description: A distinctly-shaped snake that hides in the shadows of rocks. It tangles its foes before they can act.
Damage Resistances: Slash: 125% Strike: 100% Pierce: 100% Fire: 100% Ice: 75% Volt: 100%
Ailment Resistances: Sleep: 25% Confusion: 100% Plague: 100% Poison: 100% Blind: 100% Curse: 100% Paralysis: 100%
Bind Resistances: Head: 100% Arm: 100% Leg: 122%
Other Resistances: Death: 100% Petrification: 100% Stun: 100%

Skills:

Twine: Attempts to inflict Arm Bind on the front row. Has a 30% chance of success.

Not much to these things. They like to hit hard and use Twine to Arm Bind your front liners. You should probably take them out quickly. Oh, but try to get their regular drop if you sold any Naval Rams to the stores.

As for the other enemy, I'll talk about it in a bit.











Hey uh, did that egg just move?

Shoot. It might be about to hatch.

For the first two turns, Dragon Eggs will do nothing. Afterwards, they'll either attack, increase their defense, or hatch...







Well, that's annoying.

Aw come on, those were my stabbing arms!

Oh don't you worry, I've got this handled. Ready to see some sparks fly?



Thunder reigns!





Oh fiddlesticks, I wasn't expecting that to happen. Well, might as well talk about the Dragon Egg now.


Dragon Egg
HP: 312
TP: 91
STR: 23
VIT: 29
AGI: 18
LUC: 21
TEC: 27
Attack Type: Strike
Exp: 888
Item Drops:
-Drop 1: Eggshell Piece - 60% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Kunai (Dagger.) 2 needed for Spade (Spear. Farmer only weapon.)
--Remnants of a shell intended to protect a dragon pup.
-Drop 2: N/A
-Gold: Round Eggshell - Don't kill with Physical. 50% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Stab Charm (Accessory.) 3 needed for Rock Boots (Boots.)
--A very well-preserved, and thus valuable, eggshell.
Description: A common dragon egg found in the magma caves. With time, a dragon pup will hatch from it.
Damage Resistances: Slash: 100% Strike: 150% Pierce: 100% Fire: 75% Ice: 75% Volt: 75%
Ailment Resistances: Sleep: 100% Confusion: 100% Plague: 122% Poison: 122% Blind: 100% Curse: 100% Paralysis: 100%
Bind Resistances: Head: 50% Arm: 50% Leg: 50%
Other Resistances: Death: 100% Petrification: 100% Stun: 100%

Skills:

Shell: Uses the Head. Increases the user's physical defense by 60% for 4 turns.
Hatch: Does not use a body part. Hatches into a Dragon Pup.

I guess now is a good time to go into more depth on the enemy AI from EO3 onwards. In the first two Etrian Odyssey games, the enemy AI was static. The enemies would always act the same way, no matter where you encountered the enemy. This is no longer the case in the later EO games. I mentioned at the very beginning of the LP in that the enemy AI got an upgrade in that it can immediately react to certain actions. That wasn't the only upgrade it got. See, the enemies will actually get more aggressive the farther you get into a Stratum. Like using their skills or attacking a lot more often. If you're wondering why an enemy that hasn't been giving you that much trouble earlier is now a nuisance or kicking your party's butt, that's why. It's something you have to be aware of, and it's supposed to stop the player from being too complacent. As for what this has to do with this enemy, I just thought this one would be a good example of this behavior.

These are the Dragon Egg's AI routines for each floor:

B9F: Does nothing for the first 2 turns. Has a 9% chance to hatch on each turn afterwards.
B10F: Does nothing for the first turn. Has a 9% chance to hatch on each turn afterwards.
B11F: Has a 19% chance to hatch on each turn from the start of the battle.
B12F: Has a 39% chance to hatch on each turn from the start of the battle.

So yeah, they go from being kind of a non-presence to something you can't ignore as you get deeper into the Stratum. This applies to most enemies in the game, and some enemies, like the Dragon Egg, become outright dangerous on the deepest floors. The reason they're dangerous is because the Dragon Pup is an enemy from the 11th floor. While the Dragon Pup is a pretty dangerous enemy by itself, leaving the Dragon Pup alone for too long will make bad things happen. So you want to avoid that. Aside from hatching, Dragon Eggs will make themselves harder to kill so that they can have more time to hatch.

Aw, it's so cute!

I don't think anything's cute about the way it's looking at us.



Aw. Why'd you do that?

I don't know about you, but I didn't want to be breakfast for a baby dragon.



So yes, be careful of every enemy in the Labyrinth, even the weaker ones! Because they might gain new tricks the farther down you go. Also I forgot to level up Scott there. I have a really bad habit of doing that.





Uh, I don't like the way that floor looks. And I don't see a way around it either.

Just walk on it. How bad could it be?



FIIIIIIRE!

I IMMEDIATELY REGRET MY DECISION!

I'M BURNING!

Ouch! Ooh! Hot! Hot!

Hmm. I appear to have burst into flames.

Oh hey, it's about time we ran into damage tiles. Walk over them and your party takes damage. In the first two games, the damage was percentage based, but now it just takes off 10 HP per step. A max level Monarch March can nullify that, but the damage will also cancel out the healing. I'll mark damage tiles with orange.



B4 Take Point:
Flame Fruit: 20% Gather Rate. 1 needed for Madora (Item. Must be restocked.)
-Fruit that warms one’s body from within when eaten.
Moss Strawberry: 80% Gather Rate. 1 needed for Hamao (Item. Must be restocked.)
-Sweet strawberry that grows on rocks.
Scarlet Sage: Rare. 1 needed for Fire Mist, Ice Mist, and Volt Mist (Item. Must be restocked.) 1 needed for the quest Letter in a bottle II.
-Perennial plant that, when heated, is useful medicine.
Common Gather Periods: 2 to 12.
Rare Gather Periods: 1 to 4.

This take point is where you can start buying Madoras, which restore 150 HP to a row. I suggest stocking up on these, especially if you don't have a way to deal with damage tiles in this Stratum.







No blue flowers.

Or markers of any kind. Looks like we'll have to find the shortcuts ourselves.

I hope you weren't relying on the markers to show you where the shortcuts are hidden, because now is when the game stops using them.



HRRAAARGGHH!

Now you're getting it!

Scott gets Charge. This is going to be absurd. Anyways, since this is a new floor, there are new dialogue and quests in town. Let's go check it out.





Yep! You should check it out sometime!

That’s amazing! It’s like something out of a fairy tale! I wanna go someday! Will you take me there, boss?

Of course. But when we have time.





It seems your adventures will be even more trying from here on. But worry not! Napier’s Firm is always there for paying--er, hard-working explorers! We’ve also opened a branch office in the Deep City, handled by my own sister. Drop by, won’t you?

Uh, sure I guess.



The Deep City is supposed to be a well-kept secret, yes? I will celebrate as secretly as I can...



Man, why did the barkeeper in EO4 have to be so boring?



Hello, Tidehunt Guild. It seems you’ve reached the Molten Caves.

Now who told you that?

How did I know? Well, I’m a troubadour. Stories and legends are my bread and butter. So, what tales would you like to hear today? I’m in a voluble mood... Ask me anything!



Hmm, do you know anything about the Abyssal King?

The legendary city you finally discovered in the abyss is known as the Deep City! Though, it being real, I suppose I shouldn’t call it “legendary!” Its ruler is the Abyssal King. Or so it seems, but I have very little information. A troubadour though I am, I deal not in lies! Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent. How about another tale instead?

Um.

Ah! I’ll tell you the story of Armoroad’s king from 100 years ago!



Oh boy.

Don’t give me that look...! ...Today, the Senatus has complete authority over the city. But that doesn’t mean it never had a king! The king before the Calamity was a fine man, loved by the masses and admired by the military... Moreover, he had a sister whom he positively doted on... But I’ll tell her tale some other time.



Do you know anything about the Deep Ones?

Ah, the legend of merfolk passed down in Armoroad. Do you know it? They are called the Deep Ones. In form, they are an admixture of man and fish! Their unnatural look is an affront to the gods! Many believed them to be figments of our imagination, but hear this eyewitness account and be shocked! Each night, Mr. Bill walked along the port. An awful smell drew his attention to a crouched figure... “I say, are you all right?” asked Mr. Bill, but to his horror, the figure was a Deep One! Mr. Bill hurried away, but it was too late! He was gobbled from the head down and dragged below! I heard the story from Mr. Bill himself, so you know it’s... Eh?

Okay. So you heard it from Mr. Bill, who was eaten by the Deep Ones. Any part of that sound off to you?

That’s... Hrm. ...Well, no matter. There are, in fact, many secrets regarding the Deep Ones... I’ll tell you later.



Well I don't think we learned anything important. Let's just go.

I was hoping he would have more useful information this time.

Did I speak out of turn? I must protest; my profession requires me to sing loud and long! ...Ah, but I jest, I jest. Come again, explorers, if you wish to hear my stories.



Let's do some quests.

Ooh! Wishes?

Hm? You’re accepting this request? It’s from Belle, a daughter of a prestigious family. According to Belle, there is a blue shining branch on B9F. She says if she leaves it near a window, a knight on a pegasus will see it and take her away. ...Stupid fairy-tale romantic nonsense. Anyway! That’s what she wants, and that’s what she’s paying for. Just find the branch! Now, go find it, explorers!



He sounds pretty eccentric.

Oh, that request? It was made by the gourmet, Espierre. Looks like that bastard’s got his eyes on the lava caverns this time.



Are you knowing about Pomona Fruit? I hear it is a plant that only grows on B9F! I don’t know why I am having such a hard time saying it... Espierre is wanting you to go pick some of those Po... The P-Fruits. Apparently the ants there are fond of it, too, so if you find one, try following it. Well, that is the mission! Get going, and bring back that fruit!



Oh dear. What's this about?

Ah, there you guys are! The boy from the inn came here, looking for you. It seems that kid got another letter... It’s nice that he can talk to that girl... But... It seems an unknown disease is plaguing her hometown. I want you to help him out! Go forth and help those innocent little children!

We'll do that later.





You found the legendary Deep City too, eh...? I hear they’re sending the best explorers down now. She’s a funny old lady, that one. The Deep City’s been found and she still doesn’t seem satisfied... Wonder what’s going through her mind?

Hmm. Could she be after something else?

Who knows?





Well I told them the order was for Tidehunt’s ship, so they got to work right away. Your voyages should be that much more comfortable now.





And now is when we get that ship part, so we can explore more of the sea. I'll do that later. We barely started exploring the 3rd Stratum after all.



...The ocean does not discriminate. Still, I never could have predicted such a thing. I wonder where your next adventure will take place...





Your hard work will go a long way toward granting the Princess’ most ardent wish. As you were, then.

Looks like that answers that question.





Yes, the Deep City NPCs change their dialogue too.

As I’m sure you already know, here at the Twinkling Tavern, we can help manage your burden. If you’re carrying too much with you in the Labyrinth, feel free to leave some of it here.

A reminder that you can store your things at this inn as well as the one in Armoroad.





In that case, Napier’s Branch is here to back you up 100%! Equipment, medicine, accessories... We have it all.











NHAHAHAHAHAHA! ...Sorry. I don't know why I suddenly got the urge to do that.

BEHOLD! The Jolly Roger, in all its glory. Look at that weapon attack power. Look at it!



For comparison, aside from the Jolly Roger, this is the strongest rapier you can get at this point. Yeah, that's a massive difference in power. The Jolly Roger isn't the strongest rapier in the game, but it doesn't fall off until the 5th Stratum.



Yeah, Scott just became our strongest physical attacker. Oh right, the other pieces of equipment.





The Spade is the next Farmer weapon you can get.





Provides a 20% resistance to Confusion.



And this provides a 30% resistance to Pierce attacks.





I'm feeling lucky!

And I finally remembered to use the Luck Book on Fang.





As it’s close by an undersea volcano, many of these creatures will torment you with fire. I haven’t any doubt that you’ll get the best of them, but I urge you not to take them lightly.

Now let's see about getting that letter quest done.





I got another letter replying to the one you helped me write, but it isn’t good... A disease called the Green Death, where plants grow in people’s bodies, is killing Elly’s town.

Oh my!

My sister’s a doctor, but she doesn’t know how to cure it either… Please! Please find somebody who knows how to treat the Green Death!

Uh, who!?

You’re explorers... You can ask people around the city and find a cure for it!





Yes, I have some all-purpose healing salve for adventurers. Let me go get it--

Nah, we're not here for that.

...Oh, that’s not what you need? Let me guess: you want a cure for the Green Death?

How did you know?

I can tell by your faces that I’m right. That boy from the inn came by looking for one. Unfortunately, I don’t carry anything like that. Nobody knows how it’s caused, right? ...Still, there are places with more advanced technology than Armoroad. Try there.





Yes:

We just got a big lead on how to solve his problem.

Good, good! That’s what I am talking about! Go finish it up like you always do! Get to it, explorers!

No:

I'm afraid not. No one knows how to cure it.

...Hm. Well, I am sure you will be able to resolve this like you always do. I believe in you! Get to it and find a way!





Yeah, I’ve heard of it. It’s said that it’s a reaction to poison from a plant monster. When someone is infected by it, their body turns green and sprouts flowers until they die.



Please tell me there's a way to treat that.

...Treating it? I don’t have a clue. I’ve never heard of any people who have survived it.

Good gravy...

Well, as long as nobody brings it here by ship, Armoroad will be safe. I’m not worried.





One tale I’ve heard is that one sailor infected with Green Death wiped out an entire country. Proof that the romance of discovery isn’t the only thing awaiting sailors on the sea... Apparently, people had a cure for it before the Calamity. But it doesn’t exist today... If you could find somewhere with high technology like back then, that’s the place to go.

Maybe the Deep City knows something.

I hope so. Geez, that sounds like a horrible way to go.

Neither Flowdia nor the Abyssal King has anything to say about this disease.





Sorry. I'm afraid we don't have time for that. Do you know anything about a disease called the Green Death?

...Huh? You want to hear about Green Death? Hmm, let’s see... ...... Sorry! I don’t know a single thing about it!

Shoot. Now what?

Aww, don’t give me that look! Oh, I know! Maybe the girl at the Twinkling Tavern will know something. The Abyssal King ordered her to keep an inn where explorers can stay, right? I heard that she’s the one who treats injured people, too. Why not try asking her?





I’ve heard of it before. It’s a terrible parasite that feeds on human bodies as it kills them. Armoroad’s current technology must be incapable of curing it... But there is a way. I have heard that a rare herb called Scarlet Sage can be taken from the Third Stratum. If you can bring me some of that Scarlet Sage, I can make a remedy for you.

Thank you very much!

If you go back to the Armoroad Innkeeper at this point, he has this to say:

Oh! Have you managed to find a cure for that disease? ...I-I see. I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m rushing you... ...But at this rate, Elly’s not going to... You’re the only ones I can count on! Please, do something!

Now let's get that cure. Scarlet Sage is a rare gathering item from a 3rd Stratum Take Point.



I would be happy to help!





I also take the time to farm up a bunch of Flame Fruits so I can buy some Madoras.





No:

Even if I know how to prepare it, I can’t do anything without the Scarlet Sage. Even as we speak, more and more people are suffering. Please give it to me!

Yes:

Here you go!

Thank you. I’ll begin preparing the medication right now. Please wait here for a while.



Fade to black.



This will help those who are suffering from that disease! ...No, you don’t need to repay me. My orders from the Abyssal King are to help people. Please make sure this medicine gets to those in need.





Let's deliver this to the boy.



We have the remedy right here.

...Huh? You found the remedy? Th-Thank you so much! I’m going to send this to Elly right now! I’ve left the reward at the bar. Please get it there! You’ve been a great big help once again! Thank you, thank you, thank you!





You! You did it! I heard you found a cure and gave it to that kid! You’re all fantastic! All of you! Even you! You can beat anything in the world, from the biggest monster to the smallest microbe! Here is the reward the kid left for you. Thank you so much!





Another level up.



Frost Jars are an AOE Ice attack, essentially acting like Binary Ice. However, in this case they're actually more powerful than a max level Binary Ice, which deals 55% Ice damage. They actually deal 70% Ice damage instead. But you can't buy any of the tier 2 jars at this point, so use them wisely!



You want to stock up on these, since they're really good healing at this point.



Meh. I've never really found these too useful.







Mists will lower Fire/Ice/Volt damage that your party takes by 50% for 4 turns. However, they also affect the enemy, so be careful in how you use them. But now that I have enough money, it's time to give Scott even more power.









I normally don't bother with forging, but the Jolly Roger doesn't fall off until the 5th Stratum. So I get Scott an extra 6% of free damage. As if he wasn't already powerful enough.



And I spend the skill point Asteria just got. Ether Mastery now increases elemental damage by 4%.



Also I unlocked another piece of armor while I was farming Flame Fruits. Now let's actually explore the 3rd Stratum.









And there's another campsite.







So tell me. What's the deal with Faye? How did someone like that become your leader?

Ugh. The whole Labyrinth exploration was her idea, and we just came along to make sure she didn't get herself killed.



Once she heard that a guild went to the bottom and top of Etria's and Lagaard's Labyrinths, she wanted to do the same thing. Armoroad's Labyrinth was the closest one, so here we are!

But I don't think she really understands how dangerous this is. At least not until Agata...

Oh uh. I see. Well, should we get going?



And now we can skip most of those damage tiles.





The girl continues, her voice its usual monotonous tones.

We are in the lowest point of the Deep City. Further underground lies a cavern. It has existed since ages past. The point beyond the cavern is connected to the abyss.

With this, Olympia turns her back to you while continuing her explanation.

You will struggle against both monsters and the intense heat of the submarine volcano. It is dangerous, but you are no stranger to peril now. There should be nothing to fear.

Yeah, thanks to what you tried to do to us.

Shush.

The girl turns to leave, saying,

We’ll speak again once you reach the 10th floor...







There's 2 doors, but I'm going through this one for now.












Flame Lynx
HP: 340
TP: 93
STR: 31
VIT: 22
AGI: 26
LUC: 21
TEC: 25
Attack Type: Slash
Exp: 911
Item Drops:
-Drop 1: Burning Fur - 45% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Red Doublet (Clothes.) 2 needed for Flame Book (Book.) 5 needed for Oomiyari (Spear.)
--Red fur that absorbs fire to add to its own.
-Drop 2: N/A
-Gold: Flame Claw - Kill on the 1st turn. 85% Drop Rate.
--Cat’s claw that rends enemies with jets of flame.
Description: Brilliant flames serve as a second coat of fur. Its fiery claws kill its prey without fail.
Damage Resistances: Slash: 100% Strike: 100% Pierce: 100% Fire: IMMUNE Ice: 150% Volt: 100%
Ailment Resistances: Sleep: 100% Confusion: 100% Plague: 100% Poison: 100% Blind: 25% Curse: 100% Paralysis: 100%
Bind Resistances: Head: 100% Arm: 100% Leg: 122%
Other Resistances: Death: 100% Petrification: 100% Stun: 100%

Skills:

Evil Cry: Raises the user's attack for 4 turns.
Flame Claw: Uses the Arms. Deals 130% Slash damage to a single target.

Flame Lynxes aren't too much of a threat. On the 9th floor, they only use Evil Cry when they blindside you. But they'll use it more often on the later floors. Unfortunately, if you get blindsided by them, that disqualifies you for their Gold Drop. They're not as scary as Great Lynxes since you should have more ways of dealing with enemies now.







No cat's gonna take us down now!

And just look at that damage. Scott just one shot the poor thing. And that was an unbuffed uncharged Hanging. He has the potential to hit a lot harder.







Sheesh, I hope there's not much to this Stratum, cause my feet have several 4th degree burns!

Quit whining. The magma floors didn't hurt that much, and WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!

Eh?



DAH!






Mud Lurker
Behavior: Immobile during the night. Will chase the party during the day, but their movement is restricted to the hallway they're in.
Aggressive: Yes if it's daytime. No if it's nighttime.
HP: 2800
TP: 531
STR: 38
VIT: 43
AGI: 31
LUC: 34
TEC: 30
Attack Type: Pierce
Exp: 7120
Item Drops:
-Drop 1: Elastic Skin - 75% Drop Rate. 1 needed for Hayakaze (Spear. Must be restocked.)
--Skin elastic enough to absorb strong impacts.
-Drop 2: N/A
-Gold: N/A
Description: A worm that lurks in the mud awaiting prey. It is tough and wily, and will present a pitched battle.
Damage Resistances: Slash: 100% Strike: 50% Pierce: 100% Fire: 200% Ice: 50% Volt: 200%
Ailment Resistances: Sleep: 10% Confusion: 10% Plague: 10% Poison: 10% Blind: 10% Curse: 10% Paralysis: 10%
Bind Resistances: Head: 10% Arm: 10% Leg: 10%
Other Resistances: Death: 80% Petrification: 10% Stun: 10%

Skills:

Mud Spit: Uses the Head. Deals 80% Pierce damage to the entire party and has a 50% chance to bind their heads.
Worm Crack: Uses the Head. Deals 80% Pierce damage to the entire party and has a 50% chance to bind their legs.

Mud Lurkers are just annoying FOEs. They're resistant to every single ailment and bind, and they like to bind your body parts. Worm Crack will keep your party in the battle, and Mud Spit will shut down your Zodiacs. However, they're not too resistant to Instant Death, so if you have a form of that handy, try using it on them.











I don't think you guys are going anywhere.

We can see that, Fang.







Aw, I was hoping to get a Confusion proc. Oh well, at least it didn't bind Asteria's head.













It's not really a threatening FOE in most cases.





Here's a blocked off shortcut I missed earlier.



And here's where you can go to open it up.





In case you get trapped by the Mud Lurker, here's a one-way passage out.



Mud Lurkers will chase you, but only in the hallway they're in. They can't chase you around the Stratum. But if you come at night, they're completely immobile, and you can do as you wish.



And this is where that other door would have led.



Now this event is an AGI check. The game checks to see if anyone in your party has an AGI stat of 22 or above. If anyone fulfills the condition, in my case Scott, this happens:

What the? Get out of the way!

Scott reflexively looks up and sees a bevy of stones falling on your position! Acting on instinct, Scott shoves the rest of the party out of the way before taking shelter! The deafening crashes nearby cause you to cringe in spite of yourselves... But thankfully, no one seems to have been injured.

Sheesh, that was close. Thanks for the rescue.

You praise Scott’s quick thinking and compose yourselves before returning to your journey.

If no one qualifies for that, then the game checks to see if you have a Hoplite, in which case, this happens:

You reflexively look up to see a bevy of stones falling on your position!

AAHHH! What do we do!?

Your party is paralyzed in fear, save for Cassandra who steps forth, shield in hand!

Everyone! Get behind me!

Stones rain upon Cassandra’s shield--the resounding crashes are nearly deafening! After remaining on guard for some time, Cassandra finally tells the party it’s safe to emerge. Your comrades sigh with relief and praise Cassadra’s quick thinking before leaving this place.

Thanks Cassie.

But if your party qualifies for neither condition, well...

You reflexively look up to see a bevy of stones falling on your position! Unable to react fast enough, you suffer a rain of blows from the heavy stones!

Ow! My head!

My toes!

My everything!

Everyone loses 40 HP!

You stagger out of the room, covered in bumps and bruises...

Yeah if no one qualifies for either condition, then your party just loses some more HP.



There's a secret passage all the way down here.





And it contains some nice goodies.



I don't bother equipping these.



And here's a one way passage back into the main portion of the floor.

Next time, even more of the 3rd Stratum.