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About Maps
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You've defeated
hordes of undead, searched high and low for the dreadsword daemonic, and
talked to countless ghostly remnants of the once-proud people of Myth
Drannor to aid you in your ultimate goal . . . all the while patting the
trusty map cases at your side and thanking the gods for your luck in discovering
them. In Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, heroics are largely
determined by your ability to navigate catacombs, dungeons, and overgrown
terrain as you seek the next band of evil minions to slay or glorious
treasure to unearth.
In
their travels, player characters also happen across notes, journal
entries, marching orders, and other missives that have been left
behind, pillaged, or discarded. These pieces of parchment help immerse
players into the game world by enhancing storylines, hinting at
routes to take, and suggesting areas where caution may be warranted.
Signposts also exist, especially in the dwarven dungeons, to point
out sites of note or importance. Players can flag these areas to
remind themselves, for example, that north leads to the remnants
of an inn overtaken by orcs, while southwest takes one into the
main square.
Travel, incidentally, doesn't always mean footing it through rubble
and slimy dungeons. Later in the game, a magical device known as
the orrery allows players to cruise strands of magic upheld
by the power of the Mythal. Given the size of the ruined city, new
adventurers might find themselves disoriented while using such a
device. But with their trusty maps available, characters can employ
the orrery to cut down on time lost simply moving between
places, enabling them to devote more time to discovering and dealing
with the disturbance concerning the new pools of radiance.
Knowing where you have left to go and what areas you've already cleared out is an essential part of any roleplaying game. An adventuring party had best stay alert to new areas since unknown dangers could be formidable. In the end, it will be that old, worn-out map stuffed deep in the reaches of your backpack that leads you to your ultimate battle with fate. Now . . . was it right or left at the fork up ahead to breach the battlements of Castle Cormanthor's outer wall?