Post by Deleted on May 5, 2018 8:05:56 GMT -8
The Catacombs:
The Catacombs are a large network of interconnected underground passageways.
They run below most of pre searing Ascalon and its countryside.
Full of twists and turns, they have many recesses dug out for various chambers, tombs and crypts.
The Catacombs were once the subterranean burial grounds belonging to Ashford Abbey.
Several areas of Ascalon are connected by The Catacombs, so they have often been used for travel.
Many of the dark corridors are lit by rows and rows of candles,
while others are barely lit by single sconces, adding to the danger from hidden foes.
The Catacombs are haunted by spirits of the undead,
making them dangerous for those travelers who dare to venture through them.
There are also areas of the catacombs that are prone to seepage,
which have become home to stagnant and sometimes poisonous swamp water.
Enchanting images of Balthazar, Dwayna , Grenth, Lyssa & Melandru adorn the ancient walls
of The Catacombs.
Adventurers who do manage to survive the swarms of undead and poisonous water,
are always rewarded with elaborate murals of the 5 original Gods of Tyria.
Since The Catacombs are underground, they cannot be viewed on the world map,
however your mission map will light up as you explore the depths of Presearing.
1. The Catacombs can be accessed in East from Ashford Abbey.
2. In the North West they can be entered into from Green Hills County,
just North of The Barradin Estate.
3. To the South The Catacombs can be entered into from Wizards Folly!
NPCs:
There are 2 collectors in the catacombs:
Karleen ~ is located near the far NorthWest entrance from Greenhill County.
For 5 Gargoyle Skulls, she will exchange footwear for every profession.
Gwynn ~ is located near the Eastern entrance from Ashford Abbey.
For 3 Skeletal Limbs, she will exchange Necromancer Gloves or low end weapons.
Various other NPCs found in The Catacombs:
Academy Monks located at the Resurrection Shrine near the Ashford Abbey portal.
Paulus the Abbot appears during the quest A Monk's Mission, given by Brother Mhenlo in Ashford Abbey.
He can be located just inside the entrance from the abbey when the quest is active.
Necromancer Munne is located just inside the Ashford Abbey entrance,
to the right in a small stone chamber. She has 2 quests available:
a. The Necromancer’s Novice, which is both a primary and secondary quest, available for Necromancers only.
b. Rites of Remembrance, a secondary quest available to any profession.
Oberan the Reviled is located at the mouth of the circular gallery in the far NorthWest corner of The Catacombs.
He has 1 quest available:
a. The Accursed Path , a secondary quest available to Necromancers only.
Restless Spirits are located in the recessed chambers south of the entrance from Ashford Abbey.
Wandering near the Remembrance Braziers, through the murky swamp water that has seeped into
their crypts, these are the ghosts of Ascalon’s forsaken Vanguard Soldiers.
They cannot find peace in death, until the proper honors have been bestowed for their life's sacrifice.
They will attack nearby hostiles, as was their duty in life, while character allies will not be harmed.
The quest Rites of Remembrance is the honor they seek.
Once this quest is completed, the spirits will move on, no longer to be seen again.
Monsters:
Foes that roam The Catacombs:
Devourers are located in the Southernmost region of The Catacombs, exiting into Wizards Folly.
Carrion, Diseased & Snapping Devourers will all be found in this area of The Catacombs.
They are well hidden in the sand and dirt, waiting for the unwary traveler to step too close.
Their stingers are often not noticed right away, until they strike, when it is far too late.
Gargoyles and Shatter Gargoyles are located in the far North and NorthWest region of The Catacombs.
You can tiptoe by the Gargoyles with ease while they enjoy their lazy slumber, but beware the Shatter
Gargoyles. If they see or sense your approach, they will attack without mercy.
Nightmares such as Crypt Fiends & a Tomb Nightmare are located in the Inner Ritual Chamber of
The Catacombs. There are very few of them, but they are deadly to the unsuspecting.
Deadly Crypt Spiders are located throughout the winding path that leads downhill,
from Grenth’s mural, near the chambers where the the Flame Geysers are located.
Approximately 12 of them will drop down onto that path,
just between the two areas where bands of skeletons roam.
But, be wary when you travel there.
For while you look over you shoulder for signs of skeleton attacks,
you may wind up as a tasty snack for ravenous arachnids.
Undead Restles Corpses and Raging Cadavers are located in the largest regions of The Catacombs.
They can be found spread from the Ashford Abbey entrance heading towards the South,
over to the West and the far North West Circular Gallery near the Green Hills County portal.
Just above this Gallery the Skeleton boss Skullreaver looks out over his armies.
There are 2 Statues (as well as many murals) of The Great God Grenth in the Catacombs:
One is in a recess, just off the raised area, in the gallery south of the Ashford Abbey entrance.
The second is located up a pathway, in an area behind Necromancer Munne,
where a large group of gargoyles is gathered.
Interactive Objects:
Flame Geysers:
The Flame Geysers can do an extensive amount of damage when triggered.
They disappear afterwards, leaving only scorched shadows.
There are a total of 3 Flame Geysers in The Catacombs, the first of which is triggered by a devourer.
The Flame Geysers inflict damage by releasing a splinter mine.
This mine inflicts 500 elemental damage on its targets, usually resulting in the death of the target.
Characters can however survive geysers with enough health and armor.
Traps can also be triggered by mini pets or by the bonus imp.
The Flame Geysers are used in Necromancer Munne’s quest A Necromancer’s Novice.
Remembrance Braziers:
These are lit to bring peace to the restless spirits of The Catacombs.
During Rites of Remembrance it will display a candle after you click on it.
Notes:
The following quests will affect the foes that spawn in the area:
A Monk’s Mission
The Power of Blood
Vanguard Quests Available that will also affect foe spawns are:
Vanguard Annihilation: Undead
Vanguard Rescue: Save the Ascalonian Noble
• The Rites of Remembrance quest spawns several L10 Restless Spirit allies.
These allies help you during A Monk’s Mission & The Vanguard Undead quests.
It is not necessary to have the votive candles in your pack for them to spawn.
• Smiting Monks can quickly gain levels killing foes in The catacombs.
Symbol of Wrath is very effective for AoE smiting of large numbers of foes in small areas.
• When the bonus Fire Imp is active in The Catacombs,
take care when traveling along the corridor that leads to Oberan.
If you wander too far to the left, the imp will attack skeletons in the parallel corridor,
getting stuck by attacking until the foes in that area are dead.
You must clear those foes, by whatever means available, to release it.
This may entail backtracking to the parallel corridor to kill those foes.
Stay to the right when traversing this corridor,
or clear the parallel corridor first to avoid this problem.
Trivia:
• Near Karleen, the collector close to the Green Hills County portal, there is long bridge spanning
a pit in the cave. In the pit beneath that bridge rests the skeleton of a very large dragon.
• The Catacombs do not re-appear in post after The Searing.
This is because all of the entrances are blocked by collapse from the aftershocks.
• Even though there are 2 statues of Grenth in the Catacombs,
you cannot receive any blessings in Presearing, even if the world has the Favor Of The Gods.