SweetSpearGirl Returns
Chapter 4: Demon Queen
Cast of Characters:
- SweetSpearGirl, the Intrepid Amazon
- Euyfura, the Sarcastic Sidekick
- Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish
TAKE HEED AND BEAR WITNESS TO THE TRUTHS THAT LIE HEREIN, FOR THEY ARE THE LAST LEGACY OF THE HORADRIM...
The Cathedral beckoned as SweetSpearGirl and Euyfura stepped off the Inner Cloister waypoint the next morning, after discovering that some kind soul had left a gold Brandistock in camp during the night. Within, they found Dark Ones and their as-always-annoying Shamen, and Wraiths (the latter led by Dragon Grumble the Hungry, extra-fast and probably a member of Kitsilan's favourite demon family...), as well as a pack of Tainted. No-one and nothing deigned to drop anything of any interest and after a brief diversion by Bone Ash (magic resistant, extra strong, cold enchanted, immune to cold), the zon and her merc descended the spiral staircase into the Catacombs.
Euyfura shivered. "It's cold down here!"
"That's because you're wearing that skimpy Rogue gear," SweetSpearGirl retorted, keeping her eyes strained in the gloom for anything that might be moving.
"Well I don't see you wearing anything on your legs either!" Euyfura complained.
"That's because I'm used to it!" The spearazon stuck her tongue out at the rogue, shoving over a casket lid to find - well, bugger-all worthy of notice actually. But that was okay because the next room's casket yielded two magic Rings.
A pair of Dark Shaman Champions later, they encountered Pit Grin the Grim (extra fast) and minions, a pack of speedy Tainted who prompted the spearazon to need to drink several potions! On the up side, both she and Euyfura levelled during the fight, and SweetSpearGirl threw her Rogue the Angelic mail while pulling on her own newest gear: Harpoonist's Chain Gloves of Chance.
"Bit warmer now, eh, Rogue?"
Euyfura just rolled her eyes and nocked another arrow.
More Dark Ones, more Shamen, another pack of Tainted. A few silly little Rat Men mixed in, but nothing they couldn't handle before reaching the way down to level 2. In level 2, their only obstacles were a pair of boss spiders (Mold Slime the Cold, mana burn; and Doom Vex, fire-enchanted); aside from this, the only occupants were more Tainted and Dark Ones with their Shamen. They found the way down to level 3 before the waypoint, which they discovered east of the way down along a crosswise corridor.
SweetSpearGirl mopped her brow as she sold off the loot back in town. "Maybe I should buy a stamina potion or two!"
"Speak for yourself," Euyfura said. "I can run all day!"
"You try being weighed down with this spear then," the Amazon snapped back.
Level 3 provided a welcome relief from Dark Shamen, although the usual Tainted quota was filled by packs of Afflicted (including a pack of Champions, and a boss, Blight Spell, extra fast, who did nonetheless drop Cleglaw's gloves). Ghouls, on the other hand, were slow and easy to deal with. Champion Banished were awkward, but on the other hand SweetSpearGirl did level up again, to 16, while fighting them. She sank five more points in Strength and boosted her Jab to slvl 10.
Now she was ready for Andariel. The duo were irritated at the presence of more Dark Shamen and their goblins in the level 4 antechamber, but they dispatched them with ease and shoved open the large double doors leading to the Maiden of Anguish's lair.
At first they were met only by a few Ghouls and a goblin or two, but after they punctured the Dark Shamen lurking around, Andariel herself strode down.
"DIE, MAGGOT!"
SweetSpearGirl was quickly poisoned, but Euyfura kept out of the way, firing arrows from behind a pillar while her companion drank pots and Jabbed the Demon Queen to death. Finally, Andariel immolated in a huge pillar of fire, the chamber shook, and a portal opened.
"No more Anguish-inflicting for THIS maiden!" SweetSpearGirl smirked.
"You're no maiden - oh, you meant Andariel," Euyfura popped off with an innocent look as her friend glared at her.
They packed up the loot and went back to sell it off (Andariel dropped SweetSpearGirl a rare amulet which, if not exactly great, was better than the one she had...
The night would be spent on the caravan crossing the mountain pass.
(SweetSpearGirl was level 16 when she defeated Andariel. Another 2/3rds of a level and she can equip a Bloodthief, which will be a major boost over and above her current Trident.)