Aisean Draco -- it
means 'rib draco'. These skeletons are remnants of the dracos who were
trapped when the seal was made. They cannot be truly killed; when one is
destroyed it reappears after a short while.
On a warm night in the spring of Deoch 19, I was up late in Loures Library with insatiable curiosity. I searched what seemed like every tome for information regarding the area we call the Chaos realm. My insatiable curiosity has led me to venture many times into the wonderful, horrible place. Sometimes I would go alone, praying to Glioca for protection from the fearsome inhabitants, and sometimes I would bring a small army of companions.
This is a compilation of my findings.
The Chaos Realm is far older than any of us first imagined. It was originally called Hn Kalrone, which means The Hearth, or The Fireplace, in the draconian tongue. It was, in fact, one of many draco settlements throughout the world during the second aeon -- around 25,000 summers ago!
The caves were sealed by the dracos for some unfathomable reason. It can be guessed, from the maligned appearance of the spirits within, that it was to seal some horror away.
In early Deoch 18, the druid Coibhi came to tell aislings that something foreboding was on the horizon. There had been vipers mysteriously appearing in areas where they had never before been seen. Their numbers increased slowly, and no one knew why.
Then later that Deoch, an earthquake caused a strange room to open in the back of Pravat Cave. Inside, the source of the vipers was found. An ancient monolith was summoning them forth, filling all the lands with the critters. At once, swarms of aislings descended on the monolith, attacking it in any way they could. The monolith appeared to perish... but the snakes still came, at an even greater pace. The temples were filled, the floor of the inns were a sea of green, snakes were EVERYWHERE!
The monolith could not be truly destroyed, save by the collecting of three items: Viper venom, Granite, and Sacred Wax. In time, these three items were found, and the ceremony was preformed to stop the influx of the bothersome snakes.
However, the removal of this monolith opened a pathway to another realm. A realm where few are able to go, and even fewer dare try.
Virtually all of the creatures thus far encountered are of the Dark element. Therefore, the most effective magic is Deo Saighead, the Light Element spell. A good Chaos team consists of 4 or 5 aislings with the ability to cast deo saighead, 1 or 2 with the ability to blind, and 1 or 2 with the ability to cast Mor Fas Nadur, to increase effectiveness.
In the first 7 areas, there are some tight halls. Stay close together, and do not go faster than you are able. Patience is the key to sucess.
Conserve Mana. It is the only effective weapon in Chaos. A warriors suain, and a monk's skill are helpful, but not truly necessary. After all, a Dark creature with Mor Fas Nadur is all but impossible to kill with anything but deo saighead -- a fact that most aislings with dark belts take advantage of.
The value of coins found here averages 10,000 to 30,000 for every thing zapped. Where does it come from? No Aisling Knows. But mundanes accept it, so we collect it.
The training is wonderful. ((500,000 to 800,000 exp if you were to kill anything alone, 150,000 to 300,000 in an 8-person group))
and now, a floor-by-floor summary of my findings.
This is a gathering place. No creatures are able to enter this area. It was probably the Focus of the ancient seal.
When preparing to enter, this is a good place to gather your companions and prepare
The first area in which you can encounter creatures.
Aisean Draco -- it
means 'rib draco'. These skeletons are remnants of the dracos who were
trapped when the seal was made. They cannot be truly killed; when one is
destroyed it reappears after a short while.
They are easily the most dangerous of all the creatures in the first 6 areas of Chaos. Once aroused, they will periodically cast Ard Srad Ionad, the most powerful form of bres spells. This fearsome magik works on any aisling in the area, at unlimited distance. Fortunately, the creatures cannot use it when blinded.
Batuss -- much smaller, they resemble small stone golems.
It has been
observed that they build each other from small piles of stone whenever their
numbers decrease for whatever reason. Believed to have been servants to the
dracos. Batuss are actually harder to kill that Aisean dracos. they are
also more numerous. However, they have no spellcasting abilities; their only
attack is to bludgeon with surprisingly strong arms.
EXITS:
southwest and southeast exits both lead to the same place on 3. Northwest exit leads to chaos 1.
Aisean Dracos and Batuss are found here as well. In addition, one may also see an occasional
Craidhneach --
These are believed to be aosdic warriors who perished in the battle to seal the realm. Their battle cries still echo in the dark caverns, and they wield sword made from talos ore. They do not have the ability to use magic.
EXITS: Northeast leads back to Southeastern 2. Southeast leads to Chaos 5, Southwest leads to Chaos 4
In this area, the battle was at its hottest. The ceiling is high, and it is wider than any other of the first few floors. But proceed with caution; the Aisean Draco population here is very high.
Aisean Dracos, Craidhneach and Clogad Craidhneach can be found here.
Clogad Craidhneach -- This is a Craidhneach that still bears boots and armor
made from talos ore. This of course makes them harder to destroy. Those who
seek the Talos Ore, these are what you should battle.
EXITS: Northeast leads up to 3, Southeast leads down to 6.
This area contains only Craidhneach and Clogad Craidneach, neither of which are magik-using creatures. But the path becomes painfully narrow. To get an army of aislings through can be a daunting task.
EXITS: NW up to 3 SW down to 6.
Artan Deamhans -- These gigantic creatures of stone seem to be related to the Batuss. They are able to speak
in the language of the dracos, leading scholars to believe that they were created by the
dracon race, possibly as servants.
EXITS: NW Up to 4, NE up to 5, SE down to 7
WARNING! To go beyond 6 is to risk certain doom.
In this accursed floor, many an aisling has perished. No known group has ever been able to defeat the loathsome fiend known as the Sgraidht.
Sgraidht -- It resembles a human form with a grey tattered cloak and a long
wooden staff. This malignant evil is the Chandi Mukul of the chaos realm. It
can move while suained, can apparently Ao Dall itself, and casts a spell that
is known among aislings as 'water dragon'. Fear it. This spell does moderate
damage to EVERYONE. As of this writing, if an aisling is skulled at it is
cast, the aisling will die. Instantly. ((Is this a bug???!! please say it is,
Mark. Please.))
EXITS: Travel to the north corner first. NW is up to 6, SE is down to 8.
In this area, everything changes. No longer are you in the dark caverns; you are in a hot, pit of fire. This is why the place was named Hn Kalrone. This is an advantage to aislings, as there are no high walls to block the view. But the monsters compensate for this fact, amply. In this area are Artan Deamhans, the dread Sgraidht, and the Srad Deamhan.
Srad Deamhans --
These beings of fire float approximately two arm-lengths
above the ground.
EXITS: Go south. You'll find it. Only one way to go.
In this area, Creatures whose species have never seen the light of the sun spawn by the light of the glowing lava. Sgraidht in great numbers appear, making this one of the most dangerous areas in all of the Chaos realm. Srad Deamhans float here as well, accompanying the Porboss.
Porboss -- The origins of this creature are unknown.
Approximately the size of an orc, it has adapted to the extreme heat of its environment.
It has one large eye, and bears an enormous clawed fist. Woe unto the aisling that
falls within its reach!
At this point, the Sgraidht can no longer stand the intense heat. The only creatures found at this depth are Srad Deamhans, Porboss, and the Losgann, all adapted to incredible heat.
Losgann --Very little is known about this
mysterious creature, save that it has no skin on its face, clenches enormous fists,
is unaffected by fire, and does not
look friendly.
The creatures inhabiting this fiery depth are the Porboss, the Losgann, and the Kabungkl.
Kabungkl -- Floating above the ground a spouting fire, this odd creature is truly amazing.
Its off appearance has led aislings to dub it, somewhat humorously, the "Killer Bunny Rabbit."
Apparently, it latches on to Srad Deamhans while they are forming, and consumes them.
This would explain why no fully-formed Srad Deamhans are
found at this depth, and also explain that odd ball near their bellies --
an unformed Srad Deamhan.
EXITS: As soon as you get to this floor, go Southeast. The path winds around to the SW wall, where the exit is. the NE stair, where you enter, leads back to 10.
Aog Ridir -- These fearsome Knights of Death appear as maligned mockeries of the
great Aosdic knights. Fear their blades, crafted of a metal forgotten long before Hy-Brasyl,
and far more resilient.
EXITS: Northwest and Northeast stairs both lead to the same spot on 11.