Into The Maw Of Chaos (Mission 15)
My best time on Expert: 11 minutes, 29 seconds
Maximum Possible Treasure: 0
A note regarding my best time: The time listed is the time given at the end of the mission. However, after swapping the Eye and returning to hiding, all that was left to do was sit and watch as The Trickster finished the ritual, which took over three minutes. My TRUE best time (in my opinion) is the time in which I got back to hiding. According the save game file, this time was 8 minutes, 11 seconds.
Introduction
"The weights in each pan of the balance had increased greatly. As he approached his triumph, our foe had made himself vulnerable. We were unable to directly influence, and could only watch and wait to see whether his pridefully chosen pawn would prove his undoing."
— Keeper AnnalsWell...this is it. The Hammers say they've received word that Constantine's descended into his realm, to perform a ritual with the Eye. The Hammers have built me a booby-trapped, counterfeit Eye...if I can swap it for the real thing, it should cause him some trouble...IF he doesn't notice me....
I've never robbed a god before. It'll be a challenge....
Objectives: Normal & Hard
- The Keeper's tell you that Constantine's gone into the "Maw of Chaos". You get to go in after him.
- If you can swap the fake Eye the Hammerites made for the real Eye he's using in the ritual, that should put a damper on his plans.
Objectives: Expert
- The Keeper's tell you that Constantine's gone into the "Maw of Chaos". You get to go in after him.
- If you can swap the fake Eye the Hammerites made for the real Eye he's using in the ritual, that should put a damper on his plans.
- The more beasts come through that portal, the more get through to the Hammer temple and the city. The Hammers tell you that if you don't destroy the portal before Constantine finishes his ritual, it may remain open forever even if the Trickster's plan fails.
Simplified Objectives
- Descend through the Maw of Chaos and locate Constantine.
- Swap the real Eye with the replica that the Hammerites crafted.
- Destroy the portal that the beasts are entering through, before Constantine finishes his ritual.
Before The Mission
What You'll Encounter: Monkeymen, Insect-Beasts, Fly Swarms, Craymen, Frogs, Fire Elementals, Spiders, The Trickster.
Starting Funds: 0 (see below).
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Starting Gear:
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Items for Sale:
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The Papyrus in your inventory for this mission is your instructions from the Hammer High Priest. They read:
Garrett:
All we can offer you in aid are these crystals and this passage from one of our oldest books:
"The Trickster's works, such as they are, are made from the unformed stuff of the world, not the proper materials the Builder hath taught. Fire and water, earth and air — these are for the Trickster as brick and beam are to us. But, like their master, they are flawed. His Maw is anchored by raw elements, and therein lies its weakness. Destroy each of its anchors with its opposite, and the Maw must then follow in their wake."
You do not even get an opportunity to examine your items (i.e., the purchases screen) before you are dropped into the mission...you enter it right from the mission objectives screen.
Recommended Purchases: None. Total Cost: 0
Mission Notes
The fact that there is no treasure to find simplifies this mission for you dramatically. No need to look in every nook and cranny to see if someone dropped a ring or a purse, no examining endless bottles of wine to find the one that's worth something. But don't think that means this mission will be easy! :)
The instructions from the Hammers are somewhat cryptic, but in plain english, they are saying that you will need to have a Water Arrow, Fire Arrow, Moss Arrow, and Gas Arrow to close the portal. Therefore, never use your last one! Otherwise, you'll be unable to complete your mission.
There are quite a few arrows of all varieties scattered about the place. I believe you can find a total of about 10 of each element type (air, earth (moss), fire, water). In addition to saving one of each of these, try to save about four Moss Arrows for the finale. You may also want to save a few Gas Arrows for the Spider caves, and some Water Arrows for the Fire Elementals.
I'll be suggesting that you save your game often in this mission, as there are a number of places where it can be tricky to get through without attracting attention.
In the first area of the mission, there is a constant stream of monsters coming through the area (Insect-Beasts, Monkeymen, and the blue Craymen). Because of this, and because different people do things quicker or slower than others, the walkthrough cannot say things like "Wait here until the Crayman has passed by". When working through that area, you'll have to rely on your own common sense and instincts for when it's safe to move and when you should sit tight and wait.
There is an area of the mission where you will find some bright blue crystals. Do not get to close to these crystals. Touching them will damage you.
There is a long "underwater" section in this mission, which I have as yet been unable to complete without losing some health points due to lack of air. Alas, I've been unable to find a Breath Potion anywhere in this mission. Does anyone know if there is one?
Be very stingy about giving up your health points. You will find NO Healing Potions, and although there are seven of those "two point" fruits to be found, some of them are difficult to get without losing health in the process!
A word regarding The Trickster. Don't try to fight him. You'll lose. Trust me. :)
When you find The Trickster at the end, he will be performing his ritual with the Eye. I have once again been fortunate to have someone send me the text of The Trickster's litany. For those who are interested, here it is:
Vine grow and twine green and curl chokes and bind
Leaves unfurled thornsie spine tumble wall wreath and
Bine cover all leafsie mine call the vine call the
Green bringsie forth world be seen!Storm black and blow swirly gust strain winds flow
Pushing dust storm clouds grow darksie clouds
Lightning throw misty shroud freezie snow call the
Storm call the gray bringsie forth world's old way!Flame burning heat fences charred blazie sheet black
And tar manflesh meat melting gears dance and leap
Manfool's fear come to reap call the fire call the red
Bringsie forth past not dead!Tide rise and fall river flood rain and squall
Churning mud dam break all sea waves wash swampy
Squall sewer slosh drain pipes stall call the wave
Call the blue bringsie forth world anew!Stone grind and quake shatter tile call and shake
Break apile chip and flake darry soil windows break
Earthy toil wall unmake call earth call the brown
Bringsie forth world thrown down!Night smother light black brick lamp done with bright
Dew and damp smother tight dark and hide foolsie sight
Stay inside fear the night call the dark call the
Black bringsie forth I call it back!Open for me open to me open my way open the path open
For me open!
(As always, if anyone knows of or spots any errors in the above, please let me know.)
Walkthrough
| The Purple Caverns | The Natural Caverns | The Blue Crystal Caverns | The Waterway | The Tree | The Spider Caves | The Lava Tunnels | The Portal | The Trickster |
The Purple Caverns
This section of the mission has three different types of areas that will be used to describe it. There are the purple caves (which are a sort of side-road through the area), the main walkway, or simply walkway (where the monsters travel), and the "off to the side" area. This last one is (surprise, surprise) off to the side of the main walkway, but is generally more shadowed and you can therefore hide as monsters pass. Also, each purple cavern has only two entrances, so when you go in, I'll usually just tell you to follow them until you reach the exit.
As soon as you start this mission, rush forward into the tunnel ahead, and stop inside the dark area, where you will be hidden. Almost immediately, an Insect-Beast and a Monkeyman will come into sight. Wait here for them. If they are far enough part so that the distress of one will not notify the other, then knock them out. Otherwise, let them pass. If you let them pass, turn to watch pass through the portal behind you. Once they've done so, turn so your back is to the portal.
Continue forward, and when you emerge from the tunnel turn right. Move into the purple cavern ahead. Just inside on the floor is a Gas Arrow. Once you've grabbed it, move through this tunnel system, until you find the exit. Near that exit will be another Gas Arrow on the floor. However, don't approach it just yet.
SAVE YOUR GAME! This cavern exits back into the tunnel, and odds are good that there's a parade nearby. Move over so you are hidden and can also lean out to look. If there's no parade, or once it has gone by, you can move out somewhat safely. But be alert. To the left of the exit is another Insect-Beast on guard duty. (Also, grab that Gas Arrow before you leave.)
Exit the purple cave, and move forward. Ahead, move off to the side on the left of the walkway. Once safely there, continue forward, following the main walkway. You will shortly come to a rock formation which blocks your path, trying to force you back onto the walkway.
SAVE YOUR GAME! Another nearby Insect-Beast standing guard. Face the rock formation and move forward. You should just walk right over it, and then you'll be able to see the Insect-Beast. Don't worry, you'll still be in shadows if you stay to the left side. When you reach the top, you will be able to see a purple cave to the left. Move into it, remembering to stay in the shadows. Grab the Gas Arrow on the ground here. (Note: When you try to enter the purple cave, you may fall rather loudly. This does not seem to attract the Insect-Beast's attention, as long as you are walking, not running.)
You want to move through this purple cave section, but that Insect-Beast is making matters difficult. Turn so you are facing the it, and when it looks away from you, then you can turn and move through the lit patch ahead and into the safety of the cavern.
Follow this cavern around to the other side. There will be another Gas Arrow for you to grab along the way. When you reach the end, you should be facing back out onto the main walkway, with the Insect-Beast you just bypassed ahead.
At this point, you can move forward slowly, and allow yourself to fall out of the purple cavern and back onto the side area. You'll still be hidden in shadows.
SAVE YOUR GAME! Watch the Insect-Beast, and when he turns so his back is to the main path, turn left and move forward. Stay on the rough gray stone to the side of the main path until it drops you onto the main path, near the entrance of a purple cavern ahead. Move forward towards the purple cavern, but don't go in it just yet. Despite it's open appearance, there are a couple of spots right here that are dark enough to hide in. Move into one of them, and stop.
You should still be facing with your back to the Insect-Beast you just passed. Turn right. Ahead, quite a ways away, is another Insect-Beast standing guard. If he seems quiet, then turn right again, and watch the one you just passed by. If he seems quiet, then you've successfully gotten this far. (Also, make sure any other nearby creatures haven't spotted you.)
SAVE YOUR GAME! Turn right around so you're facing the entrance to the purple cavern again. There is not much darkness to hide in there, so this next part can be a bit tricky. Move into the purple cavern, trying to stay as hidden as possible. Follow the cavern...it will turn right almost immediately, and you can see that it opens up back onto the main path ahead. If there's any creatures going by, wait for them to pass before risking moving forward through the lit area.
When you do move forward, you'll drop down onto a purple ledge, half shrouded in dark. In the lit portion to the right you'll find two more Gas Arrows for you to grab. There's also a nearby Insect-Beast in that direction.
SAVE YOUR GAME! This next part is risky. Turn to the right, and watch the Insect-Beast standing guard there. (Beyond it, you should also be able to see the entrance to the next set of purple caverns.) When he's not looking, turn left and move forward off the ledge, and onto the side area of the path. Turn right, and move forward until you're hidden in the shadows.
As long as the Insect-Beast is not looking in your direction, you should be fine. You now need to sneak up behind it and knock it out. Once that's done, turn until you find the next purple-cavern entrance again, and when you don't have wandering monsters to worry about, move across the main path and go inside.
Once inside, turn left. Move forward a bit, and look on the ground to your left to find another Gas Arrow. Once you've grabbed it, continue following this cavern to the end. About halfway through you'll find another Gas Arrow on the ground.
When you reach the end, you'll be looking out into a semi-dark, natural cavern. Off to your left (you may not be able to see it until you move out) is the main path. You won't be seeing it anymore.
Move forward and drop down into the cavern. Stay in the shadows and move forward.
The Natural Caverns
SAVE YOUR GAME! This part can be quite dangerous, as you may have to knock out a few critters, and the only real hiding spot is right in their path!
Continue moving forward, following this tunnel. At the end it will turn right into a larger cavern. Turn to look down that way. If there are no creatures coming, then so far so good. If there are, then you have to decide what to do. If there's only one, you can risk trying to blackjack it. If there's more than one, you can either turn around and find a better hiding spot (back near the last purple caverns you just left), or risk a closer one. Turn so the exit from this tunnel is to your right. Directly ahead is some nice deep shadow, but you have to cross a brightly lit area to get to it.
Once you have managed to get to this part with no creatures approaching (that you can see), turn right and move forward into the next cavern. Follow the path around to some stairs down. (If some creatures start coming your way while you do this, there are a couple of hiding spots against the wall.) Before going down the stairs, I suggest you hide in the shadows nearby and save your game, just in case.
Take the first set of stairs down, then turn right and move forward down a second flight of stairs. Immediately in the next room turn left and move forward. Be careful now, there could me monsters nearby! (There are a couple of dark spots to hide in in this area, if the need arises.)
When you reach the end, turn left and move out into the "open". (It's actually just a really big cavern.) You'll be on some sort of a ledge with a long drop into lava on most sides. If you look off the left edge (try simply leaning to the left while looking straight ahead), you'll see a ledge beneath that you can land on. Move onto that ledge.
Turn so that the ledge you just fell from is to your right, and move forward off the ledge you're standing on. You'll land on another one. Move forward and turn left, and move forward again (stay close to the wall on the left) so that you fall of the ledge. You'll land on yet another one. Turn left and move forward, down the slope ahead.
There are no real choices at this point, so just continue following the path ahead until you are facing into the cavern of the blue crystals. (Also not that, once you enter that sloping passage, you no longer have to worry about "wandering monsters" anymore.)
[Note: After having gone through all that, I'm now going to tell you that it IS possible to simply race through the entire preceding section, grabbing Gas Arrows as you go, and make it to this point with all your health.]
The Blue Crystal Caverns
Ahead of you is the blue crystal caverns. Remember, don't touch any of the crystals, or you'll take damage! This problem is further compounded by the fact that the floor in these rooms is slippery, and you may find yourself sliding into one by accident. Lastly, there are some Water Arrows scattered about this cavern that you'll want to grab.
Move forward until you are standing at the top of a small (but steep) slope leading down onto the ice. You should now be standing between two of the blue crystal formations. Position yourself so that you are about halfway between them. Then look out onto the ice, so that you can see all five of the formations out there.
Now that you are positioned as described, I will tell you where the Water Arrows are. I will refer to each crystal formation as a number. From your position now, the leftmost formation is #1, and the rightmost is #5.
- There is a single Water Arrow on this side of the formation. Although difficult, it is possible to pick it up while still on the slope, before going onto the ice.
- One Water Arrow, on the other side of the formation.
- There are two Water Arrows on this side of the formation. From your position at the top of the slope, you should be able to make them out.
- No Water Arrows.
- Two Water Arrows on the right, one on the left.
Although you probably can't see it from, you are also facing directly towards the exit from this cavern. Once through there, there is another formation with two Water Arrows beside it on the ice. There are also three Frogs hopping around the area.
Before you leave this cavern, I highly recommend you pick up a minimum of three more Water Arrows. You've got some Fire Elementals coming up shortly that you'll have to deal with.
Move around the cavern, collecting all the Water Arrows that you like, and then leave through the exit indicated above. Try to move into the shadows as quickly as possible, before being sighted by the Frogs. (Remember...watch your step on the slippery ice!) Before you leave this larger cave, be sure you have all the arrows you want. Once you leave, the slope will be too steep to come back.
SAVE YOUR GAME! To deal with the Frogs, do something to grab their attention. While they're sitting around contemplating their navels, shoot them with Broadhead Arrows. You'll then be free to move through the cave.
After the Frogs have been dealt with, move through their tunnels. You will shortly come to the top of a very long, very steep slope, riddled with those blue crystals.
[Note: Once again, you can simply run through this part with the Frogs instead of taking the time to kill them.]
SAVE YOUR GAME! Line yourself up so that moving down the slope will not bring you into contact with any of those annoying blue crystals. Move forward onto the slope, and you'll soon start sliding very quickly. You can move side to side (slightly) to avoid the crystals, if you miscalculated. When you near the bottom, hold down on your "Walk Backwards" key, so that you won't run into any of the crystals at the bottom. Quickly, turn right and move forward into the shadows.
SAVE YOUR GAME! Time to deal with some Fire Elementals. You should now be looking into the Fire Elemental cavern. There are three of them floating around in there. Position yourself so that you have a good view of the cavern, but are still hidden. Then whip out your Water Arrows, and go to work.
Once the three of them have been turned into steam, move into their cavern. Directly ahead of you there should be a growth of those blue crystals. Head towards it. When you're very near it, you'll see beyond it a small ledge with some Fire Arrows on it. Alas, this ledge is partway down towards a river of lava. No matter. Run and jump across the river to the other side. Then, if you want more Fire Arrows (this will pretty much depend on how you deal with creatures you come across) turn around, crouch, look down, and grab them. There are three in total.
Whether you get the arrows or not, turn so your back is to the lavaflow you just jumped. From this point on, you can go either the safe way or the fast way.
The Safe Way: Turn right and move forward. Ahead is another formation of blue crystals. Move past it into the opening which appears before you. Follow this twisty path until you until you can either continue forward or turn left, then stop.
The Fast Way: Instead of turning right, just move forward. There's a rather large gap, with another ledge of Fire Arrows on the other side. Despite my initial disbelief, I found that this gap is jumpable! So jump across to the other side. (Naturally, you need to position yourself so the jump is as small as possible.) I do suggest saving your game before trying this jump.
If you want the Fire Arrows and you took the safe way, then turn left and move forward to the edge of the gap. If you took the fast way, then just turn around. Look down, crouch, and grab all five. (You may need to move around a bit to get them all.)
If you got the Fire Arrows, then turn around, move forward, and turn left. If you jumped the large gap and didn't get the arrows, then just move forward and turn left. If you took the safe way and didn't get the arrows, then don't do anything...you're already where you're supposed to be. :)
Move forward down this passageway, and when you've passed by both blue crystal growths, turn right. Continue forward until you find yourself at the top of a long drop.
SAVE YOUR GAME! Despite appearances, you can survive this. Before you do though, you should know two things:
- You're in for something of a ride here. You'll be sliding your way through a few of those blue crystal clusters. While it's not terribly difficult to navigate to avoid them, you should be warned about them.
- Immediately after going through the opening at the bottom of this room, there is a non-slippery "ramp" of sorts to the right, which will lead to some goodies, if you want them. Another Fire Arrow and four of those fruits which heal you.
Move forward off the edge, and fall. (Try not to walk too far forward before the fall, or the fall will damage you.) If you want the goodies mentioned above, then aim yourself to the right so you can get onto the "ramp". Follow the ramp until you can turn left or go straight. At the end of the left branch is the Fire Arrow. At the end of the path straight ahead you'll find the fruits. Once you have what you want, return to the ramp and step back onto the ice.
Once the ice pulls you into the second cavern, you'll see the crystals all around. Follow the path the ice is leading you along (not like there's much choice), and avoid the crystals. Do NOT just let yourself be dragged along...you'll die from the impact when you hit something (including the end of the ride). It actually helps to hold down the "Run Forward" key (default W) to control your slide. If you don't, then you don't seem to be able to turn properly. Just remember to hit the "backwards" key (default X) before hitting the bottom to avoid taking damage.
Once you do hit bottom, you should be looking into a cavern with a large, blue crystal construct in the centre. Move into this cavern, but DO NOT TOUCH THE CONSTRUCT! It is made of the same material as the blue crystal formations, and will damage you.
On the opposite side of the cave from where you entered is a waterfall. Move over to it and stand in front of it, facing it. Odd...it appears to be falling upwards!
The Waterway
SAVE YOUR GAME! This next part can be very dangerous. Take a deep breath, and jump into the waterfall.
For most of this part, the waterway's current will drag you along in the way you want to go. Just follow it. There will be times when the current will suddenly change direction, so you'll need to change your facing to see where you're going. And if you find the current no longer pulls you, simply continue in the direction you were going until it grabs you again.
At one point you will find a cave entrance on your right that, should you wish to enter, you will need to pull yourself up into. Don't bother. There's nothing in there to interest you.
There is a point where the river will take you UP again, then turn your direction around. At that point, you may notice that the "top" of the water is beneath you! Do NOT try to go that way for air...you'll just fall back down into the river below.
The upside-down river is a long underwater sojourn. At ONE point, there is the chance to get air. As you follow the flow, you'll find an "opening" on the left, covered with water (much like the "pools on the wall" in "Escape!"). If you move through it, you will take in some much needed air. However, it opens onto a narrow shelf, so don't move too far away from the entry back into the waterway, or you'll fall.
[NOTE: While it is very difficult, I have on one occasion been able to make it to this air pocket without taking damage.]
SAVE YOUR GAME! It was an arduous task to get this far...why repeat it? Once you have the your air supply replenished turn right around and enter the waterway again. Turn left and move forward until you are grabbed by the current again.
Soon, you'll find yourself in an "underwater cavern" of sorts, again with the "top" of the water beneath you. Look down, and you'll see the blue crystal construct near the waterfall that you bypassed earlier. You now need to aim yourself directly above it, then move "up" out of the water so you will fall into it. If you miscalculate and hit the construct, you'll take damage, but you may LAND on it and be able to walk into the opening, falling as you should have before.
When you land in the water below, simply wait for the water flow to force you up. Turn so you are facing the only direction you can go, then move forward and climb out of the water.
The Tree
SAVE YOUR GAME! I highly doubt you'd appreciate repeating that underwater nightmare. Move forward, following this tunnel, until you've entered a very large cavern, with a very large tree in the centre. Be careful in here, as there are three Monkeymen on patrol around the tree.
Turn right, and move around the cavern. Stick to the shadows when possible to avoid being seen by the Monkeymen. Pass by the first "root" and continue circling the tree. When you reach the second "root", move past it, then turn left. Far ahead there is a glowing mushroom on the floor. It lies just beyond the entrance into the tree. Be wary though...there are three Spiders in there as well.
Move forward (still circling around the tree) until you enter an area of deep shadow. This should be directly across from the entrance. Turn left and you will be looking through it.
Past the entrance, you should see a large blue-green slope leading off to the left. Beyond that, the ground should look much like the ground you're currently standing on. And just beyond that, though it may be difficult to make out here, is a ledge. That ledge is your target.
Your best bet is to simply rush in and ignore the Spiders. So move forward, enter the tree, and make for that ledge. When you're close enough, jump up and mantle yourself onto the top.
SAVE YOUR GAME! You're not in the clear yet. There's one more Spider to deal with, and he's a Red Spider. However, before you do that, turn to the left and look down. You'll find two Moss Arrows on the ledge you're standing on.
Now, remember those "fruits" mentioned before? Well, the last remaining three are in this room, down there with the Spiders. Turn so that you're facing the exit from this tree. There's one just below this ledge (near the glowing mushroom), another is off to the left at the base of that sparkling "waterfall", and the third is off to the right, against the edge of the tree between two glowing mushrooms. Fortunately, the Spiders tend to cluster together once you get up to this ledge, so a single Gas Arrow should do them in. If you want the fruits, gas the Spiders and go get them, then return to this ledge. (If you didn't take out all the Monkeymen patrolling outside the tree, then they may see you in here, so be careful.)
Turn around until you find another ledge that you can mantle up onto, then do so. Once you're on it, you should hear the other Spider. Turn right.
[NOTE: The Red Spider is on an upper ledge, and from here you should be able to see it moving around occasionally. However, you never really have a "good" shot at it unless it also has a good shot at you. I recommend you take this Spider down with a Gas Arrow at your earliest convenience.]
Run forward and jump to the next ledge, mantling up onto it. Move forward and you'll find another two Moss Arrows on the ground. Then turn right around. See that sparkling "waterfall" thing? Well, believe it or not, it's a ladder of sorts. Move forward, and jump onto it. Then start climbing upwards, until you've passed by another ledge on your left. Stop, turn left, and jump onto that ledge. Right near you on this ledge is another Moss Arrow. Now, follow this ledge around as far as you can (picking up another Moss Arrow near the end). Turn right so you are facing the outer edge of the tree. Jump forward and mantle yourself up. Move forward to the top, until you exit onto a bridge.
[NOTE: An alternative to the above, if you've taken care of the Red Spider, is to mantle up onto the Spider's ledge. There's another Moss Arrow there. Then use a Rope Arrow in the ledge above, and climb up and pull yourself onto it. Then you just have to jump/mantle through the opening and climb to the top, until you exit onto a bridge.]
The Spider Caves
SAVE YOUR GAME! There is a plethora of arachnids to deal with here. Move forward so that your vision is such that you can just see above floor level, all the way down the hall. Then ready your Gas Arrows. Pull back on the bowstring. There is a Red Spider standing guard far down this hall, and you won't be able to see it without the bows "telescopic sight", and even then you may need to see it move before you realize that you're looking at it. Once you've located it, let fly your arrow and knock it out.
Proceed with caution through this small cave system. It's full of spiders, and some of them are the nastier Red variety. Deal with each as you see fit, remembering to keep one of each type of "Elemental Arrow" for later.
Move forward into the hall. Continue down it past the Spider you gassed, and you'll come to a very small step ahead. Climb this step, then turn right.
Up ahead you should be able to make out a cavern. There's usually at least one Spider there, so be careful. Move forward against the incline, and walk up into the next cave.
Turn left, and move forward, again pressing against the incline and walking up into the next cave. [NOTE: There can be a lot of Spiders in this cave, sometimes as many as four!]
Once you're inside this next cave, turn right. You should be able to make out the next exit. Move towards it, press against the incline and walk up into it.
Ahead you should see a sort of "sparkly bridge", much like the ladder you found inside the giant tree. Move forward and walk right across it. It's perfectly safe, and any remaining Spiders won't follow you.
[NOTE: The Spider Caves is another of those areas that you can just run right through instead of taking the cautious path.]
SAVE YOUR GAME! I'd hate to have to crawl through that section again, and I'm sure you would too. This next section is rather easy. You are now looking down a long cavern, with some glowing gems on either side of the walkway. Aim yourself down the centre of the walkway, and RUN. Don't stop until you've made it all the way to the other side. (The only problem with this is that there is sometimes a patrolling Monkeyman when you reach the other side.)
The Lava Tunnels
SAVE YOUR GAME! You are now looking into a cavern that has a large lava pool in the centre. There is a walkway around it, but unfortunately you have to share it with two patrolling Monkeymen. Take care of each of them as you come across them.
Move into the cavern, then turn left. Follow this ledge all the way around. At the other side of the cavern, it will lead into another tunnel. Follow this constantly rising tunnel into another cavern with a lava pool.
This room also has a ledge around it, however a portion is out, and you'll have to jump. Move into the room, and continue forward. When you reach the gap, jump it. Then continue following the ledge around the cavern. When you come to an opening on your left, move through it.
Continue forward. It will soon become apparent you are in yet another lava pool cavern. The ledge around lies ahead, so continue forward. When you reach it, follow it all the way around. It will eventually lead you into another tunnel. Enter it.
Move forward down this tunnel. It will eventually end in a short drop. Allow yourself to fall down this drop, then turn left. Move forward, then turn right. Continue following the tunnel ahead, turning as it turns, until you see it opening into a larger cavern.
The Portal
SAVE YOUR GAME! In the cavern ahead lies the Portal you came to destroy. Move into the cavern, and continue forward until you are hidden in the shadows ahead. Then turn right.
Impressive, isn't it? Don't worry about the guards around the Portal...they can't reach you here, except perhaps the Insect-Beast with its Fly Swarms.
You'll want to get as close as you can to fire your Water and Moss Arrows, due to the trajectory problem. There is no such problem with the Fire and Gas Arrows, however. I suggest you use your Fire Arrow first. It will illuminate your area, making you easier to see, but the guards aren't looking for you yet. (And watch that the guards don't move into your line of fire. If they do, don't shoot until they are past it.)
The Portal is held together (or powered) by each of the four elements, one in each corner. Here are the elements in each corner, moving clockwise from the top left: Air, Fire, Earth, Water.
Remember: You must use the each element's OPPOSITE to shut down the portal. So, again moving clockwise from the top left, use the following arrows: Moss, Water, Air, Fire. If you happen to miss with your last "element" arrow...well, that's what saved games are for. :)
Once you shoot the correct arrow at the proper corner (and it hits), that corner's element will "disappear". When all four have gone, you've successfully closed the Portal. Now, on to Constantine.
Continue moving around this ledge (don't go back the way you came, obviously), and enter the tunnel you find. Follow it, and you'll soon find a "dead-end" room, with three vines hanging from the ceiling. Pick your favourite vine, and climb up. Once you're at the top, jump off onto the bit of land ahead. Move forward, and you'll find two more vines dangling from the ceiling on the other side. Grab onto one and climb down again. (I suggest using the rightmost vine, just as a precaution against being seen.)
The Trickster
SAVE YOUR GAME! You're very near the end now. Turn around until you find the only exit from this room. Lean out to the side and look through it. That's the ritual room, and Constantine, The Trickster, The Woodsie Lord, is in there right now, performing his ritual!
The Eye is on the centre pedestal. You need to run up to it when Constantine is not looking, grab the Eye, and run back into the shadows. Unfortunately, The Trickster has VERY good ears, so you'll need to pepper the path to the pedestal with Moss Arrows. Constantine will move around from point to point within the seven-pointed star, and perform a small part of the ritual at each point. He spends a small amount of time at each one, so you should be able to do all this in one go.
Well, go ahead and do it! When The Trickster is not looking your way, run up to the edge of the ritual area, shoot Moss Arrows along the path to the Eye, run up, and grab it. (Just grab it like any other item...you will automatically switch the fake Eye you are carrying for it.) When that's done, turn right around and run back to your hiding place.
At this point, your mission objectives will have changed to the following:
- Descend through the Maw of Chaos and locate Constantine. (Checked.)
- Swap the real Eye with the replica that the Hammerites crafted. (Checked.)
- Destroy the portal that the beasts are entering through, before Constantine finishes his ritual. (Checked.)
- Wait for Constantine to complete his ritual.
Now all that is left is to turn around and watch Constantine finish his ritual. (Note: I've tried going to a different area of the map (such as the Portal room) while waiting for him to finish, and it seems that unless you are actually nearby, he wont' finish it. So stick around and watch.)
When the Woodsie Lord goes over to the Eye in the centre, he will command it to "Open for me!" Something will start happening, and you'll hear him scream "It betrays Me!", right before it explodes in his face, killing him. Congratulations! You've defeated the Trickster!
CONGRATULATIONS! You've beaten Thief: The Dark Project Gold!