Hell Bent

[rogue7E]

This would be an ambitious project.

 

It starts by entering a mountain cave, at a lofty height, chasing Darkspawn. The cave is only lightly lit as you first enter, gradually getting darker. The party members can barely see their hands in front of their faces. Their way is lit by Pixies who are also suffering from the ravages of Darkspawn. The Pixies can only be perceived by Elves, so an Elf needs to be in your party in order to proceed. (I put something similar in a Bioware forum mentioning Pixies, but not fleshing out a mod.)

 

The cavern walls become somewhat colorful as gemstones and gold veins are revealed by the feeble, flickering lights emanating from the Pixies' bodies. The cavern is sporadically broken up by large rooms, rich with stalactites and stalagmites. Darkspawn cries, yells, and growls echo in the chambers. Of course, there are Pixie chests along the route, full of gems and gold, a partial reward for braving the dark interior.

 

Traps of different kinds are strewn throughout the caverns. Ghosts of fallen Darkspawn impede the party's way.

 

The story of the Pixies is revealed during the party's travels. A magic book lies open in one of the huge chambers. As the main char starts to read the massive book, a cutscene tells the Pixie's tale.

 

As the cavern goes steadily deeper, the environment becomes darker and spookier. This should be a scary experience, not for the timid, unless they want to become heroes despite their fears.

 

As the party descends, the environment changes. There is water, both pooled and cascading, with drips and waterfalls echoing throughout the caverns. There are noxious fumes caused by gas vents and lava intrusions. Some are severe enough to cause injury.

 

Deeper and deeper the party travels. still inside the mountain, to its base where it meets bedrock, and deeper still. All the while the fight continues with hordes of Darkspawn.

 

The party can only dream of adequate torchlight, and may the Maker have mercy, daylight! But alas, it is not to be. Not for some time yet. The deeper the party travels, the hotter it gets. There are rivulets of lava, and soon rivers and lakes of the gooey stuff, suffocating in its intensity. The Pixies can go only so far; to venture any further would cause them to vaporize. Goodbyes are said, tears are shed, hopes are but all dashed, yet the trek must continue.

 

The deepest part of the journey seems like Hell itself. Fighting has become a real chore, and your party had better hope it brought a Herbalist along for making injury kits and health poultices. What's that? Oh, yes, there are plenty of ingredients to be found, and the party will need them!

 

Do Darkspawn even have a city beneath Ferelden (or wherever the story plays out)? Indeed thay do, and unlike anything Humans, Elves, or Dwarves have ever seen. It is nightmarish and other worldly, a shock to those who first lay eyes on this festering, rotten, yea, hellish monstrosity.

 

Once this "city" (if it can called that) is cleared out, another exit is revealed, different than the approach, which has been sealed by a cave-in during the battle. Just when the party gets ready to sigh their collective relief, the "boss" appears. It's a lava dragon, glowing reddish-orange, and spitting hellfire. Your party members had better hope they have some cold spells and weapons to defeat this monster!

 

Once the boss has been defeated, they find the alternate exit and find thier way out of the caverns near ground level. However, the exit (a small fissure no bigger than Sten) is finally found that allows a hasty exit.

 

Greeting the party are the Pixie populace, including the King and Queen. The main char is made a Pixie maven (one who is experienced or knowledgeable -- in this case both) and is granted ten items from the Pixie treasury. These must be worth the effort!

 

This mod adds a bit of fantasy with the Pixies, a Darkspwan city hardly anyone knows about, and a hellish experience full of scary spookiness and tough fougt battles. Of course, before the cave-in before encountering the boss, or any time before then, the party may exit the same way they came in if it becomes unbearable. Perhaps they need to restock certain items or change out certain weapons?

 

Thanks for reading and perhaps considering this ambitious project.