First off, let me treat you to a nice exterior shot of the Carian Study Hall. Now, based on the fact that all I explored was a straight tower and I never got outside to a bridge, that tells me it has more secrets to uncover. I don’t know if I can access that section yet, so I will come back later.
Riding around I found a giant guarding a building. I don’t know why they made these guys so easy to defeat, especially when compared to some of the smaller fiends, but there you go. Inside the building was an elevator, which took Shaw down to another underground waterway, the Ainsel River.
The first section of this “river” consisted of tunnels, filled with giant ants and inanimate red skeletons. I felt it was important to specify these skeletons were inanimate, so as to not confuse the reader, since most of the skeletons Shaw encounters are of the decidedly animate and rather hostile variety.
After the oversized ant farm, a site of grace, and another elevator, which descended to a cavernous space with sparse romanesque ruins. A space which contained a rather alarming amount of what Google tells me were claymen, slow-moving fellows who suddenly turn into Sonic the Hedgehog as soon as they spotted Shaw, spindashing in her direction.
Her weapon, summons, and magic were not strong enough, and these bastards cost her close to 9000 runes. So she left, went riding, and spotted a mobile contraption that could very easily have been designed by Dr. Robotnik. A terrifying, flame-spewing head on wheels, controlled by a tiny guy in the back. Honestly, while Shaw was absolutely terrified, she couldn’t help but admire the design language and craftsmanship of this death-machine. Something about the design reminded her of an old NES game.
Once she made sure the vehicle was no longer road-worthy, Shaw headed for a nearby church, wherein she was granted an audience with his excellency the Tortoise Pope.
The game refers to them as a mere pastor, but I mean come on, look at that hat!
Miriel (that is their name) was a veritable fount of knowledge on the subject of two Elden Lords of the Lands Between: Lady Rennala and Lord Radagon. Shaw assumed she would probably need to fight them at some point. (I didn’t look up either of them for links, for fear of spoilers.)
Having exhausted their conversation topics, both Shaw and Miriel lay down for a little rest.
I love the fact that you can buy a plush version.
Finally, enjoy this absurd anti-drug ad from my childhood in the late 80’s, featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
