Ahlvarza Ruins

The Ahlvarza Ruins is a repeatable dungeon in the port of Ahlvarza that can be attempted once per (in-game) week. It features 5 semi-randomly generated combat levels. After each combat level, a 'loot level' appears. These 'loot levels' are consistent in design across attempts but feature randomly generated treasure.

If the party is wiped out by enemies in the Ahlvarza Ruins, a helpful Fareem named Ranuz will teleport the party out and they will retain XP and treasure that was acquired on levels that were successfully defeated.

While the first level is fairly easy to defeat, even with a new party, later levels (and especially the last one) can prove challenging without at least Mythril-level equipment.

It is worthwhile to save between levels (if not on Hardcore mode) because a level is generated when taking the stairs to that level; thus, if the terrain or enemies are disadvantageous, reloading a saved game and taking the stairs again will generate a different level.

**First Level**

The first level is small and has easy enemies, usually Rakthol and Fern Rakthol. Features that may appear include Brambles, Healing Flowers, Burst Pods and Iron Ore. Bones of various types are often present. The stairs down are obscured by a Blockage which must be damaged to allow exiting the level.

**First Loot Level**

This level consists of a single Coffin containing 2 Bones of some kind and some low-value loot items, usually an Iron or Steel weapon and maybe a small Gem.

**Second Level**

The second level contains pools of water which often must be jumped across or frozen. Burst Pods, Blast Pods, Gloam Shroom, Sickly Pods, and Spikes may appear. Rarely, a Rotworm Nest will appear. Players can attack this nest to spawn Rotworms that will attack the enemies as well as the party. In addition to Rakthol and Fern Rakthol, Flower Rakthol and Mantis Rakthol will also appear. Pod Rakthol may appear rarely.

A party that has difficulty here might be helped by using push attacks (like Heave or Bash) to knock the enemies into the water or into Burst Pods. However, enemies that drown cannot be looted (only relevant to Mantis Rakthol or, rarely, Flower Rakthol).

**Second Loot Level**

The second loot level features 3 chests. One will always contain 3 small piles of gold and 1 piece of Corpryst. Another usually has an Augment (typically a trigger stone) and some more gold. The third has more gold and a common or uncommon item.

**Third Level**

The third level is a race against time. Rakthol, Fern Rakthol, Flower Rakthol and Mantis Rakthol will appear, but the real problem is the terrain and the Vines in the wall. Every turn the Vines will spike inward from the walls and do massive damage to any unit or damageable object in its path. They can be delayed slightly if damaged, but not destroyed. The Vines will stop attacking once all of the enemies on the level are dead.

In addition to the enemies and the Vines, terrain obstacles like ledges (which must be jumped down or climbed down using convenient Rope and Piton combinations), footholds (which slow movement to 1/2), Rutroot, Spikes, various types of Burst Pods and sometimes Pod Rakthol will also appear, getting in the party's way. Rarely, Debris (with treasure) may appear, but it's best to collect this *after* the fight.

Abilities that allow movement (like Scout's Sidestep, Sailor's Swagger, and Warrior's Charge) may be very helpful here, as well as subclasses that offer bonus movement like Rogue or Blade.

If the party can get below the enemy Rakthol, the Vines will sometimes kill them for the party if the fight takes too long.

If the terrain is too difficult to get through, it might be worth generating a new one by loading a save from a previous level.

**Third Loot Level**

The third loot level features a single chest that usually contains a piece of Corpryst, a Corpryst weapon, an Augment of some kind, and some gold.

**Fourth Level**

The fourth level of the Ruins is similar to the first in that it is an enclosed, forested space, but enemies are tougher (more advanced Mantis Rakthol and Flower Rakthol, as well as Fern Rakthol and regular Rakthol). Bitfly, Botfly, or Krask may also appear. The usual obstacles like Brambles and Burst Pods are common. Blast Pods are more frequent here.

There is no trick to this level other than positioning around pods. Try to move the party away from Burst Pods and take advantage of pods that enemies may wander near.

**Fourth Loot Level**

The fourth loot level features a series of alcoves and ominous music. Gold, Essence Stones, and small Gems may appear in these alcoves. Because the Undead on the fifth level can drain XP it may make sense to spend it now, as in some cases party members will lose more XP than they gain by winning (and they will *definitely* lose XP if they lose the fight).

**Fifth (Final) Level**

The fifth level is a knock-down drag-out fight with a number of Undead and various types of Rakthol (all of which are advanced and have 60ish hp). The 'boss' Undead is colored red, has 90hp, and is equipped with a Corpryst weapon.

The enemies usually focus on physical damage and not so much magic damage (although there is some AoE) so it can make sense to stay grouped for easy buffing and healing. Try to stand party members next to the corpses of enemies that have been killed (or even dead party members) so that they cannot be completely surrounded; a party member without Guard that is surrounded on four sides is often quickly focused down.

If the boss Undead is doing too much damage, try using Unmaker's Disable or Breaker's Break Weapon. The boss will discard a broken weapon after one hit, but it will still lower his damage and prevent him from using abilities that require that weapon type.

**Fifth (Final) Loot Level**

The fifth loot level has a sealed door and a button next to it to open the door. Inside are 3 chests, one that is unlocked by stepping on the trigger in front of it. These contain a number of stacks of gold, rare equipment, and, in the center chest, an Ability Tablet. There is no downward exit; the entrance stairs lead back up to the surface.