04/25/97 ================================================================ Title : Prelude to Apocalypse & Mordrigor's Demise Filename : mexx8.zip (mexx8&mexx8b in pak0.pak) Author : Marcus Dromowicz Email Address : Marcus.Dromowicz@Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.de Description : Full Quake map Additional Credits : Reptile for story Count Wladimir as the voice of the Bishop Darin McNeil for the Cut Scene code Thanx to : bario, crash & Matthew Sefton for beta testing &all folks who sent me comments on my previous maps! ================================================================ * Play Information * Single Player : Yes Cooperative : Yes Deathmatch : Yes (33/ 17 deathmatch starts) Difficulty Settings : Yes New Sounds : Yes New Graphics : No New QuakeC Stuff : Yes Demos Replaced : None * Construction * Base : New level from scratch Editor(s) used : Thred Known Bugs : - Don't load/start a game during a cutscene, or else the screen will keep on 'blurring' (slow change of yaw) like in 'camera-mode' - At the start, sometimes the dogs start running towards the camera as they recognize the player too early Build Time : approx. 4 weeks Compile machine : P120 w/ 32MB RAM QBSP Time : 46 / 3 minutes Light Time : 34 / 4 minutes VIS (-level 4) Time : 11 / 5 minutes Brushes : 1499 / 569 Entities : 671 / 240 Models : 100 / 34 average leafs visible : 64 / 84 * How to Use * Create a directory called mexx8 in your Quake-dir. Extract the zip file in it. Then start Quake unsing quake -game mexx8 and type "map mexx8" from the console. Remember to adjust the skill level BEFORE (using "skill x"). * Other Info * This is the eigth map in the mexx-series. Initially it should have been one big map, but I had no free edicts left for the last part - so I had to split it. Sorry, but therefore you cannot go back after passing the silver key gate. You can quit cutscenes by pressing "1". You can play the maps also with reaper-bots (or other patches) - you will get many error-messages at the start of the level as the new mexx8-QuakeC-stuff will not be found - but this can safely be ignored! I'm getting sick of those slow running maps that appeared on the net lately - it doesn't matter how cool your level looks - if you got greyflash&5 fps most of the time gameplay goes down the drain. Designers should really optimize their levels for speed - mexx8 has an 'average leafs visible' of 64 (84 in the second part) and should run smooth on all systems at an acceptable resolution. If you like this map, make sure to check out my other ones! Again, I appreciate feedback from everyone who played this level - or maybe you recorded a cool deathmatch-demo using my level. Email it to: Marcus.Dromowicz@Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.de "In the beginning God made the sea But on the 7th day he made me" - Prince, My name is Prince, O{+>, 1992 * Essential single player Quake links * For reviews of ALL single player levels check crash's quake pages: http://www.planetquake.com/spq/crash/ Vote for levels on Lt. Dan's Single Player Quake Page: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/3141/ * Copyright / Permissions * Authors may NOT use this level as a base to build additional levels. You are NOT allowed to commercially exploit this level, i.e. put it on a CD or any other electronic format that is sold for money without my explicit written permission! You MAY distribute this BSP through any electronic network (internet, FIDO, local BBS etc.), provided you include this file and leave the archive intact. Copyright of the story: reptill@uni-muenster.de * Where to get this map * ftp.cdrom.com and mirror sites. * Story * A Bishop's Bane: Domina Domino - Part II - I: " You stupid fool! I ordered you to get her back, and what happens? Instead of returning to me my beloved Domino, you mess it all up and return with this worthless peasant animal.. And now you risk my plans by teleporting this mortal into my domain." " But my liege, it was the warlock`s fault. He ..." " Stop that annoying babble! It bores me!" The knight stiffened and bowed to his master. " Now listen up, Mordrigor. First, I want you to find and eliminate this pest. He mustn`t reach the inner sanctum. Second, call the wizards. I will conjure another planar gate as soon the stars` position will allow it. Now, out of my sight!" Mordrigor bowed again and stepped out into the hall. As the hollow echo of his steps subsided, the Bishop stood up and walked to a large stone basin in the center of the room. He crossed his arms and stared into the crimson liquid which filled the basin. Some moments later, the liquid hardened and turned pitch black. The Bishop looked at his reflection on the polished surface. Clad in a long black robe, he was massively built and well muscled. Much more well muscled than a man of his age could be. The Bishop smiled slightly and his reflection did the same, revealing a perfect set of teeth and two large canines. Well, I could pass for a mere human, thought the Bishop and smiled again. If it wasn`t for the eyes. Damn you, demon, for doing this to me, he cursed silently. The Bishop reached out and touched the surface. Dark forces gathered as he summoned his magical power and the surface became transparent. He watched intently as the image of a bedroom took shape. The picture focused on the large bed, where a woman writhed and wrestled with the covers. " Ah, my beautiful Domino, dream of me. Dream of me and our reunion. Soon, we will be together again." With a shrill cry, the woman sat up, a horrified expression turning her angelic features into a mask of terror. The bishop smiled and threw back his head, laughing satanically. II: Darkness. Silence. Then, slowly, you open your eyes. As they focus slowly, you decide you don`t like what you are seeing. Instinctively, you reach for the smooth handle of your trusted axe. Wherever you are now, it is not the place you call home. Better to be prepared. Cold water drips onto your face and you realize you are lying in the shadows of a stone pillar. And you remember . . . That day your life was changed forever. The black gate, sucking you into the void and transfering you into a hellish place. The huddled creatures, crawling towards you. Their fangs, glistening in the darkness, only usable to rend and tear the flesh from your very bones. And their eyes, their dreaded red eyes, full of hate and frenzy ... Shivering from the cold, you stand up and take a closer look around. You are in a large building, perhaps a kind of cathedral. There are some doors. Flickering torches fight a losing battle against the darkness. You take some steps forward, inspecting the shadows in front of you. There, something is moving. III: Chuckling silently, the Bishop crossed the room and strode through the large oak doors, which opened on their own on his approach. He snapped his fingers and the two scrags, which guarded his inner sanctum, hovered down from their hiding place beneath the ceiling. " Massssterrrr!", they wailed, their voices like echoes of a tormented soul`s scream. The Bishop made a magical gesture and some of his very life force seperated from him, forming a sphere of magical energy. The scrags shot forward and absorbed it greedily, as such a gift was special and very rare. " Our life is yoursss, Masssterrr.", uttered one of the foul creatures, its companion nodding its consent. "You two will travel time and space soon. You will seek out Domino and bring her to me. Am I understood?", said the Bishop. " Yes, Masssterrr, we will find her." " It is essential that you bring her alive. If she is harmed in any way, I will consume your tainted souls and leave your empty shells in the sun, where you will endure a eternity of suffering. Have I made myself clear?" The Bishop regarded his minions with fiery eyes and the scrags nodded once. " Very good. If you do well, perhaps I will allow you to visit the peasants` village again. Now, be gone and wait until I have prepared the planar gate." Like a moonlight shadow, the scrags disappeared from sight. With a satisfied smile, the Bishop returned to his chambers and started to prepare the new conjuration. IV: Panting heavily, you slam the door shut behind you. With a disappointed shriek, one of the creatures slams against it. They are back, eager for your blood. Claws sharp like blades try to reach you, but for the moment, you seem to be safe. As the creature howls in frenzy, you drop your axe, dripping with the thick blood of one of these fiends. You wince slightly as you examine the crimson welds and deep cuts in your flesh, which burn like poison. The gods prevent them from being infected. Grinding your teeth, you grab a wooden club and bar the door. Then, you take a look around in the room. Perhaps you can find something useful to escape from this hell. There, a metallic glimmer in a corner. You retrieve your axe and prepare to investigate . . . V: Mordrigor the hellknight shook his head as he watched the fiend banging its head against the door. Such powerful creatures, he mused, but what is power without a sensible mind to steer it. He uttered a spell and hellbolts sprayed from his fingers, burning the fiend to cinders. It shrieked once, then death embraced its new victim. Mordrigor pointed at the door and his fellow knights marched towards it, unsheathing their broadswords. " Kill this human scum, then bring his head to the Bishop! You will meet me there." As the other knights saluted their superior, he stepped into a shadow and disappeared. With a powerful kick, a knight vaporized the door. The undead warriors howled gleefully, awaiting an easy kill. Swords raised high above their head, they charged into the room. VI: Their prey was prepared . . . VII: " Who dares to disturb my sorcery?", the Bishop roared furiously as he heard the tentative knock on the door. With a loud squeak, the door opened and an equally furious Mordrigor entered. " You again? So what? You better have a very good excuse, hellknight!", the Bishop said, this time dangerously silent. " My liege, again, that human has destroyed three of my brethren. He has found a new weapon and he has learned to use it . . .", answered Mordrigor, his fingers clenched around the grip of his sword. " Uhh, my liege, he has destroyed three of my brethren. Uhh!", the bishop said in a childish voice, mocking the hellknight. " You start to annoy me with your incompetence, Mordrigor! If I want something to be done right, I will have to do it myself. Well, I will see to your punishment later. Right now, I will deal with this mortal." Sheathing the ceremonial dagger, the Bishop threw the feeble form of a peasant`s daughter into the arms of the hellknight. Sneering, he made a magical gesture and vanished in a ball of flame and sulphur. Mordrigor cursed and grabbed the woman`s neck. After a quick twist of his hands, he let the corpse drop to the cold stone floor. Feeling better, at least for the moment, he turned around and stalked out of the room. VIII: This must be magic, you think, as you examine the smoking weapon in your hand. Amazed, you step over the already decaying corpses and leave the room. Still on the edge, you scan the gloom for any other attackers. No enemy to be seen. There must be a way out of here. Sprinting from cover to cover, you navigate through the darkness. There, on the wall, a small stone protrudes from it. Watching your surroundings intently, you push and turn the stone. Nothing happens. Then, you grab it and tug with all your might. With a loud rumble, a small door appears in the wall and opens the way to a hidden passage. Missing an alternative, you enter the passage and start to explore it. IX: Roaring like an army of madmen, the gigantic creature tugged and rattled on the bars of the cage. The Bishop smiled and watched, as the beast tried to grab him. " Oh, you are hungry, aren`t you? Be assured, my pet, there will be plenty of fresh meat available soon!", said the Bishop and bared his fangs. Snarling on the edge of madness, the imprisoned beast conjured a primitive magic of its own, summoning thunder and lightning. The Bishop only laughed as the electricty struck him. Deadly sparks flew as he absorbed this display of power. Shaking his head at the giant, the Bishop opened his arms wide and cast a spell of teleportation. With a loud clap air filled the empty space seconds before occupied by the creature. " Well, well, my mortal visitor, I have a nice surprise for you!", said the Bishop, smirking evilly. Next, he focused his thoughts and linked his mind to Mordrigor`s. " Meet me at the planar gate, knight! And bring the scrags with you!" he thought. Breaking the telepathic connection, the Bishop vanished. In the next second, he materialized near the planar gate. Mordrigor and the scrags already awaited him. The Bishop looked at the sky, regarding the stars. " Very good. In five minutes, the time will be right to create a new portal." He turned to the hellknight: " Mordrigor, you will defend this position against all odds. Call your fellow knights to help you!" Mordrigor nodded once. " Take this amulet of protection, servant. And don`t dare to fail me again!" Mordrigor shook his head slowly and took the gift of his master. " And you two," the Bishop said, pointing at the scrags, " get ready. I will accompany you to my lovely Domino." The Bishop turned again to the stars and prepared the spell which would bring him to Domino. X: With a cry of despair, the gigantic creature dropped to the floor. Your knees buckle from weakness, as you check your wounds. Your skin is scorched from lightning and blisters. Your clothes are bloodsoaked and you lean against a wall, breathing heavily. Then, you hear a mysterious chanting. Slowly, you walk into its direction, all the time awaiting a new attack. You round the corner and walk into the midst of hell. The only thing you see before a hurricane of blades and hellbolts descend upon you is a slowly closing planar gate. And three figures striding towards it . . . to be continued