E2M8: The Portals of Chaos (Heretic)

E2M8: The Portals of Chaos is the eighth level in the Hell's Maw episode of Heretic.





Walkthrough
The level is structured so that there is a large path that goes in a circle on the outer bounds of the level, and an inner structure that is concealed by walls. The large path that is closer to the outside of the level contains the standard monsters and alcoves of pickups. The inner structure is where the maulotaur fight will take place. To reduce the chaos, clear out all of the monsters in the outer ring. Collect the items that are scattered around the map, these will be useful to fight the boss battle.

In the west section of the outer ring, there will be a mound of land that is occupied by nitrogolem ghosts, and contains a crossbow. Get to the top of this mound and a compartment will open behind a wall of stone at the edge of the map. In this compartment there are some items including an enchanted sheild.

At the south end of the circle is a crevice with a Dragon Claw on a podium. Stepping on this podium will open a rock wall across from the stairs to the east. There is a crusher trap inside, and they can be artfully dodged in order to collect the pickups at the end.

Across from here, you will see a staircase. When ready, go up the stairs and collect the mystic urn at the top. Down the other side of the staircase is the entrance to the inner structure. Depending which skill you are on, you may have one (skill1 and 2) two (skill3) or three Maulotaur (skill4 and 5) to fight.

For tactics about how to defeat a Maulotaur, see its page.

When all of the maulotaurs are dead, the exit portals will lower and you can exit the episode.

Trivia

 * "The Portals of Chaos" is one of only two maps of the "Hell's Maw" episode to have any water to splash in, the other being "The Catacombs." It is also the first such boss map, the first boss episode where iron liches are normal enemies, the first boss episode where, after the boss(es) is/are defeated, any remaining non-boss enemies immediately die (in the boss map of the same name as this episode, after defeating the iron liches, there are some Disciples of D'Sparil and Nitrogolem ghosts waiting on the other side of the seal), and the first to end with a blue portal of any form instead of a switch.