Hub 2: Shadow Wood (map)

Shadow Wood is the hub map of the second episode of Hexen, also called Shadow Wood. The player has to find six puzzle switches on three maps to open a door to the east, revealing a portal to the Hypostyle. However, before the puzzle switches can be accessed, four keys must also be found.

''Nature itself has been corrupted into something sinister. To escape this dark forest, you must recover the secrets of the horn, the swamp, and the caves.''

Walkthrough


The portals to the three maps can be accessed in any desired order. However, since the level holds the third weapon for each class, it is useful if you first fight your way to the portal that has the weapon in its proximity; the improved firepower allows you to reach the other two portals with fewer problems. If you play as the Fighter, you should first get to the portal of Darkmere. In case you have chosen the Cleric, you had better look for the portal to the Caves of Circe. For the Mage, the portal to the Wastelands is the best option as the first destination.

Wastelands
From the starting area, head west and find a doorway leading to a narrow ledge by a deep drop. Follow the platforms around the cliff carefully. If you are playing as the Mage, you will come across the Arc of Death. Continue until you come to an Ettin on a ledge guarding a switch. Activate the switch and backtrack to reveal a new area with the portal to the Wastelands. Another door will open next to the portal giving a shortcut back to the forest area.

Darkmere
The portal to Darkmere is to the north of the map. Follow the river north, and then take the steps to the left once you reach the bars. When you have arrived at the top, fall down into the slime while being wary of Stalkers and jump up onto the wooden platform in the centre. In case you are the Fighter, the Hammer of Retribution is at your availability there. Activate the switch. This will cause the three platforms ahead of you to rise to the level of the ledge at the top of the stairs. If you are fast you can catch them before they raise too high, otherwise go to the east and activate a switch to lower the bars to the river. Go back up the stairs and jump along the platforms until you reach an area where a Dark Servant can be found. Watch out while you are jumping as the faces carved in the walls around the room shoot various projectiles now. Also, if you move near the southern wall of the first platform, you will open an alcove full of Afrits nearby. Once you have reached the Dark Servant area, activate the switch there. This will raise stairs to the centre post. Climb these and yet pull the switch on the top of the post to open the bars to the Darkmere portal.

Caves of Circe
Go to the south-east of the map and you will find what looks like some ruins. Enter the door and turn right. Go to the end of the corridor and open the steel door to the left. Follow the corridor around to a large room. Once you have cleared this room go to the opposite corridor and step inside, activating lots of projectile shooting traps. Now run back around the way you came to the entrance and notice that some stairs have risen. Go up there and find a small pit in the floor - fall inside and activate the switch. Those who play as the Cleric also possess the Firestorm now. The stairs will have changed again, making them lead underground. In the area downstairs, be careful entering the cave as once you do, it will begin to change, and many deathdrops will develop. Once the movement has stopped, follow the ledge to the right to find the portal leading to the Caves of Circe. Alternatively, follow the ledge to the left which takes you to a switch, which flattens out the terrain again and makes collecting the powerups easier. At the portal, there is an elevator that will take you back to the large room you had visited earlier.

Sacred Grove
The portal leading to the secret Sacred Grove map is found near the top of some high stairs in the forest area beyond the starting room. The portal is blocked off until the main puzzle has been solved.

Hypostyle
The door leading to the Hypostyle is found in the ruins to the south-east of the map. It will only open once all the puzzle switches have been activated.

Trivia
At the beginning of this map, as with all new hubs, Korax taunts the player. He says "my servants can smell your blood, human".