E3M1: The Storehouse (Heretic)

E3M1: The Storehouse is the first level in The Dome of D'Sparil episode of Heretic.

Walkthrough
'Use' the wall section in front of you with the bird motif to get out of the tiny cell. Take out the gargoyles, but do not bother with the sorcerers behind the barred windows to the west. Just avoid their attacks. Use the switch to open the gate. The other wall sections with the bird motif can be opened to get ammunition. Just on the other side of the gate to the left is another switch. This will lower the corner columns providing access to the much-needed dragon claw and bag of holding. You can take out the sorcerers now, along with the undead warrior you may or may not have seen in the other area. Rest assured, however, that he saw you and will be coming for you. Go back to the other area. You can see the green key through the barred window, but you cannot get it yet. Collect all the ammunition and head through the door to the south.

Go down the stairs and past the green door and then go to the right. Do not go up the other set of stairs. Just before you enter the storehouse, there is a darkened passage to the right. Get the chaos device. Enter the storehouse and take out the sabreclaws. In the southeast corner of the storehouse is an alcove with a silver shield. You will see an open area with large wooden pillars. To get to the other side you have to go all the way to the east then back to the west. Take out the beasties and get the yellow key in the back room by going around behind it.

Head back to the yellow door. Do not go up the other set of stairs. You are still not well enough equipped to deal with what is up there yet.

Go through the yellow door and get the green key. When you grab it, a wall section to the east will open containing an ethereal undead warrior. Take him out then head for the green door. Inside you will meet a new monster, the ophidian, which is the last monster type in the game. The only weapon you have is the dragon claw so take him out as best you can. Get the map scroll and press the switch. You are still not well enough equipped, but head up those other stairs anyway. When you walk out into the water you will see the iron lich. Just pour it on with the dragon claw and use the chaos device if things get hairy. As if the lich is not bad enough, there are gargoyles in here that will get in your way or behind you if you are not careful. Watch out for the tornadoes the lich conjures. When he is killed you can explore this area, just watch for any stray gargoyles.

To the east of the stairs is a narrow passage. You can see a ring of invincibility sitting on top of a pillar. If you press the switch at the back of the pillar a wall section behind you will open containing more gargoyles. Go up the stairs and get the torch. Make a run at the gap and get the gauntlets. If you time it right you can cross the gap at the corner and get the shadowsphere. You can now get onto the platform to the south. Get the tome of power and the wings of wrath. All of these items would have come in handy before you fought the iron lich, but nobody ever said being a Heretic was easy.

Secret 1: Use the wings of wrath to get the ring. Make sure you are close enough to the top of the pillar to trigger the secret.

Go back to the south and head down the stairs, taking out gargoyles as you go. Power up the dragon claw and take out the ophidians.

Secret 2: 'Use' the wall section between the two braziers to the east. Get the hellstaff then exit the level.

Bugs
Linedef 295 has its upper texture on the wrong side in the hallway leading to the flooded outside area. As the top wall is lacking its surface, a minor distortion of perspective can be seen in the ceiling of the corridor when the wall is approached from the storehouse door.