E1M7: Arcane Corridor (Realm of Parthoris)

E1M7: Arcane Corridor is the seventh map of Realm of Parthoris. It was designed by Du Mhan Yhu and uses the music track "Mystic Tides," by Gus Knezevich (Alfonzo).

Essentials
Go through the doorway on your left then head south to a set of steps leading down to a water trench - you will see the exit door (requiring the blue key) in front of you. Follow the trench south until it starts to curve to the left, turn right and go up some gray steps then go right and left to find some stone steps leading to a large water area - you can see the yellow key on a platform ahead. Head west through a large wooden arch and climb some steps then follow the wooden floor south and east to a room with two disciples of D'Sparil guarding a switch which will lower part of the yellow key platform. Go back to the water and head south through another wooden arch then follow the passage behind it up to a second switch guarded by two more disciples. Press the second switch then go back to the water and collect the yellow key which has now lowered. Watch out for weredragons teleporting in around you as you pick up the key.

From the yellow key, head east to a staircase and climb it then turn right at the top to go through a door requiring that key. Head down some steps to a wooden walkway and follow it all the way round to some stone steps leading up to a room with a fireplace; the green key is inside the green-walled chamber in this room. Press the switch on the east wall to lower a wall visible through the windows on either side, then follow the walkway round to this wall and step through it - the room behind contains a red trident with a Phoenix Rod and ammo, which is guarded by sabreclaws and (depending on skill level) golems and undead warriors or disciples and ophidians. Head east down a short passage to a switch and press it, then return to the trident room to find that two more switches have been revealed guarded by iron liches. Press both switches to lower the bars blocking the way out, then return to the fireplace room to collect the green key. Various monsters will teleport in around you as you pick up the key.

Go back through the yellow key door and drop to the floor below, then follow the water trench east to a green key door. Climb up the stairs (one step will drop away to reveal a sabreclaw; press the switch on the south wall to raise the step again) then turn left and follow the passage down to a chamber with two fire gargoyles. Head north then east past a disciple guarding a staircase, which leads up to a room with more gargoyles guarding a switch. Press the switch to open a closet with two golems on your right, then press a second switch hidden behind the first to lower a pillar holding the blue key. Go back down the steps then look south to see another closet with sabreclaws (or an ophidian on hard skill levels); the blue key is in an alcove next to this closet.

Go back through the green key door and follow the water trench north past a maulotaur which is guarding the exit door you saw earlier. Open that door and destroy a sabreclaw waiting behind it, head due east until you walk through a doorway with a green wall above it then turn right and follow a tunnel to a switch guarded by an undead warrior. Press the switch then retrace your steps to the exit door; just before you reach it you will see that an opening has appeared in the right-hand wall leading to a chain switch. Pull this switch then go down some steps to the water below, where a wall has lowered to reveal disciples and an iron lich. Enter the lich's alcove and climb the steps behind it to a switch guarded by an ophidian, then go back down the steps and head east through a door that has opened halfway down. Follow the path behind it, watching out for monsters that try to ambush you from behind, until you reach the exit teleporter.

Other points of interest
As the level starts, enter the room behind you to find Gauntlets of the Necromancer along with Quartz Flasks, crystal vials and ammo. East of the start point is a metal column - press the switch on the east side of this column to reveal an Ethereal Crossbow.

A Dragon Claw can be seen on a platform opposite the yellow key. You can reach this weapon by lowering a bookcase in the room west of the yellow key door.

Next to the green key door is a black door that requires the yellow key to open. As you enter this room three alcoves will open containing monsters as well as Quartz Flasks and a Bag of Holding. A Hellstaff and runes can be found in the south-west corner of this chamber - taking those items will activate a crusher in the middle of the chamber.

A Firemace can spawn in the back room of the building due east of the exit door, in the same spot as a weredragon.

Secrets

 * 1) In the area with the green ledges near the south-west water pool, climb the steps up to the green ledge and head north to see a Silver Shield on a crate. Press on the bookshelf in the adjacent room to lower the Silver Shield. Note that this item does not appear on easy skill levels. (sector 949)
 * 2) In the room surrounding the green key chamber, press on the south-west mural to reveal a passage where you can get several items, including a Torch, a Ring of Invincibility and a Chaos Device. (sector 510)
 * 3) Open the green door and follow the hall all the way until you reach the ledge overlooking the green key area. Head east a bit and use the south wall to reach a ledge behind stained glass where you can get an Energy Orb. (sector 650)

Current records
The records for the map at the Doomed Speed Demos Archive are:

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level: