Architecture News

Dark Souls 2, a title that divides fans, saw a complex and turbulent development, leading to significant content changes. Amidst a mid-development reboot and a complete narrative overhaul, many elements were left on the cutting room floor. Recently, a dedicated YouTuber has brought to light one of the most substantial of these abandoned sections: an enormous sewer map, offering an unprecedented look into the early vision for a subterranean area that would eventually be realized as The Gutter.

While earlier glimpses of omitted areas in Dark Souls 2 have surfaced, this extensive sewer system remained elusive until now. Doneda, a YouTuber and devotee of FromSoftware games, successfully resurrected this lost environment. He subsequently shared a detailed video walkthrough, providing an intimate tour of the restored location. The existence of such a vast, unfinished area underscores the ambitious scope and the intricate, often challenging, creative decisions made during the game's production.

Doneda's video elaborates on how the architecture of most FromSoftware titles is managed through the MapStudioBinary (MSB) asset format. This technical detail allowed modders, including Doneda, to manipulate these files and bring the forgotten sewer region back into view. The recovered map, while incomplete, provides valuable insight into the developmental stages of the game.

As anticipated, the resurrected map lacks enemies and the fine details typically found in a finished FromSoftware title, such as destructible objects. However, it boasts partial textures and a largely interconnected layout, hinting at its once-intended grandeur. Its sheer scale is particularly striking. Doneda's extensive exploration of this enemy-free zone spans nearly an hour, showcasing towering vaulted ceilings and domed structures in some sections, resembling ancient temples. Other parts evoke the spirit of Dark Souls' Blighttown, featuring a sprawling shantytown amidst a chaotic, makeshift environment, with colossal constructions looming in the distance.

Among the noteworthy segments, Doneda highlights a tavern nestled within the Blighttown-esque area, calling it potentially the most compelling part of the unearthed map. This segment stands out as one of the more developed sections and offers a unique perspective on the game's design, presenting a recreational space—a rarity in a series known for its grim and perilous settings. Another fascinating discovery is an area that initially appears to be a boss arena, characterized by two massive statues flanking a central platform. Yet, the presence of what look like unlit candles, rather than conventional battle obstacles, suggests it might have been a meeting point for an important character, rather than a combat zone.

The revelation of this lost sewer map not only provides a compelling what-if scenario for Dark Souls 2's Gutter but also sheds light on the broader design philosophy behind the game. Doneda's observation of a disconnected pathway early in his tour suggests that the developers were still grappling with navigational choices. This finding reinforces Hidetaka Miyazaki's assertion that Dark Souls 2 played a crucial role in advancing the series, as the team’s experiences and lessons learned during its challenging creation contributed significantly to the success of subsequent titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring. The difficult birth of Dark Souls 2, therefore, laid foundational groundwork for some of FromSoftware's most acclaimed works.

This narrative recounts a Dungeons & Dragons player's enriching experience crafting the character Everest Hootersby, an owlin Wizard, within the framework of 'Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos'. The author, acting as Dungeon Master for their group, seized a rare opportunity to play, delving into the sourcebook to conceive a scholar-mage. Everest, a plump owlin from Lorehold College, was characterized by an insatiable thirst for magical knowledge, fueled by a 'Bottle of Boundless Coffee' and an aversion to sleep. Leveraging the Order of the Scribes subclass, Everest's unique ability to transmute spell damage types allowed for creative and powerful magical applications, making him a memorable and flexible character. While the 'Curriculum of Chaos' book proved to be an excellent resource for character and world-building, offering a wealth of lore and intriguing concepts, it was noted to be less effective as a standalone campaign due to its disconnected narrative and inconsistent tone. Nevertheless, its comprehensive toolkit of characters, creatures, and magical ideas positioned it as a valuable asset for D&D enthusiasts, encouraging imaginative play and adaptation.

Crafting Everest Hootersby: A Wizard's Tale in Strixhaven

In a recent Dungeons & Dragons campaign, a player embarked on a fascinating character creation journey, resulting in the birth of Everest Hootersby, a distinguished Wizard at Strixhaven. This academic adventure began with the player’s deep dive into the 'Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos' sourcebook, seeking inspiration for a scholar-mage. The unique owlin ancestry, depicted with a charming chubbiness and discerning spectacles, immediately captured the player's imagination, providing a foundation for Everest's physical appearance and innate abilities such as silent movement, darkvision, and flight.

Everest's academic pursuits led him to Lorehold College, a perfect fit for his obsession with history and magical lore. A key magical item, the 'Bottle of Boundless Coffee', became central to his character, fostering a comical yet debilitating addiction that drove his relentless quest for knowledge. Further enhancing his abilities, Everest acquired the Strixhaven Initiate and Strixhaven Mascot feats, granting him access to Cleric spells like Cure Wounds and the ability to summon Lorehold's spirit statue mascot.

The choice of the Order of the Scribes subclass offered unparalleled flexibility, allowing Everest to manipulate the damage types of his spells. This meant an 'Erupting Earth' could deal bludgeoning damage, and 'Tasha's Mind Whip' could electrocute targets, showcasing the character's innovative approach to magic. At higher levels, Everest could manifest his spellbook as a spectral entity, enabling him to cast spells from a distance, even those typically requiring touch. This made him a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of orchestrating magical assaults while safely soaring above.

Despite the 'Curriculum of Chaos' book's richness in world-building and character options, its effectiveness as a pre-written campaign was critiqued. The book presented a series of disconnected adventures across school years, lacking a cohesive narrative flow. This required Dungeon Masters to undertake significant effort to weave the disparate elements into a compelling storyline, highlighting the book's strength as a collection of creative tools rather than a ready-to-play campaign. Nevertheless, the detailed setting, diverse characters, and unique magical elements render it an invaluable resource for D&D players looking to create immersive stories within the enchanting world of Strixhaven.

This journey with Everest Hootersby illuminates the profound potential of Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks like 'Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos'. While perhaps not a turnkey adventure, its wealth of lore, character options, and magical items provides an unparalleled sandbox for creative storytelling and character development. The experience underscores that the true magic lies not just in the pre-written narratives, but in the collaborative act of imagination, where players and Dungeon Masters transform raw materials into unforgettable sagas. For those drawn to the academic wonders of Strixhaven and the endless possibilities of D&D, this book serves as a remarkable catalyst for crafting unique tales and fostering deep engagement with the game's rich universe.