Act 2: Looting Tombs for Treasure
Into the stinky sewers of Lut Gholein Hazade and I went. We entered on the dock side and as usual the stairs to level two were right there. Since I was already a rather high level I just went down and ignored the first floor entirely. The second level was pretty much Hazade clearing the path as I sat and watched. I picked up some reasonably priced items and made trips to town to begin building my nest egg. Eventually we reached Radament on the sewers level three. While Hazade went to town with Radament, I had other problems. I had already sold all of my poison resist gear at the end of act one in order to get better gear, this was a large mistake. I was guzzling the potions out from my belt like I never have before. Eventually Radament died and gave me the two best items I have gotten this far, a book of skill and Hsaru's Boots. I was very happy with the boots as they had two mods I would really need in this act, run/walk speed and fire resist, for the so-called Summoner.
After hearing of Atma's bittersweet taste for the revenge I had given her, we left town into the vast desert. I pretty much ignored the rocky waste and started my killing spree in the dry hills. I hit the second most important level for a paladin out here, that being level 18. Immediately I had skills open to me which were far more useful than the ones I had been using. Holy freeze was the most important of these, especially for the tomb areas, as I had yet to find any cold damage. The other, frequently over-looked skill I got was Vigor. Vigor became my main aura, not only to traverse large distances quicker, but to be more agile in close combat and avoid the night slingers of the lost city later. I got quite a treasure in the Halls of the Dead level three. I obtained quite a treasure but my luck would soon change with the Maggot Lair. First, finding it was tougher than usual. Once I got in it I made about every possible wrong turn. Cold worm had already laid an army for me on level three so Hazade was forced to whack through it all for me. I got the Staff of Kings and scurried back to town. I was glad this part was over; I collected myself and made way to the Claw viper temple.
I entered the claw viper temple right into a pack of two unique claw vipers. One was cold immune, just a little oddity so early in the game. After clearing a few rooms I found my first jewel of the game, a rather useful one. I finished the rest of the temple with little difficulty and was glad to see my mercenary get up to level 19. Upon getting the amulet we ventured to the palace and ultimately to the Arcane Sanctuary.
Normally I get the Summoner on one of my first two paths. Of course, since I was in a hurry, Murphy's Law applied. Instead, he was on the final path I took. I was able to get to level 23 though, getting Hazade to 20 as well. When we found the Summoner my Hsaru's boots quite possibly saved me, as I turned my head for only a moment and looked back to see my life orb under 1/4 full. I quickly used a rejuvenation potion (the arcane sanctuary is a dream place to make them) and ran up to kill him. I checked the tomb symbol, which was the Chinese star like design and ran up towards that tomb.
I entered, made a couple of quick turns, and found the Orifice. Using my Horadric Staff I opened the door to Duriel, the Lord of Pain. Pain was most certainly felt, but it was Duriel doing the crying. He left his usual great treasure as the door to the imprisoned Tyrael was opened before me.
End act stats
Level 23
str: 60
dex: 60
vit: 60
nrg: 15
214 life
48 mana
FR 25
CR 8
LR 0
PR 12
10-82 damage
425 attack rating
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