marten's bluff access (a few spoilers included) question

[slowtrain]

I went to Marten's Bluff. I got into the T'rang base and found Marten's hidden room. I could not, however, get into the Castle itself. I couldn't get the big doors past the crushing machine to open.

Myles said it was possible to get into the Bluff through the mines, so I went to the mines, but my level 8 party was almost wiped out by a bunch of Tanto wasps. I had no choice but to retreat. So the mines appear to be too tough for the moment.

My question: Is there a way into the Bluff without going through the mines? I did a search on the board but could not find a definite answer. Some people seem to say yes, others no.

If I can't get into the Bluff right now, I'm prepared to travel to Mt. Gigas and come back later. But if there is a way in to the Bluff that's accessible to my party now, I'd like to take care of the idol quest before I make the long journey to Gigas.

Thanks in advance.

On one side of the catapult is a way to wind it up with your cursor.
Once it is pulled back and ready to fire, click on the catapult.
It will go off, bashing into the wall.
You can now walk up it, over the wall and into the inner part of the Castle. You'll be able to open the gate from the inside as well as the door into the crushing room.
[img]smile.gif[/img]

Happy Adventuring!

[slowtrain]

Sorry, I wasn't as clear as I wanted to be.

I have gone over the catapult and am in the bailey (or courtyard or whatever). I found the T'rang arm, and played with the hanging dummy and all the control panels in the glass room.

The doors I'm trying to get through are the next big set that leads further into the castle. I'm assuming this is the way I need to go to get the idol.

Is my progress at an end here until I go through the mines? Or have I just overlooked a way to open these doors.

Thanks

<=ST

[Nightowl2]

Afraid you'll have to go through the mines to open the inner door in the main castle. If the wasps are too tough for you now, go back to the swamp and build up another level or so.

Also, you can leave the idol quest for awhile; the helm of serenity isn't going anywhere. And by getting in from the mines side, you can access the T'rang teleporter, which is a much faster way of reaching the Umpani base.

Nightowl2

P.S. Be sure you pick up the red & yellow wires by the T'rang body; you'll need them.

quote:

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Originally posted by slowtrain:

Is my progress at an end here until I go through the mines? Or have I just overlooked a way to open these doors.

Thanks

<=ST

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Ah, sad to say, you'll need to go through the mines.
Those Tanto wasps are nasty aren't they?
The way to open the area where you'll get the idol is via a switch in an upper level of the "old" Bluff (as in not T'Rang habitated area)
You'll know you are in the right place when you see a central pillar that shoots out arrows in all directions...the switch is in a nearby room next to a table.

[slowtrain]

Thanks much, Moni and Nightowl2!