Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Off to Moria Darbur goes

There have been moments in Darbur's adventures when he can't help but sit around a fire and think about this experience we call Life. How do we get true fulfillment? What makes us happy? When will we see our families again? How can we reign victorious over the unachievable? These quiet ponderings turn into precious moments of reflection for Darbur. More often than not, his mind is filled with the great tales of Moria. His ambitions feed off of every dwarf's dream of reclaiming and becoming a champion of Khazad-dum. One day, he thinks, Moria will return to its inherent glory.

His journeyings eventually lead him to Eregion, where the great rings of power were forged. On Eregion's doorstep he finds the Walls of Moria, within which lies a hidden doorway leading under the mountain. En route, Darbur encounters some old friends! He and Dewitt toast to their friendship. He can't wait to see them again on another leg of his journey.

Yes, it's in a snowy area. Again.

In the meantime, Darbur helps some locals fend off half-orcs, wargs, crebain, and many other pests. He settles a score with a few captains of the witch-king of Angmar. Once Eriador is safe from the Threat From The North, he knows it's time to move on.

It's off to Moria.

There is some initial trepidation. What will he find down there? Will he be able to meet up with his distant cousins? What if something bad happened to them? (Why else has there been no word from the Lords of Moria?) Will he be able to overcome the dangers that lurk in the darkness? With no other method to answer his questions but to go inside, he ventures to the doorway. He encounters the Watcher in the Water, but he whacks at its tentacles and scurries inside.

Finally, finally, the smells of ore and deposits enter his system, and he feels a renewed energy. Finally, his eyes set sights on gorgeous statues, vast caverns, and hallowed halls. The air is cold yet full of anticipation. He realizes he is being given privileges most dwarves can only dream of. Grateful, he proceeds.

Darbur is an explorer through and through. He could spend weeks, months, years in Moria and still be amazed at how each hall connects with another, how each wall can be a mural, how each stair is endless yet still too short. As soon as he enters Moria, one of his favorite spots is none other than the well at the Chamber of the Crossroads.

What a beaut.

 He steps up to the well...

It's a long way down. No sight of the bottom.

 Leap of faith on 3. 1....2.....

3!!
All of a sudden he's falling through the large cavern that is the Water-works.
(I love the commentary the game gives. "That was a deep well." No kidding.
For the full effect of all the pictures, click on the first one and use arrow keys to cycle through the next ones in succession.)

There's no image of him crashing into the water, but he does. He instantly meets with misadventure and is incapacitated.

Worth it. Two thumbs up.

Entered Moria level: 57.