The intrepid band of bounty hunters have fought their way to another section of the dungeon in Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge. After vanquishing some foes, they come across a chest. Greedo disarms the chest and opens it, revealing treasure. The gold was divided up evenly, IG-88 got an anointed robe to add to his arsenal. Of the party, he was the only one who could equip the item, as between him and Bossk, IG-88 is, oddly, the most pious. Zuckuss equipped an Amulet of Night and was given the Book of Ramm, as he has the highest stat in Scribe and can thus read books. So, Zuckuss reads the Book of Ramm:
"O first night of Ramm
And second born Ramm again,
Find third upon thy altar
Burning bright!
"Where fourth night of wands
Bears fifth magik sun again
Is when thy graven altar
Shall blossom into night!"
The words are starkly reminiscent of the strange symbols the party had seen on an altar before... The group hurries to the altar and Bossk, following the words Zuckuss had read, presses the symbols in order: Ram's head, ram's head, flaming ord, magic staff, flaming orb.
The altar drops into the floor and reveals a pit. Ever the adventurers, the group drop into the dark pit. They hit the bottom with a thud (and 4 to 6 damage dealt to each member) and see a gate open in the distance. Then, a giant snake appears. It was time for a battle! Bossk melees the snake with his claymore and IG-88 attacks with the Sword of Striking. Greedo thrusts with his cutlass as Dengar defends with his spear. 4-LOM uses his sling to launch stones at the creature and Zuckuss uses Blinding Flash to thus blind the snake. The snake vainly attacks, gets a hit off of Zuckuss (who later casts Heal Wounds on himself), while the rest beat the crap out of it. After the battle, the group assesses their surroundings and leave the chamber. It was time to explore this new level.
And also time to map it.