Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle - The Silver Seed/Aram-Dol's Lair

Aram-Dol's Lair is a confusing maze combined with traps and some fairly tough monsters, culminating in one of the hardest boss fights in the game.

Before starting, it is vital to have at least one of these:
 * A glass sword.
 * A spell book preferably with high level spells (or at least access to Reveal) and the Reagent Ring.
 * Approximately six powder kegs.

Additional equipment:
 * Magic bows with magic arrows. Other ranged weapons such as crossbows or magic wands.
 * Healing potions and bandages.

Entrance
Past the gate and monk Solaria, there are several stairs leading downward into a maze of passages. One leads to an amiable dragon, while others lead deeper into the cavern. The fastest way to the Lich is the northernmost stairway.

Cavern
Beware, there are Arachnians on this level. These spider-like creatures carry bows and magic arrows. Magic bows and crossbows are the best way to kill these creatures.

From the stairway, head eastward then northward to reach a decrepit structure in a large room. Inside the decayed building lies a stairway leading further into the depths. Quickly run past the Arachnians and take it to reach the "basement".

Basement
Head northward; there are some locked doors and an open one to a portal; take it.

Head west and north, grabbing a key hidden behind a pedestal; take the fork to the right to unlock a gate with said key, then go down and flip a switch; head north from the fork and watch out for traps; there is a hidden wall behind a massive slab of stone, a key is found there; head eastward down some stairs, unlocking a door and heading down again.

In the next area are a set of switches and buttons. A scroll tells the Avatar to throw down two at the first button, three to get eight at the second button, and four to get twelve at the third. Fairly to throw the switches correctly could result in instant death.

First button: Just throw down the lever marked with "2". Second button: Throw down "5", "2", and "1". The alternative "4", "3", and "1" doesn't seem to work (though it does not instantly kill the Avatar). Third button: Throw down "6", "3", "2", and "1".

Past this puzzle, go through the stairs to enter a hallway. This hallway will repeat endlessly, so the Avatar must hug the east wall to find a hidden entrance. Inside are some mummies and a green key embedded in a wall. There is a locked door leading to a set of stairs, but don't take it just yet.

In one northern alcove, a hidden wall leads to another mummy-infested area. A set of stairs leads down to an area filled with fire fields. Those are fake; pass through them and retrieve a key. Head all the way back to the locked stairway, unlock and go through it.

Continue through this room, unlocking a gate and passing through. Here lies the only real threat in this area: skeletal dragons. These undead dragons cast spells, but shouldn't be too much trouble for a moderately powerful team. Fight or run past them to an eastern alcove; search the northern wall for a hidden pathway and go down a flight of stairs.

The resulting room is filled with switches and Automatons in cells. Approach one cell door and it automatically opens. Kill the automatons and flip the switches. Flip the golden switch in the center of the hallway one all cell-switches are flipped. The final door to the Lich is now opened.

Aram-Dol
Aram-Dol the Lich is possibly the hardest enemy in the entire game. He opens the battle by casting Fire Ring, causing massive damage to the party. The Lich casts Invisibility on himself and is immune to most status effects such as Sleep and Paralyze. He also scuttles around, making melee companions less effective.

However, the are several strategies to dealing with him.


 * Traditional
 * As Aram-Dol jinks about, archers are the best ones to attack him. At least one melee character should attack Aram-Dol, though, to occupy him and absorb damage. An extra magic bow can be found in the Fiend's Domain. Any magic wands the party obtained could also be used.


 * However, the Avatar will need at least the Reveal Spell to fight Aram-Dol this way. Healing can be performed with bandages or potions, but the only way to counter his Invisibility is with magic.


 * Glass Sword
 * Their use is obvious, but some players may fight Aram-Dol early or forget to purchase one in Moonshade.


 * Vibrate Spell
 * Due to the Vibrate Spell's function, magic-casting enemies drop their spells, resulting in a completely disarmed Lich.


 * Powder Kegs
 * In the Outpost, there is a hidden entrance in the Iron Maidens of the dungeon. The Avatar must "use" the Iron Maiden to reach the hidden room. Inside the room are some powder kegs. Five exploding kegs should put Aram-Dol at the point of death while six should outright kill him.


 * The kegs are heavy, but each character can take turns wearing the Belt of Strength, pick up a keg, then hand the belt to another character. Thus, the characters will be overloaded, but will suffer no ill-effects.

Aram-Dol carries two keys. One unlocks the door to his storeroom which contains the Gauntlets of Quickness, Erinon's Axe, spell scrolls, gold, jewels, and some magic armor. Take the teleporter to exit the room; unlock the door and backtrack out of the cave.

There is a shortcut back to Serpent's Fang, but the door may only be unlockable by one of Aram-Dol's keys. No one is really sure because the shortcut loses all utility once Aram-Dol is defeated.