My recent goal had been to put episode 983 in your hands by Thanksgiving, but that didn't happen because - and this is a good thing - the episode's immense. As I type this, my working copy is 101K in size, and the main battle's about half-done. They've explored all of the 6th and 7th levels and part of the 8th, in this episode. But it's not done yet. And I think it might set the all-time record for biggest single episode when it is done.
If there was a movie-trailer-style trailer for 983, it might go something like this:
EMPTY SCREEN
(voice over)
Two years ago, they destroyed the most powerful lich the world has ever known.
They have discovered his secrets and plundered his treasures...
except for one final dungeon complex.
CLIPS OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND BATTLES FROM THE PREVIOUS EPISODE 982
(voice over)
Now, in Xusia's secret lair, the adventurers will encounter some of the
deadliest foes and unearth some of the greatest wonders to ever exist.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LABORATORY
The party enters to find it full of strange undead,
who all rise to attack...
CROSS FADE TO:
INT. CELL BLOCK as the party enters a cell block,
unusual prisoners move within their cells and various
torture devices animate and move toward them...
WIPE TO:
INT. TORTURE CHAMBER - TIGHT ON BELPHANIOR engaged in
heated discussion with a tall, winged, red-skinned demon...
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSEUP - UNDEAD GIANT swinging a huge hammer,
smashing a shambling mound into muck...
CUT TO:
INT. SEMI-DARKNESS
A horde of dozens of undead advances toward the badly-outnumbered party...
WIPE TO:
CLOSEUP - DEATH KNIGHT as he draws a great black sword,
eyes glowing with evil red light...
(voice over)
"Adventurers, episode 983. Coming this December."