Classic Games Revisited
Ultima VIII: Pagan Walkthrough
Upper & Lower Catacombs
7.18. Upper Catacombs Waypoint
From the entrance to the Birthplace of Moriens go southeast, east, south, southeast past a raised chest, and east to the end of the structure you are walking alongside. On the eastern wall of this structure, notice the glowing red sphere. Use the Skull of Quakes on it to collapse a building next to you. Go down into the pit and through the door to reveal the Upper Catacombs waypoint.
If you teleport to the Plateau, you can pick up two more spells from Mythran: Summon Creature and Call Destruction.
7.19. Cheat Room
I am getting quite annoyed at carrying around a mundane shield while most of our other gear is magical. Our journeys will give us a magical shield (and helm) quite late so how about we grab one now?
From the Upper Catacombs waypoint, go south to exit the room and south up the stairs in front of you. Head west all the way, and south all the way to an automatic gate that will shut as you approach. Go back north to reset the gate and return so that this time it opens for you. Go west all the way and south. Unlock the door with the Key of the Scion and enter the Lower Catacombs.
Walk west along the northern wall to avoid falling into lava and a gate will close as you approach. Go south and hit the southern lever to lower a different gate. Further south and west are two more levers. Hit the eastern lever to open the first gate and return north to it.
Run west through this long corridor all the way until you reach a pool of lava. Go north and then run east down another long corridor, this time hugging the southern wall, right to the end. Walk north through the fence, and west until you come upon a pair of immobile skeletons. The door will close as you approach it. Stand between the two skeletons and face the door. Take tiny steps towards it (ignore the fire shooter), jumping straight up each time. Eventually you will find the sweet spot that will take you into the cheat room.
The magical shield is in the easternmost chest. You can exit the cheat room by walking towards the southeast corner, but we need to be somewhere else.