 e.v.e.r through the perfectly framed barrel windows. Views are so dramatic in Cornwall, the scenery is truly unique and ever changing with the seasons and the weather, it’s like you’re visiting a new place each time.
It was definitely not easy to leave our toasty barrel watching the world go by outside but a drink of water and a lie down in the relaxation space was calling. We were enticed into trying the floating relaxation pods so we both grabbed a book and hopped in (in the most inelegant manner possible it turned out!). We snuggled into the blankets, enjoyed a bit of reading and watched the world go by before lunch; something we don’t often get chance to do. It was amazing just to switch off from external stresses and to do lists, turn off our phones and be completely present. I discovered a new book too, A Pukka Life, based on the principals of Ayurveda which is what The Scarlet is inspired by. I’ve been reading it ever since as I luckily got a copy for Christmas (Andy was clearly listening whilst I was telling him all about it during our visit!).
Lunch was a two course healthy spa lunch teamed with a delicious juice of the day. Anybody that knows me knows I love healthy drinks/juices/smoothies (possibly a bit too much) so this was a big hit, it was also really in keeping with the health/wellness focus of this beautiful space with a bit of a Balinese/Sri Lankan feel. Every step has been taken to ensure a stress free relaxing experience with a dedicated spa restaurant area where robes and slippers (made from recycled tyres may I add!) are welcomed and of course complimented with a beautiful view of the cliff top, ocean and perfectly landscaped outdoor spa area too.
After our delicious lunch we’d mustered up enough energy to retreat back to the relaxation area, lie down on one of the loungers looking out at the view and enjoy a bit more reading. We were then collected for our cliff top hot tub experience, something we were really looking forward to, so again ventured outside to find our private hot tub fully immersed in the landscape with the most spectacular views of the beach and ocean. The sound of the waves crashing was so relaxing whilst we sat back with our peppermint tea in our lovely warm hot tub. It’s quite an amazing feeling being outside in the elements on a drizzly winter’s day in your swimsuit whilst keeping warm and cosy in your own secluded haven.
Following some time watching the spectacular sunset (the most incredible views and colours could be seen from the spa!) Andy had to pull me away to make our way home. The changing rooms were amazing, with showers in each cubicle and the hotel’s own Oula beauty products.
My verdict of The Scarlet spa: It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re after a luxury adults only getaway with plenty of relaxation and a venue with an eco focus in an incredible location. I especially love to work with (and visit) businesses with a sustainability focus due to my own desire to reduce my impact on the environment and to help those I work with do the same, and, if I was really looking for things The Scarlet could do to become more sustainable I think I could only find a couple of things at a push; they really are making a continued positive effort to reduce their environmental impact and that is brilliant. The hotel has a unique atmosphere with a luxurious but casual feel that is achieved through the contemporary vibe teamed with the ocean inspired slow Cornish living.
Would I visit again? Absolutely! I’d love to discover more of the hotel; the rooms, the restaurants and I’d definitely like to try some of the spa treatments, I have a feeling they’d be amazing!
So, tell me, have you visited The Scarlet or is it on your to do list?
or look at their beautiful photos on Instagram here but be careful, you could lose hours!
Debate: Does Spying Keep Us Safe?
Stewart Baker and Richard Falkenrath face off against David Cole and Michael German in an Intelligence Squared debate moderated by John Donvan on Nov. 20. The recent revelations about National Security Agency surveillance programs have renewed the debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties.This page is intended to be a more in-depth guide for bosses & dungeon breakdown in Survival Mode.
For more general information on the Survival game mode itself, see the main Wiki page on Survival Mode.
The structure of survival map layouts differs from Campaign/Adventure significantly in that each map has one entrance and exit, a path between the two, and no additional exits or map events.
All dungeon bosses have an overworld and dungeon map preceding their arena, World Bosses will only have an overworld map (no dungeon) before their arena.
No events can be found in Survival mode, but some event-related bosses can be (like Riphide). The list of all random events can be found here.
All Traits can only be obtained randomly via Mysterious Tomes (and the Labyrinth Shop) and not as rewards from notable boss kills, as is the case in campaign & adventure game modes.
All Items that must be unlocked in Survival Mode or by defeating notable bosses in Hardcore Difficulty can all be found in the Labyrinth Shops in Survival Mode, and can be purchased for the run, regardless of whether they have been unlocked or not. Purchasing or finding such an item and using it for the survival mode run will not account-wide unlock it.
Tip: A popular strategy upon starting a survival run is to sell 2-3 of the Ammo Box consumables you start with in order to purchase additional items in the labyrinth shops before your first boss.
What do I have to gain from knowing about Survival mode bosses & these strategies?
Knowing what boss is upcoming can help aide you in being prepared to fight it. Most of this information can be gained from hints around the area approaching bosses. Knowing what planet or dungeon type you're in can narrow down the possible upcoming bosses to very few. Knowing the exact name of the dungeon (presented upon entering it) will indicate which boss you'll be fighting at the end of the dungeon, as all boss arenas have a specific dungeon name preceding them. For example, knowing you're on earth and entering a sewer manhole dungeon informs you of the two possible survival Earth bosses you could potentially face: Gorefist & Shroud. Additional clues like the names of the leading dungeon, such as "Sunken Passage" or clues within the dungeon itself, such as "Don't Take It, It Sees" written on the wall, or breakable effigies in the dungeon, can give you an indication of which boss you're fighting before you get to it, and help you plan accordingly. In these examples, the upcoming boss would have been Shroud, and the lack of these indicators could point a player towards knowing that the upcoming boss would be Gorefist. See the Boss/Dungeon table below for more details on what dungeons/information correspond to what boss.
A comprehensive list of bosses and their potential modifiers can be found on the Bosses wiki page.
A quick-reference list of all Survival Mode Bosses and their preceding dungeons alongside their rewards and some notes can be found below.
Adds/Minions - "Normal" enemies that bosses will summon during the boss fight. These can range from minor distractions to dangers during the fight. Some bosses (such as The Thrall) will summon elite type enemies as adds during the fight.
Be warned that The Harrow has an rare animation that instakills if he catches you at less than half health, try to avoid him if possible or maintain your health. Before he triggers this attack, he'll roar, run towards you and if it connects he'll impale you through the stomach, and instakill you with a unique death animation.
After the first phase is completed by killing one of the two bosses, the surviving boss will enter a rage and heal to ~80% health. Try to avoid damaging both bosses past this point in the first phase, and instead focus one; since the survivor of the two will heal.
There are a number of notable bosses missing from Survival Mode. Their associated rewards have been added to the shops available in the labyrinth between rounds, as have all rewards / items available from Random Events (which cannot be in survival mode).
Additional Notes & Available "Events"
Earth Sewer Dungeon structures can rarely contain the structure that houses Leto's Amulet. This can be noted on maps with a peculiar part of the map sticking out perpendicular from the rest of the map. The area contains 2 chests and a wall with graffiti on it reading "ONLY THE PENITENT MAN MAY PASS". By kneeling (crouching) at the wall, you can pass under it for a free amulet (which can also be found in the labyrinth shops).
Earth Sewer Dungeon structures can also rarely contain the large heart structures from the Cult of the Root event, off in side rooms. Avoid these if possible, defeating them yields only a little scrap and nothing else.
Corsus dungeons can rarely have the Sketterling Temple events (Red Beetles), noted on the map by a perpendicular offshoot from the main path. By crouching into these areas and carefully eliminating the single red beetle can yield the team a free Amulet of Epicaricacy, Ring of the Mantis, or Iskal Hunter Band; all of which can be found within the Labyrinth