Let's Sail The River of Time - 21 (Rat Diplomacy)

I used to do Cano route, then tried Forgrimm instead and it bugged out towards the end and I had to load a save because I couldn't proceed.

Cano route is more useful if you want to make absolutely sure Cano gets every deont skill. You get a little more equipment, like some good shields if you go with Forgrimm though.

MOAR UPDATES!

I want to see Thundertits again.

abnaxus said:

The only time I kicked in the door Cano got ganged upon and got killed quickly.

I wonder whether the stealthy route through the fortress gives more XP than the stealthy one.

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I think you get more from doing a bit of both. But the Cano options are much more subtle than the hammering through approach of Forgrimm. That makes his actions pretty funny, because he's so extreme.

If you're really powergaming you can do Cano first, then wait for the event that you've done part 1 right and then go back and kill the Ogre or whatever he is. It's a bit sick though.

circ said:

Cano route is more useful if you want to make absolutely sure Cano gets every deont skill.

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Doesn't Cano have every deont skill regardless of what you do?

drex said:

I think you get more from doing a bit of both

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Do you mean what I did, as in first Cano then Forgrimm? Because otherwise, you can't do bits of both, you're locked in once you agreed with someone in dialog. That's not the case for the later Pirates & Elves quest, which you can fully pimp out for AP.

So if you squeeze out every single AP in the game (like going into the Temple of Efferd as soon as you're able) is it possible to go beyond level 12? I've never managed it.

Brother None said:

circ said:

Cano route is more useful if you want to make absolutely sure Cano gets every deont skill.

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Doesn't Cano have every deont skill regardless of what you do?

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I rushed Cano's bit once and he was stuck with 2 skills. Reloaded, not sure if more sneaking and stealing in later missions or in towns would have maxed them.

circ said:

I rushed Cano's bit once and he was stuck with 2 skills. Reloaded, not sure if more sneaking and stealing in later missions or in towns would have maxed them.

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As I showed, he starts out with all skills. You might've run into a bug. Or maybe you're talking about his Karma Points, the colored circles below his endurance bar? They fill out very slowly, a bit faster if you steal/pickpocket, but they're never capped.

abnaxus said:

So if you squeeze out every single AP in the game (like going into the Temple of Efferd as soon as you're able) is it possible to go beyond level 12? I've never managed it.

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Don't think so. You're right it never usually happens, I did all quests for the walkthrough and ended up at 12. Almost no enemies at that point give you AP anymore, but I suppose some finagling might make it possible.

One of the reasons I prefer Forgrimm's path here is this chest.



Sweet loot.



+1 to Constitution, a nice buff for Forgrimm.





Commander Bloomfold has an interesting taste in art.

Heading through the door...

Well, I'll kiss an Ogre! If it isn't those snoopers Tashman's men have been talking about! We were betting on your chances of making it up here!



Think I'd pick the second option, obviously, but funny thing about dialog here is, you can only piss off the bodyguards to the point of attacking you by picking the nice options. So let's do that.

Hear that, Metzel? They just want to talk! Very impressive, don't you think?

...

Listen, we would rather avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Just let us pass.

Hard to believe Tashman's people couldn't handle you. But they were just fodder. Now you'll get a real fight!



They didn't last long.



Nice feast.



Spare us the pleasantries, you villain! We know what you're up to! You're in league with the pirates!

Oh, so you discovered that already. Truly impressive. Did Tashman talk before you did away with him?

Tashman said you had been warned about us. Who told you about us?

Oh, wouldn't you like to know? Did you really think your snooping would go unnoticed? How simple-minded of you! It's incredible, you got this far...

You seem to find the death of your underlings amusing. Are you really so unscrupulous?

Pah! I'm a practical man, I don't cry over spilt milk. But if you care so much, perhaps you shouldn't have killed them, hmm?

Hah. Sometimes I love this game's writing. The voice acting's perfect here too.

Let's get to the point! What kind of deal do you have with the pirates?

A lucrative arrangement. We give them information, and they always drop off a little package here or there. They'll be raiding an Elf village soon. I wonder what they'll bring me? They say the most peculiar things about female Elves... maybe I'll find out the truth for myself soon, hehehe.

Tasteful elf rape? If only...



Spunky!

Well, I think our little discussion is drawing to a close. I'm a very busy man, and you're beginning to bore me...

Well I have more than enough time. First tell us where we can find that Elf village!

Oh it makes no difference... there are plenty of others who will get the treasures there for me... and now, I'm afraid your questions really have become far too dull.

Fine, since you're so impatient to be clapped in irons. Just tell us where the pirates are.

Yes, where are those scoundrels hiding? I'm getting sick of trawling up and down this river looking for them!

And what about Mora? Is she also with the pirates?

Mora? Hm, interesting that you ask that... my river pirate friends have mentioned that name a few times. They sounded quite agitated... If she's so important, then maybe she's still alive. That would be important to you, wouldn't it? Such a pity you'll never find out.

You are defeated, fool. Surrender and we will be merciful.

Hahaha! You don't seem to understand your position. Right now Coldstone's man is dealing with your friends on the ship. And I have a very special surprise for you.





That's no ordinary lapdog! That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered canine you ever set eyes on!







The entire floor of his throne room is a giant trap-door? How often does that come into use? Too often, I'd wager...







Told you!

By Phex, I didn't think the insanity in this fortress could get any worse...

We're up against a kraken newt. Good thing it's a newt because a full-grown kraken can tear apart a ship in seconds. It is stationary but its range is such that you can't really keep mages and archers out of his reach and still attack him. He attacks with four tentacles and by spitting ink that blinds you. You can attack his main body but it has a very high armor rating, and only ranged attacks can reach it, so it is generally better to concentrate on attacking his tentacles.



Sayyid ran up to the tentacle in a moment of unwariness on my part and got his ass knocked down.



Ink attack!



Oh no, Cano got knocked down, certainly we're doomed now!



After I chipped down the tentacle to zero health, the kraken newt withdrew! Victory?



Guess not.



I hated pearl morfu in the PnP. With their poison darts, they weren't worth the fight and usually best avoided. They're a lot easier (and more common) in this game.



Take out the morfu, and the newt comes back.



Bloomfold is still watching.



More morfu appear after I beat him down again, but they go down quick enough.





That's right, you can actually fail spells. Works the same as other talent rolls. Even the super-talented can fumble.



The third time in, the kraken newt retreats...



...And lashes out in pain.



Collapsing the platform!





Immensely satisfying.



The collapsing platform finishes off the newt.

Ha! In the end that Gigrim fed himself to his precious pet. I'd have liked to wring his neck myself, but this works just as well.

Phex be thanked, that was close! Much longer and we'd be in that creature's stomach too. A rather tasteless death.

The stench in this cave is so bad I can barely think. If you don't mind, I'd like to get out of here as quickly as possible.

Lore: elves in TDE are very, very sensitive of smell, and can't stand staying in stench-filled places for long.

Wait, maybe we can find something useful down here. Forgive me, my dear, but as a follower of the Fox, it would be unforgiveable not to check.

Do you mean this wooden leg, thief? ... Wait, this looks unusual... like a fragment of something... We should keep this.

The wooden leg we were looking for, though preferably with its owner still attached to it. The fragment is a curious artifact, we'll have to find out more about it later.



An unfortunate victom of the kraken newt.



That answers what happened to the girl's betrothed.



Found some metal kneecaps on the newt's corpse. They go to Forgrimm.



From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee.

Another fine update.

I really like the fat guy as a villain; in the German version he's got a proper voice as well. Somehow it reminds of a typical deranged James Bond style villain. Him going doing with the kraken was a nice touch as well.

I found the amulet to be somewhat meh; you can buy a +2 Con amulet from Brother Emmeran.

drexciya said:

I found the amulet to be somewhat meh; you can buy a +2 Con amulet from Brother Emmeran.

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It's like 40D! Nuts to that.

(I'll probably buy it later, but my adventurers' heart loves free magic items )
(even if the game just keeps tossing +1 amulets at you throughout)

It's perhaps a minor negative point of the game, being able to buy that many magic rings & weapons all around. In the first game, either you got the same items as loot or as a quest reward, they were much more rare to get hold of.

In RoT, if you're a munchkin you can harvest for ingredients for hours (plants and animals respawn upon leaving and returning), sell them for enough ducats and buy uber equipment very early.

Then again, in the first game you received golden armour practically for free...

I've been enjoying this, very nice stuff. I'll keep reading until the end, even though it might spoil parts of the game for me. See, that's just dedication on my part.

Gaider ?

We leave the cave by way of a small side door, recalling the Bloomfold had told us Ardo would be dealt with as well.



Ka baskan draxin! If they've hurt one hair on Ardo's head!





Ardo, no! What happened? Is he...

Forgrimm is like a lost little puppy. So sad.



Ardo had been talking to the two guards for a long time.



Then everything happened very quickly.









Took down three men in a single sweep. Nice.





Varman! Wait, what robbery?

What? You know this man? And you and that Mora worked with him?! By the Forge of Angrosh, what does this mean, thief?

Well... Mora and I are... old rivals. We've been in competition for a long time for the title of 'King of Thieves'. This man spoke to us in a tavern in Havena.

'King of Thieves'? What are you talking about?

It may not mean much to you. But we children of the Fox know what it means. Mora is my only serious rival. There are no better thieves than us in all Havena. This man knew that. We were arguing about how we were going to outdo each other. He joined us and did what he could to stir things up even more. Finally, he made a proposition. By the Lord of the Night, a truly foolhardy idea!



What did you steal, Cano?

Oh... err, nothing. Unfortunately, Ardo and Forgrimm caught me.

Haha, now I understand! Caught by your own tricks, Cano! And all because of a woman!

I... I was careless for just a moment. To my horror, I realized that Mora had already...

Hah. Outdone by a woman. Even at the lowly profession of burglar...

Silence, rogue! Must I remind you of your oath!

What oath? What are you talking about?

I can't talk about it. We swore an oath of silence.

Exactly! And only Ardo can release us from it! Ardo!! By Angrosh, we must get him quickly to a healer!

Yes, we should get him on board and think about where to look for help.

Ardo is carried on board and made as comfortable as he can be atop a cabin (why not in the cabin, I don't know).

Yes, make him comfortable. I fear there's little else we can do for him at the moment.

What are we waiting for? Raise the sails! Oh Ardo, shame on my beard! Why did I leave you alone!

Where should we go, Forgrimm? That blade must have had an evil poison. I've never seen anything like it. I don't know if a normal healer can help us.



Back to Brookbeard and his attractive apprentice I say!

I've heard of that Nadoret magician... although even if he offered to help, I don't know whether we should accept it. No, believe me. It's not a good idea.

It sounds like we can spare ourselves the journey to Nadoret... by Efferd's Trident! We must find help somewhere! Can't you think of anything else?

Well, I really don't want to go to the Elves. And we don't know where they are. So what about the dwarf hippy?

What about Brother Emmeran? He seems to know about all kinds of mysteries. At least some of his predictions seem to have come true.

That's a possibility. I don't think he's the fool so many people believe him to be. But I wouldn't like to guess what he's really up to.

Yes, the Voice of the Riverfather! Erm, I know the deonts of the city don't think much of him, but his advice never did me any harm. Or maybe you have some other ideas?

Brother Emmeran seems to be the best place to start looking for a cure for Ardo. What do you think?

Let's be on our way. To Brother Emmeran's island!

We carefully consider our next steps. Ardo's life doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, he just won't wake up. Let's equip ourselves in Nadoret first.

Equip ourselves? You want to go shopping and plan your next dishonest deeds while Ardo lies here close to death! To Emmeran's island, I say!

This is pointless! Somebody must lead our group until Master Ardo has been healed. Would you do it? After all, you did make it through the Tollgate with these two squabblers.

About time you clowns recognized the natural leadership skills of Sayyid ibn Nasreddin.

I am deeply indebted to Ardo. For his sake, I am willing to lead the group.

Well alright, I think I can live with that. For now, at least. And don't worry: I'll be there to help you with my advice when you need to make the right decisions.

Fine, I don't mind. At least you've shown that you can be relied upon. Just let me know when you've had enough of that Scallywag, haha!

Then we are agreed. Men: this expedition now has a new leader.

Yes, Captain!

Kangrosha! Then let's set sail, with Angrosh's blessing! We must help Ardo!

Yes, the wisdom and blessing of Phex be with you. You are taking on a heavy responsibility.

I know Ardo is a good man, just as Jaakon was. Therefore, I feel I must continue to help you and him. And then Coldstone will pay for his deeds...

Glad you're still with us toots.

Hm, I think I've worked out that you're no ordinary merchants. Don't worry, I'll keep quiet if that's what you want. Let me know when you have orders.

Just figured that out now, huh?



She was waiting on the dock for news. Must've been desperate.



No need to keep her in the agony of ignorance.

That ... that's Felian's ring! Where did you find it? What happened to Felian?

The Commandant murdered him. I'm sorry.

Felian ... dead! Oh Travia, why! Here, take this as a sign of my gratitude for returning his ring. I was saving for my wedding dress. But I don't need it any more. [Reward received]

Excellent. Now, prepare to join my hareem.

If... if I could just get to Ferdok and tell people what happened here... That's the only thing I can do for Felian now.

Ferdok!?

By Efferd's Beard, I wish I could take you there. But our leader urgently needs help and Ferdok is too far upriver.

Excuse me, honorable gentlefolk! I am Sarastro Castellani, a merchant from the south. I see your predicament and it touches my heart. I can take the young lady safely to Ferdok.

Sarastro Castellani? A Fountlander. Why would we trust some random Fountlandish asshole with this girl's life?

When you get there, don't go to the guard. Ask for a man named Gerlin instead. He will be able to help you. Tell him Fayris sent you.

What? Why are we trusting this guy?

Clever advice! We don't know how far Coldstone's intrigues reach.

What does she have to do with Coldstone?

Coldstone? I don't know who that is, but I'll take your advice. Thank you. And you too, good merchant. May Travia bless you.

Let's be on our way immediately. Please follow me, young lady.



My pedantic nature means I like sorting all my ingredients in the available chests on the ship.

Next up on the list of missing people, the innkeeper's husband.

Hey, you! Were you just in the fortress? What's going on up there? I heard a lot of shouting! I hope you didn't annoy the Commandant. He can be quite unpleasant...

Don't worry, Commandant Bloomfold has been... removed. I'm sure there'll soon be a new commandant bringing some law and order to the place.

Well, let's hope so! Until then, I'm not setting another foot in that fortress! And all this business down at the docks! There are three dead bodies in my inn! No, no, no...

I found this wooden leg...

By Travia's Hearth! It's Gero's leg! Wh... where did you get it?

In the... in the fortress! He was murdered.

Murdered! Oh, my poor, silly Gero! I'm sorry I thought ill of you... I told him to take care around that Tashman... Erm... could you give me that leg? To remember him by, I mean?

"To remember him by"? Yeah right...

[Human Nature] A souvenir? Is that really the only reason you want it?

Alright, by Travia, you're right. I can use it to open Gero's chest. I tell you what, give me the leg and I'll let you take one thing from Gero's chest. And apart from that - if you want to trade, I'll give you a good price.

Agreed. Here, take the leg. [Give object]

Thank you. Let's see what's in there... There's a bag full of coins a battered old map and a rusty key. Choose something!

I'll take the rusty key. [Take object]

The key? Fine. I doubt you'll find a use for that. Travia alone knows where Gero's been in his time.

You can buy the map off her too but I don't need it



See?



Nice. Before we go anywhere else, let's troll the wife.

Your husband had a hidden treasure! And I found it!

Travia save me! I spent years here working my fingers to the bone, and my good-for-nothing husband had treasure hidden away! If he weren't already dead, I'd wring his neck!

This game causes huge analysis paralysis for me. Every time I fire it up I eat up most of my 2 hours of gaming time dicking around in the character creator.

I want to stroll around as a huge, awesome, Thorwalian tribal because he's badass but I also want to mess around with spells. The power gamer in me recognizes that the best combo of spellcasting and fighting is the elf fighter (stone cold warrior + fastness of body + spears FTW!), but elves are pussies so who wants to play one of those?

I've sunk probably 10 hours into this thing and not gotten much beyond the first big market square. I think the huge variety of viable archetypes and builds is what really makes this game. It's so fun to experiment with them. You barely even need the actual game, when the system itself is so fun to tinker with.

Grog said:

I've sunk probably 10 hours into this thing and not gotten much beyond the first big market square. I think the huge variety of viable archetypes and builds is what really makes this game. It's so fun to experiment with them. You barely even need the actual game, when the system itself is so fun to tinker with.

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The character system is excellent indeed and that's something that's completely missing from a lot of other recent RPG's.

It's too bad we don't get another game in this series; a more open game where you can create a group of characters would've been great.

RK47 said:

Gaider ?

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More like :

Good LP, and since I got the game for birthsday I got question: Is this playeble as warrior/rogue? The difficulty for those classes are usualy step later on and I do hate playing mages.

It's a party-based game and the party is more or less balanced or balanceable regardless of player class. That said, you could say certain classes are a bit more advanced (charlatan, geode), but the balance overall is good.

Rogues have it tough earlier in the game because you're stuck with Cano and two-rogue is a sucky party makeup.
Warriors though? Warriors got it easy throughout. I recommend on of the Thorwalian setups, or dwarven mercenaries, strictly from personal preference.

ghostdog said:

RK47 said:

Gaider ?

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More like :

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Haha. Perfect.

Pure warrior or soldier is boring, any other fighter archetype is more interesting but Dwarven mercenary is most powerful.

Rogue is very powerful due to miracles & eventual access to Mortal blow skill + fun to play with access to all social skills.

how does this one compare to the 1st game?

immediately after finishing i wanted to start with another character but remember the story too well :/
so i'm thinking of trying the 1st one...

what shittiness to expect? what to skip if possible?

a budda said:

how does this one compare to the 1st game?

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The River of Time is much better. The first one has a shittier, "epic" plot, endless hallways filled with trashmobs, and less interesting characters. It does have a more varied party (big advantage). It is also a lot longer. It's on the same engine with very little difference between the two, so you can jump in instantly familiar with the system and controls.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, play the 1st one without upping the walking speed, either with a mod or manually (you can find instructions by googling it, easy enough). There is way, way too much walking for the slow-ass walking speeds in the game. Recommend upping the speed of usage of plant and animal lore too. It's a long game, and if you use the set speeds it gets tedious fast.

thanks, good thing reminding me of the speed, was a bit too slow in RoT

tried to give it a try a long time ago but barely into the game and not having grasped the system i read the hivemind's opinion and uninstall swiftly followed

now i'm mentally ready for trashmobs, epicness rarely hurts me and i'm in love with the system

Drakensang 1 even has its own Deep Roads.

So far it's better than 1st part, my female rogue has many flavour dialogues but i avioded a few fights thanks to this, my male fighter (onlly melee class with some social polish0 ended his prestigius city watch carier :D and now he's banging the half elf rangerchick. game is lighthearted and beutifal unlike Oblibion and DA2.

Please sir, may we have some MOAR

Though I'd settle for the Gamebanshee subsite.