Let's Play Arx Fatalis

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Let's Play Ark Fatalis: Spiritual Successor to the Ultima Underworld Series

It has been several years since I played through this highly atmospheric dungeon romp. This time around I intend to focus on thievery and mischief. Having focused on magic last time I completed this game, I want to try a different approach. I will use some magic (who can resist using this system), but my main goal here is to back stab and rob everyone blind.

I am not a completionist, so if I skip or miss something an it really bothers you let me know and I can accommodate to an extent.


I am using the Gog version of the game.


Update #1: Naked
Update #2: Goblins
Update #3: Gore, Grog and Gambling
Update #4: Kings
Update #5: Runs and Riches
Update #6: Guardian
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Game Description:

Dark Age
Cast away from the surface of the Earth by the disappearance of the sun, Mankind lived hidden underground in the Fortress of Arx. Humans only have magic left to survive against Ratmen, Dragons and starvation...

But a much greater danger is hovering above the world of Arx Fatalis. Lurking in the eternal darkness of the mines, it feeds off the innocent souls of the city. It is not a monster. It is not human. It is pure evil.

The adventure has just started, and soon,
the fate of Arx, will be in your hands.

Arx Fatalis is a medieval heroic fantasy first person role playing game which places the accent on immersion, storyline and innovative magic system.

Arx Fatalis is intended for RPG and adventure players.

Dive into the universe of Arx

Arx Fatalis is an RPG that thrusts the player into an extremely complex fantastic world. Arx Fatalis combines a rich storyline with impressive medieval settings. The easy to use interface results in maximum interaction. The player is in an intense immersion state where he can feel how each one of his actions affects the surrounding world. The goal of the game is to reduce to nothing the cult of Akbaa, God of destruction and Chaos, and thus, prevent him from returning to the physical world. If the player fails, the demon will crush Arx under its rule of blood and terror.

The player, assuming the role of potential hero, fights in a large underground fortress, with wood clubs, swords, lances. and many magic artifacts, against the threat of multiple underground creatures (Goblins, Trolls, Ratmen and other vicious creatures.)

But rough power is not always the best road to victory. The hero may also use the new "screen magic" to advance. By using the mouse, magic runes have to be drawn and combined on screen in order to create powerful spells that will protect the player or give him the strength to defeat his enemies and to complete his quest.

In addition to the fight against demons and monsters, there is also a practically infinite number of interactions with the creatures and objects in the fortress, which enable the player to regain his memory, solve enigmas, and fulfill quests. By accumulating experience points, the player is able to lead his hero and train him any way he wants.

Dare to enter the world of Arx Fatalis. Explore the underground cities, secret temples, ancient mine tunnels, discover forgotten civilizations and dominate the magic of Arx Fatalis...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
We will actually play Arx Liberatis 1.2.1 + Arx Extended 2.2


Arx Liberatis Details

Spoiler

Arx Fatalis features crafting, melee and ranged combat, as well as a unique casting system where the player draws runes in real time to effect the desired spell.

Arx Libertatis 1.1.2 updates and improves Arx Fatalis by supporting modern systems, porting the game to new systems as well as eliminating bugs and limitations. In the future we plan to improve and modernize the engine as well as enable customizations and mods by the community.

Arx Libertatis is based on the publicly released Arx Fatalis sources and available under theGPL 3+ license. This does however not include the game data, so you need to obtain a copy of the original Arx Fatalis or its demo to play Arx Libertatis.

ARX EXTENDED MOD Details:

Spoiler

ARX EXTENDED MOD

The long term objective of this mod is to make the game a little less linear and add enough features to increase
its replayability value. So far, the only affected NPCs in this mod are most Goblins and Tizzy, the rest of Arx will be
added eventually. And the only Containers affected are barrels, a limited number of chests and corpses.

Flute
-The flute plays 2 tunes depending on your Object Knowledge.
-Less than 50 will make you play a bad version of the flute sound found in the game files.
-Having 50 or more in that skill will make you play the standard tune.

Shredded Meat
-To get Shredded Meat just use the Mortar and Pestle on any Raw Meat.
-Can be used for cooking or for alchemic purposes.

Delicious Pies
-There are two kind of pies now. Sweet and Savory.
-Either an Apple or a Carrot to make Sweet Pies.
-To make Savory Pies you need Shredded Meat.
-You can use Garlic instead of Wine to increase the quality of Savory Pies.

Prepared Food and Cooked Food
-Combine one Raw Meat with one Fruit or Vegetable to make Some Prepared Food.
-Combining Some Big Ribs with any Fruit or Vegetable will yield two Prepared Food instead.
-Combine Prepared Food with Garlic, Oil or Wine to make Uncooked Delicious Food.
-Put Some Prepared Food near a fire or oven to make Some Cooked Food
-Put Uncooked Delicious Food near a fire or oven to make Cooked Delicious Food.

Preservation Spices and Iron Rations
-You can now make Iron Rations using Some Preservation Spices.
-Iron Rations can stack up to 20 in a single slot.
-You can find Preservation Spices inside barrels in random quantities or buy them from Maria.
-Combine Some Prepared Food with Some Preservation Spices to make Iron Rations.

Bread and Cheese
-Combine a Cheese with a Loaf of Bread to get two Cheese Sandwiches and Half a Loaf of Bread.
-Combine a Cheese with Half a Loaf of Bread to get two Cheese Sandwiches.
-Use a Blade on a Loaf of Bread to get two Half a Loaf of Bread.

More Chicken
-No more feasting on a whole Roast Chicken.
-You will save two Chicken Drumsticks when eating a Roast Chicken.

More Bones
-Skulls and Pelvic Bones can be picked up and carried in the Inventory now.
-Can stack like normal items and can also be found in Corpses.
-Can be turned into Bone Powder with Mortar and Pestle.
-The Bones you can use as weapons can also stack but partially.

Scrap Metal
-You get Scrap Metal from broken weapons made of iron or steel.
-You can combine Scrap Metal until it reaches a big enough pile in order to turn it into a Metal Ingot.
-To make a Metal Ingot, you need to heat the Scrap Metal using the Bellows in the Blacksmith and then Hammer them.

Rust Powder
-Find Rust in some Containers or by using Mortar and Pestle on Scrap Metal.
-Combine Rust with an Empty Bottle and then use it in an Alchemy Still to get a Poisonous Potion.
-Will be used to enchant equipment in next update.

New Alchemy System
-Changed the colors of some Plants, Powders and Potions.
-Red is for Life.
-Purple is for Restoration.
-Orange is for Antidote.
-Black is for Invisibility.
-Powders can only be mixed inside Bottles now.
-Some powders can stack twice inside a Bottle.
-You can press "Use" on a Bottle filled with a Reagent to get both the Empty Bottle and the Reagent inside.
-Bone Powder can be turned into Red, Blue, Green and Orange powders when mixing it with those powders.
-Health and Mana potions will need you to mix the powders with a Bottle of Oil before brewing them into potions.
-Poisonous potions will need you to mix Green Powder with Rust Powder plus a Bottle of Water before brewing them into potions.
-Cure Poison potions are called Antidote Potions now.
-Antidote potions need you to mix Orange Powder with Green Powder plus a Bottle of Oil before brewing them into potions.
-The book "The Magic of Potions" is now called "The Magic of Alchemy" and it contains the new recipes to make the potions and their reagents.

Restoration Potion
-Restores both Health and Mana.
-Combine Red Powder with Blue Powder to make Purple Powder.
-Combine a Bottle of Oil with the bottled powder and then heat the mixture in an Alchemy Still to get a Restoration Potion

Different Invisibility Potion
-You now need Black Gel and Rust to make Invisibility Potions.
-Black Gel comes from grinding Spider Chitin, a new reagent found on Spider corpses.
-Put Black Gel in an empty bottle to fill half of it.
-Put more Black Gel in the bottle to fill it completely.
-Now put Rust inside with the mix. It can now be turned into an Invisibility Potion in an Alchemy Still.

Raw Poison
-You can now harvest poisonous glands from the blue nasty spiders.
-You can sometimes harvest them from normal adult spiders too.
-Squeeze its poison into a bottle to get an insta Poison Potion.

Bless Potion
-You need to put Snowflakes from a Snowdrop Flower inside a bottle and heat it in an Alchemy Still.
-Combine Aqua Essentia with it and the potion is ready.
-It causes you to casts Bless on self and last a bit longer than Invisibility Potions.

Bottle of Oil
-Combine Shredded Meat with an Empty Bottle and then use it in an Alchemy Still to get a Bottle of Oil.
-Used to make Prepared Food.
-Will be used to enchant equipment in next update.

Aqua Essentia
-Combine Bone Powder with a Bottle of Wine and then combine with an Alchemy Still.
-Or use any Potion in an Alchemy Still to make Aqua Essentia. A higher Object Knowledge is required.
-Combine bottled Red, Blue, Yellow or Dark Green Powders with Aqua Essentia to insta brew them into Potions without the need of an Alchemy Still.
-Will be used to enchant equipment in next update.

Burning Oil
-Combine Aqua Essentia with Oil to make a bottle of Burning Oil.
-Burning Oil can be used to refill an Oil Lamp.
-Will be used to enchant equipment in next update.

Oil Lamp
-Gets 80 durability when refilled with Burning Oil.
-Oil Lamps are sold by Maria at her Store.
-If durability reaches 0 it will dissapear. (Can't find a way to prevent it)

Smaller Candles
-Candles only use a 1x1 Inventory Slot now.
-Can be lit and thrown away to lit places just like Torches.

Identifying
-Unknown items will all look the same or like "normal" items.
-Only items affected by this so far are Plants, Reagents and Potions.
-Some items will look unidentified until you hover the mouse over them.
-Unidentified Plants and Reagents cannot be used until Identified.
-Unidentified Potions can be used but with penalties until Identified.

Food Satiety Values
-Mushroom: +1 Satiety
-Leek: +2 Satiety
-Carrot: +2 Satiety
-Apple: +2 Satiety
-Cheese: +3 Satiety
-Cooked Fish: +4 Satiety
-Cooked Small Ribs: +4 Satiety
-Loaf of Bread: +5 Satiety
-Cheese Sandwich: +5 Satiety
-Roast Chicken: +7 Satiety
-Chicken Drumstick: +4 Satiety
-Cooked Big Ribs: +7 Satiety
-Plain Pie: +4 Satiety
-Delicious Pie: +6 Satiety
-Delicious Pie (Seasoning): +7 Satiety
-Cooked Food: +7 Satiety
-Cooked Food (Seasoning): +8 Satiety
-Iron Ration: +6 Satiety

Iron Weapons: 20 Durability for all
-Iron Dagger: +2 Damage / +6% Stealth // Requires 8 Dexterity
-Iron Shortsword: +4 Damage / -2 Stealth / -2 Casting // Requires 7 Strength
-Iron Longsword: +5 Damage / -4 Stealth / -4 Casting // Requires 10 Strength and 30 Close Combat
-Iron Hand Axe: +6 Damage / -6 Stealth / -6 Casting // Requires 12 Strength and 40 Close Combat
-Iron Greatsword: +8 Damage / +2% Armor Class / -8 Stealth / -8 Casting // Requires 14 Strength and 50 Close Combat
-Iron Greataxe: +10 Damage / +4% Armor Class / -10 Stealth / -10 Casting // Requires 16 Strength and 60 Close Combat

Steel Weapons: 40 Durability for all
-Steel Dagger: +3 Damage / +9% Stealth // Requires 8 Dexterity
-Steel Shortsword: +5 Damage / -2 Stealth / -2 Casting // Requires 8 Strength
-Steel Longsword: +6 Damage / -4 Stealth / -4 Casting // Requires 10 Strength and 30 Close Combat
-Steel Broadsword: +7 Damage / +5% Armor Class / -6 Stealth / -6 Casting // Requires 12 Strength and 50 Close Combat
-Steel Rapier: +7 Damage / Fast Attacks / -6 Stealth / -6 Casting // Requires 12 Dexterity and 50 Close Combat
-Steel Hand Axe: +8 Damage / -8 Stealth / -8 Casting // Requires 14 Strength and 60 Close Combat
-Steel Falchion: +9 Damage / -10 Stealth / -10 Casting // Requires 16 Strength and 70 Close Combat
-Steel Greatsword: +10 Damage / +4% Armor Class / -12 Stealth / -12 Casting // Requires 18 Strength and 80 Close Combat
-Steel Greataxe: +12 Damage / +6% Armor Class / -14 Stealth / -14 Casting // Requires 20 Strength and 90 Close Combat

Mithril Weapons: 80 Durability
-Mithril Falchion: +12 Damage / -10 Stealth / -8 Casting // Requires 14 Strength and 60 Close Combat
-Mithril Greatsword: +16 Damage / +8% Armor Class / -12 Stealth / -10 Casting // Requires 16 Strength and 70 Close Combat
-Meteor Falchion: +25 Damage / Indestructible // Requires 12 Strength and 50 Close Combat
-Meteor Greatsword: +30 Damage / +10% Armor Class / Indestructible // Requires 14 Strength and 60 Close Combat
-Enchanted Meteor Falchion: +35 Damage / +6% Magic Protection / Indestructible // Requires 10 Strength and 40 Close Combat
-Enchanted Meteor Greatsword: +40 Damage / +12% Armor Class / +9% Magic Protection / Indestructible // Requires 12 Strength and 50 Close Combat

Special Weapons
-Bone: +1 Damage / -2 Stealth / -2 Casting / Turns into Bone Powder when it breaks / 5 Durability
-Spiked Club: +3 Damage / +1% Armor Class / -3 Stealth / -3 Casting / 10 Durability // Requires 7 Strength
-Blacksmith's Hammer: +4 Damage / -3 Stealth / -3 Casting / Can be used to Repair / 50 Durability // Requires 8 Strength
-Sledgehammer: +5 Damage / +2% Armor Class / -6 Stealth / -6 Casting / 35 Durability // Requires 10 Strength
-Bejeweled Dagger: +4 Damage / +3% Critical Hit / +6% Casting / 50 Durability // Requires 10 Dexterity
-Assassin's Dagger: +5 Damage / +9% Critical Hit / +14% Stealth / -9 Casting / 60 Durability // Requires 14 Dexterity and 30 Close Combat
-Bejeweled Longsword: +6 Damage / +3% Critical Hit / +9 Casting / -10 Stealth / 50 Durability // Requires 10 Strength and 40 Close Combat
-Magic Sabre: +6 Damage / -6 Stealth / +12% Casting / +12% Magic Protection / 70 Durability // Requires 8 Strength
-Achanta’s Sword: +10 Damage / -12 Stealth / -12 Casting / Drains Life / 70 Durability // Requires 12 Strength and 50 Close Combat
-Slayer Blade: +14 Damage / +6% Armor Class / +12% Critical Hit / -15 Stealth / -15 Casting / 70 Durability // Requires 18 Strength and 80 Close Combat
-Lord Inut's Sword: +20 Damage / +9% Armor Class / -16 Stealth / -16 Casting / 70 Durability // Requires 20 Strength and 90 Close Combat

Ranged Weapons
-Shortbow: +6 Damage / -3 Casting // Requires 8 Dexterity and 20 Marksmanship
-Assassin's Bow: +12 Damage / +9% Critical Hit / +12% Stealth / -9 Casting // Requires 12 Dexterity and 60 Marksmanship
-Lord Inut's Bow: +20 Fire Damage / -9 Stealth / -9 Casting // Requires 12 Dexterity and 80 Marksmanship

Armor Shields
-Wooden Shield: 2 Armor Class / Defense +10% / -4 Stealth / -4 Casting / 20 Durability // Requires 7 Strength
-Reinforced Shield: 4 Armor Class / Defense +15% / -8 Stealth / -8 Casting / 30 Durability // Requires 8 Strength
-Steel Shield: 6 Armor Class / Defense +20% / -12 Stealth / -12 Casting / 40 Durability // Requires 10 Strength
-Kite Shield: 8 Armor Class / Defense +25% / -16 Stealth / -16 Casting / 50 Durability // Requires 12 Strength
-Mithril Shield: 10 Armor Class / Defense +20% / -8 Stealth / +2% Casting / 80 Durability // Requires 10 Strength
-Shield of the Ancients: 12 Armor Class / +30% Magic Protection / Defense +25% / -16 Stealth / -16 Casting / 70 Durability // Requires 14 Strength

Armor Leather
-Leather Brigandine: 4 Armor Class / 10 Durability
-Leather Greaves: 3 Armor Class / 10 Durability
-Studded Leather Brigandine: 5 Armor Class / -5 Stealth / -5 Casting / 15 Durability // Requires 8 Constitution
-Studded Leather Greaves: 4 Armor Class / -5 Stealth / -5 Casting / 15 Durability // Requires 8 Constitution
-Merc Leather Brigandine: 7 Armor Class / -3 Stealth / -6 Casting / 20 Durability // Requires 9 Constitution
-Merc Leather Greaves: 6 Armor Class / -6 Stealth / -3 Casting / 20 Durability // Requires 9 Constitution

Armor Shadowleather
-Shadowleather Mask: 1 Armor Class / +3% Poison Protection / +8% Stealth / 15 Durability // Requires 7 Constitution and 10 Dexterity
-Shadowleather Brigandine: 3 Armor Class / +9% Poison Protection / +12% Stealth / 15 Durability // Requires 7 Constitution and 10 Dexterity
-Shadowleather Greaves: 2 Armor Class / +6% Poison Protection / +15% Stealth / 15 Durability // Requires 7 Constitution and 10 Dexterity
-Studded Shadowleather Brigandine: 4 Armor Class / +12% Poison Protection / +9% Stealth / 20 Durability // Requires 7 Constitution and 11 Dexterity
-Studded Shadowleather Greaves: 3 Armor Class / +9% Poison Protection / +12% Stealth / 20 Durability // Requires 7 Constitution and 11 Dexterity

Armor Mage Clothing
-Rag Shirt: 2 Armor Class / +3% Magic Protection / +6% Casting / 8 Durability
-Rag Leggings: 1 Armor Class / +6% Magic Protection / +3% Casting / 8 Durability
-Cloth Shirt: 3 Armor Class / +6% Magic Protection / +9% Casting / 10 Durability
-Cloth Leggings: 2 Armor Class / +9% Magic Protection / +6% Casting / 10 Durability

Armor Chainmail: 20 Durability for all
-Steelmail Helmet: 3 Armor Class / -5 Stealth / -5 Casting // Requires 10 Constitution
-Steelmail Shirt: 6 Armor Class / -5 Stealth / -10 Casting // Requires 10 Constitution
-Steelmail Leggings: 5 Armor Class / -10 Stealth / -5 Casting // Requires 10 Constitution
-Armored Steelmail Shirt: 8 Armor Class / -6 Stealth / -12 Casting // Requires 11 Constitution
-Armored Steelmail Leggings: 7 Armor Class / -12 Stealth / -6 Casting // Requires 11 Constitution

Armor Steel: 40 Durability for all
-Steelplate Helmet: 5 Armor Class / -2% Magic Protection / -14 Stealth / -14 Casting // Requires 12 Constitution
-Steelplate Cuirass: 10 Armor Class / -6% Magic Protection / -14 Stealth / -24 Casting // Requires 12 Constitution
-Steelplate Greaves: 9 Armor Class / -4% Magic Protection / -24 Stealth / -14 Casting // Requires 12 Constitution

Armor Magicsteel: 70 Durability for all
-Poxsellis Great Helm: 6 Armor Class / -5 Stealth / +12% Magic Protection / Dispell Illusions // Requires 12 Constitution
-Magicsteel Helmet: 5 Armor Class / +12% Magic Protection / -14 Stealth // Requires 11 Constitution
-Magicsteel Breastplate: 10 Armor Class / +16% Magic Protection / -14 Stealth // Requires 11 Constitution
-Magicsteel Greaves: 9 Armor Class / +14% Magic Protection / -24 Stealth // Requires 11 Constitution

Armor Mithril: 80 Durability for all
-Mithril Helmet: 7 Armor Class / -4 Stealth / +6% Casting / +2% Magic Protection // Requires 10 Constitution
-Mithril Shirt: 11 Armor Class / -4 Stealth / +6% Casting / +8% Magic Protection // Requires 10 Constitution
-Mithril Leggings: 10 Armor Class / -8 Stealth / +4% Casting / +6% Magic Protection // Requires 10 Constitution
-Armored Mithril Shirt: 12 Armor Class / -6 Stealth / +4% Casting / +6% Magic Protection // Requires 10 Constitution
-Armored Mithril Leggings: 11 Armor Class / -10 Stealth / +2% Casting / +4% Magic Protection // Requires 10 Constitution

Armor Ylside: 70 Durability for all
-Ylside Breastplate: 15 Armor Class / +3 Strength / -15 Stealth / -25 Casting / +10% Magic Protection // Requires 15 Constitution
-Ylside Greaves: 15 Armor Class / +2 Strength / -25 Stealth / -15 Casting / +10% Magic Protection // Requires 15 Constitution

New Inventory
-Fixed inventory is slightly different from vanilla Arx.
-Some goblins, barrels and corpses have also a random loot generated when a new game starts.
-Some goblins now use different weapons. It makes killing them more dangerous.
-Some items like armor will only appear in a goblin's inventory if said goblin is dead.
-Rats will only drop 1 Ribs but respawning rats will drop Ribs and Hides when killed again.
-Some items are now stackable and other items got their stack size increased.
-Gold rings, silver rings, diamonds, emeralds and rubies can stack up to 20 now.
-The 12 Goblin Mine Shares can all stack in a single slot.
-Powders and Flour can stack up to 20 in a single slot now.
-Wood Pieces and Wall Blocks can stack now.

Other Metalcraft Processes
-Metal Ingots are now common items sold by Miguel.
-Use the Bellows in Miguel's Blacksmith to heat Ingots.
-Heat a Chainmail piece and then use a hammer on it to turn it a Metal Ingot.

Dwarven Crafting Tools - Material Crafting
-One use crafting kits sold by Miguel or found in some containers.
-Put a Fur in it to get a Leather. The Tools are not consumed when doing this.
-Put a Leather first and then Black Gel to get a Shadowleather.
-Combine a Dwarven Crafting Tools with a heated Metal Ingot to craft a Chainmail.

Dwarven Crafting Tools - Armor Crafting
-One use crafting kits sold by Miguel or found in some containers.
-To make an Armor Piece, put a Material, then press "Use" to select between Helmet/Chest/Leggings and then Put another Material.
-Two Leather pieces to Make Leather Armor. There's no Helmet for this Set.
-Two Shadowleather pieces to Make Shadowleather Armor.
-One Chainmail piece and then one Leather piece to make Chainmail Chest/Leggins. One Hot Metal Ingot istead of Leather to make the Helmet.
-One Hot Metal Ingot and then a Leather Chest/Leggins to upgrade them to Studded Leather Armor.
-Two Cloth pieces to make Rag Chest/Leggins Mage Clothing.
-One Cloth piece and then a Rag Chest to upgrade it to Cloth Chest.
-One Leather piece and then Rag Leggings to upgrade it to Cloth Leggings.
-One Hot Metal Ingot and then a Shadowleather Chest/Leggins to upgrade them to Studded Shadowleather Armor.
-One Chainmail piece and then a Studded Leather Chest/Leggins to make Merc Armor.
-One Hot Metal Ingot and then a Chainmail Chest/Leggings to upgrade them to Armored Chainmail Armor.
-One Hot Metal Ingot and then a Chainmail Helmet or Armored Chainmail Chest/Leggings to upgrade them to Steelplate Armor.

Dwarven Crafting Tools - Material Recycling
-You can recover most of the crafting Materials from certain Armor pieces.
-Combine a Dwarven Crafting Tools with an Armor piece to Recycle it.
-Cloth, Leather and Chainmail are recovered entirely but You get Scrap Metal instead of Metal Ingots.
-The Tools are not consumed when Recycling.

Tizzy's Mugs
-There's a little side quest in the Tavern, indirectly given by Tizzy.
-You can find it written in the Public Notice near her, on the Wine Barrel.
-Mugs play an important role in it so most can be picked up and carried in the Inventory now.

Skin change
-Polsius and Anuk the Cook got new and unique skins. They stopped looking like regular goblins.
-Both Atok the Quartermaster and Izak the Foreman use a leather version of the regular goblin skin.
-Some weapons and shields have some minor skin changes to better fit the changes within this mod.

Fixes
-Small fix to avoid some previously revealed goblin names to reset back to "A goblin".

 

[Fafnir]

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Update #1 - Naked

Spoiler

The extended mod adds quite a few items and mechanics to the game. Check out the link and descriptions in the OP.

The title screen, replete with Arx Liberatis version information.

I plan to focus on thievery and backstabbery, though it makes some sense to have a little bit of balance.

I will use some magic to highlight the awesome magic system, though I focused a play-through on magic once so it’s time to mix it up. Plus, I think we can get into some mischief with thieving.

Here are my stats and starting skills.

*poof* I make a naked, lightning-fringed appearance in a Goblin dungeon. My guard quips and chastises me from outside the bars. Little bastard.

I check my surrounding for anyting usual. Some mushrooms sprout from the filth in the corner. I put those in my loincloth for safe keeping – I’m not sure if they are edible.

On the opposite side of my cell is a hole in the ground. Nothing in there either…

Someone calls me from the cell next door, pleading with me to escape and let him out.

Ahm Shegar he calls me.. means one with no name.. considering I have amnesia, how can I be having deja-vu?

He suggests the bars behind me are old and the masonry crumbling…

Sure enough, they pry apart easily enough. In the adjoining room, there is nothing but a cracked femur from some unlucky bastard. I pick it up and make off to beat my Goblin captor…

Screaming first of my stupidity, then of his desire to get away, I corner the Goblin and make quick work of him.. Silly human indeed.

My last strike cuts the goblin clean in half, his entrails spewing about, nearly ruining the fresh bread on the table next to me..

In his back pocket, he has some coins, a limp carrot and a note…

I guess I am the dangery one. I feel a little sorry for him.


Enough of that. I turn to the food on the table. Some wine, and a heel of mouldy bread. I am famished and a little wine is always nice. While I sit and eat these, my new friend pleads with me to let him out.

I considered leaving the guy behind and considered killing him, but he did give me good tips, so he lives today. Plus the wine has me in a good mood, all things considered.

Damn it.. llllocked, no tools and no key. My friend suggests I smash the grate in the floor, droip down a level and come back from him later. He is holding his ribs and moves slowly, groaning from the pains of his injury.

I smash the grate, and reluctactantly let myself fall into the blackness. I hope it isn’t too deep…

I land in a large empty area. It reeks of rot and sweet decay. The air is close and the cold is in my bones. I am relieved,the drop was only a dozen feet or so and I am OK. I’m not sure if I will be bothered to come back for this gentleman from the traveler’s guild.. or if I will survive to see him again.

Mould squishes through my toes and I swear I feel critters under my feet. I need to get my bearings and scavenge for what I can… In the distance I hear skittering rats, some other motion and faint screaming.

I find a long dead human corpse. I wrestle ragged leather leggings off the bones and the pelvis and legs come clean off. Along with the debris I find some runes.

My spellbook glows a yellow-gold and I hear the binding crack as I open it.

Aha! I can now use the Ignite spell. Let’s light the sconce on the wall…

I carefully trace the first, then the second rune into the air while making the verbal incantations..

A crack of flame and the torch comes to life! I quickly survey the area…

After two or three dead ends, I am left with the option to descend a narrow passage. I don’t much like the idea..

I come to a fork and must choose between an open door and a corridor covered in huge cob webs. I think I’ll take the door until I find a proper weapon... I don’t want to know what made those webs.

The room as a high vaulted ceiling – three stories high. I can see something up there on a alrge ledge but it is dark.

I notice a panel on the wall and open it, revealing two pulleys. The belt is missing… on the floor to the right is a broken excavating machine or crane. In one corner is a metal plate large enough for two men.. next to it is a lever…

I stand on the plate and pull the lever.. it clacks but nothing happens. Hmm.

In one corner is a pressure plate covered in stones. I fiddle with this to no avail. Kitty-corner to it is another within nothing on it… When I stand on it I hear the distinct sound of stone on stone, like a door is opening behind me.. I turn and see a passageway has opened!

Quick I place a heavy stone on the plate to keep the passage open, and I step into the secret room.

Here I find bottle filled with crimson and grey liquids; the crimson I identify as a health tincture! The grey I am leery of… I have not seen this before.

I also find some rope, which I quicky bring back to the pulleys and tie tightly around them.

Standing on the plate once again, I pull the lever.

Up I swing!

There seems to be a quite a bit to explore up here… I methodically work my way around the area, scavenging what I can…

I turn a corner, only to find a huge Goblin Lord speaking to someone behind a doorway… he is yelling at my friend!

He swings the door open to attack my friend, only to find me bearing down on him. Together, we hammer on the Goblin Lord. It’s fists like large hams, the Goblin Lord takes turn hammering my companion and I… his putrid breath nearly defeating us both.

The din settles and we hear only ourselves panting, not sure whether we have been severely injured.

LEVEL UP!

The lord has some gold and a broken lever shaft.

I plug this into a slot on the wall next to a large portcullis and give it a yank..

The portcullis rises into the ceiling, revealing a set of stairs leading up.

To my left a locked door with a placard reading “Reservation”. There is also a hearth here. My new friend urges me to leave before the next shift arrives. There is still much to explore on this level, so I decide to return here later…

Continuing to explore, I follow the ever louder sound of water and chirping frogs. I find something unexpected next – a beautiful waterfall and tranquil pool.

I set for a time here and wash my feet in the cool water. Perched on a rock I find a dull looking dagger. I wash the gunk off it and decide to keep it at the ready…

Before moving on, I take a moment to level up. Here is a before and after shot.

A view from the falls, looking down on an unexplored area… You can usually find food near water.. my stomach is grumbling and I have only scraps and raw fish.

Continuing along the water I find a small set of steps leading to an enclosed nook. Here I find another corpse, with a magic scroll on it. Reading the scroll causes it to disintegrate, allowing me to cast once.

Elsewhere in the water I find an unusual marbled stone.. it glows.

Continuing along, I find an abandoned camp site. I decide to cook some food, organize my pack and take some rest.

In organizing my pack, the stone touches my dagger.. it glows for a moment and the edge seems somehow keener than before.

I fumble to Ignite the fire twice before the char spurts to life. Slowly the warmth surrounds me as I arrange my pack. The smell of roasting rat ribs makes my mouth water… I never thought I would hear myself say that. The Fish I also cook and keep in my pack for whatever tomorrow brings.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Update #2 - Goblins

Spoiler

The stone floor is gold and slimy but at least it was a little warmer by the fire. The sound of the water is comforting…

I awake with a sore hand. Despite sleeping I kept an iron grip on my newly sharpened dagger. Gathering my things, I set off to find what I can…


What I found was the source of those huge spider webs. These aren’t as tough as they seem. I do get poisoned once but it passes quickly.

I harvest the poison sacks from these spiders and hides from the odd rat that passes by.

I spot a trick or false wall and try to smash it with a heavy rock or my fists to no avail. I’ll have to check it out later... maybe I can find a pick axe, or maybe it opens only from the other side…

I make a note to remember this area.

After combing the area and finding a few more herbs, I head back to where I left my Traveler’s Guild Friend. He is waiting for me it seems. He makes small talk and suggests I get away before the next Goblin shift come into work.


I left a locked area here though and I have a key to try against the lock.

The key slides easily into the hole and turns with ease. The area is unlocked!


This turns out to be a storage room. I imagine this is a kitchen of sorts for the prison, as there are ingredients here and a rolling pin..

Let’s cook!


In Arx, you can ‘USE’ inventory items against each other, sometimes to surprising results. Here is an example…


First, I use a bottle of water on some flour, making a dough ball.

Next, I sue the rolling pin on the dough, making a raw pie shell

Nest I use apples on the pie shell, making a sweet pie.

I fire the hearth and place the pie next to the fire…. It bakes and I now have an edible sweet pie. Apparently you can make various sweet and savoury pies using various food stuffs.


I eat some pie and offer my friend a bite, but he just urges me to leave. Isay my goodbyes and set off. Who is this guy?


There is nowhere to go but to take the stairs…

Surveying the area, I can see that I am back in the goblin prison area.

I find a cell block much like the one I was kept in. The guard notices me and I quickly dispatch him. He is unarmed and I now have a sharp dagger.

While I beat on the guard, a Goblin urges me on, laughing and making fun of the situation. Once the guard is dead, he asks that I release him in return for good will.

He is unarmed and a single Goblins isn’t much of a threat. I take pity on Polsius and agree to let him out.

He tells me to look him up in the tavern when I get a chance.

I continue on through the prison area, killing goblins and looting food and wine – they seem to like food and wine.

At the end of a corridor is a small chamber and guard post. Here I find three Goblin Lords! Oh crap they will beat me to a pulp.


Instead, their leader speaks to me.

Searching the level further I am drawn to loud snoring. I find what I think to be “the boss himself” sleeping like a baby.


An aspiring thief, I decide to see if I can’t sneak into his room and snoop around without being detected.


I crouch low and make my best imitation of a stealthy burglar and sneak in, holding my dagger at the ready in case I wake him.

To the right of the boss’ bed, I find a bookshelf with a key and two documents on it. These are the authorization forms I need, but they do not have signatures…

Maybe Polsius can forge them for me?

I slowly slink my way out and gently close the door behind me.

I explore the prison further and find a guard post with furniture, some shelves with provisions and of course Goblin bread and wine.


A sign hangs on the wall:

To the right of the sign is a massive fortified double door. I try the key I just swiped from the boss and it works!

Passing through the now open door, a dump area on the right holds much debris and garbage. I root through this and find a worn wooden buckler.

I aso find a new Magic Rune: Spacium

On using the rune, by book of magic glows yellow gold once again. I open it to find that I have learned a new spell: Fire Field

Reading the book and learning the incantation, I try to invoke a fire field. Three runes I draw:

An explosion of flame flies from my hands to the floor in front of me. My mana is depleted almost immediately… while I can cast the spell, I cannot sustain it for long. I am too weak yet.

I pre-cast a firefield and ready it.


I walk a few paces into the new area and find a very tranquil looking field with pool and waterfall. It is quite breathtaking. The chamber is massive.


Closer to me I find a strange contraption. It doesn’t seem to do anything. An odd pulsing tone emanates from the center.

In the distance I see that I assume is an Ogre. It is huge and menacing. Clerly it sees me but it does not pursue me… I sheathe my weapon and approach him.

He is a quite friendly, but sad troll. It is his birthday and he has no friends around to celebrate with. He asks if I will be his friend and get him a birthday present. I agree!

I turn then to investigate the apparatus more closely. Try as I might I cannot make it “do” anything.

I check out the waterfall and have a swim in the pool. There are some water lilies and ferns which I harvest as alchemical ingredients.

While I am swimming I notice there are bits of art strewn about the area. I take note of these.

This area fully explored and nowhere else to go here, I return to the Goblin prison area, to the final unexplored hallway. What I find is disturbing indeed.

The guard here attacks me on sight but I quickly put him down. His dagger is falling apart. I leave it on his body.

Human members and unidentifiable parts are strewn about this torture chamber. I see a guillotine, gallows, rack and other apparatus I can’t name. Oddly, the walls are adorned with ornate, intricately carved wooden panels.


This must be where the screams were coming from. Fighting to hold down my bread and wine, I read the note I plucked from the guard.

Who is this Lord Iserbius?


At the back of the chamber is a locked door leading to what seems to be a smithy. Through the peep hole I can see fires, anvil and tongs.

Maybe that sleeping boss is carrying the key… Back to kill the boss man.

No such luck. I guess it pays to be the boss though, he seems to eat better than the rest... or did.

My options here exhausted, make a note to try the smithy lock again later, and I head upstairs.

 

[Baron Dupek]

I've played it a few times, finished twice. Still not mastered art of magic here (not sure it because bigger resolution or using laser mouse instead of ball ones). Magic is the only answer in this game, welp. Still - exploring here is extremly fun.

And still no news about Arx - End of the Sun, mod for Doom3...

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

I've played it a few times, finished twice. Still not mastered art of magic here (not sure it because bigger resolution or using laser mouse instead of ball ones). Magic is the only answer in this game, welp. Still - exploring here is extremly fun.

And still no news about Arx - End of the Sun, mod for Doom3...

Indeed. Even though I am going to focus on melee and thievery, magic is boss in this game.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Update #3 - Gore, Grog and Gambling

Let me start by saying that the Goblins in Arx are fabulously voice acted. I thoroughly enjoy messing with them and trying to get them to say hilarious things.

Spoiler

After climbing the stairs, I am in a large cavernous area, with dug out tunnels leading off in a few directions. Stalactites hang from the granite ceiling over the water… in the open area is what appears to be a fort or outpost. On the ground before the draw bridge are two slain guards. They carry nothing of import and their weapons are dull.

I scour the bed of the pond and find a few more lilies, another keening stone and a Ring of Regeneration! I quickly put the ring on, and save the stone for later.

Crossing the bridge into the courtyard, I find a guard clinging to life. He is in sock and not making a lot of sense. He urges me to speak to Ortiern, who is the outpost captain. He asks what has happened to his fellows and mentioned an attack by “Ylsides”. He is clearly dying; I decide not to tell him what happened to his fellows.

Scorched earth and smoldering embers, body parts and... farm animals fill the yard. The animals are panicked, so I kill them and save their meat for later in a gesture of empathy.

I step into a utility room. In the center is a large hearth and bellows. In the corner is an anvil, tongs and hammer.

On the mantle is a mortar and pestle! Quickly, I grind up all of the herbs and ingredients I have collected. I now have a nice collection of alchemical powders that I have no idea how to use.

Feeling good, I step over to the smithy station and decide to try my hand at repairing an old blade I have in my pack…

It starts with 13/20 durability. Let’s see if I can repair it.

Total failure. The result is 10/10 durability. I need to pump my object knowledge, which will bump my skill here... for now I had better have a professional repair my equipment.

Off to the right, a barracks. Not much in here, but I did manage to find a few gold under a pillow. ALWAYS lift the pillows!

Stepping back into the yard I pause to look at a slaughtered guard who has been hung on the wall. Whatever or whoever these Ylsides are, they were able to drive steel rods deep into the stone and hang an armored man on it.

I have a little piss shiver at the thought and look over at the guard I spoke to some minutes ago. He isn't moving.

I climb the stone steps onto the parapet overlooking the moat and drawbridge below. Above I see only blackness. Across the water and o a ledge, I see a blue glow coming off of an item on an outcropping. I wonder what it is…

On this level, there is one large room with antechamber. In the chamber are two chests. One I manage to pick with my thieve’s tools. It contains weapons in worse shape than the one I am carrying. The other is too complicated and I damage my picks in the process. I make a note to return here.

In the large room I see a bleeding man and a large chest. My attention drawn to the chest, I don’t hear the man at first. He pleads for help…

Despite my protestations, Ortiern insists that I must do this for the Kingdom and that we are all in peril. Reluctantly I agree to bring the message to the King.

Maybe this king has good stuff to steal..

Turning at last to his chest, I find a fist of gold, some wine and an outpost logbook.

I thumb through the logbook and decide to take it with me.

Leaving the outpost behind, I head towards a massive door in the distance. From here, I can see the iridescent item on the ledge. I make a note to return here when I devise a plan to retrieve whatever it is.

The door is locked of course and none of my implements change that fact. To my left is a tunnel leading to a more welcoming place. Outside a dog approaches me playfully. I pat the dog and his tail wags. He starts following me around a bit and whines when I open the door.

The tavern! A warm, dry waft of air and smell of Grog and Mutton washes over me. My heart lightens as I find my new friend Polsius!

We exchange greetings and I explain my situation, asking Polsius if he can help with my documents.

He signs them happily. I am glad to have a friend in this place.

I sit with Polsius and buy a round of drinks. Talk soon turns to darker things. Polsius passed on some information on the situation with Lord Iserbius. Dark tidings indeed.

I thank Polsius, buy him another round and speak with the Lady behind the counter.

Tizzy is the tavern’s owner. She flirts with me and everyone else I am sure.

I read the placard on over a barrel of wine. 20 gold coins for any returned mugs. I have a few and decide to sell them to her. I make a mental note to watch for mugs.

Upstairs I am greeted by a stranger who invites me to sit for a drink. An interesting gent with a large scar from temple to chin, right down the front of his face. He has seen some things. We chat for a bit…

We finish our drinks and I head over to a game table manned by a skinny looking sheister. I don’t normally go in for these games, they are usually stacked against you. Today, I can use the distraction.

He beckons me to read the rules and give it a shot. Why not eh? Let’s gamble!

I decide to use two markers, placing them at 1 and 9.

Let’s win some golds. I'll show the roll, and my gold at each turn.

After a good string of wins, the operator berates my method of spinning the weel, kisses his teeth and walks away. Any attempt to being him back fails, he has had enough. I make a mental note to return here later and take more of his money.

A small hallway off the greatroom leads to a darkened door, barred, locked and latticed with steel. On knocking I am abruptly asked for the password. I fumble a few attempts. There is no reply. Through the bars I see a foreign glow; a strange electric blue.

I walk over to Tizzy to ask her about the door. I try to sweet talk her into giving it to me.

She was not convinced.

I loiter for a while, and with a glow of wine about me, I leave the cozy place, clapping Polsius on the back as I exit.

Outside, Spot greets me with wagged tail.

I reach into my pack and feed Spot some rat ribs. He seems to enjoy them if his tail is any indication.

Spot would follow me out, across the front of the outpost, onto the edge of darkness through a tunnel. Here he stops, whimpers and looks back towards the tavern. He does not follow me into the darkness.

In the tunnel I find a broken contraption just like the one I saw near my troll friend. This one is broken and does not emit the pulsing noise. It looks recently broken.

In the rubble, I find a ruby ring. I tuck it away in my pack.

With my papers now in order, I head back to the Goblin guard, to see about entering the Goblin gem mines. On the way, I am stopped by a goblin who demands my papers. He berates me and sends me on to the captain of the guards.

Trying to look casual, I hand over my papers.

The Goblin Lords try to incite me and intimidate as I walk past them. I try offering gifts to make friends but it only causes them to redouble their rebuke.

At frist the mines do not look inviting at all.

A short distance away, I find some sort of civilization. Here the mine gate and office are located. The clerk greets me and informs me that the mine is closed.

I try convincing him to let me in, showing him papers, but he’s not having any of it. He says the Trolls are on strike and there is no gem trade today. Each attempts to win access yields laughter and greater insult.

Across the way I see a huge troll guarding what I gauge to be the entrance to the mine. He won’t even speak to me, instead growling and saying I am not his friend and he does not know me.

A ways over, another troll stonewalls in kind. Off to his right is a stairwell. I make a mental note of these can carry on.

I turn instead to the water so see if I can find an alternate path to the city of Arx. I find various pants to grind up here and a broken ladder leading up to a high ledge and entrance to some unreachable area.

Dead end. Heading back to the second troll, I decide to take the stairs up here. I find myself in an eerie cave. At least there is a camp site here. I decide to ignite the fire, eat some food and go over my things before getting some shut-eye.

 

[Crane]

I really like the looping music that plays in and around the outpost.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

I really like the looping music that plays in and around the outpost.

On the other hand, the music in Arx is like a drug induced, evil clown circus theme.

 

[Corporate_Jew_Master]

I've played it a few times, finished twice. Still not mastered art of magic here (not sure it because bigger resolution or using laser mouse instead of ball ones). Magic is the only answer in this game, welp. Still - exploring here is extremly fun.

And still no news about Arx - End of the Sun, mod for Doom3...

Probably vapour, I gave up some time ago.

Fun thing with Arx is that I got it some years ago for free in a PC Gayman magazine and played it relatively late. It's certainly one of the best first person rpgs I've played

 

[Baron Dupek]

I got it from some magazine (or it was during mass deal on some ebay, where you could buy games from magazines fo buck or two?) and never tried it till somewhere in 2011. Got blast, really suprised how cool game is.
I saw preview somewhere in '99 or '98 in same magazine (remember only picture of goblin lord), never know I could ever meet.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

If you haven't tried Ultimate Underworld give it a try. Arc is about the closest since but it is still not on the same level. If anyone has other first person RPGs to suggest that are in those style I am all ears.

 

[Baron Dupek]

I've played and finished them before Arx, I heard about heavy inspiration etc. And yeah, UU1 is marvelous, especially with updated music (for me 50% of a game is music and both UU and Arx got good tracks).
Actually your pressume of Arx's ost origin is quite good

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Update #4 - Kings

Spoiler

After camping near the stairs, I set out to explore the eerie tunnels. It’s not long before I am into rats and spiders.

Eventually I run into this nasty thing, a very hard to kill spider with a nasty bite and venom.

I died once very quickly to her bite. On reload, I spent my stored spells on her and still had to run around the tunnels with her giving chase. Finally she falls.

In her lair, I find a large emerald.

After clearing out the tunnels, I take the stairs…

I emerge inside a small chamber, built by human hands. In the distance I hear lots of sound… a dog barking, the clink of a smithy’s hammer and the laughter of children.

I have found the city of Arx. I won’t bother with screens of the entire city, but will highlight specific building and shops as I visit them. Here is a map.

On emerging from the chamber, I am approached by a guard and instructed to see the captain of the guards.

So, off I go.

Carlos is a gruff man.

I set off upon speaking with Carlos to look around a bit before seeing the king. Here I find spot, running around the streets. He greets me with wagged tail.

The architecture is rough in areas as clearly the city is a work in progress. Some areas however are quite nice.

I enter a large church, where the priest is busy at the altar with preparations. On speaking to me he tells me to get back and proclaims me to be a spawn of evil. Not very nice, all I have been doing is helping others.

An old lady sitting in the first pew jumps up when I speak to her. I guess she senses the garlic in my pack. What is she some kind of vampire?

Back on the street, I run into Alicia, an arrogant bitch. She unqittingly tips me off that her boyfriend is rich. I’ll have to fix that ASAP.

In town, I find another contraption. I’m convinced at this point that they are fast travel devices. I need to learn how to activate them.

A girl names Shanny tells me about the crypts under the city and gives a hint of the dangers below.

I deide to check out the Gem Dealer. I have found a low of gems in caves and whatnot, but they are lodged into the rock and I cannot remove them. Let’s see if this gent has tools to do so, and whether he will buy gems from me.

Here is his inventory:

Here is Anna’s general store.

...and her inventory with several items I want to acquire. First I need to find a source of income.

Anna has a back room with a large chest in it. If I so much approach her room she gets angry and threatens to call the guards. I need to get my stealth up so I can start pilfering stuff.

The crypt, with the gates locked. These will be opened at some point indubitably.

A fisherman sits, catching fish in the river. Fishing might be fun. For now I’ll search the river for any valuables.

I find another ring in the river. I have a couple to sell now.

A view from a high balcony overlooks another warp gate.

Finally, I turn towards the castle. I look around a little before going to see the king. Lots of locked doors above my level to pick for the time being…

Going into the castle library, I am greeted by a “Sister of Endurnium”, an interesting cross between woman and snake.

I compiled screenshots of interesting books in the library:

The Creation of Arx:

Gods of Arx:

Inhabitants of Arx:

Kings of Arx:

The Sisters or Enurnium:

Up a set of stairs I find myself in the Observatory, an interesting space with a telescope and a view of the surface of Arx. Ice forms around the porthole.

Pictures of the surface of he now sunless planet.

…and the heavens above.

After stargazing, I head to the King’s throne room for a chat.

Ordered and bossed, ordered and bossed. I am going to rob all of these people blind for their insolence.

On the way out of town, I stop at the smithy and pick myself up a nice set of daggers and some leather armour. I want to keep the stealth up, so no heavy armour for me.

I run back through the tunnels to the mine area and speak to the big troll guarding the entrance. I show him my letter and gain entrance to the mine.

Inside I find the Goblin mine foreman, who explains his plight.

I begin to explore the Troll area and the mines beyond.

I run into Pog, King of the Trolls after a short time and present the letter from the King.

So, this seems to be nesting to at least three levels now and the solutions are nowehere to be found as of yet. Excellent! I press on through the Troll area to see what I can see…

I run into a small group of Trolls who know my Troll friend Greu. We have a nice chat about Grue and he gives me Grue’s birthday gift!

(while they are not looking I swipe a pickaxe. Hopefully this allows me to mine for gems.)

I rush off to a quite corner of the caves and find a gem and a diamond stuck in the rock. I try my pickaxe on them and it works!

As I move my way further into the Troll area I find a lone cell, way off away. The prisoner tries to convince me to let him out. I don’t see any benefit in it at the moment so I decide to let him rot.

Further on, the mines become dark and dangerous, with all sorts of critters to contend with. There are derelict mine carts and equipment strewn about the dark caves and quarries.

I happen upon another unstable wall, much as I saw near the Goblin prison area. I decide to give my pickaxe a go on it… and it falls away, revealing a passage beyond. I’ll want to go back to the area under the Goblin prison and crack that unstable wall open.

I fire a torch to light my way through the tunnel to find another inactive warp gate.

I am well above the ground in this area and this like a safe spot to camp.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Update #5 - Runs and Riches

Spoiler

When we left off, I had discovered some deep dark places in the mines. Looking down from this perch, it is a long way down and I have no safe way to get to the floor of the cave. I decide to end my foray for now and head back to the troll camp.

I speak with the Goblin foreman. He agrees to let me in.

Once again, the banter and voice acting of the goblins are awesome.

Now in the kingdom I set out to steal anything of value that isn’t bolted down… I’ll try to find the troll idol as well.

A barracks full of Goblins; burping, farting and insults ensue on sight of a human.

I run into the quartermaster… he’s generally pissy with me and doesn’t seem to like the King much at all.

When he leaves his room, I find a key under his pillow. The rest of his stuff is junk.

I enter the ktiches, where a cook happily makes cakes and sweet pies for the king. He is making a constant route to the King to deliver fresh pies, and back to the kitchen to bake some more.

I tried to speak with the King myself, but he just yells that he is busy and no longer answers. I tied making him a pie but no dice.

I leave the cook for a while and explore the rest of the place. I discover what looks like the King’s quarters. He has a locked side table next to his bed.

Aha! The king is allergic to wine. He must be the only goblin allergic to wine because they all carry lots of it.

Under the bed I find a note. Hmm.

I head back to the kitchens to see if I can screw around with the King’s pies. Maybe that will get the door opened.

I decide to see if I can follow the goblin in delivering his cakes or perhaps mess with the cakes. No joy. The cook slips the cake under the door and the King tells him to being more.

I decide to try poisoning the cake dough.

Here is some I have poisoned.

The cook notices that the dough is not quite right (he comments that it looks a little green and remakes the batch, discarding the poisoned dough). Clever little bastard!

I make a sweet pie myself using carrots and add some wine. The King is allergic after all…

I slip the wine pie under the door without a word. The King eats it and then starts groaning and complaining that his innards are rumbling. He barges through the door and runs off to his chambers.

With the throne room now unoccupied, I enter and open the King’s vault.

In the vault is a single unlocked Chest, contining a letter of warning to the King from the Gem Dealer’s Guild:

Try as I might, the chest next to the King’s throne will not open using tools. He must carry the key, but how to get it without killing him? My stealth is not yet good enough to pickpocket. I will have to come back for that one.

A lever in the vault opens a stone door with no handle. Behind the door, stairs lead up to the overhead catwalk above the greatroom, down another set and into the back of the Goblin treasure room!

Here we see the locked and guarded door to the treasure room. We will have to steal EVERYTING once we are done with the King.

I walk up to the King’s chambers to find him sitting on his toilet, shitting his guts out(!)

I get the King’s agreement to let me check their reservation (store room) for the Trol Idol. The King has nothing to hide, apparently.

I can’t wait until after to rob the Goblin King. I must do it now!

There is a guard who every few seconds walks up to the door and looks through the slit into the room. A few tries before I learned to time my movement and actions for when he is turned away. He turns, walks a few paces to check the stairs, returning once again to the massive door, peering in through the slit.

A couple of gems near the stairs where I entered I grab immediately. For the rest, I have to pass directly under the guard’s nose, just out of sight and in sneak mode to minimize the sounds my feet make.

Huge stacks of gold on sills await me. I grab one at each cycle of the guard’s route. I have a few seconds to work with at each iteration. Here are my gold totals at each round.

1

2

3

I try to grab the jewels on the table above the chest but the guard catches me all the time. I decide to douse the light in the room for better concealment.

… and with that I grab the rest.

Total haul from the Goblin Treasure:

Next I head off to the Goblin Reserve (storage room) to see if I can’t find the Troll Idol. Inside is a bunch of shitty shields, a nice pair of mail leggings (which I won’t use because they reduce stealth), and a locked, trapped chest.

I use the Quartermaster’s key on the chest. I cannot disarm the trap because I have no means to do it. It didn’t hur too bad anyways.

Inside I find the Idol! Finally, I can finish a quest.

I turn to leave and the Quartermaster closes in on me. I foiled his plot to ascend to the Goblin Throne.

He attacks me and I have a hard time defeating him. He is a tough bastard. I burn through some potions, teetering on the bring of death. Finally a couple of critical hits fell him.

His loot.

I have to cull some items to keep good stuff. I leave the cursed ring here. I will sell these chain legs for a good profit.

Outside the reservation, I find a slain Goblin Lord. I guess the Quartermaster killed this guard to gain access to the room. I loot him as well and set off.

I’ll end here. Next update I will start with delivering the Idol to the Troll King.

 

[abnaxus]

Spoiler

Do Shany's quest as soon as possible. It's fun.

 

[Crane]

I always put the wine in the dough. I never knew you could put in it your own pie and get the king out that way.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

I played with that part for a little while. It seems there may even be a third option of poisoning your own pie. I was surprised when the cook thought the green dough was just going bad. He actually stopped making pies and made a fresh batch of dough, throwing out the bad. Pretty cool.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Just an FYI for anyone who might be following this, that I will be away for the next week or so. Updates late next week.

 

[TOME]

I haven't been reading this yet, but is on my to do -list. I was mightly interested in the magic system in this game but I stopped playing right after I got my first spell. Can't remember the reason why I did that though. But do try to finish this!

 

[Crane]

How about we this LP?

 

[abnaxus]

He never got past the Ylsides.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

Fear not, I will pick it up shortly.

 

[Doctor Sbaitso]

... been busy licking shanks.

 

[Unkillable Cat]

Let me start by saying that the Goblins in Arx are fabulously voice acted.

True, but some of the other voices are dreadful. Most noticeably Carlo.