Gothic Chronicles Of Myrtana: Archolos mod for Gothic 2

[Skall]

I got this bug as well, and it seems to be present in my non-quicksave saves. Quest-progression NPCs are missing now and don't trigger, and there's no "insert sh" in the mod. Restart?

 

[Justicar]

Before I played this, I had a small penis, no girlfriend and no will to live. None of these things have changed, but the game is pretty good.

 

[Tygrende]

Immortal NPCs everywhere.

We can only hope someone who cares hard enough will eventually make a mod that simply replaces the "immortal" flag with "refuse to finish off" flag. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[ELEXmakesMeHard]

Finished last night. Played for 120 hours. Fantastic mod, I'd give it 8/10. Would've been 9/10 based on early-mid game.

The thing that impressed me most was probably how alive the world felt. The initial group of refugees seeking different paths throughout the game, constant influx of new refugees & the construction of shelters, orcs gradually arriving & building war camps, the comfy festival in Silbach, etc. Compared to Gothic 2 they also did a fantastic job with all the QoL improvements, the new crafting content, and the amount of well-written consistent lore. Extra props for solving PB's buggy ladder problem!

I think the main story was poorly paced though. From early in chapter 2, towards the end of chapter 4, the main question was still just "what happened to our brother when he was taken to the city?". The entirety of chapter 3 just got us another confirmation that yeah, he was taken to the city. Gothic 1-2 did a much better job progressing the main story in a meaningful way.

The final 30% of the game was least enjoyable to me. Kept hoping for it to end soon, because I start to lose interest when I feel overpowered (the game is too generous with permastats) and have explored everything. The last part of the game was also less stable to me (frozen cutscenes & CTDs), and sometimes it felt as though I could hardly take a few steps without some new scripted event triggering (I may have shouted "LET ME PLAY" a few times).

My biggest pet peeve was the daytime city music. The devs did the same mistake as Kai Rosenkratz did with the Gothic 3 combat music: It was too dominant and repetitive. Aside from that, the music was top notch.

Final stats:

Spoiler

Incidentally, I'm glad I played as militia in my first playthrough, to get it over with. Mercenary always feels best to me in these kind of games, so I've got that to look forward to.

 

[Tacgnol]

The final 30% of the game was least enjoyable to me. Kept hoping for it to end soon, because I start to lose interest when I feel overpowered (the game is too generous with permastats)

I think the biggest issue is how many perma bonuses are accessible early on. Probably could have done with distributing some more of the dragonroots/king sorrels to end game areas.

Make more of the perma potions finds in dangerous areas rather than just for sale. Same with some of the stronger books.

 

[Justicar]

I think the biggest issue is how many perma bonuses are accessible early on. Probably could have done with distributing some more of the dragonroots/king sorrels to end game areas.

Make more of the perma potions finds in dangerous areas rather than just for sale. Same with some of the stronger books.

They are working on a difficulty option for veteran players so hold out on second playthrough.

 

[Tygrende]

When you finally max alchemy, craft all your perma potions using all those rare plants you keep looking for 24/7 and chug them all. This is it. Best moment in any Gothic game bar none. I live for this shit.

 

[ELEXmakesMeHard]

Some thoughs & questions about the plot:

Spoiler

1. I kept thinking we'd learn more about Marvin's family. It was hinted that Marvin did something that led to the tragic death of his father and possibly also his mother. It was also hinted that his mother was someone important and that her amulet was especially significant. Her amulet is shown in the intro, and when we recover it in chapter 3 Marvin says something like "You have no idea how important this is". Yet I never found a purpose for it (nor any more info on what Marvin did to his parents). Did I miss anything?

2. Our brother Jorn was supposed to be a member of the Ring of Water, right? Kessel commented on him having a special ring, and suggested that Volker had kidnapped him because of it (for interrogation about the 'subversives').

3. I never heard from Knut (the uncle) again after he left the tavern and left a note about having to attend to important business. Did any of you? I kept suspecting that our uncle was the one who had noticed Jorn's ring and reported him to Volker's men in Silbach, maybe in an attempt to repay debt with Volker.

4. When I returned to Fabio's swamp camp in chapter 5, he had left (and taken his people with him). Did any of you find out where he had gone?

5. The character we're shipped to the Valley of Mines with is almost certainly Gomez. There's a theory that Marvin is intended to be Scar from Gothic I, seems plausible to me.

6. I thought we'de be able to choose a side to support in a "Myrtana versus Seperatist" civil war. But I'm guessing we aren't able to support Ulryk (or Volker). So I figure the game's major playthrough paths are (1) Loyal to the City Guard, (2) Loyal to Araxos, (3) Defect to the Ring of Water?

 

[Justicar]

Some thoughs & questions about the plot:

Spoiler

1. I kept thinking we'd learn more about Marvin's family. It was hinted that Marvin did something that led to the tragic death of his father and possibly also his mother. It was also hinted that his mother was someone important and that her amulet was especially significant. Her amulet is shown in the intro, and when we recover it in chapter 3 Marvin says something like "You have no idea how important this is". Yet I never found a purpose for it (nor any more info on what Marvin did to his parents). Did I miss anything?

2. Our brother Jorn was supposed to be a member of the Ring of Water, right? Kessel commented on him having a special ring, and suggested that Volker had kidnapped him because of it (for interrogation about the 'subversives').

3. I never heard from Knut (the uncle) again after he left the tavern and left a note about having to attend to important business. Did any of you? I kept suspecting that our uncle was the one who had noticed Jorn's ring and reported him to Volker's men in Silbach, maybe in an attempt to repay debt with Volker.

4. When I returned to Fabio's swamp camp in chapter 5, he had left (and taken his people with him). Did any of you find out where he had gone?

5. The character we're shipped to the Valley of Mines with is almost certainly Gomez. There's a theory that Marvin is intended to be Scar from Gothic I, seems plausible to me.

6. I thought we'de be able to choose a side to support in a "Myrtana versus Seperatist" civil war. But I'm guessing we aren't able to support Ulryk (or Volker). So I figure the game's major playthrough paths are (1) Loyal to the City Guard, (2) Loyal to Araxos, (3) Defect to the Ring of Water?

Spoiler

2. Yes some refugees from londram you meet in chapter 3 aslo say that he was meeting strange people (members of water ring)

3. You have to follow his trial into the sewers where you find his corpse with a diary yes he snitched on Jorn to Volker.

4. Look around the swamp he has become a zombie.

5. Yes

 

[Marat]

1. I kept thinking we'd learn more about Marvin's family. It was hinted that Marvin did something that led to the tragic death of his father and possibly also his mother. It was also hinted that his mother was someone important and that her amulet was especially significant. Her amulet is shown in the intro, and when we recover it in chapter 3 Marvin says something like "You have no idea how important this is". Yet I never found a purpose for it (nor any more info on what Marvin did to his parents). Did I miss anything?

Nothing hinted at Marvin killing his mother, she died many years before the events of the game. Her amulet is important simply because it's a family heirloom.

2. Our brother Jorn was supposed to be a member of the Ring of Water, right? Kessel commented on him having a special ring, and suggested that Volker had kidnapped him because of it (for interrogation about the 'subversives').

3. I never heard from Knut Kurt (the uncle) again after he left the tavern and left a note about having to attend to important business. Did any of you? I kept suspecting that our uncle was the one who had noticed Jorn's ring and reported him to Volker's men in Silbach, maybe in an attempt to repay debt with Volker.

You can find his body in the sewers. He has several notes on him, detailing the events. He did take the ring off Jorn when he was feverish and took it to Volker because he heard he collects the aquamarine stones. Shenaningans followed.

4. When I returned to Fabio's swamp camp in chapter 5, he had left (and taken his people with him). Did any of you find out where he had gone?

To get BRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAIIIIIINZZZZZZZZ.

5. The character we're shipped to the Valley of Mines with is almost certainly Gomez. There's a theory that Marvin is intended to be Scar from Gothic I, seems plausible to me.

There was not supposed to be any doubt left after the final cinematic. He is Scar. People noticed similarity between faces back in 2019.

6. I thought we'de be able to choose a side to support in a "Myrtana versus Seperatist" civil war. But I'm guessing we aren't able to support Ulryk (or Volker). So I figure the game's major playthrough paths are (1) Loyal to the City Guard, (2) Loyal to Araxos, (3) Defect to the Ring of Water?

Marvin's motivations are personal, not political. It would make no sense to join the side of his brothers captors.

 

[Alphons]

Random encounters in this are pretty simple, but they add so much life to the game.

Is there any list with all of them (requirements, locations)?

 

[Sjukob]

Looking at your build, if you take out the magic circles and the mana investment you get 390 LPs, enough to train to 90 STR and 90 DEX and have 50 LPs left (which you could use to get master blacksmithing-.. and if get rid of pickpocket, also master bowmaking). That means 152 STR and 128 DEX - considering you wouldn't make/ buy spirit potions, but STR/DEX ones, a hybrid looks doable, at least on paper.

Later edit: A bit of theorycrafting
- 113 LPs - 20 + 60 + 33 LPs to get to 71% xbows + 4 from dialogue choices + 15 from set = 90% xbows (I think i read you can get +5% from books and another +5% on the best xbow, so maybe even 100%);
- 27 LPs for all trophy skills (10 skins, 3 lizard skins, 3 claws, 3 teeth, 1 mandibles, 1 stings, 1 wings, 1 fat, 1 shells, 1 tongues, 1 shadowbeast horns, 1 hearts);
- 20 LPs to get 1H to 30%;
- 35 LPs for master blacksmith;
- 35 LPs for master bowmaker;
- 60 LPs for master alchemist;
- 125 LPs to get STR to 75 (20 + 60 + 45) + 60 from made/found potions = 135
- 125 LPs to get DEX to 75 (20 + 60 + 45) + 60 from made/found potions = 135

TOTAL = 540 LPs. It all comes down to how many extra bonuses you get.

When you finally max alchemy, craft all your perma potions using all those rare plants you keep looking for 24/7 and chug them all. This is it. Best moment in any Gothic game bar none. I live for this shit.

Alright, this number crunching autism can be pretty fun, but is completely unnecessary, because the game is pretty easy all around.

They are working on a difficulty option for veteran players so hold out on second playthrough.

I have no idea how is it even possible to make the game challenging for the veteran players. The entire combat system and AI would have to be remade from scratch. I can reliably kill shadowbeasts at level 1, what are they going to do about it, place them in packs? But if they feel like trying, then sure why not.

 

[ELEXmakesMeHard]

About the origin of the Beast:

Spoiler

After killing the Beast, the other hunter suggested that it might've been a creation of the orcs. Which didn't seem plausible to me, but I didn't find out anything more about it.

There was an ending slide about the Beast. I think it said that more villagers started disappearing again, suggesting that the Beast storyline hadn't been fully resolved.

Was there anything more to it, after killing the Beast?

 

[Marat]

About the origin of the Beast:

Spoiler

After killing the Beast, the other hunter suggested that it might've been a creation of the orcs. Which didn't seem plausible to me, but I didn't find out anything more about it.

There was an ending slide about the Beast. I think it said that more villagers started disappearing again, suggesting that the Beast storyline hadn't been fully resolved.

Was there anything more to it, after killing the Beast?

Finding the real Beast.

 

[Metallo]

About the origin of the Beast:

Spoiler

After killing the Beast, the other hunter suggested that it might've been a creation of the orcs. Which didn't seem plausible to me, but I didn't find out anything more about it.

There was an ending slide about the Beast. I think it said that more villagers started disappearing again, suggesting that the Beast storyline hadn't been fully resolved.

Was there anything more to it, after killing the Beast?

The beast is

Spoiler

Detlow!
As a veteran hunter he no longer found a taste for hunting as he had all kinds of trophies. To make things more interesting he had made a deal with Bodowin to obtain transformation potions and spells. In the body of various beasts he had managed to gain satisfaction in the hunt again and began to let go too much until he preyed on the unsuspecting villagers who crossed the road between the city and the village.
That the strange snapper had stolen it himself from the orcs he says himself when you meet him in chapter 5 and unmask him during a quest for the woodcutter Knut.
In fact, if you go stealing from Detlow's house you can find a Shadowbeast Transformation Scroll in a chest.

 

[Mikeal]

Any tips how to finish Runnar's quest for fire mage?

 

[Sjukob]

Yo, check out my fight with Volker, it's pretty stupid.

Any tips how to finish Runnar's quest for fire mage?

Talk to Runar, tell him you came to support him. Go to Golden Gate shop, tell the guy that paladin is an idiot and you have to come up with something, then do as he suggests, go to the shrine of Innos with Runar at night, kill everyone there, report to Tengral.

 

[Zariusz]

Yo, check out my fight with Volker, it's pretty stupid.

Any tips how to finish Runnar's quest for fire mage?

Talk to Runar, tell him you came to support him. Go to Golden Gate shop, tell the guy that paladin is an idiot and you have to come up with something, then do as he suggests, go to the shrine of Innos with Runar at night, kill everyone there, report to Tengral.

I was just spamming golem summoning scrolls and after his potion stopped working i ganked him with my golem.

 

[Tygrende]

I have no idea how is it even possible to make the game challenging for the veteran players.

Every enemy and NPC is replaced with a turtle that has the same stats and move speed as what it's replacing.

 

[Riddler]

Is there supposed to be VA?

 

[ELEXmakesMeHard]

Is there supposed to be VA?

Only a polack one. Cholera!

It's available on the Steam store page.

 

[Riddler]

Is there supposed to be VA?

Only a polack one. Cholera!

It's available on the Steam store page.

Is it any good?

 

[Sjukob]

Is it any good?

Check it out

 

[ELEXmakesMeHard]

Is there supposed to be VA?

Only a polack one. Cholera!

It's available on the Steam store page.

Is it any good?

Yeah I think it adds to immersion, and gives characters more character. And you can hear people yelling at you when they see you trespassing, so it's handy that way.

When I played without the voice pack, there was often a 3-4 second delay when Marvin greeted someone (which couldn't be skipped). That thankfully stopped once I installed the voice pack. Might've been patched now though.

 

[Konjad]

About the origin of the Beast:

Spoiler

After killing the Beast, the other hunter suggested that it might've been a creation of the orcs. Which didn't seem plausible to me, but I didn't find out anything more about it.

There was an ending slide about the Beast. I think it said that more villagers started disappearing again, suggesting that the Beast storyline hadn't been fully resolved.

Was there anything more to it, after killing the Beast?

The beast is

Spoiler

Detlow!
As a veteran hunter he no longer found a taste for hunting as he had all kinds of trophies. To make things more interesting he had made a deal with Bodowin to obtain transformation potions and spells. In the body of various beasts he had managed to gain satisfaction in the hunt again and began to let go too much until he preyed on the unsuspecting villagers who crossed the road between the city and the village.
That the strange snapper had stolen it himself from the orcs he says himself when you meet him in chapter 5 and unmask him during a quest for the woodcutter Knut.
In fact, if you go stealing from Detlow's house you can find a Shadowbeast Transformation Scroll in a chest.

I'm surprised he didn't suspect it. To me it seemed quite obvious that

Spoiler

Detlow has something to do with it because of his reactions, even ignoring the stuff that you find around...