klatremus on 27/5/2022 at 05:23

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Game: Thief 2
FM: Lost In the Far Edges [10 Rooms Contest]

Ghost - Failed
Perfect Thief - Failed
Supreme Ghost - Failed
Perfect Supreme - Failed
Time - 51:05
Loot - 5600/5600 (Supreme: 5550)
Pockets Picked - 0/1
Secrets - 5/5
Locks Picked - 1
Backstabs - 0, Knockouts - 0
Damage dealt - 0, Damage taken - 0
Healing taken - 0, Other Kills - 0, Bodies Discovered - 0
Consumables - None

See the entire report with screenshots (https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges.htm) here!
Loot list (https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_L.htm) here.
YouTube let's play (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_-y1VMLmNY&lc=Ugx-LiP-gt4hOc3-0EJ4AaABAg) here, with small update (https://youtu.be/IdTBq9C8I9A) here!

Comments:
This is a mission I found very intriguing when I played it for the 10 Rooms Contest back in 2014. It's the only mission by Soul Tear I've played. I'm not sure if all of his missions are this difficult, but this one is definitely not for beginners. I challenge everyone to finish this ironman style. Not only is it tough to navigate without plunging to your death, but the puzzles are excruciatingly cryptic and loot deviously well-hidden. You have been warned!

I had to steal a magical crystal from Gerem Crestov. Apparently it was protected by a complicated security system, which a nearby engineer had information on. I also had to obtain 5,000 in valuables, which ended up being almost 90% of all the loot in the mission; a ridiculously high requirement, even for expert (or Garrett). Lastly, I was to end the mission on Hope Street.

“Streets”
The only problem before reaching Crestov's was I had to break a boarded up window to a storage room just northeast of the starting building (image below). This was property damage and a Ghost bust. There was 1,250 worth of loot in there, and I could only skip 400 before missing the requirement. Tossing a crate at it was the intended method.

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image001.jpg

It was also a little bit tricky reaching Crestov's window without leaving any vine arrows behind. I used two, one in the top railing and another in the ventilation unit below (image below). I could leap from the first and grab the vine along the way. The second I had to grab looking up, then drop directly onto the sill. There wasn't enough space to really get a foothold, so I immediately pushed against the window in order to stay put. The glass would break on impact, so I tried to grab the arrow so that I landed on the lip to the side of the window instead. I got the hang of it after not too long.

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image002.jpg

Gerem Crestov
Entering the building required breaking the window, another Ghost bust. All I had to do was walk into the glass and it shattered. The nearby guard died from this, but this was clearly a scripted event, plus it didn't show up in the stats, so no further bust. Three other guardians and a monkey alerted to the noise of the window and came running. Although I'm quite certain they heard the commotion, this was also at least partly scripted, as they never returned to their original location once they settled down. The monkey was on a walkway and thus stayed put. I could hide in the dark corners by the first gate. I had to make sure the guardians stopped facing towards the south, which took quite a few reloads (image below). I could then sneak into the next room undetected.

[WheretIB2 found you can avoid breaking this window by climbing the rooftops and dropping directly down to the second window described further down. This also avoids "killing" the guardian by the window, plus it doesn't alert the other 3 guardians at all; it only alerts the monkey. However, it makes it very difficult to reach the ventilation system and the loot in there, because one of the guardians is in the way. The way to get around it is to drop down on top of it from the walkway above, then drop a few of your starting potions on the ground and land on them as you slide off its head. You'll get a first alert when opening the hatch, plus you can't go back to close all the vent grates, but at least you can get the loot this way.]

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image003.jpg

I then headed into the ventilation system. None of the enemies above seemed to hear me running around down there, despite being all metal. Needed to flip four levers to reach the end. Once there, I had a similar situation as before. Two vine arrows were needed to reach another windowsill. The arrows were harder to retrieve than last time, but I managed to do to without taking damage. This window also had to be broken by walking into it, and yet again the guardians and monkey alerted to the noise. This time, all the torches in the main hallway also went out. I'm not really sure if the lights going out counts as an additional Supreme bust. I think the rules was meant to prevent the player from deliberately putting out lights to further progress, not to penalize the player for triggering inevitable, scripted events. I ruled it as ok, but would like a second opinion. I definitely benefited from the darkness, as I had to revisit the hallway to get to the security room and this would've been impossible without lights on. The guardians stopped in said hallway, but couldn't see me if I went slow (image below). I could now also get the diamond on the monkey's walkway by mantling up the torch.

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image004.jpg

Getting into the security room involved climbing one of the gated walls. There was one missing a bar at the top, and that is what the player is supposed to notice. I remember needed a hint to get in there on my first playthrough 8 years back. Very cruel puzzle that, as there is no hint besides just having to notice the difference in the door texture, and it's not like doors commonly can be climbed. I had to drop down on the other side and couldn't crouch doing this, so the guardians heard it and alerted again. To avoid this I dropped some of my starting gear on the ground so I could land softly (image below). Used the same trick going back. Returned to the vent system to reset the levers from this side, then got the rest of the loot in the crystal room and teleported to the forest.

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image005.jpg

Forest
Just for the record, this is the most beautiful and believable forest I've seen in any fan mission. It drew me right in. However, if you don't have at least 3,250 loot before getting there, you can't finish the mission. This is utter failure from a gameplay perspective and should've been fixed during testing. A portal that takes you back to the crystal room would've been the easiest solution, as you can go back to the start of the mission from there. I understand that the mission is supposed to be difficult, but that is just wrong. Additionally, a lot of the loot is very well hidden.

The only thing to report from this area was a nugget on a mushroom to the northwest (image below). An extremely well-camouflaged treebeast was stationed up against a tree just to the north, and it gave a growl when I got too close. It wasn't close enough to lean in for the grab, so this had to be skipped for Supreme. The only way I managed to get it without a second level alert was coming from the west. Any other direction and the treebeast woke up, which indicated hunt mode. The run was utterly failed already, but it would've been nice to get all the loot for Supreme. There were also two more nuggets in a hole up a sloped base of a tree just east of here that was tough. I had to tap the run button climbing the slope in order not to get another first alert from the same treebeast as before. As long as I didn't move too fast, I was ok.

https://www.klatremus.org/LostInTheFarEdges_files/image006.jpg

Once I dropped into the final hole, unless I quickly moved into the deeper cave, the mission ended and the last new objective didn't check off and that is a Supreme bust. Any incomplete objectives fails that mode. This one was more fun on the first playthrough than when ghosting.

Notes:
- Had to break a boarded up window using a crate in order to meet the loot requirement. Ghost bust.
- Had to break a window when entering Gerem Crestov's. This also alerted 4 enemies to hunt mode. More Ghost busts. Can be avoided.
- Broke a second window when entering the room with the crystal. The same 4 enemies again alerted to hunt mode. Even more busts. 3 of these alerts can be avoided, but the monkey always alerts.
- Arguably, another Supreme bust occurred from the lights turning off when approaching the crystal. However, this is a scripted event from crossing an invisible line and not a result of Garrett's interacting with anything.
- Skipped a silver nugget on a glowing mushroom in the forest for Supreme. The nearby treebeast gave a first alert when I got too close.

klatremus on 29/5/2022 at 15:40

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I was gonna ask if you posted the results of these runs, so thank you! I was planning on watching your Broken Triad videos this summer. Been too busy with my own videos lately.

klatremus on 2/6/2022 at 22:53

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Game: Thief 2
FM: The Ashen Age, Part 1

Ghost - Success
Perfect Thief - Success
Supreme Ghost - Failed
Perfect Supreme - Failed
Time - 1:07:14
Loot - 2412/2412 (Supreme: 2327)
Pockets Picked - 4/7
Secrets - 2/2
Locks Picked - 6
Backstabs - 0, Knockouts - 0
Damage dealt - 0, Damage taken - 0
Healing taken - 0, Other Kills - 0, Bodies Discovered - 0
Consumables - 1 explosive charge & 1 broadhead arrow

See the entire report with screenshots (https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge.htm) here!
Loot list (https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_L.htm) here.
YouTube let's play (https://youtu.be/Oh1lkqKCHEA) here!

Comments:
I couldn’t really attempt a ghost run of DrK’s The Cinder Notes without playing the mission that started it all. Sliptip didn’t make many missions, but he is well known for the ones he did. Ashen Age is a beautiful daytime mission, set in a Venice-like cobblestoned city. It is incredible how a mission from the pre-NewDark era could look this stunning. Although on the shorter side, with clever gameplay and a solid story, this one still comes recommended.

My main task was to find information on the disappearance of four keepers, in addition to grabbing 1,500 in loot. On expert, it was also forbidden to knock out any of the city watch. Due to this, my blackjack run had been on hard, but I assumed there weren’t too many differences between difficulty levels.

Streets
Accessed the city watch station through the sewer canal. I could sneak in through the front door, but not without a first alert. Cleaned everything in here without issues. The stationary archer was practically deaf. He didn’t hear me picking the lock on the nearby door, nor making noise right behind him. Yet he did notice the slightest of speed enhancements way down the other end of the street.

Moved east to the hotel. I could take all the items while the manager was upstairs. Room 1 could be accessed from the outside later, and room 2 didn’t have any loot, only a vault code. The room 2 key was on a nobleman further west in town, and I couldn’t return the key without alerts, so I never took it. It’s a bit immersion breaking to avoid a bust by just reloading after reading the code, but hey.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image001.jpg

Corrado’s
Hexameron’s report from 2008 mentioned three major trouble spots; one of them was a thief outside Corrado’s main entrance. On street level there was no way to avoid a Ghost bust, as there was no shade and the thief never moved. My thoughts immediately went to the rooftops. I could ascend the wall just east of the city watch station from the canal side (image above). It required a few mantles, but nothing too difficult. In OldDark without newmantle it would require a rope arrow into the top eave. I snuck along the ledges heading south, to just above the aforementioned thief (image below). I then had to drop onto one of the ledges below to the thief’s left in order to avoid damage. I always got a first alert from this, but no hunt mode. Occasionally the thief would turn around and attack, but I eventually found a predictable method that both avoided fall damage and the second level alert.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image002.jpg

Hexameron also wrote how he couldn’t dodge the thief outside Corrado’s office. I’m surprised he said that, as this one is quite easy to get by. I could stand in the hallway just outside the stairs and have the thief pass safely (image below). Then I just followed him and let him turn, and as he headed back I started picking the lock. This spawned a first alert, but that was ok for regular Ghost. I rushed back to the hiding spot halfway through the pick and waited for the next round. On the second pick, I got through. I think Hexameron maybe gave up a bit too quickly because of already busting to the first thief.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image003.jpg

Inside the office, another thief could see me through the bookshelf. This was a secret exit leading to the canal. I just waited for him to be gone and opened the bookshelf so I could monitor his whereabouts. Cleaned the office easily otherwise. In Corrado’s storage room, I got the next keeper painting. Had to skip the coins in the control room for Supreme. Corrado himself alerted to the door opening. The intended way to leave from here was via the canal to the north (first image below), but I couldn’t find a way to drop into the water quietly. I tried with potions and crates from multiple angles, but to no avail. Corrado and his henchman always second alerted to the splash. Hexameron didn’t even mention this problem in his report, so I suspect he just went back through the pub, since he had already knocked out the two thieves from earlier. I think he even killed one of them. My solution was the same, but I couldn’t climb back up to the rooftop outside the main entrance, so I resorted to pushing the thief down the sloped street (second image below). This was an engine exploit, but a last resort, and thus acceptable for Ghost.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image004.jpg

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image005.jpg

Vaults
Back in the streets I couldn’t get all the coins in the fountain for Supreme. I managed to get the woman’s purse and three of the coins at the eastern end of the pool, but the remaining loot was unobtainable for that mode. In order to get the rest, I had to nudge the nobleman over to the western wall as well as the woman a tad in the same direction (image below). Again a last resort option, which is allowed following the rules.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image006.jpg

Entered the vault station by climbing a rope to the bell tower. This eliminated the main entrance, which would’ve been impossible anyway. Once inputting each vault code, I went back down the rope and entered via the south gate (image below). This eliminated the need to pick the lock on the control room door on the top floor, plus it made dodging the camera in the vault room easier.

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image007.jpg

Pump Station
Hexameron also reported that he busted by alerting the zombie in the pump station when using the explosive charge to clear the rubble. The trick to avoid this was to time the explosion when the zombie was in the control room atop the stairs (image below). If not, it heard the noise as there was an open access window in the canal further south through which the sound travelled. If it was in the control room with the door shut, it never alerted. I didn’t even need to have the other door closed, the one door up top was enough. Perfect Thief success! Awesome!!

https://www.klatremus.org/AshenAge_files/image008.jpg

Notes:
- Got three first alerts from the thief outside Corrado’s main entrance. Once from dropping down next to him, a second from the door when entering, and a last from the door when leaving. All Supreme busts.
- Got a first alert from the thief outside Corrado’s office. He alerted to picking the lock on the door. Another Supreme bust.
- Skipped a coin stack worth 25 in the canal office at Corrado’s for Supreme. Corrado alerted to the door opening.
- Had to push the thief outside Corrado’s main entrance forward in order to leave. This is allowed as a last resort for Ghost, but not for Supreme. Another bust to that mode.
- Skipped 35 loot in the fountain outside the pump station for Supreme. The nobles caught me unless I nudged them, which I did for regular Ghost.
- Skipped the loot worth 25 in Renzo’s office for Supreme. He alerted to picking the lock on the safe.
- Got a final first alert from the noblewoman by the fountain when opening the door to the pump station. Yet another Supreme bust.

Galaer on 4/6/2022 at 18:54

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ELEMENTAL EXCURSION

BLIND IRONMAN GHOST RUN

Time to try this challenge once again. Let's start from objectives. There is optional ghost objective, 550 loot to get, get canister and fire scroll, don't kill anyone and escape objective. In shop there is free scroll, which I forgot to read and there is Refinery key to buy for all money, which I do. I also remembered to quickly unbind quicksave and quickload buttons.

Mission started and I unlocked 2 double doors. After a while I noticed that city patroller goes to starting point. I panicked and entered Alchemy Workshop to hide. But then I noticed that guard from 2nd floor descending via stairs. I had option to hide under stairs, but I noticed crates there or in shadow on stairs. I chose 2nd option and unfortunately guard spot me. He alerted patroller and I must have to escape. Unfortunately I didn't know layout of mission. So I ran to elevators, because enemies stop when you stand on them. But not on these elevators. So guard hit me and I lost 6 HP. I ran through tavern to small garden, which alerted priest. He tried to shoot me, so I hid behind tree. There was no way out. I tried to dodge pursuing guard, but he killed me. This run ended embarrassingly fast.

STATS:

Time: 0:01:40; Loot: 0/700
Locks Picked: 0
Back Stabs: 0; Knock Outs: 0
Damage Dealt: 0; Damage Taken: 12; Healing Taken: 0
Innocents killed: 0; Others killed: 0

GHOST: FAILED

GHOST RUN

Here I learned couple of things. First of all city patroller, priest, barkeeper and woman near him are neutral. They only alert when they will see you enter room you shouldn't enter, if you use weapon or if they hear alert from other guard. Had I know that I wouldn't panic in my previous run. Still I doubt I could finish it. Without help on the forum I wouldn't find canister. Also there is surprising trap in priest's room in tavern - carpet floor change into lave when you step on it. There is hint about trap in free scroll bought in shop, but not what trap it is.

Also there is some scripting - woman will go to basement if you go to basement and barkeeper will also go to basement if you visit 2nd floor. So after roping up above portcullis with priest near it you can steal priest's and woman's keys, then go to basement to loot woman's room and go to 2nd floor to loot bar when barkeeper is away (if he sees you stealing from him, he will 2nd alert.

Guard from Alchemy Workshop will eventually end walking into wall at the bottom of stairs, which makes him easy to dodge. Guard from Alchemy refinery can sometimes trick you by not stopping by end of him short patrol route and just turn around and continue his patrol.

STATS:

Time: 0:13:19; Loot: 600/700
Pockets Picked: 4/4; Locks Picked: 0
Back Stabs: 0; Knock Outs: 0
Damage Dealt: 0; Damage Taken: 0; Healing Taken: 0
Innocents killed: 0; Others killed: 0

GHOST: SUCCESS
PERFECT GHOST: POSSIBLE

klatremus on 4/6/2022 at 20:27

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Thank you for the reports, Galaer. I went ahead and changed The Enterprise (T1) and The Docks (T2) to failed in the list. I marked them with a * next to the link and then made a small note at the bottom of the post of what this means. There might be more you discover as you go along. It seems as if they didn't understand the property damage rule as well in the old days.

The Cinder Notes report and video will be out Monday, and then its Heartcliff Islands...:p I'm 3 hours into it and I can see why you abandoned it. I haven't needed any spoilers or walkthrough yet, but I doubt I will be able to finish it without direct help. Report and video for that won't be out until August though. Perhaps we will have other mission releases during the summer.