Up to the Neck - The Rice Lord's second task in Gothic 1 remake, in which you must find the missing elder Bran. No one knows where he went, and the few clues lead to Silas's tavern.
The variability of the path makes the investigation confusing and dangerous for the unprepared. But if you know where to go in advance, you can skip difficult sections and quickly secure the support of one of the most influential people in the New Camp.
How to complete the "Up to the Neck" quest in Gothic 1 Remake
Immediately after completing the quest "One More Drink," the Rice Lord will give you another task: find the missing Elder Bran. Steward Hakon suggests starting by questioning the peasants. Of all the workers, only Malon has useful information, so head to him immediately.
The man will tell you he saw Bran heading toward a cave by the pond. If you want the next lead, head there: exit through the southern gate, overlooked by the Rice Lord during the day, reach the huts by the water, and run right until you reach the cave guarded by Renu.
Be careful: when you find Jaco in his hideout, the first thing he'll do is fight. The Rogue is very strong for an unleveled hero, so if you haven't already a good weapon If you haven't learned any combat skills, it's best to skip this stage and head straight to the tavern. However, if you win, you'll be able to claim the trophy one-handed mace "Hornet Sting" and learn where to find Bran.
Before you go any further, stock up on a few lockpicks that will allow you to pick the lock a chest where important evidence is kept.
Find a way to get into Silas's basement
Bran owes Jaco a debt and is forced to rob Silas's stash in the tavern's basement. The entrance to the cellar is behind a locked door just behind the bar, but the innkeeper certainly won't approve of anyone trying to break in behind his back. Ryke can suggest the most effective and safest way in, but only if he wasn't beaten in the previous quest.
You can reach Silas's basement through a small underwater cave. Go around the building on the lake side, jump into the water, and dive deeper by holding down the "C" key. Just below the wooden deck, you'll notice a strong current running under the building's foundation. Swim along it until you reach the stone steps.
Go up to the locked storage room behind the bar and examine the body lying on the floor. The dead Bran's inventory will contain the "Note from the Corpse in the Tavern Storage."
Hack the chest in the basement
A key piece of evidence—Bran's axe—is kept in a locked box next to the body. It will allow Silas to be incriminated and prove his involvement in the murder to the Rice Lord. break open the chest, slide the mechanism sliders in the correct order until the locking pin in the center of each slider pops out. The moving parts are numbered in order from the closest (1) to the farthest (6).
The box is opened in 24 steps:
- No. 3 - 3 to the right;
- No. 4 - 4 to the left;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 1 - 1 to the left;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 4 - 1 to the left;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 1 - 1 to the left;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 4 - 1 to the left;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 4 - 1 to the left;
- No. 5 - 1 to the left;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 5 - 1 to the left;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 3 to the right.
If you find it difficult to navigate the list of actions, check the video.
You can exit the room through the door, but it's also locked. If you have any lockpicks left, crack it using these 27 steps:
- No. 4 - 2 to the left;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 5 - 1 to the left;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 5 - 1 to the left;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 5 - 1 to the left;
- No. 2 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 1 to the right;
- No. 3 - 1 to the right;
- No. 6 - 3 to the right.
Speak with the killer and present evidence. He'll ask you not to turn him in to the Rice Lord. Accusing the innkeeper will increase the reward, but you can still spare him and receive the standard payment for the job.
Rewards
Completing this investigation in Gothic Remake earns 300 experience points. However, if you choose to tell the truth and prove Silas's guilt by presenting the axe, you'll earn an additional 50 ore.
