Sacred:Rumors in Ancaria, based and expanded from "NPC messages" by Librarian

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Posted at darkmatters for review and discussion

Rumors and Gossip Submitted by Librarian on July 25, 2004 - 3:14pm. Rumors and Gossips

Foreward

[color=navy](Reference based and expanded from "NPC messages" by Librarian)

Ok, the NPCs in Sacred are not as helpful with their random replying system. But! The infos are there nonetheless. Not convinced?

Here is the RPG part of Ancaria. (I remembered reading these infos for the first time and actually gone back to play the campaign again). But I warn you right now, this thread will be really really long. And yes its all very trivia. I know that. Call me crazy to bring them back to surface, or dig in. icon4.gif

Libirarian wrote most of this. I have organized and rewritten part of the infos (mostly so that it would makes sense as a thread in the forum). Original citation is also listed.

Edit on Mar 18,07: 1) Added new conversations that I know of. 2) Added the rumor of Succubus, which probably is UW only and refer to the ending of Unknown warrior series.

Myles[/color]

Introduction (AAA)

Being a class hack 'n slash game Sacred is not all about decapitating hordes of monsters and solving quests. There are other, peaceful ways of interacting with the world of Ancaria - that is chatting with the citizens (NPCs) of Ancaria's many inhabited places. They are rarely inclined to open up and say anything meaningful - most often NPCs just keep singing you praises for making their town a safer place or scold you for pestering them. Don't forget that they are live beings and need to work, earn money, shop, raise kids and, heck, even sleep. Therefore it is highly possible you will find many rumors and gossips that you have never encountered in the game.

Generic rumors (BBB)

Generic rumors - these can be heard in any part of Ancaria and begin with the "Have you heard?" statement. Their purpose is to introduce the player to the basic game concepts or give background information on the current region.

• Beyond the ways that link all the cities and villages there are many ruins and hidden caves that are not shown on the known maps. They say treasures are guarded by particularly horrible creatures that can only be defeated by a great hero.

• The south of the empire is formed by the border settlements of Bellevue, Silver Creek and Porto Vallum. But the time to rest is over, because Dark Elves, Goblins, Orcs and worse are coming this way. Even the dead in the graveyards are moving restlessly in their graves... or are they even leaving them? Someone with enough courage should perhaps look at the graves to find out whether the dead are still where they belong!

• The Combo Master of Silver Creek has a very good reputation. A gladiator told how he had developed his own fighting technique, combining an 'Attack' with a 'Multi-hit', firstly to discover the leader and then to give his henchmen a thorough thrashing as they hurry to his aid. Talk to the Combo Master - he will certainly be able to tell you more.

• Combo Masters will teach you how to put together special combinations from individual combat techniques. I once saw a Seraphim who made a combat jump into a skirmish, carried out an attack against a leader and then performed a multi-hit against the henchmen as they hurried to help, and then burned away the last henchman with a heavenly lightning beam.

• You can improve your weapons and armor. This may make sense especially if you notice that certain opponents are too strong or are protected by magic. Items forged in this way can also be removed.

• There is a great deal of secret knowledge contained in the books of this world. It is said that the gods reward those who have collected all the titles in a series and read them into their log book. There are also hidden instructions there about whether proud generals in days of old carried unusual magical weapons or armor.

• Off the beaten track there are often caves, ruins and other places where creatures, vagabonds and worse things dwell. It is said that adventurous warriors can find all kinds of objects, weapons and equipment there… if they survive, since some creatures are very strong and it is only a strong and experienced fighter who is able to defeat them... if he knows how to use the right combat arts or even has the right 'tools'.

• The beautiful Mascarell, home of aesthetes, artists, skilled horsepeople and skilled warriors, is a jewel that Baron DeMordrey has long wanted to have. Forest rangers say that off the beaten track, there are many DeMordrey henchmen, ronin, dwelling in old caves.

• Since this is the land of the aesthetes, poets and thinkers, naturally everyone can read. A passion among the Mascarell inhabitants is to collect series of books, for it is said that the gods grant their special grace to those who strive towards completeness. So, if you find books, read them into your log book and who knows what will happen when you know all there is to know about geography or history!

• The Sharuka Guard of our master DeMordrey are the toughest fighters Ancaria has ever seen. They are feared by friend and foe alike. Those hard-bitten fellows swear their oaths with their blood. Some of them even use vampire swords, which suck the life out of a foe... Gruesome!

• Who cares if King Aarnum is old and weak or even dead, for isn't one ruler just like the next? New taxes, higher taxes, wars, despotism, double standards! Ye gods, the world is going through changes and I tell you the house of Aarnum and of his son Valor is heading for disaster.

• Double standards wherever you look. You can kill, assassinate, murder, maim, but woe to anyone who is seen with a 'flower girl' or even names her trade! Wham! Your tongue is cut out, your head rolls, or your neck gets stretched! If you want to know more about it, collect the laws of the barony of DeMordrey!

• The Sakkara cult has made some particularly bloody sacrifices. Their followers are said to seek out the blood of a virgin to offer her to their demonic gods. The poor girls who are sacrificed in the name of this gruesome practice… And what madness this search is for the one with the true bloodline!

• The tavern 'Ascaron's Reputation' is the meeting point for many adventurers, villains, thieves and bandits. You can often find someone there who can give you information. It is rumored that the landlord has an entranceway into the drain system.

• The creatures in the dark regions often have great powers of resistance and attack with magic and poison. Perhaps you should have your armor improved by a smith to protect against these.

• The whisky from Moorbrook is famous throughout the world, but it has toxic effects… So don't try too much if you get the opportunity to secure a bottle or two. Better to sell it to a landlord, who will reward you handsomely for a thirty year-old 'Silver Dragon'. But if you talk to the traders in Moorbrook, you will find out more.

• It is said that south of the plateau of Alkazaba noc Draco, there is the destroyed Orc village of Urkuk, where once gruesome battles were fought. Have you been there?

• Whisky from faraway Moorbrook is rare and highly sought-after hereabouts. If you ever get the opportunity to obtain whole barrels in Moorbrook, then think of us. You are sure to find a purchaser or two here who will turn the barrel into money for you.

• There are many varied types of horse throughout the kingdom. If you continue to travel so much, you should enquire from the horse dealers about the horses of the region. Take note of their resistance, strength in battle and speed.

• 20 or 30 years ago many settlements were given up in the East. In many cases, the families were murdered, the stronger youths were taken away and sold into slavery to scrape a living as gladiators. But why am I telling you all this.