06:28 on Day 1
"Stepping outside into the cold air, I noticed two strange people standing outside. One was wearing a mask and garb similar to the middle age plague doctors. The other had a big white mask on it, almost as if he was part of a theatre play. It was almost as if they were waiting for me. But they didn't approach me and since I could not see their faces I could not tell what they were expecting from me. I decided to talk to them and see if this was some sort of prank."
These
two characters are what you'd normally call a tutorial level, except
in Pathologic you are probably going to become more confused by
talking to them. They actually have some really good advice, but they
unload a lot of information on you right away, so don't worry if you
find it hard to relate what they say to actual gameplay elements.
It's great that they tried to make this as in-character as possible
and put it inside the actual game world, but I will have to explain
each thing in greater detail as it actually becomes relevant.
Dankovsky approaches the Executor first.
VERSUS
Executor: Stop, my friend!
Listen, I have a few words to tell you about what's going on here.
This is just technical information. It has nothing to do with the
matters at stake, but it's a tradition to tell the actor what to do,
when he steps onto the stage, otherwise he'll just fall off
it.
Bachelor: I'm listening.
Executor: Time always passes. Day comes after night. While you are doing something in one place, something else might happen somewhere else. Don't think that people will wait for you.
Bachelor: And what can I do about that?
Executor: You need to regularly visit all the places that could be of interest to you. In those places you will meet people that will play a role in your fate. You can tell them apart from the ordinary citizens of this town. All the people in the crowd are just part of the background.
Bachelor: That's nothing new, there are a lot of nameless people you pass by on the streets each day.
Executor: Yes, but you should avoid taking it that far. The paradox is now made clear: Don't just focus all your effort on these... adherents. You should not ignore the lives of the masses just because you do not know them all. Doing so can lead to tragedy.
Bachelor: Why is that?
Executor: In this world you have a reputation to uphold. The most subtle and important instrument, the state of the world that surrounds you depends on your reputation. The world is a mirror, isn't it? A low reputation will get you into a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Bachelor: For example?
Executor: Do I have to spell it out for you? You have an imagination, don't you? Everything will change, how many friends you have, the price you have to pay for food, dreams, opinions... Isn't that enough?
Bachelor: A sad picture you draw. How to I maintain my reputation in this town?
Executor: Come on, enough with the stupid questions. You do it as you would do everywhere else! Do not kill, do not lie, do not betray, do not steal, do not insult... At least do not get caught if you do things that others may see as immoral. If you are in a situation where no one trusts you anymore, you can do some selfless deed to improve your reputation again. Risk your life for others or help them out in some other way.
Bachelor: I understand.
Executor: Really? Well, I don't understand a thing of what's going on here. However, that doesn't matter. In any case, I advice you to be careful. Don't trust people too much. In fact, trust no one. Not even me. One who blindly accepts everything he is being told will risk being used.
Bachelor: Definitely. Thank you for the advice.
Bachelor: I'm listening.
Executor: Time always passes. Day comes after night. While you are doing something in one place, something else might happen somewhere else. Don't think that people will wait for you.
Bachelor: And what can I do about that?
Executor: You need to regularly visit all the places that could be of interest to you. In those places you will meet people that will play a role in your fate. You can tell them apart from the ordinary citizens of this town. All the people in the crowd are just part of the background.
Bachelor: That's nothing new, there are a lot of nameless people you pass by on the streets each day.
Executor: Yes, but you should avoid taking it that far. The paradox is now made clear: Don't just focus all your effort on these... adherents. You should not ignore the lives of the masses just because you do not know them all. Doing so can lead to tragedy.
Bachelor: Why is that?
Executor: In this world you have a reputation to uphold. The most subtle and important instrument, the state of the world that surrounds you depends on your reputation. The world is a mirror, isn't it? A low reputation will get you into a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Bachelor: For example?
Executor: Do I have to spell it out for you? You have an imagination, don't you? Everything will change, how many friends you have, the price you have to pay for food, dreams, opinions... Isn't that enough?
Bachelor: A sad picture you draw. How to I maintain my reputation in this town?
Executor: Come on, enough with the stupid questions. You do it as you would do everywhere else! Do not kill, do not lie, do not betray, do not steal, do not insult... At least do not get caught if you do things that others may see as immoral. If you are in a situation where no one trusts you anymore, you can do some selfless deed to improve your reputation again. Risk your life for others or help them out in some other way.
Bachelor: I understand.
Executor: Really? Well, I don't understand a thing of what's going on here. However, that doesn't matter. In any case, I advice you to be careful. Don't trust people too much. In fact, trust no one. Not even me. One who blindly accepts everything he is being told will risk being used.
Bachelor: Definitely. Thank you for the advice.
He next approaches the Tragedian on the right.
VERSUS
Tragedian: Most respectable
Bachelor? Please stay for a while. I won't demand much of your time.
Talking stops during important dialogues, you know? And of course
this talk is very important! It regards the rules of the
game.
Bachelor: What game are you talking about? I'm no actor.
Tragedian: Of course, of course! You are a living man, you need to eat, sleep and drink. You suffer from pain, wounds and diseases. Just like a living man! You need to rest to be able to keep going. You can make mistakes...
Bachelor: That proves my human nature very nicely, doesn't it?
Tragedian: If I may, I will draw your attention to the importance of watching your state. If you get dizzy or too tired to move, make sure you check out your vitals right away! In dangerous situations you need to pay extra close attention. I know a man who died of stress because he thought he was going to starve to death...
Bachelor: That does sound unlikely, but as a doctor I've heard worse.
Tragedian: Is it worth reminding such a wise man of the fact that hunger is filled with food? Food is sold in shops, and shops can be found by looking for signs on otherwise ordinary houses. However, sleeping is more complicated. You can't just sleep wherever you like. Find someone who lets you borrow their bed. I'm sorry, but that's just how or world is...
Bachelor: Yes, the world isn't always fair.
Tragedian: And quite stupid, if I may point that out. Speaking of shops, different shops sell the same item for different prices. Make sure you don't get cheated. You can also barter for items with people on the street. There are some items that may seem trivial, but some would give their blood for it...
Bachelor: Blood, you say?
Tragedian: Yes, blood. I wouldn't dare lecture you on that subject, but if you want to ease the pain of a sick person, you need to bring him the required medicine, and you'll quickly see how he gets better. If they can sleep through their pain, they are on the way to good health, right?
Bachelor: Or on the way to eternal oblivion.
Tragedian: Even if that happens, easing their pain will bring you a reputation as a good man, who will share his personal belonging to others in need.
Bachelor: Anything else?
Tragedian: No... Nothing for the time being.
Bachelor: Bye then, Mask.
Bachelor: What game are you talking about? I'm no actor.
Tragedian: Of course, of course! You are a living man, you need to eat, sleep and drink. You suffer from pain, wounds and diseases. Just like a living man! You need to rest to be able to keep going. You can make mistakes...
Bachelor: That proves my human nature very nicely, doesn't it?
Tragedian: If I may, I will draw your attention to the importance of watching your state. If you get dizzy or too tired to move, make sure you check out your vitals right away! In dangerous situations you need to pay extra close attention. I know a man who died of stress because he thought he was going to starve to death...
Bachelor: That does sound unlikely, but as a doctor I've heard worse.
Tragedian: Is it worth reminding such a wise man of the fact that hunger is filled with food? Food is sold in shops, and shops can be found by looking for signs on otherwise ordinary houses. However, sleeping is more complicated. You can't just sleep wherever you like. Find someone who lets you borrow their bed. I'm sorry, but that's just how or world is...
Bachelor: Yes, the world isn't always fair.
Tragedian: And quite stupid, if I may point that out. Speaking of shops, different shops sell the same item for different prices. Make sure you don't get cheated. You can also barter for items with people on the street. There are some items that may seem trivial, but some would give their blood for it...
Bachelor: Blood, you say?
Tragedian: Yes, blood. I wouldn't dare lecture you on that subject, but if you want to ease the pain of a sick person, you need to bring him the required medicine, and you'll quickly see how he gets better. If they can sleep through their pain, they are on the way to good health, right?
Bachelor: Or on the way to eternal oblivion.
Tragedian: Even if that happens, easing their pain will bring you a reputation as a good man, who will share his personal belonging to others in need.
Bachelor: Anything else?
Tragedian: No... Nothing for the time being.
Bachelor: Bye then, Mask.
Wow, that sure was a lot to
digest. Still, at this point of the game it offers some explanation
to what you can spend your time doing. There's a lot of stats to keep
track off, and if you are not careful you might have to do some
pretty desperate things to survive. For now it is enough to know that
you need to sleep, eat, stay out of fights and don't go around
killing people for fun. There's also a clock ticking, and it won't
wait for you if you get lazy. The time will be indicated at the top
of each update.
The short story is that you need to first of all keep yourself healthy in general, but be prepared to give up what you have if the situation calls for it. Do NOT horde things in your inventory just because you think they might come in handy later. You have to make sure there really will be a 'later', first.
The short story is that you need to first of all keep yourself healthy in general, but be prepared to give up what you have if the situation calls for it. Do NOT horde things in your inventory just because you think they might come in handy later. You have to make sure there really will be a 'later', first.
"Despite being a bit freaked out about
the conversations I just had, I better check out those drunks in the
back yard."
[see if you can get an image of the worm and his pal in eve's yard here]
"With the fire in my eyes, the man on the left looked really strange for some reason. Almost like his head was a bit too large. I didn't want to make him angry, so I quickly started talking to the other guy. To my surprise, he was completely sober."
VERSUS
RANDOM FACELESS DOUCHEBAG*
(*i should try to make a portrait of the creepy generic people ragdolls to put here)
Worker: What do you want? This ain't your business!
Bachelor: What are you doing here? Is there something wrong with the man over there?
Worker: Nah, he's an Odong! They all look like that. Cattle-breeders, crude and unshaped. Didn't you know that? I guess you've come from out of town, huh? We don't get many strangers here.
Bachelor: Yes, I've just arrived. I haven't seen anything like it before. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right.
Worker: Yeah, yeah... Work's just tough sometimes.
"And with that he seem to think the conversation is over and turns away. All this has taken up too much of my time, I better get going if I want to talk to Simon and his brothers before they get impatient."
Summary: Not much of importance, but we'll see the Executor and
the Masked man (Tragedian sounds rather strange for a name) again so
keep an eye out for them. We are free to explore most of the city,
but our first goal is still to head over to the Kain residences.
Bachelor: What are you doing here? Is there something wrong with the man over there?
Worker: Nah, he's an Odong! They all look like that. Cattle-breeders, crude and unshaped. Didn't you know that? I guess you've come from out of town, huh? We don't get many strangers here.
Bachelor: Yes, I've just arrived. I haven't seen anything like it before. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right.
Worker: Yeah, yeah... Work's just tough sometimes.
"And with that he seem to think the conversation is over and turns away. All this has taken up too much of my time, I better get going if I want to talk to Simon and his brothers before they get impatient."
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