Secrets Guide

[Sinomor]

Played this game to death when it first came out and a couple of times extra over the years. I was always a bit curious about the many secret areas this game has, so I went to look for a guide. Unfortunately the only complete guide ever made was taken down from the ubisoft forums quite some time ago.

Luckily Wayback Machine is your friend :D

https://web.archive.org/web/20090410055740/http://aeons.planetquake.gamespy.com:80/aeons-php/dark_messiah_faq.php

I thought I would share it for all those people with the same curiosity.

[TKzip]

Thanks for posting! I recently picked up the game and just started playing.

[Matt]

Copy and pasted here just as a back up in case this goes down as well. The more places that have it the better.

Æon's Secrets of Dark Messiah FAQ

v1.14 - 52 Secrets & 47 Special Areas for the PC version of Dark Messiah
Edited by Æon (C) 2007 (10/27/2007)

(* Marks changes since v1.02)

INTRO
This FAQ - actually a list of Secrets - is intended for the fans of the Single Player portion of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, who have found several of the many in-game secrets, and are now wondering if there is more to discover.
Indeed there are quite a few Secret Areas in Dark Messiah, and these have been listed here, in the approximate order in which you will encounter them when going through the game (chapter by chapter). To make life easier "enhanced" screenshots are also provided. This way you will be able to find out quickly, if you have already discovered the Secret or not.

Apart from the as such defined Secret Areas, there are many - what I am calling - Special Areas. These could very well have been secrets, since they are often hard to find, and "hide" items of interest. Thus some of the more worthwhile Special Areas are also listed.

Tip: If you only want to find out how many secrets there are per Chapter and Map (avoiding spoilers), take a closer look at the Table of Contents, where you will find Secret and Special Area counters.

Feedback: Should you find something of interest, e.g. secrets I have overlooked, please see the Feedback section of this FAQ.

Tip: I strongly suggest that you play Dark Messiah at least once, and then maybe a second time specifically to find secrets, before you look through this FAQ!

Warning: Just looking at the many thumbnails could give away secrets you might want to find without help. Spoilers ahead!
And now on with the fun!


TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL GAMEPLAY & TIPS
Why actually bother to find Secrets?
What is the relevance of climbing?
How to better find Secrets?
Does Cheating help to find Secrets?
How to manually Load Maps?
SECRETS & SPECIAL AREAS
Prolog...
Chapter 1: The Gates of Stonehelm...
Chapter 2: The Gleam of a Cold Knife... Secrets 7, Specials 4
Chapter 3: Dead Man's Trial... Secrets 0, Specials 8
Chapter 4: Across the Sea of Blood... Secrets 0, Specials 4
Chapter 5: The Temple of the Spider... Secrets 15, Specials 7
Chapter 6: The Altar of the Skull... Secrets 5, Specials 4
Chapter 7: Fire in the Blood... Secrets 7, Specials 8
Chapter 8: In the House of Ashes... Secrets 1, Specials 6
Chapter 9: City of Flames... Secrets 15, Specials 5
Epilog... Secrets 2, Specials 1
ABBREVIATIONS - Shortcuts used in FAQ
FEEDBACK - How to contribute to the FAQ
CREDITS - My thanx for the help go to
HISTORY - FAQ History, list of changes

GENERAL GAMEPLAY & TIPS
Why actually bother to find Secrets?
Well the sort answer, at least for me is: "Because it is fun".

But especially in the beginning of the game the players inventory is still quite empty, and any weapon, scroll, potion, shield, etc. extra will be welcome.

Plus many of the powerful e.g. weapons will only show up much later in the game, if you ignore secrets. So finding secrets, actually gives you an edge in the game.


What is the relevance of climbing?
Differing from most FPS games, you can climb ledges, rocks, crates, and straw covered "sheds" by climbing. In other words you can reach areas in the game, even if they are above your avatars head.

To climb high areas, it helps to run toward the e.g. "shed". I usually also hold the sprint-key, because that works better for me. Then time your jump just before you "hit" the obstacle, and most importantly keep the jump-key pressed to climb.

This will take some practice, and requires good timing, but helps you reach at least one secret and a few special areas.


How to better find Secrets?
Before peeking at the below list of Secrets and Special Areas, you might like to try your hand at finding them yourself. Here are a few things that help in Dark Messiah:

Always follow all Paths. The main path and all alternative paths. That alone will yield several goodies. Finding secrets is all about exploring.

Tip: Also try backtracking, i.e. enter the previous level again and look around. And when walking narrow ledges, it helps to duck, to avoid falling off.

Two of the skills under Misc Skills make it a lot easier to spot or access secrets:
Alertness: When you stand still for a moment, secret or special areas are marked in blue, e.g. hidden switches.

Burglar: This skill lets you pick the locks of doors and chests without requiring a key. Note that some doors/chests can only be opened with this skill. Standing still now also lets you detect traps, these are marked in red.

Carefully look around and use the Dark Vision skill to brighten up dark areas. Often things are hidden in dark corners.

Always explore every body of Water. About 80% of the time you will find something in the depths.

After you receive the Rope Bow many more areas of the game become accessible. So always keep a eye on ceilings with wooden planks. In many cases you will be able to attach a rope to those wooden beams, letting you then reach a ledge or broken out piece of wall somewhere high up.

Tip: At times more than one rope needs to be placed to reach a secret.

Try to analyze your surroundings. If you see a chain, or ladder, or balcony, or opening in the wall somewhere. Look again to see if there is some way to get there. Most secrets in Dark Messiah are fair, meaning you can deduce them by keeping your eyes open. This differs from most other games, where you "blindly" need to test every wall, floor and ceiling.

Pick up and Move things. To check if goodies are being covered by e.g. NPCs or barrels.


Does Cheating help to find Secrets?
Yes it does. It can also save a lot of time, when trying to reach the more awkward and difficult to reach areas in the game. To be able to cheat you will need to open the in-game console via ~ (US/UK) or ^ (DE) key, and type sv_cheats 1 (and press enter), to allow cheating. Then try:

Flymode: Bind a convenient key, like the v-key, to the command noclip:

bind v "noclip"
This flymode lets you fly though walls. Thus e.g. "hidden" rooms can be found. Press the key again to turn off the flymode, but stay "inside" the map when you do so.

God Mode: When you type god (press enter) on the console, you turn invincible, thus exploring the game is a lot less of a hassle. Bind this to the e.g. g-key for convenience:

bind g "god"
Type god again to become mortal again.

AI ignores you: Type notarget (press enter) to make the AI (the NPCs in the game) ignore you. You can now walk past them (at a slight distance though), and watch them in their idle animations. Bind this to the e.g. n-key for convenience:

bind n "notarget"

How to manually Load Maps?
Throughout this FAQ I will mention the exact Map names (next to the thumbnails), where the Secrets and Specials are located. To load up the appropriate map directly, open the in-game console and type:

map <mapname>
Replace the placeholder <mapname> with one of the these valid map names: L00, L01_A, L02_A, L02_B1, L02_B2, L03_A, L03_B, L04_B, L05_A, L05_B, L05_C, L06_A, L06_B, L06_C, L06_d, L07_A, L07_b, L08_A1, L08_A2, L08_B, L09_A, L09_D, L10_A, L10_B, L10_C, L11_A, L11_B1, L11_B2, L11_C, L12_A, L12_B, L12_C.

E.g. type map L00 (press enter) to load the training map from the game's prolog.

Also see the Does Cheating help to find Secrets? Q&A; on this.



SECRETS & SPECIAL AREAS
Here you will find the Secrets and Special Areas listed in order of "appearance" in Dark Messiah.

Note: Not all items (loot) are explicitly listed only those that are non-trivial, like weapons, or scrolls. Often there will also be potions or food / drink available as well.

PROLOG...

CHAPTER 1: The Gates of Stonehelm...

CHAPTER 2: The Gleam of a Cold Knife...
Secrets: 7 = 3 + 4 + 0

Specials: 4 = 1 + 2 + 1

Maps: l02_a, l02_b2


Map: l02_a

Info: After you enter the town of Stonehelm, you will soon discover the market place, at one end there is a building with two entrances, enter!

Map: l02_a

Special: Slightly hidden under the stairs an supply crate, bash it!

Map: l02_a

Secret: On the upper floor, in the bedroom, notice the light fixture on the far wall, turn it, and climb up the rope!

Loot: Cutting Kris

Map: l02_a

Secret: Back in the market place, go up the ladder near Leanna, follow the roof ledge, and then open one of the 3 windows, and enter an upper floor attic.

Loot: Potion

Map: l02_a

Secret: *Nearby there is a balcony with some goodies. The trick is to sprint up to the straw covered "shed", then jump (hold the key) to climb up, then from the shed roof, sprint-jump to the balcony. You will find a chest there as well.

As an alternative use the spell Telekinesis to grab the Staff without having to climb the balcony.

Loot: Combat Staff, Full Health
Map: l02_b2

Info: If you have the skill Alertness, you will notice a blue light blotch on the floor. Stand there and look up.

Loot: A note hints at Bow of Disciple.

Map: l02_b2

Special: In the corner of the first cellar remove the heap of barrels.

Loot: Ring of Weaponmaster

Map: l02_b2

Secret: In the adjourning cellar there is a blue colored stone on the floor (Alertness), press it to open a door in the wall.

Loot: Potions

Map: l02_b2

Secret: In the study of Lord Menelag, notice the "Strange Candelabra" on the left, pick it up, and place on the right of the chimney. In the library there is a note that hints at this secret.

Loot: Ring of Arcane Brilliance, Scrolls

Map: l02_b2

Special: *After you passed the main hall with the swinging golden chandeliers, just before you enter the library, keep walking up the stair well. Pick up the Old Key.

Loot: Old Key, Discarded Orders, Quiver

Map: l02_b2

Info: In the library pull the level on the wall to open up a hatch in the ceiling. Climb up the rope to access the next secret.

Map: l02_b2

Secret: Having pulled the previous lever. Follow the wooden beams up on the ceiling, until you notice a barred off part of the library. Jump down into the secret study corner.

Loot: Scrolls

Map: l02_b2

Secret: Either take the stairs, or via pevious wooden beams path, to reach a small door in the wall. Open it, to walk out onto a wooden beam, above the main hall.

Loot: Potions


Map: l02_b2

Special: *After you finally reach the roof top, notice the tower to your right. With the Old Key you previously picked up you can open the door to the tower.

Loot: Scrolls, Full Health

CHAPTER 3: Dead Man's Trial...
Secrets: 0 = 0 + 0

Specials: 8 = 1 + 7

Maps: l03_a, l03_b


Map: l03_a

Special: After tracking the Ghoul for a while, just before you leave this level, there is a scaffolding. If you are quick you can jump / climb down without loosing the Ghoul. Or backtrack after you tracked Ghoul to the warehouse.

Loot: Axe
Map: l03_b

Special: *Entering the level, facing the back side of the warehouse, take the path to the right, kick a few wooden planks blocking the way, to find some mushrooms, a trap door to the sewers, and a locked door. To unlock the door you will need the Burglar skill.

Loot: Ring of Phoenix, Full Health

Map: l03_b

Special: *Once you reach the warehouse yard, look to your left and climb up the wooden ladder, continue past the rag doll to the well lit room.

Loot: Assassin's Garb, Long Bow, Potions

Map: l03_b

Special: Climb the chain in the warehouse yard to reach the upper part of the warehouse. Climb the stacked boxes in one corner until you reach the corpse of a woman on some wooden beams. Pick up the woman for some goodies.

Loot: Ring of Phoenix, Potions

Map: l03_b

Special: *Instead of the path through the smithy, choose the path into a large cave with two doors. Open both of them and enter the rooms for some interesting goodies.

Loot: Ring of Weaponmaster, Chainmail Armor, Naga Silksword, Poison Kriss, Quiver, Potions

Map: l03_b

Special: Exploring the caves you should come across a smithy (forge). Pick up the Steel Bar and the hammer there, and forge a sword.

Loot: Long Sword

Map: l03_b

Special: Look around in the smithy, you should notice a boarded up part of the wall. Kick the boards and enter this alternate path through the caves.

Loot: Ring of Arcane Brilliance

Map: l03_b

Special: In the sewer, just before you face Arantir for the first time, a vertical wooden beam has a note stuck to it. Read it.

Loot: Fun :)


CHAPTER 4: Across the Sea of Blood...
Secrets: 0 = 0

Specials: 4 = 4

Maps: l04_b


Map: l04_b

Special: When you meat Leanna again, in the docks, there is a supply crate on a wodden ledge. Remember that you can climb by pressing and holding the jump key, to get there.

Map: l04_b

Special: *After secretly boarding the ship, past several doors, past the room with the caged goblins, through a locked door, you have to climb up a long wooden ladder to reach the upper deck. Before you do that climb onto the wooden crate to the left of the ladder, and look behind you, and then climb the wooden platform for some goodies.

Loot: Ring of Might, Flamegold Bar

Map: l04_b

Info: *On the deck with the missile launchers, make for the port (left) side of the ship, in a small room a key is dangling from a hook in the wall.

Loot: A Rusty Key, Wizard Robe

Map: l04_b

Special: *Use this key to unlock the door to the central room on this deck, open the chest.

Loot: Scrolls

Map: l04_b

Special: Once Leanna is safe on board of the ship, she will want to tell you something "important". Do not join here in the cabin right away, instead climb the ladder nearby onto the bow (font) of the ship. A trap door in the deck is now open.

Loot: Ring of Phoenix

[Matt]

CHAPTER 5: The Temple of the Spider...
Secrets: 15 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 3

Specials: 7 = 0 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 0 + 0

Maps: l05_a, l05_b, l05_c, l07_a, l07_b


Map: l05_a

Info: Walking between the temple ruins you will notice that the only closed off building left in tact, is the 2nd one to the left. Something is glowing there.

Loot: Potions

Map: l05_a

Secret: Leanna then wants you to open a nearby gate via catacombs. Instead of opening the gate right way, follow the other path to the end. Look up, and use the Rope Bow to enter the afore mentioned building via floor.

Loot: Poison Bow
Map: l05_b

Secret: After leaving Leanna in the central chamber, you will find a statue lying on the floor, colored blue (Alertness). You require the spell Telekinesis to lift the statue onto the empty pedestal nearby. This unlocks a floor panel.

Loot: Superior Naga Silksword

Map: l05_b

Secret: In the next chamber an obelisk on the right side is boarded up (blue, Alertness). Break the boards, watch the column fall, then climb onto the column to reach upper room on your left.

Loot: Quiver, Potions

Map: l05_b

Info: Continuing on your path you will at some point discover a bridge. Note the red (Burglar) floor panel in the chamber just before the bridge. Step on it, the walls will close in on you, climb the approaching walls to survive, then listen to Xana's comment.


Map: l05_c

Info: Taking Leanna's alternate catacomb path will drop you into spider den, when the stone tube you walked in breaks. Continue the path until you reach the large spider chamber.

Map: l05_c

Secret: *Just before you enter the large spider chamber, you will have to pass three humans in cocoons dangling right in your path to the chamber. If you step back a few steps and look up, you will notice some branches in a shaft. Use the Rope Bow to climb up there, onto a ledge to find a potion.

Loot: Antidote

Map: l05_c

Secret: As you enter the large spider chamber, take the path on the right and follow it until you reach a underground stream with a dead Orc.

Loot: Key, Antidotes

Map: l05_c

Secret: If you take the left path in the large spider chamber you will exit it. Look up, there is a large break in the wall above. Use the Rope Bow to climb up there. Note the very tall cylindrical chamber on your right.

Loot: Antidotes

Map: l05_c

Secret: As you make your way up to exit the very tall cylindrical chamber, look up. You can actually climb even higher with the help of your Rope Bow (3 new ropes should do).

Loot: Endless Quiver (whee!)
Map: l05_b

Secret: Entering the previous level again, jump right into the murky waters on your right. At the bottom you will find a chest.

Loot: Food

Map: l05_b

Special: A few steps further you will see the bridge the goblins barricaded. Stay on the path, a nook in the rock will let you look into the canyon. Look up to see a wooden beam. Use the Rope Bow to climb up.

Loot: Potions

Map: l05_b

Secret: After raising the water in a basin, and fighting some goblins, you will notice several doors in the upper part of the temple. One of the rooms (on side with the red water basin) is open. Notice the red floor panels (traps, Burglar), crouch to enter the hole in the wall.

Loot: Staff of Firelord

Map: l05_b

Secret: Cross the stone bridge to the other side of the upper part of the temple, here you will find more locked doors, and another blue (Alertness) statue. Again use Telekinesis to lift the statue onto the empty pedestal nearby, to unlock a floor panel.

Loot: Potions

Map: l05_b

Special: *A few steps further there is a dead end. Look up to see several wooden branches high above the temple ruins. Use the Rope Bow to reach the stone wall ledge up there.

Loot: Magic Mushrooms


Map: l07_a

Secret: Finally outside again, hugging the Orc infested cliffs. After walking up the mountain, you enter a room with a wooden ram hanging from the ceiling. Use the ram to break open the stoned up doorway. Enter the chamber.

Loot: Lightning Daggers, Potions

Map: l07_a

Special: To the left of the ram there is an elevator shaft. If you look up the shaft, you will notice a huge break in the wall. Once the elevator works and goes up jump into that hole in the wall. Then call the elevator a 2nd time to go up all the way.

Loot: Bow of Winters Breath, Endless Quiver

Map: l07_a

Special: Continue up the face of the mountain, after crossing a wood/rope bridge, jump into the shallow water of the 2nd tower, and look into the corner near the stairs.

Loot: Souldrinker
Map: l07_b

Special: Climbing up the stairs in the 2nd tower you should see another wooden beam at the top of the stairs. Use the Rope Bow to reach the area up there.

Loot: Magic Mushroom

Map: l07_b

Special: *At some point you will enter a cliff hut with an unstable floor, should you walk on it. The trick is to plant 6 or more ropes on the ceiling with your Rope Bow to get at the goodies.

As an alternative you can use Telekinesis to move the chests and even open them to get at the goodies.

Loot: Scrolls, Potions

Map: l07_b

Special: When you finally reached the previously locker door of the cliff hut, be sure to grab the sword sticking in the wooden window frame.

Loot: Superior Naga Silksword


Map: l07_a

Secret: Just before you enter the crystal chamber take the path on your right, and enter the cliff hut. Use the Rope Bow, to reach the upper floor of the hut, and then look out of the window. Climb up that rope to the 2nd hut higher up.

Loot: Soulreaver Staff, Ring of Fire Protection
Map: l05_b

Secret: After returning the Crystal to the temple, and with the key you took from the defeated Orc leader, you can now backtrack to the part of the temple with the locked doors. Upper part of temple open door 1 on the left. Door 2 yields nothing new, we used the hole in the wall.

Loot: Arcane Robe

Map: l05_b

Secret: Again cross the stone bride to the other side of the upper temple, and open door 3.

Loot: Lightning Daggers

Map: l05_b

Secret: Finally open door 4 in the upper part of the temple.

Loot: Shadowsteel Staff


CHAPTER 6: The Altar of the Skull...
Secrets: 5 = 2 + 1 + 2

Specials: 4 = 2 + 2 + 0

Maps: l08_a1, l08_a2

Map: l08_a1

Secret: In the chamber of the skull, behind the stone spider there is a wooden beam with a chain attached to it, climb up that beam to the next higher ledge, and follow the ledges on that wall.

Loot: Souldrinker

Map: l08_a1

Special: After the first crystal was placed in the skull, enter the next set of chambers and take the right path. A stone plate will glow blue (Alertness), kick that stone to open a nook in the wall.

Loot: Magic Mushroom

Map: l08_a1

Secret: Take the left path, to find another stone plate on a wall near the floor. Kick the plate, and duck to enter a secret area.

Loot: Potion

Map: l08_a1

Question: ***Nearby there is another wooden ram attached to ropes, near the ceiling. You can use it to break down a stone wall. Strangely that wall shows a "usage reticle". Anyone know what for?

Map: l08_a1

Info: With Burglar you can detect the new spike trap, a floor plate turns red.

Map: l08_a1

Special: Should you not have broken down the wall with the ram, another stone plate will show in blue (Alertness), close to the wall that the ram would break.

Loot: Potion


Map: l08_a2

Special: In the chamber with the 2nd yellow crystal - the maiden's eye - note the spike wall trap on the left front stone column. Look up and use the Rope Bow on the wooden beams near the ceiling to climb that column to find a chest.

Loot: Arcane Robe, Scroll

Map: l08_a2

Special: After you find another crystal, you enter a chamber, infested with zombies. The only exit is a metal gate you need to crank up. In the center of the room there is a pillar of stones, with several wooden beams on top. Climb the stones to find a ring on top.

Loot: Ring of Fire Protection

Map: l08_a2

Secret: Once you pass the zombie catacombs you will find the 3rd blue (Alertness) statue. Use Telekinesis to lift the statue onto the empty pedestal on the left, this makes a wall slide aside.

Loot: Earthfire Shield, Quiver, Scrolls, Potions
Map: l08_a1

Secret: In the final chamber with the 4th crystal, use the Rope Bow to reach the area way up that is covered by wooden planks.

Loot: Shadowsteel Daggers

Map: l08_a1

Secret: From the connecting bridge, that leads to the exit there is a flight of stairs to the right, go down those steps, and jump down on the right side. You will fall a bit, but discover another secret area.

Loot: Bow of Fiery Rage


CHAPTER 7: Fire in the Blood...
Secrets: 7 = 2 + 1 + 0 + 4 + 0

Specials: 8 = 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3

Maps: l09_a, l06_a, l06_b, l06_c, l06_d

Map: l09_a

Secret: Once you have found your backpack, you can pick up items again. Return to the place you awoke, jump into the water and take the path on the left, then dive into a secret cave.

Loot: Lightning Shield, Potions

Map: l09_a

Special: In the cave with another smithy (forge), on the far wall, there are two flat Orc beds. Kicking the right one long enough will break it, and yield a hidden staff.

Loot: Soulreaver Staff

Map: l09_a

Special: You should have collected a Flamegold bar on your travels to the 2nd smithy (forge). Use it to turn that bar into a powerful sword.

Loot: Earthfire Sword

Map: l09_a

Secret: In the cave where you fight the cyclops in captivity, look at the far wall, and use the Rope Bow (requires about 3 ropes) to reach the high up wooden planks.

Loot: Master Thief's Outfit


Map: l06_a

Secret: After entering the huge cave (the one from the demo), crossing a wooden bridge you enter a goblin lair. Close to the Orc prison cell, on the far wall, there is a small stone glowing in blue (Alertness), press it.

Loot: Scroll, Potions

Map: l06_a

Special: Nearby there is also a pool, jump into it.

Loot: Lightning Shield
Map: l06_b

Special: Just before you encounter that hideous worm monster, you will notice 2 wooden beam, over a deep pit. Use the Rope Bow to climb down.

Loot: Magic Mushroom


Map: l06_c

Secret: Exiting the sewer tubes, you enter a room with many holes in the walls. You are attacked by these flying octopi. Use the Rope Bow climb up a wooden beam in front of your exit. Enter the stone tube, and follow the path.

Loot: Scrolls, Magic Mushroom

Map: l06_c

Secret: Now continue walking, until you are back in the chamber, only higher up. Notice the broken off stone floor, at the edge. Jump down here, to enter another stone tube. This is the only double secret in the game.

Loot: Bow of Fiery Rage

Map: l06_c

Secret: In the adjoining huge chamber - that you will flood in a moment - there is another hole in the wall on the right. Get up there via Rope Bow.

Loot: Master Thief's Outfit

Map: l06_c

Secret: Flood the chamber, at the top another hole in the wall beckons. Again use the Rope Bow to get up there. The stone tube has a hole in the floor, so jump across it to discover another secret room.

Loot: Scrolls

Map: l06_c

Special: Once you have reached the wooden construction, climb up on the roof, and look around. There is a narrow ledge running the wall of the chamber. Follow that ledge.

Loot: Magic Mushroom
Map: l06_d

Special: After your second "metal trolly" ride you have finally reached the building (known from the demo). Walk around the corner to the right, until you see a rickety wooden hut, climb on its roof via Rope Bow to access the hole in the wall.

Loot: Shadowsteel Armor

Map: l06_d

Special: On one wall of main building, there is a platform with many barrels, behind them you will notice a blue (Alertness) stone button. Press it to open up the hidden chamber. Make haste, for the ceiling is descending!

Loot: Daggers of Frost

Map: l06_d

Special: On another wall in that room there is a tall crate, with an exit in the wall. Jump-climb the kicked down platforms nearby and enter the room behind.

Loot: Scrolls

Map: l06_d

Info: After a short walk you will see a very narrow and steep staircase. If you have Burglar, 2 steps will glow in red. The first step opens a pit in the floor behind you, the second will roll a huge barrel down the stairs.

[Matt]

CHAPTER 8: In the House of Ashes...
Secrets: 1 = 0 + 1 + 0

Specials: 6 = 5 + 0 + 1

Maps: l10_a, l10_b, l10_c

Map: l10_b

Special: When you finally find the room with the Black Orb key, look to your right to see the framed blue (Alertness) anatomy study. Click on the frame hanging on the wall.

Loot: Potions

Map: l10_b

Special: Passing through the House of Ashes you will come across the torture chamber (Laboratory). Look up to see a wood construction near the ceiling. Use the Rope Box to climb up there.

Loot: Magic Mushrooms

Map: l10_b

Special: *There is a passage under the torture chamber (Laboratory). You can access it via trap doors in the lab's floor. A gate with a lever requires a key to open or the Burglar skill.

Loot: Daggers of Frost

Map: l10_b

Special: On the right side of the Laboratory there is a chamber with 3 cells. Open the door of the first cell on your left via lever. With Alertness you will notice a blue colored bed in the corner. Select it to make it slide and reveal a small cache in the floor.

Loot: Potion, Food

Map: l10_b

Special: Passing through the many rooms in the complex, you may notice a room with a framed anatomy study leaning against a wall. Look behind it for some items.

Loot: Potions


Map: l10_c

Secret: When you finally enter Arantir's room, notice the light fixture on the left glowing blue (Alertness). Turn it, to open up a hidden room.

Loot: Scrolls, Potions
Map: l10_a

Special: *Just before you leave the House of Ashes via teleport, be sure to open the initially locked doors (4) with the Black Orb key.

Loot: Misc


CHAPTER 9: City of Flames...
Secrets: 15 = 7 + 3 + 5 + 0

Specials: 5 = 0 + 2 + 1 + 2

Maps: l11_a, l11_b1, l11_b2, l11_c

Map: l11_a

Secret: After climbing up the ladder, entering the burning city, there is a locked door near the access to the sewer. Use the Burglar skill to unlock the door.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_a

Secret: A few steps away, look up to see an open window. Use the Rope Bow on the wooden beam protruding, climb up to enter the secret room up there.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_a

Secret: After some climbing you enter the second part of the city. Look down into the abyss to see a dead soldier in the rock face. Use the Rope Bow on the wooden beam above the soldier, and climb down.

Map: l11_a

Secret: Close by there are some wooden planks that let you cross from the house on the right to the one on your left. To get up there, notice the missing piece in the balcony of the right house. Fire Rope Bow into the ceiling of the house, climb up, follow the planks, open the windows of the left house, and enter.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_a

Secret: Continue down from the upper floor of the left house, and go outside, past the flames. Another dead soldier is spread out on the stone wall. Close to his hands there are a few goodies.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_a

Info: After you have found Percy, the local guide to the sewers, use Burglar skill on the next door you see. The door opens up an alternate path for Percy past the cyclops. Enter here.

Map: l11_a

Secret: On the 1st floor there is a locked door that you can open with the Burglar skill or with a key lying on a cupboard near the entrance door of the house.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_a

Secret: On the 2nd floor there is another locked door to open with the Burglar skill or the key.

Loot: Potions


Map: l11_b1

Special: Entering the next level, you need to jump over a rickety broken bridge. On your right there is a locked door to open with the Burglar skill.

Map: l11_b1

Special: Right up in the next plaza, with the stone well in the center, there is another locked door. Unlock the door with Burglar skill.

Map: l11_b1

Secret: Taking the left path past the sanctuary, under the arc of a stone bridge, there is a grated off hole in the ground. To open the grate, press the blue (Alertness) stone button on the wall to your right. Jump into the opened hole and dive into a secret cave.

Loot: Staff of Firelord, Earthfire Shield

Map: l11_b1

Secret: Continue past the stone bridge, past the Mage trying to help the wounded soldier. Walk trough the crumpled gap in the wall on the left, enter the house again on your left, and look behind the large barrel.

Loot: Ring of Phoenix, Scrolls

Map: l11_b1

Question: ***In the next plaza, note the stone column on the right, look behind you to see 3 windows, one of them dark, two of them lit. Again there is a "usage reticle". Anyone know what for? A bug?

Map: l11_b1

Secret: Crossing the plaza, a slightly upward leading stone bridge crosses another abyss. Before you cross the bridge, jump down on the right onto grass. Walk past the house, around the corner.

Loot: Magic Mushroom
Map: l11_b2

Secret: Entering the next level, in the corner of the room to your right there is a ladder leading up to the ceiling. Climb the ladder, open the hatch, then turn on Dark Vision to find a chest.

Loot: Scrolls

Map: l11_b2

Secret: Open the first locked door outside. Use the Burglar skill to unlock the door.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_b2

Secret: The open the second locked door you find (second entrance of the 1st door house) outside. Use the Burglar skill to unlock the door.

Loot: Scrolls, Potions

Map: l11_b2

Special: Meeting up with your guide Percy again, follow him. On the left there are 3 straw covered "sheds". Climb those via sprint-jump (hold jump key), then explore the strip of grass up there.

Loot: Magic Mushroom

Map: l11_b2

Secret: Walk across the small stone bridge spanning the water way. The 3rd locked door can be found on the house on the right. Again use the Burglar skill to unlock the door.

Loot: Potions

Map: l11_b2

Secret: Your guide Percy will enter the house on the left, follow him, go up the stairs to the first floor, open the unlocked door there, and enter.

Loot: Scrolls, Potions


Map: l11_c

Special: After leaving the sewers, about to battle the Pao Kai (flying dragon), crouch to walk the very narrow ledge, left of the stone stairs leading up the to ruins.

Loot: Magic Mushroom

Map: l11_c

Special: *When you enter the castle ruins to the right, taking cover from the battle with the Pao Kai, you should notice a metal basket attached to a chain behind two wooden barrels. Take out the bread and remove all the wood logs to make the other basket come down from the ceiling.

Loot: Potions

EPILOG...
Secrets: 2 = 2

Specials: 1 = 1

Maps: l12_b

Map: l12_b

Special: After exploring the Necropolis for a while, you may stumble into a flame trap. With the Burglar skill you can detect the red floor plate triggering the trap. To escape the trap climb into the hole in the wall.

Loot: Potions

Map: l12_b

Secret: Just before you face the 4 Lich Kings, in a chamber with 3 chains hanging from the ceiling, look up to the ledge. One of the arcs lets you access a neighboring hidden chamber. To get up onto the ledge, visit the previous chamber, use the Rope Bow to climb up, and then follow the ledge.

Loot: Potions

Map: l12_b

Info: Continuing your path, following a huge stairwell, past another wood construction, on the right there is a tall stone door and a lever in the wall. Pull that lever to open the door to the regeneration pool.

Map: l12_b

Secret: In the chamber with the regeneration pool, look up. Use the Rope Bow (2 ropes required) to climb the up the wood construction near the ceiling. Up there you will find a chest.

Loot: Scroll, Potions



ABBREVIATIONS
NPC - Non-Player Character (anyone else you can talk to in the game)
*** - Denotes Q&As; that still need to be edited/corrected, etc ... help?!
* - Marks updates / fixes / information additions since the last version.

FEEDBACK
Feedback is welcome!
Take a look at areas in the FAQ marked with "***", maybe you can help out there.
If you have additional info on a certain Secret / Special, please email.
If you have found a new Secret do not hesitate to tell me.
If you think there is a Special Area worth noting, email that as well.
Any other improvement suggestions & corrections welcome.

CREDITS
The FAQ is based on information I (AEon) derived from playing Dark Messiah.
I would like to thank Karlfrans & Co. for pointing out a special area I had overlooked.

My thanks also go to Ralph for taking the time to point out several other things I had overlooked, and even a new secret. His screenshots were very helpful.

More thanks go to jc_madden for a tip and a special area I had missed.

Some things have been pointed out to me more than once, but I am still thankful to these folks for caring: yandex3, Lord Ruslan Nightmare, ...



HISTORY
v1.14 3rd public version, 52 Secrets total, 47 Special Areas. 12 updates since v1.02 (10/27/2007).

v1.02 2nd public version, 51 Secrets total, 36 Special Areas. 2 updates since v1.0 (4/9/2007).

v1.0 1st public version, 51 Secrets total, 34 Special Areas. (3/30/2007).

v0.5 Putting together the FAQ, namely a list of Secrets and Special Areas with screenshots, plus adding some tips.

v0.1 Using the layout, content structure from my KotOR II FAQ to create the Dark Messiah Secrets FAQ. (3/29/2007)

Æon


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[Dave]

This should be posted in guides rather than discussion.