keepcalculator

06 Numbers and Powers

Gothic 1 Remake Chapter 1: Mountain Fortress Focus

Card No. 06·8433 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Average speed (km/h) 0.50 km/h
Time spent (hours)
10 h
You entered
Distance traveled (km)
5 km
You entered
You enter
Time spent (hours), Distance traveled (km)
You get
Average speed (km/h)
Rounding
2 dp

The focus at the mountain fortress in Gothic 1 Remake Chapter 1 is completing the tasks given by the Old Camp’s leader, Gomez, and his right-hand man, Bloodwyn, to prove your worth and gain access to the inner circle. You must retrieve the Sword of the Old Camp from the swamp camp, deliver a message to Lares in the new camp, and find a way into the abandoned mine to obtain a piece of ore for the smith. These quests form the core of the first chapter and shape your early reputation among the three camps.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average travel speed in kilometers per hour. The formula is:

Average speed = Distance ÷ Time

Where:

  • Distance (d) – the total kilometers you traveled in the game world (or real world, if you are planning a route).
  • Time (t) – the total hours spent traveling.

The result is a simple rate: how many kilometers you cover in one hour. It is useful for estimating how long a journey will take at a given pace, or for comparing different routes.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: you travel 5 kilometers in 10 hours.

  1. Write the formula: speed = d / t
  2. Plug in the numbers: speed = 5 / 10
  3. Divide: speed = 0.5

The calculator shows 0.50 km/h, which matches. That is a very slow pace – typical of walking through dense forest or climbing mountain paths in the game.

Why the Mountain Fortress Matters in Chapter 1

The fortress, also known as the Old Camp, is the starting hub of Gothic 1 and its remake. In Chapter 1, the player is a prisoner who must earn a place among the ore miners. The fortress is not just a backdrop; it is a quest hub with a clear hierarchy. Gomez controls the ore, the guards enforce his will, and the player is at the bottom. The main focus is to climb the ranks by completing three key tasks:

  • Retrieve the Sword of the Old Camp – a stolen weapon held by a mercenary in the swamp camp. This involves a dangerous journey through the forest and the swamp.
  • Deliver a message to Lares – a scout in the new camp. This introduces you to the other factions and the politics between them.
  • Get a piece of ore for the smith – requires entering the old mine, which is blocked by a barrier. You must find an alternative entrance, often through the orc cemetery or via a secret tunnel.

These three quests are the backbone of Chapter 1. Completing them raises your standing with Gomez and unlocks the next chapter.

How to Approach the Quests

There is no fixed order, but a logical sequence helps. Start by talking to everyone in the fortress. Bloodwyn gives you the sword quest, and the smith tells you about the ore. Lares is in the new camp, so you can combine the message delivery with a scouting trip to the swamp camp.

  1. Talk to Bloodwyn – he is near the gate. He wants the sword back.
  2. Talk to the smith – he needs ore to craft something for Gomez.
  3. Talk to Gomez – he gives you permission to leave the valley, but only after you prove yourself.
  4. Head to the swamp camp – the sword is with a mercenary named Scatty. You can fight him, steal it, or trade for it.
  5. Visit the new camp – give Lares the message. He may ask you to do a small favor in return.
  6. Find the mine entrance – the main gate is blocked, but there is a way through the orc graveyard or via a cave near the beach.

Each quest gives experience points and reputation. Some choices affect later chapters, so save often.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many players get stuck because they try to fight too early. The mountain fortress area has strong guards and orcs. You are weak at the start, so rely on stealth and dialogue. Another mistake is ignoring the environment – the game has no quest markers in the original, and the remake may keep that design. Read the dialogue carefully; clues are often in the text.

A common misconception is that you must complete all three quests before the chapter ends. In fact, you can finish Chapter 1 with just the sword and the ore, but the Lares message gives you a better relationship with the new camp, which helps in later chapters. There is no penalty for doing all three.

Another error is selling the ore or the sword. Keep them until you return to the quest givers. Selling them may break the quest.

Comparing the Remake to the Original

The remake is a faithful but expanded version of the 2001 original. The core quests are the same, but the remake adds more dialogue, improved graphics, and a slightly larger map. The mountain fortress is more detailed, with more NPCs and side activities. The combat system is modernized, but the difficulty curve remains similar. If you played the original, you will recognize the layout, but the remake adds new paths and secrets, so explore thoroughly.

Alternatives to the Main Quest Path

You are not forced to follow the linear path. You can join the new camp or the swamp camp instead of the Old Camp, but that is a separate storyline. Within Chapter 1, you can also do side quests like helping the farmers, finding lost items, or learning a trade. These are optional but give extra experience and money. The main focus, however, remains the fortress tasks.

Safety and Fair Play

There is no real-world safety issue here, but in-game, save often. The game has no autosave in the original, and the remake may have limited checkpoints. Use multiple save slots. Also, be aware of the game’s difficulty – some fights are meant to be avoided. If you are stuck, look for a non-combat solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the sword quest?

No, the sword quest is mandatory to progress past Chapter 1. Bloodwyn will not let you leave the valley without it. You can, however, choose how to get the sword – fight, steal, or persuade.

Where is Lares exactly?

Lares is in the new camp, which is in the eastern part of the valley. He is usually near the entrance or in a hut. Look for a scout with a bow. If you cannot find him, ask other NPCs for directions.

How do I get the ore without fighting the orcs?

There is a hidden entrance to the mine through a cave near the beach. You can also use a pickaxe to break a weak wall. Sneaking past the orcs is possible if you have the stealth skill or a potion of invisibility.

What happens if I join another camp?

Joining another camp is part of the main story, but it happens after Chapter 1. In Chapter 1, you are still a prisoner of the Old Camp. Your choices in the quests affect which camp you can join later, but you cannot switch until Chapter 2.

Is the remake harder than the original?

Generally, the remake is slightly easier due to improved controls and a better tutorial, but the combat is still challenging. The quests are the same, so the difficulty comes from the same places – early game weakness and lack of guidance.

Can I complete Chapter 1 without killing anyone?

Yes, a pacifist run is possible. You can steal the sword, sneak past orcs, and use dialogue to avoid fights. It is harder but doable. You will miss some experience, but you can get it from side quests.

Related

Formula used
in t | Time spent (hours) | h | 10 | 0 | 168
in d | Distance traveled (km) | km | 5 | 0 | 100
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / t | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →