The cypher

Trivia

• Purely for laughs, the citizens of Gran Soren may be grabbed and thrown into the Everfall with minimal consequences. Tossing Arsmith and Mountebank into the Everfall in this manner, however, will temporarily deprive the party of their services (until they re-spawn 7 in-game days later).
• The fifteen chambers of the Everfall are named after reactions or states of mind which can be caused by loss, in what is a plausible order of their coming.
• Chamber of Hope, being the last, may be a reference to saying «Hope dies last».
• Chests at circular rooms of Chamber of Estrangement, Chamber of Fate and Chamber of Resolution spawn separately for each enemy set and technically may be looted twice per visit.

Enemies

Inhabitants include several Undead, Undead Warriors, Stout Undead, Giant Rats, Spiders, Phantoms, Skeletons including Skeleton Knights and Skeleton Mages, and a lesser Ogre.

During the quest A Parting Gift a Specter may be encountered, and during the Dark Arisen quest An Unseen Rival III two Living Armors.

Entrances and exits

The Catacombs’ main entrance is to the north of Deos Hills with a Riftstone next to it. Two other entrances to the Catacombs exist, but are initially blocked :

• Under the large bridge over the river near Gran Soren — an entrance in the bridges foundations, south of the Storage Shed (Catacombs Rear Passage 2) connecting to the northwestern part of the Catacomb’s ‘Third Level Underground’
• An entrance close to the Collapsed Meeting Room in the Estan Plains outside Gran Soren (Catacombs Rear Passage 1), connecting to the southestern part of the ‘Second Level Underground’.

Lower levels

The lower level (First Level Underground) can initially only be accessed via a lift. Underground tunnels and caverns lead to a second area of the Catacombs. Here the Gathering Hall chamber, in which the Arisen encounters Julien and the Elysion during Seeking Salvation has several «Remaining Eye» symbols painted on its walls. From this region there are the two minor exits from these caverns to above ground.

The path to the very lowest level is barred by locked gates — the gate on the first floor, next to the lift, is unlocked by the First Key To Salvation; the double gates on the second level, leading to a group of Stout Undead, is unlocked by the Second Key To Salvation. Within the lowest level is the Confessional Chamber, locked behind a magic door.

Sources

• Dragon’s Dogma characters (Capcom) Biographies
• Dragon’s Dogma Digital Comic (Capcom, YouTube channel, R18)
  • Chapter 1 «City of Viete»
  • Chapter 2 «Barta Crags»
  • Chapter 3 «Estan Plains»
  • Chapter 4 «The Cursed Mountain»
• Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma: A Look at the Development of Capcom’s Open-World Action Role-Playing Game (28 March 2013) Game Developers Conference, Hideaki Itsuni.
  • GDC 2013: Hideaki Itsuno — «Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma: A Look at the Development of Capcom’s Open-World Action Role-Playing Game» archive.org
  • Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma: A Look at the Development of Capcom’s Open-World Action Role-Playing Game www.gdcvault.com
  • Behind The Scenes Of Dragon’s Dogma www.youtube.com
  • Articles :
    • ［GDC 2013］“BBSのような手軽さ”の追求がポーンを生んだ。企画書から探る「Dragon’s Dogma」の原型 (27 Mar 2013), in Japanese, www.4gamer.net
    • 新しいシステムを理解してもらう難しさ (3 April 2013), in Japanese, www.famitsu.com
    • GDC 13: カプコン伊津野氏が明かした『Dragon’s Dogma』の企画が通るまで (29 Mar 2013), in Japanese, www.gamespark.jp
    • 【GDC 2013】「ドラゴンズドグマ」伊津野英昭氏講演レポート (30 Mar 2013), in Japanese, game.watch.impress.co.jp
• Dragon’s Dogma: Official Design Works (ISBN 1926778928) (2012)

Speculation

See also: Dragon’s Dogma World and Lore

One likely theory, is that the Dragonforged faced the Dragon in battle, but was forced to fight with his hands due to his weapon (a spear) breaking — evidence for this is the Dragonforged burnt arms, and the tip of a broken spear found at the Hillfigure Knoll (see Signs of Valor) — there are cryptic references to these on inscriptions inside the Dragonforged cave. His moniker «Dragonforged» could be a reference to having fought a Dragon barehanded, as Dragonforging is usually applied only to weapons used against a Dragon.

The Fool tells the Arisen that «The Dragonforged suffered mortal injury in combat with the wyrm, ..» — so it is clear he fought the Dragon, but neither can have been victorious. What happened thereon is a matter of speculation.

Most of these theories rely on Leonart/The Dragonforged accepting the Dragon’s pact — however it is known that the Dragonforged did fight the Dragon — perhaps he was forced into a bargain or sorts on being unable to obtain victory. His own words speak to his sense of failure, not to outright capitulation. Perhaps both achieved a victory of sorts, not by killing the Dragon, but at least driving it back for a time.

As he notes in his conversations with the Arisen that he did not trust in other people- perhaps was not close enough to anyone to have a beloved to sacrifice like the Duke and the present day Arisen, and so was unable to form a pact. A further possible complication is that guilt about his any sacrificial decision he had to make may have ‘clouded’ the Dragonforged’s memory of it.

Godking Leonart and other unlikely speculation

Distant relatives ?

An extended theory conflates The Dragonforged, this king, and Godking Leonart all as the same person (making him a distant relative of Aelinore) — though there is little direct evidence for this. However the plot of the novel Dragon’s Dogma : The Beginning reveals Leonart as having taken the Dragon’s bargain before Savan, and so should have died of old age sometime after Savan defeated the Dragon. (Leonart’s fate is unknown)

It has been supposed that the Dragonforged may have been leader of the great kingdom the Arisen sees later in the game, at The Tainted Mountain, to which the Dragon refers during the Final Battle. According to the novel Dragon’s Dogma : The Beginning the fortress at the Tainted Mountain was established 100 before the time of Savan by a king of that region — if the Dragonforged was this king his Dragon would have been defeated by Savan many years ago, and so he should have died of old age long ago. It is possible that the Dragonforged exists in some sort of limbo, or perhaps even as undead — he himself describes himself as a ‘revanant’. Also further, circumstantial evidence for this theories is that Grigori describes the destruction of the Tainted Mountain city as » fool’s decision of a man too weak», words similar to the Dragonforged and the Fools own descriptions of themselves. There may yet be some connection between the Tainted Mountain and the Dragonforged.

Pawn Bestiary Knowledge

Daimon casting his Vortex

• Attack his head in his first form
• Attack his chest head in his second form
• Second form chest head screams which try to possess pawns
• Witness the Rift Vortex attack
• Stagger him during the Rift Vortex attack to stop it
• Witness his different attacks (not well known. May need to witness all Daimon’s different attacks for it to be triggered)

In addition to witnessing these techniques, it is necessary for Pawns to participate in killing Daimon 10 times either with their own Arisen or while travelling with others.

More information can be found on the Bestiary page.

Pawn Chatter

«Get swallowed up and it’s all over!»

«Distance will not spare you from its claws!»

«A nightmare… ‘Tis a nightmare made real…»

«Stand as far from that tear as you’re able!»

«That portal it opens… Is that the Rift?!»

«‘Tis a Rift, I’m certain! But how…?»

«Brute force and magick…and both well lethal!»

«The great head sprouting from its belly controls the rest!»

«Dragon’s breath?!»

«‘Tis not the same creature… I sense the dragon!»

Loot

The temple is quite rich in useful items including weapons and armor. Additionally, several Ore deposits may yield Priceless Artifacts, which are unique to this area. Also found only here are Waterfell Gentian Leaves and Waterfell Gentian Roots both from the same plant species.

Chests

There are five chests holding Altar Slates, and another holds the Watergod’s Altar Lever.

Overview

Fournival Frescobaldi is a merchant and businessman, and the father of Symone. Together they are resident in Fournival Manor, a high status dwelling in the Noble Quarter of Gran Soren.

Fournival is a shrewd busnissman, but his dealings may have led him into taking on questionable, unethical, or possibly illegal trades. He is first encountered by the Arisen as he seeks the rapid eviction of a family from his house in the quest Land of Opportunity, and later matters turn even more serious as he becomes the focus of a criminal investigation during the quest Trial and Tribulations — on charges including treason.

He has friends in high places including Geffrey, the high priest at Gran Soren Cathedral; Fedel, one of the Duke’s closest advisors; and Ser Daerio, the captain at Windbluff Tower — he finds favor mostly due to his importance to the smooth working of Gransys’ economy. However, circumstantial evidence, including documents such as the Gift Ledger, his association with Ser Daerio, and more dammingly Ansell’s testimony suggest that some of his activities were criminal, and he may have even have been abetting the uprising at Windbluff Tower. His true guilt or innocence is unknown leaving the Arisen with an interesting moral dilemma should they involve themselves with his trial.

Notes

• The Chamber of Confusion is only visitable once, and not after the Evil Eye that dwells there is defeated.
• The post-Dragon Everfall can be entered from either the lower entrance of the Pawn Guild or by jumping into the gaping hole in town center of Gran Soren.
• Monsters (such as Dragons, Cockatrices, Archydras and Evil Eyes) and chests within the Everfall will re-spawn every three (in-game) days.
• Use the grapple button to grab onto the ledge as it approaches, preventing Fall Damage

  Fall damage in the post-Dragon Everfall is not the same as in the rest of Gransys. Face-planting onto ledges will only inflict a fixed 200 health of damage, regardless of the distance of the fall. Disregarding one’s health in this manner to absorb minor injury will preclude the 9 second cutscene of the Arisen grabbing onto and climbing up the ledge platform. Pressing will also skip the cutscene.

  when timed correctly.

• Due to the high drop rate of Wakestone Shards and Wakestones

  The drop rate of Wakestones is increased by holding the Dragon’s Tears (Drake’s Tear, Wyrm’s Tear, Wyvern’s Tear) in the Arisen’s inventory.

  in the Everfall, farming and selling them is a good way to make quick money.

• Some rare Everfall loot may be more easily found in Bitterblack Island chests with considerably higher rates or as cursed Bitterblack items. Most Everfall weapons may also be obtained by purifying a cursed Bitterblack Weapon Lv.1

  Of the items found in the Everfall, only the Grisly Greaves; Grisly Bracers; Holy Cuisses; Crimson Gauntlets, Crimson Sabatons, Shadow Greaves, and Dark Lorica are not yet known to have been found on Bitterblack Isle.

  .

Walkthrough

This quest becomes available after completing both Trial and Tribulations and Griffin’s Bane. Obtain the quest by speaking with Aldous and selecting «Assist Ser Mercedes».

Speak with Mercedes and travel to the tower

Rebellion at the tower

After accepting the quest from Aldous, exit the castle and speak with Mercedes at the front gate to the Noble Quarter. Apparently, there is unrest among the soldiers at the Stone of the North (the Windbluff Tower).

After speaking with Mercedes, she will depart for the Windbluff Tower. Travel north to the Windbluff Tower, besieged by two groups of soldiers engaged in battle. Leave the soldiers to fight among themselves and head up the stairs to the main castle building.

In the upper courtyard, Mercedes confronts Julien and they duel.

Observe the Duel

The duel between Mercedes and Julien has two different outcomes. Each outcome grants different reward weapons and will impact the game differently, so choose which outcome is preferable:

Julien wins.

Idly observe the duel or walk out of the courtyard during the duel. Mercedes will lose the duel. Julien escapes and Mercedes will hand over her Silver Rapier. Julien will automatically win if the Arisen takes part in the fight and damages Mercedes or if Julien lands an attack on the Arisen.

Julien is defeated.

Interfere in the fight and slay Julien. The time the Arisen can intervene is limited to Mercedes being hit three times. After Julien is slain, attempting to walk away will play a cutscene and cut off the opportunity to aid Julien or give gifts to Mercedes. If Julien is revived it will be possible later to obtain the Wizard’s Vizard magic shield. Note: Reviving Julien before this particular cutscene plays is necessary or he will disappear; it is triggered only when the Arisen reaches a particular spot in front of the open doorway that serves as an exit. It is also possible to give Mercedes gifts until this particular cutscene plays if the player wishes to maximize her affinity towards the Arisen. After attempting to walk away, the cutscene plays and a disappointed Mercedes will hand over a Cutlass.

The Arisen sides with Julien

If the Arisen interfers with the duel, and attacks Mercedes she will be defeated. In this case she gives the Arisen a Cutlass before departing.

The last possible moment to interfere is right after Mercedes says «Rrgh…! Bastard!» while Julien is beating down on her shield with his Threaded Cudgel. Otherwise the cutscene in which Mercedes is bested starts.

Report Back to Aldous

Heading down the Windbluff Tower stairs, the battle between the soldiers has been decided. Speaking with Ser Daerio before leaving provides some interesting background information. Head back to Gran Soren, and report to Aldous.

Outcomes

Regardless of the duel’s outcome, Mercedes is crestfallen and plans to leave for Hearthstone to gather aid for Gransys.

If Julien is slain, and then revived with a Wakestone he will admit defeat and return to the Duke’s Demesne of his own volition, turning himself in for his crimes. He can then be later found in the castle dungeon. Speak with Julien in his cell and he will gift you his Magick Shield, the Wizard’s Vizard.

After the rebellion the fort is deserted, with all the rebellious guards and Ser Daerio slain. Ser Francis may be found outside the tower after the battle.

Notes

• If the Arisen wishes to rapidly accumulate Experience Points early in the game, then fighting the Wight’s summoned minions whilst not killing the Wight allows this. Use Weal effect items to double experience gain. Unequip pawn’s bows and staves to prevent ranged attacks on the Wight.
• Wights will re-spawn after around five in-game days.
• In The Bloodless Stockade, it is not unheard of to see a Wight get stuck behind a pillar and an archway making it rather difficult to hit the main body with arrows. If this happens move closer and attack to cease its casting, or move away far enough so the Wight moves itself away from its cover.

References

1. See «Behind the scenes of Dragon’s Dogma»
2. From pawn conversations in the post dragon everfall
3. Early conceptions of the world included a moon. See «Behind the scenes of Dragon’s Dogma». There are also references to a moon in placenames, such as Moonsbit Pass, Moonshower Cliffs, and The Bluemoon Tower, making the absense of a moon in the night sky even more odd.
4. Early versions of the world story included a battle on the Moon, which was also to be the abode of the «Guardian» (Seneschal). See «Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma».
5. The great Dragon on Death speaks deus ultra astrum (latin: ‘God beyond the stars’)
6. An ‘Elven haven» is referred to beyond the witchwood. See «Behind the scenes of Dragon’s Dogma»
7. From Mercede’s Tale
8. ↑ From Aelinore’s Tale
9. ↑ Gran Soren (Capcom, Youtube) Around 250 years ago the Liogran Peninsula was divided into Liore in the west and Gransys in the east. The dukes of each region were forced to answer to officials sent from the mainland. Not long after, Gran Soren was named the capital of Gransys.
10. See the description in Set of Voldoan Armor.
11. Based on early descriptions of the world. See «Behind the scenes of Dragon’s Dogma»
12. ↑ From Edmun’s Tale
13. From the Adaro’s Tale
14. Inference: The Grand Cathedral of the Faith is located in Auldring on the mainland, and is of higher importance than Gran Sorens Cathedral
15. Based on the narrative of Savan’s story — see Comic : 1. City of Viete
16. ↑ From the novel Dragon’Dogma : The Beginning
17. Based on early conceptional maps of the island. See «Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma»
18. • ドラゴンズドグマオンライン文字翻訳６ ameblo.jp
    • 【DDON】ソーサラーの詠唱の豆知識 ddon-rion.blog.jp
19. ↑ Pawn testament on the purpose of Catacombs, Watergod’s Altar, and Bluemoon Tower.
20. Based on the elevated position of the upper platform of the structure, and the statues of the flying Griffins; inference made from the assumption (from known earth and water deities) of a group of gods each controlling a natural «element». Pawns comment that the upper appear to be suitable for temple use.
21. See
22. ↑ From the Elysion’s Tale
23. — on Eternity — Each beast, each blade of grass, each human life is born to die and be born again in endless rhythm
24. Seneschal (at the resolution of final battle between Seneschal and Arisen) : Arisen… Forgive me. All I’ve done was to test your will. It is the fate of all Arisen… You and I are swept up in the current, same as the rest. Each tempers the volition of the next, and the endless cycle continues.
25. Seneschal — on will — And so the dragon is sent into the world to guide the Arisen, and refine them. To temper their wills into aught capable of sustaining the world
26. Seneschal — on the Seneschal — The Seneschal is steward to the world… The world you traveled now rests in your care. Just as the Arisen calls pawns into being and sets them to motion, the Seneschal holds dominion over all living things. There are those who would call such a being Maker, or God. I cannot deny the claim, any more than affirm it. In the end, they are but words.
27. Passing references in Edmun’s tale
28. From the Dragonforged’s tale
29. Comic : 1. City of Viete
30. Comic : 2. Barta Crags
31. Comic : 3. Estan Plains
32. ↑ Comic: 4. The Cursed Mountain
33. Dragon’s Dogma — Prologue quest : «The End at the Beginning»
34. The dead Arisen then becomes the servant of the Seneschal. See Servitude
35. This is made explicit in the story of Dark Arisen, specifically in the account of an Arisen who fell in battle with the Seneschal; see Grette and Grette’s Account.
36. Mentioned in passing the Elysion’s Tale
37. The Tower of Bable Peter Breughel the Elder (1563)
38. The Twilight of the Idols, Or, How to Philosophise with the Hammer; the Antichrist; Notes to Zarathustra, and Eternal Recurrence , Volume 16 of ‘The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche’, translated by Anthony A. Ludovici (1911) p.250
39. Dragon’s Dogma Has Guts, The Berserk Character (Siliconera, 16 Feb 2012)
40. Behind the Scenes of Dragon’s Dogma (GDC, 2013)

Sources

1. ↑ Dragon’s Dogma: How Hideaki Itsuno is taking on Skyrim and the world (20 Mar 2012) www.videogamer.com
2. Dragon’s Dogma Explained By Staff: A single-player multiplayer RPG?(13 Apr 2011) www.1up.com, archived 27 May 2016
3. ↑ Resident Evil 4 Creators Working On Dragon’s Dogma
4. ↑ Dragon’s Dogma Interview Part 2: RPGs And The Role Of The Breath Of Fire Designer (5 Sep 2011) www.siliconera.com
5. Hiroyuki Kobayashi on Resident Evil 4 & Killer 7(27 Sep 2004) gamespy.com
6. ↑ Developer Interview 2011 — No.5 Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Capcom Investor Relations) www.capcom.co.jp
7. ↑ ［GDC 2013］“BBSのような手軽さ”の追求がポーンを生んだ。企画書から探る「Dragon’s Dogma」の原型 (27 Mar 2013) www.4gamer.net (Japanese)
8. 新しいシステムを理解してもらう難しさ (3 April 2013) www.famitsu.com
9. GDC 13: カプコン伊津野氏が明かした『Dragon’s Dogma』の企画が通るまで (29 Mar 2013) www.gamespark.jp
10. 【GDC 2013】「ドラゴンズドグマ」伊津野英昭氏講演レポート (30 Mar 2013) game.watch.impress.co.jp
11. The Daunting Localization of Dragon’s Dogma (Erin Ellis, 19 Apr 2012, www.capcom-unity.com)
12. Dragon’s Dogma’s Unique Localization Effort: An Interview with Erin Ellis (Erik Rederiksen, 22 Aug 2012, www.technobuffalo.com)
13. Dragon’s Dogma Reveal (13 Apr 2011, www.andriasang.com, archived 25 Oct 2012)
14. A few bits about Dragon’s Dogma (13 Apr 2011, www.andriasang.com, archived 18 Jul 2011)

Notes

• Ophis is not bothered if the party includes males taken on escort quests.
• Like all bandits, she likes Skulls as a gift. She also appears to enjoy gifts of Harspud Sauce, as a traveller.
• Carrying Ophis’ Badge of Amity nullifies her dislike of males, enabling un-molested transit through the fort.
• Slaying her pet Cyclops then talking to her gives dialog about those events whose news she received from Betiah.
• (BUG) ps3, xbox360 In Dragon’s Dogma

  This can be fixed by attacking her with fists. Attacking her with weapons may kill her easily so it is advised to attack with bare hands. Deal some damage so players can carry her. Once carried, jump down from her castle and continue to carry her outside from her domain. Players can carry her to the area where the cyclops is located on the narrow passage. Drop her and she will just frown for carrying her like the other characters do. Once she does that, speak to her. When Ophis is outside from her domain, the game resets her status and does not become hostile to male characters. She only acts as a unique character when she is in the Heavenspeak Fort.

  it is possible for the players to have difficulties in speaking with Ophis. Ophis and her bandits may be hostile to the Arisen regardless if they and their party are dressed as females or after feeding Ophis’ cyclops, she may not prefer to speak with the Arisen, no matter what is done.

Location

Fournival’s daily schedule takes him around a good part of the city :

.. to 9am — at Fournival Manor

9am — leaves home and heads through the Noble Quarter, past the Gran Soren Cathedral, and down through the barbican tunnel connecting to the Urban Quarter, taking the path behind the Union Inn to the Venery

10.30am — arrives at The Black Cat

10.30am to 4pm — at the Black Cat

4pm — leaves the Black Cat at returns to the Noble Quarter

4pm to 10pm — standing at the gate to the Duke’s Demesne

10pm — returns home

During Post-Game the changes wrought by the Dragon cause Fournival to seek alternative routes..

9am — leaves Fournival Manor- he now travels via the Passage Gate passing briefly through the Craftsman’s Quarter on the way to Fountain Square.

10.30am — he arrives at Arsmith’s Alehouse and begins trading from behind it together with his old acquaintance from the Black Cat — Mountebank.

10.30am to 4pm — at the rear of Arsmith’s

4pm — returns to the Noble Quarter and again returns to the gate leading to the Duke’s Demesne

10pm — returns home

Notes

• During the quest Trial and Tribulations he is held under house arrest at Fournival manor.
• Before leaving home he speaks to Symone outside the Manor — Symone waits there whilst Fournival travels to the Black Cat in the morning.
• If for whatever reason he is rescued from the Dragon during The Final Battle he will take up residence at Your House in Cassardis.
• During Post-Game waiting for Fournival too close to the gates nearest the Noble Quarter within the Passage Gate may cause Fournival to stay at home that day.. Waiting outside the gate at the Craftsman’s Quarter entrance solves this.
• Sources for times include The Dragon’s Dogma signature series guide by BradyGames

Pawn Bestiary Knowledge

For full information, refer to the Bestiary page or the according section on the Cyclops page.

Specific techniques

Weak to Ice.

The Cyclops strategy scrolls will grant knowledge (and therefore Stars) for all members of the Cyclops family which includes the Gorecyclops.

In addition to witnessing these techniques, it is necessary for Pawns to participate in killing 50 Gorecyclopes either with their own Arisen or while travelling with others.

• Gorecyclops and Prisoner Gorecyclops are considered as the same enemy type, thus share the same characteristics (knowledge, kill-count), in a similar way as Cyclops Vs Armored Cyclops.
• Unlike normal Armored Cyclops, this enemy’s body armor cannot be torn off or rent asunder. However, the helmet can be removed by destroying the strap at the back of the neck.

Pawn Chatter

«Shall we leave it be? …Please?» 

«‘Tis enormous!»

«Perhaps we’d do well not to disturb it.»

«Is this giant, too, a prisoner here?»

«‘Tis hideous, even by a cyclops’s measure!»

«The giant has torn free of its bindings!»

«‘Tis too powerful!»

«It’s fallen! Now! Attack!»

«Their tusks are too short to cleave!»

«Cling to its leg — throw it off balance!» (faulty knowledge flag inherited from Cyclops Bestiary)

«Bleed its arm and it’ll drop its weapon!» (correct knowledge flag inherited from Cyclops Bestiary)

«Good! It’s lost its cudgel!» (Gorecyclops is disarmed)

«It makes to throw! Stand ready!» (Gorecyclops picks up a throwable object)

«A brilliant hit!» (when Gorecyclops is disarmed)

«Its armor is rent!» (Gorecyclops drops a piece of armor)

Gameplay

Dragon’s Dogma allows the player to create their own character, whose gender and appearance can be altered to the player’s liking. The player can select one of three classes (called Vocations) for their character.

• Fighter — A class focused on attacking. Uses swords and shields for blocking enemy attacks.
• Mage — A class focused on magic. Uses staves.
• Strider — A class focused on speed. Uses daggers for close combat and bows for ranged attacks

Players will be given three AI controlled teammates called Pawns, who can be issued commands, such as «Go«, «Help«, and «Come«. These characters will assist the player by giving information about enemies, among other things.

Dragon’s Dogma offers a new feature to the action game genre: allowing the player to grab onto enemies to allow for a more varied means of attacking. For example, the player can grab onto the legs of a Griffin and then climb up it to attack its head for more damage.

A huge open world set in the land of Gransys full of monsters will be available for the player to explore and quest within, as well as a large city environment, in which over 200 NPCs who will freely go about their day-to-day lives. These NPCs can be talked to with full voice acting.

Players will supposedly be able to look forward to between 30 and 100 hours, the former being for players who play normally, and the latter for players who wish to play the game to its fullest.

Pawn Bestiary Knowledge

Wing destruction. Note the Drake’s reel, the pawn’s immediate comment, the Great Dragon Alula as loot, and the immediate Dragon Roar once the Drake recovers

For full details of all Dragon species, see the Bestiary

Dragon species knowledge

• Draconian Strategy Vol. 1 — Knocking a Dragon off balance and to the ground will expose its heart.
• Draconian Strategy Vol. 2 — A Dragon is vulnerable to being staggered or knocked down when it is preparing its breath attack.
• Destroy the wings to ground them for the remainder of the fight. After knowledge is triggered Pawns will state «‘Tis grounded, Master!» or «On solid ground, the advantage is ours!»
• Destroyed horns drop as loot immediately. Pawns will notice «The horn is destroyed!»
• While a Dragon is hovering, attack its head, heart or wings to knock it to the ground.
• When a Dragon grabs a pawn and tries to possess them, a strong hit to the Dragon’s foreleg holding the pawn will stagger it and release the pawn.
• Strike the heart.
• Strike the face to stagger the beast creating opening.

Drake specific

Weak to Ice

In addition to witnessing these techniques, it is necessary for Pawns to participate in killing 15 Drakes either with their own Arisen or while traveling with others. Kills on Firedrakes also count towards the kill count.

Items Sold

For details of the numbered stages, see Story Progression Stages, or the overview article ‘Quests’.

Fournival’s range is limited, but what he does sell is of good use — he sells unlimited quantities of items that boost strength, magick, or defense, as well as useful weal granting items; he sells several unique items including the Maker’s Finger arrow, the Dragon’s Gaze crystal, and the Magnanimous Cloak.

If found innocent during Trial and Tribulations, Fournival will reduce the prices of his items considerably, selling Ferrystones for 1,000 Gold each (Dark Arisen) . His stock of Wakestone Shards and Ferrystones renew every eight days.

Curatives

Tools

Languages and Writing

People in Gransys speak a similar language to those ‘beyond the rift’ who play the game.. It seems that the peoples of Gransys, Liore, Hearthstone, and Voldoa all share a common language they can communicate with, though each has a distinctive accent.

Writing is not uncommon in Gransys and elsewhere, as attested by various scroll carrying scribes that are often seen, especially in Gran Soren. Further it seems that the use of a written language dates back a considerable time, as attested by such items as the Ancient Slate, or the Altar Slates. There are also places of learning — the center of which may be the Great Library in Auldring.

People in Gransys use the ‘Gransys Alphabet’, and literacy is common enough for it to be worthwhile to add text to shop signs. The widespread use of Books, scrolls and letters suggest literacy is common, if not universal.

There is also an set of alphabetical runes associated with spellcasting — it appears on the casting sigils, such as that used by Magick Archers. This alphabet has been decoded from writings found in Lestania.

There appears to be inscriptions on Riftstones, but this is a different script to the common one of Gransys. Possibly this same ancient script occurs on some artifacts described as ancient — i.e. the Hero’s Surcoat, and Ancient Robe — it may be that this script has some relation to the Wyrmspeak.

Wyrmspeak

In Gransys Wyrmspeak is considered the language of Dragons — it is an ancient language, and understanding of it is mostly lost.

It may be that this language was once the native language of Gransys many years ago, as it seems that only those whose memory stretches back many hundreds of years can understand this language. The Dragonforged understands it. The Ancient Slate, Ancient Tablet, and possibly the Hero’s Surcoat and Ancient Robe may contain writings in Wyrmspeak.

(In-game Wyrmspeak is represented by an unknown language when spoken by Dragons.)

Dialect and Unique Words

Gransys residents speak an archaic form of english, with terms such as Aught,Thou, and Tis used in place of modern synonyms («Something», «You», «It’s»). Additionally there are somewords that seem unique to Gransys, including Southron (for ‘Southern’) as in Southron Oregano or Southron Iron, and Westron (for ‘Western’) as in Westron Labrys Bandits.

A few things are unclear in meaning in comparison to the world outside Gransys: for example Harspud (as in Harspud Milk) appears to be some sort of root vegetable, but it is unclear whether this is synonymous for a potato, or something else.

Additionally many of the names of regions in Gransys have no clear parallel in the outside world, and lack an obvious etymology eg «Vestad», «Verda», «Deos», «Cobal», «Manamia», as well as the names of several of the wider region’s countries.