Everything about Nethergate totally explained
» For the British brewery, see Nethergate Brewery.
Nethergate is a computer-based
historical-fiction fantasy role-playing game by
Spiderweb Software available for the
Macintosh and
Microsoft Windows platforms. The game was released in
1999 by
Jeff Vogel, and was Spiderweb Software's first game to feature a 45°
Isometric viewing angle.
Nethergate offers the feature of being able to play on either side of the story, as
Celts or
Romans. The game has a plot which allows for several endings and many side quests, which flow alongside the main story. Spiderweb Software released a remake called
Nethergate Resurrection
in May of 2007.
Plot
The Player begins with a party of four characters, who are either "A small band of Roman Soldiers sent to the Shadowvale to complete a mysterious mission," or a "Band of young Celtic warriors told by your chief to go to the village of Nethergate for mysterious reasons." Shadowvale is an isolated valley controlled by the
Brigantes and the games events take place during the time of
Boudica's rebellion in
60/
61. The linear missions of the Romans and the Celts complement each other to a certain extent. Romans are first faced with retrieving a satchel with vital information for Shadow Valley Fort from a nearby mine infested with Goblins, while the Celts' first mission is to acquire a bronze token from a nearby pit in which Goblins have made their fortification. From there, both sides make their way to the house of the Three Crones, who are very similar to the
Three Fates of
Greek Mythology. The Crones aid the Romans in interfering with the Celts' Mission to get a contract from the Sidhe Faeries who lived in the valley long before humans by imprisoning you if you're a party of Celts, and telling you what you must do next as Romans, as well as rewarding you for missions which involved
grave robbing and
assassination. The next location of travel is a ruined faerie hall, in which you acquire a contract between the Sidhe and the village of Nethergate, explaining that the party must retrieve three magical items: a Fomorian’s Stone Skull, The Eye of Cathrac, and the Crown of Annwn. Once these items have been acquired, the party journeys to the Spire of Ages, where the Celts aid the Faerie leader in escaping this world, while the Romans attempt to interrupt him. In the "best" ending for both sides, Shadow Valley Fort is destroyed, the village of Nethergate is evacuated, and the enchanted weapons meant for the Celts have been destroyed.
Gameplay
Nethergate’s gameplay is in an isometric view, and is somewhat a stepping stone between that of
Blades of Exile and
Avernum, as it uses the pseudo-3D of
Avernum, with a battle and conversation system which more resembles
Blades of Exile
Nethergate is unique among Spiderweb Software games in being the only game to use a spell system consisting of Spell Circles, instead of the "Mage" and "Priest" spell system featured in the Exile and Avernum series. Certain Circles have skill restrictions on them based on the character's level of Druidism, skill in other circles, and Faction.
Spell Circles
Health Circle – Available to Celts and Romans, can only be as high as Druidism Skill, contains spells used for healing characters
War Circle – Available to Celts and Romans, can only be as high as Druidism Skill, contains spells used for shielding and boosting your characters, as well as causing harm to hostile NPC’s
Beast Circle – Available to Celts at start of game, Romans must earn it by completing a quest, may only be as high as War Circle skill for Celts, fixed value for Romans, contains spells for summoning creatures
Craft Circle – Available to Celts at start of game, Romans must earn it by completing a quest, may only be as high as the War Circle skill for Celts, fixed value for Romans, contains spells for aiding in travel around the game
Spirit Circle – Available to Celts at beginning of game, Romans must find it, may only be as high as the lower of Craft or Beast circle as Celts, fixed value for Romans, contains spells for damaging magical creatures and blocks
Nether Circle – Grouping of five spells, which may only be used by the Celts, also the most powerful and hard-to-find spells
Further Information
Get more info on 'Nethergate'.
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