0. Comments on this release
1. About this FAQ
2. Credits
3. What is "Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows over Riva"?
4. Technical requirements
4.1 Screen resolution
5. How do I contact Sir-Tech or Attic?
6. Game start, general play info
6.1 A good starting party
a Start from scratch
b Import veteran party
6.2 General equipment which is important (he,rz,rb)
6.3 The battle screen (rb)
a How do I defeat monsters which I cannot reach?
7. Missions in the game
7.1 General tips
7.2 Main plot
7.2.1 The graveyard
a Where is the entrance the secret lab?
b How can I open the entrance?
c Is there a way to get into the Feylamia grave?
7.2.2 The sewers
a Nothing happens, what should I do?
7.2.3 Guild membership and Adrian Seehoff
a Where is Adrian Seehoff?
b The party makes too much noise and I lost him.
c Help! I'm standing in front of the bridge and I lost him.
7.2.4 The Holberker mission
a The dogs fight the party instead of running away!
b I can't open the door to the tower!
c The party keeps falling into the swamp!
d The statue asks me for its name!
7.2.5 The pirate ship
a Shall I join the pirates?
b After some time, the ship mate sends troops!
c I don't know the solutions the the riddles!
7.2.6 Mandaras apartment
a Leah is just gone!
b How can I find the lamp?
7.2.7 Castle Riva
a The cook is not in the kitchen!
b Sun has risen and the guards are coming!
7.2.8 The sunken ship
a Where are the rebellious necker (seamen)?
b How can I open the door?
c The water elementals are hard to beat!
d Uh-oh. The chest is empty.
7.2.9 The magic ant hill
a The battle with your alter egos
b How can I construct the flute?
7.3 Sub-quests
7.3.1 Stipen's final exam
a "... and are hanging with mourning / sorrow all year"
b "... there is a picture of ... "
c "... a man (Lomar) was slain ..."
d "... I'm standing here on wet feet ..."
e Where is the ring?
7.3.2 Lomar's magic boots
a Where is Lomar?
b What shall I do?
7.3.3 The dwarven mine
a Where is the mine?
b Shall I jump down the shaft?
c Where is the book?
d What word wants the magic mouth know?
8 The NPC's
8.1 Thorgrim (he, rb)
8.2 Mandara
8.3 Eleana ("Leah")
8.4 Stipen (he)
8.5 Yann
8.6 Zorka
9. Savegame editors
10. The Soapbox section
10.1 Shall I buy Daggerfall or Shadows over Riva?
10.2 Shadows over Riva sucks, because ...
10.2.1 ... the game uses the StarTrail engine.
10.2.2 ... it is a "pixelfest" and technically outdated.
10.2.3 ... you are used to play Diablo or Ultima Underworld.
0. Comments on this release (0.99)
Due to many, many requests of english-speaking persons who have problems
with the english release of Shadows over Riva, I decided to translate the
textual part of my german FAQ (only available in HTML) into english before
someone tries to use a program to translate it (mad idea).
This FAQ is its release more or less a 1:1 english transcript of the
German version and does not include the latest problems which were
recently posted on comp.sys.ibm.pc.rpg.
But I do know that some people have problems with the printed manual;
this was in the german version no problem because there is an on-line
manual (RivaHelp) which can be accessed during the game via F1 and outside
the game with RivaHelp.bat.
Other topics that are already covered (because I hate these threads):
- shall I buy Daggerfall or SoR?
- SoR sucks, because of its old engine, graphics ...
The solutions for the riddles of the ship's kobold (german: Klaubautermann) and the magic mouth may
also be incorrect because I do not own the english version of Riva (I
have the german one), so they are only translations, so the german
equivalents will be included. If these solutions are incorrect,
please correct me.
Lastly, an update to 1.00 will be quickly made after uploading the FAQ
and looking in this newsgroup for problems. I only have access to the
internet, email and similar services via the university, so expect the
update in one or two days.
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1. About this FAQ
This FAQ answers frequently asked questions about the game "Realms of
Arkania 3: Shadows over Riva" (short: SoR) from Attic (english
translation: Sir-Tech) which appear on the newsgroup comp.sys.ibm.pc.rpg.
The main author is Stefan Schatzl (email: stefan.schatzl@jk.uni-linz.ac.at)
and if you have any suggestions, comments or additions please email me or
(preferred) fill out the email form on my homepage.
The link is
http://linz.info.at/students/stefan.schatzl/quickcmt.htm
(is in english).
Due to the fact that I'm no English native speaker, there can be several
spelling, grammar or word order mistakes. If you find any, you can also
send me a mail.
The FAQ will be regularly updated about once a week and then it will be
posted on the comp.sys.ibm.pc.rpg and uploaded to my homepage, where you
can find it under the link in the table of contents under "Shadows over
Riva FAQ vX.XX (english version)".
The link to my homepage is:
http://linz.info.at/students/stefan.schatzl/index.html
If you want to mirror my FAQ please send me the link of your mirror in
order to put it into the FAQ.
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3. What is "Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows over Riva"?
SoR is classical fantasy CRPG with focus on story-development,
setting and atmosphere. You control up to six heroes plus one NPC which
occasionally follow you instead of only one hero in degenerated "RPGs" and
is comparable to the Wizardry or Might & Magic games, but in SoR there are
not so much battles with monsters.
Your task is to investigate the harbour city of Riva where more and more
people won't fight the orcs. The main part of the game plays in the
very well designed city, but you can also leave the city to discover the
surrounding area.
SoR needs at least a 486, 8 megs RAM (free base mem: 450 KB), 60 megs hard
disk space (for swapping additional 15 MB), a VGA graphics card and a
CD-ROM.
This is is the absolute minimum configuration, but the recommened
configuration is additionally a Pentium, 16 MB RAM, a mouse, VESA graphics
and a cache to speed up the swapping system (200-500 KB is enough).
The game runs under Windows 95 (full-screen) stable.
4.1 Screen resolution
The game itself runs under normal VGA (320x200), but the intro and the
cut-scenes can be run unter VESA (640x400).
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5. How do I contact Sir-Tech or Attic?
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6. Game start, general play info
6.1 A good starting party
a Start from scratch
The final dungeon and the mage tower require much endurance from
the party, so forget weak character classes like acrobat or jester.
A strayer / thief (unsure, what term is used for "Streuner") is
easily outmatched by a dwarf. So don't use this character class.
b Import veteran party
Generally, if you import a veteran party from Star Trail or Blade of
Destiny the game gets somewhat easier, because of the accumalated
experience and items (yes, no items will be taken away).
6.2 General equipment which is important (he,rz,rb)
key ring put all keys in the ring and you save lots of inventory
space
sleeping bag increases regeneration
hook'n'rope for general purpose, eg getting out of a pit
lamp, torch no need to cast the light spell or use the staff magic
shovel for digging...
crowbar for breaking in...
healing potions each hero should have one or two of them in his/her
inventory
alchemy set make your own potions
herbs see manual, many things can be made with them
6.3 The battle screen (rb)
Some tips here:
- have always a second weapon in your inventory in case your readied one
breaks
- concentrate your weapons on one monster, encircle and kill it
- mages should avoid hand-to-hand combat, they're weak.
- one hero should only be endangered by one monster, if there is a second
monster next to him, he cannot defend itself versus the second one.
- the enemy mages and archers are the most dangerous ones.
- don't let the computer fight for you, he is a bad tactician and sends
the mages into HTH combat after they spent all their astral energy.
- armor is good, but don't forget that the heroes get encumbered.
- if possible, save before combat.
a How do I defeat monsters which I cannot reach?
There are some guys and monsters (Water Dragon, Demon, Toranor) which
the party cannot reach in HTH combat. What to do?
Use either heavy projectile weapons (heavy crossbow, long bow) or
magic at full power (magic level 12+) to kill them ASAP.
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7. Missions in the game
7.1 General tips
- After completing the sub-quests you often can find magical items.
- If you enter the magic ant hill, there is no return possibility than
defeating the villain of the whole game.
- Two quests have a secured play area, that means that you can't leave
the quest location until you finished the quest.
- In some dungeons there are rooms where the party can safely rest, drink
and eat. You only have to find these rooms.
7.2 Main plot
7.2.1 The graveyard
a Where is the entrance the secret lab?
When the party enters the graveyard, they are standing in front of
three graves. The middle one is the entrance.
b How can I open the entrance?
Think logically. What do I need to dig up a grave?
c Is there a way to get into the Feylamia grave?
There is a key in the lab which opens a passage to the grave.
7.2.2 The sewers
a Nothing happens, what should I do?
Visit the rat catcher first.
7.2.3 Guild membership and Adrian Seehoff
a Where is Adrian Seehoff?
He lives near the Travia temple (game start). It is advisable to save
before you talk to him.
b The party makes too much noise and I lost him.
Use the splitting feature and divide the party up.
c Help! I'm standing in front of the bridge and I lost him.
This only occurs on slow computers. Look up in the logbook.
7.2.4 The Holberker mission
You need not kill the mage. Just release the dogs. Yes, you CAN kill
him, but only if you want (eg for score).
a The dogs fight the party instead of running away!
Is the door left open? If not, mission failed because you have to
kill all of them instead of just two or three.
b I can't open the door to the tower!
(grin) This door is specificly designed for people like beggars,
trespassers, burglars, salesmen and similar scum. NO option opens
the door, you can choose between the method of being punished, hehe.
c The party keeps falling into the swamp!
The PC is simply somewhat overloaded, reduce the weight by distributing
items among other PCs or getting rid of items by dropping, selling
or putting them into chests (eg graveyard).
d The statue asks me for its name!
It is BORBARAD; black mage and creator of the borbarad worm.
7.2.5 The pirate ship
There are two magic items hidden in one of the chests lying around.
a Shall I join the pirates?
Bad idea, after some weeks the ship will sink in a storm.
b After some time, the ship mate sends troops!
On what quest are you, killing of all pirates and looting the whole
ship? Nope, the objective is to ESCAPE WITHIN ONE GAME HOUR. So be
quick. Hide, if some loney seaman is walking around and do not enter
the community room, there are no important items or clues.
c I don't know the solutions the the riddles!
(I don't know the *exact* english words here, so I include the
german solution in brackets)
1. NOSE (NASE)
2. SPONGE or FUNGUS (SCHWAMM)
3. SHIP'S KOBOLD or GOBLIN (KLABAUTERMANN)
7.2.6 Mandaras apartment
a Leah is just gone!
Trust her, she'll arrive at time.
b How can I find the lamp?
First, you have to find a ring and then find some wall with a
painting. Enter the painting ONLY with the ring equipped or the
character will be trapped forever in it (in the real RPG called
"Gefesselte Seele", english: bended/trapped soul). Well, there is
the lamp.
After you leave the room, Mandara goes mad and wants to kill the
party, but Leah re-appears and kills the feylamia successfully with
the lamp.
7.2.7 Castle Riva
a The cook is not in the kitchen!
If he is not in the kitchen, he will be in his room (top of the map,
the room in the middle).
b Sun has risen and the guards are coming!
In order to have maximume time, enter the castle when the sun sets.
7.2.8 The sunken ship
a Where are the rebellious necker (seamen)?
They drunk too much and have hidden themselves in a ruin. Just
destroy all bottles or drink all bottles out ;)
b How can I open the door?
Use your mind and think of the LEAD boots which all party members
are wearing. Is that enough?
c The water elementals are hard to beat!
Give one of your mages Lomar's boots, some astral potions to fill up
astral energy and run for the chest. Blocking elementals are easily
destroyed by casting "Ignifaxius".
d Uh-oh. The chest is empty.
Return to the king.
7.2.9 The magic ant hill
Avoid combat if possible, use Transversalis (teleport spell).
Save your astral energy, you'll need it. Take all odd things and
examine it, if they are of any use for the party.
a The battle with your alter egos
There are two options: fight or use the teleport spell.
Strategies for fighting:
- battle the spellcasters with your fighters and vice versa.
- split the party up and go one by one down.
b How can I construct the flute?
You need a thorn and some green stuff (no, not the poisonous one).
7.3 Sub-quests
These quests are only side-quests which can be performed at almost any
time during the main plot. Your reward is either dungeon loot or some
kind of magic item.
7.3.1 Stipen's final exam
(note: as I do not own the english version, these excerpts from the
riddles are transcripts, but you'll surely find the key words)
a "... and are hanging with mourning / sorrow all year"
Look for two weeping willows standing at the coast.
b "... there is a picture of ... "
Look at the walls of Riva for a picture of a dragon near a gate.
c "... a man (Lomar) was slain ..."
This riddle has some connections with Lomar's quest. If you know
where Lomar is, you have solved the riddle.
d "... I'm standing here on wet feet ..."
Ok. Here are some clues: The object you're looking for is not a tree
but is still made out of wood. If you do not know it now, just walk
along the coast and you'll walk in it.
e Where is the ring?
Look for a pile of wood near the magic college.
7.3.2 Lomar's magic boots
a Where is Lomar?
Lomar is near the dwarven mine behind a stone footprint.
b What shall I do?
Just kill him with your best fighter.
7.3.3 The dwarven mine
Caution: there are many, many orcs. During a battle it is possible that
they will get reinforcements, but there are lots of goodies
lying around.
a Where is the mine?
It is in a small valley near Lomar's footprint.
b Shall I jump down the shaft?
Yes, there are some items lying around.
c Where is the book?
On the way to the magic mouth look at the walls and you'll see some
dwarven runes which make up a word. Tell it the mouth and then press
a hidden button near the wall and a small passage opens. Enter it.
d What word wants the magic mouth know?
Look at runes on the walls and you'll know it.
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8 The NPC's
8.1 Thorgrim (he, rb)
He is a dwarf lusting for adventure and waits for you near the market
hall. If he leaves the party, he always returns to his house.
The dwarf leaves the party after its members are accused for murder.
8.2 Mandara
Well, she is an elf who lives in the sewers. The party will find her when
they are looking for the "sewers monster" and she will join them.
However, when you meet the guild for the very first time, Mandara will
reveal her true nature and flees afterwards (in her apartment?).
Shortly before she is destroyed by Leah, she will suck almost all blood
from the party members (the anti-vampire-pills do not help much).
8.3 Eleana ("Leah")
She is the right hand of the guild master, appears some times disguised
as a beggar and will join the party for a short time.
8.4 Stipen (he)
He is the mage student at the local magic college and wants the party
to solve his final exam.
When you encounter monsters with him, terminate all monsters ASAP because
after he has no more AE, he will run to the monsters to battle them
(and surely die).
8.5 Yann
He works on the pirate ship under the service of a tyrannic cook and wants
to leave the ship with the party.
Yann is also as much inexperienced as Stipen, so load him so much up that
he cannot move in the battle.
8.6 Zorka
She is the daughter of the necker king and gives some tips during the
underwater quest. Like Yann and Stipen it is better to protect her.
I know only of savegame editors for the german version, so look up
in the german FAQ or email me.
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10. The Soapbox section
10.1 Shall I buy Daggerfall or Shadows over Riva?
My personal opinion about this decision is that you can't compare
DF and SoR, because the first one is a one PC realtime combat RPG and
the other is turnbased and the party consists of 6 PC + 1 NPC.
The best thing is that you should buy BOTH.
10.2 Shadows over Riva sucks, because ...
10.2.1 ... the game uses the StarTrail engine.
This is NOT true, because I will list here some advancements of the
Riva game engine:
- you can look up and down.
- non-orthogonal walls possible (eg sewers)
- free-standing polygon objects possible (eg tables in the dwarven mine)
- ground and ceiling is no more flat (eg ant hill, dwarven mine, ...)
- 3D window can be full-screen
- good item distributor
- more options for manually-controlled and computer-controlled battle
- better automap (especially in the dungeons)
BTW: There will be a sequel to Riva.
10.2.2 ... it is a "pixelfest" and technically outdated.
Sir-Tech needed about ONE YEAR to translate the game from german into
english and the design and production of the german version took itself
TWO YEARS. So, are games which were released 1994 all outdated? So, if
you like M&M or Wizardry, are these games also outdated?
10.2.3 ... you are used to play Diablo or Ultima Underworld.
... then just go back to your DOOM, Quake, Hexen, Heretic, Outlaws
"baller-wumm-wumm-without-brains" games.
(I played Diablo for a while, but the end level disappointed me A LOT,
and Quake is for me too monotone in graphics, because all things are
either brownish, greenish or blackish in color and very unfair without
cheat modes).
