Fan Mission: The Lieutenant 3: Foreign Affairs by Frost_Salamander

[tib]

A very impressive atmosphere! Thank you Frost_Salamander

[Thief Joe]

First, congratulations and many thanks for a fantastic mission!

And now, my two trouble spots.  I've played almost all the way through the mission, but there are still a couple of places I can't access.

1.) I have no idea how to gain access to the Officer's Lounge!
2.) I have no idea how to access the restaurant office.  I've heard there is a crawlspace to get there and that there is one of the forbidden wine bottles hidden in said crawlspace.  But I can't find the crawlspace!

3.)  There is a bottle in a window near the ministry?  Can't find it!

Please help with these when you have time.  I've enjoyed all your missions thus far and I can't wait for more!

Thanks!

[Frost_Salamander]

On 6/13/2024 at 8:44 AM, Thief Joe said:

First, congratulations and many thanks for a fantastic mission!

And now, my two trouble spots.  I've played almost all the way through the mission, but there are still a couple of places I can't access.

1.) I have no idea how to gain access to the Officer's Lounge!
2.) I have no idea how to access the restaurant office.  I've heard there is a crawlspace to get there and that there is one of the forbidden wine bottles hidden in said crawlspace.  But I can't find the crawlspace!

3.)  There is a bottle in a window near the ministry?  Can't find it!

Please help with these when you have time.  I've enjoyed all your missions thus far and I can't wait for more!

Thanks!

Hi and thanks for playing!  If you still need help, read on.  These are straight up spoilers:

Spoiler

1. To get to the officer's lounge, from the first floor balcony you can climb up the ship pole thing here, and then onto the upper balcony:

2. Restaurant office: when you get to this area, look up and open the grate here:

3. Bottle near ministry office.  Climb down the ivy and peek into this window:

 

Edited June 15 by Frost_Salamander

[Thief Joe]

Thank you so much!  While waiting for approval to join the forum I'd actually found all these, but I thank you very much anyway, as someone else is likely to need these clues as well.  Again, this has been an absolutely fantastic mission and I am already looking forward to your next!

[ChronA]

@Frost_Salamander, I only just started this mission and probably won't finish it soon, but I want to join the chorus singing your praises.

For one thing. the atmosphere you have crafted in this mission is superb. Every single area is a feast for the eyes and ears, especially once one gets inside the city. It fires up my huge nostalgia from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and other Middle Eastern inspired media, except if anything your set dressing is actually better--more detailed and immersive. I love it. But I think you have heard all this already.

Let me hone in on something more original.
Something I am really enjoying here compared to other FMs is that the implementation of security feels (for lack of a better term) realistic. It feels deliberate and adversarial, like you thought about all the ways a thief could get into these spaces, and then intentionally sealed most of them off, just like an actual architect would do.

To get in to most of these spaces, one needs to find an out-of-the-way windows or door. It adds to the atmosphere and realism, but it also makes each area into a challenging little puzzle. My progress may be glacial compared to some other missions, but I feel huge satisfaction each time I manage to crack a new part open. I think this is a winning formula--literally the Dark Souls formula for addictive TDM FM design--and I hope you will stick with it. I'll definitely be going back to play all your other missions I slept on if they are like this.
 

The other thing I really enjoy about your build style here is that it is compact. There's no wasted space that I can see. No palatial pretensions. (Except maybe in the harbor area.) These are spaces sized to their occupants, where the player is challenged to find places to hide on the edges of their inhabitants' routines, rather than the usual approach of having obvious safe vantages and corridors. Each approach has its merits, but you made this work brilliantly. Bravo.

[High John]

Hi.  I would welcome some help on how I get into

Spoiler

the mage's shop.

He wanders by the window so I've tried pickpocketing a key that he may or may not be carrying, but no luck.

I am running v1.0, but have not had problems with it.

[Frost_Salamander]

1 hour ago, High John said:

Hi.  I would welcome some help on how I get into

  Hide contents

the mage's shop.

He wanders by the window so I've tried pickpocketing a key that he may or may not be carrying, but no luck.

I am running v1.0, but have not had problems with it.

Hi - hint:

Spoiler

The way is to the shop is NOT via the ground floor where you are looking.  Look for another way into that building on the upper floors.

 

[High John]

Great playing experience, and a visual feast.  (Not to knock missions set in slums or ruins, but still.)  Nicely demanding.  Some general feedback.

1) Stuff I needed to get a hint for:

Spoiler

a)  Mosque archives being in the basement.  I feel a hint in a readable would've been useful.
b)  Hidden switch for Spencer's archives.  I knew it was in the apartment somewhere.
c)  Getting into Jerry's Jewels.
d)  Getting into Mage's property.
e)  Vineyard.  Only because I didn't realise it was there.  Once I saw mention of it, it was straightforward to reach.

I don't mind some stuff being too difficult for me, but thought it would be useful to know which bits were.

2)  Stuff I nearly needed a hint for:
Officer's Lounge.

Spoiler

This was the only time I found the map useful.  Having been almost everywhere, the map helped me know which area I needed to revisit.  It helped I had been through the War Room once, hadn't found anything, but felt it must be there for a reason(!)

3)  The (drawn) map:
I like incomplete - and sometimes badly hand-drawn - maps.  It is more realistic than 'Deus Ex' maps for The Dark Mod world.
a)  Except for the area mentioned in 2) above though, I found this map too broad-brush to be helpful.
b)  I do get mildly frustrated with missions where I can't really tell if I have been everywhere or not.  I end up going over the same areas 3 or 4 times, to see if I haven't missed anything.  And I still don't know(!)  I don't know if that's a problem with the drawn map, or just the way everything was put together in 3-D.

4)  The restaurant top floor:

Spoiler

I appreciate one wasn't meant to get inside, just lean in through the windows.  But I did once somehow manage to squeeze in through a window.  And then I couldn't get back out!

Excellent work!

[Frost_Salamander]

8 minutes ago, High John said:

Great playing experience, and a visual feast.  (Not to knock missions set in slums or ruins, but still.)  Nicely demanding.  Some general feedback.

1) Stuff I needed to get a hint for:

  Hide contents

a)  Mosque archives being in the basement.  I feel a hint in a readable would've been useful.
b)  Hidden switch for Spencer's archives.  I knew it was in the apartment somewhere.
c)  Getting into Jerry's Jewels.
d)  Getting into Mage's property.
e)  Vineyard.  Only because I didn't realise it was there.  Once I saw mention of it, it was straightforward to reach.

I don't mind some stuff being too difficult for me, but thought it would be useful to know which bits were.

2)  Stuff I nearly needed a hint for:
Officer's Lounge.

  Hide contents

This was the only time I found the map useful.  Having been almost everywhere, the map helped me know which area I needed to revisit.  It helped I had been through the War Room once, hadn't found anything, but felt it must be there for a reason(!)

3)  The (drawn) map:
I like incomplete - and sometimes badly hand-drawn - maps.  It is more realistic than 'Deus Ex' maps for The Dark Mod world.
a)  Except for the area mentioned in 2) above though, I found this map too broad-brush to be helpful.
b)  I do get mildly frustrated with missions where I can't really tell if I have been everywhere or not.  I end up going over the same areas 3 or 4 times, to see if I haven't missed anything.  And I still don't know(!)  I don't know if that's a problem with the drawn map, or just the way everything was put together in 3-D.

4)  The restaurant top floor:

  Hide contents

I appreciate one wasn't meant to get inside, just lean in through the windows.  But I did once somehow manage to squeeze in through a window.  And then I couldn't get back out!

Excellent work!

Thanks, that's great feedback.

I do apologize for the map, I know it's garbage.  But it's like that because I can't draw, not because I'm trying to be clever and give people a crap map to make it 'challenging'.  Also it would have been difficult to draw a good map for this FM because of all the verticality. Personally I love it when an FM comes with a really good map.  I might have to somehow bribe someone else to do one for me next time or something...

That's interesting about the restaurant window - that shouldn't happen and sounds like one for the bug list.  Thanks!

Edited June 23 by Frost_Salamander

[irisx]

Just to confirm that I've also hit the window squeeze-in bug, it happened both in the restaurant and also

Spoiler

in a similarly-shaped window of one of the top-level apartments, I think it is the one where you're normally supposed to sneak in only through a small opening over a ledge on the other side.

 

[Frost_Salamander]

36 minutes ago, irisx said:

Just to confirm that I've also hit the window squeeze-in bug, it happened both in the restaurant and also

  Hide contents

in a similarly-shaped window of one of the top-level apartments, I think it is the one where you're normally supposed to sneak in only through a small opening over a ledge on the other side.

 

Thanks for reporting.  Would you be able to send a screenshot of the 2nd instance you mention?  I can't picture where it is with that description :-)

[irisx]

Quote

Thanks for reporting.  Would you be able to send a screenshot of the 2nd instance you mention?  I can't picture where it is with that description

Sure, please see below.

Spoiler

It's one of the two windows (I think the one on the right, I cannot consistently reproduce it) next to the barred balcony door on the top floor of the "naval officer of the year" apartment

 

[High John]

The Mage's place:
Just remembered(!):

Spoiler

After I got in, I started exploring upstairs.  Though one of the guards heard me and was looking for me.

I ran downstairs and hid in the room with the fireplace.  The guard followed me down, and - killed the mage.

I presume that wasn't meant to happen?

[Frost_Salamander]

55 minutes ago, High John said:

The Mage's place:
Just remembered(!):

  Reveal hidden contents

After I got in, I started exploring upstairs.  Though one of the guards heard me and was looking for me.

I ran downstairs and hid in the room with the fireplace.  The guard followed me down, and - killed the mage.

I presume that wasn't meant to happen?

Hi,

Spoiler

Are you certain the guard killed the mage?  Like did you see it happen?  The thief that was trapped in the prison cell can kill the mage if you let him out - are you sure he didn't do it?

 

[Bergante]

mmmmh?
just played it again on V3
? is it intended ? --- or an unserious Bug on my Playthrough ?
at the end - in the office where the report is received - the officer sits in his chair and does not move . 
so you have to knock him out !

when this happened to me - i got angered - and shot him down (so i thought !)
but the first arrow just passed through his head - leaving a bloodspot on the wall behind him - 
the second shot did the job 
Surprisingly funny --- but not to reproduce

Edited July 6 by Bergante
passed "through" his head

[Frost_Salamander]

22 hours ago, Bergante said:

mmmmh?
just played it again on V3
? is it intended ? --- or an unserious Bug on my Playthrough ?
at the end - in the office where the report is received - the officer sits in his chair and does not move . 
so you have to knock him out !

when this happened to me - i got angered - and shot him down (so i thought !)
but the first arrow just passed his head - leaving a bloodspot on the wall behind him - 
the second shot did the job 
Surprisingly funny --- but not to reproduce

Sounds like a glitch.  Sometimes AI just get stuck for whatever reason.

[CountMorillonite]

The Rune

Second time around I can't find the Rune. Usually I Save when I come across something like that, but not this time.  It was a pick up maybe half way through the mission, but there was a 2 day gap between when I had it in my inventory and when I didn't. I covered a lot of territory in that gap but can't seem to "re-find" it.  It's not where I thought it would be. Help !

[Frost_Salamander]

16 hours ago, CountMorillonite said:

The Rune

Second time around I can't find the Rune. Usually I Save when I come across something like that, but not this time.  It was a pick up maybe half way through the mission, but there was a 2 day gap between when I had it in my inventory and when I didn't. I covered a lot of territory in that gap but can't seem to "re-find" it.  It's not where I thought it would be. Help !

The rune is located...

Spoiler

in Salim's office in the mosque, on the desk.  If it's not there, there is a bug (like maybe it fell through the desk or something?)

 

[CountMorillonite]

Spoiler

Salim's Office is one of those places I missed that I found early on in my first run. It IS there so there is no bug, only in my brain. Thanks for the reminder. Moral of the story is.....Save Save Save when you pick up an oddball item.

 

[fraten]

Hello, what a wonderful mission. I can only repeat and emphasize what others already have said. Thank you!

Anyway, I need help for the first objective (Beni):

Spoiler

I found the Captain's Journal and a Port Scroll. What am I missing and where could I find it? 

Judging by the fact that I have completed my loot goal I think I will soon finish the mission. Wish me luck!

Edit: Found it. I completely missed that other cabin on the ship. All good now. 

Edited August 16 by fraten

[TheUnbeholden]

This is one of the hardest missions in three areas. First it was the starting area, took me ages to find out how to get inside the fortress, maybe it was may bad for not looking everywhere but still, should have been a little easier to spot.

Spoiler

I managed to get inside the Ministry, tough one but I managed it, there is a office area with a safe that is off limits with no way to get inside. Doors are bolted from within those areas.

On top of that I also have no idea how to get into the officer's lounge to get that stash.

 

[MPMcguire]

Hi guys. Just started playing this mission. I'm not sure how to enter the buildings. I managed to scale the rope and get into an area with barrels and boxes. Got some gold there too but I end up going down the stairs to a door that I can't pick open.

Can someone please advise ??

[Frost_Salamander]

15 hours ago, TheUnbeholden said:

This is one of the hardest missions in three areas. First it was the starting area, took me ages to find out how to get inside the fortress, maybe it was may bad for not looking everywhere but still, should have been a little easier to spot.

  Hide contents

I managed to get inside the Ministry, tough one but I managed it, there is a office area with a safe that is off limits with no way to get inside. Doors are bolted from within those areas.

On top of that I also have no idea how to get into the officer's lounge to get that stash.

 

Hi, if you still need help:

Spoiler

ministry safe: you need to get there using the air vents (see the openings in the ceilings).  To get into them, look for a washroom somewhere in that building

Officer's lounge: You can get to the upper lounge floor from the balcony outside.  Look for the ship pole thing next to the railings and climb up from there.

 

[Frost_Salamander]

12 hours ago, MPMcguire said:

Hi guys. Just started playing this mission. I'm not sure how to enter the buildings. I managed to scale the rope and get into an area with barrels and boxes. Got some gold there too but I end up going down the stairs to a door that I can't pick open.

Can someone please advise ??

Hint:

Spoiler

There is a note on the ship that you start near about cleaning mushrooms off the ship. See where that leads you.

 

[Dead Rat]

Enjoyed this one, thanks Frost_Salamander.  A confusing map but very pleasing atmosphere, a welcome change of scene.