The Thaumaturgeis a narrative-heavy adventure game with a fascinating cast of characters and a unique alt-history setting of 1905 Warsaw. As a thaumaturge, Wiktor Szulski is able to communicate with demonic spirits and harness their power to influence, manipulate and defeat other characters within the game. Featuring aninteresting spin on turn-based combat, along with in-game choices that genuinely make a difference, RPG players will feel at home here, though occasionally it can be difficult to locate certain items or understand where to go next in certain quests.
“The Mermaid City’s Son” follows on from the prologue in whichWiktor met Rasputinand tamed the Bukavac, before hearing news of his father’s death in Warsaw. Next, the pair have a conversation on the train to Warsaw, with a number of possible dialogue options during the conversation, though none of them have an effect on the quest itself. The train arrives and they depart, with Rasputin going in search of a residence and Wiktor heading to his father’s funeral.
Go To Your Father’s Funeral At Powazki Cemetery
With Wiktor off the train, having arrived in Warsaw, themap now opens upfor players to freely explore and begin any side quests should they wish. From the station platform, however, there is only one exit via the stairs on the left, which will take players down into the main waiting area of the station. There are a few leaflets and letters around which help build the lore of the world and provide more details about the context in which the story is set, but nothing essential for completing the main quest. The exit can be found towards the lower end of the room in the center.
Exiting the station, a cutscene will begin in which it is announced thata new tyrannical governoris taking over Warsaw. The crowd begins to get agitated and, as a result, the governor asks the military to begin controlling the crowd, which includes Wiktor. During this encounter, a revolutionary named Wanda begins a conversation with Wiktor and then accidentally drops a pair of bullets from her stockings, asking Wiktor to retrieve them. There are two options here: either toagree and retrieve the bullets, or theprideful answer of refusing, which will grow the Flaw of Pride within Wiktor. Each choice that increases one of Wiktor’s Flaws canlead to further dialogue optionsand story outcomes later on.
With the bullets retrieved, or not, Wanda asks Wiktor to find a way out of the mess. Now, players will regain control of Wiktor and have several Traces nearby to interact with. First, there is theRequest From A Girl In Troubleand thePistol Bulletson the floor. Elsewhere, theWorker’s Leaderis kicking up a fuss to the authorities and will be rude to Wiktor when interacted with. Finally, thePolice Barriercan be examined, next to which stands theCorporal, who can be spoken with.
With these clues discovered, Wiktor will come to the “Manhunt At The Station"Conclusion, which will unlock new dialogue options with theSergeant, who arrives to organize the troops. Players will be presented with a number of options:
By handing Wanda over to the authorities, players will then miss out on the opportunity to meet her later for a side quest involving the revolutionaries. The second option is perhaps the easiest, and will not bring about any negative consequences, though it will require players toinvest Thaumaturgy Pointsinto the Deed dimension. Invoking the Szulski family name will allow Wiktor to proceed but will come at the expense of the growing Flaw, which may have negative implications later in the story. The final option will result in achallenging combat encounterin which players must defeat the police squadron, which will be very difficult so early in the game.
Once the situation has been resolved, one way or another, Wiktor can then proceed to explore the streets in search of a Carriage, since it will be required to reach the cemetery in another part of the overall city map. The Coachman will drop Wiktor off just opposite the Powazki Cemetery, where a small crowd will be gathered around the closed gates.
The men at the gate get increasingly agitated, and Wiktor has to defeat them in combat to proceed. Once they have been allowed through the gate by the Gravedigger, Wiktor can make his way towards his father’s tomb in the upper corner of the graveyard.
Along the way, players can speak with Mordechaj Chajat, who offers his condolences. Once inside the tomb, Wiktor will meet his uncle, Voronin and sister, Ligia, before he is visited by the mysterious Konechkin. Once the scene concludes, there are several Traces to be found inside the mausoleum, including aThaumaturge’s Wreathand anOffensive Note.
Go To Your Family Home In Northern Srodmiescie
Following the funeral cutscene, in which Wiktor is able to read out various options to his father’s urn, players will then be able to head back home to discuss the will. The Gravedigger will also offer a further side quest regarding corpsesraising from the dead at night, whileLigiaandVoroninboth wait at the front gate. A reporter is also present, and will be harrassing Ligia for comments. It is possible to get rid of the reporter in a variety of ways, either politely or at the expense of growing Pride. Speaking with Ligia, she will offer Wiktor a ride home in their carriage, though players can choose to stay in the district and complete side quests or explore if they wish to. If the offer is declined, players can make their own way to the district of Northern Srodmiescie via a carriage or tram station - both of which are found throughouteach of the city’s districts.
Upon arriving at theSzulski Family Tenement House, Wiktor and Ligia are greeted by their housekeeper, Grazyna, who remarks that there is a man upstairs waiting to go through the will. Ligia proceeds upstairs while Voronin goes in search of an alcoholic beverage. There areseveral interactive items and conversationsto be had with characters on the ground floor, including a small side quest to fetch Voronin’s booze from the Basement, but this will not have a major effect on the main quest.
Go To Your Father’s Study For The Reading Of The Will
Heading upstairs, players will find Ligia and the Notary waiting upstairs to read the contents of the will. As he proceeds, it seems clear that everything has been left to Ligia and that Wiktor will recieve almost nothing, at which point hehas the option of storming off(increasing the Flaw of Pride) or continuing to listen. In either case, the Notary declares that there is one final item in the will to be left to Wiktor:The Black Grimoire.
Following the conversation with Ligia and Voronin about what to do next and how to retrieve the Grimoire, players will have completed the quest “The Mermaid City’s Son” and can begin the next quest in the game’s main story: “What We Leave Behind”.
