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At the start the cinematics will play. If you don't see any videos, download and install the RAD Video Tools to get the latest version of the Bink codec. As with Gothic, this codec is not included with the game. You can also watch the videos directly from the installation folder.

As soon as you begin, the situation will be explained to you by Xardas, the necromancer from the first game who has become a close ally to the hero. He tasks you with taking news of a dragon invasion to the paladins, and retrieving an artifact called the Eye of Innos that will help you defeat them.

[edit] Tips

• explore the cave by the waterfall on your left after visiting the tower.
• initial monsters for newbies to tackle are: Field Raiders, Wolves and Giant Rats.
• Don't kill the first bandit you see - ignore cavalorn, talk to the bandit, then return and talk to cavalorn. You'll see what I mean.
• Save your permenant stat gains till later in the game. (goblin berries, king's sorrel, magic tablets, etc...) as eventually it will cost 40 learning points (you get 10 per lvl up) to increase something if it's getting close. When the cost hits 40 it will be hard finding a trainer that will teach you past 90. (yes, it will be needed to go way > 90)
• when fighting dragons later, I find it much easier to use ranged weapons or magic. You can do it by normal attacks...but it can be really tricky.
• Crossbows use STR as their stat, and bows use DEX.
• it may not be a good idea to kill the sheep because you'll need one later - but you'll have to pay for it.