Exploring Tarant in Arcanum is akin to diving headlong into the beating heart of the game’s steampunk and magic-infused world. This bustling metropolis isn’t just a nexus of commerce and intrigue; it’s a treasure trove of quests, characters, and secrets that could keep an eagle-eyed adventurer busy for days on end. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran of countless RPG battles or a fresh-faced newcomer to the world of Arcanum, this guide is your atlas, your compendium, and your whispered guide down dark alleys. Let’s embark on this journey through Tarant, uncovering its mysteries and mastering its challenges.
Major Locations
Tarant is vast, so getting your bearings is crucial. The city is divided into several districts, each with its own flavor and unique locations.
The Docks
First stop for many, the Docks are teeming with sailors, merchants, and the occasional unsavory character. Key spots include the Tarantian newspaper office, where keen players can nudge the city’s political landscape with well-placed information, and the bustling marketplace, a veritable cornucopia of goods waiting to be haggled over.
Wealthy District
As you might guess, this area houses Tarant’s elite and their opulent dwellings. Notable here is the prestigious Tarant University, a haven for magic users and technologists alike, offering quests that dive into the arcane and the advanced.
Industrial Sector
The heart of Tarant’s steam-powered prowess, this district is home to factories billowing with smoke. Here players can dive into the socio-economic undercurrents of Tarant, exploring themes of labor and industry, while also picking up quests related to the Boil and its unsolved mysteries.
The Boil
Speaking of, the Boil is a place most citizens pretend doesn’t exist. This slum is ripe for the aspiring adventurer to make a name for themselves, whether by siding with local gangs or helping the downtrodden find justice.
Quests in Tarant
Tarant’s quests are as diverse as its population. From tangled affairs of the heart to industrial espionage, there’s no shortage of ways to make your mark.
The Missing Heirloom
A classic starting point for many, this quest involves a bit of detective work and possibly a foray into Tarant’s seedier side, depending on how you choose to retrieve the lost item.
Factory Follies
Not all is well in the industrial sector. Align yourself with either the factory workers or the tycoons in a plot that could have wide-reaching effects on Tarant’s economic landscape.
University Espionage
Magic or technology? This quest pits the city’s two dominant forces against each other, with you in the middle. Choose your side wisely, or find a way to play both ends against the middle for your own gain.
Unique NPCs
Tarant is populated by a cast of characters that could fill volumes with their backstories and ambitions. Here are a few you won’t want to miss.
Professor Merwin Tumblebrook
A luminary at Tarant University, Tumblebrook is on the verge of a breakthrough that could change Arcanum forever. But he needs an assistant with a flexible moral compass, which is where you come in.
Madame Lil
Owner of the most exclusive brothel in Tarant, Madame Lil is a font of information if you can gain her trust. Her quests often involve the city’s elite in compromising situations, providing a different kind of leverage.
Oliver Driscoll
Leader of the Workers’ Union, Driscoll is at the heart of the tension in the Industrial Sector. Assisting him could earn you the undying loyalty of the city’s working class—or make you a target for Tarant’s capitalists.
Hidden Secrets
Tarant harbors secrets that only the most intrepid will uncover. Here are hints to set you on the path.
The Underground Rail
Not just a myth, the Underground Rail is a remnant of a bygone era. Discovering its entrances and exploring the tunnels can uncover rare items and forgotten lore.
The Whispering Gallery
Tucked away in the University, a room exists where the walls literally talk. Piecing together the snippets of conversation can reveal a treasure hidden in plain sight.
Tarant Sewers
A maze of tunnels under the city hides more than just refuse. Bandits, secret meetings, and the lair of something unspeakable await those brave enough to venture below.
Tips for Tarant
Surviving and thriving in Tarant requires more than just a sharp blade or potent spellbook. Here are a few tips to keep in your satchel.
Cultivate Relationships
Tarant is a city of alliances and enmities. Cultivating relationships with key figures can open doors that would otherwise remain closed. Remember, your choices will determine your friends—and enemies.
Resource Management
Between the markets of the Docks and the artisans of the city, Tarant offers opportunities to outfit yourself for any occasion. However, gold doesn’t grow on trees, even in a world with magic. Spend wisely, and consider crafting and trading to supplement your income.
Choose Your Battles
Not every disagreement needs to be settled by steel. Tarant’s diverse districts offer multiple paths to success, whether through diplomacy, stealth, or strategic alliances. Sometimes the pen (or coin) is mightier than the sword.
Keep an Eye on Technology and Magic
Arcanum is a world divided between the old ways of magic and the new tide of technology. Your choices in Tarant, especially regarding quests and alliances, can affect how both forces treat you.
Tarant, with its Dickensian complexity and Lovecraftian undercurrents, encapsulates the essence of Arcanum: a world teetering on the brink between the past and the future, magic and machinery. Whether you dive into the political intrigue that bubbles beneath the surface or simply lose yourself in the quest for power and wealth, Tarant is a city that offers endless paths for the intrepid explorer. Remember, in Tarant, as in all of Arcanum, the choices you make don’t just change the world around you—they also change you. Step carefully, play wisely, and enjoy the rich tapestry of stories waiting to be uncovered.