Gothic 1 Remake is a faithful recreation of the original Gothic game, and just like it was back then, the Old Camp is a dangerous place. When you arrive, you’ll have very few allies, and some of the more nefarious members of the camp will look to take advantage of you. You’ll also get beaten up if you put a foot wrong or offend the wrong person, but you can pay for protection.
You’ll be approached by some of the Shadows when you arrive, who will attempt to extort you for nuggets. The deal is, you routinely pay them 10 nuggets, and they’ll watch your back in camp. It’s a classic protection racket. But when you’re a runt with no skills or friends, is paying for protection a good idea?
How does protection work in Gothic 1 Remake?
Soon after you arrive in camp, you’ll be told about the protection racket by Diego. He’s genuinely looking out for you, so his advice is worth listening to. Not long after, figures like Jackal and Bloodwyn will attempt to extort you, offering to keep you safe for regular payments of 10 nuggets.
If you agree, they’ll keep their word, and if you get attacked by an NPC, the Shadows will step in and keep you safe. If you’re the one causing trouble, though, don’t bank on their support. This isn’t a golden ticket to commit a crime.
As you progress, paying 10 nuggets now and then isn’t a high price to pay, and it may save your life a few times in the early hours of Gothic. You’ll also only need to pay one of these two characters to get the protection from the Shadows.
Our advice is to pay Bloodwyn, as he’s the most reasonable and effective of the two extortionists. He’ll also give you a beating if you offend him, so even if you have no intention of paying him agree to keep him sweet in the beginning – he’s also not asking, but telling you what’s going to happen.
Bloodwyn will happily extend credit to you and will agree to protect you on the condition of payment at a later date. However, when that time comes due, be sure to have his 10 nuggets, or you’re in for a world of hurt.
If you’re already paying Bloodwyn, you can ignore Jackal. He’ll still try to shake you down, but just tell him you’ll think about it and walk away. Then never speak to him again. At least until you’re in a position to intimidate or be a match for him.
What happens if I don’t pay?
If you refuse Bloodwyn or fail to pay him when the time comes, he’ll rescind his protection and send his goons to beat you up. You can get it back by paying, but it’s best to keep the hot-head on side.
If you have no intention of sticking around at the old camp, then you can simply ignore Bloodwyn and just try to avoid the NPC in future interactions, at least until he no longer represents a threat to you.
When can I stop paying protection?
You don’t need to pay the Shadows protection money forever. If you agree to live in the Old Camp and become a Shadow yourself, this will naturally end the arrangement as you’ll now be an equal to Bloodwyn and Jackal, and more than capable of looking after yourself.
You’ll also have likely earned a reputation as a skilled fighter, so neither man will want to mess with you and will greet you with a little bit more respect than they did at the start of the game.
Bloodwyn and Jackal can also die depending on what happens during the course of the story, so if this happens, they’ll cease to be an issue. Paying protection money to them also isn’t an issue if you decide to live in a different camp.
Should I pay protection money?
If you’re staying in the Old Camp for the duration of the game, then yes, it’s smart to pay protection money at the start of the game. But only if you’re staying in Old Camp, if not, then don’t bother.
This is because it stops you from taking multiple beatings, keeps you safe from hostile NPCs, and means you can go about your business safely. 10 nuggets each time Bloodwyn asks, also isn’t a difficult amount to find – but make him come to you, don’t go up to him, and avoid him as best you can.
However, this is a temporary situation, as you’ll want to progress to the next stage of the game, and this will mean you no longer need it.
You can even kill Bloodwyn and Jackal if you like, but only do so when there are no witnesses and when you’re in a position to fight them and win. Remember, it’s useful to have them alive in the early hours of the game.
