Explore the gardens in the Baron's estate - description | Chapter 6: A Man Apart Thief Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
This chapter starts in the gardens around the estate [Northcrest Manor - Courtyard] and, before you stat considering your options, you could first explore all of the area around the estate to obtain loot. Unfortunately, you will be obstructed from your task by numerous guards. The first one of them is patrolling the vicinity of the starting point. This is not the only predicament, because you also need to watch out for the nearby dog cage and the areas where it is possible to walk over water. In both of these cases, you need to crouch, but also to move much slower, to prevent being spotted. Note - The abovementioned guard has a Coin Purse - 12G attached to his belt.
The most important thing that you can find in the first part of the garden is the pin (The Pinned Castinets - Greater Ruststain). This collectible is in the nest, atop one of the columns here and you can reach there using the claw (this is also a good way to move around this area), and then take a jump. You can access the second (Southern) part of the garden by taking one of the two passages here. The Western passage (the bigger one) is not guarded. At the Eastern passage, there stops the abovementioned guard, on a regular basis, but taking this passage will allow you to reach the big balcony, neighboring the main entrance to the manor, in a much easier way.
While exploring the second part of the garden, you need to be even more careful. The main part of this location is being watched by three guards and only one of them is standing still. Apart from that, you need to mind the enemies on the big balcony to the East of the garden, because they are watching this area and can spot you even at a larger distance. As a result, it is very important that you operate in shadows and also use throwables, and swoop. If you want to you may, of course, try to rob the guards in the garden of their Coin Purses - 9+5+15G. Apart from that, you can find around a Water Arrow, two Cups - 6+2G, a Gold Coin - 1G and two Vases - 2x25G.
Another important location is the big balcony in front of the (barricaded) main entrance to the manor. I recommend against taking the stairs to the North to this balcony, because there is another dog cage there. Instead, it is much better to take the stairs to the South or climb up the middle part of the balcony (near the location where water is flowing down). In total, there are four guards in this location - two of them are standing in the Northern part of the balcony, one in the Southern and there also is a guard patrolling the entire area. Spend some time learning about the route of the patrolling enemy and try to explore this area only afterwards. You can rob the guards of their Coin Purses - 12+21+7+5G, and also obtain the area map (Manor Courtyard Map), which is attached to the belt of one of the guards. In here, you can also find a Wine Glass - 10G, a Knife - 2G, a Flask - 8G and a plaque (City Heritage Plaques - Elias Northcrest Statue) which requires you to use the wrench (it is located at the foot of a large statue).
In the North-Eastern part of the central balcony, there is a passage to the side alleys neighboring the walls of the estate and it is connected with one of the three variants, presented at the next page. Unfortunately, Garrett will very quickly bump into three guards, who will walk away after they finish their conversation. First of all, you need to watch out for the two people, who are busy patrolling the area (the third guard remains at the stairs), and also for the dog that is being held in a cage, close from here. When it comes to loot, you can rob the opponents of their Coin Purses - 2+12+5+7G, and you can find here a Flask - 8G, a Vase - 10G and a Candlestick - 6G.