Reach the ceremonial hall - description | Chapter 6: A Man Apart Thief Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
After you exit the elevator, you will be back on the first floor of the manor [Northcrest Manor - Second Floor]. You may have noticed the villa having been attacked, in the meantime, and it currently lay in shambles so, you will not be able to return to all of the previously visited locations. What is even more, you will be obstructed from reaching the ceremonial hall, by quite large numbers of bandits. At this point, it is worth noting that the majority of the enemies are slightly jumpy at the very beginning. Therefore, you need to keep in mind that they will be moving faster and it is going to be easier for them to enter the alerted mode (e.g. as a result of walking over broken glass, or using a throwable). Use the lockpicks on the first door and, before you open it, make sure that there is nobody at the other side.
Unfortunately, you will not be allowed to take the shortcut, because the Western part of the upper floor, of the waiting hall [Northcrest Manor - Waiting Hall], is barricaded. As a result, you need to walk along the upper balconies, in the clockwise direction. You will bump into the first bandit after several moments and it is best to wait until he goes into the Eastern corridor which is on fire (there is nothing there). You can also seize the opportunity and rob the enemy of his Coin Purse - 15G. The next opponent is guarding the staircase and you can distract him with a throwable or, which is an even better idea) dash past, behind his back, using Swoop.
You now need to decide if you want to keep exploring the first floor, or to go to the ground floor. Paradoxically, your decision will not make any change, because the entrances to the ceremonial hall are, both, on the ground and the first floors. I recommend that you explore both of the floors, thanks to which you will acquire all of the available loot. If you want to remain on the first floor, after you get past the guard at the stairs, go West, through the entrance to the Western part of the building [Northcrest Manor - Second Floor]. Turn Northwards here and climb onto the nearby scaffolding, thanks to which you will be able to plan on your further steps, without being bothered.
The nearby corridor is, most probably, guarded by two, or three enemies, where one of the bandits stays put in his place. try to remain in shadows and try to rob the opponents of their Coin Purses - 7+7+9+5+5G. Around here, you will also find a Desk Bell - 6G and a painting (The Court of Montonessi - The Married Spinster), which Garrett can remove, using the razor. Apart from that, I recommend that you use the claw and reach the Northern opening under the ceiling, shown in the above screenshot. Start by exploring the shaft and find there a Bond - 20G and a note (Manor Duties). Then, walk into the small room, which the abovementioned guard is trying to access. Here, you will find a Pen - 10G, two Scroll Holders - 2x12G and a book (Baron Northcrest - Loose Ends).
In the Southern room, neighboring the corridor described above, there is another bandit and he is busy patrolling the area next to the two safes. Start by finding Scissors - 5G and a Bond - 20G. Try to distract the opponent now(e.g. by throwing something towards the corridor) or use Focus and open the safe as quickly as possible. The combination for the safe has been written down on one of the notes that you have recently found, and it is 017. In the safe, there is an Urn - 35G, a Watch Seal - 20G and two Bonds - 2x20G.
If you want to explore the manor's ground floor [Northcrest Manor - First Floor], you need to start in the Southern part of the waiting hall [Northcrest Manor - Waiting Hall], at the stairs guarded by the abovementioned bandit. wait for a good moment ant try to swoop behind the back of the opponent. I recommend against climbing the stairs to the very bottom, but, at the first opportunity, jump over the balustrade, which will limit the risk of being spotted (the bottom part of the staircase is well-lit).
Depending on the moment, at which you reached the lower floor of the waiting hall, there can be, currently, three, or even four bandits staying here. All of the opponents are patrolling the area, which makes it additionally difficult to avoid being spotted. Try to explore the waiting hall to find a Coin Purse - 7G on the murdered guard under the stairs. You can also try to rob the enemies of more Coin Purses - 2+7+3+2+3+12G. Note - an additional method to distract the opponents is throwing chandeliers down (aim the arrows at the catches), but you need to make sure that they do not fall onto anybody (provided that you want to complete the game without killing anybody).
After you have explored the area, take the Western door and start exploring another part of the ground floor of the manor [Northcrest Manor - First Floor]. Just like in the case of the first floor,, you need to keep in mind that there may be some enemies here so, take your time and do not haste, avoid stepping on broken glass and, if necessary, use the wardrobes, which you pass by, to hide from the opponents coming your way. While exploring the corridors, you will find a note (Damaged Wing) and Scissors - 5G. Finally, explore the main room in the Western part of the villa. If there still are any enemies around, I recommend that you use the side passage (you need to crouch) or climb up the crates to the North. Otherwise, take the main entrance. In this room, there are a Pen - 10G, a Watch Seal - 20G and a Vase - 25G.
There are three different entrances to the ceremonial hall. The first one is on the first floor of the manor [Northcrest Manor - Second Floor], in the room with a single opponent and the safe that you have recently broken into. You need to approach the scaffolding, crouch and squeeze through.
The second entrance is also on the first floor of the manor [Northcrest Manor - Second Floor], where in this case, you need to reach the end of the corridor in the Western part of the building. There are crates here, that you can climb onto without any problems.
The third entrance is on the ground floor of the manor [Northcrest Manor - First Floor], in the main location in the Western part of the building, which may be guarded by one, or several bandits. Approach the barricaded exit and wait for the right moment, Crouch and squeeze through.