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Ever wanted to solve a medieval murder mystery? In point-and-click RPG Pentiment, you get to do just that. Taking on the role of Andreas Maler, a 16th Century artist, you become embroiled in the violent demise of a visiting Baron. And worse still, your friend and mentor has been accused of the crime.
Pentiment is set in two main locations. You’ll investigate clues in the Abbey itself, talking to nuns and monks to find potential motives within its walls. But the investigation also leads you into the nearby forest and town, where some local residents may also have motives for murder.
Warning: The following guide contains spoilers.
The Murder Suspects
After the Baron’s murder, you only have a few days to investigate the crime. You can see exactly how long you have to go at any time by clicking the blue tab at the top left of your screen. After this, you’ll have to speak to the Archdeacon, Jacob Estler, and give him your conclusions about each of the suspects.
No matter which story path you follow, there will always be the same four potential suspects:
- Lucky: You’ll see the town’s stonemason, Lucky, arguing with the Baron in one of the earliest scenes in the game. But you’re too far away to hear what the disagreement is about.
- Ottilia Kemperyn: When you first walk to the Abbey with the Baron, Ottilia will appear from the forest and shout abuse at the Baron. When you ask him about it, he glosses over the subject.
- Prior Ferenc: While working in the Scriptorium, you see Ferenc acting suspiciously. Does he have a secret to keep?
- Sister Matilda: When you arrive at the Abbey with the Baron, he once again gets a poor reaction – this time from the nuns. It’s clear that has been a prior meeting.
The more information you’ve accrued, the more choices you’ll have in terms of being able to accuse them convincingly. And if you behave well during the hearing, you’ll have an extra opportunity to sway the Archdeacon to your way of thinking.
Solving The Baron’s Murder
The most important thing to remember is that the information you can find is partially dictated by the answers you choose when speaking to Big Jorg and the Baron on day one. But you can still find out all you need, no matter how you answer.
This means there is no definitive walkthrough, as there are hundreds of potential combinations of skills. But the information below will lead you to the places you need to get to.
Investigating Lucky
To make things easier, speak to Lucky’s wife Agnes outside the Bakery and be as polite as possible. The key to investigating Lucky is to follow him when he goes fishing with Old Otto.
To trigger the option to follow him, you first need to ask Lucky about the Baron while he is working. He won’t answer you and gets angry if you push him too hard, so don’t do that. Instead, after the conversation, take the option to follow him.
The first few attempts are hampered, and you’ll get caught. Again, stay quiet when Lucky talks to you. Eventually, you’ll get to the lake, where you’ll hide in a rotten tree. This initiates a little sub-game in which you need to click on insects to stop them from biting you.
After this, follow Lucky to the salt mine and watch him put flowers on a grave. Investigate the grave, then head back to town.
Go back to Lucky’s house, and as long as you haven’t upset him too much, he’ll let you stay for dinner. During dinner, his wife Agnes will open up about the grave.
Investigating Ottilia
Conversations with several town residents, including lunch with Otto or with Lucky, will give you some initial information about why Ottilia cursed the Baron when you were walking to the Abbey. To find out more, go to her house to speak with her.
Ottilia will begrudgingly agree to speak to you if you do some odd jobs for her. This begins a sequence where you first have to collect and break up wood for her in the forest before returning to her home and putting up some pictures. Afterward, she’ll admit to hating the Baron for what he did to her husband.
It is also worth noting that if you have certain skills and have been involved in a thorough autopsy of the Baron, you can investigate a broken tool in Ottilia’s home. You’ll find the broken item has a shape matching that which gave the killing blow to the Baron.
Investigating Ferenc
Having seen Ferenc hide something in the Scriptorium, you know he is up to something. But is it murder? Investigate the Scriptorium and outside in the Prior’s house.
This will give you both the notes he has made and a volvelle that can help you solve a cipher code that is put together with astrological symbols. Depending on your skill set, you will either be able to investigate this immediately or need to find a book in the library (you’ll need to use the secret entrance in the Crypt).
You’ll also be able to make a rubbing of a letter he wrote to the Baron, which involves a blackmail plot. Going into the Abbey cemetery, you’ll find the grave of Brother Gerhard has been disturbed.
There are several ways to then dig up the grave. And if you do so, you’ll find further evidence of foul play that again leads you to some awkward conversations with Ferenc.
Investigating Matilda
It soon becomes clear that the Baron wasn’t exactly a faithful husband. And it seems one of the nuns, unwilling to fall for his advances, ended up being victim to his temper.
As you investigate, the name of Sister Matilda will become increasingly mentioned. Once it is in your journal, conversations with the Abbess and Matilda will reveal that it was Matilda that was the victim.
If you go to the library (see investigating Ferenc, above) you’ll find a record of Sister Matilda having to leave the Abbey to recover from her wounds. And in the garden, you’ll be able to investigate a spade Matilda uses most often, which has dried blood on it. She’ll tell you it is from killing rabbits, but you can come to your own conclusions.
The Meeting With Archdeacon Jacob Estler
When it comes to the final showdown, if you want to force home your own conclusions to make sure the person you want is accused, follow these guidelines during the initial conversation with Jacob:
- Your name: Give it politely when asked.
- The aristocracy: Be polite about nobles when they’re brought up.
- Interruptions: You’ll have an opportunity to question something Jacob says during his opening remarks. Make sure to stay quiet.
Once you’ve given your evidence, there will be a skill check with Jacob. If you pass, having answered appropriately, he’ll ask you who you think committed the crime. That person will then be found guilty. But this is just Chapter One, and there is plenty more intrigue to follow as you enter the second part of Pentiment.