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The Forgotten City is a deeper and more thorough game than it has any right to be. Initially developed as a mod for Skyrim, it became a fully-fledged game in July 2021. Hidden within the already extensive set of main quests are a series of side quests that The Forgotten City calls 'Leads'. Each lead offers its own mini-quest path that can be completed or ignored. There are many leads to complete, leaving a lot of completionists and dedicated players plenty to do besides focusing on the main story quests.
These leads will activate themselves after having spoken to an NPC in the game world in the vast majority of cases, but some require interacting in another way, for example visiting a specific place, or finding a certain item. The side quests selection is interesting and varied, but some leads are more so than others. Here are the best.
5 The Gilding
This side quest is one of the more expansive ones. It is first worth noting that only after completing the Intruder and Straight as an Arrow quests does this lead become accessible. Once they have been finished, a man called Desius will approach you and inquire about getting a golden bow.
What follows is a classic conspiratorial plot to acquire this sought after item. This lead involves some relatively simple but good interactive puzzles and has less dialogue than other quests, enabling it to stand out as one to look out for. It also rewards you an item you'll want to acquire.
4 Intruder
The Intruder lead is an interesting one that has you attempting to prevent an assassination. This lead is activated by speaking to a woman called Fabia and can be found on one of the paths coming off from the Forum, specifically, the one that leads towards the baths.
From here, you will have two options. We suggest picking the nobler one, and the side quests will build from there. (It is worth noting there are two achievements available, but your choices determine which one you get.) This will feel like you are back playing Skyrim again as the set-up is very much like something you would find in that game. From here, you will engage in an entertaining, short quest that has a satisfying outcome if you take our advice above.
3 The Sinner
A common theme with the leads in this game is the variety of interesting setups that encourage you to keep playing and concluding the side quests. This one requires you to speak to Vergil in the Forum. Once you are talking to him, ask him about the graffiti on his shop wall, and he will reveal to you that someone has been harassing him. In order to help out an honest shopkeeper, you must find out who has been doing this and why.
Side quests like these add depth to the game and make this 2000-year-old city feel like a place that had existed before you arrived and will continue to exist after you have long since departed. This lead is one of the longer ones and will leave you feeling satisfied if successfully completed and disappointed if you get the wrong man.
2 A Permanent Solution
Activated once you enter the Great Temple, a permanent solution will have you trying to figure out a way to save the life of Ulpius. Once you enter the Great Temple, Octavia will immediately start speaking to you about unrelated matters before Ulpius interrupts your conversation by standing at the edge of a very high ledge.
The first step will be to speak with him to find out how this can be resolved positively. This represents a more harrowing set-up than the ones previously mentioned and provides added incentive to make sure you can save him. As is common with leads in this game, they can often cross over and form this web of connected and interlocking side quests. A permanent solution is a particular example of this and requires attention to detail to complete, as other leads get involved quite quickly.
1 Democracy In Action
Democracy in action, a somewhat ironic title, is a side quest that has you getting involved in an ongoing election. This will mostly involve a character called Malleolus, with whom this side quest will take off. Launch this lead by speaking to him at his villa on the central plateau. Without spoiling too much, the primary objective is to make sure he doesn't run in an upcoming election, and it is your role to make sure that eventuality comes about.
As above, this lead combines beautifully with others, leading to a feeling that by making him withdraw, you are having a genuine impact on the game world. As for the quest itself, it is an intriguing look at the harsh reality of ancient politics and has plenty of twists and turns along the way.