Discworld Noir
Encyclopedia
Discworld Noir is a computer game based on Terry Pratchett
's Discworld
comic fantasy
novels, and unlike the previous Discworld games is both an example and parody
of the noir
genre
. The game was developed by Perfect Entertainment
and published by GT Interactive. It was originally released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows
. In 2000 it was ported to the PlayStation by Teeny Weeny Games, the resurrected form of the already insolvent Perfect. Pratchett was consulted on the story and wrote some of the dialogue; he was credited in-game for causing "far too much interference." As it is a film noir parody, the game's protagonist
Lewton frequently engages in hard-boiled soliloquy
, or monologue.
The game utilizes a 2D
game engine
using pre-rendered
characters displayed against pre-rendered backgrounds. Only the main character Lewton is using a polygon
al model while residing in a walking or standing pose. The game was only released in Europe
, and the development team no longer exists. As a result, the game, which suffered from several minor bugs, was not patch
ed, and like many older games, has difficulty running on more modern platforms. A project to develop crossplatform support for running Discworld Noir is planned. It would be based on Residual, an experimental sister project of ScummVM
.
The main character is Lewton, the Discworld
's first and only private investigator
, and former member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch
. His investigation of a brutal murder gets him involved in a sinister plot. The game's story line is a completely original creation, unlike the previous Discworld games, two of which were based on particular novels, and one of which was a mixture of elements from several. It is set in Ankh-Morpork
, the largest city on the Discworld.
The game features many new characters and locales, which do not appear in the Discworld books. However, as the game is set in Ankh-Morpork, characters and locales from the books also appear, such as the Unseen University
, the Dysk Theatre
, Pseudopolis Yard, the City Watch and eccentric inventor Leonard da Quirm. The game's manual includes an introduction
written by Discworld creator Terry Pratchett.
The moody, ambient-SFX-laden music track was composed and recorded by British composer Paul Weir.
and Kate Robbins
, while Robert Llewellyn
and Nigel Planer
voice the rest. Rob Lord, the game's audio director is also credited as providing additional voices.
films Casablanca
and The Maltese Falcon
. Some of the references include:
Nobby : Corporal Cecil Wormsborough St. John "Nobby" Nobbs is one of Lewton's old friends from the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. He is in various City Watch Discworld novels including Guards! Guards!
, Men at Arms
and The Fifth Elephant
. He plays a fairly important role in the game, offering Lewton certain pieces of information. Nobby also appeared in Discworld.
Sam Vimes
: Sir Samuel Vimes is the commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Vimes never really got on with Lewton while he was a member of the Watch, and has despised Lewton since he was caught taking a bribe, something Vimes has very strong views about. In a serious departure from the novels, the Vimes of the game is unprofessional and vindictive, determined to fit the crimes to Lewton.
Death
: The familiar Grim Reaper
-style character that appears in almost every Discworld novel. Death comes to take the Count's soul away later in the game and also to take an evil wizard's soul away when Lewton fights him off the Observatory roof. The only character who persists in constantly breaking the fourth wall by referencing, amongst other things, narrative causality, the gangster stereotype, and the freeform flow of the game itself. However, these references may be just observations about the nature of discworld reality, since narrative causality is a fundamental law of the discworld universe.
Death of Rats : The Grim Squeaker.
The Patrician
: The Patrician Havelock Vetinari is only briefly heard through the locked double-doors of the Oblong Office
. He talks to Sam Vimes and is mentioned throughout the game several times.
Leonard da Quirm : A genius and inventor who is locked up in the Palace Cells for his own safety or, rather, for that of the rest of civilization, given how dangerous some of his inventions have been. Because food, lodgings, peace and quiet and all the raw materials he needs are provided for free, Leonard doesn't mind his incarceration at all. The Patrician occasionally finds uses for his creativity and some of his creations. Lewton encounters him via a secret doorway in his prison cell.
Captain Jenkins : Captain of the Cargo ship the Milka who talks to Lewton in the Cafe Ankh. He appears in Jingo
.
Gaspode the Wonder Dog : The famous talking dog of Ankh-Morpork. Gaspode teaches Lewton how to use his werewolf abilities. He also appears in a number of Discworld novels including Moving Pictures
, Men at Arms
and The Truth
.
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
's Discworld
Discworld
Discworld is a comic fantasy book series by English author Sir Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. The books frequently parody, or at least take inspiration from, J. R. R....
comic fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novels, and unlike the previous Discworld games is both an example and parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of the noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
. The game was developed by Perfect Entertainment
Perfect Entertainment
Perfect Entertainment was a British computer game producer, which ceased production in 1999. It was created in 1994 as a result of a name change from Perfect 10 Productions, a company previously known as Beam Software ....
and published by GT Interactive. It was originally released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. In 2000 it was ported to the PlayStation by Teeny Weeny Games, the resurrected form of the already insolvent Perfect. Pratchett was consulted on the story and wrote some of the dialogue; he was credited in-game for causing "far too much interference." As it is a film noir parody, the game's protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
Lewton frequently engages in hard-boiled soliloquy
Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a device often used in drama whereby a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters, and is delivered often when they are alone or think they are alone. Soliloquy is distinct from monologue and...
, or monologue.
The game utilizes a 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
using pre-rendered
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
characters displayed against pre-rendered backgrounds. Only the main character Lewton is using a polygon
Polygon
In geometry a polygon is a flat shape consisting of straight lines that are joined to form a closed chain orcircuit.A polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments...
al model while residing in a walking or standing pose. The game was only released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and the development team no longer exists. As a result, the game, which suffered from several minor bugs, was not patch
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
ed, and like many older games, has difficulty running on more modern platforms. A project to develop crossplatform support for running Discworld Noir is planned. It would be based on Residual, an experimental sister project of ScummVM
ScummVM
ScummVM is a collection of game engine recreations. Originally designed to play LucasArts adventure games that use the SCUMM system , it now also supports a variety of non-SCUMM games by companies like Revolution Software and Adventure Soft. It was originally written by Ludvig Strigeus...
.
The main character is Lewton, the Discworld
Discworld (world)
The Discworld is the fictional setting for all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld fantasy novels. It consists of a large disc resting on the backs of four huge elephants which are in turn standing on the back of an enormous turtle, named Great A'Tuin as it slowly swims...
's first and only private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
, and former member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch
Ankh-Morpork City Watch
The Ankh-Morpork City Watch is a fictional police force within the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett. It is based in the city-state of Ankh-Morpork on the Discworld. The Watch was originally two units, the Day Watch and the Night Watch which were combined after the events of Men at Arms...
. His investigation of a brutal murder gets him involved in a sinister plot. The game's story line is a completely original creation, unlike the previous Discworld games, two of which were based on particular novels, and one of which was a mixture of elements from several. It is set in Ankh-Morpork
Ankh-Morpork
Ankh-Morpork is a fictional city-state which prominently features in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. As cities go, it is on the far side of corrupt and polluted, and is subject to outbreaks of comedic violence and brouhaha on a fairly regular basis...
, the largest city on the Discworld.
The game features many new characters and locales, which do not appear in the Discworld books. However, as the game is set in Ankh-Morpork, characters and locales from the books also appear, such as the Unseen University
Unseen University
The Unseen University is a school of wizardry in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. Located in the city of Ankh-Morpork, the UU is staffed by a faculty composed of mostly indolent and inept old wizards. The university's name is a pun on the Invisible College...
, the Dysk Theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, Pseudopolis Yard, the City Watch and eccentric inventor Leonard da Quirm. The game's manual includes an introduction
Foreword
A foreword is a piece of writing sometimes placed at the beginning of a book or other piece of literature. Written by someone other than the primary author of the work, it often tells of some interaction between the writer of the foreword and the book's primary author or the story the book tells...
written by Discworld creator Terry Pratchett.
The moody, ambient-SFX-laden music track was composed and recorded by British composer Paul Weir.
Voice cast
The majority of the game's characters, including Lewton, Nobby, Ilsa and Carlotta, are voiced by Rob BrydonRob Brydon
Rob Brydon is a BAFTA-nominated Welsh actor, comedian, radio and television presenter, singer and impressionist...
and Kate Robbins
Kate Robbins
Katherine Robbins is an English actress, comedienne and singer.-Biography:Robbins is a first cousin once removed of Paul McCartney and older sister of Amy Robbins . She attended Wirral Grammar School for Girls and won the Drama Prizes each year, notably with her monologue "All this glitters is not...
, while Robert Llewellyn
Robert Llewellyn
Robert Llewellyn is an English actor, presenter, and writer. He is best known as the mechanoid Kryten in the hit sitcom Red Dwarf, and for his role as presenter of Scrapheap Challenge.-Early career:...
and Nigel Planer
Nigel Planer
Nigel George Planer is an English actor, comedian, novelist and playwright.Planer is perhaps best known for his role as Neil Pye in the cult BBC comedy The Young Ones. He has appeared in many West End musicals, including Evita, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Wicked and Hairspray...
voice the rest. Rob Lord, the game's audio director is also credited as providing additional voices.
Film noir references
Discworld Noir makes both incredibly overt and alternatively densely obscure references to many noir films, in particular the noted Humphrey BogartHumphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....
films Casablanca
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
and The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)
The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 Warner Bros. film based on the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett and a remake of the 1931 film of the same name...
. Some of the references include:
- Lewton is named after horror-noir producer Val LewtonVal LewtonVal Lewton was an American film producer and screenwriter, best known for a string of low-budget horror films he produced for RKO Pictures in the 1940s.-Early life:...
. Josh KirbyJosh KirbyRonald William "Josh" Kirby was an English commercial artist born in Waterloo, on the outskirts of Liverpool, Merseyside. He was educated at the Liverpool City School of Art, where he acquired the nickname Josh, which comes from having his work compared to that of Sir Joshua Reynolds...
's Discworld Noir cover illustration features a wolf posed in a similar manner to the cat on the cover of the Lewton film Cat People. - The Tsortese Falchion is a parody of the Maltese Falcon.
- The character of Mundy may be a reference to Thursby in The Maltese Falcon. Both die (and 'Thursby' almost sounds like 'Thursday').
- Al Khali and Jasper Horst are direct parodies of two characters from The Maltese Falcon. Joel Cairo, played by Peter LorrePeter LorrePeter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
, is short in stature, named after a city and turns out to be the messenger for a huge man named Casper Gutman. In Noir, Al Khali is a dwarf named after an equally sandy city, and the lackey of a huge troll by the name of Jasper Horst. Gutman is rather rotund and to reflect this, Horst refers to the troll's shape ('Horst' being a geological term for a large outcrop of rock between two parallel faults. Curiously, this description also reflects his role in the game's storyline). Horst uses lines directly taken from Gutman's dialogue in The Maltese Falcon. The way Lewton is followed by Al Khali is a reference to another character, Wilmer. - The troll "Mount" Malachite is extremely similar to the strong but slow witted Moose Malloy in Farewell, My LovelyFarewell, My LovelyFarewell, My Lovely is a 1940 novel by Raymond Chandler, the second novel he wrote featuring Los Angeles private eye Philip Marlowe. It was adapted for the screen three times.-Plot summary:...
, and Noir' s "Therma" subplot is almost identical to the double identity sub-plot found in the film. - Noir
' s ending is an homage to Casablanca' s. - Regin the dwarf coachman combines elements of three of the murder victims found in The Big SleepThe Big Sleep (1946 film)The Big Sleep is a 1946 film noir directed by Howard Hawks, the first film version of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart as detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as the female lead in a film about the "process of a criminal investigation, not its...
. His employer, the wheelchair-using Count von Überwald, is based on the wheelchair-using General Sternwood in the same film. - The line, "You know how to howl don't you, Lewton? You just pull your jaws apart and blow." is a reference to a line in To Have and Have NotTo Have and Have Not (film)To Have and Have Not is a 1944 romance-war-adventure film. The movie was directed by Howard Hawks and stars Humphrey Bogart, Walter Brennan, and Lauren Bacall in her first film...
, where Lauren BacallLauren BacallLauren Bacall is an American film and stage actress and model, known for her distinctive husky voice and sultry looks.She first emerged as leading lady in the Humphrey Bogart film To Have And Have Not and continued on in the film noir genre, with appearances in The Big Sleep and Dark Passage ,...
says to Bogart, "You know how to whistle, don't you sweetheart? You just purse your lips together and blow." - To Have and Have NotTo Have and Have Not (film)To Have and Have Not is a 1944 romance-war-adventure film. The movie was directed by Howard Hawks and stars Humphrey Bogart, Walter Brennan, and Lauren Bacall in her first film...
is referenced again when Carlotta asks Lewton who "she" was; "the one who gave you such a high opinion of women?" This is a verbatim quote by Bacall's character towards Bogart's in the film. - The vampire pianist Samael is named after Sam, the pianist from Casablanca.
Lewton: Play it again, Sam.
Samael: You know what? No one's ever going to believe you said that.Despite being famously attributed to it, the line "Play it again, SamPlay it again, SamPlay it again, Sam is originally a misquotation from the 1942 film Casablanca. It may also refer to:* A misquotation from the 1946 Marx Brothers' movie A Night in Casablanca...
." was never actually said in Casablanca. - Ilsa Varberg is named after Ingrid Bergman's character Ilsa Lund from Casablanca. Lund and Varberg are also both cities in Sweden, Ingrid Bergman's home country.
- The encounter with Vimes and Nobby in Mundy's bedroom mirrors when the two detectives enter Sam Spade's apartment in The Maltese Falcon.
- Just before Lewton is killed, his line "I couldn't hear my footsteps. It was the walk of a dead man." is taken verbatim from the film-noir film Double Indemnity.
Other references
- Satrap's use of the phrase "The stars are right!" is a reference to LovecraftianH. P. LovecraftHoward Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
literature. Nylonathotep, the Laddering Horror, is a parody of Lovecraft's NyarlathotepNyarlathotepNyarlathotep, also known as the Crawling Chaos, is a malign deity in the Cthulhu Mythos fictional universe created by H. P. Lovecraft. First appearing in Lovecraft's 1920 prose poem of the same name, he was later mentioned in other works by Lovecraft and by other writers and in the tabletop...
, the Crawling Chaos. - In the scene where Lewton asks Satrap, if he had a spell that would destroy all life, whether he would use it or not, the dialogue (with a few changes) mirrors the scene in the 1975 Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
story "Genesis Of The DaleksGenesis of the DaleksGenesis of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who that was originally broadcast in six weekly parts from 8 March to 12 April 1975. It marks the first appearance of Davros, the creator of the Daleks.-Plot:...
" when the Fourth DoctorFourth DoctorThe Fourth Doctor is the fourth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC British television science-fiction series Doctor Who....
asks DavrosDavrosDavros is a character from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Davros is an archenemy of the Doctor and is the creator of the Doctor's deadliest enemies, the Daleks...
if he would use a virus that would destroy all life. - In the temple of small gods, Lewton notes to Malaclypse that the "Brethern of the Ebon Night" have been killed by a dragon. This is of course a reference to Guards! Guards! and/or the first Discworld computer game.
- The series of murders based upon theatrical plays is a direct parody of the film Theatre of BloodTheatre of BloodTheatre of Blood is a horror film starring Vincent Price as vengeful actor Edward Lionheart and Diana Rigg as his daughter Edwina Lionheart. The cast includes such distinguished actors as Harry Andrews, Coral Browne, Robert Coote, Jack Hawkins, Michael Hordern, Arthur Lowe, Joan Hickson, Robert...
, in which the murders are all based upon works by Shakespeare. - The Guild of archaeologists has many references to Indiana JonesIndiana JonesColonel Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr., Ph.D. is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg created the character in homage to the action heroes of 1930s film serials...
and Tomb RaiderTomb RaiderTomb Raider is an action-adventure video game developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive. It was originally released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn, with MS-DOS and PlayStation versions following shortly thereafter...
, including a buxom tomb excavator named Laredo CronkLara CroftLara Croft is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Square Enix video game series Tomb Raider. She is presented as a beautiful, intelligent, and athletic British archaeologist-adventurer who ventures into ancient, hazardous tombs and ruins around the world...
. - The Milka picks up Ilsa and Two Conkers in Ecalpon which is spelled backwards "no place". This is a reference to Samuel ButlerSamuel Butler (novelist)Samuel Butler was an iconoclastic Victorian author who published a variety of works. Two of his most famous pieces are the Utopian satire Erewhon and a semi-autobiographical novel published posthumously, The Way of All Flesh...
s ErewhonErewhonErewhon: or, Over the Range is a novel by Samuel Butler, published anonymously in 1872. The title is also the name of a country, supposedly discovered by the protagonist. In the novel, it is not revealed in which part of the world Erewhon is, but it is clear that it is a fictional country...
("nowhere"). - When Lewton discovers that someone concealed themselves in a wine barrel, he wonders why that brings to mind the phrases "You wait - time passes" and "Thorin sits down and starts singing about gold.". These phrases come from the text adventure The Hobbit.
- The name Vault 51 and the bright yellow lettering used on the numbers, which is situated underneath the Archaeologist’s guild, is a subtle reference to the video game "Fallout".
- On smelling something strange, Lewton remarks that the scent "filled up [his] senses like a night in a forest"; this is a verbatim quote from Annie's SongAnnie's Song"Annie's Song" is a rock/country song recorded and written by singer-songwriter John Denver. It was his second number-one song in the United States, occupying that spot for two weeks in July 1974. "Annie's Song" also went to number one on the Easy Listening chart...
by John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
.
Familiar characters
In Discworld Noir, there are many new, original characters designed exclusively for the game. However, many classic Discworld characters appear as well. These include:Nobby : Corporal Cecil Wormsborough St. John "Nobby" Nobbs is one of Lewton's old friends from the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. He is in various City Watch Discworld novels including Guards! Guards!
Guards! Guards!
Guards! Guards! is the eighth Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, first published in 1989. It is the first novel about the City Watch. The first Discworld computer game borrowed heavily from Guards! Guards! in terms of plot.-Plot:...
, Men at Arms
Men at Arms
Men at Arms is the 15th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett first published in 1993. It is the second novel about the Ankh-Morpork City Watch on the Discworld. Lance-constable Angua von Überwald, later in the series promoted to the rank of Sergeant, is introduced in this book...
and The Fifth Elephant
The Fifth Elephant
The Fifth Elephant is the 24th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. It introduces the clacks, a long-distance semaphore system. The novel was nominated for the Locus Award in 2000.-Plot summary:...
. He plays a fairly important role in the game, offering Lewton certain pieces of information. Nobby also appeared in Discworld.
Sam Vimes
Samuel Vimes
Samuel "Sam" Vimes is a fictional policeman from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. As of his latest promotion, his full name and title is; "'His Grace, His Excellency, The Duke of Ankh; Commander Sir Samuel Vimes": When serving as Ambassador for Ankh-Morpork, he is also referred to simply as...
: Sir Samuel Vimes is the commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Vimes never really got on with Lewton while he was a member of the Watch, and has despised Lewton since he was caught taking a bribe, something Vimes has very strong views about. In a serious departure from the novels, the Vimes of the game is unprofessional and vindictive, determined to fit the crimes to Lewton.
Death
Death (Discworld)
Death is a fictional character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and a parody of several other personifications of death. Like most Grim Reapers, he is a black-robed skeleton usually carrying a scythe...
: The familiar Grim Reaper
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
-style character that appears in almost every Discworld novel. Death comes to take the Count's soul away later in the game and also to take an evil wizard's soul away when Lewton fights him off the Observatory roof. The only character who persists in constantly breaking the fourth wall by referencing, amongst other things, narrative causality, the gangster stereotype, and the freeform flow of the game itself. However, these references may be just observations about the nature of discworld reality, since narrative causality is a fundamental law of the discworld universe.
Death of Rats : The Grim Squeaker.
The Patrician
Havelock Vetinari
Havelock Vetinari, Lord Vetinari, Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, is the fictional ruler of the city state of Ankh-Morpork in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, a series of over thirty books describing a parallel universe whose main world has reflections of - even more or less subtle jokes about - our...
: The Patrician Havelock Vetinari is only briefly heard through the locked double-doors of the Oblong Office
Oval Office
The Oval Office, located in the West Wing of the White House, is the official office of the President of the United States.The room features three large south-facing windows behind the president's desk, and a fireplace at the north end...
. He talks to Sam Vimes and is mentioned throughout the game several times.
Leonard da Quirm : A genius and inventor who is locked up in the Palace Cells for his own safety or, rather, for that of the rest of civilization, given how dangerous some of his inventions have been. Because food, lodgings, peace and quiet and all the raw materials he needs are provided for free, Leonard doesn't mind his incarceration at all. The Patrician occasionally finds uses for his creativity and some of his creations. Lewton encounters him via a secret doorway in his prison cell.
Captain Jenkins : Captain of the Cargo ship the Milka who talks to Lewton in the Cafe Ankh. He appears in Jingo
Jingo (novel)
Jingo is the 21st novel by Terry Pratchett, one of his Discworld series. It was published in 1997. The rising of a previously submerged island and the subconstituent sovereignty dispute were inspired by the real-life island of Ferdinandea.-Plot:...
.
Gaspode the Wonder Dog : The famous talking dog of Ankh-Morpork. Gaspode teaches Lewton how to use his werewolf abilities. He also appears in a number of Discworld novels including Moving Pictures
Moving Pictures (novel)
Moving Pictures is the name of the tenth Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, published in 1990. The book takes place in Discworld's most famous city, Ankh-Morpork and a town called "Holy Wood"...
, Men at Arms
Men at Arms
Men at Arms is the 15th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett first published in 1993. It is the second novel about the Ankh-Morpork City Watch on the Discworld. Lance-constable Angua von Überwald, later in the series promoted to the rank of Sergeant, is introduced in this book...
and The Truth
The Truth (novel)
The Truth is the twenty-fifth Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, published in 2000.The book features the coming of movable type to Ankh-Morpork, and the founding of the Discworld's first newspaper by William de Worde, as he invents investigative journalism with the help of his reporter Sacharissa...
.
Full list of characters
This is the full list of characters in the game. They are noted in the rough order of which they appear in the game.- Lewton - the protagonist of the game; Lewton is a cynical and bitter private detective who later becomes infected with lycanthropy. Formerly a member of the Watch, he was fired by Vimes for accepting a bribe during a period of depression following the departure of his lover, Ilsa. After spending years as a drunkard and wallowing in depression, he became the Discworld's first Private Investigator; partially so he can afford to pay his bar tab and rent, but mainly because investigation is one of his only talents.
- Carlotta Von Überwald - a rich woman who hires Lewton at the beginning of the game to track someone down; she also goes by the name of 'Therma', given to her by her troll foster parents.
- Mr Scoplett - the first mate on the Milka; he picked up a bad case of Philosophy in Ephebe, which is a bit of a drawback when you are supposed to be navigating. One minute you are fine, the next you are wondering if anything can be truly said to exist.
- Captain Jenkins - the captain on the Milka; bitter and unhelpful. Desires a harem of exotic dancers called 'Chantelle'.
- Malachite - an unintelligent troll of few words, sent by Jasper Horst to hinder events unfolding.
- Corporal Nobby Nobbs - the sneaky, lazy, thieving Watchman still retains his friendship with Lewton, and occasionally offers good advice and actually does some work.
- Mankin - a half-elf bartender who doesn't appreciate people asking lots of questions.
- Sapphire - a troll singer at The Octarine Parrot, blackmailing Therma along with Regin.
- Samael - owner of Café Ankh and an accomplished pianist. Presumably a black ribboner as he is a vampire.
- Ilsa Varberg - an ex-lover of Lewton who is back in town with her husband.
- Al Khali - a dwarf named after a city working for Jasper Horst; he is first discovered snooping through the drawers of Lewton's desk, and appears in Lewton's office later armed with an axe. Investigation suggests a theory that he is possibly named after Al Khali due to the unrelenting winds.
- Two Conkers - Ilsa's husband; a foreigner from the Counterweight Continent visiting after Cohen's invasion.
- Rhodan - a very forgetful sculptor, part-time plaster surgeon for trolls.
- The Watchman - an unnamed watchman on Pier Five who delivers the immortal line, "sharp as a pancakePancakeA pancake is a thin, flat, round cake prepared from a batter, and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. Most pancakes are quick breads; some use a yeast-raised or fermented batter. Most pancakes are cooked one side on a griddle and flipped partway through to cook the other side...
you are". In Lewton's own words, "blisteringly unhelpful". - The Butler - a butler at the Von Überwald mansion; overuses the word "sir" and is stereotypically sarcastic and condescending. Worries about Lewton damaging the hardwood floor.
- Count Henning Von Überwald - a rich man and father-in-law to Carlotta; he is crippled and very ill.
- Mundy - a courier and the man you are originally asked to track down; he briefly had the Tsortese Falchion.
- Vimes - the head of the Watch, apparently holds a grudge against Lewton.
- Remora Selachii - an assassinAssassinationTo carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
who occasionally appears to add tension to events. - Whirl - a croupierCroupierA croupier or dealer is someone appointed at a gambling table to assist in the conduct of the game, especially in the distribution of bets and payouts. Croupiers are typically employed by casinos.-Origin of the word:...
at Saturnalia, doesn't give anything away for free. - Warb - a depressed wizard and a True Believer of Anu-anu.
- Malaclypse - a conspiracy theorist who serves the goddess Errata - see Malaclypse the YoungerMalaclypse the YoungerGregory Hill , better known by the pen name Malaclypse the Younger , was one of the two writers of the Principia Discordia, along with Kerry Wendell Thornley . He was also adapted as a character in The Illuminatus! Trilogy...
. - Mooncalf - a mad cultist who serves Anu-anu.
- Jasper Horst - an intelligent troll in search of the golden falchion.
- Regin - a dwarf who is employed to drive the Count's carriage.
- Sergeant Detritus - a dim-witted troll Watchman, plays the bad cop in Lewton's interrogation. 'If you want to fall down the stairs to your cell without leaving your chair it fine by me.'
- Leonard de Quirm - an inventor and technological genius; kept prisoner in the Patrician's palace and currently working on the Flapping-Wing-Flying-Device.
- Lord Vetinari - the Patrician of Ankh-MorporkAnkh-MorporkAnkh-Morpork is a fictional city-state which prominently features in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. As cities go, it is on the far side of corrupt and polluted, and is subject to outbreaks of comedic violence and brouhaha on a fairly regular basis...
, overheard through a door during his conversation with Vimes. - Clark's Gable - a rooftop gargoyleGargoyleIn architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque, usually made of granite, with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between...
with a gutterGutterpanels of a comic strip or comic book page*Gutter , the space between panes of postage stamps that creates configurations of "gutter pairs" or "gutter blocks"*Gutter, in interface design, the blank spaces that separate rows and columns in screen...
in his mouth, witness to at least two murders. A direct reference to Clark Gable - The Doorman - a stubborn doorman to the Guild of Archaeologists.
- Laredo Cronk - an upwardly nubile tomb evacuator; a direct parody of Lara CroftLara CroftLara Croft is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Square Enix video game series Tomb Raider. She is presented as a beautiful, intelligent, and athletic British archaeologist-adventurer who ventures into ancient, hazardous tombs and ruins around the world...
. - Gaspode the Wonderdog - a mangy stray dog who teaches Lewton about his werewolf abilities. He talks, too.
- Mrs Fomes - head chambermaid of the New Hall at Unseen UniversityUnseen UniversityThe Unseen University is a school of wizardry in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. Located in the city of Ankh-Morpork, the UU is staffed by a faculty composed of mostly indolent and inept old wizards. The university's name is a pun on the Invisible College...
. - Death - the harvester of mankind, everyone's favourite seven-foot skeleton. Useful to Lewton's murder inquiries, but reluctant to help.
- Death of Rats - a harvester of ratkind.
- The Gatekeeper - a gatekeeper at the Merchant's Guild, not allowed to talk about 'the incident'.
- Foid - a troll who is a True Believer of Anu-Anu.
- Satrap - a wizard and True Believer of Anu-Anu.
- Coom - a spineless True Believer of Anu-Anu. First overheard through a door at the Patrician's Palace, speaking to Kondo.
- Privetier - a thespian, a complete ham.
- Anu-anu - a weak god who appears during the game, mostly in dog form as a small Kelef-Klatchani.
- Kondo - a True Believer of Anu-Anu. First overheard through a door at the Patrician's Palace, speaking to Coom.
- Gelid - a bledlow (porter) at Unseen University and a True Believer of Anu-Anu.
- Zombie - a jewel-guarding zombie.
- Saipha - one of the Patrician's clerks.
- Mathon - a wizard at the university who was interested in the astrology post.
- Gamin - merchant of the merchants guild.
- Mr Hong - owned the "Three Jolly Luck Take-Away Fish Bar" on Dagon street.
Full list of locations
These locations are noted in the rough order of which they are encountered in the game.- Lewton's Office - where Lewton does all his paperwork
- The Wharf - docking place of The Milka
- Pier Five
- The Octarine Parrot - a sleazy and empty bar; used to be a troll bar so has a bad reputation
- Rhodan's Workshop - home of Rhodan and Malachite
- Café Ankh - Lewton's regular watering hole, an almost empty café with a wine cellar which is ideal for hiding people
- Pseudopolis Yard - City Watch Headquarters
- Von Überwald Mansion - home of the Von Überwalds and their massive library
- Saturnalia - a casino which is later closed due to a murder outside it
- Selachii Family Mausoleum - a huge mausoleum where Therma is said to be buried
- Temple of Small Gods - location of the mad cultists Mooncalf and Malaclypse
- Horst's Quarters - temporary lodgings of Jasper Horst and his henchman Al Khali
- Maudlin Bridge - bridge over the River Ankh; final resting place of Regin and his carriage
- Rooftops above Salis and Phedre - location of Gable and the murder of Malachite
- Patrician's Palace - home of the Patrician and his army of clerks
- Leonard's Cell - room of the palace where Leonard lives and works
- Cemetery - where you wake up after being bitten by a werewolf
- New Hall, Unseen University - Recently built student accommodation
- Sewers - an underground maze
- The Merchant's Guild
- Sanctuary The place in the Shades where Lewton uncovers the conspiracy behind the True Believers.
- Dagon Street - home of Foid, and of the notorious Three Jolly Luck Take-Away Fish Bar
- The Wizard's Pleasaunce, Unseen University - private garden for university staff
- The Dysk Theatre - home of the city's thespians and leading to the underground cavern where Anu-Anu and the True Believers summon Nylonathtep from the Dungeon Dimensions
- The Observatory, Unseen University
See also
- Discworld
- Discworld II: Missing Presumed...!?
- The Colour of Magic
External links
- The Discworld Noir CFAQ at International HoboInternational HoboInternational Hobo is a consultancy incorporation in video game industry.ihobo was founded by Chris Bateman in 1999 and it is based in Manchester, England....
- The Discworld Game Pages