How to Get Into the Castle in the Old Camp: A Gothic 1 Remake Guide

The only reliable way to get into the castle in the Old Camp is to earn an audience with Gomez by proving your worth to his faction. This means you need the approval of Thorus, the imposing head of the guards who blocks the main gate. While you can eventually join the Old Camp to get access, the most direct path involves completing a specific task for Thorus himself: dealing with a troublesome New Camp thief named Mordrag.

There are no shortcuts, glitches, or simple bribes that will get you past Thorus and into the inner sanctum. Your entire goal in the early game revolves around building enough reputation to be seen as a valuable asset, not just another convict. This guide will walk you through every step of that process, from your first conversation with Diego to the final, tense meeting with the Ore Baron himself.

01

The Direct Path: Thorus's "Out of Sight" Questtag

If your only goal is to get inside the castle as quickly as possible—perhaps to deliver the letter to the Fire Mages—your focus should be on Thorus. While other quests build general reputation, he holds the keys and offers a single, clear test to prove you're not a liability.

Who is Thorus and Why Do You Need His Approval?tag

Thorus is Gomez's chief enforcer and the commander of the Old Camp's guards. He is the sole gatekeeper to the castle's inner ring. No one gets in without his explicit permission. When you first speak to him about joining, he'll dismiss you, telling you to earn the trust of important people first. The most important of these is Diego, but Thorus has his own agenda. After speaking with Diego about joining the camp, you can pester Thorus again and offer your services directly. He'll reveal he has a problem with a New Camp member named Mordrag, who has been stealing from the Ore Barons.

Step 1: Locating Mordragtag

Mordrag isn't hard to find. He's usually loitering near the south gate of the Old Camp, close to the marketplace. He wears distinctive blue clothing that makes him stand out from the Old Camp's red-and-orange clad population. He’s a merchant, so you can trade with him, but his real purpose is to serve as your test. Once you find him, tell him, "You've got a problem." This initiates the quest's climax.

Step 2: Resolving the Mordrag Dilemmatag

Thorus wants Mordrag gone, but he doesn't specify how. This gives you two primary paths, each with different consequences for your playthrough.

Option A: Kill Mordrag

• The Action: Provoke Mordrag into a fight and kill him. It's best to lead him just outside the south gate to avoid alerting the guards. He's a tough opponent for a low-level character, so be prepared.
• The Reward: You get 200 XP and can loot his body for his ring, a Sting Mace, a Rider's Bow, and some ore. Thorus will be pleased with this direct approach.
• The Consequence: You permanently lose a potential contact and quest-giver in the New Camp. This is the more brutal, but arguably more profitable, short-term solution.

Option B: Escort Mordrag to the New Camp

• The Action: Tell Mordrag you want to see the New Camp. He will offer to guide you there personally. This is a dangerous journey through territory filled with Scavengers and other beasts, but Mordrag is a capable fighter and will handle most threats.
• The Reward: You get 200 XP upon arrival at the New Camp. Mordrag will give you his ring as a token of friendship, which can be used to gain favor with Lares, the New Camp's leader. This path opens up the New Camp questline more smoothly.
• The Consequence: Thorus will be slightly disappointed you didn't kill him but is satisfied that he's gone nonetheless. You miss out on looting Mordrag's gear.

Step 3: Reporting Back to Thorustag

Once you have dealt with Mordrag one way or the other, return to Thorus at the castle gate. Inform him that the problem is solved. With his test passed, he will grant you his approval. This is a major step toward gaining entry. If you have also earned Diego's final approval (see below), Thorus will now step aside and allow you to pass into the castle's inner courtyard.

02

The Full Faction Path: Becoming a Shadowtag

While dealing with Mordrag is the fastest way to impress Thorus, getting into the castle is ultimately part of the larger quest to join the Old Camp. To get the final go-ahead from Diego and Thorus, you must prove your worth to several influential Shadows in the outer ring. This is the more thorough method and the one the game intends for you to follow.

To be formally accepted, you need to complete the "Casting Shadows" quest, which involves gaining the support of the camp's key players. You must also reach at least Level 5.

The Gatekeepers of Influencetag

You need to systematically win over the following NPCs by completing their personal quests:

• Thorus (Out of Sight): As detailed above, get rid of Mordrag. This is non-negotiable.
• Whistler (Whistler's Sword): Find Whistler near his hut. He'll give you 100 ore nuggets to buy back his sword from Fisk, the merchant. Simply walk over to Fisk's stall, buy the sword for 110 ore (you'll have to cover the difference), and return it to Whistler.
• Sly (The Vanished Warder): Sly, found near the north gate, asks you to find his missing friend, Nek. You'll find Nek's body in a cave just outside the south gate, guarded by Molerats. Return the amulet you find on his body to Sly.
• Fingers (A Ring for Fingers): This quest serves as a lockpicking tutorial. Fingers asks you to steal a ring from Scatty's chest. Scatty's hut is nearby; wait for him to leave, then pick the lock and bring the ring to Fingers.
• Dexter (The Cult's Recipe): Dexter, a merchant in the marketplace, wants you to steal a valuable Swampweed recipe from Cor Kalom in the Swamp Camp. This requires a trip to the Psi-freaks' camp and some stealth.

The Final Approval: Diego's "Test of Faith"tag

After you've earned the respect of the other Shadows and reached Level 5, Diego will give you one final task: the "Test of Faith." He needs you to go to the Old Mine, retrieve a list of supplies from the foreman, Ian, and bring it back to him. The mine is northwest of the camp. Once inside, navigate down to the bottom level to find Ian. Tell him "The crawlers look mighty hungry" to get the list. Return the list to Diego, and he will finally give you his full backing.

With Diego's approval and Thorus's quest complete, you can now approach Thorus, who will let you into the castle.

03

What to Expect Inside the Castletag

Getting past Thorus is only the first step. The inner ring is home to the Ore Barons' houses, the Fire Mages, and Gomez's main hall. The guards here are even less friendly. You'll need to speak to a guard at the main building entrance, who will let you pass once you mention Thorus sent you.

Inside, you'll be met by Raven, Gomez's right-hand man. He will escort you to Gomez's throne room. The audience with Gomez is notoriously tense. He will question your allegiances and knowledge of the other camps. Be careful with your answers. If you lie to him or mention Y'Berion, the leader of the Swamp Camp, he will know you're being dishonest and his guards will attack you on the spot. Successfully navigate the conversation, and Gomez will formally accept you into the Old Camp, rewarding you with a suit of Shadow's Armor.

Beyond Gomez, the castle holds key characters like Milten (one of the Fire Mages you need to deliver the letter to), Bartolo the blacksmith, and various Ore Barons. It's a hub of power, wealth, and danger.

04

Frequently Asked Questionstag

Can I just bribe Thorus or fight my way in? No. While there is a dialogue option to bribe Thorus for 1000 ore nuggets, this only grants you access to the courtyard to see the Fire Mages, not into the main building to see Gomez. It's an expensive and incomplete solution. Attacking the guards is suicide; they are incredibly powerful, and doing so will make the entire Old Camp permanently hostile.

What happens if I join the New Camp or Swamp Camp first? If you join another camp, you generally lose the opportunity to get a formal audience with Gomez as a potential recruit. Members of the New Camp are barred from entering Gomez's house entirely. Members of the Swamp Camp can gain access later as part of their main questline, but the path detailed here is specific to joining the Old Camp.

Do I have to kill Mordrag to get Thorus's approval? No. Thorus is satisfied as long as Mordrag is gone from the Old Camp. While he prefers the violent solution, helping Mordrag escape to the New Camp completes the quest successfully and keeps a useful contact alive.

Is there a level requirement to get into the castle? Yes. To get the final approval from Diego and formally join the camp (which solidifies your access), you must be at least Level 5. You can complete Thorus's quest at any level, but the full process requires some experience.

The Final Wordtag

Getting into the Old Camp's castle isn't about finding a secret entrance; it's a core narrative challenge in Gothic 1 Remake. The game forces you to engage with its systems of reputation and consequence. The most straightforward path is to focus on Thorus's task of eliminating Mordrag. However, the most rewarding path involves methodically earning the trust of the entire camp, culminating in Diego's "Test of Faith." Both routes lead past the gate, but only the latter truly makes you a part of the Colony's most powerful faction.