The Mystery of the Druids

Lore & Background

The game begins with a dark ceremony at Stonehenge in 1000 AD, where most druids are consumed by fire. In 2000, Detective Brent Halligan is assigned to the 'Skeleton Murders' in London. With help from anthropologist Dr. Melanie Turner and historian Arthur Blake, he discovers the murders match ancient druidic sacrificial rites. A demonic superior druid had seized power to force humanity into submission via a 'final ritual' that would transfer druidic knowledge to five infants called the 'Inheritors'. Though the ritual was incomplete, the Inheritors are powerful enough to finish it themselves.

Halligan investigates a neo-Druid group called 'The Circle', led by Lord Sinclair. He is captured, escapes, and witnesses a human sacrifice before fainting. Unbeknownst to him, he is fed human flesh, which grants strength but makes him susceptible to brainwashing. Turner infiltrates Sinclair's estate and finds the Amulet of Transformation. She knocks Halligan unconscious to escape. Later, Halligan discovers he was brainwashed and learns Sinclair plans to curse the world to enslave humanity. Depending on player actions, Turner may be captured and killed, or survive. Blake is killed by Sinclair but directs them to the Twelve Bridges ruins, where Halligan and Turner are sent back in time.

In the past, Halligan confronts the demonic druid Serstan, who holds Turner hostage. Halligan barters a staff for their safety, and Serstan agrees on his honor. The ritual transports them back to their own time. They rush to Stonehenge, where The Circle attempts the final ritual. Halligan stabs Turner with scissors, breaking Serstan's vow, causing Serstan to intervene and make the Circle disappear. Turner is near death, but Halligan saves her with magical mistletoe, and they share a kiss.

Reader's Guide

The Mystery of the Druids is significant as the debut title of House of Tales, a German developer that later produced The Moment of Silence and Overclocked: A History of Violence. The game was first revealed by cdv Software Entertainment on July 12, 2000, under the working title The Heirs of the Druids. It was advertised as containing 50 detailed locations, 360 interactive scenes, and 20 speaking characters, blending 2D and 3D graphics. Two playable demos were released in 2001, and three trailers showcased gameplay, locations, and the romance between Halligan and Turner.

Commercially, the game debuted at #29 on Media Control's German sales chart in March 2001 and was reported as a 'big hit' in Germany by July. Internationally, it received mixed reviews. Critics praised its exciting story and atmospheric design but criticized its control deficiencies, weak graphics, bugs, confusing puzzles, and painful dialogue. PC Zone's Mark Hill called it 'best serious adventure game in years,' comparing it favorably to Broken Sword and Blade Runner. In retrospect, House of Tales co-founder Martin Ganteföhr characterized the game as an important learning experience despite its flaws and negative reviews, stating that the team aimed to create a better game afterward. Nordic Games acquired the game's intellectual property on December 5, 2014.

Did You Know?

• The game was originally titled The Heirs of the Druids when revealed on July 12, 2000.
• A playable demo released in November 2000 featured gameplay up to the Anthropology Museum in Oxford.
• Nordic Games acquired the game's intellectual property on December 5, 2014.