(contains Some Spoiler Bits)
This is one of my favourite gothic experiments, yet it is not a main storyline requirement of G1 as such. It is a simple explanation of getting the sword in Ch-1 for a bit of gaming fun - a challenge, there are different ways to doing this.
1. In chapter-1 when you feel strong enough and able to kill the skeletons in the fog tower as a test of your own strength, then do so and kill the 'SMoftFT' quickly so as to get his summon skeleton spell scrolls. Then get a couple of meatbug transformation scrolls, some haste potions maybe and a telekinesis scroll and learn the acrobatic skill.
2. Using the "back-way-in" method to the orc town as previously mentioned, stand on a rock ledge close to the figurine and transform to meatbug, go down the rock-face or free-fall and go through main temple portcullis gate and into the underground orc temple, cross the rift and go up the small steps to the first main hall.
3. Continuing still as a meatbug, keep left and go to the first temple guardians door, or, re-convert and kill the skeletons and the mage for even more summon skeleton scrolls, other magic spells can obviously be used during this experiment.
4. Kill the 1st guardian, arrows through the bars will do nicely or summons skeletons, press the switch and then the inner switch to enable the 1st undead priest cinematic scene and door opening - enter the 1st tomb. Summon 3 skeletons using 1 scroll and approach the priest, after his dialogue quickly dive twice to far corner of the tomb and even again as required, the skeletons will see-off the priest, you could even try enticing the priest to be crushed by the masher. Use his sword and exit the tomb.
5. Repeat this method until the second minecrawler passage gate (cinematic scene) is opened, you can now haste/run to the red blood/spike room area - summoning skeletons as required - i do it in 1 summon.
6. Skeletons cannot kill Cor Boba but the spikes will, entice him into the room using various methods, strategically summoned skeletons edging him toward to spike room will work but you must keep him out of your senses range - do not enable his dialogue process. You have to be quick, as he fights in the spike room, shoot the target while standing outside of the room (can be difficult if highlighted targets are aimed at because the arrow target switches will not highlight) - watch as the skeletons and Cor Boba meet their death. Shoot a single arrow at the now revealed hidden switch, cinematic scene opens the three switches room, complete the sequence to open Cor Boba's Gate.
7. When near to templars a meatbug will be detected and killed unless covertly circumventing around the outer walls (distract with another skeleton scroll if desired) it is possible to slowly get to the lava room. A haste potion will get you into the lava room and if done correctly will entice any following templars all the way to the lava room and they (usuall one or two) will fall into the lava and be killed - this generally only works by running along the semi-circular passagway very quickly. Strangely, templars will not normally be killed in the second spiked corridor but guardians will. It is important to realise that you are not fighting any templars or guardians mincrawlers or undead priests - you are evading them by various tactics - yet minecrawlers and skeletons can be easily killed by you if so wished, even guardians - i have no problem.
8. Kill the guardian guarding the path around the lava pool with another skeleton scroll then dive across the lava pool and stand at the door to the room on the island but not too near the spike-trapped entrance. retrieve the sword lying inside the room using the telekinesis spell - do not enter the room, too near and the undead priest will walk through the spikes (he already dead!) and attack you, yet again three skeletons can kill him. Any telekinesis-ised item will travel through rocks and walls and can be steered with left and right keyboard keys.
9. As a not too powerful character, you now have the sword. getting back is more a matter of retracing your path to the main entrance foyer' - your last meatbug spell will get you beyond the gate and quietly crawl away up and over the rocks the way you came in. All of the orcs and shamans are alive and have not been interacted with.
After playing gothic for five years and completed 65 times, i have uninstalled it and put it away for good never to be played again. It is a fantastic and original game, in it's own class it cannot be be beaten.
enjoy.