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In both the full 2021 game and the 2015 mod, the story of The Forgotten City explores the existential relationship between humanity and its laws.

The full game begins with the protagonist waking after being rescued from floating down the Tiber River in Italy. The mysterious individual who rescues the player character asks them to look for her friend, who had disappeared whilst investigating nearby ruins. As the player explores said ruins, they are sent towards the era of the Roman Empire in the now-restored city. As the plot progresses and the player continues exploring it is elaborated that the city is under the protection of gods, where if anyone is to commit sin, all citizens of the city would be equally punished and turned into gold in a system referred to as the Golden Rule (originally Dwarves' Law). These gold statues, depicting previous inhabitants and residents, can be heard whispering, but seemingly only by the player. The specific sins that are criteria for the Golden Rule to be enacted are not clear to any resident of the city, with numerous records of contradictions. The player is able to re-enter the portal they had entered from and restart the time loop if the Golden Rule is ever enacted, allowing them to keep both physical and mental objects such as important items and information.

The plot was significantly altered from its original story in the mod, with the setting of a Dwemer ruin being shifted towards that of ancient Rome as well as much of the script being updated and rewritten. Multiple endings were both added and expanded from the original story.