Known Glitches
Every game has some kind of glitch, from a piece of an old version of the game not being removed to a level forcing you to beat it twice to move on to a critical failure that randomly shuts down an entire game for no apparent reason at all. Whether it's through programmer error or from testers not encountering every possible scenario, glitches have a way of creeping into the system. The Savage Empire is no exception. Below are some of the known glitches to occur in the game.
Solo Combat Error
One of the unique aspects of The Savage Empire is the ability to select any party member and run around the world with just that person instead of the entire party. It is called Solo Mode. Doing so makes it easier to clear certain areas when one character is better at surviving than others.
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However, there are certain things a player cannot do if in Solo Mode. They cannot use a portal plate to teleport away (although they could walk across the entire world alone), they cannot enter into or exit a cave system, and, most importantly for this glitch, they cannot enter Combat Mode.
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When freeing Aiela from her cage, the game automatically puts the player into Combat Mode, even if the player is in Solo Mode. However, while in Solo Mode, the player cannot use the button to enter into or exit Solo Mode, which means that even when the combat is done, they cannot end the combat. While in Combat Mode, the player cannot enter into Solo or Party Mode.
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So, as shown in the video, if the player is in Solo Mode when they open Aiela's cage, they become trapped in a Combat Mode that they cannot get out of without dying. And, if the player's party is too good at killing enemies, it might even end up that the player can't die, leaving them forever in the cave with their party, fruitlessly searching for a way to end their suffering.
Body Falls Glitch
This one is weird for many reasons, but one of the main reasons why is because we cannot find any documentation online of it happening to anyone else. We aren't even certain what triggers it. It is very similar to the "Eohippus/Gold Falls" glitch shown later, but does not seem to have any effect on the game beyond annoyance (while the "Gold Falls" bug causes a lot of issues).
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Essentially, when doing something just right (or wrong), a message appears that says "Man falls." After that, every game tick the message "Body falls" is triggered, quickly pushing helpful messages up and off of the viewscreen.
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Going inside of a cave stops the notifications, but they resume as soon as the party leaves the cave system. It's clear someone died horribly, over and over, but who it is? Who knows.
Eohippus/Gold Falls Glitch
This glitch is very well documented. When doing the quest for the Sakkhra tribe, you are asked to kill "Thunderer," a T-Rex that has made its home at the lizard-folk's garden.
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Doing this is a simple task of using a gas device or a grenade next to a boulder above the dino, and watch its blood splatter. However, if you work your way onto the cliff above Thunderer and drop your device/grenade in the extremely obvious place, one of two messages appears depending on what you've already done in the game. For a full explanation, of why it happens, visit Dino's Guide here: https://gigi.nullneuron.net/ultima/se/fun.php
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They fully explored everything about the glitch. For the quick answer, there is an NPC0 that acts as a vehicle (when you use a raft). If you haven't used a raft, you get the message "Eohippus Falls" message, which is silly, but has no effect on the game. If, however, you've used a raft, you get the "Gold Falls" message. This one, as shown in the video, really screws with the game. Whoever is last on your party list is removed and cannot be brought back in. If you die, you gain an Eohippus as a party member, and the Avatar becomes a Myrmidex. You also lose all your items. If you die again, the Avatar either becomes something new (like a triceratops), or you respawn with zero hitpoints, forcing a constant respawn.
Infinite Bulbs Bug
This glitch has no purpose other than giving infinite, easy, experience for characters. Only one bulb is actually useful.
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By killing the Carnivorous Orchid and then leaving the bulb on the ground, a new Orchid will spawn if you walk away and come back. In addition, a second Orchid will spawn on that spot.
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If you move a bulb or drop it within the bushes/trees of the original Carnivorous Orchid's spawn point, one Orchid will spawn at the original point, and one at each other bulb. However, dropping the medicine too far away from the original spawn point will simply result in the bulb disappearing.
World's Edge Glitch
One well-known glitch occurs if you you exit the Myrmidex caves using a rope you've never used before. Only one Myrmidex cave exit has a rope of its own, however, the one that leads to the Spider Caves. The easiest way to access this bug is to never use the Spider Cave Myrmixex entrance, then simply go up the rope after hitting the drum.
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However, it is possible to enter the caves at any point and work your way to the exit.
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Doing so puts you on top of the edge of the world in a seemingly endless plain. It is possible, though, to find your way out (other than just killing the Avatar and respawning back at Intaya's), as I did in the following video.
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Whether you get out or not, though, the game is permanently glitched, leaving gaps in the overworld (as seen near the end of the video), and certain characters are permanently erased from the world, making a natural winning of the game impossible (also as shown).