I am exploring the "Dark Tower" with Lester and have done the ground floor and second floor.
There is a ladder to the third floor but it seems 1 rung short and so I cannot actually get onto that level. Is this intentional? Or am I just uncoordinated with ladders in this game (which it seems to struggle with as it is!)

Also, is there any Alchemy in it at any point, or was that added for number 2?

Finally... is Dragon Root any good in 1 apart from Mana? I know it was a stat booster in #2 but seems to not be in number 1...

I know what you mean (couldn't get up there myself at first), I suggest trying to climb up the ladder, stop,
and then jump into the room. This has atleast helped me on some of the more difficult ladder sections.

I can't remember any alchemy parts in Gothic 1 (other than trading), sorry.
Someone might give a more accurate respons here though.

Dragonroot only gives mana in Gothic 1.

Hope this helped :).

It's helped a lot - with the ladders the main thing it to know it IS possible so I will keep trying... I have used the jump trick for some of the tricker ladders, just this one doesn't even seem to allow that so far. Guess repetition is the trick :)