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[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

14 Alturiak, 1371 (Hour 23):  After the battle @ the Gates to the Nine Hells, I was under the care of the Elves of Suldanessellar & as I relayed earlier took on a heavy penance for killing a Gold Dragon b/c I let my pride blind me.  My penance is light compared to to what I did by killing the same type dragon that acts as a steed for Torm himself.  When I left there I thought my penance had to be paid only to Helm but Anomen has since explained that, in fact, I can pay my tithe to any God of The Triad, i.e. Tyr, Torm or Ilmater (or to Helm) but my wrong was against Torm, specifically, against the race of Gold Dragons who Torm protects.

 

 From Suldanessellar we were sent by Elliseme to a keep specifically built by Helm to imprison an ancient evil.  We met Brother Odren & the Knights of the Vigil, who explained that the seals holding the evil inside the keep were weakening.  He said the Knights of the Vigil were too weak to go down into the keep themselves & that they’d been waiting on me (they knew my name but that doesn’t surprise me anymore).  After what happened in the Hell trials I wasn’t in much of a position to say, ‘”No,” considering that I was standing on top of a keep of very special interest to Helm himself.  Here was a chance to do good. 

 

We were given a wardstone needed to enter & after a night’s rest & provisioning we descended into the first level.  I didn’t know @ the time how deep this thing went but after breezing thru a Wandering Horror, a Poison Mist & a Phase Spider things got a little dicier. We found a massive statue w/an alter in front of it. As is our custom now, anything weird we find we keep & we knew what to do when we got to the alter so I had us spread out while Auren conducted the ritual.  And then the crap hit the shield.  Two Warrior Statues w/Halberds, a Dwarven Spellcaster Statue, a second Spellcaster Statue & an Aerial Servant came to life. We were in for a long battle & were in retrograde the whole way back to the entrance.  The statues were ridiculously tough.  The Warrior Statues were fast as was the Aerial Servant.  We took them out in the entrance way door but all of us were nicked & bruised in a big way.  We had time to breathe & quaff healing potions before the two Spellcaster Statues arrived.   I don’t really remember how we finally defeated them but it wasn’t easy w/all five of us beat up.  Later on the same level, we met an Archivist Ghost (kitchen) who explained a little about how to deal w/the High Priests Ghost that we would later encounter.  It really came down to some old slippers & once we had those, the Ghostly Priest was helpful & non-threatening.  I don’t remember much more but I’ve listed that we killed two Vampiric Wraiths in one encounter; a Spellhaunt in another; a Stone Golem; an Air Mephit, a Smoke Mephit, a Fire Mephit & an Ice Mephit & finally five Sword Spiders & three Phase Spiders. We finished up that level & headed down to the next after heading back to the roof for rest & nourishment.  By destroying the Guardian Statues we’d allowed ourselves access to the second level. 

 

After a day or two on top of the keep (it was nice b/c we could go down & get wood for our fire & not worry about wandering monsters) we decided to head down to the second level.  There was a Chromatic Demon in cage just outside the portal that took us down.  Of course it had to be that he was the only way down to the next level.  We had to collect four portal sceptors from the lairs of four dead mad mages; a slime mage, an air mage, a fire mage & an ice mage (I think it was).  While on that level we destroyed two Vampiric Wraiths, a Wandering Horror, & Poison Mist. After a break, we took down two Fire Giants.  The Chromatic Demon had told us that we should turn on the fan in the air mages room which he said would power the laboratories which we did (Auren: Ftr/App 20; Anomen = Ftr/14/Cl/14).  We continued working our way through, figuring out the clues as we could & defeated a Guardian of the Air, two Greater Air Elementals & two Lesser Air Elementals.  We then found the slime chamber & defeated a Giant Snake, three Poison Mists, three Green Slimes & found a Yellow Ioun Stone therein.  I don’t remember for sure but where but we also destroyed six Mutated Spiders & retrieved a Bloodstone Amulet & the required Slime Scepter (I guess they were in the same chamber (Gawain = Ftr/23).  Somewhere we got the other two scepters but we were moving quickly & I didn’t realize till now that I didn’t write it down.  The Ice chamber had some Ice Salamanders &, I think, an Ice Golem but we killed them & I think that was where we got the Ice Scepter.  Likewise with the Fire Giants I mentioned earlier.  Of course, defeating the demon was part of the drill as I knew it would be.  We kept having to escape back through the portal until…one time, about the third, maybe even the fourth, he was suddenly vulnerable & we hacked him up in no time. 

 

After defeating the Chromatic Demon, we found ourselves a level deeper in a terrible maze.  And, despite everything, I had to make a deal with a devil.  The devil was an enormous Pit Fiend, who told us he & the lesser devils surrounding him (an Erinyes, two Cornugon’s, a couple of Imps) were brought to & trapped in this place by demons.  He asked me to destroy the demons (I think he used the Balor’s name) to help them to escape & he would aid me.  I don’t recall the whole thing now but it turned out I was either going to make a deal w/demons (which they could not be counted on to keep) or with a Pit Fiend.  Being Lawful Evil, though infernally tyrannical & cruel, they’re bound by their word unless there’s a loophole (& there usually is).  In this case, there wasn’t, although my defeating the Balor, a Glabrezu, a Succubus & a Maurezhi didn’t get me out of there it did land me a scepter gem given me by the Pit Fiend that I needed to combine with one I found on the body of the demon (I needed just one more scepter gem). Whatever the case, the Pit Fiend was bewildered that my killing the Balor didn’t free them & realized it wasn’t the demon that summoned them hither. From there on, he ignored me as I passed thru more than once trying to find my way battling thru at least two more Balor, a different Pit Fiend, three Cornugon’s, two Glabrezu, a Succubus, some Alu-Fiends a Greater Fire Elemental, two Ice Salamander’s, four Imps, seven Quasits, an Ogre, an Orc, etc., until I ended up in a cave with an extra-planar Demon.  He never attacked, just wanted to play a game of cards w/a Deck of Many Things.  He lost the first hand & I the second so he escaped (which was the deal) leaving me fighting some pretty stout assassin’s but also w/the third of the scepter gems allowing me to depart into this forsaken place.  Auren, Anomen, Keldorn & Imoen all fell in battles here, slipping into unconsciousness @ one point or another. Luckily, when all but Anomen fell he was able to Raise Dead & bring them back to me &, despite what I later learned, the Knights of the Vigil were able to revive him.  But while falling at one point they became stronger also (Anomen = Ftr/14/Cl/15, Imoen = Thf 25, Keldorn Pal/Inq 19).  I’ve also written dwon that we defeated a Yochlol, another Glabrezu, a Succubus, a Quasit & a Giant Spider, which make sense together but I don’t recall the battle. 

 

So it was down even deeper into this already dangerous keep. My mind was beginning to imagine the unmanageable when it came to just what ‘the Imprisoned One’ might be.  Having already battled Pit Fiends & Balor’s there not much beyond those unless one speaks of Dukes & Arch-Devils, Demon Lords & the Chromatic Dragon.  Somehow the former, i.e. Baator, seemed unrealistic.  On the 4^th Level down was a mad-mage encased in a machine of some kind.  When we first saw him he was watching a battle between Mind Flayers & Githyanki but it didn’t spill over to where it affected us.  We talked w/him, named Carston, & it became clear that he’d be at least part of the key to this level but @ first he was not much but a bunch of blather.  We started searching the area to the left of the hall Carston’s machine was in & defeated five Mind Flayers, four Killer Mimic & four Orogs (Imoen = Thf/26).  Next up were two Devil Shades & nine Shadow Fiends at the end of the Hall behind Carston’s machine & between the portal back up to the 3^rd Level & the, as yet inactivated, portal to the 5^th Level.  In the room opposite where we battled the Mind Flayers to the right of Carston’s machine we encountered & defeated a Yuan-Ti Mage & five Yuan-Ti & off of that room Six Shadows & six Mutated Spiders.  From there we unlocked part of the secret when we entered an Illithid Lair.  We wiped out four Umber Hulks & an Illithid & four more Umber Hulks before both Auren & Anomen were injured & slipped into unconsciousness so we had to return to the top of the keep where Anomen provided necessary care.  Back in the keep a day or two later we found Carston’s wounded apprentice before wiping out the rest of the Illithid Lair (two Vampiric Ulithid, seven Umber Hulks, two Illithid). Directly across the hall waited an extremely challenging battle.  The reason I said before that finding the Illilthid Lair was part of the key was b/c the Githyanki were the other part. They’d all be brought here by Carston & constantly battled one another to no avail & were unable to get @ Carston.  We had two battles in the Githyanki Lair:  first against two Githyanki Anti-Paladin, a Githyanki Knight, two Gish & three Githyanki Warriors that we defeated but Anomen fell so we needed the help of the Knights of the Vigil before we could go on.  In the second we defeated the Githyakni Captain, two Githyanki Anti-Paladins, two Githyanki Knights & five Githyanki Warriors in an extremely hard fight against a determined & skillful enemy.  The Githyanki had been worshipping a humongous, Ancient Red Dragon, Saladrex. Saladrex was even older & larger than Firkraag, who I never was able to destroy.  Initially, I spoke w/Saladrex & he provided useful information & was quite willing to answer my questions & allow me to gloat over him.  He helped us to figure out, after hours of different combinations, the manner in which to light the torches in one of the rooms we’d been in earlier but couldn’t figure out.  Once lit, they opened a door to a treasure vault guarded by two Minotaur & four Ice Salamanders. In addition to 1,000 gold one of the chests held a Hammer/Chisel which Saladrex had mentioned was the key to getting @ Carston (Keldorn, Pdn/Inq 20).  So with the Hammer & Chisel, Saladrex’ information & various and sundry notes & books, the answer to getting to Carston was to chisel thru the glass, which I did, before having no mercy on the pitiful man, which I likely should have.  After Carston was dealt with, next up were two Fire Giants after which we rested only to be attacked by two Spell Haunts & a Vortex Spider.

TOUGH FIGHT VERSUS A WORTHY, ALBEIT WICKED, ADVERSARY

Next was the fifth level down (but this was still above ground) as the keep is five floors above ground.  Here we found the seal we’ve been searching for but to break the seal was going to take some work b/c we needed three keys to unlock the seal to access actual ‘Imprisoned One’ & conduct the ritual to strengthen the seals that imprison it.  There was a room w/four buttons & pillars.  Every time we pushed a button we had a battle on our hands & we defeated: a Hobgoblin Shaman & three Hobgoblins; a Mage w/four Skeleton Warriors; a Vortex Spider, six Mutated Spider’s & two Sword Spider’s & something else that I forget.  In addition, each time we pushed a button we got a colored globe which we then needed to put into a similarly colored pillar.  Once we completed all four, we got The Mind Key, one of three we needed to break the seal to get to the Imprisoned One.  Next up, a Helmite Ghost who told me I’d have to complete tasks behind three doors to get the next key.  The first was an Imp who had some games/riddles for me to answer.  I got thru his tests (Anomen Cl/15//Ftr 15, Imoen Thf/27). The next ‘Helmite Ghost test’ was a battle against a Green Dragon that we won w/little fanfare before moving on to our next test, a desperately hard battle against an Orc Horde w/three Orc Mages immediately after which, we received the 2^nd required key, the Heart Key (Anomen Cl/16//Ftr 15). We got a Warrior’s Skull after defeating the dragon which allowed us to acquire the Spirit Key. When I placed the skull on a Spirit Altar, I suddenly found myself in the body of a Spirit Warrior while our real bodies were suspended elsewhere.  I guided the Spirit Warrior through a dungeon. As the Spirit Warrior I killed a Ghost, a Goblin, a Skeleton, a War Dog & finally a Mummy.  Once the Mummy was dead, I obtained the Spirit Key & it was on, starting w/a battle against a tough group including a Type V Demon (Marileth), a powerful Succubus, a Hive Mother, a Huntress & a Drow. That Battle was enough but we had to come back after returning to the top of the keep for a rest. Upon return we battled our first Lich w/three Flaming Skulls before returning to battle a Rilmani Mage & some Rilmani Priests (Gawain Ftr 26, Keldorn Pdn/Inq 21). 

DEFEATING THE GREEN DRAGON


NEVER ENDING BATTLE!

Key Event: So now I could get us down to where we could conduct the ritual & seal ‘The Imprisoned One’ in this place for a good while longer.  I completed the task but not exactly how I envisioned it. I think I wanted to destroy the thing all together but, not surprisingly, it deflected much of what Odren & the Knights of the Vigil had led me to believe back @ me as lies. I knew I was dealing w/a super-powerful being from the Abyss, the Nine Hells or some extra-planar.  I decided to hedge my bets as the thing told me that Odren had lied to me & set me up to also be sealed in here killing two birds w/one stone by re-restraining ‘The Imprisoned One’ while also sealing in a powerful Bhaal Spawn.  I figured I had nothing to lose by questioning Odren about this & besides, the more I thought about it the more I didn’t like the idea of being sealed in this place having to defeat a super powerful monster of great intelligence (similar to how we were crammed in @ The Gates to the Nine Hells but waaayyy worse!) I made the right decision b/c Odren only wanted to know if I’d killed the monster rather than seal it in.  He & the Knights of the Vigil went in to investigate when a messenger from Helm himself arrived & confirmed that it was Odren & the Knights of the Vigil who were supposed to have conducted the ritual, sealing Odren inside forever – w/the Prince of Demons (I will not write that name here for even such an act can capture his attention.  While I’m not afraid of battling him, killing his aspect, especially in the Watcher’s Keep would have done nothing but return him to the 88^th Layer of the Abyss, known as the Gaping Maw, where he would actually have been freed.  I had the option of going in & trying to save Odren & we started out to do so but then decided to go thru w/sealing the keep as the messenger had mentioned.  I’m second guessing myself a lot since the deal w/the Gold Dragon & now that I’ve done it I wish I’d tried to save him.  After I’d settled the deal & sealed The Prince of Demons away, keeping him from the freedom of returning to The Gaping Maw, I led us back to Saladrex & defeated him. He seemed harmless enough when the status quo was in place: the Githyanki worshipped him while battling w/the Illithid’s & trying to get @ Carston.  With things altered now, he could become a danger outside of the keep so he needed to be ‘put down’ & was.  

PUTTING SALADREX 'DOWN'

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 102,744gp) Armor: Weapons: Flail +3, Longbow +3, Bastard Sword +2, Dagger or the Star +4, Ixil’s Nail +4, 50 Arrows +3; 40 Arrows of Piercing; 10 Sling Stones +3; Jewelry/Gold: 2,450 gp, Star Sapphire, 1000gp, 950gp, two Emeralds, 250gps, three King Tears, 100gp; Potions: Two Magic Blocking, Magic Protection, 27 Superior Healing, Fire Giant Strength, three Invulnerability, 54 Extra Healing, two Frost Giant Strength; Scrolls: Warding Whip; Wands: Misc & Artifacts: 

 

Current Disposition:  We’re between battles here in Saradush.  I can only get in a paragraph or so during each rest.  I don’t know, writing seems to help my nerves, even as the siege continues outside – never knowing when a direct hit will destroy this building.  I’ve added the Ranger/Beast Master, Sarah, to help our efforts. 

 

Next Steps:  Finish my work here in Saradush & help Melissan help the other Bhaal Spawn who are trapped here to escape Yagu-Shura’s Army.

 

Level Up:    

·          Auren:  Continued to amaze me rising from Apprentice 20-21 (Ftr/21) & gaining HLAs Whirlwind Attack & Greater Whirlwind Attack

·          Anomen: (Ftr/14-15//Cl/15-16) not only is he my priest but he’s a fantastic soldier.  I battlefield promoted him from Lord/14 to 15 while Helm, obviously pleased with his servant, granted him High Watcher of Helm 15 & 16.  He gained the Fighter HLAs Whirlwind Attack & Death Blow & Cleric HLA Energy Blades & Storm of Vengeance

·          Gawain: I too have advanced, to Fighter/Lord 23-26 & gained HLA Greater Death Blow & Critical Strike

·          Keldorn: Received word from The Order three times promoting him to Inquisitor 19th-21st Level (Paladin/Inquisitor/19-21). He gained the Greater Whirlwind High Level Ability, Death Blow & Greater Death Blow

·          Imoen: Continues to hone her thieving skills beyond imagination. During all of this she grew in skill from 24-27th  Levels Charming Rogue (Thf/27) w/HLAs Spike Trap, Exploding Trap, Set Acid Trap, Danger Sense,

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 10 – Average, -2 Ravager)

·          Gawain: Ftr/26 (HP 159); Full Plate Mail w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Protection +2, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Bastard Sword +2, Hammer of Thunderbolts +3***, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Hammer of Thunderbolts +3*, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//21), (HP 104); Armor of the Night +4 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Hill Giant Strength; Blade of the Roses +3*****, Long Sword***** (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Thaxll’ssillyia) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(2)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//15/16, (HP 65); Plate Mail w/Shield of the Stars +3, Gauntlet’s of Ogre Power, Golden Girdle & Amulet of Power & Ring of Protection Against Fire, Periapt of Proof Against Poison; Mace +3 Skullcrusher***,Mace*** (Flail*); (Statue)(Cleric Aggressive)(4)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/21); HP 100; Firecam Full Plate w/Flail +2**, Two-Handed Sword Blade of the North; Flail of the Ages (Acid); (Adamantine Golem)(Spellcaster Attack); (3)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/26); (HP 85); Bracers of Defense AC3, Lavender Ioun Stone w/Short Bow +1*, Staff of the Earth +2*, Shakti Figurine, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*)(Suneer); (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5)

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[Gate70]

Quad > Trio Multiplayer Session 13b.
Having a corrupted save at the end of session 13, the trio decided to run though it again. Practice makes perfect, right... If only.
 
Corheal is immediately turned into Bounty Hunter FoDder.

Spoiler

The Rod of Resurrection is put into use after the battle concludes. Summons don't last long against Umber Hulks until Strofe allows Ras the Dancing Sword to occupy their attention, and the next set of enemies are killed off soon after.

Brazil had previously been held by the Master of Thralls so Strofe hung back and told Corheal to use his Free Action spell on the druid. Even with this precaution, Brazil was taking a savage beating.

Spoiler

Still, first to fall and all that, meaning the Master of Thralls claimed no victims here.
 
Corheal had earlier fallen into the Gith prison cell, using his Boots of Speed to get out without a fight. Strofe was busy updating his journal with the Master of Thralls fight and fell into the same cell, and a lack of boots combined with a lack of saving throws meant the situation looked dire.

Spoiler

Corheal and Brazil pulled out all the stops and managed to save the day

Spoiler

The Warden once more took a dose of death by Mountain Bear.
 
On to the Unseeing Eye. First though, Brazil ran away from one group of yuan-ti and into a second. Meanwhile Strofe was confused in more ways than one, belatedly realising the Adjatha sword protects against Charm but not Confusion. Corheal was racing to help Brazil but had to turn and help Strofe instead.

Spoiler

A wise decision as the stalker is targeted and Held.

Spoiler

Corheal casts Remove Paralysis.

Spoiler

Strofe recovers and Corheal aims the Rod of Resurrection at the near-dead Brazil. Looks good, only she has died and is resurrected instead of being healed.

(Strofe elected to glug an Extra Healer which meant the RoR was delayed, good job too as Strofe took a cluster of Magic Missiles and would probably have died without the potion)

Spoiler

Corheal is left alone with Beholders and the Shield of Balduran.

Spoiler

He continues with the Shield of Balduran, clearing the Beholder lair and the Unseeing Eye safely.
 
Jerla is paid off, Sir Sarles persuaded to leave town, the remnants of Neb handed in for a reward. The remaining temple quests are completed with Tanova providing a brief distraction.

Spoiler

Mook, Lassal and Gracen the Shadow Thief Contact are dealt with, and Littleman the stuffed bear returned to the spirit of Wellyn. A rest in the graveyard is the final act of the day, while the vampire nest lies ahead.
 
Gate70: Strofe, Stalker 12. 550 kills (+45, 26 less than previous time). Kangaxx.
Corey Russell: Corheal, Priest of Lathander 14. 199 kills (+46, 8 more than previous time). Unseeing Eye.
Grond0: Brazil, Fighter 10 / Druid 12. 385 kills (+29, 2 less than previous time). Shade Lich.
Retired;
DogDancing: Wewa, Thief 13. 84 kills (+5). Thaxll'ssillyia.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

10 Tarsakh, 1371 (Hour 18):  Shortly after we left Watcher’s keep, The Prince of Demon’s securely restrained therein, we ended up in a forest far distant from Watcher’s Keep where I conversed w/a huge face statue that channeled a forest spirit. The Forest Spirit spoke in riddles about prophesies of Aluondo foretold but not yet complete. As soon as it was finished speaking, I was dropped into an ambush w/my retinue @ my side.  There we were attacked by a female Bhaal Spawn, Illasera who was supported by a couple of tough archers, a cleric & maybe one other warrior or monsters (might have been a Dark Planetar). We defeated her first & then maneuvered the others into positions where we had the numerical advantage & it was done.  As soon as the fight was complete, I was, with my companions in what I now call the Pocket Plane, which is actually Bhaal’s old niche in the underworld.  There I received the services of Bhaal’s former butler, now my butler, Cespenar, who turned my Hammer of Thunderbolts, Girdle of Frost Giant Strength, Gauntlet’s of Ogre Power & Crom Faeyr Scroll into a fantastic Warhammer that I am now using as my main weapon, aptly named Crom Faeyr.  While there, actually when I first got there, I met a ghostly apparition of Saravok begging me to grant him a taint ’of my essence to give him life again. After talking w/him long enough, I relented as it is obvious he will never be a threat to me or anyone again.  He actually offered to join me but that wasn’t happening, especially if Imoen had any say in it. After that I was given the opportunity to select former companions to aid us.  At first I chose Tyris Flare but she ended up not being able to be returned to me, so I chose Valygar the Samurai. Having done so I was led into a ‘retribution’ battle royale w/multitudes of what I guess were former Bhaal Spawn, including, you know it, Irenicus & Bhodi (who themselves weren’t actually even Bhaal Spawn). Nonetheless, they were no issue this time, especially w/the Wand of Spell Striking we had to aid us (now useless). After that battle though, I changed my mind & selected Sarah, the female Ranger/Beast Master & asked Valygar to wait my call again. I feel her Ranger/Beast Master abilities will serve me better than another front line warrior. After the battle was done & Sarah was in my service I exited the Pocket Plane & ended up in a city under siege, Saradush.  

THE RETRIBUTION

In Saradush, we appeared right @ the steps to a palace that held what I now know was a mad & power hungry Bhaal Spawn, half-brother of mine named Gronmir.  Hungry & desperate humans & humanoids were trying desperately to talk w/Gronmir’s guard’s b/c they were starving & under a perilous assault by the army of another half-brother of mine, Yagu-Shura, a Fire Giant.  Okay, note to self:  stop w/the half-brother thing.  Gronmir’s guards were not flinching & had zero concern for the people of the town. When we appeared there was a woman, Melissan, desperately pleading w/the guards to let the people have audience w/Gronmir but they were adamant.  When she saw me she knew me immediately & tried to change her tact to convince the guards that my appearing was a sign & might be the key to helping Saradush to escape the siege should I be allowed audience w/Gronmir.  Still no dice & the hard-ass guards finally attacked. We killed three Il-Khan Guards & three Orcs before Melissan addressed me & asked me to try & find a way to get to Gronmir to convince him to try to do something in the face of the siege. The palace itself was not accessible thru the main gate.

 

My first visit was to the nearest temple & I hoped there might be one to one of the members of the Triad, or to Helm, but alas, the only one in Saradush was a Temple to Waukeen, which was fine for what I needed from an information & supply standpoint but not to pay toward my penance.  The Priestess there was very helpful & actually knew a way into Gronmir’s palace. Once she Detected Evil she believed we were honest in our desire to aid the city she gave me the key to the city jail which, she said, did have access to the palace.  However, it was also filled w/evil monsters (I can’t remember if she directly mentioned Vampires). 

 

We rested & organized ourselves for combat.  Entering the jail the first time, we got into a tangle w/a tough Vampiress (Phlydian),  three Vampires & five Fledgling Vampires (Auren/24). While @ the Tavern, which doubled as our inn, we finally stepped in to aid a serving girl who was being harassed by two Il-Khan Guards who, rather than just laying off decided to challenge us for defending her honor. Now Gronmir was out five Il-Khan Guards.  There’s not much there for us to rest on but a bunch of pillows up in a hallway @ the top of some stairs but it’s better than sleeping in the street, especially here.

 

Back in the city jail we navigated through until we were into a separate complex of tunnels that led to the palace – eventually.  Before we left the jail portion, we reunited a skull & a pendent together in its grave & a thankful ghost took us to a room & rewarded us for bringing him peace by showing us the location of a Wand of Spell Striking.  The first thing we found once we found a tunnel out of the jail complex was the city sewers, which were ripe w/smell & adversaries.  Our first battle, as I recall, was versus two fighters (10K), a thief (10K), two Devil Shades, two other fighters (8K), an Umber Hulk & nine Shadow Fiends. We took a rest back @ the tavern before returning & battling a Mage (10k) w/an Elite Orc & then an Elite Orog w/ two Elite Orcs (Keldorn/22, Imoen/29, Anomen/16//16). 

BATTLE IN THE SARADUSH SEWERS

Imoen fell in a battle down there & we had to return to the tavern for Anomen to cast Resurrection.  On our return we had to fight two more Devil Shades & nine more Shadow Fiends.  Following that, we defeated a Yaga-Shura Mage, three Duerger Sappers (11k), three Duerger Sappers (6k), three Umber Hulk, four Elite Orogs, four Orc Archers, two Shadow Fiends & 11 Shadows.  We needed regular breaks & on returning once, we were actually attacked by three Gibberlings & two Mutated Gibberlings before we could exit into the jail complex & back to the tavern. We would enter & battle & return to the tavern to rest or to the temple, if needed.  The last time we entered we had to fight off two Devil Shades, two Duerger Sappers, 12 Shadow Fiends, Six Elite Orog & four Elite Orcs before we finally got into the palace.

 

There we quickly eliminated an Il-Khan Battle Mage & four Il-Khan Soldiers before going up the stairs into the throne room. There was no way we could leave & rest b/c all surprise would have been spoiled by then.  So, knowing what awaited us, Anomen cast Chant, Imoen Mass Invisibility & Auren, Keldorn, Sarah & I used Magic Resistance. Once their spells were cast, Anomen used Magic Resistance HLA & Imoen cast the HLA Evasion on herself. Up we went.

 

Key Event: When we got there, Melissan had been dragged before Gronmir & was being accused of having brought me here to assassinate him.  Despite her protestations & efforts to convince him that I might actually be here to help he persisted before he realized I was there.  A tough fight began in which we first conducted a retrograde back down to the first floor but couldn’t draw any of them down to battle us there.  Back up again, after activating some additional HLAs, e.g., Critical Strike, Greater Death Blow, etc., the battle was on. We defeated, in order, an Il-Khan Battle Mage, a Dark Planetar & an Il-Khan Soldier before one of the mages gated in a Balor. We conducted a second retrograde, followed by none of the aggressors & waited out the gated demon before heading back up.  They were waiting for us when we returned but Gronmir fell next, followed by two senior Il-Khan Battle Mages (Karun the Black, Elar Had) & finally a last Il-Khan Soldier, this one w/a bow. Melissan was distressed that we’d killed Gronmir but I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t know what else to do but kill the aggressors in front of me.  Melissan begged me to find a way out of Saradush, which I told her I could do. She then surmised that if I could get in, surely I could get out also.  She asked me to try to lift the siege by defeating Yagu-Shura but warned me that he was invincible to any attack we could think of. She suggested I go to where he was raised, a swamp in the Forest of Mir, or to a Fire Giant Cult in the Marching Mountains to find the secret of his invulnerability.  

FIGHT IN THE SARADUSH PALACE

I used the Pocket Plane Ability, returned there to rest & see if we might have something else Cespenar could use one of his recipes on.  We got rest but no new items to aid us.  From there, I used the Pocket Plane Ability to go to the North Mountains.  There we were immediately accosted by a Yagu-Shura Officer & 11 Yagu-Shura Soldiers that we defeated before meeting a merchant whose caraven wahad just been attacked by the same soldiers. We sold what we had, including what we got off of the Yagu-Shura troops & bought everything we could use – including some scrolls that Imoen can now use because of her HLA Use Any Item.

 

After resting in the North Forest we explored the area & destroyed a nest of angry bees, or rather, four Fire Giants, a Yagu-Shura Mage, two Clerics of Talos, two Yagu-Shura Officicer’s & 28 Yaga-Shura Soldiers (including three who attacked us when we tried to rest after the battle.

BATTLE OF THE NORTH FOREST

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 167,705) Armor: Weapons: Grand Masters Armor +6, Ice Star +4, Paladins Bracers (Keldorn), Morning Star +3, Chain Mail +3, two Spear +3, six battle Axe’s +2, six Warhammer’s +2, two Halberd +2, five QSs +2, eight sets Studded leather +2, three Adventurer’s Robes, 10 sets Plate Mail; Jewelry/Gold: Rogue Stone, 1200gps, Laeral’s Tear Necklace, four Star Sapphire, six Black Opal; Potions: five Superior Healing, Scrolls: Abi Dalzin’s Horrid Wilting (2); Wands: Misc & Artifacts:  Wand of Spell Striking;

 

Current Disposition:  Resting @ in the North Forest.

 

Next Steps:  The Forest of Mir where Yagu-Shura was raised

 

Level Up:    

 

·          Auren: I promoted Auren to Apprentice/Fighter & she was able to acquire the HLA Magic resistance. 

·          Keldorn: Only The Order can promote Keldorn but while w/me I can grant him a brevet promotion (which the Order of the Radiant Heart will surely confirm). Here in Saradush, I brevet promoted him to Paladin/Inquisitor/22 & he, like Auren, selected the HLA Magic resistance

·          Imoen: Imoen promotes herself now b/c I doubt there exist another rogue of any type as powerful as she. In this case she is up to Charming Rogue/Thief 29 & she selected a fantastic HLA, Use Any Item

·          Anomen: On the other hand, although he is a member or The Order of the Radiant Heart also, Anomen’s superior Brother Ryan Trawl placed Anomen under my leadership while travelling w/my. As such, it is apparent that another promotion is in order & I am promoting him to Knight/Lord 16. Similarly, Helm also continues to be pleased as he two granted Anomen advancement to Watcher of Helm 17. Anomen added the fighter HLA Death Blow & the Cleric HLA Elemental Summoning.

·          Gawain: I also continue to improve my skills & am now a Lord/Fighter 28 & am able to emit the HLA War Cry

 

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 12 – Average: +2 rescued two prisoners)

·          Gawain: Ftr/28 (HP 165); Full Plate Mail w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Protection +2, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +2, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, CS, PA, Smite)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//24), (HP 113); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; Blade of the Roses +3*****, Daystar +2/+4 vs Evil creatures*****, Long Sword*****, Yamato +4**, Celestial Fury +3**,  (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB MR)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//16/17, (HP 70); Crimson Chain +5 w/Fortress Shield +3, & Helm of Defense, Gauntlet’s of Against Poison; Morning Star Ice Star +4***, Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(4); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DB, ES)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/22); HP 113; Firecam Full Plate w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance; Ravager +4**, Mace +3 Skullcrusher**, Silver Sword**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (3); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/29); (HP 91); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Ring of Anti-venom & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Karun the Black), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/22); HP 118; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR)

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[Dyara]

Dyara, elven Fighter/Mage/Thief (BG2, update 22 and final)

To get Sarevok another level (and because Dyara thought as a potential goddess becomer she had to know every existing mage spell) the party went to Amkethran one more time. There all the missing spells were bought and scribed and some unsuccessful resting attempts brought Sarevok to the next level.

Then it was time for the final to enter the Throne of Bhaal where they met some old friends...

Spoiler

(Un)fortunately the reunion didn't last very long as Bodhi died on the first hit (with the Rune Hammer)...

Spoiler

... the first Fallen Solar was slain by Sarevok...

Spoiler

... and the other one was killed as well (by whom is a mystery actually, the xp was given to the party but no-one claimed the kill) and finally Irenicus died (for the third time) by Dyara's sword...

Spoiler

The whole fight didn't last more than two rounds but I don't know if perhaps there was something wrong with Irenicus because he just stood there doing nothing. When I redid the fight Irenicus acted normally - it just changed the duration of the fight however but not the outcome.

The next task was to cut Melissan off from the three mana pools. Especially Sarevok (or the Ravager+6) proved to be rather effective against the demons...

Spoiler

Once Dyara had drawn the essences of each mana pool into herself Melissan appeared for the second time, bringing 'The Five' back to life...

Spoiler

My usual approach here is to place a time trap on the floor and use it to kill Illasera (with GWW). Unfortunately the trap was utterly misplaced (or perhaps the placement of 'The Five' has changed over the years - my ascension experience is still from the original IEEAIS/Gaider version). Be that as it may, the fight continued (without a time stop for now - there was one by Sendai but it didn't do anything bad - Balthazar was immune and he was send after her). On the left side of the map Sendai and Yaga-Shura were kept busy with some elementals, a Deva and a Planetar while the party fought Abazigal, Gromnir and Illasera on the right side...

Spoiler

Abazigal died first...

Spoiler

... and when he was followed by Illasera, Melissan finally joined the fight. Immediately she triggered the time trap allowing Dyara to kill Gromnir

Spoiler

With the right side of the map cleared Xan and Anomen went after Sendai while Korgan, Valygar and Sarevok joined the Elementals and the Planetar in their fight against Yaga-Shura and Dyara (and Balthazar) was given the task to entertain Melissan...

Spoiler

When Yaga-Shura died...

Spoiler

... only Sendai remained at Melissan's side - not really at her side actually as teleported away all the time making it a little bit difficult to fight her so Dyara went searching her finally setting her at the bottom of the map...

Spoiler

With the last of 'The Five' dead Melissan summoned some demons but that was just a short delay...

Spoiler

... and then it was finally over...

Spoiler

Balthazar surrendered his portion of the divine essence to Dyara...

Spoiler

... and then it was on Dyara to choose her fate (with all her friends giving their advices)...

Spoiler

... but Dyara's decision was made long ago...

Spoiler

... and everyone seemed to be happy and relieved...

Spoiler

... but then there was someone shouting...

"Wake up, you! Wake up! Come on, we have to get outta here!"

"W-what... who... Imoen? WHAT are you doing HERE?"

"He messed with your head too, huh?"

Dyara looked around and found herself still in Irenicus' dungeon. It seemed everything had been just a dream ...

Because I made this BG2EE non-SCS party playthrough with my BG1EE SCS solo char I decided that this was just a test. Once I have a BG2EE SCS+Ascension installation I will replay her as a solo char. Might take some time however...

 

Name     Level                              HP           Game Kills XP     Game Kills  Strongest Kill   Deaths Pips
Dyara    Fighter(17)/Mage(16)/Thief(20) 141 HP (+ 5)  4,015,896 (+156,000)  746 (+11)  Bodhi            -      Long Sword(***),Flail(**),Single Weapon(**),Longbow(**)
Korgan   Berserker(35)                  193 HP (+15)  3,246,273 (+ 84,000)  664 (+ 5)  Chromatic Demon  -      Axe(*****),Hammer (*****),Dualwield(***)
Anomen   Fighter(7)->Cleric(38)         154 HP        1,711,371 (+ 36,000)  414 (+ 4)  Balor            -      Mace(****),Sling(*****),Sword&Shield(**)
Xan      Fighter(22)/Mage(19)            91 HP (+10)  2,209,162 (+      0)  448 (+ 0)  Hive Mother      4x     Long Sword(*****),Shordsword(*),Dualwield(***),Longbow(*)
Valygar  Stalker(29)                    150 HP        2,126,982 (+213,000)  404 (+ 6)  Draconis         3x     Katana(**),Scimitar(**),Halberd(**),Mace(**),Dualwield(***)
Sarevok  Fighter(21)                    168 HP          410,000 (+158,000)   38 (+ 9)  The Ravager      -      Two-Handed Sword(*****),Halberd(***),Two-Handed-WS(**)

 

 

[realmuzzy]

Congrats Dyara on Dyara and well done!

[Serg BlackStrider]

Yeah, *test* or not but well done, Dyara! Congrats!

[corey_russell]

Dyara, was this a Trilogy run? Congrats as well, nicely done.

[Epsil0]

Congratulations, Dyara! Good to see Mellisan taken down once again!

[Dyara]

Dyara, was this a Trilogy run?

 

No, not really... it was just a dream ...

 

BG1 was with SCS installed and without a party while BG2+ToB was without SCS and with a party. That's why I called the BG2+ToB run a 'test' (or a 'dream'). I will restart BG2+ToB (this time with SCS installed and w/o party) in a week or two using that char and if I succeed then I would call it a real triology run.

[Grond0]

Impressive stuff Dyara - I can only dream about having that sort of dream .

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Dyara, elven Fighter/Mage/Thief (BG2, update 22 and final)

To get Sarevok another level (and because Dyara thought as a potential goddess becomer she had to know every existing mage spell) the party went to Amkethran one more time. There all the missing spells were bought and scribed and some unsuccessful resting attempts brought Sarevok to the next level.


... but then there was someone shouting...

"Wake up, you! Wake up! Come on, we have to get outta here!"

"W-what... who... Imoen? WHAT are you doing HERE?"

"He messed with your head too, huh?"

Dyara looked around and found herself still in Irenicus' dungeon. It seemed everything had been just a dream ...

Because I made this BG2EE non-SCS party playthrough with my BG1EE SCS solo char I decided that this was just a test. Once I have a BG2EE SCS+Ascension installation I will replay her as a solo char. Might take some time however...

 

 

This is one of the coolest write-ups ever.  I was reading it on my tablet @ work (during lunch ;<}) & couldn't wait to get home & see the pics.  Well done Dyara!  Your my heroine! (I think that's how you spell the 'good kind).  

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

I led my companions to the east from the North Forest to The Forest of Mir & The tTmple to try & find out the secret to this Yagu-Shura’s invincibility. I’ve come to expect a welcoming party just about anywhere we go now only I never know what to expect when they welcome us.  Sure enough, a Master Wraith, two Vampiric Wraith, two Sawmp Horror & a Devil Shade met us & were responsible for the opening gala in our honor. I wasn’t too sure about the Master Wraith b/c we’d not crossed one before & I wasn’t sure what powers he might bring to bear. The other Wraiths, the Horror & the Shade were not the issue but they’re tough enough not to leave alone so the question was whether to throw everything @ The Master Wraith or spread the party to keep the other spooks busy.  I went w/the latter & took the Master myself. It was an anti-climactic battle.  I think Auren took a level drain but Anomen hooked her up w/a Restoration as soon as we mopped up. Then we rested.

 

Key Event: The next task, after a rest a short way from the Temple entrance, was to go inside & see what awaited us there. Imoen cast Invisibility on herself while using her Find/Remove Traps skill to venture in while the rest of us waited in battle formation.    Imoen went in & scouted various skeletons until one of them realized she was there w/Detect Invisibility or, more likely, True Seeing. Out poured a Skeleton Warrior, a Skeleton Mage & a Skeleton Assassin, one of which summoned a Fallen Planetar & a Fallen Deva (or maybe it was the Skelton Cleric that was still in the Temple.  I focused on one of them that was encircled in a Globe of Protection of some sort (Mental Note: start paying closer attention to the incantations you hear so you have some idea what those globes are). The others picked out the foes they thought best from where they stood.  As usual, a Fallen Planetar really complicates things but Fallen Deva too? Really?  In the end, it wasn’t much of a fight after all but like the battle w/the Master Wraith & friends I wasn’t sure what I was getting us into @ first.  The Skeleton Cleric was still alive so when we were done outside we had to finish him off.  

BATTLE @ THE FOREST OF MIR TEMPLE

Of interest, twice now Anomen has used his new Elemental Summoning HLA & each time he has managed to summon an elemental Prince. In this case it was Zaaman Rul, The Prince of the Good Fire Creatures & another Fire Elemental.  In the Battle of the North Forest he summoned, Chan, The Princess of Good Air Creatures & another Air Elemental to our aid. He said there’s only about a 10% of that happening so to have it happen each of first two times he’s used it is either great luck or he’s definitely in good w/Helm in a big way!  J Either way, I’ll take it.

 

When Imoen scouted out Nyalee @ the top of the Temple & came down to tell me what she spied, I thought we were in for a whale of a fight against a powerful Cleric or Druid or Priestess of some type. But the mother who raised Yagu-Shura was eager to help me find him b/c she wanted to exact revenge on him for deserting her & taking her heart too.  I say, too, b/c according to her the secret to Yagu-Shura’s invulnerability lies in a secret she showed him.  He removes his heart & sets it ablaze &, according to Nyalee, I need to find Yagu-Shura’s heart a quench it (find hers too). Then he’s vulnerable.  She seems genuinely to want to exact revenge on him so…for now that’s all I have to go with.  I think she mentioned the mountains so I take it she’s referring to The Marching Mountains so that’s our next destination.  

NYALEE

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 167,734) Armor: Weapons: Jewelry/Gold: Four Star Sapphire, five Black Opal’s; Potions: Scrolls: Wands: Misc & Artifacts:

 

Current Disposition:  Resting near the temple in The Forest of Mir

 

Next Steps:  The Marching Mountains

 

Level Up:   None

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 12 – Average)

·          Gawain: Ftr/28 (HP 165); Full Plate Mail w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Protection +2, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +2, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, CS, PA, Smite)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//24), (HP 113); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; Blade of the Roses +3*****, Daystar +2/+4 vs Evil creatures*****, Long Sword*****, Yamato +4**, Celestial Fury +3**,  (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(4); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB MR)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//16/17, (HP 70); Crimson Chain +5 w/Fortress Shield +3, & Helm of Defense, Gauntlet’s of Against Poison; Morning Star Ice Star +4***, Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(3); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DB, ES)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/22); HP 113; Firecam Full Plate w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance; Ravager +4**, Mace +3 Skullcrusher**, Silver Sword**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/29); (HP 91); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Ring of Anti-venom & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Karun the Black), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/22); HP 118; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd)(6); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR)

 

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[realmuzzy]

.

Impressive stuff Dyara - I can only dream about having that sort of dream .

Don't sell yourself short man Thumbs up for you and all of our collective efforts.

[ussnorway]

Gratz Dyara!

[Dyara]

You all are very kind to me ... even if I see an invisible ' ;)' here and there .

[BBMorti]

Well 'Dreamed' Dyara! It's clear you feel very comfortable with vanilla

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

I led my followers in an assault on Yagu-Shura’s Lair next.  When we first arrived it looks as if it might be a tall order (no pun intended, rally!)  The first things we battled were Chinchilla (18k) & two Fire Giants (patrolling) (Imoen Thf//30).  The first couple of times we returned all we managed was a battle against two Fire Giants and then three Fire Giants before we could finally begin the real assault. 

 

Yagu-Shura’s Lair was not hard to find after that &, as expected, was full of Fire Giants. Just inside we six of them: two Elite Fire Giants & four Fire Giants that we beat down. We tried to set up a trap outside the door but they wouldn’t bite & follow us out so we organized & went in & concentrated on one @ a time, withdrawing to drink healing potions as needed before we finished them off. (Auren Ftr/App//25, Sarah Rgr/BMst//23).

 

Using Imoen to move ahead & scout having cast Invisibility on herself & using her Find/Remove Traps ability & her Boots of Speed so that we were able to see what was waiting before they knew we were there: with exception of a couple of times where the invisibility was not a camouflage w/some specific enemies, e.g. Flaming Skulls.

 

It wasn’t long after we got there that we realized we were hunting for four wardstones to put into a pillar that would open a long steeply rising flight of stairs for us, which we expected would lead to a lot more Fire Giants. T

 

The Hammer Wardstone was right out in the open, siting in an ornate fountain of hot coals, but it was guarded by two Fire Salamander’s & four Fire Trolls that materialized as soon as Imoen grabbed the wardstone & a Girdle of Fire Giant Strength. Imoen drew them back to us near the front door & we finished them.

 

The Skull Wardstone was also out in the open, surrounded by Two Elite Fire Giants & three Fire Giants. Imoen saw the situatin & while out of site, laid an Exploding Trap, an Acid Trap, a Spike Trap & five or so snares. She ran in in her Boots of Speed next, grabbed the wardstone, & then led the giants in a chase, right over her traps. One of them died there, then she led the rest back to where we were waiting.  We cut them down & gathered their treasures & armor.  My memory is a little fuzzy here. We defeated a Clay Golem an Adamantine Golem & magic Golem at one point & I thought they were here but once again my note-taking fails me.

 

The Flame Wardstone was more difficult as we had to manipulate a place in the wall in the front room which opened the door to the room where it was.  That room was already full of boogie men & by the time we’d beaten the first wave & 2^nd wave of defenders we’d beaten a Burning Man, a Flaming Skull, two Fell Cat’s & three Fire Salamander’s.  Here again, my timeline leaves something to be desired.  I know we had a battle w/Four Burning Men, a hard one & I thought it was here but I can’t decipher my own notes so I list them here lest I forget all together. 

 

We got the final wardstone in the same way as the third but it was on the front room on the other side of the entrance chamber. We battled there & that might be where we fought the Golem’s but I just can’t be sure.  I do remember trying to deal w/an Erinyes & I don’t think we ever defeated her.  I guess she just headed back to the Nine Hells or just decided to stay out of site. We tried True Seeing but never found her after hitting her a few times.

 

We put the wardstones in the pillar & released the force that kept us from descending the stairway up (Gawain Ftr/29). I returned us to the North Forest to sell out goods to the stranded merchant & rest before assaulting further.  We also defeated two Bone Fiends somewhere right in here. Keldorn Pal/Inq//23).  

OPENING THE WAY

Key Event: On return we had to work our way thru two patrolling Fire Giants before we were able to ascend the stairs & attack.  In the same way as before, Imoen approached having cast Invisibility on herself while using her Find/Remove Traps & Boots of Speed abilities. She spied two Fire Giant guards & was able to get around into the room behind them that was full of Elite Fire Giants & Fire Giants.  She was finally detected by a Flaming Skull & two Fell Cat’s that chased her & when the did she came to us to let us know what was coming (we’d waited @ the foot of the stairs).  We destroyed them.  For some reason the other Fire Giants didn’t use the main door, not could we open it so the giants kept getting hund in the passageways where the molten rock & ashes flowed in lava garden streams that run throughout the place. The giants stuck near those we easy pray for Anomen, Imoen & Sarah.  Behind that door was a Fire Giant Priest (note: Brennan) who we could hear incanting spells.  Anomen cast spell after spell & we worked both ends of the main door getting in & out for hit & run attacks. Anomen used Elemental Summoning & Sarah Animal Summoning III to keep them busy. We came into the room to attack from both ends & ended up killing two Elite Fire Giants & five Fire Giants in all, while getting Yagu-Shura’s heart & other heart (the latter in Tagu-Shura’s personal quarters).  In that room we defeated a powerful  Burning Man (Imix) (Imoen Ch Rge/Thf//31) & two other Burning Men.  We freed a slave kept there as well & she had some information but nothing new.  We returned to Yagu-Shura’s mother Nyalee & she did extinguish his heat & she did attack as I knew she would. She also called a three Shambling Mounds & two Nymphs to aid her. We defeated her & her allies although Auren was knocked out by a Shammbling Mound but Anomen returned her to health. 

IMIX FALLS


NYALEE RETRACTS HER ORIGINAL ASSURANCES

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 263,441) Armor: White Dragon Scale Armor (Gawain), Girdle of Fire Giant Strength, Rogue Stone, Laear’s Tear Necklace, Star Sapphire, Strength (Keldorn); Two sets Full Plate; Weapons: Jewelry/Gold: 3,047gp, five Kings Tears, five Emeralds, two Sphene Gems, 120gp, 120gp, 100gp, 100gp; Potions: eight Superior Healing, four Invulnerability; Scrolls: Wands: Misc & Artifacts: Golem Manual (Imoen)

 

Current Disposition:  Camping just outside of the walls to Sardush.

 

Next Steps:  Defeat yagu-Shura

 

Level Up:  

·          Imoen: I doubt there is any rogue anywhere as powerful as my ‘lil sis Imoen.  She’s gone from Charming Rogue/30-31 (Thief/31) & has added the HLAs Assassination & Avoid death

·          Auren: Auren continues to be @ the forefront of each & every fight no matter where I put her in formation.  I gladly gave her a battlefield promotion as we approached Yaga-Shura’s Lair, battling Fire Giants all the way. She is now an Apprentice/25 (Fighter/25) & is no apprentice @ anything. She has added the HLA Power Attack!

·          Sarah: My newest party member is really working out & the huge animals she’s brings to our side are a nice asset. I promoted her in Yagu-Shura’s Lair from Ranger/Beast Master 22 to Ranger/Beast Master/23.  She selected the HLA Resist Magic. 

·          Keldorn:  Has achieved Paladin/Inquisitor/23 & selected the HLA PAtk

·          Gawain: I have improved my skills as a Knight & a Lord & I am now Fighter/Lord//29 & added HLA Hardiness

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 12 – Average)

·          Gawain: Ftr/29 (HP 165); White Dragon Scale Armor w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +2, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw, MgRs, CrSk, PAtk, Smite, Hdns)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/23); HP 116; Firecam Full Plate w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Girdle of Fire Giant Strength; Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance; Ravager +4**, Mace +3 Skullcrusher**, Silver Sword**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDB, MgRs, PAtk)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//16/17, (HP 70); Crimson Chain +5 w/Fortress Shield +3, & Helm of Defense, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, Periapt of Proof Against Poison; Morning Star Ice Star +4***, Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(3); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DBw, ES)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//25), (HP 116); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; Blade of the Roses +3*****, Daystar +2/+4 vs Evil creatures*****, Long Sword*****, Yamato +4**, Celestial Fury +3**,  (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(4); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw MgRs,PAtk)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/31); (HP 95); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Ring of Anti-venom & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Karun the Black), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI, Asn, AvDth))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/23); HP 121; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd)(6); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, CR)

 

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[Alesia_BH]

Nice work Dyara!

 

And go, go Sir Gawain!

 

Best,

 

A.

[Epsil0]

Impressive work so far, CKT! Go the distance and take Melissa down a second time!

[corey_russell]

Just a brief note - Trent the solo, halfling thief is on hold - I just got EE and am doing a test run to check it out. Might take a while.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Next up, we needed to infiltrate Yagu-Shura’s Siege Camp.  We slipped in under cover of darkness to probe the lines & gather as much intelligence as we could.  Initially, we cut down three Yagu-Shura Soldiers on the north side of a bridge that forded a stream over which the reaminder of Yagu-Shura’s army lay encamped. 

 

Once we had cleared the north side of the stream, I decided to make an assault.  I had Imoen cast her Mass Invisibility on all of us while Anomen protected us w/a Chant.  The remainder of us waited in the north side of the bridge in battle formation while Imoen moved across equipped w/her Boots of Speed to scout the south side in hopes that we could pick off pockets of his army piecemeal.  That didn’t work.  Yagu-Shura himself spied her through her invisibility & called his army to fill the cap as they rushed across the bridge. Imoen pulled back to the north side & worked side by side w/Sarah trying to pelt the enemy w/ranged weapons while Auren, Keldorn, & I worked on the Yagu-Shura soldiers that had crossed the bridge.  Anomen has really started to use his spells effectively to cut down our foes & he was doing just that.  My problem was some of Yagu-Shura’s bowmen had gotten behind us & were making it hard to focus completely for fear of being surrounded.  Yagu-Shura was just about across the bridge as were a couple of his giants.  I had to pull us back but not before we had taken down one Fire Giant, a Yagu-Shura Elite, three Yagu-Shura Officer’s & five Yagu-Shura Soldiers. 

 

Key Event: After popping back into the Pocket Plane to rest unmolested it was time to go for the big fish.  My first thought was that we’d take down a giant or two @ a time, maybe some of the tougher Yagu-Shura fighters & then assess the situation from there.  Instead, when we cleared the horizon we were standing right in front of Yagu-Shura. Remembering Melissan’s words, I saw the opportunity & took it…everyone on the big guy.  We tore him down in three, four melee rounds w/o worrying about his army that was all around us trying to impede our efforts.  When the smoke cleared he lay dead @ our feet &, just like Melissan said, his army melted around us.  As we stood there, almost suspended in the moment… 

DEFEATING YAGU-SHURA

… I was suddenly in the Pocket Plane. Solar took me thru some disturbing truths about my life (if I’m to believe them), especially the part about my mother being a disciple of Bhaal.  Not how I envisioned my mother but then I find that Gorion saved me from being sacrificed to Bhaal when it could just as easily have been Serevok who was saved & could have been him… 

LEARNING MY HISTORY
 

...& then Melissan appeared to tell me all but a very few of the Bhaal-Spawn were dead.  She told me Yagu-Shura had two other allies, Bhaal-Spawn named Abazigal & Sendai, would were building armies of their own. She said there was no place that I’d be safe except for in a desert town called Amkethran where someone named, Baltazar, an ally she said, could be trusted. 

 

I returned us to the Pocket Plane where Cespenar fashioned Runehammer +5 for Anomen from the Runehammer we’d gotten in Yagu-Shura’s Lair (I can’t remember now what else he required but we had it).  He was also able to improve Imoen’s Manual of Golem’s from one that made only Flesh Golem’s into a Manual of Clay Golems from one simple page we’d found that needed to be added into the book.  

From there it was out across the desert in search of Amkethran. On the way, we decided to stop at an oasis to refresh ourselves. There we were assaulted by a ‘delegation’ from Tethyr who’d been sent to execute me for supposed crimes in Saradush.  There was no talking, no reasoning, just an all-out attack.  The Tytherian’s were led by a General Tambelthen (10k).  When we first got there we were forced to kill him & two Tytherian Captains, a Cleric of Lathander (we could tell by the holy symbol), two Tytherian Pikemen, Tytherian Battlemage & five Tytherian Archers.  That wore us out but we thought we’d beaten them all so we rested before trying to enter the oasis again but the welcoming party wasn’t finished.  Led by an overzealous Tytherian Captain we were attacked again, & again, a Cleric of Lathander, six more Tytherian Pikemen, another Tytherian Battle Mage & this time, nine Tytherian Archers.  These were good people from a good town sent to kill me for something I had nothing to do with.  Contrarily, I almost gave my life & the lives of my followers, companions & friends to aid the people of Saradush & that infuriates me. Whoever is behind this will pay & I aim to find out who that is.  

BATTLE OF THE OASIS

I arrived in Amkethran & wanted to head straight for the inn.  The desert is dry & dusty & we all needed to break, wherever we could, even if the accommodations were as bad as they were in Saradush. Not quite, actually but I’m ahead of myself.  As we entered the Inn, Saemon Haevarian, yeap, that one, was about to have his hide handed to him by a couple of mercenaries.  And, in his slimy way, suddenly he had the situation turned around & the mercenaries were attacking us while he weaseled away. After we were forced to kill two Amkethran Mercenaries we finally made our way into the inn where we rested, taking turns using whichever of the four beds were available.  I know this place is dangerous as the Nine Hells but I had everyone get out of there armor & rest a bit. If we got cornered in here, we’d have to do what we could but we needed to get out of our gear for a bit, keeping our weapons nearby.

 

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 324,442) Armor: Shuruppak’s Plate (Gawain); Shield of the Order +4 & Runehammer +4 (Anomen), The Answerer +4 (Auren); seven sets Full Plate, three Bastard Swords +3 (one to Gawain), two Chain Mail +3, 13 Composite Longbows +3, Medium Shield +2, Halberd +2, eight Spears +2, 13 Studded Leather +2; Weapons: Jewelry/Gold: 2022gp, Ring of Improved Invisibility, King’s Tears, Bloodstone Amulet; Scrolls: Wands: Misc & Artifacts:

 

Current Disposition:  Resting warily @ the Inn in Ankethran

 

Next Steps:  Explore Ankethran but first I’m going to have us check into a man who says his daughter is ill & needs my help.  This man, Marlowe, has asked me to meet him @ his home.  He seems desperate & the innkeeper didn’t seem to feel him a threat, so I’ll head there in a while.  It just dawns on me that when I was thru w/Solar, before I was back standing w/Melissan, that I realized another challenge lay before me in the Pocket Plane so I will need to face that too.

 

Level Up:  

 

·          Anomen: Just as I began to give Anomen another battlefield promotion it suddenly became apparent that Helm, too, had decided Anomen worthy of the same. Anomen was simultaneously promoted to Lord/17 & Watcher of Helm/18 (Fighter//Cleric 17/18). He selected Greater Death Blow & Globe of Blades HLAs simultaneously

·          Sarah: Has definitely made her worth apparent since she’s been w/us. Her skills have improved rapidly & it is apparent that she is one w/her animals. She is now a Ranger/Beast Madter/24 & added Power Attack as a new HLA

·          Auren: How can I not continue to promote Auren as she stands @ the forefront & center of every battle. I have selected her for & promoted her to Apprentice/26 (Fighter/26)

·         

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 12 – Average)

·          Gawain: Ftr/29 (HP 165); Shuruppak’s Plate w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +3*****, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw, MgRs, CrSk, PAtk, Smite, Hdns)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/23); HP 116; White Dragon Scale Armor w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Girdle of Fire Giant Strength; Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance (Fortress Shield +3); Ravager +4**, Morning Star Ice Star +4**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDB, MgRs, PAtk)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//26), (HP 119); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; The Answerer +4*****, Yamato +4**, Long Sword*****, (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(4); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw MgRs,PAtk, CS)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//17/18, (HP 72); Crimson Chain +5 w/Shield of the Order +4, & Helm of Defense, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, Periapt of Proof Against Poison; Runehammer +5***, , Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(3); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DBw, ES, GDB, GoB)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/31); (HP 95); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Ring of Anti-venom, Ring of Improved Invisibility & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Elite Fire Giant), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI, Asn, AvDth))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/24); HP 124; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd)(6); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, PAtk)

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[Gate70]

Quadrilogy Session 14
 Strofe has a shocking lack of journal detail for the latest session. There are plenty of doodles, with a few notes in the margins.
Corheal passes his initiative test, casting Remove Fear when prompted.

Spoiler

The concensus is that Bodhi lasts for about one second before making a retreat.

Spoiler

On to Windspear Hills, where a trio of dryads are freed and promptly depart. The Windspear ruins are tactically dealt with, Corheal getting this far against four genies.

Spoiler

Strofe arrives late to the Directors Cut, realising he has to bash his door open, Corheal and Brazil have done sterling work and this allows the Stalker to plink a victory with his first arrow, and kill it again with his second (hmm!)

Spoiler

Corheal declines to don the Mask of Strohm and instead uses True Sight, Brazil almost perishing in the ensuing combat.

Spoiler

Strofe carefully lines up his meanest backstab for a huge Air Elemental, but is puzzled when Brazil kills it before he can strike. He asks if Brazil is using the Staff of Air, and the surmisal proves to be correct.

Spoiler

Strofe suggests Corheal cast Death Ward onto him and Corheal adds a few more buffs. Strofe and Corheal are congratulating each other until Brazil asks why the party don't use invisibility and Sanctuary. Smarty Pants!

Spoiler

Firkraag can wait.
 
Corheal is talking excitedly all the way back to the city about needing Potions of Genius to face down the illithid, but Brazil and Strofe both poo-poo such tactics and that Skeleton Warriors will tear new illithid holes instead. Corheal is taken aback as the party reach the Temple District and says he was talking about the denizens of the Underdark. Brazil shrugs and suggests a bit of practice should be welcomed. The early evidence is that Skeleton Warriors won't cut the mustard.

Spoiler

Corheal comes up with another plan, getting Strofe to open a door from the shadows so Firestorm can be cast. What can possibly go wrong?

Spoiler

Gulp? The gulp was a hastily swigged Potion of Invisibility. Corheal and Brazil make a controlled repeat and once Strofe returns there are only two Ulitharid left to cut down.

Spoiler

Corheal is looking for a Scroll Case, and tracks one down in Trademeet. Something else is also tracked down.

Spoiler

Mugshots

Spoiler

Gate70: Strofe, Stalker 14. 631 kills (+81). Kangaxx.
Corey Russell: Corheal, Priest of Lathander 16. 247 kills (+48). Unseeing Eye.
Grond0: Brazil, Fighter 11 / Druid 13. 450 kills (+65). Shade Lich.
Retired;
DogDancing: Wewa, Thief 13. 84 kills (+5). Thaxll'ssillyia.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Baltazar, Melissan’s ally, has taken control of a monastery in Amkethran & is using it as his base of operations.  I don’t know what he’s up to in there but it is obvious his presence has changed the Monks’ relationship w/the people of the town. The people are starving & the Monks’ have no concern for their welfare. To make matters worse, the Monks are downright threatening toward the people.  I have real doubt’s after meeting Baltazar briefly that he is an ally of mine.  Worse, I’m not sure about Melissan at all.  I already had my doubts before b/c she always appears @ key moments out of nowhere & then tried to set my next course w/tidbits of sketchy information.   Now I’m in this place w/her professed ally who seems anything but an ally of mine.  I suddenly have a real sense that I’m surrounded by enemies & that I’m being directed on a course that is designed to end in my destruction.  Right now, in this place, the only people I trust for sure are these five people who slumber near me as I keep my watch (even in an inn, we are forced to take turns keeping watch @ all times) in this inn in a place called Amkethran.  Amkethran, a place I’d never even heard of w/all my learning @ Candlekeep, before Melissan uttered its name. 

 

There’s only one temple in town, same as in Saradush, & same as Saradush, it’s a Temple of Waukeen. At one point we witnessed a confrontation between one of the temple’s two priests & one of the Monks who serve a monastery.  This was before I had met Baltazar but the Monk was belligerent & he even blasphemed Waukeen to the priest. Of course, that enraged the priest & a battle ensued. I didn’t like the Monk’s tone &, while I have no ties to Waukeen I elected to protect the priest who was only pleading on behalf of the hungry people of the town. About the time we were about to kill the Monk, a mage from the monastery appeared & threatened me, if not directly, to stay out of Baltazar’s business. That was the third time I got an uneasy feeling about this place…meeting Baltazar was the straw that broke the camels’ back.  Oh, just for the record, the first time was The Battle of the Oasis (it just seemed too convenient), the second was when I had to kill mercenaries roaming uncontrolled through the streets here.  We have been blessed & were able to contribute 1000gp to the Temple of Waukeen to aid the townspeople (note: Reputation +1). 

 

While there we met a man named Marlowe.  Marlowe’s was the sad case of a man who let greed drive him to do the unthinkable. He offered his soul to a Lich in exchange for 20 years of wealth & prosperity.  The Lich, Vongoethe, had kept his end of the bargain but when it came time to keep his end of the bargain, Marlowe reneged to the extent that he allowed his own wife to die rather than give up his soul.  He evaded The Lich & ran to Amkethran, before the gig was up.  Now his daughter’s life was in The Lich’s grasp & Marlowe was @ his wits end.  I confronted The Lich thinking that his actions were unprovoked.  When I talked w/him & learned the truth, I had to pause b/c @ that point I didn’t have the young woman’s soul in hand.  I talked it over w/the Lich & he agreed that if I brought Marlowe to him, he’d release the daughter’s soul.  Then I returned to Marlowe & he knew it was time. I walked beside him on the long walk to The Lich’s Lair in the town’s cave/tomb & Anomen prayed w/him that Helm might somehow aid him in what was to come. Marlowe willingly gave up his soul. Part of me wanted to battle the Lich but he’d kept his end of the bargain. To destroy him would be to destroy evil but we live in a Toril that allows beings to make their own choices between good & evil, law & chaos. I disdain everything that Vongoethe is, everything he represents but he was trustworthy in his dealings w/Marlowe & w/me.  I had the daughter’s soul, which I was able to return to her. W/her parents’ gone, life was going to be difficult.  I’m swimming in gold which is no good to me unless I use it to further the cause of Law & Goodness…all of us were happy to share 5000gps w/her to help her get along.  I wish sometimes things were not so cut & dry…I wish that damned Lich had reneged so that I could have pummeled him mercilessly…but he did not. 

MARLOWE'S FATE

As an aside, when we left the inn the first night to look into Marlowe’s situation, we came across two mercenaries w/Chain Mail +3, Medium Shields +2, Long Swords +1 who were mugging the town Mayor’s & his daughter.  They’re not alive anymore, just like the two that had been confronting, Saemon Haevarian before the snake oil salesman turned his problem into mine.  The point here is that with all the powerful Monk’s who undoubtedly call the monastery home, there is no security for the people who live here, no justice whatsoever.  

 

My time in Amkethran has been somewhat productive.  Now that Imoen has the Use Any Item ability, she stocked up on the very best scrolls available from Lazarus Librarus, a mage who just arrived in town to start a business.  Lazarus & the Smith Kerrick combined their efforts & have a shop called Kerrick’s Smithy & Arcana Archives II.  Imoen spent over 200,000gps on scrolls, largely spells designed to defeat enemy mages & those needed to protect herself so that she can do just that.    

 

On one of these encounters, we got a clasp needed for a cloak we’d found that Cespenar fashioned into Montolio’s Cloak, a powerful Ranger’s Cloak for Sarah.

 

Key Event: Not knowing what else to do, I headed out to explore the strongholds of Abazigal & Sendai.  I chose Abazigal first using the greatest means I could come up with – alphabetically.  I carefully had Imoen cast Mass Invisibility on us & Anomen, Chant. The rest of us protected ourselves w/Magic Resistance were prepared to use out best HLA as soon as battle became imminent. Imoen moved forward to probe what lay @ the top of the massive, ornate stairs that led up beyond our view.  She was detected by a man named Draconis who claimed to be the son of Abazigal & who was immediately hostile.  We fumbled around trying to get an offensive going but to no avail. Before we knew it there was a Dark Planetar & four or five Aerial Servants confusing matters & we just couldn’t get organized so I pulled us back in a retrograde to Amkethran. 

 

I turned us around immediately to conduct a reconnaissance in force to see if we could catch him off guard.  No dice. As soon as we started incanting spells he was there. He got his Timestop off before Imoen got her (she was casting the same spell).  The damage he caused took out Auren & Imoen so another retrograde was in order & so we’re back in Amkethran again.  We’ll go back after him again in the next day or so. 

 

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 71,040 (spent 253,042 gp on scrolls & potions) Armor: two sets Chain Mail +3, two Medium Shields +1, two Long Swords +1; Weapons: Jewelry/Gold: Scrolls: Over 200,000 worth!  Wands: Misc & Artifacts:

 

Current Disposition:  At the inn in Amkethran.

 

Next Steps:  Destroy Draconis! Oh, & then destroy Abazigal. 

 

Level Up:  None

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 13 – Popular - +1 gave 1000gp to help Temple of Waukeen feed the poor)

·          Gawain: Ftr/29 (HP 165); Shuruppak’s Plate w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +3*****, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw, MgRs, CrSk, PAtk, Smite, Hdns)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/23); HP 116; White Dragon Scale Armor w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Girdle of Fire Giant Strength; Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance (Fortress Shield +3); Ravager +4**, Morning Star Ice Star +4**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDB, MgRs, PAtk)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//26), (HP 119); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; The Answerer +4*****, Yamato +4**, Long Sword*****, (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(4); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw MgRs,PAtk, CS)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//17/18, (HP 72); Crimson Chain +5 w/Shield of the Order +4, & Helm of Defense, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, Periapt of Proof Against Poison; Runehammer +5***, , Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(3); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DBw, ES, GDB, GoB)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/31); (HP 95); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Ring of Anti-venom, Ring of Improved Invisibility & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Elite Fire Giant), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI, Asn, AvDth))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/24); HP 124; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, Montolio’s Cloak, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd)(6); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, PAtk)

 

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Draconis took some work.  He really made his big mistake when he decided to reveal that in reality he was a massive Brown Dragon.  He thought that would shake us up, cause fear, but instead it made it more clear who & what we were fighting. We’ve killed a dragon or two: Shadow Dragon (Thaxll’ssillliya), Red Dragon (Saladrex), Green Dragon in Watcher’s Keep, & yes, the Gold Dragon near the Gates to the nine Hells, maybe one or two more I can’t remember.  A dragon can be a pain in the arse…but they can also be beaten.  Draconis was no different.  We used a probe & run, probe & run, probe & run strategy with him. 

 

In human form, he was extremely difficult & we dared not engage directly for fear of getting trapped.  Every time we’d reengage he had the same spell protections up & it seemed he was armed w/endless Time Stop spells.  I wore my cpmpanion’s out using escape & evasion tactics to avoid a direct confrontation until, finally, one of us landed a blow w/a non-enchanted weapon.  Then Keldorn threw his shield on the ground & grabbed his non-enchanted Two-Handed sword, while I reached for my plain ole Bastard Sword. I think it was Auren w/her non-enchanted Long Sword that drew first blood. Soon we were pummeling him & it seemed the battle was about to end when he revealed his true Brown Dragon form.  We had all taken some blows @ that point so we pulled back again but not to rest.  @ one point both Anomen & Imoen were out of action & we had to use the temple to revive them, lest we allow Draconis to rest.  We never rested, for four days or so (except to pause in the shade of some desert rocks for a few hours) & we weren’t going to let him get any sleep either.  This battle was going to end before anyone slumbered, nor was anyone recovering any spells outside of magical means, e.g. Wondrous Recall. 

 

Key Event: Once he was revealed it was time to go after him in a full-movement to contact.  Imoen cast Mass Invisibility on all of us (for what that’s worth here) & then used her Avoid Death ability before approaching Draconis directly & casting Pierce Shield @ him but he used his Dragon Breath on her & disrupted the spell. However, since Imoen was protected w/Avoid Death she backed off barely harmed. Then we all moved in full-on to attack him do or die.  Imoen moved to where she could cast a Lower Resistance spell which she followed up a bit later w/a Warding Whip. While she danced around him staying out of range, Sarah, was able to land Flaming Bolts from Firetooth +4 ensuring that Draconis was constantly dealing with nagging, painful blows while the other four of us surrounded him & belted him with our weapons (magical now).  He pushed us off a couple of times w/his wing buffet but we kept coming back.  He used Invisibility once or twice but as soon as he did Keldorn countered w/True Seeing.  Draconis was defeated in no time after that.  Auren landed the killing blow but her kill of another dragon, Saladrex, is still her best. Draconis had little treasure but he had some Monk’s Bracers, Tzu-Zan’s Bracers, which w/her Use Any Item ability, Imoen is able to use to benefit her AC (note: -9). 

AUREN DOES IT AGAIN!

Some Treasure of Note: (Purse = 71,040) Armor: Tzu-Zan’s Bracers (Imoen); Weapons: Jewelry/Gold: Scrolls: Wands: Misc & Artifacts:

 

Current Disposition:  We’ll use Amkethran as our base while we work on Abazigal’s lair.   

 

Next Steps:  Enter Abazigal’s Lair & conduct an initial reconnaissance. 

 

Level Up:  

 

·          Keldorn:  Keldorn is a true warrior of the faith & has been promoted by his order to Paladin/Inquisitor//24.  He selected the HLA Critical Strike. 

 

Current Party (In Order of March): (Reputation: 13)

·          Gawain: Ftr/29 (HP 165); Shuruppak’s Plate w/ Helm of Balduran w/Sentinal +4, Ring of Fire Control & Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Reflection & Amulet of Seldarine; Crom Faeyr*****, Bastard Sword +3*****, Bastard Sword +1/+3 vs Shapeshifters*****, Bastard Sword***** (Bodhi)(1); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw, MgRs, CrSk, PAtk, Smite, Hdns)

·          Keldorn: Paladin (Inquisitor/24); HP 119; White Dragon Scale Armor w/Helm of Brilliance, Paladins Bracers, Girdle of Fire Giant Strength; Kaligun’s Amulet of Magic Resistance & Ring of Fire resistance (Fortress Shield +3); Ravager +4**, Morning Star Ice Star +4**; (Chromatic Demon)(Spellcaster Attack); (2); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDB, MgRs, PAtk, CrStk)

·          Auren Aseph: Ftr (Apprentice//26), (HP 119); Grand Masters Armor +6 w/Helm of Charm Protection & Girdle of Stone Giant Strength; The Answerer +4*****, Yamato +4**, Long Sword*****, (SWS**; Ring of Fire Resistance; (Saladrax) (SCS Ease of Use, Setting 1)(4); (HLAs: WWA, GWWA, DBw, GDBw MgRs,PAtk, CS)

·          Anomen: Ftr/Watcher of Helm//17/18, (HP 72); Crimson Chain +5 w/Shield of the Order +4, & Helm of Defense, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, Periapt of Proof Against Poison; Runehammer +5***, , Mace***; (Dragon – Watcher’s keep)(Cleric Aggressive)(3); (HLAs: WWA, EBs, GWWA, SoV, DBw, ES, GDB, GoB)

·          Imoen:  Thief (Charming Rogue/31); (HP 95); Sylvan Chain +2 w/Dusty Rose Ioun Stone, Tzu-Zan’s Bracers, Ring of Anti-venom, Ring of Improved Invisibility & Boots of Speed w/Taralash +4* & Staff of the Ram +4*, (Dagger*, Short Sword*, Club*, Katana*, Scimitar*, Crossbow*), Wand of Spell Striking; (Elite Fire Giant), (Ranged, Thief Adventurer, Thief Scout)(5); (HLAs: DgrS, Evn, SExTp, SAdTp, SSTp, SoCh, UAI, Asn, AvDth))

·          Sarah: Ranger (Beast master/24); HP 124; Armor of the Night +4, Helm of Loyalty, Montolio’s Cloak, (Buckler +3); Firetooth +4, Slg +1, Clb (Il-Khan Battle Mage), (Rgr Rgd)(6); (HLAs:  WWA, GWWA, DB, GDB, MR, PAtk)

 

 

Mods Used: BG2 FixPack _v10; Amber_v4; Auren Aseph_v9; Sarah_v4; Haldimir_v2; : Tyris Flare_v6; Gavin_v20 & Hotfix;  scs-v30 (- Tactical Challenges); MegaModKits v1.01L (Anti-Paladin, Charming Rogue, Priest of Sylvanus, Bladesinger, Amazon, Apprentice, Ninja, Samurai); Divine Remix_v8 (Nightcloak of Shar, Holy Strategist of the Red Knight, Batleguard of Tempus, Strifeleader of Cyric, Bowslinger, Forest Runner, Wilderness Runner) ; Rogue Rebalancing; bg2_tweaks-v16; Item Randomizer-v6.8; level1npcs-v1.9

 

Blue Font: New information;

Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)

(Best kill)(Current AI)(Chain of Command)

[ussnorway]

Ormaline is entering the bg2ee stage of her run on my backup WX (amd chip) system

 

 

but no cage can hold her for long.

 

Mods: the bg2ee game files have been repaired to allow Ascension;

Spoiler

// Log of Currently Installed WeiDU Mods

// The top of the file is the 'oldest' mod

// ~TP2_File~ #language_number #component_number // [Subcomponent Name -> ] Component Name [ : Version]

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #0 // Big Picture, core component (required for most subcomponents): v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2000 // Ascension for BP: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2100 // Improved Abazigal: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2200 // Improved Demogorgon: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2300 // Improved Gromnir: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2400 // Improved Illasera: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2500 // Improved Sendai: v181-b4611

~BP/SETUP-BP.TP2~ #0 #2600 // Improved Yaga-Shura: v181-b4611

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #1000 // Initialise mod (all other components require this): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2000 // Allow Spellstrike to take down a Protection from Magic scroll: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2010 // More consistent Breach spell (always affects liches and rakshasas; doesn't penetrate Spell Turning): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2020 // Antimagic attacks penetrate improved invisibility: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2030 // Iron Skins behaves like Stoneskin (can be brought down by Breach): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2041 // Modify the Harm spell so it does damage rather than reducing target to 1 hp -> Enemy and player Harm spells both do 150 hp of damage: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2100 // Make Minute Meteors into +2 weapons: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2150 // Make spell sequencers, spell triggers, and contingencies learnable by all mages: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2170 // True Sight/True Seeing spells protect from magical blindness: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #2180 // Prevent Simulacra and Projected Images from using magical items: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #3041 // Reduce the number of Arrows of Dispelling in stores -> Stores sell a maximum of 5 Arrows of Dispelling: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #4150 // Allow the Cowled Wizards to detect spellcasting in most indoor, above-ground areas in Athkatla: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #5900 // Initialise AI components (required for all tactical and AI components): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6000 // Smarter general AI: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6010 // Better calls for help: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6021 // Add high-level abilities (HLAs) to spellcasters -> Only selected spellcasters in Throne of Bhaal and Shadows of Amn get HLAs: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6031 // Smarter Mages -> Mages only cast short-duration spells instantly at start of combat if they are created in sight of the PC: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6041 // Smarter Priests -> Priests only cast short-duration spells instantly at start of combat if they are created in sight of the PC: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6103 // Potions for NPCs -> Two thirds of the potions dropped by slain enemies break and are lost: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6531 // Smarter celestials -> Celestials have normal hit points: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6541 // Smarter dragons -> Dragons have normal hit points: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6553 // Smarter beholders -> Don't give beholder rays any chance of burning through spell protections; beholder antimagic removes defences and prevents casting but does not block harmful spells (original game behaviour): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6562 // Smarter mind flayers -> Illithids have only original-game resistances; Illithids cannot see invisible enemies (matches original game): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6570 // Smarter githyanki: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6590 // Smarter Throne of Bhaal final villain: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6800 // Smarter Illasera: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6810 // Smarter Gromnir: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6820 // Smarter Yaga-Shura: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6830 // Smarter Abazigal: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6840 // Give Ascension versions of Irenicus and Sendai SCS scripts and abilities: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #6850 // Give Ascension demons SCS scripts and abilities: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8010 // Improved Shade Lord: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8020 // Spellcasting Demiliches: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8040 // Increase difficulty of level-dependent monster groupings -> Mildly increased difficulty: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8050 // Improved Random Encounters: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8060 // Improved de'Arnise Keep ("Tactics Remix") -> Spirit trolls have the same powers as in the original game: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8070 // Improved Unseeing Eye: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8090 // Party's items are taken from them in Spellhold: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8100 // Improved battle with Irenicus in Spellhold: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8110 // Improved Sahuagin: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8120 // Improved Beholder hive (adapted from Quest Pack): v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8130 // Prevent resting in the Illithid city: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8141 // Slightly Improved Drow -> Leave Ust Natha's defences alone: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8150 // Slightly Improved Watcher's Keep: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8160 // Improved Fire Giant temple: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8170 // Enhanced Sendai's Enclave: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8180 // Improved Abazigal's Lair: v30

~STRATAGEMS/SETUP-STRATAGEMS.TP2~ #0 #8190 // Improved Minor Encounters: v30

    Slayer fix.
    ToB pools fix.
    Otiluke's Resilient Sphere fix.
    The Equalizer fix.