Is this with or without TotSC? With or without fully exploring (mapping out) all wilderness maps?
With TotSC, all maps, all encounters, all mini and big quests, no exp squatting. There simply isn't more exp to be gained.
Don't worry about Fire Elementals - late-game oponnents make short work of those.
Well, now I feel like I have a disease or something. This is the first time I've removed the CAP. I just wanted to see what would happen so I selected the 'remove experience point cap' option this time. Now, I'm a bumb!
Don't feel that way CKT. Your run has been wonderful and it will be wonderful, cap or no.
The cap, or lack thereof, is more of an issue for soloers, and, potentially, those playing with additional content.
Everyone should feel free to do what suits their needs.
If in doubt, just go with what you'd enjoy more.
Best,
A.
Ouch, with two thief levels and one cleric level beyond the cap I'm starting to feel like a cheat now, what with pretty much everyone observing the XP cap. I am solo'ing after all.
Still, with all the mods I'm not experiencing any balance issues. Last night (will update about this later) I fought Ragefast. He had a Contingency, a Mordy's sword, God knows how many protections, and his Sunfire did ridiculous damage. He's level 14(!) according to Shadowkeeper.
@Jianson, I was thinking the same, but maybe the Item Randomiser could be an incentive not to abandon any sidequessts and finish the game too fast once the XP has been reached. For example in my current run, even though I reached Baldur's Gate, I haven't found the Tome of Dex yet (only INT, CON; CHA en 2x WIS), and I can only hope to find the tomes of STR and WIS of Candlekeep in their normal locations. Am still looking for the Boots of Speed so I can have Thalantyr merge those with my Boots of Stealth.
Ouch, with two thief levels and one cleric level beyond the cap I'm starting to feel like a cheat now
Don't feel that way Blackraven. What ultimately matters is whether you are getting a balanced playthrough and, beyond that, whether you are having fun. You are the best judge on both counts.
For what it's worth, it sounds to me like everything is going fine.
Best of luck with the endgame!
A.
Thank you Alesia. Either way I'm not going to level up anymore, and in SoA (provided Cyric allows Teyl to get there), I will set his XP to 320k (the XP he had at his last level up). Will only look for the remining tomes + Boots of Speed and otherwise work toward the final showdown.
I found where the screen shots are being stored. Within a file in the BG:EE folder. Now just unable to post those screenshots on this forum, and once I am able to, I can begin showing my exploits with the demon spawn Rathull
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and Narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 2 : A thorn in the Iron Throne
The Beregost Inquiry (front and back) that spread throughout Baldur's Gate, and eventually the Sword Coast. This newspaper article is still within the museum in Baldur's Gate today, as a reminder of the Iron Crisis. Published a week prior to the incident at the Garrisoned fort.
"Here ye, Here ye, Amnian Ambassador found dead in local inn!! Here ye, Here ye"
This morning an Amnian Ambassador by the name of Tranzig was found dead, no real signs of struggle, but the Ambassador had a weird greenish liquid oozing from the three main slashes against him. Two in the chest, then one against his arm. The priest that came to investigate the body (Beregost's local priest) stated that he had never seen anything like this before. His divine casting was unable to restore life to the body. A tragic act indeed. Amn will certainly wish upon retaliation. Lets hope Amn forgives the Iron Throne for such an atrocity.
Reporter Barth Luwalig
Back Page, a bounty notice by the Flamming Fist
Rathull (last name unknown) is hunted day and night by the deaths of three innocent citizens along the way from Candlekeep to Beregost, along with a murder within Candlekeep. This man is considered armed and dangerous, if anyone sees this man, notify the nearest authorities. Dead : 250gp. Alive : 400gp.
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 3 : The burning of the Flamming Fist
A series of manuscripts written by : Baeloth
01 Kythorn 1368
Bahhh, my first day on the surface world and everything here DOES not according to plan. Humph, ran into some surfacers, burnt them to a crisp.
18 Kythorn 1368
It would seem this task is harder than impossible, how will I ever build my grand arena with : no arena, no beasts for gladiators to fight, no merchants to sell me items to give my combatants arms, and lastly no grand champion. Every arena, especially a new one, needs a grand champion to slay any beasts that come its way, winning the hearts of the spectators, so they can keep coming back to place their wagers and bets. My name will be praised above all though. Baeloth, Baeloth, BAELOTH!!!! I can hear their chants now
20 Flamerule 1368
Met the most peculiar little (rather large actually) man today. Rathull was his name, he was slaying some glibberings in some field and I was going to rob him of his rations (i'm soooooo hungry). Instead I sat and spoke with him for a spell. That man is so encrypted in what little details he gives about his mission. I decided to travel along with this guy, perhaps later I will use a domination spell and have him build my arena, he seems capable enough. We stumbled upon two druids to by the way, made short work of them. Seemed we did the dirty work of one of them, as one wanted to kill the other. Strange druids, worthless nevertheless.
24 Flamerule 1368
Tonight I need to write this down. Incase no one ever hears from me again, please let this be known. I believe Rathull is about to attack some fort, all I keep hearing is some giant platoon keep saying over and over "I serve the Flamming Fist, I am the Law!" We attack at midnight Rathull says.
25 Flamerule 1368
We attacked at midnight last night. Rathull was swinging to his hearts content. Slaying every flamming fist soldier that came into sight. We even slayed some general, I couldn't tell if Rathul licked his blade prior or spit on it, but this general started screaming in pain, a most joyous sound I must say. After the mini battle I took a look at him, oddly enough his flesh seemed to have been eaten away, perhaps I should take a look at some other poor fool that Rathull does this to. Ahh ha, this is absolutely worth noting, after that generals death today we saw some building of sorts with some guards posted outside. I told Rathull I needed to rest, my ancient blood line does feel weakened after awhile. As we entered Rathull vomited on his blade (WHY DOES HE DO THIS!?!?), I casted haste on us and armor on myself. When we entered the room the main honchos inside were ready for battle. Rathull being radiating with some sort of Dark Matter. This Dark Matter in a misty like form struck out and seeped into their nostrils, I had to gaze upon them for a minute as they seemed a little more sluggish, their ability to move seemed diminished, their swings seemed to be less, they looked sick. I came to out of that gaze them hurled three fireballs....They all burnt to a crisp, I even hit Rathull, poor guy was also struck with a melf acid arrow. We immediately took rest. Rathull then begin placing Amnian Shields and armor around the fort, I have no idea why he Is doing this. Rathull must be a mad man.
***I forgot that if you leave the tent then rest and come back inside, all their stuff is gone. Hope it wasn't anything important, I don't remember anything super great on their bodies except for some random loot to sell****
Rathull Lvl 5 - kills 196
HP : 70
Difficulty : Core (with slider at easy during level up)
Favorite Spell : poison weapon
Baeloth Lvl 6 - kills 22
HP : 36
Favorite Spell : Magic Missile
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 4 : Transcending the Sword Coast into fear
Journal of Rathull
Baeloth has proven rather resourceful, I shall have to reward this drow when the times comes to do so. Although I did catch the little darkened one taking a glimpse at my journal last night, seems he now knows the full extent of my plans to corrupt this land. Nevertheless we have arrived at Friendly Arm Inn, to gather rest before taking siege on the Baldurian mine. Upon our arrival we were ambushed at the gates by some mere Flamming Fist soldiers, they stood no match to the sheer depravity of my blade, and a rather useful fireball.
We were confronted by some bounty hunter at the stoop of the bar. One swing tore his torso clean off his waist, seems my head now holds a bounty of 1,000gp dead and 1,750gp alive. That's just a debt that will never be paid, no one will have at the.
Baeloth and I entered the keep. The sight of others enjoying and basking in the midst of each others company was a mockery of my Dark Lord. The bards were singing, maidens were gossiping, and men around the room were feasting to their hearts content. This blissful encounter cringed my very fiber. I had no control over the events that transpired within the keep. My aura radiated to its fullest extent, seeping into the nostrils of these peasants, reaching their brains and blocking their cognitive functions. I withdrew my blade and extracted pure hatred unto it, and began to swing away. Baeloth, shocked and confused (yet once again, after I do something, I think its his soul grinning and for once being fulfilled) ,eventually came to, slinging fireball after fireball in the corners of the bar, burning them to a crisp. The entire room was full of torn ligaments and ale mugs covered in red, except for a certain two people. A knight of a lesser devil of no importance, and a maiden cook. I smelt this knight from about a mile out. Ur-grathz or some sort is the one this knight praises, I granted him a fast ticket to spend time with his master. Afterward, I then began painting with the dark thick red that is in abundance around the room, I spelt out the demons name onto the walls. Grabbed the fare maiden within the keeps kitchen, lifted her two feet off the deck, holding her by her hair. In a booming demonic voice I shouted, "Praise be to this NAME!!" I flung her eighteen feet across the room, with her head bleeding from the pulled hairs, she screamed and cried all the way to Beregost. Baeloth looking at the name on the wall, then turning back to me, turning back to the wall, then turning to me once more said to me whispering, "ummm Rathull?!?!"
It was a fine exploit, the Throne in the Gapping Maw is flowing with the embodiment of the dead that I bring. My blood boils and craves the depravity that I weep. This land is large, and plentiful for the taking.
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 4 (continued) : Transcending the Sword Coast into Fear
Journal of Rathull
After the wonderful event in the FAI, Baeloth decided that we should allow the rest of the Sword Coast enjoy the spoils of our destruction, so we set off to the most rewarding place that would be pleasant to destroy. The temple outside of Beregost, the sirins were the only trouble in that temple, acid saliva just ate the priest away from the inside out, although the sirins did manage to charm me, Baeloth had to venture outside to keep safe, until the spell dispelled, and once it did, we hacked them to shreds. Then slew the two apprentices in the little building to the left.
We traveled until we arrived at some village, full of Halflings at that. They seem pleasant and cheerful, and now they will be lifeless and cold. Baeloth flung a fireball at the first person we saw, Gandolar Rabbitfoot was his name, i took a bolt and dipped it in a pocket of saliva from my mouth and loaded the crossbow, the two of us fell every Halfling that came across our path. One little hut that we entered, had a little hostile person in it, we slew him, but Baeloth saw something rather odd with his bookshelf. Sure enough, Baeloth pulled a book off the shelf and a latch triggered some mechanism, then it opened. Upon entering the hidden passage, an ogre mage stood before us, and like every other, he was no match. I didn't walk ten feet until a mage of better repute started to hurl lightning bolts at my companion Baeloth, two fireballs ended his life. We quickly found the exit of this compound and continued in our travels. We tracked our path towards the north, and were caught by the "best swordsman" that ever walked. Meilum was his name, I told the fool he is a pathetic excuse for a swordsman, and a poorly dressed one at that, so he challenged me. Two hits chunked the poor fool, the second hit was a true critical hit.
Enough venturing for today, its time to get back on course, and Baeloth feels his ancient blood line showing more of its true nature.
Rathull Lvl 6 - kills 262
HP : 70
Favorite Spell : poison weapon
Baeloth Lvl 7 - kills 58
HP : 42
Favorite Spell : Magic Missile
Spells gained : 1st - Pro from Pet, 2nd - Knock, 3rd Remove Magic
No mods : except just Enhanced Edition, if that is considered a mod
***
I've been busy these days, busy killing people, more than I actually care for. After establishing myself as a Guild member I took some time to barter with Halbazzer Drin, the owner of a store that offers potions, spells, and a couple of enchanted items. There wasn't much for me to buy, so I mainly sold a lot of loot and got some stuff identified. I did buy all his potions of invisibility, speed, explosions as well as his oils of fiery burning. Those firebombs had proven their worth before, quite a couple of times. In the store I met a man who warned me of a group of Red Wizards of Thay, involved in a number of rituals east of the Larswood. He told me they looked affluent and he was sure they had all kinds of valuable possessions for adventuring folk like me. I wasn't that interested as I'd already made a lot of money selling gear, gems etc. Besides there was little in terms of gear that I found myself in need of. (Perhaps an item that would improve my thieving skills could come in handy, but such an item was unlikely to be found on those wizards.)
In the northern part of the city I met a mage called Ramazith, who asked me to retrieve a nymph for him who was captured by another mage, Ragefast. He promised a magical trinket he was sure would be of great use to me, so I accepted. When I entered Ragefast's home, I asked him to hand over his nymph, to prevent bloodshed, so I could give her over to Ramazith. My mentioning of that name enraged the wizard, and at lightning speed he activated a string of magical defenses: Shield, Mirror Image, Improved Invisibilty, Globe of Invulnerability, Stoneskin, Protection from Magical Weapons and possibly Vocalize. A number of huge rather bizarre devices allowed my to hide before the mage would start casting any of his offensive spells. Invisible and, thanks to my cloak, undetectable, I waited for some of the mage's protections to wear off, and then I summoned two skeletons to my aid, to attack Ragefast and to provoke the mage to waste some of his spells on them. I observed the scene from a distance, ever hidden, until Ragefast cast a devastating Sunfire which harmed not only the skeletons, but also the nymph, and most of all myself.
I retreated behind one of the devices and healed myself with spells and potions. Ragefast somehow noticed me, so I ran toward the door. Before stepping outside I saw that the nymph had gone hostile on me, even though it was Ragefast who had hurt her with his powerful Sunfire, not I. Ragefast followed me outside in his yard where I forced him into a ranged combat as my trusty Frost Dart, with its cold damage always coming through his magical protections, prevented Ragefast from spellcasting. He retalliated with his Melf's Minute Meteors he'd probably conjured up during his confrontation with my skeletons. Some of those hit me, but once my dart had consumed his protections, I started to deal decent damage. He then triggered an Invisibility spell on himself, and started attacking me with his staff. As he constantly missed, he remained invisible and I had no way of dispelling that effect. What I did, was to run away from him, hide, move to the other side of the yard and plant a trap. I would then be visible again, provoke him to attack me, and lure him toward the trap. It took me two lightning bolt traps to bring him down.
Inside I slew the still hostile nymph with a single backstab. I cut off a lock of her hair, and took it to Ramazith to prove to him that what I was going to tell him, was true. Ramazith was by no means amused. He wanted to attack me but he stood no chance against my Frost dart which I had poisoned.
I checked out his home (a tower) for any valuables, but found nothing consequential, so I left. I cloaked myself against the evening cold and decided to take a stroll toward the Fist headquarters, and pay Scar a visit.
On my way I spoke with a child. She asked me to help her get her cat back. I would have to take the cat's toy ring from her uncle Bheren's home, right in front of us. I said to myself, why not, so I entered the premises hidden in shadows, and I found the ring upstairs. On my way out I saw Bheren with what looked like an enchanted cloak in his hands. I tried to snatch it from him, but unfortunately I failed. Bheren attacked me, and in self-defense I slew him. (The cloak I took with me.) This most undesirable turn of events may well have consequences for me in the future. I couldn't set myself to murdering the child, so I gave her the ring, and left town right away. With little else to do I decided to go and check out the Thayvian Wizrads I'd been told about in the Sorcerous Sundries. There were four of them, and when I greeted them they inmmediately turned hostile. Traps and firebombs helped me kill the lot. To their credit I must admit having used two charges of my Greenstone Amulet, as they tried to take me on with mind controlling magic.
Their possessions weren't as interesting as I'd hoped, mostly mage robes and spells I have no use for. I travelled to Thalantyr to get some loot identified, and most likely sell it after that. Interestingly Bheren's cloak that had gotten me into possible trouble was a Cloak of Protection +1. Thalantyr offered to combine that cloask with my Cloak of Non-Detection into one single cloak for a few thousand gold and two Invisibility scrolls I had to buy from him. I must say I am most pleased with the result.
I lazily travelled back to Baldur's Gate and inquired with my fellow guild members if anything was known about the recent murder in one the homes in northern Baldur's Gate, and if any suspects had been identified. To my relief this wasn't the case. I reported with Scar and did a number of tasks for him. I investigated, or to be more specific: cleared out, the Seven Suns as he'd asked me before. The place had been taken over by shapeshifters who had taken the shapes of the original personnel. I also slew an Ogre Mage and his pet carrion crawlers in the sewers, all for the sake of my repute with the Flaming Fist.
Scar was content with my work, and after a meeting with Duke Eltan, I was another task: to visit the Iron Throne and investigate whether any suspicious activities were going on. I was planning on doing that anyway, given the apparent ties between them and the attempts on my life. Scar had been most disturbed by my tidings of the goings-on at the Seven Suns. At the Iron Throne Headquarters it turned out his fears weren't groundless. One of their staff told me that he'd seen people go upstairs and later descend with another, slightly different face. This reeked of more shapeshifters. An emissary from Sembia asked me the way to the fifth floor where she was supposed to negotiate a contract with Iron Throne superiors. I urged her to wait, but she wouldn't. When I reached the fifth floor myself, hidden in shadows, I encountered the Sembian emissary and a group of armed and armoured ruffians, not an ensemble that was likely to negotiate a trade agreement. In one of the rooms lay the body of the very same emissary. There was no doubt: more shapeshifters... I descended to the fourth floor placed traps in front of the two stairways and one in the middle of the room. Then I summoned three skeletons and protected them and myself from Evil. Cloaked in shadows I went back upstairs and backstabbed one the ruffians straight to Nine Hells. The others, both warriors and spellcasters alike, would fall soon after to my traps, skeletons or backstabs.
I shall attend to some business and speak to Duke Eltan about what had transpired at the Iron Throne Headquarters.
Thought that I would do another BG run with my favourite character, a paladin that I rolled a few months ago. I rolled Str 18/00, Dex 17, Con 18, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 17 and decided to leave the stats as they were rather than redistribute to make the character even more powerful. I thought that he was quite powerful enough as he was!! Set-up is vanilla plus DSoSC.
After the ambush and death of Gorion, I made my way northwards in the hope of hiding in Baldur's Gate. Unfortunately the main entrance was closed so I ended going along the side of the river where I agreed to help a priestess whose mother had been killed by some fishermen.
Near there I was attacked by an ankheg and rather than fight it, ran.
I ended up in a field full of zombies and at the request of a farmer killed all that I could find. He told be that there were a few left, but he was wrong, only one was left. Upon returning to him, my level was raised to 2. 
I headed southwards and entered Baldur's Gate by the postern gate. I found a tome that helps my dexterity, a pair of gauntlets that aid my fighting ability and a body that was wanted by a mage. Taking it to him raised my level to 3.
I then wandered the streets of Baldur's Gate doing what good that I could find, but also strengthening myself by acquiring weapons and armour.
I then took a necklace to a woman's son, and a skull to a temple, found some gauntlets and took a ring to someone who needed it for his beloved.
I then agreed to help a woman who was being blackmailed. The battle with the blackmailer was long and hard, but I ended up with his sword which strengthened my fighting prowess considerably.
These were just some of the deeds that made me more powerful and more loved.
I then headed south and killed Sonner before returning to Tenya. I then helped a man whose son's body resided in the temple where Tenya was. Because of helping her previously, she willingly gave me the body and upon returning it to the father, I gained a powerful shield as a reward.
I then agreed to help a woman who was being blackmailed. The battle with the blackmailer was long and hard, but I ended up with his sword which strengthened my fighting prowess considerably.
I was then poisoned by some assassins and upon trying to obtain the antidote, Marek cast confusion and then horror followed by acid arrows. These wounded me seriously so I escaped downstairs. However a lack of healing potions led to my untimely dea... 
Gate70/Grond0 multiplayer attempt 43 - (update 2)
Waltz, half-elf bard (Grond0) & Hallie, halfling swashbuckler (Gate70)
Today's short session went pretty smoothly and this duo will be embarking on the end game next time.
At the bandit tent Waltz used invisibility to use a couple of wand scorchers. They finished off Raemon and Britik and a follow up poisoned stab from Hallie saw Venkt running before Waltz came back in to finish things off.
The Cloakwood was quickly negotiated invisibly and Hallie set some traps for Drasus. Surprisingly Waltz with just 3 blind spells available hit both mages and Genthore. Once Drasus died in traps that left easy kills. After moving invisibly down to Daveorn Hallie set a couple more traps to catch a teleporting Daveorn. They didn't kill him, but did severely wound him and he failed to survive the second round of scorcher damage from Waltz. With neither character possessing a weapon that could damage the mustard jelly it was just lured away so that Hallie could loot in peace.
In the City the tomes were picked up - Ramazith, Jalantha and Marek all being blinded on the way. The Helm and Cloak of Balduran have also been acquired (the former in case UAI makes it available for use in BG2) and the Iron Throne will be due for an investigation at the start of the next session.
Stats:
Waltz, bard 8, 448 HPs, 123 kills
Hallie, swashbuckler 8, 41 HPs, 130 kills, 0 deaths
@ Grimwald: decent roll you got there for a pally. 
@ Jianson, thanks for your appreciation! I'm indeed playing a Cleric/Thief, but I have the Divine Remix mod installed, which creates a wide variety of priest kits (most of them unfortunately based on deities of the human pantheon, though some of these lend themselves well to worship by priests of other races). One of these kits is the Strifeleader of Cyric. What I did with Teyl was roll a Strifeleader of Cyric and shadowkeeper him into a (kitted) Cleric/Thief. All the kits get certain kit-specific powers and abilities, such as Poison Weapon every six levels for the Strifeleader. Priests 'pay' for these benefits by way of limited spell access. Accessible spells depend on each cleric's beliefs. This is implemented through sphere restrictions in the kit descriptions. E.g. the Strifeleader of Cyric has only limited access to spells of the Protection sphere, up to level 3 spells, which means that Shield of the Archons won't become available to him
I really like the mod because the vanilla clerics/kits are rather generic to my taste.
Looking forward to your adventure, and I hope the modded summons won't cause you any technical issues in the game.
Best of 5 rolls with no stat adjustment is admirable by the way!
Okay, I have started my next campaign, with a Totemic Druid...
I play with:
NPC Project
Quest Pack
Lure of the Sirine's Call
Unfinished Business
Hard Times
Item Randomizer (with 5% chance of randomly not randomize items)
SCS v21 (Stratagems v28 failed to install the main component that everything else depends on)
various tweaks
As usual, I took the best of five rolls at character creation. Rolled an astonishing 85, but other than full CON bonus to HP, the stats distribution is far from ideal:
Average STR and DEX, Super intelligent but only one bonus spell from WIS (although there will be at least two tomes out there so it may be raised a little).
Martha has now teamed up with Imoen.
Wow! Mordred thinks Martha's a hottie. He'll kick someone out of his party if she wants to travel w/him - he might kick them all out if she insists. We can work on the dexterity thing. rotflol
Mordred, a servant & Black Guard of Asmodeus. So I took care of the Nashkel Mines & unloaded my well-deserved treasure. I visited that hypocritical temple of the morning (I refuse to capitalize those words anymore). It would be more impressive if the enemies of my lord Asmodeus at least stood for what they believe. This Ormlyr is in it for $ & power, nothing more, especially Lothandar. Regardless, I paid my little tribute to ‘raise my local reputation.’ What a joke. On top of that, it amazes me that I’m the talk of the town in Beregost, people who look down on the Amnish folk of Nashkel, to the point where the Flaming Fist Captain here wants my help destroying the Bandits in the region so that she can get her men back in touch w/superiors in BG. But…in Nashkel, the town I saved, I’m attacked by Bounty Hunters, even the Berrun Ghastkill who hired me. Hmm. The politics of hell seem so much more logical.
Before I headed on my next mission @ Baator’s beckoning I finished some ‘unfinished’ business. In one of the letter’s I found in Mulahey’s chest about a contact, Tranzig, he had in Beregost @ the Feldepost’s Inn. I paid Tranzig a visit & sure enough he was there tryin’ to make tracks. I relish the chance to destroy powerful foes & my sense was that this guy might be worth the fight. I’ll never know more than that he was a boisterous smart-ass. He died for that & I came into some additional documents discussing Bandits activities in Peldvale & Larswood but for the time I had a date w/the Valley of the Tombs. On the way, I tried for a third to return the tome to the Ghost @ Ulcaster but he is yet to be found, day or night. I’ll try again when I can.
UPPITY MAGE GOIN' 6 FEET UNDER!
The Valley of the Tombs was full of Ogre Berserkers, Ogrillons, Skeletons (some w/Composite Long Bows), War & Wild Dogs. I probably killed a half-dozen of the former & a dozen Ogrillons alone. No idea how many of the others I killed. The tombs were full of Ghasts & I garnered some decent treasure raiding them & killing their occupants.
Key Event: Early on I was attacked by four female Amazon assassins. I kicked the snot out of them (although My Berserker Sergeant once again cost me some time after becoming Enraged, forgot to quaff a Potion of Healing after some hard hits & died in the aftermath of the battle which caused me to have to return to the hypocrites house to have him raised but I digress). One of the wench’s hailed us & asked my name. I can’t remember my exact answer but part of it was a Magic Missile from my Bard/Herald/Sage, Melf’s Acid Arrow from my Conjurer, Blindness from my Illusionist & maybe Ray of Enfeeblement from my new Enchanter. My Berserker Sergeant hates anyone casting spells & someone started incanting over on the other side & he was off to the killing looking for the source of the incantation. Then my subordinates just started picking out one @ a time to concentrate their attacks & spells on. The Enchanter may have even Dire Charmed or Charmed one of them but whatever the case, aside from a weak Entanglement spell they offered no damage except that to my Berserker Sergeant who was in the thick of the melee. They were dead w/o much sport. Too bad.
ASSASSIN'S HUH? THESE LADIES SHOULD'A STAYED HOME DOIN' NEEDLEPOINT!
After that & my unexpected visit to raise my Berserker Sergeant I had two more run-ins worth remembering, thus I capture them here. I came upon a mage in the wilderness working on a spell to control Mustard Jelly’s & the like. My Conjurer asked him if he was willing to share the spell & he went berserk to his chagrin. Nothing like a pissy mage to ****** off my own mages. My Conjurer, Illusionist, Bard/Herald/Sage & Enchanter went off on him, I cast Doom @ him & then charged the Jellies to keep them occupied, while my Berserker Sergeant had to go deal w/some skeleton’s that waded into the battle. The mage was dead almost before he could raise his arms to cast a spell. Once the uppity mage was dispatched I killed a couple of Mustard Jellies that insisted on spitting that nasty stuff of theirs @ me.
NOTHING LIKE A POMPOUS MAGE TO SET OFF MY MAGELINGS!
In the last tomb, I’d received somewhat of a warning from a passerby begging me to take something from him, which I did & killed him for my trouble. In the tomb was a powerful zombie like creature, a Revenant. Unaffected my non-enchanted weapons I sent my Berserker Sergeant outside b/c he’d fight the thing regardless. Then my Bard/Herald/Sage cast Magic Missile & started firing Arrows of Fire. My Conjurer alternated between Melf’s Acid Arrow & Flame Arrow, my Illusionist Blinded him, & I cast Doom & then charged & killed him w/my Bastard Sword +1.
UNDEAD NOW OFFICIALLY DEAD!
Treasure of Note: Golden Girdle, Potions Magic Blocking, Freedom, Frost Giant Strength (me); Potion of Invisibility (TBD); Dagger +2 (Xan)
Next Steps: My lord wants me to go to Nashkel but since I’m the most wanted man since Captain Brage, I’m not sure what his plans are there. I’ll see.
Level Up: My Conjurer has been raised in power by the Red Wizards & now is a Magician (Conjurer/6) & selected another Flame Arrow as his 4th, 4th Level Spell.
Current Party: (Reputation: 5* – Disliked) *Two offerings to that hypocrite in the temple in Beregost (+2); then killed Hentold w/his +2 Dagger (-2); then made another offering @ the temple (+1)
Black Guard of Asmodeus: Fighter (Blk Gd)/6; Plate Mail w/Lg Shld & RoP+2, +1 B/Swd** & +1 Flail*
(SSS**)
Kagain: Fighter (Bkr)/6; Splint Mail w/RoP+1 & B/Axe*** & T/Axe** (W/Hammer*)
Eldoth: Bard/6; Chain Mail, Sh/Bow* & BoArchery, +1 S/Swd*, Dgr* (Arm,MM,ChOrb,Mir Img,Knock)
Edwin: Mage(Cjr/6); Mage Robe or ER & +1 Q/Staff* (Arm,Greasex2, C/Per,LMD,B/Hands,MelfsAA x3,PWS,F/Arrow x4)
Quayle: Mage(Ill/5); Mage Robe of FR, Slg* & Dgr (Ref Img, Blind x4,Blur,Inv,Mir Img)
Xan: Mage(Ech/6); Moonblade (Amr, C/Perx2, Slp, Frnds, RoEnfx2, Luck, D/Chrx2,H/Per))
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Reloads: 0
* Changes in blue font; Enemies (first notice) in red font.
** Self-imposed restriction: I require my mages to ALWAYS select spells from their school to learn & memorize in spell slots. They can use others, only one of each from other schools, but after writing all the spells they can for their intelligence, if they find one from their own school, they have to choose one to remove in deference to the spell from their school. Same w/memorization, they must learn spells from their school first before others which I only allow them to learn one of. Any extra memorized spell slots have to go to spells from their school. Bards & plain vanilla Mages aren’t restricted in this way.
I told Eltan of the murder of the Sembian Emissary at the hands Iron Throne representatives, of her replacement by a shapshifter, and of correspondence suggesting the Iron Throne leaders' stay in Candlekeep. The Duke gave me a tome with which I would be allowed entrance to Candlekeep.
I travelled there forthwith, not really out of eagerness to return, but rather to get this Iron Throne business over with. Upon arrival I met Imoen and also Xzar and Montaron with whom I'd spent a day or two after Gorion's death. We had no time to speak though because I was ambushed by five(!) well-buffed Ogre Mages. (With well-buffed I mean: Mirror Image, Improved Invisibility, Haste, Spirit Armor, Protection from Evil, Protection from Normal Missiles, the works...) They mentioned a 10,000 gold bounty on my head! I rushed toward the Keeper, handed him the book, and entered Candlekeep without looking back.
Inside the library, I saw various familiar faces, most of them good-humoured, glad to see me, yet at the same time uneasy with the presence of a man named Koveras. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but when I met him shortly after I didnt recognize his face. He seemed to know me though, and Gorion. He even gave me a ring he said once belonged to Gorion. It was only a moment later that I realized that Koveras is 'Sarevok' spelt backwards. I think I'm more visually than aurally oriented. Sarevok is one of the Iron Throne leaders according to letters I found on Davaeorn's corpse in the Cloakwood Mines. Anyway, "Koveras" was gone when I went looking for him, but upstairs I encountered four of his associates in a backroom: two fighters, a rogue and a mage. How is is that these businessmen always turn out to be brigands rather than older, greying and slightly overweight men? It was not an amicable encounter. I told them I knew who they were, and that I would end their games there and then. The wizard, their spokesman, commanded his men to charge in. The first thing I did was to throw a potion of explosions their way, to soften them up a little.
I retreated to the main hall and cloaked myself in shadows. I saw both fighters as well as the mage coming my way, but they couldn't see me. The rogue was nowhere to be seen. I supposed his strategies were similar to mine. With a well-placed backstab I brought one the fighters to the point of dying. I finished him off with a second backstab.
With the rogue still invisible I had two more foes on whom to concentrate. The wizard had cast all manner of magical protections upon himself, making it difficult for me to take him on. Instead I focused on the second fighter who, like the first, required more than a single backstab. I noticed that it had become increasingly difficult for me to find corners in which to hide myself, as the serving monks had gone hostile on me, probably because of the potion of explosions, and were watching me. When I managed to hide again, I slowly approached the already injured fighter and from an angle where the mage wouldn't see me, I flamestruck him to death.
This left the wizard (and somewhere his roguish associate), and me. His multitude of protections included Spell Deflection, Protection from Magical Weapons, Stone Skin, and Spell Shield. I was well aware that any attempt at hurting him would be fruitless and would provoke a possiby deady answer from my foe. I distanced myself from him and summoned four skeletons to see how they'd fare against him and maybe have them strip some of the wizard's Stoneskins. The first two I sent in were efficiently dispatched with a Death Spell.
I sent in a second one, which prompted the rogue to appear as he tried to backstab my summon without much success. I rushed toward him and struck him down with a single backstab, roughly at the same time the mage finished off my skeleton.
Since my weapons still couldn't hurt the mage, I commanded my last skeleton to distract and occupy the mage. I had found a corner where none of the hostile monks were near. There I planted two lightning bolt traps. I then lured the mage, who had by that time dispatched my last skeleton, toward my traps. And there he met his end.
I collected some handsome-looking loot from my foes' bodies, but I havent't been able to identify all of it. It had been a tiresome fight. I'm aware that I'll have to train myself better in detecting illusions, so that my foes may not elude me, like the rogue did, but a few days ago Ragefast as well, and Jenkal, in the Baldur's Gate sewers. I'd also like to be able to dispel magic protections, but at this point I've got no idea how.
I proceeded to the sixth floor to speak to Tethoril about what had happened, but before I got there, the Gatewarden took me in for the murder of the Iron Throne leaders. There was little I could do to deny that cIaim what with all the monks who had witnessed the events that had just transpired. I decided not to resist, and to plead self-defense. While I was in my cell first Ulraunt and later Tethoril paid me a visit. The former surprisingly accused me of much more than just the murder of Iron Throne leaders, the latter however set me free. He teleported me to a secret library below Candlekeep. That's where I am now. I've never been here before, but I'm sure there must be some way out of here.
The Story of Impish Face & Co.
Before going back to the Candlekeep we cleared City sewers and made some shopping. Upon arrival to the Candlekeep we were ambushed by five Ogre mages unprepared so quickly ran inside the Keep. In the Library we met a strange fella who knew too much about the ambush we fell into with Gorion and spoke with Iron Throne leaders. We did not want to defile the sacred walls of the library by shedding blood so told them we will meet later but soon were accused of their death. Tethtoril helped us to escape and we made our way through the Keep's Catacombs. The first two areas weren't that difficult (found the Gauntlets of Dexterity, Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, Robe of the Evil Archmagi and Wand of Monster Summoning there) but as soon as we entered the Caves Prat and his gang attacked us. They were accompanied by two Lesser Air Elementals as well. Our Nymph managed to Confuse Prat, Bor and one of the Elementals whilst Dynaheir tried to cast a Cloudkill spell but was interrupted and soon killed by another Air Elemental. We called for some reinforcement while Khalid dealt with Elementals. He then dispelled Prat's protections but Prat managed to Confuse him. Fortunately Jaheira and Viconia made their saves and soon Viconia fried Prat. Khalid engaged in shooting contest with Tam while Impish Face and Viconia provided some contrast shower to Sakul. He was not very seasoned and so not sustained a wellness procedures. Being a mere fighter Tam didn't last long after that. After a great struggle with inventory management to pick Dynaheir's gear we cleared the rest of the Caves and soon have breath a fresh air again.
Those Ogre Mages have waited us and we couldn't rest outside of the Keep so we fought them being weary. Well, divide and conquer! With some help of summoned monsters we prevailed eventually and headed to the FAI to revive Dynaheir. Sold some loot and now pondering our next destination (Werewolf Isle most likely).
to be continued...
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 5 : A Throne without Iron
The report given to the Iron Throne and Flamming Fist by : a corrupt miner
" 'ello sire, des wure such big men, they deff be of Amn decent. I track em all the way frum the entry way, down to the belly of the 'ine. If me be of any fightin' skills i'd be fightin' em fo sure, but i'm not me Lord. They, they slice' the throats of er' one they came by, 'iners, guards, and the militia down' der. I ev'en witnes' de fight between that mage like feller and dem. Dey hacked dem up thos' mean lookin guards, then this brut' tuke 'is sword and cut his tongu' clean off. I saw it I did. That dark elf feller just kept castins' dem fire spells, whil' your boss kept teleyportins back en furth, but des Amnians sure aint bein stopped. Your min' boss died me Lord. It wuz dem Amnians fur sure, ye must not let this stand me Lord! They flooded me frien's and they flooded your 'ine!!"
That was the spoken and written statement of a miner that survived the flood. Only one that survived the flood. He will never have to work again, he is 7,000gp richer also.
Chapter 6 : Royal Blood
Diary of Scar, 2nd in command of the Flamming Fist Army, and 2nd in command of the Iron Throne's personal body guards
Confounded Amnian infiltrators dared to attack the mines. I still doubt that the events in Beregost and Nashkel had nothing to do with Baldurian officials, I know first hand that the Iron King Sarevok would never bring his people to war by dealing the first blow. Nevertheless, we still need to bring ourselves into preperations for war, I am sure the Iron Throne will wage a war regardless.
I received my orders today, I am to lock the gates and instruct a curfew issued by the state. I never thought I would see these events happen in my life time, but what am I to do? We are at the brink of war, and Baldur's Gate just issued a new number 1, some infidel by the name of Rathull from Candlekeep. This foe is a force not to be messed with. I am unsure if I ever see him, arrest him or ask for his hand in arm combat. Baldur's Gate can use any extra men it can take, even if they are serial killers.
I stood gate duty today, and sure enough Rathull came to the gates offering his hand in the fight against Amn. Our prayers have been answered, he said he heard about the accident in the mines, and stated "I maybe a man of unpleasant tastes, but this land is my home, and I will not see an Amnian flag being flown above my house." By Helm, he speaks like a true nationalist, I hired his arm that very second, I told him that Amnian forces within the city are to be casted out. The Seven Suns is an Embassy within the city, and they must be moved out by force or by persuasion, any ways to get them out is acceptable.
Hiring Rathull was a grand idea, even though he is not officially enlisted into the army, no matter. He got those Ambassadors out regardless, and the Seven Suns is no more operating. A fine day for Baldur's Gate (even though I would have preferred the peaceful solution). I decided to bring Rathull before the Eltan the Grand Duke of the Flamming Fist, 1st in charge of the army and 1st in charge of the King's Royal Bodyguards. I imposed that Rathull should be taken to the Iron Throne to protect the palace from any Amnian assassins that could have means to harm our dear leaders. Eltan agreed with my plan, and we sent them off to serve and protect.
They came back and reported their findings. The Iron Throne was infiltrated!!! Thaldorn!! the Iron Bishop lies dead, luckly for us we had the Iron King and the remaining Iron Bishop sent away into hiding. Good thing to, who knows what would've happened if the Iron King would fall, certainly our alliance with Waterdeep would play its course to offer us assistance.
The Grand Duke and I thought that we had no other choice, if there was to be an assassination of the Iron King or Bishop, then we had to send the best of the best. We decided to send Rathull to Candlekeep to protect Rieltar the Iron Bishop. I hope we are making the right decision. I worry of our judgment from time to time.
Rathull - Blackguard Lvl 7 - kills 399
HP : 96
Favorite Spell : poison weapon
Baeloth - sorcerer Lvl 8 - kills 122
HP : 48
Favorite Spell : magic missile
4th lvl spell - stoneskin
Core Diff : with slider to easy at level up
No mods : just Enhanced Edition
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 6 : Knight to F4, Knight takes Bishop
Journal of Rathull, with commentaries of Tethtoril's spirit
Tethtoril - It would seem that Rathull had found his way back to this keep. I had heard of the death of my accomplice Gorion, but seems Rathull had done what was needed throughout the sword coast, ahhh how I envy him so. Sure enough Rathull found his what he was looking for inside the keep, I had no other duties today, so I decided to follow him around, lurking in the shadows. Baeloth and Rathull descended upon Rieltar the Iron Bishop to the Iron Throne, a massive blow to the throne, but sadly not the smartest move, everyone in the keep saw Rathull slaw him, with his Drow companion flinging fireball after fireball. I had assisted Rathull in his younger years, along with Gorion and I we helped Rathull devise this plan, and taught him the ways of this land. Seems the path he takes hit a turn for the worse, Rathull got arrested, and is getting pinned for the murder of the Bishop. I invoked the pact that Rathull struct in the Abyss with my Lord Ilsidahur. I allowed Rathull passage out of Candlekeep, although it wont be a save journey through the catacombs underneath. The axemans arm won't be able to enjoy the spoils of a beheading.
Rathull - The death of Rieltar being seen by the monks/ librarians that inhabit this place poses a big problem with my plan. The plan was to have no one see me do it, then pin point Amn for the deed, but sadly enough, and very misfortunate enough, that plan is all but going to succeed. I was seized and captured for the death, and was to await my trial, but a Demon's word is worth a thousand gems, Ilsidahur showed his pact with the House of Demogorgon once more, and had his servant Tethtoril gate me out of candlekeep. I spent a few days in the catacombs pondering on my next course to play out, and I came up with this idea
1 - travel around the lands slaying everyone in Nashkel, Beregost, the carnival I saw earlier this year. 2 - gather power around the realms (tombs of increase stats). 3 - level the entire town of Baldur's Gate. 3 - Assassinate the Iron King Sarevok.
Plan 1 was completed with complete ease, everyone in every town except the inhabitants in Baldur's Gate are now dead
Plan 2 was completed, I acquired all the tombs throughout the lands
Now on to plan 3
Rathull - Blackguard Lvl 7 - kills 509
HP : 96
Favorite Spell : poison weapon
Baeloth - Sorcerer lvl 8 - kills 164 - deaths 1 (died during a flamming fist scout and mercenary giving two critical hits, not chunked though)
HP : 48
Favorite Spell : magic missile
*Final BG1 Update*
Rathull's Deception : Vol 1
Written and narrated by : Cespenar
Chapter 7 : The death of the King and birth of a new Era
Journal of Rathull
After we pillaged the sword coast, we made our way back to Baldur's Gate, we were being ambushed by Flamming Fist searching parties at every corner. They made every attempt to arrest us, but they only ended in blood. We heard the commoners speak about how Commander Scar and the Grand Duke were being executed for hiring the one that has caused the Iron Crisis, wreaked havoc among the lands, and almost started a war between the two countries. I tore Baldur's Gate apart, every man/ women/ barkeep/ storekeep was either burnt to a crisp or hacked to pieces.
Upon searching for King Sarevok, I had figured he would be underground hiding somewhere, so I searched the place called the Undercellar, a place where nobility and royal hide incase of a disaster (such as myself). Sadly enough there was nothing to be found under there, just countless dead bodies and the two people in charge, a male and female. The only last place to look is at the Duchal Palace, a keep where the Amnian Embassy along with all the other embassys are being held at. If Sarevok is as wise and noble just king as they say, then certainly he is there speaking with the ambassadors of Amn, trying to resolve this almost to be conflict between the two nations.
He most certainly was, I ended the guards lives that tried to keep the King and the ambassadors safe, Sarevok was wounded deeply by my corrosive spit, the ambassadors called forth more guards, I heard the roaring footsteps of platoons outside the keep. For once I feared I may not make it out of this alive, and was fearful of not gaining the freedom my Dark Lord needs. Sarevok burning from the inside out was teleported out of the keep, along with the ambassadors, all that remained in the room were countless guards, i was being over run. But at the neck of the death of me, the Imps remaining in the Throne of the Gapping Maw used some of the essence I have gathered and teleported me to a building many many yards away, I was safe for now, and apparently Sarevok was inside a hidden castle beneath this building, so an Imp had said. I traveled into the basement of the building. Baeloth casted invisibility upon himself and mine, we ran with Demo's fury through the maze, spring traps and dodging enemies alike.
We had finally reached the undercity, the true place where Kings and nobility run and coward when their life is at an almost end. Our invisibility was still underway as we approached an ambush party more than likely set in place by Sarevok to stop me. Fireballs are such an amazing spell, to bad i cannot cast such upon my enemies as my companion Baeloth can. He hurled fireball after fireball behind a stoned fence, the ambushers burned in agony not knowing where or what is hitting them, they died in anguish. Baeloth and I had reached the keep, I felt a surge of complete power coming from my infernal soul. If this man is to die, I think my spirit will being the evolution process from Glabrezu to Nalfeshnee.
Sarevok has fallen. The Iron King has fallen to the blade of Glabrezu spawned to a mortal babe, Rathull vomited on his blade, Baeloth casted : Haste, II on him and myself, shield, stoneskin. We entered the keep, ready for clashened steel. Baeloth lured out Sarevok with multiple fireballs, the fire barely penetrated his flesh. Sarevok and the mage dashed forth towards us, triggering a trap of cloudkill as well us triggering a web trap at our feet. Sarevok and I slashing back and forth, each cut from my blade dug deeper and deeper seeping the poison into his veins. Baeloth slung magic missiles at the mage but they were useless, the mage appeared to be shielded as well has having multiple images of himself up. The encounter last all but two rounds, the poison was just to deadly to Sarevok, the kind and just King of Baldur's Gate. Sarevok in his dying breath, attempted to speak to me, but it was useless, he couldn't speak a word, his gum line was decaying at such a rapid rate, he ended up chocking on his teeth. Sarevok, the Iron King to the Iron Throne dead by my hand. The people of the sword coast thought for weeks that Amn and their secret forces were the undoing of such a devastating play, but now villagers all over the land now speak of Rathull, and the fear, hatred, and depravity he caused. Everyone knew his terrible name. But not what he seeks.
I'm at Thalantyr's right now. My escape from below Candlekeep was a somewhat rough one, though I came out unscathed. First I made my way through the heavily catacombs. Two potions of perception helped me disarm the traps and thus guaranteed me safe passage. I found a number of magical items, including a Wand of Monster Summoning, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, and a Tome of Understanding. The latter has been the third of its kind I've come across. This third tome seems to have further strengthened my connection with my Lord Cyric, allowing me more spells to memorize and cast each day. I'm confused though. In a letter Gorion left me, he claims I'm the child of the dead God Bhaal, who was slain by the Dread Lord I serve. Assuming this is true, I wonder if it will have any ramificantions for my bond with Cyric. Ideally it won't. We share the same essence of death, murder, assassination. Cyric took it from Bhaal with the sword Godsbane, and I was given that essence through Bhaal's divine blood.
I've had little time to ponder over this revelation. The catacombs housed a lot shapeshifters who'd been taking the shapes of the people from Candlekeep, even Gorion. They would have surely attacked if I hadn't taken care to pass by unnoticed. Adjacent to the catacombs was a cavernous area where I scouted four brigands (two casters and two fighters) who seemed to be waiting for someone. They had two Lesser Air Elementals with them. Before speaking to them I flamestruck one the two Elementals from a safe distance. This caused both Elementals to attack me, but although they were sturdier than I thought, and one them even had a Whirlwind Attack, I had little difficulty taking them on with hit and fade tactics. After that I scouted the area a bit further, and cleansed of its many arachnids.
When I spoke to the four men, they weren't happy to see me, and didn't hesitate to attack me. The presence of two spellcasters caused me to activate my Greenstone Amulet, just to be safe. I was soon proven right when a Chaos was cast my way. I had little difficulty with their warriors. Both fell to my poisonous backstabs. The spellcasters were of a different stature. Both had the typical protections (Shield, Mirror Image, Stoneskin, Minor Globe of Invulnerability). The first was a stealthy type, who combined Invisibility magic and/or potions with destructive magic such as Chromatic Orb, Magic Missiles, Lightning Bolts and Sunfire. As he was difficult to hit, I had to use a skeleton and firebombs to harm him. I even used my Dread Blast [kit ability: once per day from level 7, fires a ray of negative energy that deals 4d8 damage +1/level (max +20) and confuses target for 1 round (save vs. spell at -2 to negate confusion)]. It was only when his Stoneskin had worn off, that I managed to kill him with my Frost dart.
The second spellcaster, a Fighter/Mage, was no less aggressive. He was competent with an enchanted axe he used for both melee and ranged attacks and had little difficulty with my two skeletons. With an oil of speed, two lightning bolt traps, and hit and fade tactics I managed to gradually rid him of his Stoneskins wih my dart and after that prevent him from spellcasting while dealing limited damage each hit until he died.
I'm now a wanted man, not just in the eyes of a few bounty hunters out for gold, but in the eyes of society, the and the Flaming Fist, especially in Baldur's Gate. I need to get back though, to try and find any incriminating evidenc against Sarevok, so I can expose him and restore my reputation.
Gate70/Grond0 multiplayer attempt 43 - (3rd and final update)
Waltz, half-elf bard (Grond0) & Hallie, halfling swashbuckler (Gate70)
Hallie quickly investigated the Iron Throne invisibly and the duo were sent back to Candlekeep. Hallie's thieving ability meant no problems this run in grabbing the loot from the tombs before sneaking past the dopplegangers. Bor and Sakul were both blinded, while Prat was webbed before being attacked (Hallie using a potion of magic blocking along with his venomous dagger) to make victory simple. A green scroll meant a bit more easy XP from the basilisks near the exit.
Given neither character really benefits from wisdom the tome was left in Durlag's Tower and the duo returned to the City. After buying some dispelling arrows Slythe found himself dispelled, trapped, poisoned (and finally dead). At the palace Waltz summoned some monsters and then shot dispelling arrows while Hallie provided a distraction. Liia died, but Belt survived comfortably enough and sent the duo onwards.
In the maze neither character could touch mustard jellies and, after doom guards proved tough opponents, the skeleton archers were also left alone. The Undercity party were persuaded to war on themselves by a few dire wolves sent in one at a time before the few survivors were finished off without bother. In the temple Sarevok was pulled out on his own before being trapped and stuck into successive groups of summoned monsters. It took Waltz about 10 shots before she finally hit with a dispelling arrow, but she did eventually make it. Under assault from summons, magic missiles and arrows from Waltz and sneaky stabs from Hallie it didn't take long for Sarevok to see that further resistance was useless.
Despite still being 2 levels below the standard BG1 cap the duo were happy to move onwards to Athkatla. As both will eventually get access to UAI, we agreed it wasn't necessary to bring along the pantaloons this run.
Stats:
Waltz, bard 8, 48 HPs, 133 kills
Hallie, swashbuckler 8, 41 HPs, 142 kills, 0 deaths
Mordred, a servant & Black Guard of Asmodeus. Somewhere in all of this I feel another power besides Asmodeus pulling @ my being. Twice now, I’ve had a sense that some of the power I’ve been given is from another source outside the Nine Hells. I’ve determined that the Larloch’s Minor Drain ability I have is not from Baator but from another source. But from whom & why? I think Asmodeus wants me to explore that also, I assume knowing that he can leverage this other entities’ efforts into his own master diabolical plan.
I think I’ve figured out what my lord wishes for me to do in Nashkel. I used invisibility to move my Bard/Herald/Sage onto the bridge leading into Nashkel. The usual four Bounty Hunters were camped on the doorstep but there is another – not a Bounty Hunter. I think it is he that Asmodeus wants me to deal w/but it won’t be easy. Fighting him will likely bring one or more of the Bounty Hunters down on me, not to mention Amnish Soldiers. I will have to draw him away from them if I can. Any collateral damage will be messy & could bring the law down on me from everywhere, north & south.
I continually reconnoitered the area before I made my move. My Illusionist cast Invisibility on several of us each time (lucky for me, the Amnish Soldier considers the bridge the edge of the Nashkel line so I was able to stage there). Early on, I tried casting Web & Sleep from range keeping us undetected. These were affective & I could approach from beyond the web to note their effectiveness. Then I had my Invisible Enchanter cast Charm on one of the Bounty Hunters. The other three & the Amish Guard turned on him & killed him & I was out of sight out of mind. So…a new strategy evolved trying to get the Bounty Hunters to kill themselves off w/o me taking any blame. But the prime target was the other guy standing apart from them, almost aloof to their presence. It was him I felt Asmodeus wanted most for me to destroy.
Key Event: I finally elected to use some of my newly found potions & my mages to attack my enemy as pointed out to me by Asmodeus. An Invisible Illusionist cast Web & captured all four Bounty Hunters & the other guy in its grip & they were powerless. My Enchanter cast a Sleep spell near where he expected the Bounty Hunters to be & it was somewhat effective. I then quaffed Potions of Freedom & Front Giant Strength so that when I struck I struck hard & from behind, kill him quickly & escape the Bounty Hunters’ arrows as needed. I moved into plain view, were I not Invisible, moved thru the Webbing freely b/c of my Potion of Freedom, got behind the assassin, I now know to be called Nimbul from a parchment on his body. I actually missed my first swing but the second killed him instantly, splitting him in two from his right shoulder to his groin. I collected all his gear, including 20 Throwing Daggers for my Berserker Sergeant & Boots of Avoidance for me. The Bounty Hunters were tied up in the Web spell so I just walked off.
A HIT ON THE HIT MAN!
I stayed around long enough to ensure all four Bounty Hunters killed each other or were killed by the Amnish Soldiers by casting Charm or Dire Charm on them while they were stuck in Web or Sleep. As soon as they were charmed their compatriots attacked them. And it was ME all along. So perfect! And to make matters even better the last was killed by Berrun Ghastkill himself. I tried to have my Bard/Herald/Sage cast Friends on himself & approach Berrun Invisibly to try & make peace & secure our reward but he was still hateful. He chased my subordinate until he saw the last Charmed Bounty Hunter lying unconscious under a Sleep spell & turned his attention from my Bard/Herald/Sage & killed the last of the Bounty Hunters. I was out of w/four Bounty Hunters, an Amish Soldier or two dead…& this Nimbul fellow & all w/o any damage to my reputation. Like I said, Perfect! I know all of the Nine Hells is smiling.
USING MY WIZARDS TO TURN MY BOUNTY HUNTERS UPON EACH OTHER! BRILLIANT!!
AND FOR MY ENCORE MY COUP DE GRACE!
Treasure of Note: Boots of Avoidance (me)
Next Steps: From here my dreams tell me to find the Red Canyons. Asmodius had me go talk to the hypocrite who mentioned a ‘mad cleric’ who should be near there. I could get back my gold from that slimy Ormlyr. Praise Asmodius for the opportunities he provides.
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 6* – Disliked) *Donation to temple of the hypocrite
Black Guard of Asmodeus: Fighter (Blk Gd)/6; Plate Mail w/Lg Shld & RoP+2, +1 B/Swd** & +1 Flail*
(SSS**)
Kagain: Fighter (Bkr)/6; Splint Mail w/RoP+1 & B/Axe***, T/Axe***, W/Hmr*
Eldoth: Bard/6; Chain Mail, Sh/Bow* & BoA, +1 S/Swd*, Dgr* (Arm,MM,ChOrb,Mir Img,Knock)
Edwin: Mage (Cjr/6); Mage Robe or ER & +1 Q/Staff* (Arm,Greasex2, C/Per,LMD,B/Hands,MelfsAA x3,PWS,F/Arrow x4)
Quayle: Mage (Ill/5); Mage Robe of FR, Slg* & Dgr (Ref Img, Blind x4,Blur,Inv,Mir Img)
Xan: Mage (Ech/6); Moonblade (Amr, C/Perx2, Slp, Frnds, RoEnfx2, Luck, D/Chrx2,H/Per))
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Reloads: 0
* Changes in blue font; Enemies (first notice) in red font.
** Self-imposed restriction: I require my mages to ALWAYS select spells from their school to learn & memorize in spell slots. They can use others, only one of each from other schools, but after writing all the spells they can for their intelligence, if they find one from their own school, they have to choose one to remove in deference to the spell from their school. Same w/memorization, they must learn spells from their school first before others which I only allow them to learn one of. Any extra memorized spell slots have to go to spells from their school. Bards & plain vanilla Mages aren’t restricted in this way.
Well done Grond0 & Gate70!
***
Back in Baldur's Gate I kept as low a profile as possible, and tried to go about the gathering of evidence against Sarevok as efficiently as possible. My sources at the Shadow Thieves Guild, a friend of the Flaming Fist (who are otherwise out for my blood), and a Kara-Turan priestess told me the following. Scar was murdered, Duke Eltan was being poisoned by a crook healer, a close friend or possible lover of Sarevok was to be found at the Iron Throne base (along with possible evidence), and that two assassins were planning to to kill Grand Duchess Jannath and Grand Duke Belt. The assassins were to be found in the Undercellars that can be reached from the Blushing Mermaid Inn.
I infiltrated the Flaming Fist Headquarters to see Duke Eltan. He was indeed being poisoned, by a Greater Doppelganger no less. I slew the "healer" and took Duke Eltan at his request to the harbourmaster in the Docks Quarter. I then entered the Iron Throne headquarters hidden in shadows, where I found Sarevok's associate or lover, a mage called Cythandria. She had two huge golems by her side. I dealt with those first, running and hiding and carrying out surprise attacks. The amount of damage these creatures could inflict was too much for me to consider facing them in melee combat. When I had disposed of the golems, it was time to take on the mage. Luckily my time with the golems had caused some of her protections to wear off, so that I could quite easily finish her off with a backstab and my poisoned Frost dart. On her body I found Sarevok's diary with a revealing description of his plans, and the crimes involved therewith, to become the new Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate. I then went to pay a visit to the Undercellars where I was greeted by the two assassins hired by Sarevok to murder the Grand Dukes. They were a couple. She was a mage and he a rogue, and apparently he recognized me. He went invisible right after he said he was going to end my existence. She had an impressive arsenal of spells, both offensive and defensive (at different moments she would cast Stoneskin, Mirror Image, Globe of Invulnerability, Protection from Magical Weapons, Spell Turning and even an Improved Mantle). So I was up against an invisible, backstabbing Fighter/Thief and an improved invisible excessively protected mage. I could trace the mage's movements due to her shimmering magical protections. I retreated to the entrance to set a lightning bolt trap. I barely finished setting the trap when the mage came teleporting in. She tripped the trap and suffered some minor damage.
I sneaked my way to one of the other ends of the Undercellars, where a double casting of Animate Dead yielded four skeletons.
From a safe distance I saw how the first two were eliminated by the mage's Death Spell and Incendiary Cloud respectively. The latter spell killed at least three innocents as well (a nobleman and two courtsenans).
I waited for the infernal cloud to subside, and sent in a third skeleton. It didn't last long, but it did provoke her to cast a Web, which proved to be fatal mistake. She got held various times, allowing me too blithely approach her and eat away as many Mirror Images and Stoneskins as possible. When her protections were gone, I simply kept launching my dart at her. She retalliated with what seemed to be Melf's Minute Meteors, but my attacks were the more damaging, and so she fell.
I summoned one more skeleton, and sent him together with my remaining skeleton toward the centre of the hall. There the rogue became visible as he killed off one of my skeletons. I tried out a dagger I'd found before on one the Iron Throne leaders I'd dealt with back in Candlekeep.
[This +3 dagger is vastly overpowered. The 30 seconds unconsciousness (no save) is pretty much synonymous with death. It also imposes a -4 save vs. death penalty to prevent poison damage. I'm not sure what mod it's from. I think I won't use it anymore. I'll keep it to see if it indeed turns to dust as the decription says.]
My poisoned Frost dart, continuously inflicting new doses of poison meant the end of the rogue.
On his body I found an invitation to the inauguration of the New Grand Duke as well as a letter by Sarevok revealing that shapeshifters will be present to strike at that event, which will take place tonight. That's where I'll be heading, to present to the Grand Dukes all the evidence needed to expose Sarevok and restore my name.
***
I'm fully aware that Teyl's run might well end with the upcoming confrontation with Sarevok and the shapeshifters. My strategy will probably be to cast Animate Dead, protect my skeletons and myself from evil, haste myself with a Oil of Speed, use Potions of Invisibility for backstabs and my 'Divine Wrath' Bhaalpower for 4d8 AoE damage to all nearby enemies and pushing them away from the Bhaalspawn. I'm not sure if can set a trap as well. Would be very welcome.
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