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[Grond0]

Exer - dwarf kensai (update 2)

 

Exer made his way through the Cloud Peaks without any problems before moving over to the coast.  He used the PfM scroll taken from Bentan to attack the sirines.  What could possibly go wrong you think - well a lightning strike for a start.  

Spoiler

Lightning does 50% of your base HPs, so a second strike following the first would potentially be fatal.  To guard against that Exer used his Bhaal CLW immediately - and a good job too.  

Spoiler

In that screenshot he's down to 5 HPs and in a dangerous position - if he retreats the sirines will shoot him, but with so few HPs even their poor melee attacks could kill him - but they only managed to do 1 more HP of damage.

Spoiler

 

The remainder of the PfM scroll was wasted as I thought it would be pushing it to take on Sil and her companions with only 4 HPs.  However, a couple of journeys later and he was back with a replacement from Hafiz.  Beating up Sil got him to level 7 and a decent additional 12 HPs.  His HPs are still well below average, but with the extra 0.5 attack for L7 I thought he would be safe unless the golems got criticals - and none of them did.

Spoiler

 

A charge of the Shield Amulet helped him through the Nashkel Mine to find Mulahey.  The cleric clearly wanted to talk, but was not given the opportunity.  

Spoiler

Outside, 3 Necklace charges were needed to burn off the amazons.

Spoiler

 

Nimbul was another character who really needs to learn how to shout rather than getting in close for a whisper.

Spoiler

Tranzig was looking more aggressive, but was struggling to survive 2 hits and couldn't cope with a newly learned LMD as well.

Spoiler

 

At the Bandit Camp shield ensured that the bandits required criticals and they didn't get enough of those to cause trouble.  Two shield charges were used, due to quite a lengthy run in the middle throwing axe at Taugosz.  A bit of running in and out of the main tent then left Venkt inside with Raemon's dead body, while Hakt lay dead in the entrance outside, leaving Britik helpless against throwing axes - although he apparently had a twin brother inside.

Spoiler

Venkt followed outside to his cost

Spoiler

and Britik was then as helpless as his twin (I thought it would be a nice touch for them to keep each other company in the afterlife).

Spoiler

 

On the way to Ulgoth's Beard he ransacked an ankheg nest - shield preventing all but a single critical from hitting him as he savaged the ankhegs.

Spoiler

That helped build his funds up to about 60k - and 50k of that then disappeared to buy the Cloak of Displacement, Greenstone Amulet and invisibility ring.  The latter allowed him safe passage through the web traps in the Cloakwood.

 

At the mine he finally got around to resting to get Bhaal horror before tackling Drasus & co.  Exer sent in one fireball and retreated before cautiously approaching again.  Genthore spotted him and chased him alone - which was bad news for Genthore.  The mages didn't do any better though when he sneaked back in

Spoiler

and then Drasus lost out in a running fight where Exer had the weapon speed advantage.

 

After using invisibility to get down to Davaeorn, and leading the battle horrors upstairs to be stranded, Exer thought he would try horror just in case - and surprisingly Davaeorn started running.  His mirrors gave him quite a bit of protection, but as he regained his senses he was hit for a second time and was at near death.

Spoiler

I had originally been intending to do some floor hopping to avoid his spells, but decided just to keep attacking - and what I thought might happen with the lightning did!

Spoiler

 

Exer rested to get a second Bhaal horror and then flooded the mines.  He'll be working on increasing his reputation next before going on to Baldur's Gate.

[Blind_Visionary]

After coming back from RL, I decided that I wanted to freshen up my install (which means that Loren is lost in limbo forever, never to die but also never to ascend to the throne... a terrible but necessary fate.)

 

Here's the new rig:

• EE
• Minor added quests / some ease of use BG2 tweaks
• BG1 NPC project & RE
• Rogue Rebalancing
• SCS v30 - including all tactical challenges (oh my!)
• aTweaks
• Item Randomiser (using the full WEIDU option to shuffle more things & 5% chance for items to either randomly not randomise, or to disappear entirely.)

 

I think it was Aasim who pointed out the Drakonis portrait site. To mix things up (so that I'm not playing the same squishy mage character all the time) I'm going to pick the first random portrait from that site that grabs me and role-play him or her or it (with allowances for metagamey things I need to do to survive). I will give very very brief story-oriented updates (with any unique tactical details where interesting).

 

First up in this new approach is Myra the Shadowdancer.

 

Gorion can't see the invisible ink dragons beneath her eyes, but every time she has looked into the mirror since she was old enough to recognize her own reflection, they have been there, curled up on her cheeks. Sometimes they wrap their wings around her, and she disappears from view. The monks of Candlekeep tended to ignore her. Or maybe its just that she was often invisible to their unaided eyes. And so it was on the night she left Candlekeep forever...

[Alesia_BH]

Myra looks interesting.

 

I hope she'll have a long and successful adventuring career!

 

Best,

 

A.

[Grond0]

Exer - dwarf kensai (update 3)

 

Exer did a quick tour of the Sword Coast completing some of the reputation quests missed out earlier to maximise that courtesy of Melicamp.

Spoiler

He also got to level 8 on the way - picking up 10 more HPs.

Spoiler

While at High Hedge he also bought the Claw and Horn of Kazgaroth, though they won't be used in BG1.

 

In Baldur's Gate he picked up the dexterity tome and then went to hack down Ramazith for his ring

Spoiler

(also sneaking upstairs to get the intelligence tome).  For once I didn't bother with the poison quest to get the wisdom tome, but just used the invisibility ring to scout out the Iron Throne.

Spoiler

 

Duke Eltan provided a travel warrant for Candlekeep, where Exer immediately handed himself in to the authorities.  In the catacombs he used a PfM scroll and DUHM to open one of the tombs (replacing the PfM scroll).  While still protected he went invisibly through to Prat where he added shield and a first charge of the Greenstone Amulet to his buffs.  Finally, kai was added and, still with DUHM active, Bor only required 2 hits.  

Spoiler

The others did little better

Spoiler

and Exer added the PfP scroll from the Iron Throne to beat up the basilisks blocking the exit.

 

Back in Baldur's Gate Exer rested to get another DUHM and then went in search of Slythe.  He wasn't very lucky with his attacks and only hit Exer twice.  

Spoiler

At the palace he again used shield and DUHM before striking lucky with his first horror when 2 dopplegangers ran in terror.  

Spoiler

However, the others dopplegangers were being lucky themselves in hitting him and, before he'd even killed one of the remaining ones, he was forced to retreat (his second attempted horror was disrupted by a critical).  He was hit once more while running and throwing, but repaired that with CLW and LMD, though he could still have been killed by another critical.  However, he avoided any further trouble until the last doppleganger was killed in the main room.  

Spoiler

He then tracked down one that had fled downstairs

Spoiler

before showing Belt his evidence (out of sight of Sarevok, so avoiding any danger of attacks from him).  

 

He went through the maze invisibly, using green scroll protection against fire and lightning traps, and avoided the Undercity party.  He's just arrived at the ruined temple.  

 

Given that the fight with Sarevok could easily take as long as all the above progress this morning I'll go and get some breakfast before doing that!

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

I'm re-pumped cause I re-installed my game last night, w/Fixpack, BlackGuard Kit; MemoMods (incl Charming Rogue; Samurai, Ninja, Apprentize, Amazon, et al,); Aseph Auren, Sarah, Haldimir, Tyrus Flare, etc., Now I'm using Shadowkeeper to make my PC and NPCs identicle to what they were @ the end of BG/TotSC...all the way down to attacks per rounds, weapon proficiencies, experience points, everything...

 

Hopefully will finisih that tonight and then the bad guys are in TROUBLEEEEEEEEE!

 

 CKT

[Grond0]

Exer - dwarf kensai (4th and final update)

 

In the temple Exer took the time to kill the bats initially to avoid the potential disruption to movement they can cause.  Then he pulled Sarevok out alone with an axe thrown from extreme range.  Almost immediately though he was hit when I got the angle slightly wrong as he was running past Sarevok.  

Spoiler

Not too long afterwards and I was experimenting to see if there was time to use the Necklace of Missiles and was hit again - I concluded there would never be time to use that safely.

 

That meant that he was vulnerable to being killed by a critical.  After using CLW on himself I intended for him to use the invisibility ring to get another HP boost.  However, there's not enough time to activate that comfortably and he was hit once more when trying it!  

Spoiler

That meant he could now be easily killed by a single further hit, but he grimly carried on racing round the temple trying to hit Sarevok with the occasional throw of his axe.  There's a random initiative time involved in calculating when an attack takes place and it was only about half the time when Exer would get an attack in (and then only hit with half of those).  Essentially he would run round to maximise the gap from Sarevok

Spoiler

then click to attack while double-tapping the pause key.  If the icon had not started an attack animation after that double-tap he would break off the attack and run away, but in this example you can see his axe is raised in the process of being thrown.

Spoiler

As soon as the attack is made he needs to retreat directly away from Sarevok.

Spoiler

 

While taking the above series of screenshots to illustrate the process, I wasn't concentrating quite as hard on the movement itself as I should have been and Exer was hit once more immediately after the last one.

Spoiler

At least that made quite clear the issue about what would happen if he was hit again .  At this stage Sarevok had recently reached near death state, so probably needed about 8 or 9 more hits to kill him.  Exer raced on and racked up the hits - he completed 8, then 9 and I thought surely one more would do the job.  There was then an infuriating period where he had 6 attacks in a row (not counting failed attempts to make an attack) where he couldn't manage the 10 needed for a hit.  Tiredness meant my movement control was starting to get even more dodgy than usual and it was still definitely a toss-up who would get the final hit - but eventually Exer found the range and Sarevok decided enough was enough.

Spoiler

 

Exer rested before coming back through the maze to get some HPs back through constitution regeneration (I hadn't triggered the magic missile traps, so just unwarily going through those without resting would have been fatal).  Incidentally that battle with Sarevok took quite a long time; I didn't count up the damage from hits, but wouldn't be surprised if the small amount of regeneration had been enough to save him from death by that final hit from Sarevok .

 

He reported to Duke Belt and has just arrived in Athkatla, where he will be resting up in a nice comfortable dungeon for a few hours.

[corey_russell]

Congrats Grond0! Looks like some of my Sarevok battles with the PC badly wounded...hope Amn goes a bit smoother for ya.

[Aasim]

Go Grond0! 

 

I decided to roll up another barbarian. Meet Naix. This is his BG1 run, first and final update.

(same install as always)

 

Game plan - speed run through BG1 with only Kivan (archer kit), install Kivan and Xan mods for BG2 if BG1 part succesfull, later we'll see.

 

As so far, so good - killing Shoal gave Naix level 3, then he took in Kivan, and a poisoned arrow had Silke dying soon. Not something I usually do, but I think that SCS actually makes Silke easier than she is in vanilla game.

 

Fast level-up progression due to so few party members has it's great benefits. After clearing Ankheg farm and selling the Wand of Fire + other loot, we were nigh unstoppable. Mulahey got a poison arrow as well, which killed him.

 

Buying three Mirrored Eyes potions got us to clear the Basilisk area.Only Kirian survived - she seems to do this (go invisible and dissapear) quite often.

 

The hardest battle thus far - Battle Horrors. These two ate up most of healing potions.

 

First death was also at Durlag's. Kivan went to kill the three basilisks on top. With no thief around, he triggered the fireball trap.

 

Great! He's alive! Unfortunately, I forgot that the Stunning trap is repeatable and does damage as well...

 

Meh. I looted few items from there, but didn't delve too deep into the dungeon; but instead decided to finish the game as soon as possible  - Mulahey was next. Kivan stelathed in behind him and killed him.

 

Nimbul - stealth+poison arrow.

 

Bandit camp was an all-out assault. We bought 3 Oils of Fiery burning and had one more from Kirian's gang, which was enough to cut the enemies' numbers in half.

The only dangerous moment was when Kivan got struck by a Flame Arrow, bringing him fairly close to death - he did have a clean aura, so a potion was used and he would live.

 

 

Cloakwood was mostly skipped (apart spiders - I always kill those). Davaeorn's mine was done invisibly, to avoid resource taxing. Kivan did Davaoeorn solo, and this was my fastest battle ever vs him.

It took about 20 seconds for Kivan to slam him down, not even his Minor Globe expired.

 

 

BG city - nothing important.

Candlekeep - skipped mostly.

Slythe - dead.

 

Krysten left alive.

 

Dopes - Kivan stealthed on top of the stairs to gain distance and to prevent Dope Assassin from killing him. After he tries to backstab Naix, Kivan goes visible and unleashes his deadly arrows.

It doesn't take long for dopes to start panicking.

 

 

Maze - skipped.

Sarevok - kind of interesting. I had one more Pro Magic scroll available - I normally don't use these vs Sarevok, but in this instance I tought it would be good to use. A neat little trick to start this battle is by tossing a Detonation arrow at a bat near Sarevok. This has very little chance of missing.

 

Without Wand of Paralyzation, Kivan had to fight vs Angelo mano a mano. Luckily, Angelo rarely, if ever, uses summons. He stood no chance vs Acid Arrows.

 

With him gone, Kivan does his usual Detonation-hide routine, until the enemies start dying.

 

 

Since I couldn't keep Sarevok at bay with summons, Naix did some tanking. Cost a few potions, but Kivan is too deadly when left to do his work unmolested.

 

 

Fin.

 

As a sidenote, this is Kivan's BG1 record sheet. 83% of kills.

[Grond0]

Nice job Aasim - going for a single update in BG2 as well?

[Aasim]

Nice job Aasim - going for a single update in BG2 as well?

No, I'm afraid. 

[Dyara]

Dyara, elven Fighter/Mage/Thief - take 14 (update 6)

Day 43 (14 Kythorn)

After leaving the bandit camp Dyara and Xan returned to Beregost to inform Officer Vai about their progress.

Day 44 (15 Kythorn)

The next day Dyara and Xan entered Cloakwood Forest. As Dyara tried to mediate between Aldeth Sashenstar and some druids she got nearly killed by a lighting spell...

Spoiler

While venturing deeper into the forest they met Coran and agreed to help him to kill some wyverns. Coran proved to be really good with the bow. Dyara considered herself to be a skilled archer as well but she hat to admit that this Coran was even better.

Day 45 (16 Kythorn)

The next day they came into a part of the forest that was infested with all sorts of spiders. While Dyara disarmed all the web traps and most spiders were killed before they were able to reach the group, the sword spiders turned out as tough adversaries - especially Coran could tell a thing or two about it.

In a fiercy battle Centeol and her spiders got killed...

Spoiler

There they found the dead body of Tiber's brother Chelak. Delivering the bad news to him gained Coran his first level-up:

Dyara: 248551 XP, 837 kills, Greater Basilisk, F(6)/M(6)/T(7), 59/69 HP
Xan: 23521 XP, 112 kills, Doomsayer, Enchanter(9), 22/36 HP
Coran: 5245 XP, 12 kills, Phase Spider, F(5)/T(6), 40/46 HP (+1 HP only, 25 into pick pocket))

Day 46 (17 Kythorn)

With every step they went deeper into Cloakwood Forest Dyara had become more worried as they were about to run out of healing potions pretty soon. So when they met a group of shadow druids Dyara happily allowed Faldorn to join them as her healing powers could save some potions.

Day 47 (18 Kythorn)

In a large cave they found the wyverns Coran was looking for...

Spoiler

After killing all the wyverns they decided to rest. Dyara had another strange dream and gained her first 'slow poison' ability. Finally in the evening they found the mine.

Chaos and confusion broke out as the four stormed the fort...

Spoiler

Whoever was running the mine now felt very save as on their way down the group didn't came upon resistance worth mentioning.

Day 48 (19 Kythorn)

Dyara failed to kill Hareishan with a backstab but two charges of her wand of fire put an end to him and all his guards...

Spoiler

They freed the dwarf Yeslick who joined them in their fight. Whenever they came upon enemies they were dispatched easily...

Spoiler

At 6 o'clock in the morning they entered Davaeorn's lair. The only guard got killed and then Dyara disarmed all the traps. For the meeting with the evil mage she quaffed a potion of perception (+25% detect illusion), a potion of cloud giant strength and just to be save a potion of magic protection and a potion of insulation. Also from her usual protection spells she casted shield, prot. from evil and minor spell deflection (all the spells she had still memorised). Xan added resist fear and finally invisibility. Then she went into Davaeorn's room while Yeslick initiated the dialog.

The fight was a really short one. Dyara moved behind Davaeorn and immediately his mirror images were dispelled and the next moment he was dead already.

Spoiler

The whole mine was flooded then.
 
Day 49 (20 Kythorn)

They accompanied Faldorn back to the shadow druids. Archdruid Amarande was very pleased, Faldorn was given a very nice shield and also she was allowed to attend Dyara to Baldur's Gate. However Dyara persuaded Faldorn to stay with the shadow druids as she hadn't been much of a help in the previous fights (of course Dyara - as the kind person she is - didn't really said that to Faldorn).

Faldorn: 0 XP, 0 kills, - Druid(6), 30/48 HP

Day 51 (22 Kythorn)

It took them two more days to leave the cloakwood Forest and more than once they got waylaid by spiders or ettercaps...

Spoiler

... but finally they arrived at the Friendly Arm Inn where they said good-bye to Yeslick.

Yeslick: 2070 XP, 13 kills, Ettercap, F(4)/Cl(5), 53/53 HP

The remaining three then went to Beregost to claim the reward for slaying the wyverns. Really tired now - they hadn't rested after leaving the wyvern cave - they went to Feldepost Inn.

Day 52 (23 Kythorn)

From Beregost they went north in the hope of reaching Baldur's Gate in a day or two.

Dyara: 273476 XP, 893 kills, Davaeorn, F(6)/M(6)/T(7), 59/69 HP
Xan: 24671 XP, 120 kills, Domsayer, Enchanter(9), 22/36 HP
Coran: 19195 XP, 45 kills, Vampiric Wolf, F(5)/T(6), 40/46 HP

[Dyara]

Dyara, elven Fighter/Mage/Thief - take 14 (update 7)

Day 52 (23 Kythorn)

In the afternoon they arrived at the Friendly Arm Inn. At the temple Dyara bought some healing potions and the remaining potion of genius/mind focusing.

Day 53 (24 Kythorn)

On their way north they cleared an ankheg nest, helped Tenya against the fishermen. Also they freed the northern farmlands from zombies.

Day 54 (25 Kythorn)

Early in the morning the small group walked through the city gate of Baldur's Gate. At Sorcerous Sundries they bought lots spells and taught the mages upstairs a lesson.

Spoiler

From the Thieves' Guild Dyara got the Manual of Quickness of Action, then they convinced Ragefast to release the nymph, also they helped Varci and Tremain. The guardians inside Degrodel's house went down only after a long and protracted battle...

Spoiler

Within the fight Coran gained another fighter level:

Dyara: 284731 XP, 915 kills, Davaeorn, F(6)/M(6)/T(7), 59/69 HP
Xan: 28021 XP, 123 kills, Domsayer, Enchanter(9), 22/36 HP
Coran: 28755 XP, 68 kills, Vampiric Wolf, F(6)/T(6), 43/51 HP (point went 1WS)

Once the fight was won Degrodel booked them to find the Helmet of Balduran. Xan and Coran as well were very tired so they rested in the nearby 'Helm and Cloak'. Dyara got another dream and another slow poison, the party got another helmet... and another battle...

Spoiler

Ramazith wasn't really pleased about the nymph but also a coward as he just ran away hiding at the top of his tower... didn't helped much however.

Spoiler

At the house of Felonius Gist Dyara used the 'Stone to Flesh' scrolls on the statues but stupid Dyara forgot to ask about the 'Helm of Balduran' (I guess we have to be lenient with her as she was already wearing it).

While Dyara did the first part of Narlen's test Coran and Xan were waiting for her inside the 'Blushing Mermaid'. When Dyara met them there Coran presented her with a really nice cloak - seems Xan has a rival.

Day 55 (26 Kythorn)

Dyara reported to Narlen and after completing another mission she had proved herself worthy of the guild's respect and she's considered one of their own now.

They were going to Oberon's house to get the things for Resar when they were approached by Lothander who told them they were poisoned and about to die within the next ten days unless they find the antidote. To get Lothander's help Dyara had to fetch a tome from the Lady's House and give it to Jalantha Mistmyr at the Water Queen's House in exchange for a Geas Removal Scroll. At first everything went well but then Dyara started to read the tome and was blessed with wisdom... but too late unfortunately.

Dyara was really ashamed of her stupidity but the tome was gone and they couldn't get another from the Lady's House. Perhaps they could steal the scroll from Jalantha, Dyara thought. But which one of them could do it? Xan wasn't awkward with his finger (as Dyara knew) but he wasn't a thief of course. Dyara herself was a thief but she hadn't much experience in pick pockets. Coran was much better but was he good enough? Dyara had her doubts about that. Perhaps with a litte bit more practise? So they postponed the solution of their little problem until later.

In front of the merchant league building they ran into Aldeth Sashenstar. They cleared the merchant league from doppelgangers, also the Seven Suns. In doing so Coran gained another thief level.

Dyara: 307811 XP, 941 kills, Davaeorn, F(6)/M(6)/T(7), 59/69 HP
Xan: 28861 XP, 125 kills, Domsayer, Enchanter(9), 22/36 HP
Coran: 45090 XP, 91 kills, Ramazith, F(6)/T(7), 43/49 HP (+3HP, +25pickpocket)

Dyara still wasn't really positive about Coran's chances to steal the scroll but they hadn't any other options. But before going to the Water Queen's House they went to the Thieves' Guild to claim their reward for stealing the things from Oberon's house. They were betrayed by Resar but Narlen killed him. As they left the Thieves' Guild Dyara remembered the second quest Scar had given them. And so they went into the sewers to investigate the disappearence of some people. It didn't took long and they had found an Ogre Mage and some carrion crawlers. There was a short moment of danger when both Xan and Coran became paralysed (their last potions of freedom were used when they had fought the ghasts at Ramazith's tower). But the carrion crawlers hadn't done much damage (most of them were confused anyway), neither Coran nor Xan were in need of a healing potion.

Spoiler

They left the sewers and as they were standing in front of the Sorcerous Sundries they went inside and bought some potions of freedom, some other potions, some scrolls and also they changed the nymph's hair and 100 gold into a nymph cloak making Dyara even more adoring.

Still postponing the theft at the Water Queen's House they were approached by Brielbara. She said Coran was the father of her daughter and because of that the mage Yago had cursed the child. So they went to the Low Lantern, got Yago's spellbook and brought it to Brielbara and thus Coran's daughter was saved.

Day 56 (27 Kythorn)

At midnight they went to the Hall of Wonders to steal the telescope. There Dyara met the halfling girl Alora who seemed to be a pretty good thief and perhaps the solution to their little problem?

They told Alora about them being poisoned, about the disappeared tome and about the scroll they had to get from the Water Queen's House. Alora was eager to help and so they all went to the docks. Alora drank two potions of mind focusing (to bring dexterity to 25), also a potion of master thievery (to bring pick pockets to 156), then Jalantha got distracted by Dyara and Coran (they cornered her so she couldn't move), Xan wished Alora luck (by casting it on her) and went for the exit.

Spoiler

Then it was Alora's turn... pick pockets succeeded... but damn, it's the gem only. Next try failed... Dyara had told her to run in case she got caught but Alora tried once more...

Spoiler

... this time she got the scroll and ran for the exit. Unfortunately then Dyara and Coran bumped into each other (stupid path finding) and Coran dropped out of stealth. He got the boots of speed from Dyara and ran for the exit as well while Dyara, still hidden, remained inside not to block Coran's path a second time.

Spoiler

All the priestesses were hostile now but Dyara was able to sneak past them and made it to the exit. Besides Coran being hit by a flame strike no-one was hurt.

With the scroll they went to the Blade and Stars to meet Lothander. They got his half of the antidote and after getting the other half from Marek they were cured.

[Blind_Visionary]

Myra felt so promising....

 

But an ambush of hobgoblins caught her out. I didn't quite see the full list of hit rolls, but it looked like three criticals in a row. And she had barely more than 20 hitpoints at level 6. Time to roll another.

 

I liked the Shadowdancer kit. Lots of micromanaging, but interesting abilities. Lots of weak backstabs adds up to dead enemies (but need a better defense from a hail of crack shot archers).

[Blind_Visionary]

Entering Nora, a human fighter-cleric.

 

Same rig (SCS, randomiser, aTweaks, etc.)

 

 

Nora's Journal, Entry 1

 

I'm tired of living in Candlekeep. Books. Monks. Cleaning Ulraunt's chamber pots. Dusting library shelves.

 

I have to have been born for something greater. I don't know what it is yet... something. Something restless. Something that will leave a mark on the world. A mark as bright as my hair.

 

There's nothing to keep me here. No parents. No real friends (well... Imoen). Just stupid jobs, cleaning rats out of warehouses. Helping drunk guards who forgot to bring their weapons to work. Joking with humorless Winthrop. Fetching scrolls.

 

My life has to hold more than this... right?

[Blackraven]

@Dyara, it's a pleasure to catch up with the adventures of Dyara and friends. I'm glad she's still out there, doing good things.
@Blind_Visionary, hail Nora!

Lenhardt, Gnome Cleric/Illusionist, 6th and final update

After a blissful week in the country Blackraven got back home, and back to Baldur's Gate. It didn't take the game very long to duly consign any romantic notions of completing a roleplayed, full party no-reload trilogy run to the junkyard.

Lenhardt and company cleared the Cloudpeak areas, freed Dynaheir, acquired what spells were for sale (or for the taking, thanks to Alora) and scribed them into their books (thanks to Gellana's potions). They cleared the Nashkel Mines without incident, and even survived two consecutive ambushes in Beregost. The first battle against Molkar and co, went swell with Officer Vai, two Flaming Fist, and even injured Bjornin helping out, even though Dynaheir, Xan (who had taken Kivan's place, for an arcane-heavy crew) and Quayle flirted with death.

Spoiler

The second ambush caused a lot more trouble. Right after the first ambush (i.e. without any healing or resting), the party went to the Thunderhammer Smithy to sell some loot. When they left the smithy, Lamalha and friends appeared.

Spoiler

Three party members weren't fit for battle: Dynaheir, Quayle, and Xan. They quaffed potions of invisibility. Imoen, Alora, and Lenhardt went back to the Jovial Juggler where they hoped Bjornin and the Flaming Fists officers would come to their aid. Lenhardt threw a Web on the ambushers (and others), but Alora, Immy and the Gnome were outside the spell's AoE. At a certain point one of the priestesses successfully cast Rigid Thinking on Alora, causing the Halfling to slay at least one commoner.

Spoiler

The whole inn, including Jessa Vai, Bjornin and the two Fist, went hostile. Reputation plummeted to 6. Alora was killed by a summoned Skeleton, Imoen left the inn, and Lenhardt and his invisible companions went upstairs where the companions would block any pursuers, allowing the Gnome to finish them off.

Spoiler

Lenhardt managed to pick up Alora's loot downstairs, and the crew left the inn. 

Thousands of GP that had been reserved for a Robe of the Neutral Archmagi for Xan, were spent on temple donations before the party went questing for reputation rewards. One such quest was depetrifying the woman in the Basilisk area. However, when they reached the corresponding area, one of Xan's quests triggered. I hadn't played it before; it was about dealing with three Calishite merchants that had bought three female Elven slaves. The men had six mailclad bodyguards defending them. My party was unbuffed, and Imoen was still injured from a previous area transition ambush. A Phase Spider dimension doored right into the middle of our party.

Spoiler

The companions would have nuked their opponents, but the Elves were too close by. The party therefore retreated, but not fast enough to keep Xan out of harm's way. He was felled by darts of wounding from the merchants. Soon after Dynaheir was stunned, again by darts,

Spoiler

and Quayle was poisoned by the Phase Spider. Lenhardt called his Fairy Dragon to cast Invibility 10' Radius in hopes of rendering the survivors invisible and figuring out a strategy. He cured Quayle's poison just in time, and engaged the Phase Spider. The Fairy Dragon turned Quayle invisible right before the older Gnome's morale broke. The others too were rendered invisible, but not Lenhardt. Somehow he had walked out of the Invisibility 10' Radius AoE, probably in pursuit of a foe. He was soon stunned by a dart of stunning, and with Quayle panicked, Dynaheir still stunned as well, and Xan dead, there was nothing Imoen (who was a low level Mage after her dual from Thief at level 7) or Alora could do to help Lenhardt. I didn't even wait for him to die...

This isn't the first time I find myself going out of my way to keep party members alive - I've mentioned before that I tend to consider any party runs in which NPCs die repeatedly as failures - only to see it end in Charname's death. 

Kathlen, Gnome Cleric/Illusionist

Since I still want to become more adept with both arcane and divine magic, I rolled a new Cleric/Illusionist, Kathlen.

Spoiler

(Extra HPs are thanks to her Rabbit familiar, Nippy). She has the exact same, lovely stats as Lenhardt had, though they took quite a bit longer to roll. Unlike Lenhardt, Kathlen is more of a loner: I intend her to be a solo character for most of the game except perhaps ToB stages. She'll probably interact with NPCs in SoA if she makes it there, so that their joining her in ToB will make sense.

She serves Baravar Cloakshadow, is True Neutral (with Good tendencies, but too noncommittal to actually be Good). She is modest, inquisitive, upbeat, furtive, and - hopefully - careful; all qualities that befit a good Gnome

Modifié par Blackraven, 04 avril 2015 - 06:56 .

[Grond0]

This isn't the first time I find myself going out of my way to keep party members alive - I've mentioned before that I tend to consider any party runs in which NPCs die repeatedly as failures - only to see it end in Charname's death. 

Nice to see you back Blackraven, though not to see your latest news - these NPCs are nothing but trouble .  Best of luck with Kathlen.

 

@B_V.  I trust that life will indeed hold more for Nora ...

[Dyara]

@Blind_Visionary: Good luck with the new Nora .

 

@Blackraven: Sad to hear about Lenhardt and friends ... so far Dyara had skipped the Xan quest (knowing from an earlier run that it wouldn't be an easy fight ). Wish you more luck with Kathlen. And thank you .

[Grond0]

Brat - dwarf berserker (update 1)

 

I don't remember my real parents or my early life - there's just a blurred recollection of pain, anger and confusion when I try to think back.  My first clear memory is of waking up in Candlekeep with Gorion's face hovering over me and he's continued to look after me in the years since.

 

Although Candlekeep is usually crowded I've always felt solitary and out of place there.  That partly reflects my inner feelings, but most people there are also wary of me due to my ferocious temper.  While those new to my company tend to find me charming, at least by dwarvish standards, those who've witnessed one of the frenzied rages of my adolescent years are understandably nervous around me.  I don't remember who originally called me Brat, but that was after I threw a lectern through one of the library windows and has remained my name ever since.  I've asked Gorion many times if he knows my true name, but he's always been evasive - which convinces me that he does indeed know more about me and I trust that he will share that knowledge in due course.

 

I do have two true friends within these walls.  The first is Imoen.  She is also a foundling and of similar age, which perhaps helps bring us together, but more important she has never shied away from my outbursts.  For my part, even in the midst of a rage, when everything else was obscured by a red haze, I never lost my awareness that she must be protected.

 

Imoen is my friend and youthful companion, but I've also developed a close relationship with Hull.  He alone of the Candlekeep guards saw the possibility of making something positive of my temper.  Starting with relaxation techniques and then working on what he calls bio-feedback mechanisms he's got me to a point where I can focus my rage to greatly enhance my fighting abilities.  The concentration required to do this is still an awesome strain and I can't maintain it for long, but Hull promises that endurance will develop in time.  He originally provided me with an axe as a weapon to use in our training sessions in the cellars - I think feeling that my dwarvish inheritance would make that easy to use.  That has indeed been the case and I think I am close to mastering the axe now, although I am very reluctant to use any other weapon.  Hull keeps emphasising the need for a warrior to be comfortable with a range of weapons, but I feel there's no need to rush things while I am still young.

 

 

I've very rarely indulged in any sort of RP within Baldur's Gate, so thought it was perhaps about time I had a go at that.  I'll see how I get on, but having set up the back story my current intention would be to just have the odd snippet of thoughts or reflections from Brat in future updates.  A major difference from my normal game though will be trying to avoid using meta-game knowledge.  That will make Brat far more vulnerable than I would normally expect, but I've compensated for that by making him a berserker and he won't be subject to any of the gaming restrictions I typically use.  He's also reasonably intelligent, so if he survives early on I expect him to be able to improve his fighting strategies quite quickly ...

[Golden28]

Hey guys,

 

After a short break Im back with a new character

 

I plan to make him a druid in BG2, which he can be (rediculous stat requirements) if he gets every tome in the game. He's specialized in daggers and spears.

 

I made very quick progress (a record in time methinks), because of Edwins haste and Kivan who, from what I learned from Aasim, can be a real ranged beast. Also: wands...

 

Basilisks

 

Some typical Eren behavior

 

Bassilus who couldnt cast a single spell because of spellfailure.

 

Banditcamp.

 

I did the Aasim thing, with Kivan being pro: magiced and shooting the mage to death. It worked but only because of the neclace of fireballs. That thing is incredibly op..

 

We killed the warriors for the boots of speed but left the mages alone. 

 

We killed a few members of the eight with cheap fireball tactics for minor loot and left about half of them alone. Take that bro's!

 

Then we had a setback, the first of two big ones. First, Edwin gets chunked by amazones:

 

Dynaheir's dead, Xan is sent away, so we only have Neera left! fine..

 

Mages get Neera but potions of clear mind + dispel arrows = game.

 

We kill the Iron throners.

 

Then setback nr2, a disaster which almost made me quit this run. Stupid gameplay left my only thief dead underneath Candlekeep (THREE traps in a row, seriously?) making it impossible for me two get the strength and wisdom tome needed for dualling my Eren... I looked for a knock spell but couldnt find it unfortunately..

 

I was angry but then I thought Id Improvise, I can still make him a thief... Fiiinnnee .

I like that kinda stuff, improvising at the last moment so heck..

 

We skipped Prat and gang because we were only three and that guy's a beast.

 

Back in Baldurs gate, minor quests and shopping. Hope to finish this run in 2 uploads Wish me luck.

 

Cheers!

[Grond0]

Brat - dwarf berserker (update 2)

 

Tragedy can fall between one instant and the next and I have found my life uprooted this last night.  Things seemed normal yesterday afternoon when I went for my scheduled weapons practice with Hull, but after coming out of the cellars I got a message that Gorion wanted to see me at the library.  Unsuspecting, I went there directly - only to be hustled out of Candlekeep at a moment's notice and carrying only my trusty axe.

 

Gorion said he would explain everything as soon as we camped for the night, but there was to be no explanation.  We were intending to stop to rest at the clearing just north of the Candlekeep road, but there was an ambush waiting there.  There were 2 huge shapes of ogres, but I hardly noticed those beyond the shadowed form of a man in armour.  Somehow he appeared to loom over Gorion and inspire terror in my thoughts.  All Hull's training was forgotten and when Gorion shouted to run I did without looking back.  

Spoiler

It was only many minutes later as I stumbled to a halt that I realised that Gorion was not following and would not be following.  Instead, he had deliberately drawn the enemies' attacks onto himself to give me the chance to get clear.  Why would a man of his learning and abilities give his life for someone like me?  With Gorion's death will I ever know the truth about my origins?

 

There was one solace from that disastrous night when I came across Imoen on the road.  She had clearly known before me that Gorion was preparing to flee and had packed some basic adventuring equipment before leaving.  Perhaps with her help there is a chance for me to survive and discover the truth about Gorion and myself.  After resting for the night Imoen used her scouting skills to check the shadowed man had gone and we took the time to bury Gorion and say some last words over his grave.  Unspoken, but clear in my heart, was my intention that never again would I run from an enemy while my loved ones sacrificed themselves for me.

 

Gorion had given little information about our destination, but had mentioned his intention to find his friends Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn.  I know that is to the north somewhere and will seek that out next.

 

Brat probably would have recruited Xzar and Montaron, at least for a while, but failed to see them on the way east after burying Gorion.  They've just met an Old Man who's given them directions to the FAI. 

Spoiler

[Aasim]

Nice writeup Grond0! Such a change of pace from your usual.

[Grond0]

Brat - dwarf berserker (update 3)

 

We safely followed the road north to the Friendly Arm Inn and heaved a sigh of relief as we came inside the guarded compound.  It was therefore an extra shock when a man dressed in robes stopped us and began an attack.  However, this time my mind was clear and I shouted to Imoen to get back while I invoked the fighting routines ingrained during all those hours of practice with Hull.  

Spoiler

I felt the effect immediately and a single swing of my axe saw the assassin drop dead.  

Spoiler

My first killing, even though an enemy, has brought home to me even more than Gorion's death that my world has changed forever.

 

Investigating the body, Imoen found a note promising 200 hundred gold pieces to anyone killing me.  This makes it no clearer why anyone would want me dead, but raises the horrific prospect that yet more enemies may be hunting me.  Imoen and I will need to be more vigilant in future and not rely on protection from any local guards.

 

We cautiously entered the FAI and almost immediately saw a pair of adventurers near the bar.  Imoen said that they matched a description she had read in Gorion's papers of Khalid and Jaheira so we opened a conversation with them.  They confirmed they were friends of Gorion and commiserated with us for his loss.  They also proposed that they travel with us for a while until we were more used to the adventuring life and that made good sense.  With no clear destination of our own we will accompany Khalid and Jaheira south where they are intending to investigate rumours that Nashkel is the source of the recent blight on iron supplies to the Sword Coast.

 

I think our arrival was fortunate for Khalid and Jaheira as well.  They had very little money and lacked much basic equipment, but were happy to be supplied by the funds Imoen and I carried.  The others all now have missile weapons, but looking at how cumbersome throwing axes are I decided not to buy any of those at the moment.  We will, though, need to review our fighting techniques in the light of experience.

 

A small amount of fighting saw the party arrive safely in Beregost.  My typical party tactics would be either all using missiles or a single tank supported by missile users.  For the moment Brat and Khalid are likely to use melee nearly all the time, while Imoen will primarily use her bow and Jaheira will fluctuate between spells, melee and sling depending on the situation.

 

They came across Marl in the inn - their chosen responses appeared to get him to leave them alone, but without getting any XP.

Spoiler

I can see that levels are going to be hard to come by with this group!

[Grond0]

Nice writeup Grond0! Such a change of pace from your usual.

Indeed.  I suspect it will be a toss-up whether I get tired of writing it before everyone else gets tired of reading it .

[Blind_Visionary]

Indeed.  I suspect it will be a toss-up whether I get tired of writing it before everyone else gets tired of reading it .

 

I love it! I think that's the first time I've ever seen anyone skip the Marl XP without a misclick. I'm eager to see what Brat gets up to!

[Blind_Visionary]

In other news, Nora was not long for this world. I got her to level 6/5 and took on SCS Bassilus. That was premature without free action...