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[Blackraven]

Well done Grond0, keep it up in Amn!

[Grond0]

Dylan {4} - dwarf swashbuckler (update 1)

 

Obviously Blackraven I failed to keep it up in Amn .  In fact, last time I felt game play was going downhill from the point where Dylan first took damage - even in BG1 the run wasn't as clean as it should have been.  The obvious solution to that is to avoid Dylan ever taking any damage - so here's another attempt at that.

 

It's so far, so good in this run.  Typically I don't buy anything other than the most basic of equipment until reputation has reached 20, which makes the opening stages a bit harder.  This time, to speed things up, I allowed Dylan to buy a +1 short bow, a protection from petrification scroll and the Necklace of Missiles early on.  With the aid of those he's just cleared the basilisk area without trouble - getting to level 7 as a result.

Spoiler

 

I was getting quite excited early on (at least by my standards) when his first 2 level-ups rolled a 6 and a 5 for HPs.  Since then though his rolls have been 1, 1, 1 and err 1.  It's a good job he's trying not to take any damage ...

[Grond0]

Dylan {4} - dwarf swashbuckler (2nd and final update)

 

Dylan was in the process of working through the Cloud Peaks when he suffered his first damage.  That was a consequence of my impatience after he hit Zal a couple of times with stealth shots.  The SCS behaviour there makes enemies run all over the map, making it a pain to find them again if they get out of sight.  I was therefore trying to get Dylan to shadow his movement looking for an opportunity to shoot at him as he was moving out of sight.  When Dylan's stealth failed I could have used an invisibility potion, but thought the shorter range Zal has with his darts would allow Dylan to still keep at a safe distance.  Unfortunately Dylan managed to run into sight of a winter wolf as well and the slight change of trajectory necessitated by that obviously brought Zal into range just long enough.

Spoiler

 

I'll abandon that run here as I suspect further errors would be on the way soon enough in any case ...

[Gate70]

Blaggerd rides again, having been thrown out of Candlekeep for torturing and murdering the storehouse rats.

(I had a saved character, changed the portrait to my preferred blackguard choice after spending a couple of hours tracking it down)

 

** in two handed sword and two handed style, added ** in shortbows later.

 

Itinery

Candlekeep chores.

Give Imoen a +1 dagger and Monty's armour.

Shoal the Nereid killed.

Pick up the ankheg armour.

Noober spoken to.

Captain Brage returned.

Mirianne's letter returned.

Samuel transported to the Friendly Arm temple.

Tarnesh killed.

Joia's ring returned.

Pantaloons pressed.

Arghain's sword commandeered.

Basilisks.

Mutamin.

Kirian's gang, 3 necklace of missile charges.

Caldo and Krumm cut down.

Drienne's cate returned.

Worgs killed for Ardrouine.

Sil and her sirines meleed (potions of clarity, heroism, stone giant strength).

Flesh golems (+1 arrows and a bit of melee. Held by trap after killing 2 but the 3rd one had not been spotted so didn't investigate).

Bjornin's ogres.

Tome of leadership.

Ankheg nest cleared for farmer Brun.

Tome of wisdom from Durlags Tower (greenstone amulet charge).

 

Reputation 20.

Cash plenty.

Reasonable hit points. 

 

Nashkel mine cleared (1 charge of the greenstone amulet against Mulahey).

Lamahla and the amazons (3 charges of the necklace of missiles).

[Gate70]

Blaggerd gambles on 50% magic resistance at the Iron Throne. At one stage he is down to half health but the mercenaries are in a poor state by then and his subsequent absorb health gives him plenty in reserve. His first application of poison accounts for the casters, the second is liberally spread between Gardush and Zhalimar Cloudewulfe.

[Gate70]

Slythe is out of his depth. Way out of his dispelled depth.
 
On to the Coronation. Blaggerd is well and truly buffed for this, showing 25 STR and DEX as well as boosted CON, an oil of speed and Potion of Power. Draw Upon Holy Might has been cast moments before, allowing a poison weapon as the crowd turn into doppelgangers. After killing two, Blaggerd has a clear aura and casts a Despair before setting about the others. Two critical hits finish the last pair.
 
Sarevok briefly chases Blaggerd then turns to Liia instead. She survives two hits (11 and 12), forcing Blaggerd back into melee. Sarevok turns and hits Blaggerd once before deciding his plans should culminate elsewhere. He teleports away, leaving both dukes alive. Belt immediately sends Blaggerd after him.

 

The Thieves Maze is safely negotiated with buffs still active, then Shaldrissa gets her mirror images covered in poison. Her group have split up slightly, allowing Blaggerd to deal with Rahvin, Carston and Haseo in one mini-battle. Then Wudei and Gorf are found together, the former dying but the latter forcing Blaggerd to shoot him down from a safer distance.

Angelo gets some melee poison as Tazok and Sarevok move in to help him. They almost box Blaggerd and dish out hefty damage but Blaggerd is determined to dose Angelo up before fleeing. Eventually the blackguard can risk no more and runs, Angelo still threateningly alive.

 

Angelo has no cure for the poison. Semaj has been de-buffed a couple of times and supplied with poison. Another lap around the Bhaal mosaic before the next arrow ends his life.

 

Blaggerd runs around, attacking Tazok whenever he steps too far from Sarevok. It's not long before he is badly wounded so Blaggerd hangs in and takes on both opponents until Tazok keels over. Blaggerd is carrying a few wounds while Sarevok has only had a dispelling arrow, but instead of running away Blaggerd has a stand-off to see who will blink first. Blaggerd turns tail first - but Sarevok discovers he should have done so instead.

[Blackraven]

Hey Grond0, sorry to see that, though at least it was a risk you more or less consciously took (better than the mystery deaths that some of your Charnames suffer).

Congrats for Gate70, good luck with your Blaggerd in Amn!

[Grimwald the Wise]

Bane of Bhodi never even got to meet Bhodi due to a lack of concentration on my part.

 

In the Cloakwood mines Imoen cast web and all the tanks had freedom of action.

 

They went in for the kill but didn't notice the mage had saved against Imoen's spell and had cast Lightning bolt.

 

There was plenty of time to escape the worst of it, but I had slow reactions.

 

The end.

 

(Annoying as it should have been easy)

 

On the good side, I got a roll of 99 for a crusader in my next game.

 

Æthelstan the Brave (Air Genasi Crusader)

 

Str 18/68, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 16. Two handed sword ****

 

Candlekeep was relatively easy, the three assassins being killed with relative ease. I got a half-decent two handed sword out of the battle as Shank wasn't able to use it as well as he might have. However I used a staff in Candlekeep against the rats and against the foes in the training room. The result was that my charisma dropped to 1. Fortunately upon going to Nashkel, Lord Foreshadow gave me a ring which boosted it back to 18. Upon returning to Beregost I used the ring to charm Algernon who then helped me in the fight against Karlat. He helped me most by dying as I was then able to acquire his cloak. Karlat then fought a charmed Morninglord Guard whilst Silke killed him and then after the spiders had killed many a Morninglord Guard some Morninglords and some Morningmasters, I decided to kill them myself. I was fortunate not to be poisoned as I realised afterwards I was without antidotes! It is well that I have a bag of holding as I would otherwise be unable to carry all the armour.

 

North Of Beregost I killed an ogre without too many problems and then two ogrillon to the south. I then headed to The Friendly Arms. I didn't like the Caravan Guards there at all and got into fights with them. This could well have turned out to be a mistake as one of them brought my health points down to 2, and another one brought them down to 1. However I survived. For some reason two of the inn guards became hostile. I didn't want to lose reputation by killing them and so charmed them and let the hobgoblins do the dirty work.

 

I headed north and helped a widow who was being pestered by her husband and then decided to help Sonner. I went to see the priestess who changed my mind as to whom to support, however my final blow landed just afterwards and she became hostile. I had no option but to kill her and go and get the reward from Sonner. Nearby I killed an Ankheg and retrieved a dagger from it. Now at level 4. In one of the battles my charisma jumped to 25.

 

I helped Eltoth and the Dudleys with the result that I am now a hero, reputation 18. Don't feel much like one however.

 

Str 18/68, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 25.

 

Two-handed sword **** Two handed Weapons *.

 

After helping the boy at the lighthouse, plundering the cave, helping the Archaeologist and Brage, reputation was 20, Level 6.

Two handed swords ***** Two handed weapons *

 

Then helped Prism with the help of Galtok. Galtok sadly got killed by some war dogs. Went for the reward for the emeralds and enlisted Oubliek's aid to kill a baby wyvern. We killed it, but sadly Oubliek died too. At least he died a hero even if he didn't live like one.

 

Then cleared the Nashkel to Beregost Road before buying a protection from acid scroll and clearing the Ankheg swarm.

 

Now level 7

 

I travelled south to help a dog, a cat, a dryad, killed Vax and cohort, killed other monsters to get gauntlets of dexterity, killed a bear to help a traveller.

 

I then visited Durlag's Tower, but was unable to do as much as I wished due to lack of thieving ability.

[Dyara]

Sarya, elven Jester, NoReload take 20 (update 5)

Instead of resuming their search for the bandit camp Sarya led her party north. When they passed a small fishing village some fishermen asked Sarya for help against the witch Tenya. Also the farmer Brun begged the party to search for his son. As usual Edwin complained but nevertheless the group climbed into the pit somewhat west of the farm and after killing quite a few ankhegs they found some small treasure and a dead human body - probably the remains of farmer Brun's son Nathan. When they delivered the sad news Sarya took pity on the old man giving him a part of the treasure they had found in the pit. Further north at Wyrm's Crossing Dorn sensed the presence of Simmeon but the bridge over the Chiontar was closed so Dorn had to postpone his revenge. The witch Tenya turned out to be just a little girl and after learning the whole story Sarya decided to help her. Retrieving the stolen bowl of water elemental control earned Sarya a favor of the worshippers of Umberlee. Continuing their journey the party somehow managed to reach Ulgoth's Beard.

I thinks it's a little bit illogical that you can go to Ulgoth's Beard (or the Northern Farmlands) before chapter 5 as they both are on the right bank of the river Chiontar and the only (known) bridge across that river is closed until chapter 5. But as Sarya insisted to go there *shrugs*...

At Ulgoth's Beard Sarya tried her pickpocket skill on a female gnome (getting her a nice ring) and from the inn she bought a 'Cloak of Displacement', two magical large shields (for Jaheira and Khalid to use in the bandit camp fight), the 'Greagan's Harp' (3x/day domination, for Sarya of course) and the 'Greenstone Amulet'. Once that was done they turned south again and after a while they found the bandit camp.

After a rest the party started their assault by preparing the battlefield. Edwin casted 'Grease' followed by 'Web' on the entrance to the camp. Then Dorn, well protected against missiles and also wearing the 'Ring of Free Action' attacked some of the bandits but retreated immediately luring them into the greased web trap...

Spoiler

... while the party awaited them. Caught by the web and hindered by the grease Black Talons and Chills, humans and hobgoblins, named and unnamed foes died side by side without much chance to fight back...

Spoiler

Once the last bandits were killed...

Spoiler

... the party searched the camp. In a large tent Sarya found some letters mentioning the bandits’ base deep within the Cloakwood Forest. On their way back the party helped the drow Viconia. Celebrating their victory at the Friendly Arm Inn caused some more damage to the party's reputation as an already very drunk Sarya sang about their latest adventures revealing lots of gruesome details. Perhaps if Jaheira and Khalid hadn't gone to bed so early the worst could have been prevented but so it were the guards who put an end to the party when Sarya started to dance on the tables wearing nothing but her underclothing...

Spoiler

Sorry boys, no screenshots taken

No surprise that in the night Sarya had another of those strange nightmares. Somewhat ashamed of what had happened the evening before the group (w/o Viconia who they had quartered in one of the upper rooms of the inn) left the Friendly Arm Inn early in the morning reaching the outskirts of Cloakwood Forest in the afternoon.

Besides being attacked by some taslois once (one of them dropping Gurke's Cloak of Non-Detection) the party's first steps into the forest were rather uneventful. Later in the afternoon the group was asked by Aldeth Sashenstar for protection from some druids. Sarya tried to mediate - without much success - and most likely the dispute would have turned into violence if it weren't for Jaheira being recognized by the druids' leader Seniyad. Seniyad agreed to spare Aldeth Sashenstar if in turn the party would search for some lost druids probably captured by the shadow druids...

Spoiler

Once that was settled the party continued their journey deeper into the forest. About one hour later the party came across a bridge leading across one of the many small streams cutting through the Cloakwood Forest. On that bridge they were greeted by the elf Coran who wanted to join them for some wyvern-hunting. After a short discussion Coran was allowed to join the group while Imoen was send back to the Friendly Arm Inn. It wasn't long before Coran started to chat up the unmarried women in the group ...

Spoiler

More and more often the party became attacked by spiders and ettercaps. An invisible Coran was send out to scout the area and (thanks to a 'potion of perception' and a 'potion of master thievery') he disarmed all the web traps...

Spoiler

With the traps gone the fights with spiders and ettercaps became rather easy especially as Coran proved to be a real master with the longbow. On their search for Tiber's brother the party entered the spider lair. Inside there was a hideously obese woman who was cursed to live as the 'spider queen'. She commanded her spiders to attack but the party put an end to her regency...

Spoiler

Inside the lair the party found the remains of Tiber's brother and also the sword Spider's Bane which Dorn claimed for himself. Once they had delivered the bad news to Tiber the party ventured further into the woods and after crossing another bridge the shadow druids' treefort came into sight. However before they could advance they were attacked by some shadow druids. Khalid got charmed...

Spoiler

... but an arrow of dispelling fixed the problem...

Spoiler

As there was a small chance to find the missing druids in the treefort the party went inside - only to find a really pissed off archdruid Armarande...

Spoiler

Amarande had gone invisible right away so Sarya tried to counter that with a 'Detect Illusion' spell. No-one could tell if it had worked but nevertheless everything seemed go well as the two other druids went down and the summoned nymph was too scared to do anything dangerous...

Spoiler

Unfortunately the tide turned when only Dorn and Khalid (as a jester Sarya's immune) resisted a confusion spell. Pretty soon Edwin was close to death and while Dorn and Khalid worked on the archdruid's ironskins Sarya crossed the battlefield, heroically risking her own life, to cast Invisibility on the mage...

Spoiler

But after a while the confusion wore off, any illusions spells on Armarande were dispelled by Coran and then it was only a matter of time till the archdruid was slain...

Spoiler

Unfortunately none of the missing druids was there so the party had to continue their search. Going deeper into the Cloakwood Forest the party saw a wyvern flying over their heads and not for the first time Sarya's companions wondered if wyverns were Coran's only prey...

Spoiler

Finally on the island where the river running through the forest forked they found one of the missing druids. Just in time as some shadow druids were about to kill him but of course the party didn't let that happen...

Spoiler

Baedor, who had some sort of history with Jaheira, was saved and told them about Maretha being taken to the tree house to be tortured by the other shadow archdruid Andarthe...

Spoiler

As this Andarthe was to expected even more powerful (level 13) than the other archdruid Armarande (level 11) Sarya came up with a more defensive tactic. Coran raised his 'Detect Illusion' skill as much as possible (potion of perception, potion of master thievery) and protected by Invisibility (the invisibility protected by his Cloak of Non-Detection) and one charge of the Greenstone Amulet, he should just try to detect Andarthe's illusion spells, while staying invisible and close to the archdruid all the time. Jaheira and some summoned wolves then approached Andarthe, while the rest of the party stayed in the back. Once the talking was done Jaheira returned to her companions, while the wolves, observed by Coran, fought a hopeless fight...

Spoiler

However the druids weren't that easily fooled and when they came closer to the party's hiding place another wave of summoned wolves was used to hold them up. When an unshifted Andarthe became targetable Jaheira used her chance by casting 'Summon Insects' at him. Andarthe immediately returned the favor so Jaheira tried to escape into the tree house...

Spoiler

Plagued by the insects and now attacked by five companions (Jaheira still running from the insects) the archdruid wanted to surrender (but a bug got in the way as just in that moment Jaheira made it into the tree house). So the fight continued and finally Edwin scored the kill...

Spoiler

Without their leader the remaining forces of the shadow druids were easily dispatched...

Spoiler

... and Maretha was found unharmed inside the tree house...

Spoiler

As Jaheira had asked, the party returned to Seniyad where Jaheira was rewarded with an enchanted club 'Eye of the Storm' (+2, 25% electrical resistance, call lightning 1x/day).

Spoiler

Sarya: Jester(7); HP 56/62; XP 56,962; Kills 159; Kills XP 39,623; Doomsayer (4,000); Items (i.a.): Fragment of Enlightment, Mail of the Death+2, Bracers of Archery, Shortsword+2, Shortbow+1

Dorn: Blackguard(6); HP 50/60; XP 53,611; Kills 179; Kills XP 78,299; Greater Basilisk (7,000); Items (i.a.): Helmet of Charm Protection, Full Plate Mail, Spider's Bane+2, Heavy Crossbow,  Ring of the Princes+1

Jaheira: Fighter(5)/Druid(6); HP 55/65; XP 58,680; Kills 149; Kills XP 59,804; Greater Basilisk (4,000); Items (i.a.): Gift of Peace, Ankheg Plate Mail; Large Shield+1; Brawling Hands; Honorary Ring of Sune; Amulet of Spell Warding; Root of the Problem+1; Sling+1, Cloak of Protection+1

Khalid: Fighter(6); HP 62/78; XP 55,612; Kills 234; Kills XP 57,064; Battle Horror (4,000); Items (i.a.): Full Plate Mail, Legacy of the Masters, Ring of Princes+1, Varscona+2, Dead Shot+2, Cloak of Displacement

Edwin: Conjurer(6); HP 31/36; XP 53,350; Kills 35; Kills XP 11,ß83; Andarthe (4,000); Items (i.a.): Traveler’s Robe, Bracers of Defense AC8, Quarterstaff+1, Sling+1, Evermemory, Cloak of Protection+1

Coran: Fighter(5)/Thief(6); HP 41/43; XP 44,358; Kills 20; Kills XP 6,615; Phase Spider (1,400); Items (i.a.): Deep Red Ioun Stone, Shadow Armor+3, Harrower+1, Longbow, Whispers of Silence, Worn Whispers

Former Party members:

Imoen: Thief(7); HP 50/56; XP 45,204; Kills 106; Kills XP 28,162; Greater Doppelganger (4,000)

To be continued...

[Grond0]

Sorry boys, no screenshots taken .

Aww - you spoil all our fun . 

[Grimwald the Wise]

I would really appreciate comment on my photoshopped portraits. I have started a new thread about it. Please be blunt. I am new to photoshop so I am quite open to criticism.

[Blackraven]

Hey Grimwald, the images are a bit small to appraise them well. I'm not sure if the blue skies are suitable backgrounds because they seem to consist of one color, as opposed to the backgrounds in Bioware and similar portraits. The snowy mountains on the other hand, with their shades of grey, look like good backgrounds. It's nice to be able to use those instead of the backgrounds of some of the portraits you find on the internet (some of those have a completely white background, or feature other people you don't want there).

Good luck with Æthelstan and with your photoshop classes.

[Grimwald the Wise]

Thanks for the input Blackraven. I used the size as per what the game requires, but I can certainly post them bigger.

 

Some of those with a white background, when you delete the white, another background that is unsuitable for portraits appears.

 

The white background makes it much easier to extract the image, so I am not complaining. It makes it easier to add your own background.

 

With the snowy backgrounds (Annapurna) it makes them particularly suitable for Icewind Dale. When I lived in Pokhara, it made me think of Kuldahar.

 

When I have improved them, I will post again. You and Dyara have made similar comments which says to me that I should take note of what you have posted.

[Blackraven]

Nepal. That must have been an interesting experience. I assume your profile pic was taken there as well.

The Icewind Dale association came up in my mind as well. Either way it's nice that your're already fairly capable at editing your pictures' backgrounds. (I often edit images with a combination of Paint, Office and GIMP). I'm looking forward to seeing your photoshop skills improve. 
 

[Grimwald the Wise]

Nepal. That must have been an interesting experience. I assume your profile pic was taken there as well.

 

It was. I have lived there for 6 years altogether, 3 years when my children were young, 3 more recently. We found the first three years a bit hard, but this last three have been the best years of my life. My Nepali was good enough so that I could socialise with the result that I had more Nepali friends that ex-pats which enabled me to settle in a lot easier.

 

The profile pic is indeed in Nepal. Two photos, one taken in my bedroom with a curtain over my head, the other, a photo of Nilgiri from near Jomosom.

 

Editing was done using Paint.

[Blackraven]

Butch Baylen, 9th BG1 installment

On our way to Candlekeep we had a run-in with a group of four bounty hunters. We dispatched them with relative ease (relying on proven tactics such as Faldorn’s Insect Plague and my bolts of dispelling), although there was one painful moment when I suffered a stab in the back from an invisible assassin.

Spoiler

We found a crucial note on the corpse of their spokesman. It taught me there was another faction out there, beside the Iron Throne, that wanted my scalp. They called themselves the ‘Section’, and they had an underground base of operations in Beregost, right next to Taerom’s smithy! I had no clues as to the Section’s motives, or whether they were in league with the Iron Throne or not, but I resolved to investigate them as soon as I had dealt with the Throne leaders in Candlekeep.

Sadly, the party’s stay at Candlekeep didn’t pan out in the best possible way.
Right in front of the entrance to the citadel (and of the Keeper of the Portal, who refused to call the Watchers for help) they had to dispatch no less than five Ogre Mages, hired by Sarevok. Butch removed the creatures’ protections with his bolts of dispelling, allowing the others to finish the creatures off.

Spoiler

Inside the Keep most of the inhabitants were as glad to see Butch as they were restless about their wellbeing and the security of the library. Old friends like Parda, Dreppin and Karan all knew something was off, but they had no idea what.
At the priests’ quarters Butch and company got a first hint of what was to come. They slew a Doppelganger that had taken the appearance of a Priest of Oghma. Sarevok and/or the Iron Throne had planned to replace Candlekeep’s inhabitants with Doppelgangers, they all agreed. To what purpose, Butch had no idea. There was no financial incentive to do so, for Candlekeep was not in competition with the Throne. Could it have been part of Sarevok’s personal crusade against Butch? All the rogue knew was that he had to hope he had arrived in time to stop Sarevok’s evil scheme.

The trapper stalked through the library halls to see who were there and what everyone was up to. Fortunately all of the familiar faces except Shistal, who had sadly been replaced by a Greater Doppelganger, recognized Butch and spoke coherently about both the past and the present. Apparently the infiltration operation had not yet been brought to completion. 
In Gorion’s chamber Butch found a letter from his late foster father, revealing to him that he was a child of Bhaal, the evil Lord of Murder who had been slain during the Time of Troubles when gods walked the realms. Anticipating his own death Bhaal had forced himself on women of all races. According to wise Alaundo, the founder of Candlekeep, the children of Bhaal would fight each other until only one remained. Bhaal would reclaim his divine essence from the last of his children.
The rogue was remarkably unmoved after reading Gorion’s letter. “I’m my own man,” he said to himself. “I refuse to be some dead deity’s puppet. Can you hear me, voice in the dark? Thank you for giving me your healing and curing powers, but I can’t be bought and I'm not playing your game.”

Butch shared the news openly with his comrades, offering them to go separate ways if his tidings made them lose trust in him. Ajantis was the only one to really consider leaving, but even he was eventually convinced that Butch’s cool refusal to hunt for the throne of Bhaal was expressed in earnest.

Spoiler

When Butch told the others that the Iron Throne leaders were on the third floor, Yeslick rushed upstairs, before Butch could add that they didn’t look like fat merchants but rather like battle-ready adventurers. The rogue urged his companions to follow the Dwarf in hopes of preventing him from getting himself into trouble. Yeslick was unstoppable though,

Spoiler

and the party had to choose between helping the Dwarf or abandoning him. They chose the former (although Butch would have preferred not to stain Candlekeep’s hallowed halls with the blood of his enemies, and much less so wih all the monks about. He would rather have dealt with the Iron Throne somewhere where there were no witnesses). 

Butch got the first kill, Tuth, with a backstab and poisonous bolts, and Quayle Held a second Iron Throne member (Kestor).

Spoiler

Their president, Rieltar, was the biggest threat. He was a powerful mage. Thankfully Keiria’s Skald song protected the party from a potentially devastating Chaos (but not from two Skeleton Warriors the wizard would summon). Yeslick and Ajantis finished off a warrior (Brunos), and Butch dispelled Rieltar’s protections, allowing The battle priest to slay his nemesis.

Spoiler

Moments later their actions got the party arrested. They were to be transported to Baldur’s Gate for their trial, but Tethtoril teleported them to a secret exit below Candlekeep after giving them a lecture on the merits of lawfully dealing with criminals instead of taking the law into one’s own hands. 

In the halls and catacombs below Candlekeep Butch plundered a number of locked and trapped chests, finding a Robe of the Neutral Archmagi and a Holy Goblet (which gives a Paladin or LG Cleric a daily Chant ability if I’m not mistaken) but no tomes. The party also slew several Doppelgangers that had been working to take the forms of Butch’s friends and acquaintances from Candlekeep. It was heartening for Butch that he had arrived just in time to thwart Sarevok and to save the people of Candlekeep from a terrible fate.
On their way out the party met a group of adventurers that were less than happy to see them. Unprepared for battle, Butch and company fled through a narrow corridor into a small area inhabited by bats. They hoped to bottleneck their opponents as they had done so successfully at the Iron Throne headquarters in Baldur’s Gate. Prat, their leader, had a way to work around this though. He Dimension Doored right into the party’s midst where he promptly Dominated Yeslick and struck down Quayle.

Spoiler

Faldorn Dispelled Yeslick’s condition and Prat’s protections, enabling the others to make short work of the battle mage.

Spoiler

Invisible Yeslick then proceeded to detect the others’ whereabouts (they had all been invisible).

Spoiler

They were two Lesser Air Elementals (that fell first), two fighters and one wizard. Sword and Phase Spiders roamed about as well. They somehow chose Butch and company as their prey, ignoring the enemy. Enraged Yeslick soaked up some of the wizards’ spells, while Ajantis and Butch attacked the fighters.

Spoiler

The other companions kept their distance. When Butch dispelled some of the wizard’s protections, the latter Charmed the rogue.

Spoiler

The wizard then left Butch alone and focused his attention on the others, until the Charm effect wore off and Butch slew the mage.

Spoiler

Yeslick finished off the last warrior, together the companions dispatched the Spiders, and Butch alone dealt with two Greater Basilisks, using a green scroll of Protection from Petrification.

Spoiler

 

We left Candlekeep as outlaws, much as I had feared after Yeslick's, and eventually *our* assault on the Iron Throne leaders. Knowing that we had to fear not only Sarevok's assassins and bounty hunters but also the Flaming Fist, we decided to wait with returning to Baldur's Gate. Instead we did some exploring in some of the areas surrounding Beregost. In a cave we slew various monsters and wild animals, and we met four spectres that required a vampiric sword, which we didn't possess, to end their undead existence.

Spoiler

There was some treasure there too, including a Tome of Leadership and Influence. East of Beregost I slew ten Basilisks as well the Gnome that had been their master and the owner of a pair of Gauntlets of Ogre Power.

Spoiler

In the same area I got into a fight with four hunters. With an oil of speed, traps and backstabs I made short work of them.

Spoiler

 

We visited the Ulcaster Ruins, where we had to battle lots of Kobolds, and undead creatures, such as a skeletal warrior named Icharyd,

Spoiler

Ghasts, Dread Wolves and Vampiric Wolves (aided by a few Dire Wolves), including the Wolf of Ulcaster that could panic the unwary, and summon Ghouls. The Wolf did indeed manage to panick Yeslick (who had been without the range of Keiria's protective song).

Spoiler

It caused him to run into a chamber guarded by a Greater Skeleton Mage that called more wolves ('Call of the Vampire' contingency) and summoned Invisible Stalkers. Most of us were or went invisible, blocking the passage for Wolves and Ghouls alike, and thus preventing Ajantis from being swarmed. The Cavalier then finished the Wolf of Ulcaster.

Spoiler

Hardy Yeslick survived the attacks the Wolves and the Skeletal Mage made at him while he was panicked; he enraged, and killed the undead creature with Ajantis.

Spoiler

Our prize was a Manual of Gainful Exercise which I read to increase my strength. 

 

In Beregost we decided to see if we could deal with one of the several factions that were after us, the 'Section'. We found the entrance to their base, and battled our way past a number of their guards until a group of higher-ups teleported us to their leaders, the 'Committee', in a large, heavily guarded room. We immediatelt moved to a corner where we slew several guards before the Committee could intervene.

Spoiler

The spokesman of the Committee, a man named Paul Wolfe, claimed that his organization were a force of righteousness that had been hired to rid the realms of Butch's evil band. However, when asked to, he failed to make clear what was so evil about Butch and his companions.

Spoiler

Wolfe was a powerful warrior, stronger than Ajantis (whom he brought down),

Spoiler

but he was no match for the collective force of the remainder of the party, apart from Butch who focused his enchanted bolts on Madeline, a female wizard.

Spoiler

We had to fight several more Section members, though they weren't as dangerous as Wolfe had been.

Spoiler

To get out we had to go through an intricate network of corridors and chambers on different levels below the surface. We snuck past some of the many guards, debilitated others with magic,

Spoiler

and we slew a few of them, including a female commander who dropped a rune stone that should allow us to enter some place.

Spoiler

When we were back above ground, in Beregost, I was uneasy about our dealings with the Section. We hadn't learned what their motives were, whether there was someone else in a higher position within the orgainzation pulling the strings, what the wardstone was for, etc.

Ideally our wrecking of the Committee and several of their subordinates served as an inspiration for the Section to focus their self-proclaimed righteous actions elsewhere, but I decided not to count on it.

[Golden28]

Nice episode BR.

Cheers!

[Dyara]

@Blackraven: very nice, thanks for sharing it .

 

Sarya, elven Jester, NoReload take 20 (update 6a)

After bidding farewell to the druids the party continued their search for the wyverns’ lair. On the way they were ambushed by some wyverns but the beasts were easily slain and beheaded...

Spoiler

Not much later the party found the wyverns' lair inside a large cave. Everyone was handed an antidote and then they went inside despite they all being really tired already. Again the wyverns were no match ...

Spoiler

As the party was running out of (magical) arrows but had lots of wyvern heads to sell and a reward to collect Sarya decided to travel back to Beregost. One wyvern head earned them 2,000 gold and remaining heads were sold at Feldepost Inn for 500 gold each. Unfortunately Jaheira had forbidden any parties so everyone went to bed quite early. In the morning Sarya was surprised by Coran giving her a bunch of flowers...

Spoiler

Right after breakfast they set out for Cloakwood Forest and around three days later they had found the mine deep within the forest. While exploring the surroundings Sarya and her companions came upon a quite few iron throne patrols - all of them were dispatched successfully...

Spoiler

Between the fights Coran found some time to make another move on Sarya...

Spoiler

It had been a long journey from Beregost to the Cloakwood Mine, everyone was tired and exhausted and so the decision was made to set up a camp some distance away from the mine. One by one Sarya's companions retired to their bedrolls until only she and Coran remained. When Sarya started to rise and follow their suit Coran quickly got up to his feet and walked over to her...

Spoiler

Everyone woke up early, they broke up camp and a short time later they were ready to assault the mine. A hidden Coran and an invisible Dorn were sent to take on the two guards...

Spoiler

Dorn wasn't used to do thieves' work but with the help of the rest of the group 'his' guard went down as well...

Spoiler

Then Edwin and Sarya (who had some problems to concentrate) prepared the battlefield with web and grease spells ...

Spoiler

At first everything went fine as both Drasus and Genthore were caught in the greasy web. Unfortunately the party wasn't able to kill at least one of them, Genthore even managed to retreat...

Spoiler

And it came even worth when a mage (Kysus) appeared on the battlefield and all of Sarya's companions but Coran fell victim to a confusion spell. Not again, Sarya screamed, when she saw Jaheira hunting squirrels and her other companions wandering about...

Spoiler

Her 'Invisibility' spell came a moment too late to save the red wizard. Desperately she started to attack Kysus when Coran commanded her to retreat. She was about to object but Coran dragged her along. Every now and then they turned around shooting arrows at Drasus finally killing him...

Spoiler

Fortunately only the summoned ogre berserker followed them across the bridge and killing him allowed them to recover...

Spoiler

When they went across the bridge again they found Jaheira still confused but otherwise unharmed (her squirrel hunting probably had saved her) but Dorn had been turned to stone and Khalid was close to death and he died a few moments later when Sarya failed to charm Genthore. At least the confusion on Jaheira had worn off and the druid started her comeback by successfully casting 'Summon Insects' at Genthore while Sarya and Coran shot arrows at Kysus...

Spoiler

The mage went down first and Genthore followed his comrade shortly after...

Spoiler

There wasn't anything the party could do for Dorn at the moment as they had no 'Stone to Flesh' scrolls but at least Jaheira was able to raise both Edwin and her husband...

Spoiler

Once everyone was back to full health to party proceeded and another mage (Rezdan) was killed easily. However, without Dorn Sarya didn't want to enter the mines so the party set out to find a temple for buying a 'Stone to Flesh' scroll. Before leaving Sarya approached the petrified Dorn. 'Hi Dorn', she smiled, 'don't worry, we won't let you rot... er... weather here! We're just going to find a temple, buy some Stone to Flesh scrolls and then we return. Might take a few days but we're coming back, promise! So don't move, just stay right here... and watch out for the birds!', she continued patting Dorn's stony back. Sarya wasn't sure but it appeared as if the stone of Dorn's face had darkened a little bit.

Around two days later the party arrived at the Friendly Arm Inn. After buying six 'Stone to Flesh' scrolls from Gellana Mirrorshade they decided to spend the night at the inn.

Jaheira sighed; there was a lot of noise, laughing and screaming to be heard from the room next door...

Spoiler

Jaheira hadn't liked the elf from the very first moment they had met him on that bridge in the Cloakwood Forest. She just knew from the way he talked to and about Sarya down to the way he looked at her that Sarya was in for a big disappointment. Unfortunately the girl seemed to like both the elf's talking and his looks. 'Sh-she's old enough', Khalid said, reading Jaheira's mind. 'That I'm not sure of', Jaheira replied, 'but at least', she thought to herself, 'she had asked me for some herbs.'

In the morning when they left the inn it had started to rain again. Back then in Candlekeep Sarya had always liked the rain but walking in the rain for hours every day had changed her mind altogether. 'Why there's no protection from rain spell?', she thought pulling her cloak close, when Coran appeared at her side...

Spoiler

Sighing Jaheira had watched the scene and when Coran saw her disapproving glance he whispered into Sarya's ear...

Spoiler

 

To be continued...

[Dyara]

Sarya, elven Jester, NoReload take 20 (update 6b)

The journey to Friendly Arm Inn and back to the Cloakwood Mine had taken nearly six days but the place felt unchanged - besides the missing corpses and some bird droppings on the stone statue of Dorn. 'Maybe we should clean him first?', Sarya asked her companions, 'he might get angry otherwise.'

Spoiler

Back in the land of the living Dorn was slightly disoriented at first but then without saying a word, just gripping his sword even steadier than before he marched towards the barracks looking for something to kill. Once all the surface buildings were searched the party rested and went into the mine then. At first they encountered little resistance but that changed when they entered the lower levels...

Spoiler

The party had to fight for every step now but when the mage leading the guards was dead...

Spoiler

... the resistance broke down...

Spoiler

Both Rill, the leader of the slaves, and the dwarf Yeslick were released from their cells, Rill was given some money to free the other slaves. Then the party proceeded and again they were greeted with hostility...

Spoiler

... but the resistance was easily broken and the party's path was lined with the corpses...

Spoiler

The remaining parts of the level were cleansed as well. In one of the rooms the party surprised a young mage in her nightclothes...

Spoiler

She had been around Imoen's age and looking at her arrow-pierced body Sarya wondered what had made her living here in a burrow in Cloakwood Forest. Absorbed in her thoughts she didn't notice Coran stepping at her side...

Spoiler

'Life and death, it's so close to each other', she thought while Coran was holding her. 'Come on, Coran, let's go! I don't want to linger down here any longer than necessary... the darkness and the closeness are getting on my nerves.'

In another room an Ogre Mage was slain...

Spoiler

After taking a rest Sarya and her companions went down to confront Davaeorn. Immediately they were attacked by a single guard...

Spoiler

Once the threat was resolved the whole party went invisible, Coran searched for traps and disarmed them all, and then the party sneaked into one of the adjoining rooms...

Spoiler

Coran then approached Davaeorn who was already protected by a Stoneskin spell and guarded by two battle horrors, the mage somehow felt his presence but - thanks to the cloak of non-detection - a 'Detect Invisibility' spell remained ineffective. So they stood there face to face (of course Davaeorn couldn’t see the invisible Coran) for a while until Coran decided to attack. Unfortunately the arrow of biting hadn't the desired effect as Davaeorn saved against the poison...

Spoiler

Coran escaped into the library while the two battle horrors marched towards the stairs. The fight had ringed an alarm bell probably as some guards appeared and started to shield their master. When Coran scouted the area he saw even more guards coming down the stairs...

Spoiler

The party then sneaked into guard room while more and more guards arrived from above...

Spoiler

Dorn then lured the two battle horrors into the guard room while Edwin, Sarya and Coran, all three still invisible, were blocking the corridor between stairs and entrance room so the other three could slay the battle horrors without being disturbed by still arriving guards...

Spoiler

Once the battle horrors were slain Edwin and Sarya trapped the guards with web and grease spells...

Spoiler

Then all but one guard died in an inferno of fireballs...

Spoiler

The remaining guard was killed by Coran ...

Spoiler

... and then Davaeorn went down as well...

Spoiler

The death of Davaeron got Edwin a nice Robe and in a chest Sarya found some documents making the City of Baldur's Gate the party's next destination.

When the party had crossed the bridge across the river Chiontar Dorn finally got his revenge...

Spoiler

Sarya: Jester(8); HP 63/70; XP 73,504; Kills 189; Kills XP 51,781; Doomsayer (4,000); Items (i.a.): Fragment of Enlightment, Elven Chain Mail, Dale's Protector, Shortsword+2, Shortbow+1, Ring of the Prices+1, Algernon's Cloak, Greagan's Harp (Domination 3x/day)
Dorn: Blackguard(6); HP 50/60; XP 67,560; Kills 226; Kills XP 97,394; Greater Basilisk (7,000); Items (i.a.): Helmet of Charm Protection, Full Plate Mail, Spider's Bane+2, Heavy Crossbow,  Ring of the Princes+1
Jaheira: Fighter(6)/Druid(7); HP 66/77; XP 75,184; Kills 167; Kills XP 72,380; Greater Basilisk (4,000); Items (i.a.): Gift of Peace, Ankheg Plate Mail; Large Shield+1; Brawling Hands; Honorary Ring of Sune; Amulet of Spell Warding; Root of the Problem+1; Sling+1, Cloak of Protection+1
Khalid: Fighter(7); HP 75/91; XP 71,109; Kills 267; Kills XP 73,169; Battle Horror (4,000); Items: Full Plate Mail, Legacy of the Masters, Ring of Princes+1, Varscona+2, Dead Shot+2, Cloak of Displacement
Edwin: Conjurer(7); HP 37/42; XP 68,555; Kills 45; Kills XP 16,523; Andarthe (4,000); Items: Robe of the Evil Archmagi, Quarterstaff+1, Sling+1, Evermemory, Cloak of Protection+1
Coran: Fighter(5)/Thief(6); HP 41/43; XP 60,774; Kills 68; Kills XP 32,505; Davaeorn (6,000); Items: Deep Red Ioun Stone, Shadow Armor+3, Masterbelt, Harrower+1, Longbow, Whispers of Silence, Worn Whispers

To be continued...

[Blackraven]

Thank you Dyara for your kind words, and also for your wonderful write-up of Sarya's tale And congrats on tackling Cloakwood + Mines!
Be careful with Coran. I'll never forget how he broke my Beastmaster Serene's heart...

 

[Grimwald the Wise]

@Blackraven.

 

So glad I read your account. I was about to go straight to see Sarevok for the final battle without dealing with the Section.

 

Aethelred defeated both the section and Sarevok. However it is 3:00 in the morning so I will have to write it up tomorrow. My bed is calling.

 

Æthelstan the Brave

The mines were not the problem that I thought. No demons, just a lot of kobolds led by Mulahey. There were some assassins on the way down, but my necklace of missiles caused them to panic with the result that they were less of a problem. However I did have to return to the Carnival to get it recharged and afterwards I gave Joseph’s ring to his widow. To fight Mulahey I got close up and once the kobolds had attacked, I blasted the area. This decimated the kobolds, caused Mulahey to panic, but had little effect on me do to finding a ring of fire protection to the east prior to entering the mines. The battle was then easy.
 

Upon leaving I had a battle with a revenant followed by battles with ghasts and finally with Narcillicus Harwilliger Neen and his summoned monsters.

I then went hunting basilisks with the aid of a scroll of protection and oil of speed. In the process I came across more assassins who were weakened considerably with the necklace of missiles.

I then headed for the bandit camp where I was able to kill Tazok. However before I arrived I was ambushed by Zeela and friends. They died too.

Slightly to the south I met Brotus Bloodthirsty and his cohorts who also died.

On the way back to Beregost I was ambushed by two wyverns. They were also killed.

In Beregost I killed Tranzig without difficulty.

In transit I was attacked by Molkar and his allies.

At the bandit camp, I first killed Taugosz Khosann as he looked the toughest.

The entire camp then swarmed on me and I had to use oil of speed to escape. After resting, I finished the job.

In Cloakwood I killed spiders and a dragon.

I had to do a lot of killing to get to the Cloakwood Mine. Again I weakened the enemy considerably with the necklace of missiles before they attacked.

In the mines Hareishan killed herself with lightning bolt.

When I fought Davaeorn, there were a lot of enemies, so again I used necklace of missiles. He and his numerous cohorts fell with him.

Upon continuing on to Baldur’s Gate, I was met by a large number of assassins, none of whom survived.

In the city itself, I killed Jardak and others too numerous to mention.

I ended up making my way through Candlekeep. The assassins there were killed easily with necklace of missiles and I then returned to the Gate.

I then rescued Duke Eltan, Cleared up the Iron Throne, killed Slythe and Kirsten, and visited the Ducal Palace.

Then cleared the section and killed Sarevok.

Screenshots later.

[Blackraven]

Hey Grimwald, hope you've had some rest
I've never dealt with the Section before. Although my playthrough is a roleplayed one, I would still be interested to know if there's more to it than their base in Beregost. As you may have read, I found a wardstone but have no idea what to do with it...
At any rate, congrats to Aethelred!

[The Fred]

The Adventures of Marcus

 

Marcus and his two sidekicks decided they would just have to investigate these Cloakwood Mines. A band of Shadow Druids got in their way and were quickly dispatched, mainly with skeletons again. They also ran into an angry Hamadryad, but the skeletons were immune to charms and an Invisible Marcus made short work of her with bow and then, ignoring her Entangle spell, Spider's Bane.

 

I was rather nervous of fighting the group outside the mines, especially after Kahrk, but I decided at least to scout them out. I figured I could perhaps lure one of them away and kill them alone, if necessary.

 

We sent the skellies in first, and the group immediately started drinking potions and attacking (I can hear the sound of glugging a long way off, it seems). A Stinking Cloud proved ineffective, but a Teleport Field seemed to confuse them (though I'm not sure how counter-productive it was, in teleporting my skellies away). The wizards didn't seem particularly threatened, but in turn wasted most of their offensive spells on the summoned creatures. We did then lure Drasus away, and Marcus used a Web and Spider's Bane to take him down. Actually, I think he repeatedly saved, so it just slowed our own summoned animals.

 

The mages repeatedly dispelled our buffs, which was annoying (it hit just after Branwen cast Defensive Harmony, but thankfully just before Marcus cast Haste), but in turn we took down some of theirs. One of them had a Minor Globe, but it expired before the battle was done. I had a heart attack when a Flame Arrow took Marcus from slightly to critically injured - I don't know how close he came to dying right there. After that, he laid off peppering them with arrows and fled to get healed. We had already killed Genthore by this point, and Imoen's summoned monsters did most of the remaining work. A Minor Sequencer from one of the spellcasters only prolonged the inevitable (Mirror Image + Invisibility, but he had no offence left).

 

We claimed a couple of trinkets (Girdle of Piercing, some mage robes, a magic morningstar) and headed back to town. Actually, the trip back was more dangerous! We were attacked by Giant Spiders, who under SCS spam horrible web bolts (I think perhaps SCS should add a short random delay before they do that... it should certainly do something about those Phase Spiders*). Marcus drew Spider's Bane, but he wasn't the target - Imoen was. She was luckily able to get a Mirror Image up just before being webbed, which narrowly saved her life. She still got poisoned, but Marcus cured her, in between killing the monsters along with Branwen's skeletons. Those guys are nasty! If you don't have a party and aren't immune, you can easily get immobilised and rapidly killed. Even if you do, a party has to be quick to save someone who's been webbed. This time, we managed it, but it was a bit close.

 

Back in Beregost, and I want to pick up a Thief (Safana?) before doing the mines, for the traps. I'm also thinking about picking up Faldorn, because I like to have a Druid (things like Entangle and Call Woodland Beings are cool). I will no doubt be joining up with Yeslick (at least temporarily) in the mines, though.

 

Marcus got a level up fighting the Druids, so the party now stands as follows:

 

 

Marcus, CG Elven Fighter 7/Mage 7

Weapons: The Dead Shot / Spider's Bane

Most Powerful Vanquished: Greater Basilisk

His "favourite weapon" is apparently the scimitar; I don't know why, when he hasn't used one since Bow & Arrows was his top pick...

 

Branwen, TN Human Cleric 8

Weapons: Sling +1 / Ashideena

Most Powerful Vanquished: Shoal the Nereid

Deaths: 2  (Sword Spider, Kahrk)

 

Imoen, NG Sorcerer 8

Weapon: Darts

Most Powerful Vanquished: Diseased Gibberling...

 

Deceased: Xan

[Grimwald the Wise]

Hey Grimwald, hope you've had some rest
I've never dealt with the Section before. Although my playthrough is a roleplayed one, I would still be interested to know if there's more to it than their base in Beregost. As you may have read, I found a wardstone but have no idea what to do with it...
At any rate, congrats to Aethelred!

 

I believe that there is more to it, however I do not know what yet. What I do know is that you can kill the caravan guards in the Friendly Arms, but there is one that if you kill him, the game crashes. This makes me think that he is essential to the plot. He is in the north-east corner of the bailey, near the shopkeeper wearing black. I have yet to discover the ins and outs of the plot. one of the annoying things is that you get all that great equipment in defeating the section, and then when you defeat Sarevok, you lose it all again.

 

EDIT

I have discovered that there is more to it. Too late for this game though.

From the forum:

 

http://www.baldursga...hp?topic=4832.0

 

After Section
When you visit the city of Baldur's Gate, in AR0700, you will meet Nikita and her friend. She wants to help you destroy the organization behind Section, which is Oversight. Agree to it and she gives you a letter that will let you in the Oversight Estate which is in this area, towards the east.

 

In my set-up going into some of the "improved" areas causes the game to crash. (The ulcaster ruins for example)

 

I have edited a post above to tell how Aethelred got to Amn. Screenshots to follow.

[The Fred]

one of the annoying things is that you get all that great equipment in defeating the section, and then when you defeat Sarevok, you lose it all again.

I played Dark Horizons once, and man, at first it's terrifying! Certainly on a no-reload. However, once I finally got to the stage where I could start killing some of the assassins, their overpowered gear really turned the tables. I think I still have that run saves somewhere; I got to Chapter 5, didn't die, but felt as though my stuff made me so powerful compared with the regular foes that there wasn't much point...