16390 réponses à ce sujet

[Grimwald the Wise]

I find that web is quite good for holding the dukes. This can keep them out of trouble.

 

I don't know how it is with the current set-up, but wand of sleep certainly used to be very effective against the doppelgangers.

[corey_russell]

Trio Update #2 (attempt 2) - (Corey_Russell, Grond0, Gate70)

 

The theme of this session was clearly miscommunication. Corey_Russell (me) had TWO microphone failures in the same session! I had tried to talk to the others, but they didn't respond, which was unusual for them. But then they were saying maybe I am dropped? I could hear them but they couldn't hear me. My windows didn't even see the on-board mic at all. Eventually I used the BG chat and let them know what the deal was, I hadn't dropped. Also there was a delay getting the game started in Gameranger because I forgot that as the PC, I am host and thus have to host the game. But eventually we got underway. I eventually got headphones (different ones) and they worked for a bit, but then they too failed!! I was trying to get a drink and put dishes away, but then my foot got caught in the long headset cords and yanked on them. After that, the mic stopped working. So was necessary to use BG chat for rest of session, but this caused some problems as is to be seen.

 

As to the actual adventuring, we got just ton of stuff done this session, despite all of this. I didn't get as many screenshots as I had hoped - I think I may have pressed the onboard keyboard (which doesn't work and is disabled) rather than the print screen button on my USB keyboard - bummer.

 

* Basilisks attempted early - Grond0/Gate70 are the absolute masters of doing this area early. They have an exact path they follow, so was careful to follow them closely this go around. This area was pretty smooth as a result. Korax managed to hold Kirian, then the party was able to make short work of the rest. Axer was still missing with his throwing axes quite often, so he used magic missile wand to make sure he hit.

 

* Sirine area with pirate cave - I  was surprised that Grond0 and Gate70 wanted to do this right away, but then Gate70 reminded me of Vommar's charm immunity and it made perfect sense. However what didn't make perfect sense was Krem getting into melee range with Sil's group of sirines - Krem got charmed and got some huge hits on Vommar - only potions enabled Vommar to win the fight with the sirines and then run a bit until the charm wore off. As we find out later, Axer eventually avenged Vommar for this "betrayal".

 

* Gnoll Fortress - by the time we got here, we were all level 5 fighters of one type or another - absolute cake walk. However, due to mic issues, Axer lagged behind the others and didn't know where they were. He went up to a cave - nope no friends here, just lots of xvarts. Axer wasn't going run against xvarts, not with his two axes and made short work of them. This happened because Grond0/Gate70 in their runs NEVER go to this cave - but Corey_Russell ALWAYS does if not solo.

 

* South of Nashkel - a "dog" was reunited with his "boy". Vax and Zal were utterly destroyed. The party is just a powerhouse by this point.

 

* Basilisk ambush - this could have turned out badly. But by some miracle the basilisk wanted to melee rather than stone us - the party was too happy to get the heck out of there, heading south and away from it

 

* Greywolf - party was level 5 during this encounter - Greywolf didn't even have the tiniest chances and fell in short order.

 

* Xvart village - we stopped here to get a 2nd magical flail for Krem. We actually had a magical morning star in our possession after we had killed Kirian's party, which Krem would have been happy to use, but Vommar in his wisdom sold it.

 

* Axer noticed early in the session that wise aleck of the party had decided to sell Merrianne's letter for 1 gold - he bought it back and carried for many miles before finally when he was in Beregost to sell, Axer brought this to the attention of the others so that Krem could use the magical ring reward. Axer bashed the chest to get the magical bastard sword of the smithy as well. Silke killed, but with 3 burly fighters with plenty of HP and good Thac0 attacking her few HP, she wasn't apt to last very long. Karlat was easily defeated and Perdue's sword was returned.

 

* When returning from a Sirine area to High Hedge to sell, Grond0/Gate70 once again left Axer behind (he was working on mic issue). This resulted in two giant spides and and a ghast pursuing a lone axer. After typing "help" in the BG chat, Krem and Vommar eventually showed up - Axer's throwing axe killed the ghast, and then the danger was averted.

 

* A similar thing happened in another area - while Corey_Russell tried to fix his mic issue, Grond0/Gate70 left Axer far behind and he got attacked by 3 wolf type creatures, which did big damage thanks to his throwing axes equipped. Axer ran for his life, trying to potion as he ran. Krem and Vommar arrived to take aggro and the danger was again averted.

 

* There was about 10 minutes left in the session, and so the party decided to finally take care of the Nashkel Mines issue. Krem and Axer in particular were rapidly destroying the kobolds, including plenty of chunked ones. Axer had a slight pathing error and tripped a magic missiles trap - but he was full health that moment, so was of no real consequence.

 

* Another miscommunication happened with Mulahey. Apparently Grond0/Gate70 always rest before engaging, and of course Corey_Russell NEVER rests before fighting. So can you guess what happened? Axer thought as long as he doesn't get held, the party should win easily. So Mulahey saw him. But then Grond0 said oh don't you want to rest? (No, Axer didn't in fact lol). So Axer came back to the party but it was too late, the damage was done. Fortunately, Krem and Vommar realized too late now, we must engage and they did. Axer went to equip his throwing axes, but when he came out of inventory noticed he got hit with rigid thinking. He was afraid for his party members, but knew they could see he was confused.

 

As an added issue, Vommar got held. So the worst AC of the party had to melee the kobolds and Mulahey himself. However, Mulahey himself didn't last long and Krem did pretty well, but we think he got hit with a critical by a kobold. Rather than you know, simply glug a blue potion and finish off the kobold he moved dangerously close to Axer, who was still confused. Krem killed the kobold and had thought he was out of visual range - but was wrong! Axer locked on with his throwing axe and with great precision threw it at Krem's neck, killing him in one shot.

 

There were actually some more enemies left, but by then, both Vommar and Axer had a hold of themselves and trashed the enemies left. With their expert pack-rat skills, Vommar and Axer looted all of Grond0's equipment and any loot of any real value and fought their way to Nashkel. We didn't talk to the Mayor yet, as we didn't want Krem to fall too far behind in experience. Krem was duly raised, healed by Axer and Vommar a little bit. We then talked to the Mayor and ended our session here.

 

NOTE: A new headset was bought, so there's shouldn't be any mic issues next week.

 

Party Stats:

Axer - Level 5 Half-Orc Fighter, 61 HP, 74 kills Sirine

Krem - Level 5 Kensai, 57 HP, 85 kills, Sirine

Vommar - Level 5 Human Cavalier, 83 kills, Greater Basilisk

 

While Axer lags behind the others for now, that doesn't seem likely to hold. Now that he had good HP, reasonable armor, good damage dealing (dual-wielding axes), he decided to dual-wield for the latter half to make full use of his 19 STR. He got a large number of kills, and is likely to surpass Vommar at this rate. Vommar himself even mentioned at the end of the session, that we (Krem and Axer) were just killing machines, he barely had time to get a shot in.

[Grimwald the Wise]

I am having trouble with bugs. in my Coenwulf run.

 

Firstly I lost about 100,000 in experience.

 

That was OK as I was powerful enough to cope.

 

Then whenever entering the FAI the game crashed. That I could live with. It wasn't essential to go there.

 

Then upon entering the bandit camp, the game crashed.

 

That IS essential.   Game may well have to be abandoned.

 

Coenwulf met up with Xzar and Montaron. They gave him a healing potion and after that Montaron seemed to be finding things everywhere. Coenwulf hoped that he was finding them and not stealing them, but the number of items did make him suspicious.

 

The two of them helped him against Shoal and Droth. Xzar was right down to 1hp at one stage, but his Larloch’s Minor Drain helped it to recover somewhat.

Ajantis, a Paladin of Helm then joined the party and warned Coenwulf that his fellow NPCs were evil in nature. Coenwulf therefore asked them to leave. No doubt if he hadn’t violence would have broken out amongst them.

 

Coenwulf  hoped that they would find redemption as he had received nothing but help from them.

 

Upon arriving at Beregost, Ajantis received a great set of armour made from ankhegs shells which Coenwulf had previously given to the smith. They are now quite a tough duo though to balance the party they really need a thief/mage to join them.

 

They beat Bassilus so easily. A summoned skeleton beat him single handed.

 

The mine also was easy. Again a summoned skeleton fought Mulahey whilst Coenwulf and Ajantis dealt with the rest.

 

Smite evil dealt with Lamalha. Narcillicus was a bit harder.

 

Nimbul was easy.

 

Tried to enter the camp with some bandits. Every time it crashes.

 

Only hope is talking to Transig or with the other bandit group.

[corey_russell]

Yikes, Wise those are serious issues! I hope you can get them resolved. I'd help you if I could, but other than EE and EasyTutu, I only play vanilla game and expansions.

[Grimwald the Wise]

The other bandits couldn't help.

 

It must be a corrupted file at the bandit camp.

 

I cannot see any option but a rematch, this time with the unmodded game.

 

I had left out all the mods that are reknowned for being buggy with Dragonspear such as SCS and DSoSC and also left out others too.

 

At least I have checked out the Priest of Helm which I haven't played before.

 

I have decided that I like the mod set-up if I can annihilate the bugs.

[Gate70]

Tried to enter the camp with some bandits. Every time it crashes.

 

Only hope is talking to Transig or with the other bandit group.

 

Good luck with that... Tranzig (Beregost), Tenven (Larswood), Raiken (Peldvale) or Deke (Coast Way) are possible ways to get to the bandit camp. Although, you may be able to make your own way there by exploring nearby area exits.

 

Edit: Sorry to see the update Wise.

 

Trio Update #2 (attempt 2) - (Corey_Russell, Grond0, Gate70)

 

The theme of this session was clearly miscommunication....

As to the actual adventuring, we got just ton of stuff done this session...

* Basilisks attempted early - Grond0/Gate70 are the absolute masters of doing this area early...

* Sirine area with pirate cave - I  was surprised that Grond0 and Gate70 wanted to do this right away,...

* Another miscommunication happened with Mulahey....

As an added issue, Vommar got held...

Vommar himself even mentioned at the end of the session, that we (Krem and Axer) were just killing machines, he barely had time to get a shot in...

Corey was a lot clearer over his headset than we were used to. Having tried typing during multiplayer, this is less than ideal as switching between typing and actions can result in enough delay to get into a real mess. A decent headset/mic should help us big time as Corey was briefly far more audible than we're used to.

 

Masters of the basilisks? Sounds good, although our duo failure rate there is um best not mentioned 

Sirines = charm/domination, poison and confusion. Cavalier = only confusion. Grond0 said confusion near sirines = no danger. & so it proved.

Krem killed all Mulahey's visible kobolds before necking an axe - failure to do so would have seen the immobilised Vommar dead too. There were a few enemies left around the corner that were activated after Krem's death.

 

On reflection, this is similar to how I recall the start of multiplayer with Grond0. Two different styles (Grond0 is consistent/statistical in his approach right up to routes across a map while I vary between caution and recklessness depending on the class/kit vs opponent). It took several runs before our styles clicked and we're at the point where we know what the other is likely to do so don't talk much about it and then get caught out on the odd occasion. This, combined with multiplayer lag, leaves Corey wondering what on Earth/Toril we're doing. So, I've got a new headset too and promise (ish) to try and keep him better informed in an attempt to reduce the fatality curve.

[corey_russell]

Unfortunately, it looks like I damaged the microphone jack. So have to go to store again for USB Head Set. It will be here before next week, so you should be able to hear me clearly next time.

 

If you (Gate70) and Grond0 already have a plan for a major encounter, I need to be clued in in ADVANCE - like in Mulahey's case outside the cave. All it took was a few seconds and the plan was ruined. A simple "don't let Mulahey see you" would have been enough (well if it was said before it was too late...) After all, there was nothing wrong with me hearing you guys.

[corey_russell]

Corethief X the level 8 dwarven assassin - Update 8

Traveling with: Hanna (halfling bounty hunter), Imoen (human thief)

 

The party has made it to Chapter 5. The Cloakwood would be rough for a thieve's only party, so decided to skip most of it. We definitely wanted Drassus boots, so we engaged them. This was a bit messy. Corethief X and gang laid a few traps, staggered so they wouldn't all trigger at once. Then Corethief X launched two fireballs then some of the enemies approached, who duly tripped the first set of traps then ranged to death. That worked well. Corethief X then fired off another fireball, then the mage appeared. He fired off a spell (confusion I think) - Imoen was just out of range, and Corethief X and Hanna both made the saves. The mage did not get another chance. Imoen is so weak she has trouble carrying healing potions without being overburdened. So eventually decided Corethief X can make the most use of the haste boots. Imoen has the stealth boots to help he hiding.

 

For the Cloakwood Mines themselves, we only battle enemies that were in our way. If there was a way around them we did (such as take the ghast passageway the 2nd level). We definitely didn't want to face battle horrors, so we de-trapped the traps (with the help of potion of thievery (for the chests) and perception). Corethief X opened the fight against Daveorn by firing off arrow from stealth. Corethief X got hit with one lightng bolt during this process, but that was all. But Davaeorn just kept walking and walking and walking...Imoen and Hanna showed themselves and fired off their ranged weapons. This was mainly so they would be targeted and not Corethief X as he was the opposite side of the area hiding. Then once Davaeorn was casting at Hanna, Corethief X then opened fire with ice arrows - the party's ranged fire got it done.

 

I definitely did want to hang around Cloakwood ambushes with 3 thieves, so we always ran from those. All of this stuff gave us level 8. Doing OK for gold (about 25,000), and will head to Baldur's Gate next session.

 

Click to see images of the adventure:

Spoiler

 

 

 

Party Stats:

 

Hanna, 46 HP, 269 kills, Mustard Jelly

Corethief X, 48 HP, 385 kills, Shoal the Nereid

Imoen, 48 HP, 193 kills, Davaeorn

[Grimwald the Wise]

I think that I might have worked out the bugs.

 

The FAI used to be OK earlier in the game. Upon returning after doing the mines it was not OK. I hadn't removed Khalid and Jaheira myself.

 

In the non-EE game, that doesn't matter. The game removes them. Perhaps the EE version can't cope.

 

Also, I went to the camp without speaking to Officer Vai first. The game should be able to cope with that, but perhaps it can't. Too late now to check as the game is deleted.

 

I have decided to play a non-violent illusionist/thief in the un-modded game. The idea is that Squeamish will not kill anyone herself. I don't know how that will work in Dragonspear. I know it is possible in BG1 and not possible in BG2.

[corey_russell]

Corethief X the Dwarven Assassin - Update 9

Traveling with: Hanna (halfling bounty hunter), Imoen (human thief)

 

There were a lot of encounters in the City as well as the Crypts that just didn't make sense for a party of 3 thieves to do. While we are no where near max level (level 9), but we are high enough to get the job done. Thus both chapters 5 and chapters 6 went by very, very fast. We didn't battle the Iron Throne 5th floor guys, just snuck by them and talked to the leader of the Iron Throne. 

 

The story was similar in the Crypts - we only battled the phase spiders and the basilisks. All thieves had free action and protection from poison active - this made short work of the spiders. For the basilisks, we decided to be ultra-safe (would hate to fall so close to the finish line) and used fireballs from a distance (necklace of missiles) to take them out.

 

We were hasted and some traps for Slythe, and he got some good licks on us before he was taken out.

 

We used haste and potion of genius (because we wanted to increase our ranged attack Thac0) and acid arrows/+2 bullets for Duchal Palace - and this worked! We did have chase one who fled to the cellar.

 

We intend to sneak past everything and get to Sarevok - wish us luck!

 

Screenies of the adventure this session:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Stats:

Hanna, 50 HP, 280 kills, Greater Basilisk

Coretheif X, 55 HP, 403 kills, Shoal the Nereid

Imoen, 53 HP, 210 kills, Davaeorn

[Blackraven]

Melody, Halfling Shadowdancer (BGEE part 2)

Melody, Rasaad and Kivan's first quest together was to accompany Minsc, a Ranger from Rashemen, and rescue his 'witch', as he called her, who had been taken by gnolls to a fortress west of Nashkel. Just like Kivan, Minsc was a good marksman. Both rangers inflicted more damage with their longbows than Melody did with her shortbow. The party's firepower meant that a hostile encounter with a dual-wielding warrioress Melody would normally have avoided, ended with the woman dead on the ground and Melody taking the victim's armor for herself. Other victims they made on the way were a gnoll and two knuckleheads who couldn't be talked out of leaving a dryad's tree alone.

The party reached the gnoll fortress in good order. A narrow bridge leading to it was guarded by two aggressive ogrillons, slow and clumsy creatures but stalwart and hard-hitting. There was little room to maneuver on the bridge, but with no one to engage the monsters in close quarters, the companions had no choice but to dodge and run around a lot in order to keep their foes at a distance. As she rushed past one of the ogrillons, ducking to escape an incoming blow, she suddenly sensed the pull of the shadows the ogrillons and the pickets cast on the bridge. She knew she would be safe in the repose of the Shadow Plane. The colors, the sounds, the shapes, everything would be subdued by the ever lulling blankets of grey that had long ceased to be weird to her. Her excitement would make room for peace of mind. Her consciousness would still be on that bridge, but her body would not. Her longing for sanctuary was intense, but succumbing now would mean her companions, people she dared not yet trust, would discover her.
She did not give in, and that would prove to be the right decision. Evasion, pace, feints, and deadly arrows saw the companions prevail.

Spoiler

One of the ogrillons dropped gauntlets of dexterity. Melody gave them to Rasaad, of the four companions the one who would benefit the most from increased agility.
The rescue operation was carried out by Melody alone after she insisted she was the superior spy, a view that Kivan challenged. (Like the others, the Elf had no idea what Melody was capable of.) Cloaked in shadows and away from the others the Halfling felt free. It was a great sensation to be able to accede the shadow realm again without having to worry about being found out. She explored the environs of the fortress, and found three caves inhabited by xvarts. Melody absconded with the contents of a treasure chest from one of the caves.
The gnoll stronghold itself was heavily guarded. Melody counted at least 30 gnolls, too many for the four of them to even consider fighting. She made sure to stay hidden and encountered the witch, a mage named Dynaheir, in a pit. The two had a very quiet conversation so as not to disturb the guards. Dynaheir explained that she was adept at evocation magic, especially fire magic. This was not what Melody had hoped for, a couple of fire spells wasn't going to do much against the gnoll army they had to get away from. Reluctantly the Halfling handed the mage the party's only potion of invisibility and asked her to quaff it. Dynaheir looked at the flight of steps that led to the surface and then back at where Melody had been standing. The Halfling had disappeared though, one with the shadows again. Dynaheir drank the potion, and together they skulked away from the gnolls.

Spoiler

Ignoring gnoll and ogre ambushes, the company made their way back to Nashkel, the place where they had first met Minsc.

Minsc had proven himself as a marksman, but Melody had serious doubts about Dynaheir's possible role in the party. They could sure use some arcane magic, but the Halfling questioned the woman's focus on fire and evocation magic. When the party met another arcane caster, a Gnome named Quayle, who was more than eager to join the party, Melody decided there was no room for Minsc and Dynaheir. They parted on good terms though, and agreed to meet again later at the FAI. Melody also advised Dynaheir to study different schools of magic.
Quayle was an Illusionist and a Cleric of Baravar Cloakshadow. His arcane spellbook contained illusion spells like Mirror Image and Wraith Form, which were more to Melody's liking than Dynaheir's evocations. 

South of Nashkel the party, including Quayle, fought a hunter of bounties named Greywolf for two emeralds that the sculptor Prism had stolen. Greywolf had no range weapon so he was never a threat.
Just north of Nashkel, the party met Shar-Teel, an imposing female warrior who challenged any male champion of the party for a duel. The stakes were a monetary reward for the female if she were to prevail, or her service in the party if she were to lose the duel. Rasaad stepped forward and offered that they fight without weapons or amor, but Shar-Teel countered that there were no rules in love and war, and this was going to be war. Kivan then surprised Shar-Teel as well as everyone else with two well-placed, non-lethal arrows, basically tricking her into serving the party. Melody never expected such a move from the principled Elf (he followed a Ranger's code after all). But she was pleased, both with Kivan's ruthlessness which she considered vital for survival on the Sword Coast, and with the recruitment of Shar-Teel, a seemingly powerful Berserker warrioress who, she expected, wouldn't shun the frontline.
The party of five's first destinations were Beregost and the High Hedge, where Melody wanted to buy Quayle a number of spell scrolls that would serve the party. Unfortunately the Gnome did not survive an ambush by Kobold Commandos,

Spoiler

but Melody went to see Thalantyr anyway. She negotiated a discount using an enchanting cloak she had purloined from an unsuspecting merchant in Beregost, and bought about twelve scrolls. The cloak was also used to buy Shar-Teel a suit of full plate mail at the Thunderhammer Smithy.
Quayle was raised at the temple of Garl Glittergold, and he copied all the scrolls into his book with intelligence boosting potions. He paid the party back by helping them against the Necromancer that Melody had seen many days before. The Necromancer's Magic Missiles were useless against Quayle's Shield, and a Silence by the Gnome ensured that the evil wizard would cast no more spells.

Spoiler

A bounty notice on his corpse corroborated that the wizard had indeed wanted her hide.

In the inn Melody finally met Gorion's friends Khalid and Jaheira. They seemed friendly enough, but Melody felt she didn't need them looking after her, not anymore. She had explored much of the Sword Coast on her own, and she had also managed to form her own party. It was therefore agreed that they might meet in Nashkel where Khalid and Jaheira had business with mayor Berrun Ghastkill.

Near Beregost the companions had an encounter with a Drow cleric of Shar. She begged them for help against a Flaming Fist officer who was out to kill her. Melody was very interested in speaking with the priestess, for Shar was a godess of darkness. The priestess might be able to teach her things about the dark and the Plane of Shadow that she didn't know. Melody had always studied the art of Shadowdancing on her own; she had never received any instruction. Alas, and much to Melody's chagrin, the mercenary, aided by hobgoblin archers and swordsmen and even ghouls and gibberlings (a questionable pact for one of the Fist), slew the priestess before there was time for Melody to get to know her.

Spoiler

Melody punished the mercenary with a fatal backstab, but that did little for the Halfling's mood.

[corey_russell]

Corethief X the dwarven assassin - FINAL BG 1 Update!

Traveling with: Hanna (halfling bounty hunter), Imoen (human thief)

 

Corethief X's stealth broke at a very, very bad time in the maze - however this is why he had the invis potions and so he used one to get away.

 

I am pleased to report Corethief X has defeated his half-brother Sarevok! It was a hard struggle and long fight - so much happened it's hard to keep everything straight. I do have screenshots, but here are the highlights of the fight:

 

* Though we did lay 6 traps, they appeared completely ineffective (they killed nobody)

* Suprisingly, Imoen and Hanna were able to kill Tazok and Angelo with melee. Corethief X had led Sarevok away and had used his last invisibility potion and got badly hurt - he was healing the entire time Imoen and Hanna were fighting

* With ranged fire, Imoen and Hanna were able to take out Semaj as well

* I was thinking with three thieves, we should be able to beat Sarevok easily. But that was not to be. What made the battle much, much harder is Corethief X accidentally tripped a Battle Horror trap, and Imoen died to traps.

* For a long time Corethief X and Hanna would range attack, and eventually got Sarevok to  near death.

* However, though at near death, Sarevok refused to die to ranged fire. Corethief had had enough - he ordered Hanna to hold her position, while Corethief hid behind a pillar. Sarevok of course was swinging his sword at Hanna. Corethief X comes back with a massive backstab, slaying his half-brother and avenging Gorion!

 

See screenies of this long, long, fight:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end of Sarevok:

 

In Amn Hanna and Corethief will duo, except they will trio if Imoen is available during the adventure.

[Grond0]

Nice work Corey - keep up the backstabbing in Amn .

[Grond0]

Phantasmic 6 {54} - monks party (update 1)

 

I couldn't resist starting the monks up in between trying to make progress on SoD.  They have made considerable progress and have just achieved level 6.  Gameplay has been generally a bit more scrappy than the last couple of runs, although no-one has actually been close to death yet.  The most worrying moment so far was when trying to clear a plague of gibberlings.  The other monks stayed in a corner of the map while Spectre went looking for some gibberlings to lead back to them.  However, just as she found one batch a large number of others teleported on top of the other monks.  That led to a rare use of the wand of sleep and a couple of nervous moments before the danger of being in melee range was ended.

Spoiler

 

The general slight gaps in concentration have also been evident in several mistakes so far:

- mis-clicking on the conversation with Prism and missing the opportunity to get Greywolf's sword.

- mistaking Perdue for Karlat and killing him.

Spoiler

- forgetting to take Samuel back to the FAI before he was dead.

I've tightened up on things more recently though and despite the loss of reputation from those mistakes the party has still been able to push that up to 20 before going to the Nashkel mine (Melicamp successfully being revived helping with that).  They've just made some purchases at Ulgoth's Beard to take advantage of the cheap prices.  The Wand of the Heavens should see some use at Durlag's Tower next, but I'll keep things fresh by having another go with my SoD fighter/illusionist first.

 

Stats

Chimera - L6, 40 HPs, 138 kills

Spectre - L6, 47 HPs, 208 kills, 0 deaths

Phantom - L6, 40 HPs, 106 kills, 0 deaths

Wraith - L6, 39 HPs, 127 kills, 0 deaths

Spook - L6, 47 HPs, 123 kills, 0 deaths

Spirit - L6, 40 HPs, 151 kills, 0 deaths

The first level-up produced appalling HPs and I thought perhaps I was due for a bad run this time after recent good luck.  However, rolls since then have been decent and the party are back to only just below average now.

[Blackraven]

Bah internet and malware problems. 
Congrats Corey (hopefully my Thief will join yours), glad that technical difficulties had no cosequences for the Trio, sorry Wise (I would use no mods in BGEE+SoD), good luck Grond0!

 

Melody, Halfling Shadowdancer (BGEE part 3)

Kivan led a successful campaign against the basilisks east of Beregost that Melody had been warned of before. With the help of a Dire Charmed ghoul he also dispatched a Gnome that had somehow dominated the giant lizards. In the same area the company had a conflict with an adventuring party of four, led by one Kirian. Melody and Rasaad took charge of the party's tactics.
Rasaad had become Melody's closest ally. He had been the first to join her, he had opened up to her about his past, telling Melody about his service for the Sun Soul order and about the loss of his brother, and most importantly, she felt a stronger spiritual connection to the Monk than to anyone else she had met. They were different from one another and yet very alike. Melody and Rasaad got their powers not so much from external sources like a weapon they mastered, the study of arcane books and scrolls, or divine favors, but rather from within. Rasaad followed Selune and was a champion of her cause, but she did not grant him his powers. Rasaad's and Melody's powers were always there, inside them, waiting to be acceded, expanded and channeled through meditation and mindfulness. Also, their powers weren't all that different. Melody and Rasaad were no destructive forces, at least not at this point. Instead, at their best they were masters of evasion in both body and mind: dexterous, stealthy, acute, and imperturbable. Another similitude between the two was their draw to the duality of light and darkness. Rasaad was a disciple of light, and Melody a child of darkness and shadows, but they were well aware that the one is nothing without the other. What would Rasaad's principles mean and who would he be if there were no darkness? And Melody, she considered herself a being of the Shadow Plane as much as the Prime Material Plane, would she have understood herself if the Prime Material Plane had no light to cast shadows? Shadows that were the gates to her second home? She wasn't sure but she expected the Prime Material Plane and the Shadow Plane would be one and the same if there were no light on the former. Either way she much preferred being able to walk both planes.
Melody's and Rasaad's tactics consisted in dividing the enemy with fake attacks and diversions, so that they wouldn't have to fight their four foes at the same time. And they also bought time for Quayle to summon a Skeleton. The Skeleton occupied their leader, a female battlemage; the others attacked with their ranged weapons. Melody found herself forced to quaff a potion of clarity to counter a Charm Person, and Shar-Teel enraged for the same reason, before the companions slew her.

Spoiler

A priest, whose divine buffs they first waited out, suffered the same fate after he Held Rasaad but got Held in turn by Quayle.

Spoiler

Finally they slew a swordsman clad in plate mail but left the fourth ruffian, an archer, alone.

A visit to Ulgoth's Beard saw the party empowered with a greenstone amulet and a cloak of displacement, and Quayle killed in another ambush.

Spoiler

(Notice that even with Ghost Armor, the bandits still requiered less than a critical to hit Quayle.)

The companions got Quayle raised and decided they would investigate the Nashkel Mines. They were briefly delayed on the way there by bandits, but with the help of an Orcish Blackguard named Dorn Il-Khan, they prevailed, despite lightning and several dangerous hobgoblin archers.

Spoiler

Dorn wished to join Melody's troupe, but the Halfling wouldn't have it. He refused to answer her questions about the source of his powers, and she didn't trust him because of it. What if his fiendish master instructed him to turn against her?

Once they were in the mine it became clear to them that Kobolds had taken control of business. They had slain some of the miners, and corrupted the ore. Melody and company stalked through the corridors, hidden from the kobolds. The Halfling kept to the shadows; her companions had been made invisible by Quayle. All the while she was ill at ease. She sensed there was evil magic at work in the mine, not from the Kobolds, but from someone grander, probably their master. At one point she failed to remain in the shadows, appearing suddenly in front of a number of Kobolds. She felt that the evil force that pervaded the place was stronger than her, so strong that it could make the shadows, her shadows, reject her. She suffered a blow from one of the Kobolds before she could even equip her own blade.

Spoiler

The sting of the kobold's blade in a way woke her up. She shook off her feelings of despondency, and focused on the here and now. She then Stepped into the Shadow Plane, removed herself from the kobolds and from her companions, and made sure she remained hidden when she returned. To avoid suspicions, she would later tell her companions that an invisibility potion had made her disappear. This experience should have served as a warning for Melody, but the Halfling and her troupe soldiered on. 

They found the master in a small den, a Half-Orc priest of Cyric surrounded by some of his kobold subordinates. The companions hadn't really conceived a dependable plan to force the priest and his entourage into submission when Kivan stupidly attacked. He was Dominated by the Half-Orc and slain by the kobolds. The priest also managed to dispel the others' invisibility, prompting them to retreat, which did not pan out well for Quayle. He was felled by kobold commando arrows on the way out.

Spoiler

Reduced to just Melody, Rasaad and Shar-Teel, the three swiftly made their way back to the surface through a long corridor. 
Kivan later did not mention the evil magic Melody had sensed, which led her to believe it had not affected him as it had her. Instead he explained that his rage and his impulsive behavior were caused by the presence of a tortured Elven prisoner in the priest's den. It reminded him of a very similar situation that he had been in as a prisoner. Melody, while sympathetic to her friend's plight, was most displeased with Kivan's lack of professionalism. It had got the entire party into trouble, and it had led to both his own death and Quayle's. Also, there were better things to spend their gold on than temple services like the suit of Shadow Armor that she had long wanted to buy at the Thunderhammer Smithy.

Low on gold and sobered by their experience in the Nashkel Mines, the company went exploring more of the wilds, a pursuit they had had more success with. On the coast Kivan kind of redeemed himself by slaying many sirines, although they got him once as well. Shar-Teel enraged and took over at that point, paving the way for Melody to a treasure cave that she gladly looted in the face of a flesh golem. Further north Shar-Teel felled two more sirines, and Melody a large number of Ogres, but the party's most interesting encounter was with Shoal the Nereid. She gave Rasaad an unsollicited kiss of death,

Spoiler

but restored both him and Kivan to life when the others, including a skeleton warrior summoned by Quayle, attacked her. An Ogre Mage that had supposedly cast some sort of Domination spell on the nereid teleported in to intervene. A chaotic battle ensued in which a skeletal summon and Rasaad distracted a number of ghouls that somehow chose to fight alongside the ogre mage, Shar-Teel enraged to neutralize an enchantment spell the ogre cast at her, and Quayle Blinded the enemy. Melody, Kivan, and Shar-Teel could then finish the ogre without difficulty.

Spoiler

[Grimwald the Wise]

It's amazing the differing reactions that Squeamish has had to her petty larceny. One fined her 1 gold piece, another whipped her before having his evil way with her, and two tried to catch her.

 

I have just discovered that in my current set-up the watchers are definitely of more use than a bundle of sticks. Shank, when being pick-pocketted turned hostile

 

He had been given Shadow armour, plus a +1 sword and a +1 dagger with minor enhancements.

 

He followed Squeamish, my mage/thief outside, only to find that she had already hidden.

 

The watcher turned up and killed Shank thus providing my character with decent equipment.

 

When I made the modifications I had no intention of this happening.

 

IMO this is exactly how the watchers should behave.

 

Kudos to whoever made this change.

 

Carbos didn't follow Squeamish outside, so he lived to tell the tale since Squeamish couldn't bring herself to kill anyone herself.

 

Mendas was charmed to kill the rats. The spell expired before all the rats did with the result that Mendas struck Squeamish before she could run. Down to 1 hp. Mendas didn't follow her outside either. She therefore got healed when in the training room with Obe.

 

One thing is confusing me. The data is saying that I killed a rat thus nullifying my attempt not to kill. Squeamish was using fists. Don't know how she managed to perform such a heinous act.

 

PS Stats Halfling Female Mage/thief Str 17, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 3. Would you believe that that was the first roll!

 

Have decided to cary on attempting not to kill. I was wondering whether to start again, but would rather play a blind game. i.e. Not knowing what is coming next.

[Grond0]

Phantasmic 6 {54} - monks party (update 2)

 

I tried a couple more attempts with the fighter/illusionist, but with hopeless results - I therefore concluded perhaps the game was telling me I should be pushing on with the monks instead .

 

At Durlag's Tower the monks used the wand of the heavens on the battle horrors before killing lots of ghasts inside.  As usual Kirinhale and the ghost were left for now, but Riggilo was attacked - he got just a single, low-damage backstab in before being stunned.

Spoiler

 

Looking to finish off various areas the monks managed to stun Silke.  Bassilus was protected against stun, but was still beaten to death without being able to finish a spell.

Spoiler

The 3 groups of sirines were all completed without trouble.  There was though a spot of carelessness doing the valley of the tombs that resulted in the monks' first brush with death.  They had surrounded an ankheg under stealth with a view to attacking it after one of their number attracted its attention before running away out of range.  A mis-click meant Spirit was just too slow to get out of range though and the ankheg got an attack in before it was stunned.  While she was running my heart was in my mouth as I saw the ankheg had got a critical - luckily it wasn't a high-scoring one though and Spirit just survived.

Spoiler

 

After resting at the Carnival to heal up (with no source of healing at that point and having been taking a bit more damage than in recent runs they passed day 300 on their travels!) they took a quick return trip to the basilisk area.  Kirian was paralysed by Korax, while the others were all quickly stunned and dispatched.  

Spoiler

The loot from that included a pair of long swords to ensure everyone had a weapon that could hit mustard jellies and they were soon put to good use back at the Valley of the Tombs.  Cleaning up the rest of that area then got everyone to level 7 - gaining lay on hands, so that they won't need multiple rests in future.

 

That completed their intended work in the south for now and they will be off to the Nashkel mine next.  Last run they had needed to do the ankhegs as well to get to level 7, but I think the greater number of rests this run (resulting in more interruptions by monsters) means they've gained XP slightly faster.

 

Stats

Chimera - L7, 49 HPs, 181 kills

Spectre - L7, 52 HPs, 334 kills, 0 deaths

Phantom - L7, 47 HPs, 156 kills, 0 deaths

Wraith - L7, 43 HPs, 195 kills, 0 deaths

Spook - L7, 54 HPs, 178 kills, 0 deaths

Spirit - L7, 47 HPs, 196 kills, 0 deaths

[Grond0]

Phantasmic 6 {54} - monks party (update 3)

 

The monks made their way through the Nashkel mine without mishaps.  Mulahey resisted stunning, but died quickly anyway and his summoned supporters didn't last long.

Spoiler

 

After Nimbul and Tranzig died to sneak attacks the monks explored Larswood and Peldvale before accepting a lift from Teven to the Bandit Camp.  As usual they tried to surround Tazok when he attempted to run away and his oil of speed enhanced dodging proved not quite good enough.  

Spoiler

They then all used shield and fireballs for the first time in a running fight with the rest of the camp.  There are so many arrows flying around that this is always a bit of a nervy combat, but everyone survived once more.

Spoiler

The game then crashed while the monks were looting the Camp, but fortunately I had saved it this time so not too much time was lost.

 

After eventually looting the Camp the monks rested for Chimera to get slow poison before killing a couple of innocents to set up the acquisition of horror next.  Moving into the Cloakwood they progressed smoothly to the 3rd area.  They had a problem there when popping in and out of Amarande's house - resulting in the archdruid duplicating himself twice.  One of those was killed, but I didn't fancy risking chaos being cast simultaneously by the other 2 and left them for now.

 

The next hiccup was at the Cloakwood mine when an assault on the mages failed to kill either of them and the monks had to hastily run away.  They had several more area transitions (beating up a number of wyverns during ambushes) before managing to get Drasus on his own to shoot up.  A second assault on the mages was then more successful - Rezdan being stunned and Kysus killed before he could cast any attacking spells.

Spoiler

 

After returning briefly to High Hedge to get a nice price for the dozen wyvern heads collected, the monks pushed on into the mine.  They were fairly careful going down that - the nearest anyone got to dying was Spook who tripped the lightning trap near Hareishan and was hit several times by nasty bounces (the boots of grounding saving him).  After clearing everything and triggering the traps near Davaeorn they rested before activating the mage.  Area transitions and stealth allowed them to get the drop on Davaeorn.  His buffs prevented stunning, but he eventually followed them back upstairs with stoneskins already low - resulting in 2 failed attempts to cast before he died.

Spoiler

 

They flooded the mine and dodged the slave outside before resting to get horror.  They've just arrived at Baldur's Gate.

 

Stats

Chimera - L7, 49 HPs, 286 kills

Spectre - L7, 52 HPs, 539 kills, 0 deaths

Phantom - L7, 47 HPs, 258 kills, 0 deaths

Wraith - L7, 43 HPs, 317 kills, 0 deaths

Spook - L7, 54 HPs, 269 kills, 0 deaths

Spirit - L7, 47 HPs, 295 kills, 0 deaths

[Grimwald the Wise]

Grond0. Is the price you get for the wyverns higher at High Hedge than from Officer Vai?

 

With Officer Vai you get 1000gp for the first batch, 500gp subsequent batches, which I presume that you already knew.

[Grond0]

Grond0. Is the price you get for the wyverns higher at High Hedge than from Officer Vai?

 

With Officer Vai you get 1000gp for the first batch, 500gp subsequent batches, which I presume that you already knew.

Regrettably Officer Vai no longer buys anything except scalps in my installation.  For the valuable heads it's therefore worth while saving them up and selling them together for the maximum 500gp each.

[Grond0]

Phantasmic 6 {54} - monks party (update 4)

 

The monks donated some funds to the temple before doing a number of reputation quests to boost that back up to 20 - everyone then bought a wand of the heavens.  I also bought all desired equipment from Black Lily, so it was no loss when the thieves once again went hostile after returning the skyship components.

 

They worked through all encounters in the City, getting up to level 8 with the death of Jardak.

Spoiler

At that point they had already done everything else in the eastern and central areas of the City and the extra level gave them the confidence to take on the Helm & Cloak - that actually proved easy though after Gretek was drawn away and the thief and mage both stunned in an initial attack.

Spoiler

 

There was a certain amount of wand use against Degrodel's guards, but the only massed attack to date with those was to ensure that Sunin had no chance to buff.  

Spoiler

 

The one problem encountered was when they had a stealth failure while stealing a telescope - that cost a couple of points of reputation from talkative guards before Spectre could get close enough to the exit for everyone to leave.

Spoiler

 

With everything else available for the moment done, the monks moved on to the Iron Throne.  As usual they started with a round of fireballs - they killed both Shennaras and made finishing off the others easy enough.

Spoiler

 

They've reported back to Duke Eltan, but won't go to Candlekeep before they've finished off the remaining wilderness areas.

 

Stats

Chimera - L8, 57 HPs, 314 kills

Spectre - L8, 60 HPs, 597 kills, 0 deaths

Phantom - L8, 53 HPs, 293 kills, 0 deaths

Wraith - L8, 47 HPs, 365 kills, 0 deaths

Spook - L8, 59 HPs, 312 kills, 0 deaths

Spirit - L8, 51 HPs, 328 kills, 0 deaths

[Jianson]

everyone then bought a wand of the heavens.  

 

 

Where did you find that many for sale? I only know of two stores that sell one each.

 

Also, I didn't know that monks can use them. Nice! Can they use priest scrolls as well?

[corey_russell]

Where did you find that many for sale? I only know of two stores that sell one each.

 

Also, I didn't know that monks can use them. Nice! Can they use priest scrolls as well?

In vanilla, Sorcerous Sundries has a whole bunch of wand of heavens, maybe even unlimited, I am not entirely sure - I've never been able to buy all of his WoH.

[Grond0]

Where did you find that many for sale? I only know of two stores that sell one each.

 

Also, I didn't know that monks can use them. Nice! Can they use priest scrolls as well?

Sorcerous Sundries sells unlimited quantities of all types of wands in my installation.  Monks can use priest scrolls in my installation, but not fear wands (though they could in vanilla).

[corey_russell]

Sorcerous Sundries sells unlimited quantities of all types of wands in my installation.  Monks can use priest scrolls in my installation, but not fear wands (though they could in vanilla).

Actually, in true vanilla (e.g., without fixpack), Monks can use any wand at all, even arcane ones like wand of fire and monster summoning wands. If I ever play a monk again (which is doubtful, since I have a trilogy success with Coremonk III), I would use wands only available to clerics, per PnP, regardless of what my install actually allows.