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[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Baldur's Gate (BG)
 
General: We finally made it to East Baldur's Gate (E BG) and down into the sewers. Before long we found ourselves battling Carrion Crawlers. We'd kill one or two and another would appear. After about four of them we came across an Ogre Mage and the mystery of the disappearing persons was solved. We took him down with ease and discovered the bodies of the victims he'd been having his 'Crawlers' drag into the sewers.  We reported to Scar and then returned to recover the body of a Noblewoman at his request. 
 
Scar then asked us to look into the Iron Throne. Easier said than done! 
 
Key Event: ‘The Iron Throne’ almost became ‘The Iron Tomb’ - for my party. We nosed around trying to look like we were on business but guards and other inquisitive folks approaching us. We ended up being accosted by about six, seven guards on the third floor but they were little challenge. It wasn't until we spoke to the Bartender on the fourth floor that the wheels started coming off. He sounded an alarm and rather than departing (after the battle a floor down) we decided to head for the top.
 
There we were immediately accosted by a number of Iron Throne 'enforcers.' We knew it was going to be ugly and we tried our best to prepare but it turned into a long, perilous ordeal.
 
I initially I might use a retrograde action back down the stairs to buy space and time to set-up and spread out. I wish I had.
 
Armed with my Morning Star +1, I quaffed a Potion of Magic Blocking, Minsc of Heroism. Before it was over, I added a Potions of Storm Giant Strength and Heroism.  Dynahier 'Hasted' us from the outset while Jaheira 'Blessed' us. Khalid and Imoen started firing their bows.
 
It wasn't long before some kind of spell had incapacitated everyone but Khalid and I. Soon thereafter, Khalid and I were the only ones alive against five, six of them - two of them still hurling spells. I was in a slugfest with an enemy behind the stairs while Khalid was at the top of the staircase. Before long, Khalid fell also. I was it! My party, decimated, was lying all around me.
 
I had five Elixirs of Health and was still under the affects of Magic Blocking, Storm Giant Strength and Heroism. I had three enemies on me and spellcasters across the room.  I finally killed an exposed Doppleganger and decided to get some breathing room as I was afraid, very afraid, of getting pinned behind the staircase. I made a move and got around them and down the stairs but they were close so I continued down to the third floor. I knew I had one of them on the ropes so I tried to take him out there and did.  Then I headed across the room, down a level, then another, to the first floor. I was alone but there was no way I could leave my party behind.  By now I had, maybe three of the Elixirs of Health left. I think I quaffed one of them and used a Cure Light Wounds on myself. Somewhere I'd already 'Laid Hands' on myself.
 
I headed back up and found three of them waiting on the third floor. Somewhat healed I took to trying desperately to knock one more out of this world. I moved into the back of the staircase against the wall so I could channel one at a time toward me - therefore making it one on one. That didn't work as the other two pounded away at me from the stairs but...I did kill another of them.
 
Once again I used the opportunity to gain separation and get down the second floor. Then I cast Cure Light Wounds on myself again and probably quaffed another Elixir. Exhausted but with no choice I went back up to make contact again. 
 
I found 'em quickly and positioned myself to turn and fight. I finally took the two of them out.  WHEW!
 
I made my way back to the sixth and found the remains of my party. Suddenly while figuring out what to do, it dawned on me that as a Cavalier I can cast 'Raise Dead' from a scroll. Jaheira had three of them. I chose to raise Imoen, Khalid and Jaheira because they were the closest to me either through life or through Gorion. Then we gathered up everything all of us[/i] owned and everything Minsc and Dynahier had had.
 
Then we headed down so we could get to a temple only to find out I’d lost count – there were still two of them alive.
 
The fight was on again - except this time three of the four of us were critically injured, just raised from the dead. A mosquito bite would kill them so I tried to move them to ranged weapons distance but Jaheira tried to throw a spell and was hit. Twice in one day she was taken from me - us.
 
With much difficulty, parrying and repositioning, FINALLY we finished the last of them. 
 
Once again, we grabbed everything we [/i]had brought with us, discarding things of little value. We took all the treasure we’d gained and hid it in the bookcases near the lounge so we could return for it after we’d raised and healed our comrade…and ourselves. 
 
After we'd done so, we returned to talk with Duke Elton directly because we could not find Scar (see notes). After hearing everything and looking over the letters we found at the iron Throne he directed us to Candlekeep to find Reilter.  So we packed up and headed home.
 
Treasure of Note: Halberd +2; Mace +1; Plate Mail Armor; Potions of Storm and Stone Giant Strength, Genius, Perception, Oil of Fiery Burning, etc; Scrolls of Confusion, Protection from Undead, Dispel Magic, Stinking Cloud, Flame Arrow, Lightning Bolt, Hold, etc.
 
Leader Notes:  Where to begin? Remember when I mentioned that, “I initially thought of a retrograde action back down the stairs to buy space and time?”  That was the right answer.
 
Current Disposition:  Resting at the Candlekeep Inn. 
 
Next Steps: Find Reilter and the leaders of the Iron Throne. 
 
Notes: Somehow Scar has disappeared. I am thinking something has gone wrong somewhere. Before we’d left to go to the Iron Throne a Flaming Fist member told us Scar needed to talk to us but when he returned he was neither inside nor out. We even rested to see if something would change (reset) but Scar appears to be gone from game play.

Also, at first I felt guilty about moving about so easily in Full Plate Mail, especially with some of them wearing leather armor.  Then it dawned on me that I fought that entire battle under the affects of a Potion of Storm Giant Strenth.  Now I feel better.
 
Promotions:   None
 
Current Party:  (Reputation: 20 - Heroic)
 
Stanley; 6th Lvl Cavalier; LS**/SSS**/Mace**; Full Plate; RoP+1; Helm (Ch Prot), M. Star +1
Minsc; 6th Lvl Barbarian; 2HS***/2HWS**/Flail; Splint Mail; Spiders Bane
Khalid; 7th Lvl Bounty Hunter; BS/LB/SWS; Studded Leather +1; LB of Mkp; BSwd +1/+3 (ShS)
Imoen; 7th Lvl Swashbuckler; SB/SS; Leather Armor +1; SSwd+1
Jahiera; 7th Lvl Druid; Cl/Sl/Sc; Leather Armor +1; RoH/Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)
Dynahier; 6th Lvl Invoker; Slg; Travelers Robe; QS+1/RoE
 
Reloads:  5
 
 
 
 
 
 

[corey_russell]

It's part of the story, CKT. You will find out about Scar when you return to Baldur's Gate from Candlekeep. There isn't anything wrong that you had to talk to Duke Eltan.

Interesting battle with the Iron Throne 5th floor baddies you had there. Personally, my favorite tactic against them is use a single protection from magic scroll on a a bowman who is equipped with arrows of detonation. Then that bowman goes upstairs by himself and lays waste to Naaman and buddies. : )

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

@c_r: Thanks for the tip. I've played thru before and I thought that might be the case but I appreciate your knowledge on these kinds of things.

Here's a question I was going to put on the General Discussion forum but to which you probably know the answer. I intend to dual Imoen to Mage before she graduates to 8th level. That way she will line up with the levels she begins BGII with. Does the "Dual class" option appear when you go to "Level Up"? I am going to do so once we complete the Candlekeep Catacombs (we're actually there now, my journal is a bit behind) or she levels up to 8th, whichecver occurs first.

Here's another question that's rolling around in my head. I want ALL of my NPCs (Jaheira, Minsc, Imoen) and my PC to begin BGII exactly how they end BGI, levels, spells, abilities etc. I know how to move my PC over but there will be discrepancies with the NPCs - is Shadowkeeper the best tool to use to do these things? Or, if not, what would you suggest?

CKT

[corey_russell]

Charlestonian Knight Templar wrote...

Here's a question I was going to put on the General Discussion forum but to which you probably know the answer. I intend to dual Imoen to Mage before she graduates to 8th level. That way she will line up with the levels she begins BGII with. Does the "Dual class" option appear when you go to "Level Up"? I am going to do so once we complete the Candlekeep Catacombs (we're actually there now, my journal is a bit behind) or she levels up to 8th, whichecver occurs first.

Here's another question that's rolling around in my head. I want ALL of my NPCs (Jaheira, Minsc, Imoen) and my PC to begin BGII exactly how they end BGI, levels, spells, abilities etc. I know how to move my PC over but there will be discrepancies with the NPCs - is Shadowkeeper the best tool to use to do these things? Or, if not, what would you suggest?

CKT

The "Dual class" option will show on the character sheet page if it's possible for the character. Are you playing with the experience cap? Because if you are, I don't see much point in dualing at 8th level as you will never regain your old abilities back before the end of the game. Experience cap is 161,000. 8th level rogue would be 70,000 experience, and to get your abilities back you need to be 9th level mage which is 135000 experience. Total would be 70000 plus 135000 = 205000 experience. This is way beyond the cap. But if you dual her at 7th level that would be 42500 experience, and to get 8th level mage would be 90000 experience. This would be possible, but you would definitely have to do the ToTSC areas to get this much. This is one reason that if I am going to dual Iomen, I do it at 6th level at the latest, but that's just my preference.

Yes, shadowkeeper is what you have to use to do that what you saying about keeping their abilities the same. It should be noted, however, that the DEX for Minsc and Jaheira are both improved in BG 2 compared to their BG 1 stats. 

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

@ c_r. Thanks, I'll adjust Imoen, MInsc and Jaheira a little bit thru Level 1 NPCs (DEX) to line up with their BGII stats. There's also a 'consistent stats' option somewhere - maybe in BGII Tweaks that I'll use. I'm gonna try and use the G3 'what mod to do first' list to make sure I do things in the right order.

I'll be checking everything out before I started modding BGII SoA/ToB to try and get it a sclose to 'right' as possible.

In the end if it doesn't line up right I'll just chalk it up to the capture and imprisonment by Irenicus.

CKT

[BelgarathMTH]

@CKT, wow, what an exciting battle story! It's like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie or a Star Wars movie or something like that. I can just hear the John Williams music in my head as I read your account.

The Iron Throne’ almost became ‘The Iron Tomb’ - for my party.

Another great one-liner!

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 20 juillet 2011 - 06:32 .

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Candlekeep Revisited


General: We've come full circle and ended up back home. We were exhausted when we arrived and just didn’t feel like doing much but resting.  That first evening we didn’t see anyone much other than the guard at the front gate, one of the Priests of Oghma (to stock up on Potions of Healing and anything else we might decide we need), Winthrop and Reevor.
 
The next morning, rested, we got up and made our way to the Library. Speaking to old acquaintances made it clear I was not back to the same place I’d left. There is heaviness in the air, a sense of unease. Events afterward just served to magnify the sense that’s something is very wrong here.
 
We talked with a monk, Shistal, who was obviously out of place. When I pressed him he revealed himself as a Doppleganger and we killed him right in the Library.
 
Then we met a man, Koveras, who knew way too much about me and the night Gorion was killed. He offered me a ring that he said I should have but my mistrust drove him away angry. There was something about him, but what?
 
Key Event: We moved on and found Reilter and decided that he was right about one thing. It would not have been a good thing to battle him in the hallowed halls of Candlekeep. I already felt ‘dirty’ for killing that Doppleganger and in that I had no choice. So we left him to his ‘meeting’ but hung close just itching for him to make a wrong movement, hiccup, burp, anything that would give us reason to take him out of this world in a hurry. 
 
We went upstairs and found that we were expected and I was told that I could use Gorion’s old room. Unfortunately, we were ‘snooping’ around for anything incriminating Reilter and Imoen was ‘unlucky in her unlocking’ and we upset one of the watchers. He even tried to attack us. 
 
I decided to take the party back over to the Candlekeep to give it some time but as we arrived we were arrested anyway…for the murder of Reilter! Go figure. I let the guy go and we get arrested for it anyway.  Now I REALLY wish we’d just ended his life there!    
 
Treasure of Note: None
 
Leader Notes: None
 
Current Disposition:  Sitting in a cell at Candlekeep wondering what happens next.    
 
Next Steps: Free ourselves – but how? 
 
Game Notes/Questions: I decided NOT to kill Reilter and his comrades this time and I messed up. Ended up accused of murder anyway but didn’t get move their ‘treasure/experience points’ from their column to ours. I thought it might turn out differently if we chose not to fight him as I have every other time.  Oops.   
 
Promotions:   None
 
Current Party:  (Reputation: 20 - Heroic)
 
Stanley; 6th Lvl Cavalier; LS**/SSS**/Mace**; Full Plate; RoP+1; Helm (Ch Prot), M. Star +1
Minsc; 6th Lvl Barbarian; 2HS***/2HWS**/Flail; Splint Mail; Spiders Bane
Khalid; 7th Lvl Bounty Hunter; BS/LB/SWS; Studded Leather +1; LB of Mkp; BSwd +1/+3 (ShS)
Imoen; 7th Lvl Swashbuckler; SB/SS; Leather Armor +1; SSwd+1
Jaheira; 7th Lvl Druid; Cl/Sl/Sc; Leather Armor +1; RoH/Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)
Dynahier; 6th Lvl Invoker; Slg; Travelers Robe; QS+1/RoE
 
Reloads:  5
 
 
 
 

[SapphireIce101]

Game Notes/Questions: I decided NOT to kill Reilter and his comrades this time and I messed up. Ended up accused of murder anyway but didn’t get move their ‘treasure/experience points’ from their column to ours. I thought it might turn out differently if we chose not to fight him as I have every other time. Oops.

Yeah, you get arrested if you don't kill him. Though, the only real difference between killing Reitar and not killing him is the XP, and the items you can get from him. Oh, and the fact that you can admit that you murdered him!

Then again, I think a good person wouldn't kill Reitar anyway, or if they did, they would try to justify it as doing it for the greater good. An evil person, however, would probably do it for kicks and giggles.

Also, good job on making it to Candlekeep, and getting imprisioned. Haha. Hope to see more of the adventure!

Modifié par SapphireIce101, 21 juillet 2011 - 01:54 .

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

@ Sapphire... You're right, as a LG PC I'm trying to game within alignment parameters.  Without real provocation, in that scenario, it would have been out of alignment for me to kill him.

And, as I said in an earlier post, I listen to my NPCs, especially Jaheira and Imoen, and Jaheira made a comment about it being better not to kill them there - that we would have another chance.  Nuff said, if she said!  Just like in real life with my wife.  Go figure. 

The one thing that I'm thinking is, and I've never played it this way so I don't know the answer, is that sinceI didn't kill Reilter and comrades this time that they will be additive to some of the tough battles yet to come which will make them even harder.  Yikes!

@c_r et al:  Plan is that once we leave Candlekeep Catacombs (almost done) Imoen will make her announcement and 'drop back to 1st level Mage.' 

At the same time we'll find ourselves 'on the lam' so my plan is to take the party south to 'lay low' for awhile' and work our way back north completing all the 'other areas' finishing with Ulgoth's Beard/Durlag's Tower adventures.  Once we've completed those and the 'heat is off"' (though it won't really be) we're going to return to Baldur's Gate and finish up. 

CKT

Modifié par Charlestonian Knight Templar, 21 juillet 2011 - 03:22 .

[corey_russell]

You don't have to worry about that CKT. If you don't kill the iron throne leaders, then Sarevok's dopplegangers take your party's form and kill them. That's part of the reason you stand accused.

[BelgarathMTH]

New Challenger. I always use my real nickname, Todd. I play myself in these games.
 



Mods: minimal. BGT, Fixes, Tweaks, Convenience SCS (no difficulty increase); Ashes of Embers (I use crossbow, Jaheira or Ano can use any sword); from Tweaks, BG1 Weapon Proficiency System; Easy Spell Learning (100%) 
Difficulty slider: core rules, unless I get to a battle I can't handle;
Party: starting with me, Jaheira, Khalid, and Imoen; plan to stick with four party members as long as possible so I can try to get my HLA's a little sooner.
General plans: I will use my Diviner class as an excuse to use some metagaming knowledge; I am thinking of getting little "fits" and "headaches" warning me of impending disaster, including some very specific visions. Like "Phoebe" from "Charmed" or "Sam Winchester" from "Supernatural".

I have SK'd Imoen into an Illusionist/Thief multiclass, because I think it makes a lot of sense to her story arc, and I never thought the 2nd edition restriction against human multiclassing made sense. Illusionist because I think it goes well with Thief - if a thief was going to have magic talent, they'd probably lean toward Illusion magic.

Tonight I got us to the Friendly Arms using Xzar and Monty; sent them ahead to Nashkel on their own when they didn't get along with Jaheira and Khalid; I may use my guilt about having given them my word to help them in return for their potions and other gifts to justify doing the Harper stronghold quest when I get to SoA.

Tomorrow I'll get my new run started in earnest. I may do some 1st person journalizing, will definitely use a lot of shorthand summary, because I'll be working, have limited time, and will be tired most nights.

I'm looking forward to this run. Thanks.

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 22 juillet 2011 - 04:30 .

[corey_russell]

Good luck in your run, Belgarath. Here's hoping you get some good use of all that stuff you learned last run-through. By the way, your screenshot link confused me. When I clicked it it said "1 of 6" but the other screenshots clearly had nothing to do with this run? A direct link would probably work better.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Good luck Belgareth. I use my name also, which I think sounds medieval enough. Next time out though I think I'll use my sons name, Seth - but that's a long way off - lot's to do in this run.

Diviner, huh? Should be a tough challenge with only four in your party. You will need those 'fits/headaches' me thinks because Khalid is more a 'third string' fighter - definately not a tank.

One thought that was successful for me that you might consider - I used Khalids base BSwd and 2WeapStyle very effectively awhile back putting all my proficiancy points in either. By the end of the game he had *** in each and with a couple of +1 BSwds he played heck on the opposition. I used the Standard Attack script and he'd start wailing about 'his heart not really being in this' while at the same time charging ahead flinging Bastard Swords from both sides and everywhere else. It was fun to play him like that.

Anyway, good luck. CKT will be rooting for you just as you have for us.

My latest activities will be up shortly. CKT

Modifié par Charlestonian Knight Templar, 22 juillet 2011 - 01:18 .

[BelgarathMTH]

Thanks, CKT. I will use Khalid as an archer. Jaheira will be the only tank for awhile. I plan to take advantage of the primacy of archery in BG1 - Khalid's and Imoen's bows will kill most stuff before it has a chance to hit Jaheira.

I fixed the photo, above; I'm still struggling with Photobucket, which is why I don't post many screenshots.

I should have said in my game parameters, I use the BG1 Weapon Proficiency System, which means only two asterisks in anything for the whole trilogy.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

Candlekeep Catacombs


General: We were imprisoned for some time before Ulraunt visited us and made it clear he wasn’t on our side in this.  Thankfully, Tethtoril was close behind. Tethtoril was able to help us to ‘get free’ by teleporting us into the Candlekeep Catacombs. He also cleared up something about that Koveras we met upstairs – Koveras is Sarevok spelled backwards. 
 
In the catacombs, the first thing I did was read the letter I found in Gorion’s old room.  It tells me my ‘real’ father was the Dead God Bhaal.  I disagree. My real father was Gorion but I’ve no time to dwell on that now. 
 
The catacombs led us first into the crypts below Candlekeep.  In some rooms were well kept tombs, in others just piles of corpses. The main danger here was traps but Imoen was on the spot the entire time. We picked up valuable treasure with but a few Ghasts to slow us down.
 
On the second level of the catacombs we found a little trouble.  Twice, despite our best efforts we tripped traps. Luckily, though party members took some damage, we were able to heal and move on.  We continued to run into Dopplegangers that wore the faces of people Imoen and I knew but it became apparent after the first two that it was going to be the same old song and dance with everyone we met down here so it became easier and easier to pummel them without feeling guilty. Luckily, when we did actually meet Arkanis and Deder we were able to differentiate them from Dopplegangers. 
 
Here we fought a brutal battle with Dopplegangers. ‘Elminster’ approached us, flanked by ‘Gorion’ and ‘Tethtoril’, and started trying to convince me that I had made terrible mistakes. But it just didn’t feel right, even though it looked right. I pressed them hard and the gig was up. The Dopplegangers came out - did they ever… About 12 of them and they laid into us hard. It looked bad for just about everyone at one point or another and we were knocking down Potions of Healing and Elixirs of Health like they were pints of Stout. Minsc and I were both hurt and were lucky to get out alive.  Jaheira, Khalid and Imoen all got clawed up too.  Finally, we were able to whittle them down to a manageable level where we could concentrate our efforts and finish them off. Tough, tough fight. We found a room and despite a few wandering Dopplegangers were finally able to rest and heal for awhile. 
 
But we really fell apart in the caves, or rather, I led us into disaster.  After the battle I detail below weakened us immeasurably, we were just trying to get out when Khalid spied a Phase Spider and a Wraith Spider.  As he moved back to warn me he tripped a ‘web trap’ and suddenly he and Imoen were trapped.  With only Jaheira and I left to help I asked her to stand back and use her sling while I moved in using my Ring of Free Action and tried to take them out but I wasn’t able to do so without losing Imoen to a Spider attack. After killing them, we gathered her equipment and moved on desperately trying to escape.
 
On the way out we successfully killed a couple of Basilisk’s. Khalid had spied them and warned me they were there so he and Jaheira lay back while I quaffed Potions of Mirrored Eyes and Invulnerability. Jaheira then blessed me and I moved into attack. Once I’d killed one of them and engaged the second Khalid and Jaheira attacked and we killed it. From there we found our way out after meeting one of Sarevok’s thugs coming in from outside. We weren’t able to kill him.
 
We found to our dismay that we would not be able to get back in and we left an enormous amount of valuable treasure behind that we’d hoped to be able to return for.  We made a bee line to the Temple of the Morning to raise our comrades. 
 
Key Event: Once again, I failed as a leader. We entered some caves and began scouting ahead using Khalid ‘In Shadows’ and Imoen ‘Detecting Traps’ ahead of the main body.
 
It wasn’t long before they came running back toward us warning on an enemy mage ahead. I’ve been carrying 2 Potions of Magic Blocking in my Basic Load but had moved them into my backpack so I forgot about them and neglected to Quaff one – terrible mistake.
 
Things started out well as Khalid moved ‘In Shadows’ and was able to toss a Potion of Explosions amongst them and cause some early damage. The plan was for Dynahier to follow up with a ‘Fireball’ but somehow the spell fizzled so we had to move in for close combat without it.
 
We began to spread out moving Jaheira and Imoen into the north tunnel so they could attack from the enemy’s right, Minsc moved around to the far right tunnel so he could come from their left and Dynahier, Khalid and I pushed into the center tunnel.  I really felt this was going to be effective, especially Minsc’s flanking movement.
 
And it would have, I’m convinced, except for my failure to use my Potions of Magic Blocking.  There was a second mage in the main cavern and he let loose with a ‘Confusion’ spell and the next thing I know I, along with Khalid and Dynahier, were incapacitated. It was up to Minsc, Imoen and Jaheira.
 
Jaheira and Imoen were battling a mage in the north tunnel which kept them busy for precious moments until they could finally take him down.
 
Minsc, as a Barbarian, wears only Splint Mail and that makes him vulnerable to melee attack. He was in the main cavern fighting the same mage that incapacitated me and[/i] a fighter with a long bow who was pelting him with arrows. He was taking big hits early and often.
 
Somehow, in my confusion I managed to beat one of them to death and Jaheira and Imoen finished off their mage and moved to help Minsc. Imoen used her bow and tried putting arrows into the most critically wounded of the two, desperately trying to knock one of them off.
 
Jaheira charged in wielding ‘The Eye of the Storm’.  But a spell of some kind, or an arrow, neither remembers, took out Minsc, and shortly afterward, Dynahier also. Jaheira took a big hit and made a retrograde action to buy some space and time to get a Potion of Healing in her but a spell, she thinks a Magic Missile, hit her and she too fell. 
 
Thankfully Imoen was able to finish one of the two of them with an arrow but she’s not even sure which of the two. Nor, are any of us sure what happened to finish off the last of them. 
 
All I[/i] remember is that suddenly I came back to my senses and I was standing on the edge of an underground pool.  Khalid and Imoen were nearby in the cave, utterly spent. Minsc, Jaheira and Dynahier lay dead.
 
Once again, I took a Raise Dead scroll from Jaheira’s pack and used it to raise her from the dead. Thankfully, she'd bought one in Baldur’s Gate at the Temple of Helm before we left for Candlekeep. We then took time to make sure we had all of what Minsc and Dynahier had carried, not leaving us much room for other loot. We moved the remaining treasure to a chest on the second level of the Catacomb’s in hopes that we could come back for it after we escaped.
 
Then, after resting, we tried to find our way out.  It wasn’t over yet as I detail above. 
 
Treasure of Note: (Legend: S=Sold; U=Used; St = Me; Mi=Minsc; Kh=Khalid, etc; Sb = Spellbook) Tome of Understanding (St); Manual of Gainful Exercise (St); Cloak of Protection (+2)(St); Throwing Axe +2(S); Potion(s) of Frost Giant Strength (U/St); Few Gems(S); Sets of Plate Mail, Splint Mail (S). The rest, about 20 scrolls and several potions were left behind and many gems.
 
Leader Notes: Terrible failure. The moment I hear a spell being incanted I need to seriously consider quaffing a Potion of Magic Blocking. I have [/i]to keep my head about me to lead this party and to lend my strength to our efforts.
 
Current Disposition: Wanted by the Baldur’s Gate and Flaming Fist for the murder of Reilter and the Iron Throne Leaders. We are resting at the Nashkel Inn where we plan to stay for a while. We are still well thought of in Amn so we can come and go as we please. 
 
Next Steps: We plan to adventure working from the south back toward Baldur’s Gate.  There are lots of places we can get some additional training and experience as a party beginning with the Gibberling Mountains. Once I think we’re ready, and the heat is off in Baldur’s Gate I am going to find Sarevok and he will die by my hand. Patience is the wise choice here – I wonder if I’d taken this course had I not the benefit of the Tome of Understanding.    
 
Game Notes/Questions: None
 
Promotions: None 
 
Current Party:  (Reputation: 20 - Heroic)
 
Stanley; 6th Lvl Cavalier; LS**/SSS**/Mace**; Full Plate/Cloak of Prot +2/RoP+1/Helm (Ch Prot); M. Star +1; RoFA
Minsc; 6th Lvl Barbarian; 2HS***/2HWS**/Flail; Splint Mail; Spiders Bane
Khalid; 7th Lvl Bounty Hunter; BS/LB/SWS; Studded Leather +1; LB of Mkp; BSwd +1/+3 (ShS)
Imoen; 7th Lvl Swashbuckler; SB/SS; Leather Armor +1; SSwd+1
Jaheira; 7th Lvl Druid; Cl/Sl/Sc; Leather Armor +1; RoH/Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)
Dynahier; 6th Lvl Invoker; Slg; Travelers Robe; QS+1/RoE
 
Reloads:  5

Modifié par Charlestonian Knight Templar, 22 juillet 2011 - 05:03 .

[BelgarathMTH]

...we were knocking down Potions of Healing and Elixirs of Health like they were pints of Stout

HIlarious! Keep 'em coming!

What a riveting account of a disastrous battle. A real nail-biter! Was that one reload when you "came to" by the water?

That dungeon is one of the hardest places in the game, maybe even harder than the final battle or Werewolf Island. Spiders (with Webs), basilisks, and mages, oh, my!

Now I have an appropriate feeling of fear to start my own game today - the fun kind, though, like getting near the top of the first hill of a roller coaster.

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 22 juillet 2011 - 04:42 .

[corey_russell]

@CKT:

I wouldn't feel bad about bad result against Prat. The extremely tight quarters plus Prat loving to open with a lightning bolt makes this almost guaranteed reload for the unwary. It took me multiple times before I developed strategies that left none of my party dead:
1) Simple one: Get your bowman to 100% fire resistance, add haste, strength and magic blocking and protection from lightning (4th level cleric spell or from scroll). Have him show himself and fire arrows of detonation until the enemies are all dead
2) On your toughest tank protect him with the same buff as above but just have him charge the enemies, with the party assisting once it's clear the enemies sufficiently distracted.

[Charlestonian Knight Templar]

@ Belgareth: No reloads this time. Still at five and holding. They are: 1) Nimbul; 2) Green Slime (Valley of Tombs); 3) Vampiric Wolf (N. Nashkel Rd.); 4-5) Osmadi/Black Bears (Larswoood). When I 'came to my senses' it was when the effects of the 'Confusion' spell war off.

Thanks for your comments. I aprpeciate the feedback.

@c_r: Thanks for the tips. I'm trying to play as if I don't know what's up ahead unless Khalid gives us a 'heads up' but even then, I only go on what appears evident when I plan things out.

The exception to this are battles like the Demon Knight in Durlag's Tower or Sarevok, when someone makes a point of telling you when you go into the battle 'what's behind door #1'! Then I don't feel guilty preparing ahead of time.

Btw, may well be out of town/country on vacation for a week or so so I may only have a chance to peek in for a week or two. Might get a little work in tonight in the Gibberling Mts and Dryad Falls, we'll see.

Modifié par Charlestonian Knight Templar, 22 juillet 2011 - 05:52 .

[SapphireIce101]

@CKT - Good job on getting out of the Catacombs! Have a nice vacation when you go!

@Belgarath - Hope to see some of your adventure soon!

[BelgarathMTH]

Update on Todd the Diviner:

1) Killed the ogre SE of the FAI; took the lady her belt. We used standard scatter and ranged tactic. I can explain what that is if anybody needs me to. Jaheira almost died to a dire wolf on the way to the ogre after my first Sleep spell  of the game fizzled.

2) Took out the archers attacking caravans northeast of Beregost. I used an Invisibility potion on myself since I had 6 hit points and would die to a single arrow. Two Sleeps got two of three supporting archers, one each, I guess. J., K., and Immy got the third. The bandit leader was probably fifth level (immune to Sleep). Immy had approached the battle using a rare successful stealth. Jaheira had to use two healing potions as she tanked the bandit leader.

3) Fought giberlings, hobgobs, and archers on the way to Nashkel. I use Sleep when I have it, crossbow if no archers, run and hide where there are archers. A hobgob archer targeted me before I could run. He missed with a 10 against AC 6. I'd say it was fifty-fifty live or die. Tymora was with me. Made Beregost and took out the ogrillons to the south, netting the Ring of Protection plus 1.

4) Took Jaheira and Khalid to talk to the mayor of Nashkel. Defeated Neira. My strategy was to scatter and ranged and then interrupt her spells with my Wand of MM's. She still got spells to fire despite my hitting her before they took effect. I guess the round timing was off. Jaheira got Rigid Thinking and then Held. The Hold was actually a blessing, because I know from experience that with a Rigid Thinking and Neira killed, Jaheira would have killed every innocent in the tavern and then left my party because she had wrecked our rep while under the spell. I think it's totally phony and unfair, but that's how the game mechanics are implemented. So I'm glad she got Held. I killed Neira myself by firing the Wand of MM over and over, because K. and Immy couldn't hit Neira with a roll of 15, i.e. they weren't hitting her. J. didn't die, barely. I think I used 5 or 6 charges off the wand. <sigh>.

5) Realized that we could not do quite a few 1st level quests, and were in considerable danger, because Jaheira was a druid instead of a proper priestess. (Harumph, Resist Fear, harumph). Decided to reform my party. Considered Minsc and Branwen, dismissed J. and K., got M. Remembered that I would have to take Dynaheir to keep M., and she would unnecessarily duplicate mine and Immy's jobs. Very weak party. Decided to go get Ajantis instead. Took M. with me long enough to go get AJ (pronounced AYJAY). Went to the FAI, dismissed M.

6) Freed from Jaheira's nagging, (sorry J., you know I love you, girl), I got to get way more conservative about how my party would proceed vis a vis my visions and impressions. Took the party to Beregost and got Gavin for my priest. Now that we had an Antidote (thanks, Berelinde!) and Resist Fear, our options opened up considerably.

7) Took on Silke. Standard scatter and ranged. I hid around the corner and was ready with the Wand, but it wasn't needed. Silke dead. Had AJ take Oil of Speed and sent AJ, G, and Immy into the Red Sheaf to take on Gurke. (If he scratched me, I'd die. I stayed outside ready to fire the Wand or my crossbow if my friends needed to retreat.) AJ needed to use another Potion of Healing despite the Oil of Speed, but my friends were up to the task without me.

8) Decided to make darn good use of that OoS! Went to take on the spiders. Used both Sleep spells I had ready. Still only got two of four spideys. Thankfully, Hasted AJ and my friends were able to win without us even having to use Gavin's Antidote. Decided to take the lady's stuff back to her and get the xp. AJ's charisma landed us six more Anitdotes! Thank you, AJ! I think I'm falling in love with you!

Currently staying at the FAI, planning to head back toward Nashkel at a leisurely pace, using my visions to keep to things we can handle.

Todd: 2nd level Diviner
Ajantis: 2nd level Paladin
Imoen: 1st level Illusionist/1st level thief
Gavin: 2nd level cleric

Reloads: 0

Here's a pic of my new party and me:

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 24 juillet 2011 - 08:09 .

[BelgarathMTH]

Short Update:

Finished Nashkel mines, no special problems. Got two mage robes from carnival (AJ died and had to be raised - we couldn't make any spells stick and Bad Guy unloaded his whole spellbook on us.)

Got Greywolf (used OoS - finished map and got two winter wolf pelts), and Nimbul and Tranzig. Will be heading west now to rescue Dynaheir and hunt Brage and Bassilus (zombie guy not bassilisk guy, go figure) and Bjornin's ogres.

We get mini-bosses pretty easily using a magic cocktail from Gavin, Immy, and me - Command, Blind, Spook. If one doesn't get them, the other two usually do. I now have a Web and a Mirror Image prepared.

I decided to SK AJ into a Cavalier to make him consistent with his BG2 mod.

Todd - Level 3 Diviner
Ajantis - Level 3 Cavalier
Gavin - Level 3 Cleric
Imoen - Level 3 Thief/Level 2 Illusionist

Reloads: 0

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 23 juillet 2011 - 09:02 .

[BelgarathMTH]

Finished High Hedge map, went to zombie map. Cleared the map, defeated Bassilus. Gavin Silenced the dangerous Bad Guy before he even started talking to us (would have been too dangerous to converse with a known mad spellcaster). Gavin then Turned Undead over and over to keep the crossbow skellies and zombies at bay.

It was relatively easy.

Gavin will use the Hammer +2.

Have traveled to the Bjornin ogre map and will proceed from there tomorrow.

Have fun, everyone.

Todd - Level 4 Diviner
Ajantis - Level 4 Cavalier
Gavin - Level 3 Cleric
Imoen - Level 3 Thief/Level 2 Illusionist

Reloads: 0

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 23 juillet 2011 - 11:12 .

[BelgarathMTH]

So far today....

-Rescued Dynaheir. Reunited her with Minsc at the FAI. Ajantis will use the Bracers of Dexterity for AC -7.

-Headed south to take care of unfinished business. Stopped in Beregost, gave Bassilus' holy symbol to Head Priest Guy, bought Gavin full plate and a Necklace of Prot +1.

-Took Mellicamp to Thalantyr. He did not survive.

-Went through Nashkel and back west - several maps to do, still haven't found Brage or Bjornin's ogres. (What I thought was Bjornin's map before turned out to be Drizzt's lake map.

-Got autograph from Larry, Darryl, and Darryl. I wonder how many people still playing BG know that this is a shoutout to the second Bob Newhart show popular during the 1990's? I think the show ended its run before BG was released. Apparently, one of the devs was a fan of the show.

No special problems. Using Webs, Sleep for crowd control. Web takes care of what few difficult battles are out west, though there was one close call with Sendai's Gang of Obnoxious Brats where AJ got a little too close to the Web edge and got caught. No deaths, though.

Imoen has the Bracers of Archery.

Todd - Diviner Level 4
Ajantis - Cavalier Level 4
Gavin - Cleric Level 5
Imoen - Thief Level 4/Illusionist Level 3

Reloads: 0

Modifié par BelgarathMTH, 24 juillet 2011 - 08:22 .

[BelgarathMTH]

Last update for today:

-Finished the southwest except for expansion maps.

-Helped the good archaeologists, took Brage to the Temple of Helm in Nashkel. Returned to Bergost, told Bjornin his ogres were dead.

Will probably start working on the southeast maps when I can play again. Have band camp for the next three days, so not sure when I'll have time, but I will get back to it.

Todd - Diviner Level 5 (prepared Dispel Magic x 2. It's the only 3rd level spell I've found. I need to remember to go to High Hedge and buy a Skull Trap.
Ajantis - Cavalier Level 5
Gavin - Cleric Level 5
Imoen -Thief Level 5/Illusionist Level 4

Reloads:0

[corey_russell]

All level 5 and no reloads, nice work Belgarath! The leveling speed of a 4 man party sure is nice.