Xzar, Montaron, and Bhaal

NocturneN

Hey guys, it's been ages since I last played BG1 proper, so I really don't remember some things (and I'll ask you to keep spoilers to a minimum, use the [ spoiler ]-tags when needed ):

How long do I have to get to Nashkel before Xzar & Monty leaves? Is it enough to simply bring them to the town, or do I need to solve the assoicated quest aswell for them to be happy? They're beginning to complain, and last time I think Jaheira/Khalid did them in long before we got to Nashkel. xD

2ndly, what triggers the Bhaalspawn dreams (and the associated powers)? If I recall I got my first BS-power really early last time, but I could be mistaken. I'm asking because it's been 8 days ingame and I've rested in several places, but so far, nothing.

Also, are there any reputation-based events in BG1? I know, for example, that the dreams change in BG2 depending on your rep. As I'm playing an Evil PC I want to keep my rep low, at the same time, it really wouldn't hurt to throw some gold away so I can atleast get decent store prices... :P

Aristillius

1, You need to talk to the mayor I think.
2. It is connected with the main quest.

Eudaemonium

You need to speak to the mayor in Nashkel (Berun Ghastkill) to stop the Xzar-Monty timer. You don't have to finish the quest. I'm not sure how long you have, though.

The Bhaalspawn dreams seem to be randomly triggered upon rest once-per-chapter. At times I've had them happen upon the first rest, and in others they didn't occur until almost at the end. I think they're meant to happen relatively early.

KidCarnival

So far the dreams were always the first rest after a chapter started.

Oxford_Guy

I think there's a chance of getting the first dream after you arrive at Nashkel. BTW the Bhaalpower you get from the dreams is solely related to reputation < 10 rep you get the "evil" power, 10 or more and you get the "good" ones

The_New_Romance

The dreams are somewhat random. If you get one, reload and rest again, it doesn't always happen again. They are, however, tied to following the main quest, as others pointed out.

Aristillius

I like how helpful this forum is

NocturneN

Thanks everyone, very informative.

NocturneN

Instead of creating a new topic, I figured I'd just ask here since it's somewhat related:

Last time I played BG1 I remember weapons breaking frequently because of the "iron plague", but this time around I haven't had a single weapon break on me (yet). I find this alittle odd, though it could be simply that I've been extremely lucky so far (I am in Nashkel, CH 3).

Does anyone know the percentage chance for a weapon breaking? That'd shed some light on things. Besides, does completing CH 3 stop weapons from breaking? Or do you really need to find some magical ones?

Melicamp

What I tend to do is wait to grab Xzar and Montaron until I've already grabbed the other characters that are a bit more "out of the way" (Viconia, Shar-Teel). That way their timer doesn't start until I'm ready to head to Nashkel.

dib

Weapons breaking is completely random so you have just been lucky. They stop breaking once you finish the Nashkel Mines-quest.

Wanderon

RE: Weapons breaking - I believe there is an algorerythm that determines at what point breaking your weapons would be most likely have the most dire consequences and you'll often notice the ambient temperature rising at the same moment and/or notice a distinct odor of ozone in the air.

TJ_Hooker

Wanderon said:

RE: Weapons breaking - I believe there is an algorerythm that determines at what point breaking your weapons would be most likely have the most dire consequences and you'll often notice the ambient temperature rising at the same moment and/or notice a distinct odor of ozone in the air.

Yeah I think the odds rise exponentially for every level down you go in a dungeon, or for every area deeper you go into a forest.

KidCarnival

My weapons traditionally break during ALL tier 1 fights in Black Pits, no matter what I use. So I just keep the wooden clubs and slings now until I get to tier 2.

NocturneN

Hmm, still no weapons broken, though I'm heading out towards the Gnoll Stronghold soon. If they don't break all the way out there, then something's fishy I think - I'm beginning to suspect some mod I have causes them to not break, though I haven't installed something like that, intentionally anyway...pretty boring getting magical weapons way before your weapons break, as that really adds to sense of a crisis in the region.

I can now confirm that the first dream happens on your first rest after getting to Nashkel, though it could be there's a small chance of it happening before that, as I got it at the Friendly Arm my very first playthrough, I THINK (years since I played BG1, heh!).

mjs

My weapons (especially in BP, all tiers) seem to break a LOT. and contrary to another post, it's happened after the killing mulahey at nashkel mines too

NocturneN

I'm using BGT, not EE I'm afraid. I'm leaning more and more towards buying EE, but I'd rather they'd finish the whole series, first.

diggerb

NocturneN said:

I'm using BGT, not EE I'm afraid. I'm leaning more and more towards buying EE, but I'd rather they'd finish the whole series, first.

I think the fact that you are using BGT may be the answer. Now that I think about it, I can't remember my weapons breaking at all when using BGT in the past. Probably because they seldom if ever break in BG2.

NocturneN

I see what you mean, but, I have played BGT before and they broke all the time, so... I do think it's a new mod from this installation, hmm... the plot thickens! Thanks for your replies people.

EDIT
I have inquired over at the SHS-forums about this, so we'll see soon enough I guess. Feel free to post suggestions still, however.

NocturneN

Well, Shar-Teel's sword broke up in the Xvart Village, hurrah! Nothing's broken since then, however, and according to a guy at SHS the chance is really low (0,5%) of a weapon breaking.

I now have a topic-related question, however:

How long do I have to complete Edwin's quest? It's been 8 days, and he hasn't said a word... I'm beginning to suspect he just might up and leave if I delay more than 10 days! What's the word on this? Will he give any warnings?

EDIT
'twould seem you have 10 days as I suspected. Will he give any warnings? Monty and Xzar gave plenty, as do Jaheira/Khalid if I recall.

KidCarnival

Edwin will give one warning, and it's quite close to the "deadline", I'd guess day 9. So if you aren't on the way to the Gnoll Fortress/haven't unlocked the maps to get there, it's no fun at all.

Also had my first broken weapon in BG - far, far beyond Cloakwood, Kivan's halberd broke. It was the first time he really used it, he was mainly busy with the bow until then. (So busy I had forgotten to equip the +1 halberd, even...)

NocturneN

@KidCarnival Haha! Yep, still only 1 sword broken; the aforementioned two-hander. Next playthrough I'ma dig around for mods that deal with this - might make a good suggestion for BG:EE mods, aswell.

In my game, I got Edwin's quest on day 10 hour 17. Killed Dynaheir on day 19 hour 0. xD So 'Tis all good. 'cept for Dynaheir.

Oxford_Guy

BTW despite some thinking otherwise, non-magical katanas can break

scriver

TJ_Hooker said:

Wanderon said:

RE: Weapons breaking - I believe there is an algorerythm that determines at what point breaking your weapons would be most likely have the most dire consequences and you'll often notice the ambient temperature rising at the same moment and/or notice a distinct odor of ozone in the air.

Yeah I think the odds rise exponentially for every level down you go in a dungeon, or for every area deeper you go into a forest.

They do. Oddsly speaking, the further you go into a dungeon, the longer time you spend using the weapon, which means more attacks made with it and that in turn equals more chances for it to break.

NocturneN

scriver said:

TJ_Hooker said:

Wanderon said:

RE: Weapons breaking - I believe there is an algorerythm that determines at what point breaking your weapons would be most likely have the most dire consequences and you'll often notice the ambient temperature rising at the same moment and/or notice a distinct odor of ozone in the air.

Yeah I think the odds rise exponentially for every level down you go in a dungeon, or for every area deeper you go into a forest.

They do. Oddsly speaking, the further you go into a dungeon, the longer time you spend using the weapon, which means more attacks made with it and that in turn equals more chances for it to break.

That is interesting indeed. So far I haven't done any dungeons, but I'll pay attention once I'm down in the Nashkel Mines. Would be cool if this is true - though maybe 'Tis a feature exlusive to EE (Bah! Get to finishing BG2: EE & ToB: EE will ya!! ).

ANOTHER related question: Safana. Timer..? Same bloody dilemma again, and since I recall the coast she wants us to explore is filled with Sirens which are VERY nasty, esp since I don't have access to Detect Invis/Purge Invis yet! Getting really tired of these timers...sigh. I'll do some searching and see what I can find, mayhap the question's already been answered, as with Edwin.

Also...regarding them Sirens; would it be possible to avoid their Charm (and other Charm effects) by using the Cursed Berserking Sword? ;D

KidCarnival

The time of use certainly explains why the halberd broke that late; good to know it's not linked to completing the mines.

Safana, I've been wondering the same. I usually do her quest right after finding her, so I never got a warning if there is one. If you know where the sirens are, you can let them exhaust their charm spells by summoning skeletons or something and only deal with their invisibility, or have one character with protections run in. They'll try to charm the same target until they run of of charms, so a single skeleton can drain them enough to make it safe.

NocturneN

A valiant effort, but futile - I play with SCS, aTweaks, etc, så I'm fairly sure they wont fall for that trick. Besides, I'd count that as a somewhat cheesy tactic, no offense.

Anyway, I've decided to simply ignore Safana for now and if she wants to leave, let her. 'Tis not like she's great Thief anyway; I think I'll just dual Shar-Teel eventually instead. I read somewhere that if you kill Safana then ress her, she'll forget about her timer - I did that with the console, so 'Tis just a matter of wait-and-see, now. I am off to clear the Nashkel Mines for now; with Berserker Sword-wielding Shar-Teel up front! 10 Thac0 at level 4. Crazy!!

Oxford_Guy

KidCarnival said:

The time of use certainly explains why the halberd broke that late; good to know it's not linked to completing the mines.

Safana, I've been wondering the same. I usually do her quest right after finding her, so I never got a warning if there is one. If you know where the sirens are, you can let them exhaust their charm spells by summoning skeletons or something and only deal with their invisibility, or have one character with protections run in. They'll try to charm the same target until they run of of charms, so a single skeleton can drain them enough to make it safe.

I usually ignore the sirens, as they're too much hassle at low levels, and just send in a thief who has had Invisibility cast on them to deal with the traps, grab the loot, then glug an invisibilty potion to escape. Easy.

KidCarnival

I like Safana as thief, but I also like having my party complete early on. So I rarely bother until I can take the sirens. Shar-Teel makes a better thief anyway, but I guess it's a matter of taste.

Oxford_Guy

KidCarnival said:

I like Safana as thief, but I also like having my party complete early on. So I rarely bother until I can take the sirens. Shar-Teel makes a better thief anyway, but I guess it's a matter of taste.

Sure, but you still might want to tackle the Flesh Golem cave early on to get the Con Tome, awesome Wand of Paralysation, Relairs Mistake Cloak (great for thieves trying to escape after getting detected stealing) and other loot.

KidCarnival

Yeah, early, but not with a level 1 party. That's just too frustrating, plus I see no reason to go to the area that early rp-wise. No-one in Beregost or Nashkel points to the Lighthouse maps. The closest is the Captain Brage quest, and that's just "same general direction". I usually go around level 2 - 3, after the mines, Bassilus and whatyouhave in Beregost and Nashkel.