Rabbit's Run... Spoilers!
DragonGed
Member Posts: 38
Ok, so here's what I have so far
Rabbit's Run
a Highly Improbable Tale
Being the story of a BG1 Dragon Disciple
sworn to poverty
Rabbit, Human Dragon Disciple. Stats: 18/18/18/18/8/15, Lawful Neutral. Solo/Core/Poverty. Spells: Missile, Sleep. My weapon, a plain Quarterstaff, a sling w/unenchanted bullets. My one proficiency point went to Staff, won't get much use out of the sling for a while. No Scrolls, no Potions.....no rings, no things. sigh, here we go.
Prologue
Level 1
They call me Rabbit, and they laugh when they say it. I know my time here at Candlekeep is nigh over. So, I don't know the world beyond these walls, except in books. So many books, and I have read them all. Something is stirring in me, as well, I can't quite place it. My vow is of poverty. To eschew all wealth and objects of value or use, and to move through the world on my own wits..... I have a secret, shhsssh!, I don't know what scares me more, whether or not I will survive the world, or whether the world will survive ME!
I did every little thing that everybody wanted me to do,and, they paid me in very small fashion, not that I care. There were, shockingly, two different men who tried to kill me. I killed them, the first kills of my life. I laughed insane laughter when I did it.... strange, exceedingly strange.
Chapter 1
After a quick good-bye to Imoen, I approached Gorion, and, my life was never the same again. We left,and were attacked by a group of thugs led by a VERY scary armored figure. I did like Gorion told me and ran like the Demons were after me. Maybe, they were. At the dawning, I woke to the voice of Imoen calling. I told her to go back to the 'Keep, and headed south to the High Hedge. Walking two bits, ( a bit is the distance you can see in one direction) to the east and then straight south to the Castle, then NE along the trail, soon I was in Beregost.
I talked down a drunk at Feldpost's, spent a single gold piece to buy a book for my friend Firebead across the street. Slept in the stables. I dreamed of Flying over the Ocean, with my brothers, the Dragons.
Chapter 2
Went south to the next two areas, by sticking to the east as far as I could, was able to make Nashkell, where I talked to Noober a bunch of times until he ran out of things to say...., then exited south again.
Got part of the quest to find Albert's doggie,but got run off the area by Skellys. Back in Naskell, I tried to sleep on
the street, didn't make it through the night, but did pick up the ability to cure light wounds.Finally was able to get the dog back to Albert...which got me Level 2. I am getting chased, and ambushed, run, Rabbit, run!
Level 2
Got out to the Area far west of Nash, and brought back Brage, the Guard Captain... donated the 1000 gold back to the Temple. Back to B'Gost, then right back down south, I killed two Ogrillon, one at a time, luring them back to B'Gost, a two day process. Bringing the letter back to Mirriane in town, good for some more XP. I entered Landrin's house, after resting, and hit the four Spiders with a Sleep , dropping two for a little nappy, and beat feet out the door, dragging two out with me. After getting a little distance, I hit the two who followed with a sleep, then beat them to dead with staff, hitting level three.
Rabbit's Run
a Highly Improbable Tale
Being the story of a BG1 Dragon Disciple
sworn to poverty
Rabbit, Human Dragon Disciple. Stats: 18/18/18/18/8/15, Lawful Neutral. Solo/Core/Poverty. Spells: Missile, Sleep. My weapon, a plain Quarterstaff, a sling w/unenchanted bullets. My one proficiency point went to Staff, won't get much use out of the sling for a while. No Scrolls, no Potions.....no rings, no things. sigh, here we go.
Prologue
Level 1
They call me Rabbit, and they laugh when they say it. I know my time here at Candlekeep is nigh over. So, I don't know the world beyond these walls, except in books. So many books, and I have read them all. Something is stirring in me, as well, I can't quite place it. My vow is of poverty. To eschew all wealth and objects of value or use, and to move through the world on my own wits..... I have a secret, shhsssh!, I don't know what scares me more, whether or not I will survive the world, or whether the world will survive ME!
I did every little thing that everybody wanted me to do,and, they paid me in very small fashion, not that I care. There were, shockingly, two different men who tried to kill me. I killed them, the first kills of my life. I laughed insane laughter when I did it.... strange, exceedingly strange.
Chapter 1
After a quick good-bye to Imoen, I approached Gorion, and, my life was never the same again. We left,and were attacked by a group of thugs led by a VERY scary armored figure. I did like Gorion told me and ran like the Demons were after me. Maybe, they were. At the dawning, I woke to the voice of Imoen calling. I told her to go back to the 'Keep, and headed south to the High Hedge. Walking two bits, ( a bit is the distance you can see in one direction) to the east and then straight south to the Castle, then NE along the trail, soon I was in Beregost.
I talked down a drunk at Feldpost's, spent a single gold piece to buy a book for my friend Firebead across the street. Slept in the stables. I dreamed of Flying over the Ocean, with my brothers, the Dragons.
Chapter 2
Went south to the next two areas, by sticking to the east as far as I could, was able to make Nashkell, where I talked to Noober a bunch of times until he ran out of things to say...., then exited south again.
Got part of the quest to find Albert's doggie,but got run off the area by Skellys. Back in Naskell, I tried to sleep on
the street, didn't make it through the night, but did pick up the ability to cure light wounds.Finally was able to get the dog back to Albert...which got me Level 2. I am getting chased, and ambushed, run, Rabbit, run!
Level 2
Got out to the Area far west of Nash, and brought back Brage, the Guard Captain... donated the 1000 gold back to the Temple. Back to B'Gost, then right back down south, I killed two Ogrillon, one at a time, luring them back to B'Gost, a two day process. Bringing the letter back to Mirriane in town, good for some more XP. I entered Landrin's house, after resting, and hit the four Spiders with a Sleep , dropping two for a little nappy, and beat feet out the door, dragging two out with me. After getting a little distance, I hit the two who followed with a sleep, then beat them to dead with staff, hitting level three.
2
Comments
Took Chromatic Orb as my spell. Still only level 1 spells, will take invisibilty when I get it. My rest was filled with dreams of Dragons, again, and, I awoke with the ability to blow great gouts of flame. Went back to the house, put the Spiders to sleep again, killed them with missile, staff, dragonbreath... Grabbed Landrin's stuff, and headed north, barely survivng an ambush by Bandits.
My new main tactic,( the only one possible), is to spy some creatures, put them to sleep, kill them. Rinse, lather, repeat..... cleared the area on the way to the FAI, including the Ogre.
After much attacking and resting, I finally cleared out the Hob-Gobs around the FAI. I went in, and gave Joia her ring,then took Tarnesh out with a Dragon's Breath, the instant after he was done talking. BUH....BYE, toasted! I gave Landrin her stuff back, he, she, can never tell with Dwarves....also Unshey's Belt, sigh, nice belt, that one. I blew off Jahiera and Khalid.
Got jumped by two Ogrillon on the way back out to the 'Area far west of Nashkell', dropped 'em. Once there, I helped the diggers out, nearly getting killed by them, when they turned all hostile on me. There was a primitive Evil in that cave, mayhap I'll go back later to deal with it. Going somewhat NW from there, I was accosted by one Ba'ruk, or some such. doesn't matter, I toasted him, staying out of sight of his minions loaded up w/flame arrows. Not being interested in loot, I left his carcass, being more interested in the fact of hitting Level four. Took Invisibility. Only one 'thing', that I want, a Find Familiar scroll. If I find one, I will use it. Does this break my vow of Poverty?
I travelled back to B-Gost, and hooked up with Garrick, he took me over to see Silke.I didn't like that little drama queen from the get-go, and, sure enough, she was up to 'no good'. She turned on me when I refused to kill the men, she Improved Iv'd, I Iv'd. Her spell ran out, mine did not, advantage, me! Got her with a Dragon Breath,( DB), then I Iv'd again. I disappeared right before she finished casting a Lightning Bolt, fizzling her spell. I snuck around behind her while she stood there looking stupid, got her with my stick,and hit her with a Magic missile,( M&M), down she went. Should have killed Garrick as well but did not.
In the area south of B-Gost, I killed the Hob-Gob that had Zhurlong's boots. Returned those to him, and went to the area east of the Carnival, where I returned the Revenant's Dagger. Have gotten into the habit of travelling while Iv'd, which allows me to control the encounters I wish to make, (or not!).
Next, up to the Ankheg Farm to do the Farmer's Son quest, which I did taking no damage, due to Invisibility. I went over and talked to the Fisherfolk, who asked me to go strongarm,'that Bitch of Umberlee'. So ,I went up to the Bridge area, to do just that. When I confronted Tenya, she fought me a little, but, when I M&M'd her, she told a different story. I believe her, and went back down to strongarm the Fisherfolk.... I hate getting caught up in local feuds... I brought the Bowl back to Tenya, got some nice XP out of it.
I did not think I had enough steam to take out an Ankheg, but just north of Tenya's house, that's what I did. I hit him with a Chromatic Orb, and it blinded him. I DB'd him, couple of M&M's, couple of Staff hits.... hmm, back to the Ankheg Farm go I.
There, the Killing of 3 more Ankheg resulted in my hitting Level 5. I took Protection from Petrification, and Mirror Image. Upon Waking, I now noticed my Constitution is up to 19, and my AC down to 4.Excellent!
Level 5
Small Game Hunting
For some reason, the amount of xp I need seems to be doubling, but, my power most definitly is not... this is going to be incredible slog. Strangely enough, and, sadly, with level five comes a change in the Chromatic Orb spell. It goes from causing blindness for one turn, to causing Stun for three rounds. Not enough to buy the time I need to kill Ankheg anymore. I need so much more power, I need summons, I need area effect,... all stuff that could be EASILY gotten with money, and would ramp up my kill power exponentially. Patience, is what I need most of all.
Next stop, the area east of the B'gost Temple. I grabbed Protection from Petrification for a reason, you know. Basilisk hunting, for now, though it remains useful forever, really. Worth the spell slot, even at a paltry 4 per level... One Lesser Basilisk, 1400, make that 2. I saw where little wierd-ass Mutamin is standing, I'm going to creep all around his little Statue Garden, kill all the Basilisk', that's what. Under Prot from Pet., they just keep tossing worthless Petrify spells at you, while I light 'em up with my 'arsenal' of spells, such as it is. XP, that's what I'm talkin 'bout!. Another Lesser one, then, a Greater. The Greater one, I emptied my spellbook on him, then Iv'd backed off and rested, then came back and emptied out, AGAIN. Third time killed him! 24 hrs for 7000 XP. I gave Kirian and his group of Thugs a pass for now. I got another Lesser, then another Lesser. I've found it useful to cast invisible right before sleeping, if I get ambushed, they can't see me, if I sleep through, I've got four free hours of invisible left to go hunting. It was another 3 sleep cycle ordeal to kill the second Greater Basilisk, but, I got him. Mutamin, all your Basilisk are mine! Sorry about that....
I went over south of High Hedge, and killed a Dread Wolf, getting me to Level 6..... Took Melf's Minute Meteors.
Hunting Larger Game
At Bassilus' little camp, I got him to kill his critters, then nailed him with a now more powerful Dragonbreath, followed by a load of pre-cast Meteors, then a simple Missile finished him. I grabbed his Holy Symbol. Turns out that Zargal is not 'Strongest that there is'. I headed north, and soon ran into a talking chicken, name of Melicamp, victim of a botched polymorph spell, self-inflicted. Amusing, really, I agreed to help him out, so, off to High Hedge.
I killed a couple Skellys there, kept a skull. Went and talked to the Haughty Thalantyr, and got Melicamp changed back from a chicken, good for some nice XP. Thalantyr had a really nice array of scrolls. But, the one that I would buy, he did not have. No Find Familiar in stock, sigh.
Next, off to the B'Gost Temple where I got the XP for bringing Bassilus' Symbol.
Then, the area S of Candlekeep. Cleared most of this area, avoiding the Sirines for now. Shoal the Nereid was good for 5000XP. Sirines are doable,with a saving throw or two, with pre-cast invisible, mirrorred, meteors ready to go. In other words, after one or two reloads. I get one in my sights, hit her with a Dragonbreath, throwing meteors before she even gets hit. I Emptied out, retreated, and Iv'd again, got more meteors ready, when she came hunting me, 3 more did her in. It was the third one just about did me in, her poison arrows had me down to a couple HP before it wore off. Rested up, healed several sleep cycles. I returned little Gnome guy's ring to him. Then I started picking off Half-Ogres and Ogre Berserkers in the center of the area, which gave me level 7. I took Blindness, Knock, and Skull Trap. Finally, an area effect spell. Its better than Fireball, which tops out at 10d6, gaining 1d6 per level forever! A little tricky to use, however.
I took Blindness, Knock, and,Skull Trap. Definitely getting some traction, now, heh heh. I'm getting used to this Poverty thing as well, no more wasting time picking over kills for a gold piece here and there.
I headed out to the Lighthouse Area, killing randoms, and helping out Ardrouine from Worgs , got another Rep point, 19, now. I could be some kind saintly Paladin, by now. Still, you never know when you might kill a Peasant in a heated street battle.... Gonna be on this area a while, though, just getting warmed up. Sirines, Sirines, and more Sirines. They're easy now, multiple different styles of nuking them. 6 on this board, Now, the Cave.
I have no way of dealing with the Flesh Golems here. None. They are highly Magic Resistant, and will bash me to dead through mirror Image. I found a nice book, rather TOME, worthy of the collection at my old home. I can't resist a good Tome, but, neither can I identify it. There was some psychic Arkushule, who wanted to give me a palm reading, but then freaked out on me.... Toast.... I'm outta here.
In the area West of Nash, I just couldn't bring myself to toast a bunch of Xvarts, Iv'd right on through, stopping to take out the Cave Bear. Got ambushed by another going to the Gnoll Stronghold. Xvarts, Gnolls, Gibberlings, they're all just vermin to me, not worth wasting my spells on unless they're foolish enough to attack me. However, I no longer run on the Ambush boards.
BBQ'd a Polar Bear on the way, some fool gave me a pair of boots for it, nice boots, which I, threw away. I had but one purpose going to the Gnoll Stronghold, and, it was not to roast some Gnoll or Xvart. My reading as a child filled my head with tales of legendary Adventurers and their stash spots. There was a cave around here, if my recollections serve me, with another Tome in it. They will love me back at Candlekeep if I were to give them these Tomes....
Next up, I cleared the area SW of Nash. Brought a dead cat back to a little girl,( Rep now 20).I helped the Dryad,( who could refuse a *scantily* clad Nymph?). I killed a bunch of Dread Wolves... etc. etc. Got into it with a Winter Wolf, interesting little battle, that, Hot vs. Cold. Hot wins, but, the bastard did injure me.
Then, off to the area S of Nash. I had already been here, but then it was to return Albert's lost doggie, and run away from everything. Now, however, the hunted has become the hunter.Vax, and Zal... see ya! Cleared the rest of that area, working my way east,now. Sendai, Delgod, Alexander? heh heh heh, Deep Fried!
Nash Mines area, Greywolf was not so tough, once he was blinded! nice risk/reward. My rep should be over 20 now, though it cannot do that, Ha! Gonna turn those Emeralds in for some nice XP, as well.
The Mines were a joke... Total incompetence, that they could not take care of this with an entire Garrison of soldiers in town! I invisibled,( IV'd) all the way through stopping only to give Kylee his dagger back, and to mirror my way through the traps. So, I set up 3 skull traps for any extra critters that might come. Then, while invisible and Mirrored, I confronted Mulahy, who was a punk. He wanted to tell me everything after one Dragonbreath!, I refused, and killed him with some meteors, (of course), and a Missile,(like I got some thing else?) While the skull traps took care of some of his minions, I was soon surrounded by Kobolds and a couple Skellys. A sleep spell took down most of the Kobolds, and I killed a sleeper to get outside the circle. My last Missile took out a Skelly, and, I bashed another to dead, being 100% fresh out of spells. Never even got through all my Mirrors, killed the sleepers, got the letters, rested, gaining another cure light wounds ability.
Chapter 3
Upon exiting the Mines, I used the 'Bush Doctrine' and completely Napalmed the four Lesbian? assasins north of the exit before they could speak to me. They had some nice stuff, left it lay there .Got back to Nash, turned in the Emeralds, got my reward for cleaning up the Mines.Which levelled me up. Level 8, I took Stoneskin for my spell, and am now 50% fire resistant.
Destroyed Nimbul with a Magic Missile/ Meteor combo shot,( pre-emptive), went inside the Inn and did the same to Niera. I need rest, even if it is in the Stables. Nimbul, by the by, was carrying the one thing I've been coveting, a Find Familiar Scroll. I used it, as I said I would.
On a bit of a roll, I went straight to B-gost to deal with Tranzig right away. I begin to tire of fawning underlings who spill the beans as soon the fight begins.... begging, does not score you points with me. A little child came up to me and told me some Flaming Fist Honcho wanted to speak to me. Then, Elminster said a cryptic howdy-doo. I went and spoke to 'Officer Vai' of the 'Flaming Fist', (really? I mean, 'Flaming?', um, er, 'Fist?'....). Anyhow, she and her unit are cut off from Baldur's Gate, and they want ME to clear the way for them, by myself, and she'll pay me... wait for it.... 50 gold/ scalp to carry stinking diseased greasy Bandit Scalps around. Riiiiiiight, ok, buh bye now. Kill your own damned Bandits, Be-yotch!
Then, it was off to the east, to clear the Temple area.I have found it to be a very powerful combo attack, to have meteors pre-cast, and then a missile hit, immediately followed by meteors, which one can hit simultaneous with the first two missiles, and the second right after the last one. Even Vampiric Wolves can be felled by this attack, going down before they get to you.
Next, the Temple area. Now, I don't know what kind of life my Ferret thought he was going to have when I popped him out of whatever plane he came from, but, he's going to be busy for a while. I released him from my pack, and invisibled him.Go forth, and Scout!
So, what does a Dread Wolf see, exactly? First, at the same instant, he sees me, and hears me start to cast Missle at him. Four balls of energy fan out and start homing in on him. Almost immediatly after, he sees a fireball come out of my hand as he starts to run towards me. Pow, one missile hits, Pow, the second hits. Next, the first fireball hits, then Pow, Pow, the 3rd and 4th Missiles hit. He's getting close both to me, and death,(no irony there), and then the 2nd fireball finishes him. Done. A Vampiric Wolf meets the same fate, oftentimes biting my Stoneskin once or twice until the second Missile casting finishes him. Toasted. Tee to the Hee!
Next, south to Ulcaster, where I slid through to where Ulcaster's Ghost was, killing Icharid on the way. Ulcaster was a breeze to clear, grabbed the Book, back topside, gave it to Ulcaster. Moved on out to the Firewine Bridge.
Blew by all the low level fodder, straight for the big game. Mielium, he was a pushover, poof! you blind!....now, you dead! Khark, ah, Khark was worthy. Indeed. An initial Mexican Standoff, me, invisible, Khark, minor Globe. Waited until it wore off, backed off out of sight, nailed him with 3! Skull Traps, re- invisibled. Hit him with a Dragonbreath, he nailed me with a lightning Bolt. hit him with a missile, he hit me with an Acid Arrow. Then, he panicked, which was his downfall, another Acid Arrow, and I'd have been toast. Three meteors, and he was done.
Down in the Labyrinth, Ignore the Kobolds, Find the Undead Knight, kill him, take the Armor back to the Ghosts... yawn. Next, I worked my way over to where Lendarn and Co. were, lobbed a couple Skull Traps into the hall right in front of Lendarn. This also took out two Ogrillon. My third Skull Trap injured the Ogre Mage, I backed off, re-invisibled, and hit him with a Missile/Meteor combo shot.... Maze clear, up to the Halfling Village.
After talking to the Mayor, Gondalor, or some such, I released my Ferret, and he scouted out to the SW, until we ran into Molkar and friends. Wasted them, and headed back to the north.
Back on the Basilisk board, I took care of the unfinished business of Peter and friends, and a Lesser Basilisk left from before. Now, for that little freak, Mutamin,( have you had your Mutamin today?) That taken care of, it was time to go North.
Next area, killed an Ettercap, then. my Ferret spied a group of four Thayvian,( I think), red robed Mages. I talked to them, but, they're predictable in their arrogant attitudes. A skull trap killed the Lady Mages, and injured Denak and Brendan. I backed out of sight and Iv'd came back and gave them another.... dropping them.
I looped around towards the East side of the area, running into a group of six Various Spiders,Huge, Giant, Phase, Sword, Wraith. Killed the lot of them. Love that Skull Trap. Everybody raves about the Fireball... but, for me, make it Skull Trap. This got me level 9.
Took: Melf's Acid Arrow, Remove Magic, and Red Fireshield. I love Acid arrow, for it deals damage for 4 rounds,( at L-9), disrupting Casters. You have to have something to peel spell protections off of opponents, and Remove Magic does this nicely. And Red fireshield hurts opponents when they attack you in melee, not to mention 50% additional Fire Resistance. This brings me to 100% fire resist when active. Later, when I go higher yet in Fire resist, fire attacks will actually heal me! Cleared the area, went on towards Larswood. Gonna be a while before I level up again. Swept through Larswood like a freakin' Hurricane. Walked up to Teven and friends, Stoneskinned, mirrored, and Fireshielded, pre-cast with Meteors, and ready to cast in a heartbeat. Dumb-ass, still told me to surrender, hmmmm?, are you blind? One Skulltrap took out all the Bandits, and Teven, while kind of tough, never stood a prayer. Not the same Rabbit as at the beginning, hey? More like the Monty Python 'killer rabbit', with' sharp pointy teeth' heh heh, just kidding!
Between Osmadi himself, and his Cave Bear and a Dire Wolf Summons, I emptied my spellbook, completely, and took 30 damage or so before I beat them. Druids are tough. I respect them, don't like them... but... Red Fireshield kicks butt, I must say.
After resting, I skinned, and precast meteors, went over to talk to Corsone. He's a liar, that much is clear, well, WAS a liar. He didn't like fire, much.Finished the area and booked up to Larswood.
Nothing too noteworthy here, cleared it, moved to the Bandit Camp.
I nipped my way around the edges of the camp, killing Bandits from ambush, drawing more out, killing them one by one until the camp exterior was clear. I barely had enough steam to take out everybody. Ardenor Crush was no big deal. Taugosz was a bit tougher, as I was being pelted by 3 Bandits as I fought him. My red Fireshield saved my ass. By the end of the battle, I was 100 % out of every spell, and ability, using my Staff to finish the last 2 Bandits, assisted by damage dealt out by my fireshield.Two seconds after I killed the last, it ran out. Down to 8 HP, as well.
After resting, I buffed up with everything I had, precast meteors, and IV'd into the main building. I went up to the far corner next to the throne as far from them as I could get. I took out the mage first, they all attacked. My mirrors, and, especially the Red fireshield saved my butt, I tell you. Raemon killed himself by attacking me, but, it was close, I was down to ten hitpoints by the time I killed them all. Man, I don't have to tell you that they had a lot of great loot and really nice gear. Gauntlets of Weapons expertise, Eagle Bow, gold. I could have made a fortune, if that was how I rolled. It is not. Left it ALL lay. Endar Sai gave me some pertinent info... let him go free.
On my way out of the camp, I saw one lonesome Chill Hob-Gob...I left him live, so he could tell the tale of the phantom Sorcerer who killed and disappeared into the thin air, to emerge on the other side of camp to kill again. Of the Sorcerer named Rabbit, who brought death and ruin to their plans. On to Chapter Four.
Felt that it would be a good thing to go back over to the Ankheg Farm area to pick up some easy XP by killing all the Ankheg, so, I did that.
I headed over to the Cloakwood Forest, and started in, clearing the eastern half , and helped out Sashenstar against the Druids, who damned near killed me. I was down to four HP before I took down Seniyad. It took three sleep cycles to heal up, having only 2 cure spells..... but, I live. Cleared the area, headed west.
Next Cloakwood area, spiders, spiders, ettercaps.... throw a combo platter of Skull Traps to soften them up, meteor/missile double slams and Red Fireshield for those who slip through, I took Chelacks brother back to him, crushing Centeon and her minions in the cave.... Fireshield once again making the difference 'tween life and death. Lots of good xp here. Cleared it, next area.... the third.
Which I used basically to get to the fourth area. I talked to several different Druids, and dispatched a dude named Peter and his Baby Wyverns. Cleared the area, moved on.
We, ( my Ferret and I), started clearing the area, killing a Hamadryad, and then destroying a bunch of Wyvern in a cave. It is important to always try to get the jump on your opponents. I was able to find a spot in the Wyvern Cave where I could be out of vision of all of them. Patience and invisibility enabled me to find it. The Wyvern never had a chance, really. Only fools rush in, where Wizards fear to tread!Cleared the rest of the 4th Cloakwood area, on to the Mines!
The battle outside the compound was fairly easy, though a little bloody. For Drasus and Co., that is! I am standing on top of the guy with the boots of speed.... and I can't take them. How incredibly sad. I have sworn.
The Cloakwood Mine
First floor, no trouble. Now, I'm not going to pick a fight with every single guard I stumble across. I'll stealth it AMAP, and kill those that I have to, so as not to burn through all my spells, and take lots of damages on low level, low reward vermin. Large groups, well that's a different story.
Second floor, and, here's your different story. I Skinned and Mirrored while Iv'd, and got through the traps no problem. Harieshan was pretty lonely after a Skull Trap took out all but two of her minions, Meteors finished her. My Stoneskins went down at the same time as the last thug. I love it when that happens!
Third floor, and I killed everything on the level. Blasted poor Natasha right out of her robe. Killed an Ogre Mage, always fun.
Down to the fourth floor, One Guard, then Daevorn. I was all buffed up for him, and rested. His two Battle Horrors came after me, and, I pulled the old sidetrack routine, I lured them off into the bedroom, and invisibled before they started hammering me. Left them standing there looking stupid. Back to the matter, or rather, Wizard at hand. I hit him with a Missile/Meteor combo shot, which actaully dealt him decent damage. Skull Traps won't touch him. He kept Dimension Dooring,( note to self, D-Door is ineffective, do not take it, ever).I stayed in attack mode, and would just go to wherever he went to, and kept hitting him. He got me with a Fireball spell, but, I was Red Fireshielded... no damage. I hit him with a remove magic, and then more Meteors, finally, an Acid Arrow, which killed him. I love Mage on Mage battles. I grabbed the River Plug Key off of Daevorn's Corpse, gave it to the guy by the Plug, we flooded the Mines. Tired, 100% out of spells, Bloodied, but victorious, I move on to Chapter 5.
Ahhh, the big city, Baldur's Gate. I wonder at the size of it, coming from tiny Candlekeep, and thinking that Beregost was big! Elminster seemed as if waiting for me, and we had a talk by the city gates.
Moving along, I was approached by a thief, Niklos, who gave me 50 gold just to listen to his master's 'proposition'. I went in , I listened, and agreed to his idea in good faith... went and stole the Airship stuff, brought it back... my end of the deal. Now, I know better than to trust thieves, especially when you're doing them a favor. They always seem to want to alter the deal to their advantage after the fact. So, I entered their place Stoneskinned. I stood in the door to their room, and talked to Alatos, who praised my efficiency, and then the Halruuan wizard turned on me. While Resar cast Mirror Image, I disappeared. Nobody i've run across has Truesight, so, its almost too easy. Patience is a virtue, or so 'tis said, but, it is also a weapon. Simply waiting for his spell to wear off leaves him standing there un-defended. I hit him with an Acid Arrow, fizzling whatever spell he was going to cast, then four Meteors while waiting to be able to cast again, keeping him from casting. Then a Missile finished him. The thieves left me alone after that, and, I found another Tome in a barrel there. I still don't know what any of these Tomes will do, not being wise enough to Identify them. Someday, I may be able to read them.
Wandered over to the Seven Suns, and killed the D-gangers that were in there, released Jhasso, reported to Scar, who then tasked me to find out who or what is disappearing people in the night. After that, I killed some time by looking around for a Temple to donate my excess cash. Which was the Lady's Hall to the NW side of town. By way of exploration, I continued around the north side. I was approached by a lad named Varci, who asked for my help with raising his dead friend... they said to talk to the Priestess of Umberlee at her Temple.
While I was at the Lady's Hall, I paid to have the three Tomes I was carrying Identified. Not strict poverty, that. I justify it thusly. As a Sorcerer, sworn to poverty, who uses no items that would make my life infinitly easier, all I have is knowledge. Is knowledge a thing? Yes, and no. It certainly is of value. It makes me stronger in a way that no 'thing' could, and cannot be taken away or sold for profit, once they have been read. These Tomes, I read them, and they raised my Con, Cha, and Dex each by one point, permanently.
A Mage named Ramazith asked me to go rescue a Nymph from the clutches of another mage name of Ragefast, cool name, bad wizard, holding a nymph captive. One or another, or both them are lying about it. I will find out which it is, and make sure the nymph goes free in the end. First up, Ragefast. He was willing to fight and, well, die to keep the Nymph, so be it. So, I took Abela, the Nymph captive back to Ramazith, and he had some gruesome plans for her. After our business was done, he would no longer give me the time of day, so, I hit him with a Missile/Meteor Double shot... Buh... Bye! Freed the Nymph, and explored Ramazith's tower. He had a REALLY nice Ring of Protection +2, if you're in to that sort of thing...I killed all the Ghast on the 3rd level of the Tower on my way back down with another of my Precious Tomes. This got me to Level 10. I took, um, Cloudkill, heh heh, yup, sure did.
Next, I went down into the sewers to figure out what was up, and found plenty of vermin Carrion Crawlers, who were being directed by an Ogre mage..... they can't handle cloudkill very well. My Ferret hadn't gotten much exercise lately, so, I put her to work as my scout. Our telepathic connection enables me to direct her from afar. We can set up some wicked ambushes this way.
Back to the Fist HQ, I told Scar about the Ogre Mage, and met with Eltan, who tasked me to investigate the Iron Throne, hmmmmm...... I have noticed, now that my Con is up to 20, that I regenerate HP now, as if with a regen ring, outstanding! Another change, my Chromatic Orb spell now can petrify creatures who fail their saving throws. Turned a Carrion Crawler to stone, pleased, am I!
I went to the Temple of the Bitch Queen, and was told it would require 2000 gold 'donation' to get the boy's body back so his dad could resurrect him. I had 1000 gold from clearing the sewers, and usually donate to Temples anything over 500. Back down to where the Ogre Mage had stashed the bodies went I, and gathered up all the loot there. I popped up out of the Sewers next to the Sorcerous Sundries, and sold all the stuff, gaining more than enough for that. Also ID'd the Tome from Ramazith's Tower. Intelligence up to 19, now.
I felt a powerful flow of Magical energy coming from the upstairs of the store. Curious, I went up there, it being a 'public' place. Four mages were holding some kind of meeting up there, and were not happy to see me, to the point of being rude. Not my style to kiss butt, and soon enough, we were heading to violence. While they started to cast, I also did, my default reaction, invisibility. We all know what happens next, right? Cloudkill, that's what. They really had a lot of nice stuff, too bad for me.
I went up to the north, and was soon approached by one Marek, and his buddy, Lothander. Marek warned me in no uncertain terms to lay off the Iron Throne..... or else.....
Back to the Temple of Umberlee, I gave them the 2000 gold, they gave me the boy's body, and I went back to his house. His father, Tremain resurrected him, and they left. I talked to Varci again, and got my 2000 back, and 5000XP for the whole adventure, and what looks like a +1 Large Shield....
On the way back from there, I ran into Lothander, who told me I've been poisoned. Believing him has no downside, if he's lying, then I'll just kill him when I find out. If he's telling me true, and I don't believe him, there's a HUGE downside. I do feel a little funny.... Went to the Diviner, who told me I had to talk to Umberlee's witches to get what I need to free Lothander from his curse, so he can tell me how to cure my poison.... SOMEBODY is going to pay for all this bullshit, for sure.
And, they did. The Umberlee bitch wanted a book from the The Lady's Hall, which the dude there gave me for free, wtf?. Gave it to her, and she gave me a scroll for Lothander. Now, I've just about had enough of the Umberlants and their crap. I mean, killing a little boy for playing a game, and then demanding 2000 gold for his body? Her attitude cinched it for me. There was nobody around, and a pretty clear escape route, screw it, I WANT THAT TOME! I hit her with a Missile/Meteor shot, and she went down easy. Her acolytes were slow on the uptake,( I don't think they expected their Priestess to get offed right in front of them). I picked the Tome off her corpse,( could've got my money back, as well), and made for the door, and invisibled as soon as I was outside. But, nobody ever came out, and nobody outside the wiser. I get another point of Wisdom, and 6000 XP for killing Jalantha, or whatever her name WAS. I think I'll not be welcome there anymore!
I Gave the scroll to Lothander at the Blade and Stars, and he gives me HALF of the potion.... and tells me where Marek is at. COME on! Now, I had noticed that Lothander appeared to move like he was on speed, or wearing Boots of Speed. His mistake was being a puss, and allowing himself to be manipulated into helping Marek mess with ME! Before I talked to him, I left my Ferret blocking the exit. As soon as we were done talking and had made our exchange, he bolted for the door. How satisfying was it to turn him into stone with a Chromatic Orb?.. and then hit him with a Meteor and watch him become Gravel? I kept a piece of him for a lucky rock, and carry it with me to this day. Not to mention 4000 XP for the satisfaction. Now, for Marek.
On the way there, I was approached by a mage name of Brielbara, who asked me to help her save her daughter from a curse, all I have to do is go get a spellbook from another mage who probably wants to keep it.... but, on a positive note, he hangs out at a whorehouse...no pun intended... The Low Lantern, was the name.
Anyhow, for Marek. Upstairs, at The Blushing Mermaid, was where he held forth. First I had to pull a fast one on a dumb-ass Ogre who wanted to kill me....yawn. Marek, to his credit, didn't mess around. A short speech, and, right to the casting. I dusted off my DragonBreath spell, and nailed him with four Meteors, dropping him for a measly 650 XP. Poisoning cured, all participants dead, and a bunch of XP and more Wisdom to boot! Win, win!
Went down to the Low Lantern, inside, I was approached by two fine young Psychotic ladies who wanted to 'show me the delights of Entropy', hmmm, the pleasure of death and decay.. I, um passed. Of course, Yago didn't want to be parted with his spellbook but in the end, he did indeed give it to me, after a fashion. I took the book back to Brielbara.
Down in the Blade and Stars, I talked to Ga'xir the Seer, who wants a Sphene Gem. This leads me to a guy down the street in a Warehouse, named Nadarin who told me of an escaped Greater Basilisk in another Warehouse by the Docks. Killed the Basilisk, got the Gem, talked to Nadarin again, then talked to Ga'xir again, all told, about 10,000 easy XP.
I ran into old Sashenstar in front of the Merchant League, he asked me to check out what's going on inside. More D-gangers, that what was going on.... I investigated the situation for Brandilar, and then took care of all the Dopplegangers. Sheesh, the place was Crawling with them. I accidentally set off a Skull Trap too close to myself while fighting the D-gangers, and just about killed myself. The most damage I had suffered in quite some time. Must be very careful with them. I needed rest, and so, found an Inn nearby, and slept. Showtime!
I invisibled all the way up to the top floor, started casting Cloudkill, they talked to me before I was done casting, and, then it began. I was fully buffed up for the fight, and immediately started casting Invisible again, taking some shots with my Skins... Waited out the cloud, moved out of sight of them all, and hit 'em with it again. I re-invisibled before my skins wore out... barely. The second got them all except for Cloudwulf. Skull Trap did him in. Once more, loads of great loot, none of it for me. Thaldorn was a punk, chicken to the end, he gave me what he knew and then I took his life.
I had to fight my way out of the Iron Throne HQ, having slipped in while invisible. That done, I went back to the Fist HQ, and spoke with Duke Eltan. He tasked me with going immediately to Candlekeep, to spy on the Iron Throne leaders meeting there. And by Immediately, I mean NOW!. And so, 68 days and 10 hrs after I left, I came back home.
Chapter Six
return to Candlekeep
I slept at the old inn at Candlekeep, and went into the central keep. It was like visiting your old grade school, it seemed so much bigger back then. Even though 'back then' is not even 3 months ago. I have changed much. Before I had to leave here, I had but 2 kills, my firsts, and seemed to enjoy it somehow. Now, 512 kills later, exists a harder, more jaded Rabbit.
Up to the third floor, where I greatly desired to have a 'talk' with those who had driven me to become a killing machine. I wish to know if they like what they have created. I don't think that they will.
On the way up, Koveras approached me and wanted to give me a ring of Gorion's. He described the scene of Gorion's final battle to a detail, mentioning all but one of the attackers, and would not say how he came by my father's ring. Oh, I think I know. Reversing the letters that spell 'Koveras', gives you, 'Sarevok'. He seemed to be goading me into attacking the Iron Throne leaders upstairs. Hmmm. What, does it mean?
I went and confronted Rieltar and his thugs, Brunos, Alatos and Tuth. Rieltar Improved Invisibled, I invisibled, and the game begins again. I waited for his spell to wear off, which it would. I would be able to judge how powerful he was by how long his spell lasted. The others stood there wondering where we had gone. Rieltar's spell did not last very long at all, he must be barely capable of casting it. He popped back into sight, and, I backed off and lobbed a skull trap at the group, with 3 Meteors after taking out Alatos. I re-Iv'd, and lobbed another 2 Skulls at them, taking out Rieltar, who is, as it turns out, a low point thug Mage, definitly not a major foe. Tuth and Brunos were tougher, and still kicking. Brunos was next to fall, but, it was Tuth who was the tough guy of the group. I re-Iv'd, and went looking for Gorion's old room.
I found the note that Gorion left me, and, it was a revelation, indeed. So, I am the son of Bhaal, god of murder? Or, rather, I am A son of Bhaal, as there are many others. The blood of the Lord of Murder runs through my veins, hmmmm, as well as that of Dragons. Perhaps, the world would do well to be afraid of me! After this, I turned myself in to the Gatewarden.
Ulruant, the head of Candlekeep, came along, and charged me with the murder of Rieltar and Friends...Fine. Tethtoril then came along, and teleported me into the Catacombs to face what I might there. I am grateful for the chance to escape. I must get back to Baldur's Gate, ASAP.
First thing, in the catacombs, I found it odd that Phlydia would be down in there, I had just spoken to her outside the 'Keep? All was made clear quite soon, as she revealed herself to be a D-ganger.... well, this will make things easier, no longer will I have to speak them before killing them. Preferable, I know they are not my old friends in reality, all a ruse to make me hesitate, not going to work, though.
Now, I knew, that, in this first level of the Catacombs, that there were 2 of those precious Tomes that I covet, I also knew, that getting to them was not going to be easy. There were lots of traps that I would set off, and just have to absorb or deflect the damage. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
After killing the False Phlydia, I Mirrored and went around the first corner to the left, and sharp left right away, taking a little damage from some Missile traps, and got missed by a Lightning trap. Knocked the lock on the Coffin, and grabbed the first book. I made a wrong turn , and ended up having to kill about 7 or 8 Ghast back down the end of a long hallway, went back and found the right way. Down the correct hallway, at the end of it I came to a room full of Phase Spiders. Took them out, and rested. I grabbed the Other Tome that I knew of from the coffin there, and exited to the second area, taking heavy damage from Lightning Bolt traps on the way back down the long hallway.
In the second area, killed a few more of my old 'Friends', and two of my halfling friends helped me without my asking, they didn't want to join me. just help me out of the Catacombs. Soon enough, my ferret re-conned a group of D-gangers posing as Elminster, Gorion, and a couple others.... I CK'd them, and took them out easy with a few Meteors. If they had been the REAL Gorion and Elminster, I'd have been toast, for sure. I battled on down the rest of the hallway, and fell asleep, exhausted.
In the cave, only Prat was smart enough to get out of the Cloud. He was tough, I must say. He had me caught in a quick rebound between walls with a Lightning Bolt, got me down to 5 HP before I got him. Acid Arrow turned the tide here for me, making him fail casting several times while I killed him. There were a couple of Phase and a Wraith Spider, and then, two Greater Basilisk later, I levelled up to 11. And exited the cave.
I took Blur, Fireball, Greater Malison, and Sunfire. A huge increase in Offensive firepower, if not defensive, and, it will have to do for a long while, I'm afraid. A firey creature have I become. As much xp as it has taken me to get this far, it will take as much again to get the next level...I stopped at the Temple at the Friendly Arm Inn, and paid from my meager gold to ID the two Tomes I brought out of Candlekeep, Wisdom, and Strength, leaving me with 28 gold, Poor enough for you? After reading them, my attribute points are such: 19/19/20/19/10/16. Godlike.
I slipped back into town, and, the place was crawling with Fist Enforcers, looking for me. Good thing for Invisibility. Out in front of the Sorcerous Sundries, was somebody I had seen before. It was the bitch that was with Sarevok and Co. on the night they killed my father. She did alot of damage to Gorion , stripping him of his spell protections while Sarevok carved him up. It was too out in the open to just kill her, and too many Enforcers nearby... so, I spoke to her, Tamoko, is her name. She told me some cryptic crap about my heritage and the pull of blood.. blah blah, and that Duke Eltan was being poisoned, kept sick. She wanted to meet again.
We met again as planned outside the Fist HQ, and she told me some more cryptic stuff about my, Brother, I am certain of it! We are the spawn of Bhaal!, I vowed to try to defeat Sarevok, but not kill him for her, she obviously loves him. Who knows, maybe I won't HAVE to kill him... riiiight!
I IV'd on up to the top of the Iron Throne HQ, and talked to Cythandria. When she turned hostile, I backed off and IV'd again, as she summoned two NAMED Ogres, Ughh and Arghh, something like that. They stood there looking stupid, and, I went into the side room, and shot a CK out into the hallway, dropping the two. I re IV'd again, and Cythandria came to the doorway, and begged for mercy, spilling everything she knew, and then I finished her off with a few meteors and a missile. Dumb Bitch! I took my brother's diary, and was out of there to go free Eltan.
I made my way out of the Iron Throne HQ, right out in the open, everyone was either already gone, or leaving. All the rats had left that ship... I rested at Jopalin's Tavern. On my way to the Fist HQ, almost right in front of it, I let myself get taken by two enforcers, and was captured. Taken up in front of the newly self-appointed leader of the Fist, one Angelo, who sentenced me to death. Hmmm. We shall see about that.
In jail with me was one strange little child killing pervert, name of Neb, who had a way out if I could solve his little riddle, the answer of which was 33. Back on the street, I IV'd it right back in the Fist HQ.
Right on up to the top, I took out the 'caregiver', who was named 'Rashaad', but was really a D-Ganger with three Meteors, and grabbed Eltan, taking him to the Harbor Master. The pace has definitely picked up!.
Off to the Iron Throne HQ, down to the basement, around to the SE, out to the Sewers, around to the SW, and, voila!, the Undercellars, a pit of depravity unlike any I've ever seen.
Once there, the first I came upon was a Blurred Slythe. I backed off, and cast Red fireshield, still invisible, I crept into his sight, and as he came up to me and started a little freaky talk with Krystin, I hit him a Melf's Acid Arrow, immediately followed by a volley of Melf's Meteors, ( love that guy, Melf). He attacked me, and I kept hitting him with meteors. Every time he hit me, it did a little damage, but mostly turned it back on him. He ended up killing himself.
Then Kristen came out of invisibilty. She hit me with a dispel Magic, but, I made my save. I re-Iv'd, and, there we stood for awhile. Krystin in a Minor Globe, me with a fireshield. Standoff. After quite a bit, her protections wore off, and I was able to pelt her with Acid Arrow, Meteors. This is very effective to keep Casters from casting. The trick is to get the jump on them, by attacking them. Cast something quick, like Acid Arrow, and pelt them with meteors for the rest of the round. Usually, you disrupt their first casting. If you can disrupt their second casting with meteors, you can then hit them with a missile or another Acid Arrow, then pelt them some more. This technique is usually fatal to your enemies.
I pilfered Slythe's corpse and relieved it of the invites to Sarevok's Coronation Ball. I had taken some damage from Slythe, and so rested up to be ready for the big Coronation.
I got in to the Big Event, and positioned myself up next to Belt while invisible, I buffed up, Blur, Mirror, red
Fireshield. Fully loaded up with Meteors, I spoke to Belt. This triggered the Ceremony to begin, and then a lot of the guests turned into Greater Dopplegangers. Who are, as it turns out, very susceptable to the Sleep spell. That's right, Sleep... Spell! heh heh heh! When we killed all of them, Liaa was dead. I showed my evidence to Belt, and then, Sarevok went nuts, knowing his plan was all shot to Hell. He fought a little, but, being way outnumbered, he teleported outta there. Belt divined his destination, and 'ported me there right after. To the Undercity. But first, I was very beat up from the fight with the D-gangers, and needed to heal up, and be strong. I had been teleported to the Thieves Guild, which is the location of the entrance to.... the Maze!
The Maze was definitely filled with traps, no doubt on that. And Slimes of various sorts, not to mention Doom Guards. I had no magic to work on the skeleton warriors, and, my physical attacks aint much, so, I passed them by, all skinned and blurred and mirrored, and invisible, still taking massive damages from lightning traps. The stretch of 3-4 missile traps damn near killed me, but, I survived, and talked with Sarevok's mentor, Winski Perorate. Quite the arrogant plan my brother has, wanting to be a God.....
I wanted to be fully charged for whatever was to come in my showdown with my brother, so I IV'd and slept right at the entrance. I snuck around the backside of the little welcoming committee set up by Shaldrissa and friends, and proceeded to CK them, killing Wudei. The two warriors had chased over to where I had hidden. I re IV'd, Shaldrissa had gone berserk, running around like a chicken. I was all alone with just Haseo and Gorf, so I sunfired ,taking out Haseo. Gorf chased me back to the east, where I took him out. I lobbed a Skull trap over where Rahvin and Carston were standing, injuring them both. They came at me, and talked a little before they attacked. I backed off, taking some hits with my stoneskins, and re-Iv'd. Next, I set up a double Skull trap( trap) for Rahvin, but, the first one did him in. Great, now I have a Trap floating around. A cloudkill took out Carston, leaving Shaldrissa near dead. I hit her with a Missile/meteor combo, and dropped her. Rested.
Try though I did, I could not talk Tamoko out of fighting me. She fell to an assault of Acid Arrows, and a couple of SkullTraps. But not before she nailed me with a couple of Flamestrikes. The AA's really helped out, causing her to fail a couple different spells. Ok, brother dearest, here I come. After a rest, that is.
The Final Battle
Invisible, I went inside. Just to get the party started, I lobbed a Cloudkill up on to the dias, and then made for the door. Sarevok said, " your death is inevitable", and attacked. I thought, well, duh, everybody's death is inevitable... and hit the door while Semaj and Anjelo took some damage. Outside, I cast invisible again, and Sarevok came out. We had a little talk, brotherly love, that sort of thing, done talking, just as I disappeared. Sarevok is now an outdoor cat, and, back inside, go I.
Semaj was standing there, not far from the entrance, and I went off to the side and hit him with a Cloudkill from just out of sight, and re-Iv'd. It took him down to near dead, and killed a lot of bats. When I crept back into his sight, I tripped a Lightning Trap, and, he was invisible. I knew he was there, though, and tossed a Skull Trap at his position. He took damage, but Malisoned me, a Meteor took him out. One down....
I cast my two measly healing spells on myself, and waited for the Malison to wear off before I would go stomping traps with horrible saving throws.
Back at it, I shot another Cloudkill up at the dias, drawing out Tazok and Anjelo. I took a couple shots with my 'Skins as I re-invisibled at the edge of the Cloud, keeping them from following me out of it. They got dragged down pretty well. When the Cloud dissipated, Anjelo was visible, but, Tazok was not. Anjelo was also near dead. I tossed a Skull Trap at him, and he got me with an arrow of Fire. Wrong choice of Arrow, it did almost nothing to me, being highly fire resistant has its upside, I guess. A single Meteor took out Anjelo, and Then Tazok was on me, and, I went Invisible while there was still a couple of skins left. He was only injured, and I knew better than to try him without a little bit more tenderizing.... I was getting limited in my spell selection at this point, but, I reloaded Meteors, running me out of level 3 spells, and red fireshielded, armed and buffed as much as can be, I waited a round, and then hit Tazok with a Missile. He was still stunned, and took several Meteors before it wore off. Time enough for me to cast another round of Missiles at him, and another couple of Meteors took him out. Looks like its just me, and thee, Bro'. Casting my last Invisible, I went outside, and just out of my brother's sight, I rested.
The Battle with Sarevok
Upon waking, I buffed up with everything that I had, 'Skins, Blur, Mirrors, Red Fireshield, Meteors pre-cast. Invisible, I crept up to where I could just see him. Then Backed off just a touch. I threw out four Skull Traps, a little more closer to me than to him, and then I cast the last right out to him. This one went off as planned, and then Sarevok attacked me, as planned. Running right out under all the four Traps, and not setting them off, not as planned! Dammit!, so, I had to count on my protections to pull me through. I led him back over towards the trap, setting them off on both me and him. They hurt me badly, but hurt him worse..... I played keep-away from him long enough to cast Missiles, and, he took away my last stoneskin at the same time they launched..... DEAD!, Sarevok is dead!
I sat and thought for a long time after that, lots of things. Like, nobody around Sarevok could come up with a Truesight scroll? It would have made my tactics impossible, a simple freakin scroll! Or, why in the green world would Sarevok just sit there outside, waiting for me, when he could have gone back in, and made me come to him on his turf. Instead letting me rest up and take him on fresh. Or, what am I to do now?
I headed on up to Ulgoth's Beard, for a diversion, and One Wizard, name of Shandalar asked my help to retrieve his lost Cloak, lost at some remote location. I said sure, I was ready, and WHOA!, I was teleported to some Helm forsaken island in the middle of nowhere. Sigh, I should've known it would be treachery.
So, I buffed up a little, and walked on in, killing the two Winter Wolves by the door. Set up the welcoming committee of Andris, Beyn and friend with a Remove Magic, then, a cloudkill, got rid of the two. Marcellus went down first, and Beyn came round the corner to me, and I wasted him with the usual attack... Then Andris went down.
Off to the west from there, two more Winter Wolf. I bypassed a Polar Bear for now, and came around a corner to see Garan. I started casting a remove magic on him, and he said he wanted whatever it was I had,( Wardstone) to get off the Island. I got jumped by an Ankheg, and went around the corner back away from Garan, who went Imp Invisible. I killed the Ankheg, and then went back to face Garan. I waited until he popped out visible, and hit him with a Missile shot, and Meteors took him out . About then I got jumped by another Ankheg, and retreated back around the corner all the way back to the Bear... who turned
hostile, and I had to take him out. At least the Ankheg couldn't go that far. Rested.
When I got back at it, I don't know if it was 5, or 6 more Ankheg, then, another rest. Next up, Cuchol. He talked like a friend, but red circled like an enemy. My gut said, kill him, ask questions later. I came back around to where I first came in, and next went up to the NE hallway, got hit by traps, traps, traps, then some little gnome mage fought me, and I continued around until I ran into three Winter Wolves. I saw the first, and hit with a Missile shot, and started throwing at the second before they even hit the first. I was taking cold damage, so, I went in the middle of them all while I still had some protections, and Sunfired them, dropping two. Still taking damage while throwing Meteors at melee range,( never a great thing), until I could cast another missile to finish the third.I was all beat to Hell, and rested.... again.
I entered the sight of one last mage, Dezkiel, who talked the talk, and then Shadow doored, ( note to self, it sucks as bad as Dimension door, never take it). I went Invisible, waited.... .... then he popped back in, can you guess it? do you not yet know it?, heh heh heh, Skull Trap....Meteors....Missile= dead mage. I took the Cloak, and went outside, teleported back to Ulgoth's Beard. Shandalar relieved me of the Cloak, and Wardstone.... see ya later. Strange little adventure, that.
So, there was an obvious huckster, Ike, trying to part people from both their money, and their lives, and make a profit from both the tragic, horrifying story of Durlag, and also selling them the gear to venture into his Tower. Oh, I know, its like climbing half-way up the Devil's Tower, nobody will care, but, you can still say that you did it..... most people will back out at the first sight of blood, but not all. Nobody casual has made it through, to my knowledge. These con-men, selling tours, are scum. I told him so, and he insulted my courage, he has NO IDEA.... I got so pissed, I lost it for a second, and hit him with a missile..... and, well, I should not have done it, but, one meteor killed him, dropping my reputation 10 points, down to 10..... I must control my emotions, but, I've been under a little stress, lately.
I went on in to the Inn in town, indeed, and, um, inside, was one 'Hurgan Stoneblade' Wants me to go to the very same Durlag's Tower to retrieve his supposed 'birthright', a dagger with the name of 'Soultaker'. This is wonderful stuff, he bought me a beer or two to tell me his tale, and, it might just be B.S.... but, how could I resist?
But first, I remembered the stench of Evil about the Cave that the Diggers were exploring, in the 'area far west of Nashkel.' I went inside the cave, and took the Idol from the coffin. Back outside, I was confronted by 'DOOMSAYER'. Lets just call it a 4000XP diversion.
Next up, Durlag's Tower
When the first enemy you face, the FIRST ONE, is a 4000 xp Battle Horror, that's when you know you're in the shit. Got the first two. Singly, I can take them, if I am Red Fireshielded, Stoneskinned, Blurred. I start out just out of their sight with a SkullTrap, then nail 'em with a Fireball, and then meteors as they approach, with a Missile shot as soon as I can cast again. That's the worst case scenario there, usually, they go down a little earlier in that sequence.
Before resting again, I'm going to case the whole outside. One thing seems certain, and that is that I'm going to hit level 12 somewhere inside this Hellhole.
Some more B-Horrors, A couple Doom Guards, skellys, D-gangers... sheesh, and this is just the OUTSIDE. Still, nothing I can't handle with some patience..... and luck. I entered the Tower.
Entry Level, 'scoped it out, nothing here but a Skeleton that won't talk to you. Went all around, no enemies. Went upstairs via the stairway on the outer edge of the level, for now, not the inside one. Ran into a room with five Ghast, and 3 Silence traps... would have been nasty except for invisibility.... killed them, after waiting out the spell.
I cleared out the entire upper structure of the Tower, of interest being the 'Ghost', and then Kirinhale. I found another of my precious Tomes on the third level, and, had to rest several times. Time to descend further into the Tower, and , into Durlag's own personal madness.
Now, for the meat. I entered the first of the lower levels, and started to explore. Durlag is cruel. I cannot imagine what the rest of this dungeon has in store for me, when all there is here is endless confrontation, endless traps, endless puzzles to figure out. I must rest constantly from all the traps, and, to understand the Hell that Durlag has gone through, I need be very strong, indeed.
I found a Mallet head, and the handle, and kept them. and located an anvil, as well. There were some grapes, that I kept, and a ruby ring. I was constantly going around half beat up. My thirst to understand Durlag outweighs the pain of his cruel traps. I explore, I get hurt, heal, rest.... I have time.
His pattern is obvious enough, everything must be explored, everything is a trap, all things lead you to what you need to advance further. Truly, a house of pain, for those of us lonely souls who travel alone, and do not have trap skills!
Finding the key to the drawer that can't be unlocked gets you the switch to start the machine that makes the wine.... but not until you have fought through two Flesh Golems, two Skeleton warriors, and two skeletons... did I mention the traps. Yes, I think so.
So far, I have completed the riddles of Avarice and Fear, and Pride. I have what Love requires..... this can't end well, now, can it? Sure enough, giving Love what he needs results in them all turning on me, but, it really wasn't that bad. I was able to invisible while they all buffed up as well, and, they all were clustered at the spot where I was last seen. Dumb-asses! Likely as not, you know that I will just back off, and hit them with a Malison, after their buffs wear off. Then a Cloudkill to soften them up, followed by a Skull Trap, or, more likely, two, taking down all but Fear. I invisibled right on up to his near-dead self, and gave him a Sunfire. Buh-Bye, Fear! Stick to what you know, I always say.
I rested, grabbed the Wardstone off of Love, and prepared to descend further into Madness.
The Tower of Durlag, Part Two
It was almost a pleasure, trying to solve the riddles set before me in the next level of the tower, but again, it is naught but a Gauntlet of ever increasing torment and pain, and, it begins to wear upon me. I have lost track of how many different Islannes, and Fuerbols, or whatever and Kiels... all Dopplegangers, who keep coming back again and again. Everything must be explored, everything must be tested, tripped, killed, over and over and over. What did it take to twist a mind as far as Durlag? I MUST know this!
Days I have spent here in this level, and cannot find the way down. Grrrr! I am angered, frustrated, and running out of patience with Durlag and his little games. I steeled myself, and looked a little deeper, and, finally found the Wardstone needed to escape this level..... which is, out the frying pan, into the fire, as they say.
I came into a room that continually emits Fireball spells and has four spokes coming off of it. I crossed over to the MW doorway, and entered another room. This was dominated by a huge skeleton of a Dragon, with a Skeleton who told me I had to kill three Greater Wyverns in the room, and I could use the help of some Dire-charmed Warriors to do the deed. These were the Statues that were in the room, and, I was certain that they would turn on me as soon as they were able. I did not use them, and killed the Wyvern on my own. Red fireshield , a little dragon breath .... time consuming process, but, it was done in two sleep cycles.
Through the doorway at the end of this room, there is a long hallway, with doors along one side, and a couple of halls going NE and a couple of Greater Ghouls, who unlike their lesser friends, have the gift of speed. I took one down clean, usual attack, Fireshielded. The second gave me an interesting experience, which was to have done a lot of damage to him,and who then Held me. Certain death, I would say. I stood there helpless, and watched as my Fireshield killed the!dumb-ass! Lucky me.
Misery awaits he who enters Durlag's little garden of horrors, nor is there anything worth the fates that can befall you there. Confusion traps, Stun traps Poison arrow traps, five or six Greater Ghouls.... fireball traps. All for naught. I'd have skipped it if I could...
I rested and healed up from that misadventure. I think I've been in here about a week, give or take. The Statue heads in the hallway told me riddles about what I'd have to do to kill the monsters in each of the four rooms branching off of the SW side of the hall. Oh, Joy! I must kill all four, and,'then, the game will begin' Yay! What, exactly has been going on so far, if it's only just going to begin?
I started at the SE-most room, a skull trap took out the main Phoenix guard that has to be killed, ( the girl), had a little trouble with the others... then, the next room with the Air Aspect, and Invisible Stalkers was a little tough. I killed the Aspect first, and was always all buffed up especially with Blur and Fireshield throughout all of this... The stalkers also went down. The Fission Slime was a piece of cake. I really disliked Kaldran the Cave Bear on speed.... what a monster. Cloudkills took them all down.
As soon as I had killed them all, I was transported to a giant Chessboard, and told the rules. Rules?, I have to follow rules but Durlag can do as he will with no forewarning at all....? Screw this!, Here you go, have two cloudkills, Beyotches! This did the whole damned board in, and, I went on through the next doorway, and spoke with Durlag.
Or his Ghost, whatever, still more to do here, to 'understand' . I'm not sure I want to 'understand ' him any longer. I'm not sure I could even walk out of here anymore. I'm not sure what Durlag means when he talks about an Evil not of his making lurking ahead. After all he has put me through, now he needs me to take care of his dirty work for him? Interesting...
So, now begins a new phase. I went into the doorway to the SW side of the hall, and cleared out the room of all the various Spiders therein. After answering the questions posed by a Stone Golem, I was teleported to another roomfull of Golems, and talked to the one at the NE corner. I answered his Question, and was 'ported back to Durlag.
Next I explored the secret door off the other hall that lies to Durlag's right, which is a vast room filled with acid pools and Greater Ghouls, where many fools have found their ends.... Many G-Ghouls are here, as well as Crypt Crawlers... basically Carrion Crawlers who can move.... fast. Many times was I caught, held, helpless while my Fireshield killed my enemies. Probably 6 times, including the battle with 'Grael', who carries the wardstone needed to get through this area.
I next went into the secret area at the east end of this cave complex, and geared up for traps, and used the Wardstone on the door. Which took me into a room with a throne in it. I checked out the throne, and was 'ported to another room full of Golems. Again, I talked to the one in the NE corner, and answered his Question. Back to Durlag. He earlier said that I had to explore all three paths. Two down, one to go.
Back at it, on up the last hallway. I talked to Islanne, who offered me to leave this place. Aw, c'mon, you know I can't do that, I've come so far.... no turning back!. I killed the two helmed Horrors in the room to the NW, which got me.... Level 12
Now, upon achieving level 12, several interesting things happened to me. First off, my Dragonbreath spell now delivers 6d8 of damage, an average of 24... since I've not really been using it too much, excepting as a last ditch melee attack when needed, its doesn't mean too much to me, yet still... Second, my innate Fire Resistance is now 75%. Meaning of which is, if I have a Red Fireshield up, my resistance is 125%! I can now drop fireballs on myself, dealing damage to my enemies, and actually HEALING myself! Two birds, one stone, just the thing for a solo Sorcerer!
Third thing, I get a Sixth Level Mage spell, now. I took 'Mislead'. This makes me ultra-stealthy, as I can cast mislead, and send the clone off to hide, and remain non- detectable for as long as the clone lasts. I can attack from invisibilty, and then move off, becoming invisible again, until I attack again... and move off, you get the picture? Better yet, eventually, I will run into some mage that WILL have truesight, and, again, as long as the clone is not visible to him, he will not detect me.... heh heh heh!
Except for Demons, that is. They can see through it. I grabbed the Wardstone from the room where the Helmed Horrors were, and went down around to the SW all the way back through the Spider room, and came eventually to a room with a long carpet runner in it. There was a hall that went around to the SW of that with a machine in it that I turned off. Back in to the carpet room, I clicked on the bed in the NW corner, which sent me to yet another roomfull of Golems. NE corner, answer his question, back to Durlag....
Now, we're getting somewhere. He led the way to the room before the DemonKnight, where I talked to one 'Clair d'Lune, or some such, and she told me of the fate met by her party, and of a way to perhaps defeat the DemonKnight. I got totally buffed up, including my new toy, Mislead, and went in. The Demon saw me anyway, of course, and we had words.. blah, blah, typical stuff, and then I smashed the mirror, which created an image of the Demon for himself to fight. His image killed him, and all that was left was a Mirror Fiend, who went down by killing himself attacking my Fireshield. Grabbed Soultaker,( all of this for a simple Dagger with a funky hiltstone?), and, after a quick chat with Islanne, I was 'ported back to the surface, just like that! Its over, or, so I thought....
I stopped in Beregost on my way back north, and ran into a really good-looking Wild Mage waif, name of Neera, she begged for help, and, well a couple of Thayvian Wizards and their wimpy body guards didn't really stand a chance. She was VERY , um, grateful, and, we spent a fantastic night at the Red Sheaf Inn, after killing Karlot when we got there. I didn't really feel the urge to baby-sit a level 6 Wild Mage, even as cute as Neera, so I dumped her in the morning. If I change my mind, she'll be at the Friendly Arm Inn.... nice to know ya', Neera!.
As soon as I hit town, I was jumped by some 'Cult' Enforcers, Archers, Guards. I invisibled right away, while they buffed up, my remaining 'skins kept a couple arrows from me while I cast. One of the Enforcers went invisible, as did two Assassins, while the Archers were Sanctuaried. They had all gathered where they last saw me, and, I backed off a bit, and buffed up, casting Mislead last, and sending my clone away from sight. I dropped three Skull Traps on the bunch, killing most of them, except for an Assassin and one of the Enforcers. Then, my clone unsummoned, and they were on me. I hit them with a Sunfire, and killed them, along with a little kid, dropping my rep down 4 points, to seven. Which sucks, but, it is what it is, I
grabbed their stuff, and sold it, looking for a Temple, but there is none in this pit of a town. I'll buy it back a little bit later by donation. I didn't know Sunfire would kill non enemy bystanders... live and learn. Sigh.
So, I went in to the Inn, and talked to Stoneblade, who... um, yeah, NOW HE TELLS ME that the dagger, which was stolen from me in the battle is possessed by another Tan'arri Demon..... and these Cult members want to bring him back to this world, and they must be stopped... and Blah, and Blah, and Blah. You Bastard! I needed to rest, so did, and went to the Barn-like building that I knew they were holed up in. I went in 'Skinned with Meteors, and Misled before going in. They didn't see me. I went right in the middle of them and Sunfired. Taking down most of them. I back off a little, and sure enough, they couldn't see me, so, I Skulled them, getting all but one of the invisible bastards. My clone unsummoned, and the last assassin attacked me. My casting of Dragonbreath fired as my last skin went down, dropping the last assassin. No Dagger.
I cast another Mislead, and went down to the ceremony room. I made it most of the way to the N corner before some priestess saw me anyway. I dropped a Cloudkill on the middle of the group as I could do, and re-invisibled. Aec'Letec died, but kept going into the bodies of the others, who then died. I was able to make it to the East corner of the room, where I took out the last three with the help of another Cloudkill. staying out of sight of Aec'Letec. By the time it was just me and the Demon, I was completely tapped out, with an invisible left. No way I could face a Demon with just Sling and Staff... there was nothing else to do but go back to the Inn and rest up. I hope he's still there when I come back...
And, he was, I had cast Mislead before going down there, and, he did not see me( could it be that Demons can't see through invisibilties of various sorts if they are in possessed bodies?) I backed off, and gave him a Cloudkill. He made his save three times before going down. A powerful, yet frail Demon, with less than six hitdice in his current state,( weakened from being trapped in the Dagger?), I don't know, yet, there he was, dead, and no dagger to be found.. Stoneblade, however, seemed satisfied by my results, and thanked me for ridding the Sword Coast of a Demon, and walked off. WTF!?!
Next, I heard tell of Mendas, and his desire to find out about Balduran's last voyage. I agreed to go to the 'Gate and steal the Sea Maps out of the Merchant's League for him, and bring them back to him. The way this town is, I'm sure that treachery will be not far behind. But, I just can't help myself, y'know?
Back in the 'Gate, I first went over to the Lady's House, to donate the money I made from the dead Cultists to charity and build up my Rep a little bit again... back to 14, now. Apparently, I'm worth 5000 gold to any Bounty Hunters who would turn me in. Back to travelling Invisibled, at least in this town.
I went over to the Merchant's League, and had to kill everybody on the ground floor, and upon going up to the second, I faked that I was a new recruit, and they let me wander around. I could not find the Sea Charts anywhere, so, I ( rightly) assumed they were on the Captain, whom I killed, and beat feet out of there, charts in hand. Back to the 'Beard, go I.
I talked to Mendas, and, before you know it I was at sea, and then shipwrecked, and cast upon some God-forsaken Island. A little bit of exploration turned up the Chieftan's Hut where, I talked to one woman named Kaishas. Nobody else would really talk to me until I did so. She tasked with killing the 'Beasts on the other side of the Island' who, would kill the Villagers on sight, and were preventing them from building a boat to get off the Island. At least we have similar goals, though, I smell treachery writ large all over this whole thing. Care must be taken. From her description, I fear Werewolves, which will mean fun times ahead for me.
I wondered what Maralee would have to say to me, now that I had spoken with Kaishas, and, soon found out that she is a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the monsters, and had taken her son captive. I said I would help her... a 'Damsel in distress', and all, and very cute, on top of it , who knows what happens, right? *wink*
I talked to Delainey, the town historian, of sorts. She wanted me to retrieve a 'Cloak',( sail?) from the old ship they were wrecked on originally, I said I would try to do that, though, she was not as hot as Maralee.... altruism be damned!
Heading out to the North ,I soon ran into a man named 'Palin', who requested my help defeating monsters attacking some people, which turned into an ambush. I had enough time to Invisible, which gave me the initiative. Skull Trap!... again!.. and then Meteors to finish them one by one as they stood clustered around where I had disappeared... sigh, stupid monsters. Palin was carrying, of all things, a little girl's Dolly. I had seen a little girl, I wonder if it is hers? I moved on out towards the NW.
Next, I was approached by another Damsel in Distress, who lead me on to another ambush... It appears that Wolfweres are none too bright. After dispatching those two to the next World, I went into a house, where I met a crazed Mage, name of Dradeel. I had a weird feeling talking to him, as if I were on the edge of remembering something about him that I will not know until the future. It felt as if I needed to help him, in order for something else to happen later in my life. Strange.
The battle to get up to the top level of the ship was truly tough. These Wolves and Wolfweres and Vampiric Wolves would cluster around me as I was Blurred, 'Skinned, and Fireshielded. Misled, also, they would not see me until I sunfired them, then they would gather round and start attacking. My Shield of course, dealt them some damage, killing some of them, usually another Sunfire would do them in. Some tricky ones would be hiding around Masts, and such, and needed to be dealt with as well. It was 2 sleep cycles of emptying out my spells to get up to the top level, and they were doing me serious damage. As
badly injured as I have been , even more than in Durlag's Tower. My skills do not match up well with the Wolfweres, but, I can do them in with much effort.
Ok, I got up to the top, and used the same attack as for the others, and, it worked well for all of them, killing them all except for Karoug. Now, he is a Greater Wolfwere, and, as such, regenerates very fast. He also has a fair amount of magic resistance. High hit points, make him a formidable enemy for a solo Sorcerer to take out. My most powerful attack is Skull Trap, at 1d6 per level of the caster, with a 1/2 damage on a saving throw, mine at this point is 12x1d6= a range of 6,( 1/2 damage), to 72, ( full damage). If you figure that the average damage at full strength is 42, that's alot of damage, but not going to take down a Greater Wolfwere. The average for a 1/2 saving throw is even worse. By the time you can cast again, he's already regenerated a chunk of it back. You have to deal the damage ALL AT ONCE. I have 5 castings of Skull Trap. That's 5x 12x 1d6... the full average on this is going to be 210, the half is 105, the average average about 160. That's more like it, but, not good enough. I have to lower his saving throws with a Malison, and since my experience with Sarevok has shown me that they might not go off as planned, and I might have to drag him back through the traps.... I have to raise my saving throws, with stoneskins, Blur, Mirrors.
I cast the Skulls out halfway between us,( from out of his sight, of course. First, I had completely buffed up, then, I cast out a Malison at him, lowering his throws. I waited a bit, so I could cast again quickly, stepped up, and cast a Chromatic Orb at him. It only did 4 damage to him, but, the idea was to stun him for a second when he was under the traps.... setting them off. which, just as with Sarevok, did not fire .. Dammit!. I dragged him back through the traps, and they went off, dealing him 265 damage, killing him outright, and taking half of my hit points... I win!
I took as much stuff as I could from the ship, and returned to give Dradeel his spellbook. Then , he booked out without so much as a thank you. I took Balduran's ship log, and went back to the village.
There I talked to Delainey again, and, she really WAS coming on to me. From her words, I began to suspect that the villagers were also Werewolves. Maybe it was the unibrow, and fangs..... Anyhow, I gave Maralee her baby,(puppy?) back, and the little girl, her dolly. Then it was time to talk to Keisha, who was cool, and wanted me to be a part of the 'pack'. I objected, and so did her friend. We fought, he died. I went outside, and talked to Delainey one more time, and she showed me a way out. Invisible, I followed her over to where Dradeel had gone. He spoke of a ship through some caves, and wished me well. I went inside, and invisibled again, and through the caves, go I. Out on the other side, I found the ship, and then Keisha tried to kill me.... I took my maps back, and set sail from this bizarre island.
Now, upon making land, I pretty well had it figured out that Mendas was not who he said he was, but, rather was a Werewolf himself... time to finish this Charade. I went to the Inn to rest, and then paid dear Mendas, ( or, is it Selaad?), who of course turned on me, and, of course, died.
Now what?, hmmm, maybe I'll take some time off and hang out with cute little Neera at the Friendly Arm Inn, see if I can get a couple of 'Wild Surges' out of her, and see what develops for my future. Certainly, the Fates will not let the Son of the lord of Murder sit idle for too long, will they? I hope not.