I think the most awesome moment, for me, was when I first fought Firkraag. I thought I was prepared, but in the opening seconds of the fight, he disabled most of my party. The fight wasn't even close. Naturally I can do better now, but I know the system a lot better than I used to. Back then, that was the most exciting fight in the game for me. I've judged all other dragons in every game I've played since by the standards Firkraag set in that first fight, and almost all of them have been found wanting.
Definitely story related: Yoshimo turning out to be a traitor! Irenicus bursting through the large doors in Nine Hells! "I cannot be caged!" And, the final ceremony with Ellesime et al! Also: Voice acting in Anomen's personal quest, by the Empathic Manifestation in the Cult of the Eyeless quest, and Jaheira's romance "There is an ill wind in the air. Do you feel it? I feel a storm inside, in the distance…"
One of the most awesome and recent moments I had was when I was playing my evil character, and I finished the Underdark quest.
So I let Soulafein live so he could give me a copy of his fake dragon eggs. He was a cool guy, and he just wanted to disappear as opposed to get in my way, so I let him go. When Phaere came to me with her fake dragon eggs, I had two sets. All I had to do was send in Hexxat and her invisibility/hide in shadows to snatch the real eggs and replace them with one of the sets. Then I gave Phaere the other fake eggs, as per quest circumstances demand.
The moment of truth came at the ritual to summon the demon. The drow queen put up her fake eggs, and we watched the demon incinerate her. Then Phaere came forward, and offered her fake eggs, and screamed my name as she melted too. The demon's eyes scanned the room, grumpy and bitter after being forcibly roused from its slumber for a pair of fake silver dragon eggs. Until his eyes fell on me, and he let a question hang in the air: "If no one else has an offering..."
Any good-aligned Charname would've kept his mouth shut and let the demon go on his way.
I was not good.
"I have the real eggs!" my character bellowed as he bowed before the demon. He knew exactly what I was--a spawn of Bhaal--and chuckled in amusement to find that the apple did not fall far from the tree at all. He offered me one favor in return for the eggs, but demons are tricky creatures who always offer prices that seem too good to resist. I asked for something modest: let me leave the city safely and slay any enemies who come in my path.
My wish was granted.
I strode through the drow city with a demon at my side and watched him slaughter the pathetic guards who tried in vain to avenge their fallen matron mother. I painted the streets of their deplorable city in their blood and basked in its glory. I'd never felt more evil, more powerful, more downright throw-my-head-back-and-laugh villainy before.
But it wasn't over. OH NO IT WASN'T OVER.
We still had that little "problem" to resolve with Adalon. Ohhhhh was she mad. Hexxat gawked at me as we waltzed into Adalon's cave. "You wish to fight a silver dragon? Are you mad!?" she said. Dorn grinned with bloodthirst as he marched beside me, that hunk of a man. "Ha! Now we're talking!" he shouted as he raised his sword. The rest of us prepped for a hellish fight and--after far too many reloads that I couldn't bother to recount--we won. Adalon fell to the mighty powers of me and my companions. Celebrations were had as we looted her body, desecrated her cave, and left the drow behind.
Seriously one of my favorite parts of the Evil!Baldur's Gate 2 playthrough. I know the game gets a lot of crap for "not supporting" an evil path, but that march through Ust'Natha was worth it.
Baldurs Gate had a great music score, but they really kicked things up a notch with ToB. Those boss battles against the five would not have felt half as epic as they did without that wonderful boss theme booming out in the background, that theme really set the tone of the fight for me, and helped to fully immerse you into the battles. And don't even get me started on the theme for the final battle!
ToB was a day one purchase for me, and I still remember sitting at the main menu in bedroom, in complete awe as the into music transitioned seamlessly from a hauntingly beautiful, calm and relaxing orchestral piece before kicking things into high gear suddenly with a loud, heroic and epically awesome, send shivers down your spine sort of transition.
To this day, ToB is still my number one video game soundtrack.
I freaking loved the game, it had a lot of highlights and plot twists. But those below had the greatest emotional impact on me:
-Yoshimos betrayal (He said something like "It hurts if you dont obey him"; damn that was awesome) -Imoens change from a healthy young women into a apathetic victim of torture -The nightmares and inner conflicts the Child of Bhaal had -The dialogues with Solar, and becoming a god -The moment you learn that Sarevok was you brother, and that Gorion had chosen to save you over him -And of course, the moment I realised that Koveras backwards means Sarevok
I can imagine Yoshimo, standing in front of Charname and Imoen after their exhausting trek through Spellhold's lower reaches.
His sword in his hands, the red ribbon, symbolizing his devotion to Ilmater, and the narrow point directed at his friend. His body shaking with pain. His speech breathy and tortured, and he explains that he was trying to avenge his murdered sister, and he will die unless he manages to kill you:
"Do you know what happens when you try to break a geas?" He asks. "It hurts... it hurts and then you die."
Yes...Yoshimo. Poor Yoshimo. It's too bad you can't break Yoshimo's geas like you do with Lothander in BG1.
Mechanically: Yoshimo was a great thief, and his traps were second to none. Give him a few levels so he can get 100% trap setting, and he becomes the only reason that my parties can take dragons on in the lower levels.
RP: He was charming, fun to have around, and worked well with any party. That, and I'd like to see what kind of person he would have been when not magically forced to ensure you reach spellhold.
I think my favorite moment was the first time I played BG2 and saw how the NPC interjections were working. It was the first time I felt like a CRPG could have the same sort of life as PNP.
But for a pure laugh, I loved the party of young adventurers in ToB. I laughed so hard and so long...
You can break a geas in BG1, when your quests involve carrying around chickens, and another geas in ToB, when your quests involve slaying a demigod, but you can't break a geas in SoA, to save the one person you want to free the most.
EDIT: You can even break a geas on Ginafae in IWD. With a freaking potion.
I think Irenicus was probably smart/genre-savvy enough to give Yoshi a "don't tell anyone about the geas" clause of some sort. Which means by the time you find out, it's too late.
Honestly, as much as it's sad to lose a character who's both likable and mechanically strong, I think that very loss is what makes the betrayal really work from a writing standpoint.
Well, one of the latest most awesome moments in BG history for me was the announcement of a new expansion 17 years after the initial release of the game! Yay for Siege of Dragonspear!
You can break a geas in BG1, when your quests involve carrying around chickens, and another geas in ToB, when your quests involve slaying a demigod, but you can't break a geas in SoA, to save the one person you want to free the most.
EDIT: You can even break a geas on Ginafae in IWD. With a freaking potion.
Can't remember 2nd edition rules but in 1st the person attempting to break the geas has to be a higher level to have a chance of success. What is Irenicus' level? 20 or so? He would need to find a 21 level priest and I'm not sure that there is one in the city.
Geas (Enchantment/Charm) Range: 10 yds. Components: V Duration: Special Casting Time: 4 Area of Effect: 1 creature Saving Throw: None
A geas spell places a magical command upon a creature (usually human or humanoid) to carry out some service, or to refrain from some action or course of activity, as desired by the spellcaster. The creature must be intelligent, conscious, under its own volition, and able to understand the caster. While a geas cannot compel a creature to kill itself or perform acts that are likely to result in certain death, it can cause almost any other course of action. The geased creature must follow the given instructions until the geas is completed. Failure to do so will cause the creature to grow sick and die within 1d4 weeks. Deviation from or twisting of the instructions causes a corresponding loss of Strength points until the deviation ceases. A geas can be done away with by a wish spell, but a dispel magic or remove curse spell will not negate it. Your DM will decide any additional details of a geas, for its casting and fulfillment are tricky, and an improperly cast geas is ignored.
Ah. So it did change. So it is saying -- "whatever the DM decides"
From the 1st edition Dungeon Master's guide:
"Geas:
[irrelevant casting time stuff] . . . It is otherwise similar to a quest (q.v.)
Quest:
If the person agrees to a task, even though this agreement might have been gained by force or trickery, then any chance of avoiding the quest (the savings throw) is negated! Those of the same religion as the cleric are not able to avoid a just and deserved quest either, and those of the same alignment having to undertake a just and proper quest must save at -4 if they hope to avoid it. A quest can be negated by cleric of greater level than the one that placed the spell, if the cleric doing so is of the same religion as the quested creature. Some artifacts or relics can probably negate the spell, and any deity can do so, but only directly."
Comments
Also: Voice acting in Anomen's personal quest, by the Empathic Manifestation in the Cult of the Eyeless quest, and Jaheira's romance "There is an ill wind in the air. Do you feel it? I feel a storm inside, in the distance…"
Entering Baldurs Gate for first time.
Beating aec'letec demon thing.
Going into that circus tent after escaping irenicus dungeon. Just really surprised me after those rubbish places in Nashkel.
The entire planar sphere section of the game.
Becoming the slayer.. I just love randomly turning into it and whacking stuff.
When you realise the power of contingencies, sequencers, alacrity, project image, simulacrum and start to use them.
The first time you cast timestop and unload an armageddon of death on your enemies
The above with Robe of Vecna and sequencers to blow your entire spellbook on a single enemy and nearly break your old computer.
Casting wish to do it all over again.
Honestly a high level mage or sorcerer feels like a god in this game.
The moment of truth came at the ritual to summon the demon. The drow queen put up her fake eggs, and we watched the demon incinerate her. Then Phaere came forward, and offered her fake eggs, and screamed my name as she melted too. The demon's eyes scanned the room, grumpy and bitter after being forcibly roused from its slumber for a pair of fake silver dragon eggs. Until his eyes fell on me, and he let a question hang in the air: "If no one else has an offering..."
Any good-aligned Charname would've kept his mouth shut and let the demon go on his way.
I was not good.
"I have the real eggs!" my character bellowed as he bowed before the demon. He knew exactly what I was--a spawn of Bhaal--and chuckled in amusement to find that the apple did not fall far from the tree at all. He offered me one favor in return for the eggs, but demons are tricky creatures who always offer prices that seem too good to resist. I asked for something modest: let me leave the city safely and slay any enemies who come in my path.
My wish was granted.
I strode through the drow city with a demon at my side and watched him slaughter the pathetic guards who tried in vain to avenge their fallen matron mother. I painted the streets of their deplorable city in their blood and basked in its glory. I'd never felt more evil, more powerful, more downright throw-my-head-back-and-laugh villainy before.
But it wasn't over. OH NO IT WASN'T OVER.
We still had that little "problem" to resolve with Adalon. Ohhhhh was she mad. Hexxat gawked at me as we waltzed into Adalon's cave. "You wish to fight a silver dragon? Are you mad!?" she said. Dorn grinned with bloodthirst as he marched beside me, that hunk of a man. "Ha! Now we're talking!" he shouted as he raised his sword. The rest of us prepped for a hellish fight and--after far too many reloads that I couldn't bother to recount--we won. Adalon fell to the mighty powers of me and my companions. Celebrations were had as we looted her body, desecrated her cave, and left the drow behind.
Seriously one of my favorite parts of the Evil!Baldur's Gate 2 playthrough. I know the game gets a lot of crap for "not supporting" an evil path, but that march through Ust'Natha was worth it.
Baldurs Gate had a great music score, but they really kicked things up a notch with ToB. Those boss battles against the five would not have felt half as epic as they did without that wonderful boss theme booming out in the background, that theme really set the tone of the fight for me, and helped to fully immerse you into the battles. And don't even get me started on the theme for the final battle!
ToB was a day one purchase for me, and I still remember sitting at the main menu in bedroom, in complete awe as the into music transitioned seamlessly from a hauntingly beautiful, calm and relaxing orchestral piece before kicking things into high gear suddenly with a loud, heroic and epically awesome, send shivers down your spine sort of transition.
To this day, ToB is still my number one video game soundtrack.
-Yoshimos betrayal (He said something like "It hurts if you dont obey him"; damn that was awesome)
-Imoens change from a healthy young women into a apathetic victim of torture
-The nightmares and inner conflicts the Child of Bhaal had
-The dialogues with Solar, and becoming a god
-The moment you learn that Sarevok was you brother, and that Gorion had chosen to save you over him
-And of course, the moment I realised that Koveras backwards means Sarevok
I almost shit my pants
His sword in his hands, the red ribbon, symbolizing his devotion to Ilmater, and the narrow point directed at his friend. His body shaking with pain. His speech breathy and tortured, and he explains that he was trying to avenge his murdered sister, and he will die unless he manages to kill you:
"Do you know what happens when you try to break a geas?" He asks. "It hurts... it hurts and then you die."
Mechanically: Yoshimo was a great thief, and his traps were second to none. Give him a few levels so he can get 100% trap setting, and he becomes the only reason that my parties can take dragons on in the lower levels.
RP: He was charming, fun to have around, and worked well with any party. That, and I'd like to see what kind of person he would have been when not magically forced to ensure you reach spellhold.
But for a pure laugh, I loved the party of young adventurers in ToB. I laughed so hard and so long...
EDIT: You can even break a geas on Ginafae in IWD. With a freaking potion.
Honestly, as much as it's sad to lose a character who's both likable and mechanically strong, I think that very loss is what makes the betrayal really work from a writing standpoint.
Geas
(Enchantment/Charm)
Range: 10 yds. Components: V
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 4
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None
A geas spell places a magical command upon a creature (usually human or humanoid)
to carry out some service, or to refrain from some action or course of activity, as desired
by the spellcaster. The creature must be intelligent, conscious, under its own volition, and
able to understand the caster. While a geas cannot compel a creature to kill itself or
perform acts that are likely to result in certain death, it can cause almost any other course
of action. The geased creature must follow the given instructions until the geas is
completed. Failure to do so will cause the creature to grow sick and die within 1d4
weeks. Deviation from or twisting of the instructions causes a corresponding loss of
Strength points until the deviation ceases. A geas can be done away with by a wish spell,
but a dispel magic or remove curse spell will not negate it. Your DM will decide any
additional details of a geas, for its casting and fulfillment are tricky, and an improperly
cast geas is ignored.
From the 1st edition Dungeon Master's guide:
"Geas:
[irrelevant casting time stuff] . . . It is otherwise similar to a quest (q.v.)
Quest:
If the person agrees to a task, even though this agreement might have been gained by force or trickery, then any chance of avoiding the quest (the savings throw) is negated! Those of the same religion as the cleric are not able to avoid a just and deserved quest either, and those of the same alignment having to undertake a just and proper quest must save at -4 if they hope to avoid it. A quest can be negated by cleric of greater level than the one that placed the spell, if the cleric doing so is of the same religion as the quested creature. Some artifacts or relics can probably negate the spell, and any deity can do so, but only directly."