We had to take the road north from FAI thru the Fishing Village to get to Wyrm’s Crossing & over the bridge spanning the River Chionthar before arriving in BG. We encountered & defeated four bandits, six Hobgoblins & four Ankheg’s. Upon arriving our goal was to find an Inn that could take all six of us (five really since Khalid & Jaheira are one). Secondarily, I am in search of a mage or shopkeeper that can identify potions. Crossing the bridge, we were approached by a man, Scar, who it turns out is 2nd in Command of the Flaming Fist. After we exchanged introductions he asked us if we’d be willing to look into strange activity @ the Seven Sun’s Trading Company & particularly search for its owner, Jhasso. We agreed & entered the city only to run into Elminster again. The most important aspect of this meeting was his assurance that Scar, & the Commander of the Flaming Fist, Duke Eltan, were men we could trust. We then went to a shop called Sorcerous Sundries, which couldn’t identify our many potions, before finding a perfect, out of the way Inn in SE Baldur’s Gate.
After visiting a Potion Store in W BG where I still couldn’t identify my potions once again, I led us to the Seven Suns to look into things there. Three short conversations w/merchants & two of them suddenly shape shifted into Doppelgangers. We smashed them & headed through a door leading to the basement where we killed another Doppelganger before finding & releasing Jhasso. We garnered a little treasure for our efforts, then went up to the second floor where we killed two more Doppelgangers before heading to report to Scar who gave us 4000gps & much praise. Scar asked me if we would investigate some mysterious disappearances in E BG which he thought might be answered in the sewers beneath E BG. I agreed to help the he & FF.
On the way, we stopped by the Merchant League to say hello to Aldeth Sashenstar & found ourselves in another investigation. Aldeth was concerned that his partners were acting strangely & making poor, if not subversive business decisions. He asked if I’d help & provided cover by telling everyone we were old friends & put us up in guest rooms. Having just come from the Seven Suns, we’d only talked to two, three people before we knew there were Doppelgangers about. We were looking around & went up to the third floor & were up to our ankles in Doppelgangers. We killed at least a dozen Doppelgangers there but Minsc was surrounded & killed too. Continuing our investigation w/o Minsc, one of the merchant’s mentioned checking Zorl’s desk & we found documents incriminating Zorl & Irlentree. I took the information to Brandilar, the Captain of the Guard @ Merchant League & he asked me to wipe out the Doppelgangers. Zorl immediately shape changed into a Doppelganger & we killed him before going downstairs where Irlentree & four other Doppelgangers waited to be defeated. They were. Aldeth rewarded us w/some gratitude, gold & a Tome of Clear Thought.
Key Event: We were fortunate to find the exact sewer entrance in E BG to drop right into the answer to Scar’s inquiry. An Ogre Mage & what turned out to be 12 Carrion Crawlers. I had us completely patrol the E BG sewers to destroy all the crawlers & two Phase Spiders that had made a home there also. The Ogre Mage had placed his victims in crypts, kept what treasure they had upon them for himself & allowed his crawlers to eat them. I returned to Scar & informed him of this & he asked about a noblewoman of the Sashenstar family. I had a Ruby Ring that belonged to her &, at his request, I returned her body to him so her family good bury her. He then asked us to come back, if interested & help him investigate the Iron Throne.
EXTERMINATING THE OGRE MAGE & HIS PETS
Treasure of Note: Purse = 12409 gold pieces; Bastard Sword +1/+3 versus Shapeshifters (Me); Tome of Clear Thought (Dynahier)
Current Disposition: Resting @ our Inn in SE BG after using a Potion of Genius to ID all our potions
Next Steps: Assault on the Iron Throne
Level Up: • Imoen received word from her Guildmaster that she is now a Sharper* (Thief/Charming Rogue//7). She has improved to 100% in both Find/Remove Traps & Open/Locks • My Barbarian, Minsc, is now clearly @ Level 6. He is topped out in his skill w/a Two-Handed Sword @*** & 2HWS @**. He selected the Flail as his newest weapon • Dynahier also heard from her Invokers Guild & she too has advanced. In her case to Magician* (Mage/Invoker//7) & she gained a third 3rd Level Spell to memorize. She also acquired & used a Tome of Clear Thought to get her Intelligence to 18
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular) • Gawain: Ftr/6; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1 w/Boots of Grounding & Girdle of Bluntness, Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Taugasz Khosann)) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Leather +1 w/Bracers/Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6 & Cloak of Non-Detection, Short Bow*, Dagger* & Short Sword* (Shadow Druid)(Thief Def) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/7 w/Stud Leather, Sling*, Eye of the Storm*, Scimitar +1 (Britik)(Druid Summoning) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, Wand of Lightning (Phase Spider)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Not sure if any of you folks have come across the Charming Rogue class.
I'm using it for Imoen & it keeps me from having to dual her to Mage. I like this. The kit comes w/a handful on enchantment spells & magic missile so now @ 7th she has 2 Invisibility, 2 Reflected Image, 2 Magic Missile, 2 Friends, 2 Charm Person & 2 set Snare. In addition, she gains the ability to cast illusions @ higher levels.
Dynahier is taking care of the 'big' Mage Work & as an Invoker she has some great spells. Ya'll know I let specialist mages cast only spells from their school from memory but I also give them to them as they advance to where they can use them. Nalia will take care of spell duties in BGII.
Anyway, just wanted ya'll to know of the class if you didn't. CKT
I have not been able to sit & collect my thoughts & place them on parchment in many days but that does not indicate idleness in the least. As a matter of fact we have been moving non-stop w/little rest. You recall Scar asked us to return to talk w/him about investigating the Iron Throne. Things have been a blur since. We immediately assaulted the Iron Throne, killed about eight guards before nearly walking into an ambush on the 5th floor. Whatever the case, they were flat ready & waiting for us. The battle required strategy, gaining space & time to draw them to us. They were tough as nails & we defeated them, I estimate seven of them. There were likely one mage, a cleric, a couple of knights & a couple of rogue/assassins but I’m not certain & we didn’t have time to do much more than grab their treasure & head for The Flaming Fist headquarters where we talked to Duke Eltan since Scar couldn’t be found. Whatever they were, they were bad asses & we nearly got caught up @ the top of the stairs but were able to withdraw & hit them w/quick strikes from both staircases until they were defeated. When I returned to the Iron Throne, I couldn’t find Scar & ended up w/an audience w/Duke Eltan. Having documents & information placing Rielter & the Iron Throne leaders @ Candlekeep. He teleported us there &, ‘blink’, I was home.
I wasn’t there long though b/c I’d barely made my reintroductions before I started looking for Rielter….I felt I was getting closer to Gorion’s murderer & I didn’t want to waste a moment. A couple of men came up to me who knew Gorion & they were pleasant enough, one, Koveras, even gave me a Ring of Protection +1. Shortly afterward, I found Rielter & one of his associates negotiating w/the Knights of the Shield. I was torn about battling in Candlekeep but Duke Eltan & Scar had certainly supported our defeating the enemies in the Seven Suns & Iron Throne, so I was sure they would support me here & I didn’t want them to get away. I had no quarrel w/the Knights of the Shield but they’re known to be of evil intent &, further, they joined Rielter in attacking us. Defeating them was not difficult, although trying to do so w/o causing collateral damage to the library was impossible. We collected what we could that could aid us but in short order Ultruant had us arrested & suddenly appeared he was in w/the Iron Throne in some way. Whatever the case, he was intent on sending us the BG for trial when Tethtoril slipped in & aided me by teleporting us to a part of the keep I’d not known before…the crypts & catacombs.
Key Event: The crypts & caves were a nightmare of traps, undead & Doppelganger’s. From the moment we were teleported in, we were battling Doppelgangers w/the faces of people I know/knew & loves/respect. There was no time to judge, we had to fight no matter how real they might appear. There were Doppelgangers galore & Skeleton’s w/Composite Longbows. Even Greater Doppelgangers w/the faces of Elminster, Gorion & Tethtoril. By far, the most valuable thing we had going for us was Imoen’s impeccable skill @ detecting & disarming traps. I had to continually move, resting only when we absolutely had to. By the time we left the crypts & mausoleum area we’d defeated, I estimate, three Greater Doppelgangers, a half dozen Doppelgangers, six or eight Skeletons w/Composite Longbows. The place was huge & the tombs were all trapped but Imoen was up to every task & we loaded up. I lost Minsc & Khalid there in the Battle against the false Gorion so we gathered everything of theirs that was important & were forced to drop many gems, weapons we otherwise would have sold. We left the tombs/crypts thru a series of caves that were full of there were many, many Phase, Sword & Wraith Spiders & a couple of Greater Basilisks that we saw just in time & Dynahier cast one of four Protection from Petrification Scrolls on me before I went & hammered them. After that we found the way out to the south side of Candlekeep, passing one smuggler who ran off.
Unfortunately, now I’m wanted so I’ll need to lay low & see what happens in the next few days. I’ll lead my willing followers south to Amn where we’ll be safe from the Flaming Fists until the dust settles. I’ll make camp near that carnival in Nashkel.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 3051 GPs; Cloak of Protection +2 (Me), Rings of Free Action & Fire Resistance, Helm of Defense, Mace +1 (Me); Koveras’ Ring of Protection +1, Short Sword +1 (purchased) (Imoen); Girdle of Bluntness (Minsc); Plenty of very useful Scrolls (mage & cleric) & potions
Current Disposition: Resting near a camp fire @ the carnival
Next Steps: Return to the Valley I came out of when we came up from the Nashkel Mines; I will remain in the south for a while until I can figure out what to do about this frame up; when this is said & done I intend to visit Durlag’s Tower
Level Up: • Jaheira once again has been blessed by her patron deity, Silvanus. She is now an Initiate of the 6th Circle (Druid of Silvanus//8) & was granted an additional 3rd & 4th Level Spell respectively • I, too, have humbly accepted a promotion as a knight to Champion (Fighter//7)
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular) GAWAIN INVENTORY LEVEL 7 • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness & Rings of Free Action & Fire Resistance, Bastard Sword +1/+3**** & Mace +1 (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mail, Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness & Ring of Protection +1, Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Leather +1 w/Bracers/Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Koveras’ Ring of Protection +1, Short Bow*, Dagger* & Short Sword +1* (Sword Spider) Thief Def) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Stud Leather, Sling*, Eye of the Storm*, Scimitar +1 (Britik)(Druid Summoning) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +1*, Wand of Lightning (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
It is obvious that I am now being hunted by the FF & Bounty Hunters for the ‘murder’ of Rielter & the Iron Throne leaders @ Candlekeep. I’ve heard it said that no good deed goes unpunished but it certainly felt like the right thing to do & I certainly didn’t want to face them again later, when I could eliminate them there & then. I’m going to head south toward Amn where the FF reach is not as nearly as prevalent as it is from Beregost north. I’ll keep my ear to the ground as I move north in case something changes but for now, I’m a fugitive from the same FF that I’ve helped against the Seven Suns & the Iron Thrown & uncovering the mysterious disappearances in E BG. I’ll begin my adventuring in The Valley of the Tombs, the same place we emerged when we came up from the Nashkel Mines. Early on we eliminated a group of Gnolls & War Dogs, four each before coming upon…
Key Event: …four female amazon assassin’s. I deduce that they were warriors/clerics/assassins as there were spells being cast at us, Longbows, at least one was wearing splint mail & the others leather armor (one enchanted studded leather). Whatever they were, they are no more. Dynahier led off w/a perfect Fireball that broke one of them immediately. Jaheira Blessed most of us & Imoen fired a MM @ one of them that was incanting, disrupting the spell. I charged into the midst of them & started attacking the nearest one to me that was incanting a spell. Minsc was shortly in the behind me attacking whichever one got close to him. Another amazon tried casting a spell & Imoen blasted her w/MM as did Dynahier & I think that killed er. In no time, we’d defeated the would-be assassins. We garnered some good treasure from these foes carcasses.
From there we encountered & defeated six Wild Dogs, & a half dozen skeletons before entering a tomb & killing three Ghasts & acquiring treasure from their caskets. A second time, we ran into six Wild Dogs & a half dozen skeletons guarding yet another tomb. This one contained a Revenant that we beat down pretty easily. We found plenty of jewelry & potions in the caskets. We continued exploring, defeating four Gnolls before running into a Mage who claimed he’d created a spell that would control slimes & jellies. I thought it would be useful to have & asked about it & he went hostile & called two Ochre Jellies to his aid. Imoen & Dynahier kept him from getting off a spell by hitting him w/MMs each time he tried. Meanwhile, I closed on him, Minsc too I think, & he was dead in no time. His jellies weren’t far behind. Our final challenge was one last tomb, guarded by four skeleton’s w/Composite Longbows & inside a single Ghast, now dead for good.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 5140 gold; Studded Leather +1 (Khalid); Ring of Energy (Dynahier); Potions: Heroism, Magic Blocking (Me), Power (Imoen), etc.
Current Disposition: Nashkel/Nashkel Inn
Next Steps: Investigate the area around the called Gibberling Mountains
Level Up: Dynahier’s Mage Guildmaster bestowed upon her the title Enchanter (Mage/7) & she gained a 4th 2nd Level Spell & was given the four Invoker/Evoker spells: Fire Shield, Ice Shield, Ice Storm & minor Sequencer
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) • (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
DYNAHIER CHARACTER RECORD MAGE/INVOKER LEVEL 7 • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Offensive) DYNAHIER CHARACTER INVENTORY LEVEL 7 DYNAHIER 4TH LEVEL SPELLBOOK @ 7
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Just a note about Dy's spellbook. I play that 'specialist mages', e.g., Invoker, can only write & memorize spells from their own school. When a specialist mage increases in level to the point it adds higher level spells, I pretend a rider/messenger from their guild comes to them & notifies them of their promotion & gives the the additional spells from that guild confers upon them, in this case, Red & Blue Fireshields, Minor Sequencer & Ice Storm. Those are the only spells she can learn & keep in her spellbook as the specialist guilds are just that. Specialist mages can cast other school spells but only from scrolls, thus she usually carries a bunch of those in her pack & one or two in her 'quick items slots.'
And that's another thing, if an items is not in a quick slot, I don't allow my character to reach into their pack @ will & pull something out during melee. So, I am very careful what I place in quick item slots. If in melee, a character/NPC desperately needs something in their pack inventory, I make them disengage, leave the immediate battle area, i.e. go around a corner or to another room or behind a copse of trees (unmolested since it's kinda hard to search for something in a pack when an enemy is upon you) & undo their pack & search for the item they're looking for before they can leave that place & reengage. Just makes in more realistic to me.
Moving west from the Valley of the Tombs to The Gibberling Mountains provided little to pen for you. By the time we cleared the area, we’d killed 41 Gibberling’s, two Winter Wolves & two Dread Wolves.
Key Event: I found a wounded man in care of a woman who asked me to carry him to the FAI, Gellana, for care. Easily completed & it felt good to bring the young man to the aid of such a good & noble Gnomish Priestess. During the journey we encountered & killed six more Gibberling’s. Actually, we met an FF mercenary that was searching for this ‘Samuel’ when we returned. It appears he was a deserter, led astray by the woman who asked us to take him the Gellana.
I am suddenly somewhat of a hero wherever I go. While I am grateful, this brings on an internal struggle w/vanity…& it means that avoiding the FF is more daunting a task. I feared the FF Mercenary in the GMs would know me. Thankfully he did not b/c I have no desire the shed the blood of such a noble & chivalrous security force.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 5999 gold; Two Winter Wolf pelts (sold); various gems, jewelry, scrolls (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating & resupplying in Nashkel JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE SIX OF US (SINCE KHALID & JAHEIRA SHARE A ROOM)
Next Steps: Further west to the Fire Leaf Forest beyond the Nashkel Mines
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic: saved Samuel & got him to Gellana for care) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
The adventure to the Fire Leaf Forest gave more sport than did the Gibberling Mountains. I use this opportunity, necessitated by my status as a man wanted for murder, to work on our ability to fight as a strike-team like no other. While in the FLF we battled & defeated two Winter Wolves, two Cave Bears, 12 xvarts, four skeletons w/Composite Longbows, six skeletons & two kobolds. Two bandits tried to rob us of our valuables. It doesn’t seem like something anyone in their right mind would do, two men attacking a party of six led by a knight in Full Plate and a Barbarian w/a massive Two Handed Sword, an obvious woodsman w/a Longbow & three women who obviously have some deadly skills in their own right. The leader claimed his companion was the ‘fastest dart thrower in Faerun’ but the odds were grossly against them but they insisted, to their demise. A strange sight, indeed, when we aided a young boy who was searching for his ‘doggie.’ The ‘doggie’ found us & so we took him to the ‘lad’…& the dog suddenly turned into a devil of some type, the boy into an Ogre Mage & slipped into some teleport gate saying something about, liking the Nine Hells better…
Key Event: Our only test came against three Amnish 'hunters' who challenged me in a battle of words ending in a battle of steel. We moved north east a bit as if we were moving off to avoid conflict but we turned & set ourselves in a ‘V’ formation w/me @ the helm. I asked Dynahier to cast a Fireball in the midst of where we’d seen them just over the hill. Then Minsc & I charged down the hillside & killed the leader of the group who been their spokeswoman & who now stood charred & nearly defenseless. Easily defeated, Minsc & I moved into to kill the other two, one was armed w/a bow. They popped Minsc w/a few arrows but then he went into his Barbarian Rage & helped tear them a new one.
THE AMNISH 'HUNTERS'
Treasure of Note: Purse = 7245 gold; Girdle of Piercing (Khalid)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating, resupplying in Nashkel
Next Steps: Further west & a bit north to Dryad Falls
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 - Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
My next goal was to explore & train in & around the beautiful Dryad Falls that I’d learned about as a boy in Candlekeep but had never actually seen. En route w/had to kill an angry Cave Bear accompanied by a Mountain Bear but the Mountain Bear was docile toward our presence, even when we battled the Cave Bear. With Jaheira, a Druid Priestess, among us as we are careful to leave nature unmolested if possible, often trying to charm a hostile animal in order to avoid killing him. Afterward we defeated four Winter Wolves, two Dire Wolves in a small cave near the falls, two wolves, eight Gnolls & six Xvarts. We also encountered two thugs who were about to cut down a beautiful tree. Again, w/a Druid counted among my companions, this was not acceptable. Imoen tried to talk sense to them but they became hostile & we defeated them for little gain. (Note: the Dryad didn't appear but I played it through all the same).
Key Event: I prefer in this journal to highlight those key moments in my adventures yet, at times, there is little to highlight. In this case, it was interesting to come upon a small band, four Gnolls, who demanded gold for me to pass. As this was unacceptable, we came to combat. The Gnolls fell easily. As an aside, I highly discourage my spellcaster's from using our precious spells (except in rare circumstance & only @ my direct request) against humanoids, animals, minor undead, etc. We can easily defeat these creatures w/o wasting spells that we might come to regret not having later in a more challenging melee. During these encounters, Minsc & I assault forward to direct the enemies attention toward the two of us. Behind us, Khalid forms the rest into a ‘V’ & all use their ranged weapons, most of the time I direct the target so that we concentrate all six of us on one @ a time.
REFUSING TO PAY TRIBUTE
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9061 gold) Fire Opal Ring, Pearl (sold)
Current Disposition: Nashkel selling loot & resting
Next Steps: Bear River
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic – Jaheira helped little girl find her deceased cat) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
The way you play is so cute! Finding rooms for each of the characters or running away from combat to go through their backpacks
Thank you. I enjoy the game so much & like to play as realistically as possible, e.g. I look @ the rooms in the Inn & make sure there is room for everyone & then pay for price for the most expensive room one or more of us are in, i.e., I rarely, if ever, pay for a Common Room except early in the game @ the FAI where there are true Common Rooms. If someone is sleeping in a room we can't use that room so one of us has to use a chair outside or take turns w/another of us. Usually, Minsc volunteers to stand guard while the rest sleep.
When in an inn we take all our armor & equipment off to rest, but in the wilderness or dungeon, I only allow us to ground out helms, bracers, girdles etc. Must be ready for an attack, so I make them keep a weapon in their quick weapon slot but not showing in their hand as it's hard to sleep with a Two-Handed Sword as a pillow. Instead, if we get attacked, the PC/NPC can grab the weapon from their quick weapon slot but are unable, in general, to put their helms etc back on b/c they have to react too quickly to fumble around w/that stuff. lol
Another thing I do that's weird, is when I'm done playing & going to bed, I put the party in an inn or use the 'circle formation' to put them in camp for the night using my little rules above. If, however, I'm going out for a while, I might take them to an inn & let them enjoy a rest w/some beer or wine depending on the character. Dynahier, of course, drinks wine, Minsc drinks a stout or dark ale while the others enjoy mead or light ale. Gawain, himself, is technically a teetotaler but b/c medieval water, especially in inhabited areas, is often non-potable, he sips wine or mead to prevent disease.
As I’d planned, next I traveled to Bear River. On the way, we crossed, battled & defeated three Ogrillons before exploring the area around the river.
Once at the river area, we were confronted by six Wild Dogs, six Gibberling’s, two Ogres Berserkers & then two Ogre Berserkers with four Hobgoblin Elite’s w/poison arrows on a bridge. Tough fight. We defeated eight Ogre Berserkers who disturbed our sleep & another one of them during his mealtime. We assisted a Paladin inn defeating a pack of Gibberling’s & finally defeated four Chill Hobgoblins we crossed paths with. Early on, we defeated a Mountain Bear that was harassing a dandy. He rewarded us w/a pair of Boots of the North.
Key Event: We were never threatened near Bear River. If any encounter could have been dangerous it might have been that w/a chap named Neville who called himself, “the Fairest of the Bandits” or something similar. He was accompanied by five Hobgoblins, not Chill, who were also not adept @ camouflage. Perfectly executed, Dynahier eliminated all five Hobgoblins with one charge from her Necklace of Missiles. Concurrently, Imoen blasted Neville w/two Magic Missile spells from her Charming Rogue innate abilities & Jaheira shocked him w/her innate Priestess of Silvanus Call Lightning spell. Minsc & I charged & Khalid backed us w/his lethal Longbow & this battle was over in about 20 seconds w/nary a one of us receiving so much as a scratch, (although Minsc had been wounded earlier on the bridge).
BANDIT BATTLE @ BEAR RIVER
I feel truly ‘blessed’ to be surrounded by such worthy companions. My fearlessly loyal Barbarian, Minsc w/his ruthless Two-Handed Sword; my Ranger & Archer, Khalid w/his pinpoint Longbow & Called Shot ability, not to mention adept skill w/dual-Bastard Swords; Dynahier, the epitome of virtue, who is my spokesperson when dealing w/other mages & who’s Mage-Invoker spells are more powerful than I ever imagined; Jaheira, my priestess, who fights like a warrior while casting divine spells both helpful to our group & lethal to our enemies & who serves as one of my two most trusted advisors & spokesperson w/Cleric’s & Druid’s; & most importantly, Imoen, my lifelong friend, almost like a little sister, who has become a very highly skilled Charming Rogue, who can sense & disarm any trap, open any lock, cast well timed innate spells & who serves as my primary spokesperson w/the finesse of a Bard. I continue to sense my Neutral world-view being inspired by those who serve me so loyally & efficiently. I also sense the ‘Heroic’ esteem which average folc hold us when we pass them on the road or enter their towns & it touches my heart in a way I have not known before.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 11433 gold); Long sword +1 (sold since we have no one skilled w/this weapon); Boots of the North (Khalid)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating, selling loot & resupplying in Nashkel
Next Steps: Xvart Village
Level Up: Imoen received a runner from her guild who gave word that she is elevated to Magswoman (Thief/Charming Rogue//8); she is now working on her Move Silently/Hide-in-Shadow abilities, now both @ 35%, already having achieved 100% in Find/Remove Traps & Open Locks.
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
On the way to the Xvart Village, I & my followers encountered two Winter Wolves & defeated them, securing their pelts for sale. Dynahier took a blast from one of their ‘Freezing Breath’ weapons. It is strange to come across these huge, intelligent, evil wolves. Unlike their ‘normal’ cousins, these wolves are enchanted in some way by the power of cold & ice & when one spots them, it is b/c they are finished stalking & are already attacking their ‘prey.’ Even Jaheira will immediately attack a Winter Wolf.
Once I got us to the Xvart Village area, I had us make camp to allow Dynahier to heal. Our rest was disturbed by 10 Xvarts that we defeated w/some effort as we were all tired & had grounded some or our armor & weapons. After that we encountered two wolves & two Dire Wolves. Imoen was irritated with me for buying what I thought to be a Protection from Magic Scroll from a man who approached us in the wilderness. I immediately knew I’d been deceived & tried to bring him to justice for taking advantage of me like that. He must have been tough b/c both Imoen & Dynahier blasted him w/Magic Missiles & Jaheira w/Call Lightning. I’m sure Khalid tagged him at least once & Minsc got him once w/his Two-Handed Sword but he disappeared w/o a trace. (Note: the Deities & Demigods description of Gawain says he was a ‘…revengeful knight & would travel to the ends of the earth to right some supposed wrong done to him or his family.’)
Key Event: This is another of those instances where the key event isn’t so much. We finally found the actual Xvart Village where we defeated & killed 35 Xvarts & a huge Cave Bear named Ursa or something. There was another Cave Bear, the male, in a cave nearby. It was ironic to hear the leader accuse of us slaughtering them w/o provocation when they attacked us on site. Regardless, Xvarts are Chaotic Evil to the core & are a cross between Goblins & Kobolds (although they’ll usually attack the latter). Even if they hadn’t attacked us, something tells me the Faerun is a better place w/o evil humanoids of any kind.
ATTACK ON THE XVART VILLAGE
When we returned to Nashkel, we made trips also to the carnival, High Hedge, Beregost & FAI to find that enchanted Quarter Staff we all thought we’d sold but couldn’t remember where. I gave this to Dynahier & we purchased some Potions of Mind Focusing too.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9,076 gold); Mithril Ring (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting, resupplying & selling loot in Nashkel.
Next Steps: There’s an archaeological site northwest of the Xvart Village. I’m going to start there & work my way westward before turning north a little.
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 18 – Heroic; not sure why my popularity continues to grow w/average folc) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Headed to the Archaeological Site & the area surrounding, we were assaulted by two Ogres who we defeated, although, once again, I didn't do a good job of organizing us & Dynahier was swiped w/a Morning Star & injured pretty good.
The Archaeological Site was really kinda sparse as far as monsters & enemies go. We defeated a bossy, self-important Hobgoblin & his five Kobold Commando’s & came across two Flinds & six Gnolls a bit later. Other than that & 12 Tasloi there wasn't much to see there.
Key Event(s): Sometimes I find little to speak of that one would call a ‘key event.’ However, @ the Archaeological Site we had two experiences of note. After we’d been there a few hours, we stumbled upon Brage, the former Captain of the Nashkel Guard that Nalin, the Priest of Helm in Nashkel had spoken of so often. Brage was obviously tormented & mad. I think it a blessing that he challenged us w/a riddle rather than w/the source of his madness, a Two-Handed Sword +3 (Cursed Berserking). The riddle was easily solved & in so doing Brage instantly became aware of the enormity of his crimes & was ready to face swift justice in Nashkel. Having spoken w/Nalin, I thought it nobler to get Brage to sanctuary in the Temple of Helm. Once again, we were rewarded w/greater popularity among the people & Nalin gave us 1000 gold & a Potion of Stone Giant Strength as well. On our second trip back the archaeological site, we ran across six Gnolls that we quickly defeated & stripped of their small treasure. DELIVERING BRAGE TO SANCTUARY
After returning Brage safely, selling that accursed sword & resting a bit, it was back to the Archaeological Site to finish our exploration. We fought the enemies above sporadically as we came across them before we came upon the namesake of this area, the actual Archaeological Site. We met the archaeologist, Charleston Nib, who was truly excited about the possibilities this site held for understanding an ancient people. He asked us if we might protect them as they were finishing up but their progress was slowed by continued bandit raids that were claiming his men. I agreed & proceeded to chat w/some of Charleston’s men until I was approached by his assistant who tried to enlist us in a plot to murder Charleston for gain. It was such an affront to a man like Charleston, who’s heart seemed so pure, that I almost wanted to split his head right there for even asking me, us, to do something so foul. I allowed him to storm off & proceeded to have the opportunity to enter the dig w/Charleston as he found what he thought was the abode of an ancient Shaman. Sadly, it turned out to be cursed & all of Charleston’s men went mad & had to be killed as they attacked us. Charleston was heartbroken & wanted nothing to do w/the idol of the ancient deity we found therein. We parted ways but as we emerged with the idol in my pack we were attacked by a Doomsayer, a powerful, foreboding spirit that we defeated w/combined spells, arrows & swords. BLASTING THE DOOMSAYER TO BITS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 12,255 gold); Two-Handed Sword +3 (Cursed Berserking); Fire Opal Ring (sold); Spear +3 Backbiting (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting in Nashkel after a trip to Nashkel to identify an enchanted spear
Next Steps: Directly west of the Archaeological Site is an area called Fisherman’s Lake; headed there next
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic; brought Brage to Nalin safely; aided Charleston Nib) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
West of the Archaeological Site is a place called Fisherman’s Lake known to me only from maps I've seen in the library. As my plan is to work east to west & west to east, generally moving north back toward the jurisdiction of the FF when I will be ready to face my accusers w/the truth. On the way back that way, we battles four Ogres w/Morning Stars that attacked us in a valley.
Fisherman’s Lake had quite a few ‘boogers’ for us to deal w/but none of note really, same old, same old for the most part. Early on the rounded a small, rocky hill & stumbled on three ghouls who I still hold a healthy respect for w/their ability to as I do their more powerful cousins, Ghasts. I has us mowing them down when two Cave Bears attacked & added excitement to the melee.
I had the honor, all of us did, to meet & fight alongside Drizzt Do’Urden against 12 Gnolls. We were just conducting a reconnaissance around the lake when we first saw a couple of Gnolls & then more before seeing the dark skinned, white haired, Drizzt who asked for hour aid. We quickly helped him defeat them, so watching him use his dual-Scimitar’s, I’m not sure he needed us but it was an honor. We parted as he said he was off to Waterdeep, I believe.
Aside from that our victories in battle were against four Half-Ogres w/Bastard Swords, four Flinds w/2 Handed-Swords, three Ogres w/Morning Stars, four Gnolls w/Halberd’s, six skeletons w/Warhammers & Bucklers, two wolves & six Wild Dogs.
Key Event(s): Any time I get to test my meddle against another noble knight in battle I find it exhilarating. It’s also exciting when my followers are challenged as well. Near Fisherman’s Lake, a bandit trio, led by an armored bandit (certainly not a noble knight), supported by a mage & a Chill Hobgoblin, tried to extort gold from us, Refusing, they attacked & the battle was joined. I should have ordered everyone on the team to attack as opportunity presented itself, but I elected to direct attacks on one enemy @ a time, holding off on using our spells & instead having them use their ranged weapons. We knocked out the armored figure w/ease, moved on to the mage who never got a spell off & the finished off the Chill.
BATTLE WITH THE BANDIT TRIO @ FISHERMAN'S LAKE
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 18,241 gold); Fire Opal Ring (sold); Mage Robe of Fire Resistance (sold); Splint Mail (extra set for Minsc); Composite Bow (sold);
Current Disposition: Selling loot, resting, recuperating in Nashkel
Next Steps: To the North Nashkel Road to explore what else is there since we stayed to the road when we’ve passed through
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
It occurred to us, as we were sharing a moment of relaxation over mead & ale @ the Nashkel Inn, that our adventures in the north of Amn around Nashkel has rid the folks here of many potential monsters & threats in this area. We surmise that is one of the reasons I am treated like a hero, all of us really, wherever we go…even in Beregost outside of Amn’s political boundary. My next two steps are to visit the areas around the North Nashkel Road & over to the Lonely Peaks before turning north out of Amn to the Firewine Bridge.
Once we reached the North Nashkel Road, we reconnoitered first west of the road. Not long after we arrived we fell into battle w/six Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe who we defeated w/ease. Ripper’s wear hides dyed in sky blue & their standard, which always resides w/the tribal chief, is known to be the same color w/a Hobgoblin standing on the neck of an Elf ‘ripping’ the elf’s arm out of the socket. A little farther north, we encountered six more Hobgoblins, for the Chill w/their lime green hides. We were on a cliff above them, so Dynahier dropped a Fireball on them incinerating five of them & we killed the other easily.
Key Event(s): We hadn’t moved on 20 minutes before we ran into a pair of Vampiric Wolves. My ranged companions pulled out their enchanted arrows +1 and sling stones +1 while Minsc & I waded in on them & we cut them down easily. Any time we battle Vampiric Wolves & live, I consider it key, even if the battle was well fought & we beat them quickly. They can be very dangerous w/that 'bite that Holds.'
VAMPIRIC WOLVES NORTH OF NASHKEL
Turning back to the southeast part of the North Nashkel Road area, we ran into three more Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe & simultaneously were flanked by a third group of Hobgoblins tribe, six of them, from the Leg Breaker Tribe in their identifying rust colored hide. Jaheira & Imoen both took arrows tipped w/poison but we cut them down easily once we got in position. At first we were cut off & had to get around a large hill to get at them. Other than that we destroyed 12 Kobolds & two female Half-Ogres who we trying to eat a Gnome but decided to make us the main course.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9,419 gold: bought three Potions of Magic Blocking, one each Scrolls of Protection from Undead & Magic); none of note.
Current Disposition: Unloading supplies & resting in Nashkel.
Next Steps: Lonely Peaks north east of Nashkel
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
As planned, next we were off to the Lonely Peaks which were the northernmost edge of Amn. Right off we got a taste of what was to come throughout the LPs. We’d just gotten started when two Ogre Mages w/Bastard Swords attacked us. We beat’em down good w/o anyone taking spell damage or a swipe from a Bastard Sword. We all have a healthy respect for Ogre Mages. The reason I said we got a taste of things to come was because the Peaks were swarming with Ogres of every kind. Over the next few hours we fought & defeated two trios of Ogrillons & three Ogres w/Morning Stars.
It was time for a rest but it wasn’t long before we were ambushed by seven Half-Ogres w/Bastard Swords that we had a little trouble w/but got organized in time to defeat them. The following AM we had a timely arrival that allowed us to kill six Xvarts w/Short Swords that were attacking a farmer’s cow. He was greatly relieved & appreciative. The rest of the day consisted of a quick battle w/six Kobolds armed w/Shorts Swords before we ran into a clan of four Half-Ogres who wanted our iron…& our lives. We easily defeated them and, later, two pairs of wolves & then, three more Ogres before we began to wrap up our adventure here.
Key Event(s): Our last confrontation in the Lonely Peaks was the toughest. We came upon three armored bandits, two in Splint Mail & two w/Longbows & enchanted arrows in their quiver. We were moving away from them when we crossed them so we had to wheel around 90’. Imoen was closest to one of the Longbow wielding bandits & hammered him w/one of her innate Magic Missiles before taking an arrow. I immediately hollered for her to retreat out of range even as she was fumbling for a PoH. In the meantime, Jaheira blasted the leader w/her innate Call Lightning while Dynahier launched her Minor Sequencer w/back to back Magic Missiles on the other bowman. Meanwhile, Khalid was popping off arrows @ targets of opportunity until the bowman next to Imoen hit her again & still she couldn’t get the PoH out of her quick item pouch. At that point, the other two bandits were dead & I ordered everyone to turn on the last bandit & Khalid hit him square in the temple killing him & saving Imoen.
DEFEATING ARMORED BANDITS IN THE LONELY PEAKS
On the way back to Nashkel we went via the carnival & defeated six Kobolds that had moved back into that area. Then we headed to town.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 11,583 gold);
Current Disposition: Having a rest @ the Nashkel Inn after selling our booty
Next Steps: I’m leading us to the Firewine Bridge, just north of Amnish territory
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
The way you play is so cute! Finding rooms for each of the characters or running away from combat to go through their backpacks
Thank you. I enjoy the game so much & like to play as realistically as possible, e.g. I look @ the rooms in the Inn & make sure there is room for everyone & then pay for price for the most expensive room one or more of us are in, i.e., I rarely, if ever, pay for a Common Room except early in the game @ the FAI where there are true Common Rooms. If someone is sleeping in a room we can't use that room so one of us has to use a chair outside or take turns w/another of us. Usually, Minsc volunteers to stand guard while the rest sleep.
When in an inn we take all our armor & equipment off to rest, but in the wilderness or dungeon, I only allow us to ground out helms, bracers, girdles etc. Must be ready for an attack, so I make them keep a weapon in their quick weapon slot but not showing in their hand as it's hard to sleep with a Two-Handed Sword as a pillow. Instead, if we get attacked, the PC/NPC can grab the weapon from their quick weapon slot but are unable, in general, to put their helms etc back on b/c they have to react too quickly to fumble around w/that stuff. lol
Another thing I do that's weird, is when I'm done playing & going to bed, I put the party in an inn or use the 'circle formation' to put them in camp for the night using my little rules above. If, however, I'm going out for a while, I might take them to an inn & let them enjoy a rest w/some beer or wine depending on the character. Dynahier, of course, drinks wine, Minsc drinks a stout or dark ale while the others enjoy mead or light ale. Gawain, himself, is technically a teetotaler but b/c medieval water, especially in inhabited areas, is often non-potable, he sips wine or mead to prevent disease.
Thanks again. Here's the latest from Gawain. CT
I don't do quite so much, but I tend to position my team, at least for pictures. Sometimes they'll be huddled around a table for discussion, other times some will sit at a table eating while others relax at the bar, etc. etc. I don't remove equipment, though. That's too much work for me. XD I just say they remove it offscreen.
Looking for some challenge during my next two forays to the Firewine Bridge and Ulcaster. As such, I’m hoping to see some promotions, divine intervention & guild-riders delivering good news & new abilities. The last few adventures against the likes of the Gibberling Mountains, Dryad Forest, even the Archaeological Site, etc., have not provided anything of that sort. The more power I and my companions are able to attain will help us defeat more powerful enemies that I expect we will face down the road.
In the area around the bridge we defeated four Skeleton’s w/Longbow & Halberd, 18 skeletons w/Morning Stars, six Zombies, six Kobolds w/Short Bows & Short Swords, six War Dogs & six Kobolds w/Short Swords.
Key Event(s): We were working an area NE of Firewine Bridge in the dried up river bed that all that is left of the water that used to flow under the bridge. We ran into a female mage, Carsa. She had been part of an adventuring party that had found a jar that obviously contained the essence of an Ogre Mage named Kahrk. We tried to help Carsa & decided between Dynahier & all of the Temples we are welcome in, that we could find a way to Remove Curse. Unfortunately, by the time we got to her, she was in desperate straits & could not give up the jar even though it was driving her out of her mind. When we became more insistent that she do so, Carsa screamed Kahrk’s name & upon release, he killed her instantly. We all deplore Ogre Mage’s, especially one that claims to be the most powerful of them all. I quaffed a Potion of Magic Blocking & Minsc became enraged. Both Dynahier & Imoen led with back to back Magic Missiles before Imoen switched to Arrows +1. Khalid used his Called Shot ability & equipped his bow w/Arrows of Fire. Jaheira led w/her innate Call Lightning which, unlike her divine spell, is instantaneous. Minsc & I charged in for the kill but Kahrk was well protected. Jaheira then cast Call Woodland Beings & brought a Dryad to our aid that immediately started casting spells @ Kahrk. Then Jaheira cast Summon Animals I & brought in a War Dog to help before following w/Summon Insects. Not sure what other spells Dynahier used. Finally I started landing brutal blows on Kahrk first coming down hard on his right shoulder & then literally slicing him clean in half, hitting that same shoulder & slicing through it again & straight thru to his groin. Exhilarating battle. My companions are spectacular!
GREAT BATTLE VERSUS KAHRK THE OGRE MAGE!
We were not quite done after that because just as we were ready to head back to a Swordsman named Meilum came up to us claiming to be the greatest Swordsman in Faerun. It was okay @ first but the challenge was hinted @ to the point that, as a Knight, I could no longer allow it to go unanswered. I’m not quite sure what he was thinking challenging a fully armored Knight in Full Plate w/an shimmering Large Shield, wearing an obviously enchanted helm & wielding an enchanted bastard Sword when he was just in Studded Leather w/a Long Sword. None the less he did & I had everyone else back off (turned off AI) & then proceeded to crush him in about four blows. He was tough to take the blows he did but he died w/o landing one of his own.
DUEL WITH MEILUM (AS A KNIGHT, I CAN'T RESIST A CHALLENGE)
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 13,139 gold); Pearl Necklace (sold), Knaves Robe (sold), Scroll of Non-Detection (sold) & Scroll of Charm Person (Dynahier)
Current Disposition: Resting @ the Nashkel Inn after selling the loot we’d garnered @ Firewine Bridge
Next Steps: Relocate our base of Operations to Beregost, then back to the Firewine Ruins
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
The way you play is so cute! Finding rooms for each of the characters or running away from combat to go through their backpacks
I don't do quite so much, but I tend to position my team, at least for pictures. Sometimes they'll be huddled around a table for discussion, other times some will sit at a table eating while others relax at the bar, etc. etc. I don't remove equipment, though. That's too much work for me. XD I just say they remove it offscreen.
Hey, whatever makes the game enjoyable. Usually when I play, I'm watching college football or something, the wife is out running errands & I have nothing but time. Just glad to know people are reading this challenge since I'm the only one playing in it. After Gawain, I'm beginning to think I'll play me first ever Mage, Merlin, using the stats in the AD&D Deities & Demigods book from the 80's.
If I didn't have so many other games/other things going on, I'd totally do the challenge. Of course if I chose to do so, I'd also have to find the information about D&D's versions of the characters online.
Perhaps you should do a group of mythical and historical heroes in a new IWD challenge once you finish this one.
If I didn't have so many other games/other things going on, I'd totally do the challenge. Of course if I chose to do so, I'd also have to find the information about D&D's versions of the characters online.
Perhaps you should do a group of mythical and historical heroes in a new IWD challenge once you finish this one.
You know, I learned to play these games w/IWD (I think that was it). The game started w/the party on a ship in a town. When they walk down the doc, they start getting attacked by Goblins. Then you get out of the town & go up to a walled wooden fort & have to fight off an attack & then the game begins in full...Is that IWD? Anyway, yeah, I'd love to play that again, I see they've made an EE of it? Does it play as smoothly like the other two?
Problem for me is, as Blackraven knows, I play slowly...very slowly. Every square inch of BGI and BGII before I start again. takes forever. I'd like to someday though. I'll buy the EE version though, and play around w/it a bit. Thanks for the tip Elrandir.
If I didn't have so many other games/other things going on, I'd totally do the challenge. Of course if I chose to do so, I'd also have to find the information about D&D's versions of the characters online.
Perhaps you should do a group of mythical and historical heroes in a new IWD challenge once you finish this one.
You know, I learned to play these games w/IWD (I think that was it). The game started w/the party on a ship in a town. When they walk down the doc, they start getting attacked by Goblins. Then you get out of the town & go up to a walled wooden fort & have to fight off an attack & then the game begins in full...Is that IWD?
I BELIEVE that's IWD2, though that's literally all I've seen of that game, so I could be wrong. But yeah, IWD:EE plays great. (so far) I have a role-played play-through going right now on the forums, so if you want to see the game before buying then you can check that out. And hey, slow play-throughs are fun! =p Finding every nook and cranny is pretty standard for me too.
I led my companions back to the Firewine Bridge to descend into the building on the far left side of the bridge. It soon became apparent as we worked our way through, we’d have to deal w/Kobold Commando’s w/those Arrows of Fire & traps galore. I didn’t even try to keep count after our first hour or so, especially considering that they were accompanied by their weaker counterparts also. Khalid thinks he & Imoen started w/28 Arrows of Fire & now they have 60, so I estimate we killed 60-70 total Kobold Commando’s/Kobolds by the time we exited the ruins for the last time.
The remainder of time we chiefly focused on avoiding traps. Unfortunately, one trap Imoen disarmed appeared to go off anyway, taking her life. We’d found an exit earlier that led into the basement of a building but had decided to check it out after we were finished in the ruins. Now, I decided to go out that way & see what that building was. Conveniently, it was a Halfling Temple & we were able to raise Imoen their w/o returning to Beregost. We were in Gullykin. I knew it was near but did not realize we were right under it. The Priest let us sleep in the basement but admonished us not to get into his barrels of wine.
Back in the ruins, we continued to cut down Kobolds & try to avoid traps. Every now & then, one of us would step wrong & take a Magic Missile or something. We’d spoken w/a young Bard on the Firewine Bridge who sung a rhyme about a traitorous knight that had betrayed his comrades. Turned out the story was true as we found six Ghost Knights that wouldn’t cross w/o their comrade despite what he’d done. We crossed paths w/the traitor knight & he begged us to kill him & take his armor. We did so & returned the armor to the other Ghost Knight’s & they were reunited.
Key Event(s): Just when I thought this was a cake walk, we turned a corner & were facing an Ogrillons & a mage w/a few Kobold Commando’s firing Arrows of Fire to add to the fog of war. With an Ogrillon & a mage on our right & Kobold Commando’s on our right, we were in a bit of a mess. Khalid, Jaheira & Dynahier were back a ways & I had to call them forward fast. I quaffed a Potion of Magic Blocking & Minsc used his Barbarian Rage. Imoen was up front w/us as she’d been Detecting Traps. She used her innate Magic Missile, I think on the Ogrillon, but then she took an Arrow of Fire & I directed her to the rear. Things weren’t going well behind me & I couldn’t bring much to bear although I know Dynahier got off a Magic Missile. Things happened quickly & the mage went down, the Ogrillon too & someone mopped up the Kobolds. We didn’t get a breather though b/c suddenly there was an Ogre Mage to deal w/& as soon as we saw him, another Ogrillon. I quaffed a second Potion of Magic Blocking before attacking him. Meanwhile, Jaheira got slugged by the Ogrillon & had to make a dangerous evasion into a hallway that, luckily, wasn’t trapped. The Ogrillon then turned his attention to Minsc & died. A moment later, I cut down the Ogre Mage after he’d managed to cast Confusion, sending both Imoen & Dynahier wandering aimlessly, Imoen @ one point shooting her bow @ us.
DEFEATING AN OGRE MAGE SUPPORTED BY A MAGE & TWO OGRILLONS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 12,925 gold); Gauntlet’s of Ogre Power (Jaheira); Gandolar’s Lucky Ring (Imoen)
Current Disposition: After cashing in our treasure & identifying the GoOP we are nor resting in the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: I have changed my mind & plan to scour the Gullykin area before moving on the Ulcaster
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of untness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(D+ruid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
After finding Gullykin during the Firewine Bridge/Ruins exploration, I wanted to return & make sure the area around their little hamlet was secure for them. There were a few threats that we were able to eliminate for them. We killed six Kobolds w/Short Bows/Swords, 12 Kobolds w/Short Swords only, & six Kobolds armed w/Short Swords that we had to battle alongside two Ankheg’s which ended up bringing 500 gold. The Kobolds were likely displaced from the Firewine Ruins & Bridge area that we just cleared. Aside from those we killed two Dread Wolves & three Worgs that were immediately hostile so we thought them a threat to any Halfling’s that might wander outside of the hamlet so we eliminated them also.
Key Event(s): While clearing the area, we were attacked by four more assassins. The leader of this group called himself, Molkar, a knight & he was accompanied by what I think was another knight, a cleric & a mage. I’m certain the latter was at least a dual-classed mage as he fired Melf’s Acid Arrow & a Magic Missile @ me (you know you’ve been in this business a while when you can detect the type of spells that are attacked with). Initially, I focused on the first assassin Minsc spied but almost changed my mind when I saw one of them incanting a spell, then another. I quaffed my last Potion of Magic Blocking which is why the spells I mentioned earlier didn’t affect me at all. Minsc finished off his knight & I turned on the leader, Molkar. Imoen assisted me w/Molkar, blasting him w/her innate magic Missile while I hacked away & he fell so easily I do a disservice to all knights to call him one, either of them really as Minsc did a quick number on his as well. Then we turned on the spellcasters. Jaheira had already cast her second favorite spell, Summon Woodland Beings, bringing in a Dryad w/her but I think they were all dead by the time the Dryad was able to influence the fight, although it was apparent she’d cast Barkskin on herself. We defeated these attackers easily. We actually had a more difficult battle against six or eight Xvarts on the way back to Beregost.
FINISHING OFF THE LAST ASSASSIN
Before I left Gullykin, I took the time to meet the Halflings living in that quiet hamlet. They all revere Dillillia, the name used for Yolanda, in/around the Sword Coast. Yolanda is the Halfling’s chief deity, a Major Deity. We met a delightful Halfling Rogue, Alora, type who wanted to join me & though I don’t have need of another companion now, between her & the devout Halflings there, I’ve made the hamlet my personal protectorate. I let Gandolar & Alora know that I would try to pass though when I’m in the area & that they could send a runner to the Temple of the Morning & ask for Kelddath Ormlyr. I’ll make a point of trying to keep him apprised of my whereabouts so that, if needed, he can send for me if the Halflings are in need.
(Note: As many that follow my adventures, I come to this w/a biased toward the AD&D of the early 80's where I used to play P&P w/others. The game was run by a 'Dungeon Master.' I know that by now, any DM would've warned me more than once that my PC was acting more Lawful & Good than True Neutral. The Gawain in the Deities & demigods that I model this PC on is 'Neutral.' I think the DM would've dropped the hammer on me by now & told me my PC was LG. So, I've changed his alignment accordingly. This is the same alignment as King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, etc., in the Deities & Demigods Manual so this change brings Gawain's alignment in line w/theirs).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 14,020 gold);
Current Disposition: We’re @ the Red Sheaf taking a breather
Next Steps: Heading to Ulcaster Ruins
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(D+ruid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
As planned, my next stop was the area around Ulcaster w/an eye on protecting the Temple of the Morning & eliminating a threat appearing on the flanking doorstep of Beregost. I feel confident that Nashkel can protect itself from monsters & other threats now the we’ve swept that area clean, @ least long enough to call for & receive assistance from the capital, Athkatla, or Crimmor or even Esmeltaran (a Halfling city), all further south from Nashkel which is the northernmost hamlet in Anm.
Ulcaster was fairly barren & there appeared to be no organized threat emerging. Still, we defeated six Hobgoblin Elites w/bastard Swords, 12 Skeleton’s w/Morning Stars & Bucklers & six Zombies w/, three Ghouls alongside 12 Kobolds w/Short Swords. We met a harmless Ghost lamenting the destruction of Ulcaster. He mentioned something about a tome that we might find under some rubble in the ruins. We’ll keep an eye out.
Key Event(s): We encountered six more Kobolds w/Short Swords loosely led by a wraith warrior. We defeated him, Dynahier pelting him w/two Magic Missiles & Minsc finishing him w/Spiders Bane. The Kobolds were just gnats to be swatted.
DEFEATING ICHARYD @ ULCASTER
We found a grate leading underground but we elected to finish up around the ravines before descending. Descending the hilltop where the Ulcaster School stood & immediately defeated two Hobgoblin Elites & three Hobgoblins w/Bastard sword & Short Bows. Continuing Through the ravines we defeated six more Hobgoblin & two Hobgoblin Elites one being a leader type. Most of the regulars are of the Flesh Render Tribe w/their Red tunics. After trying to rest a while, as Minsc had taken a few Arrows of Fire from three Kobold Commando’s as we reached the top of a hill overlooking the ravines. After defeating them, we tried to rest & bring Minsc back to full strength & were attacked by 10 more Kobolds w/Short Swords & Short Bows.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,055 gold);
Current Disposition: Unloading supplies & resting in Beregost
Next Steps: Decend into the grate that leads under the Ulcaster Ruins
Level Up: Minsc has increased his skill as a Barbarian to Level 7. He is ruthless w/Spiders Bane.
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Problem for me is, as Blackraven knows, I play slowly...very slowly. Every square inch of BGI and BGII before I start again. takes forever. I'd like to someday though. I'll buy the EE version though, and play around w/it a bit. Thanks for the tip Elrandir.
Missed this comment because sometimes I read your updates on the Bioware Forums and sometimes on here. I know your meticulous protagonists indeed, and I like and respect them. The approach doesn't work with every possible personality type imo (an impulsive, highly aggressive avenger of Gorion's death might not have the time and the patience for 'completionism'), but I really appreciated the way you had your evil protagonists follow their deities'/demons' orders. And Gawain is a strategist and a hero of the Sword Coast so it's only natural that he doesn't rush after Sarevok and that he goes out of his way to help out everywhere he goes. Personally, after having seen countless of my protagonists fall on carefully and patiently roleplayed runs not unlike yours, I've become a bit more powergamey as of late, though I know that powergaming grows stale after a while for me as well.
Safe travels for Gawain, and I promise that my next run, should Victor fall, which I hope isn't going to happen anytime soon, Tristram will enter the Mythical & Historical Hero Challenge (albeit as a no-reload challenge rather than minimal reload).
Problem for me is, as Blackraven knows, I play slowly...very slowly. Every square inch of BGI and BGII before I start again. takes forever. I'd like to someday though. I'll buy the EE version though, and play around w/it a bit. Thanks for the tip Elrandir.
Safe travels for Gawain, and I promise that my next run, should Victor fall, which I hope isn't going to happen anytime soon, Tristram will enter the Mythical & Historical Hero Challenge (albeit as a no-reload challenge rather than minimal reload).
Woohoo. Sure would like to read others adventures here...sadly I read more slowly than I play.
I have so many PCs in mind, I'd like to get to: Merlin; Galahad (perfect for the PC as Galahad was a bastard son to Launcelot & Princess Elaine), etc.
The trip to the Ulcaster Ruins almost surely brings one into contact w/a few monsters that just seem to be prevalent near the old school. Having been there twice, we’ve cut many of them down, hopefully dissuading others from moving into the area…especially since we managed to get that Tome back to the Ghost of Ulcaster. Once the school is up & running, I’m sure it will be able to protect itself just fine. One the way back to the grate that opens to a long, gradually descending stairway down. Before we got their we defeated, three Ghasts, Six Zombies, 16 Kobolds w/Short Swords & six Skeletons w/Morning Stars & Bucklers.
Surprisingly, no intelligent humanoids or other creatures had moved in to use the ruins as a base of operations, although the place was perfect for it. We did come across an Ochre Jelly & a Mustard Jelly shortly after we arrived. Aside from that the place was the lair of wolves. We killed six Dread Wolves & four Dire Wolves as we worked our way through. We also came across a Huge Spider nest & exterminated them.
Key Event(s): Our final battle was against a Vampiric Wolves & his pack of four Dread Wolves. The Dread Wolves were all female & it would seem the Vampiric Wolf, the Alpha Male. Then again, Vampiric Wolves are undead, so they have no place in the natural order. Whatever the case, we defeated them easily.
DEFEATING THE VAMPIRIC WOLF & HIS PACK
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,934 gold) No treasure to speak of really. We added some gold to the purse & several Potions: Genius, Absorption, Hill Giant Strength, Oil of Fiery Burning & Potions of Healing x2
Current Disposition: Back in Beregost resting & lightning out load of bounty.
Next Steps: Clear and secure the area around the Temple of the Morning, then the same @ High Hedge, followed by the Lighthouse & the Shipwreck’s Coast before working east again
Level Up: None (*I’ve gotta think we’re getting ready to get a flurry of them all together. I never check to see how close any PC/NPC is getting to leveling up. I like to be surprised when it happens!*)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail +1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
I led my companion to the Temple of the Morning to finish up our effort to secure the area around the temple & Beregost from the east. After thoroughly combing the hills & terrain it’s likely there was no real threat out there, especially since I’m quite sure Kelddath Ormlyr & his attendant Sirines can bring it pretty good if the temple were attacked. There were a few bands of Hobgoblins including six Chill Hobgoblins w/Bastard Swords, six Hobgoblins from the Leg-Breaker tribe also armed w/Bastard Swords & seven Chill Hobgoblins w/Bastard Swords led by a Sergeant w/Studded Leather & Two-Handed Sword. (Note: Hobgoblin Sergeants aren't usually found w/less than 20 Hobgoblins. We’d killed six Chill earlier that the Sergeant may have sent on an errand. That means there should’ve been another five Chill & two of the Sergeants assistants somewhere but we didn't find them. There’s no way the Leg-Breakers would've been under the Sergeants’ authority). There were wolves & dogs everywhere & we killed six aggressive Wild Dogs & a pair of mated two Dread Wolves & two mated wolves.
We were fortunate to find a woman who’d been petrified by a Basilisk as we were later to discover & she warned us of the Basilisks presence in or near that area so we made sure to acquire additional Stone to Flesh Scrolls & Dynahier’s made sure to pack her Protection from Petrification Scrolls in addition to Potions of Mirrored Eyes, one of which the woman gave us in thanks. We all forgot that we just needed to go to the temple to purchase one & none of is sure what we were thinking but it worked out b/c Minsc needed rest due to injuries he’d suffered in battle with…
Key Event(s): ...two Vampiric Wolves, two Dread Wolves & three Worgs. Worgs are the evil kin of the Dread Wolf & they are nasty but not so much as the powerful & evil Vampiric Wolves. I ordered the use of enchanted projectiles so both Jaheira & Dynahier used Bullets +1, Imoen Arrows +1 & Khalid, Arrows of Fire. As always in battles w/wild animals or humanoids, generally creatures we can easily overpower, the order to use ranged weapons means not to use our precious spells in case a more deadly foe should confront us later. In this case, the Vampiric Wolves went down easily (although Minsc was bitten three, maybe for times but I don’t know which ones). After the Vampiric Wolves were killed, I turned us on the Dread Wolves before finishing up the smaller, weaker Worgs.
EXTERMINATING THE WOLF PACK
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,299 gold) None to speak of, a few gems
Current Disposition: Beregost @ the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: I’m going to lead us over to High Hedge & try & build an alliance w/Thalantyr while clearing that area to protect Beregost from the east. Like the people of Nashkel in Amn, so the people of Beregost in the of Baldur’s Gate have been good to me. I choose no side in these tensions between Baldur’s Gate & Amn, especially since our adventures to the Nashkel Mines, the Bandit Camp & the Cloakwood Mines make it clear that the tensions are being ARTIFICIALLY engineered & aggravated by someone associated w/the Iron Throne…
Level Up: Khalid has advanced to Pathfinder (Ranger/Archer//7);
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger) • Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail +1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/7 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Blue Font: New information; Red Font: Monster encounters (first use) (Best kill)(Current AI) * Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Since: (1) my novelization attempt, while enjoyable, means all work and no play, (2) I really liked my moderately roleplayed run with Victor the Mage-turned-Fighter, (3) @Heindrich's current playthrough is an inspiring one, and (4) I promised @CharlestonianTemplar a Mythical/Historical Hero, I couldn't resist the urge to roll a new Charname.
Tell is Wilhelm Tell (in English: William). I don't how famous William Tell is amongst Anglo-Saxons, who have so many mythical and legendary heroes of their own. As a continental European, with German as one of his foreign languages at high school, I read Schiller's play about the legendary revolutionary and first Swiss confederate, albeit many winters ago. According to Wikipedia an early account by a writer named Tschudi (ca. 1570), narrates Tell's legend as follows:
William Tell, who originally came from Bürglen, was known as a strong man, mountain climber, and an expert shot with the crossbow. In his time, the Habsburg emperors of Austria were seeking to dominate the Swiss canton of Uri. Albrecht (or Hermann) Gessler, the newly appointed Austrian Vogt (mayor) of Altdorf, raised a pole in the village's central square, hung his hat on top of it, and demanded that all the townsfolk bow before the hat. On 18 November 1307, Tell visited Altdorf with his young son and passed by the hat, publicly refusing to bow to it, and so was arrested. Gessler—intrigued by Tell's famed marksmanship, yet resentful of his defiance—devised a cruel punishment: Tell and his son would be executed, but he could redeem his life by shooting an apple off the head of his son, Walter, in a single attempt. Tell split the apple with a bolt from his crossbow. But Gessler noticed that Tell had removed two crossbow bolts from his quiver, not one. Before releasing Tell, he asked why. Tell replied that if he had killed his son, he would have used the second bolt on Gessler himself. Gessler was angered, and had Tell bound. Tell was brought to Gessler's ship to be taken to his castle at Küssnacht to spend his newly won life in a dungeon. But, as a storm broke on Lake Lucerne, the soldiers were afraid that their boat would founder, and unbound Tell to steer with all his famed strength. Tell made use of the opportunity to escape, leaping from the boat at the rocky site now known as the Tellsplatte ("Tell's slab") and memorialized by the Tellskapelle. Tell ran cross-country to Küssnacht. As Gessler arrived, Tell assassinated him with the second crossbow bolt along a stretch of the road cut through the rock between Immensee and Küssnacht, now known as the Hohle Gasse. Tell's blow for liberty sparked a rebellion, in which he played a leading part. That fed the impetus for the nascent Swiss Confederation. Tell fought again against Austria in the 1315 Battle of Morgarten. Tschudi also has an account of Tell's death in 1354, according to which he was killed trying to save a child from drowning in the Schächenbach river in Uri.
Not surprisingly, Tell is an Archer, specialized in Crossbows, who will work toward grandmastery in that weapon. I had to pick two melee weapons and decided to go with Daggers and Axes as those fit the image I have of him. Other weapons that come to mind are Clubs, Halberds and Spears. I consider creating a special weapon for him in BG2, an echanted Axe that gives an extra APR. That way he won't ever have to use blades (Scimitars or Short Swords) for extra APR.
Although I don't want to run a completely min-maxed character, most stats needed to be fairly to very high to properly represent William Tell's ability. I adjusted a 94 roll as follows:
STR 18/94 -> as described above, Tell was known as a 'strong man', and while captured he was unbound in the boat to steer 'with all his famed strength'; DEX 17 -> to offset his extraordinary STR, I gave Tell 'only' 17 DEX, still very good of course but surely 1 or 2 points less than the average Archer that most players will roll; CON 14 -> I've found no details indicating an appropriate CON score, so I settled for a score that does give a bonus to hit points (after the CON tome has been consumed), but not the full bonus; INT 15 -> this is a roleplayed playthrough, and I want my hero to be intelligent, and Tell did seem to know reasonably well what he was doing; WIS 14 -> I think that Tell's refusal to bow before the pole can be seen as an unwise decision that could have cost him dearly, and the same goes for telling the mayor he would have killed him had the bolt hit his son instead of the apple - so a score of 14, the minimum for Rangers, seemed appropriate; CHA 16 -> as he got to play a leading part in a rebellion, a good CHA score within the 15-17 range seemed fitting. This gives Tell the same physical stats as Kivan though with a higher exceptional STR modifier, and one more physical point than Minsc and Khalid, rather than 6-7 points more than those NPCs if I'd given Tell three 18s. I'll allow myself to lower the difficulty setting at leveling up for maximum hit points increase as I've never been a big fan of the randomness of that aspect of the game. Tell with the CON tome will gain 11 hitpoints/level, which is what a 19 CON warrior with no HP maximization would gain on average at leveling up (between 6 and 15 HP = 10.5 HP, rounded up to 11 by the game.).
CKT provided the following rules: - Try to find a good likeness of your PC for your Medium and Small Images & try to align your colors accordingly. Most representations portray Tell as a blue eyed, bearded man with curly/wavy hair of medium length. I chose to use the portrait that @Isandir made of me. - Play the persona of the character as best you can in dialogue & combat choices. I made Tell LG, as he seemed to be good man with a strong sense of justice, anchored in his own moral code rather than the laws of the land (which laws have meaning to Tell only if they are just). Will play him true to his alignment, and as an almost brutally honest man. - Make sure you complete everything, (e.g. Durlag's Tower & the Isle of Balduran) not just the basic run. I'll probably justify the TotSC content by having Tell choose to lay low after he escapes from Candlekeep and finds the authorities of Baldur's Gate are after him. - Keep going, if you choose into SoA/ToB & keep sharing your progress. That's definitely the idea.
Now that everything has to be completed, I'll play a full party for most of the game (as trying as that may be to me). Enough XP for all... The NPCs I'm using for BG1 are Ajantis, Rasaad, Neera, Branwen and Imoen. Four of those will only play a small part if any, in the novelization I'm slowly working on, so this experience with Tell is guaranteed a very distinct one for me.
I'll generally try to make this as realistic as possible and somewhat challenging. To me this means no short duration pre-buffs unless dangers have been properly scouted, no wand recharging, no use of NPCs as meat shields (will flip a coin after each NPC's death to decide whether or not their CON is to be lowered by 1), roleplayed justifications for exploring certain areas, no use of metagamke knowledge as the location of certain items etc. No-reload is very hard for me to let go of, but who knows, maybe it will turn into minimal reload at one point.
Comments
After visiting a Potion Store in W BG where I still couldn’t identify my potions once again, I led us to the Seven Suns to look into things there. Three short conversations w/merchants & two of them suddenly shape shifted into Doppelgangers. We smashed them & headed through a door leading to the basement where we killed another Doppelganger before finding & releasing Jhasso. We garnered a little treasure for our efforts, then went up to the second floor where we killed two more Doppelgangers before heading to report to Scar who gave us 4000gps & much praise. Scar asked me if we would investigate some mysterious disappearances in E BG which he thought might be answered in the sewers beneath E BG. I agreed to help the he & FF.
On the way, we stopped by the Merchant League to say hello to Aldeth Sashenstar & found ourselves in another investigation. Aldeth was concerned that his partners were acting strangely & making poor, if not subversive business decisions. He asked if I’d help & provided cover by telling everyone we were old friends & put us up in guest rooms. Having just come from the Seven Suns, we’d only talked to two, three people before we knew there were Doppelgangers about. We were looking around & went up to the third floor & were up to our ankles in Doppelgangers. We killed at least a dozen Doppelgangers there but Minsc was surrounded & killed too. Continuing our investigation w/o Minsc, one of the merchant’s mentioned checking Zorl’s desk & we found documents incriminating Zorl & Irlentree. I took the information to Brandilar, the Captain of the Guard @ Merchant League & he asked me to wipe out the Doppelgangers. Zorl immediately shape changed into a Doppelganger & we killed him before going downstairs where Irlentree & four other Doppelgangers waited to be defeated. They were. Aldeth rewarded us w/some gratitude, gold & a Tome of Clear Thought.
Key Event: We were fortunate to find the exact sewer entrance in E BG to drop right into the answer to Scar’s inquiry. An Ogre Mage & what turned out to be 12 Carrion Crawlers. I had us completely patrol the E BG sewers to destroy all the crawlers & two Phase Spiders that had made a home there also. The Ogre Mage had placed his victims in crypts, kept what treasure they had upon them for himself & allowed his crawlers to eat them. I returned to Scar & informed him of this & he asked about a noblewoman of the Sashenstar family. I had a Ruby Ring that belonged to her &, at his request, I returned her body to him so her family good bury her. He then asked us to come back, if interested & help him investigate the Iron Throne.
EXTERMINATING THE OGRE MAGE & HIS PETS
Treasure of Note: Purse = 12409 gold pieces; Bastard Sword +1/+3 versus Shapeshifters (Me); Tome of Clear Thought (Dynahier)
Current Disposition: Resting @ our Inn in SE BG after using a Potion of Genius to ID all our potions
Next Steps: Assault on the Iron Throne
Level Up:
• Imoen received word from her Guildmaster that she is now a Sharper* (Thief/Charming Rogue//7). She has improved to 100% in both Find/Remove Traps & Open/Locks
• My Barbarian, Minsc, is now clearly @ Level 6. He is topped out in his skill w/a Two-Handed Sword @*** & 2HWS @**. He selected the Flail as his newest weapon
• Dynahier also heard from her Invokers Guild & she too has advanced. In her case to Magician* (Mage/Invoker//7) & she gained a third 3rd Level Spell to memorize. She also acquired & used a Tome of Clear Thought to get her Intelligence to 18
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular)
• Gawain: Ftr/6; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1 w/Boots of Grounding & Girdle of Bluntness, Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Taugasz Khosann))
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Leather +1 w/Bracers/Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6 & Cloak of Non-Detection, Short Bow*, Dagger* & Short Sword* (Shadow Druid)(Thief Def)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/7 w/Stud Leather, Sling*, Eye of the Storm*, Scimitar +1 (Britik)(Druid Summoning)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, Wand of Lightning (Phase Spider)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
I'm using it for Imoen & it keeps me from having to dual her to Mage. I like this. The kit comes w/a handful on enchantment spells & magic missile so now @ 7th she has 2 Invisibility, 2 Reflected Image, 2 Magic Missile, 2 Friends, 2 Charm Person & 2 set Snare. In addition, she gains the ability to cast illusions @ higher levels.
Dynahier is taking care of the 'big' Mage Work & as an Invoker she has some great spells. Ya'll know I let specialist mages cast only spells from their school from memory but I also give them to them as they advance to where they can use them. Nalia will take care of spell duties in BGII.
Anyway, just wanted ya'll to know of the class if you didn't. CKT
GAWAIN LEVEL 7
I have not been able to sit & collect my thoughts & place them on parchment in many days but that does not indicate idleness in the least. As a matter of fact we have been moving non-stop w/little rest. You recall Scar asked us to return to talk w/him about investigating the Iron Throne. Things have been a blur since. We immediately assaulted the Iron Throne, killed about eight guards before nearly walking into an ambush on the 5th floor. Whatever the case, they were flat ready & waiting for us. The battle required strategy, gaining space & time to draw them to us. They were tough as nails & we defeated them, I estimate seven of them. There were likely one mage, a cleric, a couple of knights & a couple of rogue/assassins but I’m not certain & we didn’t have time to do much more than grab their treasure & head for The Flaming Fist headquarters where we talked to Duke Eltan since Scar couldn’t be found. Whatever they were, they were bad asses & we nearly got caught up @ the top of the stairs but were able to withdraw & hit them w/quick strikes from both staircases until they were defeated. When I returned to the Iron Throne, I couldn’t find Scar & ended up w/an audience w/Duke Eltan. Having documents & information placing Rielter & the Iron Throne leaders @ Candlekeep. He teleported us there &, ‘blink’, I was home.
I wasn’t there long though b/c I’d barely made my reintroductions before I started looking for Rielter….I felt I was getting closer to Gorion’s murderer & I didn’t want to waste a moment. A couple of men came up to me who knew Gorion & they were pleasant enough, one, Koveras, even gave me a Ring of Protection +1. Shortly afterward, I found Rielter & one of his associates negotiating w/the Knights of the Shield. I was torn about battling in Candlekeep but Duke Eltan & Scar had certainly supported our defeating the enemies in the Seven Suns & Iron Throne, so I was sure they would support me here & I didn’t want them to get away. I had no quarrel w/the Knights of the Shield but they’re known to be of evil intent &, further, they joined Rielter in attacking us. Defeating them was not difficult, although trying to do so w/o causing collateral damage to the library was impossible. We collected what we could that could aid us but in short order Ultruant had us arrested & suddenly appeared he was in w/the Iron Throne in some way. Whatever the case, he was intent on sending us the BG for trial when Tethtoril slipped in & aided me by teleporting us to a part of the keep I’d not known before…the crypts & catacombs.
Key Event: The crypts & caves were a nightmare of traps, undead & Doppelganger’s. From the moment we were teleported in, we were battling Doppelgangers w/the faces of people I know/knew & loves/respect. There was no time to judge, we had to fight no matter how real they might appear. There were Doppelgangers galore & Skeleton’s w/Composite Longbows. Even Greater Doppelgangers w/the faces of Elminster, Gorion & Tethtoril. By far, the most valuable thing we had going for us was Imoen’s impeccable skill @ detecting & disarming traps. I had to continually move, resting only when we absolutely had to. By the time we left the crypts & mausoleum area we’d defeated, I estimate, three Greater Doppelgangers, a half dozen Doppelgangers, six or eight Skeletons w/Composite Longbows. The place was huge & the tombs were all trapped but Imoen was up to every task & we loaded up. I lost Minsc & Khalid there in the Battle against the false Gorion so we gathered everything of theirs that was important & were forced to drop many gems, weapons we otherwise would have sold. We left the tombs/crypts thru a series of caves that were full of there were many, many Phase, Sword & Wraith Spiders & a couple of Greater Basilisks that we saw just in time & Dynahier cast one of four Protection from Petrification Scrolls on me before I went & hammered them. After that we found the way out to the south side of Candlekeep, passing one smuggler who ran off.
Unfortunately, now I’m wanted so I’ll need to lay low & see what happens in the next few days. I’ll lead my willing followers south to Amn where we’ll be safe from the Flaming Fists until the dust settles. I’ll make camp near that carnival in Nashkel.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 3051 GPs; Cloak of Protection +2 (Me), Rings of Free Action & Fire Resistance, Helm of Defense, Mace +1 (Me); Koveras’ Ring of Protection +1, Short Sword +1 (purchased) (Imoen); Girdle of Bluntness (Minsc); Plenty of very useful Scrolls (mage & cleric) & potions
Current Disposition: Resting near a camp fire @ the carnival
Next Steps: Return to the Valley I came out of when we came up from the Nashkel Mines; I will remain in the south for a while until I can figure out what to do about this frame up; when this is said & done I intend to visit Durlag’s Tower
Level Up:
• Jaheira once again has been blessed by her patron deity, Silvanus. She is now an Initiate of the 6th Circle (Druid of Silvanus//8) & was granted an additional 3rd & 4th Level Spell respectively
• I, too, have humbly accepted a promotion as a knight to Champion (Fighter//7)
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular)
GAWAIN INVENTORY LEVEL 7
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness & Rings of Free Action & Fire Resistance, Bastard Sword +1/+3**** & Mace +1 (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mail, Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness & Ring of Protection +1, Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Leather +1 w/Bracers/Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Koveras’ Ring of Protection +1, Short Bow*, Dagger* & Short Sword +1* (Sword Spider) Thief Def)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Stud Leather, Sling*, Eye of the Storm*, Scimitar +1 (Britik)(Druid Summoning)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +1*, Wand of Lightning (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Key Event: …four female amazon assassin’s. I deduce that they were warriors/clerics/assassins as there were spells being cast at us, Longbows, at least one was wearing splint mail & the others leather armor (one enchanted studded leather). Whatever they were, they are no more. Dynahier led off w/a perfect Fireball that broke one of them immediately. Jaheira Blessed most of us & Imoen fired a MM @ one of them that was incanting, disrupting the spell. I charged into the midst of them & started attacking the nearest one to me that was incanting a spell. Minsc was shortly in the behind me attacking whichever one got close to him. Another amazon tried casting a spell & Imoen blasted her w/MM as did Dynahier & I think that killed er. In no time, we’d defeated the would-be assassins. We garnered some good treasure from these foes carcasses.
From there we encountered & defeated six Wild Dogs, & a half dozen skeletons before entering a tomb & killing three Ghasts & acquiring treasure from their caskets. A second time, we ran into six Wild Dogs & a half dozen skeletons guarding yet another tomb. This one contained a Revenant that we beat down pretty easily. We found plenty of jewelry & potions in the caskets. We continued exploring, defeating four Gnolls before running into a Mage who claimed he’d created a spell that would control slimes & jellies. I thought it would be useful to have & asked about it & he went hostile & called two Ochre Jellies to his aid. Imoen & Dynahier kept him from getting off a spell by hitting him w/MMs each time he tried. Meanwhile, I closed on him, Minsc too I think, & he was dead in no time. His jellies weren’t far behind. Our final challenge was one last tomb, guarded by four skeleton’s w/Composite Longbows & inside a single Ghast, now dead for good.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 5140 gold; Studded Leather +1 (Khalid); Ring of Energy (Dynahier); Potions: Heroism, Magic Blocking (Me), Power (Imoen), etc.
Current Disposition: Nashkel/Nashkel Inn
Next Steps: Investigate the area around the called Gibberling Mountains
Level Up: Dynahier’s Mage Guildmaster bestowed upon her the title Enchanter (Mage/7) & she gained a 4th 2nd Level Spell & was given the four Invoker/Evoker spells: Fire Shield, Ice Shield, Ice Storm & minor Sequencer
Current Party: (Reputation: 16 – Popular)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of
Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster
Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider)
• (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
DYNAHIER CHARACTER RECORD MAGE/INVOKER LEVEL 7
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Offensive)
DYNAHIER CHARACTER INVENTORY LEVEL 7
DYNAHIER 4TH LEVEL SPELLBOOK @ 7
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
And that's another thing, if an items is not in a quick slot, I don't allow my character to reach into their pack @ will & pull something out during melee. So, I am very careful what I place in quick item slots. If in melee, a character/NPC desperately needs something in their pack inventory, I make them disengage, leave the immediate battle area, i.e. go around a corner or to another room or behind a copse of trees (unmolested since it's kinda hard to search for something in a pack when an enemy is upon you) & undo their pack & search for the item they're looking for before they can leave that place & reengage. Just makes in more realistic to me.
Key Event: I found a wounded man in care of a woman who asked me to carry him to the FAI, Gellana, for care. Easily completed & it felt good to bring the young man to the aid of such a good & noble Gnomish Priestess. During the journey we encountered & killed six more Gibberling’s. Actually, we met an FF mercenary that was searching for this ‘Samuel’ when we returned. It appears he was a deserter, led astray by the woman who asked us to take him the Gellana.
I am suddenly somewhat of a hero wherever I go. While I am grateful, this brings on an internal struggle w/vanity…& it means that avoiding the FF is more daunting a task. I feared the FF Mercenary in the GMs would know me. Thankfully he did not b/c I have no desire the shed the blood of such a noble & chivalrous security force.
Treasure of Note: Purse = 5999 gold; Two Winter Wolf pelts (sold); various gems, jewelry, scrolls (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating & resupplying in Nashkel
JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE SIX OF US (SINCE KHALID & JAHEIRA SHARE A ROOM)
Next Steps: Further west to the Fire Leaf Forest beyond the Nashkel Mines
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic: saved Samuel & got him to Gellana for care)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Key Event: Our only test came against three Amnish 'hunters' who challenged me in a battle of words ending in a battle of steel. We moved north east a bit as if we were moving off to avoid conflict but we turned & set ourselves in a ‘V’ formation w/me @ the helm. I asked Dynahier to cast a Fireball in the midst of where we’d seen them just over the hill. Then Minsc & I charged down the hillside & killed the leader of the group who been their spokeswoman & who now stood charred & nearly defenseless. Easily defeated, Minsc & I moved into to kill the other two, one was armed w/a bow. They popped Minsc w/a few arrows but then he went into his Barbarian Rage & helped tear them a new one.
THE AMNISH 'HUNTERS'
Treasure of Note: Purse = 7245 gold; Girdle of Piercing (Khalid)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating, resupplying in Nashkel
Next Steps: Further west & a bit north to Dryad Falls
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 - Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Key Event: I prefer in this journal to highlight those key moments in my adventures yet, at times, there is little to highlight. In this case, it was interesting to come upon a small band, four Gnolls, who demanded gold for me to pass. As this was unacceptable, we came to combat. The Gnolls fell easily. As an aside, I highly discourage my spellcaster's from using our precious spells (except in rare circumstance & only @ my direct request) against humanoids, animals, minor undead, etc. We can easily defeat these creatures w/o wasting spells that we might come to regret not having later in a more challenging melee. During these encounters, Minsc & I assault forward to direct the enemies attention toward the two of us. Behind us, Khalid forms the rest into a ‘V’ & all use their ranged weapons, most of the time I direct the target so that we concentrate all six of us on one @ a time.
REFUSING TO PAY TRIBUTE
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9061 gold) Fire Opal Ring, Pearl (sold)
Current Disposition: Nashkel selling loot & resting
Next Steps: Bear River
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic – Jaheira helped little girl find her deceased cat)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of
Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3****
(SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS**
(Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/7 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
When in an inn we take all our armor & equipment off to rest, but in the wilderness or dungeon, I only allow us to ground out helms, bracers, girdles etc. Must be ready for an attack, so I make them keep a weapon in their quick weapon slot but not showing in their hand as it's hard to sleep with a Two-Handed Sword as a pillow. Instead, if we get attacked, the PC/NPC can grab the weapon from their quick weapon slot but are unable, in general, to put their helms etc back on b/c they have to react too quickly to fumble around w/that stuff. lol
Another thing I do that's weird, is when I'm done playing & going to bed, I put the party in an inn or use the 'circle formation' to put them in camp for the night using my little rules above. If, however, I'm going out for a while, I might take them to an inn & let them enjoy a rest w/some beer or wine depending on the character. Dynahier, of course, drinks wine, Minsc drinks a stout or dark ale while the others enjoy mead or light ale. Gawain, himself, is technically a teetotaler but b/c medieval water, especially in inhabited areas, is often non-potable, he sips wine or mead to prevent disease.
Thanks again. Here's the latest from Gawain. CT
Once at the river area, we were confronted by six Wild Dogs, six Gibberling’s, two Ogres Berserkers & then two Ogre Berserkers with four Hobgoblin Elite’s w/poison arrows on a bridge. Tough fight. We defeated eight Ogre Berserkers who disturbed our sleep & another one of them during his mealtime. We assisted a Paladin inn defeating a pack of Gibberling’s & finally defeated four Chill Hobgoblins we crossed paths with. Early on, we defeated a Mountain Bear that was harassing a dandy. He rewarded us w/a pair of Boots of the North.
Key Event: We were never threatened near Bear River. If any encounter could have been dangerous it might have been that w/a chap named Neville who called himself, “the Fairest of the Bandits” or something similar. He was accompanied by five Hobgoblins, not Chill, who were also not adept @ camouflage. Perfectly executed, Dynahier eliminated all five Hobgoblins with one charge from her Necklace of Missiles. Concurrently, Imoen blasted Neville w/two Magic Missile spells from her Charming Rogue innate abilities & Jaheira shocked him w/her innate Priestess of Silvanus Call Lightning spell. Minsc & I charged & Khalid backed us w/his lethal Longbow & this battle was over in about 20 seconds w/nary a one of us receiving so much as a scratch, (although Minsc had been wounded earlier on the bridge).
BANDIT BATTLE @ BEAR RIVER
I feel truly ‘blessed’ to be surrounded by such worthy companions. My fearlessly loyal Barbarian, Minsc w/his ruthless Two-Handed Sword; my Ranger & Archer, Khalid w/his pinpoint Longbow & Called Shot ability, not to mention adept skill w/dual-Bastard Swords; Dynahier, the epitome of virtue, who is my spokesperson when dealing w/other mages & who’s Mage-Invoker spells are more powerful than I ever imagined; Jaheira, my priestess, who fights like a warrior while casting divine spells both helpful to our group & lethal to our enemies & who serves as one of my two most trusted advisors & spokesperson w/Cleric’s & Druid’s; & most importantly, Imoen, my lifelong friend, almost like a little sister, who has become a very highly skilled Charming Rogue, who can sense & disarm any trap, open any lock, cast well timed innate spells & who serves as my primary spokesperson w/the finesse of a Bard. I continue to sense my Neutral world-view being inspired by those who serve me so loyally & efficiently. I also sense the ‘Heroic’ esteem which average folc hold us when we pass them on the road or enter their towns & it touches my heart in a way I have not known before.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 11433 gold); Long sword +1 (sold since we have no one skilled w/this weapon); Boots of the North (Khalid)
Current Disposition: Resting, recuperating, selling loot & resupplying in Nashkel
Next Steps: Xvart Village
Level Up: Imoen received a runner from her guild who gave word that she is elevated to Magswoman (Thief/Charming Rogue//8); she is now working on her Move Silently/Hide-in-Shadow abilities, now both @ 35%, already having achieved 100% in Find/Remove Traps & Open Locks.
Current Party: (Reputation: 17 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling*, (Q/Staff*), Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Once I got us to the Xvart Village area, I had us make camp to allow Dynahier to heal. Our rest was disturbed by 10 Xvarts that we defeated w/some effort as we were all tired & had grounded some or our armor & weapons. After that we encountered two wolves & two Dire Wolves. Imoen was irritated with me for buying what I thought to be a Protection from Magic Scroll from a man who approached us in the wilderness. I immediately knew I’d been deceived & tried to bring him to justice for taking advantage of me like that. He must have been tough b/c both Imoen & Dynahier blasted him w/Magic Missiles & Jaheira w/Call Lightning. I’m sure Khalid tagged him at least once & Minsc got him once w/his Two-Handed Sword but he disappeared w/o a trace. (Note: the Deities & Demigods description of Gawain says he was a ‘…revengeful knight & would travel to the ends of the earth to right some supposed wrong done to him or his family.’)
Key Event: This is another of those instances where the key event isn’t so much. We finally found the actual Xvart Village where we defeated & killed 35 Xvarts & a huge Cave Bear named Ursa or something. There was another Cave Bear, the male, in a cave nearby. It was ironic to hear the leader accuse of us slaughtering them w/o provocation when they attacked us on site. Regardless, Xvarts are Chaotic Evil to the core & are a cross between Goblins & Kobolds (although they’ll usually attack the latter). Even if they hadn’t attacked us, something tells me the Faerun is a better place w/o evil humanoids of any kind.
ATTACK ON THE XVART VILLAGE
When we returned to Nashkel, we made trips also to the carnival, High Hedge, Beregost & FAI to find that enchanted Quarter Staff we all thought we’d sold but couldn’t remember where. I gave this to Dynahier & we purchased some Potions of Mind Focusing too.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9,076 gold); Mithril Ring (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting, resupplying & selling loot in Nashkel.
Next Steps: There’s an archaeological site northwest of the Xvart Village. I’m going to start there & work my way westward before turning north a little.
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 18 – Heroic; not sure why my popularity continues to grow w/average folc)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of
Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster
Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
The Archaeological Site was really kinda sparse as far as monsters & enemies go. We defeated a bossy, self-important Hobgoblin & his five Kobold Commando’s & came across two Flinds & six Gnolls a bit later. Other than that & 12 Tasloi there wasn't much to see there.
Key Event(s): Sometimes I find little to speak of that one would call a ‘key event.’ However, @ the Archaeological Site we had two experiences of note. After we’d been there a few hours, we stumbled upon Brage, the former Captain of the Nashkel Guard that Nalin, the Priest of Helm in Nashkel had spoken of so often. Brage was obviously tormented & mad. I think it a blessing that he challenged us w/a riddle rather than w/the source of his madness, a Two-Handed Sword +3 (Cursed Berserking). The riddle was easily solved & in so doing Brage instantly became aware of the enormity of his crimes & was ready to face swift justice in Nashkel. Having spoken w/Nalin, I thought it nobler to get Brage to sanctuary in the Temple of Helm. Once again, we were rewarded w/greater popularity among the people & Nalin gave us 1000 gold & a Potion of Stone Giant Strength as well. On our second trip back the archaeological site, we ran across six Gnolls that we quickly defeated & stripped of their small treasure.
DELIVERING BRAGE TO SANCTUARY
After returning Brage safely, selling that accursed sword & resting a bit, it was back to the Archaeological Site to finish our exploration. We fought the enemies above sporadically as we came across them before we came upon the namesake of this area, the actual Archaeological Site. We met the archaeologist, Charleston Nib, who was truly excited about the possibilities this site held for understanding an ancient people. He asked us if we might protect them as they were finishing up but their progress was slowed by continued bandit raids that were claiming his men. I agreed & proceeded to chat w/some of Charleston’s men until I was approached by his assistant who tried to enlist us in a plot to murder Charleston for gain. It was such an affront to a man like Charleston, who’s heart seemed so pure, that I almost wanted to split his head right there for even asking me, us, to do something so foul. I allowed him to storm off & proceeded to have the opportunity to enter the dig w/Charleston as he found what he thought was the abode of an ancient Shaman. Sadly, it turned out to be cursed & all of Charleston’s men went mad & had to be killed as they attacked us. Charleston was heartbroken & wanted nothing to do w/the idol of the ancient deity we found therein. We parted ways but as we emerged with the idol in my pack we were attacked by a Doomsayer, a powerful, foreboding spirit that we defeated w/combined spells, arrows & swords.
BLASTING THE DOOMSAYER TO BITS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 12,255 gold); Two-Handed Sword +3 (Cursed Berserking); Fire Opal Ring (sold); Spear +3 Backbiting (sold)
Current Disposition: Resting in Nashkel after a trip to Nashkel to identify an enchanted spear
Next Steps: Directly west of the Archaeological Site is an area called Fisherman’s Lake; headed there next
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic; brought Brage to Nalin safely; aided Charleston Nib)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Fisherman’s Lake had quite a few ‘boogers’ for us to deal w/but none of note really, same old, same old for the most part. Early on the rounded a small, rocky hill & stumbled on three ghouls who I still hold a healthy respect for w/their ability to as I do their more powerful cousins, Ghasts. I has us mowing them down when two Cave Bears attacked & added excitement to the melee.
I had the honor, all of us did, to meet & fight alongside Drizzt Do’Urden against 12 Gnolls. We were just conducting a reconnaissance around the lake when we first saw a couple of Gnolls & then more before seeing the dark skinned, white haired, Drizzt who asked for hour aid. We quickly helped him defeat them, so watching him use his dual-Scimitar’s, I’m not sure he needed us but it was an honor. We parted as he said he was off to Waterdeep, I believe.
Aside from that our victories in battle were against four Half-Ogres w/Bastard Swords, four Flinds w/2 Handed-Swords, three Ogres w/Morning Stars, four Gnolls w/Halberd’s, six skeletons w/Warhammers & Bucklers, two wolves & six Wild Dogs.
Key Event(s): Any time I get to test my meddle against another noble knight in battle I find it exhilarating. It’s also exciting when my followers are challenged as well. Near Fisherman’s Lake, a bandit trio, led by an armored bandit (certainly not a noble knight), supported by a mage & a Chill Hobgoblin, tried to extort gold from us, Refusing, they attacked & the battle was joined. I should have ordered everyone on the team to attack as opportunity presented itself, but I elected to direct attacks on one enemy @ a time, holding off on using our spells & instead having them use their ranged weapons. We knocked out the armored figure w/ease, moved on to the mage who never got a spell off & the finished off the Chill.
BATTLE WITH THE BANDIT TRIO @ FISHERMAN'S LAKE
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 18,241 gold); Fire Opal Ring (sold); Mage Robe of Fire Resistance (sold); Splint Mail (extra set for Minsc); Composite Bow (sold);
Current Disposition: Selling loot, resting, recuperating in Nashkel
Next Steps: To the North Nashkel Road to explore what else is there since we stayed to the road when we’ve passed through
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Once we reached the North Nashkel Road, we reconnoitered first west of the road. Not long after we arrived we fell into battle w/six Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe who we defeated w/ease. Ripper’s wear hides dyed in sky blue & their standard, which always resides w/the tribal chief, is known to be the same color w/a Hobgoblin standing on the neck of an Elf ‘ripping’ the elf’s arm out of the socket. A little farther north, we encountered six more Hobgoblins, for the Chill w/their lime green hides. We were on a cliff above them, so Dynahier dropped a Fireball on them incinerating five of them & we killed the other easily.
Key Event(s): We hadn’t moved on 20 minutes before we ran into a pair of Vampiric Wolves. My ranged companions pulled out their enchanted arrows +1 and sling stones +1 while Minsc & I waded in on them & we cut them down easily. Any time we battle Vampiric Wolves & live, I consider it key, even if the battle was well fought & we beat them quickly. They can be very dangerous w/that 'bite that Holds.'
VAMPIRIC WOLVES NORTH OF NASHKEL
Turning back to the southeast part of the North Nashkel Road area, we ran into three more Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe & simultaneously were flanked by a third group of Hobgoblins tribe, six of them, from the Leg Breaker Tribe in their identifying rust colored hide. Jaheira & Imoen both took arrows tipped w/poison but we cut them down easily once we got in position. At first we were cut off & had to get around a large hill to get at them. Other than that we destroyed 12 Kobolds & two female Half-Ogres who we trying to eat a Gnome but decided to make us the main course.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 9,419 gold: bought three Potions of Magic Blocking, one each Scrolls of Protection from Undead & Magic); none of note.
Current Disposition: Unloading supplies & resting in Nashkel.
Next Steps: Lonely Peaks north east of Nashkel
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
It was time for a rest but it wasn’t long before we were ambushed by seven Half-Ogres w/Bastard Swords that we had a little trouble w/but got organized in time to defeat them. The following AM we had a timely arrival that allowed us to kill six Xvarts w/Short Swords that were attacking a farmer’s cow. He was greatly relieved & appreciative. The rest of the day consisted of a quick battle w/six Kobolds armed w/Shorts Swords before we ran into a clan of four Half-Ogres who wanted our iron…& our lives. We easily defeated them and, later, two pairs of wolves & then, three more Ogres before we began to wrap up our adventure here.
Key Event(s): Our last confrontation in the Lonely Peaks was the toughest. We came upon three armored bandits, two in Splint Mail & two w/Longbows & enchanted arrows in their quiver. We were moving away from them when we crossed them so we had to wheel around 90’. Imoen was closest to one of the Longbow wielding bandits & hammered him w/one of her innate Magic Missiles before taking an arrow. I immediately hollered for her to retreat out of range even as she was fumbling for a PoH. In the meantime, Jaheira blasted the leader w/her innate Call Lightning while Dynahier launched her Minor Sequencer w/back to back Magic Missiles on the other bowman. Meanwhile, Khalid was popping off arrows @ targets of opportunity until the bowman next to Imoen hit her again & still she couldn’t get the PoH out of her quick item pouch. At that point, the other two bandits were dead & I ordered everyone to turn on the last bandit & Khalid hit him square in the temple killing him & saving Imoen.
DEFEATING ARMORED BANDITS IN THE LONELY PEAKS
On the way back to Nashkel we went via the carnival & defeated six Kobolds that had moved back into that area. Then we headed to town.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 11,583 gold);
Current Disposition: Having a rest @ the Nashkel Inn after selling our booty
Next Steps: I’m leading us to the Firewine Bridge, just north of Amnish territory
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
In the area around the bridge we defeated four Skeleton’s w/Longbow & Halberd, 18 skeletons w/Morning Stars, six Zombies, six Kobolds w/Short Bows & Short Swords, six War Dogs & six Kobolds w/Short Swords.
Key Event(s): We were working an area NE of Firewine Bridge in the dried up river bed that all that is left of the water that used to flow under the bridge. We ran into a female mage, Carsa. She had been part of an adventuring party that had found a jar that obviously contained the essence of an Ogre Mage named Kahrk. We tried to help Carsa & decided between Dynahier & all of the Temples we are welcome in, that we could find a way to Remove Curse. Unfortunately, by the time we got to her, she was in desperate straits & could not give up the jar even though it was driving her out of her mind. When we became more insistent that she do so, Carsa screamed Kahrk’s name & upon release, he killed her instantly. We all deplore Ogre Mage’s, especially one that claims to be the most powerful of them all. I quaffed a Potion of Magic Blocking & Minsc became enraged. Both Dynahier & Imoen led with back to back Magic Missiles before Imoen switched to Arrows +1. Khalid used his Called Shot ability & equipped his bow w/Arrows of Fire. Jaheira led w/her innate Call Lightning which, unlike her divine spell, is instantaneous. Minsc & I charged in for the kill but Kahrk was well protected. Jaheira then cast Call Woodland Beings & brought a Dryad to our aid that immediately started casting spells @ Kahrk. Then Jaheira cast Summon Animals I & brought in a War Dog to help before following w/Summon Insects. Not sure what other spells Dynahier used. Finally I started landing brutal blows on Kahrk first coming down hard on his right shoulder & then literally slicing him clean in half, hitting that same shoulder & slicing through it again & straight thru to his groin. Exhilarating battle. My companions are spectacular!
GREAT BATTLE VERSUS KAHRK THE OGRE MAGE!
We were not quite done after that because just as we were ready to head back to a Swordsman named Meilum came up to us claiming to be the greatest Swordsman in Faerun. It was okay @ first but the challenge was hinted @ to the point that, as a Knight, I could no longer allow it to go unanswered. I’m not quite sure what he was thinking challenging a fully armored Knight in Full Plate w/an shimmering Large Shield, wearing an obviously enchanted helm & wielding an enchanted bastard Sword when he was just in Studded Leather w/a Long Sword. None the less he did & I had everyone else back off (turned off AI) & then proceeded to crush him in about four blows. He was tough to take the blows he did but he died w/o landing one of his own.
DUEL WITH MEILUM (AS A KNIGHT, I CAN'T RESIST A CHALLENGE)
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 13,139 gold); Pearl Necklace (sold), Knaves Robe (sold), Scroll of Non-Detection (sold) & Scroll of Charm Person (Dynahier)
Current Disposition: Resting @ the Nashkel Inn after selling the loot we’d garnered @ Firewine Bridge
Next Steps: Relocate our base of Operations to Beregost, then back to the Firewine Ruins
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1, Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Perhaps you should do a group of mythical and historical heroes in a new IWD challenge once you finish this one.
Problem for me is, as Blackraven knows, I play slowly...very slowly. Every square inch of BGI and BGII before I start again. takes forever. I'd like to someday though. I'll buy the EE version though, and play around w/it a bit. Thanks for the tip Elrandir.
The remainder of time we chiefly focused on avoiding traps. Unfortunately, one trap Imoen disarmed appeared to go off anyway, taking her life. We’d found an exit earlier that led into the basement of a building but had decided to check it out after we were finished in the ruins. Now, I decided to go out that way & see what that building was. Conveniently, it was a Halfling Temple & we were able to raise Imoen their w/o returning to Beregost. We were in Gullykin. I knew it was near but did not realize we were right under it. The Priest let us sleep in the basement but admonished us not to get into his barrels of wine.
Back in the ruins, we continued to cut down Kobolds & try to avoid traps. Every now & then, one of us would step wrong & take a Magic Missile or something. We’d spoken w/a young Bard on the Firewine Bridge who sung a rhyme about a traitorous knight that had betrayed his comrades. Turned out the story was true as we found six Ghost Knights that wouldn’t cross w/o their comrade despite what he’d done. We crossed paths w/the traitor knight & he begged us to kill him & take his armor. We did so & returned the armor to the other Ghost Knight’s & they were reunited.
Key Event(s): Just when I thought this was a cake walk, we turned a corner & were facing an Ogrillons & a mage w/a few Kobold Commando’s firing Arrows of Fire to add to the fog of war. With an Ogrillon & a mage on our right & Kobold Commando’s on our right, we were in a bit of a mess. Khalid, Jaheira & Dynahier were back a ways & I had to call them forward fast. I quaffed a Potion of Magic Blocking & Minsc used his Barbarian Rage. Imoen was up front w/us as she’d been Detecting Traps. She used her innate Magic Missile, I think on the Ogrillon, but then she took an Arrow of Fire & I directed her to the rear. Things weren’t going well behind me & I couldn’t bring much to bear although I know Dynahier got off a Magic Missile. Things happened quickly & the mage went down, the Ogrillon too & someone mopped up the Kobolds. We didn’t get a breather though b/c suddenly there was an Ogre Mage to deal w/& as soon as we saw him, another Ogrillon. I quaffed a second Potion of Magic Blocking before attacking him. Meanwhile, Jaheira got slugged by the Ogrillon & had to make a dangerous evasion into a hallway that, luckily, wasn’t trapped. The Ogrillon then turned his attention to Minsc & died. A moment later, I cut down the Ogre Mage after he’d managed to cast Confusion, sending both Imoen & Dynahier wandering aimlessly, Imoen @ one point shooting her bow @ us.
DEFEATING AN OGRE MAGE SUPPORTED BY A MAGE & TWO OGRILLONS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 12,925 gold); Gauntlet’s of Ogre Power (Jaheira); Gandolar’s Lucky Ring (Imoen)
Current Disposition: After cashing in our treasure & identifying the GoOP we are nor resting in the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: I have changed my mind & plan to scour the Gullykin area before moving on the Ulcaster
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of untness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North,
Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(D+ruid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Key Event(s): While clearing the area, we were attacked by four more assassins. The leader of this group called himself, Molkar, a knight & he was accompanied by what I think was another knight, a cleric & a mage. I’m certain the latter was at least a dual-classed mage as he fired Melf’s Acid Arrow & a Magic Missile @ me (you know you’ve been in this business a while when you can detect the type of spells that are attacked with). Initially, I focused on the first assassin Minsc spied but almost changed my mind when I saw one of them incanting a spell, then another. I quaffed my last Potion of Magic Blocking which is why the spells I mentioned earlier didn’t affect me at all. Minsc finished off his knight & I turned on the leader, Molkar. Imoen assisted me w/Molkar, blasting him w/her innate magic Missile while I hacked away & he fell so easily I do a disservice to all knights to call him one, either of them really as Minsc did a quick number on his as well. Then we turned on the spellcasters. Jaheira had already cast her second favorite spell, Summon Woodland Beings, bringing in a Dryad w/her but I think they were all dead by the time the Dryad was able to influence the fight, although it was apparent she’d cast Barkskin on herself. We defeated these attackers easily. We actually had a more difficult battle against six or eight Xvarts on the way back to Beregost.
FINISHING OFF THE LAST ASSASSIN
Before I left Gullykin, I took the time to meet the Halflings living in that quiet hamlet. They all revere Dillillia, the name used for Yolanda, in/around the Sword Coast. Yolanda is the Halfling’s chief deity, a Major Deity. We met a delightful Halfling Rogue, Alora, type who wanted to join me & though I don’t have need of another companion now, between her & the devout Halflings there, I’ve made the hamlet my personal protectorate. I let Gandolar & Alora know that I would try to pass though when I’m in the area & that they could send a runner to the Temple of the Morning & ask for Kelddath Ormlyr. I’ll make a point of trying to keep him apprised of my whereabouts so that, if needed, he can send for me if the Halflings are in need.
(Note: As many that follow my adventures, I come to this w/a biased toward the AD&D of the early 80's where I used to play P&P w/others. The game was run by a 'Dungeon Master.' I know that by now, any DM would've warned me more than once that my PC was acting more Lawful & Good than True Neutral. The Gawain in the Deities & demigods that I model this PC on is 'Neutral.' I think the DM would've dropped the hammer on me by now & told me my PC was LG. So, I've changed his alignment accordingly. This is the same alignment as King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, etc., in the Deities & Demigods Manual so this change brings Gawain's alignment in line w/theirs).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 14,020 gold);
Current Disposition: We’re @ the Red Sheaf taking a breather
Next Steps: Heading to Ulcaster Ruins
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/6 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(D+ruid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Ulcaster was fairly barren & there appeared to be no organized threat emerging. Still, we defeated six Hobgoblin Elites w/bastard Swords, 12 Skeleton’s w/Morning Stars & Bucklers & six Zombies w/, three Ghouls alongside 12 Kobolds w/Short Swords. We met a harmless Ghost lamenting the destruction of Ulcaster. He mentioned something about a tome that we might find under some rubble in the ruins. We’ll keep an eye out.
Key Event(s): We encountered six more Kobolds w/Short Swords loosely led by a wraith warrior. We defeated him, Dynahier pelting him w/two Magic Missiles & Minsc finishing him w/Spiders Bane. The Kobolds were just gnats to be swatted.
DEFEATING ICHARYD @ ULCASTER
We found a grate leading underground but we elected to finish up around the ravines before descending. Descending the hilltop where the Ulcaster School stood & immediately defeated two Hobgoblin Elites & three Hobgoblins w/Bastard sword & Short Bows. Continuing Through the ravines we defeated six more Hobgoblin & two Hobgoblin Elites one being a leader type. Most of the regulars are of the Flesh Render Tribe w/their Red tunics. After trying to rest a while, as Minsc had taken a few Arrows of Fire from three Kobold Commando’s as we reached the top of a hill overlooking the ravines. After defeating them, we tried to rest & bring Minsc back to full strength & were attacked by 10 more Kobolds w/Short Swords & Short Bows.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,055 gold);
Current Disposition: Unloading supplies & resting in Beregost
Next Steps: Decend into the grate that leads under the Ulcaster Ruins
Level Up: Minsc has increased his skill as a Barbarian to Level 7. He is ruthless w/Spiders Bane.
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***/THWS** (Flail*)(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****,
B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
Personally, after having seen countless of my protagonists fall on carefully and patiently roleplayed runs not unlike yours, I've become a bit more powergamey as of late, though I know that powergaming grows stale after a while for me as well.
Safe travels for Gawain, and I promise that my next run, should Victor fall, which I hope isn't going to happen anytime soon, Tristram will enter the Mythical & Historical Hero Challenge (albeit as a no-reload challenge rather than minimal reload).
I have so many PCs in mind, I'd like to get to: Merlin; Galahad (perfect for the PC as Galahad was a bastard son to Launcelot & Princess Elaine), etc.
Surprisingly, no intelligent humanoids or other creatures had moved in to use the ruins as a base of operations, although the place was perfect for it. We did come across an Ochre Jelly & a Mustard Jelly shortly after we arrived. Aside from that the place was the lair of wolves. We killed six Dread Wolves & four Dire Wolves as we worked our way through. We also came across a Huge Spider nest & exterminated them.
Key Event(s): Our final battle was against a Vampiric Wolves & his pack of four Dread Wolves. The Dread Wolves were all female & it would seem the Vampiric Wolf, the Alpha Male. Then again, Vampiric Wolves are undead, so they have no place in the natural order. Whatever the case, we defeated them easily.
DEFEATING THE VAMPIRIC WOLF & HIS PACK
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,934 gold) No treasure to speak of really. We added some gold to the purse & several Potions: Genius, Absorption, Hill Giant Strength, Oil of Fiery Burning & Potions of Healing x2
Current Disposition: Back in Beregost resting & lightning out load of bounty.
Next Steps: Clear and secure the area around the Temple of the Morning, then the same @ High Hedge, followed by the Lighthouse & the Shipwreck’s Coast before working east again
Level Up: None (*I’ve gotta think we’re getting ready to get a flurry of them all together. I never check to see how close any PC/NPC is getting to leveling up. I like to be surprised when it happens!*)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail +1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/6 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
We were fortunate to find a woman who’d been petrified by a Basilisk as we were later to discover & she warned us of the Basilisks presence in or near that area so we made sure to acquire additional Stone to Flesh Scrolls & Dynahier’s made sure to pack her Protection from Petrification Scrolls in addition to Potions of Mirrored Eyes, one of which the woman gave us in thanks. We all forgot that we just needed to go to the temple to purchase one & none of is sure what we were thinking but it worked out b/c Minsc needed rest due to injuries he’d suffered in battle with…
Key Event(s): ...two Vampiric Wolves, two Dread Wolves & three Worgs. Worgs are the evil kin of the Dread Wolf & they are nasty but not so much as the powerful & evil Vampiric Wolves. I ordered the use of enchanted projectiles so both Jaheira & Dynahier used Bullets +1, Imoen Arrows +1 & Khalid, Arrows of Fire. As always in battles w/wild animals or humanoids, generally creatures we can easily overpower, the order to use ranged weapons means not to use our precious spells in case a more deadly foe should confront us later. In this case, the Vampiric Wolves went down easily (although Minsc was bitten three, maybe for times but I don’t know which ones). After the Vampiric Wolves were killed, I turned us on the Dread Wolves before finishing up the smaller, weaker Worgs.
EXTERMINATING THE WOLF PACK
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,299 gold) None to speak of, a few gems
Current Disposition: Beregost @ the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: I’m going to lead us over to High Hedge & try & build an alliance w/Thalantyr while clearing that area to protect Beregost from the east. Like the people of Nashkel in Amn, so the people of Beregost in the of Baldur’s Gate have been good to me. I choose no side in these tensions between Baldur’s Gate & Amn, especially since our adventures to the Nashkel Mines, the Bandit Camp & the Cloakwood Mines make it clear that the tensions are being ARTIFICIALLY engineered & aggravated by someone associated w/the Iron Throne…
Level Up: Khalid has advanced to Pathfinder (Ranger/Archer//7);
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; Full Plate w/Large Shield +1, Cloak of Protection +2, Helm of Defense, Boots of Grounding, Girdle of
Bluntness, Rings of Fire Resistance & Free Action; Bastard Sword +1/+3**** (SSS**) (Greater Doppelganger)
• Minsc: Barbarian/7 w/Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail +1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer)/7 w/Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****,
B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Jaheira: Priestess of Sylvanus/8 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Phase Spider)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, Necklace of Missiles, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Dynahier: Mage (Invoker)/6 w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Q/Staff +1*, Ring of Energy, (Tuth)(Wizard Defensive)
Mods Used: HardTimes-v2; BG1UB_v12; bg1npc-v20; X0black101 (Blackguard); MegaModKits v1.01L; level1npcs-v1.9; bg2_tweaks-v14; Randomizer-v68; scs-v21 (- Tactical Challenges)
Blue Font: New information;
Red Font: Monster encounters (first use)
(Best kill)(Current AI)
* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
(1) my novelization attempt, while enjoyable, means all work and no play,
(2) I really liked my moderately roleplayed run with Victor the Mage-turned-Fighter,
(3) @Heindrich's current playthrough is an inspiring one, and
(4) I promised @CharlestonianTemplar a Mythical/Historical Hero, I couldn't resist the urge to roll a new Charname.
Tell is Wilhelm Tell (in English: William). I don't how famous William Tell is amongst Anglo-Saxons, who have so many mythical and legendary heroes of their own. As a continental European, with German as one of his foreign languages at high school, I read Schiller's play about the legendary revolutionary and first Swiss confederate, albeit many winters ago. According to Wikipedia an early account by a writer named Tschudi (ca. 1570), narrates Tell's legend as follows:
William Tell, who originally came from Bürglen, was known as a strong man, mountain climber, and an expert shot with the crossbow. In his time, the Habsburg emperors of Austria were seeking to dominate the Swiss canton of Uri. Albrecht (or Hermann) Gessler, the newly appointed Austrian Vogt (mayor) of Altdorf, raised a pole in the village's central square, hung his hat on top of it, and demanded that all the townsfolk bow before the hat.
On 18 November 1307, Tell visited Altdorf with his young son and passed by the hat, publicly refusing to bow to it, and so was arrested. Gessler—intrigued by Tell's famed marksmanship, yet resentful of his defiance—devised a cruel punishment: Tell and his son would be executed, but he could redeem his life by shooting an apple off the head of his son, Walter, in a single attempt. Tell split the apple with a bolt from his crossbow.
But Gessler noticed that Tell had removed two crossbow bolts from his quiver, not one. Before releasing Tell, he asked why. Tell replied that if he had killed his son, he would have used the second bolt on Gessler himself. Gessler was angered, and had Tell bound.
Tell was brought to Gessler's ship to be taken to his castle at Küssnacht to spend his newly won life in a dungeon. But, as a storm broke on Lake Lucerne, the soldiers were afraid that their boat would founder, and unbound Tell to steer with all his famed strength. Tell made use of the opportunity to escape, leaping from the boat at the rocky site now known as the Tellsplatte ("Tell's slab") and memorialized by the Tellskapelle.
Tell ran cross-country to Küssnacht. As Gessler arrived, Tell assassinated him with the second crossbow bolt along a stretch of the road cut through the rock between Immensee and Küssnacht, now known as the Hohle Gasse. Tell's blow for liberty sparked a rebellion, in which he played a leading part. That fed the impetus for the nascent Swiss Confederation.
Tell fought again against Austria in the 1315 Battle of Morgarten. Tschudi also has an account of Tell's death in 1354, according to which he was killed trying to save a child from drowning in the Schächenbach river in Uri.
Not surprisingly, Tell is an Archer, specialized in Crossbows, who will work toward grandmastery in that weapon. I had to pick two melee weapons and decided to go with Daggers and Axes as those fit the image I have of him. Other weapons that come to mind are Clubs, Halberds and Spears.
I consider creating a special weapon for him in BG2, an echanted Axe that gives an extra APR. That way he won't ever have to use blades (Scimitars or Short Swords) for extra APR.
Although I don't want to run a completely min-maxed character, most stats needed to be fairly to very high to properly represent William Tell's ability. I adjusted a 94 roll as follows:
STR 18/94 -> as described above, Tell was known as a 'strong man', and while captured he was unbound in the boat to steer 'with all his famed strength';
DEX 17 -> to offset his extraordinary STR, I gave Tell 'only' 17 DEX, still very good of course but surely 1 or 2 points less than the average Archer that most players will roll;
CON 14 -> I've found no details indicating an appropriate CON score, so I settled for a score that does give a bonus to hit points (after the CON tome has been consumed), but not the full bonus;
INT 15 -> this is a roleplayed playthrough, and I want my hero to be intelligent, and Tell did seem to know reasonably well what he was doing;
WIS 14 -> I think that Tell's refusal to bow before the pole can be seen as an unwise decision that could have cost him dearly, and the same goes for telling the mayor he would have killed him had the bolt hit his son instead of the apple - so a score of 14, the minimum for Rangers, seemed appropriate;
CHA 16 -> as he got to play a leading part in a rebellion, a good CHA score within the 15-17 range seemed fitting.
This gives Tell the same physical stats as Kivan though with a higher exceptional STR modifier, and one more physical point than Minsc and Khalid, rather than 6-7 points more than those NPCs if I'd given Tell three 18s. I'll allow myself to lower the difficulty setting at leveling up for maximum hit points increase as I've never been a big fan of the randomness of that aspect of the game. Tell with the CON tome will gain 11 hitpoints/level, which is what a 19 CON warrior with no HP maximization would gain on average at leveling up (between 6 and 15 HP = 10.5 HP, rounded up to 11 by the game.).
CKT provided the following rules:
- Try to find a good likeness of your PC for your Medium and Small Images & try to align your colors accordingly.
Most representations portray Tell as a blue eyed, bearded man with curly/wavy hair of medium length. I chose to use the portrait that @Isandir made of me.
- Play the persona of the character as best you can in dialogue & combat choices.
I made Tell LG, as he seemed to be good man with a strong sense of justice, anchored in his own moral code rather than the laws of the land (which laws have meaning to Tell only if they are just). Will play him true to his alignment, and as an almost brutally honest man.
- Make sure you complete everything, (e.g. Durlag's Tower & the Isle of Balduran) not just the basic run.
I'll probably justify the TotSC content by having Tell choose to lay low after he escapes from Candlekeep and finds the authorities of Baldur's Gate are after him.
- Keep going, if you choose into SoA/ToB & keep sharing your progress.
That's definitely the idea.
Now that everything has to be completed, I'll play a full party for most of the game (as trying as that may be to me). Enough XP for all... The NPCs I'm using for BG1 are Ajantis, Rasaad, Neera, Branwen and Imoen. Four of those will only play a small part if any, in the novelization I'm slowly working on, so this experience with Tell is guaranteed a very distinct one for me.
I'll generally try to make this as realistic as possible and somewhat challenging. To me this means no short duration pre-buffs unless dangers have been properly scouted, no wand recharging, no use of NPCs as meat shields (will flip a coin after each NPC's death to decide whether or not their CON is to be lowered by 1), roleplayed justifications for exploring certain areas, no use of metagamke knowledge as the location of certain items etc. No-reload is very hard for me to let go of, but who knows, maybe it will turn into minimal reload at one point.