Day 0, 1 Mirtul 1368 This is the journal of William Tell of Candlekeep. In it I shall report about the voyage that I've just embarked on with my foster father Gorion. We're currently on a short break, an hour or so east of Candlekeep because Gorion is busy with his spellbook, a good moment to start this journal.
It was only this morning that I received Gorion's instruction to prepare for our journey. "You and I are to leave Candlekeep as soon as possible because this place is no longer safe for you," he told me after I'd barely got up. He gave me over a hundred GP, which I used to buy a helmet, a suit of studded leather armor, my own crossbow(!), and plenty of ammo. I would soon learn that Gorion had been right in considering Candlekeep unsafe for me. In the Bunkhouse, a stranger armed with a dagger asked me who I was. When I told him my name, he sprinkled a liquid (some kind of poison most likely) on his dagger and charged forward. I did not hesitate: one shot with my crossbow brought him down. I immediately ran outside, straight to Gorion who was waiting for me in the gardens. We informed the priests of the wounded man inside the Bunkhouse, and left immediately. I wonder who this assassin was. I'm inclined to believe there was some kind of mistake, but the man did ask me for my name before he attacked, and I haven't forgotten Gorion's warning that Candlekeep is no longer a safe place to stay. I shall ask him for clarification.
Day 1, 2 Mirtul 1368 Dismal tidings: Gorion and I were ambushed last night by a group of what seemed to be bandits. Their leader, a gigantesque warrior, told Gorion to hand me over to him. Maybe they were bounty hunters, like the assassin in Candlekeep? Gorion commanded me to run away, and I obeyed, as I've always done. However I now regret that decision. Brave Gorion took on the party all by himself, dispatching their Ogres and archers with his explosive magic. I also saw him put a priestess to sleep, and hurt their commander repeatedly. But the brute just wouldn't fall and at one point he practically cleaved Gorion in two. I'm not sure if there's anything I could have done, but I'm ashamed of my cowardice. There would have been more honor in dying alongside my father. Gorion and I had walked for hours before doom befell us, speaking of many things, such as possible places for us to go, survival strategies, and two friends we were to meet at the Friendly Arm Inn, Khalid and Jaheira. Gorion seemed to want to evade discussing the reasons for our departure and the fact that an assassin had gotten into Candlekeep to kill me. Had he been a bit more forthcoming with information, I would be better pepared for whatever it is that awaits me, but I guess there's no point crying over spilt milk.
This morning I ran into sweet old Imoen, my dear friend from Candlekeep who I didn't expect to see again. After Gorion and I'd departed she had snuck out of the citadel. She managed to somewhat console me, and offered to accompany me. An offer I should have probably declined for her safety, what with all those people wanting me dead, but I didn't have the strength. I accepted. Together we returned to the place where Gorion fell, and found his mangled body beyond resurrection. On his corpse I found a letter signed by someone who called himself "E". It mentioned Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn. Although I'm afraid someone might have read it, Imoen and I have just decided to go to to the inn anyway.
Day 2, 3 Mirtul 1368 More consternation, but at least I'm alive to write this, in a simple room in the Friendly Arm Inn (which might have been named the Friendly Arm Fortress as well, but that's another matter). Imoen and I had a rough journey north. We were hesitant to stick to the road because of bandits, but the woods were no less dangerous. Dire wolves seemed to be everywhere, keeping us running for hours as they were incredibly hard to get rid of. We ran past a wizard and a halfling rogue who wanted to have a word with us for us, but I'm sure they understood, what with a Dire Wolf behind us.
I was very tired as we finally reached the FAI. We entered a small outbuilding just past the gate, but that turned out to be a woman's home. In a way she was lucky to have us because we accepted, in spite of my weariness, to seek out a band of Hobgoblins that had stolen a ring of hers. We ran into various Hobgoblin bandits north of the inn, slow creatures and generally poorly protected against Imoen's arrows and my bolts. We also met a young Paladin, who like Imoen and me serves the cause of goodness. Ajantis he called himself. We decided to join our strengths, and we followed his advice to return south, because the area was infested with Ankhegs, as Imoen and I would soon see for ourselves.
Back at the Friendly Arm Inn, all I wanted was to rest, for the first time since I got up on the morning of my journey with Gorion. However at the entrance we were accosted by a wizard who greeted us kindly enough but proceeded to attack us as soon as he learnt my name. He put Ajantis to sleep, panicked me with a Horror spell, and blinded Imoen with Glitterdust.
With all three of us debilitated, the wizard was free to decide who to kill first. (Guards tried to stop him, but the mage wouldn't be distracted by them.) His first target was Imoen. I found her severely injured on the ground after the Horror effect had worn off.
[Note by Blackraven: As I've seen done before by others, I'll roleplay that party members who have died are at near death status and need priestly help.] I was seriously injured as well, no doubt due to the wizard's magics, but when I had regained my control of myself, he no longer tried to cast spells at me, choosing to attack me with his staff instead. I tried to dispatch him with my crossbow, but failed repeatedly (must have been due to my fatigue and my injuries). It was Ajantis who eventually slew our attacker.
Thankfully Gellana Mirrorshade, a gnomish priestess, was able to heal Imoen. (I couldn't have borne losing her as well, after Gorion's death.) Inside the Friendly Arm Inn, we got some well-deserved rest, we met Khalid and Jaheira, who want to travel to Nashkel with us, and we spoke with Unshey and Landrin, who asked us to retieve a belt stolen by an Ogre and some possessions from a Spider-infested home in Beregost respectively. So my next update I'll probably write in Beregost or Nashkel.
Day 4, 5 Mirtul 1368 Khalid and especially Jaheira seemed to be in a bit of a rush to meet the mayor of Nashkel. To humor them, we didn't tarry at the inn and traveled southward the next day. I wanted my companions to understand that at the moment traveling without me might be safer for them than traveling with me. So on the road I spoke frankly of the encounter with the warrior that had ended Gorion's life, and of the other hitmen and bounty hunters that have tried to kill me in Candlekeep and at the FAI. Ajantis showed me a bounty notice he had taken from the FAI wizard's corpse. He pointed out that the notice was directed at "all those of evil intent". Therefore he hadn't retained any suspicions regarding the morality of my past actions, though he did openly wonder why there's a price on my head. Unfortunately there was nothing for me to say that would clear things up for him or my other companions. Khalid and Jaheira exchanged a few nervous looks during the conversation but they wouldn't speak. I'm inclined to believe they know more than they let on, and honestly I didn't like their reticence one bit, but I've decided to tolerate their company for now. They may yet open up. The area just south of the FAI was as perilous as when Imoen and I first came through it. Our party of five however was much better prepared to deal with its threats. Jaheira for example proved herself a capable warrior and a surprisingly relentless Druid as she dispatchedf a Dire Wolf without hesitation (probably the one Imoen and I had barely escaped from two days ago). We also dealt with a small group of Xvarts, and after a Ranger named Aoln warned us of an Ogre in the vicinity, Imoen and I tracked the monster down and slew it with ranged attacks.
Upon closer inspection we found two enchanted belts on the Ogre. One of those had to be Unshey's we reckoned, so we headed back to the FAI where the Gnome was indeed happy to receive her belt. She rewarded us with some gold and a book she had recently finished, The History of Tethyr. North of Beregost we encountered a stranded caravan and several bodies pierced with arrows. We didn't get to take a closer look because we were attacked by a Dread Wolf as we approached, and we decided to run from it. It was well past midnight when we finally reached Beregost. We were all a bit tired, so we went looking for the nearest inn to get some rest. First however, we defended Neera, a young Half-Elf Wild Mage, against three Thayvians. Technically they were four but Neera somehow teleported their leader away, creating a wild magic zone in the process. This may have meant that their remaining wizard wasn't going to be as dangerous as a he'd normally have been, but we took no risk and focused all our attention on him. Khalid led the charge and also struck the killing blow. His stuttering and the restiveness he conveys make it easy to underestimate the Half-Elf but secretly he's a fair swordsman I think.
Our two remaining foes were lightly armored bodyguards that fought bravely but stood no chance against our party's collective force. After the battle Neera told us that those Thayvians had wanted to capture her only for being a Wild Mage. She offered to join us and we welcomed her into our party. First of all, it's good to have someone skilled in the arcane in our midst (though I do wonder how reliable a caster she'll turn out to be as a Wild Mage). Apart from that, she seems to be a nice enough lass and she wouldn't be the first innocent to be the object of evil Thayvian schemes. Besides who am I to judge outlaws and runaways? In the first inn we entered, the Red Sheaf, a Dwarven fighter attacked us pretty much on sight. He was a bounty hunter and apparently well-aware who he was facing, as he didn't need my name to attack. We fled the premises after he dealt Ajantis a nasty blow with his axe, and rested in another, nicer inn called Feldepost's. We even befriended two men there, Marl and Dunkin. The innkeeper had a very deadly crossbow for sale, one that allows the user to release bolts much faster. I hope to gather the gold and buy it before someone else does.
Day 6, 7 Mirtul 1368 We dealt with the Huge Spiders that had occupied Landrin's home in Beregost, and we returned her belongings to her in the FAI. Jaheira was particularly bothered by the long trek back, and to be honest, so was I. But Ajantis and I had somewhat rashly promised Landrin to complete the task 'as soon as possible', and neither of us wanted to break that promise. In the future we shall clearly stipulate reasonable deadlines for any jobs we accept. South of Beregost we slew two Ogrillons and found a letter on one of them. The addressee, a woman in Beregost rewarded us with a Ring of Protection +1 when we brought her the letter. We had further violent dealings with bands of Hobgoblins. One of them carried a pair of Worn Whispers that are not just keeping my feet warm at the moment but also make me a better scout. Apart from the Hobgoblins we had a very unfortunate run-in with three Flaming Fist officers that mistook us for bandits. We offered to peacefully surrender ourselves to them so that we could defend ourselves before a court of law, but our proposal was only met with aggression. "We're not taking you alive, you murdering swines!" one of them yelled.
Clad in suits of plate mail they were much better equipped for melee combat than any of us. My initial idea was therefore to have us try and outrun our foes (which shouldn't have been too difficult precisely because of those heavy suits of armor they were wearing). But Imoen threw me a white potion and urged me to drink it: an oil of speed I soon sensed. My doubled movement speed allowed me to engage my foes and disengage whenever I wanted, at virtually no risk, while my companions made sure they got away from the scene. Distracting them, vexing them, and eventually tiring them, they became easy targets for my bolts.
I feel no remorse about taking the lives of these so-called "law enforcers". How many innocents had they confused with bandits before they met us? How many more vicims would they have made? Three suits of plate mail (for Khalid, Jaheira, Ajantis) were our recompense.
Day 9, 10 Mirtul 1368 In Nashkel we spoke with Bardolan, an Amnish soldier who told us about troubles in the region, including a moving tale of his former captain, Brage, who seems to be possessed by an evil spirit that had caused him to kill his own family. Brage hasn't been seen in the last tenday. A bounty handler told us about Prism, a famed sculptor, but also a thief who had run off with two emeralds. Our meeting with Berrun Ghastkill, the mayor of Nashkel, was a short one. He wanted us to investigate the disappearances of miners in the Nashkel Mine and to find out what's causing the contamination of the iron ore coming from the mine. We agreed to help, but I'm afraid we've only made things worse. We traveled straight to the mine, but decided to explore the surrounding land for clues before we would enter the actual mine. Our exploration led us to Prism the emerald thief, who was in the process of finishing an admittedly wonderful sculpture of Ellessime, the Elven Lady of Suldanessalar (a place I'd love to visit once myself, if the Elves would let me). We were waiting for him to finish his work before we would take him back to Nashkel, when a bounty hunter arrived, a fellow named Greywolf. This time I wasn't the prey; he had come for Prism. Greywolf had no patience with Prism and no respect for us: he attacked us so that he could take the bounty on Prism's head. Neera was the first to respond. Short on spells, she tried to cast a Chromatic Orb via Nahal's Reckless Dweomer. She summoned a Nabassu instead.
We ran away as fast as we could, and saw from a distance how the demon first killed Greywolf and later Prism.
I approached in order to slay the monster before it would cause any more harm, but it seemed immune to my attacks, so we fled the scene (albeit not before I picked up Prism's emeralds and an enchanted longsword from Greywolf that is now Khalid's main weapon). Neera assured that gated demons only stay on the prime material plane for a limited amount of time, so it was unlikely to have made more victims in the desolate lands where she had let it loose. This set my mind somewhat at ease, although I'm still devastated by Prism's death, an innocent victim. Ajantis and I even feared losing the blessings of our Gods, Helm and Mielikki, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Ajantis still possesses his divine abilities to detect evil, protect others against evil, and heal the wounded. And I had a vivid dream that night centered around Gorion (or his spirit), approving of my actions. The next morning I woke up with the ability to cure light wounds, a spell that is not unheard off for Rangers. I must say that the Lady of the Forest didn't show herself in the dream, but I can think of no other source for this healing ability than She. It seems that the Gods did deem it necessary to punish Neera for her antics by the way; we were ambushed by undead that pretty much ingonred us and went straight after her. A number of knife-throwing skeletons even managed to bring her to the ground. Thankfully she survived.
In the Nashkel inn we met yet another bounty hunter that was out for my scalp, this time a priestess, and to her credit, she nearly succeeded at her mission. With a single spell she froze our three melee combatants: Ajantis, Khalid, and Jaheira.
She beat both men down, without the rest of us being able to reach her, let alone stop her. Jaheira escaped the same treatment as the spell wore off in time. The Druid (in melee) and I, using my trusty crossbow, then proceeded to slay our attacker.
And Nalin, at the Temple of Helm, managed to patch up Ajantis and Khalid. [Note by Blackraven: I'm aware that it's not smart to have three meleers attack Neira at the same time, but I'm trying to keep this playthrough fairly realistic. At any rate, William Tell is no fool and neither are his companions. They'll learn from their experiences with a wizard like Tarnesh or a Cleric like Neira.] The fact that bounty hunters are following me wherever I go is very unsettling to me. With difficulty I convinced Khalid and Jaheira to leave Nashkel and the mine for now, and leave the beaten track with me for a while for my safety and theirs. (The others had no objections). Tomorrow we shall set out to the coast.
Note (1): I had imposed the rule of flipping a coin to decide whether NPCs' CON has to be lowered each time they die, but I've decided not to apply that rule for now. Even though I've had four casualties already, I feel I'm not abusing the NPCs as meat shields and atm I don't need the CON penalty challenge to enjoy this playthrough. Note (2): My original plan was to have Rasaad and Branwen in my party instead of Khalid and Jaheira, but I like my current setup and I feel that Khalid and Jaheira fit within the group. Their lack of transparence toward William might become an issue for him though.
Day 12, 13 Mirtul 1368 I think I'm getting used to reporting that things didn't go as hoped or expected... Our first attempt at reaching the coastlands was quite the fiasco. It had to be aborted in the eastern Cloudpeaks due to our party, or most of our party, getting pretty much annihilated. The cause of our trouble: three Amnish fighters that tried to pick on Jaheira. She kept her calm, but at the same time refused to let herself get bullied by them - which didn't surprise me: she's probably the most strong-willed person I know.
Well what can I say? She had to pay for her intractability. Jaheira became their first target and was soon brought down, on the brink of death. We slew one of them, but then Neera, Khalid, and Ajantis followed Jaheira's sorry example, leaving only Imoen and me to stand against the remaining two of our foes.
The both of us are more comfortable with our ranged weapons and much less capable than our heavily-armored but humiliated companions to hold our ground in melee combat. We retreated and saw only of the two follow us, their longsword wielding leader. The other fighter scampered off in a different direction, injured perhaps. For reasons that were unclear to me (female envy perhaps?) she was only interested in Imoen, which allowed me to fire away at her. The majority of my bolts didn't seem to hurt her in any way [note Blackraven: only criticals would injure her I found], but after a long game of cat and mice, she fell (and I took her enchanted studded leather armor).
When I went to check on the rest [note Blackraven: pick up their gear], I nearly got myself killed as the other fighter reappeared and pelted me with arrows. With difficulty we made our way back to more civilized lands.
We've been back to Nashkel to recover from our wounds and are now in Beregost. Keldath Ormlyr of the Temple of Lathander has asked us to stop an evil Gnome and his pet Basilisks from making more victims than they apparently already have. Armed with a green scroll of protection from petrification, we're off to find this Mutamin. [note by Blackraven: I didn't really want to go there, but the thrashing the party received from Sendai & Co made me reconsider.]
Day 16, 17 Mirtul 1368 A successful campaign for once! The Basilisks and their wicked master have all been slain. It was me who used the green scroll as I'm the party's sharpshooter, and ranged attacks were unanimously considered preferable because basilisks have a poisonous bite. The basilisks were too slow to close in on me, and unexpected help from a Ghoul helped me take down the Gnome as well.
Keldath thanked us with a modest monetary reward and told us he would reward us more handsomely if we were to get rid of the evil priest Bassilus, who had been killing people to animate their corpses. The problem is that no one seems to know where this Bassilus is.
Day 19, 20 Mirtul 1368 A very sad day: we've lost Neera. Ever since we accepted her into our group, we've done all we could to keep her safe from Thayvians and from all other threats we faced on the road. All in vain. It was our second foray into the (eastern) Cloudpeaks. We had barely bested two bandits (and found a pair of enchanted bracers that improve my marksmanship on one of them), when a multitude of fire arrows released by a group of Kobold Commandos did her in. [Note by Blackraven:]
Neera kept dying at an incredible pace: every ambush was fatal, and even in normal areas she managed to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her time with the party can be summarized as follows:This kind of broke the immersion for me, so I decided to leave it at that. A shame because I like her a lot and I had a romance in mind with her.
I feel like a failure, and from the sad faces and the silence of my companions I gather that I'm not the only one.
Day 22, 23 Mirtul 1368 Neera's death appears to have infused a gritty spirit in our group. I feel we are more united due to what we've been through, with everyone as resolved as can be to make the Sword Coast a safer place. Another successful campaign has only nurtured that spirit. In the Cloudpeaks we helped some common folk, and also a Dryad, and we battled various Gnolls. None of us knew this was an appetizer for what was to come. One of the Gnolls proposed a duel between their champion - the same Gnoll - and ours, but when he viciously decided to attack poor old Imoen as our champion, we slew the monsters. Much further west on the Sword Coast's rocky cliffs we discerned a fortress from a distance. To get there, we had to cross a bridge and slay two Half-Ogre thugs guarding it. (Ajantis took a pair of magical gauntlets from one of them. They seem to improve his agility, making him a bit harder to hit in combat.) As we drew closer, the fortress turned out to be a Gnoll Stronghold. We were pleasantly surprised to see we were stronger fighters than the much larger, highly aggressive Gnolls.
We did a thorough search of the place, and spared not a single Gnoll. In a pit, we found and released a captive, a wizard by the name of Dynaheir. We explored the surroundings of the fortress (mainly inhabited by Xvarts we dispatched with the same fervor as the Gnolls), and then led Dynaheir safely back to the civilization of Nashkel where she met with a friend of hers, a Ranger, and took her leave of us.
Day 27, 28 Mirtul 1368 We continued our exploration of the coastlands, north of the Gnoll Stronghold. Initially, there weren't many interesting encounters with other (demi-)humans, mostly just lots of monsters. We dealt with Ogres, Hobgoblins (some led by a bandit), hordes of Gibberlings, an aggressive Mountain Bear that had a nobleman running for his life (the nobleman gave us a pair of boots that protect against cold), and we even exterminated a Xvart community. None of these battles caused us any real trouble, which seems to suggest that we're gradually becoming a more skilled fighting unit. With Neera passed on, and Dynaheir departed with her Ranger friend, our party has no arcane power. At the moment this doesn't appear to be a problem, but I can see us wanting arcane magic later on. It took us a long time for example to deal with the dozens of Gibberlings, while a Mage might have sufficed with single Fireball. Yesterday we did some good work, as we protected an archaeologist against possible bandits, though in the end we protected him against his own partner, who wanted to kill him for profit, and against his workers that went berserk at the excavation site. We also ran into Brage, the murderous Nashkel guard captain. We led him back to Nashkel where Nalin the Helmite priest cast Remove Curse on Brage. Turned out his behavior was caused by a sword that makes the wielder go berserk.
Day 29, 30 Mirtul 1368 Back on the coast we were informed by a feisty rogue of the existence of a treasure cave, abandoned by the owner of the treasure, but guarded by monsters. I scouted the area and spotted six Sirines. Jaheira warned me of their charms and, being the party's apothecary, she handed me a potion of clarity to protect myself. Immune to their charms, I could take them down with my crossbow and bolts although their poisoned arrows hit me as well and had me quaff various antidotes and healing potions.
Inside the cave, Imoen disarmed a number of traps, and lured three Flesh Golem guards outside one by one, where my party members - those with enchanted weapons that is - finished them off. I had no role in this because my unenchanted bolts had no effect on the Golems. (It made me think of Neera's untouchable demon. I hope it's long gone. Maybe we should soon take a look in the Nashkel Mine again.)
The treasure included a magical tome that I read to enhance my constitution, a cloak that allows shapeshifting into a Wolf, and some potions and gems.
Day 33, 4 Kythorn 1368 We're back in Nadhkel after an eventful trip from the coast. First we ran into Bassilus, the wicked priest with a generous bounty on his head. It was pure luck, we hadn't actually looked for him. He was surrounded by a family (or maybe I should say an army) of zombies and skeletons. Protected from Evil thanks to Ajantis and Blessed thanks to Jaheira, I approached. He was unwilling to come to Beregot with us to be brought before the local authorities, and turned hostile as did his undead. Two well-timed hits with my crossbow kept the cleric from casting his wicked spells on us.
It prompted him to try and take us on in melee combat, but our collective strength was too much for him. Khalid struck him down.
After this, we cleared the area of its many undead creatures and bandits (one of them, a Hobgoblin, dropping an enchanted short sword) before we headed back to Beregost. On our way we saved a most curious creature from certain death at the jaws of a Wolf: a young man that had been transformed into a chicken! He claimed to be Thalantyr's apprentice at the High Hedge west of Beregost, and implored us to escort him there. This we did (we were going back to Beregost anyway). At the High Hedge, Thalantyr was particularly critical of his apprentice, but using a skull as a spell component, he managed to retransform his apprentice into his human form. With the sale of loot and a princely 5000 GP reward for bringing Keldath Basillus' holy symbol, we were able to buy a suit of full plate mail for Khalid/Ajantis, the Masterbelt to improve Imoen's theiving skills, and a Battle Axe +1 as well as the Army Scythe +1 crossbow for me, all at the Beregost smithy. We still have some gold that we shall either invest in Large Shields +1 for Khalid and Jaheira (Ajantis is already using one) or perhaps healing potions, of which we have but a few. We're currently preparing for our expedition into the Mine. At the Carnival we've just met a Gnome by the name of Quayle who was extremely willing to join us. I'm not sure how pleasant his company is going to be because he's rather full of himself, but he's a Cleric and an Illusionist so in terms of skills he appears to be a very useful addition to the party.
Current party:
William Tell lvl 5 Archer, 55 HP; ***Army Scythe, *Battle Axe +1, *Daggers, **Two Weapon Fighting; 163 kills (most powerful Greater Basilisk); Telbar's Studded Leather +2; items of note: Boots of Stealth, Bracers of Archery. Imoen lvl 5 Thief, 40 HP; *Shortbows, *Whistling Sword +2, *Quarterstaff; 48 kills (most powerful Winter Wolf); Studded Leather; items of note: Masterbelt; 1 death. Ajantis lvl 5 Paladin, 56 HP; **Bastard Swords, **2H Swords, *Longbows; 50 kills (most powerful Cave Bear); Plate Mail; items of note: Helm of Infravision, Gauntlets of Dex, Boots of the North, Girdle of Bluntness, Large Shield +1; 2 deaths Khalid lvl 5 Fighter, 65 HP; ***Varscona +2, *Axes, *Longbows; 92 kills (most powerful Flesh Golem); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Ring of Protection +1; 1 death. Jaheira lvl 4/4 Fighter/Druid, 48 HP; **Club +1, *Quarterstaves, **Sling +1; 49 kills (Flesh Golem); Ankheg Plate Mail; items of note: none; 1 death. Quayle lvl 4/3 Cleric/Illusionist; 18 HP; *Ashideena +2, *Slings; 0 kills; Adventurer's Robe; items of note: Bracers of Defense AC8, Cloak of the Wolf, Wand of Paralyzation; 0 deaths.
Day 40, 11 Kythorn 1368 It's been seven days since I last updated my journal. Time for a new entry for much has happened. In the Nashkel Mine the miners warned us of demons having taken over. We all looked at each other fearing Neera's Nabassu had invited some of its friends from the lower planes, but we soon learnt that the 'demons' there were in fact Kobolds. We cleared most of the Mine without difficulty, but struggled a bit against their chieftain and a shaman whose excellently placed Horror affected three of our party, including myself.
Imoen disarming traps so that the panicked party members would not trigger them.
The leader of the operation was a Half-Orc priest, aided by lots of Kobolds and Skeletons. Quayle was very inconveniently positioned. He managed to cast Sleep on the Kobolds before he was attacked and nearly killed by the Skeletons. He had to flee the Half-Orc's den. We would find him outside, exhausted and close to death.
The rest of us focused all our efforts on the priest. We had to suffer an Unholy Blight that hurt Ajantis and Imoen particularly, but we prevailed.
We found some correspondence linking the sabotage of the Mine with the rampant bandit activity on the Sword Coast, though it didn't contain any useful details. We left the Mine through a secret exit, and found ourselves in an area none of us had been to before: a dry, dusty valley that was full of dangers, as some of us would painfully discover. There were different types of Undead (Skeletons, Ghouls and Ghasts, and even a Revenant) in burial chambers but also roaming the lands but at least they were manageable for our party.
The real problems occurred after we had an unfriendly encounter with a wizard who wasn't at all pleased with our interest in his new spell that allegedly allowed one to control and dominate slimes and jellies. With powerful spells as Emotion: Helplessness, Enfeeblement, and Blindness he successfully neutralized all of us, and he had two Mustard Jellies attack us.
Khalid was their first target, and thankfully the only one not to regain his consciousness after the Emotion spell had expired. I say thankfully, because the damage could have been much worse. I didn't enjoy my command over my own mind for long, as the wizard Dire Charmed me. It would have caused me to kill my dearest friend, blinded Imoen, if the wizard hadn't cast a PW: Sleep on her. It somehow made me lose interest in attacking Imoen and go after hardier Ajantis instead.
Those who were in control of themselves, i.e. Ajantis, Imoen and me, retreated into one of the burial chambers after we found that our attemps at dispatching our foes proved to be less effective than the Jellies' attempts at finishing us off. All three of us had been slowed by the Jellies, and we were severely injured. Ajantis was blinded too. In the chamber we used up all our healing potions and Ajantis' and my curative magics. The wizard followed us inside, but that proved to be a bit too audacious on his part. His magical protections were largely gone, while the three of us had just patched ourselves up.
We carefully got out of the chamber, picked up our injured and unconscious comrades and dragged them inside where we stripped them of most of their heavy armor and weaponry. (We saved such equipment in one of two tombs.) Ajantis (carrying Jaheira), Imoen (carrying Quayle) and I (carrying Khalid) then trekked back to Nashkel to have Nalin heal our dying companions before it would be too late. Before we made it there, we had to protect them from two Ankhegs though.
Nalin showed us once more what a capable healer he was, albeit at an increased price. We returned to the valley, and were lucky to find Quayle's, Jaheira's and Khalid's gear untouched. We weren't completely surprised as few people are likely to venture into that desolate land, and most of those who do may not survive that undertaking. We separated and slew the Mustard Jellies, making the area at least a bit safer for future visitors.
Day 43, 14 Kythorn 1368 I don't know how to start. The last two days have been terrible for me. I think I'm a bit more composed at the moment, so this might be as good a time as any to update this journal. We returned to Nashkel to inform Berrun Ghastkill of what had been going on in the Nashkel Mine. The mayor thanked us warmly, and the rest of the town seemed to cheer up as well as the news spread. However, as we approached the inn to relax for a bit and get a good night's sleep, we were greeted by an assassin who in spite of the presence of a small crowd of spectators made no secret of the fact that he'd been hired to kill us. With his axes and clad in light armor, he looked a bit like me. Ajantis, Khalid and Jaheira engaged him in melee combat, while Quayle, Imoen and I spread and tried to hurt/disrupt him with ranged attacks. But then, to our surprise, he started casting spells. I got hit by a Confusion and Khalid got Dire Charmed. Jaheira and Quayle were put to sleep (and Imoen later on as well, with a PW: Sleep). What happened then, I learnt from my friends. Ajantis, Imoen and a Monk that came to our aid, slew our attacker, Khalid in spite of being charmed somehow remained impassive. I wish I could have said the same of myself, but I can't... I shot one of the bystanders.
[Note by Blackraven: Reputation fell from 20 to 10. I was lucky here that no more innocents were in sight, or the same scenario as with Serene my Beastmaster, could have played out: ending up with Fallen Ranger status and possibly losing party members.] My companions have been very understanding and they've tried to help me process this tragedy. We've looked for relatives of the victim, or at least a name, but found none. We've arranged a proper burial, at the graveyard by the Temple of Helm. We've spoken with Nalin, who was lenient in his judgement, as he had been with Captain Brage. "If you had no control over your mind, then you had no control over your body and its actions either," he said. "There is no guilt in such case." But I keep thinking of Khalid who somehow had the strength of will to resist the urges that were not his. I've prayed to Mielikki for guidance, some kind of sign, but all I've had is another strange dream and a second heal ability. The dream was rather sinister: I was merciful with the Half-Orc priest from the Nashkel Mine but was reprimanded by a male 'presence' I can't identify. The heal ability on the other hand suggests that I still have Mielikki's favor.
Day 53, 24 Kythorn 1368 Another tenday has passed, and we've mainly been busy traveling around, trying to make the Sword Coast a safer place. It's also a way for me to hopefully redeem myself. Either way there is little else I can do I think. On the northern Sword Coast we dispatched an Ogre Mage and a Nereid who had made a habit of robbing and killing innocent passers-by.
We've battled Gnolls alongside none other than Drizzt the famed Drow Ranger (who didn't turn out to be the most talkative fellow to walk the realms), and we've slain four Half-Ogres that had nearly killed a Paladin we met at the Jovial Juggler in Beregost. For a Flaming Fist officer we met in the same inn we've been hunting bandits. North of the Friendly Arm Inn we helped a Ranger reduce the number of Ankhegs to a healthy amount. During our travels, in the middle of nowhere, we had to deal with a group of four bounty hunters. It looked threatening when we found ourselves ambushed by them, because they had a Cleric and a Mage, but Quayle paralyzed the Cleric with his wand, and we made sure the Mage didn't succeed at casting any spells.
The other two were warriors, and they were no match for us. Back in Beregost we had Taerom the smith make another suit of Ankheg armor, and we bullied a mage that was mentioned in a letter we found on the assassin's corpse in Nashkel into giving us insights into the bandits, their numbers and whereabouts. The wizard hinted at a bandit base in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, so we'll soon be heading there.
Just have caught up, @Blackraven ! And to tell the truth, this journal is very interesting and fun to read. Thumbs up for this and for your playthrough with a party! Ajantis and Quayle as not-so-popular NPCs make it look even better.
I like that you accept the consequences of any actions, for e.g., Neera's death or the reputation hit.
Like the area surrounding the Temple of the Morning, the area around High Hedge Manor was not in any real danger (especially since I learned Thalantyr was a 17th level Conjuror). The woods around the manor were swarming w/skeletons and we counted 36 skeletons destroyed. We also defeated six Gnolls & a Gnoll Veteran armed w/Halberds. There were also three Flinds armed w/Two-Handed Swords but their bite was harmless. We were attacked by six Wild Dogs which are no longer roaming the woods thereabouts.
We found a small cottage in the woods which we think might belong to Kivan, although, he never mentioned it when we travelled the road together. We checked the place out & Imoen unlocked a chest that contained an Aquamarine Gym but believing the place to belong to Kivan we let it be. Even if it isn’t Kivan’s cottage it’s someone’s & we’ve no indication they are enemies so it would not be right to take it. Outside the cottage, which looks to have been without a tenant for quite a while, (another reason we think it might be Kivan’s since he’d indicated he move toward the FAI to await me should I need him again) we killed three Ghouls & three Giant Spiders in succession.
Key Event(s): As we were sitting enjoying a brief respite @ the Red Sheaf as indicated below, a strangle man approached me wearing only a leather girdle over a dark, mages robe. He wore an unkempt dark beard and his hair was matted but I had the sense he was more than just a weary traveler. The man never gave his name, he only mentioned that my exploits were being monitored from afar, a place he called ‘Camelot’. I told him I’d never heard of such a place in Faerun to which he replied, “that’s because Camelot isn’t in Faerun.” He was a man of few words but he encouraged me to continue my efforts on the Sword Coast & that ‘Camelot’ would call me if & when the time was right.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,750 gold) Garnet Gym, Horn Coral Gym, Jade Ring
Current Disposition: Enjoying a meal, some wine & ale & a good night’s rest @ the Red Sheaf after selling the little loot we did garner.
RELAXING A SPELL
Next Steps: We found as we conducted our mission that we’d missed a location southwest of Beregost, so rather than heading to the Lighthouse nest as planned, we are going to head to the Red Canyons next.
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****, Mace +1, (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
@bengoshi, thanks, it's still no-reload for me so all consequences must be accepted. Tell is doing well. My problem is that party members keep on dying and that somehow feels like losing to me. I'm aware that this is my fault because I'm not very good with full parties and because I haven't metagamed at all (which suggests that Tell's luck should run out at some point). I considered Neera permanently dead after about 5 deaths, but most of my other companions have reached or are about to reach that number as well. Have to think of a non-metagamed way of keeping folks alive (better scouting I suppose).
Day 65, 24 Kythorn 1368 We've already spent days in Wood of Sharp Teeth in search of the bandit stronghold, but so far to no avail. The vast forest is replete with bandits including Black Talon Elites, but they've all preferred to fight (and die) rather than talk and help us out.
Day 69, 28 Kythorn 1368 Even in the wilderness my hide isn't safe from assassins and bounty hunters. We were waylaid by a woman who introduced herself as Lamalha, aided by three companions. They were two priestesses and two rogues. Quayle paralyzed one of the two Clerics, while I kept pelting the other (Lamalha) to interrupt her incantations. My companions took good care of the rogues, making sure we survived the encounter pretty much unscathed.
It's very agreeable to see the party operate as a unit.
Day 74, 16 Flamerule 1368 It's taken us longer than I care for, but we've finally discovered the bandit camp! A gradual increase in the bandits' numbers as we trekked from the Larswood through Peldvale and further north told us we were on the right track. Like the bandits we met before, the groups we encountered along the way were all more interested in robbing us than in informing us of the location of the camp. Those bandits have been dealt with, and I foresee that our visit to the camp won't be any friendlier. [note Blackraven: In accordance with my perception of William Tell the legend, I'm roleplaying William Tell as what I called a 'brutally honest' character. Therefore lying his way into the bandits' ranks and into the camp was not an option.]
Day 77, 19 Flamerule 1368 As expected, there was no warm welcome for us at the bandit camp. I approached what seemed to be a commander, clad in full plate mail, but he didn't care who I was and what I was doing there. He shouted a warning call, and before I knew it about ten men stepped outside a large tent, and dozens of bandits appeared from all parts of the camp. I shot a couple of bandits down to give the others a scare, but there were too many of them and they weren't intimidated by me. I hurried back to my companions to warn them that battle was imminent.
Quayle bravely took on the first group of pursuers with a Fireball cast from his wand. It killed and injured many of them, but Quayle was made to pay for his bravery with a rain of arrows that almost killed him. [Note Blackraven: he actually died because I stupidly had Tell quaff an invisibility potion that was meant for Quayle.]
As had happened before, our frontliners were then overwhelmed by the opposition, especially after a Mage blinded them. Ajantis' and Jaheira's wounds were thus that they could no longer go on. I thought they had died, and I think our foes thought the same, for they focused their attention on Khalid, Imoen and me. [Note Blackraven: as the images show, Ajantis and Jaheira did indeed die. I'm roleplaying that blinded characters cannot receive any potions or items from companions who aren't immediately next to them. It meant they couldn't heal or go invisible on time. Khalid, also blinded, did have an invisibility potion and drank it when he was at 1 hitpoint.]
With Imoen blinded as well, she wasn´t going to be of much use with her bow, so gave her directions for getting away from the fray while I occupied the bandits as much as I could. My ankheg armor was just as permeable as that of my companions, I soon started to notice when I was their only target left. But after I quaffed a couple of protective potions (Heroism, Power), I became increasingly hard for my opponents to hit. The Boots of Avoidance and a Girdle of Piercing must have helped as well. Using an expensive set of Bolts of Biting I had purchased in Beregost, I soon found myself thinning their ranks without having to worry much about my own safety. Even their higher ups, such as the wizard, the commander in full plate, and another spokesman (Raemon) who had recognized me.
In the end, the entire camp had turned into a graveyard. I'm not sure how many we felled, but Officer Vai of the Flaming Fist, who had offered us 50 GP for every bandit scalp we brought, counted over a hundred.
Imoen and I explored the camp, while Khalid took our last healing potions to Jaheira and Ajantis. We released a lone prisoner in one of the tents who explained that the organization behind the bandit camp is called the Iron Throne, with a hidden base in the Cloakwood, and some corrspondence we found in a chest contained the same information. We've been enjoying a few days off at the FAI to recover and to discuss our next move. None of my companions have had dealings with the Iron Throne, but Jaheira told me that the Throne is a respected mercantile consortium. Personally I'm not sure if I have much respect for such trading companies, but given their reputation I find it surprising that they would engage in banditry. We will soon see if we can find the hidden Iron Throne base in the Cloakwood, but first we'll go and do some historical sightseeing in the area of Beregost and Nashkel. There are some ruins there that are said to be worth visiting.
Day 82, 24 Flamerule 1368 Our first historical destination was the Ulcaster School, once a famed school for magicians and scholars, but nothing much is left of that. The building had crumbled, and we discovered that any valuable items had long been plundered by treasure seekers. I'm nevertheless glad that we went to take a look for we rid the place of a number of great evils. There was an undead abomination so powerful that it could command the heavens to strike whomever it wanted with lightning, and it was completely resistant to my bolts. With overwhelming melee force we managed to take the creature down.
Inside the school we had to deal with another undead creature, a Vampiric Wolf that summoned Ghouls and was aided by lots of Dread Wolves and Dire Wolves. It was a horrific beast and did everything to scare us off, to such an extent that Quayle wisely drew upon his gnomish God's power to instil courage in our hearts. We had no intentions of backing down: the wolf was standing next to a massive pile of not-so-old corpses, and the six of agreed to prevent the beast from making anymore victims. Although Imoen failed to disarm a trap that set off a huge fireball (and seriously injured most of us), and although Jaheira got held at one point by one the Ghouls, we prevailed.
We didn't fare as well at the Firewine Ruins, an ancient remnant of an Elven society that once called the Sword Coast their home. Kobolds were swarming around the ruins, and inside them. I lost track of the number we killed, but I think three dozen would be a realistic estimation.
When we finally believed to have cleared the place of its Kobold infestation, Imoen (who had been scouting the place) was attacked by a wizard who had many nasty spells that would hurt our entire party at the same time. With a Web, a Stinking Cloud and two Fireballs, he was close to wiping out our entire party. My injuries were mild thanks the the Helmet of Defense but I was powerless, stuck as I was in the web. We were lucky to see the wizard get knocked out by his own cloud, keeping him from doing any further harm for most of the spells' duration.
When the coast was clear I released two Bolts of Biting and slew the wicked man, and I used two more to finish off an Ogre Mage.
I later learnt that the Ogre and the wizard had been planning a raid on the nearby Halfling village of Gullykin. A treacherous Halfling had offered the evildoers a secret entrance through his wall. We tried to detain him but he escaped. The village elder, Gandolar Luckyfoot was nevertheless thankful for our help and rewarded us with 250 GP. When we left the area Khalid dueled a fighter who considered himself the best swordsman on the Sword Coast. Khalid won and earned himself a set of Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise. We're back in Beregost, and will soon venture into the Cloakwood.
William Tell lvl 6 Archer, 66 HP; ****Army Scythe, *Battle Axe +1, *Daggers, **Two Weapon Fighting; 462 kills (most powerful Shoal the Nereid); Ankheg Armor / Telbar's Studded Leather +2; items of note: Greenstone Amulet, Cloak of Displacement, Bracers of Archery, Boots of Grounding. Imoen lvl 7 Thief, 56 HP; *Shortbows, *Whistling Sword +2, *Quarterstaff; 94 kills (most powerful Drakar); Shadow Armor; items of note: Masterbelt, Boots of Stealth, Deep Red Ioun Stone; 1 death. Ajantis lvl 6 Paladin, 68 HP; **Bastard Swords, **2H Sword +1, *Dead Shot Longbow, *Two-Handed Weapon Style; 131 kills (most powerful Mustard Jelly); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Helm of Infravision, Gauntlets of Dex, Girdle of Bluntness, Boots of Avoidance, Algernon's Cloak, Ring of the Princes +1; 4 deaths Khalid lvl 6 Fighter, 78 HP; ****Varscona +2, *Axes, *Longbows; 191 kills (most powerful Flesh Golem); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, Large Shield +1, Ring of the Princes +1; 3 deaths. Jaheira lvl 5/6 Fighter/Druid, 65 HP; **Club +1, *Quarterstaves, **Sling +1; 130 kills (most powerful Revenant); Ankheg Plate Mail; items of note: Boots of the North, Gauntlets of Weapon expertise, Ring of the Princes +1, Large Shield +1; 4 deaths. Quayle lvl 5/4 Cleric/Illusionist; 24 HP; *Ashideena +2, *Slings, *Short & Shield Style; 22 kills (most powerful Corsone); Adventurer's Robe; items of note: Robe of the Neutral Archmagi, Ring of Holiness, Ring of Wizardry, Cloak of the Wolf, Wands of Fire/Lightning/Paralyzation; 3 deaths.
Note that I did metagame with a couple of items (Ankheg Armor in Nashkel, Ring of Wizardry, Algernon's Cloak). The reason for this was to do something about the high death rate and the expenses on raising party members. There is no metagaming in terms of handling encounters though.
Day 88, 29 Flamerule 1368 William Tell's gone. My stupid insistence on taking on a group of Shadow Druids in the Cloakwood cost him his life. I was supposed to take of him, so I cannot but feel like a complete failure. We had traveled through the Cloakwood without encountering much trouble (except Spiders and Ettercaps we dispatched, and two Wyverns that ambushed us). At the Druid enclave, a few Druids recognized me and attacked us on sight, but we slew them. I then explained to my companions the vile ways of the Shadow Druids and urged them to seek out Amarande, their archdruid, with me so that we could put an end to the Shadow Druids' evil actions. In his treehouse he managed to conjure a Fire Elemental, a powerful ally, in spite being hit repeatedly by Tell and Imoen. I'm sure Tell would have used his Bolts of Biting but he got charmed by one of Amarande's aides. An Insect Plague and a Chaos then had most of us lose control of ourselves, and Imoen suffered an even worse fate: Petrification. [Note Blackraven: in the following image you can see that three of the party were even stunned, I suppose due to a lot of Chromatic Orbs.]
Tell was relatively safe at that time because he had been charmed, causing our foes to leave him alone. When Ajantis, Khalid and I regained control of our bodies and minds, we retreated downstairs (where we found an injured Quayle) and outside. There, a Black Bear attacked us, and we slew it before we could heal ourselves. When we went upstairs Tell was dead. [Note Blackraven: While I was busy getting Tell's companions into safety, I noticed a fraction too late that Tell's charm had worn off. I moved him toward the stairs and thought he was making it downstairs, when a Hold Monster hit him. The others were outside and too late to heal him. I also had no inivisibility that Quayle could cast on Tell.]
I've fallen back into my habit of not even no-reloading my way through BG1... There is a Dwarven Fighter/Thief in Amn (haven't posted about him), but that's in a BGT install I'm having problems with after removing one mod and adding another, so I'm not likely to continue that run.
I'm disappointed with Tell's unncessary death, but it was a strictly roleplayed playthrough. The party weren't going to ignore Jaheira's pleas, and led by LG Ajantis and LG William Tell they weren't going to assassinate Amarande while still neutral either. They wouldn't even use short duration buffs. Instead, they would openly confront Amarande and if battle would ensue, then so be it. The real problem though, is that Blackraven lacks the intelligence to process and respond to multiple actions taking place at pretty much the same time, and he also lacks the patience to hit the space bar every split second during battles involving a multitude of characters. This makes him particularly mediocre at playing full parties, and it has also cost him many a solo character's life.
@CharlestonianTemplar, I'm afraid you're on your own again... unless someone else is joining the challenge.
I'm really tempted to try this, despite having no time and plenty of other play-throughs to work on. Are their any well-defined sources from D&D books on classical characters that I can access easily? I know CharlesT used some such source to at least draw inspiration for Gawain. I'm thinking a Robin Hood-ey F/T or F>T. (grandmastery on bows (long would likely be more accurate, but it'd be kind of crap in the long run) and then dual to thief for the thieving portion of it all. I also know that Robin Hood is mentioned as a ranger in some 2nd edition book, but then he doesn't really have any thieving skills.) Or perhaps some sort of well known priest/cleric/religious figure.
I'm thinking a Robin Hood-ey F/T or F>T. (grandmastery on bows (long would likely be more accurate, but it'd be kind of crap in the long run) and then dual to thief for the thieving portion of it all. I also know that Robin Hood is mentioned as a ranger in some 2nd edition book, but then he doesn't really have any thieving skills.) Or perhaps some sort of well known priest/cleric/religious figure.
I did some research for you on this. By the way, GREAT idea for a PC!
Dragon Magazine #274 has a lot of ideas for running a p&p campaign as a Dungeon Master. It contains: * Legends of Sherwood: Ian Malcomson offers up a series of interconnected articles that form the backbone of a 3E Robin Hood campaign. * Steal from the Rich: Sets up the historical and societal background of the Nottingham region, and includes details for running campaigns in purely historical (no magic), "legendary" (low-magic), and fantasy (typical magic) mode. * Wolfsheads: Adventures for Heroic Outlaws: Nuts and bolts info for running the Robin Hood campaign, including such things as a list of DCs for persuading peasants to help the outlaw PCs, discussion of what classes are most appropriate for such a campaign, four new ranged weapon feats (Ranged Disarm, Deflect Ranged Attack, Ranged Pin, and Ranged Sunder), tips for handling trick shots, and several adventure hooks. * The Great Greenwood: A Mini-Gazetteer of Robin Hood Country: This list of places is a companion to the poster map previously mentioned. Included is a stat block for a "Typical Saxon Village."
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Rogues and Royal: Lots of NPCs for the Sherwood campaign, from "Typical Norman Soldier" to Robin, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, and many more. All in 3E format of course.
I tried to find a free PDF of Dragon Magazine #274 that I could grab you a link to: here's one that offers a 5-day free trial but does ask for CC info. It wouldn't be much anyway $3 or $4 but you might be able to download it & cancel right away.
dragon magazine archive pdf downloaddragon magazine pdf archive
My own thoughts for your consideration are:
He'd be a Ranger, likely an Archer b/c bows were his main weapon but he often fought w/a Long sword. Robin Hood wasn't a Thief in the traditional sense, e.g. picking pockets, etc but you might also play him as a Thief w/Subclass of Swashbuckler or Charming Rogue. He'd have skill w/a Long Sword, Scimitar or something. He & his 'men' would likely prefer to camp outside in the wood than stay in an inn so you'd have to mod to 'sleep anywhere'.
Kivan & Coran are both close. I always play Kivan as an Archer & Coran as a Fighter/Thief-Swashbuckler. In, the latter case you get the Move Silently/Hide in Shadows, Find/Remove Traps, skills I'd think would be appropriate for Robin Hood. Again, their swords are important too & I'd not take Kivan's spear - that works I think too.
I'd read or scan everything I could find from Ivanhoe (great portrayal of Robin Hood) to Wikipedia to gather my thoughts on how to play him. I'd also watch the Kevin Costner & Russell Crowe versions of Robin Hood (I like the Russell Crowe version b/c Robin Hood was in some stories an Archer on the 3rd Crusade w/King Richard the Lionheart. As Robin of Loxley he was a minor noble as is Gorion.
Last thoughts before you fall asleep reading this: You could build your 'Band of Merry Men' from the BG NPCs. Minsc could be made into Little John, you could keep him as a Ranger or play around w/his class but I'd definitely give him slots w/a Long Bow like he has in BGII. Also, staves were a big part of the stories, so you might go out on a limb & give him a staff instead of a two-handed sword; after that Kivan as an Archer and/or Coran as a Fighter/Thief-Swashbuckler as I mentioned above; Khalid as an Archer; Jaheira as a straight Druid or Fighter-Druid (spells & healing) is appropriate (in BGII she could be your Maid Marian). Friar Tuck would be hard to work in - Tiax seems closest but he's thoroughly evil & doesn't fit. And, of course, Imoen as a Thief-Swashbuckler or Charming Rogue would be good. I don't think I'd carry a Mage but I might throw in one of the NPCs as a Wizard Slayer w/Bow Skills for knocking out Mage enemies.
Of course, you could build each of the Merry Men from scratch, I just prefer to use the NPCs as given.
Either way, find some good portraits for M & S & have fun. One site I use is DeviantArt - just type in Robin Hood, Archers, etc & see what you find. Then you COULD just use Crowe or Costner, etc & grab images from the films.
GREAT IDEA. I hope you do it. Btw, this is how I come up w/all my PCs - it takes a while as you can see.
We backtracked to get the Red Canyons, & met only a small boy who claimed to have seen Bassilus, nearby, had been spying on him. I urged him to return to Beregost as soon as possible. Sure enough after we defeated two Dread Wolves we walked right into a grove where we found…
Key Event(s)…& defeated the mad cleric Bassilus that Nalin had mentioned in our last visit. Bassilus had with him 11 skeletons armed w/Heavy Crossbows & Two-Handed Swords as well as two Zombies. These were summarily destroyed when Dynahier cast a Fireball right @ Bassilus which killed all but maybe one or two instantly. I quaffed a Potion of Clarity & Minsc transformed to his enraged state of mind & we went in to kill Bassilus. I think I got the kill on him but Minsc made have landed the death blow. When we’re both hacking away @ a single enemy, besides the fact that is sucks to be them, all either one of us sees is a flurry of our swords swinging @ the unfortunate target.
DESTROYING BASSILUS' 'FAMILY'
There were quite a few other monsters & hostile animals that we defeated including: eight more Dread Wolves; four skeletons armed w/Composite Long Bows; a wolf; nine Gibberling’s; three Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe armed Composite Long Bows & Bastard Swords (x2) & Short Sword (1); ~ eight zombies; six skeletons armed w/Maces & Darts w/Bucklers; six ghouls; three Bandits & three Worgs.
We had an odd-encounter w/a talking chicken named Melicamp. He said he was an apprentice of Thalantyr & that he’d accidently polymorphed himself permanently. Turned out his story was slightly embellished & not entirely true but we decided his only chance was Thalantyr himself. Sure enough, Thalantyr returned Melicamp to his former state.
Current Disposition: In Beregost, staying @ the Red Sheaf. Beregost will remain my base of operations for the time being.
Next Steps: Travel to the Lighthouse
Level Up: Jaheira was granted Initiate of the 7th Circle (Druid//9) & she added Insect Plague, Resist Fire/Cold & Doom. Jaheira prefers to summon animals to defeat our enemies (Note: AI = Druid Summoning).
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 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've actually played through about a third of BG:EE AS Robin Hood before, (Or at least one interpretation of him) so I have some knowledge of it. First off: It's so easy. Basically, every character must be able to use a sword of some kind and a bow of some kind. This excludes a lot of characters, but it's drop dead easy. A group of six warriors wielding bows, bombarding the enemy with arrows aplenty before finally resorting to swords when the foes come too close. I used a F/T back then and made him utterly deadly.
I'd actually see Imoen as Maid Marian more than Jaheira, actually. The damsel in distress that must be rescued; a fair maiden who is light of foot and sweet of spirit. Jaheira's more like Marian's maid from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. T_T
I also just had the best idea for an IWD:EE party. The White Company. I don't know if any of you ever read that book, but The White Company is a historical adventure by Arthur Conan Doyle set during the Hundred Years' War. The story is set in England, France, and Spain, in the years 1366 and 1367, against the background of the campaign of Edward, the Black Prince, to restore Peter of Castile to the throne of the Kingdom of Castile. The "White Company" of the title is a free company of archers, led by one of the main characters. It's got four "main" characters, all of whom would be great in the game. A couple of the slightly more minor characters from the Company to round out the team and it'd be awesome! The group would definitely be a combination of fighters (unkitted single class only) and archers, which would probably make a pretty devastating team in IWD.
I also just had the best idea for an IWD:EE party. The White Company. I don't know if any of you ever read that book, but The White Company is a historical adventure by Arthur Conan Doyle set during the Hundred Years' War. The story is set in England, France, and Spain, in the years 1366 and 1367, against the background of the campaign of Edward, the Black Prince, to restore Peter of Castile to the throne of the Kingdom of Castile. The "White Company" of the title is a free company of archers, led by one of the main characters. It's got four "main" characters, all of whom would be great in the game. A couple of the slightly more minor characters from the Company to round out the team and it'd be awesome! The group would definitely be a combination of fighters (unkitted single class only) and archers, which would probably make a pretty devastating team in IWD.
Another super idea. As a amateur historian of all things medieval, especially the Crusades, the 100 Years War & the Wars of the Roses, anything along these lines is the 'prime rib' of gaming to me. I've not read, 'The White Company' but I'm sticking it on the bucket list. I'm a ridiculously slow reader so I'm reading a book called, 'The Greatest Knight, (The Remarkable Life of William Marshall, The Power Behind Five English Thrones),' one called 'Stonewall Jackson, (The Violence, Passion, & Redemption of Stonewall Jackson), & The Bible (2-3 pages of each or a chapter of each every day; not to mention that I have two new Knights Templar books to read waiting in my stack: 'The History of the Knights Templar' & 'The Templars, (The History & the Myth'). Ugh. By the way, since you appear to have an interest in that period too, I recommend checking out the STARZ mini-series 'The White Queen'. It's under STARZ originals & there's only 10 in the series.
'The "White Company" of the title is a free company of archers', sounds like a great run. I see them as more' hit & run' (guerrilla), heavily using Composite Bows, Short Bows & Crossbows (that way you can get an enchanted version of all your bows @ some point). Wanna make sure you can get 5 proficiency slots for as many as you can but they should also need to be at least Proficient w/a sword of some type, a staff maybe. One Thief-Swashbuckler too allow you to 'Move Silently/Hide in Shadows' in order the set up 360' ambushes. Like I said, your description, , makes me think of these guys in ambushes as guerrillas. Whatever you do, COOL idea.
Yeah, before attempting it, I really need to re-read the book. Get a good feel for the character's abilities. I don't know the last two characters, but I'm thinking along the lines of:
Sir Nigel Loring: Human male Fighter, pips in swords, longbows, spears (lances), and shields. He'll wear heavy armour and be the tank of the group.
Alleyne Edricson: Human male Fighter, pips in swords, longbows, maybe shields, and one pip in staff (he starts the book off with one) He'll be the off tank, what with his heavy armour.
Samkin Aylward: Human male Archer, pips in longbows, longswords, and single weapon style. He'll sit back and turn enemies into pincushions.
John of Hordle: Human male Archer, pips in longbows, two handed weapon style, and greatswords/staffs/axes
The group will have a hard time finding enough good longbows, but I think that's just an unfortunate consequence of the group. They were all longbowmen, after all.
I’ve decided on my secondary mission, or at least codified the mission I’m already pursuing. My primary effort is to find & slay Gorion’s murderer but my vengeance will have to wait as I’d be a fool to head back to Baldur’s Gate just yet. Having already cleared the Cloakwoods, the Wood of Sharp teeth & the area from the northern side of the Cloud Peak Mountains through Nashkel, I will continue doing so along the Coast Way to Baldur’s Gate & the River Chionthar.
Next stop was the Lighthouse overlooking the Sea of Swords on the Sword Coast. There were a couple of early battles w/a pair of mated wolves & three Worgs.
Key Event(s) On one stretch of the sandy coastline we were fighting all the way until we entered, what turned out to be the cave of the Pirate Black Alaric. In about two hours we fought through three Hobgoblins w/Short Bows; three Serine’s w/their deadly Short Bows & Arrows of Biting; three Carrion Crawlers & then three more Serine’s, including their leader, also armed w/ Short Bows & Arrows of Biting. In Alaric’s cave we defeated three Ogrillons & found a super treasure indeed including a set of +1 Full Plate, a Manual of Bodily Health, a Cloak of the Wolf, Potions & over 300 gold. Unfortunately, since it was raining outside, we decided to try & rest to wait out the storm. Having cleared the cave it sounded like a great plan. In hindsight, every time we dozed (twice) another Ogrillon entered the cave & after defeating the first, we lost Minsc to several hard punches to the head & chest before we killed him too. From there, we didn’t press our luck anymore &, exhausted, made our way back to Beregost but still were challenged by three Grey Oozes. I hesitated to confront them, injured myself, & had everyone else clear the immediate area so they would focus their attacks on me. It worked & will killed them rather easily. Back to Nalin to get Minsc Raised & then to town for rest. Here Jaheira improved her best kill to a Sirine.
BATTLING & KILLING THE SIRINE'S
On return we got into a lengthy battle w/nine Ripper Hobgoblins surprisingly led by a Chill Sergeant armed w/Bastard Swords & three w/Short Bows. Coincidently, in the same area we later confronted & defeated three more Ripper Hobgoblins armed also w/Bastard Swords & three w/Short Bows which were likely subordinate to the Chill Sergeant also.; two Dread Wolves, two wolves, then three more Chill Hobgoblins w/Short Bows & Bastard Swords; six Tasloi (I don’t know how these things survive in the wild w/all the more powerful monsters/animals just as aggressive as they are);
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 22,584 gold) Six Pearls; twenty Arrows of Biting (Khalid & Imoen); Cloak of the Wolf (Jaheira); Manual of Bodily Health (Gawain); Full Plate Mail +1 (Gawain ). Unfortunately, I can’t use the +1 Full Plate as it weakens my armor class versus my Full Plate & Cloak of Protection +2 & no one else can use Plate, even Minsc as a Barbarian.
Current Disposition: Resupplying, inventorying, identifying, selling bounty & generally resting & recuperating @ Beregost
Next Steps: Shipwreck Coast
Level Up: Early on we had a visitor from Dynahier’s Mage Guild, the same one the Guildmaster sends each time. How the Guildmaster keeps up w/Dynahier’s progress I don’t know. Still she was informed that she’s granted Warlock (Mage-Invoker//8. She’s added a second Fireball & a Fire Shield Red to memory (Note: Remember in my own rules mages can only write spells in their spellbook from their own school – others they can cast by scroll though.
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(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)/8 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
Key Event(s) The foray to the Shipwreck Coast should have been just another like all those previous. Instead it shattered all of us to the core. We lost our noble companion Dynahier. Our immediate grief had to be put aside though b/c we’d also lost both Imoen & Minsc. We buried Dynahier in a shallow grave and collected as much as Khalid, Jaheira & headed to The Temple of the Morning to raise Imoen & Minsc. Minsc was killed before Dynahier was chunked so he would wake to the painful news of her death. Khalid, Jaheira & I agreed that he would know how her remains should be handled IAW the practices of Rasheman.
SOBERING VICTORY...
It all happened when we stumbled on three Sirine’s which we’ve always handled w/ease. The difference this time was that I came under one of their Dire Charm spells. I actually thought about the fact that I had no potions of magic protection & it gave me pause, just not enough to halt. The rest is gone to me except that I came to standing near the beach w/Dynahier lying, obviously un-resurrectable, @ my feet. Khalid & Jaheira remember it like this: The battle started as usual, Minsc & I rushing to melee w/the Sirine’s while the remainder fired arrows, stones or cast spells. The first time the group realized I was charmed was when I attacked & injured Minsc pretty badly. He immediately knew to reposition himself & did so. I’m told I then moved toward my other companions & they all tried to shift their positions to continue to attack the Sirine’s while they awaited the spell affects to wear off. Imoen had already been injured & when she tried to avoid me I cut her down, before returning & finishing Minsc. By now, only one Sirine was dead. Dynahier was blasting them w/spell after spell & had moved around behind them. Khalid finished off a second but not before he saw one of them hit & poison Dynahier w/an Arrow of Biting. She managed to quaff a Potion of Healing & tried to retread to the beach to reach into her pack for an Antidote. I then headed toward Dynahier, still Dire Charmed, & began attacking her while the remaining Sirine continued shooting, & hitting, Dynahier w/her arrows so she was taking poison damage & arrow damage simultaneously. Khalid agreed that I’d been swinging @ her also but said, “There’s no way to know if it was your sword that killed her or another arrow from the Sirine. Dynahier was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from the arrows. One last arrow could have done the same thing as your blade. Don’t blame this on yourself.” I’ll never know for sure but I’m not ready to talk about it w/Minsc yet. Not while he is grieving so. Khalid finally killed the last Siring using Arrows of Fire & we returned as I described above. Minsc was pleased we’d buried her as we did, rather than bringing her back. He took us back to the spot & but we had no tools to build a boat to cast her off to sea in where Khalid would shoot an Arrow of Fire. Instead we built a funeral pyre, uncovered her remains, and placed her gently upon it. We placed rings on her fingers, a necklace around her tiny neck & dressed her in her dress & then Minsc insisted on lighting the pyre himself. We watched until the pyre burned out & then returned to town, rested & then, w/much reticence we approached Thalantyr about another Mage that could willing to travel w/us as we all agreed you need a Mage in Faerun. Thalantyr said the pickings were slim for Mages that were not purely evil. I thought Jaheira might preach balance or something but she didn’t…I think she might be changing her views a bit. He said, “You will find a Mage @ the Nashkel Carnival. He’ll be a Gnome Illusionist w/a sarcastic, cranky disposition & few helpful spells. He can cast every type of Invisibility, including Improved & 10’ Radius. He’ll also be able to cast Blindness, Spook & Deafness but will never be able to reach the more powerful spells except w/a scroll.” We found the Gnome but its obvious Minsc is uncomfortable w/his presence so soon after Dynahier’s passing… but we all agree that we can’t go forward w/o a Mage.
We finished up @ the Shipwreck Coast afterward. In all, we fought & defeated: six Ghouls; an Ogre Mage; two Ogrillons & three Ghouls together; six Carrion Crawlers; three pairs of wolves & four pairs of mated Dire Wolves; a Dread Wolf mated w/a Wolf; three Kobolds; three Ogre’s & then a group of four Ogre Berserkers, three Ogrillons & a Half-Ogre (without a scratch to any of us).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 2,461 gold) Bought Imoen Shadow Armor for 20 some thousand gold. We grabbed three pearls, Moonstone Gym & a Waterstar Gym, etc. @ Shipwreck Coast.
Current Disposition: Recuperating, recovering, resting, resupplying in Beregost @ the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: Lion’s Way, Coast Way, Mutamin’s Garden
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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 progress going north worked in south a way as to allow my team to continue our progress while giving them a low threat reconnaissance of the areas of Coast Way & Lion’s way that were yet to be explored. They, we, all needed some down time, so after we’d rested well following the heartbreaking ordeal @ the Shipwreck Coast I took them north on the Coast Way Road.
Everything worked out as planned. On the Coast Way we walked over six Kobolds w/Short Bow & Short Sword; six Gibberling’s; 14 Diseased Gibberling’s; a pair of mated Dread Wolves; two pairs of mated Wolves; an Ogre & 18 Xvarts.
Key Event(s): As far as key events go, there were none. The only moment of pause came when we were almost done on the Coast Way. We stumbled on three Bandits w/Short Bows & Long Swords led by a young woman in Splint Mail w/Long Bow & Long Sword. After the events @ the Shipwreck Coast the confident challenge made me think for a split second. I was most concerned about the new Mage hoping he’d use his Invisibility spells to protect himself. I noted he also cast Mirror Image so he must also have that one memorized. I released the team to act independently & pick target of opportunity & deal w/them as they determined best. We made short work of them & no one took a scratch.
BANDITS @ COAST WAY
We quickly finished our work on the Lion’s Way next. There we destroyed a pair of mated Dire Wolves; a pair of mated Wolves & six Diseased Gibberling’s.
At this point I feel good about having cleared the roads from Nashkel north to the FAI & eastward from Candlekeep to the Coast Way of monsters, creatures & hostile wildlife. We’ve also cleared those areas adjacent to the main road & south of Nashkel all the way out to the coast & eastward to most of the Wood of Sharp Teeth. People should be much safer travelling these roads & commerce should pick up slowly as people figure that out. Not much I can do about hostiles that return, as they are sure to do, but the original inhabitants are no more. The only areas I’ve yet to visit are Mutamin’s Garden & Durlag’s Tower. I’ve read much about Durlag’s Tower & I plan to visit there but not just yet. I want us to train together before we assault the keep there.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 2,790 gold) Nothing to speak of. Minsc took the Splint Mail as a second set should his suddenly deteriorate.
Current Disposition: We sold the minimal loot, resupplied w/arrows & sling stones, had dinner & relaxed & recuperated @ the Red Sheaf.
Next Steps: Mutamin’s Garden
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(Druid Summoning) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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
Key Event(s): We’ve continued to travel w/heartache as one of our companions. For the second time in a span of less than 10 days we faced the final death of one of our own; this time Khalid’s beloved wife & a friend & companion to us all, Jaheira. Once again, I wonder, could I have been more careful. Especially after it was Jaheira who warned us all of the dangers of Basilisks in Mutamin’s Garden. I set us in our standard ‘V’ formation for wilderness expeditions, then sent Imoen ahead as a scout ‘Hidden in Shadow’ so that she could return & warn us of Basilisk’s giving us time to prepare, i.e., Quaff Potion of Mirrored Eyes or cast spells of Protection form Petrification’.
We killed four Gnolls & a Ghoul before I fought a duel w/a mouthy female warrior of some kind w/dual-handed swords. I won easily but spared her life. Then we made quick work of a pair of mated Lesser Basilisks. Onward from there, we ran into six Gibberling’s & moved to swat them. As Minsc & I got to them & all of us began our assault, Jaheira had moved out to the far right to avoid some trees when she came upon a pair of mated Greater Basilisks, one of them enormous in size. At that moment, Mutamin himself came out from behind the trees & challenged us. As Jaheira tried to back out of range, she was hit with a Basilisks Gaze from both Greater Basilisks. She was Petrified once & then obliterated w/the second.
Minsc finished the Gibberling’s while I turned my companion’s on Mutamin. I moved to take on the Monster Basilisk after having knocked down a Potion of Mirrored Eyes. I was hit multiple times w/their gaze &, despite the potion, their gaze rocks you when it finds its mark. While I was punishing the larger of the two, Minsc & the remainder of us finished Mutamin off. By this time, I was just finished killing the larger of the two Basilisks & heading for the second before the potion could wear off. Minsc & the others turned their attention on her also & we killed her as a team.
Then, not knowing Jaheira’s fate yet, we all went to find her so that we could use a scroll of Stone to Flesh to revive her. We looked everywhere & found nothing. Eventually, we all realized that a pile of stones & sand right near where she’d last been seen was the unwanted answer to her fate. Khalid just stood there, staring. Imoen walked over, even Minsc, to be with him in that moment while I stood taking this in from opposite him. After only a few moments that seemed like hours, he looked @ me & said, “Sh-sh-shall we be going? We’ve much work yet to do.” Imoen asked if he didn’t want to move the stones elsewhere or bury them. He replied, “N-n-no. I think she would want to remain here. With the Gnome destroyed, nature can return to its normal state here. Sh-she would want to remain her, I think. This pile of stones a monument to her commitment to defending nature.” He leaned down & took a small stone from the pile & placed it into a pouch on his girdle. Then he said, “She’ll always be w/me & after we’re done, I’ll return to this place where my beloved, Jaheira fell…Now let us destroy any more of these monsters at once!” With that he turned & led us back to where we’d begun the seemingly quick battle w/the Gibberling’s. How quickly things can go wrong out here. There’s so much responsibility that comes w/leading warriors who trust you. Khalid’s correct. We have work to do…our fallen will not fall in vain nor shall their vengeance be dispensed w/o extreme prejudice!
From there we dispensed of, in order: four more Gnolls, four Gnoll Veteran’s, four adventurers...
SHE PICKED THE WRONG DAY TO BE MOUTHY
...a Greater Basilisks mated with one of the lesser types, a pair of mated Lesser Basilisks, four Gnoll Elites; four Flinds & a lone Lesser Basilisk.
We travelled, troubled & silent back to Beregost. The weight of losing two such valued companions is heavy on me. When we returned I made business a priority to keep all of us from dwelling in that dark place for long. We sold substantial bounty, bought arrows & sling stones, rested @ the Red Sheaf, & then approached Kelddath @ the Temple of the Morning about a Cleric to aid our efforts. He directed us to the Nashkel Carnival once again where he said we’d find a Priestess of Tempus who would add both strength to our front line & bring an offensive spell set. I remembered her, we all did, but thought she would’ve moved on. As we travelled there, Khalid said to me, “We had to find another, you know? Jaheira who’d have wanted us to move on.” Sure enough the Priestess was there & joined us readily. I purchased her a set of Plate Mail, a Large Shield & a Warhammer & she provided us a Warriors feast as our first meal together. And what a feast it was: roast lamb, salted fish & pork, goat & plenty of fresh bread, fresh fruit & honey on buttered bread & honey mead to wash it all down. I know of Tempus, The Lord of Battles, but nothing in the readings @ Candlekeep prepared me for a meal like that. (This is an innate ability of the Warrior Priest(ess) of Tempus kit).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 3,852 gold) Adventures Robe (Quayle); Gems/Jewelry: Black Opal, two Garnet, Flame Dance Ring; Many Scrolls
Current Disposition: I moved us from Beregost north to the FAI. This will be a better place to rest & resupply during the next few weeks.
Next Steps: The Spider Wood east of the FAI
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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk) • 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) • Branwen: Priestess of Tempus/7 w/Plate Mail, Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(None)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Gibberling)(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 allowed us to get off course on the way to Spider Wood & we ended up in Larswood again. As a result we encountered three Ettercaps, seven Gibberling’s & two Hobgoblins (Ripper Tribe) w/Short Bows & Bastard Swords before I ever got us to our destination.
When we finally did get to Spider Wood the place lived up to its name. We immediately came across three Huge Spiders & then an Ettercap. We turned south & travelled w/a rocky, heavily wood line to our left. About half way through we fell upon a nest of spiders including a Sword Spider, a Phase Spider & six (or seven) Giant Spiders. A web trap sprung but both Minsc & I are able to negotiate freely in webs so we continued our work while the others stood back @ range, well except Branwen, she obviously likes getting into the fray & punishing enemies w/her Warhammer.
We followed that by defeating three Giant Spiders, three Ettercaps & six more Huge Spiders respectively.
Key Event(s): We were just wrapping when we stumbled on the ruins of a temple. Moving closer we were attacked by four Red Wizards before we could even respond. I attacked followed closely by an Enraged Minsc. Khalid switched to Arrows of Biting, Quayle cast Deafness on the leader & Branwen cast Silence 15’ Radius in the midst of them. Imoen cast Magic Missiles at the wizards to disrupt their casting. None of the four of them ever got off a spell.
DEFEATING THE FOUR RED WIZARDS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 5,399 gold) Four Mage Robes (two Cold, one Fire & one Electrical Resistance); some 14 Scrolls including Melf’s Acid Arrow, Web, Chromatic Orb, etc. two Waterstar Gyms
Current Disposition: Resting, resupplying, recuperating @ the FAI
Next Steps: North to the Fishing Village
Level Up: Imoen was notified by a rider that she was now a full THIEF (Thief/Charming Rogue//9). The rider had a letter from Imoen’s Guild master asking her if she still pledged her loyalty the Guild & if she intended to break off & start her own. Imoen said she was happy w/her Guild & intended to continue travelling w/me for the foreseeable future. The rider rode off convinced that Imoen was no threat to the Guildmaster’s status. Imoen improved to (F/Remove Traps & Pick Locks 100%; Hide in Shadows 45% (60% w/her Shadow Armor) & Move Silently 50%. She’s put no effort into other Thieving Skills. She also added Luck & Glitterdust to her innate abilities to compliment two each Magic Missiles, Invisibility, Charm Person, Reflected Image, Friends, Set Snare. (Note: Innate to Charming Rogues)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; HP84; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk) • Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/7): HP45; Plate Mail, Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(None)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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
Next it was due north to the Fishing Village. We’d already been through the Fishing Village earlier when we travelled to Baldur’s Gate the first time but we stayed to the road. This time, as with places south, I had us clear every threat that would/could hinder travelers using that important thoroughfare between The FAI & Baldur’s Gate. The Fishing Village did not yield any large or difficult battles & it was nice that it was so after the difficulties we’ve faced together in recent days. We defeated eight Bandits & seven Ankheg’s as we worked our way through the area. Branwen improved her best kill to an Ankheg.
We came upon some of the local fisherman in a hamlet & they complained vociferously about a Priestess of Umberlee that was preventing them from fishing, their livelihood. They claimed she’d even killed one of them w/rough seas she is able to conjure up @ will. They told us we’d find her in a shack north of the hamlet but it was all the way into Wyrm’s Crossing. We found her easily enough & she was indeed belligerent & attacked us. We’d started to dismantle her & she was unable to cast even a spell. She suddenly begged for mercy & told us that the fisherman had killed her mother & taken a bowl from her that could control the seas, Bowl of Water Elemental Control. In the end we killed her but I’m pretty sure her story was true. It’s just that she’s a Priestess of Umberlee & that means there’s one less evil priestess out there. Still on return to the fisherman it became clear that they were lying & I had a good mind to unleash on them. But…I decided it wasn’t worth it & the deaths of backwater fisherman wouldn’t solve anything. They paid up w/a Flail +1 which has Minsc thinking he was to learn to weapon style fighting for those times when Spiders Bane isn’t the answer.
Key Event: I was given the sad task of helping an old farmer locate his missing son. The answer was simple based on tracks he showed us & an underground tunnel that led to a series of Ankheg Tunnels, we were later to learn. We had little trouble in the burrows, killing 11 Ankheg’s. Ankheg’s always have a gem or some gold on them but in the burrow there was a treasure in a small cave in the wall. We found, amongst gyms, jewelry & gold farmer Brun’s son. We carried his body back to his father who was devastated & fearful that he’d lose his farm. We gave him 100 gold to help him & take the fear of losing his farm to take some of his burden during this hard time.
After that we had to go to High Hedge to try & identify two potions we found w/Thalantyr. Even though I know what they are I like to be sure but unfortunately Thalantyr couldn't say for sure. While there, we killed three skeletons & Brown Bear.
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
Occasionally this adventuring life has its rewards & I don’t refer to treasures. We passed thru Wyrm’s Crossing where we killed another Ankheg before continuing on through the Farmlands on the Way to Ulgoth’s Beard. While in the Farmlands we destroyed an infestation of Zombies, 20 of them, that were threatening the farmers & their families. Very gratifying.
Key Event: Just helping the farm families to be safe to tend their crops.
HELPING THE FARMERS
I find that Branwen & I have grown closer than warriors should be. That worries me because I've already seen two friends die, Dynahier & Jaheira, & those closest to them suffer, Minsc & Khalid respectively. If I lose Branwen I may never forgive myself & lose my edge. I admire the warrior spirit in her & would not interfere w/her regardless of my feelings but, Ugh!
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,321 gold – purchased three Raise Dead Scrolls & four Potions of Mirrored Eyes); Gave the set of Plate of the Dark, Full Plate +1 to Branwen
Current Disposition: Rested in the two rooms available @ the Ulgoth’s Beard Inn. We were hit up quickly, not once but twice, to travel to Durlag’s Tower. So be it. Moved back to Nashkel for the time being while we assault Durlag’s Tower.
Next Steps: Durlag’s Tower
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/7; HP84; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk) • Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/7): HP45; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling(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
Upon arrival we reconnoitered the surrounding area & external portions on the wall. We crossed a natural narrow stone bridge that led toward a Drawbridge spanning a deep natural trench in the elevated rocky surface that provides the Motte for the stone Keep that common folk know as Durlag’s Tower. Upon crossing the natural narrow stone bridge we encountered & defeated two Battle Horror’s. We retired to rest as I, surprisingly, took significant damage as I was the focus of both Battle Horror’s attacks. Sleep was not easy to come by either as we were disturbed three times by small raiding parties of Gnolls. By the time the night was through & we’d finally rested we’d killed 18 Gnolls. Since they were all travelling the same direction, I assume there is a Gnoll lair somewhere to the east of here, likely not too far.
It’s taken exactly 280 days this morning to reach Durlag’s Tower, the same amount of time since Gorion & I left Candlekeep travelling in the unknown. Today is 8 Alturiak, 1370 & it is this day I plan to enter Durlag’s Tower.
Getting to the Drawbridge required us to hack through three Doppelgangers. The Drawbridge itself is apparently un’manned’ so besides the Doppelganger’s getting to the Barbican was easy enough & since it too was wide open we were able to march unhindered into the Bailey. Once there, I wanted to clear any dangers in the Bailey & check the Curtain Wall Battlements to make sure we were safe from ambush. To do just that we battled two Greater Doppelgangers in the Bailey courtyard. The Battlements on the Curtain Wall were another story & we ended up defeating another Battle Horror w/six Skeletons armed w/Composite Longbows & Halberds to the left of the Portcullis. To the right we were attacked by two skeletons armed w/Composite Longbows & Halberds which Imoen & Khalid smashed from down below. Climbing a stone staircase to where the skeletons had attacked us, we were confronted by & defeated a Doom Guard w/four Skeleton’s armed w/Warhammer (2), Morning Star (1) & Composite Longbow & Halberd. We gathered what treasure they had & headed for the ‘Gatehouse.’ It doesn’t appear to be a traditional Gatehouse but it has a Drawbridge & another Portcullis, although the Drawbridge doesn’t span a trench like the Drawbridge to the Barbican does. The Gatehouse is covered appropriately w/Murder Holes I did note.
BATTLING ON THE BATTLEMENTS
Key Event: The Ground Floor of the inner keep was unspectacular. Besides Imoen disarming a trap & a few pieces of gold there was little of interest. It wasn’t’ until we purchased a ward stone from the ‘Guide’ we hired in Ulgoth’s Beard that the tide went out on us. Suddenly a Skelton figure in Black Armor appeared threatening us literally & figuratively. He tossed Fireballs like they were innate to him & every one of us retired from the tower to safety as we were all injured save Quayle who’d smartly backed off to work @ range w/his spells.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,321 gold) Pearl Necklace, Sphene Gym, et al;
Current Disposition: Camped not far from the location of the natural arch where we’d earlier battled three Doppelganger’s. We sold what we could to an opportunist merchant who makes his gold selling items @ exorbitant prices to adventures daring to enter Durlag’s stone Motte & Bailey.
Next Steps: Back into the keep & upwards on the spiral starcase
Level Up: • Branwen’s patron deity, Tempus, increased her power. She is now a Matriarch (Cleric//Priestess of Tempus/8) & was granted Cure Disease, Zone of Sweet Air, Cure Serious Wounds & Defensive Harmony. • I humbly accept an increase in rank & ability to Superhero (Fighter/8)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
ELEVATION TO SUPERHERO
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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
We headed back into the tower & ascended the spiral staircase to the 1st floor. There we killed a total of six Ghasts & were wrapping up when…
Key Event: Imoen found a chest that was locked & that she didn’t detect any trap on. Even w/her skill (100%) @ detecting/removing traps, once she opened it a Lightning Bolt loosed & it was bad. Everyone tried to take cover but before the bolt stopped bouncing off walls, down halls & dissipated it had taken both Branwen & Minsc. Once again, we were all scorched except Quayle but he has to stay clear b/c a puff of wind could chunk him. Thankfully, my two lost companions could be raised so I got them directly to Kelddath & paid him the gold required for the service, 1600 gold.
That night, Branwen & I were sitting @ a candlelit table near the fireplace @ the Nashkel Inn. She’s been trying to teach me how to speak to a woman, the whole chivalry part of knighthood. I must have done well because she agreed to share my bed that night. It’s official now. Great stress relief but it cuts into the sleep.
Returning the next day we killed six Doppelganger’s coming & going. Inside we found an entrance to a Bastion. I sent Imoen up having used her innate Invisibility while still checking for traps. She came back down the stairs & reported that a lone Lesser Basilisk was waiting just outside the door. I quaffed a Potion of Mirrored Eyes & went up alone to eliminate the threat. Up a long, straight, stone staircase we killed four Gnolls before finding another Bastion that circled the entire keep. Once again, Imoen went up using Invisibility. She reported three Greater Basilisks up there so I had Quayle cast a Protection from Petrification Scroll on me while I quaffed another Potion of Mirrored Eyes just in case. I went up alone again & destroyed them. Man those things are big reptiles.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,606 gold) Gems/Jewelry: Pearl Necklace, Bloodstone Amulet
Current Disposition: Resting near the Keep on the stone path that leads to Nashkel thru the Carnival.
Next Steps: Up to the 2nd Floor of the Keep
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
GAWAIN RECORD
GAWAIN INVENTORY
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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 resting up from our difficulties on the 1st floor of the keep, we headed off to see what we’d find on the 2nd floor. I had Imoen use one of her Potions of Clarity to increase her ability to find/remove traps even further (120%). The good thing about those potions is that they last about six hours so.
Key Event: As soon as we topped the spiral staircase onto the 2nd floor, Imoen detected a trap at the entrance to a hallway directly across from the stairs. She Removed Traps & then I had her use her innate Invisibility to scout the hallway. She snaked around a half-C hallway until she found a chamber & was questioned by a Ghost who I guess could Detect Invisibility. She kept him from acting in an aggressive fashion for a few moments but then he turned on her. She got off one of her innate Magic Missiles (she’s poppin’ off five @ a time now). She retreated back to the where we had arranged ourselves to face a foe coming behind her down the hall. Nothing happened so she used her innate Invisibility again (not sure why in retrospect) & slipped back down the hall until he saw her again. She fired off her 2nd & last Magic Missile but we’re not sure if it got him b/c suddenly he was in the midst of us. I immediately used one of my innate Draw on Holy Might spells, Minsc & Branwen went into their Enraged state. I’m not sure what Quayle did. He usually casts a protection spell of some sore on himself & the casts Blindness. (He doesn’t use Spook or Deafness as much as I’d like & he usually has Protection from Normal Missiles in his quick item slot along with Potions of Healing & Antidotes in the other two slots. He did manage after the battle to pull a two Scrolls of Dispel Magic out of his pack & use them to dispel a Confusion Spells that had affected me, Minsc & Branwen. Khalid, meanwhile, fired Arrows of Biting. Minsc got the kill.
After that we unlocked a few chests, Imoen removed a few traps & we almost had a run-in w/a rogue that was working the same floor. He backed down & we raided the chests right under his nose.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,544 gold)
Current Disposition: I returned us to Nashkel to identify a wardstone & a potion or two. I couldn’t do it as Nalin wasn’t able so we made our way north to Kelddath who could. Back in Nashkel we’ve spent the night at the inn. Branwen joined me once again.
PERFECT ENDING TO A DAYS WORK
Next Steps: Durlag’s keep, 3rd level; maybe the basement
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk) • Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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
1) I want to change the M & S portraits of Branwen to those of Lagertha the Shieldmaiden from the Vikings series on History Channel (who's based on a real woman from Norway of the same name & who was married to the infamous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. She is a buttkicking woman & find her exactly what I think Branwen would look like.
a. But...when you pull up an NPC, the only thing you can change really is their Script/AI. I want to change her appearance/portrait. I've already gotten some great M & S Images of Lagertha from the series & sized them for BG but don't know how to do it.
b. I tried to use Shadowkeeper but that seems only to have the basic portraits & few others but does not seem to have an option for 'uploading' an image.
2) Second question is: who can tell me the spells/abilities that are assigned to Kirinhale the Succubus on the third upper level of the keep. I'm writing my update but, as always, that takes me more time than to play the game. I really want to know what spells & abilities she has in order to flesh out my narrative & make it interesting. I don't know how to go in & find code & stuff & I wouldn't know what it meant anyway. :I In AD&D they were able to: cause darkness 5' radius; their kiss drains the victim of one energy level; become ethereal; charm person; ESP; clairaudience; suggestion; shape change (to any humanoid form of approximately their own height and weight), or gate in a type IV Demon (70% chance), type VI = Balrog (25%), or a Demon Lords or Prince (5% chance). I'm sure Kirinhale's abilities are a bit different. Please help.
Thanks for a quick reply folks. Been working on this narrative all day & want to get it posted so I can hit the 1st Labyrinth Level & get into some of the big stuff.
Next I intended us to climb another level in the keep, which turned out to be the topmost floor. It seemed to be easy enough as we killed five Ghasts & gathered a few gems.
Key Event: It was then that we came across a Succubus without her wings. She claimed they’d been clipped by Durlag Trollkiller & thus she’s been trapped there for hundreds of years. This is the first demon or demoness we have crossed in our travels. Having lived @ Candlekeep I had lessons from the monks on demon kind:
…the Succubus is a member of the Tanar’ri, the dominant subcategory of demons. Originally created by the Obyriths as slaves, they eventually revolted against their masters, killing most of them and taking over as the dominant race of demons in the Abyss. Most known demon lords are Tanar'ri.1 A succubus appears as a stunning woman with flawless skin, long beautiful hair, small horns & large bat-like wings mounted on their backs. They have the following powers, at will, Charm (men preferably), Teleport, become Ethereal, Shape Change & kisses that drain a victims energy. It is said they have other powers, the most terrifying of which is the ability to gate in another more powerful demon: Nalfanshee (70% chance), Balrog (25%), or even one of the lords or princes (5% chance) - there is only a 40% chance of such a gate opening, however. They can perform any of the five demonic roles: Overlord, Assassin, Brute, Corrupter or Manipulators. By far, they are most often the latter two, assuming a beautiful, irresistible, human form in order to tempt mortals with a kiss, or other acts of passion, after which the victim may become weakened and under the control of the succubus. Succubi delight in causing suffering by manipulating the desires of mortals and tempting them into depraved acts that they would normally avoid. This strife often causes the destruction of long-term relationships and sows distrust between life-long friends and lovers. Succubi are not warriors. Their method of causing destruction is slow and manipulative when compared to other demons. A Succubus’ as Corrupter & Manipulator can easily lead mortals seeking a host of perversions, debaucheries & euphoric experiences to become dupes to a life of capitulation of the senses & when the mortals finally give themselves fully to the pursuit of their new sensations & addictions they are drawn into the 570th layer of the abyss, Shendilavri (as soul larvae or still in the flesh). They now belong to Malcanthet, the Demon Queen of the Succubi who takes great pleasure in the torment & ruin of her ‘guests’.
Luckily, in our meeting with this Succubus, Durlag had taken her wings so she could not get airborne but she still had her other innate powers. When she tried to become Ethereal, Imoen used Glitterdust to perfection & we were able to continue to strike her. Truly, this was Imoen’s fight & she got her best kill yet by delivering the killing blow w/a Magic Missile spell, her second one in addition to the Glitterdust that kept the Succubus somewhat visible. Minsc landed at least one damaging blow but everything happened so fast I’m not sure what else happened. Kirinhale was cornered & I expected her to use Teleport to get away but our assault was merciless & we killed her quickly. A demon or demoness’ death comes in various forms. In the case of this Succubus she let out a death cry that was almost overwhelming as her body twisted & tore apart into a vicious whirlwind.3 An incredible, unnerving thing to witness that my words can’t even come close to actually describing!!!
DEATH OF A DEMONESS
Afterward, still shaken from witnessing the demoness’ death but healthy otherwise, I led us down the stairs to the Basement to see what was down there. We smashed five more Ghasts & found various gems & 570 Gold in a trapped and locked tile in a tiled alcove. We also found another doorway but elected to head back out for a while to rest/recover, etc.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,906 gold) 570 Gold in the locked tile
Current Disposition: Resting @ the Nashkel Inn after unloading & resupplying
Next Steps: Continue to the first Labyrinth Level
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic) • Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk) • Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn) • Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged) • Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive) • Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Kirinhale)(Thief Def) • Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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
1) b. I tried to use Shadowkeeper but that seems only to have the basic portraits & few others but does not seem to have an option for 'uploading' an image.
Did your resize and rename the new Branwen portraits? You need one medium size (110*170 pixels), and one small (38*60 pixels). Rename those images using a relatively short name, for example Bran_M and Bran_S, and place them in your portraits folder where you also have your Gawain custom portrait. In Shadowkeeper you'll be able to assign the new portraits to Branwen with the 'Change Portrait' button.
I can't help you with the second question, because I think my aTweaked demons are different from your SCS demons. The description in your latest post seems to match my experience with Kirinhale though...
Comments
This is the journal of William Tell of Candlekeep. In it I shall report about the voyage that I've just embarked on with my foster father Gorion. We're currently on a short break, an hour or so east of Candlekeep because Gorion is busy with his spellbook, a good moment to start this journal.
It was only this morning that I received Gorion's instruction to prepare for our journey. "You and I are to leave Candlekeep as soon as possible because this place is no longer safe for you," he told me after I'd barely got up. He gave me over a hundred GP, which I used to buy a helmet, a suit of studded leather armor, my own crossbow(!), and plenty of ammo. I would soon learn that Gorion had been right in considering Candlekeep unsafe for me.
In the Bunkhouse, a stranger armed with a dagger asked me who I was. When I told him my name, he sprinkled a liquid (some kind of poison most likely) on his dagger and charged forward. I did not hesitate: one shot with my crossbow brought him down. I immediately ran outside, straight to Gorion who was waiting for me in the gardens. We informed the priests of the wounded man inside the Bunkhouse, and left immediately. I wonder who this assassin was. I'm inclined to believe there was some kind of mistake, but the man did ask me for my name before he attacked, and I haven't forgotten Gorion's warning that Candlekeep is no longer a safe place to stay. I shall ask him for clarification.
Day 1, 2 Mirtul 1368
Dismal tidings: Gorion and I were ambushed last night by a group of what seemed to be bandits. Their leader, a gigantesque warrior, told Gorion to hand me over to him. Maybe they were bounty hunters, like the assassin in Candlekeep? Gorion commanded me to run away, and I obeyed, as I've always done. However I now regret that decision. Brave Gorion took on the party all by himself, dispatching their Ogres and archers with his explosive magic. I also saw him put a priestess to sleep, and hurt their commander repeatedly. But the brute just wouldn't fall and at one point he practically cleaved Gorion in two. I'm not sure if there's anything I could have done, but I'm ashamed of my cowardice. There would have been more honor in dying alongside my father.
Gorion and I had walked for hours before doom befell us, speaking of many things, such as possible places for us to go, survival strategies, and two friends we were to meet at the Friendly Arm Inn, Khalid and Jaheira. Gorion seemed to want to evade discussing the reasons for our departure and the fact that an assassin had gotten into Candlekeep to kill me. Had he been a bit more forthcoming with information, I would be better pepared for whatever it is that awaits me, but I guess there's no point crying over spilt milk.
This morning I ran into sweet old Imoen, my dear friend from Candlekeep who I didn't expect to see again. After Gorion and I'd departed she had snuck out of the citadel. She managed to somewhat console me, and offered to accompany me. An offer I should have probably declined for her safety, what with all those people wanting me dead, but I didn't have the strength. I accepted. Together we returned to the place where Gorion fell, and found his mangled body beyond resurrection. On his corpse I found a letter signed by someone who called himself "E". It mentioned Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn. Although I'm afraid someone might have read it, Imoen and I have just decided to go to to the inn anyway.
Day 2, 3 Mirtul 1368
More consternation, but at least I'm alive to write this, in a simple room in the Friendly Arm Inn (which might have been named the Friendly Arm Fortress as well, but that's another matter). Imoen and I had a rough journey north. We were hesitant to stick to the road because of bandits, but the woods were no less dangerous. Dire wolves seemed to be everywhere, keeping us running for hours as they were incredibly hard to get rid of. We ran past a wizard and a halfling rogue who wanted to have a word with us for us, but I'm sure they understood, what with a Dire Wolf behind us.
Thankfully Gellana Mirrorshade, a gnomish priestess, was able to heal Imoen. (I couldn't have borne losing her as well, after Gorion's death.) Inside the Friendly Arm Inn, we got some well-deserved rest, we met Khalid and Jaheira, who want to travel to Nashkel with us, and we spoke with Unshey and Landrin, who asked us to retieve a belt stolen by an Ogre and some possessions from a Spider-infested home in Beregost respectively. So my next update I'll probably write in Beregost or Nashkel.
Edit: typos
Khalid and especially Jaheira seemed to be in a bit of a rush to meet the mayor of Nashkel. To humor them, we didn't tarry at the inn and traveled southward the next day. I wanted my companions to understand that at the moment traveling without me might be safer for them than traveling with me. So on the road I spoke frankly of the encounter with the warrior that had ended Gorion's life, and of the other hitmen and bounty hunters that have tried to kill me in Candlekeep and at the FAI. Ajantis showed me a bounty notice he had taken from the FAI wizard's corpse. He pointed out that the notice was directed at "all those of evil intent". Therefore he hadn't retained any suspicions regarding the morality of my past actions, though he did openly wonder why there's a price on my head. Unfortunately there was nothing for me to say that would clear things up for him or my other companions. Khalid and Jaheira exchanged a few nervous looks during the conversation but they wouldn't speak. I'm inclined to believe they know more than they let on, and honestly I didn't like their reticence one bit, but I've decided to tolerate their company for now. They may yet open up.
The area just south of the FAI was as perilous as when Imoen and I first came through it. Our party of five however was much better prepared to deal with its threats. Jaheira for example proved herself a capable warrior and a surprisingly relentless Druid as she dispatchedf a Dire Wolf without hesitation (probably the one Imoen and I had barely escaped from two days ago). We also dealt with a small group of Xvarts, and after a Ranger named Aoln warned us of an Ogre in the vicinity, Imoen and I tracked the monster down and slew it with ranged attacks.
North of Beregost we encountered a stranded caravan and several bodies pierced with arrows. We didn't get to take a closer look because we were attacked by a Dread Wolf as we approached, and we decided to run from it. It was well past midnight when we finally reached Beregost. We were all a bit tired, so we went looking for the nearest inn to get some rest. First however, we defended Neera, a young Half-Elf Wild Mage, against three Thayvians. Technically they were four but Neera somehow teleported their leader away, creating a wild magic zone in the process. This may have meant that their remaining wizard wasn't going to be as dangerous as a he'd normally have been, but we took no risk and focused all our attention on him. Khalid led the charge and also struck the killing blow. His stuttering and the restiveness he conveys make it easy to underestimate the Half-Elf but secretly he's a fair swordsman I think.
In the first inn we entered, the Red Sheaf, a Dwarven fighter attacked us pretty much on sight. He was a bounty hunter and apparently well-aware who he was facing, as he didn't need my name to attack. We fled the premises after he dealt Ajantis a nasty blow with his axe, and rested in another, nicer inn called Feldepost's. We even befriended two men there, Marl and Dunkin. The innkeeper had a very deadly crossbow for sale, one that allows the user to release bolts much faster. I hope to gather the gold and buy it before someone else does.
Day 6, 7 Mirtul 1368
We dealt with the Huge Spiders that had occupied Landrin's home in Beregost, and we returned her belongings to her in the FAI. Jaheira was particularly bothered by the long trek back, and to be honest, so was I. But Ajantis and I had somewhat rashly promised Landrin to complete the task 'as soon as possible', and neither of us wanted to break that promise. In the future we shall clearly stipulate reasonable deadlines for any jobs we accept.
South of Beregost we slew two Ogrillons and found a letter on one of them. The addressee, a woman in Beregost rewarded us with a Ring of Protection +1 when we brought her the letter.
We had further violent dealings with bands of Hobgoblins. One of them carried a pair of Worn Whispers that are not just keeping my feet warm at the moment but also make me a better scout. Apart from the Hobgoblins we had a very unfortunate run-in with three Flaming Fist officers that mistook us for bandits. We offered to peacefully surrender ourselves to them so that we could defend ourselves before a court of law, but our proposal was only met with aggression. "We're not taking you alive, you murdering swines!" one of them yelled.
Day 9, 10 Mirtul 1368
In Nashkel we spoke with Bardolan, an Amnish soldier who told us about troubles in the region, including a moving tale of his former captain, Brage, who seems to be possessed by an evil spirit that had caused him to kill his own family. Brage hasn't been seen in the last tenday. A bounty handler told us about Prism, a famed sculptor, but also a thief who had run off with two emeralds. Our meeting with Berrun Ghastkill, the mayor of Nashkel, was a short one. He wanted us to investigate the disappearances of miners in the Nashkel Mine and to find out what's causing the contamination of the iron ore coming from the mine. We agreed to help, but I'm afraid we've only made things worse.
We traveled straight to the mine, but decided to explore the surrounding land for clues before we would enter the actual mine. Our exploration led us to Prism the emerald thief, who was in the process of finishing an admittedly wonderful sculpture of Ellessime, the Elven Lady of Suldanessalar (a place I'd love to visit once myself, if the Elves would let me). We were waiting for him to finish his work before we would take him back to Nashkel, when a bounty hunter arrived, a fellow named Greywolf. This time I wasn't the prey; he had come for Prism. Greywolf had no patience with Prism and no respect for us: he attacked us so that he could take the bounty on Prism's head. Neera was the first to respond. Short on spells, she tried to cast a Chromatic Orb via Nahal's Reckless Dweomer. She summoned a Nabassu instead.
Neera assured that gated demons only stay on the prime material plane for a limited amount of time, so it was unlikely to have made more victims in the desolate lands where she had let it loose. This set my mind somewhat at ease, although I'm still devastated by Prism's death, an innocent victim. Ajantis and I even feared losing the blessings of our Gods, Helm and Mielikki, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Ajantis still possesses his divine abilities to detect evil, protect others against evil, and heal the wounded. And I had a vivid dream that night centered around Gorion (or his spirit), approving of my actions. The next morning I woke up with the ability to cure light wounds, a spell that is not unheard off for Rangers. I must say that the Lady of the Forest didn't show herself in the dream, but I can think of no other source for this healing ability than She.
It seems that the Gods did deem it necessary to punish Neera for her antics by the way; we were ambushed by undead that pretty much ingonred us and went straight after her. A number of knife-throwing skeletons even managed to bring her to the ground. Thankfully she survived.
In the Nashkel inn we met yet another bounty hunter that was out for my scalp, this time a priestess, and to her credit, she nearly succeeded at her mission. With a single spell she froze our three melee combatants: Ajantis, Khalid, and Jaheira.
[Note by Blackraven: I'm aware that it's not smart to have three meleers attack Neira at the same time, but I'm trying to keep this playthrough fairly realistic. At any rate, William Tell is no fool and neither are his companions. They'll learn from their experiences with a wizard like Tarnesh or a Cleric like Neira.]
The fact that bounty hunters are following me wherever I go is very unsettling to me. With difficulty I convinced Khalid and Jaheira to leave Nashkel and the mine for now, and leave the beaten track with me for a while for my safety and theirs. (The others had no objections). Tomorrow we shall set out to the coast.
****
Current party:
William Tell
lvl 2 Archer, 20 HP; **Crossbows, *Axes, *Daggers, **Two Weapon Fighting; 26 kills (most powerful Neira); Studded Leather; items of note: Boots of Stealth.
Imoen
lvl 2 Thief, 16 HP; *Shortbows, *Short Swords; 6 kills (most powerful Ogrillon); Studded Leather; items of note: none; 1 death.
Ajantis
lvl 2 Paladin, 20 HP; **Bastard Swords, *2H Swords, *Longbows; 4 kills (most powerful Tarnesh); Plate Mail; items of note: Helm of Infravision, Ring of Protection +1; 1 death
Khalid
lvl 1 Fighter, 13 HP; **Varscona +2, *Axes, *Longbows; 4 kills (most powerful Thayan Wizard); Plate Mail; items of note: none; 1 death.
Jaheira
lvl 2/2 Fighter/Druid, 24 HP; **Clubs, *Quarterstaves, *Slings; 1 kill (Dire Wolf); Ankheg Plate Mail; items of note: none; 0 deaths.
Neera
lvl 1 Wild Mage; 4 HP; *Neera's Staff; 0 kills; Traveler's Robe; items of note: none; 1 death.
Note (1):
I had imposed the rule of flipping a coin to decide whether NPCs' CON has to be lowered each time they die, but I've decided not to apply that rule for now. Even though I've had four casualties already, I feel I'm not abusing the NPCs as meat shields and atm I don't need the CON penalty challenge to enjoy this playthrough.
Note (2):
My original plan was to have Rasaad and Branwen in my party instead of Khalid and Jaheira, but I like my current setup and I feel that Khalid and Jaheira fit within the group. Their lack of transparence toward William might become an issue for him though.
I think I'm getting used to reporting that things didn't go as hoped or expected... Our first attempt at reaching the coastlands was quite the fiasco. It had to be aborted in the eastern Cloudpeaks due to our party, or most of our party, getting pretty much annihilated. The cause of our trouble: three Amnish fighters that tried to pick on Jaheira. She kept her calm, but at the same time refused to let herself get bullied by them - which didn't surprise me: she's probably the most strong-willed person I know.
Day 16, 17 Mirtul 1368
A successful campaign for once! The Basilisks and their wicked master have all been slain. It was me who used the green scroll as I'm the party's sharpshooter, and ranged attacks were unanimously considered preferable because basilisks have a poisonous bite. The basilisks were too slow to close in on me, and unexpected help from a Ghoul helped me take down the Gnome as well.
Day 19, 20 Mirtul 1368
A very sad day: we've lost Neera. Ever since we accepted her into our group, we've done all we could to keep her safe from Thayvians and from all other threats we faced on the road. All in vain. It was our second foray into the (eastern) Cloudpeaks. We had barely bested two bandits (and found a pair of enchanted bracers that improve my marksmanship on one of them), when a multitude of fire arrows released by a group of Kobold Commandos did her in.
[Note by Blackraven:]
Day 22, 23 Mirtul 1368
Neera's death appears to have infused a gritty spirit in our group. I feel we are more united due to what we've been through, with everyone as resolved as can be to make the Sword Coast a safer place. Another successful campaign has only nurtured that spirit. In the Cloudpeaks we helped some common folk, and also a Dryad, and we battled various Gnolls. None of us knew this was an appetizer for what was to come. One of the Gnolls proposed a duel between their champion - the same Gnoll - and ours, but when he viciously decided to attack poor old Imoen as our champion, we slew the monsters.
Much further west on the Sword Coast's rocky cliffs we discerned a fortress from a distance. To get there, we had to cross a bridge and slay two Half-Ogre thugs guarding it. (Ajantis took a pair of magical gauntlets from one of them. They seem to improve his agility, making him a bit harder to hit in combat.) As we drew closer, the fortress turned out to be a Gnoll Stronghold. We were pleasantly surprised to see we were stronger fighters than the much larger, highly aggressive Gnolls.
We continued our exploration of the coastlands, north of the Gnoll Stronghold. Initially, there weren't many interesting encounters with other (demi-)humans, mostly just lots of monsters. We dealt with Ogres, Hobgoblins (some led by a bandit), hordes of Gibberlings, an aggressive Mountain Bear that had a nobleman running for his life (the nobleman gave us a pair of boots that protect against cold), and we even exterminated a Xvart community. None of these battles caused us any real trouble, which seems to suggest that we're gradually becoming a more skilled fighting unit. With Neera passed on, and Dynaheir departed with her Ranger friend, our party has no arcane power. At the moment this doesn't appear to be a problem, but I can see us wanting arcane magic later on. It took us a long time for example to deal with the dozens of Gibberlings, while a Mage might have sufficed with single Fireball.
Yesterday we did some good work, as we protected an archaeologist against possible bandits, though in the end we protected him against his own partner, who wanted to kill him for profit, and against his workers that went berserk at the excavation site. We also ran into Brage, the murderous Nashkel guard captain. We led him back to Nashkel where Nalin the Helmite priest cast Remove Curse on Brage. Turned out his behavior was caused by a sword that makes the wielder go berserk.
Day 29, 30 Mirtul 1368
Back on the coast we were informed by a feisty rogue of the existence of a treasure cave, abandoned by the owner of the treasure, but guarded by monsters. I scouted the area and spotted six Sirines. Jaheira warned me of their charms and, being the party's apothecary, she handed me a potion of clarity to protect myself. Immune to their charms, I could take them down with my crossbow and bolts although their poisoned arrows hit me as well and had me quaff various antidotes and healing potions.
Day 33, 4 Kythorn 1368
We're back in Nadhkel after an eventful trip from the coast. First we ran into Bassilus, the wicked priest with a generous bounty on his head. It was pure luck, we hadn't actually looked for him. He was surrounded by a family (or maybe I should say an army) of zombies and skeletons. Protected from Evil thanks to Ajantis and Blessed thanks to Jaheira, I approached. He was unwilling to come to Beregot with us to be brought before the local authorities, and turned hostile as did his undead. Two well-timed hits with my crossbow kept the cleric from casting his wicked spells on us.
With the sale of loot and a princely 5000 GP reward for bringing Keldath Basillus' holy symbol, we were able to buy a suit of full plate mail for Khalid/Ajantis, the Masterbelt to improve Imoen's theiving skills, and a Battle Axe +1 as well as the Army Scythe +1 crossbow for me, all at the Beregost smithy. We still have some gold that we shall either invest in Large Shields +1 for Khalid and Jaheira (Ajantis is already using one) or perhaps healing potions, of which we have but a few.
We're currently preparing for our expedition into the Mine. At the Carnival we've just met a Gnome by the name of Quayle who was extremely willing to join us. I'm not sure how pleasant his company is going to be because he's rather full of himself, but he's a Cleric and an Illusionist so in terms of skills he appears to be a very useful addition to the party.
Current party:
William Tell
lvl 5 Archer, 55 HP; ***Army Scythe, *Battle Axe +1, *Daggers, **Two Weapon Fighting; 163 kills (most powerful Greater Basilisk); Telbar's Studded Leather +2; items of note: Boots of Stealth, Bracers of Archery.
Imoen
lvl 5 Thief, 40 HP; *Shortbows, *Whistling Sword +2, *Quarterstaff; 48 kills (most powerful Winter Wolf); Studded Leather; items of note: Masterbelt; 1 death.
Ajantis
lvl 5 Paladin, 56 HP; **Bastard Swords, **2H Swords, *Longbows; 50 kills (most powerful Cave Bear); Plate Mail; items of note: Helm of Infravision, Gauntlets of Dex, Boots of the North, Girdle of Bluntness, Large Shield +1; 2 deaths
Khalid
lvl 5 Fighter, 65 HP; ***Varscona +2, *Axes, *Longbows; 92 kills (most powerful Flesh Golem); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Ring of Protection +1; 1 death.
Jaheira
lvl 4/4 Fighter/Druid, 48 HP; **Club +1, *Quarterstaves, **Sling +1; 49 kills (Flesh Golem); Ankheg Plate Mail; items of note: none; 1 death.
Quayle
lvl 4/3 Cleric/Illusionist; 18 HP; *Ashideena +2, *Slings; 0 kills; Adventurer's Robe; items of note: Bracers of Defense AC8, Cloak of the Wolf, Wand of Paralyzation; 0 deaths.
It's been seven days since I last updated my journal. Time for a new entry for much has happened. In the Nashkel Mine the miners warned us of demons having taken over. We all looked at each other fearing Neera's Nabassu had invited some of its friends from the lower planes, but we soon learnt that the 'demons' there were in fact Kobolds. We cleared most of the Mine without difficulty, but struggled a bit against their chieftain and a shaman whose excellently placed Horror affected three of our party, including myself.
Day 43, 14 Kythorn 1368
I don't know how to start. The last two days have been terrible for me. I think I'm a bit more composed at the moment, so this might be as good a time as any to update this journal.
We returned to Nashkel to inform Berrun Ghastkill of what had been going on in the Nashkel Mine. The mayor thanked us warmly, and the rest of the town seemed to cheer up as well as the news spread. However, as we approached the inn to relax for a bit and get a good night's sleep, we were greeted by an assassin who in spite of the presence of a small crowd of spectators made no secret of the fact that he'd been hired to kill us. With his axes and clad in light armor, he looked a bit like me. Ajantis, Khalid and Jaheira engaged him in melee combat, while Quayle, Imoen and I spread and tried to hurt/disrupt him with ranged attacks. But then, to our surprise, he started casting spells. I got hit by a Confusion and Khalid got Dire Charmed. Jaheira and Quayle were put to sleep (and Imoen later on as well, with a PW: Sleep). What happened then, I learnt from my friends. Ajantis, Imoen and a Monk that came to our aid, slew our attacker, Khalid in spite of being charmed somehow remained impassive. I wish I could have said the same of myself, but I can't... I shot one of the bystanders.
My companions have been very understanding and they've tried to help me process this tragedy. We've looked for relatives of the victim, or at least a name, but found none. We've arranged a proper burial, at the graveyard by the Temple of Helm. We've spoken with Nalin, who was lenient in his judgement, as he had been with Captain Brage. "If you had no control over your mind, then you had no control over your body and its actions either," he said. "There is no guilt in such case." But I keep thinking of Khalid who somehow had the strength of will to resist the urges that were not his.
I've prayed to Mielikki for guidance, some kind of sign, but all I've had is another strange dream and a second heal ability. The dream was rather sinister: I was merciful with the Half-Orc priest from the Nashkel Mine but was reprimanded by a male 'presence' I can't identify. The heal ability on the other hand suggests that I still have Mielikki's favor.
Day 53, 24 Kythorn 1368
Another tenday has passed, and we've mainly been busy traveling around, trying to make the Sword Coast a safer place. It's also a way for me to hopefully redeem myself. Either way there is little else I can do I think. On the northern Sword Coast we dispatched an Ogre Mage and a Nereid who had made a habit of robbing and killing innocent passers-by.
During our travels, in the middle of nowhere, we had to deal with a group of four bounty hunters. It looked threatening when we found ourselves ambushed by them, because they had a Cleric and a Mage, but Quayle paralyzed the Cleric with his wand, and we made sure the Mage didn't succeed at casting any spells.
Back in Beregost we had Taerom the smith make another suit of Ankheg armor, and we bullied a mage that was mentioned in a letter we found on the assassin's corpse in Nashkel into giving us insights into the bandits, their numbers and whereabouts. The wizard hinted at a bandit base in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, so we'll soon be heading there.
I like that you accept the consequences of any actions, for e.g., Neera's death or the reputation hit.
We found a small cottage in the woods which we think might belong to Kivan, although, he never mentioned it when we travelled the road together. We checked the place out & Imoen unlocked a chest that contained an Aquamarine Gym but believing the place to belong to Kivan we let it be. Even if it isn’t Kivan’s cottage it’s someone’s & we’ve no indication they are enemies so it would not be right to take it. Outside the cottage, which looks to have been without a tenant for quite a while, (another reason we think it might be Kivan’s since he’d indicated he move toward the FAI to await me should I need him again) we killed three Ghouls & three Giant Spiders in succession.
Key Event(s): As we were sitting enjoying a brief respite @ the Red Sheaf as indicated below, a strangle man approached me wearing only a leather girdle over a dark, mages robe. He wore an unkempt dark beard and his hair was matted but I had the sense he was more than just a weary traveler. The man never gave his name, he only mentioned that my exploits were being monitored from afar, a place he called ‘Camelot’. I told him I’d never heard of such a place in Faerun to which he replied, “that’s because Camelot isn’t in Faerun.” He was a man of few words but he encouraged me to continue my efforts on the Sword Coast & that ‘Camelot’ would call me if & when the time was right.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 15,750 gold) Garnet Gym, Horn Coral Gym, Jade Ring
Current Disposition: Enjoying a meal, some wine & ale & a good night’s rest @ the Red Sheaf after selling the little loot we did garner.
RELAXING A SPELL
Next Steps: We found as we conducted our mission that we’d missed a location southwest of Beregost, so rather than heading to the Lighthouse nest as planned, we are going to head to the Red Canyons next.
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****, Mace +1, (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
Tell is doing well. My problem is that party members keep on dying and that somehow feels like losing to me. I'm aware that this is my fault because I'm not very good with full parties and because I haven't metagamed at all (which suggests that Tell's luck should run out at some point). I considered Neera permanently dead after about 5 deaths, but most of my other companions have reached or are about to reach that number as well. Have to think of a non-metagamed way of keeping folks alive (better scouting I suppose).
Day 65, 24 Kythorn 1368
We've already spent days in Wood of Sharp Teeth in search of the bandit stronghold, but so far to no avail. The vast forest is replete with bandits including Black Talon Elites, but they've all preferred to fight (and die) rather than talk and help us out.
Day 69, 28 Kythorn 1368
Even in the wilderness my hide isn't safe from assassins and bounty hunters. We were waylaid by a woman who introduced herself as Lamalha, aided by three companions. They were two priestesses and two rogues. Quayle paralyzed one of the two Clerics, while I kept pelting the other (Lamalha) to interrupt her incantations. My companions took good care of the rogues, making sure we survived the encounter pretty much unscathed.
Day 74, 16 Flamerule 1368
It's taken us longer than I care for, but we've finally discovered the bandit camp! A gradual increase in the bandits' numbers as we trekked from the Larswood through Peldvale and further north told us we were on the right track. Like the bandits we met before, the groups we encountered along the way were all more interested in robbing us than in informing us of the location of the camp. Those bandits have been dealt with, and I foresee that our visit to the camp won't be any friendlier.
[note Blackraven: In accordance with my perception of William Tell the legend, I'm roleplaying William Tell as what I called a 'brutally honest' character. Therefore lying his way into the bandits' ranks and into the camp was not an option.]
Day 77, 19 Flamerule 1368
As expected, there was no warm welcome for us at the bandit camp. I approached what seemed to be a commander, clad in full plate mail, but he didn't care who I was and what I was doing there. He shouted a warning call, and before I knew it about ten men stepped outside a large tent, and dozens of bandits appeared from all parts of the camp. I shot a couple of bandits down to give the others a scare, but there were too many of them and they weren't intimidated by me. I hurried back to my companions to warn them that battle was imminent.
We've been enjoying a few days off at the FAI to recover and to discuss our next move. None of my companions have had dealings with the Iron Throne, but Jaheira told me that the Throne is a respected mercantile consortium. Personally I'm not sure if I have much respect for such trading companies, but given their reputation I find it surprising that they would engage in banditry. We will soon see if we can find the hidden Iron Throne base in the Cloakwood, but first we'll go and do some historical sightseeing in the area of Beregost and Nashkel. There are some ruins there that are said to be worth visiting.
Day 82, 24 Flamerule 1368
Our first historical destination was the Ulcaster School, once a famed school for magicians and scholars, but nothing much is left of that. The building had crumbled, and we discovered that any valuable items had long been plundered by treasure seekers. I'm nevertheless glad that we went to take a look for we rid the place of a number of great evils. There was an undead abomination so powerful that it could command the heavens to strike whomever it wanted with lightning, and it was completely resistant to my bolts. With overwhelming melee force we managed to take the creature down.
We're back in Beregost, and will soon venture into the Cloakwood.
William Tell
lvl 6 Archer, 66 HP; ****Army Scythe, *Battle Axe +1, *Daggers, **Two Weapon Fighting; 462 kills (most powerful Shoal the Nereid); Ankheg Armor / Telbar's Studded Leather +2; items of note: Greenstone Amulet, Cloak of Displacement, Bracers of Archery, Boots of Grounding.
Imoen
lvl 7 Thief, 56 HP; *Shortbows, *Whistling Sword +2, *Quarterstaff; 94 kills (most powerful Drakar); Shadow Armor; items of note: Masterbelt, Boots of Stealth, Deep Red Ioun Stone; 1 death.
Ajantis
lvl 6 Paladin, 68 HP; **Bastard Swords, **2H Sword +1, *Dead Shot Longbow, *Two-Handed Weapon Style; 131 kills (most powerful Mustard Jelly); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Helm of Infravision, Gauntlets of Dex, Girdle of Bluntness, Boots of Avoidance, Algernon's Cloak, Ring of the Princes +1; 4 deaths
Khalid
lvl 6 Fighter, 78 HP; ****Varscona +2, *Axes, *Longbows; 191 kills (most powerful Flesh Golem); Full Plate Mail; items of note: Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise, Large Shield +1, Ring of the Princes +1; 3 deaths.
Jaheira
lvl 5/6 Fighter/Druid, 65 HP; **Club +1, *Quarterstaves, **Sling +1; 130 kills (most powerful Revenant); Ankheg Plate Mail; items of note: Boots of the North, Gauntlets of Weapon expertise, Ring of the Princes +1, Large Shield +1; 4 deaths.
Quayle
lvl 5/4 Cleric/Illusionist; 24 HP; *Ashideena +2, *Slings, *Short & Shield Style; 22 kills (most powerful Corsone); Adventurer's Robe; items of note: Robe of the Neutral Archmagi, Ring of Holiness, Ring of Wizardry, Cloak of the Wolf, Wands of Fire/Lightning/Paralyzation; 3 deaths.
Note that I did metagame with a couple of items (Ankheg Armor in Nashkel, Ring of Wizardry, Algernon's Cloak). The reason for this was to do something about the high death rate and the expenses on raising party members. There is no metagaming in terms of handling encounters though.
William Tell's gone. My stupid insistence on taking on a group of Shadow Druids in the Cloakwood cost him his life. I was supposed to take of him, so I cannot but feel like a complete failure.
We had traveled through the Cloakwood without encountering much trouble (except Spiders and Ettercaps we dispatched, and two Wyverns that ambushed us). At the Druid enclave, a few Druids recognized me and attacked us on sight, but we slew them. I then explained to my companions the vile ways of the Shadow Druids and urged them to seek out Amarande, their archdruid, with me so that we could put an end to the Shadow Druids' evil actions. In his treehouse he managed to conjure a Fire Elemental, a powerful ally, in spite being hit repeatedly by Tell and Imoen. I'm sure Tell would have used his Bolts of Biting but he got charmed by one of Amarande's aides. An Insect Plague and a Chaos then had most of us lose control of ourselves, and Imoen suffered an even worse fate: Petrification. [Note Blackraven: in the following image you can see that three of the party were even stunned, I suppose due to a lot of Chromatic Orbs.]
[Note Blackraven: While I was busy getting Tell's companions into safety, I noticed a fraction too late that Tell's charm had worn off. I moved him toward the stairs and thought he was making it downstairs, when a Hold Monster hit him. The others were outside and too late to heal him. I also had no inivisibility that Quayle could cast on Tell.]
I've fallen back into my habit of not even no-reloading my way through BG1...
I'm disappointed with Tell's unncessary death, but it was a strictly roleplayed playthrough. The party weren't going to ignore Jaheira's pleas, and led by LG Ajantis and LG William Tell they weren't going to assassinate Amarande while still neutral either. They wouldn't even use short duration buffs. Instead, they would openly confront Amarande and if battle would ensue, then so be it.
The real problem though, is that Blackraven lacks the intelligence to process and respond to multiple actions taking place at pretty much the same time, and he also lacks the patience to hit the space bar every split second during battles involving a multitude of characters. This makes him particularly mediocre at playing full parties, and it has also cost him many a solo character's life.
@CharlestonianTemplar, I'm afraid you're on your own again... unless someone else is joining the challenge.
Dragon Magazine #274 has a lot of ideas for running a p&p campaign as a Dungeon Master. It contains:
* Legends of Sherwood: Ian Malcomson offers up a series of interconnected articles that form the backbone of a 3E Robin Hood campaign.
* Steal from the Rich: Sets up the historical and societal background of the Nottingham region, and includes details for running campaigns in purely historical (no magic), "legendary" (low-magic), and fantasy (typical magic) mode.
* Wolfsheads: Adventures for Heroic Outlaws: Nuts and bolts info for running the Robin Hood campaign, including such things as a list of DCs for persuading peasants to help the outlaw PCs, discussion of what classes are most appropriate for such a campaign, four new ranged weapon feats (Ranged Disarm, Deflect Ranged Attack, Ranged Pin, and Ranged Sunder), tips for handling trick shots, and several adventure hooks.
* The Great Greenwood: A Mini-Gazetteer of Robin Hood Country: This list of places is a companion to the
poster map previously mentioned. Included is a stat block for a "Typical Saxon Village."
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Rogues and Royal: Lots of NPCs for the Sherwood campaign, from "Typical Norman Soldier" to Robin, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, and many more. All in 3E format of course.
I tried to find a free PDF of Dragon Magazine #274 that I could grab you a link to: here's one that offers a 5-day free trial but does ask for CC info. It wouldn't be much anyway $3 or $4 but you might be able to download it & cancel right away.
dragon magazine archive pdf downloaddragon magazine pdf archive
My own thoughts for your consideration are:
He'd be a Ranger, likely an Archer b/c bows were his main weapon but he often fought w/a Long sword. Robin Hood wasn't a Thief in the traditional sense, e.g. picking pockets, etc but you might also play him as a Thief w/Subclass of Swashbuckler or Charming Rogue. He'd have skill w/a Long Sword, Scimitar or something. He & his 'men' would likely prefer to camp outside in the wood than stay in an inn so you'd have to mod to 'sleep anywhere'.
Kivan & Coran are both close. I always play Kivan as an Archer & Coran as a Fighter/Thief-Swashbuckler. In, the latter case you get the Move Silently/Hide in Shadows, Find/Remove Traps, skills I'd think would be appropriate for Robin Hood. Again, their swords are important too & I'd not take Kivan's spear - that works I think too.
I'd read or scan everything I could find from Ivanhoe (great portrayal of Robin Hood) to Wikipedia to gather my thoughts on how to play him. I'd also watch the Kevin Costner & Russell Crowe versions of Robin Hood (I like the Russell Crowe version b/c Robin Hood was in some stories an Archer on the 3rd Crusade w/King Richard the Lionheart. As Robin of Loxley he was a minor noble as is Gorion.
Last thoughts before you fall asleep reading this: You could build your 'Band of Merry Men' from the BG NPCs. Minsc could be made into Little John, you could keep him as a Ranger or play around w/his class but I'd definitely give him slots w/a Long Bow like he has in BGII. Also, staves were a big part of the stories, so you might go out on a limb & give him a staff instead of a two-handed sword; after that Kivan as an Archer and/or Coran as a Fighter/Thief-Swashbuckler as I mentioned above; Khalid as an Archer; Jaheira as a straight Druid or Fighter-Druid (spells & healing) is appropriate (in BGII she could be your Maid Marian). Friar Tuck would be hard to work in - Tiax seems closest but he's thoroughly evil & doesn't fit. And, of course, Imoen as a Thief-Swashbuckler or Charming Rogue would be good. I don't think I'd carry a Mage but I might throw in one of the NPCs as a Wizard Slayer w/Bow Skills for knocking out Mage enemies.
Of course, you could build each of the Merry Men from scratch, I just prefer to use the NPCs as given.
Either way, find some good portraits for M & S & have fun. One site I use is DeviantArt - just type in Robin Hood, Archers, etc & see what you find. Then you COULD just use Crowe or Costner, etc & grab images from the films.
GREAT IDEA. I hope you do it. Btw, this is how I come up w/all my PCs - it takes a while as you can see.
CT
Key Event(s)…& defeated the mad cleric Bassilus that Nalin had mentioned in our last visit. Bassilus had with him 11 skeletons armed w/Heavy Crossbows & Two-Handed Swords as well as two Zombies. These were summarily destroyed when Dynahier cast a Fireball right @ Bassilus which killed all but maybe one or two instantly. I quaffed a Potion of Clarity & Minsc transformed to his enraged state of mind & we went in to kill Bassilus. I think I got the kill on him but Minsc made have landed the death blow. When we’re both hacking away @ a single enemy, besides the fact that is sucks to be them, all either one of us sees is a flurry of our swords swinging @ the unfortunate target.
DESTROYING BASSILUS' 'FAMILY'
There were quite a few other monsters & hostile animals that we defeated including: eight more Dread Wolves; four skeletons armed w/Composite Long Bows; a wolf; nine Gibberling’s; three Hobgoblins from the Ripper Tribe armed Composite Long Bows & Bastard Swords (x2) & Short Sword (1); ~ eight zombies; six skeletons armed w/Maces & Darts w/Bucklers; six ghouls; three Bandits & three Worgs.
We had an odd-encounter w/a talking chicken named Melicamp. He said he was an apprentice of Thalantyr & that he’d accidently polymorphed himself permanently. Turned out his story was slightly embellished & not entirely true but we decided his only chance was Thalantyr himself. Sure enough, Thalantyr returned Melicamp to his former state.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 21,965 gold) Bassilus’ Holy Symbol; Bloodstone Amulet;
Current Disposition: In Beregost, staying @ the Red Sheaf. Beregost will remain my base of operations for the time being.
Next Steps: Travel to the Lighthouse
Level Up: Jaheira was granted Initiate of the 7th Circle (Druid//9) & she added Insect Plague, Resist Fire/Cold & Doom. Jaheira prefers to summon animals to defeat our enemies (Note: AI = Druid Summoning).
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 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)
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* Name Levels are ancient, AD&D titles that used to represent each new level in a class
I'd actually see Imoen as Maid Marian more than Jaheira, actually. The damsel in distress that must be rescued; a fair maiden who is light of foot and sweet of spirit. Jaheira's more like Marian's maid from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. T_T
I also just had the best idea for an IWD:EE party. The White Company. I don't know if any of you ever read that book, but The White Company is a historical adventure by Arthur Conan Doyle set during the Hundred Years' War. The story is set in England, France, and Spain, in the years 1366 and 1367, against the background of the campaign of Edward, the Black Prince, to restore Peter of Castile to the throne of the Kingdom of Castile. The "White Company" of the title is a free company of archers, led by one of the main characters. It's got four "main" characters, all of whom would be great in the game. A couple of the slightly more minor characters from the Company to round out the team and it'd be awesome! The group would definitely be a combination of fighters (unkitted single class only) and archers, which would probably make a pretty devastating team in IWD.
'The "White Company" of the title is a free company of archers', sounds like a great run. I see them as more' hit & run' (guerrilla), heavily using Composite Bows, Short Bows & Crossbows (that way you can get an enchanted version of all your bows @ some point). Wanna make sure you can get 5 proficiency slots for as many as you can but they should also need to be at least Proficient w/a sword of some type, a staff maybe. One Thief-Swashbuckler too allow you to 'Move Silently/Hide in Shadows' in order the set up 360' ambushes. Like I said, your description, , makes me think of these guys in ambushes as guerrillas. Whatever you do, COOL idea.
Sir Nigel Loring: Human male Fighter, pips in swords, longbows, spears (lances), and shields. He'll wear heavy armour and be the tank of the group.
Alleyne Edricson: Human male Fighter, pips in swords, longbows, maybe shields, and one pip in staff (he starts the book off with one) He'll be the off tank, what with his heavy armour.
Samkin Aylward: Human male Archer, pips in longbows, longswords, and single weapon style. He'll sit back and turn enemies into pincushions.
John of Hordle: Human male Archer, pips in longbows, two handed weapon style, and greatswords/staffs/axes
The group will have a hard time finding enough good longbows, but I think that's just an unfortunate consequence of the group. They were all longbowmen, after all.
Next stop was the Lighthouse overlooking the Sea of Swords on the Sword Coast. There were a couple of early battles w/a pair of mated wolves & three Worgs.
Key Event(s) On one stretch of the sandy coastline we were fighting all the way until we entered, what turned out to be the cave of the Pirate Black Alaric. In about two hours we fought through three Hobgoblins w/Short Bows; three Serine’s w/their deadly Short Bows & Arrows of Biting; three Carrion Crawlers & then three more Serine’s, including their leader, also armed w/ Short Bows & Arrows of Biting. In Alaric’s cave we defeated three Ogrillons & found a super treasure indeed including a set of +1 Full Plate, a Manual of Bodily Health, a Cloak of the Wolf, Potions & over 300 gold. Unfortunately, since it was raining outside, we decided to try & rest to wait out the storm. Having cleared the cave it sounded like a great plan. In hindsight, every time we dozed (twice) another Ogrillon entered the cave & after defeating the first, we lost Minsc to several hard punches to the head & chest before we killed him too. From there, we didn’t press our luck anymore &, exhausted, made our way back to Beregost but still were challenged by three Grey Oozes. I hesitated to confront them, injured myself, & had everyone else clear the immediate area so they would focus their attacks on me. It worked & will killed them rather easily. Back to Nalin to get Minsc Raised & then to town for rest. Here Jaheira improved her best kill to a Sirine.
BATTLING & KILLING THE SIRINE'S
On return we got into a lengthy battle w/nine Ripper Hobgoblins surprisingly led by a Chill Sergeant armed w/Bastard Swords & three w/Short Bows. Coincidently, in the same area we later confronted & defeated three more Ripper Hobgoblins armed also w/Bastard Swords & three w/Short Bows which were likely subordinate to the Chill Sergeant also.; two Dread Wolves, two wolves, then three more Chill Hobgoblins w/Short Bows & Bastard Swords; six Tasloi (I don’t know how these things survive in the wild w/all the more powerful monsters/animals just as aggressive as they are);
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 22,584 gold) Six Pearls; twenty Arrows of Biting (Khalid & Imoen); Cloak of the Wolf (Jaheira); Manual of Bodily Health (Gawain); Full Plate Mail +1 (Gawain ). Unfortunately, I can’t use the +1 Full Plate as it weakens my armor class versus my Full Plate & Cloak of Protection +2 & no one else can use Plate, even Minsc as a Barbarian.
Current Disposition: Resupplying, inventorying, identifying, selling bounty & generally resting & recuperating @ Beregost
Next Steps: Shipwreck Coast
Level Up: Early on we had a visitor from Dynahier’s Mage Guild, the same one the Guildmaster sends each time. How the Guildmaster keeps up w/Dynahier’s progress I don’t know. Still she was informed that she’s granted Warlock (Mage-Invoker//8. She’s added a second Fireball & a Fire Shield Red to memory (Note: Remember in my own rules mages can only write spells in their spellbook from their own school – others they can cast by scroll though.
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(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)/8 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
SOBERING VICTORY...
It all happened when we stumbled on three Sirine’s which we’ve always handled w/ease. The difference this time was that I came under one of their Dire Charm spells. I actually thought about the fact that I had no potions of magic protection & it gave me pause, just not enough to halt. The rest is gone to me except that I came to standing near the beach w/Dynahier lying, obviously un-resurrectable, @ my feet. Khalid & Jaheira remember it like this: The battle started as usual, Minsc & I rushing to melee w/the Sirine’s while the remainder fired arrows, stones or cast spells. The first time the group realized I was charmed was when I attacked & injured Minsc pretty badly. He immediately knew to reposition himself & did so. I’m told I then moved toward my other companions & they all tried to shift their positions to continue to attack the Sirine’s while they awaited the spell affects to wear off. Imoen had already been injured & when she tried to avoid me I cut her down, before returning & finishing Minsc. By now, only one Sirine was dead. Dynahier was blasting them w/spell after spell & had moved around behind them. Khalid finished off a second but not before he saw one of them hit & poison Dynahier w/an Arrow of Biting. She managed to quaff a Potion of Healing & tried to retread to the beach to reach into her pack for an Antidote. I then headed toward Dynahier, still Dire Charmed, & began attacking her while the remaining Sirine continued shooting, & hitting, Dynahier w/her arrows so she was taking poison damage & arrow damage simultaneously. Khalid agreed that I’d been swinging @ her also but said, “There’s no way to know if it was your sword that killed her or another arrow from the Sirine. Dynahier was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from the arrows. One last arrow could have done the same thing as your blade. Don’t blame this on yourself.” I’ll never know for sure but I’m not ready to talk about it w/Minsc yet. Not while he is grieving so. Khalid finally killed the last Siring using Arrows of Fire & we returned as I described above. Minsc was pleased we’d buried her as we did, rather than bringing her back. He took us back to the spot & but we had no tools to build a boat to cast her off to sea in where Khalid would shoot an Arrow of Fire. Instead we built a funeral pyre, uncovered her remains, and placed her gently upon it. We placed rings on her fingers, a necklace around her tiny neck & dressed her in her dress & then Minsc insisted on lighting the pyre himself. We watched until the pyre burned out & then returned to town, rested & then, w/much reticence we approached Thalantyr about another Mage that could willing to travel w/us as we all agreed you need a Mage in Faerun. Thalantyr said the pickings were slim for Mages that were not purely evil. I thought Jaheira might preach balance or something but she didn’t…I think she might be changing her views a bit. He said, “You will find a Mage @ the Nashkel Carnival. He’ll be a Gnome Illusionist w/a sarcastic, cranky disposition & few helpful spells. He can cast every type of Invisibility, including Improved & 10’ Radius. He’ll also be able to cast Blindness, Spook & Deafness but will never be able to reach the more powerful spells except w/a scroll.” We found the Gnome but its obvious Minsc is uncomfortable w/his presence so soon after Dynahier’s passing… but we all agree that we can’t go forward w/o a Mage.
We finished up @ the Shipwreck Coast afterward. In all, we fought & defeated: six Ghouls; an Ogre Mage; two Ogrillons & three Ghouls together; six Carrion Crawlers; three pairs of wolves & four pairs of mated Dire Wolves; a Dread Wolf mated w/a Wolf; three Kobolds; three Ogre’s & then a group of four Ogre Berserkers, three Ogrillons & a Half-Ogre (without a scratch to any of us).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 2,461 gold) Bought Imoen Shadow Armor for 20 some thousand gold. We grabbed three pearls, Moonstone Gym & a Waterstar Gym, etc. @ Shipwreck Coast.
Current Disposition: Recuperating, recovering, resting, resupplying in Beregost @ the Red Sheaf
Next Steps: Lion’s Way, Coast Way, Mutamin’s Garden
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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
Everything worked out as planned. On the Coast Way we walked over six Kobolds w/Short Bow & Short Sword; six Gibberling’s; 14 Diseased Gibberling’s; a pair of mated Dread Wolves; two pairs of mated Wolves; an Ogre & 18 Xvarts.
Key Event(s): As far as key events go, there were none. The only moment of pause came when we were almost done on the Coast Way. We stumbled on three Bandits w/Short Bows & Long Swords led by a young woman in Splint Mail w/Long Bow & Long Sword. After the events @ the Shipwreck Coast the confident challenge made me think for a split second. I was most concerned about the new Mage hoping he’d use his Invisibility spells to protect himself. I noted he also cast Mirror Image so he must also have that one memorized. I released the team to act independently & pick target of opportunity & deal w/them as they determined best. We made short work of them & no one took a scratch.
BANDITS @ COAST WAY
We quickly finished our work on the Lion’s Way next. There we destroyed a pair of mated Dire Wolves; a pair of mated Wolves & six Diseased Gibberling’s.
At this point I feel good about having cleared the roads from Nashkel north to the FAI & eastward from Candlekeep to the Coast Way of monsters, creatures & hostile wildlife. We’ve also cleared those areas adjacent to the main road & south of Nashkel all the way out to the coast & eastward to most of the Wood of Sharp Teeth. People should be much safer travelling these roads & commerce should pick up slowly as people figure that out. Not much I can do about hostiles that return, as they are sure to do, but the original inhabitants are no more. The only areas I’ve yet to visit are Mutamin’s Garden & Durlag’s Tower. I’ve read much about Durlag’s Tower & I plan to visit there but not just yet. I want us to train together before we assault the keep there.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 2,790 gold) Nothing to speak of. Minsc took the Splint Mail as a second set should his suddenly deteriorate.
Current Disposition: We sold the minimal loot, resupplied w/arrows & sling stones, had dinner & relaxed & recuperated @ the Red Sheaf.
Next Steps: Mutamin’s Garden
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****, Mace +1, (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/9 w/Leather +1 w/Gauntlets of Ogre Power & Cloak of the Wolf; Sling*, Club +2 (Eye of the Storm)*, (Sirine)(Druid Summoning)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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 killed four Gnolls & a Ghoul before I fought a duel w/a mouthy female warrior of some kind w/dual-handed swords. I won easily but spared her life. Then we made quick work of a pair of mated Lesser Basilisks. Onward from there, we ran into six Gibberling’s & moved to swat them. As Minsc & I got to them & all of us began our assault, Jaheira had moved out to the far right to avoid some trees when she came upon a pair of mated Greater Basilisks, one of them enormous in size. At that moment, Mutamin himself came out from behind the trees & challenged us. As Jaheira tried to back out of range, she was hit with a Basilisks Gaze from both Greater Basilisks. She was Petrified once & then obliterated w/the second.
Minsc finished the Gibberling’s while I turned my companion’s on Mutamin. I moved to take on the Monster Basilisk after having knocked down a Potion of Mirrored Eyes. I was hit multiple times w/their gaze &, despite the potion, their gaze rocks you when it finds its mark. While I was punishing the larger of the two, Minsc & the remainder of us finished Mutamin off. By this time, I was just finished killing the larger of the two Basilisks & heading for the second before the potion could wear off. Minsc & the others turned their attention on her also & we killed her as a team.
Then, not knowing Jaheira’s fate yet, we all went to find her so that we could use a scroll of Stone to Flesh to revive her. We looked everywhere & found nothing. Eventually, we all realized that a pile of stones & sand right near where she’d last been seen was the unwanted answer to her fate. Khalid just stood there, staring. Imoen walked over, even Minsc, to be with him in that moment while I stood taking this in from opposite him. After only a few moments that seemed like hours, he looked @ me & said, “Sh-sh-shall we be going? We’ve much work yet to do.” Imoen asked if he didn’t want to move the stones elsewhere or bury them. He replied, “N-n-no. I think she would want to remain here. With the Gnome destroyed, nature can return to its normal state here. Sh-she would want to remain her, I think. This pile of stones a monument to her commitment to defending nature.” He leaned down & took a small stone from the pile & placed it into a pouch on his girdle. Then he said, “She’ll always be w/me & after we’re done, I’ll return to this place where my beloved, Jaheira fell…Now let us destroy any more of these monsters at once!” With that he turned & led us back to where we’d begun the seemingly quick battle w/the Gibberling’s. How quickly things can go wrong out here. There’s so much responsibility that comes w/leading warriors who trust you. Khalid’s correct. We have work to do…our fallen will not fall in vain nor shall their vengeance be dispensed w/o extreme prejudice!
From there we dispensed of, in order: four more Gnolls, four Gnoll Veteran’s, four adventurers...
SHE PICKED THE WRONG DAY TO BE MOUTHY
...a Greater Basilisks mated with one of the lesser types, a pair of mated Lesser Basilisks, four Gnoll Elites; four Flinds & a lone Lesser Basilisk.
We travelled, troubled & silent back to Beregost. The weight of losing two such valued companions is heavy on me. When we returned I made business a priority to keep all of us from dwelling in that dark place for long. We sold substantial bounty, bought arrows & sling stones, rested @ the Red Sheaf, & then approached Kelddath @ the Temple of the Morning about a Cleric to aid our efforts. He directed us to the Nashkel Carnival once again where he said we’d find a Priestess of Tempus who would add both strength to our front line & bring an offensive spell set. I remembered her, we all did, but thought she would’ve moved on. As we travelled there, Khalid said to me, “We had to find another, you know? Jaheira who’d have wanted us to move on.” Sure enough the Priestess was there & joined us readily. I purchased her a set of Plate Mail, a Large Shield & a Warhammer & she provided us a Warriors feast as our first meal together. And what a feast it was: roast lamb, salted fish & pork, goat & plenty of fresh bread, fresh fruit & honey on buttered bread & honey mead to wash it all down. I know of Tempus, The Lord of Battles, but nothing in the readings @ Candlekeep prepared me for a meal like that. (This is an innate ability of the Warrior Priest(ess) of Tempus kit).
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 3,852 gold) Adventures Robe (Quayle); Gems/Jewelry: Black Opal, two Garnet, Flame Dance Ring; Many Scrolls
Current Disposition: I moved us from Beregost north to the FAI. This will be a better place to rest & resupply during the next few weeks.
Next Steps: The Spider Wood east of the FAI
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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• 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)
• Branwen: Priestess of Tempus/7 w/Plate Mail, Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(None)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue)/8 w/Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist)/8) w/Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Gibberling)(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 we finally did get to Spider Wood the place lived up to its name. We immediately came across three Huge Spiders & then an Ettercap. We turned south & travelled w/a rocky, heavily wood line to our left. About half way through we fell upon a nest of spiders including a Sword Spider, a Phase Spider & six (or seven) Giant Spiders. A web trap sprung but both Minsc & I are able to negotiate freely in webs so we continued our work while the others stood back @ range, well except Branwen, she obviously likes getting into the fray & punishing enemies w/her Warhammer.
We followed that by defeating three Giant Spiders, three Ettercaps & six more Huge Spiders respectively.
Key Event(s): We were just wrapping when we stumbled on the ruins of a temple. Moving closer we were attacked by four Red Wizards before we could even respond. I attacked followed closely by an Enraged Minsc. Khalid switched to Arrows of Biting, Quayle cast Deafness on the leader & Branwen cast Silence 15’ Radius in the midst of them. Imoen cast Magic Missiles at the wizards to disrupt their casting. None of the four of them ever got off a spell.
DEFEATING THE FOUR RED WIZARDS
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 5,399 gold) Four Mage Robes (two Cold, one Fire & one Electrical Resistance); some 14 Scrolls including Melf’s Acid Arrow, Web, Chromatic Orb, etc. two Waterstar Gyms
Current Disposition: Resting, resupplying, recuperating @ the FAI
Next Steps: North to the Fishing Village
Level Up: Imoen was notified by a rider that she was now a full THIEF (Thief/Charming Rogue//9). The rider had a letter from Imoen’s Guild master asking her if she still pledged her loyalty the Guild & if she intended to break off & start her own. Imoen said she was happy w/her Guild & intended to continue travelling w/me for the foreseeable future. The rider rode off convinced that Imoen was no threat to the Guildmaster’s status. Imoen improved to (F/Remove Traps & Pick Locks 100%; Hide in Shadows 45% (60% w/her Shadow Armor) & Move Silently 50%. She’s put no effort into other Thieving Skills. She also added Luck & Glitterdust to her innate abilities to compliment two each Magic Missiles, Invisibility, Charm Person, Reflected Image, Friends, Set Snare. (Note: Innate to Charming Rogues)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; HP84; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/7): HP45; Plate Mail, Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(None)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (No kills)(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 came upon some of the local fisherman in a hamlet & they complained vociferously about a Priestess of Umberlee that was preventing them from fishing, their livelihood. They claimed she’d even killed one of them w/rough seas she is able to conjure up @ will. They told us we’d find her in a shack north of the hamlet but it was all the way into Wyrm’s Crossing. We found her easily enough & she was indeed belligerent & attacked us. We’d started to dismantle her & she was unable to cast even a spell. She suddenly begged for mercy & told us that the fisherman had killed her mother & taken a bowl from her that could control the seas, Bowl of Water Elemental Control. In the end we killed her but I’m pretty sure her story was true. It’s just that she’s a Priestess of Umberlee & that means there’s one less evil priestess out there. Still on return to the fisherman it became clear that they were lying & I had a good mind to unleash on them. But…I decided it wasn’t worth it & the deaths of backwater fisherman wouldn’t solve anything. They paid up w/a Flail +1 which has Minsc thinking he was to learn to weapon style fighting for those times when Spiders Bane isn’t the answer.
Key Event: I was given the sad task of helping an old farmer locate his missing son. The answer was simple based on tracks he showed us & an underground tunnel that led to a series of Ankheg Tunnels, we were later to learn. We had little trouble in the burrows, killing 11 Ankheg’s. Ankheg’s always have a gem or some gold on them but in the burrow there was a treasure in a small cave in the wall. We found, amongst gyms, jewelry & gold farmer Brun’s son. We carried his body back to his father who was devastated & fearful that he’d lose his farm. We gave him 100 gold to help him & take the fear of losing his farm to take some of his burden during this hard time.
After that we had to go to High Hedge to try & identify two potions we found w/Thalantyr. Even though I know what they are I like to be sure but unfortunately Thalantyr couldn't say for sure. While there, we killed three skeletons & Brown Bear.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 8,318 gold) Gems: Mithril Ring, Fire Opal Ring, etc.; Scrolls: Blur, Invisibility, etc.; Flail +1 (Minsc);
Current Disposition: Resting @ the FAI after selling loot, resupplying & enjoying a Warriors Feast.
Next Steps: Finish reconnaissance in force @ Wyrm’s Crossing onward to the Farmlands & then to Ulgoth’s Beard.
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; HP84; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/7): HP45; Plate Mail, Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(Wizard Defensive)
HERE ARE THE REPLACEMENT MEMBERS OF MY STRIKE FORCE
BRANWEN RECORD
BRANWEN INVENTORY
QUAYLE RECORD
QUAYLE INVENTORY
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: Just helping the farm families to be safe to tend their crops.
HELPING THE FARMERS
I find that Branwen & I have grown closer than warriors should be. That worries me because I've already seen two friends die, Dynahier & Jaheira, & those closest to them suffer, Minsc & Khalid respectively. If I lose Branwen I may never forgive myself & lose my edge. I admire the warrior spirit in her & would not interfere w/her regardless of my feelings but, Ugh!
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,321 gold – purchased three Raise Dead Scrolls & four Potions of Mirrored Eyes); Gave the set of Plate of the Dark, Full Plate +1 to Branwen
Current Disposition: Rested in the two rooms available @ the Ulgoth’s Beard Inn. We were hit up quickly, not once but twice, to travel to Durlag’s Tower. So be it. Moved back to Nashkel for the time being while we assault Durlag’s Tower.
Next Steps: Durlag’s Tower
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/7; HP84; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/7): HP45; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling(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’s taken exactly 280 days this morning to reach Durlag’s Tower, the same amount of time since Gorion & I left Candlekeep travelling in the unknown. Today is 8 Alturiak, 1370 & it is this day I plan to enter Durlag’s Tower.
Getting to the Drawbridge required us to hack through three Doppelgangers. The Drawbridge itself is apparently un’manned’ so besides the Doppelganger’s getting to the Barbican was easy enough & since it too was wide open we were able to march unhindered into the Bailey. Once there, I wanted to clear any dangers in the Bailey & check the Curtain Wall Battlements to make sure we were safe from ambush. To do just that we battled two Greater Doppelgangers in the Bailey courtyard. The Battlements on the Curtain Wall were another story & we ended up defeating another Battle Horror w/six Skeletons armed w/Composite Longbows & Halberds to the left of the Portcullis. To the right we were attacked by two skeletons armed w/Composite Longbows & Halberds which Imoen & Khalid smashed from down below. Climbing a stone staircase to where the skeletons had attacked us, we were confronted by & defeated a Doom Guard w/four Skeleton’s armed w/Warhammer (2), Morning Star (1) & Composite Longbow & Halberd. We gathered what treasure they had & headed for the ‘Gatehouse.’ It doesn’t appear to be a traditional Gatehouse but it has a Drawbridge & another Portcullis, although the Drawbridge doesn’t span a trench like the Drawbridge to the Barbican does. The Gatehouse is covered appropriately w/Murder Holes I did note.
BATTLING ON THE BATTLEMENTS
Key Event: The Ground Floor of the inner keep was unspectacular. Besides Imoen disarming a trap & a few pieces of gold there was little of interest. It wasn’t’ until we purchased a ward stone from the ‘Guide’ we hired in Ulgoth’s Beard that the tide went out on us. Suddenly a Skelton figure in Black Armor appeared threatening us literally & figuratively. He tossed Fireballs like they were innate to him & every one of us retired from the tower to safety as we were all injured save Quayle who’d smartly backed off to work @ range w/his spells.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,321 gold) Pearl Necklace, Sphene Gym, et al;
Current Disposition: Camped not far from the location of the natural arch where we’d earlier battled three Doppelganger’s. We sold what we could to an opportunist merchant who makes his gold selling items @ exorbitant prices to adventures daring to enter Durlag’s stone Motte & Bailey.
Next Steps: Back into the keep & upwards on the spiral starcase
Level Up:
• Branwen’s patron deity, Tempus, increased her power. She is now a Matriarch (Cleric//Priestess of Tempus/8) & was granted Cure Disease, Zone of Sweet Air, Cure Serious Wounds & Defensive Harmony.
• I humbly accept an increase in rank & ability to Superhero (Fighter/8)
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
ELEVATION TO SUPERHERO
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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: Imoen found a chest that was locked & that she didn’t detect any trap on. Even w/her skill (100%) @ detecting/removing traps, once she opened it a Lightning Bolt loosed & it was bad. Everyone tried to take cover but before the bolt stopped bouncing off walls, down halls & dissipated it had taken both Branwen & Minsc. Once again, we were all scorched except Quayle but he has to stay clear b/c a puff of wind could chunk him. Thankfully, my two lost companions could be raised so I got them directly to Kelddath & paid him the gold required for the service, 1600 gold.
That night, Branwen & I were sitting @ a candlelit table near the fireplace @ the Nashkel Inn. She’s been trying to teach me how to speak to a woman, the whole chivalry part of knighthood. I must have done well because she agreed to share my bed that night. It’s official now. Great stress relief but it cuts into the sleep.
Returning the next day we killed six Doppelganger’s coming & going. Inside we found an entrance to a Bastion. I sent Imoen up having used her innate Invisibility while still checking for traps. She came back down the stairs & reported that a lone Lesser Basilisk was waiting just outside the door. I quaffed a Potion of Mirrored Eyes & went up alone to eliminate the threat. Up a long, straight, stone staircase we killed four Gnolls before finding another Bastion that circled the entire keep. Once again, Imoen went up using Invisibility. She reported three Greater Basilisks up there so I had Quayle cast a Protection from Petrification Scroll on me while I quaffed another Potion of Mirrored Eyes just in case. I went up alone again & destroyed them. Man those things are big reptiles.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,606 gold) Gems/Jewelry: Pearl Necklace, Bloodstone Amulet
Current Disposition: Resting near the Keep on the stone path that leads to Nashkel thru the Carnival.
Next Steps: Up to the 2nd Floor of the Keep
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
GAWAIN RECORD
GAWAIN INVENTORY
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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: As soon as we topped the spiral staircase onto the 2nd floor, Imoen detected a trap at the entrance to a hallway directly across from the stairs. She Removed Traps & then I had her use her innate Invisibility to scout the hallway. She snaked around a half-C hallway until she found a chamber & was questioned by a Ghost who I guess could Detect Invisibility. She kept him from acting in an aggressive fashion for a few moments but then he turned on her. She got off one of her innate Magic Missiles (she’s poppin’ off five @ a time now). She retreated back to the where we had arranged ourselves to face a foe coming behind her down the hall. Nothing happened so she used her innate Invisibility again (not sure why in retrospect) & slipped back down the hall until he saw her again. She fired off her 2nd & last Magic Missile but we’re not sure if it got him b/c suddenly he was in the midst of us. I immediately used one of my innate Draw on Holy Might spells, Minsc & Branwen went into their Enraged state. I’m not sure what Quayle did. He usually casts a protection spell of some sore on himself & the casts Blindness. (He doesn’t use Spook or Deafness as much as I’d like & he usually has Protection from Normal Missiles in his quick item slot along with Potions of Healing & Antidotes in the other two slots. He did manage after the battle to pull a two Scrolls of Dispel Magic out of his pack & use them to dispel a Confusion Spells that had affected me, Minsc & Branwen. Khalid, meanwhile, fired Arrows of Biting. Minsc got the kill.
After that we unlocked a few chests, Imoen removed a few traps & we almost had a run-in w/a rogue that was working the same floor. He backed down & we raided the chests right under his nose.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,544 gold)
Current Disposition: I returned us to Nashkel to identify a wardstone & a potion or two. I couldn’t do it as Nalin wasn’t able so we made our way north to Kelddath who could. Back in Nashkel we’ve spent the night at the inn. Branwen joined me once again.
PERFECT ENDING TO A DAYS WORK
Next Steps: Durlag’s keep, 3rd level; maybe the basement
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Sword Spider)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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) I want to change the M & S portraits of Branwen to those of Lagertha the Shieldmaiden from the Vikings series on History Channel (who's based on a real woman from Norway of the same name & who was married to the infamous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. She is a buttkicking woman & find her exactly what I think Branwen would look like.
a. But...when you pull up an NPC, the only thing you can change really is their Script/AI. I want to change her appearance/portrait. I've already gotten some great M & S Images of Lagertha from the series & sized them for BG but don't know how to do it.
b. I tried to use Shadowkeeper but that seems only to have the basic portraits & few others but does not seem to have an option for 'uploading' an image.
2) Second question is: who can tell me the spells/abilities that are assigned to Kirinhale the Succubus on the third upper level of the keep. I'm writing my update but, as always, that takes me more time than to play the game. I really want to know what spells & abilities she has in order to flesh out my narrative & make it interesting. I don't know how to go in & find code & stuff & I wouldn't know what it meant anyway. :I In AD&D they were able to: cause darkness 5' radius; their kiss drains the victim of one energy level; become ethereal; charm person; ESP; clairaudience; suggestion; shape change (to any humanoid form of approximately their own height and weight), or gate in a type IV Demon (70% chance), type VI = Balrog (25%), or a Demon Lords or Prince (5% chance). I'm sure Kirinhale's abilities are a bit different. Please help.
Thanks for a quick reply folks. Been working on this narrative all day & want to get it posted so I can hit the 1st Labyrinth Level & get into some of the big stuff.
CT
Key Event: It was then that we came across a Succubus without her wings. She claimed they’d been clipped by Durlag Trollkiller & thus she’s been trapped there for hundreds of years. This is the first demon or demoness we have crossed in our travels. Having lived @ Candlekeep I had lessons from the monks on demon kind:
…the Succubus is a member of the Tanar’ri, the dominant subcategory of demons. Originally created by the Obyriths as slaves, they eventually revolted against their masters, killing most of them and taking over as the dominant race of demons in the Abyss. Most known demon lords are Tanar'ri.1 A succubus appears as a stunning woman with flawless skin, long beautiful hair, small horns & large bat-like wings mounted on their backs. They have the following powers, at will, Charm (men preferably), Teleport, become Ethereal, Shape Change & kisses that drain a victims energy. It is said they have other powers, the most terrifying of which is the ability to gate in another more powerful demon: Nalfanshee (70% chance), Balrog (25%), or even one of the lords or princes (5% chance) - there is only a 40% chance of such a gate opening, however. They can perform any of the five demonic roles: Overlord, Assassin, Brute, Corrupter or Manipulators. By far, they are most often the latter two, assuming a beautiful, irresistible, human form in order to tempt mortals with a kiss, or other acts of passion, after which the victim may become weakened and under the control of the succubus. Succubi delight in causing suffering by manipulating the desires of mortals and tempting them into depraved acts that they would normally avoid. This strife often causes the destruction of long-term relationships and sows distrust between life-long friends and lovers. Succubi are not warriors. Their method of causing destruction is slow and manipulative when compared to other demons. A Succubus’ as Corrupter & Manipulator can easily lead mortals seeking a host of perversions, debaucheries & euphoric experiences to become dupes to a life of capitulation of the senses & when the mortals finally give themselves fully to the pursuit of their new sensations & addictions they are drawn into the 570th layer of the abyss, Shendilavri (as soul larvae or still in the flesh). They now belong to Malcanthet, the Demon Queen of the Succubi who takes great pleasure in the torment & ruin of her ‘guests’.
Luckily, in our meeting with this Succubus, Durlag had taken her wings so she could not get airborne but she still had her other innate powers. When she tried to become Ethereal, Imoen used Glitterdust to perfection & we were able to continue to strike her. Truly, this was Imoen’s fight & she got her best kill yet by delivering the killing blow w/a Magic Missile spell, her second one in addition to the Glitterdust that kept the Succubus somewhat visible. Minsc landed at least one damaging blow but everything happened so fast I’m not sure what else happened. Kirinhale was cornered & I expected her to use Teleport to get away but our assault was merciless & we killed her quickly. A demon or demoness’ death comes in various forms. In the case of this Succubus she let out a death cry that was almost overwhelming as her body twisted & tore apart into a vicious whirlwind.3 An incredible, unnerving thing to witness that my words can’t even come close to actually describing!!!
DEATH OF A DEMONESS
Afterward, still shaken from witnessing the demoness’ death but healthy otherwise, I led us down the stairs to the Basement to see what was down there. We smashed five more Ghasts & found various gems & 570 Gold in a trapped and locked tile in a tiled alcove. We also found another doorway but elected to head back out for a while to rest/recover, etc.
Treasure of Note: (Purse = 1,906 gold) 570 Gold in the locked tile
Current Disposition: Resting @ the Nashkel Inn after unloading & resupplying
Next Steps: Continue to the first Labyrinth Level
Level Up: None
Current Party: (Reputation: 20 – Heroic)
• Gawain: Ftr/8; HP91; 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****, Mace +1, (SSS**) (Greater Basilisk)
• Minsc: Fighter (Barbarian/7); HP58; Splint Mai w/Boots of Avoidance, Girdle of Bluntness &Spiders Bane***, Flail 1 x x2/THWS**(Spellcaster Defend)(Davaeorn)
• Khalid: Ranger (Archer/7); HP60; Studded Leather +1 w/Bracers of Archery & Boots of the North, Longbow****, B/Sword* (TWS***)( Sword Spider) (Ranger Ranged)
• Branwen: Cleric (Priestess of Tempus/8): HP48; Full Plate +1 (Plate of the Dark) w/Large Shield & Warhammer*; (Mace*, SSS*);(Ankheg)(Cleric Aggressive)
• Imoen: Thief (Charming Rogue/9); HP34; Shadow Armor, Cloak of Non-Detection & Gandolar’s Lucky Ring w/Short Bow*, Short Sword +1* Dagger +1*, (Kirinhale)(Thief Def)
• Quayle: Mage (Illusionist/8); HP19; Bracers of Defense AC6, Sling* & Dagger +2*, Ring of Energy, Necklace of Missiles, (Diseased Gibberling)(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
You need one medium size (110*170 pixels), and one small (38*60 pixels). Rename those images using a relatively short name, for example Bran_M and Bran_S, and place them in your portraits folder where you also have your Gawain custom portrait. In Shadowkeeper you'll be able to assign the new portraits to Branwen with the 'Change Portrait' button.
I can't help you with the second question, because I think my aTweaked demons are different from your SCS demons. The description in your latest post seems to match my experience with Kirinhale though...