This sounds like the Nazis (edit: just reverse the sexes role). Anyone else here a WWII buff?
I make absolutely no claims either way as to whether or not I based this cult on a real world group with an unfortunate history of violence towards people like myself, nor how few changes I made. Suffice to say that there are things that make Pan sad in this world, and it's generally much nicer if we all stay in Faerun.
Offtopic, but necessary:
@Pantalion I just realized that I should apologize if I caused any offense, it was not my intention. I had merely thought to draw parallel from real life to indicate that your scenario regarding the Cult of Shar is plausible because it has happened before.
Please forgive me if I have brought up some painful memories or otherwise upset you. As my recent activity in this community is fairly new, I am not familiar with everyone's background yet. I was reminded by your description of a movie I just saw called "The boy in the striped pajamas." I also enjoy learning about WW2 because my grandfather fought for America during WW2.
Back on topic.
Unpopular opinions: Sarevok is way too over-dramatized. His voice acting, his character, and his motivations depict an antagonist in the most concocted and media-friendly way. I have a hard time relating to his character, because he is almost "Too evil" to be believed. In addition to his vastly superb voice-acting, Irenicus is a much more compelling and believable antagonist. But I am ok with all of this because Baldur's Gate 1 was still new and in its infancy when it was designed.
Both end game villains are stupid because they keep an incriminating diary. Really, which villain does that unless they want to get caught? I never got caught..... wait..... never mind I said anything.
Both end game villains are stupid because they keep an incriminating diary. Really, which villain does that unless they want to get caught? I never got caught..... wait..... never mind I said anything.
Note that CHARNAME keeps a journal as well, potentially just as incriminating if not more.
Maybe it's a Bhaalspawn thing? You only find Irenicus' journal after he's been infected by you, after all.
People inflicting poison and wizard slayer casting failure via explosives are exploiting a bug in the game engine just as bad as blind thieves hiding in the middle of combat.
Level 9 spells are ridiculously overrated. Mages attain the bulk of their power by the time they get level 5 spells, and by they get level 7 spells they have enough power to take out almost any opponent in the game solo.
People inflicting poison and wizard slayer casting failure via explosives are exploiting a bug in the game engine just as bad as blind thieves hiding in the middle of combat.
That's very appropriate, because both of those people are literally the same person! I invented both of those tricks, and I'm quite proud of finding them. In fact, I used them in the same no-reload run.
You can find journals from other people, like Lord Tombelthen and Mazzy's fellow adventurer Lellyn at the Temple Ruins, and Merella in the same quest, or Yakman in Watcher's Keep. It's not just antagonists and Charname.
Don't worry, @DragonKing. I certainly don't plan on looting your lair. Not like those other people.
Of course. You don't mind I try some spells here? Completely peaceful, just feeblemind or two. "You need to practice in your free time", they said in the magic academy.
I know that semitic. I just find it hilarious. It's about as plausible as saying "Drizzt likes trees and he uses scimitars". A sickle and a scimitar is about as similar as a two-handed mace and a regular hammer.
I've never liked the "steampunk" parts of BG2; the machinery and gadgets. I prefer more "pure" fantasy settings without technology. Hell, the bacta tanks of chateau Irenicus almost feel more SW than FR. I have no idea if this is an unpopular opinion though.
In my latest IWDEE run I've decided to stick with the Josh Sawyer's opinion about kits and other enhancements from BG. It includes using non-kitted characters and no dual-wielding. And here comes my opinion: when you know you're not going to dual-wield, choosing proficiencies becomes easier. IWD is not BG, with a lot of random weapons, so it may be hard (at least, for me it has always been hard) to choose proficiencies for your party characters in IWD. So when I know that I can't put any pips into TWS, I happily get proficiencies in more types of weapons, thus covering myself for unlucky random loot.
I've never liked the "steampunk" parts of BG2; the machinery and gadgets. I prefer more "pure" fantasy settings without technology. Hell, the bacta tanks of chateau Irenicus almost feel more SW than FR. I have no idea if this is an unpopular opinion though.
Fully agree (so not unpopular, at least with me).
Speaking of swords and sorcery settings, am now reading Thieves' World. It is great! It reminds me somewhat of the Fritz Leiber books. I also doubt this is an unpopular opinion.
BG2 is like "the curate's egg", good in parts, (very, very good)
Overall, it's a bit of a mess.
TOB, it's painful to play such a great ending to the whole story (with great "set pieces") which was so obviously not given the time or care that it deserved.
My strongest "unpopular" opinions are about arcane magic. I feel a lot of the spells are badly implemented and breaks immersion completely. Plus they break the balance of the middle to end game completely.
1. Arcane protection spells. Stoneskin and PfMW above all else. I can accept that they greatly reduce damage taken, but no damage? Not even disruption? No matter how hard your skin is I bet you'll get distracted when a giant swings a tree at you. Where does the force of the blow go when you take a huge hit? I know, magic. I don't like it is all. And imho the main reason wizards and sorcerers are the only classes that matter. If they were easier to kill and disrupt the battles would be more tactical.
2. Project image and Simulacrum are both way OP and illogical. I never use them but would prefer if they were not in the game at all.
My strongest "unpopular" opinions are about arcane magic. I feel a lot of the spells are badly implemented and breaks immersion completely. Plus they break the balance of the middle to end game completely.
To be fair, D&D has been breaking the balance in favour of magic since the first edition. Imagine how bad it would be if flight was implemented in BG.
I like Chateau Irenicus and don't understand people who don't.
I'm sad BG2EE slightly cut off the battle theme of level 1. The music's starting sequence is gone and it just instantly skips to the "looped" part now.
Comments
@Pantalion
I just realized that I should apologize if I caused any offense, it was not my intention. I had merely thought to draw parallel from real life to indicate that your scenario regarding the Cult of Shar is plausible because it has happened before.
Please forgive me if I have brought up some painful memories or otherwise upset you. As my recent activity in this community is fairly new, I am not familiar with everyone's background yet. I was reminded by your description of a movie I just saw called "The boy in the striped pajamas." I also enjoy learning about WW2 because my grandfather fought for America during WW2.
Back on topic.
Unpopular opinions: Sarevok is way too over-dramatized. His voice acting, his character, and his motivations depict an antagonist in the most concocted and media-friendly way. I have a hard time relating to his character, because he is almost "Too evil" to be believed. In addition to his vastly superb voice-acting, Irenicus is a much more compelling and believable antagonist. But I am ok with all of this because Baldur's Gate 1 was still new and in its infancy when it was designed.
Maybe it's a Bhaalspawn thing? You only find Irenicus' journal after he's been infected by you, after all.
Special abilities like Poison Weapon, True Sight and Special Snare are ridiculously OP for a lvl1 character.
-crazy stare-
He is a king! Kings are rich!
I bet he has +4 weapons and +2 rings that can be equipped with magic armor! Quick, get him. (I ran out of exclamation marks.)
Don't worry, @DragonKing. I certainly don't plan on looting your lair. Not like those other people.
Anyway... do dragons sleep during the night or...?
I have no idea if this is an unpopular opinion though.
Speaking of swords and sorcery settings, am now reading Thieves' World. It is great! It reminds me somewhat of the Fritz Leiber books. I also doubt this is an unpopular opinion.
Overall, it's a bit of a mess.
TOB, it's painful to play such a great ending to the whole story (with great "set pieces") which was so obviously not given the time or care that it deserved.
1. Arcane protection spells. Stoneskin and PfMW above all else. I can accept that they greatly reduce damage taken, but no damage? Not even disruption? No matter how hard your skin is I bet you'll get distracted when a giant swings a tree at you. Where does the force of the blow go when you take a huge hit? I know, magic. I don't like it is all. And imho the main reason wizards and sorcerers are the only classes that matter. If they were easier to kill and disrupt the battles would be more tactical.
2. Project image and Simulacrum are both way OP and illogical. I never use them but would prefer if they were not in the game at all.
3. Wish. At least as a combat spell. Bonkers.
Glad to let that out. What a relief.