I am a resident of the Chicago area in the year 2037 (occupied by Canada) who has come back in time to tell you all that Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition, and primarily, Hexxat, change the world as you know it in many more ways than you can imagine.
For all the forum members who want to know who Hexxat is, what stats/alignment/abilities/items she has, what her story is about etc I would like to make an announcement here.
I highly encourage you to find out it yourselves. It is worth it, believe me. I will update this thread with all the needed screenshots not earlier than Saturday morning
Edit: a few seconds ago, I've got the permission to post the following:
(HEK-sat) Hexxat (Neutral Evil, Human Female, Thief).
A regular patron of the Copper Coronet, she spends most of her time there seeking adventurers to join an expedition to Dragomir's Tomb. Hexxat insists there is great treasure to be found within the tomb, but her distracted air and tentative manner make it difficult for even the most adventurous souls to fully trust her. Even if what she claims is true, she hardly seems capable of the most basic tasks, never mind the raiding of a tomb.
My theory (and bearing in mind that I have no actual basis for this. I am on a Mac and have no access to any files for BG2 at all, so I am just going off info in the Manuals), is that she will actually have two portraits. One is the one we all know and love, but that one will change after various events unfold either early on or mid-way through her quest-chain (or at the end, if her quest is early). This change will be accompanied by either an increase in stats or the unlocking of some unique abilities/skills.
EDit: Thank you bengoshi and Jalily!
In the manual, her description says that she seems distracted and tentative and almost incapable of the most basic tasks. Anyway, in the wake of the idea that she either has brain damage or is being mind-controlled (I suspect the latter is more likely), I have re-assessed her current portrait. Basically, I think it looks a bit drugged up: she has this vacant awe-filled stare that I wasn't sure who to interpret before. Essentially my theory is that she is being used as a kind of automaton or puppet by a powerful mage to gather special artefacts (or possible *is* some kind of automaton, which is always possible), most likely because she was caught stealing from him/her and they saw the value of using a capable thief for his or her own purposes. Its possible that Hexxat isn't even really her (original) name, but is a pseudonym given to her.
Anyway, my theory is that during her quest you will somehow break whatever enchantment it is that binds her. After which she will gain a boost in stats or awaken some kind of special abilities/skills (which were originally hers but may have been suppressed). Its possible that she isn't even human at all, but that her current appearance is actually part of the aforementioned enchantments.
@Eudaemonium they're trying to silence me! Get the word out! Do not /is dragged into a dark alleyway to be disposed of by Jalily/
But yes, you're thinking somewhat among the same lines as me. As far as I'm concerned we still know almost nothing about who Hexxat actually is, even with the spoiled info. She might not even be the person on the portrait. But we'll see tomorrow!
My theory (and bearing in mind that I have no actual basis for this. I am on a Mac and have no access to any files for BG2 at all, so I am just going off info in the Manuals), is that she will actually have two portraits. One is the one we all know and love, but that one will change after various events unfold either early on or mid-way through her quest-chain (or at the end, if her quest is early). This change will be accompanied by either an increase in stats or the unlocking of some unique abilities/skills.
EDit: Thank you bengoshi and Jalily!
In the manual, her description says that she seems distracted and tentative and almost incapable of the most basic tasks. Anyway, in the wake of the idea that she either has brain damage or is being mind-controlled (I suspect the latter is more likely), I have re-assessed her current portrait. Basically, I think it looks a bit drugged up: she has this vacant awe-filled stare that I wasn't sure who to interpret before. Essentially my theory is that she is being used as a kind of automaton or puppet by a powerful mage to gather special artefacts (or possible *is* some kind of automaton, which is always possible), most likely because she was caught stealing from him/her and they saw the value of using a capable thief for his or her own purposes. Its possible that Hexxat isn't even really her (original) name, but is a pseudonym given to her.
Anyway, my theory is that during her quest you will somehow break whatever enchantment it is that binds her. After which she will gain a boost in stats or awaken some kind of special abilities/skills (which were originally hers but may have been suppressed). Its possible that she isn't even human at all, but that her current appearance is actually part of the aforementioned enchantments.
And for those of good alignment this quest might result in a chance to redeem her. I know there are quite a few people who won't be happy with yet another evil NPC, especially the only pure thief available.
And for those of good alignment this quest might result in a chance to redeem her. I know there are quite a few people who won't be happy with yet another evil NPC, especially the only pure thief available.
*hisssss*
EDIT:
Seriously, now. As of the present 2/6 Evil-aligned NPCs have possible redemption arcs. One turns True Neutral, the other Chaotic Good. That's a third, a third of *all* evil-aligned NPCs. Good gets 8 NPCs by default, which rises to 9 if you get Success!Anomen as opposed to Failure!Anomen. This includes 2 part-Thieves. Yes, they are dual-classed, but both are perfectly serviceable as utility thieves. I don't see a path to make Keldorn fall to the dark side, or Valygar, or Nalia. Even Failure!Anomen just falls to Chaotic Neutral, rather than say Neutral Evil.
Please, just this one time. Let us have our cake made of orphans and eat it too. Please.
And for those of good alignment this quest might result in a chance to redeem her. I know there are quite a few people who won't be happy with yet another evil NPC, especially the only pure thief available.
*hisssss*
EDIT:
Seriously, now. As of the present 2/6 Evil-aligned NPCs have possible redemption arcs. One turns True Neutral, the other Chaotic Good. That's a third, a third of *all* evil-aligned NPCs. Good gets 8 NPCs be default, which rises to 9 if you get Success!Anomen as opposed to Failure!Anomen. This includes 2 part-Thieves. yes, they are dulled, but both are perfectly serviceable as utility Thieves. I don't see a path to make Keldorn fall to the dark side, or Valygar, or Nalia. Even Failure!Anomen just falls to Chaotic Neutral, rather than say Neutral Evil.
Please, just this one time. Let us have our cake made of orphans and eat it too. Please.
I never said I wanted her to be good. I usually play evil/neutral parties so she's perfect for my tastes. I'm just saying people will b***h about this (as they do about everything). Having a redemption arc might not be such a bad idea as it will lead to less "Why are all the good NPCs evil" thread.
Yeah, but all the good NPCs are evil so there is some benefit to having to rep-manage and (if RPing properly) getting vastly reduced quest rewards and XP. It's a balance thing.
I never said I wanted her to be good. I usually play evil/neutral parties so she's perfect for my tastes. I'm just saying people will b***h about this (as they do about everything). Having a redemption arc might not be such a bad idea as it will lead to less "Why are all the good NPCs evil" thread.
Oh, please, no. No redemption arc. I'm tired of guys who are so weak of character that their evilness fades away at the slightest sight of the long and narrow path. Be proud of who you are, be the villain you were born to be!
I want the option to corrupt those of good alignment. Just one or two of them - it doesn't need to be everyone...
I find it brilliant that you also have a Tarquin avatar. He's perfect
Well there's always Anomen, but you can't really "corrupt" him, more like turn him into a moody emo if he fails his test.
I think it would have been more interesting if he'd turned NE instead of CN by failing, but still got the Wisdom bonus. Basically, he'd become jaded and cynical and only out for himself, casting away his aspersions to honour and glory, so the wisdom increase would reflect that he'd still 'grown up' just in a different (more twisted) fashion.
I'd love to see a corruption arc for Rasaad. I really wanted to trade him in for Gamaz. I mean, he has his own temple, tons of followers and awesome abilities while Rasaad is stuck doing tricks in Nashkel. You have to admit that based on his success he makes a pretty good case for Shar.
Since we have @Jalily 's blessing to talk about the information contained in the BG2EE manuals,
I'd just like to say how happy I was to discover that Hexxat is indeed evil. Although, I am intrigued by how she's described as unreliable and distracted. I hope she's not an incompetent twit.
Also, it's funny how far we took her racial possibilities. (I really wanted her to be Shadar-kai!) Ah well, at least we provided good entertainment for the devs and beta testers!
I'm finished speculating and am just looking forward to playing BG2EE, old and new content alike.
I think it would have been more interesting if he'd turned NE instead of CN by failing, but still got the Wisdom bonus. Basically, he'd become jaded and cynical and only out for himself, casting away his aspersions to honour and glory, so the wisdom increase would reflect that he'd still 'grown up' just in a different (more twisted) fashion.
Lawful Evil suits him better in my opinion, he's already Lawful, he just needs to take the plunge from "doing what's right" to "doing whatever it takes to bring order to the galax- I mean Realms". He'd be a domineering, oppressive ass, ready with harsh punishments to all who cross the law and extorting the weaker members of society. Best thing; he can still be a follower of Helm, which with both his current CN or suggested NE alignment wouldn't be allowed.
Anomen might actually be a good bit more fun if he let go of his righteousness and self-deception and went Lawful Evil.
If he actually said "I don't care what you think, interfere with my goal and I'll kill you" (and was willing to do it) instead of his normal passive-agressive whining he might well get more done. Other characters might even think of him as something other than either a stick-in-the-mud or a douche.
I'm not going to defend Anomen because I do enough of that But I will say I much more like the "fallen" version you guys describe instead of the somewhat crazy version that is implemented.
Comments
Yes and I m happy Just ad stripes and uncle sam will be happy to
You've been warned.
I highly encourage you to find out it yourselves. It is worth it, believe me. I will update this thread with all the needed screenshots not earlier than Saturday morning
Edit: a few seconds ago, I've got the permission to post the following:
(HEK-sat) Hexxat (Neutral Evil, Human Female, Thief).
A regular patron of the Copper Coronet, she spends most of her time there seeking adventurers to join an expedition to Dragomir's Tomb. Hexxat insists there is great treasure to be found within the tomb, but her distracted air and tentative manner make it difficult for even the most adventurous souls to fully trust her. Even if what she claims is true, she hardly seems capable of the most basic tasks, never mind the raiding of a tomb.
EDit: Thank you bengoshi and Jalily!
In the manual, her description says that she seems distracted and tentative and almost incapable of the most basic tasks. Anyway, in the wake of the idea that she either has brain damage or is being mind-controlled (I suspect the latter is more likely), I have re-assessed her current portrait. Basically, I think it looks a bit drugged up: she has this vacant awe-filled stare that I wasn't sure who to interpret before. Essentially my theory is that she is being used as a kind of automaton or puppet by a powerful mage to gather special artefacts (or possible *is* some kind of automaton, which is always possible), most likely because she was caught stealing from him/her and they saw the value of using a capable thief for his or her own purposes. Its possible that Hexxat isn't even really her (original) name, but is a pseudonym given to her.
Anyway, my theory is that during her quest you will somehow break whatever enchantment it is that binds her. After which she will gain a boost in stats or awaken some kind of special abilities/skills (which were originally hers but may have been suppressed). Its possible that she isn't even human at all, but that her current appearance is actually part of the aforementioned enchantments.
But yes, you're thinking somewhat among the same lines as me. As far as I'm concerned we still know almost nothing about who Hexxat actually is, even with the spoiled info. She might not even be the person on the portrait. But we'll see tomorrow!
EDIT:
Seriously, now. As of the present 2/6 Evil-aligned NPCs have possible redemption arcs. One turns True Neutral, the other Chaotic Good. That's a third, a third of *all* evil-aligned NPCs. Good gets 8 NPCs by default, which rises to 9 if you get Success!Anomen as opposed to Failure!Anomen. This includes 2 part-Thieves. Yes, they are dual-classed, but both are perfectly serviceable as utility thieves. I don't see a path to make Keldorn fall to the dark side, or Valygar, or Nalia. Even Failure!Anomen just falls to Chaotic Neutral, rather than say Neutral Evil.
Please, just this one time. Let us have our cake made of orphans and eat it too. Please.
I find it brilliant that you also have a Tarquin avatar. He's perfect
Also, it's funny how far we took her racial possibilities. (I really wanted her to be Shadar-kai!) Ah well, at least we provided good entertainment for the devs and beta testers!
I'm finished speculating and am just looking forward to playing BG2EE, old and new content alike.
Any word on that concept art?
He'd be a domineering, oppressive ass, ready with harsh punishments to all who cross the law and extorting the weaker members of society.
Best thing; he can still be a follower of Helm, which with both his current CN or suggested NE alignment wouldn't be allowed.
If he actually said "I don't care what you think, interfere with my goal and I'll kill you" (and was willing to do it) instead of his normal passive-agressive whining he might well get more done. Other characters might even think of him as something other than either a stick-in-the-mud or a douche.