Canon Confusion
demented
Member Posts: 388
So you awake in Irenicus' dungeon. You're tired, sore and imprisoned by a mad man. Then suddenly out of nowhere, Imoen appears and frees you from a cage. But wait a second. Wasn't she mauled to death by werewolves? You remembered seeing her body being torn apart and how devastated you were with her loss. And there's Jaheria, who offered to help you in your quest but you refused. What the heck is she doing in Irenicus' dungeon. And who's the big guy in the corner who talks to you like you're best buddies.
So what do you do? Even if you ignore Minsc and Jaheria as dopplegangers or some sort of trick, Imoen is a different matter. You can tell her to beat it, but once out of the dungeon she's one of your primary motivations throughout the game.
So, to those of you who don't use the canon party, how do you rationalize it? Is all of this one of Irenicus' tricks or have you gone slightly mad during your imprisonment. Maybe it was a dream all along and Imoen was never eaten alive by werewolves.
So what do you do? Even if you ignore Minsc and Jaheria as dopplegangers or some sort of trick, Imoen is a different matter. You can tell her to beat it, but once out of the dungeon she's one of your primary motivations throughout the game.
So, to those of you who don't use the canon party, how do you rationalize it? Is all of this one of Irenicus' tricks or have you gone slightly mad during your imprisonment. Maybe it was a dream all along and Imoen was never eaten alive by werewolves.
Post edited by demented on
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Comments
I rationalize it as follows (assuming I didn't use any of them), Khalid and Jaheira were captured by Irenicus' men to interrogate them about you, this is reasonable as they were friends of Gorion as well as Harpers and presumably know something about you. Imoen is captured (possibly resurrected if neccessary) because she is a child of Bhaal and thus is necessary for Irenicus' plot. Minsc and Dynaheir is the more complex part of the equation, but there could be reasons why they were captured. Perhaps to interrogate them about interactions they had with you (like for example if you rescued Dynaheir from the Gnoll fort), or they may have ended up travelling with Khalid and Jaheira in your absence.
Regardless of how you rationalize it, there is no changing the choices they made when creating Baldur's Gate 2. Practical considerations prevented them from simply importing your party from BG1 so they had to make a choice.
And I'm not criticizing the game for making that choice, just curious as to how others reacted to it.
Back when I used to at least attempt BG2 playthroughs, I would use the steps outlined in this thread to import my BG1 party: http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/31566/heres-my-bg2-beginning-updated
Still, I don't think that there's any solution to the Imoen issue, since she's just too integral to the plot in BG2.
Minsc, though, is a bit tougher. For my current run I did Edwin's quest and when I returned to Nashkel he went berserk and murdered Shar-Teel and Garrick before I fled. Thus, I assume Irenicus captured him far earlier than CHARNAME to extract information about fighting a Bhaalspawn. Kind of flimsy, but meh. Good enough for me.
That's how I do it, at least.
I found that line interesting. He's definite that this isn't to be contested because it's kinda logical. It's like he's certain of what he's saying one minute, then doubts himself the next.
I leave her alone outside Candlekeep and complete BG1 without her, ignore or 'forget' Gorion's advice about speaking to Khalid and Jahiera and don't speak to Minsc in Nashkel.
In BG2 I'm usually irritated (and embarrassed) to be freed by Imoen (my childhood plague) so I'm actually sadistically pleased when Irenecus kidnaps the right royal pain the backside (not, at this stage having any knowledge of our real relationship).
However, I'm seriously peeved that Irenicus had the effrontery to pinch my companion (albeit unwanted) out from right under my nose - not to mention the whole imprisonment and torture issue - so I have good reason to pursue him to Spellhold and seek retribution.
As for Jahiera and Minsc - I've never spoken to them, so I wouldn't recognise them. My alignment may, or may not incline me to release other captives that I find in the same predicament as myself (or need extra help/information).
Obviously all of the above is dependant upon my desired party structure.
I guess to the extent that I do think about it, I assume that the canon party was what actually happened during the events of BG1. The various different games I played were just possible scenarios that never happened.
But i believe you can make your own canon.
It requires a bit of work, but its worth it in the end. Well for me anyway... I recommend the link SharGuidesMyHand posted on here.
My replay of my first revision of the canon party was the PC, Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Xzar, Montaron
Having Xzar and Montaron broke the 6 party canon rule. So i pretty much role played it that after Sarevok's fall that Minsc and Dynaheir regroup with us as a part of eight party canon
This got me thinking... why stop there?
So I decided for my new play through, i would trade Khalid for Ajantis and Jaheira for Branwen, since i have Montaron, i will trade Imoen for Shar-teel.
So my new canon will be that eleven adventures got captured and taken to Irenicus's dungeon.
PC
Imoen
Khalid
Jaheira
Minsc
Dynaheir
Xzar
Montaron
Ajantis
Brawen
Shar-teel
To address plot routes for the new party canon
Xzar & Montaron - I highly recommend to decline Renfeld's request to be taken to Harper Base in the Docks District. Note: That this will cancel the Harper Plot.
Ajantis - Do not take Keldorn or Anomen with you to Windspear Hills
Branwen - Don't think the tutorial counts
Shar-teel - She doesn't break plot here.