It does suck that Ajantis got killed off. He was my favorite on my first playthrough and I always thought it was messed up his death is nothing more than an afterthought. Xzar's death is fine, he was an evil jerk and the harpers are the proper organization to put an end to him.
Xzar's death is fine, he was an evil jerk and the harpers are the proper organization to put an end to him.
Evil jerk? He arguably treats CHARNAME with more respect than any of the other evil characters. I realize that might not be saying much, but still.
Despite (or maybe because of?) his insanity, Xzar is the friendliest of the evil NPCs. He obviously enjoys stories, he's not arrogant and/or powerhungry, doesn't insult charname or other NPCs and it's not just a front. He speaks highly of charname to his superiors. Where do you find an evil NPC who praises you behind your back?
That said, the cameo of Xzar and Montaron completely sucks. Ajantis wasn't ideal either. Coran and Safana... just ugh, what the hell? How did either of them deserve such a silly story? Faldorn - come on... I imagine quite a few people would have liked her as joinable, slightly-upgraded (Avenger kit? Stat increase?) druid instead of Cernd. Faldorn has a lot unexplored backstory, and it all got wasted for that. Quayle, well, yeah, doesn't make sense with the timeline. Tiax in the asylum makes sort of sense, except he isn't even a mage and divine magic is perfectly legal. Khalid and Dynaheir dead for no real reason, again, far from ideal.
At the very least, having Faldorn would allow me to make a team with Keldorn, Faldorn and Dorn. I would name my protagonist something along the lines of Doldorn, then recreate that party in Icewind Dale and go to Lower Dorn's Deep.
Keldorn and Dorn probably fight each other, though. I think I outlined clearly enough, why. Can't blame 'em.
Husam (not in his drunk disguise, though) - He is Shadow Thief from Amn, if anything fits than his present in Athkatla's thieves guild.
While on the subject of Shadow Thieves, I would've liked to have seen Narlen Darkwalk return. Not only did he have a memorable personality, but if you completed his quests, he saves your assess from the thieves' guild by backstabbing and chunking that troublemaking wizard. That character in BG2 who always says "Cooooo!" (I forget his name) was basically a rip-off of Narlen.
Tamah ~ her submerged house is just too juicy a psychological metaphor to be wasted. It really should have been where one of the early Gift-items [Ring of Princes, Evermemory, Batalista's Passport or Dushai's Ring] should have been stashed. Perhaps in a Giant Python encounter. . I have had a thing for her ever since summoning Wild Dogs to help Korax. Then as I was pondering how to best approach Mutamin, lo and behold, the doggies, that I expected to simply disappear without further ado, had destroyed Tamah, Stone-Form and all.... Shock!
Samuel~. Who the heck was he?? Why was the Flaming Fist interested in him for desertion?? Perhaps he was framed in some Amnish plot. Why did the party have to take him all the way to Gellana's Temple at FAI for healing?? He would certainly have a strong incentive to offer any Protagonist his assistance in BG2. Laryssa could also show up somehow if another bonded pairing is of interest. Actually then, the matter of whether or not you demanded her Jade Ring as payment in BG1, could be significant
Xzar's death is fine, he was an evil jerk and the harpers are the proper organization to put an end to him.
Evil jerk? He arguably treats CHARNAME with more respect than any of the other evil characters. I realize that might not be saying much, but still.
Despite (or maybe because of?) his insanity, Xzar is the friendliest of the evil NPCs. He obviously enjoys stories, he's not arrogant and/or powerhungry, doesn't insult charname or other NPCs and it's not just a front. He speaks highly of charname to his superiors. Where do you find an evil NPC who praises you behind your back?
That said, the cameo of Xzar and Montaron completely sucks. Ajantis wasn't ideal either. Coran and Safana... just ugh, what the hell? How did either of them deserve such a silly story? Faldorn - come on... I imagine quite a few people would have liked her as joinable, slightly-upgraded (Avenger kit? Stat increase?) druid instead of Cernd. Faldorn has a lot unexplored backstory, and it all got wasted for that. Quayle, well, yeah, doesn't make sense with the timeline. Tiax in the asylum makes sort of sense, except he isn't even a mage and divine magic is perfectly legal. Khalid and Dynaheir dead for no real reason, again, far from ideal.
Garrick and Neb were fine though.
Khalid dying had a rather profound affect on the plot, so it was alright with me. Other than that, completely agree.
Same can't be said for Dynaheir, of course. Dynaheir was offed in such a manner that it really didn't affect the plot. There's the initial "ouch, Dynaheir's dead..." But then there's no ebb effect. Minsc gets over it very quickly and no one else even seems to notice. Hell, Aerie, who never knew Dynaheir, is more sympathetic than, say, Jaheira.
Samuel ~ an unresolved Mystery that we carried with us for several days?? I could easily imagine his having a VERY interesting backstory involved with Bentley and Gellana Mirrorshade.
Samuel ~ an unresolved Mystery that we carried with us for several days?? I could easily imagine his having a VERY interesting backstory involved with Bentley and Gellana Mirrorshade.
Excellent choice, particularly considering he was a deserter from the Flaming Fist and one of the new NPCs is a member of that organization.
Had to look him up... GREAT choice! He appears at Nalia's dad's funeral in Shadows of Amn as well, which is pretty damn cool.
Actually the first time I saw him, I was like "wow his name is so cool! He must be important" but I was disappointed with the fact that you don't interact much with him.
I was also thinking about Shandalar's daughters, 3 evil bi..hes you would be forced to deal with and you couldn't do much about it OR THEY WILL CALL DADDY Could add fun to the plot
Ya, Gorpel Hind and Narlen of the thieves guild would be my picks. Escpecially Narlen, with his 'nobody expects the spanish inquisition!' way of appearing.
Which of course begs the question of what Shank and Carbos will be up to in Dragonspear... you know, after you killed them in Candlekeep. Always liked that bit where you could meet their mother in Baldur's Gate and she's worrying about them... and there you are looking sheepish and tugging at your collar thinking 'Is it hot in here? Oooh, I'd better go...'
Something has to explain how they ended up in the Bridge District.
What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober? What about Noober?
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Aldeth Sashenstar.
On the topic of joinable NPCs: if I could choose but one lost character to return in BG2, it would be Yeslick.
It makes me sad he was left behind since he seems to be a perfect choice for "canon" companion. He's lost his clan and his mine which means he's got nowhere else to go. Why not stay with the hero of Baldur's Gate?
He would've been an alternative not only to Korgan for good-aligned parties who can't do without the token dwarf (you know every party since the fellowship of the ring needs one) but to Anomen.
Comments
Perhaps as a cameo in the chapter 6, giving a hint about the future ambush and your capture.
That said, the cameo of Xzar and Montaron completely sucks. Ajantis wasn't ideal either. Coran and Safana... just ugh, what the hell? How did either of them deserve such a silly story? Faldorn - come on... I imagine quite a few people would have liked her as joinable, slightly-upgraded (Avenger kit? Stat increase?) druid instead of Cernd. Faldorn has a lot unexplored backstory, and it all got wasted for that. Quayle, well, yeah, doesn't make sense with the timeline. Tiax in the asylum makes sort of sense, except he isn't even a mage and divine magic is perfectly legal. Khalid and Dynaheir dead for no real reason, again, far from ideal.
Garrick and Neb were fine though.
Keldorn and Dorn probably fight each other, though. I think I outlined clearly enough, why. Can't blame 'em.
. I have had a thing for her ever since summoning Wild Dogs to help Korax. Then as I was pondering how to best approach Mutamin, lo and behold, the doggies, that I expected to simply disappear without further ado, had destroyed Tamah, Stone-Form and all.... Shock!
Samuel~. Who the heck was he?? Why was the Flaming Fist interested in him for desertion?? Perhaps he was framed in some Amnish plot. Why did the party have to take him all the way to Gellana's Temple at FAI for healing?? He would certainly have a strong incentive to offer any Protagonist his assistance in BG2. Laryssa could also show up somehow if another bonded pairing is of interest. Actually then, the matter of whether or not you demanded her Jade Ring as payment in BG1, could be significant
Same can't be said for Dynaheir, of course. Dynaheir was offed in such a manner that it really didn't affect the plot. There's the initial "ouch, Dynaheir's dead..." But then there's no ebb effect. Minsc gets over it very quickly and no one else even seems to notice. Hell, Aerie, who never knew Dynaheir, is more sympathetic than, say, Jaheira.
Just realized... characters can return in Siege of Dragonspear!
Please bring back Binky the Buffoon!
I what to see safana come back with her seductress ways.
Shar-teel come back to kill some bitches and chew bubblegum, and she's all out of bubblegum.
Baeloth dead!
The two ogre mages you killed at firebridge and firebridge dungeon.
Which of course begs the question of what Shank and Carbos will be up to in Dragonspear... you know, after you killed them in Candlekeep. Always liked that bit where you could meet their mother in Baldur's Gate and she's worrying about them... and there you are looking sheepish and tugging at your collar thinking 'Is it hot in here? Oooh, I'd better go...'
Something has to explain how they ended up in the Bridge District.
Albert and Ruffie.
Melicamp in another animal form.
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
What about Noober?
On the topic of joinable NPCs: if I could choose but one lost character to return in BG2, it would be Yeslick.
It makes me sad he was left behind since he seems to be a perfect choice for "canon" companion. He's lost his clan and his mine which means he's got nowhere else to go. Why not stay with the hero of Baldur's Gate?
He would've been an alternative not only to Korgan for good-aligned parties who can't do without the token dwarf (you know every party since the fellowship of the ring needs one) but to Anomen.
But instead we got Valygar. Bah.