BG Classic Trilogy: The one where I've lost my marbles

[JustKneller]

Please forgive my recent madness. Beatrix is back in play. The solution to the demon knight was so simple, I can't believe I missed it. All it really took was one item and no cheese. It hit me when I was planning ahead with Ahab...

Back at Durlag's Tower, the party decides to return to civilization to sell off their loot, rest up, and restock. They stopped by High Hedge and picked up our one special item before returning to DT. Here's how it went.

First, Beatrix got herself buffed up to the nines. Strength potion, elixir of speed, protection from evil, you name it. Anything that would boost her numbers was consumed. It wasn't going to last, but it was going to give her a hell of an opening. After that Dynaheir hit her with an invisibility. Additionally, Beatrix was wearing Kiel's helm and had Durlag's Goblet. She had Bala's Axe, but she didn't want to mute the demon knight's spellcasting, so she just used her trusty +1 axe that she's been using all along. Minsc (+3 2h sword from the chess king) and Ajantis (+1 2h sword from wherever) also quaffed a speed potion and the mages turned them invisible.

They entered the chamber. The mages worked their way around the outer edge, out of sight from the demon knight, one on each side. The fighters went down the middle with Beatrix on point. Branwen just hung out near the entrance. The demon knight dialogue triggered, but he just stood around while everyone got into position.

Beatrix attacked first. When her attack connected and she drew the demon knight's attention, Minsc and Ajantis started swinging. Once the demon knight started casting, Minsc and Ajantis split off to each protect a mage and Beatrix kept fighting. They were out of range when the dispel hit and all Beatrix's buffs were wiped. The demon knight started casting again. This would be the fireball that would practically kill Beatrix, or at least damage her enough for his subsequent stun.

That is when Beatrix uses the protection from magic scroll she picked up from High Hedge. The fireball goes off, but to no effect. At this point, the mages throw in a couple webs because you never know, something might actually proc. Beatrix gets back to fighting while Minsc and Ajantis are attacking with bows and +2 arrows. The mages support with magic missiles, too. The demon knight realizes his spells are no good now and starts attacking Beatrix with his sword. He usually gets a hit or two in every round, and it hurts, but Beatrix has Durlag's Goblet when she starts to get low and Kiel's Helmet blocks the curse from the Goblet.

It ended up being a rather quick fight. Beatrix might have only used the goblet once before the Demon Knight went down.

And that was that.

The next part was going to be the hard part. That ambush when you go into UB with the dagger is just brutal, doubly so since you arrive with your party formation scrambled. It took a few reloads to survive it. Then you have to get through the cult base to the demon, which is just as tough. I think these two fights, even with good strategy, are tougher fights than the demon itself.

The demon was nothing to write home about. I sent Beatrix down alone with the intention of drawing up the wizard after she summons the demon. However, I think this approach only works on EE/Tutu. No matter. Beatrix went back down with an elixir of speed and potion of mirror eyes in effect. Then, she lured them to a corner and used the sandthief's ring to go invisible. She circled back and wen upstairs again. Now, Minsc snuck down and picked off the cultists while the wizard and demon were occupied with figuring out how Beatrix made it out of the corner. When the cultists were down, the rest of the party joined Minsc. Beatrix buffed up (including free action) and added another potion of mirrored eyes. Then Dynaheir cast an improved invisibility on her. Beatrix slipped back in and started whacking the wizard with Bala's Axe until it procced then focused on the demon. Minsc and Ajantis came in with+2 arrows on the demon while the mages pelted the wizard with magic missiles and acid arrows until she went down. Beatrix still had the helm and goblet, but didn't even need it for this fight.

And with that, Durlag's Tower was fully conquered.

The party returned to the inn to rest up. There wasn't much of anything left doing in the Sword Coast, at least not compared to slaying an evil demon and its knight. Ajantis mentioned the bandits in the area, but that seemed like small potatoes for the rest of the party. Branwen had been grumbling quite a bit in general (20 rep), but nobody really knew why. They gave this battleguard of Tempus the battle of a lifetime! Nevertheless, Beatrix, Imoen, Minsc, and Dynaheir set their sights on the possibility of adventure in Amn. Ajantis would not be able to follow them. He had to stay in the Sword Coast on orders from the Radiant Heart. Branwen also did not want to follow them. She would much rather head north towards the Frozenfar. When the other four made up their mind, Branwen decided to go her own way. Her parting words were, "I guarantee Icewind Dale will offer a better adventure than anything you will find in Amn!"

The parting with Ajantis was much fonder and Beatrix hoped that she would meet him again (spoiler: tragic irony to follow ). Once rested up and ready, the remaining party packed up all that they had and started their journey south.

 

[JustKneller]

(I actually like that Ahab character concept, and might even play him more self-aware/fourth wall breaking and solo from the get go in an RP run. But, let's just get through this run, first and not get ahead of ourselves ).

The four adventurers started their trek into Amn. Unfortunately, none of them have ever been to the heart of Amn. They just knew it was south. They found themselves lost in the Cloudpeaks and crossed paths with a damsel in distress. She needed a sick friend escorted to the Friendly Arm Inn.

It had been four months since Beatrix left Candlekeep. In this moment, she remembered her father's advice to go to the Inn, and choosing a different path figuring her attackers would have people there as well. At this point, she was sure neither friend or foe remained at the inn, so she saw no harm in the detour.

She came to find she was wrong on both counts. Her enemy left an emissary in his wake, but he was no match for Beatrix. After dropping off their charge, they decided to spend a night in the inn. Beatrix didn't know how often the assassin had to check in but she figured she could chance it for one night of rest.

She also found Gorion's friends still at the Inn. Or, more accurately, they had been checking in regularly the last few months just to see if Beatrix showed up. Khalid and Jaheira wanted to look into concerns in Nashkel. Since Beatrix was heading into Amn anyway, they decided to travel together and Beatrix even offered to help them with their mission, if possible, if only out of respect for her father.

It was an uneventful journey to Nashkel. They met with the mayor who asked them to look into the local mine. This would surely be a small matter for Beatrix, and then they could be on their way further into Amn for some real adventure.

 

[JustKneller]

Now that we're near the level cap, starting the main quest is more of an idle game. Beatrix single-handedly cleared the Nashkel mines and had only a little help with Mulahey. Tranzig was gibbed before he could surrender. Beatrix also waltzed through the Bandit camp needing just a little help with Taurgosz and the crew in Tazok's tent. Nothing exciting to report. I'm not even bothering exploring maps. I'm just following the linear path put out by the story. I'll definitely be taking a side trip on the spider's map to get Spider's Bane. Beatrix will switch from her +1 axe to this until endgame (and the mages will start using Web). Ho-hum. I did intend a more rp-oriented log, but we're pretty much on the rails at this point until the second game...

 

[JustKneller]

Cloakwood was a cakewalk. With Spider's Bane, the mages can make a more liberal use of web, but even that was generally not needed. There were only three battles that mattered. The mooks outside of the mine (one with the boots of speed), the mage battle with all the mooks on level three, and Daevarorn (sp?) at the end of it all.

The first fight was quickened when Dynaheir and Imoen opened up with a fireball apiece. It was enough to take out both mages on the opposition and soften up the two remaining enemies. They fell quickly after that.

The second one was made easy with Bala's Axe. A hasted and invisible Beatrix ran in and started attacking the mage. The miscast magic from the axe procced on the second hit, but the mage died quickly anyway. With all the aggro on Beatrix, she switched to spider's bane and Dynaheir followed up with a web. This slowed the mob down enough that Beatrix could clean up with minimal fuss.

Finally, the master of the mine was even easier. Beatrix again hasted and invisible (also with remove fear and protection from evil, just in case). She started her attack with bala's axe. All Daevarorn could do was dimension door around the floor, but Beatrix was able to get to him before he could actually cast a spell, which led him to dimension door again. There was a bit of running around, but Beatrix made it through without a scratch.

I believe it's time to go to Baldur's Gate. I thought that Beatrix would hit the xp cap by the end of cloakwood, but she is 18k away (so which is 106k party xp). I may linger a little in the city to make sure she gets there. If she still has a ways to go once the party is wanted for murder, they might even take a side trip to Werewolf Isle. But, I really hope not. That Karoug fight is so buggy. I'd rather not bother.

 

[JustKneller]

Well, we're getting there. I did a little meandering around the city. I made sure to hit up Ramazith to get the tome (which will boost Beatrix's Int to 11, letting her take an extra hit from a mindflayer). The party did pick up the Wisdom tome for the geas quest, but they did not steal it back (the paladin wouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior, even in a temple of an evil god). They picked up the gauntlets of Ogre Power, but do not really have a use for it. Beatrix has 18/77 Str, Jah has the Gauntlets of Dexterity, Minsc is using the Bracers of Archery and Khalid is a dedicated archer. I could have Jah use them since it will boost her melee, but she probably needs the AC more.

The party waltzed through the rest of city and the Candlekeep catacombs. Perhaps it was poetic that Beatrix hit the xp cap in the fight with the dopplegangers of Eminster, Tethoril, and Gorion. They came out of the catacombs with the tomes of Strength and Wisdom. Beatrix took Strength, Jah took Wisdom. I'll be shadowkeeping NPCs to have what they had at the end of BG1. Jah is going to lose her bonus Dex, but get an extra point of Wisdom. Minsc stays the same because, while is Dex goes up by one between games, giving him the tome of Dex in BG1 accounts for it. Beatrix really doesn't need the extra point anyway.

After getting out of the catacombs, the party took a pit stop to rest up and prep for the final push. At this point, they have just about 200k gp. Even if Beatrix was still tithing, they would have 160k gp to their name, more than they could ever possibly use. I was pondering a use for all this gold and started thinking about Ahab. That is, I bet having to recharge the Sandthief's ring would be the only thing to put a dent in a character's wealth.

In any event, we're almost at the end. Once more unto the breach, my friends!

 

[JustKneller]

Spoiler: The end?

Ok, so big brother is finally dead. Once and for all and forever, right?

I can finally start the second game.

First, some admin. Jah ended the game with Spear++, Blunt Weapons++ and Missile Weapons++ and used a staff and sling exclusively. So, for BG2, I'll SK her over to Spear++, Staves++, and Slings++. Her Dex gets a three point boost in the second game, but I'll knock it back to the 14 she had in BG1. Minsc ended the game with Large Sword++, Bow++, Spiked Weapons+, and Axe+. He pretty much only used a long bow and two handed sword, so he will be adjusted to Two-handed Sword++, Long Bow++, Flail+, and Axe+. I finished Imoen with max traps and mid locks, but I don't plan to mess with her really. Thief skills get a little weird between the games anyway.

As for Beatrix, she ended with Large Sword++, Axe++, Small Sword+, and Blunt Weapons+. She almost exclusively used axes and two handed swords, so this will convert to Two-Handed Sword++, Axe++, Dagger++, and Staff+. The big question is, who is Beatrix as a result of all this? I'm not going to blow through BG2 like I did the first and it will be a total RP run. I'll be picking a kit to start, either Cavalier or Inquisitor. If this was right out of Candlekeep, the Cavalier would be the obvious choice. However, Beatrix has seen and learned so much about herself and the world around her since. Not to mention, the imprisonment by Irenicus could easily push her in the more practical direction of Inquisitor. On the other hand, a Cavalier at this point would mean that she still holds on to her ideals, even after everything she's experienced. A Cavalier at this stage of the game is not necessarily a naive choice, but perhaps the higher road.

So, yeah, that is what we'll do. Beatrix will stick to her moral and ethical guns and be a Cavalier.

 

[JustKneller]

Interlude...

Abnormal program termination in BG2.

This run almost died before it started. Apparently, it did not like me importing a character. I googled it and came across a reddit post where this happened to me three years ago. Unfortunately, reddit didn't have any solutions back then. I messed around a bit and eventually worked it out. Instead of importing my character directly from the Final Save file, I went back to BG1, loaded the final save file, exported my character from there, moved that over to the character folder in BG2, then imported that character into the game.

I'm mostly posting this so that, when this probably happens to me again another three years from now, I'll find this post when I google the answer and actually have it instead of having to experiment.

 

[JustKneller]

One moment, Beatrix was shuffling her Bhaalspawn brother off this mortal coil. The next moment, through outrageous fortune, she was suffering the arcane slings and arrows of a mad sorcerer. Fortunately, he had some slings and arrows of his own to deal with, which afforded Imoen the opportunity to escape from her own cage elsewhere and then come spring Beatrix. Minsc and Jah were found nearby and it was discovered that Dynaheir was slain during their capture. As they escaped from the facility, they discovered that Khalid was irrevocably slain by a nefarious plot device. Even a max Int/Wis Wish spell wouldn't be bringing him back. However, a new associate (and fellow prisoner) joined the party in the form of the bounty hunter, Yoshimo.

Their escape ended with Imoen and their captor being apprehended by the local magic police during a battle in the city's market district. Beatrix understood the sorcerer's arrest, but Imoen's seemed excessive. Surely, this was a misunderstanding and Beatrix could secure her release.

What followed from here was a plethora of bad options. They were picked up by a local ne'er-do-well of no small renown. He offered them help in getting Imoen back for the low price of 15,000 gold. Beatrix decided to go straight to the government district and talk to the powers that be. All she learned was that the government at large had sympathy, but little sway over the magic police, these Cowled Wizards. The Cowled Wizards themselves offered to perhaps "look into it" if Beatrix would track down one of their adversaries. She wasn't inspired with confidence they would actually do anything to help. Discouraged, she broke character and covered for a hawker selling apparently illegal crossbow ammunition in the government square (I will never not help Jan. I tried to be honest, but I just couldn't). This character, an unusual illusionist rogue, joined the party out of gratitude.

From here, Beatrix went to the temple district in hopes that the Radiant Order (which she still hopes to join) could help. They only offered her a job helping to clean up one of their messes. On top of that, Helm's Watchers in the area asked Beatrix to help them deal with a cult as well as a local artist.

None of these options seemed like a solid course to rescue Imoen. The aforementioned ne'er-do-well had pointed her towards some regional Lord looking for adventurer types. For lack of a good option, she sought him out hoping he would be of a high enough position to help. He was not, but he did have directions to Windspear Hills, where they needed to go to help another prisoner they found in the mad sorcerer's dungeon. Beatrix was considering her options after talking to Lord Jeridan when she was approached by Nalia, whose family keep was beset by invaders.

It appeared there was nobody who could help Beatrix, but maybe this was Torm sending her a message. Perhaps she needed to help others first, and then help would come her way. It was the best shot she had.

Nalia's crisis seemed the most urgent, so this would be the first good deed.

 

[JustKneller]

The invaders at the keep turned out to be trolls and yuan-ti. They were under the employ of another, but it will forever remain a mystery. With the death of Nalia's father, the lord of the keep, it left Nalia with no good options, so she asked to stay on with Beatrix and company. Beatrix was not the biggest fan of Nalia's combination of charity and condescension, but hoped some time in the real world would straighten her out.

Since the keep would then fall to a family rival (who perhaps was the mastermind behind the invasion), the company cleared out what they could of value from the keep. Beatrix picked up an enchanted and elemental axe and Minsc traded his two handed sword in for the Flail of Ages. They also picked up a myriad of other treasures. The new owners would get some walls, floors, and ceilings, but not much else of value. They returned to the city with more than double what the ne'er-do-well Gaylen Bayle was asking, though Beatrix would rather spend the entire sum getting Imoen back through more legitimate avenues than give a single gold to that scoundrel. The party was approached by yet another agent when they returned to town, representing some "mistress" who makes her home in the graveyard of all places. A graveyard!? What is with this city? Beatrix has never found a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. She was also approached by a messenger for Gaylen Bayle who reported the scoundrel wanted to "sweeten their deal". They had no deal as far as Beatrix was concerned.

It seemed like Beatrix would be in Athkatla for a while, so she set about to find somewhere to hang her proverbial hat. She wanted to avoid the slums as they had already been attacked twice while passing through. The market district had plenty of inns, but was a little more "in the middle of everything" than Beatrix preferred. She then remembered a small, tucked away place by the city gates called the Crooked Crane. The accommodations were just blankets in the stables, but it was in a safe area (hoping for no vampire attacks at night) and on the periphery of the city with an easy egress.

The only downside is that they had nowhere safe to store supplies (no containers!), though that problem solved itself, in a manner of speaking. Jan, with all his gnomish curiosity, found a secret door at the inn that led to the tomb of a lich. Jan was pretty sure that he was able to turn himself invisible before the lich noticed him. Then again, there was that time Uncle Scratchy was pretty sure the ivy he foraged for his rheumatoid ointment was ground ivy and not poison ivy. You would think this is how he got the nickname Uncle Scratchy, but it actually goes back much further than that incident. Before he was Scratchy, or even an uncle, he was a young gnome with a dream. He had been planning for years...

In any event, Beatrix was not going to take any chances with a lich running around. She went straight to the Watchers, purchased a scroll of protection from undead, and returned to the Crooked Crane. The gnome may have been right about not alerting it because the lich was still there. Fortunately, the scroll allowed Beatrix to dispatch the foul creature with minimal effort. In its lair was a chest that was now repurposed to be the company's stash.

Now for the next order of business. Nalia mentioned that one of the reasons she was in the Copper Coronet was that she suspected there were unseemly activities happening in the shadows by the establishment itself which were taking advantage of the peasantry. This would be their next quest. Why work with the scum in this city to further their agenda when they might be able to accomplish their goals by ruffling their feathers?

 

[JustKneller]

The Copper Coronet was tarnished with black lotus, courtesans and enslaved gladiators. Beatrix was the polish. She then tracked the fallen paladins for the Radiant Heart. Beatrix eschewed honor in this fight as Jan fired a wand of Cloudkill into the battle and Beatrix (the Cavalier) just ran them in circles. There was little left to clean up when the air cleared. While in the area, she helped the law solve a murder, but the killer escaped. Beatrix was no closer to rescuing Imoen. She asked every step of the way, but none knew a path to Spellhold, only rumors.

(trying a new writing format called a drabble which is essentially fiction in exactly 100 words)

 

[JustKneller]

Beatrix could not free Imoen, but she could free the dryads trapped by Irenicus. They took to Windspear Hills on Lord Jerdian's quest so they could return the dryad's acorns to a nearby grove. They were betrayed by Jeridan, tricked into murdering paladins under an illusion, and had to rescue the child of a local to clear their name. Beatrix found herself to be the plaything of a spiteful dragon. She restored her name and both she and the dragon parted with their lives intact. However, Beatrix promised herself she would return to finish the job some day and soon.

 

[Antimatter]

I like your reports even if I don't comment much. A very interesting format of 100 words, I enjoy reading them!

 

[JustKneller]

I'm not sure if 100 words is enough to get into the character motivations for the choices, but perhaps it will get stronger with practice. It's actually kind of hard to do an in-character write up for this game (especially the BG2 portion). So much of the early content is just random side stuff to gain levels so you can manage spellhold. And, while I've never actually stuck it out as far as ToB myself, everything I've heard suggested it was just a boss battle gauntlet, so not much character growth or story to be had there.

For a game like this, I wonder if a more strategic log is more interesting. When you consider the overall weakness of the story combined with the cheat rings enemies wear, how you actually beat an enemy is maybe a more meaningful discourse. This goes double if you're building up to a no reload run and can't just power word: reload your way through. Being able to spam reload on doom+GM+chromatic orb isn't as helpful to know compared to the reliable strategy that just works on the first pass. On top of that, figuring out these strategies are a function of repetition and experience. In character, nobody would ever figure out half of these types of encounters the first time and, if we're fully RPing, almost nobody would make it to the second game. The Shoal encounter alone would end any bhaalspawn who is leading their party, for example.

That's one thing I really liked about Ahab (or some version of that character). It's satirically meta in how it just confronts the story while also throwing it out the window. Meanwhile, technique is everything for a character like that. I'd even be tempted to do that run with a single class thief (rather than a fighter/thief), but their combat viability drops off, which undermines one of their strongest approaches, the backstab. Not to mention, sometimes you just have to go toe to toe. I still don't really know how @Alesia_BH has pulled off a swashbuckler solo, even having read her log. Like, statistically, it shouldn't work. Otherwise, I would totally solo an Assassin (who kills because of some kind of existential insanity from believing/knowing that nobody is real, including him/herself).

But, anyway, Beatrix is my knight in shining armor that is going to deliver me through my first complete run of this game. Once I get through this, I'll consider the alternatives (probably after playing a whole lot of other games first).

 

[JustKneller]

Everyone has a past, not just Beatrix. For Nalia, Jaheira, and Jan, their pasts visited the party in the various forms of old rivals. However, the past belongs in the past and the party did their part to send it back to where it belonged. When all was settled, Nalia and Jaheira were ready to move forward, but Jan had to go his own way. It was now time to look to the future. The business in Windspear Hills provided Beatrix with an invitation to join the Radiant Heart. This is where the party now headed, to meet Beatrix's future.

 

[JustKneller]

Beatrix began her quest to prove herself to the Order of the Radiant Heart. She saved a team of paladins at the Umar Hills, ousted an evil lord, and protected a noblewoman from slavers. This, she did with grace and without hesitation, but her final quest had given her pause. Slay the evil red dragon and liberate a legendary holy avenger. She did not see the path to victory at this time, but she would find a way. There were other matters needing a hero in the Umar Hills. She would help where she could and ponder the dragon meanwhile.

 

[JustKneller]

An evil force was murdering villagers and the ranger protecting the village vanished. The two paths converged in the dungeon of a Shade Lord. Azuredge carved through the shadows. Picking up a halfling paladin along the way, they crossed paths with a shadow dragon. It ignored them due to a found wardstone. This gave Yoshimo the opportunity to trap its liar. It barely survived the traps and fell to the party thereafter. They then found the ranger possessed by the Shade Lord. The Shade Lord was slain, but the ranger could not be saved. The village was now at peace.

 

[JustKneller]

Mazzy was summoned home to help her family. Beatrix decided to leave her there when the matter was resolved. Trademeet needed her more than she did. They picked up the druid, Cernd, and solved the mystery of the animals attacking the city. Both Jaheira and Minsc were happy with this course. After solving some of the towns other troubles, they returned to Athkatla where they discovered Cernd's checkered past. They ultimately left him with family as well. Beatrix was just along for the ride and mostly thinking about Firkraag and Imoen. She needed to get back on course, but how?

 

[JustKneller]

Beatrix had a plan. She had enough fire resistant gear to handle the dragon's breath. The dragon's other attacks would be a problem, but she had Ilbratha. Its mirror images would buy her some time. All she really needed was time. Some poison traps from Yoshimo and cloudkills from Nalia would take the dragon down. Beatrix just needed to hold it back for long enough. They returned to Windspear and attacked the beast. Beatrix took a beating, but the dragon fell. She returned to the Order with the holy avenger. With her final quest complete, she was now Lady Beatrix.

 

[JustKneller]

The Shield of Balduran description should read:

Dear Gamer,

We realize that putting a Beholder in front of a level 11 party is a stout challenge. Filling a dungeon with them is just vicious. Please accept this gift as an apology for our oversight.

With deepest regret,
The Developers

Beatrix took on the cult and Keldorn's domestic problems in one fell swoop. As far as she knew, there were only two left who needed help, the Cowled Wizards and herself. "My enemy's enemy is my friend," is the saying, right? Beatrix would find Valygar, but not for the Cowled Wizards.

 

[JustKneller]

They found Valygar in the Umar Hills. Sure enough, the Cowled Wizards' request was not in good faith. The party still breached the Planar Sphere, but for Valygar's sake. The opposition was bizarre, the worst being the psychic halflings and the numerous golems. In the end, they deactivated the machine. Surely the Cowled Wizards would take over the sphere, but it likely had no further use.

In all of their travels, Beatrix had not found any other ally that could help her recover Imoen. It appeared it was down to Shadow Thieves or Vampires. Both were appalling to the paladin.