The Candlekeep Annex: RPed Baldur’s Gate No and Low Reload Adventures

[WiseGrimwald]

Visit to family and a conference now over.

We have rejoined with Khalid and now have to decide what to do next.
Jegg has made us a couple of decent shields. (Former experience has taught me that the armour that he makes is OK but not much better than what I already have.)
We just managed to relieve Bridgeport, Tenya being permanently killed in the process. That is a shame as she was a very powerful cleric if a bit on the fragile side.
I suppose that I will now have to investigate possible replacements. Glint looks like a possibility. He clearly will not be as good as Tenya as Tenya was even able to raise the dead. Glint's thieving abilities aren't required as I have an excellent thief in the party. Also he has much lower experience.

Sirene was killed when fighting a shambling mound, due to her and those who could have healed her being stunned by Bombadier Beetles.

I raised her myself after changing my spell selection and sleeping.

After proceeding to the underground river, we forced entry and planted the acorn. We had a few battles, but nothing too dangerous.

We proceeded as far as Hethernan who fled.

The parley with Caelar was unfruitful and the first wave her army was trolls. I used archers with fire arrows against them and successfully slew them. The problem was that Sirene was also slain and didn't respond to my spell to revive her. That, I didn't expect. I'll have to think about what to do next! I cannot even rest! I am not short of healing potions.

If I had known of this potentially happening, I could have given my tanks potions of regeneration, heroism, fortitude and the like to lessen the likeliness of such an occurrence.

We had no problem with the mages. The dwarves helped me with them.

My run finished just as I was clearing the crusade from the Coalition Camp. I'm not sure why. It happened so quickly. Possibly a backstab.
I should probably have sent summons ahead of me but didn't.

 

[Finarfin]

Conan, Barbarian Dwarf: Part 28 – Sendai​

Conan uncorked potion after potion, swallowing them down like a man possessed. By the twelfth, his stomach felt like a boiling cauldron of magic and bad ale. “If I live through this,” he muttered, wiping his mouth, “I’ll be pissing lightning and vomiting haste.”:

Spoiler

Hardiness. Improved haste. Improved invisibility. Spell turning. Barbarian rage. Every ounce of strength and madness he could bottle was now coursing through his veins.

He even pulled out the strange helmet from his pack, the one that conjured a copy of himself. “Might as well throw every cursed trick I’ve got,” he grunted, strapping it on. “All cards on the table.”

As Conan stood before the door, he dropped to one knee and laid his forehead against the sword’s guard, the Atlantean blade a cold confession against his skin. His fingers curled around the leather grip, knuckles whitening. There was no humility in the posture—only a fierce, stubborn demand from a man used to taking what he wanted. For a long moment he was still, the silence heavy as stone. Then his voice came, low and rough, shaped by years of battle rather than prayer.

“Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that one stood against many. That’s what’s important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen—then to HELL with you!”

He rose, the echo of his words still burning in his chest. The weight of the blade steadied him as he reached for the handle. Without hesitation, Conan opened the door and strode in—ready for whatever doom awaited beyond.

---

When he came inside, Sendai was waiting for him. He didn’t waste any time — he used his simulacrum helm to summon a copy of himself. But before that, he equipped the Amulet of the Cheetah, the Ring of Air Control, and Talos’s Gift to give his copy some extra power:

Spoiler

The moment the fight started, Conan didn’t hesitate — he immediately began striking at the first Sendai, while his copy was busy buffing himself with Improved Haste:

Spoiler

“Well, that wasn’t that hard,” Conan thought. He didn’t even need his clone’s help on the first statue.

The first drow reinforcements were arriving, and Conan rushed at them right away, while his clone was still buffing himself. But then, a Planetar started materializing near the clone:

Spoiler

The clone used his Power Attack, hoping to stun the Planetar before its dispel could strip away all of Conan’s buffs:

Spoiler

Conan was about to join his clone with his own Power Attack — but unfortunately, the dispel landed just before that:

Spoiler

Conan went into a Greater Whirlwind, and the Planetar fell fast after that:

Spoiler

Another Sendai statue appeared — a thief this time. It posed no real threat to the combined power of two Conans and fell within seconds. But one of the mages cast Remove Magic on Conan, so he and his clone split to opposite sides of the arena, not wanting to be affected by it together:

Spoiler

Conan switched his Belm for the DoE (though, for some reason, he forgot to switch his clone’s helm after casting it):

Spoiler

He followed up with Hardiness, and with 80% damage reduction, he was ready to tank anything:

Spoiler

Now both Conan and his clone switched from FoA to Blackrazors, since neither had Improved Haste anymore. The haste and life leech from the sword could come in handy in the next few seconds.

Spoiler

Another Sendai statue appeared — this one wielding twin axes — and again, it fell in just a few seconds. Without buffs, Conan’s magic resistance was 50%. While fighting this axe clone, Conan drank a Potion of Magic Protection, just in case a Maze spell was incoming.

Spoiler

Even though he was killing everything thrown at him, the battlefield was descending into chaos — filled with AoE effects and multiple mages protected from magical weapons, making them basically invulnerable:

Spoiler

Conan’s clone was getting injured more and more and decided to activate Hardiness while they fought more incoming drow:

Spoiler

Another clone appeared, along with a duo of drow fighters, both using Greater Whirlwinds. Conan tried to tank them, making sure his clone’s HP wouldn’t drop too low:

Spoiler

And then — another Planetar appeared, again Conan trying to tank him while clone waited a bit behind:

Spoiler

 

[Finarfin]

Conan, Barbarian Dwarf: Part 28 – Sendai part 2​

More and more drows were coming, and even with the healing power of Blackrazor, things were starting to look a bit grim:

Spoiler

Conan couldn’t see much anymore — all his fighting now came purely from instinct and years of hard-earned experience.

Spoiler

Both Conan and his clone concentrated their attacks on the Planetar, unleashing Greater Whirlwinds, but unfortunately, it managed to heal itself before dying.

Spoiler

Even though Conan couldn’t see much, he could still hear — and through the sounds of madness, he caught what sounded like a random cry for “help.” It was pure chaos.

Spoiler

Then, suddenly, Conan got teleported by some spell. His clone held the ground, making sure Conan had enough time to get away so he wouldn’t get stuck.

Spoiler

Conan kept drinking potion after potion of healing. He was getting tired, injured, and frustrated.

Spoiler

Since he didn't have FoA anymore, he switched to his trusty running shoes:

Spoiler

Then he felt it - his clone got unsummoned:

Spoiler

To top it off, he got blinded:

Spoiler

And atop all the spells now, fire started raining from the skies — so he quickly equipped his Helm of Brilliance, which took his fire resistance all the way to 100%:

Spoiler

And then the mighty Conan ran — blind as a bat, yet proud as ever. He did not know for how long he’d been circling the battlefield, but the world was spinning, his bladder was screaming, and the potions within him waged a terrible war.

He needed to piss. By Crom, he needed to piss. Perhaps no mortal had ever faced such a cruel trial.

And then his stomach betrayed him. The mix of haste, rage, and ten types of elixir proved too much — and with the roar of a warrior and the grace of a catapult, he threw up. He didn’t know where it landed, but there was a chance, a glorious chance, that it struck the Planetar square in the face. Divine retribution, indeed.

He felt drained, miserable, and for one brief moment, Conan just wanted to lie down, close his eyes, and let fate handle the rest. Was this how it ends — blind, puking, and desperate for a piss?

Then, suddenly, his vision returned. He looked around — and there weren’t that many enemies anymore:

Spoiler

Newfound motivation surged through him. With no fire anywhere else, he switched to the Helm of Rock:

Spoiler

The Planetar got unsummoned, and instead, there was an army of undead. No problem for Conan:

Spoiler

Still careful of the mage in case a Maze spell arrived, he took him down with his FoA, slowly but surely.

Spoiler

He saw the last statue skulking in the corner, probably plotting its next move — perfect timing for Conan. He took the chance to piss, chug potions, and buff himself. For a split second, he pictured the fighters staring each other down, potions in hand, while he relieved himself like a drunken king on his throne. Nothing says intimidation like a man fighting, drinking, and pissing all at once.

Spoiler

The last statue fell.

Spoiler

Then the real Sendai appeared, casting a bunch of spells and timestop.

Spoiler

Conan drank another Potion of Magic Protection to raise his magic resistance to 100.

Spoiler

Then he took out his Gesen Bow and started shooting with Greater Whirlwind, aiming to stop any casting from Sendai.

Spoiler

After her protections were down, he switched to his throwing dagger, which hit Sendai hard.

Spoiler

And then — even the Drow Queen fell.

Spoiler

 

[Finarfin]

Sendai battle recap:

Even with Vhailor's Helm and making no major mistake (I think), it wasn't an easy battle. No matter how many enemies I defeated, more arrived. And the mages with their protections don't make this any easier. Dispel from Planetar hits hard (along with the remove magic spells).

80% damage resist was a lifesaver, it would have been very hard without the natural barbarian resists and lots of HP. All those GWW enemies are using all the time along with Planetar - can't imagine surviving that without good resists and life leech.

I won't lie, it felt good to survive the battle and win it

Now I know one tactic is running around the area with max resists and using healing potions. But there is a risk of teleport field teleporting you somewhere where you get stuck and die, so it's a last resort. (I did the same with Fusrodah for few rounds)

Anyway, I made a video of the battle if anyone is interested:

---

From start of BG2 I was thinking a lot whether it was worth going into Watcher’s keep 3-5 if I get to ToB. I wanted to get any advantage I could before facing Sendai.

There were some nice weapons like Ravager and Axe of Unyelding, but I don’t think they would make a difference. They are probably better than blackrazor while still having Improved Haste and before first dispel hits from one of the mages or planetar. But unsure whether they would be better than FoA+5 which hits HARD and protects against hold from Implosion (which even though it lasts only round hits hard hard as my Cavalier found out and it is a risk of getting overwhelmed from all sides and stuck->and that is auto game over).

Then there are stat bonuses from 4th level of watcher’s keep, but I don’t think they would make a huge difference, they are just nice to haves

Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization would make a slight difference, but that would mean clearing almost whole Watcher’s keep.

But the risks? The party where the gloves drop on 5th level, Illithids on 4th level but worst of all - demons on 3rd level. Not to mention all the traps - risk of getting game over there was just huge.

So in the end, I skipped it and went in to fight. And luckily it proved to be the correct decision. I don't think those risks in WK are worth the rewards (at least not for a barbarian with FoA and Blackrazor)

 

[WiseGrimwald]

@Finarfin

Just wondering what software you use for your videos. Is it free? I'm rather out of touch about such things now I am retired.

 

[Finarfin]

@Finarfin

Just wondering what software you use for your videos. Is it free? I'm rather out of touch about such things now I am retired.

I am using Steam version of BG2, and steam has build-in shortcut for it ctrl+f11 I believe. If you are using steam, it's probably easiest way to make videos

 

[WiseGrimwald]

Mine is the Gog version.

Note. My run finished just as I was clearing the crusade from the Coalition Camp. I'm not sure why. It happened so quickly. Possibly a backstab.
I should probably have sent summons ahead of me but didn't.

A Dwarven Bounty Hunter. A totally different game. The image that I found for the portrait was the inspiration. He's good, but not overly good.
I gave him a good knife and suit of armour to start.

I have almost decided on a foursome: Cleric, Thief, Berserker and Sorcerer. I also have other ideas. So am going to think before I actually start.

I am also considering a Cleric of Tempus. I prefer Clerics of Helm for the True Sight, but the extra strength can be useful, particularly in opening chests at the start. Chaos of Battle will be useful later.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

At last have made my decision.

This looked to be a promising start.

However, things didn't turn out that way as I was soon at the point of death and needed help from a watcher who killed Shank for me..

You may wonder, "How could this happen? The assassins in Candlekeep are not very dangerous."

It was because they were so weak that I modded them by giving them +1 weapons as well as slightly better armour. That makes them dangerous.

Of course, the other side of the coin is that Ferthgill now has a +1 axe which will help in the future.

As such an axe is available for sale in Beregost, I felt that having one available in Candlekeep would not unbalance the game.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

I have just resurrected three Drow characters from the past, given them different names, and rolled an additional one who is a ranger similar to Drizzt, but different. He was inspired by Drizzt, but is more lawful: indeed, if he had been of human descent, he would have been a paladin. His name Dragonslayer was given prophetically by Selune herself.

Selune is quite impressed by our small family, and I suspect that her influence might be the reason why we have more than one Moonblade Bearer in our midst.
I, Giantkiller was also given my name prophetically by Selune, and am the leader of the party and am technically a Helmite, though her visit has caused me to be particularly drawn to her as well.

My other kin are shown below.

As can be seen, we are quite a disparate family bearing in mind that we are all drow of good alignment. One thing is certain: due to our treatment by outsiders, we are quite insular, particularly as the only culture that we undersstand is that of the drow.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

@Finarfin Just been watching your videos. Your game is so different to mine. You really have to know it through and through. I don't! However, I am still enjoying it.
Congrats. I didn't quite understand the ending, probably because in the only game that I completed, I turned down godhood and ended up having a life of bliss with Saerileth.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

Journal of Giantkiller and family

It was Gorion who rescued me and my family when we were attacked by elves. They wrongly assumed that we were a raiding party from the underdark rather than refugees.
He brought us up in Candlekeep where we were at least safe, if not welcome.
Then, one day, my sister was alarmed. She had left her moonblade in her room and sensed that something was wrong. We rushed over there and discovered that a thief by the name of Shank was attempting to steal it and other items of note from Candlekeep. A blade, or rather three blades put an end to that idea as well as his life.

Whilst I chatted to Linda downstairs in the inn, my sister Nightblade went upstairs and came down with a grin on her face. She had purloined a valuable gem and other items too. She had come out wealthier despite having to pay a hefty fine when spotted. I was livid. Our reputation was poor enough already without giving people legitimate cause for complaint.

Meanwhile, my brother Spellcaster was busy taking some bolts to Fuller and was paid handsomely for it with a decent dagger which he gave to me.

I then did some training by myself in the training room and whilst there Mordaine gave it a glance and said: "That's a +1 dagger." I'll probably give it back to Spellcaster now that I know that it isn't cursed.

We are now about to leave Candlekeep at Gorion's instigation. I am quite worried about what reception we will get out there.

In Beregost I gave Imoen some studded leather armour and a long dword to keewp her safe. In addition I gave her a wig and dress so that she wouldn't stand out in the city.
I then bade her farewell as she's a fire risk: perhaps not as bad as that Neera who has quite a reputation in that respect, but frying pans don't come cheap!

When Gorion died we lost the person who really trusted us and as a result our reputation fell to what would be expected as a party of drow.

We headed south of the city and killed some ogrillon and continued to the Carnival, picking up the Colquetle amulet on the way.

 

[Finarfin]

Mine is the Gog version.

I've read somewhere that https://obsproject.com/ could work and some people use it with gog. Worth a try

 

[Finarfin]

@Finarfin Just been watching your videos. Your game is so different to mine. You really have to know it through and through. I don't! However, I am still enjoying it.
Congrats. I didn't quite understand the ending, probably because in the only game that I completed, I turned down godhood and ended up having a life of bliss with Saerileth.

Well honestly I can't say I know it so well - it is only my 10th char for scs no reload insane, and only 3rd char that made it to Sendai (technically 2nd since Fusrodah had to reload once in Ducal Palace). Though I have finished the game with SCS probably 5 times in last 10 years so I knew it a bit

I recommend doing a normal (no non reload) playthrough one day again, BG2 and ToB are a lot of fun, especially if you have the characters all the way from 1st game.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

I might well do that. I knew SoA pretty well back in the days of Tutu and liked it. Every time a new set-up is used it can change the game dramatically.

SoD is of course new to me and I'm enjoying it immensely. My last game was the first one where I have been defeated in the Coalition Encampment. Usually I get defeated earlier or later.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

Journal of Giantkiller and family

Command was very useful when it came to fighting Zargos. He had a +1 axe, so avoidance of blows was essential.
Upon killing him, two of us reached level 2.

In the battle against Zordral, sadly Spellcaster was a casualty. Aerie raised him at the cost of 100gp.

The battle with Greywolf was much easier as he, like Zargos succumbed to Command.

Helping Rufie caused Dragonslayer to reach level 2 and Nightblade to reach level 3.

We then killed Vax and Zal.

Spellcaster is still level 1. I didn't realise how long it would take to raise his level by one!

Upon killing Caldo and Krumm, Spellcaster's level was raised to 2.

Ingot and some assassins in the gnoll stronghold were next, none of whom were a problem.

We raided a cave there too before returning to the carnival where we rested.

The balance of the party seems good. Even Spellcaster is beginning to become quite useful, and will become more so when he gets wands.

We went in search of Bassilus. Upon locating him silence was used to stop him casting spells. This was followed up with command to stop him using his excellent hammer.

Our party then killed him and took his symbol to Lathander's Temple.

Dragonslyer levelled up and took a second proficiency point in longbows. Nightblade then levelled up and took a proficiency point in short swords.

We then identified the hammer.

We came across Shoal and Droth and killed them bbefore getting a ring for mad Arcand. We killed some nearby sirine and upon leaving the area bumped into Brage and took him to the temple of Helm. We are now about to seek out the merchant who sold him the cursed sword.

Dragonslayer has levelled up in the process.

Having helped Charlestonian Nib, we went to the Lighthouse area where we rescued Ardrouine's son.

After that we killed Sil and raided the cave.

 

[Finarfin]

I might well do that. I knew SoA pretty well back in the days of Tutu and liked it. Every time a new set-up is used it can change the game dramatically.

SoD is of course new to me and I'm enjoying it immensely. My last game was the first one where I have been defeated in the Coalition Encampment. Usually I get defeated earlier or later.

I never tried SoD, but i will give it a shot one day for sure! Just a bit worried it would be a letdown, so I rather played with a bunch of good mods before the no-reload challenge

 

[Finarfin]

Conan, Barbarian Dwarf: Part 30 – Last of the Five​

With Sendai defeated, Conan returned to the Pocket Plane. Imoen was nowhere to be seen, but beside a small stack of old books and a half-empty mug of something sweet-smelling, he found a folded note with his name scrawled across it in cheerful, looping letters:

---

Heya, little guy!

Guess who’s out and about again? Yep—me! Don’t panic, I didn’t get myself captured this time. Just had to do a bit of shopping, a few errands, you know how it is. Figured I’d leave you a note in case you came back while I’m gone. (See? I can be responsible. Sometimes.)

Anyway, I found something you’ll want to hear. The last of the Five—Balthazar, that monk fella—turns out he’s holed up in a monastery above a town called Amkethran. Word is, he’s not like the others. Helps the townsfolk, keeps the peace, all that good stuff. So maybe, maybe, talk before you start smashing things this time?

Be careful out there, Conan. I’ll catch up soon. Try not to break the world—or the monastery—before I get back.

—Imoen (and what looks suspiciously like a heart hastily scribbled out right after her name)

---

Conan left the letter on the table, its cheerful tone doing little to ease the familiar weight in his chest. Then he turned to the empty air and rumbled, “Amkethran.”

The world folded around him, and the Pocket Plane obeyed.

---

When Conan reached the desert town, he saw the monastery rising above the cliffs—quiet, unreachable. The gate was sealed, guarded by monks who claimed only those with the password could pass. For a heartbeat, he considered the simplest solution: to smash the gate, the guards, and the walls until the path lay open.

Then he remembered Imoen’s letter. Try not to start swinging your mace right away. He grunted and decided—for once—to take the quiet road.

That’s when he met Saemon Havarian. The smuggler looked older, thinner, but the same sly glint burned behind his smile. “Conan! My old friend!”
Conan’s hand went to his flail immediately.
Saemon raised both palms. “Peace! Peace, my good dwarf! I admit, my past… decisions were less than admirable. But fate brings us together again! I saw you trying to get into the monastery - You need entry right? I—by chance—happen to know the password. Take it as a token of my good faith”
Conan’s eyes narrowed. “If this is another trick, I’ll find a use for your spine as a door handle.”
Saemon laughed weakly. “You wound me, truly my good friend. No tricks. Just an opportunity.”

Conan knew it was a ruse. And of course, the moment they passed the gates, the ambush came. Knives flashed from every shadow. The air filled with shouts, blood, and the clang of steel.
When it was over, bodies littered the ground—and only Saemon still breathed.
Conan grabbed him by one of the legs and hauled him toward the cliff’s edge, the desert wind whipping between them.
“When we met at the docks of Athkatla,” Conan said, voice low and calm, “I told you something. Remember, Saemon, when I promised to kill you last?”
Saemon’s eyes bulged. “That’s right, Conan! You did! Thought that meant I was safe till the end!”
Conan’s lips twitched into the faintest grin. “I lied.”

He let go.

Saemon’s scream vanished into the abyss below.
Conan watched until the sound was gone, then turned toward the monastery.
“Quiet road’s overrated,” he muttered, and stepped forward.

---

Conan pushed past the carved doors and into the cool hush of the monastery. Sunlight pooled on flagstones; incense crawled in thin, patient threads. At the heart of that quiet sat a man in plain brown robes — neither ornate nor cruel — the sort of face that had been hardened by discipline and softened by mercy. He did not start or reach for a weapon. In fact he did not seem to have any weapon. He merely looked up, as if he had been waiting.

“You must be Balthazar,” Conan said, planting his boots on the tiles and letting the sound of his arrival fill the hall. “Word is you do good among folk. Can we talk? I seek my way home to Hyboria. There’s no need for blood between us.”

Balthazar rose slowly, hands folded, his expression even. “Conan of another world,” he answered, voice calm and steady, “I know of you. I know of that what you carry.” He stepped forward at a pace, not hostile, only resolute. “You speak of home, and I hear the truth in you. Yet the truth I guard is sterner than longing. The taint you bear is not rumor but real, and where it walks, death follows. My vows bind me to protect the innocent. I cannot let a seed of god of murder go unchecked. For the safety of many, I must cut this root at its source.”

Conan blinked once, slow. “You mean you’ll kill me and then… what? Kill yourself after?” He made a face half-amused, half-appalled.

Balthazar’s eyes did not harden, but they did not soften either. “It is no triumph to lay life down, only mercy when all other paths end in ruin. If I fail to burn what threatens the world, countless innocents will suffer. If my death ends the contagion, then it is a sacrifice I accept — not for glory, but for peace.”

Conan laughed then, a raw sound that echoed off the pillars. “You’re going to kill me with your bare hands, monk? Well, that will make a fine tale—‘Conan felled by a gentle palm’.” He spat once on the floor in dismissal. “Have at it, then, if that’s your vow. Imoen can’t blame me for trying the peaceful way.”

The battle began. Conan’s Smite roared through the hall, each strike punctuated by the sharp flight of his dagger. One by one, Balthazar’s monks fell, unable to match his ferocity. Even the head monk himself seemed momentarily overwhelmed:

Spoiler

But Balthazar was no weakling. Bare-handed, he moved like a living wall, parrying blows, countering strikes, and striking with precision that earned Conan’s grudging respect:

Spoiler

Still, the tide could not be turned. Conan pressed forward, relentless, and the monk faltered under the sheer force of his assault:

Spoiler

Finally, Balthazar fell, his chest heaving, eyes wide with disbelief. Conan stepped back and muttered with a crooked grin, “Pity, monk. In another life, we might have been fighting beside each other… not across from one.”

---

After returning to the Pocket Plane, Imoen was still nowhere to be seen. But Conan saw that the final challenge was now open, and after a short rest, he decided to step in.

Before entering, a grim feeling settled over him. This would be no simple test. So he reached for Vhailor’s Helm once more.

What awaited him was a towering creature of malice — the Ravager.

Conan and his mirrored self charged without hesitation, blades flashing, war cries echoing through the void:

Spoiler

The beast hit like a thunderstorm, summoning an army of flying swords and shrugging off most of their blows:

Spoiler

But slowly, inevitably, its strength began to fade:

Spoiler

The victory was close — yet both warriors bled. Conan’s clone staggered, then fell, vanishing into mist. Alone now, Conan stood his ground, surrounded by that monstrous hulk and its spinning blades:

Spoiler

Conan did not falter. When the Ravager finally collapsed, the plane fell silent — only the sound of Conan’s heavy breath remained:

Spoiler

 

[WiseGrimwald]

I never tried SoD, but i will give it a shot one day for sure! Just a bit worried it would be a letdown, so I rather played with a bunch of good mods before the no-reload challenge

The only real letdown that I've discovered is that there aren't enough recruitable NPCs.

It is more linear than BG1.

Journal of Giantkiller and family

We cleared the ankheg area and basilisk area without difficulty, and I and Dragonslayer have reached level 6 and reputation 20.

We cleared the Nashkel mines.

In transit lightning did more damage than our enemies.

We then cleared the bandit camp.

Brotus Bloodthirsty and his cohorts attacked and were killed.

We had a contretemps with more assassins south of the FAI.

We went to Cloakwood.where we found Gurke's cloak which we tried to return to him. He was adamant that he didn't want it. Whilst there we bought bullets for our slings, resting afterwards.

 

[Finarfin]

The only real letdown that I've discovered is that there aren't enough recruitable NPCs.

It is more linear than BG1.

I don't think I would mind that, there are enough NPCs in BG1. And linear is fine with me as well in some ways.

It's just that the writing of the new NPCs didn't click with me at all, so I always rather installed some mods than try the new NPCs (tried the beamdog NPCs only once and did not enjoy the writing at all)

 

[WiseGrimwald]

I don't think I would mind that, there are enough NPCs in BG1. And linear is fine with me as well in some ways.

It's just that the writing of the new NPCs didn't click with me at all, so I always rather installed some mods than try the new NPCs (tried the beamdog NPCs only once and did not enjoy the writing at all)

I can understand that, and to get clues you are almost pushed into using the Beamdog NPCs.