29 replies to this topic

[Azkyroth]

and outside their society, I bet not a single being will feel awe/respect/sympathy towards a walking octopus.

You'd be surprised...

That doesn't surprise me in the least. 3E is totally out of whack in regards to attributes compared with 2E, which is the main base for BG2.

That explains it, I suppose.

[theacefes]

Wow...I'm guessing 2008 will be the year of the mindflayers?

[Kulyok]

That, and the usual: broken dreams and broken glasses. See CoM subforum.
(Oh, and if The Broken Hourglass doesn't come out, I'll go on strike.)

I am really, really wondering though: would you seriously take a mindflayer into the party? And you're not scared of it or anything? They cannot communicate normally, by the way(okay, in FR novels they sort of can, but in the game, they cannot, apart from "Noooo! My army is not yet complete!", and that's the game).

[Alatariel]

I am really, really wondering though: would you seriously take a mindflayer into the party?

I wouldn't and absolutely NO amount of convincing would work. And I am neutral good, dammit, so should rejoice in wounded birds and black sheeps. Everything has its limits, though, and an illithid is simply to dangerous to have in a party, well, providing it is not a party of psionics. He could easily wait till first rest and then murder you all in the sleep, disabling the guard first. 90% of success. Thank you very much for such a 'minion'.

[Solar's Harper]

I am really, really wondering though: would you seriously take a mindflayer into the party? And you're not scared of it or anything? They cannot communicate normally, by the way(okay, in FR novels they sort of can, but in the game, they cannot, apart from "Noooo! My army is not yet complete!", and that's the game).

Heh, well I doubt any self respecting illithid would join up with its 'lessers'. So my best bet lies in an illithid trying to dominate the player if not eat their brain.

[Rodman49]

I wouldn't and absolutely NO amount of convincing would work. And I am neutral good, dammit, so should rejoice in wounded birds and black sheeps. Everything has its limits, though, and an illithid is simply to dangerous to have in a party, well, providing it is not a party of psionics. He could easily wait till first rest and then murder you all in the sleep, disabling the guard first. 90% of success. Thank you very much for such a 'minion'.

Why is everyone so averse to working with the Mindflayers? Don't the Drow even neogotiate with them (their are Mindflayer ambassadors in Ust'Natha)? Doesn't Sendai even have a Mindflayer corp in here army? Doesn't she interact with their leader (Mithykyl)? I know Mindflayers are pretty badass but the main character is the freaking son (or daughter) of a GOD, and why should he/she be afraid of a Mindflayer?!? The Mindflayers should be more afraid of the PC, or like in Sendai's case at least subordinates.

[Galsic]

Why is everyone so averse to working with the Mindflayers?

Uh, cuz they're mindflayers?

Don't the Drow even neogotiate with them (their are Mindflayer ambassadors in Ust'Natha)? Doesn't Sendai even have a Mindflayer corp in here army? Doesn't she interact with their leader (Mithykyl)? I know Mindflayers are pretty badass but the main character is the freaking son (or daughter) of a GOD, and why should he/she be afraid of a Mindflayer?!? The Mindflayers should be more afraid of the PC, or like in Sendai's case at least subordinates.

Maybe I'm wrong, but there are a lot of differences here that I can see. First, there's the comparison between a small group of adventures and a WHOLE CITY of DROW. Guess which one's more vulnerable to that there mindflayer . Also, Sendai is well established (I think) as one of the most powerful Bhaalspawn alive. Even by the beginning of ToB (perhaps even further), Charname is still largely viewed as an upstart punk to be wiped out with the rest of the lowly litter (if I'm not mistaken, Sendai's the only one who views Charname with any real concern). Finally, yes, Charname's the child of a god, but, at least til Spellhold, all he/she has to show for it is what? A few minor spell-like abilities? He/she can still be stunned, dominated, and have his/her brain chewed out just like any normal mortal . But then, I'm not the most knowledgeable lout on the matter. Again, I could be wrong...

[theacefes]

What about a half Mindflayer, half human with green eyes? No?

Sorry for the jokes; couldn't resist.

But yeah, unless it was a hawt human/elf/half elf in a Mindflayer Man costume borrowed from one of the employees at Faerun Land in Anaheim, California, I don't think I'd have them join my party.

[Michael]

Only way I can see a Mindflayer NPC working is if it were only for the Underdark. You could work some story in where the 'flayer would want to work with a person like CHARNAME. Could make for some interesting RPing, I guess. Would need interjections through the drow city, and such, of course... May be fun for evil-aligned players.

Then, of course, the 'flayer would leave before you left the underdark (or if not, would be killed by the happy-fun elves after you exit).

[Rodman49]

Uh, cuz they're mindflayers?

You're just a hater man, no need to be racist against the Mindflayers . . .

Maybe I'm wrong, but there are a lot of differences here that I can see. First, there's the comparison between a small group of adventures and a WHOLE CITY of DROW. Guess which one's more vulnerable to that there mindflayer .

Please, like a whole Drow City can stop the PC. Brute forcing your way through Ust'Natha is the quickest and easiest route through the place. Besides, you destroy an entire Enclave of Mindflayers, why the hell is one such a big deal.

Also, Sendai is well established (I think) as one of the most powerful Bhaalspawn alive. Even by the beginning of ToB (perhaps even further), Charname is still largely viewed as an upstart punk to be wiped out with the rest of the lowly litter (if I'm not mistaken, Sendai's the only one who views Charname with any real concern). Finally, yes, Charname's the child of a god, but, at least til Spellhold, all he/she has to show for it is what? A few minor spell-like abilities?

I guess this point is fairly true, which suggests to me that a Mindflayer NPC should be one of the following. . .
1) Underdark Only
2) Post Underdark
3) ToB

Of these "Underdark Only" would require the least amount of work but would probably also be the least popular, I mean, who wants to go to the Underdark with only 5 party members? Get an NPC and then have to leave them at the end of the Underdark?

"Post Underdark" would result in the most amount of work, as you'd have to make new reactions for all the human towns to deal with a Mindflayer NPC, on the other hand you could make him shapechange or whatever - but let's face it, that's lame.

A "ToB" version would probably be best. Relatively small amount of changing normal human reactions (less areas, and less neutral areas). Has the least problems integrating story wise (other Bhaalspawn have exotic followers, PC has already been established as super powerful). Provides the least amount of balance issues (everyone is so high level that a Mindflayer wouldn't necessarily be that much more powerful) . . . hmm, if I get around to making one I'd definitely make it for ToB only . . . now if I can just find that picture SporeBoy made I'd be set.