1504 replies to this topic

[Crazee]

Controversial, but I'm gonna give +4 to Garrick, and +1 to Dynaheir. Come on guys, you can live through this, I believe in you! (Tomes to Syv, I guess). Loving having regular updates again. Thanks for all the hard work

[Lurker of the north]

Imoen +1 (Because: Archery)

Kivan +1 (Because: Archery)

Coran +1 (Because: Archery)

Viconia +1 (Because: Healer, also Bullets of detonation)

Black Bear +1 (Because: some Tanking is needed)

 

-All tomes to Syv!

[Usurper]

Seuss of Soubar has posted more poetry to the thread:

Too Many Xsars
by Seuss of Soubar
 
Did I ever tell you that old Syvishtar
Had 29 companions, and he called them all Xsar?
 
Well he did, and that wasn't a smart thing to do
See, when he wants one and he calls out "Yoo-hoo!"
 
"Come into the company, Xsar!", he doesn't get one
All 29 Xsars of his come right on the run!
 
And this makes things tricky for old Syvishtar
As you can imagine, with so many Xsars.
 
And often he wishes that when they met, far and near
He'd named one of them Viconia deVir.
And one of them Rose, and one of them Minsc
And one of them Kiera Silverstring.
 
And one of them Kagain, and one of them Jaheira
And one of them Imoen, and another one Indira
Another one Branwen, and one Dynaheir
And the oldest one Firebead Elvenhair
 
And he should have said Mur'Neth, and that's really Coran
And there's Xan and Kivan and Branwen and Bjornin
And one more called Quayle and a cleric called Finch
Heck, even Bub Snikt!  That'll do in a pinch!
 
And one of them Alora, and there you see Gavin
And Faldorn the druid, and the wizard would be Edwin
Another one Khalid, Safana waiting to pounce
And one of them Lady Seafoam Wonderbounce
 
And one of them Conchobhair Strongblade...
But he didn't!  Too late!  His bed has been made.

Edited by Usurper, 08 June 2013 - 08:59 AM.

[Usurper]

And here are the votes as they stand now: 

Place     Name      Positive  Negative        Total        Last Time 
=========================================================================
          Imoen       33        -7              25
          Finch       19
          Edwin       17
          Kivan       16
          Yeslick     16
          Xan         15        -1              14
          Branwen     11
          Indira       9
          Kagain       9  
          Bjornin      9
          Viconia      8
          Jet'laya     8
          Minsc        7
          Safana       6
          Alora        5
          Xzar         4
          Jaheira      4
          Will         4
          Gavin        2
          Tiax         2
          Dynaheir     2
          Quayle       2
          Coran        2
          Squirrel     2
          Mur'neth     1
          Firebead     1
          Seafoam      1
          Garrick      1
          Black Bear   1

I'll keep voting open the rest of the weekend.

Edited by Usurper, 08 June 2013 - 09:00 AM.

[Crazee]

But... but I gave Garrick +4!

[Usurper]

Oh, right. I forgot to count this thread's votes in that summary. That will put Garrick up there with Alora. Sorry. I will make sure to get them for the final tally.

[Usurper]

Okay, here are the final votes:

Place     Name      Positive  Negative        Total        Last Time 
=========================================================================
  1       Xan        45        -16              29             12
  2       Yeslick    27                         27              3
  3       Imoen      32         -7              25              2
  4       Finch      20                         20              9
  5       Kivan      18                         18             11
  6       Edwin      18                         18              7
  7       Branwen    16                         16             29
  8       Will       16                         16             22
  9       Jet'laya   13                         13             21
 10       Mur'neth   13                         13             19
 11       Kagain     12                         12             15
 12       Alora      11                         11         (heisting)
 13       Viconia    10                         10             16
 14       Indira      9                          9              6
 15       Bjornin     9                          9             35
 16       Minsc       8                          8              8
 17       Tiax        7                          7             24
 18       Safana      6                          6             36
 19       Xzar        6                          6             14
 20       Dynaheir    5                          5             17
 21       Khalid      5                          5             13
 22       Garrick     5                          5             23
 23       Jaheira     4                          4              5
 24       Gavin       3                          3             30
 25       Coran       3                          3             20
 26       Quayle      2                          2        (on the bridge)
 27       Black Bear  2                          2              1
 28       Squirrel    2                          2             10
 29       Firebead    2                          2             27
 30       Seafoam     1                          1       (singing in the waves)
 31       Bub Snikt   0                          0             37
 32       Conchobhair 0                          0             31
 33       Faldorn     0                          0             28
 34       Ferthgil    0                          0             25
 35       Rose        0                          0             18
 36       Skeezer     0                          0             32
 37       Thorfinn    0                          0             34

Looks like our first party is going to be Xan, Yeslick, Imoen, Finch, and Kivan. A solid party. Our backups will be Edwin, Branwen, Will, Jet'laya, and Mur'neth. Interesting set of second-stringers here.

The Shar-Teel Award for Most Controversial Character goes to: Xan!

The Most Meteoric Rise Award goes to: Branwen!

The Greatest Fall Award goes to: Black Bear!

The Nobody Cares Award is an 7-way tie between Bub Snikt, Conchobhair Strongblade, Faldorn, Ferthgil Trollslayer, Rose, Skeezer Lumpkin IV, and Thorfinn Hauskluniff!

Edited by Usurper, 10 June 2013 - 11:54 PM.

[Usurper]

14 Flamerule, 1370

End of Chapter 6 Cinematic

This mission to go back to Candlekeep makes me contemplative. I wander back to the Elfsong Tavern, my thoughts cast back to days long past. It has been over a year since I left that place. I go to my room alone, sit down, and open this journal. I read my first entry again, from what seems like so long ago. Almost as if it was written by a different person. So young, so full of vim and vigor, so confident in the permanence of the reality around him. So much... so very much Gorion's son.

I take off all my magical equipment - my amulet, my rings, my gloves, even the magical wonder that is my robe - and take a good, long look at myself in the mirror.



Yep, that's me. A little worse for wear, but you can see the sunken, haunted eyes, even if my skin is Weave-kissed and golden. I still feel the loss, you know. The hollow part of me where my familiar used to be. It throbs, right next to the giant, gaping chasm where my father used to be; where my home used to be; where my life used to be.

I now know as much or more about the Weave as any of the learned sages of Candlekeep. But what has it brought me? Ecstasy, wild and free, sure. But also horror beyond my worst nightmares. I've turned beings to ice, and shattered them. I've called efreeti and djinni and elementals to do my bidding. Cacofiends have come at my beck and call, and sometimes without it. I have killed people in more ways than they probably have names for back at Candlekeep. That didn't bother me so much while I was out here, in the wild world, red in tooth and claw. In fact, I... kinda liked it. But after doing all that... to go back? Can I even face my old teachers now, knowing what I've done? What if they've heard of me? What if they scryed on me at just the wrong time? What if they don't understand why I've the things I've done?

I guess there's only one way to find out.

I turn to the Tomes that I have picked up recently. I distract myself from these useless thoughts by reading them thoroughly.





I feel a little better after I've absorbed that knowledge.



I meditate for the night on my newfound knowledge, and my dreams are full of brightness and dancing.



In the morning, I know what I must do. If I'm going to go back to Candlekeep hot in the trail of the leaders of the Iron Throne, I don't want to mess around. I need my closest, most dependable allies for this mission. I need my heart's closest companions, those who will stand with me through the worst this plane of existence has to offer.

Imoen has always been with me from the beginning, and she's staying with me now.



Sorry to have kept you waiting. Lets get going.

You bet! We'll nick ourselves a whole purse o' fun before the night is through!

Finch I also met in Candlekeep, what seems like eons ago. Im sure she'll love going back too. She will be a staunch ally in this endeavor.



Certainly! It was just not the same without the constant scratching of a quill in the air!

Oh! It is so nice to have one's strengths appreciated. (blush)

Kivan has been with me almost as long, and he only gets deadlier every day. I need him behind me, peppering my enemies with his ranged death.



I would tend to agree. Perhaps we should rejoin and continue on our way.

A wise choice. Lead on.

Xan is my bosom companion, my exemplar in the ways of My People and my once and future lover. He and his Moonblade must protect me from those who would cut me down.



Nothing quite so gruesome, though I do have need of your skills once again.

Then I shall do my best for you, though I am sure we both know that the worst is inevitable.

And Yeslick, the rock, the ever-ready. One of the best decisions I ever made was rescuing him from that jail cell. I need him on the front lines, anchoring the party in all the chaos to come.



That is an excellent idea. Your sage advice and company have been missed.

A wise move. Together we can't possibly fail.

As soon as I get the new crew together, Imoen addresses Xan.



At this point, I will admit almost anything to rid myself of this outfit.

No, no! That just won't do! You need to be perky and cheerful!

If I can get my clothing back, I will indeed be a measure more cheerful than I am now. Not much, mind you, as I am still fighting other lost causes, but my heart will rejoice at not hearing the others call me "that doomed mage in pink."

Well since this doesn't seem to be working exactly as I planned, I guess its okay, especially since you say you'll be a bit more cheerful.

Few things, though. The hair and nails will take some time to return to normal, and you'll have to wash your face off really good to get all that makeup off.

By the way, dontcha think I'm done with you. I've got other ideas up my sleeve.

*sighs* Corellon, have mercy on me... Yet another lost cause to fight...

But he follows her advice, and is soon looking normal again.



While he is getting ready, the remainder of the party gets ready as well. Soon we are suited up in our best gear. No playing around this time - we are dressed to kill. Literally.



Gameplay note: I'm as deadly as ever.



Gameplay note: Xan has an AC of -17. MINUS SEVENTEEN. That is insane. He also has a THACO of 0. I think that's a 0 percent chance of missing?



Gameplay note: I opted to go for helms of mental protection and rings of elemental damage resistance this time around, which makes people a little easier to hit but less easy to burn/freeze/melt to death. You can see that here with Yeslick.



Gameplay note: Everyone is hella decked out though. I wouldn't mind taking this party's equipment to the end of BG2.



Gameplay note: Kivan's quiver is completely full with 450 Arrows +2. And he is wielding the +10 damage Strong Arm bow. He also gets to summon wyverns, because those are incredibly useful.



Gameplay note: Imoen has a mix of thiefy and magely equipment. She'll be laying the smack down from the back, with me.

We head out, but before we begin our journey, I do something unusual.

[Usurper]

I stop by Sorcerous Sundries and BUY things. I actually have money!



Xan kinda bugs me while I am perusing the store, however.



Lately, I complained that I was no longer able to tell the reality from the waking dream: deaths, batttles, and nightmares expected me at every corner. Now, however, this unfamiliar feeling of happiness makes me think I am already in Arvandor. Though this would, too, be a nightmare of a sort: Arvandor, while serene and safe, lacks you. Thus, should I by some unlikely chance wind up in the Blessed Realm, I would no longer be happy there.

*Xan sighs and kisses your cheek.* But I am more than happy as it is, I suppose.

I am happy to find that there are several spells available that I have never heard of before. Great! And I think I can cast them too! I buy Farsight, Secret Word, Protection from Cold, Protection from Fire, Fiery Cloud, Skeleton Guard, and Power Word Blind.



Gameplay note: A good way to complete hard-to-reach areas of the map if you want to see the artwork, or explore without exploring. I hardly ever use it though.



Gameplay note: The phrase "7th level or lower" is key here, because clerics only have 7 levels of spells, and Shield of the Archons is their highest-level spell protection. So with a simple level 4 spell Secret Word, you can negate the entire cleric class. Mwahahahaha.



Gameplay note: 100% cold resistance. With cold-resist items on as well I think that means you get healed by cold damage.



Gameplay note: Same deal here with fire. Level 5 spells are the place to be for protection from individual elements.



Gameplay note: This sounds like a fun cloudkill-esque burnination. I'll have to try it out soon.



Gameplay note: Skeletal Warriors are no joke. They have been responsible for quite a few party deaths. And bad guys have either started off with 4 skeletal warriors or cast this spell at us already in battle. It will be nice to turn the tide, some day.



Gameplay note: Saving Throw: None. Dayum. Also if you're level 6 or less, you're blinded for the rest of your life. Dayum again.

And then, with the leftover money, I buy 25 Potions of Super Healing. We were getting low.

Splurging on insane arcane magic has me in a good mood. I'm practically whistling as I saunter out the front gate of the city and across the bridge. That's how Zernan finds me.



All right, but please make it quick.

I see you are one who is straight forward in all your undertakings. Very well. You have the History of the Nether Scrolls, and I am in dire need of it. Yes, it is the book Duke Eltan gave you but its value lies not in the amount of gold it can fetch nor the passage it can gain you through the protected walls of the Great Library.

Where, then, does its value lie?

I am pleased to have gained your undividied attention. My scribes and I have long been searching for this book, for it is the missing piece in a history of ancient magic that has long been lost. I simply wish to obtain it and complete the document which has been my life's work.

I understand... but if I give this to you, I will not be able to go inside Candlekeep to capture the Iron Throne leaders. I can not simply hand it over.

Oh, heavens no! I do understand that you are in need of ANY book that is of at least 10,000-gold-piece value to gain access to the library walls... and that is what I have conveniently, or should I say pain-stakingly, brought with me today.

So you are proposing a trade of some sort?

Indeed, I am.

And what are the terms of this trade?

I have here with me a tome of equal monetary value, Syvishtar. I have not come by it easily, having spent some years doing extensive research on its location, but seeing the gravity of the situation you are in, I believe I am left with no other choice. My research requires the information on the Nether Scrolls, and I cannot let it pass me by. Will you accept my offer?

Why not use the book you possess to gain entry into Candlekeep yourself? I am sure their scholars would be more than willing to let you do your study... or even help you in your research... Unless you have some other motive for obtaining this tome.

Other motive? What other motive could a scholar have than to further his knowledge?

True. But a scholar you are not, Zernan, if that is your real name. You speak one thing and yet clearly mean another.

You are indeed the cunning hero they claim you to be, Syvishtar. Only one such as you could see through a cleverly conceived web of lies laid out to perfection. It is unfortunate that your life must be cut short on account of your petty persistence... The book is mine! Kill them...! We'll meet at the Arm...

And the bastard teleports away with the book!



Xan swings his moonblade, and blood flies everywhere. One thief is decapitated!



Kivan takes out the last one. They were not really a threat to us.



He said he'd meet at the Arm. He must mean the Friendly Arm Inn. We take off for the place right away.



As we rush down the path to the Friendly Arm, we see our quarry standing right in front of us on the road!



You can run, Zernan, but know for sure that I will track you down. Your hirelings cannot hold me back! I will have that tome.

We are rushed by another contingent of thieves, this time with hobgoblin backup.



Kivan begins to flail about as if fighting for his life, and he is. Invisible stalkers attack him and almost kill him!



They also attack me, and I feel my life flashing before my eyes!



Arrows go right through the Invisible Stalkers, so Kivan switches to his spear.



A joint Flamestrike/Lightning Bolt combo doesn't seem to faze one much either.



But with a concentrated attack from Xan, Kivan, myself, and Imoen's Minute Meteors, we manage to take one out.



Xan's Moonblade seems to be hitting the Invisible Stalkers pretty hard, but they hit him pretty hard too.



He drinks down a potion and manages to slice the invisible enemy in half. Then there is only one left.



We all surround it and pound on it, and finally we destroy it. I destroy it!



That was mildly frightening. We burned half our healing potions on this fight alone! And then he said he's going to the mines. It must be the Nashkel mines, because the Cloakwood Mines are flooded. Great... back to Nashkel again?

[Usurper]

15 Flamerule, 1370

We arrive in Nashkel after sundown, planning to get a room and go to the mines the next morning.



But just as we cross the bridge,



We shall see about that.

And before any of us can get a spell off, Zernan turns himself invisible.



Again he throws more minions at us. Again with the Invisible Stalkers!



Imoen and Kivan run to the start of the bridge, Imoen summoning some minions to protect them.



I cast Mirror Image, and then Tenser's Transformation, and wade into melee with one of the Invisible Stalkers. That's when Zernan attacks me!



Finch finds herself between two of the enemies, and hurts for it.



She runs away, and Imoen actually takes our Zernan!



I rush to his body and search it. Three diamonds, 30 magical arrows, a dagger, and a note. NO BOOK!

Finch can't get away from the Invisible Stalker, uh, stalking her, and she keeps running away and bleeding. I throw her some healing potions, and we all attack the enemy going after her. We manage to distract it.



Each stalker requires concentrated effort of 4 of us to take out. I'm so glad Zernon is dead. We won't have to deal with any more of these!



Yeslick calls upon the power of the gods to take them out.



And he does indeed take out the last.



Then we turn to the relatively harmless thieves that popped out of the shadows.



They shouldn't have agreed to this contract.

When we kill them, Xan reveals that his mind was elsewhere.



My choice accords with the moonblade's. I fnd worth in you.

Oh, you certainly have a lot in common. Namely that I will die if separated from either of you.

I almost answer with "You'll die because of us, too," but I stop myself. It is a horribly morbid thing to say, and why would I even think that?

The only thing of worth that we got out of this fight was a note on Zernan.



Ok, carnival outskirts north of the hill. Screw sleeping, I'm going straight there now.

When we arrive, I realize that there are several hills north of the carnival at the outskirts.



It turns out to be the east-most one.



You are correct. Zernan has sent me here to, um, collect his reward.

I know not who you are, but you are a poor liar! What has become of Zernon?! Ah, it matters now, I must slay you to keep your silence!

So be it.

He begins to cast, and I back away, preparing for more Invisible Stalkers. But no, this one summons Stone Golems.



I remember the cure for Stone Golems! Lots of summoned fodder. Imoen and Kivan take care of that.



We back up to allow the minions to do their work. But the Invisible Stalkers show up again! Crap!



Kivan drinks a healing potion and switches to melee. I know what's coming next - I cast Detect Invisibility. HA!



Mysterious Man, you can't fool me twice. To keep him visible for the rest of the fight, I tag him with an Acid Arrow.



Kivan summons a wyvern and takes off, but the stalker follows him. Another backstabs Xan! They're everywhere!



I back off and try to take out the mystery man from afar. But the Weave tells me I should attack him face-to-face.



Fine. I will. But as I go up to touch him with my ghoulish touch, Imoen kills him with a minute meteor.



The invisible stalker slaughtering goes well down south too, and there is only a stone golem left.



Yeslick takes that one out, and I breathe a huge sigh of relief.



There is nothing on the mysterious man's corpse but a +1 sling, some bullets of fire, and two books on the History of the Drow. What?! Where's my tome!

[Usurper]

Ok. Maybe we should rest. See if I can come up with any magical defense against Invisible Stalkers. Read these books. Try to decide what to do next. I lead the party back to the Nashkel Inn.

When we get there, I notice that Imoen and Xan have been in a quiet conversation for a while. Both of them seem to be discussing the Invisible Stalkers and how to defeat them. They seem wiser than before - more experienced.





Gameplay note: He now has 4 pips in Long Sword, making him a High Master of Long Swords. That means -1 speed factor added to the other benefits that he has of +2 THAC0, +3 damage, and +1/2 attacks per round.



Gameplay note: You can see now that his THAC0 is -1. Someone in the thread asked for details of Xan's ungodly equipment. Let me break it down. This is Xan with no equipment, not even his moonblade:





Gameplay note: He's got 21 hit points (just leveled) and an 8 AC. Usually naked people have a 10 AC, but he's got high DEX, so he gets a 2 point bonus. And he has a base THAC0 of 15, like every level 6 fighter. I think? Put on his moonblade and his AC drops to 5, while his THAC0 drops to 9.





Gameplay note: His THAC0 drop is because he's got High Mastery in Long Swords, and his moonblade counts as a Long Sword. His moonblade is supposed to give him +1 AC, but it counts as +3. Maybe because of a DEX bonus? Not sure. His Moonblade also gives him 50% Fire Resistance, which is useful.

Gameplay note: Then we put on Elven Chain Mail +1, because he can't use the +3 version. There are only 2 of those, and only Yeslick and Finch can use them. Not sure why. Anyways, the Elven Chain Mail +1 sets his AC to -3.



Gameplay note: Then we put on the Helm of Protection, an item that gives +2 AC bonus and 25% fire resistance. It doesn't have the strange exaggerated effects that the other items have, it just works as advertised:



Gameplay note: Next is his favorite shield, the Medium Shield +2 'Heart of the Dragon'. It gives a +4 AC bonus, increased hit points, and +5% magic resistance. It also increases spellcasting time by 2 but who cares? It's only Xan. He puts it on and gets +2 more AC and +10 hit points. Why +2 and not +4, as advertised? I have no idea.



Gameplay note: Next is the Ring of Protection +3. We only have one of these. Putting it on takes Xan's AC down to -10.



Gameplay note: Normally if you wear one Ring of Protection you can't wear another, but we have a way around that with the Talisman of Protection from the Stone of Askavar quest. It does't conflict with Rings of Protection, so that goes on the other ring slot for another -1 AC.



Gameplay note: Next is the Fast Boots of Protection. They say they give Haste and +1 AC. But when Xan puts them on, they give a +3 bonus. His AC is now -14.



Gameplay note: Then we give him the Cloak of Protection +2, which also doesn't conflict with the Ring of Protection or the Talisman of Protection. It gets his AC up to -16.



Gameplay note: Now all of this equipmen thas been defensive, and has not affected Xan's THAC0. The next item affects both AC and THAC0, however. It is the Bluestone Necklace of Dexterity. It gives +3 DEX and +3 THAC0. Putting it on brings Xan's AC to -17 and his THAC0 to 6.





Gameplay note: We have two other items that give him a damage and/or THAC0 bonus. The first is the Warrior Gloves, which give +3 to damage and +3 to THAC0.



Gameplay note: And the last is the Improved Girdle 'Elves' Bane'. It sets his STR to 22, and gives a +3 AC bonus vs. piercing weapons. Going from 13 STR to 22 STR brings down Xan's THAC0 to -1, because it gives him a +4 to hit and +10 to damage to be that strong.



Gameplay note: So with all this equipment on, Xan is a super-strong, super-dextrous golden god that can slice fools in half with one swing of his moonblade. He still gets knocked over in a light breeze, though. If the light breeze can manage to bypass his armor. But he's just about the elfiest elf that ever elfed. I mean, just LOOK at him!



Gameplay note: And in 2 more levels he can cast spells in that getup. Oh, I forgot something else. Yeslick is carrying the Shield of Falling Stars. That means that allies within 6 feet get an AC bonus. So stick Xan next to Yeslick, and he suddenly has an AC of -21!



Gameplay note: So as long as he sticks next to the dwarf, he should be invincible.

Imoen goes off to contemplate her own role in the scheme of things.







Gameplay note: Ooh, level 5 spells now! I get her to memorize Shadow Door, Phantom Blade, and Summon Monster III.



We all eventually gather around the crackling fireplace, and listen to Finch read the two new volumes of Drow lore that we picked up. I hope there's a clue in there somewhere on what we should do next.

... two cruel deities, Ghaunadaur and Lolth, forced elves, humans, dwarves, and others to ally against them.

Defeated in a series of titanic magical battles, the dark elves fled into underground warrens they had earlier discovered. This event, know as "The Descent," marked the end of the drow as a surface-dwelling race.

...priestess, for rule of their new realm. This all-out war ended amid great magical explosions that brought down the roof of the largest dwarven cavern they had seized, great Bhaerynden. The ceiling collapsed entirely, burying many drow and the shattered dwarven cities. The cavern, now open to the sky, became know as The Great Rift. The surviving drow nobles gathered what people, slaves, and equipment they could seize, and fled into the Underdark in search of places to dwell. "The Scattering" brought about the many rival, self-interested cities where most drow live today.

Why would this mysterious man be researching the Drow? Okay, actually, I think that there is only one explanation. He was dealing with them somehow. There are Drow around here and I am going to have to fight them.

Great.

Sleep well, me! But sleeping well is not to be.

In the night, I dream.

The next morning I wake early, and research Invisible Stalkers. I actually have that spell in my spellbook already, but I just can't cast it reliably yet.



Okay then. I do not know how to counter them better than what we are doing now, which is drinking a ton of healing potions. Maybe Detect Invisibility? Maybe Glyphs of Warding from the priests to hit them and not us? It is worth a shot. We prepare our spellbooks for the strategy, in case we encounter more of them.

I also feel different somehow.



Gameplay note: I have gained the ability Divine Might. It is like Draw Upon Divine Might, but gets better with levels. And, oh, hey, I didn't notice before, but I also have the Scribe Scroll ability. Sweet! Now Firebead Elvenhair doesn't need to stay in my pocket plane anymore.

After thinking about our situation, I feel as though we should check out the mines. Zergan did mention them, after all, and that's the reason that I'm down here. I killed him in Nashkel proper, and his friend at the carnival, but I didn't actually get to the mines yet. Maybe that's where I can find my book. Probably taken by Drow, too.

Damn dark elves! Wish that I could be rid of you forever.

As soon as we get to the mines, we are attacked by a phase spider!



This must be drow work. Xan protects me.



More spiders appear near the mines. We are definitely on the right track.



It really is overkill, what we do to them.



We find even more spiders at the mine entrance!



I find the mine overseer just as I did so very long ago. He's still not happy to see me, and still gives me an insane deadline. But why should he change? I haven't!



LETS DO THIS!!

[10th]

@Xan's armor discrepancy

That's probably due to him having 2 pips in single weapon proficiency.

Those grant him 2 AC and 5% improved critical chance if he only wields one weapon and nothing else.

As soon as he equips that shield (4 AC bonus) he gets a net bonus of 2 AC as those single weapon proficiency bonuses are no longe in effect.

 

10th

[Usurper]

17 Flamerule, 1370

There are, of course, more drow in the deeper levels of the mine.



And teleporting spiders and crazy stalkers too!



We take out the spiders and Yeslick charges the assembled drow.



Finch follows and triggers the traps that I was worried were there.



Xan runs over the traps too, and then runs back to take on the Drow Stalker, triggering them a second time. I start to worry if we'll choke to death on spiderwebs.



I see a stone golem wade into the melee, and I think we need to clear away some of this magic. I try to dispel it, but just bring more monsters in.



I can't even see what is going on, but I do hear the death of the stone golem. Yeslick must have gotten him.

Gameplay note: This is literally true. I really can't see what is going on, but I really did hear the stone golem's death sound.



Kivan manages to make it to the edge of the web cloud, and Yeslick and I are not affected by its magic. So we wade around, trying to cut our way out, and killing the drow we stumble across.



The traps actually work out pretty well for us. We clean up on drow and think the fight is done, when Finch gets backstabbed!



Xan extracts vengeance.



He has been incredibly deadly against his dark brethren. I am actually impressed.

Imoen finds and disabled the traps.



I'm sifting through the detritus when Yeslick starts up a conversation.



What would that be, cleric?

Vengeance, or so I gather. Ye hunt this Tazok ta kill him, aye, ta avenge the death o' yours. I myself long ta see Reiltar again, an' make him feel the hurts he gave me.

I am sorry, Yeslick, but I do not see much alike in our quests. You wish to avenge nothing more than hurt pride, and a desecrated grave. That cannot compare to what I know.

I can see why you'd think so, Kivan, so I won't bark at ye. But a wrong's a wrong, an' some wrongs demand blood price. That's a truth as old as time. For Reiltar an' his thugs ta desecrate me ancestors an' kin so... fer it ta have been me who was the one who betrayed them ta him... how can any dwarf face 'em in the hereafter, eh, without his blood on me hands, ta provde ta them I did me damnedest ta put it all back as well as could be? How can I carry the...

The shame of it. If only you had been stronger... if only your body could have been equal to the pain and the hurt, if you could have held on for a minute more... it might not have been. But as it is now all you can do is fight until their spilt blood overmatches the tears shed by the innocent, and hope that it will serve as justice.

Aye... ye know these things well enough. I'll take your understandin', then, if not your kinship, eh, ranger? Good hunting.

May your god answer your prayers.

May his god answer his prayers. I realize that I have no god save the Weave, and sometimes I dread its answers. Wait, no, I shouldn't say that. The Weave has been good to me.

Yes. Good to me.

Of course.

Our next fight sees Finch hurt.



I try to aid my companions with Haste, and pray that the Weave didn't hear me just now.



No, Weave, I didn't mean it!

The next Haste I cast drops green slime upon me and my target, but it does work.



Thank you, Weave, thank you!

_bitch.

There are a ton of stone golems and drow fighters in this area.



But we are speedy enough to finish them off.

I do wince, though, when Finch trips a Fireball trap.



But we do manage to beat them, just after the Haste wears off, with no Company down.



We are bruised, battered, and out of healing spells again. I think Finch and Yeslick need to focus on memorizing more of them and less of the others.

Imoen finds the Fireball traps, but she can't figure out how to disarm them!



I even give her a Potion of Power, but it still doesn't help.



We're going to have to prepare for double fireball traps. Time to rest and re-memorize spells.

In the pocket plane,



*He speaks as if to himself, his face remote and distant.* The world is doomed. Perhaps the faraway lands, the new lands, will survive, but here and now, we are a living, breathing and already half-forgotten memory. The forests are receding. When an Elven Lord of old allowed humans on his lands, now he has to fight for every inch of it. Take Cormanthyr, take Tethyr - there is no hope left! So why do I walk with you, why do I allow butterflies into my heart, why do I expect miracles?

*Xan looks at you, shakes his head hopelessly, and walks away.*

I don't know anymore Xan, I really don't.

I have both Finch and Yeslick prepare Resist Fire and Cold spells. Then we fall asleep listening to Finch reading from the History fo Cormyr.

...many years - since Rhigaerd overthrew the last of the border raiders. However, Cormyrean armies have taken part in many actions in nearby regions, recently mustering its forces to face Gondegal, the rebel of Arabel; to occupy Tilverton on the marches of the Dalelands; and to lead a crusade against the great Tuigan horde invading from the east. One wit has noted that "Yes, the land is at peace, but the army has to keep busy." In addition to pursuing major actions, Cormyrean patrols often skirmish with bandits on the roads in the north and west, and are at present battling orcs and other creatures north and east of Cormyr in Tilver's Gap and Shadow Gap. Both of these areas are threatened by raiders who will menace Cormyr itself if they ever overrun Tilverton. Cormyr has built a fortress, Castle Crag, to defend the kingdom from attacks from that quarter, and maintains the High Horn to protect against attacks from the West.

It is comforting to read about lands far away and problems that are not mine. The next morning, we teleport back and get everybody protected.

[Usurper]

Gameplay note: The spells give 50% resistance to both fire and cold damage. It stacks with other resistances, so if Xan is holding his moonblade he gets 100% fire resistance!



Then we approach the traps. As we do, Imoen seems to realize something. She notices that we can just walk around them.



Oh. Silly us. Well hopefully there will be more fire damage later on that we can resist?

We cross the well-known bridge across the chasm. There are of course drow waiting for us on the other side. And traps.



Again, though, the traps seem to work out better for us than our enemies. The drow are caught in webs and we simply cut them down.

Imoen finds the traps afterwards.



She can't disarm these either, so we just run through them. She is the only one caught. We engage more drow on the other side.



We take them down without much trouble.

The same with the next group.



For some reason, though, this group has magical weapons. They have a Light Crossbow of Speed, and a short sword called Distance.





Imoen immediately grabs the short sword, but pouts as she can't figure out how to use it. Oh well, into the bag with it.

We explore the well-worn halls of this side of the chasm, and eventually find a contingent of drow in the far cavern. This one is led by a priestess, who addresses us.



What did you just call me?

Liar, you cannot deceive a high priestess of Lloth! Clearly I can see the taint of Murder in your soul! You shall feel the wrath of the Spider Queen for your interference! Khales usth nara!

She can see WHAT?! How could she know what I've done?!

AND OH WEAVE A BASILISK!



No Finch get back get back get back!



I pull everybody back around the corner. Imoen summons more snake-men to try to stem the tide of stone golems and distract the basilisk. I hear the tell-tale sounds of drow stalkers attacking the party, so I cast Detect Invisibility. It is all going according to plan. But then Xan turns around and looks at me with the fey light of understanding in his eyes.



NOW HE KNOWS TOO! They'll all know soon. They'll know and they'll see me for what I am and they'll leave or turn and I'll be alone or dead and oh my weave make it stop make it stop



ok that was thoughtful but xan still means to kill me you have to do something weave you gotta save me save us make it unhappen



ok no explosions are not what we need right now we need to make it stop oh gods why is yeslick dead



fire everywhere how did that happen it hurt imoen oh why doesn't it stop where is the magic the magic to make him forget



it worked IT WORKED it is not going to happen yet he wont know or wont remember today they wont find out everything is going to be okay the weave made it okay



The Weave protects me. The Weave surrounds me. It throws mine enemies into disarray, and it shields me from the stares and the accusations of the innocent.



And I shall never want, and the Weave will give me protection and strength unending, and everything will always be okay forever and ever as long as I never...



as long as I never...



as long as I never Tell.



And no one ever finds out.



I'll be okay.



It will be okay.



Everything will be okay.



I'll never let them know.



Xan seems to look at his own moonblade in a new light.





Gameplay note: His THAC0 is now -2. Crazy.



I am learning so much! This is the best adventure ever! And, one day, generations will have read of your grand acts!

For the first time ever, Finch sends shivers down my spine. She is writing it all down, isn't she? I especially can't ever let HER know.

As I walk among the bodies of the dead, my sword speaks.

Great power is here!

I find it on the leftovers of the drow priestess.



Gameplay note: 33% magic resistance is nothing to sneeze at. It is one less AC of protection than the golden elven chain we are currently all wearing, though. And it wouldn't be the Golden Company if we just wore whatever the hell he wanted to wear. Choices, choices...



Gameplay note: a 5% chance of the wielder getting 6d6 lightning damage? Ok, that's pretty awesome. But nobody we currently have in the party uses maces.

We also FINALLY find the book that we need to get into Candlekeep.



Gameplay note: We already figured out that giving the ancient armor to the ghost of Ulcaster gets us the vampiric sword, but if we hadn't figured it out by now this book description would have been another clue. I think that's a pretty good mod idea.

Then I look at Yeslick's corpse, and tell everyone else to move into the next room. The Weave can fix anything. I just need some space, and some privacy.



I seek to test your knowledge of the arcane.

I remember what the Sentry does after anything else - Fireballs. So I decide that only a full Resurrection will be enough for Yeslick.



For an unfathomable reason, though, the Sentry simply disappears after resurrecting Yeslick. Huh.



But my buddy is back, and that's all I care about! He doesn't Know, either!

After he gets suited back up, I start wondering what the drow were doing down here. I mean, we got the book back, but we still have no clue what's going on down here. We should find out.



You know, a lot of these drow fighters have been dropping Potions of Speed. Also, I remember a lot of other fighters in Section One dropping them too. I wonder how many I have in my potion case...



Oh, 248! Wow, there is no reason for us to never be not hopped up on Potions of Speed. Okay then!

I am reasonably certain that the drow trapped the exit from this cavern, so I send Imoen up ahead. But she can't find anything.



So we walk boldly on.

We don't find anyone guarding Mulahey's old place.



We don't find anyone in his place either.



I stand in the room where I first found Xan, and call him in here too. I smile at him as I think of how long ago that was, and how mysterious he seemed then.



Now I know more about him than almost anyone else in all of Faerun.

We again don't find anything else on the way out. I am almost diappointed.



I wish I could have figured out what the drow were doing down here. Besides stealing my book, that is. We follow the cave exit and come up once again in the desert.

We are attacked by a horde of wargs and bears. It is no matter.



I remember being ambushed here by amazons. I remember my entire party dying.



I remember how bad I felt about it. I remember thinking how that feeling of guilt and horror is what separated me from a murderer.



I don't feel that anymore.

[Usurper]

21 Flamerule, 1370

We arrive back at the Elfsong Tavern, and drop Yeslick off to recuperate from his death.



I really think we could use more spellcasters in the party. We don't have nearly enough arcane magic flinging about. I think we should take Edwin.



Though I do not enjoy your manner, I do have need of your talents. Welcome back.

Save your pleasantries. (I will suffer their company merely because they are useful.)

I see him giving Alora a strange, longing glance as he gets ready to go. Is he going to miss her? I think so! Sometimes I wonder what happens in this tavern while I'm away.

We teleport to the pocket plane, the armory, our storage locker. And I find that we have an unusual problem. The only golden elven chain that we have available is the one that Yeslick was using, and Edwin can't use it! So either he has to wear some other mage robes, or someone has to trade with him.

I decide to put that Underdark Mail to use. I give it to Xan. Can't be too careful with that guy, anyways. I feel like he is almost ready to undergo a transformation. Then I give Xan's golden elven chain to Edwin. And, after issuing him the standard 15 Potions of Speed and 15 Potions of Healing that are part of our group's equipment now, he looks respectable.



He is thinking of other things, though.



There is no question in my mind, Edwin - Tazok must pay for his crimes, and I care little for the term used by the others. It will be justice...

Oh, yes, but how far does justice go? Let us consider a hypothetical question. (If such a concept is not beyond his abilities.)

Hypothetical question? My wife's pain was not hypothetical, Edwin.

Yes, yes, but more to the point. Is it still justice to kill the guard that stands idly in front of Tazok's tent? Perhaps he has been hired just the past eve, and has nothing whatsoever to do with the murder of your wife.

I will not kill a person who stands idly, Edwin. But I will kill anyone who would try to defend Tazok. No truly good person would serve this half-ogre. Or would be unaware of his crimes.

It is not a question of good or evil, but one of guilt and punishment. Such a man I find is guilty of nothing more than utter stupidity in choice of employment. It is his duty to defend Tazok. Is that a crime punishable by death in the ranger code, nowadays?

The man you speak of chose to join brigands, Edwin. He chose plunder, murder and torture of innocents as his line of business.

(Easy, almost too easy...) So, now you are the avenger of ALL innocents, not only Deheriana. Most interesting, the circle of your enemies grows wide even quicker than mine. Do you not wonder whether your quest is far more than you admit it to be?

I vowed to avenge Deheriana, and I will do that. It was you who wanted to speak of abstract cases.

Indeed, but I do not disguise my personal hatreds as righteous quests. (Most of the time, heh.)

The point could also be expanded to include all those I have killed in my own search for the revenge of Gorion's murder. But I haven't been single-minded in this. People have been hunting me down too, and there have been undead and monsters and demons in the way as well. I realize with a start that all the deaths seem to blend together in my mind. I don't really distinguish between them at all. They all feel... right?

I put these thoughts out of my mind by stopping by Sorcerous Sundries to sell the minor loot we have collected and stock up on healing potions again. Then we head out the gate.

The thought of going to Candlekeep bothers me. I think about how with one look the Priestess of Lolth could see a stain on my soul. She Knew, just like that. How many clerics are there in Candlekeep, I wonder? How many of them will look at me and Know? I don't know, and I feel like I don't want to know. Yet.

When we cross the bridge, I don't head south to Candlekeep. Instead I keep following the River Chionthar. We're going on a little vacation.



On the way north, we hear a lot of rumors of the village of Ulgoth's Beard.

You have also heard with certainty that tours of the fabled Tower of Durlag operate from Ulgoth's Beard, and that it is truly a place where adventurers can test their mettle. Perhaps such a test will better prepare you to fight the darkness that threatens to destroy the Sword Coast and you with it.

Yes, this place is going to do just fine. Vacation time!

Of course, for Imoen, the idea of a vacation is talking to everyone and everything.



Sorry, never heard of the fellow.

Welcome to Ulgoth's Beard. I hope you have a pleasant stay.







Good Merchant, what is your worry? You seem troubled.

Yeah, you all nice nice now but no gold right? 'Tis same all day every day night too sometimes! Nice nice people come look and look and say nice nice and leave! I lose patience for the nice to look at pretty to hold but don't buy a suffering thing! You here to buy or you just say nice and leave?

I might be interested. Tell me, what exactly do you deal in?

I sell the small and shinies for the tourists in the Durlag's Tower but there are none now there! Bandits on the roads keep the people off and away so I'm stuck with all this stock I am. Ward tokens I have of all shapes and size. Some I found by elven ruin and some I made myself I made. Maybe some good or maybe all bad but don't they all look pretty? I tell you what I will. I'll sell you everything I have you buy for low low price of 500 gold is all. Then I go home where they appreciate a bauble shine. Buy or no and walk the walk?

You have a deal and done! Oh hell, now I'm doing it.

Good and Done! Now take it all and get out so I can pack and go. 'Tis enough of my time in this place gone and lost from me.

Not only does he give Imoen wardstones, but he also gives her all of his equipment and jewelry too.



I take a look at both wardstones.





Eh, not a bad haul for 500 gold.

We keep looking around the place. It is pretty relaxing.



Although there seem to be a lot of eccentrics around.



A LOT of them.







I do not know who you are. Introduce yourself, and we shall see if I can help you.

I am Shandalar, and I am the default benefactor of this place. My home is here, as are my major interests. I take interest in whoever comes this way, and you are very interesting indeed. I should like you to perform a task for me. A small thing, really, but something I do not have time for myself. I need for you to go to... another place... and retrieve an item of mine. Very simple, and if you succeed I will think all the better of you. What say you to this?

Why do you need me for this task when you seem more than capable?

I have other things that call my attentions, so it is more convenient that you go. Besides, I know you not and this serves as a good measure of you. Already I know you are more interested in the 'why' and not so much the profit. Will you do this?

Not right now, I need time to prepare.

Do not take long. This task needs attention soon.

We need to finish looking around the place. We find, in our explorations, an impressive-looking tower.



Too bad we can't go inside. Someone should clean this place up.

[Usurper]

With the whole village thoroughly explored, we go to the Inn to find some rest. But we find Hurgan Stoneblade instead.



Well met! What adventure do you speak of?

A glorious adventure indeed. Ye have heard of Durlag's Tower, mayhaps?

I've heard of it, yes. It's a haunted tower to the south of here, is it not?

It was haunted by me granda's friend for a time. He went mad you see.

Durlag Trollkiller was a Dwarven hero of great renown. Single-handedly slew many a dragon, he did. Me granda' was a good friend of Durlag's. They adventured together until me granda's untimely death several centuries ago.

Go on...

Me granda' was slain by an evil demon but Durlag survived. Durlag kept 'Soultaker' that had been me granda's. He was going to send it to me mother but he was betrayed. A sad tale, that. After Durlag built the tower his family was replaced by dopplegangers. Durlag killed them all but was driven mad by the act. He entrapped his tower heavily and forgot about me granda's dagger.

When I heard the story as a youth, I went to retrieve the dagger meself, but was driven back by Durlag's devious traps. If ye be interested, I wish to hire ye to retrieve me granda's dagger, 'Soultaker', me birthright. The tower has been penetrated somewhat by previous adventurers. I would think that the edge has been taken off of the danger. What say you?

Perhaps we should speak of compensation.

Of course. I have an enchanted hammer. 'Tis a powerful weapon in its own right. Should ye have no use for it then I reckon it'll bring an excellent price. What say ye?

It is a fair price. We shall find your dagger.

Good fortune to ye then. I shall await your return here.

A nice story. He also shows us where it is on our map.



We have a lot of options of things to do now. We decide to take up that Shandalar's offer. He seemed nice enough after all, and it will be a good way to get in with people's good graces here in town.

So we all bed down for the night, and Finch reads to us a fanciful tale - the Last March of the Giants.

... picking up speed, the ball rolled through the titan nation and onward to the south.

Unable to contain his curiosity, the titan king ran off after the bouncing sphere and his devoted followers dutifully followed his tracks. The meteorite rolled on and on until it reached the Great Sea and vanished into the depths. The monarch dove into the sea, and, lemminglike, the entire titan race dove in after him, never to be seen again.

Ashamed at the destruction they had wrought, the powers vowed to keep both curiosity and loyalty firmly in check to avoid such disasters in the future. They have done so to this day, preventing both new ideas from being pursued with any speed and the intelligent races of Toril from ever fully cooperating.

That can't be true. I mean, we have new ideas all the time. What about the Temple of Gond? There's good stuff in there... I go to sleep dreaming of cities powered by golems and ever-flowing water.

The next morning, we talk to Shandalar.



Yes, I will leave right now.

You are on your way, then. When you have located my cloak return to where you arrived and this ward token will effect your release... er... your passage back. Off you go now.

Wait, my release? Where are we going?



Wow, it is cold! And Shandalar didn't say anything about teleportation. I thought this was going to be a simple fetch quest... oh hello polar bear.

I take a look around. There is no way off this rock.



There is only going in the cave at the center. Where the hell are we?

Gameplay note: Funnily enough, even the game doesn't really place where we are. The best it can do is "somewhere far north".



We have no way of knowing what is in this cave. So we cast our spells of blessing and protection and prepare to enter.



We eventually find ourselves in an intricately carved hallway of cold and resilient stone. There are wolves down here.



What do these wolves eat, I wonder?



This place shall be our tomb.

Thanks Xan.

[Usurper]

Imoen goes first to check for traps. So she is the one who finds Andris.



I was sent by Shandalar. Seems there is something of his on this island that he wants returned.

Shandalar! Well, there is a name I have not heard in awhile. Aye, he was here. The bastard managed to escape, though I know not how. This isle is much like a prison, and is uncharted on any map I have seen. The stars indicate that we are far to the north, but I cannot seem to get more precise than this.

So, here we are, stranded on an iced speck in the middle of the ocean, with no food or proper shelter. Do you find it amusing, Syvishtar, that we are actually safer now than ever before? Or are you too busy planning how we should fight our way out of this safety, to our imminent doom?

This place seems to ensnare magical energy, pulling it from the air. If you are a mage in transport, it pulls you as well. Plucks you from the ether and deposits you here. Leaving the island by magical means seems entirely impossible.

I step in to the conversation.

What is the purpose of this place? Who constructed it?

I don't know an answer to either question. It could be a joke of the gods, or a test... or both. It is hard to tell with gods. It could be a natural phenomenon, though these tunnels certainly are not. Trapped mages may have fashioned them for shelter however. There is little else to do here except plot, study, or go mad. I prefer to plot. On that note, if you would be so kind as to strip down and give me what you are carrying I would be ever so grateful.

What? But why? Certainly we can come to some agreement?

But why? I think I can overpower the pull of this place if I have enough magical energy. You may have items, or your very being may yield fuel. I care not which, and I am through talking!

I pull everyone back to the room, and prepare a little ambush for the overconfident mage. Things are going well until he lands a Confusion into the party.



Great. I reach for the Holy book of Rhialto to fix this problem. It works.



Of course it works too well. Andris comes around the corner and Imoen casts another Dispel Magic at him. It strips off his mirror images, his stoneskin, his fire shield, and who knows what else. Then he casts some spell protections to make up for it.



It is not enough. Finch and Xan burst out of their hiding place and slice into him. Imoen and Kivan let arrows fly. I throw some chaos daggers. Edwin prepares defensive magics. Andris panics, and lets off a contingency. He disappears.



I put everyone back in formation and prepare to take on the next mage. Because Andris had friends. Marcellus is one of them, and comes around the corner next.



He is, unfortunately, not the mage that Andris is, and dies quickly.



We walk down the hall and into the room where Beyn, Andris' third friend, stands waiting for us.



His confusion hits 3 of us.



Xan still attacks Beyn, but Imoen starts to try to kill Finch!



No Finch, don't die!

I rush over and heal her before trying to get her out of there.



That's when Andris comes back into play. He had run away just long enough to heal.



Kivan kills Beyn at that time. Also, it looks like Edwin and Imoen are both wandering away from the fight in different directions, in their confusion. This is the best possible outcome under the circumstances, and I thank the Weave for its guidance.



I breathe a small prayer to the Weave to help us this day, and cast a random spell at Andris. He... becomes protected from magic energy!?



But then, the next spell, two djinnis come to my aid. Ok, I can deal with this. Andris casts Shadow Door in fear of their entrance.



While he is gone, I have a conversation with the djinni.



A repeatable wish.

Choose then, but be aware that unwise wishes shall leave the wisher wanting.

I wish that magic would fail to affect me or my party.

A curious request, but consider it granted. None of your spells shall function.

Ok, that is not what I had in mind...



Gameplay note: In the heat of battle I forgot this was an unwise wish. The entire party has Spell Failure now. Except for the other djinni!



Andris creates more confusion among my party.



Then he hits Finch with a minor sequencer of 2 magic missiles. Ouch!



Thankfully, Finch's helmet prevents confusion, and she is able to down a healing potion.



I try to take stock of the situation. Edwin is drooling in a corner. (typical)



Imoen is drooling in a far corner.



Xan is drooling in a third corner.



Better them separated and doing nothing than fighting amongst themselves.

I have Finch and a djinni beating on Andris, while myself and Kivan stand back and throw or shoot things at him.



But he won't stay still and fight. He teleports over to where Imoen is standing, and we are forced to chase him.



Then Imoen turns to fight, and Xan rushes in from the other room, and Edwin even makes an appearance. They are no longer confused!



He again goes after Finch, this time with a Flame Arrow spell. But she survives.



The spell failure curse wears off, and Imoen casts Minute Meteors. She then begins throwing them at Andris.



When we start to damage Andris, he casts Invisibility.



But that only works for a few seconds. He pops back into view.



I want this to be over, so I shout "Missile Barrage!" Edwin, Imoen, and I all let loose with magic missiles at the same time.



With Xan's help, it is enough to kill.



On his body, I find a Robe of the Abyss, a Staff of the Ancients, and some spell scrolls. They are Grease, Protection from Evil, Remove Magic, Ray of Frost, and Arc of Death. None of the spells are new.



Gameplay note: Holy crap +25% magic resistance, +5 AC, +3 spells for levels 1-5, and +1 spell for levels 6-8?! Also, never needing sleep is a nice touch.



I give Edwin the Ray of Frost scoll, which he copies into his spellbook. He also takes the Robe of the Abyss and puts it on, not even pretending to heed my objections.

Gameplay note: Putting the Robe of the Abyss drops Edwin's HPs down to 17 from 31. But he also has almost as many spell slots as I do. He gets 11 level one slots, 10 level two slots, 9 level three slots, and 8 level four slots.



The black cloak makes Edwin look decidedly sinister.



We also find Andris' Journal.

...mine fingers I must huddle around a dung-fire eating seal fat! The forces behind this place have no respect for my stature, my power! I have slain beasts thrice my size with a glance, and traveled as a bird over oceans! Here my magic is sucked to the earth and I am held, as others are. Some have escaped, and I swear I shall hunt them and take the power they must have. To do what I cannot they must be great indeed. I curse them for leaving, I curse this place, and I curse that I have not the might to follow.

Andris of Iraebor

What an angry, mean little mage.

[Usurper]

Finch seems wiser after the fight.





Gameplay note: Including a new pip in Maces.



Gameplay note: Also, since Finch is a cleric of Deneir, she gets Invisibility and Invisibility 10' Radius as spells this level. Nifty!



We take a look at the maze before us. It seems familiar somehow. There are doubtless going to be many traps and bad guys in here. Imoen should search for them first.



She does find a trap, deep within the twisted passages.



She also finds another inmate in this magical prison.



No, and I don't intend to stay here long, either.

No, no, none of us do, none of us do... Did you think I wanted this place?! Did you think I wnated to languish here for years, Tellan Altru'ar, once the shining light of Tethyr?! ... No, no, hehahee-he-heeee, not I, not I. Now give me that wardstone, buttercup, or I shall pluck your petals and watch ye rot!

Imoen doesn't appreciate being talked to like that, so she starts out strong with a Lightning Bolt.



Tellan is immune to magical weapons, but he falls easily enough to massive Magic Missile barrages.



He was wearing a Robe of the Evil Archmagi, the Clasp of Bron's Cloak, and a Greenstone Amulet.





We find more winter wolves, which we take out.



Their pelts will be good money in the future.

Just north of that area we find a stairway leading somewhere.



But I feel that there is a lot we are still missing in this area.



So we backtrack and see if there is anything we overlooked. We do find a trap we overlooked.



Which, by a winding way, leads to Cuchol.



Relax, fellow; we have no reason to harm you.

Why are you here? You weren't sent to kill poor Cuchol?

We're merely here to retrieve an item. We'll be on our way as soon as we can find it.

Are you not trapped here? I Cuchol, the Scourge of Lachom! The Ravisher of Surkh! Even with my fell powers, I cannot escape.

We have our ways, Cuchol. Have you seen a cloak, perhaps?

A ward! Of course! My friends, I have been trapped here for too long. Think of my reputation! 'Cuchol,' they'll say, 'What kind of mystical magic man are you?' Then I'll say 'It's not my fault! It's that stupid ice!' Then they'll say 'You're a loser Cuchol. A real fool, if you catch my drift.' Can't you see? My reputation? I must have that ward! I must escape!

We can't help you, Cuchol. We need to leave this place ourselves.

But it's so cold! Don't you see? It's cold! Why does Cuchol bother with these wretches? Very well, I MUST have the ward!

Great. Why are there so many insane mages around? and we are still trying to deal with the latest winter wolf we found.



Cuchol also casts Chaos at us. It only affects Xan though. I guess I should have let him keep that Underdark Mail?



Neither Imoen nor Edwin are equipped to deal with Cuchol as he is surrounded by a Globe of Invulnerability. But Imoen can summon some monsters!



We think that the confused Xan can't be too much of a menace, so it is a surprise when he turns to Edwin and decapitates him in one blow.



Kivan, Finch, and two ogre berserkers focus on killing Cuchol, while Imoen runs from a confused Xan.



I finally come upon the scene, and use my Ettin's Wand to freeze Xan in mid-swing. Imoen ducks under his moonblade and is back in the fight.



Cuchol is well-protected against magic, but not physical blows. He becomes quite injured quite quickly.



Cuchol manages to hit Imoen with one volley of magic missiles, and then dies.



A sad end to the Scourge of Lachom and The Ravisher of Surkh. Too bad, so sad, don't let the door hit your ass on the way to the Nine Hells.

Now, we are in a peculiar situation with our dead companion here, Edwin. While we could summon the Vault Keeper and try to get him resurrected, we don't have enough gold to pay for it. We only have 555 gold, and the standard rate for resurrection is 800 at our level. And since we are cut off from civilization, we can't sell any loot to raise enough money to resurrect him. So, for now, he's going to have to stay dead.

I sure hope nobody else dies on this weaveforsaken island. We send Imoen ahead to scout the next room. She finds another person. Does every room of this maze have a complimentary crazy mage in it?



Who are you exactly, and what are you doing on an ice island in the middle of the ocean?

I am Garan, and have been trapped on this infernal island ever since I tried to teleport from Maztica to Waterdeep. But it is not you who should be asking the questions. You have not answered my question yet; answer now or suffer the consequences.

Imoen surprises me with her answer.

We are the party of Syvishtar, and have come to find Shandalar's stolen cloak.

You have come to take Shandalar's cloak, eh? Well, he must have given you something to get off of the island, something that I intend to have. Prepare to die, fools!

What, again? We shouldn't even bother with these guys. Wait a second, are those... ankheg tendrils?



What is this guy the king of ankhegs or something? Imoen strikes one with lightning. It works quite well thank you.



Garan is no slouch in magic. He breaks out the Cone of Cold right on Finch!



I think we need some more muscle. I summon an efreeti to help us.



A second Cone of Cold is equally devastating.



Garan then hits Finch with a minor sequencer magic missile combo and it really stings.



A Xan/Kivan 1/2 punch takes the cold mage out.



He has a few low-level spells and a couple of healing potions on him. Nothing special.

[Usurper]

Since the efreeti and fire elemental are still around, I take them with me as I scout the remaining sections of the maze. They come in handy killing bears.



I think the efreeti is a little too over-the-top when he Fireballs the bear, but hey it works!

After that, we find that we have explored the entire maze. There is nowhere left for crazed mages to hide on this level.



So we go to the next. I want to get out of here as quickly as possible.



The stairs open up into a cave complex. It looks dangerous.



We find a lot of wolves in the caves.



A whole lot of wolves.



In fact I am starting to think that this whole cave is nothing but wolves, when we find Dezkiel.



Um... because you find it?

Ha! The commonsense answer, in a place uncommon where sense does not rule the day. You are looking for something here: something of power and value. I am sure I know just what it is, and for whom you seek it. I do not wish to relinquish it. What do you have to say to that?

How do you know these things of me?

The others here are like me, in that they do not understand this place. I doubt the place itself could tell its own purpose were it able to answer questions. Suffice it that I am not so quick to turn to desperation as the others, and I do not fear the unknown quite so much. If this place draws magical energies to it, and I am here at the center, then it draws magical energy to me by default. In time I will harness it, and in time I will leave. Already I know more of things here than any other. I can see things... things others cannot.

Again, I interject.

And what can you see? What is this place?

I see why you are here. I see that I have what you seek. I see that we must fight and the victor shall leave. What is this place? Many things. Today it is a dueling pit. Tomorrow it will be a graveyard. Yesterday it was... what? I cannot say. If it is natural it is an abomination. If it is divine, it is utterly cruel. We are all many things, including obtuse and unclear. Do what you will. If I win, I am released. If I lose, I am released.

With a burst of magical energy, Dezkiel is wrapped in protections. Imoen runs to the far wall to draw the inevitable Chaos away from the rest of the party. Then she begins to cast Improved Invisibility to hopefully ruin Dezkiel's spell.



But Dezkiel does not start out with Chaos. He starts with Cone of Cold.



Also, the bear behind Imoen attacks! She tries to retaliate and dodge at the same time. I move into position, and perform Step One: Dispelling Invisibility.



Then I perform Step Two: Unleash Hell.



The Weave asks me a complex set of questions about when to unleash my next spell.



I keep unloading on Dezkiel, and when the Vortex writhes into being I know I am victorious.



Even before the djinni can speak to me, Dezkiel is dead.



On his body is Shandalar's Cloak.



Gameplay note: Wow, no wonder Shandalar wants this back. This is one awesome cloak!

There is also Dezkiel's Scroll.

...but others too. Mystra, goddess of magic, my magical maiden, why do you treat your children so? Do you give the sparkle of magic only so it cannot be used? A lesson in humility for those on the verge of true power? Drop your robes and wands and staves, or forever be trapped with your self-importance and pride? Perhaps, but I will not shed what I have earned just to walk the skies again. I shall profit from this; I will play outside your rules. This place will bring it all to me in time, though I can't take it elsewhere. No, you can't take it with you, but you can stay with it, and hold it tight. Perhaps with outside help? Bah! None but those who have learned can find this place again, and they will not interrupt the teaching. I will not bend; I will snap and strike back in time. Humility is so... humiliating, and I will not suffer more. Power impotent is still preferable to power lost.

Of course, perhaps the walls do not listen to such musings, and my writing is pointless. No matter, for tomorrow I shall wipe this clean and write anew. My verse gets better. One must have hobbies.

One passage rings again and again in my mind. "Mystra, goddess of magic, my magical maiden, why do you treat your children so?" A fair question. Why does she treat her children so, and thus? Should I lay my life so far at her feet?

This area is empty, and nothing else lies within.



We climb back to the surface of the island, the isolated speck in a sea of white.



Before we can even get our bearings, we are ripped away and back to Ulgoth's Beard.





What was that place? There are people still trapped on that island.

It is an odd place, to be sure. Teleportations are affected most drastically, in effect trapping the occasional passing mage. Those that are there will find their way off in time. Those that are not there anymore have found their own way off. I think you will agree that the ones that you met were not inclined to work together and effect their own release. An excellent judge of character in a supposedly natural phenomenon, wouldn't you say? I must be off. Fare ye well.

And with that, he teleports away.



Since it is now daytime, and we arrived in the evening, we go back to see if there are other people to talk to. We find a snooty nobleman near the dock.



I am pleased to meet you. Have you gone on the tour of Durlag's Tower?

Indeed, I have. 'Twas a wonderful tour, although somewhat steep in price. Why do you ask? Perhaps you are entertaining thoughts of following in my footsteps?

We thought that you might find the time to share some of your knowledge of the Tower and of the tour.

The tale of that ill-fated tower is a fascinating one. Durlag Trollkiller, a great dwarven hero, built the tower. Over a long and successful career, Durlag amassed a great horde of treasure. Rumors spoke of rooms full of gems and a great hall strewn with dusty heaps of gold coins.

With the aid of hired dwarves, Durlag dug many chambers and passages in the tor and raised the lone tower above it, planning it as a seat where he could found a dwarven community and grow old in peace, surrounded by happy, propserous kin.

Instead, dopplegangers, organized and aided by foul mind-flayers, slew and impersonated Durlag's companions. After the shocked dwarf discovered the first impersonation, he was attacked by all the others and spent a terror-filled tenday frantically fighting through his own fortress, chased by monsters who wore familiar forms but sought his death.

In the end, alone and victorious, he was powerless to stop the fleeting illithids. Fearful they'd return, Durlag hired the finest craftfolk he could find and began to rebuild his tower and the tor beneath as an elaborate succession of traps, magical wards, secret passages, sliding prison chambers, and triggered weapons.

For several centuries things went on like this, as the increasingly eccentric Durlag lived on fungi and, it is cruelly whispered, the bodies of intruders. At length he died, and presumably his bones still lie in some inner room, guarded by thousands of deadly traps.

After having seen the first few rooms of the tower myself, I can say that it must be as dangerous as the legends portend. It is a fascinating place to visit and I strongly recommend that you take a tour. I must be off now. Farewell and enjoy the tour.

Sounds like a fascinating, if horrible, place. I think I know how Durlag must feel to see his friends and loved ones falling in death over and over. But to be the hand to do it all - that I do not know. Exactly. Too much. He shouldn't have let it bother him, really. I don't.

Nope, sure don't. I don't have those feelings anymore.

All gone.

[Usurper]

We decide to look around the little town some more. See if there are any rational people about. We find someone who sounds interesting, a Mendas.



Knowledge is a worthy pursuit my friend. I will help you if I can.

Tragic things are happening in this unfair, uh, how you say... world. The men with power, they hurt the men with none. They destroy things that teach us better life. I tell you true, it would be better if these men are not born!

This Merchant League, these bad men, they find the island to the west. The island has a broken ship, an, uh, shipwreck. Very old shipwreck, they say.

How did the Merchant League discover the island?

They sail to New World and big storm blow them north. The sailors can't control boat and it almost crash on island rocks. It is very stormy but they can see the old wrecked ship. They come back to Baldur's Gate and sell sea charts to Merchants' League. A pox upon them!

Why is the Merchants' League interested in an island in the middle of nowhere? What does it boast besides dangerous shores and a rotting ship?

These merchant men are greedy. They want island and ship. May their bones rot in Nine Hells!

The merchants want treasures from the New World. The Trackless Sea is very wide, so Merchant League ships must stop for supplies. They would stop at Evermeet but elf place is north, too much. Only place to stop is Sundrah on Lantan but fees are very expensive. Merchant men lose money too much in Sundrah.

The Merchant sailors see more than shipwreck on island. They see big harbor, also. They want to turn this harbor into new stop for ships from Waterdeep or Baldur's Gate.

What about the shipwreck?

The Merchant League sailors see markings on the ship. The shipwreck, hero, is Balduran's. These men they think that Balduran had much treasure on his final voyage. Maybe this true, but ship also has many artifacts. These things hold knowledge of Balduran's fate. I wish to recover the ships' logbook. I will solve mystery of Balduran's final voyage. Merchant League will destroy my artifacts to get treasure. This must not happen! If you help me, I get things precious to me, you get treasure, merchant men get nothing. You will help, yes?

Mendas, you are clearly working towards a noble end. I will help you.

I charter boat forthwith. There is small problem, though. These men that find island, they keep the sea charts locked up. In Baldur's Gate, there is building in Northeast of city called Counting House; to find it just go northeast from Elfsong tavern. The sea charts, they are in there. Most likely, captain of ship will have them.

I don't know such things as chart retrieval but you are hero and it is no problem for heroes. There might be small danger so I give you some gold for the charts. I wll wait for you here.

Consider it done. I will back as soon as I am able.

Please hurry friends, I need charts soon. Merchants prepare ships as we speak.

We make our goodbyes and smile our smiles and take off. As soon as we get out of his house, another man approaches us. Well, approaches Imoen. He seems to have eyes for only her.



Argh, mate! Born 'n raised in th' Beard, I be. Got brine in me blood an' a sea chanty on me breath.

'Tis a lie as sure as Mistress Mallory got the pox. I ne'er laid me eyes on yer loverly form 'afore this day.

Ye 'ave caught me, fair and true. 'M only here t' meet a feller named Mendas.

Mendas, eh? 'E's a grim sort. Ne'er a kind word or a 'ow's-yur-auntie?

He's a miserable scalliwag, he is. Known him long 'ave ye?

Mendas came t' th' Beard this season past. Bought ol' Svenson's place, he did. He claimt t' be from Waterdeep, but I known fellers fr' th' City o' Splendors an' they can speak th' common tongue as good as I done.

I can't take this any more. I interject.

"... as well as I do," you mean.

Nay, better. Wherever 'e's from, Mendas darn'ta like t' mix with us common folk. 'E keeps to 'imself in his house, for th' most part. 'E leaves for a few days every month, is all. 'Tis all I be knowin', I'm afraid.

A bloody miracle worker, ye be. Many thanks to ye and may th' fish find yer bait most delectable.

'Tis th' least a lad could do. G'day to ye all.

I never cease to be amazed at Imoen's ability to adapt to the local slang at the drop of a hat. But we are tired from our adventure far north, so we decide to turn in for the day. When we get to the Inn, I check out the store. It's amazing! The store owner buys bolts, and we can sell all the magical bolts we collected from the drow in the Nashkel Mines!

Gameplay note: This is the first store that I've found that buys magical bolts. Why? I do not know.



After selling those and a few other trinkets, we are up to 14,000 gold!



With that, I am easily able to resurrect Edwin,



and send him on his way.



We should separate now. I'll look you up next time I'm in the Gate - meet me in the Elfsong Tavern.

Very well, I accept under the terms of our agreement. (Best to humour them, they're not bright enough to understand the arguments against the idea.)

I don't feel the usual pang of guilt that I remember from other partings. Nope, not there at all. But I try to put on a pained face, so that the others will not see what is not there. I don't want them to Know. Besides, there are other possibilities here in Ulgoth's Beard. I've been eyeing a couple of people in the Inn...