
Syvishtar's Journal
#861
Posted 14 October 2012 - 05:24 PM
B. Monk
1. Beguiler
Yes rep is for scrubs.
#862
Posted 14 October 2012 - 05:27 PM
Yes -- I told you! *shakes fist* But yeah, once you do some quests in Baldur's Gate you gain like seventy billion reputation anyway. Maintaining it around 15 will keep everyone reasonably happy, I think.
I just wanted to show it happening rather than just tell it. I like intended and unintended consequences...
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#863
Posted 14 October 2012 - 05:29 PM
I just wanted to show it happening rather than just tell it. I like intended and unintended consequences...
Yeah, I know. Your LP is always more interesting this way. And getting rid of Shar-Teel was just a bonus, I'm sure =P
#864
Posted 14 October 2012 - 06:25 PM
Edited by Lurker of the north, 14 October 2012 - 06:25 PM.
#865
Posted 15 October 2012 - 01:25 AM
The mod with section elites is Dark Horizons, same stuff that brought you underneath the Ulcaster school.
you should liquor multiplying great deal supplment your to office apparel predicated copy may possibly be an go through check out this behave as more busy den has an interest in pc
#866
Posted 15 October 2012 - 07:08 AM
Edited by Fred The Archer, 15 October 2012 - 07:09 AM.
#867
Posted 15 October 2012 - 09:46 PM
Wow, that's a lot of potential cash. Have you tried to outfit all availaible characters and see if there's anything left that we can safely sell, knowing it won't be needed in the final battle? Seems to me like we could afford another item or two by selling some of the superfluous stuff. And while I'm on the topic of availaible characters and gold, any progress on recruiting a high-lvl cleric for resurrections? These might have been adressed in the main thread but the forums are currently inaccessible to us lesser, accountless folk.
I didn't really address your other questions before, sorry. There's a poster in the main thread who tried to match all characters to all items. He said that we can really only afford to get rid of four items: an Adventurer's Robe, Traveller's Robe, Small Shield +1, and Medium Shield +1. Pretty crazy, heh. I did end up making a lot of cash by selling all the Section loot.
I think that a high-level cleric might be the last NPC that we recruit. I should probably find one. I'm thinking I'll make a story out of it. There's Nalin in the Temple of Helm, Keldath Ormlyr in the song of the Morning Temple, and Gellana Mirrorshade in the Friendly Arm Inn. Out of those three, I have used Gellana least. So from a game mechanics standpoint I could recruit her and not be missing much. From a buying stuff standpoint, Keldath Ormlyr has some sweet paladin equipment in his shop, so I wouldn't want to recruit him and lose access to that. But from a story standpoint, Nalin has already helped Brage, a man who went mad and killed his family. Syvishtar is always feeling guilty about the deaths of his party members, so maybe Nalin can give him the peace of mind that he gives Brage. And then maybe he can agree to join up with him. That might work out best. And I don't think there's anything left to do in the southern part of the map, so we probably wouldn't be missing out on him.
Edited by Usurper, 16 October 2012 - 12:43 AM.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#868
Posted 16 October 2012 - 12:44 AM
Which class should Black Bear be? A. Berserker ........ B. Monk ............................................. C. BarBEARian .. Which class should Seafoam Wonderbounce be? 1. Beguiler ......................................... 2. Sorceress ..... 3. Archer ....... Should we lower our reputation? Yes ............................................ No ...
When the vast majority of the voices agree, that's what we do.
Edited by Usurper, 16 October 2012 - 12:45 AM.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#869
Posted 17 October 2012 - 11:26 AM

27 Tarsakh, 1370
I can't sleep.

I couldn't eat at dinner, either. The rest of the group had a hearty meal like always. But not me. I just sat and stared at some soup. I even made sure to order soup so I could stare at it.
So that's why I'm out here. I'm walking.

I can't think either. How long have I even been out of Candlekeep? Months, years? I try to look into this journal, to go over older entries, but they are puerile crap. I can't bear to look at them. I don't want to count the days.

And this whole time I've been hounded. I've been attacked, my friends killed. I ran in fear for my life. Group after group of mercenaries has found me again and again. On the steps of the Friendly Arm Inn. In the Valley of the Tombs. In Nashkel. Even at the Song of the Morning Temple.
And the whole time they were being directed by an organization RIGHT HERE IN BEREGOST!

Now Black Bear is dead.

Imoen is dead.

They'll all be dead eventually.

Except the smart ones.

The smart ones get the hell out before I kill them.

Like Bardo.

He refuses to even sit at the same table as me now.

He's also one of my few traveling companions who has never died.

The halfling isn't the sharpest sword on the wall but at least he's alive now.

How many times has, oh, Shar-Teel died?

Yes, let's talk about her, shall we?

She just couldn't wait to up and walk out that door.

I can still see it now, playing over and over in my mind like some sort of horrible looping, moving image.

How could she just walk away like that?

If she wasn't happy she could have said something!

We could have worked something out!

But no. The more well-known I became, the more we drifted apart.

She just didn't seem to understand that she wasn't the only one with a bad experience in life.

So focused on her father, she never cared about MY father.

Why didn't she talk to me if she was unhappy?

She would just give me those looks.

Tell me she was going to kill me some day.

Tell me to stop staring at her.

What did she expect me to do?

Ignore every single thing she said?

Not care about her?

I guess I just cared too much.

Maybe that's my problem.

So, what, Shar-Teel left me because I cared too much?

That sounds kinda stupid.

But Shar-Teel IS kinda stupid.

Gameplay note: That was my last Nahal's Reckless Dweomer that refreshed all my spells.

Stupid for following me as long as she did.

But if that's the yardstick for stupid, she's not the most stupid.



No, the most stupid among my followers is the one who's been following me the longest.

Why does she even stick around?

No one should ever kill their friend that many times.

And who sticks around after dying so very, very much?

She's probably got some kind of psychological problem.

Yeah, following me is a symptom of some deeper, darker issues.

All I can do is kill things.

people...

spells...

Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#870
Posted 17 October 2012 - 11:26 AM


Gameplay note: 65,000 gold gone into the Weave.

Everything I touch turns to ash.

Death is all I'm good for.

Even my bunnies are only for dying.

If I summon gnolls or ogres it is only so that they can fall in my service.

But you know what the worst part of it all is?

I always end up okay.

I'm not a hero. To follow me is to follow death. To know me is to know the end of everything. So tell them. Tell them what I really am. Tell them the truth about Syvishtar.










Gameplay note: Reputation drops by 3 points down to 16, which is still Popular. Eh. I do it once more just to be sure.

When I get back, I say to the general room, "Alright, I have returned. Who wants to die on the way to Baldur's Gate today?"

Oh. Well, okay then. Your lives are in your hands.
Then I go to the house right next to the Jovial Juggler to pick up Sirine. I had to rent this house for her after her presence started fights in the Jovial Juggler.

Gameplay note: This is not a joke. When I kicked her out of the party inside the Jovial Juggler she exhibited some sort of aura that mind-controlled several characters standing next to her, making them red-circled and starting a brawl. She even turned me red-circled, ending the game! I'd like you to know that Gavin was the bravest among my companions, rushing over to smite me first out of everyone. I guess if I ever turn evil, Gavin will strike me down without hesitation.


Sirine has chosen to become a Beguiler. It was inevitable, really.

With a few short lessons she has mastered the lute, which is great, because we have two of them. First is Fabio's lute.

She can play it extremely well. It makes me dizzy to see. The second is a lute that I picked up uh... a few hours earlier.

Gameplay note: In addition to that, she always has an extra spell of Dire Charm available in her spells menu. The girl is going to be charming everything. Finally, she STILL has 5 pips in bows. I think that and the extra Dire Charm is because her race is [ Succubus ]. I've got no problem with that.

Since she is the first bard we've seen in a while, she picks up two rings that have just been collecting dust, the Traveler's Ring and the Bard's Ring. They give her more magic. Indira is kind enough to give her Indira's Chainmail. With that and the Bracers of Defense A.C. 3, she is protected well enough to survive melee. Finally, she fills her quiver with 450 Arrows +2 that we got off of Section Operatives. There's more where that came from, too.
Indira lends Sirine her chainmail because she's wearing Elven Chain Mail +3, which I also picked up just a few hours ago.

Not only is it perfectly crafted to not restrict her spellcasting abilities, it also makes her golden. Kind of like me!

She also has Mage's Bracers to increase her spellcasting speed, and the Helm of the Flame to boost her constitution. That and one Ring of Protection +2 will keep her well protected. In her hands she wields the swords Life and Death that we picked up before. She also holds the Long Sword +2 "Section 1" in her belt simply because I know it would piss of Section Operatives. Her Amulet of the Learned and Apprentice's Ring boost her spells, and the Cloak of Displacement, Boots of Ensured Quickness, and Girdle of Defense round out her protections. She is definitely good to go.
Edwin, now, is starting to look like a real mage.

He wears a Red Wizard Robe for its extremely good melee protections. What do they DO over there in Thay that they need such good equipment? He complements that with a Ring of Protection +2 as well as a Cloak of Protection +1. The Girdle of Bluntness gives him a little extra in that department. His inherited amulet and the Ring of Archwizardry ensure that he will hang with the rest of us in spellcasting. And I give him the Elemental Staff of Fire and a Boomerang Dagger for weapons.
We are almost completely set. All I need to do now is get my spellcasting friends up to speed in spells. For that we turn to, of course, Firebead.

Lady Seafoam Wonderbounce doesn't know ANY spells at all. Firebead spends a lot of time with her, though, teaching her the basics and making her practice casting spells over and over and over again. Eventually he is satisfied with her performance. And then after a few days of extensive scroll scribing, we get Edwin and Indira up to speed on the party spell library as well. Finally, we are ready to go.


It is still dark when we walk along the road. Despite the fact that the last time we came along this way we were ambushed, I still want to be nostalgic.

One of the first things I saw after I left Candlekeep.

When I was running for my life, wondering where to go, I sought out the Friendly Arm Inn coming this way. Spell-less, low on arrows, Imoen and a crazed mage with me.

I remember finally making it here. The island of sanity in a sea of bandits.

It's still pretty cool. I'll have to visit again.

When we get there, Jaheira pipes up.

That would have been REALLY nice to know back when we came here the first time. It might have saved Ajantis' and Finch's lives.
We are ambushed by bandits. Err, I should say bandit. There's only one.

And then there's another one.

But other than a few ankhegs that we ignore, there's nothing else. I wonder how that guy is doing on his farm?

We approach Wyrm's Crossing, and as I check my journal I realize it is exactly one year and one day since I left Candlekeep. I'm still looking down at my journal and don't realize the brightly shining people waiting for us.

Edited by Usurper, 18 October 2012 - 07:07 PM.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#871
Posted 17 October 2012 - 11:27 AM







We all cast Army of One, except for Seafoam, who has to make do with Mirror Image.

Then we unleash hell.

Ygrainne Windstar falls last.

Everything happens so fast I'm not quite sure what to say. But then when I look at the loot, I say "Cha-ching!"
Gameplay note: I've actually known about these guys for a really long time and been looking forward to their loot for a long time too.
The guards were all wearing Elven Chain Mail +1,

wielding Elven Longswords +2,

and using Elven Longbows +2.

I think it must have been Ygrainne who was using the Light Crossbow +3 Firetooth.

I give this to Jaheira. She will never need ammunition again. There is also another cutlass here, the Cutlass +2 Scorcher. If only we knew some pirates...

The Elven Chain Mail +1 can be worn by anyone, even mages, while the Elven Chain Mail +3 can be worn by Yeslick. All of us, actually, can wear them, turning us into a golden, shining force!

Gameplay note: There are five sets of armor, and while the Elven Chain Mail +3 is 3 AC less than what Yeslick was already wearing, everyone else actually gets an AC boost to wearing them. I'm thinking of making them the official uniform of Syvishtar's army, and calling us the Golden Company. Eh? EH? Also, this whole area is incredibly, incredibly laggy. I can barely walk across the bridge. It's a slideshow. Good thing I'm doing a screenshot-based Let's Play.
The drawbridge, it's down!

The guards, they're letting people through!

Well, I've been there for a year...


A moment later and we are introduced.









With that, he leaves, and we are free to set our feet upon new ground that has been cut off from us for such a long, long time.

I just have to know who this lady standing near the entrance is, so I ask.

I do see another short man next to us as we go into the city, but I don't want to stop to chat now. I need to sleep.

We just walk right into the city.

It is a sight to behold!

No sooner is Yeslick done speaking when Elminster crosses my path again. Elminster the Chosen of Mystra!










Ok, at least we have two friends in this city - Scar and Duke Eltan.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#872
Posted 17 October 2012 - 11:27 AM






Didn't Gavin say he was from Ulgoth's Beard? Hrm. I'll have to ask him next time I see him. But for now, we need an Inn.

Nope, not here. Oh, hey, that's a cool-looking building.

Oh, hey, here we go. The Elfsong.

Yeah, this is my kinda place!




Ha! My thoughts exactly. You know, I think I'm going to like this place...

Yes, I think I'm going to like this place just fine.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#873
Posted 17 October 2012 - 11:34 AM
#874
Posted 17 October 2012 - 02:22 PM
#875
Posted 18 October 2012 - 05:44 PM
Also, unless some modder has changed this, you are the same level as the Grand Dukes. No idea how Syvishtar would react to this, but you might be able to do something fun with it.
#876
Posted 18 October 2012 - 07:59 PM

I wanted to outline something that happened last update that not many people caught, so I wrote up a little mini-update:
Tactical Mini-update aka Super Gameplay note
Such a crazy thing happened with wild surges last time that I wanted to explain exactly what was going on, because even I was surprised. I didn't know this was possible.
When I got to the Section 1 level that I had abandoned in the update before last, I was alone. I used Nahal's Reckless Dweomer to cast Project Image.

Project Image is a level 7 illusion spell that copies the wizard. The wizard's actual body is concealed with Invisibility, and the illusory copy of the wizard is visible. The image has the same spells and hit points as the wizard, and can move around. The caster, on the other hand, is basicaly Held for the duration of the spell, since he must maintain concentration.

Having one illusory copy of Syvishtar walking around is already dangerous enough, and normally the limit of the spell. But when I cast it, the wild surge "Caster also targeted" fired, which apparently means that two copies of Syvishtar were created.

So two copies of Syvishtar, each with all the spells of the original Syvishtar, are now running rampant throughout the complex. Well, actually, I had one additional problem. The copies did not have line of sight, so if they walked beyond the range of the actual Syvishtar's sight range, they disappeared. Hence, I had to cast Wizard Eye to keep an eye on them.

They managed to kill that one guy with Magic Missiles and stuff, and then moved on to the halway, where they Fireballed the shit out of everything.

Then I had the great idea of having them both Summon Wild Hordes at the same time. So this is a double-dose of suicidal exploding bunny rabbits.

Unfortunately immediately after they summoned a Lesser Fire Elemental and the double horde of bunnies, both Project Images' durations ran out, and they disappeared.

I tried to Project another Image, but instead I got a random spell scroll.

Plus, some Section Elites found my actual self and started attacking me.

So I ended up summoning more bunnies to confuse them and another Lesser Fire Elemental to beat them up.

Then I summoned some ogres and did the rest of the mod with them, only resting once, and sometimes resorting to using the level 7 spell Infernal Combustion Enigma through Nahal's Reckless Dweomer.


What I did would not be possible with any other class, and I thought was not possible even with the Wild Mage. I look forward to the day we are much higher level and the duration of Project Image is not so short. Hopefully I can do another dual-Project Image smackdown some day against an important baddie, like Irenicus.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#877
Posted 20 October 2012 - 05:53 PM

2 Mirtul, 1370
It has now been officially over a year since I left Candlekeep, and I have gained immeasurable power during that time.

In fact, I now believe I am the equal of Firebead Elvenhair, or any other number of senior wizards in my old home. I have learned so very much about the Weave.

I have experienced its work upon my very body.

Gameplay note: With 374,488 xp to go to get to level 12, I'm pretty sure I'm done leveling for Baldur's Gate.
But it seems like there is always something more to learn.







Gameplay note: Damn! Talk about a great spell! It can potentially keep going forever?







Gameplay note: And something to curse my enemies with. Awesome!






I think I saw something else in there...






Gameplay note: That sounds like a lot of fun. Making enemies trigger a wild surge by hitting me? I can't wait to try this out either.
I can understand it, but I can't cast it yet. This and Paithan's Fiasco are level 6 spells, which are out of my reach. My sword seems to be thinking of something else.

After a good rest and good study, I decide to try to get to know the people in this bar. I hope I don't hate anyone. First that little halfling over there.




Heh, this little guy is so nervous it's cute.


It is? Damn.











Bah! Sticks-in-the-mud! I'm already intrigued by this diversion. No big huge evil here, just one telescope and one way-too-excited gnome. It's like I'm on vacation. I go talk to this next guy standing in the corner.

Wood of Sharp Teeth, eh? I might have taken those guys out already.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#878
Posted 20 October 2012 - 05:55 PM



I guess I already know that.

We've also got a jeweler here, hawking his wares.


At first he only shows me gems and other things, but the rings and necklaces are amazing! He's got Rings of Wizardry, another Amulet of Wyvern Summoning, Rings of Protection +2, and other stuff. His most expensive stuff is 54,000 gold. I'll have to keep him in mind.
Next to him stands Jolun.







It was only 5 gold. Nothing wrong with a drink now and then.

I see those rumors are still flying around. I bet that's Iron Throne work.











Okay, well, if you want buddy. It's a free city. I guess. I turn to the bartender.



Amn and the Zhentarim? OMINOUS.

Are the two sets of Shadow Armor in my pocket plane evidence of the truth of this? Hmmm...

I really need to check out this Iron Throne sometime soon.

Alri', alri', I goin'.

The next day, I wake up to my spellbook on my chest. What... what the hell is this?


Gameplay note: Random spells all the way baby!
Eh, what can it hurt? I stumble out of bed and look for the kitchen.

Where can a guy get some food?

Hey, screw you wench lady!

Were those problems involving food? Ooh, look, stairs.

Holy crap! Freakin' jackpot man!

We're definitely going to be staying here long-term. As soon as we can take care of the riffraff.


Yeah, okay, we have to go tell the others about this. Let the great migration begin!


There are just... so many people!

That they are, indeed. Disturbingly so. Anyways, we'd best be on our way.

I could just let most of my companions make their own way to Baldur's Gate, but the roads are still dangerous and I don't want any of them to die needlessly. So I go back to escort them myself.
We run into a little trouble. Not much though.

Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#879
Posted 20 October 2012 - 05:55 PM
YESLICK THE WISE!

INDIRA THE SWIFT!

EDWIN THE DASHING!

JAHEIRA THE NAG!

LADY SEAFOAM WONDERBOUNCE THE ENCHANTING!
(photo not available)
all led by...
SYVISHTAR THE GOLDEN!

Together they ARE...
THE GOLDEN COMPANY!
By the time my reverie is done, we are here.

And I begin the long, arduous process of personally escorting my personal army to the Elfsong Tavern.





Gameplay note: I actually do have to manually drag these guys to the Elfsong. I think I can do it with dialog for some of the others though.
I take a good look at Black Bear. He seems unnaturally calm these days.

Then we're off! We run into no trouble on the way. And I can't stop laughing at the looks on everyone's faces when I stroll into town, a bear and a squirrel at my side.

When we get to the Elfsong, I drop them off on the second floor near the food. Then I notice a new woman hanging around, so I talk to her. It turns out to be the owner.



Good advice, actually. I'll keep it in mind. And I do, all the way back to the Jovial Juggler.





And then 24 hours later...

And then it's back again.

Still? What do I have to do here man?





Edited by Usurper, 22 October 2012 - 05:58 AM.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.
#880
Posted 20 October 2012 - 05:57 PM









































Hasn't this bitch heard the latest from the Lake Poets?

I'll freeze her and her pets too.

Gameplay note: It's ironic because I'm pretty sure all these wolves are the source of the lag that makes this map almost unplayable. And now, instead, *I* will freze *them*. Ha.

If this isn't enough, I have fire too.

And chaos blades.

Just before he dies, the vampiric wolf manages to Hold me. I'm actually in trouble now.

But my party comes to save me! Kivan intervenes with his bow. Gavin heals me. Viconia uses her Chakram to kill wolves. And Rose puts it all to music.

We finally take them all out.

Then we skin the Winter Wolf, loot the body of Silversword, and get the hell out of here. Kivan is not impressed with Baldur's Gate.

When we get to the Elfsong Tavern, I look over what Silversword had.
Playing the Big World Project Let's Play both here and on the Something Awful forums.