1504 replies to this topic

[Usurper]

Oh boy would it. I'd do just about anything to have a 10 man party.

[serialk]

From what I´ve read, it seems that Ctrl+I and/or Ctrl+T might trigger NPC banter. Are you using these combinations for screenshots perchance?

 

Also, it says here that

 

The Gavin NPC mod (or BG2 version) also gives you a general interjection timer (identical to the romance interjection components of BG1NPC Project) and is also producing conversation at a rate higher than once per hour.

Edited by serialk, 10 August 2015 - 05:30 AM.

[Usurper]

For those who were wondering, here is my latest Weidu.log.

Looking that over, it seems like I've found the culprit:

~BG1NPC/BG1NPC.TP2~ #0 #25 // Jason Compton's Accelerated Banter Script: v22_20150614

Now to see if I can modify or disable this.

Edited by Usurper, 10 August 2015 - 05:56 PM.

[Argent77]

Removing the lines added by BG1NPC/bantergoose/bantergoose.baf from the BALDUR.BCS is probably the easiest solution.

You should also manually undo the following component:

~SETUP-BANTERPACK.TP2~ #0 #3 // Install TOB Banter Accelerator script? (Increases the frequency of interparty banter): V14 BWP Fix

It uses a similar script as BG1NPC which is added to BALDUR25.BCS.

Edited by Argent77, 11 August 2015 - 02:24 AM.

[Usurper]

Here is what the votes look like right now:

Copper Coronet Vote:

In our party should be:

Rank Name             Positive Negative Total
---------------------------------------------
 1   Willie Bruce        31
 2   Chloe               23
 3   Anomen              21
 4   Arath               20
 5   Yoshimo & Kachiko   16
 6   Lesser Clay Golem   12
 7   Hrothgar            10
 8   Lester               7
 9   Jahiera              6
10   Moddie               6
11   Nalia                6
12   Nikita               6
13   Yasraena             5
14   Adario Kalvaras      5
15   Frennedan            4
16   Raziel               3
17   Worgas               3
18   Adrian               2
19   Silver Star          1
20   Dar                  1
21   Minsc                1
22   Thael                1
23   Drizzt Do'Urden      0
24   Kivan                0
25   Wulfgar              0


And we should all go to the:
---------------------------------------------

Slums                     .......................
Waukeen's Promenade       .....
Docks                     ..
City Gates                .
Government District       .

[Usurper]

I have set the BanterGoose timer to 7500 in both baldur.bcs and baldur25.bcs.

 

If you don't get what I mean, it means Lets Do Dis.

[Usurper]

Oh man, this thread is one update behind. Must have been because of the downtime.

[Usurper]

10 Kythorn, 1371

Ok, you know what? There's going to be some changes around here. The Monk isn't going to enslave people anymore. We're going to have a little taste of what I like to call... Freedom.

And Nikita doesn't know that much about Freedom. I tell her to get to know this guy Yarin better.



Lester is too drunk to care about freedom.



And Adario could probably care less about what we're about to do.



Then I shall return to the Copper Coronet on my own.

Okay, we know where you and your dagger can be found.

Then I go to interrupt Chloe from her dwarf buddy.



It is no problem. The heat can sometimes make one confused and friends may seem less necessary. Let us get back to our travels then.

But by "travels" she apparently means "conversation," because she immediately asks me about Gorion.



I envy you. The only thing I know about him was his name was Masemeron. Supposedly he was or is a great warrior, but strangely enough no one seems to have heard of him outside of my tribe.

I'm not quite sure what to think about that. But it matters little, I suppose. He wasn't there while I was growing up, and I'm old enough not to not need a father anymore anyway. Had he been one of my tribe I wouldn't have known which man was my father regardless. Let's get going, this trip down memory lane is making my head hurt.

Yeah. I need more party members that don't talk much. I know! The golem!



Yeah, that's right. No words there, just following orders. I wish more Golden Company members would take a hint from him. I should give him a name...

But first, let me recruit the last member of my party. If there's anyone I can count on to help me free slaves, its a self-righteous guy with a stick up his butt!



No, not Dar. Although its good to see him again. The other one.



If you have, then I am ready to add my blade to your repertoire. What say you?

I am in need of another warrior. Join with us.

Excellent! Adventure and honor await us both!

I should tell you first, perhaps, that I seek to rescue an old friend who is being held hostage by the Cowled Wizards. There may be significant risk.

Truly? It sounds like a worthy cause to pursue. But who is this friend that you speak of?

An old friend... Imoen. We grew up together at Candlekeep, and I'm not about to abandon her to these wizards.

Ah, the rescue of a childhood companion! Come, then, my new friend! Let us strive to find this Imoen of yours and challenge all the dangers that bar our way!

As soon as I am done with that, Arath speaks up.



Away from the others?

Is something wrong?

Look, I've been hearing something recently. I'm not sure what it means, exactly, but...

Syvishtar, what exactly is a Bhaalspawn?

Do we have to do this right now?

We do.

Well. That is... not what I was expecting.

Gods, Syvishtar. Are you...

Yes, I am in fact a Chinchilla.

Yes, because you look fluffy and soft and cuddly and--

Okay.

I need to--

I just need to have a think. I have to go.

I guess by that he means go go the bathroom, because he doesn't leave the party...



Ok, so we should plan our method of attack. No reason to rush into things headlong.

[Usurper]

Let's see what I'm working with here.



First, Dorfl, my golem. I've named him Dorfl. He's made out of clay. He is stronger than any normal human, has some good resistances to magic, and is completely loyal to me. He doesn't seem to be that strong, though. I give him instructions to go after any mages that he sees, aside from me or my friends, of course. I worry about him, because as a construct he cannot change or learn or grow. But he makes an impressive meat shield! I put him out in front, on the tip of the triangle.



Next we have Willie Bruce. He looks tough as they come, for a human. Also, can't forget his sauce. He prefers clubs and maces, but I don't have anything for him. Anomen does, though! He is carrying around a mace called the Love of Black Bess.



I convince Anomen to let Willie use the mace, since he's new to the whole "killing evil" thing. Anomen seems to think of Willie as a potential trainee, I guess? He agrees to it.

Or maybe he's just distracted by Chloe?



And why does this surprise you so, Anomen?

Why, I would think my righteous exploits and my noble bearing would interest you at least in some small manner, my lady.

Why?

Er... why? Why not? I do not understand you, m'lady. I confes you are a quandry to me.

I have no interest in your pompous fluttering about like the peacock you are. What's more, is, I have no interest in your manly bearing, noble or otherwise.

Oh... I see. You're far more interested in the doe-eyed peasant girls than in the heroic and noble men such as myself. That makes sense, I suppose.

Though it is true that I have no interest in men at all, I have even less interest in you. I should think that even if I did have an interest in men, I would still find you lacking in the basic requirements of manliness.

I'll not stand here and be insulted by the likes of you, wench. Keep your distance from me, from this day forth.

Aww, I ruffled the peacock's feathers. Too bad. Get over yourself, Anomen. You're not as interesting as you seem to think.

Hmph. I shall be the one to refrain from continuing this verbal joust in the interest of peace amongst comrades.

On a whim, I open one of the crates nearby.



I've never seen or heard of this kind of spell!



What kind of magic is this? Nobody in Candlekeep ever talked about it before. Athkatla must truly be a large city to have this kind of unheard-of magic simply lying around.

Willie Bruce watches me copy the spell into my spellbook. Just watching me do that seems to give him more insight into life in general.







Despite the fact that I need to raise 120,000 gold to get Imoen as soon as possible, I also need to make sure my recruits don't die. I need to buy this dude some armor.



Wait... oh. Some lady asked me to pass this note along to you. Still sealed, as you see.

Some lady? Who?

Why, she was tall, full-figured... erm, well-endowed, if you know what I mean. Long hair. You'd better read the letter, aye?

All right, then.

Any time. Anything else?

Maybe I could ask you a question or two?

If you make it quick, sure. Shoot.

Do you know anyone named Grudin?

Grudin? Haven't heard of him. No, I am sorry, can't help you here.

A friend of mine has been kidnapped by the Cowled Wizards. Do you know where they keep their prisoners?

Nobody does, and the Council likes it that way. All the magic-users caught are put out of sight and forgotten about... no matter what the wizards do to them.

The Harpers might know. If I were you, I would track them down here in the city. Beware, though... their aid rarely comes without a price attached.

Hmmm... Harpers know lots of stuff. But that means dealing with Jaheira again. Pro/Con.

I'll just see what you have on tap, then.

Looks like he has a lot of cool things, like the famed Amnish Rekaan Wine.



Gameplay note: This may mean that we have to deal with hunger and thirst now? I'm not quite sure. Let's learn together!

I buy a buckler. No armor, though. I worry for my boy Willie. I'll have to pick something up for him ASAP. I round him off with some potions and the buckler, and tell him to be careful.



Chloe seems just as fine as always.



With the way she shuns most equipment I don't even know what to do for her.

[Usurper]

I just make sure she has a few potions and knows her preferred tactical combat role (let the golem tank), and let her to it.



I have a special treat for Arath, though.



I give him the Staff of Arundel.



I carefully tell him the story of the staff, and that of Arundel, making sure to not mention my own involvement with any of it. No one here in the party now can gainsay me, anyways. I just want to avoid a lot of questions.

He seems to be pretty well equipped already, what with his Leather Armor +1 and some healing potions. Plus, there's his large selection of druidic magic. And his shapeshifting. I'm not too worried about him.



Then, last is Anomen.



He is generally proficient in blunt weapons, but I have something in mind for him. Something that nobody has been able to use until now. Something I got from Icewind Dale. Hell's Bane.



Actually, now that I look at him, with his toughness and skill even with a weapon that he hasn't practiced with, I rethink my plan to put him at the back. I switch him with Dorfl. He will be at the vanguard, and Dorfl at his left hand. Willie Bruce will be on the back row with me. I also give him Anomen's sling, and tell him to use it.



But anyways, back to Anomen. I give him some potions and those two Priestly Candles of Knowledge that I had picked up from Frennedan's room.



Despite Chloe's disparaging comments, he seems to be quite ready to face whatever challenges we see.



Then, as Anomen is contemplating which spells he should prepare, he asks if there is anyone in the party that wishes to be purged of their sins. I ask him what he means, and he says he can convert anyone to the path of righteousness if they just accept Helm into their heart.



Gameplay note: See guys, the answer to crazy mod shenanigans is always, forever more, MORE crazy mod shenanigans. There's also an equivalent spell to convert anyone to chaotic evil.

I decline for now, but thank him for letting me know of the possibility.

Before we sleep for the night, I look at the note that Bernard had slipped me.



I don't even know where the Five Flagons is!

As we go to our rooms for the night, Chloe asks me about my childhood. She seems VERY interested.



No ritual, per se. Some regard the first time that one shares oneself with another as a passage into adulthood, others after a certain age, and still others regard mariage as the mark of an adult. But I suppose I regarded myself as an adult after I took to the road after Gorion's death. How about yourself?

My coming of age involved ritual combat against the greatest torque in Yir'lanieara... those are the plains that my, and several other Yr'kai villages, make their home.

Ritual combat, like a joust perhaps? I have taken part in such events as well.

He defeated me, but he had to take off his restrictive clothing to do it.

What do you mean? What does the combat involve?

The greatest master in the area puts on very tight clothing to restrict his or her movement. It slowed him down enough to make it a little more fair. The young one seeking adulthood almost always loses, but the skill, patience, nd improvisation that he or she shows marks whether or not they are ready to become an adult in the tribe. The whole village judges the worth of the young one, and he or she cannot marry or leave the village until adulthood.

What a strange ritual.

Strange, perhaps, but effective. No one leaves the safety of our village until they are ready. Speaking of being ready, I am ready to continue our trek.

Sometimes I think she just brings these topics up to brag more about her own experiences.

Whatever. We go to sleep.



At night, I dream. I dream of Imoen.



Candlekeep. I'm back in Candlekeep.



Don't they?

We walk past fountains, but there is no water.





Yes, this was my home for so long, but it is too late to go back. They wouldn't have you now. They wouldn't have me. Had no use...

Someone else does. He wants something. I... I don't know why. Those in the cowls don't even know. Why don't I know?

[Usurper]

We walk outside, but there is no path.





They were the guidance, and there was much more to learn, but it is too late now. They are so far away...

You are far away... Too far away to help... Why? Memories should stay... but he digs deeper... pushes everything aside...

I don't remember any of you.

The simulacra of our childhood mentors explode, and something escapes from them.



We walk to the pasture, but there are no cows.





They sought your death, and mine. They seemed so important at the time, but I... I don't remember them at all. Something else is...

Something else is more dangerous... Closer... I can feel it...

The image of Sarevok explodes into nothingness as well.





Then Imoen herself is surrounded by magics and wracked with pain.



Irenicus comes.



It is a portrait of what has happened, and what may happen. Do you cling to the past, or can you see through the pain?

You feel the potential within, don't you? Will you cringe from what you know you want? What you can take as your own?

You know what you want. It is you, after all, which has brought us to the dream. Nothing is real. Yet.

Then both Imoen and I are slammed to the ground, in pain.



When I wake up, my sheets are soaked in sweat. I'm coming Imoen! I'm coming! I will not be too late!

Gameplay note: I haven't mentioned it before, but the script that I'm running on Syvishtar is quite powerful. I have the Alchemy ability, and every morning after I rest, the script automatically triggers the ability. It makes a random potion in my inventory. I've been just chucking them into the alchemy bag. Just assume that I have a random assortment of potions in my bag that may come in handy at odd moments.

I don't get any mental rest, either, because in the morning, Arath approaches me with a troubled face.



... yeah.

Yes, I was.

You didn't seek it out, or anything like that?

This isn't something that I wanted, if that's what you mean.

Well, yeah.

I'm just a bit uncertain about this whole thing. It feels... wrong. It is wrong. It goes against everything natural, everything I stand for.

I just don't know how to deal with it, exactly.

I've found it helps if you just don't think about it too much.

Great advice, there. I'll have to remember that.

I'm just not sure what to think about this. And I'm not sure I want anything to do with it, but I owe you.

Enough about that though... I've got another question, it's a little more important. When are we next going to eat? I may have to resort to eating the fallen soon, and nobody wants to see that.

Breakfast is right over there, man! Wait, was that a druid joke?

With everyone ready to go, I decide to explore the Copper Coronet further. There's a door I haven't gone through yet...



A long corridor... and ooh! Secret passageways!



I go in to investigate.





But some are not so happy here.



Mmmmh, my head hurts! How long have I been without the lotus? Aaah, go!

[Usurper]

Ahh, a lotus pit.





You are an adventurer, aren't you? You certainly have the manners of one. Did you need something?

Just exploring these back rooms. Who might you be?

I could ask you the same question, couldn't I? Hmm, very well. I go by Auden.

I must say I wasn't really expecting an interrogation today. I assume you have a name?

Syvishtar. Well met. I don't mean to pry, but you seem a bit too put-together to be lounging about in a den of vice.

"Don't mean to pry?" Truly? Ah, no matter. Well met then, Syvishtar, but again I must ask you: What is it that you need? I was enjoying the solitude. Figuratively speaking.

I was wondering about you, actually. I don't know many people who would find a place like this relaxing, and your clothing is... unusual.

I suppose that is fine enough. What interests you, specifically?

What is it that you do, exactly? Your manner of dress is unlike any I have seen here.

I am a soldier by blood, but a warrior ascetic by trade, if you could call that a trade. The colloquial term is "monk," I believe, though there are certainly monks who do not cultivate skills such as mine.

And what skills are those?

As an ascetic, I have chosen to forgo the use of traditional armor and rely primarily on my own body to meet my enemies in battle, though I can use certain weapons if the situation truly calls for them. An ascetic's life is denial and self-discipline, and there is a... special sort of power that one derives from such things.

You sound quite capable. What would you say if I asked you to join my group?

You ask that of random people you meet? Ah, I suppose I have spent enough time in this place. Why? What would yo have me assist you in doing?

I am pursuing a mad archmage named Irenicus. He has kidnapped my foster sister Imoen, and I intend to rescue her from his cruelty.

A worthy goal, I suppose. I will aid you in saving this Imoen. Lead on.

Gameplay note: Auden is indeed a monk.



I will return if I have need of you.

Gameplay note: But we just had a party vote and with so many characters to choose from, we might as well save him for later.

Just past the opium den, I see another secret passage. This one leads to a door. Behind the door is a stairway. But, of course, there is also a door at the end of the hallway we were going down.



I wonder, which one should we go down? Where will the Weave take us? I sit for a while, and ask the Voices what to do.

Gameplay note: Ok, this is a respectable-sized update. A lot of talking, some dreaming, some equippage. We should decide where to go next. So, let us ponder the eternal dungeon question: Which way do we go? Left door or right door?

Also, lets take this opportunity to vote on a class for Willie Bruce.



He's the most popular guy in the Golden Company right now, he's level 2, and he's a plain old human fighter. Is that cool enough? Or should he be, instead, a... (Holy shit there are 63 fighter kits alone installed oh my god what the hell. I'm just going to choose 6 that look like they match Willie Bruce's portrait, alignment, and stats).

A. Ol' boy Willie is a Mercenary.
B. Listen to the accent. He's obviously a Streetfighter!
C. The quickness of his movements belies that he is a Tempest.
D. The man is a common street Thug.
E. When we see him fight, he will be a Riskbreaker.
F. He likes to show off like a Gladiator does.
G. No, a plain old fighter is good enough.

[Usurper]

Unfortunately, the vote proceeded mostly while this site was down, and the totals have been added up already:

Right Door    .................
 Left Door    .............

Mercenary     .
Streetfighter .................
Tempest       .
Thug          ...........
Riskbreaker   
Gladiator     
Fighter       .

So we're going right with Willie Bruce the Streetfighter.

[Usurper]

11 Kythorn, 1371

Willie Bruce seems the one most eager for a fight among us.



He seems tougher somehow. Maybe the way the light is hitting him? Anyways, probably best to let him hang back until we have some armor to put on him.

I feel a pull to the door straight ahead. Might as well stay on the straight and narrow path.



I open the door and we all enter the room beyond. The place stinks worse than the front! A guard immediately approaches us.



I warned you, fool! Guards!! Intruders!!

Damn, touchy guy!

Chloe immediately cuts him down, but his friends still arrive.



Too bad for them. Also, too bad for Willie Bruce. The first guy dropped chainmail and ol' Willy ain't got time for that.



My golem, ever the faithful servant, obliterates the next guard. Ouch.



Chloe takes out the next. She shouts something about children in the cells.



I wonder if there is some other way to go about this.



Anomen takes out the last guard, and Arath says "So."



I'm not particularly in love with the idea that you've got the blood of a dead god in your veins, or that you might, you know, turn on us at any time.

But then again, if you stole my comb I might do the same, so I suppose I can live with it for now.

I would never steal your comb, Arath. What kind of heinous creature do you think I am?

And here I was fairly sure we'd covered that ground?

Just so we're clear, I'm not comfortable with this. But I'm not going to waste time worrying about it, either.

I don't expect you to be comfortable with it. I know I'm not.

That's... good to hear.

Oh gods, I think I'm getting a cramp. Alright. Let's go. Ow.

I guess Chloe was thinking along the same lines, because she gets philosophical on me.



Good and evil don't exist. They're tools to help us sleep at night. We consider ourselves good and those we oppose as evil so we do not feel as bad spilling their blood.

I would tend to agree with that.

However, that tells me nothing of how you would react to things. A hypothetical situation, then:

Someone you love, perhaps your lover or Imoen, has been accused of slaughtering a high-ranking noble and is to be executed for the crime. Your loved one claims they did such an act because the person was a monster, a shape-shifter posing as the noble, who was already dead. You have no idea whether they are telling the truth, but they will be executed within a few nights unless you raid the jail to free them. If you do so, however, you and they wil be hunted for the rest of your lives. What do you do?

I break them out, of course! I will not abandon one I love to such a fate, even if it means we must flee and live as vagabonds.

Like I have done since I left Candlekeep...

A noble decision. It is possible, of course, that the real shape-shifter was posing as your loved one and slaughters you in your sleep and takes a new form. But, you never know with such things.

On one of the dead guards is a spell scroll called Thundaga. I've never heard of anything like this before.



What strange magic they have here in Athkatla! I copy it into my spellbook, of course.

Another guard has another spell scroll on him. This one I've heard of before - Summon Hakeashar.



Why do low-level guards have such expensive magic on them? Surely they can't cast it themselves... Do they use them like money, perhaps? A spell scroll-based economy? Well, all the better for me.

You know, Bruce won't wear chainmail, but I think if I drape it right, maybe put a piton here or there.... yes. It works!



Dorfl can wear chainmail!

Then I go see what Chloe was talking about. Children... in a jail cell!



I order Dorfl to bash the door down immediately. He seems unable to, though.



I check the other doors. None of them open and nobody says anything, except for one voice.



You have to free us! There are children in those cells! Save them! Save the little ones!

I KNOW!!

Don't worry! We will get you all out!

Is it the innkeeper? Does he have the key??

We go back up the corridor. Guards ambush us from the side passage.



But one punch from Dorfl and he is a mess on the floor.



We go back to Lehtinan to ask him a few ... questions.



(hurrrm) I do not know what you speak of. I know nothing of slaves.

Are you certain? You know nothing of slaves.

People come and go from the Coronet all the time. (hurrm) I have no need to acquire slaves. (hurrm) I trust that will be all, I have... other things to attend to.

The man is guilty without question, Syvishtar. I say we expedite justice now and ask questions later. Surely you see the need for this.

Yes, of course. But I don't think you just want me to kill the innkeeper. Do you? Anomen, is that what you're saying? I search his face for some clue.



Is that... no? Uh...

Let's go back to the cells.

We find our way into an unlocked door, which apparently leads to the Arena!



Arath yells out a warning that the wolf isn't just for show, but Willie Bruce runs in and gets himself froze. Arath calls down some divine might.



I really feel like I can just supervise here.

[Usurper]

After the frozen northlands of 100 years ago, this place is a cakewalk. Anomen declares Doom upon the winter wolf.



Arath Sun Scorches the winter wolf, and it dies.



I get it. He's being all seasonal. Heh, those druids...

This place reminds me of the gnoll stronghold, where we found ... uh... Minsc's witch.



She was so boring. I don't think we ever adventured together. What was her name again?

Beyond the arena pits are more cages. Are there more children trapped away?!



Oh, no. Animals.



Hmph! This is where the creatures for the pit fights are kept, and I am their keeper. You are not allowed in here. Your smell will upset and disturb my darling Tabitha. Leave at once!

Your 'Tabitha' should not only be upset, it should be put to death! As should you!

Fool! You'll never escape here alive! Come, Tabitha! Come... open the cages! Aid your master!

You bastard!

Kill them, Tabitha!

We are suddenly surrounded on all sides by rabid animals!



It's chaos. I think Willie Bruce almost died twice already.



Tabitha is quite formidable. She mauls Arath and he goes down.



She also smashes apart Dorfl!



Chloe and Anomen are able to put down the leopard attacking them...



I have to do something. I have to end this! I cast the first spell that comes to mind, without thinking of the consequences...



SHIT! Oh no!

The three of us that are left retreat in the face of a raging minotaur.



I try to heal Anomen, because he looks quite hurt.



But it's not enough. I tell him to retreat and let Chloe take care of everything.

He does. And she does.



Thank the gods. I hope nobody realized that I was the one to cast the spell that killed Willie Bruce?

Gameplay note: Anomen seems to be trying to leave the party due to my Virtue, but another mod seems to be blocking him. This Virtue thing seems to be more trouble than its worth. I'm disabling it using SetGlobal("D0VIRTUEDisable", "GLOBAL",1);

The Beastmaster had a Plate Mail, a cursed scroll, a short bow +1, a Wolfskin Bag, and a key to the cells!



With sadness, I look at the pieces of Dorfl on the floor.



I wish I knew how to put him back together. But, sadly enough, constructs cannot be resurrected, for they have no soul. Maybe some day I'll find a golem manual or something that will give me the knowledge I need to make my owm golems. Some day.

Gameplay Note: I'm calling it as constructs and monsters cannot be resurrected.

Chloe looks at the broken golem, too.



So why did you decide to become a mage? You said that Gorion was a mage, because of him I assume?

Yes and no. I would have become a mage anyway because that is where my interest lies. But it was good to have such a wise and powerful mage as my instructor.

That's good. I sometimes wonder what skills I would have wanted to learn had I not been raised as a Yr'kai. I'm happy that you knew what you were interested in and had the means to pursue it.

Yeah, that's great. We need to, uhhh, get these guys resurrected. Isn't there a chapel around here somewhere?

We make our way out of the Inn. As we do, someone comes up to us.



(sigh) Very well. Just come back if you change your mind. I'll be here.

Yes, won't we all. This place has got to be the most happening Inn in the entire nation.

We go outside and another attractive person comes up to speak with us.



Certainly. Just let me know when you're ready and I'll arrange some seats for you.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

But no sooner have I walked five steps then a little boy approaches me too!



Gold you say? Well, now, that is something I am always ready to discuss. You run along and tell this Samuel Thunderburp that I will be around shortly.

Very well, m'Lord. 'E will be 'appy to 'ear that I will take yer message straight back to 'im.

We try to make our way to the temple that we see somewhere above us in the heart of the slums. But Anomen gets into a bit of trouble.



As ye wish!

I tell Anomen to just keep walking briskly and the shady character will probably leave us alone.



We climb up a few flights of stairs to get to the entrance to the temple that seems to teeter precariously atop untrustworthy supports.



I'm surprised to see that the thief has followed us all the way to the temple!



We go inside, and I think we might have lost him. Then, I turn around and look at the place, when who do I see with mine eyes but... but Gavin!



I'm looking for Lanie, and have been for months. When I went back to Beregost for her, she was gone. I was just about to trade my armor for another scrying spell.

Imoen is also missing.



I look at our old companion, the faithful and long-suffering cleric of Lathander, and my mouth opens...

Gameplay note: So, what do we tell him?

1:- or 2:- Counted as one choice. Gavin joins the party.
3:- Gavin goes on about his business, I suppose.

[serialk]

1/2, the old G might sometimes be a little wussy, but he has always been a loyal member of the Company.

[Usurper]

11 Kythorn, 1371

Gavin is here! I can't believe it!



Very well!

I don't even bother to explain resurrecting my dead companions. Gavin knows what's up. Another day, another death. That's just how I roll.



It costs 1000 gold for Arath, and 100 gold for Willie Bruce.

Arath rubs his head, looking around in confusion.



I guess that would explain this massive headache, and why I ache in places I don't generally ache.

Wait, I'm not -- undead, am I? Because then I'd have to kill myself, and I'd really prefer to avoid that.

At least your humor is still there.

I'm fine, just... sore. Alright, let's get going.

I need a drink.

Ok, you big whiny baby. You're the first person I've ever heard of who complained about being RAISED FROM THE DEAD! Geez!

But anyways, I ask Gavin how he's been doing. Turns out he's been doing pretty well for himself.



He's changed his specialization in life. He now calls himself a Springlord of Lathander! I ask him what it all means. He goes into great detail...



Gameplay note: Wow, immunity to level drain! It's like Gavin read the plot before he respecialized!

We get everybody dressed again, and move out of this Temple of Ilmater.



I was hoping that I could get them to cast a divination spell for me. I've run out of things to sell, so I was hoping that the followers of Ilmater would do it for free, once they saw my need.

They couldn't do it, of course, but the priestess did suggest that I try the Temple of Lathander here in Athkatla. She thought they might help out a follower of their own faith. I'd like to go there.

So many things pressing on me. So much to do. Imoen...

Do you intend to go look for her right now?

She's my daughter, Syvishtar. Of course I want to go as soon as I can.

It might help if I Knew a little more about the situation. You've mentioned Lanie severa ltimes, but I don't know much about her.

Lanie is my daughter, as I told you. She's six years old, and we all used to live in Beregost. Well, Lanie and her mother Miranda lived in Beregost itself while I lived at the Song of the Morning Temple, for the most part... or I lived at the temple whenever Miranda din't need me to stay with Lanie while she visited her... friends. But that's enough of that.

Miranda and I parted years ago on bad terms, but Lanie is still my daughter. I have a responsibility to raise her and to make sure she comes to no harm.

Lanie seems to have inherited some magical talent from somewhere, so it's necessary that she be trained to use her ability responsibly before she hurts someone. Miranda and I agreed that she should study with the monks at the Temple of Oghma, but we didn't have enough gold to enroll her there.

I took up adventuring to raise the coin, but when I returned with it, I found the house empty and both of them gone. The neighbors said that they were last seen traveling south.

I don't know why Miranda would just pack Lanie up and take her away like that, nor do I have any idea how it came to pass that they should be in Athkatla, of all places, but I ned to find them, and I need to do it soon. Can I count on your help?

Oh, all right. We will go as soon as we can.

Thank you.

For some reason I was thinking Lanie was his wife. I guess I must have tuned out all those times he rambled on about his family.

As we walk down from the temple, a woman in need stops us.



Gameplay note: She's fully voiced. It must be important!

Oh, bless you, my Lord! Now, you see, let me explain the problem.

My name is Moiya... I am a poor woman. My husband studied as a mage some time ago, and earned enough from that to keep us both going. That is, until the Cowled Wizards came.

They took him, one day. Said he was a "deviant" and that he would be kept in Spellhold. That was four years ago, and I have not seen him since.

And so I was left, to raise a family of five children. Alone. It was difficult, but the Temple of Ilmater helped me along.

It was not enough, however. Raising children comes at a cost in the city, you know. I needed money badly, and so I went to a man, Celile, to borrow some.

He provided me with enough to keep going. But I have no way of paying him back, and he is not a nice man, let that be said. I don't know what will happen if I can't pay up.

How much do you owe him?

I borrowed 5,000 gold from him, and there was a 1,250 gold repayment. That makes... uh... uh...

I am a simple woman! My husband was the wizard! I... er... 6250 gold in total, that's it!

Is everyone in this city mired in miserable debts?

Perhaps I can speak with him and see if an agreement can be met.

Oh, thank you! Perhaps you could ask if I can have longer to pay it back?

Very well then, I will speak with him.

That is a relief! Celile can be found in the Copper Coronet. Oh, I do hope this can be sorted out. I have been so scared... and I haven't the heart to tell my children.

You know, I think I remember that Celile guy. He was right by the door, right?

[Usurper]

Yah, this bastard!



Why should I? Are you here to waste my time with your questions, or do you have other business to go about?

I hear the money lender's name is Celile. Ever heard of him?

I... uh... ah, so you've heard? Yes, I am Celile. So, what do you want?

So what exactly do you do?

I provide the needy with money to keep them going, which they then repay to me, and a little more, after a certain time.

Are you not concerned that the Shadow Thieves might not like you operating on their turf?

The Shadow Thieves? Hah! They're too busy with their guild war. Overrated, I say... outdated business practices.

Have you had dealings with a woman named Moiya?

I might have done, but that is no concern of yours. I am not in the habit of discussing my other clients.

So you do know her. I undersatnd she owes you some money which she cannot pay back?

Am I to assume that she has told you something of the situation? Very well then. I lent her the sum of 5000 gold. She was given six days to return to the sum of 6250 gold, and now she is telling me that she cannot.

What am I supposed to do? I can't just let people keep my money like that, and so I am forced to demand payment.

And what if she still can't afford it.

Then my associates visit her, remind her that payment is necessary, and determine whether she has anything of value to be repossessed.

Rest assured, however, she is in no danger, if that is her concern. I'm not a monster. I am a very busy man, on the other hand, and I can't afford to talk all day.

Good day to you. And don't come bothering me every time a woman off the streets asks you for help. I should hope you know better.

So.... she's not in danger per se, but this guy is charging 25% interest over 5 days. And that's backed up by confiscating thugs. That's usury!

Anomen's mind seems to be elsewhere though.



Aye, and a bloody campaign it was. I slew twenty of the beasts during that scorching summer.

Very impressive. I can see how you might find these incidental skirmishes a bit easy.

This is true. Still, I should not complain. These incidental battles are a part of life and are over so quickly that they cause only a little inconvenience.

Then finally I am able to get back to what I was doing before Arath and Willy died. Saving children!



I go to the next cell and open it.



We are free, my brothers! Go, now, and free the women! Hendak will strike his blade into the heart of our so-called owner, so that he shall never trouble you again! Go and savor your freedom!

Oh, well, ok dude! A little vicious but who am I to judge?

Thank you again, my friends. Now to the task of killing that fiend, Lehtinan. Assist me if you wish. Otherwse, stand and watch the vengenace of Hendak be fulfilled!

Who are you again?



Chloe couldn't be less impressed with Hendak right now.



I ask myself that same question whenever I toss a fireball. Someday I think I'm going to mispronounce a word and turn myself into a rabbit or some such.

(laugh) I suppose it is a dangerous profession at times. Just don't turn *me* into a rabbit. I never became interested in magic for my own use. I doubt I have the mind for it anyway.

I can teach you how to make people's clothes disappear or their hair to turn strange colors. It makes for a great time!

Heh... I'll pass, thank you. I prefer making people's clothing disappear the old fashioned way.

I open the third cell and walk in, but there's no one here.

Gameplay note: Three cells back here, storage for 3 more problem NPCs! Sweet!

[Usurper]

Arath follows me in...



I think I hate you a little bit. Just a bit.

I'm serious, though.

No murderous inclinations? No sudden reversals in temperament? No growing temptation to raze small villages to the ground?

Well I wasn't feeling murderous before you decided to bother me, no.

Very funny.

Gods, I can't tell if you're joking or not. If you are going to murder me by all means feel free to give me a bit of warning so I can run away. If not, I might run away just in case.

Just... let me know if there's anything I can do to help. That was all.

Geez man, we just freed some slave girls! What more do you want from me?

Then Gavin pipes up about something. Does nobody care about slaves being freed??



We have to get her back!

I know! I'm doing everything I can.

Well, that's a relief! She's my friend, too, and I can't bear thinking that she's in trouble.

Ok, one person. ONE PERSON cares that I just freed a bunch of slaves.



COME HERE, BAGS OF MEAT! THE CROWS WILL FEAST ON YOUR CARRION THIS DAY! UUUAAARRRRGGGGG!!

(You step out of the way as the orc rages past you, lunging right and left at his enemies, beating them into a pump and all the while descending into a frenzied rage.)

Well, that's two ex-slaves going after Lethinen, I guess? I guess I better go make sure this all works out.



Anomen tells one of the guards to just lay down. He does, and gets slaughtered.



I hear screaming from the counter area.



Enough, fiend! You no longer own me, and I'll ensure that you no longer claim ownership over any other, as well! I have survived your hellish fighting pit for years... you are no match for me!

We shall see!

Yes, yes we shall! This should be... oh its over already.



I owe you my thanks once again. As do all those you have freed. I intend to take this place as payment for my slavery, to ensure it is never used as such again.

I wish I did not have to ask, but there is one more task that needs doing. The slavers remain at large within Athkatla, hidden at their base here in the slums.

I thought so. It just never ends, does it? You whack one slaver, and three more pop up...

They have many children, yet, that they retain as slaves. I would ask of you to rid the city of this infestation once and for all.

We may as well strike the slavers down before they learn of our involvement here and take measures to kill us. Kill our enemies before they even know we oppose them, and all that. You really like getting involvd in everyone's problems though, you know that?

Come on, Syvishtar. Let's do it.

More slavers in the city? Very well, we shall do what we can.

I knew you would not let me down. The compound is not far from here... a dry-docked boat just across the way on the east side of the slums.

It may be risky to approach openly. There was talk of a secret passage to the sewer connecting the Coronet to the slaver base, but I do not know where it might be.

I know nothing of the defenses of the place inside, however, My stay there was brief and very long ago.

I shall go to this compound, then, and return as soon as I am able.

Good fortune to you, my friend.

Well, ok, I guess I'll add that to my list of things to do...



If I remember correctly, there's a tunnel that runs directly from the Coronet to the main holding area. I remember seeing mention of it --

Look, there's something I should tell you before we do this. I've got absolutely no links to it myself, I swear, but my father was the head of a slave syndicate in Athkatla.

He died a few years ago, but I suspect we'll run into more than a few of those who worked with him. I'm just letting you know, they might recognize me.

You couldn't have told me earlier?

"Oh, hi, I want yourh elp in taking down some slavers! Oh, and by the way, my father was a slaver and that may complicate things more than a little." Yeah, I'm sure that would have gone down real well.



Gameplay note: Arath is making a compelling case for making him an exception to the rule of people get a break after they've died. This whole thing about him being related to the slavers that we could possibly go up against sounds interesting, and I kinda like his character. However, thre are over a dozen other things we could be doing right now. What do you guys think?

A. Kill the slavers with Arath in the Slums. Keep him around, finish the job, kill the slavers.
B. Skip off to the Temple district with Gavin. Gavin does want to find his daughter. We should get on that right away, in the Temple District.
C. Go to the Five Flagons Inn in the Bridge district. Samuel Thunderburp wanted us to go there.
D. Magic dog! Docks! Remember that dog?
E. Escort mission at gov't district. Some old guy wanted us to prop him up as he totters about somewhere, right? Where are my notes...

[serialk]

Bros before hoes.

And after that all the other popular options according to the other voices.