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[Usurper]

19 Kythorn, 1369

Medusae and basilisks, sitting in the trees. S-T-O-N-I-N-G. I can't get this thought out of my head. It's been going around and around and will not stop. Damn childhood ditties. Before we go to sleep, I look over the loot we have gotten from Mutamin.



We already have better bracers than this. I think I actually don't need this. We could sell it for extra cash!



This, however, is great tank equipment. I give this to my warrior woman right away. We also looted a second adventurer's robe. I should save that for the next time Xzar joins us. And finally, of course, the gnome had scrolls on him.



I remember this spell. It happened spontaneously when I fought those thugs for Silke. It will be good to be able to do it on purpose.



This would have been very useful in the last fight. A cloud in which people can't attack or cast spells? I could position my party members just outside of it and we could rain death within.

I also have a little talk with Rose. Now that she can cast magic spells, she needs something to cast. After determining that she does indeed know what she's doing and won't kill herself accidentally, I give her my spare scroll of Larloch's Minor Drain. She writes it into her spellbook, a frilly white thing with lots of curlicues and flowers within. It looks so cute with its one spell written so nicely. The spell's function and the book itself don't really mesh well together, which sobers me up. Should I be giving out such necromantic magic to someone so innocent?

As we make camp for the night, Shar-Teel catches my eye.




*growls* Don't smile, it makes you look hopeful and stupid.

We all go to sleep, and wake up when the night has come. Korax suddenly turns hostile on us, and we have to put him down.



I do it personally, although I do not enjoy it.



We still have a lot of ground to cover, so we head out.



Soon enough we come across two lesser basilisks. Since I drank the potions, I go in first. When they try to turn me to stone, nothing happens! We all attack.



They both go down without a problem. Shar-Teel honestly seems impressed with me.




*She looks at you and tries to scowl. She fails.* What the...

*The scowl blooms again on her lips*

Gameplay note: Wouldn't it be forehead?

A band of skeletons jumps us next. This is just like Imoen's scouting operation.



Viconia, all power and majesty, commands the undead to Turn. They do.



It's a lot easier to kill skeletons when they're running away from you.



We soon find Haiass in what Mutamin called his garden.



I hate to see him here, warm stone among all the cold stone. I need to change him back! Using Rhialto's spellbook, I try to dispel the magic that binds him. But it has no effect. I am suddenly worried that I might never get him back. We have to go get some more Stone to Flesh scrolls, and we have to go right now.

We circle around the Temple area to Beregost, and then go to the temple. No reason. That's just what we do.



As we enter Beregost, Gavin mentions something on his mind.

So many opportunities to help, but so many people who need it.

When we reach the temple, Keldath congratulates us on a job well done.




Gameplay note: The man gives us 454 xp and 1000 gold! We really need the gold because we're about to spend it all on Stone to Flesh scrolls. Two of them are going to be 900 gold.

After purchasing the scrolls, we head back to Haiass and that other chick. When we get back, we try the spell on Haiass first. Thank the weave and all the gods, it works! My wolf is back with me.

Then we go try it on the stoned woman.



You have been freed; some disorientation is to be expected.

You may consider my words uncharacteristic, Syvishtar, but... I would hate to be petrified. A living statue! I sympathise with this woman.

Rest yourself, you have likely been petrified for some time now.

Petri... ? How... I remember fighting some gnolls and... and one turned to stone right before my eyes! I turned around and there was this lizard-thing... and then... and then you. I was turned to stone? For how long?

I do not know. All that is important is that you are free now.

I... I thank you! You have rescued a perfect stranger and... and asked for nothing in return. Certainly a selfless act if ever I have heard of one. I shall speak well of you to anyone that asks. Thank you once again!

A charitable deed.

Farewell.

Gameplay note: For saving the petrified fighter, we get 136 xp and +1 rep! We have now made up for the 2 rep drop that Viconia gave us, and if we kicked her out we'd be at 9!

You know, I tried doing the rest of this map and actually had to reload several times. I got caught inside a bunny blast radius once, and also got old-fashioned poisoned to death by some medusae. I got turned to stone, shot full of arrows, and also tried to cast a spell on myself and summoned a cow instead, which fell down on me and killed me instantly. And I'm sure you'll be sad to hear that right before I died I was actually a woman. Tonight was not my night for wild surges.

We only have one potion of mirrored eyes left, and I don't think that's enough to keep us safe. So we're going to be conservative and leave for now. We're going to Nashkel!



The trip to Nashkel is uneventful, and we arrive after one whole day of traveling. We were here briefly a few weeks ago, but we didn't explore.

[Usurper]

So I take a look around, and one of the first things I see is a small girl in between the Inn and the General Store.



Would you like some bread and jam?

I would enjoy that. Thank you.

Ooh good. What kind do you want?

I have blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, goodberry and some apple spread. No gooseberry, though. I haven't had gooseberry in a long time.

Why no gooseberry?

Nobody's brought me any gooseberries this year, and I haven't been able to find any, either.

And I do so love gooseberry pie!

I haven't seen any either, but if I do, I'll be sure to bring them to you.

Ooh, thank you! I would really like that! Here, have some bread and jam. Raspberry, my favorite!

Um, would you like to buy anything? I've jam and pie, and boots and things.

Wait, aren't you a svirfneblin? What's a svirfneblin doing on the surface?

I, um. I like it here.

I mean, I came with my brother, at first. To keep him company.

But it's pretty up here too. And I like to explore and meet people.

What brought your brother here?

He, um, says he's under a curse.

A curse? What kind of curse?

I don't know. Tomthal won't say. He, um, gets really crabby.

I mean, he's always crabby, but he gets *really* crabby when I ask. He's in Athkatla now though.

You said your brother is in Athkatla. Isn't that rather far from here?

Oooh, yes.

But I go there, sometimes, and we can send letters.

That's where I get the boots, too, from Aurora. My brother says she talks too much, but I think she's nice.

Yes, show me what you have.

Here's my wares, then! I hope you find something you like!

Gameplay note: She's a custom store, and she's got boots. They do things like CON +1, CHA+2 DEX -2, setting fatigue to zero, and slowing you. The slow boots are made for Monks so that they can keep pace with the party. She's also got some boots that can teleport the entire party to an Inn of their choice 3 times per day. Some boots reverse alignment, some are speed boots. One pair does -2 rep, and another pair does +2 rep. They are all insanely expensive.

Her jams all have magical properties, like potions. Temporary con boosts, cold resistance, poison cures, etc. They are priced from about 150-500 gold. She also sells Strawberry Wine, which gets you drunk, gives you resist fear, and 50% chance for +1 or -1 CHA. It's 148 gold. We're still too broke to do anything but maybe some day when we're rich we can come back.

Berrun Ghastkill is still here, looking at us, wanting us to clear the mines.



We also go stop by the Temple of Helm.

Gameplay note: You know what's funny? The Temple of Helm doesn't use the Helm's Temple soundtrack. It uses the Lady's House. The Temple of Helm soundtrack is only used at the Song of the Morning Temple. Weird.




Helm watch over you and our poor lost brother, Brage. A finer Captain of the Guard could nary be found this side of Amn. Such a strange change for one so devout as he. One does not usually change so drastically without nefarious help. If there be an evil influence on him, perhaps the harsh justice of the military should be stayed. He'll find no quarter at the garrison, but if he came to the temple... well... his restitution need not be his life. Is there anything I can help you with?

We check his store, but there are only insanely overpriced cleric and paladin weapons there. We go outside and read a few of the headstones on the graveyard.





Interesting. We'll have to check more out later. We should explore this town fully first.



Something eeeevil.



(Oohh, easy money..!)

Uhhh... YES! Yes, I would be Greywolf. That's me all right. None other than Greywolf himself. I'll take that reward because... of what... I did! I'm Greywolf and I deserve it! Thank you.

Excellent doing business with you, Greywolf. We shall not hesitate to call upon you if any other thieving miscreants make their presence known.

Syvishtar, what a dishonest thing to do. We have no right to that gold.

What was that? Oh, never mind. I probably do not want to know.

[Usurper]

Hey, Syvishtar, I was thinking.. Ya know, since when I told ya 'bout why I left home, I miss my family more every day..

Dunno what I should do.

Even if it's not properly an advice, you can confide with me if you want, if it can make you feel better.

Well, y'see.. My parents and I used to live in Athkatla all together, even if my dad was almost never at home with us.. Busy with the work and stuff. My mother had to care about me with the help of the nanny.. Not that we were rich or important or anything, it's just that since father had some money he thought it could be best for us to not be alone at home.

My father's the one who always prevented me from trying ot get a role in the playhouse.. He's the kind of person who just wants to see others follow his lead but, y'know, he was caring in his own way. More than once I woke up with him looking at me sleeping, after he came back. He loves mother a lot, too, and she him.

She always supported his choices about everything, were those good or bad, so she agreed on what I should've done with my life.. And that hurt me since I hoped she would've understood how I felt. At first, in my childhood, she was always so near to me, so nice.. But as soon as I grew up a bit, she started to grow colder and colder every year. Seemed a bit sad, like swallowed in her own world.

Oh, Syvishtar, I miss them so much.. I don't wanna end my adventuring life, but I'd really like to see them sometimes..

I'm glad you confided with me, but to tell the truth it doesn't sound like a place I'd miss.

*sigh* If that's what you think..

Thanks for listening, at least..



Nope, but I never turn down some easy money.

Maybe next time we could afford a comfy room at the inn then, mmh?




*She snarls, showing a row of surprisingly white, even teeth. Only one is broken, which is a testimony to her skill in battle and brawl.*

Is Shar-Teel jealous of me talking to Rose? Who can tell. A little further down the road, in front of the town's Garrison, we meet a very inspiring man.



Excuse me, but are you speaking to a rodent?

Boo is my faithful animal companion, and more than he seems.

The classic dilemma of the damsel in distress! How could anyone deline?

Take heart fellow adventurers, for you have curried the favor of Boo, the only miniature giant space hamster in the Realm! My friend and companion ever since my h-h-head wound, he will lead us to victory! Onward to the Gnoll Stronghold in the west! Tarry not! We must go soon!

Wow. A damsel in distress, and a brave warrior to come rescue her. I wish that would happen to me.

Actually, no, I don't. I don't mind the brave warrior, as long as he's handsome, but the part about being in danger I could do without.

Minsc will rescue a nice girl like you, fear not! But now it's glorious Dynaheir that we need to rescue! Onward, friends!

I don't know who is more stupid - this man who speaks to his hamster, or you for inviting him along. Minsc is strong enough and knows his place. Hmmm... that Dynaheir has the same taste in men as I do.

Hmmm... I do not think so, but when we save glorious Dynaheir, you can ask her.

Gameplay note: Ok, we have finally met Minsc. He is a hugely popular character but also very stereotypical. Lets take a look at him:





Looks like the modders didn't change him at all. And quite frankly I can't really think of anything to change him to other than a pure-class ranger. He's the most rangery ranger that ever ranged. I don't think we should mess him up. But do we want to rescue Dynhaeir with him, really? We must do so or he will leave the party soon. If so, who do we replace with him? It's a hard decision. So lets vote.

Who should we replace with Minsc, if anyone?
A: Shar-Teel. And give him all her eq.
B: Viconia. We have Gavin.
C: Gavin. We have Viconia.
D: Rose. She just piped up with more about her family but she's been quiet and almost useless in fights.
E: Imoen. Time to give old Imoen a break, doncha think?
F: Nobody. Misc is sooo 1998. Lets keep the party the way it is.

[Usurper]

The thread voted like this:

Who should we replace with Minsc, if anyone?
A: Shar-Teel    ..........
B: Viconia      .
C: Gavin        ......
D: Rose         ...............
E: Imoen
F: Nobody       ..

So Rose was out and Minsc is in. There was quite a lot of controversy about letting Minsc into the party, though. Some people thought he was overplayed and wanted to avoid him (and Khalid, Jaheira, Dynaheir, etc) in favor of more modded NPCs. They wanted to see a new experience. Nevertheless, Rose lost out to Minsc in the end.

[Usurper]

22 Kythorn, 1369

... death. I am having morbid thoughts today. What with all the talk of the demons in the mines and everybody else being depressed at having no jobs.




I think it's best for us to part now, but we may travel together again soon enough. Please, wait for me at the Burning Wizard Inn.

Gotcha. Be sure to get back soon anyway! Don't wanna rot in the same place for too long. See ya!

Gameplay note: She doesn't have the option for the Jovial Juggler for some reason.

This new Minsc guy is wielding a two-handed sword and wearing nothing but leather armor. When I start looking through my inventory for something better to put on him, I take a closer look at the Bread and Jam that the Svirfneblin gave us.



Viconia is going to need to eat this pretty soon. She always gets fatigued before everyone else.

I stop by the Nashkel store, but a plate mail costs 1800 gold, and we only have about 1000. It looks like Shar-Teel is going to have to give this guy her old chainmail. Also, since he's a ranger he can dual-wield no problem. I still have those +2 daggers that I got from Rhialto. Maybe he can tear some gnolls up with those? But Shar-Teel interrupts my inventory musing.




*growls* What?!

Sometimes I could just slap that woman. I end up outfitting Minsc with chainmail and two Daggers +2. Reminds me of Bub. Then, in order to get to know the town better, we go to the Inn.



Maybe those coins won't be so easily won!

I would first know my attacker! Why are you doing this?

Who I am is unimportant, though my name is Neira. What I am, is a hunter of bounties, and on your head is a lovely little sum. Does this satisfy your request? I thought it wouldn't. No matter.

Imoen opens with Magic Missile. Viconia begins casting a Command, and Minsc and Shar-Teel run straight at Neira. She is also casting a spell - looks like she's a cleric.



But the fight is over before it's begun, courtesy of Shar-Teel.



Imoen seems shaken by the whole affair.




Another assassin. This is the sixth. I met with two before leaving Candlekeep. One right after leaving Candlekeep. And that mage on the doorstep of the Friendly Arm Inn... And the dwarf in the 'Red Sheaf'.

You mean, even inside the walls of Candlekeep you were attacked!? Why didn't ya tell me this before you left?

I didn't want to worry you and have you tag along with me, like you're doing right now.

Heh, yup. I'm stuck to ya like brick and mortar! Well, 'nough chattin' here, let's go get a room so that I can get a nice warm bath.

I go to pick up what Neira obviously doesn't need anymore. Gavin seems very agitated by the whole affair.



That's a good point. I think the only option we have in that case would be to kill them all and loot their corpses. Better get started now. Neira has a chainmail +1! Magical armor! What will they think of next?



Her helmet also creates an interesting story for her.



I can imagine her tirelessly trekking up and down the sword coast, never resting, never relaxing, always searching for us. I like to think most of the times I was in an Inn while it was raining she was trudging in the mud. And now she's dead. So sad. I give her equipment to Minsc.

Gameplay note: Together the Chainmail +1 and the Helm of Resilience bring his AC to 1, which is already one point better than Shar-Teel's. Just to see, I have him try on Shar-Teel's platemail and Ring of Protection. His AC drops to -1. He's simply a better tank than she is, because his DEX is 16 while hers is 14.

It looks pretty good on him.



I also take a closer look at his hamster.



Finally, I look at the bounty notice. I'm up to 680 gold. That's not too bad. Not as much as I got for killing Mutamin, though. I killed him, I should be worth more than him! Who do I have to notify about this?

We sleep until morning, then go out to explore the rest of this small town. It's really only a dirt track with a few buildings next to it. It doesn't have the bustling, criss-crossing streets of Beregost. And when Imoen breaks into a house, a mother and child are there, so no loot is available.



We find a flower-lined path that goes north, so we follow it. Suddenly a boy bursts from the bushes and screams at us.



He is quickly followed by a... baby wyvern?



Gavin and I are quick to take care of this one.



Then the kid just runs off. At the end of this flowered walk is Manor House. Imoen gets very excited.



Viconia decides to make a comment.

I pity you for your short lifespan.

It is unclear who exactly she was talking to. Perhaps all of us? When I turn my attention back to Imoen, she is gone.



She walks around the house, nicking a book here some coins there. She's not perfect, though, so the Nobleman sees her.



She does all that she can for him to not see her again by going upstairs.



She rifles around everyone's things upstairs, and comes across a few more gold and some books. Someone sees her and calls the guards, but she just casts Invisibilty and goes on about he business. She's done in a few minutes, and we continue exploring the town. There is a very large mausoleum like thing on the right side of the Temple of Helm.



We continue to explore around the town, and eventually make our way back to the inn/store area.

[Usurper]

When we walk up, it looks like we're in trouble.



Erm... yes! That's him!

Soldier! Arrest this person!

You, wait! You are accused of threatening the son of Lord and Lady von Undenzieht with your weapons and killing his little pet animal. Do you confess?

No, I do not. I saved that boy from an attacking baby wyvern.

That is nonsense! You threatened my son!

I swear I killed a baby wyvern that was chasing your son.

What... what is this person talking about?

Ask your son. A baby wyvern chased him.

What is this talk about a baby wyvern! You are accused of threatening young Lord von Undenzieht and killing his pet grass snake!

His pet "grass snake?" I repeat: it was a baby wyvern that was chasing him!

Ooh...

Why does there have to be so much talking? Arrest this person!

Under the circumstances I have to give him the right to explain himself. I am beginning to feel annoyed though!

Arrest this person! Our son nearly got killed!

And the little grass snake! That egg cost 500 gp with an exclusive delivery from Waterdeep! I want compensation for the costs!

"Grass snake?" Arnim, don't you think it's time to tell your parents the truth?

How dare you talk to my son?! Soldier, I *demand* that you arrest this person right now!

Did you never wonder about the size and shape of that egg?

What do you know about the egg?!

Nothing, but I saw the "pet" that was inside, and it definitely wasn't a grass snake, but a baby wyvern.

Stop talking about a wyvern! Well, that egg *did* look kind of... big... But the animal dealer said it was a special breed...

Arnim?!

I... I...

Papa, Mama, I am really sorry! It is true! It was a baby wyvern that came out of that egg! I was so frightened! It tried to eat me!

Arnim! Poor baby! Why didn't you tell us?

Because he knew he would feel my beating, that is why! So you lost your pet animal, and you accused innocent... well, maybe not innocent, but anyway, a stranger of it! Boy, you wait until we get home!

Dearest, please! He is innocent!

*cough* As is the person you accused of threateniing your son. Am I right that the complaint will be withdrawn?

What? Yes, yes, of course.

Would you like to say some last words to the savior of your son?

We are thankful, dear stranger...

No, we are not! You killed an exotic animal worth 1000 gp that was in my possession! Better leave quickly and never return!

*Lord* von Undenzieht! Be careful with your manner of speech! Syvishtar, our apologies for the false accusations. We thank you for the courage you displayed by saving a chld of our city.

I am glad it is all sorted then.

There is only one more thing. Lord von Undenzieht, I arrest you under the charge of possessing dangerous exotic animals inside the city area! Come with me now!

What? This.. this is... I am Lord von Undenzieht! I protest! Take your hands off me, you *idiots*!

That was unpleasant. Nice to see an uppity lord getting hauled away though.




*Shar-Teel bits off a broken fingernail and spits it on the ground. It seems that it was purely accidental that she looked your way while er... grooming herself.*

Down by the river is the Belching Dragon Tavern.



Partly out of curiosity, partly out of obligation, we go in.

[Usurper]

Our attention is quickly drawn to the loudest voice in the room, Lake Poet Rob.




That depends. Exactly what sort of services can you offer?

Have you ever been drawn to tales of darkly cunning genius, of intimidating figures with a shadowed past, or of fearsome beings who stride across the land, amid a shroud of mystery? *That* my friends, is my offer. I am pleased to say that I can paint your accomplishments in more sinister colors. You would be revered, yes, but your power would be better respected.

Are you sure about this? We don't want people afraid to talk to us. Besides, if they stand too far away, it's harder to sneak up on them.

True heroes like Minsc and Boo need not the words of puny bards to sing their praises! Syvishtar, pay him no heed. Boo fears he offers only empty promises.

And why should we not be feared? Pay the bard, Syvishtar, and let him pave the road to our triumph!

That's right! People should fear us! We are no weaklings, to hide behind pretty tales of worthless "virtue."

Surely, a client as worldly as yourself can recognize the potential of this offer. What say you? Shall I spin your gold to words?

I have heard this before from those who sell similar services. What can you do for me that is better?

Why, my young friend, I would not wish to malign my associates by comparison. Suffice it to say that I am at your immediate disposal, while others are at an inconvenient distance. Surely, you realize the value of expedience. Would you care to seize the opportunity before it passes by?

Not today, thanks.

Well, if you change your mind, I am performing here regularly.

Gameplay note: Now, several weeks later, we have a much firmer grasp on what reputation affects. Most importantly, it affects our romance with Shar-Teel. If we get above 9 rep then she will begin to ignore us. Also, Ajantis left us permanently because our rep was too low. We can raise reputation by donating to temples, but I just haven't done that yet because we never have any extra money. If we got to be too high in reputation and wanted it lowered, we could talk to these Lake Poets and not have to slaughter children in the street in order to lower our rep. But we're currently going for higher rep, so it's not really important right now.

Imoen goes around the bar as always, quickly making friends.







Yeesh. Depressing lot these are. One guy though, one guy is almost insufferably cheery.



The tale of the guard sounds interesting. Please, do tell.

I hear that Commander Brage, of the Amnish guard, has been missing for some weeks now following a strange alteration in his behavior. Where once he was a well thought-of family man, he has turned to senseless mayhem, effecting a rampage the likes of which I have never heard. His fellow soldiers noted nothing out of sorts that could trigger such a transformation, but one notable item seems relevant. If not for the iron shortage it would have gone unnoticed but, prior to his mad rage, the commander procured a new sword. The importance of this information, I have no way of verifying.

Would you consent to another tale? I also have an interest in the mines.

Just let me finish my drink, and then we can carry on through the wee hours with our tales.

Then the guy ends the conversation, and finishes his drink. I think I'm a little offended.



If you would relate what troubles have been plaguging the mines I would appreciate it.

The word is, that all across the expansive Sword Coast, from the Cloudpeaks to Baldur's Gate, an ore shortage is severely crippling local trade. Bandits, purportedly both human AND demihuman, raid caravans, whilst ore reaching its destination becomes brittle and useless following smelting, strangely afflicted by an odd, iron-weakening plague. As though this were not cause for alarm in itself, production at the mine outside of Nashkel has fallen, with the substantially lower yields being blamed on nervous workers. Mysterious disappearances of several miners have set the whole area on edge, where something must shift the balance to one side, or the other.

I have heard as much from common rumors about the street outside. Your tale is but a long-winded version.

There is no cause to be rude, it would be good for you to leave.

Hey buddy, you were rude first! There's nothing else to do in this pissant tavern, so we go outside. We hear someone saying something about taking care of children.



Gameplay note: This is supposed to be a quest in which you literally watch over those children right there for an hour or so, giving them their bottle and blankies and perhaps even candy. But the lady isn't even considering us as candidates for it. We must look too surly I guess?

Well, that's pretty much the whole town. There's a bridge across the river to the west, but that just goes to farmland and that's boring.



What's much more exciting is the Nashkel Carnival to the east!



We arrive and go exploring. In front of an empty set of bleachers, a lone performer belts out lines from some play.








There are also rumors here among the performers.



Next to the performers is what looks to be a wizard. I approach him to see what he is about.



Then he, uh, summons an ogre and it explodes. Wow. Straightforward. I need to see it again.



Dear gods, not again. It was dreadful enough the first time.

Hush... Now, Oompah...





Ha! Ok, this is my kinda carnival! But despite the cheer, there are still some sad visitors.



We walk around by the tents and wagons, seeing what there is to see. A man makes a comment as we pass by.



Where is everyone?

Down in the mines or dead... A combination of the two, more often than not... I'm sorry, you folks are here to enjoy the carnival. Don't let me go telling my depressing tales.

The mines interest us more than the carnival, to be honest. We'd like to figure out what's wrong if we can.

What's right? That place has been claiming lives hand over fist but where else can we find work? It's either death by the demons or death by the dinner plate, and us Nashkel folk aren't the type to let our families starve. I'd register with the garrison but with this bum leg, I ain't no good at fighting. Just pushin' the ore barrow, that's all.

We keep wandering around, not really looking too closely at anything, just trying to get a feel for the place.

[Usurper]

We are interrupted by a brightly glowing gentleman.



My name's Syvishtar, what's yours?

Mon namen est Syvishtar, vott iss yorse?

Ho, you'll not get away with that for long!

Ho, ye'll not git away wit' dat fer long!

Okay, now that's enough!

Hokey-dokey, like dat's enuff now, eh?

What a fahbulous carnival, dahling...

What a fahbulous carnival, dahling!

Are you mocking me?

Dost thou mockest me? Away with you, beggar!

Now that guy was a fucking weirdo. What was he doing repeating everything I said? Forget him. We finish our first tour of the carnival and realize that it's actually pretty small.



Time to go see whats in all the tents, west side first!



Oh. Pickpockets are in the tents. Damnit! He took 100 gold!



At least from us! *giggle*

Oh... well... you see, I *am* a "pickpocket extraordinaire" and... oh dear... would you please let go of my arm?

IT'S NOT NICE TO STEAL!

But how am I supposed to make a living? (By Mask, my arm really hurts!) *whimper*

Ahh, Minsc feels his blood begin to boil. His head begin to swirl. His fury begins to rise. Oh, yes, a most powerful berserker rage engulfs Minsc! AND THEN HE'LL CUT YOU DOWN LIKE A WEED, YOU LITTLE PURSE-CUTTER!!!

*gulp* Mask, have mercy on me! I... I... I see the light! I do, I swear! I'll never steal again in my life! Here take it back! Take it *all* back!

Now please let me go! Pleeaaaseee!

Go then, but remember, Boo will tell Minsc if you try something like this again. And Minsc shall come after you!

Yes, sir! I swear, sir!... Goodbye, sir!

Wow, I've got to say that was goddamned satisfying. Those thieves think they're too cool for the law with their hoods and their pickpocketing and their potions of Master Thievery... Nice to see a good old threat of berserker rage take one down a peg.

We keep looking around and talking to people. We talk to the wrong person.



We finally find the right person to talk to and realize what's goin on in here. Gambling! Roulette, to be exact.



No thanks.

I've never been good at gambling. The other big tent is the same thing - booring. I wonder what's in the little tents. Ahh, yes, of course. A hostage situation.



What's this all about?

She's a witch. She'll use her magics to poison the children of this town. She'll butcher the livestock and she'll seduce the young men, make them her puppets. She must be killed!

What are you talking about? Why the prejudice against a magic user? You said it yourself that you're a mage. After all, aren't you going ot kill her with your "magic word?" Get a hold of yourself, you idiot.

Are you mocking me! No one mocks the great Zordral. You will pay for your insolence!

And then he attacks. Wizards, why are we all the same? I could read him like a book.



And he is just not prepared for the pain we bring. When he falls, we turn to the woman he was going to kill.



Do you have any magic trinkets you might be able to give us?

Why yes I do. Here, take this. It might come in useful in times of need. It's a potion that cures all poisons.

Yes, she did indeed give us an antidote. On the corpse of Zordral I find scrolls of Armor, Color Spray, a few gold coins, and a Knave's Robe.



Huh. Protection against poison. I'm not sure I need that now but perhaps later, when we go up against spiders like that devilspider from the cave behind the Song of the Morning Temple.

I am still curious about the other tents, but a little nervous going in there. We all go in together.



A titan's might, hmm? I'm not really interested. I only have enough money for one potion.

No? Such a grand gift as this and you would refuse? Please confirm that I have not offended you by at least accepting the red elixir. Steal it from under my own eyes for 40 gold.

I don't think I'll risk either of your "gifts" today.

You insult me by refusing my hospitality; I have done with you. Leave, and darken my humble tent no longer with your sour presence.

Remember that guy who got turned into a pile of jelly in his own house? He was into cheap potions too. I'm not going to fall for that trick!




*with a grim scowl* Lover-boy.

In this circle of stalls, we have two merchants. The one to the west sells masterwork weapons for 1500 gold a pop, and the one to the east sells reasonably-priced potions of all types. If we weren't broke we could probably buy some of them. And also to the north is some blond chick.

[Usurper]

I wonder what she's selling...



Can I help you in any way?

Sure, you could give me 1000 gp or so. Haha! Little joke, sorry. But I *do* need money. Do you have a job for me? I mean a decent one. Don't you even think about offering me something else! I am a lady of good honor, after all. I mean something like... like... buy you something... cook you a meal... wash your clothes - I mean your spare ones, not the ones you are wearing right now! Don't you even think about taking them off! Or watch your children... You don't have children, by any chance, no?

You are standing in a carnival, seeking a job?

Erm, haha. No, of course not. You wouldn't by any chance lend me some money, no?

Lending you money? And what do I get as a deposit?

Deposit? How about... my... my scarf? Erm, maybe my necklace? Look, it's nice, very nice, isn't it?

OK, I'll take your scarf. How much money do you need?

Oh, just what you want to spare... I don't need it for long.

How about 5 gp?

Yes, that would be great! I just got gold! Hey, I got some go-old!

Ha! Did you see her face? I won. Here you go, your gold back. Thank you for lending it to me!

What was that? You barely held it in your hands!

I didn't need it longer. I bet with my friend, who is standing over *there*, that a complete stranger would give me money. We bet 2 gp that I would succeed. Now it's mine! It's mine!

Hey, last time we bet she won, so it's only fair. This is a carnival, right? So enjoy yourself!

The other tents have legitimate merchants in them. One sells decent magical equipment and Scrolls of Protection - hard to find. One sells simple, everyday swords and maces and other weapons. And the third sells magical bows, arrows, and the extremely tempting Quiver of Plenty.



Unfortunately, it costs as much as as new set of platemail.

There is one more tent, set so far away from the rest of the carnival that we actually missed it the first time. There isn't much in it but sleeping people.



Oh. Tripping people. Little different. Inexplicably, this reminds me of my familiar, and I let her out of my backpack to rejoin us as a party. She is quite useful when it's not basilisks we go up against.

There is actually a lot of unused space behind the carnival. I wonder what's out there? We go take a look around. Fortunately, the whole place is clear. I was a little worried that bandits might be waiting in the woods to kill unsuspecting farmers, but it looks like it's all just empty space!



There is one more thing that I wanted to check out, though...



Perhaps we should. Though such mercy is... infrequent from me, petrification is a terrible fate.

A bargain at 500 gold!

Sure, give us the scroll.

You won't regret this! Here's the scroll, and I wish you well. Bye now.

We use the scroll on the statue, and...



We're always on the lookout for another warrior.

I am glad to be part of your war party. I will not make you regret your decision. A word of caution though: beware of the dog that entrapped me in stone. Tranzig he called himself. He was in the employ of a mercenary group, but I do not know the name. I shall see him dead before I see the shores of home again!

Gameplay note: And we have yet another potential party member! Let's take a look at her:



She literally has 5 more xp than Viconia, which makes her also a level 4 cleric! She is a Battleguard of Tempus, conforming to the Divine Remix mod.



She also has different spells from both Gavin and Viconia. At level 1 she has both Faerie Fire and Sunscorch, the same way Gavin does. Viconia doesn't have those spells. At level 2, she has the protection spells that Viconia has, plus Draw Upon Holy Might, Find Traps, and a spell we have not seen before - Charm Person or Animal.



It is also important to note that Branwen is our other romance possibility - as long as our reputation is 10 or more she will be into us. If our rep is 9 or less Shar-Teel will be into us. The two girls gain and lose interest at the same cutoff point, so they will never be jealous of each other.




*growls* If you want to get some tonight, you'd better find us a tough fight. I need my blood high to suffer you again!

Gameplay note: So, dear voices in our heads, what should we do with Branwen? Replace someone with her or send her on her way?

A: Replace Shar-Teel. Branwen is more of a warrior woman than Shar-Teel will ever be.
B: Replace Minsc. Women are better than men when it comes to escorting Syvishtar around. Also, screw Dynaheir she can rot in the Gnoll Stronghold forever.
C: Replace Viconia. Branwen has more spells. 'Nuff said.
D: Replace Gavin. Branwen has more spells, levels, boobs, and zest for life. 'Nuff said.
E: Replace Imoen. Imoen could still use that vacation.
F: Replace nobody. What kind of scrub chick gets petrified and left for dead? Kick her to the curb.

[Usurper]

It was at this point that the thread became very much annoyed with Shar-Teel, mostly because her romance wasn't progressing and there was just a lot of flirting going on. Her romance was stuck on the talk where we had to be outside, going to sleep, and injured. I just never got those things together. There was also a big debate on whether or not Shar-Teel really loved us, with some people saying that her constant abuse indicated some kind of unhealthy relationship. But another guy summed up Shar-Teel in one post:

You are just jealous that shar-teel is getting more sweet, sweet elven booty than you. She is a stone cold pick up artist.




Look at that glorious text book peacocking. Flamboyant hat at a slightly jaunty angle, plus gloriously tasteless facial tattoos in a shocking colour.

Not only that but we can't go one minute without shar teel dropping a neg on everything in sight, while flexing her glorious warrior woman thighs. Welcome to the gun show!

*Your formidable mate, Shar-Teel, turns towards you, all strength and grace, if little of pleasantness*

She can't help herself, every conversation she drops negs like it's going out of fashion.

In the end, the thread voted like this:

A: Replace Shar-Teel    ...............
B: Replace Minsc        
C: Replace Viconia      ..
D: Replace Gavin        ..................
E: Replace Imoen        ..
F: Replace nobody   	

Gavin took some time out on the bench to go see his daughter and stuff like that.

Edited by Usurper, 30 December 2011 - 03:59 AM.

[Usurper]

23 Kythorn, 1369

I have a talk with Gavin. I tell him he should take a break, visit his family, talk to his girl. I tell him we'll be back soon, no worries. He actually seems to want to stay here at the Carnival for the moment. That's fine with me. Maybe he can take care of some orphans or something. He volunteers his magical sling and platemail, saying that Viconia and Minsc can use them in his absence. We happily agree.

Gameplay note: there's something screwy with Gavin - he doesn't give his normal leaving the party dialogue. If we want him back we're going to have to come back to the Nashkel Carnival and CTRL-Q him into the party. I don't think that's going to be a big problem...

Then we officially welcome Branwen into the party. She doesn't have any equipment at all, so once again there is a big eq shuffle. Minsc gets Gavin's old platemail, which is something I should have done already. I give Branwen a choice of Splint mail, Chainmail, or Chainmail +1 to use. Oddly enough the Splint mail offers the same protection as the magical chainmail, but the magic stuff is 5 pounds lighter. Since Branwen can only carry 90 pounds I consider that to be a significant factor and let her have the magical stuff. Viconia is too weak to carry a medium shield, but Branwen hefts one easily, so she gets one from our stash. She also gets Gavin's old magical sling and some bullets. We're going to have to find a warhammer for her but that's not a huge priority. She can summon a battle axe if she really needs to melee.



Gameplay note: I currently have 666 gold. This is insanely ominous.

As I order everyone to get into formation...




*She scowls, but there are so many emotions tangled in her scowl that you dare not interpret this facial impression one way or another.*

Not two seconds later...




That's all right, Branwen. It was a pleasure.

Not merely a pleasure on your part. Those scrolls are not dropped by every gibberling and goblin, and they are worth goodly coin besides. You have sacrificed for me, and I shall sacrifice of my blood and sweat for you.

Wow, this woman doesn't joke around when it comes to fighting. That comforts me. If she dies I don't think I'll feel guilty. Our front line now consists of me, flanked by Minsc and Shar-Teel. Behind Minsc is Branwen, behind Shar-Teel is Viconia, and behind me is my trusty sidekick Imoen. We are going to kick so much ass.



And because we are not yet prepared to go into the Nashkel mines, since Minsc's damsel must be saved, we are just going to scout around there to make sure we know the area.



We get there in 8 hours without mishap. The place is actually kind of ominous and scary, what with this dead tree standing here in the rain and the thunder.



It's a good thing we check out the tree, though, because someone hid a magical bow inside of it!



I give this to Imoen. At least I was going to, but somehow it's already out of my hands and onto her back before I turn around. Strange.

We go further down into the mine pit. As we go down I realize that I haven't cast Armor, so I go ahead and do that. The magic gets away from me though, and even though Armor is supposed to be a self-cast only spell, well...



I hope he appreciates the 9 hour duration!



Ooh, double shifts. I guess he'll only be protected for the first one. When we get down to the mine entrance itself, it is physically blocked off by Amnish soldiers.



So we go and talk to Emerson. What else is there to do?



Huh, someone is grumpy today. Must have gotten up on the wrong side o' the bed or somethin'.

Then, going back to tell the soldiers that we have authorization, we get this.



Just because we have authorization, that's no reason to rush in there unprepared or anything. Let's take a look around the surface first. Maybe there will be some clue to what's going on down there.

Just to the east of the mine we see some kind of outbuilding.



We go inside, naturally, and find war dogs inside, unnaturally.



They die extremely quickly. Imoen looks around and comes up with 33 gold and a healing potion, but not much else. We go back ouside and keep walking around. As we do so a colorful man yells at us to stop.



Actually, we're adventurers. We're here to help out. Perhaps you could tell us about what's been going on in the region.

We could use some more fighting men. If you want to know where to go, just go to the northwest. Up there is the mines. Emerson might tell you that he don't need any adventurers, but you don't listen to him. We need as many men as we can get.

Anything else?

Well, ya, there's this crazy guy. I think he calls himself Prism. He's been making a sculpture in a cliff side. Kind of a kook if you ask me. I'll see you later then.

Huh. Someone who was worried about my safety, appreciated my offer to help, and then gave me good intel about the region? The weave must surely be smiling upon us today! As we continue to walk around the area, we find a contingent of Amnish soldiers hiding out underneath a dead tree. We don't ask and they don't tell.



A little later we are attacked by two angry bears in a forested region.



They go down quickly with little resistance. They only swipe me once. As we are walking away from their corpses, Shar-Teel addresses Branwen.




'Tis of no consequence. Tempus tests all his faithful.

If I were in your position, I would have simply killed them. Male leadership was bound to lead your village to disaster anyway, so a wholesale culling of the fools would have been a final gift to your people.

I could not defeat the elders in battle, I'm afraid, or I might indeed have challenged them for my right to stay.

Who said anything about challenging anyone? Just poison them, or kill them in their sleep. Maybe arrange for a convenient 'accident.'

By Auril's breath, I have never heard such wickedness! Only the spawn of Loki fight in such underhanded ways! I am a servant of Tempus, a warrior, not a murderer!

And that, fool, is why you are thousands of leagues away from your home in the middle of nowhere hoping for the 'favor' of your god while the elders are probably relaxing in a warm, comfortable tent with all the wine and meat they can stomach!

Until you can understand that the ends justify the means, you will continue to handicap yourself to no purpose. Now away from me. Such naivete makes me sick.

Uh... did Shar-Teel just advocate poisoning older men in their sleep? I feel a little unsure of my place in the world. Am I older than her? Younger? Does she ever prepare any food for me? Sometimes I wonder why I love this woman at all.



*She glowers... Her eyes are like stars... shooting stars... or Melf' Minute Meteors... Uhm, make it Melf's Acid Arrows.*

Oh right, I love her because she'll murder me in my sleep if I stop. We continue to explore the area, when a tiny person runs out of the trees towards us.



Calm down. Tell us what's going on and we'll see if w can help you.

They're kobolds: dozens of them! They captured me northwest of here, stripped me down, stole and hid my clothes, my weapons, my wand, and my gold! Then the dirty imps tortured me for no other reason other than to hear me scream! But... I got away... they'll be here soon... we have to run... get out of here!

That sounds like a good enough reason for torture to me. If you can't fend off a few kobolds yourself, why presume we would bother to help you?

You... You black-hearted fiend!

Oh no... it's too late: they're here!

And then somehow they are. They are right next to Shar-Teel.



Two of them are killed before Shar-Teel's frost aura can even go up. The third dies as it begins to flare. The fourth as she finally swings.



The gnome runs northwest, presumably to safety. We shrug. No big deal. Later, we find more Amnish soldiers in the trees.



Gameplay note: These soldiers are showing up at mob spawn points. It is some modder's touch that this area, highly valuable to Amn as an iron mine, would be swarming with Amnish soldiers. It is a nice touch. Better than kobolds everywhere!

[Usurper]

*She scowls...* Don't you dare to tell me not to scowl, dolt!

Near a cliffside we find a man in bright blue clothing, staring at a face in the cliff. I approach him.



It is a sculpture of a darthiir! How disgusting.

I have nothing to do with anyone named Greywolf, and nor would I want to.

Thank Deneir, I thought I was done in. I am not cut out for a life on the run. Mayhaps you could help a foolish sculptor finish this epiphany? Please, guard this place, for surely Greywolf will come seeking the bounty on the gems. I will pay with my last possessions if you would do this one service for me.

Wow, this is beautiful! D'ya think someone'll make our statues one day, Syvishtar? Seeing how we're 'bout to become great heroes and all?

Gameplay note: We do eventually get statues made in our honor, yes. Although Imoen will probably be imprisoned in Spellhold being tortured and having her soul ripped from her body by that time. This is an unusually poignant interjection for people who've played the game before. But I think I will purposefully wait until I've rescued her to do that part of the game, just because of what she said here back at level 4.

If it is so important, then I shall guard you as best I can. Yes.

I thank you, for I cannot run from this place until my task is done. I have been using potions of speed to aid my work, and have not slept for days. She is beautiful, is she not? 'Tis a monument to my foolishness. I saw her but once, on the outskirts of Evereska, and said nothing. I let thee pass from mine eyes, and mine heart hath cursed me for it!

A few seconds later...



No! Not yet! My work is nearly done! Please, I implore you!

Your sentiment is wasted on me, fool. You are but gold in my purse. Do you make your situation worse by hiring help to protect you? Who are you fools?

Who we are is unimportant. What is important, is that we are armed to the teeth and we mean to stop you from hurting him!

Wait! I recognize you! It was you that stole a bounty rightfully mine! Prism will live a moment longer while I kill the lot of you!

I've heard of you... You are Greywolf, and you will be making your apologies to Ysena in Hades today, or my name is not Shar-Teel!

Shar-Teel? You must be the ridiculous brat Ysena scooped out of the gutter!

The one and only, though you'll find me a little more than just a brat. You betrayed Ysena to the Fists, because of a quarrel over the reward for a run-away slave. I've been wanting ot meet you for a long time, Greywolf - do you know why?

*grins* Do enlighten me.

So I can skewer your guts through with the point of my sword.

Wrong!

Oh, so this is Greywolf. Oops on the bounty stealing I guess? Of course, he attacks us.




He gets a good hit in on Imoen to start with. I tell her to retreat.



Then we see him drink a potion.



After that, his next hit almost destroys Branwen. He's smart to not focus on any of the tanks.



When he comes after me, I decide to show him the power of Rhialto. I use his spellbook to cast Rhialto's Random Missiles at Greywolf.



One missile comes out of my hands to hit him. I also start glowing. I don't think that's quite intimidating enough, so I go for a Blade Shower.



But the magic swirls around in my head strangely, and I get dizzy.



No more spellcasting today! Does the magic think it's unfair? If it does, Shar apparently doesn't have the same opinion, because Viconia's spell goes off without a hitch.



Shar-Teel and Minsc send him flying away from us in chunks.



He was carrying a Masterwork Long Sword, some Studded Leather Armor, and a Potion of Invulnerability.



He should have drank it. Shar-Teel seems to have learned a lot from this experience.







Gameplay note: All her saving throws and her THAC0 were also reduced by 1, and she got a third star in Two-handed Swords.



Gameplay note: Ellesime is a real character in this game, and actually a major plot point later. We got two Emeralds, some money, and a Green Gem Bag from Prism's corpse.





The gem bag is important because it carries gems and jewelry and all the other things we need to bribe NPCs to join us. It's important to our plans to get Bjornin, Thalantyr, and/or Keldath on our side. We also got 454 xp and +1 rep, bringing us to 8!






"One day," she announces gloomily, "One day, I'll gut you like a fish."

At least it won't be poison. That's good I guess? Looking around, we realize that we have explored the entire area, and there is nothing left to do but go back to Nashkel.



Shar is a goddess of conviction and purpose.

Ok babe, whatever you say. When we get back to Nashkel, it's dark. We stop by the store and sell the random useless armor and weapons we picked up. We're up to 908 gold! Imoen takes some time to chat up the locals, as is her wont.






We also decide that now is a good time to drink a little. We have the coin and the inclination.

[Usurper]

We hear some interesting rumors.







Uh oh. That's right where we're going next.

With a thoroughly drunk Imoen on our hands, there's nothing left to do but go to sleep. But first I try to talk to my companions.



You always berate men, Shar-Teel. Is there at least one thing you can commend them upon?

I can find a use or two for the stronger ones between the sheets. But they get used up so quickly...



What've you been thinking about lately, Minsc?

Ahh! Minsc has been discussing with Boo about how he thought he saw another Miniature Giant Space Hamster yesterday.



Hmm? What seems to be wrong, Imoen?

*giggling* Nothing... Here, come try this drink! It makes you feel all warm and tingly inside.



You are so alluring, Viconia... simply irresistible.

Were we in the Underdark, you would have been flayed alive. But you have a nerve, jaluk. I like it.



I like your temper, Branwen.

Good! Our war party should consist of the like-minded companions, after all.

Yes, she has a point... something I consider long into the night as I try to go to sleep.

In the morning, we cross the bridge and go look at the fields and farmlands to the west of the river. Imoen said it was disgusting how the farmers just hung out in their house all day, in the bedroom next to the chests. What is she on about? In the far southwest of the area, we found Juoma the Herbalist.



Can you enchant any of the items I have here?

Let me see... you have a lot of weapons here...

I don't see anything I could enchant. You need to get an unenchanted dagger or staff. In case of bigger or more complex weapons, I'm afraid I can't help you, wanderer. To have such stuff enchanted, go find an enchanter or wizard.

Do I have any herbs that you could make use of?

Let me see... you have lots of things in your bag and my eyes are not as good as they were when I was young... oh good old times... Anyway, take a look at this scroll please, you can recognize the herbs you have by reading it and checking the illustrations, it also shows you which herbs can be combined to make a potion...



Gameplay note: This is the Herbs and Potions mod, and an extremely annoying interface. Without telling you what the potions are, you have the option of asking about all 12 of them just because you have the ingredients in your backpack. If you will remember way back in the day we looted some herbs off of a guy who died right in front of us? Well the herbs he was carrying we can use to make potions, with this interface.



But even if we want to make it we can only know the price, we don't know what it will do. Although if a healing potion costs 150 gold, and we end up paying 40 gold for a healing potion, that can't be TOO bad can it? So, fine, I'll find out what Door Number One gives us.

Here you are.

Thank you. Your potion will be ready soon. Please don't interrupt me during the creation process...

She casts some spells, and then...



Thank you, Juoma.

I hope you will make a good use of it.

Gameplay note: And yes, it was a potion of healing that she made! Ok, this is pretty useful. It just takes time and some annoying dialog selection. Oh, also, Noober has been pestering me this whole time but I tried to ignore him.



This guy is really getting...



on...



my...



NERVES.

'Nough already!!! Outta my way! Let me at him! He's driving me insane!!!

ENOUGH! ENOUGH! YOU'RE DRIVING MINSC MAD! YOU WOULDN'T LIKE MINSC WHEN HE'S MAD!

Ya better listen to him littl' man. I've seen him tear the heads off of ogres, ya know...

*gulp* Well, then... ahem... ta-ta, bye-bye, have a nice day and all that!

And he actually goes away. Amazing!




*She glowers... Her eyes are like stars... shooting stars... or Melf's Minute Meteors... Uhm, make it Melf's Acid Arrows.*

I am curious to see what kind of enchantments Juoma can put onto daggers and quarterstaves, so I go to the store and pick up a couple of each.



As I pass by, I notice a man just standing on the bridge in a bright red robe. I'll have to talk to him later, after this.



Can you enchant any of the items I have here?

Let me see.. you have a lot of weapons here...

You have a staff and a dagger here that I could enchant. The result of the process can not be predicted: if successful, your weapon will have either fire or poison enchantment on it. However, I can enchant only two different items for you, the process drains my powers for some time. The dagger enchantment costs 3500gp while the staff enchant is 4300 gold. Which do you choose?

I can afford neither, unfortunately.

You can always return when you have the money, wanderer.

Why is everyone in the Sword Coast asking a fortune for almost nothing at all? I walk off in disgust to talk to the man in the bright red.

[Usurper]

You want to kill Minsc's witch?!

Your witch?! (Of all the adventurer groups in Faerun, I had to ask *these* particular baboons.)

Yes, MY witch! Begone, sleazy Red Wizard, lest Boo have your eyes!

Sleazy?! I bathed this morn! (Which is more than I can say about this gorilla.)

Yes, sleazy! Now go, before I set my hamster on you!

It's not your call, you overfed... overfed... monkey! (Yes, that will do.)

Why would you have this woman dead? Am I to kill her without knowing?

Frankly, yes. It is no concern of yours. You need but perform the act with no questions. What is your answer?

I think back to Silke and how that turned out.

I am not willing to kill without sufficient reason. Come with us, and if we find your 'Dynaheir' we will decide how to proceed.

A wise decision. One can never be too cautious dealing with... her kind. (Yes, I shall watch for her carefully.)

Boo and I will watch you, wizard...

Keep that stinking rodent away from me. And the little smelly creature he carries, too.

Gameplay note: Ok, lets take a look at the most powerful spellcaster in the game.





He's the same level of mage that I am, although 500 xp behind. He may look pretty normal on his Record, but his greatest asset is around his neck.



TWO EXTRA SPELLS each level. TWO. He has more staying power than any other mage in existence. Of course the amulet is not removable, even on death.

What should we do with this Red Wizard of Thay?
A: Put him in Minsc's spot. We're going to kill Dynaheir for Edwin, and it's best if Minsc doesn't witness that.
B: Put him in Shar-Teel's spot. Need more pleasantness, if not strength or grace.
C: Put him in Viconia's spot. Arcane power is superior to divine power.
D: Put him in Branwen's spot. Arcane power is superior to divine power, and we barely know Branwen.
E: Put him in Imoen's spot. Imoen could always use a vacation.
F: Ship him off to the Jovial Juggler for later. We can save him for later, we've got heroics to do right now!

[Usurper]

At this vote the anti-Shar-Teel faction finally achieved a victory:

What should we do with this Red Wizard of Thay?
A: Put in Minsc's spot          .............
B: Put in Shar-Teel's spot      .................
C: Put in Viconia's spot        
D: Put in Branwen's spot        ....
E: Put in Imoen's spot          .
F: Ship to Jovial Juggler       .......

[Usurper]

26 Kythorn, 1369

Gameplay note: We found and fixed a bug! Apparently Gavin not talking to me when I kicked him out was a bug. And in the 5 years that the Gavin NPC has been alive, no party that was low-reputation had ever kicked him out before. His dialog was messed up for low-rep kickings. The author gave me a hotfix though and it worked, so off-screen I went back to the Carnival and had a conversation with him, sending him to the Song of the Morning Temple. So hopefully he can see his family and do whatever it is morninglords do when they're alone. Frolic? Sunbathe? Oh yeah Gavin said he was trying to grow herbs.



Our paths must run apart for a while. If I should need your help again, though, we should rendezvous at the Jovial Juggler in Beregost.

I will do so, but I hope you rejoin you soon. I do not yet hold my debt repayed.

And with that I send her off. As soon as she is gone, Viconia addresses Branwen.




You speak to me of battle, drow? 'Tis rather unsettling to me that you see fit to group the talent of a warrior bold with the fearsome tactics of your kindred.

My words were intended as a compliment, priestess, and were you not so blinded by your hollow surface predeterminations, you might have seen it for such.

I know you meant good by your words, but I simply cannot draw honor from comparison to such notoriously cowardly ways.

It seems I may have been foolish in my evaluation of you.

Minsc also seems quite distraught by the new turn of events.




Minsc, I haven't promised anything to anyone. We'll go save Dynaheir. You watch Edwin, he watches you.

I do not understand, Syvishtar, but Dynaheir must be saved. I will watch the wizard, and Boo will watch you.

Relatively cunning, for such as you. (Suffer these idiots for now, and both Rashemi shall fall under my power.)

Wizard, no one here wants your kind around. Now begone, before Boo can no longer contain himself and shows you the might of his warrior spirit!

Idiot.

Minsc is now kitted out with all of Shar-Teel's old gear, especially the Flame of the North. I give Edwin my spare Adventurer's Robe. Even though he is supposed to be such an amazing spellcaster right now he's only got two spells, Armor and Color Spray. He's got 4 level two spell slots and no spells to put in them. Too bad he can't study Rhialto's Spellbook... ha! itsmineallmine.

We're going to have to give Edwin a ranged weapon as soon as we kill someone with one, so he doesn't die all the time.

We set off to the west, aiming for the gnoll stronghold. But we don't exactly know the way.



We can make it all the way to the Xvart Village, but then we're going to have to explore around. 1 day and 8 hours later, we arrive and immediately set up camp. Unfortunately...




We all attack. I am casting Armor in the background, but Edwin starts strong with a quick Color Spray.



That confuses the xvarts long enough for us to get into a better position. I finish casting Armor and Edwin begins. I plan to wade into melee.



The confused and terrified xvarts start falling like flies against our assault.



Soon they are all dead, and the entire party is fatigued. We must find a good place to rest. I lead the party south and attempt to rest for the remainder of the night.



We awake bright, fresh, and ready to explore! Edwin and I both start by casting Armor at the exact same time.



I'm not sure if it's good or bad to have another wizard in the party. He is not getting my scrolls first! We all get suited up and begin to patrol the area.

We soon realize that the major feature of the area is a huge cliffside to the north. We eventually find a path leading into a break in the cliffside and decide to check it out.



What we find is two more xvarts. Not really a threat.




But when we kill those two, two more show up coming from the north.



But two become four, and six, and ... twenty?



I bark out orders to everyone. The ranged attackers form a firing line across the road. Viconia begins casting what may become the most potent Curse ever uttered, judging by how many it affects. I throw my bow and some arrows to Edwin and tell him to join the firing line. Minsc stands in the center of the path, his frost aura burning brightly. He is flanked by Haiass and my cat. I begin to cast Summon Wild Horde.



Then one of the xvarts starts yelling at us from the top of the cliff.



You will die, iblith.

Ursa kill you!

Ursa?



Oh, Ursa. Well, we'll have to see what my bunnies, and my cat, and my wolf, and my berserking ranger, and Viconia's curse have to say about that.

The xvarts fall, and fall, and die, and die. One of them gets a lucky hit in on Minsc.



I decide to try to cast Random Spell I at the crowd of xvarts. But instead the magic whips up at me and singes all my gold to ash. Again. That's what, the 4th time now?



I will not be daunted! I reach through Nahal's again and fire off another Random Spell I. As my bunny horde disappears in a flash of light, the magic flows out from me and back to me. Both me and the monsters are hit.



A knot of xvarts are held while the dispel magic washes over everyone. Many xvarts look less cursed. Minsc's frost aura disappears for a few seconds as well. Viconia begins to Curse them all again. Branwen takes this opportunity to cast Aid upon Minsc. I only have one spell left, so I cast it. Summon Wild Horde again.



Is this fight even possible to win? Everyone seems fine. Nobody is hurt. But there are just so many of the damn blue vermin!



Minsc seems to go crazy up there.



Branwen prays and a battle axe appears in her hands. Then she seems to go crazy as well. Inspired, I join the melee.



Gameplay note: Did I not mention that Branwen can berserk? Oops. As a side note, Minsc is uncontrollable during his berserk state - he goes yellow and attacks indiscriminately. Branwen is still controllable though. Hers is a more cold, intellectual fury.

Everything becomes a red blur. Blood, guts, arms, heads, they are all flying everywhere. I am hit but I do not care.



I am hit several more times, and I call Viconia to heal me. She comes.



I don't know where Ursa went. Probably under the blade of Minsc's fury. Edwin comes up then to cast Color Spray, to try to sow confusion in the ranks of the enemy. Branwen leaves her berserk state and becomes fatigued.



Then, something strikes me right in my soul. It feels like a punch in the gut. My familiar dies.



Both Branwen and Viconia notice my stumble and come to heal me. But they can never heal me fully.

Edwin shifts to the left side of the fighting line and casts another Color Spray. It has a limited effect.



Then a berserking and out-of-control Minsc attacks ME!



Time to retreat. Minsc, guided by primal instinct, chases me down the cliff path. Viconia gives me Aid as I pass by, but it would hardly be enough for me to survive another hit from the Flame of the North. I shout "Minsc! Minsc!" as I run pell-mell down the path.



Thankfully, he hears me. He seems to be able to listen to commands now. I tell him, "THE ENEMY IS THAT WAY YOU GIANT APE!" He turns to go back to fighting the xvarts. As soon as he starts fighting again he seems to lose control once more. I decide to wait out the rest of the fight in the back.

[Usurper]

Gameplay note: This looks like new behavior for berserk. He really did turn green and controllable there for a moment after hitting me, and then went back to yellow uncontrollable when he got back into combat. I've never seen that before.

On the front lines, Branwen takes a hit but just heals herself and keeps fighting. When her battle axe disappears, she retreats to the firing line and casts Spiritual Hammer. Then she starts throwing hammers at the xvarts, killing one each time.



Minsc comes out of his berserker rage, taking damage. But he just pops a potion and keeps fighting. He is now surrounded and pressed up against the cliff wall by the remaining xvarts. He doesn't seem worried.



It was a Potion of Invulnerability. One xvart stops focusing on Minsc and hits Edwin instead. He responds with yet another Color Spray, then retreats.



Branwen has foolishly left the field of battle to heal me. I send her back. Viconia casts another Bless and then goes into melee in order to protect Edwin and Imoen from wandering xvarts that are starting to bypass Minsc. Suddenly, things feel like they are at the tipping point. The crowd around Minsc is thinning. The extra xvarts fighting Viconia die. There are only confused xvarts wandering around or fighting Minsc. Branwen's hammer is smashing faces. The day feels like it will be ours!



The last baddie to go down is a rabid dog. I didn't even know they were in the fight, but Imoen takes it out and ... and there is nothing left to fight.



But there is a veritable carpet of gore and death around Minsc. We regroup and survey the carnage we have wrought.



Gameplay note: I had to reload twice. I would melee and my cat and I would die in quick succession.

As Imoen begins to daintly sort through the field of carnage for usable loot, Edwin begins to mutter to himself.




What is that you say, Edwin?

Nothing, nothing, I was merely musing on the fact that certain women have an uncanny ability of imitating the environment from which they come. Just because one has lived amongst rocks... or was one... does not mean one has to mimic them in appearance.

Tempus endows each and every one of his children as he sees fit. Why should strength of spirit and faith not be doubled by strength of body?

Or tripled by strength of voice. (Talking to her is threatening my sensitive ear.)

But he is not done ranting. He addresses me next.




Oh, quit your whining. I am at least as good a mage as you are, if not a better one.

The Red Wizards of Thay hold the darkest secrets of the strongest magic! The weakest of our Zulkir could grind that pathetic Elminster of yours to dust with a flick of her finger. (I hold more power in my pinky then he does in his dry little brain, I am sure.)

And Zulkir would be a honey and nut pastry?

The Zulkir, my painfully ignorant travel companion, are the most powerful mages among the Red Wizards. They have complete dominion over the wizards in their respective schools of magic. (Shall I have to clarify *that*, I wonder?)

Oh, bite it, Edwin. Red Wizards think themselves so important, but in truth, they are no better than other mages. In fact, they are worse, because they spend too much time on political scheming, and too little on researching magic.

Yes, yes, the challenges posed by the unilateral mind. Those who are accepted into the ranks of the Red Wizards are talented beyond what barbarians here can imagine. Thusly, they can excel in both magic and politics.

True mages should not be removed from the world, they should rule it. Keeping wizards from leadership would leave the world stumbling in the dark, like a headless chicken.

Casting four Color Sprays per fight does not an enigma make! I feel like shoving my spellbook in his face and saying "Count them! Count them, bastard!" but I don't. Instead I give him Rhialto's Spellbook just long enough for him to notice that he can't use it. Ha!

Since no one else seems to be willing to shift through this outdoor abbitoir other than Imoen, we just talk with each other. Branwen addresses me.




Yes, Branwen?

Tell me, have you ever felt... doubts... about your calling in life? Not as a regular occurrence, surely. 'Twould be foolish of me to ask such of you, who obviously have been blessed with great inborn confidence as befits a warrior!

*But* I speak of small, very brief pinpricks of... uncertainty... that come and go as a snowflake in the warm sun's rays.

I'm afraid I am all too often plagued by such things. Every waking moment I question my decisions - the ones I have made, the ones I have yet to make. I fear my own autonomy, for it is fuelled by imperfection of mind and heart. There are so many mistakes to be made, so very, very easily.

By Tempus, are you truly riddled so within and without with holes of self-doubt? I had not expected it of you. For one so strong, it is odd that your perceptions be so frayed. I must say, somewhat in shame, that you cheer me by comparison, Syvishtar!

I shall look on myself as more fortunate in the future, that my own doubts be only pins and not swords. Perhaps if you look to faith as have I, your soul will grow in stature.

Imoen comes back with some loot. She shows off her newest weapon, a Ninja-to +2.



I wonder who wielded that? Minsc shrugs, saying he doesn't remember. She also shows off some gloves.



Minsc says he prefers the Gauntlets of Ogre Strength, so I give them to Branwen. The berserker twins are going to be holding the front line more often. And I need to find Branwen a melee weapon as quickly as possible!

Imoen also shows me the legbone of Haiass, saying that she's sorry he fell in battle again. I give it to Branwen, and she plans to resurrect him before we rest for the night.

Then, grasping her new sword, Imoen creeps into the xvart village to take a look around.



But we are tired, bleeding, out of spells, and out of powers. We are completely drained. We decide that resting the night and coming back tomorrow is the best plan. And I need to summon another familiar, too. My first is gone forever. Forever. So we wearily limp down the path and back to our camping spot, hoping that nobody follows us.

Bus.

Fuss.

[Usurper]

28 Kythorn, 1369

Gameplay note: Taking the game slow like this is really giving me a better perspective on low-level spells. I really feel like they're meaningful and useful, rather than wholly-inadequate responses to any situation. Color Spray is awesome!

Before we camp for the night, Branwen resurrects Haiass.



How's my good wolf? Want to play? Here, boy, get your toy! Good wolf!

We also change our spells around a little to better deal with a large number of weak enemies, although there aren't many choices. I also prepare Find Familiar for the next day. As we are bedding down to rest, Imoen asks Branwen a question.




If you really wish to know why healing is a vital component of warfare, dear child, perhaps you would like me to withhold it from you for a while, until you figure it out?

*gulps nervously* Aww, I was just teasin', Brany.

We rest for 8 hours, memorizing spells, but we are still not healed, so we opt to rest for another while. However, the screaming of an xvart war party wakes us from our dreams, just as they were getting to the good parts.




I choose to start off with a spell I haven't cast before, Horror. It will give us the time we need to take care of this group.



Some are terrified but some are not. We kill the brave ones first. A bit ironic, I think.



Picking off the others comes easy.



Haiass kills off the last, and we are alone in the night once again.



Then we go back to sleep, and wake to a bright new day. A bright new day of xvarticide! Because there's no way I'm leaving such tiny, murderous bastards alive. But Edwin begins to pester me even before breakfast is finished.




Why do you even need to kill her? Is she a person of some importance?

She is a Rashemi witch, and it is my appointed task to destroy her. That is all you need to know. (And all he can comprehend, anyway. What would a simian know of the prospects that will open before me if I gain Nevron's trust?)

The next order of business is finding another familiar. I can never have my first cat back, as she is dead. But I can find another one like it.



Come here. I want to pick you up and put you in my pack where it's a bit safer.

Then it's back to the xvart village. Imoen goes in first to scout. She does a more thorough job this time and notices a second group of xvarts on the other side of the pond from the first.



We still have a lot of fight left to do. I ask Branwen to cast Bless on us, but her spell fails.



I didn't know that could happen to clerics. Huh. Viconia does the honors instead. She also gives us a Chant. We are ready for battle.



We charge in and engage the hostiles. The xvart shamans cast a bless on themselves, and then try to cast Doom upon me.



It hits, and I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach. But I respond with Horror, giving a sinking and panicked feeling to many stomachs, including the shaman that doomed me.



A moment later, though, his co-shaman Silences me. It is time for staff work only.



I retreat to be by Minsc's side for this. The remaining xvart shaman is no fool, though. He casts Resist Fear on his cohorts, calming their hearts and removing their fear. Even though they are still scattered about the area in a panicked tangle, the panic itself is now gone.



Gameplay note: See how appropriately NPC mages and clerics respond to situations now? You would never see such intelligence in a normal game. Cast one Fear, and the whole fight is over. But now with all these mods you cast Fear, the shaman casts Resist Fear, and the fight goes on. He also easily shut me down with a Silence. Incredibly appropriate to the situation. I'm lovin' it!

Minsc is the next to feel the sinking touch of Doom upon him. He is almost finished killing all the xvarts around him, though.



I tell Minsc to charge into the next crowd of xvarts surrounding Haiass. I guess Haiass is so far ahead because he's attacking spellcasters. I say I'll mop up back here. But as Minsc charges forward, he is Held.



Things are not easy for us two tanks at the front.





When the two shamans call down the might of their divine upon them in preparation for melee, I start to get a little worried.



Imoen tries to Magic Missile one of them, while Branwen casts a Curse and Viconia tries to Hold them. She manages to get one of them, but Haiass also dies again.



I try to reach for Rhialto's Spellbook, to see if there's anything in there that I can use while silenced, when I am Held as well.



Thank the weave most of the xvarts are dead, held, or otherwise incapacitated, or I would be dead here. One funny thing - the dogs and xvarts trying to attack Minsc die to his frost aura. Branwen decides that its time to break out her spirital weapon, Battle Prowess.



The buffed shaman attacks Minsc and makes a dent in his health, so Viconia is forced to cast a heal on him.



The same shaman quickly turns and casts Doom upon Branwen. But it's the last thing he ever does.



The last, Held, shaman dies to an arrow from Edwin.



But then there is one xvart that comes into view from north of the camp. We kill it, and go up there, to find another war party waiting for us.



The battle is on again. But it is over almost before it begins.



It is when the flames around Minsc die down that I realize he's walking around in just a shirt. No armor can be found on him anymore. I ask him what happened, and he shows me some broken scraps.



Full plate mail, broken into nothingness. That was, what, 1800 gold? And now its just a hunk of useless scrap. Ok, now this iron crisis is getting personal! We still have the Chainmail +1, though, so he puts that on instead.



North of the xvart village we find two bears looking for a fight.



Minsc charms one of the bears, and we attack the other.



He falls quickly. I think now is a good respite, so I have Branwen raise Haiass. We appear to be in front of a very large cave. Probably more bears inside. But Edwin isn't thinking about that now.




*hotly* Why do you always have to berate others? Have you ever considered that women here do not care for you, because you look and act ridiculous?

No! Of coruse not - it is just that the women from these parts are so used to oafs that they would not recognize perfection if it bit them on the... erm, nose.

Is that what he does with them? I immediately regret my quizzical mind.

[Usurper]

Branwen seems to have something else to say to Edwin, though.




What are you babbling on about now?

I ask only because you are heard to speak to yourself so oft, and I have heard tales of men who do so that believe they are many in one body. Do you debate philosophy with yourself, perchance?

Fool, I am a Red Wizard of Thay! You mock me at your peril!

Your favorite color, is it pink in the dewy evenings and red in the morn? Or perchance one of you is a zoo keeper? 'Twould explain the constant mutterings of apes.

Woman, I warn you one last time-

Pray tell, when you rise from slumber and step left, are you a man, but a woman if your step is to the right side? These eyes cannot help but spy something of a feminine care for the beauty of the body in you...

(Strange that one with no sense of hygiene would notice a normal concern with it in another. Perhaps she is merely pathetically lazy rather than merely pathetically oblivious.) Another word, and the next ones from my own lips shall be a fireball.

Ah, but you have no appreciation of fine humor, Edwin!

After such delightful conversation, I ask Viconia to Bless us all and then we go into the cave.



And its a good thing I did, because the place is full of xvarts. One of them begins casting a spell.



It is a Bless. Then they cast Doom and Hold Person as well. Both Minsc and I are Held.



In anticipation, Branwen casts Aid upon me while Viconia does so on Minsc. Edwin tries to distract everybody by casting Color Spray on the group, as one of the shaman casts Call Upon Divine Might.



That Color Spray doesn't do much good, but a few seconds later Edwin casts it again. Branwen and Viconia are working to keep Minsc alive as he is getting hit while Held.



Viconia tries a Hold of her own, and gets one of the shaman to stay still. Good, because that one had cast Draw Upon Holy Might. We don't want him killing our wolf or Minsc or anything.



The rest of the xvarts fall, until only the two shaman are left. The one active one casts Silence upon most of the party, then dies to Minsc's frost aura.



And the final shaman goes down to one of Imoen's arrows.



Gameplay note: The enclosed space and the number of Hold Persons flying around could have made this fight go very differently. I had to reload once when they Held me and beat me down faster than I could get healed, because Branwen was silenced.

In the box in the middle of the room we find a mithril ring, a potion of fire resistance, and a Masterwork War Hammer!



This is like a gift from the gods, specifically Tempus, since Branwen has great skill in using warhammers, and we hadn't yet found a melee weapon for her. I give it to her with great ceremony.

When we get back out of the cave, the bear the Minsc had charmed previously was back to its old self. We had to put him down.



After we did, Minsc had some sort of epiphany.







We look through the rest of the xvart village but find no more xvarts. So we keep going west to explore the area around the village. We do find another living thing, but its a thief named Borda.



How about the potion of extra healing.

This potion can be a life saver, trust me.

*smacks Syvishtar on the head* Idiot! Why didn't you consult with me, first? Didn't ya think for a moment he might be tryin' to scam ya? I should know, after all.

Gotta go!

Looking at the potion that he gave us more closely, I realize that it is spoiled. Damn thieves! To the north we find more thieves. Viconia, the first on the scene due to her Boots of the Forgotten Ones, casts Aid on herself and prepares for melee as the rest of us walk up.



Without shaman support, they are slaughtered without fanfare. We also find a sign here, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.



We continue exploring, exhausting the areas north and west of the village. South of the village, we find more xvarts.



They are reduced to chunks in short order. Later, we run into a pack of three worgs.



Edwin releases a Color Spray from the right, and confuses all of them.



They fall to our blades and arrows and bullets quickly. After that, we can finally say that we have explored the entire area, and that no xvarts escaped our wrath. This area is declared safe!



Gameplay note: In order to progress in this map, you have to exit from the west side. But you might be able to see that it is actually difficult to get to the west side. The widest and easiest way to get there is straight through the xvart camp. You can stick to the bottom and squeeze through a small area in the southwest corner of the map, where the party is now, but that is not easy to find. The map is set up so that most players will have to fight their way through the village to get to Dynaheir, and only a few players will be able to find a way to bypass the village, if they want to. I've never tried to bypass it, because hey, free xp! But some nature-lovers might want to bypass it I guess?

I am proud to stand among such strong warriors.

Yes Boo, I agree. This group could do with a swift kick in the morals.

You can't please everyone all the time, I guess. Consulting our map, we realize that while we still cannot get to the Gnoll Stronghold, what we can do is go to Bear River, 12 hours away. We set off on the journey, confident in our ability to handle ourselves in the face of any number of bears.

[Usurper]

30 Kythorn, 1369

We arrive at Bear River tired, cold, wet, and in the dark. There is nothing to do but set up a cold, wet, messy camp.



However, six hours into an unrestful sleep, the heavy foot steps of ogres awakens us from our rest. We quickly grab for our weapons, hoping that they haven't seen us yet.




Minsc charges straight into battle, his aura flaring about him. Soon bloody chunks of ogre flare about him as well.





And that was that.

Gameplay note: Holy shit dude's on a roll!

After completing our rest, we are ready to see what Bear River looks like. What it looks like is ogres and ogrillions and ogre berserkers.




They are not kind to wolves.



They become a little hard to deal with when they don't focus on Minsc and instead deal out blows to Branwen and me. Edwin tries to help again with a Color Spray.



It's not really effective. But Minsc seems to be taking care of business nevertheless.





Gameplay note: Minsc seems to be throwing out some very consistently high damage here.

I get Branwen to resurrect my wolf. He seems to be dying quite a lot recently. I'll have to be more careful with him. There is another ogre on the bridge. It seems fitting somehow. But it is also backed up by two hobgoblin elites.



One of them hits me. I need to retreat. One of their poison arrows hits Minsc.



We are out of healing potions but I do have an antidote. Viconia casts a heal while Branwen casts Aid, and Minsc quickly drinks the antidote.



At least that was the plan. But the ogre hits Branwen when she comes up and interrupts her spell. Thankfully Viconia's lone heal is enough to keep Minsc alive. I try to cast Blade Shower to take out those hobgoblin archers, but the magic has vastly different plans for me today.



Then-again-the-Ogre-Berserker-has-plans-for-me-too-hic!-hic!



I-retreat-twice-as-fast-as-I-normally-hic!-would-and-impatiently-hic!-flit-about-while-waiting-hic!-for-the-oh-so-slow-hic!-Viconia-and-Branwen-to-heal-me-hic!-When-they-finally-do-I-charge-hic!-across-the-bridge-in-half-a-second-hic!-to-meet-my-foe-head-on!



hic!-But-just-to-prove-I'm-not-hic!-stupid-I-also-throw-a-Horror-for-good-hic!-measure-It-goes-off-without-a-hic!-hic!-hitch.



After-hic!-that-it's-as-easy-hic!-as-one-hic!-two-hic!-three-hic!-hic!



hic!



hic!



hic!

... i am sooooo tired. Before we sleep, ahh, I tell Viconia... to do something. I forgot what. Must sleep.




Damnit! Again? Ahh, I'll let Minsc take care of it.



Maybe it was our lack of sleep. Maybe it was a freak chance. Maybe it was the fate of Tempus. But no matter the reason, the Ogre Berserker got lucky.



I couldn't help but feel it was my fault, and mine alone. He died not a moment later, but the damage had already been done.



What are... what are we even doing out here? What makes us think we can even rescue this Dynaheir? We've got to go back. We need to rest up, take stock of things. We need to resurrect Branwen. We're outta here.



18 hours into our journey we are ambushed.




Edwin lets loose a Color Spray into the heat of battle, but it catches both Minsc and Imoen too. They are both stunned and blinded.



I have to save Imoen! I try to cast Horror.



No dice. But I still must save her! Cloaked in my invisibility, I ghost over to that damnable gibberling that is attacking her and strike.



Good. Her confusion ends then, so I yell at her to get behind me! I barely notice the half-ogre standing next to me. Thankfully Minsc does.



We barely manage to stay alive. We continue on our journey once more.



It costs 600 gold to raise Branwen. But in selling spare items that we have, we end up with 1300 gold after that. We are making a little headway in the world!



It is good to see that Branwen is alright. We talk with her for a while before spending some quality time resting up in the temple. When everyone is healed and rested and relaxed, we head back to the Jovial Juggler. Time to get Branwen some much-needed rest, and pick up another.

Gameplay note: Based on our last party vote way back on page 20 we've gone through Jaheira and Shar-Teel, so the next most popular character is Kagain! Minsc and Kagain, slaughtering ogres together! That'll be something to see, for sure!

When we exit the temple, however, who should greet us but our old friend Astral Phase Spider, teleporting in from who-knows-where.



I am angry. We killed an entire tribe of xvarts, why should this spider torment us! Also, thankfully, it is locked into combat with Haiass, who doesn't seem to be doing that badly. I tell everyone to turn and attack. I start out with a Horror, even though nothing happens.



But even before Viconia can finish casting a Chant, the spider beats Haiass down to Near Death and teleports to Edwin. Ummm, maybe this wasn't a good idea after all? Minsc couldn't even walk fast enough to get into melee yet.



Edwin runs. He's not so stupid then. The spider turns on Branwen. She runs while Edwin casts Armor. Out of the courtyard, I notice Gavin buffing himself up to fight.



I realize that if Gavin is killed in this fight we will not be able to resurrect him! What the hell is he doing?! The spider finally turns to Minsc, the best possible outcome, just as Viconia finishes a Bless. Is that ichor the beast is dripping?



A Blessed, Chanted, Flame Aura'd Minsc faces the Astra Phase Spider head-on. He gets poisoned but keeps tanking. With him locking the spider down, Viconia is able to get the final killing blow!



Ding dong the spider is dead! I laugh, and laugh, and do a little dance on the disgusting corpse. Take that, you goddamned arachnid bastard!

Gameplay note: Killing that spider was worth 1818 xp. At least we got something out of it.

The spider's poison is quite powerful, though, and Minsc is infected with it. Nobody has an antidote or anti-poison spells prepared to Viconia and Branwen just have to keep healing him, hoping he will survive.



Finally, with one more heal from Branwen, the poison leaves his body. We survived the day! HAHA!! I laugh all the way to the Jovial Juggler. When I notice everyone glancing at me out of the corners of their eyes I change to giggling. I throw in a few sniggers too, just for good pleasure measure. You know, it feels like forever since we've been here at the Jovial Juggler. It's good to be home!






You'll not "suffer" long if you keep up that attitude. Get in step Kagain, we've business to attend to.

Straight to the point, I respect that. Let's go.

Gameplay note: I remember hearing some people being disappointed at Kagain's kit of Troll Slayer. Since this is the first time we've actually used him we can take this opportunity to change his kit if people would like. He's a fighter, of course, but he could become several different types of fighter.

What should we change Kagain to, if anything?

A. Kagain's a Troll Slayer. He's just fine the way he is. Don't change him at all. Die trolls die!
B. Kagain's a Berserker Battlerager. Dude cannot be contained. Also, berserkers are called Battleragers in dwarven lands, laddie.
C. Kagain's a Pit Fighter. HE DOES TOO REGENERATE!! All Pit Fighters do! Sure he's not so good with the axe but he damn well regenerates and you can never take that away from him, never!
D. Kagain's a Duergar Warrior. A chaotic evil dwarf with a bad attitude and permissive feelings toward murder? Doesn't talk much? Dude's an undercover duergar, obviously!
E. Kagain's a Gladiator. I'm seeing the fighting for sport, but I don't like regeneration. Kagain doesn't like to talk about it, but he once eviscerated seven men in about ten seconds flat before grumbling quietly to the crowd, "So are you entertained or what? Eh, see if I care."