Quick question, can a F/M/T join Bodhi in BG2EE or will she lock you out of that decision because you're a thief?
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F/M/T and Bodhi
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Will we ever see "Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition"?
As the title says.
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Grum's Magnificent Trainwreck - RP-No Reload Attempts
Part 1: Leaving Candlekeep
--------------------
"Again!"
The young dwarf grunted as he was pushed back a step. An older, grayer dwarf snarled as he swung again with his axe.
"Ye call yerself a dwarf? Eh?! Ye weak livered son o' an elf!"
Another blow came crashing down on the shield. The younger dwarf grunted as he planted his feet, using his low center of gravity to keep himself from being pushed back again.
"Oh? So ye're a gnome now, is it?"
The axe fell again. His arm was getting tired. It was getting harder to hold it against the constant blows.
"Ye make me sick! Ye rat bastard. Ye know what I do to-"
Suddenly, the dwarf surged forward, using his shield to hammer a blow into the older dwarf's face. The gray haired dwarf roared in pain as he was pushed back a step himself. The younger dwarf swung out with a hammer, but it was easily batted away.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0772.png
The young dwarf, Durak panted as he held the hammer in front of him, ready to swing again. No more than twenty winters old, he was a beardling by any dwarf's standard. An oddity, all things told. While many a shield dwarf grew up within the confines of a human settlement, very few were ever actually raised by a human. For Durak, his foster father was the mage Gorion. A wise, gentle man, Gorion had taken the young dwarf in long ago and over the objections of Ulraunt. While he did all he could to be a father figure, Gorion was still a mage and a man of books. Knowing that young Durak would never follow in his footsteps, he instead shared his training with two others.
Where Gorion did his best to impart a love of knowledge on the young dwarf, Reevor took on the role of a combat master. The old dwarf took to it with relish, treating the beardling like a soldier from his far away clan. Durak was raised in the traditional art of the dwarven defender, to use hammer and shield as if though it were part of his body. In this, he excelled beyond Reevor's wildest expectations. There was a strength in the dwarf that far surpassed his years. He grew up as strong as an ox and as tough as any dwarf had a right to be. Even at the young age of twenty, he was a hearty as a dwarf with a full beard. The more promise that Durak showed, the tougher Reevor became. If it were not for the influence of Gorion, the older dwarf might have truly done his best to break the youngster, just to see if he could. As is, he merely pushed him as far as he reasonably could while still being welcome in Candlekeep.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0794.png
Looking at the panting Durak, Reevor had to admit to himself that he was just as tired. Moreso, if he was honest with himself...something he certainly didn't have a mind to be.
"I thought I told you to clean the rats out of this building yesterday, already. Hop to it! Get in there!"
With a nod, Durak did just that. Hefting his hammer, he went to the dire task of using his hammer to clear out a rat infestation, without breaking anything of value. Reevor stood aside as he watched the beardling charge in, a look of pride and jealousy in equal measure written on his face. He knew that Durak would be leaving soon, something he had complained long and loud for ever since he was 'saddled' with the burden of training the beardling. He could hear the sound of the hammer falling and 'squeaks' from within. "I'll miss the wee bastard", he thought to himself.
When Durak came out, a smile not quite hidden from his face, Reevor grunted and tossed him five gold crowns.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0795.png
"Ah yes, kill them like the rats they are! A glorious battle unlike this world has ever seen. Here's five gold pieces. Don't spend them all in one place."
With that, a smile truly did break across Durak's face. "Aye! Thank ye!" Reevor knew that the gold would turn to ale soon enough. He successfully fought back the smile.
"Well, what'yre ye waiting for? Ye going to keep Arkanis waiting, ye faerie fondling nitwit?"
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0790.png
This led Durak to Arkanis' forge. Arkanis was another of his tutors. Where Reevor had taught him the art of dwarven combat, Arkanis had taught him of the forge. It was something that Durak didn't quite take naturally to. It seemed to Arkanis as if though the art of killing ran in the beardlings' blood. His great flaw was that he always swung his hammer as if though he were to kill something. But he did his best, Moradin knew that. So Arkanis toiled away, doing all he could to temper the beardling the dwarven way - with a hammer in hand and an anvil before him.
When Durak came in, he found Arkanis talking animatedly to Deder. One of Arkanis' good friends, Deder was another one of Durak's closest companions. A source of levity in a life full of books, hammers and anvils. It was rare to see the halfling look serious. Durak came to a halt and looked at the pair uncertainly.
"What's the matter? Am I late? I dunnae think I'm late..."
Arkanis looked at Deder and then shook his head.
"Nay, ye're nay late. But...ah, fook it! Lad, ye're leaving. An' shut it when I'm talking, ye hear? Master Gorion says that it's nay safe here for ye. Moradin knows why, but he's told ye to pack up ye belongings an' get to him now."
"But...what? Why? How could it not be safe here? This place is a fortress-"
"Oi! Did I nay say shut it? Look, keep ye shield there. Nay ye worry about Reevor, I'll explain it to him. Now, one last thing. Ye're to get ye arse o'er to the priests' quarters. I've got me war-hammer there. I want ye tae have it. Nay that smithin' hammer ye've been swinging around." He reached over and pulled the light hammer out of Durak's confused hands.
Arkanis then reached out and put a calloused hand on the beardling's shoulder. "Ye take me hammer, an' ye do me proud. Ye remember, that e'ery time ye swing it, ye remember that there best be a reason on why ye're swinging it. Ye dunnae dare disgrace me hammer, ye understand."
"I under-"
"Oi! I said shut it." Deder looked away, suddenly finding something interesting on the wall to look at. "Not get out o' here. An' the next time I see ye...fook it. Jus' go."
Hesitantly Durak nodded, and then ran off. He spared one look back, and was gone.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0778.png
When Durak got to the priest quarters, he opened the door and found a hooded man waiting for him. He was sitting in a chair, fingering a dagger.
"Oh goodie goodie! I've gone and found ye first! You are the ward of Gorion, no doubt?"
"I am. What can I do for ye?"
...
Durak was shaking. He looked down at the man's body. He had grabbed the nearest thing at hand - a priest's quarter staff. It was covered in blood. The man had come at him with the dagger. ready to take his life. He wasn't ready for how quick the dwarf was...or how strong. Neither was Durak, truth be told. He reached down and tapped at the man. He didn't move. Slowly he started to accept it. He had just killed someone. Durak thought back to what Arkanis had said. That it wasn't safe here.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0781.png
He went and retrieved Arkanis' hammer. He held it in his hands. It felt right. This wasn't a tool for smithing. It wasn't for creating. It was for destroying. It was a tool of death. He stared at the body of the would-be assassin. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but for someone reason it just felt right in his hands.
With that, Durak ran from the quarters, leaving the body lying there. He hoped that Parda wouldn't find it. He didn't know what the kind hearted priest would think if he saw something so gruesome lying there. But at that moment he didn't want to think about that. He just hoped that someone like Hull or Fuller would find it first. They would dispose of it quietly. He hoped, as he ran. He had to find Gorion. Durak didn't understand why this was happening, why someone would want him dead. But he knew that he had to leave.
--------------------
"Again!"
The young dwarf grunted as he was pushed back a step. An older, grayer dwarf snarled as he swung again with his axe.
"Ye call yerself a dwarf? Eh?! Ye weak livered son o' an elf!"
Another blow came crashing down on the shield. The younger dwarf grunted as he planted his feet, using his low center of gravity to keep himself from being pushed back again.
"Oh? So ye're a gnome now, is it?"
The axe fell again. His arm was getting tired. It was getting harder to hold it against the constant blows.
"Ye make me sick! Ye rat bastard. Ye know what I do to-"
Suddenly, the dwarf surged forward, using his shield to hammer a blow into the older dwarf's face. The gray haired dwarf roared in pain as he was pushed back a step himself. The younger dwarf swung out with a hammer, but it was easily batted away.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0772.png
The young dwarf, Durak panted as he held the hammer in front of him, ready to swing again. No more than twenty winters old, he was a beardling by any dwarf's standard. An oddity, all things told. While many a shield dwarf grew up within the confines of a human settlement, very few were ever actually raised by a human. For Durak, his foster father was the mage Gorion. A wise, gentle man, Gorion had taken the young dwarf in long ago and over the objections of Ulraunt. While he did all he could to be a father figure, Gorion was still a mage and a man of books. Knowing that young Durak would never follow in his footsteps, he instead shared his training with two others.
Where Gorion did his best to impart a love of knowledge on the young dwarf, Reevor took on the role of a combat master. The old dwarf took to it with relish, treating the beardling like a soldier from his far away clan. Durak was raised in the traditional art of the dwarven defender, to use hammer and shield as if though it were part of his body. In this, he excelled beyond Reevor's wildest expectations. There was a strength in the dwarf that far surpassed his years. He grew up as strong as an ox and as tough as any dwarf had a right to be. Even at the young age of twenty, he was a hearty as a dwarf with a full beard. The more promise that Durak showed, the tougher Reevor became. If it were not for the influence of Gorion, the older dwarf might have truly done his best to break the youngster, just to see if he could. As is, he merely pushed him as far as he reasonably could while still being welcome in Candlekeep.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0794.png
Looking at the panting Durak, Reevor had to admit to himself that he was just as tired. Moreso, if he was honest with himself...something he certainly didn't have a mind to be.
"I thought I told you to clean the rats out of this building yesterday, already. Hop to it! Get in there!"
With a nod, Durak did just that. Hefting his hammer, he went to the dire task of using his hammer to clear out a rat infestation, without breaking anything of value. Reevor stood aside as he watched the beardling charge in, a look of pride and jealousy in equal measure written on his face. He knew that Durak would be leaving soon, something he had complained long and loud for ever since he was 'saddled' with the burden of training the beardling. He could hear the sound of the hammer falling and 'squeaks' from within. "I'll miss the wee bastard", he thought to himself.
When Durak came out, a smile not quite hidden from his face, Reevor grunted and tossed him five gold crowns.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0795.png
"Ah yes, kill them like the rats they are! A glorious battle unlike this world has ever seen. Here's five gold pieces. Don't spend them all in one place."
With that, a smile truly did break across Durak's face. "Aye! Thank ye!" Reevor knew that the gold would turn to ale soon enough. He successfully fought back the smile.
"Well, what'yre ye waiting for? Ye going to keep Arkanis waiting, ye faerie fondling nitwit?"
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0790.png
This led Durak to Arkanis' forge. Arkanis was another of his tutors. Where Reevor had taught him the art of dwarven combat, Arkanis had taught him of the forge. It was something that Durak didn't quite take naturally to. It seemed to Arkanis as if though the art of killing ran in the beardlings' blood. His great flaw was that he always swung his hammer as if though he were to kill something. But he did his best, Moradin knew that. So Arkanis toiled away, doing all he could to temper the beardling the dwarven way - with a hammer in hand and an anvil before him.
When Durak came in, he found Arkanis talking animatedly to Deder. One of Arkanis' good friends, Deder was another one of Durak's closest companions. A source of levity in a life full of books, hammers and anvils. It was rare to see the halfling look serious. Durak came to a halt and looked at the pair uncertainly.
"What's the matter? Am I late? I dunnae think I'm late..."
Arkanis looked at Deder and then shook his head.
"Nay, ye're nay late. But...ah, fook it! Lad, ye're leaving. An' shut it when I'm talking, ye hear? Master Gorion says that it's nay safe here for ye. Moradin knows why, but he's told ye to pack up ye belongings an' get to him now."
"But...what? Why? How could it not be safe here? This place is a fortress-"
"Oi! Did I nay say shut it? Look, keep ye shield there. Nay ye worry about Reevor, I'll explain it to him. Now, one last thing. Ye're to get ye arse o'er to the priests' quarters. I've got me war-hammer there. I want ye tae have it. Nay that smithin' hammer ye've been swinging around." He reached over and pulled the light hammer out of Durak's confused hands.
Arkanis then reached out and put a calloused hand on the beardling's shoulder. "Ye take me hammer, an' ye do me proud. Ye remember, that e'ery time ye swing it, ye remember that there best be a reason on why ye're swinging it. Ye dunnae dare disgrace me hammer, ye understand."
"I under-"
"Oi! I said shut it." Deder looked away, suddenly finding something interesting on the wall to look at. "Not get out o' here. An' the next time I see ye...fook it. Jus' go."
Hesitantly Durak nodded, and then ran off. He spared one look back, and was gone.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0778.png
When Durak got to the priest quarters, he opened the door and found a hooded man waiting for him. He was sitting in a chair, fingering a dagger.
"Oh goodie goodie! I've gone and found ye first! You are the ward of Gorion, no doubt?"
"I am. What can I do for ye?"
...
Durak was shaking. He looked down at the man's body. He had grabbed the nearest thing at hand - a priest's quarter staff. It was covered in blood. The man had come at him with the dagger. ready to take his life. He wasn't ready for how quick the dwarf was...or how strong. Neither was Durak, truth be told. He reached down and tapped at the man. He didn't move. Slowly he started to accept it. He had just killed someone. Durak thought back to what Arkanis had said. That it wasn't safe here.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa464/grumbaki/Baldurs Gate/IMG_0781.png
He went and retrieved Arkanis' hammer. He held it in his hands. It felt right. This wasn't a tool for smithing. It wasn't for creating. It was for destroying. It was a tool of death. He stared at the body of the would-be assassin. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but for someone reason it just felt right in his hands.
With that, Durak ran from the quarters, leaving the body lying there. He hoped that Parda wouldn't find it. He didn't know what the kind hearted priest would think if he saw something so gruesome lying there. But at that moment he didn't want to think about that. He just hoped that someone like Hull or Fuller would find it first. They would dispose of it quietly. He hoped, as he ran. He had to find Gorion. Durak didn't understand why this was happening, why someone would want him dead. But he knew that he had to leave.
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Please, try to hide spoilers about things that are likely to be unknown
During recent months we had several times when forumites, even unintentionally from their part, gave spoilers about the content of games, movies and books in places without any warnings. And I don't talk about only the IE games. These spoilers severely ruined the experience for those people who still hadn't discovered the appropriate things themselves.
It's hard to describe one's feeling when he or she is looking forward to a game, a movie, a book, and then suddenly reads the key detail on the forum because no warnings came.
When you post something on the forum, check to things:
1) whether the thread title, or even the sub-forum title has a "Spoilers!" warning in it
2) whether the thing you're going to post about is a key spoiler about anything
For example, https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/25272/baldurs-gate-meme-thread-ii-enhanced-edition-careful-everyone-spoilers#latest has a "Spoilers!" warning in the title, but this warning comes only for things related to BG, - so if you want to post a spoiler about anything not BG-related, put a spoiler tag into your post.
Another example. https://forums.beamdog.com/categories/general has a "Spoilers!" warning in the name of the subforum. So if you're a new player, don't read the discussions there, or create a discussion of your own there, with a note of not getting a spoiler, or read things there very cautiously.
Posting in any discussion in the off-topic section of the forum about other games/movies/TV-shows should fall under the same rules. Don't forget that not everyone, even if they're interested in the same game/movie or book, knows as much as you.
Don't forget that one of the Forum rules is "Don't spoil the fun".
There are measures everyone can take to avoid spoiling things for those who haven't experienced the game (and the same can be said about other things) yet. If you're going to ruin the plot, announce it beforehand.
One of the great things about any release is that it's exposing a lot of new people to what the release has to offer. That great thing is ruined, and not in a small way, when elements of the plot and character stories are announced or bandied about with no care for who's listening. So the short version is, if you're going to discuss the plot or anything else that might "spoil the fun" for somebody, wrap the content in spoiler tags. Spoiler tags look like this (without a space between [ and spoiler):
[ spoiler]This is a spoiler[/ spoiler]
[ spoiler=you can announce things that are put into a spoiler] This is a spoiler[/ spoiler]
Example:
[spoiler] This is how it looks like.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=another example] This is a spoiler[/spoiler]
It's hard to describe one's feeling when he or she is looking forward to a game, a movie, a book, and then suddenly reads the key detail on the forum because no warnings came.
When you post something on the forum, check to things:
1) whether the thread title, or even the sub-forum title has a "Spoilers!" warning in it
2) whether the thing you're going to post about is a key spoiler about anything
For example, https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/25272/baldurs-gate-meme-thread-ii-enhanced-edition-careful-everyone-spoilers#latest has a "Spoilers!" warning in the title, but this warning comes only for things related to BG, - so if you want to post a spoiler about anything not BG-related, put a spoiler tag into your post.
Another example. https://forums.beamdog.com/categories/general has a "Spoilers!" warning in the name of the subforum. So if you're a new player, don't read the discussions there, or create a discussion of your own there, with a note of not getting a spoiler, or read things there very cautiously.
Posting in any discussion in the off-topic section of the forum about other games/movies/TV-shows should fall under the same rules. Don't forget that not everyone, even if they're interested in the same game/movie or book, knows as much as you.
Don't forget that one of the Forum rules is "Don't spoil the fun".
There are measures everyone can take to avoid spoiling things for those who haven't experienced the game (and the same can be said about other things) yet. If you're going to ruin the plot, announce it beforehand.
One of the great things about any release is that it's exposing a lot of new people to what the release has to offer. That great thing is ruined, and not in a small way, when elements of the plot and character stories are announced or bandied about with no care for who's listening. So the short version is, if you're going to discuss the plot or anything else that might "spoil the fun" for somebody, wrap the content in spoiler tags. Spoiler tags look like this (without a space between [ and spoiler):
[ spoiler]This is a spoiler[/ spoiler]
[ spoiler=you can announce things that are put into a spoiler] This is a spoiler[/ spoiler]
Example:
[spoiler] This is how it looks like.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=another example] This is a spoiler[/spoiler]
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Come suggest some theme songs for each NPC!
For the music lovers out there!
What songs do you guys think would be fitting for each NPC? Share a tune that fits their character, their story or their attitude.
All suggestions welcome!
I'll begin with some:
Due t his marriage difficulties and his wife's name, I'll give Keldorn "Maria, Maria" by Santana. The pain in his voice when he says "Maria!" after his wife says "What if I don't love you anymore?" is just heartbreaking. Also, Manowar's "Heart of Steel" just describes his attitude toward evil perfectly for me
![image]()
![image]()
Dorn must have some kind of song about being badass and evil. The songs "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood would fit, but I'm a big metal fan, so I'll give him Iced Earth's "Pure Evil"
![image]()
![image]()
Eldoth just has to be an outlaw country song, so I either have to go with "Didn't Your Mama Tell ya 'bout Boys Like Me" by Montgomery Gentry or for a better song, Iron Maiden's "Running Free"
![image]()
![image]()
Skie would definitely be the Upper Middle Class spoiled girl who totally thinks she's cool for listening to rrap, so I'd have to give her some Kanye (the go-to artist for these people). She's also the totally non-metal sorority girl who constantly misuses Dio's horn sign while listening to Blink 182
![image]()
![image]()
For Yoshimo you gotta go with![image]()
Please Share!![:)]( ":)")
What songs do you guys think would be fitting for each NPC? Share a tune that fits their character, their story or their attitude.
All suggestions welcome!
I'll begin with some:
Due t his marriage difficulties and his wife's name, I'll give Keldorn "Maria, Maria" by Santana. The pain in his voice when he says "Maria!" after his wife says "What if I don't love you anymore?" is just heartbreaking. Also, Manowar's "Heart of Steel" just describes his attitude toward evil perfectly for me
Dorn must have some kind of song about being badass and evil. The songs "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood would fit, but I'm a big metal fan, so I'll give him Iced Earth's "Pure Evil"
Eldoth just has to be an outlaw country song, so I either have to go with "Didn't Your Mama Tell ya 'bout Boys Like Me" by Montgomery Gentry or for a better song, Iron Maiden's "Running Free"
Skie would definitely be the Upper Middle Class spoiled girl who totally thinks she's cool for listening to rrap, so I'd have to give her some Kanye (the go-to artist for these people). She's also the totally non-metal sorority girl who constantly misuses Dio's horn sign while listening to Blink 182
For Yoshimo you gotta go with
Please Share!
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Heads-up for Windows users who do NOT want Windows 10
Not sure which forum is best for this, so picked general.
Just a heads-up for Windows 7/8 users that are still avoiding Windows 10 (myself included). As of Monday, Microsoft will be be automatically pushing Windows upgrades to users as part of the regular Window Update mechanism, which is typically used for security updates an the like:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/02/microsoft_ups_pressure_win_10_holdouts
It is still possible to opt-out. For example, I download but do not automatically install the recommended updates (so I get a chance to vet updates that could be disruptive, like this one!) - but the settings from a default Windows install are to automatically perform the upgrade.
If you have a limited download cap, you might want to take action too, as this could easily blow through your download capacity for the month - especially if the upgraded Windows 10 immediate starts downloading its own set of updates... (I don't know if MS have got better at rolling upgrades into the base OS they send out.)
Just a heads-up for Windows 7/8 users that are still avoiding Windows 10 (myself included). As of Monday, Microsoft will be be automatically pushing Windows upgrades to users as part of the regular Window Update mechanism, which is typically used for security updates an the like:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/02/microsoft_ups_pressure_win_10_holdouts
It is still possible to opt-out. For example, I download but do not automatically install the recommended updates (so I get a chance to vet updates that could be disruptive, like this one!) - but the settings from a default Windows install are to automatically perform the upgrade.
If you have a limited download cap, you might want to take action too, as this could easily blow through your download capacity for the month - especially if the upgraded Windows 10 immediate starts downloading its own set of updates... (I don't know if MS have got better at rolling upgrades into the base OS they send out.)
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Which BG1 minor NPC would you have liked to have returned in BG2 OR SIEGE OF DRAGONSPEAR??????????
I've been thinking about some BG1 NPCs who had interesting stories or fun cameos. I personally would have liked to see many again. I'm sure many share this sentiment, but I don't know which characters seemed most popular.
So now I want to see what characters stuck in the minds of most players. I'd like to see some people share what characters from BG1 they would have liked to see in SoA or ToB, and perhaps a word or two about how they would like the reunion to go down (ie place, situation, moment, etc.)
It could be anyone, from Eltan Sivlershield to Larry, Darryl and Darryl
I'll post one of mine below and eagerly await your opinions!
So now I want to see what characters stuck in the minds of most players. I'd like to see some people share what characters from BG1 they would have liked to see in SoA or ToB, and perhaps a word or two about how they would like the reunion to go down (ie place, situation, moment, etc.)
It could be anyone, from Eltan Sivlershield to Larry, Darryl and Darryl
I'll post one of mine below and eagerly await your opinions!
↧
Character Development Discussion
Hey guys, ever since my recent playthrough of IWD:EE, I have been brainstorming up an idea for a new character that I can put time into developing because I never have really taken the time or had the motivation to create a character that I can call my own that is not extremely generic like some of the characters I have made in the past.
So heres the deal. I had not played through IWD in so long, that I totally forgot about a major part of the story line. I eventually ran into a character that I totally forgot about, that I remember from my teenage years that used to captivate my imagination...
Larrel, the Undead Elven Sorcerer....
It turns out that Larrel is what you call a "Baelnorn Lich" or just a "Baelnorn". They are basically Undead Elven Mages / Sorcerers, that became Baelnorns through a high level necromantic ritual so that they may serve their people through undeath, protect something sacred or sometimes wright a wrong that had happened in their lifetime. I am not 100% certain exactly what a Baelnorn is, but that is the basic information I got online about them.
Larrel goes on in the game to describe how he became that way, but I do not want to give away any story line or plot information about the game incase anyone reading this has not played IWD before, so I will leave it at that.
Now onto what my thread is mainly about.
Now the other main thing that has inspired me, was the art for Larrel's sprite in game. I noticed when I met Larrel that he had this almost combined Undead / Mechanical appearance. I am prety sure that is just the way the artists rendered a skeleton / lich, but I always thought he look pretty cool. That paired with the fact that he is wandering around an astrolabe, mindlessly ranting and also the fact that according to the manual that he is basically invincible, are a couple of the reasons why I was so fascinated with his character.
My question is, is there anyone who is familiar with the combination of the Undead with the Steampunk genre? I am thinking up something like a combination of half lich/skeleton and half machine. Only instead of modern computer technology fusing the two together, it would of course be the power of magic!
If you had the patience to read all of that, then I would love to know what you guys think. Thanks everyone, I hope you all have a great day and remember to have fun!![;)]( ";)")
So heres the deal. I had not played through IWD in so long, that I totally forgot about a major part of the story line. I eventually ran into a character that I totally forgot about, that I remember from my teenage years that used to captivate my imagination...
Larrel, the Undead Elven Sorcerer....
It turns out that Larrel is what you call a "Baelnorn Lich" or just a "Baelnorn". They are basically Undead Elven Mages / Sorcerers, that became Baelnorns through a high level necromantic ritual so that they may serve their people through undeath, protect something sacred or sometimes wright a wrong that had happened in their lifetime. I am not 100% certain exactly what a Baelnorn is, but that is the basic information I got online about them.
Larrel goes on in the game to describe how he became that way, but I do not want to give away any story line or plot information about the game incase anyone reading this has not played IWD before, so I will leave it at that.
Now onto what my thread is mainly about.
Now the other main thing that has inspired me, was the art for Larrel's sprite in game. I noticed when I met Larrel that he had this almost combined Undead / Mechanical appearance. I am prety sure that is just the way the artists rendered a skeleton / lich, but I always thought he look pretty cool. That paired with the fact that he is wandering around an astrolabe, mindlessly ranting and also the fact that according to the manual that he is basically invincible, are a couple of the reasons why I was so fascinated with his character.
My question is, is there anyone who is familiar with the combination of the Undead with the Steampunk genre? I am thinking up something like a combination of half lich/skeleton and half machine. Only instead of modern computer technology fusing the two together, it would of course be the power of magic!
If you had the patience to read all of that, then I would love to know what you guys think. Thanks everyone, I hope you all have a great day and remember to have fun!
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Real life class and stats
Hello all,
________________________________________
EDIT: Alot of funny discussions, as expected![:)]( ":)")
Just wished more ppl would dare to post nt only their view of their stats, but also their view on what class and alignement they would have! Anyways, I've decided to bump down a couple of stats after reading what some ppl wrote below. I realize I probably exagerated some stats, due to my poor WIS ofc, and since my knowledge in the ability system is less than many others in here, I will change them. //Skat.
_______________________________________
Maybe this has already been done, but something I've been thinking of after doing a couple of those online tests to determine my "real life" class, alignment and stats is that nevermind what those tell me: what do I think myself best suits me? So, just contemplating my own view of myself, what stats, alignment, class and race would I assign myself? I'm no bhaal spawn, so no super powers what so ever. Just a random dude with average genetics.
What differ this thread from others like it? Well, my intent is to NOT exaggerate my stats because I want to be superstrong or smart like Einstein. I will do my best to really think about what I _should_ have, not what I _wish_ I had.
STATS
STR 14 - I'm slightly above average if I look at my surroundings. I crossfit, workout and are generally in decent shape for a 34 year old. I can't benchpress more than ~90 kilos etc, but I can carry heavy weight for a long time, lift most things I need (like refrigerators etc, hehe). If 10 is the norm, then I think I have 14.
DEX 12 - I'm quite clumsy and have poor balance, but I have quite good hand to eye coordination and has always been a fairly good shot, even with slightly less good eyesight on my right eye. I'd say my sniping skills is why I rate myself higher than the norm. I would do well with a bow and arrow, but poorly in acrobatics. I climb fairly well though.
CON 14 (I'm not superhuman, bumping this one down) - Seldom sick and with an iron gut, I can eat and drink everything without much complications. I have a quite high pain threshold as well. I have always been able to drink alot more booze than my friends of the same size and shape, on par with people double my size. Dunno why, it's just genes I guess. Never been poisoned except once when someone spiked my drink with a massive dose of GHB. Survived that but with a huge hangover. I'm not superhuman, bumping this one down
INT 14 (bumped down. I have a masters degree in business economics and work as a global business controller for a multi billion dollar company. Not many % of the population does that.) - I regularly score high on IQ tests, averaging around 120-30, as well as, succeeding quite well in problem solving overall. I can read a book once and take the exam and score fairly high. School was a breeze.
WIS 10 - Wisdom is the most difficult to appreciate yourself, I think. It's hard to say that I am wise, but I have been told that I appear to have a fairly high common knowledge. I have a good memory, so shit just stick, but it has gotten worse with age. I act before I think alot of times, so I guess in terms of AD&D I can't be considered wise, however, I shouldn't get a lore penalty since if I had read about some magic sword in a dusty tome, I would remember it.
CHA 12 (bumped down, alot. My obvious lack of self-restricting before posting this show that I'm not as good of a crowd pleaser as I thought I was, haha) - I may exaggerate this one, but I often become the centre of a party and have my fair share of female (and male) attention. I am often considered a gentleman and a jester, depending on my alcohol level, hehe.. I'm not the prettiest face in the world, but it seems others think I look decent. I choose my outfits with care and, overall, take my apperance quite seriously.
So, 76 (edited) points.
CLASS
I'm not a fighter, that's for sure. I try to avoid fights and never start them. If I see ppl fight I will avoid or try to break it up, not join in just for fun. No fighter kit fits either. I would never have the tenacity to reach grand mastery in anything since I am far too impatient.
I'm definitely not a paladin or a ranger. I would not bend myself backwards to help everyone else. I do so, but more in the background by giving money to charity etc.
I'm not clever enough to be a mage, nor do I enjoy studying enough to excel at it. It intrigues me though, and magic would be something I would focus on if that was possible. I would avoid combat if possible or use magic to get the upper hand in some way.
I'm most definitely not a cleric or druid in any way. I don't believe in gods at all (though it would ofc be different if I lived in FR rather then the real world). No, this doesn't apply to me at all.
I would never be a monk. The spartan life style would not be for me. I like things, to own them, but I want to buy them and not steal them.
I'm leanign towards thief, but it doesn't feel like a perfect fit either since it's hard to apply my alignment to that class.
So with all this said, I think either bard or thief/mage best suits my personality. Never mind minimun requirements etc. The bard, being a rather outspoken and charismatic character, not the best fighter, not the best mage, but a little of everything sounds like a fairly good fit actually. The thief/mage is similar, and the multiclass aspect (I have trouble in real life to fully determine what I should do with my life) may be a better fit. But I think bard and possibly the skald kit fits me best. The skald is based on norse mythology and being swedish that's another thing that make the class suit me. Also, the skald seem to me to rather recite heroic deeds of valor and combat rather then just sing pretty (I can't sing at all), so regular bard would not suite me. Blade could be an option since his song is weaker and don't evolve and he focus more on showmanship.
RACE
If there were no race restrictions I think dwarf would have been my choice of race. I'm not short, but they are stocky and bulky rather than graceful and agile. They like to eat and drink and are driven by lust and greed. They have good CON but less DEX, which sound like me. They aren't known for their charisma and I don't have the biggest beard in the world though. So maybe dwarf is just wishful thinking.. I guess halfelf would be a better fit. Not a human, nor an elf. Something in between.
ALIGNEMENT
I follow the rules of the world, which make the bard class conflicting with my alignment, but I don't approve of how they are set. I am innate good and favour it greatly in real life. I despise criminals and people who thrive for conflict. So even though I follow (most) rules I think neutral good better describe my personality.
So there we have it, Skatan's real life CHARNAME:
Skatan
Bard (Skald or Blade) - level 3 perhaps? Know to little PnP to make an assessment of this.
Neutral Good
14/12/14/14/10/12 (76 total)
Proficiences:
* Shortbow
* Long sword
Ok, so now I just have to create this char.
________________________________________
EDIT: Alot of funny discussions, as expected
Just wished more ppl would dare to post nt only their view of their stats, but also their view on what class and alignement they would have! Anyways, I've decided to bump down a couple of stats after reading what some ppl wrote below. I realize I probably exagerated some stats, due to my poor WIS ofc, and since my knowledge in the ability system is less than many others in here, I will change them. //Skat._______________________________________
Maybe this has already been done, but something I've been thinking of after doing a couple of those online tests to determine my "real life" class, alignment and stats is that nevermind what those tell me: what do I think myself best suits me? So, just contemplating my own view of myself, what stats, alignment, class and race would I assign myself? I'm no bhaal spawn, so no super powers what so ever. Just a random dude with average genetics.
What differ this thread from others like it? Well, my intent is to NOT exaggerate my stats because I want to be superstrong or smart like Einstein. I will do my best to really think about what I _should_ have, not what I _wish_ I had.
STATS
STR 14 - I'm slightly above average if I look at my surroundings. I crossfit, workout and are generally in decent shape for a 34 year old. I can't benchpress more than ~90 kilos etc, but I can carry heavy weight for a long time, lift most things I need (like refrigerators etc, hehe). If 10 is the norm, then I think I have 14.
DEX 12 - I'm quite clumsy and have poor balance, but I have quite good hand to eye coordination and has always been a fairly good shot, even with slightly less good eyesight on my right eye. I'd say my sniping skills is why I rate myself higher than the norm. I would do well with a bow and arrow, but poorly in acrobatics. I climb fairly well though.
CON 14 (I'm not superhuman, bumping this one down) - Seldom sick and with an iron gut, I can eat and drink everything without much complications. I have a quite high pain threshold as well. I have always been able to drink alot more booze than my friends of the same size and shape, on par with people double my size. Dunno why, it's just genes I guess. Never been poisoned except once when someone spiked my drink with a massive dose of GHB. Survived that but with a huge hangover. I'm not superhuman, bumping this one down
INT 14 (bumped down. I have a masters degree in business economics and work as a global business controller for a multi billion dollar company. Not many % of the population does that.) - I regularly score high on IQ tests, averaging around 120-30, as well as, succeeding quite well in problem solving overall. I can read a book once and take the exam and score fairly high. School was a breeze.
WIS 10 - Wisdom is the most difficult to appreciate yourself, I think. It's hard to say that I am wise, but I have been told that I appear to have a fairly high common knowledge. I have a good memory, so shit just stick, but it has gotten worse with age. I act before I think alot of times, so I guess in terms of AD&D I can't be considered wise, however, I shouldn't get a lore penalty since if I had read about some magic sword in a dusty tome, I would remember it.
CHA 12 (bumped down, alot. My obvious lack of self-restricting before posting this show that I'm not as good of a crowd pleaser as I thought I was, haha) - I may exaggerate this one, but I often become the centre of a party and have my fair share of female (and male) attention. I am often considered a gentleman and a jester, depending on my alcohol level, hehe.. I'm not the prettiest face in the world, but it seems others think I look decent. I choose my outfits with care and, overall, take my apperance quite seriously.
So, 76 (edited) points.
CLASS
I'm not a fighter, that's for sure. I try to avoid fights and never start them. If I see ppl fight I will avoid or try to break it up, not join in just for fun. No fighter kit fits either. I would never have the tenacity to reach grand mastery in anything since I am far too impatient.
I'm definitely not a paladin or a ranger. I would not bend myself backwards to help everyone else. I do so, but more in the background by giving money to charity etc.
I'm not clever enough to be a mage, nor do I enjoy studying enough to excel at it. It intrigues me though, and magic would be something I would focus on if that was possible. I would avoid combat if possible or use magic to get the upper hand in some way.
I'm most definitely not a cleric or druid in any way. I don't believe in gods at all (though it would ofc be different if I lived in FR rather then the real world). No, this doesn't apply to me at all.
I would never be a monk. The spartan life style would not be for me. I like things, to own them, but I want to buy them and not steal them.
I'm leanign towards thief, but it doesn't feel like a perfect fit either since it's hard to apply my alignment to that class.
So with all this said, I think either bard or thief/mage best suits my personality. Never mind minimun requirements etc. The bard, being a rather outspoken and charismatic character, not the best fighter, not the best mage, but a little of everything sounds like a fairly good fit actually. The thief/mage is similar, and the multiclass aspect (I have trouble in real life to fully determine what I should do with my life) may be a better fit. But I think bard and possibly the skald kit fits me best. The skald is based on norse mythology and being swedish that's another thing that make the class suit me. Also, the skald seem to me to rather recite heroic deeds of valor and combat rather then just sing pretty (I can't sing at all), so regular bard would not suite me. Blade could be an option since his song is weaker and don't evolve and he focus more on showmanship.
RACE
If there were no race restrictions I think dwarf would have been my choice of race. I'm not short, but they are stocky and bulky rather than graceful and agile. They like to eat and drink and are driven by lust and greed. They have good CON but less DEX, which sound like me. They aren't known for their charisma and I don't have the biggest beard in the world though. So maybe dwarf is just wishful thinking.. I guess halfelf would be a better fit. Not a human, nor an elf. Something in between.
ALIGNEMENT
I follow the rules of the world, which make the bard class conflicting with my alignment, but I don't approve of how they are set. I am innate good and favour it greatly in real life. I despise criminals and people who thrive for conflict. So even though I follow (most) rules I think neutral good better describe my personality.
So there we have it, Skatan's real life CHARNAME:
Skatan
Bard (Skald or Blade) - level 3 perhaps? Know to little PnP to make an assessment of this.
Neutral Good
14/12/14/14/10/12 (76 total)
Proficiences:
* Shortbow
* Long sword
Ok, so now I just have to create this char.
↧
↧
EEkeeper newb requesting assistance on questions that have probably been answered a lot.
Okai
So
I after I finish the Krynn Gold Box Games I want to play IWD:EE on my PC again rather than my iPhone. I want to use EEkeeper to personalize my characters and break rules and other such things.
Thing the first: How would I properly change race? Example I want to make a Gnome Bard. Do I just make a Half-Elf Bard, go into EEkeeper and change the race and character model to gnome and be done with it or do I need to edit things like innate thieving values?
Thing the second: Can I add innate abilities using EEkeeper? Example could I give a character animate dead as a special ability that scales with their character level.
Thing the third: So in 2e PnP Drow lose their magic resistance slowly on the surface but regain in the Underdark. When my characters venture deep underground is there a way I could go into EEkeeper and give the psuedo-Drow his magic resistance back and then remove it later when he's back on the surface?
I know I could probably figure most of this out by messing with the program but I don't want to break anything.
So
I after I finish the Krynn Gold Box Games I want to play IWD:EE on my PC again rather than my iPhone. I want to use EEkeeper to personalize my characters and break rules and other such things.
Thing the first: How would I properly change race? Example I want to make a Gnome Bard. Do I just make a Half-Elf Bard, go into EEkeeper and change the race and character model to gnome and be done with it or do I need to edit things like innate thieving values?
Thing the second: Can I add innate abilities using EEkeeper? Example could I give a character animate dead as a special ability that scales with their character level.
Thing the third: So in 2e PnP Drow lose their magic resistance slowly on the surface but regain in the Underdark. When my characters venture deep underground is there a way I could go into EEkeeper and give the psuedo-Drow his magic resistance back and then remove it later when he's back on the surface?
I know I could probably figure most of this out by messing with the program but I don't want to break anything.
↧
What if Baldur's Gate menu theme had lyrics?
Like the title says, what kind of lyrics would the Baldur's Gate theme music have?
↧
I cheat a lot, and you? *Spoiler Warning*
I cheat almost always in my BG2 runs.
But I use mainly real life time saver cheats.
I had rolled in the past many charnames, I know the average stats that I can get rolling for 5 minutes, 1 hour or a whole afternoon, and what stats have the same chance as winning the national lottery. So I decide previously how high the stats will be, sometimes in the 10 min range and sometimes in the 2-3 hours one, and I cheat them in saving some time for real playing . But I never, outside testing purposes, cheat in illegal or unrealistic stats.
I use often some tricks to get more XP from the game, the ones that involve fighting, challenge and risk. I love to turn to stone Dragons, to get their XP, then turn them to flash again and repeat, until I am satisfied and satiated.
Sometimes I impose myself to heal them after reverting them to flash, for a little more challenge, sometimes I allow myself to Fleeblemind the first dragon, before turning it to stone for a reduced challenge. I also make good use of infinite spawning enemies and sometimes even gate in some demons just for the XP of the killing. But I never use the ranged attack from the walls of Saradush, as no risk and challenge is needed, or cheese like talking multiple times to get multiple quest XP.
This is maybe a cheese, but not a cheat, but I cheat also there.
When my party has petrified a dragon 5 times I know that it has the potential to do it other 100 times more, when the party has tanked the Demon Prince for half an hour real time to gain the XP of his infinite spawning enemies and is still full of HP and spell memorization ( thanks to spell trap or wish ) I know that it can do it for another week. So I feel not guilty to cheat in the needed XP and avoid to fight the same battle for forever, it become boring and real life time is limited.*
There are other cheats that I use, sometimes I want to have Imoen bard or dual FM, with only 4 fighter levels, or sorcerer, or maybe Nalia pure class or kitted thief, Mazzi multi. Sometimes I like to change weapon proficiences of some NPC's, almost always assign the sword and shield pips to something more usefull (imo S&S is a joke, completely wasted pips), or I want Korgan and Sarewok be GM in other weapons.
As long as I don't change the total of stats proficiencies and skills I feel free to do it and don't feel guilty about it.
There are other cheats I never use outside testing purposes, I never use CTR-Y or CTR-R, never give illegal stats, increased movement rate or APR or resistances or never cheat in equipment or weapons that are not available in that moment of the game. If I want Carsomyr for my pally he has to fight for it and wait until he have enough power to go there and get it. If I want speed boots for everybody the party has to go there and get them one by one and live with the fact that their number is limited so also the number of party members will be limited.
I am interested about how other players deal with the cheats, which ones they use or avoid and the reasons behind their choice.
*I know that using infinite XP tricks, even if "fair tricks", that involve risk and challenge, change the game balance.
But since in my modded game the balance is already changed and with the PWG strategies that I use my usual parties, even without farming bonus XP, are overpowered after just few quests for me is fine.
I like the RP idea of a charname and his party starting uderpowered against overpwered enemies (Tactics Iliych and so on), then growing fast to become the most powerful adventurers group in all Amn. In different runs I chose different quest order to fight them both with the OP and UP option. And when I am OP I try to not overkill, but use the power only as more versatility, to allow more tactics in the same battle. I give bonus XP according to that criteria, I don't want to reach XP cap at the first dragon.
But I use mainly real life time saver cheats.
I had rolled in the past many charnames, I know the average stats that I can get rolling for 5 minutes, 1 hour or a whole afternoon, and what stats have the same chance as winning the national lottery. So I decide previously how high the stats will be, sometimes in the 10 min range and sometimes in the 2-3 hours one, and I cheat them in saving some time for real playing . But I never, outside testing purposes, cheat in illegal or unrealistic stats.
I use often some tricks to get more XP from the game, the ones that involve fighting, challenge and risk. I love to turn to stone Dragons, to get their XP, then turn them to flash again and repeat, until I am satisfied and satiated.
Sometimes I impose myself to heal them after reverting them to flash, for a little more challenge, sometimes I allow myself to Fleeblemind the first dragon, before turning it to stone for a reduced challenge. I also make good use of infinite spawning enemies and sometimes even gate in some demons just for the XP of the killing. But I never use the ranged attack from the walls of Saradush, as no risk and challenge is needed, or cheese like talking multiple times to get multiple quest XP.
This is maybe a cheese, but not a cheat, but I cheat also there.
When my party has petrified a dragon 5 times I know that it has the potential to do it other 100 times more, when the party has tanked the Demon Prince for half an hour real time to gain the XP of his infinite spawning enemies and is still full of HP and spell memorization ( thanks to spell trap or wish ) I know that it can do it for another week. So I feel not guilty to cheat in the needed XP and avoid to fight the same battle for forever, it become boring and real life time is limited.*
There are other cheats that I use, sometimes I want to have Imoen bard or dual FM, with only 4 fighter levels, or sorcerer, or maybe Nalia pure class or kitted thief, Mazzi multi. Sometimes I like to change weapon proficiences of some NPC's, almost always assign the sword and shield pips to something more usefull (imo S&S is a joke, completely wasted pips), or I want Korgan and Sarewok be GM in other weapons.
As long as I don't change the total of stats proficiencies and skills I feel free to do it and don't feel guilty about it.
There are other cheats I never use outside testing purposes, I never use CTR-Y or CTR-R, never give illegal stats, increased movement rate or APR or resistances or never cheat in equipment or weapons that are not available in that moment of the game. If I want Carsomyr for my pally he has to fight for it and wait until he have enough power to go there and get it. If I want speed boots for everybody the party has to go there and get them one by one and live with the fact that their number is limited so also the number of party members will be limited.
I am interested about how other players deal with the cheats, which ones they use or avoid and the reasons behind their choice.
*I know that using infinite XP tricks, even if "fair tricks", that involve risk and challenge, change the game balance.
But since in my modded game the balance is already changed and with the PWG strategies that I use my usual parties, even without farming bonus XP, are overpowered after just few quests for me is fine.
I like the RP idea of a charname and his party starting uderpowered against overpwered enemies (Tactics Iliych and so on), then growing fast to become the most powerful adventurers group in all Amn. In different runs I chose different quest order to fight them both with the OP and UP option. And when I am OP I try to not overkill, but use the power only as more versatility, to allow more tactics in the same battle. I give bonus XP according to that criteria, I don't want to reach XP cap at the first dragon.
↧
Selections from ~Malcolm St. Clair Revealed: [copyright 1622 Candlekeep and Harpers Guild]
The following work draws largely upon long-sealed materials from the heresy trial of Minsc D'Aubrignac [1397] to which the author has been granted access. {~Probably because Duke Sauvignon, Malcolm St. Clair's Great-Great-Grand Nephew, now controls Chatelaan,where His Most-Hated Excellency, The Green Bishop now dwells under an O-So-Courteous domicile arrest~] Chiefly, this new material consists of an actual unedited journal which has never before been available to scholars... As of now, it is considered authentic.
--A brief note for enlightened readers ~In the latter part of the 14th Century of Faerun, Tymora be praised, which is the era in which St. Clair's tale is set, modern concepts of academic life and Universities were still unheard of. Knowledge and Learning, of almost any kind, at that time was a controversial key to powers, some of them Dark-Borne indeed, endowed with a seemingly awesome nimbus. This was the age when certain quite ordinary philosophers and astrologers began asserting that there is an invisible world which exists independently of the creative powers of Deity, the Gods and their respective clergy ~~The very Anti-Nomian Thesis which has led to our present world crisis.
. .Candlekeep, in 1386, was a zealously guarded fortress of the pure truths, dedicated to the Prophet Alaundo, Blessed be His Name. Very few ever gained admittance there unless they could boast of long-years of study and could afford the costs of tuitions. For the ill-favoredweal of Heresy had raised its head and all our hard-won fruits of Certainty were besieged...
* *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** **** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *
--from the Journal
< ~8 Myrtul, Friendly Arms Inn~
. Of course, Jaheira is right. I am certainly in a state of shock, one which her simple healing spells cannot
ease. And perhaps setting down on paper an account of this past week's events will help calm this ongoing explosion in my brain. Most definitely this is not the time to give in to anxiety, let alone despair. I have others to think of besides myself. Imoen, for one, and...well, really, just...we'll leave it at that. Tomorrow will come! And the next day and many days to come.
In time I am hoping to discover some clue that will lead to connecting with my proper relatives, dignified uncles and aunts, gracious cousins completely unknown at present. So, in my mind, this journal is for my Respected Uncle when finally we meet. Greetings to Thee, Kind Sir, and a Flourish!!
. It began, in Candlekeep, like any other day. I had completed my morning schedules and a rigorous set of self-designed exercises with just enough time left to rehearse some arcane mental formulas and affirmations prescribed by Ulraunt ~ I had only begun formal training in the Magical Arts some 6 months earlier ~ when Gorion, Master of Candlekeep, appeared.
This was unusual, as Imoen, my foster-sister and I, normally had little contact with Gorion ~an Initiate Elder Wizard-Sage~ except on Sundays, which included invariably a wonderful half-day set aside for us. Imoen and I were, and had been for almost 20 years, Gorion's wards -though neither of us know how that state of affairs had arisen. Imoen is fully human, so far as we know, while I, for the most part, stem from some branch of the Elven-rood. Sometimes we like to imagine that our unknown parents might have passed each other some day in the Marketplaces of Baldur's Gate, but mostly we just accept that Candlekeep itself has been our family and, as such, a full barrel more than many can boast of. Anyhow...where was I???
Oh, yes! ~Over the past few months, in our Sunday family times, I had vaguely begun to sense a certain cloud gathering, a distancing and mystery gradually arising from some hidden source. Now, it seemed from Gorion's mood and bearing, that disturbance had intensified with an undeniable Force, as if 'twere a sending from some larger Adult or arcane world of which I knew very little, as yet...
. "We are going on a journey, just you and I", Gorion said. "There is a certain perilous situation unfolding around us here which there is no time to explain. Listen closely. We must be on the move ere nightfall. A full moon tonight will serve us well in completing the first stage of this journey before our intentions become widely known."
"Now, take this purse, which must suffice, for no more could I gather without taking others into my perhaps unwarranted confidence. Enough. Use this to purchase what is necessary from Winthrop as if all your young skills might soon be tested. His prices will be fair values but, in truth, I would have better provided for Thee, so be shrewd, choosing ever Timely Substance instead of Counterfeit and Shows."
"But what could possibly harm us here?", I exclaimed, "-this place is a fortress and guarded beyond measure!!", surely there was some large fact I had missed!
"Candlekeep", he acknowledged, "is indeed a formidable obstacle for ne'er-do-wells, but it is not insurmountable. No matter how thick the mesh, at least one mosquito always finds its way through...", to which there was no reply, for who could judge the work better than the foreman and chief of its practice.
"Granted, but, please Father", I implored, "tell me where we will be going??" ~ for 'twould be a burden indeed to prepare all apiece for a Sea-voyage, a Great City, or some Wilderness Retreat??
"Alas, I cannot!", Gorion sighed, stroking his beard. "For I have not truly decided yet. All that is certain is that we will be safer on the move. Perhaps the woods might offer some secluded security, or perhaps the city of Baldur's Gate would offer a cover among its teeming throngs of people. I do not know where we shall end up, but I have a few friends here and there. Hmmm....I will think on this."
"But, a word to the wise in your dealings with Winthrop", he continued, "Comport yourself as if all is as it should be, as if no urgency attended your preparations. Even a few routine errands and duties performed might not be amiss, for surely the sight of thee, enarmored so suddenly and unannounced will be noted by many. But that cannot be helped. Go now, and do not delay o'erlong."
Well, it must be admitted, my first thought was to grab an early lunch, which I proceeded to do, and then I chatted for some time with old Firebead Elvenhair, a regular visitor from Beregost who was staying at the Inn.
Without mentioning directly any developing plans for a prospective journey I quizzed him, perhaps a bit more aggressively than usual, about current events in the greater world beyond the walls of Candlekeep. Just normal curiosity. But Firebead surely knew that something was afoot, for, in parting, he slipped me a sizeable purse of Gold Coins -- more than doubling the funds I had to work with, which very much eased my mind. The kindly old codger raised a finger to his lips forestalling further discussion.
And so, a few minutes later, I emerged from Candlekeep Inn clad as an armored warrior: Splint Mail, Long Sword, Helmet, Large Shield, Compound Long Bow and a generous supply of arrows, plus an extra hauberk of Studded Leather more suited to Stealthy pursuits [Hunting, for example] and, mayhap some few of those skills more proper to common thieves, such as pickpocketing. I hasten to add, respected Uncle, that such skills arose primarily as a sportive expression - in which Imoen was equally involved and Winthrop himself our chief tutor ~ and perhaps also as a veiled complaint, unacknowledged even by myself, against the jealously guarded sequestration of Candlekeep. Really, all that for a big pile of....don't get me started!!
Alas, Well-a-day!! We were hardly more than children. I, myself, really knew so little, -gleanings from Gorion's personal library, vague impressions of certain factions, Zhentarim, Harpers, Red Wizards ~ and, of course, his wonderful illumined map of this part of Faerun, the Sword Coast, though it is but a small thing to know that some place like Athkatla or Waterdeep exists, having seen it on a map. I warrant it to be quite another to have counted all those miles in one's journeying as mayhap shall come to pass ere our meeting, Dear Uncle.
And one thing more, I had memorized the Mage Spell: Grease, for I deemed Lord Gorion well able to wield a goodly stock of offensive spells ~ but perhaps this small effect controlling the ground of battle might achieve the unlikely status of actually being useful. The only other choice I had considered was Sleep, unlikely to be useful in any mischance that might pose a substantial nuisance for the Master of Candlekeep...
I followed Gorion's advice and made a leisurely circuit of the grounds doing odds and ends, some bolts for Fuller- whereupon he was so gratified that he passed on to me an heirloom dagger since he had little use for such an item anymore. Nice!! After the way he had abused me all these years I considered it....well-deserved!! Little things, just odds and ends, one of which was retrieving a Scroll for the Level 1 Spell: Identify for Firebead from Tethtoril. Within minutes though, something happened which completely drove that fact from my mind.
I had stopped to make a donation at Oghma's Temple, then ran a couple of errands for Dreppin and Phlydia. Whereupon I thought to find Brother Godfrey in the Priest's Quarters for with him, at least, I wished to exchange a proper farewell, knowing him to be much devoted to silence.
But he was not there. Instead, I found a common thug, who must have been drugged or under some wizard's geas, for he boastfully attacked me with murderous intent, armed with nought but a dagger!! And, though I be but a Novice, paid the price in full... Swiftly I checked his body, mostly avoiding the blood, but found nothing noteworthy. Truly, a footpad in Candlekeep, unthinkable!! And apparently there had been no trading caravan calling at the Fortress Gate for well more than a week. But wait, I remember now, his speech was not that of a lowlife brigand, not at all!! Something about "exposition" not being his "forte"!?? ~More like an actor of some kind.
Anyhow, my first thought was to go immediately to Gorion as any number of delays would certainly arise from this mischance. A man, however much a fool, was dead!! 5 minutes later Gorion and I were gone. Beyond the Gate.
And I was speechless. Trembling. There had hardly been time to wash my hands. And still I smelled the blood...
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Portraits for BG from Torment: Tides of Numenera
We have a thread about portraits for BG from Pillars of Eternity.
Why not have a new thread with portraits from another promising project - Torment: Tides of Numenera?
Let me start with the portrait of Matkina, one of your potential companions in that game, who can be seen in the recent trailer.
It's drawn by Nils Hamm - an experienced artist who also provided a lot of artwork for the Magic the Gathering.
The portrait has the size of 169x266, suitable for BG:
![image]()
A neutral evil shadowdancer, no?![;)]( ";)")
Why not have a new thread with portraits from another promising project - Torment: Tides of Numenera?
Let me start with the portrait of Matkina, one of your potential companions in that game, who can be seen in the recent trailer.
It's drawn by Nils Hamm - an experienced artist who also provided a lot of artwork for the Magic the Gathering.
The portrait has the size of 169x266, suitable for BG:
A neutral evil shadowdancer, no?
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Are sorcerers an adequate replacement for mages?
When you roll a sorcerer, or when you have a sorcerer NPC, such as the Tashia or Kelsey mods, do you also bring along a mage, like Edwin? Is a sorcerer alone enough to compensate for not having a mage? Or is a sorcerer more like a secondary spellcaster?
Vote for your choice and explain why.
Vote for your choice and explain why.
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How do you use a F/M in the party?
How do you use a F/M in the party?
He is mainly a Fighter, always on the front lines, that use his magic to protect and buff himself and sometimes to breach and debuff the enemy, or is mainly a Caster that use at his best his immense arcane power with some added bonuses from his Fighter class and weapons? Or he use the two classes in a more balanced way, sometimes focusing on casting and some other times on fighting?
He is mainly a Fighter, always on the front lines, that use his magic to protect and buff himself and sometimes to breach and debuff the enemy, or is mainly a Caster that use at his best his immense arcane power with some added bonuses from his Fighter class and weapons? Or he use the two classes in a more balanced way, sometimes focusing on casting and some other times on fighting?
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Will there ever be a Baldur's gate 3?
question in the title.
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What do you prefer for stats?
While bigger is obviously better for rolling characters, and it's always great to see those epic rolls from time to time, I must confess I generally prefer my "serious" characters to have a total in the mid 80s.
I find that this lets me have that perfect blend of having enough points to move around to suit my characters, while having few enough that it's not just Yet Another Peter Perfect.
Given the choice between a well rounded cookie cutter 18/19/16/18/18/3 and one with a modest 16/19/7/18/8/17, the second one speaks more to me as a character - gifted and charming, but fundamentally flawed, prone to impulsive decisions and with room to improve as they progress through the series and grab tomes and other boosts, while the other just gets... More perfect.
What's your approach to stats? Are you in it for the ubermensch? Or do you prefer your heroes to be gritty and flawed?
I find that this lets me have that perfect blend of having enough points to move around to suit my characters, while having few enough that it's not just Yet Another Peter Perfect.
Given the choice between a well rounded cookie cutter 18/19/16/18/18/3 and one with a modest 16/19/7/18/8/17, the second one speaks more to me as a character - gifted and charming, but fundamentally flawed, prone to impulsive decisions and with room to improve as they progress through the series and grab tomes and other boosts, while the other just gets... More perfect.
What's your approach to stats? Are you in it for the ubermensch? Or do you prefer your heroes to be gritty and flawed?
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Misheard quotes!
This discussion was created from comments split from: Small things amuse small minds.
Because I thought it deserved its own thread! Post what you used to think the characters in BG were saying.
Because I thought it deserved its own thread! Post what you used to think the characters in BG were saying.
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Buying from Beamdog / Steam / GoG - what are the differences ?
Could someone please help me understand what the pros and cons are ?
This is a general question but I also have a particular case to evaluate.
For obvious reasons, I do not directly ask Beamdog for their opinion about the matter. However a purely technical and objective/unbiased comment would be much appreciated.
I have a rather unusual scenario in mind.
I am afraid some of my old games won't be able to run on modern windows system ("updated without consent").
I'd like to move them under Wine. While doing so, why not move more games with moderate graphical requirements.
I know that Beamdog supports a native Linux installation (it makes sense as they support android) but:
1- I am not a Linux fan. I use BSDs instead.
2- Installing mods on a linux BGEE is not exactly heaven on earth whereas Wine has translation mechanisms for the case sensitive filesytems.
The Win Steam client seems able to run under Wine and I can install several clients on several platforms during a transition period. What about the Beamdog system? Any clue ?
This is a general question but I also have a particular case to evaluate.
For obvious reasons, I do not directly ask Beamdog for their opinion about the matter. However a purely technical and objective/unbiased comment would be much appreciated.
I have a rather unusual scenario in mind.
I am afraid some of my old games won't be able to run on modern windows system ("updated without consent").
I'd like to move them under Wine. While doing so, why not move more games with moderate graphical requirements.
I know that Beamdog supports a native Linux installation (it makes sense as they support android) but:
1- I am not a Linux fan. I use BSDs instead.
2- Installing mods on a linux BGEE is not exactly heaven on earth whereas Wine has translation mechanisms for the case sensitive filesytems.
The Win Steam client seems able to run under Wine and I can install several clients on several platforms during a transition period. What about the Beamdog system? Any clue ?
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