The Candlekeep Annex: RPed Baldur’s Gate No and Low Reload Adventures

[WiseGrimwald]

Journal of Burke Continued

Upon meeting Xzar, Montaron, Khalid and Jaheira, at hearing of their desire to go to Nashkel, I took all four of them. I left Khalid and Jaheira there and Xzar in the Belching Dragon. Montaron I kept with me as I wanted him for some tasks which I was both unwilling and unable to do myself, namely pickpocketting Algernon's Cloak, and also several items at Ulgoth's Beard. I left him there and went south of Nashkel with Xzar.

We were attacked by and fought bandits and to our surprise had the aid of Dorn who subsequently joined us.

Together we fought and killed Kryll after which both Dorn and Xzar bade us farewell. I suspect that is the last that I will see of Xzar which may not be a bad thing.

Dorn has told me where to meet him in the future. I doubt that we'll spend much time together as his aims and ours are unlikely to converge much.

I removed petrification from Branwen whereupon she joined me as did Dynaheir when we liberated her.

Dynaheir spent time learning spells and identifying loot and then I bought her a robe of the archmage.

When we went basilisk hunting she rerached level 7.

We then decided that we were powerful enough to take on the demons in the Nashkel mines.

I always led the party taking the hits from the traps as my constitution which was now 20 meant that I quickly recovered.

Mulahey was weakened by Dynaheir's fireballs to the extent that he panicked. she then webbed him. Meanwhile Branwen and I dealt with the monsters that he had summoned and after berserking I entered the webbed area to finish him off. Xan then joined us. We then left the mine.

We subsequently made our way to the bandit camp. Not having a thief was a minor setback. Even when Branwen had strength cast upon her and she backed that up with holy power, she couldn't open all the chests. We will attack the bandits on the morrow.

 

[Alesia_BH]

Alena, Halfling Priest of Lathander, Canon Party Run: Early Adventures With Imoen- Of Trollops an' Plug Tails

Alena is wise, if not brilliant- wise enough to recognize good advice when she hears it. And so when Alena found herself in the wilderness, with only Imoen by her side, there was little doubt that she would heed the sage Gorion's words. She would go to the Friendly Arm Inn, where she would meet Khalid and Jaheira, Gorion's trusted friends.

Spoiler

There was, however, a matter of timing. Joining Gorion's battle worn compatriots now wouldn't do. Alena and Imoen would be overshadowed, followers to unfamiliar voices. Better to find some trouble first, to become adventurers in their own right. Better to present with battle scars and stories- especially stories. Maybe even one about trollops an' plug tails.

It would be best to start small. Or big. Alena and Imoen went with big. Called to the east by the Morninglord, they found an ogre bearing stolen goods. Mighty though he may have been, he couldn't resist Alena's Commands.

Spoiler

Neither could the ogrillions to the south. Our dynamic duo was finding their way, and their places on the battlefield.

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Alena, with her helmet, armor and shield, was better suited to melee. Imoen, fleet of foot and evasive, better with her bow. Alas, most of their early foes required little subtlety. Some were Commanded...

Spoiler

Others were held...

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With their foes defenseless against Alena's faith, the battle scars would have to wait. Oh, but not the stories. How many of you have heard a chicken speak? Or seen a chicken turn into a man? Tales wild and true grant a woman strength. So it was with Alena and Imoen.

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Alena knows good advice when she hears it. She also knows a good investment when she sees it. Thalantyr's Wand of Sleep was an obvious choice. It quickly paid dividends, yielding a pair of boots for Imoen.

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Those boots, in turn, led to yet another discovery, a cherished family heirloom, soon to be returned.

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Imoen was especially pleased to be of service to the Colquetle family. Her confidence surged.

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Oh, but fetching necklaces doesn't get the heart pumping, does it? It was time for an adventure true. What could be better than a basilisk hunt? That would be a story to share over pot roast and ales.

Ever cautious, ever wise, Alena did her research first, consulting the experts.


They would need petrification defenses- that was clear. Alas, there was but one scroll to be found in the southlands. Imoen would need to sit this one out. Appreciating the value of a comrade at arms, Alena was nonplussed. And yet somehow she knew that Lathander would provide. She would walk with the Morninglord, and the Morningloard's most curious gift: a friendly ghoul named Korax.

Spoiler

May Lathander light your way, dear Korax. May Lathander light your way.

Spoiler

With their first epic adventure behind them, it was time for Alena and Imoen to take stock of where they stood. They were by now burgeoning warriors, equipped and ready for the adventures ahead. It was not yet time to meet Khalid and Jaheira, though. They would need more scars and more stories to make the right impression, to claim their place astride the seasoned Harpers.

Seeking distance from their would be assassins, Alena and Imoen chose the Nashkel Carnival as their base of operations. That is where they kept their finds. It is also where they trained. Alena had added the quarterstaff to her repertoire, Imoen darts. Imoen was developing her thieving skills, too, focusing on locks and traps. Their equipment stores, once meager, were approaching respectability. Alena's ankheg plate was the crown jewel, but her mace, fancifully dubbed the Stupefier, was meritorious too. Imoen wasn't quite so well equipped, but her studded leather and ring of protection were serviceable, especially when buttressed by her shield amulet and girdle of piercing. Imoen's boots of stealth were her most cherished possession. She coveted a magical bow. A magical short sword would be helpful, too. The bow could be purchased. Alena and Imoen would need to fight for the rest. And so they did.

First: the magical short sword, brought to them by chance, in the hands of a hobgoblin, Zargal, the strongest there is. Alena's skeleton warriors and Commands won the day here.

Spoiler

Fate took our heroines to a pair of brute, Caldo and Krumm. Faith brought them victory. Alena's Commands proved their worth again, as did her new found favorite, Hold Person.

Spoiler

Now swimming in gold, Alena and Imoen headed north to the storied merchant in Ulgoth's Beard. The journey brought adventures of its own- including a bit of intrigue involving a young priestess and a trio of fisherman. Siding with the priestess felt right, even if it might incur the wrath of Talos. Ah, but the threat of Talos was more distant than that of the north's strange beast, most notably the fearsome ankhegs. Alena's Commands proved irresistible once again.

Spoiler

Sometimes fortune comes in disguise. So it was when Alena and Imoen were accosted by the formidable Vax and Zal. Sending skeleton warriors after the dart tossing Zal took his range fire out of the fray, but drew in a passel of kobolds. Here we see Imoen finishing off the kobolds while Alena's skeleton warriors, redeployed, hold the line against Vax. A Hold Person brought the battle to a quiet conclusion. Zal's bracers of archery were a worthy reward, the best find for Imoen yet.

Spoiler

It wouldn't take long for the bracers to prove their worth, helping Imoen land a dart of stunning against the legendary bounty hunter, Greywolf. Who's the fastest dart tosser in the west now?

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Alena and Imoen's first true test came at the hands of an adventuring troupe led by a braggadocios lass named Sendai. Out number three to two, the battle proved challenging, but Alena and Imoen were up to the task. A Hold Person defeated the leader, Sendai. Skeleton warriors, placed near the archers, neutralized the threat they posed.

Spoiler

Harrowing though the experience may have been, necessitating the duos first use of healing potions, it brought yet another grand reward- this time in the form of magical armor for Imoen, a boon to be sure.

A litany of adventures isn't complete without a tale of crypts and ghouls. A revenant, found east of Nashkel, would fill that role nicely. No need to mention that a protection from undead scroll did the heavy lifting.

Spoiler

Alena and Imoen were by now known throughout the land, up and comers in the adventuring world. And yet each time the skies darkened, Alena found herself thinking of the fisherman and their warning that Talon's vengeance would come. So it did one day, but Alena's will stood firm.

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Alena and Imoen were almost ready to meet their new compatriots. Only on task remained. They would enter an ankheg lair at the behest of the beleaguered farmer Brun. Skeleton warrior led the way here while Commands kept the skeletons safe. Alena and Imoen would not earn battle scars here.

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What they did earn was the gratitude of farmer Brun.

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Finally -finally- Alena and Imoen were ready to meet their new friends. An assassin tried to stop them, but by now he was no match. These were not the girls described in the bounty notice. They were seasoned warriors instead. If Tarnesh had known he might have stayed home.

Spoiler

And so Alena and Imoen presented to their new comrade, not as neophytes but as veterans.

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There would be much to talk about, stories to share. Bentley, bring us another round of ales.

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Best,

A.

Chapter Theme Song:

 

[Alesia_BH]

Alena, Halfling Priest of Lathander, Canon Party Run: Friendly Arm Inn to Gnoll Stronghold- You Must Gather Your Party

After an evening of ales and tales at the Friendly Arm Inn, Alena and Imoen escorted their new friends to the carnival.

Spoiler

Jaheira and Khalid may not have been impressed with the digs, but they did appreciate the cache of gear Alena and Imoen had collected. Vascona would suit Khalid perfectly. Jaheira was almost as pleased with her enchanted club.

Seeking to make a good impression on their new friends, Alena and Imoen agreed to travel to the nearby Nashkel to investigate local concerns. Some of what they found was expected, some less so. The warrior Minsc, fretting over his lost witch, consulting a hamster, fell cleanly into the less so category.

Spoiler

Unexpected but not unwelcome. Addled though he may be, Minsc was a man of great strength. Surely a place could be found for his witch, too. It was settled. The party would join with Minsc and rescue his witch, Dynaheir.

The tales Alena and Imoen told at the Friendly Arm seemed tall to Jaheira and Khalid. The fine weaponry they had proffered was the first clue that the girls were, in fact, on the level. Their tactics at the gnoll stronghold left no doubt. Clad in plate provided by Alena and Imoen, Jaheira and Khalid charged to the fore. What threats they faced were quickly neutralized but Alena's Commands. These weren't battles. They were slaughters.

Spoiler

As resistance thickened, Alena stepped up her game, calling forth a trio of skeleton warriors to lead the charge. Minsc, though weary and lagging, insisted that the party push ahead.

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With Alena's skeleton warriors taking the lead, the party suffered nary scratch from the first wave. As the skeleton warriors began to fall, Jaheira, appreciating the strategy, charmed gnolls to hold the line.

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One by one they fell. Sometimes two by two.

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It was a satisfying first mission, a promising start.

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With the gnolls defeated, and Minsc's witch saved, Alena healed her remaining skeleton warrior.

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The carnival beckoned, what with Minsc exhausted and Dynaheir in need of gear, but there was still some exploring to do. A quick jaunt to the west revealed a cave, hidden within it a precious tome. Khalid took a nick from a xvart blade, but the party was otherwise uninjured.

Spoiler

Dynaheir had long wished to meet the infamous Thalantyr of Beregost. Seeking to earn goodwill with her new companion, Alena obliged. An undead ambush made the trip more interesting that expected or desired. Alena was pleased to see that Dynaheir, still unequipped, chose to protect herself and keep her distance. Yet another encouraging sign.

Spoiler

Now gathered at the carnival, with Minsc rested and Dynaheir equipped and ready, Alena and her team are eager to venture forth. They're ready to make their mark.

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Best,

A.

 

[Serg_BlackStrider]

Ring of Protection +1 alone with Ankheg's Plate - is it a EE change?

 

[Alesia_BH]

Ring of Protection +1 alone with Ankheg's Plate - is it a EE change?

It is. I'm ok with that one. I had always assumed that ankheg plate was non-magical, and that its properties came from the unusual material. I never check DnD source on that, though. Might be worth a look.

 

[Alesia_BH]

I did a little research on the ankheg issue. Evidently ankhegs were classified as magical beasts in 3e. In other editions they were not, as far as I can tell.

The UB mod included text that states that Thalantyr enchanted the ankheg plate after it was fashioned by Thunderhammer. UB isn't canon, though, and this strikes me as a modders attempt to justify a questionable decision.

All in all I'm cool with the change. It makes sense to me, based on what I know and it's not unbalancing. It's a boon for low strength characters and druids, but otherwise insignificant.

 

[Serg_BlackStrider]

The UB mod included text that states that Thalantyr enchanted the ankheg plate after it was fashioned by Thunderhammer.

Yep, I've found this statement too and I agree with you that this is 'an attempt to justify a questionable decision'. Still I can't call a 'free' full plate's grade armor, found on some backwater fields, 'insignificant'... But, just like you, I'm cool with the change. Player's skills are far more important for the success than character's attributes or equipment - of that I'm sure.

 

[Alesia_BH]

Yep, I've found this statement too and I agree with you that this is 'an attempt to justify a questionable decision'. Still I can't call a 'free' full plate's grade armor, found on some backwater fields, 'insignificant'...

Agreed. Free early access to ankheg plate is a difference maker, same with the FAI ring of wizardry.

I agree with the EE’s decision on ankheg plate. The Easter eggs are a separate issue. I’ve started skipping them in my solo runs. In this game I decided to allow them, mostly because I was slightly anxious about properly equipping a full party.

Come to think of it, I’m kind of surprised that David hasn’t offered a Remove the BG1 Easter Eggs component. In the alternative he could relocate them, like he did with Vecna and the like. Ankheg plate in the basilisks warehouse? The ring of wizardry on Halbazzer Drin, pickpocketable at risk of losing access the Sorcerous Sundries stock? That makes sense to me

 

[Serg_BlackStrider]

Now that is exactly for what an Item Randomizer mod exists! And it's a must have for me just like a SCS and Ascension mods. Each new run like a first time one.

 

[Alesia_BH]

Makes sense. Predictable access to crucial items is kind of a crutch. I should definitely try the randomizer

 

[WiseGrimwald]

I'll be getting a new computer soon so may well change my installation.

Journal of Burke

Not being a paladin, I had no qualms at all about attacking the bandits without warning. This enabled me to kill Taurgosz Khosann without difficultty. I donned his armour and gave the ankheg to Branwen who has insufficient strength for his armour. We rested before entering the tent. I went in alone and was up to the task.

We rested again.

Deke's end was swift as was Tranzig's.

We are no paladins to offer mercy! Branwen made it quite clear that she wanted blood, and I fully understood her viewpoint!

We are now chasing the scum into Cloakwood! Whilst there we decided to help Aldeth for no other reason than that I dislike druids, not that I told them that! I might need their help in the future.

 

[JustKneller]

It is. I'm ok with that one. I had always assumed that ankheg plate was non-magical, and that its properties came from the unusual material. I never check DnD source on that, though. Might be worth a look.

My theory is that the devs wanted to use base plate item with its differential AC modifiers and then took the easy way out and just chucked a magical bonus on top of it so that Ankheg plate would have the desired base AC. The plate itself is definitely non-magical per the lore. It was "invented" just to give druids a natural plate mail option.

 

[Alesia_BH]

My theory is that the devs wanted to use base plate item with its differential AC modifiers and then took the easy way out and just chucked a magical bonus on top of it.

My theory is that your theory is right

 

[Alesia_BH]

Alena, Halfling Priest of Lathander, Canon Party Run: The Nashkel Mines- A Change of Ideas

When I started this run I didn't have a clear sense of Alena's personality. I wasn't sure what voice I wanted to write in either. Nonetheless, I felt like writing a narrative. What to do? I could have spent sometime thinking the problem through- developing Alena's character, experimenting with voices. That would have meant delaying the run, however, and I was eager to get started. Ultimately I decided to just start typing. I could always revaluate after the first couple posts.

So, here we are, on our third post. And what do I think of the story so for?

Spoiler

I don't know about you but I'm not feeling it. Narratives are great when you have inspiration and a coherent voice. When you don't, not so much. And so going forward I'll be reverting to my standard narration style, writing from my perspective as a player. This will make it easier to describe tactics. It'll also spare me the embarrassment of stumbling through a story I haven't thought through.

So, apologies for the abrupt shift in tone, but trust me: it's for the best. My stories typically go downhill and this one started below sea level.

With that squared let's get to the action. We're headed to the Nashkel mines.

I have a healthy respect for David's improved Nashkel Mines. I also have a dearth of experience navigating them with a party. That's one of the reasons why I made a point of delaying the addition of Jaheira, Khalid, Minsc and Dynaheir. I wanted to be sure we were sufficiently leveled before heading in. In retrospect the approach was overkill. We were pretty overpowered here. Still, it was a satisfying quest. I was happy with the party's performance.

We took a slow and steady approach here, relying on our range weapons.

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Threatening enemies, like commandos and charging guards, were subdued with Command. The rest fell to simple bow fire. Preserving her defensive spells, Dynaheir hung back.

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With Imoen's Find Traps skill at 80, the mine's traps weren't a threat.

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Once both of the bridge traps were cleared the party moved forward. Here we see Alena disabling a commando while the part exchanges arrows. Imoen is wearing the girdle of piercing here. Dynaheir, still conserving spells, is to the north.

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More of the same as we approach the chieftain. Commands for chargers and commandos, arrows for everything else.

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Here we see Dynaheir firing up her defensive spells while the rest of the party finishes off the last of the chieftain's infantry.

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Protected by Shield and the Cloak of Displacement, Dynaheir was free to approach and add her magic to the party. Her MMs disrupted the shaman's first spell while Alena was prepping her comparatively slow Silence 15". Imoen took a crit from an arrow here but aside from that the party took no damage. IIRC, we didn't use any healing potions on this quest. The party's four Cure Light Wounds, split between Jaheira and Alena's books, handled what damage there was.

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Last wave before Mulahey. Khalid took a crit while Imoen's slow moving Wand of Sleep projectile was en route. We didn't take anymore damage after that.

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For the Mulahey battle we split up into three teams, organized around natural pairings. Dynheir, with her AoE spells, would take care of the northern minions. Minsc and a skeleton warrior would protect her.

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Jaheira and Khalid were sent south to harass Mulahey. Alena and Imoen, meanwhile, stayed in the center. Their job was to disrupt and disable Mulahey. Imoen was on disruption duty with the Wand of Magic Missiles. Meanwhile Alena launched Silences, hoping to shut Mulahey down.

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The keen eyed observers among you may have noticed that the skeleton warrior is out of place, having sauntered south to protect Alena. I don't love their script, tbh. Having them stick by their priest is a nice idea, but it makes them harder to control

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Mulahey had a string of luck here, making his first two saves against Silence. Imoen successfully disrupted Mulahey's first two spells but a third landed just before Alena's final successful Silence. Mulahey's one completed spell was Hold Person. Khalid failed his save but it was too late to make a difference. Victory was ours.

Spoiler

I'll cover Nimbul and Tranzig in the next post.

Best,

A.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

Journal of Burke

In Cloakwood we also killed Centeol.

In transit we were attacked by wyvern and Xan was killed, as were the wyvern. We went to get him raised and Coran wasn't satisfied with the ones we killed, nor by the subsequent ones that we killed. It was only when we wiped out a cave that was full of them that he was satisfied.

Killing ankhegs was NOT easy when there are fragile members in the party. The ones in the cave were relatively easy as the mages took up the rear.

At Beregost Coran stocked up on venomous arrows which reduced our gold to 13gp!

Perhaps we should have sold off surplus equipment, but that still wouldn't have been enough for the venomous dagger that I covet.

Web was extremely useful against Drasus et al despite the fact that Dynaheir stupidly got herself webbed!

Fortunately, by the time that the miners asked us for 100gp, we had accumulated that much!

Just as well that there was a lot of gold lying around!

When Yeslick joined us, I realised that we didn't have a sling or a hammer for him.

[As you've probably guessed, this run wasn't planned much ahead of time. I don't usually have Xan or Yeslick in the party. It does make the game more interesting.]

 

[Antimatter]

When I started this run I didn't have a clear sense of Alena's personality. I wasn't sure what voice I wanted to write in either. Nonetheless, I felt like writing a narrative. What to do? I could have spent sometime thinking the problem through- developing Alena's character, experimenting with voices. That would have meant delaying the run, however, and I was eager to get started. Ultimately I decided to just start typing. I could always revaluate after the first couple posts.

So, here we are, on our third post. And what do I think of the story so for?

I don't know about you but I'm not feeling it. Narratives are great when you have inspiration and a coherent voice. When you don't, not so much. And so going forward I'll be reverting to my standard narration style, writing from my perspective as a player. This will make it easier to describe tactics. It'll also spare me the embarrassment of stumbling through a story I haven't thought through.

So, apologies for the abrupt shift in tone, but trust me: it's for the best. My stories typically go downhill and this one started below sea level.

Honestly, I think the story was totally ok. But it would help if you didn't ever force yourself. If the narration (and it often does) feels difficult to create and write, drop it and focus on gameplay bits.

 

[WiseGrimwald]

Journal of Burke

The mine was one of the most difficult parts of the journey so far, though the battle against Davaeorn was straightforward.

Branwen was so badly hurt in the battle against Hareishan that she had to retreat and use a healing potion. After the battle, we returned to the surface and rested.

Against Davaeorn Branwen cast animate dead but the spell wouldn't work. Yeslick's did and when his skeleton attacked Davaeorn, he responded with a summoning spell.
His hold spell had been unsuccessful, but the summoned monsters killed the skeleton. We edged forward to determine how the battle had progressed and after berserking, I charged in followed by my party. He died quite quickly.

At the Friendly Arms Inn Dorn wouldn't join us, so I asked Viconia to join us, dropping Yeslick as a temporary measure. Dorn would now join us and we dropped out of the party, departing permanently. The battle against Simmeon was straightforward largely due to Dynaheirs web spell. I had freedom of action due to the ring that Montaron had purloined and Dorn was using Spider's Bane. That was enough. Afterwards we bade Dorn farewell and Yeslick rejoined the party.
We then solld a lot of surplus equipment and bought the venomous dagger in Beregost. We will probably now buy spells at Sorcerous Sundries.

 

[Alesia_BH]

Honestly, I think the story was totally ok. But it would help if you didn't ever force yourself. If the narration (and it often does) feels difficult to create and write, drop it and focus on gameplay bits.

On a few occasions I’ve liked my stories at the start. Arcadia’s story had potential. Anne Jansen’s was fun. The issue is that writing a story well is a slower process than playing the game so it quickly becomes unsustainable.

I enjoy playing. I also enjoy writing fiction. I’m better off keeping the two hobbies separate, though. Intersecting them never works. My standard narration style is a better choice

 

[m7600]

My stories typically go downhill and this one started below sea level.

What are you talking about? From the stories that you've posted in this thread, I think it's evident that you're a very talented writer. I'm sure you want to be better at your craft, as we all do, and you're probably your worst critic, as we all are, but don't sell yourself short. I only wish I could be that good at writing stories!

 

[Alesia_BH]

Thanks for your support, M7600

These are the two that I was satisfied with at the start, Arcadia and Anne Jansen. Arcadia’s story was dramatic, Anne’s comedic. If I could have kept up the quality I would have continued them.

Arcadia

Anne Jansen

I can write a story or I can play the game. I just can’t do both at the same time. Writing well takes time. There’s no way I could keep up with my play unless I slowed to a crawls pace, and that wouldn’t be fun. It’s best to keep the two hobbies separate.