14 july 2018
CONTINUING TALES OF BALDUR'S GATE
My schedule is pretty crazy at the best of times, and sometimes I just can't get into the right mindset to play a game with more depth. So, when I have had time lately, I've either been shooting aliens (XCOM), or I've been playing number games that only require basic calculations (namely, a game called "Two Digits", which I completed on Steam within a few hours; it was a good meditation).
Finally, I have picked up the game yet again. Let's see, where did I leave off? Oh yes, my main character is a wizard named Blundarr. He has 4 HP and is made of glass. His only offensive spell is Burning Hands, so he has to get within arms reach to damage an enemy, and so he dies ... a LOT! I seem to be in the woods. My spells are depleted. I should probably rest ...
"You have been waylaid by enemies and must defend yourself!"
OHMIGODOHMIGODOHMIGOD! Gnolls and Ghasts and Half-Ogres! What the ever-living hell?!?
Whelp ... "YOU HAVE DIED!"
Loading ...
Let's ... try that again. Resting ... SUCCESS! Wait ... Xzar is complaining that we haven't reached Nashkel yet. What a whiner! Well, he has a point. I have no idea what this iron shortage is all about, so perhaps we'll find our way south from these woods ... at least the Hobgoblins I run into only sometimes kill Blundarr.
Three lives later, I've arrived across the woods and such to Nashkel. Now, what can we find wandering .. what the?!?
CHAPTER TWO
Ok, that was a bit jarring ... and the first chapter felt rather short. I didn't even advance my characters much ... Oh well, let's visit the Inn. Oh look! Someone who wants to kill me ...
YOU HAVE DIED!
Well, multiple characters afflicted with "Held" made quick work of my party. Let's try this again ...
YOU HAVE DIED!
But, wait, what?
YOU HAVE DIED!
Okay, Jaheira has Entangle, how about tha ...
YOU HAVE DIED!
Ok, maybe ...
YOU HAVE DIED!
But ...
YOU HAVE DIED!
ARGH! Okay, obviously I am both unprepared and unskilled and need to hold off on this challenge. Let's explore some of the surrounding wilderness and see about advancing our party's experience a bit and maybe gain a level for the rest of the team (since Jaheira has already leveled up).
Some Hobgoblins, some Xvarts, some wolves and wild dogs ... this isn't too bad. Let's continue a bit deeper ...
"You have been waylaid by enemies and must defend yourself!"
DAMNIT! Reloading ...
And here's a young child talking about random shambling, mumbling people? And an updated journal entry ... the child is "Footy", and he's gone mad trying to find his family in a crowd of animated corpses raised by some Necromancer called "Bassilius" ... I haven't spotted Bassilius yet anywhere, nor any army of undead. I'll keep my eyes open, though.
Wandering around, I find a small cave with some provisions. I'll hold on to those. Also, my inventories are getting full again. I should go sell what I can ...
Wait, what does this button on these scrolls do ... oh, hey, I can learn spells from scrolls! poof poof poof. Nice!
Let's go further west ... hey, someone wants us to help find treasure? Safana is her name ... wait, my party is full ... well, let's make a separate save here and kick Xzar and Montaron out. Onward! Wait, what are these ... Sirines? Wait, are my characters becoming confused or charmed or something? Wait ... no ... don't ... OH HELL NO!
Reloading ... let's leave that for a little later, shall we? Heading a bit further south now ...
This new area seems to have a bunch of Xvarts. They keep attacking me, but they're pretty weak. Oh, there's a little hut village here. Nexlit the Xvart? He's berating me for killing them. Well, they kept attacking me! Now he's siccing a bear on me? This could get dicey ...
Well, maybe not. Bear dead. 650 XP, WOOHOO!
This XP gathering is slow. I will mention that I still get Blundarr killed in a number of encounters. Save and load are my friends.
"You have been waylaid by enemies and must defend yourself!"
Gah! At least I got lucky this time and was able to kill the two Ghasts without casualties (though only barely). Let's go a bit further south ...
Some merchant is screaming about a bear now? No problem, I've beaten a few bears in my ti ... OH DEAR GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
YOU HAVE DIED!
Seems this is a Mountain Bear, not your run-of-the-mill bear.
I could stretch this out with all the various ways in which I achieved TPK over the next hour, but I did manage to eventually strike it down with some carefully managed actions. Turns out the bear will run away if I burn it.I just had to be careful not to get anyone killed while Blundarr fired Burning Hands at it a few times, and Imoen took long-range shots with her bow. Xzar Does a bit of damage with his Minor Drain, and the other 3 keep taking strikes and getting healing as fast as I can make it happen.
With that, I think I'll put things down again. Until next time ...
YOU HAVE DIED! ... OK, now I'm done for tonight ...