Let's Play: Icewind Dale II

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Okay, another LP died through no fault of my own. My hard drive burnt out and I had to get a new one. That is why the Dwarf Fortress LP died, once more through no fault of my own. I realise that I have an absurd amount of bad luck with my equipment frying but this shouldn't happen this time.


So let's try another RPG, an RPG that nobody has ever thought of doing an LP of before except for all of the people that have done them. Since the majority of my LPs have been eastern RPGs, this time we will be attempting a Western CRPG.

Welcome to Icewind Dale II.

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So what is it?

Icewind Dale II is a CRPG developed by Black Isle and released in 2002 for the PC. Set in the Forgotten Realms universe from Dungeons and Dragons, it was the second last game developed by Black Isle before they were closed down in late 2003 although they are hardly dead and buried since they are now known as Obsidian Entertainment.

Wait, D&D? Are you some kind of nerd?

Yes. How can you be surprised anymore?

Didn't Black Isle make Baldur's Gate? Why not do one of those games?

Black Isle actually published the Baldur's Gate games. I'm not doing them because they already have pre-established characters. If you are familiar with this series then you would already know of Minsc, the ranger that relies quite heavily on his hamsters advice.



Seriously, how do I write dialogue for him? Truth is... I won't, it's way too tough to pull off without flanderizing his character.

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It looks like the Dale is in danger and the citizens of the Ten Towns are on the verge of death thanks to a horde of Goblins. So they do what any intelligent person would do and sent for reinforcements and adventurers from the south, thousands of miles away and in no danger whatsoever.

Apparently it works wonders.

Shiploads of thugs, mercenaries, and other adventuring types venture north to seek fame and wealth. Most of them, however, fall prey to said horrible little goblins, leaving only a handful of adventurers left to save the day. Guess where we come in?



THAT'S RIGHT BOYS! We're creating our own group since using a premade one is for communists.



We need 6 guys created by you guys.


Just a few queries before we can send you to your horrible doom.


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DOST THOU HAVE DANGLY PARTS?




RACES

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}

Human: The regular squishy human. One extra feat, two bonus skill points at first level, and one extra skill point per level.

Aasimar: Half-celestials. +2 to Wisdom, + 2 to Charisma, Darkvision, Sunscorch 1/day, and +5 to Acid, Cold, and Electrical Resistances. +1 Effective Character Level.

Tiefling: Half-infernals. +2 to Intelligence -2 Charisma, +2 to Bluff and Hide skill checks, +2 to Dexterity, +5 to Cold, Fire, and Electrical Resistances, and can cast Blindness 1/Day. +1 ECL.

Shield Dwarves: "Standard" Dwarves. +2 to Constitution -2 Charisma, +2 to Search, +2 to Fortitude saves against poison, +2 to saves against spells, +1 to hit vs. orcs, goblins, and bugbears, +4 to AC vs. giants, and Darkvision.

Gray Dwarves: Duergar. Horrible greedy dwarves, basically. +2 to Constitution -2 to Charisma, +2 to Search, +2 to Fortitude saves against poison, +2 to saves against spells , +1 to Hit Drow, Mind Flayers, and Driders, +4 to AC vs. giants, Darkvision, can cast Invisibility 1/Day, Immunity to Paralysis, +4 to Move Silently. -1 to hit, damage, and saving throws when outside during the day. +2 ECL.

Gold Dwarves: Other kind of Dwarves, +2 to Constitution -2 Dexterity, +2 to Search, +2 to Fortitude saves against poison, +2 to saves against spells , +1 to Hit Drow, Mind Flayers, and Driders, +4 to AC vs. giants, and Darkvision.

Elves: Certifiably fancy. +2 to Dexterity -2 Constitution, +2 to Search, Immunity to Sleep and Charm spells, starts with the Feats Martial Weapons: Large Sword and Martial Weapons: Bows, and Darkvision.

Dark Elves: Drow. I shouldn't have to explain this one. +2 to Dexterity, +2 to Intelligence, +2 to Charisma -2 Constitution, +2 to Search , Spell Resistance of 11 + character level, +2 to all Will Saves, Immunity to Sleep and Charm spells, Faerie Fire 3/Day, starts with the Feats Martial Weapons: Large Sword and Martial Weapons: Bows, and Darkvision. -2 to hit, damage, and saving throws when outside during the day. +2 ECL.

Wild Elves: If elves could be crossed with hippies, this is the result. +2 to Dexterity -2 Intelligence, +2 to Search, Immunity to Sleep and Charm spells, starts with the Feats Martial Weapons: Large Sword and Martial Weapons: Bows, and Darkvision.

Gnomes: Pointy hats and such. +2 to Constitution -2 Strength, + 1 to hit vs. kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears, +4 AC Bonus when attacked by giant sized creatures (ogres, giants), +2 to Alchemy, and Darkvision.

Deep Gnomes: Svirfneblin. Spell that on your first try. +2 to Dexterity, +2 to Wisdom, -2 to Strength, -4 to Charisma, +2 to Search, +2 to Hide (+4 when "Inside"), +2 to all saves, Spell Resistance of 11 + level, + 1 to hit vs. kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears, +2 to Alchemy, +4 Miscellaneous bonus to AC, Mirror Image 1/day, Invisibility 1/day, Blur 1/day, Nondetection, and Darkvision. +3 ECL.

Halflings: Froooo-doooo. +2 to Dexterity -2 Strength, +2 to move silently, +1 to all saving throws, +2 on saving throws vs. Fear, and a +1 to hit with Missile Weapons.

Strongheart Halflings: Industrious midgets. +2 to Dexterity -2 Strength, bonus Feat at first level, +2 to move silently, and a +1 to hit with Missile Weapons.

Ghostwise Halflings: Bloody savages. +2 to Dexterity -2 Strength, +2 to move silently, and Set Natural Snares 3/Day. Favored class: Barbarian.

Half-Elves: Name says it all. +1 to Search, Immunity to Sleep and Charm spells, and Darkvision.

Half-Orcs: 50% more choppy. +2 Strength, -2 to Intelligence and -2 to Charisma. Darkvision.

What are ya?


Classes

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
Barbarian: Fast. Tough. Crazy. Wild. Dumb. Good tanks, more HP than other classes.

Bard: Noted for occasional spooniness. Jack of all trades, master of none, can buff the party with songs, cast some spells, hold his own in combat, and have a decent selection of skills.

Cleric: Primary healers. Decent in combat as well, due to the ability to wear heavy armor. Go HERE to see the various faiths available, as they drastically change the cleric.

Druid: Shape-changing hippies. Decent healer/caster class.

Fighter: Hits things. Lots of feats. Really, quite simple.

Monk: Unarmed fighter; recommended not to multi-class as bonuses are best if focused. Weak at low levels but compensates later on.

Paladin: Holy warriors. Lots of smiting, praying, and generally being stuck-up.

Ranger: Either good at shooting or good at dual-wielding depending on your tastes.

Rogue: Tons of skills. TONS. Good at sneaking, being dodgy, opening locks, and disarming traps. Very handy to have.

Sorcerer: Like a wizard, but with a focus on being charismatic instead of smart. Gains spells slower but has an easier time learning them once the right level is reached.

Wizard: Like a sorcerer, but with a focus on being smart instead of charismatic. Gains spells faster, but memorization and acquisition can be a hassle sometimes.

Alignments

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}

Lawful Good- Truth and justice all the way. Think Superman and you have a great example of a LG character.

Neutral Good- A character that is fundamentally morally good. They don't focus on Order or Chaos and instead focus on what they consider to be the best way of doing good.

Chaotic Good- A good person that sees no harm in breaking the law in order to do good. Robin Hood is the ur example of this alignment.

Lawful Neutral- I AM THE LAW! Seriously, Judge Dread is the best example in that the law is paramount and he doesn't act as good or evil.

True Neutral-

"What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power? Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?"

A true neutral character falls under a couple of possibilities.

1. They don't care about Order & Chaos or Good vs Evil. They have their own motivations about things.
2. Preserving the order of things
3. Something so amoral that it acts as a force of nature.
4. They just don't care.

Chaotic Neutral- Incredibly unpredictable, absolutely insane or just free spirits that do what they want. A common trait used by people roleplaying a lunatic but he is far more likely yo cross a bridge then he is to jump off it.

Lawful Evil- These are a variety of evil characters who don't care if what they do is "heinous" or "horrible", but who will always follow certain rules. A villain with a code of honour or a soldier in the evil empire.

It's not the nice alignment either, just more orderly and structured then the other two.

Neutral Evil- The typical asshole. Selfish and will follow or break laws based on advancing their own interests (and their only interests are ones that benefit themselves). You only have to look at Starscream to get an example of one.

Chaotic Evil- Quite similar to a Chaotic Neutral character but with a malicious streak a mile wide.They will do whatever they want whenever they want to do it, which, seeing as they are evil, usually entails lots and lots of death and mayhem. The Joker is such a huge example that I'm not even kidding about it.

Statistics. You always start with 16 points and then can add or subtract them from already existing stats. So you can have the greatest warrior of all time who is borderline retarded and not very diplomatic.


Skills

These are the various skills. You get more skill points based on your intelligence stat which means that a mage will always get more stats then anyone else.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
1 >>> Alchemy (INT)
Identifying potions and being able to make them

2 >>> Animal Empathy (CHA)
Not worth it, terrible skill

3 >>> Bluff (CHA)
Diplomacy through Bulls***

4 >>> Concentration (CON)
Being able to cast spells while taking hits

5 >>> Diplomacy (CHA)
Diplomacy through being Diplomatic

6 >>> Disable Device/Traps (INT)
What do you think?

7 >>> Hide (DEX)
Skill at hiding

8 >>> Intimidate (CHA)
Diplomacy through threats of violence

9 >>> Knowledge (Arcana) (INT)
Being able to identify magic items

10 >>> Move Silently (DEX)
Moving quietly while being hidden

11 >>> Open Lock (DEX)

12 >>> Pick Pocket (DEX)

13 >>> Search (INT)
Can your guy spot traps?

14 >>> Spellcraft (INT)
Being able to identify a spell being cast

15 >>> Use Magic Device (CHA)
You can use magical scrolls and such without being a spellcaster

16 >>> Wilderness Lore (WIS)
Tells you what is going on with the lay of the land

Feats. There are a lot of them so just tell me if you just want me to handle what you get.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}
1 >>> Armor Proficiency (auto)
Depend on how many rank you choose/have, you can wear certain kind of
armor without suffering heavy penalties.
Effect: When you wear a type of armor with which you are proficient at,
the armor check penalty applies only to 'Hide', 'Move Silently'
and Pick Pocket.
If a character who is wearing armor with which she/he is not
proficient at, she/he suffers its armor check penalty on
attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving.


2 >>> Shield Proficiency (auto)
Effect: You can use a shield and suffer only the standard penalties.
(babarian, bard, cleric, druid, fighter, paladin, ranger)

3 >>> Weapon Proficiency, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization (auto)
You are proficient with using all the weapons from the listed
category.
Effect: One ranks in this feat, you make attack rolls with the weapon
normally.
Two ranks in this feat is Weapon Focus, which grants +1 to
hit.
Three ranks in the feat is Weapon Specialization, which grants
+2 to damage. Only characters with four or more levels of
fighter may take Weapon Specialization.
A character who uses a weapon without being proficient with it suffers a -4 penalty on attack rolls.



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IV.2 self-improving feats
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1 >>> Bullheaded (auto)
Effect: +1 bonus on Will saves and a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks.
2 >>> Courteous Magocracy (auto)
Effect: +2 on all Diplomacy and Spellcraft checks.

3 >>> Dash (auto)
Effect: Character moves about 15% faster than normal.

4 >>> Discipline (auto)
Effect: +1 bonus on Will saves and a +2 bonus on Concentration
checks.

5 >>> Forester (auto)
Effect: You receive a +2 bonus on all Wilderness Lore checks.

6 >>> Great Fortitude (auto)
Effect: +2 bonus to all Fortitude saving throws.

7 >>> Iron Will (auto)
Effect: +2 bonus to all Will saving throws.

8 >>> Improved Initiative (auto)
Effect: The weapon speed and casting time for all spells is reduced
by 1 to a minimum of 1.

9 >>> Lightning Reflexes (auto)
Effect: +2 bonus to all Reflex saving throws.

10>>> Luck of Heroes (auto)
Effect: a +1 luck bonus on all saving throws.

11>>> Mercantile Background (auto)
Effect: 5% discount on buying items and a 5% mark up on selling
items at stores.

12>>> Resist Poison (auto)
Effect: +4 bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poison.
Prerequisite: Gray dwarf, half-orc
Note: You may only take this feat as a 1st level character.

13>>> Snake Blood (auto)
Effect: +2 bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poison and a +1 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Prerequisite: Human

14>>> Strong Back (auto)
Effect: Carry weight increased by 50%.

15>>> Toughness (auto)
Effect: You gain +3 hp each time you pick this feat.

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IV.3 weapon fighting feats
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1 >>> Ambidexterity (auto)
Effect: You ignore all penalites for using an off hand.
Without this feat, a character suffers a -4 penalty to
her/his off hand attack while using two weapons.
Prerequisite: Dex 15+

2 >>> Two-Weapon Fighting (auto)
Effect: Your penalties for fighting with two weapons are reduced
by 2.

Note: The standard dual-wield penalty is -6 mainhand and -10 offhand without any feat. 'Ambidexterity' reduce 4 to both hands and
'Two Weapon Fighting' reduce 2 to both.

3 >>> Blind-Fight (auto)
Effect: In laymen language, this feat protects you and helps you
while melee fighting an invisible enemy or you are blinded.

4 >>> Cleave and Great Cleave (auto)
Effect: After you kill your target in melee, you get an addition
attack next immediate round.

5 >>> Deflect Arrows (semi auto, only applies when one hand is free)
Effect: Once per round when you would normally be hit with a ranged weapon, you may make a Reflex saving throw against a DC of 20

6 >>> Dirty Fighting (auto)
Effect: On a critical hit, the character causes Blindness (50% chance) or Slow (50% chance) for five rounds unless a Fortitude save is made.

7 >>> Dodge (auto)
Effect: +1 dodge bonus to armor class against attacks from an
opponent.

8 >>> Expertise (select)
Effect: When attacked in melee, you can take a penalty of as much as -5 on your attack and add the same number (up to +5) to your Armor Class. aka You can forsake fighting ability to buff dodging


9 >>> Power Attack (select)
Effect: Before making attack rolls for a round, you may choose to
subtract a number from all melee attack rolls and add the
same number to all melee damage rolls.

10>>> Improved Critical (auto)
Effect: The threat range of the weapon being wielded is increased
by 1. aka More likely to get criticals.

11>>> Maximized Attacks (select)
Effect: All attacks do maximum damage for 10 seconds. Usable 1/day.

12>>> Stunning Attack (semi auto, only applies in unarmed attack)
Effect: When attacking with Stunning Attack, it forces a foe damaged by your unarmed attack to make a Fortitude saving throw
(DC 10 + one-half your level + WIS modifier), in addition to
dealing damage normally. If the defender fails his saving
throw, he is stunned for 1 round.

13>>> Weapon Finesse (semi auto, only applies when using small baldes)
Effect: You may use your DEX modifier instead of your STR modifier on attack rolls while using small blades. aka you're better at fighting with short swords and daggers.

14>>> Precise Shot (select)
Effect: Reduces the to hit penalty for firing in close quarters
from -8 to -4.

15>>> Rapid Shot (select)
Effect:
You can get one extra attack per round with a ranged weapon.



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spell casting feats
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1 >>> Armored Arcana (auto)
Effect: Taking this feat reduces the chances of casting failure by
5%. This feat may be taken up to three times.

2 >>> Combat Casting (auto)
Effect: You get a +4 bonus to Concentration checks made to cast a spell while being injured.

3 >>> Spell Penetration (auto)
Effect: You get a +2 bonus to caster level checks to beat a
creature's spell resistance for each pick.

4 >>> Subvocal Casting (auto)
Effect: This feat conveys the ability to cast spells while silenced.


5 >>> Aegis of Rime (Cold)
6 >>> Aqua Mortis (Acid)
7 >>> Scion of Storms (Electical)
8 >>> Spirit of Flame (Fire) (all auto)
Effect: Permanently gives 5 [elemental] resistance and a +20% to all [elemental] damage

9 >>> Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment
10>>> Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
11>>> Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
12>>> Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus: Transmutation (all auto)
Effect: +2 to the Difficulty Class (DC) for all saving throws against
spells from this school of magic.

Your colour scheme. How fabulous do you want to look?

Also names are good.



Last of all is personality, what kind of personality do you want me to write for your character? It's much more interesting to have that then having blank slates for a personality.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

We seem to be lacking in inspiration. Perhaps our first party member will get the juices flowing.





BD: My name is Big Dave. Don't let how I look trick you, I am quite large indeed. My hobbies including kneecap breaking, face punching and making people piss themselves with fear. It helps to be crotch height for the most part.

[Yamashita Enforcement Division]

Here: with an attempt at organization.

Martin Ver Martinerson
Male Tiefling Wizard
Neutral Evil

Ability Scores:
STR: 10 (+0)
CON: 12 (+1)
DEX: 12 (+1)
INT: 18 (+4)
WIS: 18 (+4)
CHA: 6 (-2)

Skills: I’m too lazy to actually check how much 18 Int gives in whatever D&D system is being used, so the Skills of choice for Martin Ver Martinerson.

Alchemy
Knowledge (Arcana)
Disable Device/ ‘Trap’
Spellcraft
Wilderness Lore

Feats:

Spell Focus (Necromancy)
Armored Arcana
Combat Casting

Color scheme: Red on Black.

Personality:
Martin Ver Martinerson plans on taking all of Icewind Dale’s money, power, and prestige prior to taking its corpse’s free will after it lays dying. He is a bit of a dick.

[Deleted]

Snikkit Berryshire

Male Half-Orc Fighter
Lawful Neutral

Ability
Strength +2 14
Dexterity +3 13
Constitution +2 12
Intelligence +3 11
Wisdom -2 8
Charisma +8 16

Skills

Bluff
Intimidate
Diplomacy
Search
Pick Pocket

Feats
Power Attack
Dirty Fighting
Strong Back

Character/Personality:
Snikkit is a warrior who would rather be in the baking business, due to his unnatural charisma. He hopes to gain enough loot so he can set up a bakery.

[Mr. Socko's Brother]

Parwa

Malf Half-Orc Barbarian
Lawful Neutral

Ability Scores:
STR: 15
CON: 15
DEX: 13
INT: 10
WIS: 13
CHA: 8

(I don't know how many skill points 10 INT will get me, so just put them into the following, I guess)

>>> Hide (DEX)
Skill at hiding

>>> Move Silently (DEX)
Moving quietly while being hidden

>>> Search (INT)
Can your guy spot traps?

>>> Wilderness Lore (WIS)
Tells you what is going on with the lay of the land

(You just give me whatever feats you think would be appropriate, Untouchable)

Colors:

Black hair and tan skin, mostly dark blue clothing.

Personality:

Parwa grew up in an orphanage, only able to speculate on how he came into the world or how he got his name. Withdrawn as a child, he was the target of frequent taunting and bullying...at least, that is, until his orcish heritage gave him a growth spurt and he was able to start beating up the bullies. After that, they stuck to making fun of him behind his back.

Unsure of what he wanted to do with his life, Parwa left the orphanage at approximately sixteen years of age (not knowing his date of birth, nobody could be precisely sure) and immediately was offered work escorting a caravan due to his imposing size. While he had no real combat skill at first, he picked it up over the years both from the teaching of the other swellswords and from having to fight for his life during ambushes.

Parwa is normally quiet and is often reluctant to join in a conversation or make waves. If you want his opinion, you need to ask him. However, sometimes something will happen to get his ire up, and if he's angry Parwa will not hesitate to tell you exactly how he feels about something, or even become violent.

[Brainbustaaah!]

Brainbuster, son of Spinebuster

Male Human Cleric of Tempus
Chaotic Neutral

Ability
Strength 17 (+7)
Dexterity 10
Constitution 15 (+5)
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 18 (+8)
Charisma 8 (-2)

Skills
Spellcraft
Concentrate
Alchemy

Feats
Improved Initiative
Strong Back
Power Attack

Character/Personality:
Brainbuster is the son of a barbarian priest, carrying on the worship of Tempus, god of battle—

"WITH MY MIGHTY ARMS, I SHALL SMITE HIS ENEMIES!"

...yeah, he's like THAT.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'LIKE THAT'?! DO YOU WISH TO SETTLE THIS ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE?!"

Two things. One: volume DOWN. Two: how about the squared circle?

"HMM...I ACCEPT."

Bring it!

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

One more open slot left. Somebody with thief skills would be preferable of course but it's up to you guys.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

We still need one more character but here is the party so far. Tell me if I haven't written your character right or if you like my characterization.

---------------------------------------------------



: Greetings peons, it is I! The greatest mage of anything ever; Now this is simple children, my involvement is all about obtaining finances to bankroll my conquering the entire world, starting with this insignificant frozen wasteland. But that form, I couldn't even fit my entire name onto the sheet no matter how I squashed it.

Such a form is a mockery to the very name of Martin von Martinerson and the dale will not stand for such an insult. Their gold and land will both be in the hands of Martin von Martinerson soon enough, no matter how many gnomes will have to be kicked.

The others should prove somewhat capable if somewhat foolish. The talkative half-orc was easily swayed with threats of violence if I am not granted any treasure we find while the halfling only needs to be pointed in a direction to get to work.
The Cleric is very loud and shouts about "crushing squishies for Tempus" and generally being irritating. The quiet half-orc is another question as I have no idea how he will act.



my notes: I accidentally didn't catch Martins feats. He has taken Combat Casting and has one level in Armoured Arcana. He probably doesn't need his wisdom to be that high but he's as close to min/maxed as possibly although I should have maybe redistributed two strength into Dexterity.






My notes: Big Dave has pretty sweet stats. His Dexterity of 20 means that he will nearly always hit and is in turn hard to hit. He also has rock solid strength and the highest constitution out of anyone in the group.

At the moment, he is the designated scout thanks to a bonus to move silently due to being a Ghostwise Halfling. He can use plenty of weapons but is limited to chainmail and leather armour.






: IN THE NAME OF TEMPUS, I WILL SQUASH GOBLINS! WITH HIS MIGHTY BICEPS AND GREAT AXE, BATTLE WILL BE GREAT!

GWAHAHAHA!

Although floating on the boat leaves me sickened and confused, WHY CAN'T I STAND WITHOUT VOMITING?


My Notes: Physically, Brainbuster is pretty awesome with very high strength and his constitution is rock solid. A wisdom of 18 will guarantee that he will get lvl 9 spells. His only problem is his terrible Dexterity so he'll struggle to hit most things although if he does hit things then he'll reduce most things to chunks.





: I'm not sure if I made the right decision to join up with you lot, I'm just trying to make some money to open my own bakery. Just please don't let me die before I accomplish this feat. That von Martinerson fellow does irritate me though, he has laid preemptive claim to all shares of treasure and threatens me with his incredible magic if I dare disagree with him.


The halfling and the human are both a bigger threat to themselves then most other people, they seem to be lead along by the prospect of fighting rather than any form of altruism although they are not bad people at heart it seems.


My Notes: Berryshire is probably going to be at the front of the party while in town. He is the only one to have a reasonable charisma stat although he will have to be closely cared for because his other stats aren't great. He can equip heavy armour though and will be more of a back up fighter.




: .....I do not enjoy being on this boat with the others. I would much prefer to be out in the wilds fighting villains then cooped up while at sea with my new companions. Perhaps I'll find something about my origins out there in the Dale but perhaps not.

The Tiefling irritates me. He strikes me as a rude and greedy man without positive attributes. The Halfling cares little about anything except for fighting for the sake of it while the gigantic Cleric yells about fighting for his god.

Snikkit seems a decent sort and is working towards something that he wants to do once this quest is through. I wonder if that will happen for me in the end?

My Thoughts: Snikkit is certainly the second fighter in the group. He probably won't have great hp in the end but he's decent enough. His first level feat was Heroic Inspiration which gives a +1 bonus to some of his stats when his health drops below halfway.

[Mr. Socko's Brother]

Looks good to me!

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Since I'm getting sick of waiting for one last person, I've bitten the bullet and bought in one last guy.






: I'M ON A BOAT! I'M ON A BOAT! I've never actually been on a boat before but look at me, I'm on the motherf***ing boat. I am a bard of little renown but I shall be considered great by performing all over the Dale.


My traveling companions claim that the Dale is currently threatened and wouldn't care for my talents but, since I love me they will love me. It's mathematics of some kind and I can prove it with science and magic. Mr. Martin and I both use magic so we will be the best friends ever! Big Dave isn't very big and threatens to punch me if I point that out but I'm sure he's just trying to be nice.


Parwa reminds me of a hero from a story; Not knowing who his parents are and is just wandering through life trying to find meaning. I will have to compose a poem about his heroic struggle only to find that his father is an evil villain that has killed millions.

Brainbuster scares me. He's very loud and the cabin stinks of him vomiting everywhere. Perhaps he is not designed to be on a boat. Snikkit kinda bores me, he is just out to make money and doesn't seem to be in it for the fame and glory.

My Thoughts: Wallace is a jack of all trades. He can cast spells, is a reasonable thief and can fight. However, he's not as good at any of these roles as a pure class and will have to stay in the back alongside Martin.

-----------------------------------------








As we set to shore, we find that we have woefully under prepared. Martin may be happy with a stick but everyone else were far more suited to weapons that actually hurt people.

: Less talk, more fight. After so long with the bard, something needs to be hurt.

: What Big Dave meant to say was thank you for the journey and we'll be fine for now.


: I know what I said.



: PUNY MAN WILL NOT ASK QUESTIONS OF BRAINBUSTER! BRAINBUSTER IS A GREAT HERO!





: Tempus healing focus more on chopping off limbs then drinking to dull pain. BUT BRAINBUSTER WILL TRY!




: How heroic of you.... Ugh, he's gonna die anyway. Just leave him.

: BRAINBUSTER WILL USE HEALING HANDS AND STICK ON YOU!

M: That will not be necessary, you insane bastard.





: DAMN YOU LOCKED DOOR! MY WRATH WILL BE GREAT!

: Perhaps we should focus on the problem at hand. Being that we are under attack.




: FURY!

(Not caught: Big Dave causing the Goblin to explode in chunky giblets)



: Well peons. I believe that we have fulfilled our good deed quota for the week. I propose that we loot to our hearts content.




: I propose that we smash until we find what we are searching for.

Quartermaster: That is actually a good idea. The Lord will reimburse the owners. Whatever, I'm going to find somewhere to hide.



: Bastards! How am I supposed to make a profit with these worms in my path?

: Look, I'm looking to get rich also but I'm not sure I support this whole looting thing.

: I require gold and treasure to finance my conquering of the world. You are dangerously close to forsaking your share.





: HUZZAH! BRAINBUSTER CAN DO TEMPUS HEALING NOW!



: LALALALALA! Let us all do the Wardance of friendship!

: Wallace. I'm going to go look for the potion now. Please do not follow me.



: These barrels irritate me. I believe that it's smashing time!



: Axe and shield in barrel? WHERE ARE THE OH&S STANDARDS?



(Battleaxes are merely pointy lockpicks)





: We healed the wounded. I feel like a great man now.

: You threw a potion at him. I think the shards got stuck in the other soldiers eyes.

: Enough with doing good, why aren't we looting?




: Would you look at that, more goblins. I would act surprised but I feel that we have a lot more to face.

: I CAN'T CRUSH FROM HERE!




: I think the Goblins may have laid traps. We should search every nook and cranny of this filthy hovel.

: I'm helping.



We found a Dwarf surrounded by corpses. He has apparently been fighting the good fight and offered some goods to us that were in his home. His chest was apparently trapped



: DISARMING TRAPS IS FOR THE WEAK!



: Oh god, It's like a zombie rolled around in waste and then died again.

: I haven't smelt anything in years. You lot are puny little men.

We found a helmet, some studded leather armour and a crossbow. The armour went to Snikkit, the crossbow to Martin and the helmet was taken by Brainbuster before anyone could act.



We did find a potion in the bookcase. A potion of protection from evil.

: I wonder if Martin drank this, would he explode in a puff of dislogic?

: On my list, little half-orc.



We could hear cats from outside this house. As in a lot of cats. A horde of cats.



: OHMYGODKITTIESIWANTTOPETTHEMALL!



We continued a search of the docks, annihilating any goblins in our path. Wallace found himself a bow to use which meant that everyone were armed.



(Note one of the goblins. He has a green circle around his feet which means that he has been added to our party via a charm person spell. Which is silly because Goblins aren't people.)



: But we are the heroes here. The Iron Collar mercenaries are probably drinking somewhere. It's quite preferable for us to handle this.

: LOCKED DOORS ARE ENEMIES OF TEMPUS!




: Quickly meatshields! Block their arrows.

After the conclusion of a very poorly executed ambush, it seems that Big Dave has found a friend.



: Why do you have that dead cat in your bag?

: KITTY!

: Right. I'll never ask what you do ever again.



DOWN INTO THE CAVES!



: Ah how poetic! A dark and damp cave which is the source of the Goblin infestation.

: Dark and Damp? It's brightly lit and quite dry.

: But not nearly as good a story as if it were dark and damp.




: That is a lot of Goblins.

: MORE CRUSHING FOR ALL!




(Their circles are not showing up but all of the goblins except for Rukwurm (the one in the middle of the group) have panicked and ran like hell. )






We found a most interesting scroll on the lead goblin. It was burnt and had expended all of its magical charge but it could still be a clue.



Martin also found a crappy lvl 1 spell. He can learn a far better version of it as a third level spell and he shouldn't be anywhere near the front line.




: LOL! ROCKS FALL EVERYBODY DIES!

: Do not say that again.





: I know more than she does, I have no doubt. If I cannot divine the origins of the scroll then nobody shall.




Onward to the main part of Targos! And now we conclude the prologue!

-----------------------------------


This update is much longer than what will be the norm. Once more,

[Mr. Socko's Brother]

OOC: A couple of things...

If you've read R.A. Salvatore's books about Drizzt Do'Urden, this game takes place something like 50+ years before any of them. So asking whether Kemp is still the Spokesman of Targos, or what Wulfgar is up to these days, or about Akar Kessel, will just make people look at you funny.

Also, how much influence over the direction and interactions of the party are we going to have?

[Brainbustaaah!]

OOC: I didn't originally envision BB as a brainless berserker (by all rights, he should be more coherent than Big Dave), and while this stuff is amusing, I don't know if it really works properly. Still, gotta admit that BB vs. locked doors and Tempus' healing being limited to amputation were gold.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Aug 1, 2011 21:58:31 GMT -5 Mr. Socko's Brother said:

OOC: A couple of things...

Also, how much influence over the direction and interactions of the party are we going to have?

There probably won't be much influence in regards to the direction since Icewind Dale is much more of a dungeon crawl type of RPG compared to Baldur's Gate but interactions would allow me to mold the characters and what they think of one another and the general situation how the readers and such think they should act and react.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Aug 1, 2011 22:02:56 GMT -5 Brainbustaaah! said:

OOC: I didn't originally envision BB as a brainless berserker (by all rights, he should be more coherent than Big Dave), and while this stuff is amusing, I don't know if it really works properly. Still, gotta admit that BB vs. locked doors and Tempus' healing being limited to amputation were gold.

So more loud and boisterous and with a short temper than anything else?

[Brainbustaaah!]

Aug 1, 2011 22:13:47 GMT -5 El Cokehead del Knife Fight said:

Aug 1, 2011 22:02:56 GMT -5 Brainbustaaah! said:

OOC: I didn't originally envision BB as a brainless berserker (by all rights, he should be more coherent than Big Dave), and while this stuff is amusing, I don't know if it really works properly. Still, gotta admit that BB vs. locked doors and Tempus' healing being limited to amputation were gold.

So more loud and boisterous and with a short temper than anything else?

Damn right.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Sorry if the update is a bit schizophrenic, Fraps was being a real bitch when I did this update. Hell, if you want to know why I'm beating up a homeless person at the start without any reason it's because of two things; I am the dumb and he was the person who helped get the Goblins inside.

However, at the end there will be a guide to the levelling process.

Chapter 1, Part 1- Of Ghosts and Goblins





: Hobos are disliked by Tempus, Goblin summoning Hobos even more!

: Wait, are you casting a spell?

: I'm more then just healing via amputation. What, YOU THINK I CAN'T CAST SPELLS?

: No, just I.....

: BRAINBUSTER IS HELPFUL TOO!



: Wait, why are we killing the hobo?

: He was the one responsible for the Goblins getting into the docks.

: How do we know this?

: He just told us, Were you not listening at the time?

: I found a really shiny gem in my pocket.

: So why did you attack?

: I wanted to fit in.



: You have a bit of red on you.

: BRAINBUSTER ALWAYS HAS RED ON HIM! BUT...I think I need to lie down for a while, this axe stuck in my side is starting to hurt.



: I feel conflicted. I do not want to wear the rags of this filthy hobo and yet they are certainly magical.

We also found an interesting book in the shelf.



OOC: Those with an acute eye will notice that the cover of the book is actually the first Icewind Dale. It doesn't really talk much about the events of the story beyond some statements in regards to the Year of the Cold Soul but it's just kinda cool to notice.






: And what is this about something behind the fireplace?



: Who's Old Lord Skull?

Kohlum: These two men fell to this goblins axe. I am attempting to converse with the spirit of this goblin to discover the plans of his leaders.

: But who is he?




Martin: But I kill for profit and sometimes for the hell of it. I'll be damned if I let some mad priest tell me that I'm doing the work of a god.




: Ah, the tale of a women that killed herself through grief. A tale that I, having a poetic edge, would gladly tell. Let us seek out this woman and hear this tale.

: That was surprisingly eloquent of you.

: I can enunciate if I want to. It's Cor... corre... IT'S GOOD MANNERS MAN.



: Oooooooh. This is going to be very nice.

: What did you find?

: You'll see soon.

(The Flaming Oil is essentially a one time usage of the third level Arcane spell Fireball. As you can't cast third level spells naturally until the caster is lvl 5, it is a handy crowd control item)






: This is sounding stupid.

: I think that It's a chance at a great story as we lay the spirit of a women to rest.

: THIS IS GETTING STUPID!




: Another locked door. FEEL MY WRATH!



: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!




: DAMN YOU DOOR! DAMN YOU BIG DAVE! YOU ARE IN LEAGUE WITH ONE ANOTHER!



: That's all? A bloody dagger?

: It's a +1 dagger!

: It's merely a decent dagger, and won't even cover the price of Brainbusters therapy sessions.

(Masterwork weapons are essentially +1 weapons in every way except for being able to hit enemies immune to normal weapons.

r: DOOR! YOU HAVE MADE A POWERFUL ENEMY!




: I think that I'll handle this Wallace. It might be best if someone approachable talk with the ghost. Now then. Who are you and why are you here?

Ghost: Woooooooooooooooh~!

: Right.

Ghost: Woooooooooooooooh~!

: I don't exactly-

Ghost: Woooooooooooooooh~!

: Her husband went missing at sea and she took her life in grief. It's not that difficult to understand.

: Fine, you handle this. I really don't have the patience for this.

: TO THE TAVERN!



Fat Man: I found scraps of the ship run aground. I actually have the figurehead of the boat hidden somewhere., named after his wife Vieara.

Martin: And you aren't getting this for us, why?





: Really, I should have taken this quest from the start.

: Are you not worried about his chimera she speaks of?

: What's a Chimera?

: Ah... nevermind, I think you will not even be listening.




: I have often heard that doing good is its own reward. I am not fond of such a sentiment.



: The best part was when I got paid. 250 gold is certainly not worth this experience.

: I think that it was really nice of us to do this.

: You would wouldn't you?



As we moved on, we found a retailer
that provided armour and weapons. As you would expect, everything even remotely reasonable is outside of our price range but at least Snikkit now has some decent armour.

However we found something incredible.



: Ah, it seems my reputation precedes me. If I had the funds then I would purchase this blade.

: YOUR ARMS AS WEAK AND PUNY. THEY WOULD FALL OFF IF YOU USED IT!

: So? It's the same size as your entire body. We will purchase it once I have the funds.

As we have pledged our service to Lord Ulbrek, it is time for us to see about getting paid.





: A fetch quest. How lovely.

: I hope that we at least get rewarded afterwards. If I didn't shazedown that fat bastard at the inn then we wouldn't have gotten paid.

: All of my hate.

--------------------------------------
****DING LEVEL UP*********
--------------------------------------

Everyone in the party except for Martin has earned enough XP to reach second level. Martin requires more XP then the others to go up a level because being a Tiefling causes him to get +1 to his effective level.

Or in more plain terms, here is an example.

Everyone else needed about 1000 XP to reach the second level. Martin needs 3000 for him to level up. However, Martin also started with about 1500 XP to begin with so he's only 1 XP from going up a level.





When you level up, you can take levels in another class if you fit the requirements to become that class. Snikkit is a Lawful Neutral character so he can't become a Bard of Barbarian due to being any sort of Lawful character while he can't become a Paladin because he has to be Lawful Good.



You then get to assign skill points. Both of his skill points went into Bluff and I am serious when I said both of them.



If you get a point to put into feats then you can do that on the following page. I took Dirty Fighting since that is what Inspector Shetty wanted to take at first level.

And that is how you do it.

Also,



Every spellcasting class except for Mages can take spells when levelling up. Clerics and Druids actually get every spell when they hit a new spell casting level (so lvl 3 for 2nd level, 5 for 3rd and so on) while Bards and Sorcerors have to pick their spells and have a much more limited number of spells that they can cast then Mages.

Martin will have to learn spells by memorising scrolls instead. Also, as you can see Martin has taken Sleep and Color Spray as spells. Both of them are crowd control ones; Sleep can take out fair sized groups at once while Color Spray can inflict any number of status effects on anyone in its radius.




: I will be forever remembered as the hobo killer it seems.