I wanted to go to Gnoll Stronghold. In order to take Edwin I had to remove a party member, and I removed Viconia. I didn't leave her naked, she had some magic stuff and a plate mail. From the looks of it she will be waiting for me. I do want to take her back in the group later on.

But: since NPC's gain experience and even items (like armor) when they stand waiting for you, I was wondering: will Viconia gain experience now, after I left her? Will she gain armor herself (there is no need for that; she already has got plate mail; so I don't want her to end up with let's say a splint mail).

Semi-spoiler

Party memeber join at the about the same xp amount as the main charator so if you left a lvl 1 NPC then picked them up when your at lvl 3 that NPC would have the same xp as you so if u where a mage and they where a theif they would have the same xp but be at a higher lvl thats just a genral rule mybe some other ppl will be clear also I don't know about items changes to a left NPC sorry.

So what you are saying is that since I abandoned Imowen in the Freindly arm early in the game(I myself an a halfling fighter/theif and couldn't see having two thieves in the party) now that I am like a 7/7 fighter theif I can go back, pick her up and she will have all of that experience as a straght theif?

in theroy Imoen will have the same xp as you. I have found this to be true when I have left a character and then gone back to pick them up. I too am not sure about the items. I don't think they upgrade themselfs.

The NPCs will only adjust to your level the FIRST time you enter their map area:

Suppose, on your first trip through Beregost, you go into Kagain's house, recruit him, see that he's Level 2, take his nifty helmet, drop him, and leave. Much later in the game, when your party is all Level 5-6, you go back to Kagain--he's still Level 2.

But, if you never entered Kagain's house/store, you can go in there with a Level 5-6 party, and Kagain will be Level 5-6.

Thank you for correcting me sixofspades. I guess I was mistaken

Well, my word isn't exactly gospel--I've been found to be wrong about something about once every 2 months. [img]smile.gif[/img] Playtest it & see for yourself!

"Wrong" is such a strong word Six'. I prefer to think of it as mildly incorrect. :D

For this question though, I believe you're right.

That is correct, but there is something that apparently nobody knows: NPCs don't *adjust* to your level. There are four Kagains, and the game creates corresponding one, depending on your level.

Four Kagains:
Level: 1, Exp.: 115, Items: Studded leather
Level: 2, Exp.: 2019, Items: Studded leather, 10 throwing axes
Level: 4, Exp.: 8232, Items: Chain mail, 10 throwing axes
Level: 6, Exp.: 33839, Items: Splint mail, 10 throwing axes
Apart from that, he wields battle axe, helmet and medium shield.

So, if you're 4th level fighter and have 8000 exp., Kagain you'll find will be 2nd level. If you get 232 more XPs, 4th level one would be created, but NOT if you have already talked to him.

You've been looking at the .CRE files haven't you (least I think that's where they're stored)? Seriously though, that's how its supposed to work as its easier to build-in the finite state parameters. Fall into one category, and you get number 1; fall into another and you get number 2 etc.

You still can't talk to them first however, but it really depends if you know who you want and where they are. Besides, getting them on board early allows you to tailor an NPC somewhat. Part of the fun of BG is messing around with the NPCs.

[ 09-11-2002, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Lord Brass ]

Probably, but I use Infinity Explorer. Easier.

Oddly enough so do I, but that's partly 'cause I couldn't d/l NI when I tried. Might go back later tonight and have a go.

When I sit down and read these posts and try to respond intelligently it becomes aware to me not only just how much that I do not know about this game but how much that I never even thought existed for the regular gamer.

If it makes you feel any better, I've only justed started messing with the IE. So, turn up and have a go. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Actually, I did know that (Link in my sig, 2nd-to-last paragraph of Appendix 1), but didn't want to get down into the technical nitty-gritty. But I'm glad someone did! ;) And personally, I don't care what Kagain's items are, as long as he has that nifty-lookin' Helmet. :D

You sir, are a prince amongst men, with the heart of a warrior-poet (in the classical sense of course). That helmet of Kagain's has been on your "to get" list ever since I've known ya! Aesthetics are soooo...pleasing. [img]smile.gif[/img]

lol.....my kleptomaniac desire to steal some short guy's headgear makes me a prince among men?

(I just like to get it early as a substitute for the Helm of Glory--dress the guy in white, then add the Plate+3 and the Large Shield+2.....very chic. :D )