Six of Spades' (very useful) website has the following note under "Chapter 13":

"There are some quests that, for certain classes of characters, will cause the map to change. I mention this because you could potentially lose items: If you store equipment in an area, and then the area changes, you can't get back to it—you stashed your stuff in the old area file, but the game will only send you to the new area file. For this reason; If your PC is a Fighter, Barbarian, or Monk, don't store your gear in the de'Arnise Keep—the whole map area. Rangers shouldn't stow equipment in the Ranger's Cabin in the Umar Hills, Bards should avoid the basement of the Five Flagons, Thieves shouldn't leave stuff in Mae'Var's Guildhouse, and Mages / Sorcerers shouldn't store important items in the Planar Sphere. Of course, all of these places become safe to use for storage again, after the map changes (or, if you complete the quest incorrectly, it won't ever change, and again is safe)."

I'm confused. I played through with a ranger, completed all of the stronghold quests correctly, didn't lose my stronghold for "helping" the kids, but the map didn't change. What am I missing?

requested spoilers (highlight to read)

**<font color=#44341D>The interior of the ranger cabin changes upon completion of the Umar Hills quest. Before you set off for the Temple Ruins, there's a note, diary, and dead body in the cabin. After you've killed the Shade Lord and talked with the mayor, the stuff inside the cabin changes. That's because a different map area kicked in now that the ranger cabin is your stronghold, and not just another quest area. Hope you didn't leave anything you wanted to keep in containers in the pre-quest ranger cabin, because you can no longer get them back now that the map area has changed.</font>**

[ 10-02-2003, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Pirengle ]

Of course (slaps self of forehead - hard)! Now I get it. I thought he meant that something would change at some point after I've gained the stronghold, rather than because I've gained it. Thanks a lot.

I understand, because it's a bit misleading. I don't think there are any stronghold quests you can do incorrectly. Sure, there are ways you CAN'T get a stronghold (fallen paladin/ranger, screw things up with Shadowkeeper, forget to have a certain NPC in your party for one, etc.), but unless you don't finish the stronghold quest, there's no way to render one totally FUBAR.

Again, SPOILER


Other than being too helpful to certain adventure-seeking youngsters in Umar Hills. Luckily, I only gave them one of the the two things they wanted.

Thanks again.

IIRC it's possible to screw up the Figher Stronghold to the point where you lose it.