I usually visit it a bit later in the game when my party is strong enough.

Since now I'm playing with Edwin I decided to go there soon as possible to do his quest.

My party is level 1-3.

I went through the xvart caves at the bottom, managed to go through the base of the stronghold...
But soon as I reached the upper stronghold a throng of gnolls attacks. Gaaah so much of them.
Well I though my only chance is taking them one at a time. So I stand and draw a couple at a time and (with difficulty) kill them.
After spending LOTS of time doing this I decide to see how many are left. I send one party member forward and... ARRRGGGHHH!!! its like I havent killed anybody. They are all still there. They respawn really fast.

Well its impossible to finish the stronghold in the state I'm in. Especially since all my ammo is gone... lol
Looks like I have to reload and go there being a little bit more experienced (and take FULL ammo. Literally fill all inventory with ammo. it costs 1GP after all).

So my questions:
1. How long will Edwin wait for me to do his quest. (concrete figures would be appreciated.) I dont want him to leave.
2. Any general GS advice for a weak party?

My party:
_Viconia level3.
_Kagain level 1 soon to turn 2
_Montaron. Fighter 1 thief 2 (soon to turn 2/2)
_Xzar level2
_Edwin level2
_Me level 3 thief (to be dualled to cleric at level 4).

<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#00FF00">At lower levels it is possible but it is a really good idea to stack up on lots of healing potions, and ammo because as soon as you rest they will return. If you can avoid melee as much as possible your potions will last longer. Viconia should have as many healing spells memorized as possible. Try not to get sidetracked and go right to the source of the quest, without dragging to many gnolls off at the sides into the fray. I don't remember of Edwin as a time limit to his quest.</font>

[ 12-09-2004, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

I think you should stay the main thief of the party. By about L5 you will pretty much be able to handle any traps/locks that come along, AND you will have very good backstab. If you and Montaron both "hide in shadows", and sneak up on a victim,, that person should be toast.

I ony want my thief to open locks so as to have Monty for traps and backstabbing...

I thought og giving her more levels before dualling. Problem is geting XP is slow in BG (and I dont want to use any cheesy rest-in-caves-get-interrupted-by-golems techniques). If I wait till level 5 or higher to level up that will mean lots of playing as cleric without my thief skills before getting high enough to regain them. And I dont want to remain a pure thief. 2 thieves in a party is too much. Two clerics are more useful IMHO. Granted though those backstabs can come in handy.

Anyway I reloaded and did the High hedge area, the temple of beregost area (those vampiric wolves gave some decent XP) and am doing the south of Beregost area. Kagain got an additional * in axes. The thief got dualed (more healing spells now) and I have enough GP to buy that axe +1 (no more breaking weapons). So am going to gnoll stronghold now and hopefully will be capable of defeating those gnolls (with lots of ammo this time).
Edwin hadnt complained till now (and yes his quest is timed just like all NPC quests)

Thanks pritchke and ElfBane.
ZFR

ZFR, I once played Thief dualled to Cleric (in IWD) and really liked the idea. Having thief skills combined with Sanctuary is very useful, but I specialised in traps rather than locks. It's a pity the weapon choice is limited, otherwise this would be one of the best class combinations ever. By the way, I like your evil party - Kegain is one of my all time favourites.