Hello veteran adventurers,

I have a few more questions if you'll humor me:

1) What on earth was that huge sidetrack I went on with Fish People and some insane King of the Fish People? If going to Underdark was inevitable, what was the point of that mess? It got pretty old hacking up tuna -- I could feed a small country after that ordeal.

2) You guys talk of Trademeet? Where is it? What is it?

3) I learned the hard way that I can't avoid Underdark. Meaning that once I go after Imoen I have to do Underdark, right? I'm kind of silly in that I want to go to an inn, restock, sell stuff and get some closure between that fun dungeon and Underdark, which is really scary to me for some reason. <--- I just started it.

4) Someone mentioned a patch with new traders and shopkeeps? Anyone have a link for it?

Well let's see
1.The point was getting more xps and items for your characters for example the cloack of mirroring.
2.A small city.Try going to the city gates when you return to Athkatla.There will be a man who will ask for your help and mark Trademeet on your map
3.the underdark is kinda tough but rewarding.Don't worry about selling or resting there are inns even in the underdark :D
4.One new merchant is available at the adventurer's mart (comes with the bonus cd) and another at the copper coronet(comes with preorder edition).You can download Deirde (adv) with the ToB patch

You mean Saughin city....it isnt so much a sidetrack as it is the scenic route to the underdark. Loads of EXP available (especially for poor imoen) and some good items (Wave blade ne1?)

SPOILER AHOY!!!!
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Trademeet is a town to the East of Athkatla, you can access it on your world map by talking to Flydian at the City Gates.
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Once you rescue imoen, you can return to Brynlaw to restock and rest-up. Once you board the ship, however, you are in for a long quest!
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TeamBG.com, you'll find the patch there

I agree, though, Sauguin City was remarkably underpowered. Aside from one or two serious encounters that could only hurt if you're not prepared, the place was a light stroll. I think the race should have received +2 to hit on missile strikes, and +2 for damage, along with a few well-placed clerics for bless spells.