does throne of bhaal pick up the story where it left of in SoA ? And if it does, do the characters have all the xp you gained in SoA ? if this is some kind of sequel i know i'll be running to the store like a madman first thing in the morning

<font color=Orange>It's the expansion pack for SoA so yes yes yesyesyesyeys!!!!!!!</font>

<font color="gold">This post really belongs in the ToB-forum, but whatever.

Anyway, yes, ToB continues at where SoA ends. If you have both games installed, after defeating Irenicus, you will be directly transferred to the first ToB-area. ;) </font>

thanks, that's all i needed to know

Note, it also makes a few balance improvements to SoA, and adds an area--Watcher's Keep--that you can enter in SoA, or ToB. It's a GOOOOOD place to go, because you can immediately find or purchase containers for both arrows/bolts and potions that act similar to the gem and scroll bags you've already got. Since you can't return to SoA's main stomping grounds once you've finished that portion of the joint product, those two items help you carry across a lot more of the stuff you've accumulated.