[Moon-Child_Lman]

U shouldn't use the portal, if u want the game to be longer and more fun, SPOILER
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Talk to Saemon Haverian, do what he asks u to do and then go with him on his ship, u will end up somewhere cool, and u`ll get to the Underdark also later in the game.
U could use Yoshimo 'till Spellhold and then use Imoen(u really need a thief), she's a pretty good mage, better than Aerie IMHO, and with her thief skills u don't need anything better.(also she's your sister, don't dump her, [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] )