[Cerek]

Originally posted by Luvian: Maybe, but then you couldn't go to spellhold until after you did the Jaheira storyline, if you even do it. Why not just introduce a new group. A completely new faction? There are other groups or even individuals that could help. Maybe a cabal of chaotic good mages that want to overthrow the Cowled Wizards? They could have you help their cause a while before they send you on your way. And why should they come to you? Why not look for them? I hated that the thieves approached you right at the beginning. Here you are, in a unknown country, your friend just got kidnaped, and the solution just appear like that by itself. We should have had to ask around for help, be on our own for a while...

If you are going to create a new group, I liked SixOfSpades idea about a group of Wizard Slayers. They would definitely want to see the Cowled Wizards removed from power - so they have the motivation. As for quests, the game already provides two quests that everyone goes on without any real justification - The Guarded Compound and the Twisted Rune. The PC never actually receives ANY directions or instructions to explore or investigate either of these places in the current game. And the large amount of magic in both settings would be reason enough for the Wizard Slayers to send our adventuring group into those buildings.

Another condition required by the Wizard Slayers would be that the PC must refuse to pay the "fee" required by the Cowled Wizards and they must cast magic outside in order to draw the C.W.'s to them. This will prove the PC's true desire to go against the Cowled Wizards, it will test their mettle in battle, and it will eliminate a fair number of wizards in the process - all of which would be seen as positive outcomes by the Wizard Slayers.

As for the HQ, the Bridge District seems like the most likely place and I believe there are a couple of houses there that currently have no residents assigned to them. The Docks District would be another option. Or perhaps the leader of the Wizard Slayers is actually a noble. He/She could have an estate in the Government District which would allow their group close access to monitor the actions of the Cowled Wizards.