Another progress report due I think:
I managed to infiltrate the temple using the disguises so conveniently left behind by those initiates who turn on you just to the northwest of the entrance.
What followed was a very slow, arduous clue gathering exercise, as my party fell victim traps galore and the sensation that things could go very sour very quickly in here. We talked to the chef, the half-breed from Dragon Eye, a few Yuan-Ti priests and fighters, trying to understand just what was going on down here.
The events took a turn for the worst when my inquisitive rogue disarmed a fire pit trap and followed a passage leading to Ashra and his viper assassin cronies. A few silly dialogue options later (I want to join you and the how absurd response) and an inevitable combat began.
What followed was an endless stream of reloads as I took alot of time to figure out how to wipe the entire population of these two factions out. My tactic when I succeeded was to walk all the way into the two factions room and around to the east, buff up, summon a couple of creatures to put into the room entrance, then put armour back on!
Cloudkill and web in the entrance helped as well.
Definitely one of the hardest fights in the game so far, although I do wonder if I've made the right decision in being so quick to want to wipe them out. When the battle was done, I simply went slowly again through the temple and picked the rest of the Yuan-Ti off until I got the message that their stronghold was over and that Kuldahar was saved.
Is there another strategic moment that I missed?
I noticed that the screen goes black ocassionally and a 'ritual' is mentioned, but I never did get to witness what it was all about...