what is the story with Seniyad?

[Lemernis]

Spoilers below:

I'm still trying to figure out how I want to roleplay the Aldeth Sashenstar/Seniyad encounter with my druid and NG bard. My druid worships Sylvanus and his ethos is genuinely TN, i.e., closer to a Zen Buddhist than a tree huggin' environmental wacko like a Shadow Druid. My bard is basically very good. She hasn't even pickpocketed anyone yet.

If you side with Seniyad, and kill Aldeth, afterward Seniyad warns you to beware the Shadow Druids, stating that they are a splinter group from the "true Order." He implies the Shadow Druids are not to be trusted, up to no good, etc. The Shadow Druids oppose the Iron Throne (who are clearly bad guys). Seniyad also steers you toward the Iron Throne camp, and it almost seems as if he thinks your party could be allied with the Iron Throne.

So on the face of it you would think Seniyad is probably a bad guy. By the same token Aldeth would appear to be a good guy who you later find is pointing you in the direction of ferreting out the Iron Throne dopplegangers.

Yet I cast Know Alignment on Seniyad and his 3 druids, thinking that they might be dopplegangers and would show up as evil. Interestingly, Seniyad came up Neutral and his three companions are Good. Druids are supposed to be TN, so this is rather confusing.

Aldeth has magic resistance, so in-game you aren't supposed to his alignment. He is however a Lawful Neutral fighter.

I usually help Aldeth but this time I'm thinking I will side with Seniyad. It would be consistent for a druid. Also, that way I get his bastard sword vs. shapeshifters and later on the heavy crossbow of accuracy from his cousin Dabron.

Anyway, does anyone have the lowdown on just who Aldeth and Seniyad are? Is Aldeth allied with any particular organization? What druidic order does Seniyad belong to?

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Lemernis ]

[Scholarcs]

As far as I can see, this encounter is one of the ones that the guys making the game, did not get quite right. They probably left it as open ended as it is so that YOU can choose how to do it, and that you do not have to be forced into doing what is "good" or what is "evil", depending on your alignment.

Perhaps it would be good for the game if all non-plot encounters were like this, where you are free to choose what you do, and doing either has no effect on your character, and either choice can be done by any alignment.

[Dreamer128]

There is no good or evil here. But since you are a druid, side with your fellow tree huggers

[Tancred]

According to some of the fluff that the Shadow Druids in the Cloakwood come out with - usually before my swords hack into their unprotected skulls - Seniyad is a nice archdruid who believes humans can live in harmony with nature. He is, in fact, the leader of the same order that Jahiera belongs to. Seems odd she didn't pipe up when we pulped Senny.

[Lemernis]

So Seniyad is a Harper? If so I would guess that Aldeth working for the Zhentarim. I seem to recall there is some mention of the Zhents in all of the intruigue going on in BG1...

[Scholarcs]

Lemernis, remember the Iron Throne was trying to blame its initial bandit attacks on the Zhentarim.

[Lemernis]

Ahh right, now I remember. Hmm, that leads me to believe all the more that Aldeth is working for the Zhents since a) the Zhentarim and the Harpers are enemies--as Seniyad and Aldeth clearly are, and b) if a Zhent Aldeth is quite possibly investigating this business of the Iron Throne trying to cast blame on the Zhentarim.

[Scholarcs]

Yep that sounds about right Lemernis. You dont need a reason for why Seniyad is there, if he is a Harper, they are always medling!

[Katherine]

My understanding of that scenario is that Aldeth et al were hunting and the druids took offense and they had some sort of altercation where one of each side was killed. Aldeth said they murdered his friend, the druids said that the friend had killed a friend of theirs first.

My take on that scene has always been that a group of rich dilettantes were out hunting and came across some druids. The rich guys were arrogant about their right to hunt and the druids were self-righteous prudes about Aldeth et al being there and the situation got out of control. The fact that, even if you try to come up with a peaceful solution, the druids go ahead and attack you says something about their arrogance and myopia.

I dount that Aldeth is aligned with the Zhentarim just because he's in a scrap with people who are of the same order of druids as Jah. Also, just because jah is a Harper and Jah and Seniyad are the same brand of druid, doesn't neccessarily lead to the conclusion that all druids of that order are also Harpers. That's a logical fallacy. Unless, there's more compelling information, I'd not assume the Harperness of the druids.

As for both characters steering you to Iron Throne targets, it seems to me that it's just a contrivance to keep the game going in the plotted direction.

Anyway, that's what I've always thought about that encounter. I could be completely wrong, though...

Katherine

[Lemernis]

I think Aldeth is more than just a rich guy out hunting, as his reappearance later makes you wonder if he is more deeply involved in some of the intruigues going on in the Sword Coast.

But you are perfectly right about Seniyad and Jaheira belonging to the same druidic order does not mean that Seniyad is a Harper, as Jaheira is. That was a mistake on my part. It would certainly not be surprised, though, if Seniyad's order is allied in some way with the Harpers.

This is all just having some fun speculating, obviously. It may be just as you suggest.