Complete Solo Mage Journey (brief and simple)

[Rockstar]

DISCLAIMER: this is my complete BGII journey with a character i solo'd BG with under the thread 'solo mage'. This is a very quick, brief, easy to read account of a solo mage. Please read and enjoy! thanks [img]smile.gif[/img] You may want to read my account of the first game to see how i got from level 1 to here!

Baldur’s Gate 2 journey

Complete solo mage journey

TOB installed: not yet (a friend has my copy so I’ll have to do without the tab-search)

Rules: Core AD&D

Conventions:
-Solo play: no NPC’s ever enter my party.
-Because I am a Necromancer, the spells I use will be strongly focused in the field of necromancy to take at least somewhat of a RolePlaying approach to my game. I will try to include at least one necromancy spell in each level, if not more.
-not using any cheesy items like the cloak of reflection, please tell me of any other notoriously cheesy items that I should not use that could discredit my play.
-Most of all: I am engaging every single fight. I am only using area of effect spells on enemies in my sight and not using them against shrouded enemies before they see me (ie, using fireball or cloudkill before they see you… this is the single biggest cheating tactic there is and I’m not going to use it at all). I may, however, inch out against groups of enemies to take them on one by one where possible but this is not cheating as they have a chance to fight.
-No abusing the staff of the magi's invisibility ability
-No using cheats or game editors!


CHAPTER 1
Dungeon: Woke up and said bye to imoen straight away. I used my trusty sling and spells to take down enemies with basic hit and run tactics. I occasionally also used my quarterstaff to take down single goblins and spells to take down hordes of them. Only real threats were the golums (who I had initiative over and took down with magic before they could do a lot) and the Oyltger who I killed from a distance. The traps hurt when I had to step on them and I made good use of my ‘good’ bhaal spawn abilities, but nothing else was overly difficult. Up to the second floor where I told yoshimo to find his own way out. Used summonings to take the hits while I took out those ‘memphit machines’. I killed that vampire that was attacking those thieves and fought my way to the exit.

CHAPTER 2
Prominade: Bought all the spells I knew I’d need (and want  ) as well as a few potions. I then went to fight the party inside the north tavern.. this was hard… . It took me a few shots to beat all these guys but I won in the end, the main problem was having enough to throw at the dwarf and the fighter to kill them both but it worked out in the end lol. I knew I’d that all of that Gnomes illusions would cause a great deal of grief at this stage so I gave the circus a miss and just headed to the slums.

strategies: Since the start of the game, a strategy I have employed is every time I awake from my rest I boost my character and cast: spirit armour, stoneskin, melf’s minute meteors. Skull trap plays a big part in my combat play. I’m also summoning undead with animate dead then cast haste on my skeletal companions and myself. I use horror on hoards of enemies and also use spell sequencer to combine 2 melf’s acid arrows in it to make a potent poison dart against stronger enemies… and who could forget: magic missles all the way

Slums: Met Gaelyn Bayl and must now raise $15,000… fun… After hearing a lot about the troubles in Athkatla I decided to delve deeper into the copper cronet and release heindek and the slaves and then entered the sewer under the tavern and solved the puzzle in there to get that talking sword who I didn’t speak to long before pawning him off . I now have my $15,000, and after speaking to her messenger, decided to go visit Bodhi soon…

City Gates: Left town on purpose so I would find the wounded man and bring him back to the harpers. Time to visit bodhi!

Graveyard: Paired a lonely paladin up with an orphaned child then met up with Bodhi and made a deal to serve her in return for a means to get imoen back…

[ 03-02-2006, 04:21 AM: Message edited by: Rockstar ]

[Rockstar]

CHAPTER 3:

Bodhi gave me 3 missions:

Mission 1: I went to the docks to steal a box for Bodhi. Because it was out in the open I knew this would be annoying because it would mean using no magic to beat them. So behind closed doors I used my usual 3 spell boost and hasted myself. I inched out and used melf’s meteors to take the first few down before retreating back to quickly recast more meteors, then continuing my onslaught with my quarterstaff and mainly my sling. I returned the box to bodhi then rested.

Mission 2: I was to storm the thief guild and free a hostage. Firstly I quickly found out what happened to monteron, which meant infiltrating the harpers’ building. No troubles here and from Xzar I got a Quarterstaff with a spear head +2 a great boost to my melee abilities…

Now to storm the guildhall: I made good use of horror, skull trap and my summonings. Fought my way through the guards by throwing lots of spells and meteors in all directions and freed the hostage … this one was actually easier than I originally thought it would be

Mission 3: Kill aaron lynvail. Not that I’m afraid of taking on this quest - but I’m getting close to leaving athkatla so I think I’ll let bodhi wait while I go and get some equipment that I’ll be needing… this quest can wait…

By now I had the “sling +2”which I bought from the Copper Coronet. My ambitions now are to get the robe of the good arch magi, the boots of speed and my stronghold quests (mainly because of the items I will get from them…ie the ring or wizardry and the staff of power…). Another goal is the ring of gax but I think I’m a while of getting that…


Ok now to go get me the boots of speed. I think that they will be an invaluable tool and very helpful in keeping my distance from enemies. Even though I do attack with my spear/staff quite a lot (it works quite well on non-fighters because of my high strength) it is nice to be able to cower freely when my hitpoints get low lol

Bridge: Visited the playhouse and agreed to free the bard/actor from his captor in the temple district sewers.

Temple: Entered the sewers and inched my way out towards the party waiting for me. Used horror and skull trap on them after casting a stinking cloud and rendering many of them unconscious my skeletons went in for the kill but passed out for the first half of the battle. Only the dwarven leader proved a problem but using a pre-sequenced spell of double melf’s acid arrow and some magic missles ensured…

Necromancer’s lair: wow, a showdown with another necromancer. This was largely disappointing (yeah, I know I boosted myself before the battle but hey). I was boosted with spirit armour, stoneskin and spell deflection. I sent my summonings straight on him and cast pierce magic. He had sanctioned so I could not use magic so I grabbed my spear and joined the assault with my skeletons, a few solid hits and he was retreating… a final critical hit from my spear staff put him in his place. I freed heirdalis and agreed to get the gem. I got the gem and headed back to the playhouse.

Bridge: Used the gem and bounty hunters got the actors.

Planar Prison: This area opens with me in the middle of a hostile party and this fight was the hardest yet. Had to reload a few times here, because of the mage’s stun spell which was always the problem, so the obvious solution: take him down first. I had melf’s meteors at the ready and the second the screen booted up I cast horror then immediately started hammering at the mage with my meteors, quickly killing him first (before he cast stun on me and made me a sitting duck). The horror only knocked down a swordsman and an archer. I used the rest of my meteors on the other archer before running up to him and attacking him with my spear staff and some magic missles (to stop him from using the arrows). I killed him, sent my double acid arrow at the leader and cast skull trap to nearly kill everybody. One more skull trap and they were all dead except a pesky thief who avoided the skull trap and I cast magic missles on him then drove my spear deep into him. Battle over and the boots of speed were mine!

I avoided those floor trap teleporters and proceeded to kill the master of thralls… an even harder fight now which used many of my spells but 2 skull traps on the same place gave me a huge head start on him. He killed 3 of my skeletons nearly straight away but the others stood and started to pummel at him. Threw some more magic missles at him and he fell… this took some reloading because of his ‘true gaze’ ability… from the body of the female thrall I got the gauntlets of weapon specialization  I then freed the slaves, killed the master and then freed the actors… home we go!

Ok, going good so far. The gauntlets of weapon specialization, the spear-staff +2, sling +2, the boots of speed, the cloak of the sewer +1 and a ring of protection +1. I now also realised that I missed the amulet of metaspell influence :’( … crap! It’s too bad as well because I have no way to get it now and I am not going to use cheats or game editors to get it… gonna have to go without it. Lucky I can easily survive without it…


Ok I got tired of carrying useless junk that form items my character cannot use anyway. I sold the pommel jewel and the wave shaft. Now time to go out in the real world and get some items and get rid of these damn acorns! But first a trip to the government district…

Government: Talked to Togelras about hunting down Valygar Corella… I think I’m going to have to kill him and bring his body to the sphere because my own rule state nobody ever enters my party… I need to get in there to access my stronghold which means unless he will go there without joining me, I’m going to have to do a terrible deed and kill him… it will be worth the rep drop but it’s just outta character…

Docks: Valygar’s tax notice in his home says he’s in the Umar Hills

Windspear Hills: I killed the disguised paladins and then ran like a headless chook to find the dryads to return their acorns and then left… I really can’t be bothered with this place at this point in time … maybe later so I can face firkraag…

Trademeet: Finally, time to get those robes I’ve been after. But the storekeepers wont sell to me so firstly I have to get rid of those Genies. The genies wanted me to do a task for them but it sounded too complex so I just slaughtered them lol. They seemed pretty evil and weren’t very nice any way so I saw little harm…
I went back to the blacksmith but he was still concerned about the animal troubles! back to the mayors office! lol ok so i need to sort some druids out. Cernd informed and offered to join me but I told him to meet me there.

Druid Grove: Some pesky trolls here but I fought my way to the top where Cernd again offered to join me and I told him “no” and to go in and we’d watch. He shapeshifted and absolutely trashed the other leader… we parted ways hoping never to return…

Trademeet: Bought my Robes of the Good Arch Magi!! Yes. Including my ring and cloak my AC is now -1 and with spirit armour drops to -5… now I’m starting to feel intimidating .

Umar Hills: found valygar but ended up killing him… reputation will be made up later


Planar Sphere: Valygar’s body disintegrated at the entrance of my ‘soon to be’ stronghold. Nothing special here but some angry annoying hobbits… they died tho…


Battle with Larvok: Finally! a great mage to test my abilities on. Ok I prepared myself before the battle with stoneskin, spell deflection, summoned skeleton and a sequencer with x2 melf’s arrows. I opened the fight by getting my x2 arrow into larvok. Larvok’s first spell was disrupted by acid damage. I used remove magic and breach on him making him vunerable to my skeleton. Larvok then cast mantle and destroyed my skeleton with magic missles and a chain lightning. I cast piece magic then used 3 more lots of magic missles to defeat him.

Battle with Togelrus: This one was harder. I cast breach on his stone skin so my skeletons started laying into him immediately and I launched some meteors at him. He quickly fell before he could do much. His apprentice then summoned a bunch of summonings but I cast the death spell killing all 5 of them… muhahaha! I cast pierce magic and remove magic on her and took her down with lower level projectile spells and my remaining skeleton.

Planar Sphere Complete – Now strongholds: I got the ring of acurity for completing the planar sphere and then I did my mage strong holds straight away and slept inside the sphere till my apprenti created the items I allocated. I chose them to create: the dagger of arkaon, abida’s horid wilting, and the ring of wizardry

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Now I’m starting to feel powerful… on one hand I wear the ring of accurity (+2 lvl 2 spells, +1 lvl 3 and +1 lvl 4 spells) and on the other the ring of wizardry (+1 5th 6th and 7th level spells)… now it’s time I got round to eliminating those shadow thieves at their headquarters, just as I promised my shady business partner… from this I’m hoping to obtain the amulet of power.
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[Rockstar]

Attack on the Shaddow Thieves: Charged the place head on, I’m level 14 and found summonings quite helpful in this situation because I could not rest in the lair and had to return to the sea tavern about 3 times to get this completed. No battles were overly difficult. Now the battle with Aran Lynvail. I opened the door with myself preboosted with stoneskin, spirit armour, (major) spell turning, melfs minute meteors, 4 skeletons, 1 spider, and haste cast on myself and summonings… time to rock! summonings started attacking straight away at the smaller enemies. I used greater malison and horror to knock out many enemies and then 2 skull traps to kill many of them. Magic missles to finish off a couple of guards and then breach and pierce magic on the mage. My summonings kill the mage and I use fire arrows to finish the clyric off… now its just me and lynvail… I cast warding whip on him and start battling with him. His sanctrum wears off and I start casting acid arrows into him, then magic missles to finish him…
from his neck I take the amulet of power!! this item allows vocalization, -1 casting speed and higher magic resistance to the wearer. I now start to feel my power surging from my finger tips. I left candle keep at level 1, only able to cast 2 first level spells and had to hit and run everything… I now am a destroyer of many foes… muhahaha….
I report back to bodhi who enlightens me of who she is and that she is ready to set sale whenever I wish. but there is still one last and final item that I seek… the staff of the magi…….


Umar Hills: Accepted the quest to investigate the killings and now must search the ruins
Temple Ruins: Used my summonings and lots of offensive spells and melee to take down shadows. Found a sling +3 as an upgrade before I got to the shadow dragon… thought that it may not be a great idea but thought: what they hey… I am afraid of no foe! I buffed and summoned up and sent a spider in. he cast death spell immediately. I advanced forward and cast lower resist, then greater malison but wing buffet interrupted. He cast stoneskin but I cast breach. My summonings now getting breakthrough and my sequencer x2 missles hit hard. Basically kept running around and launching spells and meteors at him. One final meteor to the head and the beast fell… flawless victory… muhuahuah level 16 now!
Shadelor: No problems here skull traps and missles ensured victory here. Now I got a rogue stone… who knows what that means? … hehehe

Athkatla Bridge - Twisted Rune: Used the rogue stone to get to the plane of the twisted rune: holders of the staff of the magi. This fight took a few reloads… Ok here I bolted to the corner and used prot norm weapons to beat the vampire then the warrior quite easily. Used my summonings and spells to take down the beholder next. Used protection removing spells on layene then got her to near death, then it occurred to me… the staff of fire has summonable fire elementals that I wont ever use again! I cast fire shield then kept forking out fire elementals to overwhelm the crippled mage… from her lifeless hands fell the staff of the magi… but still the lich lived. I kept on churning out fire elementals to attack the lich. He summoned a Djinn to aid him but the fire elementals kept coming and quickly beat him down with the heavy aid of my magics. with 11/20 charges used on my staff, the lich fell and his Djinn was a mere gaseous form. I got the staff and used the eye stork as the key out… back to athkatla!

Now I think I have everything to take care of all the nasty things that await me out there in the big bad world… outfitting is now level 16 with many powerful spells.

Weapon 1: staff of the magi
Weapon 2: sling +3
Armour: Robes of the Good Arch Magi
Boots: Boots of Speed
Ring 1: Ring of Acurity
Ring 2:Ring of Wizardry
Gloves: Gauntlets of Weapon Exp
Helm: (none)

I just found out that a familiar can be summoned and kept safe in my backpack! excellent. I summon my new to be friend. I played with him and spoke to him and then he jumped in my pack. time to see bodhi and head to spell hold

[Rockstar]

CHAPTER 4

isle: did a couple of minor quests and killed perth the adept for his stone

spellhold: not too much trouble here. I got thrown in the labyrinth, got the bag of holding and rallied the mages to battle irenicus with me. In the battle all the mages but me died, a final flame arrow sent irenicus on the retreat. With his assassins teleported in I used my staff to go invisible and backed myself into a corner. I tried moving forward but I was completely blocked by assassins… which was what I wanted! I appear casting abida’s horid wilting… all but 2 assassins died and my sling took care of them… time to get outta here

Voyage back: it seems saemon has betrayed me again and we were boarded by sea people. He tried to retreat but I cast finger of death on him and he received the death that was probably owed to him by many…

City of Caverns: A couple of goodies here. Cloak of protection +2 replaced my cloak and I chucked the cloak of mirroring in my bag of holdings for a souvenir WITH NO INTENT TO EVER USE IT… sided with the prince and restored balance to the caverns

Without Throne of Bhaal installed I’ve hit the damn experience cap! but I will play on none the less…

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CHAPTER 5

Underdark: I killed some enemies on the way to the dwarven village, killed some badies held in the soul machine and returned the dwarven son to his father. I head straight to the the western tunnels to get the frost giant belt and then returned to fight the pit fiend. I used my skeleton warriors and a cleric staff +3 to kill the fiend and then got the light gem. I got 22 strength to wield my staff with now 

Aldon’s Lair: I had thoughts of killing this dragon but i knew it was probably too powerful without some high level abilities and Arkaon respected the beast too much… She disgused me and I entered the drow city… but first I went to the dwarven shops at the south of the underdark who weren’t too unwilling to sell a scroll of mordenkien’s sword to a drow! 

Ust Natha: Couldn’t be bothered with this so I just used my staff to go invisible, go to the egg room, kill the 2 guards, snatch the eggs, and run off invisible and returned the eggs… I had thought to cause some chaos in this city of vile elf before I left but this was aldorn’s battle, not mine, and Irenicus is my target, after all. These elves would have proven no match for my power.

Surface Passage: I returned the eggs and I was immediately transported to a passage where there was an elven battle. I fought against the drow and escaped only to be interegated by some wood elves. Gained their trust and am now on a trip with a one way ticket to hell for Irenicus’s sister… Bodhi… but first I have some stocks to buy…

[ 03-02-2006, 04:24 AM: Message edited by: Rockstar ]

[Rockstar]

CHAPTER 6

Underdark Exit: I convinced the elves that I’m all good and that I am to kill bodhi to get their lanton

Drizzt Encounter: Drizzt recognized me and agreed to join the fight!

Prominade: just went here to buy some 9th level spells to chuck in my scroll case… I’ll wait till I install TOB till I learn them to get some nice juicy XP. also bought a few 8th level scrolls…

Graveyard: Bodhi ambushed me as soon as I got there. Abidala’s horrid wilting (ADHW) and skull traps killed them. Entered Bodhi’s lair. I cast protection from normal weapons, which when combined with my amulet of power (immunity to level drain) inferred me complete immunity to vampires. I fought my way to bodhi and met drizzt on the way…

Final Battle with Bodhi: Bodhi summoned some undead comrades to join her cause. Drizzt ran into the fight whilst I cast AHW. Nearly all of them fell accept bodhi and a couple others. Fire arrow on the last battle horror and then just bodhi verses drizzt and myself. Drizzt was getting the upper hand on Bodhi. I then cast lower resistance (hey I had the fight in the bag by now… I can afford to be cocky hehe) as drizzt kept hacking away at her and then my sequencer of 3 magic missles. The vampire fell and retreated to her coffin…. I drew my stake and drove it through her black heart and watched her body crumble… I took her black heart as a souvenir before parting ways with Drizzt and left this place of death.

Elven Camp: I returned the lantern to them and they revealed the way to saldunesselar. But I am not ready to follow yet…
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there is still a certain red dragon that the world needs cleansing of and more importantly my XP cap (which I hit long ago) means facing Irenicus without 9th level spells, as well as making the XP I earn in chapter 7 go to nothing
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[Rockstar]

!Expansion Installed!
I am now going to finish off some business in Athkatla, get some experience and some items useful in the future

Temple District: I am now doing the battle for Celestial Fury. My staff of the magi allowed me protection from evil so the downstairs battle was no problem. A horrid Wilting and some magic missles ensured victory. Upstairs I used my invisibility to travel to a small side room, away from the party. I summoned Morderkien’s sword and a sword spider. I sent them charging forward and used a skull trap then HW. I ran in and slinged the katana wielder and cast some more offensive spells then another HW. All fell except the cleric who a magic missles finished off… level up

Windspear Hills: Time to finish that evil red dragon. (I actually killed him a while ago without the expansion installed just for fun so it is possible to kill him solo without TOB… but now to do it again properly) I used my staff to dash straight to firekraag’s dungeon. I killed the first few guards and the transmuter easily and then entered the next area. I used my staff to run past the orcs and enemies undetected and used some summonings to kill the 2 golums. Ran past the warewolfs and then killed Tarzok and company with a ADHW and some melf’s arrows and magic missles. I entered the lair and agreed to face Conster in exchange for the child. I went upstairs buffed with stoneskin and spirit armour and dashed to the side and case morderkein’s sword and alacremy. I ran out and cast warding whip, breach and pierce magic on him while my sword attacked. Cast Spell turning then conjured minor meteors. I started slinging then cast remove magic to get rid of his stoneskin. My sword and meteors finished him… now downstairs to firkraag.

Battle with Firkraag: A quick rest, adding protection from elements into my memorized spells and I was ready to face the beast. Boosted myself with resist elements, stoneskin, spirit armour, and alecramy… I surrounded him with 3 skeletons, a spider and M. Sword. I hasted myself and my summons and cast lower resist (lowered 27%) and summonings attacked. Firkraag started slashing at my sword and breathed a fireball at my spider sending him flying. I cast remove magic to remove his stoneskin, then ADHW which sent him to badly injured. Firekraag started hacking at my skeleton while I recast ADHW which sent him to near death. With a mighty yell Arkaon cast skull trap at the badly wounded, bleeding dragon. The skull trap sunk deep into his flesh and he fell heavily onto the ground. … Arkaon laughed sadistically at his own powers and looted the dragon before leaving the area. … It was not all that long ago when I was running from enemies casting a single missle and slinging bullets… now I am a destroyer of dragons and many foes. Muhahaha!
When reaching the surface I got a message that I should return to the planar sphere…

Planar Sphere: Got in a trap and was ambushed. I ran to a side room to boost up and use some summonings to help me kill everyone. I’m told that I must imprison an anti-mage activist in the crooked crane.

City Gates: Entered the room and used my summonings to stall the party while I imprisoned the man with the rune. … then some skull traps and ADHW’s to finish the weak party.

Planar Sphere: The stronghold quests are finally complete. The sphere is now my abode for as long as I am here in Athkatla… There is still a few things I must do. Another powerful being is calling me for an epic battle: Kangax the Lich. I already have half his bones. Now to collect the other.


Bridge District: I got the torso and killed the lich using alacrity, spell strike then x2 ADHW’s. He fell with ease.

Battle of Kangax the Lich: went to the docks and I placed his bones in the coffin and started casting ADHW while he rose. He cast some contingency spells at me, all of which failed. I cast 2 more ADHW taking him down to ‘near death’. He came towards me so I ran to the top left hand corner where I drew him and then summoned a skeleton and moredkein’s sword. He used sanctuary but true sights made him vunerable and a strike from my magic sword killed him and quickly quick saved.

… he was not dead. By killing him I had unleashed his true form. This took so many reloads it’s not funny. I ran to the opposite corner where he was shrouded so I could buff up. I created 2 more skeletons, cast spell turning and protection from magical energy on myself. I then used the ‘spell trap’ spell ability from the staff of the magi and then cast melfs minor meteors. OK now it’s show time! Time stop. I ran near the frozen lich and unleashed about 13 meteors on him then ran away but not before I got hit by 2 imprisonments (but the spell trap used this to replenish my spells). I cast my second time stop and ran in with my meteors, then sling (with fire bullets) and ran away, again getting hit by gax’s spell but this gave me back 2 time stops! My spell trap has ended now and Gax is ‘injured’. In the opposite corner, I replenished my meteors then stopped time again and dashed in and attacked then fled after the spell finished, again getting hit but my spell turning absorbed it. Ok one more hit and I’m dead but gax is now nearly dead. I stop time for one more time and stand near the exit, out of meteors I use my fire sling. Time restarts and I throw one last bullet then dash out of the room as the imprisonment is near me. The bullet kills the lich and I escape his spell!! Kangax is dead! I collected his ring and got outta there 

I’ve now killed all major foes in SOA. I am now going to prepare for the final TOB battle in advance by purchasing a potion case and buying basically all the potions in Athkatla. There are also a few more spells I wanna get from the adventure mart.

Athkatla: I’ve bought all the high level spells that I wanted and the potions from the docks, promenade, bridge, and slum districts but have run low on cash again… I’m going to do some of the Watcher’s Keep to build up some money again so I can buy every potion in existence … yes .. I am fearing the final TOB battle but I’m giving myself every odd! Nothing will stop this mage!

[Rockstar]

THE WATCHER's KEEP

Athkatla: I’ve bought all the high level spells that I wanted and the potions from the docks, promenade, bridge, and slum districts but have run low on cash again… I’m going to do some of the Watcher’s Keep to build up some money again so I can buy every potion in existence … yes .. I am fearing the final battle but I’m giving myself every odd! Nothing will stop this mage!

Watcher’s Keep: Agreed to help the priests with their problem here. Bought a potion case (which is what I was really after ) now to get some gold! The sooner I earn some big bucks, the sooner I can get these potions and finally find Irenicus…

Watcher’s Keep level 1: Battled my way through and gave the ghost his fire and the tomb monster his slippers. My trusty ADHW killed the statues with ease. Down to level 2…

Watcher’s Keep level 2: Things didn’t get harder here but more complicated. Obtained all 4 wands and freed the demon… this guy is a tough cookie! After MUCH and I mean much messing around I found that he was effected by skull trap quite heavily. So I began this fight with improved alacrity and as soon as I freed the demon cast time stop. I immediately bombarded him with 5 skull traps… time restarts! The demon falls in a bloody heap of jagged bone and flesh… I take the circlet and wear it (though it has no power yet… yet that is  ) on to the next level!

Watcher’s Keep level 3: Met the mad elf and took the scepter. I killed both the demons by first casting mantle as the battle began, casting morderkien’s sword (which was invincible to the demons  ) and then stopping time and dropping 3 ADHW on the demons. They attacked my sword but with no success while I finished them off from afar with spells. This tactic worked in all 3 battles. I chose to kill the gambling demon… I am a powerful mage and those who wish to waste my time with games, rather than give me what I need, will pay the price … and they did. Reformed the scepter and down to the next level!

Watcher’s Keep level 4: went north and killed all the illithids using spawnings and ADHW. Same deal with the south encampment. Snuck past the golums using my staff and then used the oils to light the exit to the next level. Very simple and easy… now I tried battling the demi-lich and I really don’t have the patients to do this again just yet so I’m going to come back when I hit my XP cap and kill that lich and that smart mouthed dragon … they will not live but for now they will have to…

I have now earned $40 k + so I have easily done what I came here to do. Upon coming here I also gathered several healing potions and have filled my potion bag to the brim so I will come back later. There are also powerful enemies that I would rather face when I am slightly more powerful. I had wail of the banchee set as one of my level 9 spells but I decided to remove it and memorise spell strike instead as wail of the banchee has a long cast time, doesn’t seem to kill any enemy that the death spell probably wouldn’t and causes too much grief for the sake of role playing… I was disappointed at how useless this spell really is when you get it. 2 spells I really want are still missing from my book: spell trigger and wish. wouldn’t mind ruby ray of reversal but it’s just a weaker version of spell strike, which I have readily equipped now. For now it’s back to Athkatla…

Temple District: Bought some more potions here… now I’m all set to finish tracking down Irenicus. … if he has stormed Suldenesselar then it must be quite a mess by now so time to finish tracking him down…

I have heard of another legendary item that I have done fine without but it’s power is calling me to loud to ignore… the robes of vecna !

Prominade: Bought the Robes of Vecna! -4 to casting speed and my armour class is kept the same as the robes of the good arch magi did… my enemies just got a whole new reason to fear me…

Forest of Tethir: I am ready to face my enemy… my powers have tripled since our last encounter so the time is coming to find who is the better mage… I enter the tree and use the lantern to guide my way… I see the city in front of me

[Rockstar]

CHAPTER 7

Suldenesselar: Irenicus sure caught this place by surprise. I have agreed to help them once again. I saved demin and then went for the black dragon. I sent my summonings forward to him, stopped time, alacrity, x2 lower resist and then 4 ADHW and he fell… flawless victory once again. I gathered the other items and a Got a scroll of meteors (which is useless now since I have HLA comet) and placed them on the alter. The gates are open. Another level up and I just finished learning my last HLA… I am the most powerful mage the farum has ever seen! Let Irenicus flee from my power! I can already taste his blood in the air…

Tree of life: I found my way through to the tree of life. I met the Queen and discovered that I must destroy the parasites. I destroyed all three and stood face to face with the man who has nearly driven me to insanity… I have not been able to feel a fight like this since I killed my brother Sarevok… after some talk between the Queen, himself and I, we began battle!! This is it!

Battle with Irenicus: The test of two of the most powerful mages in the farum! I got the initiative and began casting time stop. Irenicus immediately cast a contingency containing buff spells including invisibility. My time stop casts and I cannot see irenicus. I make do by casting alacrity and unleashing an arsenal of spells.

I subsequently cast alacrity, true site (to see him), 3 skeletal warriors, a morderkien’s sword and a dragon’s breath. Time resumes and the dragons breath blasts Irenicus into the corner. My summonings run after him and start attacking him in the corner. Irenicus casts symbol death on my skeleton but it resists. I cast spell strike and my summonings start delivering small damage. Another contingency of buffs from Irenicus and he fires a spell trigger of spell strike and ice storm on me. I run away from the ice storm and begin casting ADHW. Summonings land a few deep cuts into irenicus’ flesh. Irenicus frantically dodging my skeletons kills the magic sword but gets hit by two more ADHW and lands near death. Covered in wounds, hunched and bleeding from the mouth from the dark magic Irenicus successfully casts maze on my skelton in a despirate attempt to gain the upper hand. Arkaon raises both his hands in a sadistic rage and chants the words to ADHW one final time… the last words irenicus will ever here!! Irenicus’ eyes open wide before the cloud of death causes his body to rise and clench and cause blood to stream out of his wounds and mouth. Irenicus, defeated, falls to the ground and my skeletons stand at ease. He tries to sit up to say his last words before slowly laying down… but his soul is mine too and I feel it pulling me into the next place with him!

The Nine Hells:
The first area I met sarevok again. I stopped time, lowered his res and summoned. ADHW and a final skull trap killed him. I returned Black Razor. The third tear an innocent was said to die if I did not risk part of myself… I am too powerful to give up my power… it’s mine! I chose what I do with it and I chose to do good! He can’t have it!... the peasant dies but his death will mean the ensured survival of many to come. I passed the test of fear unaided by items and killed the dragon by stopping time, lower res x3, greater malison and then 3 ADHW… the dragon fell before anything could happen. I have all 5 of the tears now. I placed the tears in the door and get a raise to my saving throws, immunity to +1 weapons and less, +2 armour class, +200k XP, +1 wisdom and charisma.. but my alignment changes to neutral evil!... I must fight on and kill my enemy no matter the cost

FINAL BATTLE WITH IRENICUS:

I prepare by casting stoneskin, spirit armour (making my AC -9), prot magic energy and spell turning. I place the tears and Irenicus rises before me and summons 4 demons and turns into the slayer.

First move. Timestop, alacrity, x3 skeletons, x2 swords, greater malison, true sight and improved mantle. I run out then cast skull trap just before time restarts. Time restarts and the skull trap severly injures 2 demons and kills the other 2 but also killed my 2 swords. Another skull trap kills the 3rd demon but sends my skeletons to injured and turns them on me. chain lightning on the last, near death, balor but it resists. Delayed fireball misses the balor but takes the hostile skeletons to near death. I dash away and cast ADHW but they all resist. I charge at a skeleton with my staff and hit then spawn a spider. It attacks and kills one skeleton. The spider and I quickly finish the other skeleton then start on the Balor. We can’t land a hit on him and he tears through my last stoneskin and lands a hit. I back off and cast finger of death and kill him.

I search the area for Irenicus. True sight reveals him down the bottom… time to finish this! book of golum summon next to him. I save against a symbol stun spells and cast warding whip only to find it is spell ineffective. I cast remove magic to remove his stone skins and my golum gets a solid hit, activating irenicus’ contingency: improved mantle, spell turning and mislead. I summon a spider near the now invisible irenicus. Irenicus casts sunfire damaging my summons and I reply with dragons breath, harming both the true irenicus and his mislead. Another contingency by irencus: protection from magical weapons. Not being able to see him is getting the better of me… I cast dispel invisibility but it fails to reveal him… I got to cast ADHW but irenicus interrupts and hits me and my summonings with his own ADHW, killing my spider. I retry and cast ADHW but he resists. Irenicus is still invisible and I need to see him to lower his resistance! He summons an efriti which heads straight for me. I retreat back a bit and am followed by the efriti. I use the staff of magi’s lightning, sling and staff hits to reduce him to a gaseous form after a couple of minutes of dualing. Now to get back into the battle with irenicus. He is now visible and completely unprotected by any spells… You’re drawing your last breath in hell now Irenicus! I charge in and cast lower resist. Irenicus casts true sight before I cast another lower resist. He recasts true sight and then charges at me with his all. I back off and cast a final lower resist (his resistance now lowered by 90%) I distance myself and end up going to where I fought the efriti who is now in his attacking form again… things just got worse.

I dash to the corner closely followed by the two and cast limited wish just before being hit by a fireball. I wish for a hoard to overthrow my foes. … 16 rabbits! RABBITS! either way it takes the focus of me even for a little bit. I cast two ADHW killing the efriti finally and taking irenicus to injured. I’m running low on spells and Irenicus is regenerating by the second. I lead him back into the open where rabbits are hopping around everywhere, and use my sequencer of 3 magic missles which hits hard and then my minor sequencer of 2 acid arrows. He has regenerated back to barely injured. Irenicus hits me with a nasty slash forcing me to continue running around and drink a potion before casting improved haste… I cast chain lightning but it is not enough… There is only one thing I can do now.. I am exhausted, have nowhere near enough powerful spells left to finish him, especially with his regeneration… I shouldn’t but I must… I must become it… become the Slayer!!

Light burns my skin as a feel the boney thorns rip out of me and my anger and hatred surround me … but I feel a power like no other! My eyes flash open wildly at Irenicus and I charge sadistically at him (with improved haste). My claws immediately sink into his flesh. I am by far the most powerful slayer. My hands wildly tear and slash hunks of flesh from Irenicus, who is only able to get one slash in before being near death. a final slash in the throat and the slayer irenicus stumbles back and becomes his former self. His magic failing I cast at him as he retreats and dies to be no more… my soul is at one with me again. I am complete atlast…

Suldenesselar: I wake up in the palace to find I was dead for two days but am fine now. I final ceremony in my honour and an amulet given to me to say thanks for saving the city and killing irenicus. … It is finally over … for now. Irenicus is left in hell and without his magic is overwhelmed and destroyed by the foul inhabitance of the nine hells. His fate is sealed as it should be…


The journey continues in the final chapters in Throne of Bhaal

[Rockstar]

END OF GAME SUMMARY

Arkaon
Human
Necromancer

Str 19 (21 with belt)
Dex 19
Con 18
Int 19
Wis 19
Cha 5

Memorised/Prepared Spells:

level 1
x6 magic missles

level 2
Horror
x3 melf’s acid arrows
x2 knock
dispel invisibility
glitter dust

level 3
haste
flam arrow
melf’s minor meteors
remove magic
x3 skull trap

level 4
stoneskin
spirit armour
emotion
spell sequencer
x2 spider spawn
greater malison

level 5
x3 skeleton warrior
x3 lower resistance
breach

level 6
pierce magic
death spell
protection from magical energy
protection from magical weapons
true sight
improved haste
x2 chain lightning

level 7
warding whip
spell turning
finger of death
x2 morderkein’s sword
limited wish
delayed fireball

level 8
x5 Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting
improbed mantle

level 9/10
improved alacrity
time stop
dragon’s breath
spell strike

Abilities
Minor Spell Sequencer: x2 Magic Missles or x2 Melf’s Acid Arrows
Spell Sequencer: x3 Magic Missles
Slayer Transformation (only used once in the game in the final battle)

Equipment
Ring of acurity, ring of wizardry, gauntlets of weapon xp, belt of frost giant, boots of speed, cloak of protection +2, circlet of netheril (incomplete until TOB), amulet of power, robes of vecna, staff of the magi, sling +3

Thankyou so much for reading!
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Check out the Baldur's Gate Forum for my BG adventure under 'Solo mage'. This adventure continues in TOB

[Kyrvias]

wow. quick, and too the point. interesting to boot.