What's with that smuggler?

[Sig Segorn]

What's the deal with that smuggler who accosts you when you re-enter the bridge sector to Baldur's Gate at the beginning of Chapter 7? I know he offers to smuggle you back into the city, but is he legit, or does he turn you in for a reward? And, if he's legit, is he available for this more than once, or not? And, if not, must your party subsequently sneak through the main gate, with everyone wearing a Ring of Invisibility or something? And what's the duration of the effect from those rings---the detail doesn't say. I want to do all the expansion areas before getting into Chapter 7 proper stuff.

[Dace De'Briago]

The smuggler is the real deal.

I'd assume the invisibility ring is identical to the invisibility spell. i.e. 24 hours. Don't think it lasts that long if you rest though.

[Sig Segorn]

Thanks for the feedback. I got the sea charts for Mendas. Will be giving them to him and going to "werewolf island" in the next session.

[Myrddin L'argenton]

Originally posted by Sig Segorn: Thanks for the feedback. I got the sea charts for Mendas. Will be giving them to him and going to "werewolf island" in the next session.

I'm giving no spoilers but be prepared. There is nice items but hard fights, that's all i'm saying

[Sig Segorn]

Yes, from what I've read, it sounds like some serious fights there, but I AM prepared for it---even looking forward to it. Thanks for the word of caution, though. I'll pass it on to my party (smile).

[SixOfSpades]

Here are the relevant pointers, taken from Chapter 13 of Volothamp's Comeuppance:

• There are 2 Mages in Ulgoth's Beard who each want to send you to an island. I would advise against traveling to Shandalar's island until your party is at least Level 6-ish, or Mendas's island until you're about Level 7-ish. Both of the islands share the following characteristics: There are no shops, inns, or temples on either of them, and once you go there, you cannot return to the rest of the world until you've fully beaten the whole quest. This means two things: 1) If any party members die on the island, you'll have to beat the quest without them, and 2) If there's anything you'll need, you're going to have to carry it with you. May I suggest a buttload of Healing Potions?
• On the island Mendas sends you to, there are a bunch of little quests given by the townsfolk, but the main quest is given by Kaishas. When you return, wrap up the sub-quests first, as the villagers will forget about them when you report back to Kaishas.
• Technically, you actually can return to the islands once you've beaten them, simply by Traveling there on your map (Travel Time: 0 Hours, in fact). It's just that once you're there for the second time, you're stuck for good. Better Reload your Auto-Save. The fact that you can even return there at all is certainly an oversight.

[Sig Segorn]

Thanks, Six. We've already done the Island of Ice deal for Shandalar---with all the hostile mages and traps, that was mighty slow going---no doubt, a taste of Durlag's Tower yet to come. Shandalar's lucky he stepped through a Dimension Door when we got back, or I would've killed him where he stood. Of course, what's in store for us would be a bigger worry if I wasn't making some use of the Editor. I've adorned all 6 of my party members with Wolfsbane Charms, for example, and have upgraded the 4 shield-users to Large Shields +2 and the 5 sword-users to Bastard Swords +1/+3 vs. shapeshifters. I might also mention that Khalid, Kivan, and Minsc are all now wearing Mithril Chain Mail +4, and that these 3 and my main character, half-elf, fighter/mage chick are all wearing Helms of Balduran. I'll do my best to keep my MC, Imoen, and Dynaheir out of extreme danger, but I half-expect to hear the werewolves crying "Foul" as I'm having them cut down. Poor babies. It's a shame they'll all wind up dead in our wake---if not for that, they could've filed a lucrative class-action lawsuit against me.

[Sig Segorn]

Correction: Turns out Imoen can't use bastard swords (though she's pretty good with a Long Sword +2), so I supplied her and Dynaheir with Silver Daggers to melee with, along with the weapon proficiency for these.

[Pirengle]

Originally posted by Sig Segorn: Of course, what's in store for us would be a bigger worry if I wasn't making some use of the Editor.

(TotSC spoilers ahead!)
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(So if you don't have the xpac, don't worry too much.)
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I realize that it's none of my business telling you how to play your game, but now I have a copy of TotSC and I'm taking my original BG party through it, and all this cheating is unnecessary. Casting remove fear, bless, chant, haste, protection from evil, and draw upon holy might before every big battle on Mendas' island is really all I need to do. Fire helps get the job done, and a touch of stink cloud in the first major boss fight was a pleasant plus.

I find it delightful that TotSC is much more challenging than BG. 2 Sarevok reloads, yawn. Took me that many to figure out what to do on the first shipwreck level, and another 2 reloads to implement the strategy properly. Dynaheir has this odd habit of tanking at the wrong moments...

(And how many of y'all thought the old guy in the cabin was up to no good?)

[Myrddin L'argenton]

[quote]Originally posted by Pirengle the BNM:

Originally posted by Sig Segorn: [qb] Took me that many to figure out what to do on the first shipwreck level, and another 2 reloads to implement the strategy properly. Dynaheir has this odd habit of tanking at the wrong moments... (And how many of y'all thought the old guy in the cabin was up to no good?)

For Drynaheir, have you checked her script, you might of put it on something and I like that mad elven mage, anyone got BG2, we meet him again!