NPC mod mini review

[rbeverjr]

Hi, here’s a mini review of 4 NPC mods: Kelsey, Yasraena, Tashia, and Saerileth. All of these have voice tracks and are playable in SoA and ToB. They are also all romanceable with the exception of Yasraena. I have played Tashia through SoA. I have played the rest until shortly after meeting the drow in the underdark; so, I certainly don’t know their full story. I also tried to keep to the basic information from the readme or soon discovered in play. In other words, I tried to avoid spoilers in general, but maybe you will consider some of the info to be slight spoilers.

Kelsey is a male human sorcerer (neutral good) and sometimes merchant. You can download him here: Pocket Plane Group - Bending Baldur's Gate 2 and the Infinity Engine
Kelsey romances females, and I can not comment on the romance. As a sorcerer, he is an acceptable choice for power gamers, without having exceptionally twinky stats, equipments, or abilities. The dialogue is well done, in regards to the frequency, content, and quality of the voice. He could easily have been another NPC from Black Isle. This character is very well done.

Yasraena is a female drow elf fighter of good alignment. You can download her here: Yasraena Mod
Although there are dialogue responses that suggest males can romance her, it seems this romance does not reach culmination from forum responses. She has very good magic resistance, I think it was 70+%. That’s a great benefit for power gamers. It not only means that the attacking magicians are less likely to affect her, but that your own party mage can bomb her and the enemy without much chance of harming her. She uses shortswords. Those swords are very good at the beginning and mediocre after that. There quality increases in ToB, and you can choose to make her proficient with other weapons, of course. She has good stats and equipment without them being exceptionally twinky. As far as fighters go, Korgan or Sarevok are probably better, and Keldorn can be better depending on the party. She has an interesting story, and good dialogue. I’d say her story may be more interesting than Kelsey, but usually prefer Kelsey’s banter. She is a drow (your reputation will lower by 2 while she is in the party) and has a drow’s point of view despite her alignment. She reminds me of Viconia somewhat, but I think that the forum states she doesn’t like Viconia. This is a solid NPC and provides an option to those people accustomed to playing the rest of the NPCs.

Tashia is a female elf sorcerer. You can download her here:
Spellhold Studios - Tashia
Tashia is romanceable by males. As a sorcerer, she is an acceptable choice for power gamers. She doesn’t have exceptionally twinky stats, but she does have some nice (without being overwhelming) equipment. She comes with a ring of acuity and has a companion that is not affected by Time Stop. This companion is not exceptionally powerful; I personally didn’t use it because I thought it was a bit much for a starting character to have it. She has an interesting background and doesn’t whine like the Black Isle females. I choose the second alternate photograph which is a very pretty. She is upbeat and witty. I personally prefer her to Kelsey, but Kelsey is a great NPC too.

Saerileth is a 15-year old human girl cavalier. You can download her here, but be warned it’s a big download (almost 27 MB): Saerileth Mod
Saerileth requires that the male romance partner have a 16+ charisma and not be evil. You don’t have to romance her if you object to her age. She is a poor choice for power players. Her stats and equipment are mediocre at best. Most of the fighter NPCs are better fighters than her. As a power player, I would definitely choose Keldorn over her. I usually do minor adjustments to her stats and proficiencies, and change her to an inquisitor myself. Saerileth has a wealth of dialogues, love talks, and some extra adventures that come with her.

The bad: She is not a powerful character. The voice seems to speak in Old English with an unclear accent. I had trouble really understanding what she was saying until listening to the voice a while. Hooking up my AKG K701 headphones helped too. She is 15 – at least some would consider this in poor taste. The authors actually play off the contention they know that romance with a 15 year old may bring (through NPC interaction). My wife’s aunt was married around 45 years ago as a 15 year old and the marriage has been a happy one from all accounts. Marriage at 15 is still not unusual in some cultures and was fairly common in medieval times. As far as I’m concerned, the maturity of the individuals involved is of greater concern than gross generalizations/condemnations. However, you are not required to romance her. Love at first sight (a possibility) and sugary romance dialogue will not appeal to everyone. The authors did a great job in describing her as an exceptional case. I think it would have been clearer to call her an Aasimar to me. The authors describe her as a human born in the outer planes, chosen by Tyr himself. The diety had sent her to seek out the PC. I don’t think it is too far a reach that Tyr might also reveal to the child that the PC is destined to be her husband. The sugary dialogue reminds me of an infatuated girl or perhaps an oracle. It doesn’t seem right that a 15 year old girl can be a mighty demon slayer. It’s amusing that the authors say Tyr never wanted her to cut her hair, paralleling Samson, the strongest man in the Bible. Still, her strength is only 16. So, after full plate, a shield, and a weapon, she is pretty much encumbered. Her encounter brings in a devil that does something cheesy. This can happen at relatively low level, in which case you will probably have to use what I consider a cheesy tactic to win that battle. There’s another significant bad trait of her in regards to powergaming. She sometimes is insistent upon following lawful good actions. She will disapprove of some courses you may want to take. Also, she will leave if you become evil. Some of the best Bhaal powers are rewards of the evil alignment. I’m wondering if the helm of opposite alignment may help…

The good (for some): The sugary dialogue. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if husband and wife loved each other more than they did themself. Wouldn’t it be nice if there seemed to be a competition who could do and say the most to demonstrate their love? Of course, that scenario is no more real than a dragon. I’ve heard that 4-5/10 couples that marry will divorce in the United States. And it seems to me there are many other couples who are unhappily married. That’s the truth, and it brings a tear. I prefer the “lie” that brings a smile. But to each his own.

I feel like there will be many people who love this character and many who hate it with few in the middle.

[jefklak]

thanks!
I agree on Saerileth, the voice acting seemed pretty terrible to me.
Like the recorded microphone was half broken or something? Brr, I don't like playing with her.
And her personal quest is soo ridiculous. Wasn't that area ripped from Planescape torment?

[rbeverjr]

Tashia is neutral good. In the latest version of this NPC, she no longer receives a ring of acuity - it's only a +1 ring of protection.

[CoM_Solaufein]

thanks!
I agree on Saerileth, the voice acting seemed pretty terrible to me.
Like the recorded microphone was half broken or something? Brr, I don't like playing with her.
And her personal quest is soo ridiculous. Wasn't that area ripped from Planescape torment?

Yes the area came from PST.

[CoM_Solaufein]

@ rbeverjr

Thanks for taking the time to play and type up a review on Yasraena and Saerileth. I enjoy seeing reviews on the mods I host, be it a good review or a negative one.

[rbeverjr]

I tried to report basic information so that readers can decide for themselves which NPC they would like to try. I think each of these NPCs are generally well done and can serve on a team.

Saerileth is clearly the least acceptable to a powergamer in my opinion. Personally, I probably like Saerileth best - but will probably only play her once. As indicated, she carries romance to an idealistic degree, which I sometimes find appealing. However, I don't like her constraints on my own game play - even when it makes sense . And if I give my woman-child the Ring of Gaxx to wear, she da*n well better not throw it on the ground! I have to spend enough time trying to keep her from dying as it is.

For powergaming, I would advise taking Tashia and adjusting her spell list appropriately (or Kelsey if you play a female).

[Toxeus]

Try Xan, he is really great. Best NPC imho. Work very well even in powerparty (as fighter/mage - you can choose his class during mod installation: fighter/mage, plane mage or enchanter) and his dialogs are brilliant. Has both romance path (for elven female) and friendship path (for any other).
P.S. "We're all doomed."

[fable]

Let's keep this a thread for reviews of NPC mods, because we already have several threads that contain nothing but recommended NPC mods.

[rbeverjr]

If someone has some ideas for a NPC mod review template, let me know. What basic information should be reported in each review? What do people want to know about the NPCs and not know about them? I found it hard to give a detailed review without also including spoilers.

[galraen]

I tried to report basic information so that readers can decide for themselves which NPC they would like to try. I think each of these NPCs are generally well done and can serve on a team.

Saerileth is clearly the least acceptable to a powergamer in my opinion. Personally, I probably like Saerileth best - but will probably only play her once. As indicated, she carries romance to an idealistic degree, which I sometimes find appealing. However, I don't like her constraints on my own game play - even when it makes sense . And if I give my woman-child the Ring of Gaxx to wear, she da*n well better not throw it on the ground! I have to spend enough time trying to keep her from dying as it is.

For powergaming, I would advise taking Tashia and adjusting her spell list appropriately (or Kelsey if you play a female).

Why on earth would she throw it (the ring of Gaxx) on the ground?

[fable]

If someone has some ideas for a NPC mod review template, let me know. What basic information should be reported in each review? What do people want to know about the NPCs and not know about them? I found it hard to give a detailed review without also including spoilers.

I'm inclined to think that an NPC mod review would follow the same kind of strictures used in any good game review. For instance, you'd want to establish context: how far along did one use the mod? Establish basics: Where do you encounter the NPC? (This can be to some people. One of the negatives brought up repeatedly about the Soulafein NPC mod is that you don't get him until considerably later in the game.) What are their stats, their special abilities and items? Is the writing syntax, spelling, and grammar, good?

I'd want a review to answer important questions concerning the reasons most of us would think of running an NPC mod. These might include: does the mod add special dialog and party NPC encounters in ToB, as well as in SoA? Does the mod employ the same style of writing as the game? (Does Saerileth's party NPC encoutners try to depict actions, say, using asterisks or parens, unlike all the native Bioware NPCs?) Are there any mini-plots involving the character? If so, do they allow for several solutions, or can only the NPC (or someone else) beat the plot mini-boss enemy, etc?

The difference as I see it is that a full review would go into these issues at considerable length, while a mini-review would deal with each quickly. Anyway, that's my take on the matter, for what it's worth. I'm just thinking: if I were looking at this minute to start up a new BG2 session and wanted a new NPC mod, what would I really like to know in advance, before installing and spending dozens of hours in that NPC's company?

[rbeverjr]

Thanks for your response Fable. You made valid points. I won't provide an in-depth response to some of your criteria as I played most of these characters only in approximately 1/3 of SoA. Still, that's enough to get the flavor of the NPC's and answer some of your basic queries. If I find time, I may post some more details to answer some of your queries. I'll answer one now: Kelsey is found in the government section of the city near Keldorn's home. Yaz is found near the exit of the starting dungeon (is compatible with Dungeon-B-Gone). Saerileth is found just outside the paladin building in the Temple District. Tashia is the only one you can't pretty much pick up immediately in the city. You have to go to Trademeet and pick her up at the pub. (Pick your sweetheart up in a bar - how quaint All of them are eager to jump aboard except Tashia. You have to say the right things for her to join. In one of the past versions you also had to have a reputation of 12 - that may still be the case. I think all of these NPCs may start at a higher level than the PC if you get them as quickly as possible with the exception of Yaz. I know that is the case with Tashia and Saerileth, and think it is also the case with Kelsey.

[rbeverjr]

Why on earth would she throw it (the ring of Gaxx) on the ground?

The short answer is she considers the ring evil. My view concerning that is only intelligent items should be evil. The One Ring (Tolkien) *wanted to be found.* It seemed to encompass some of the soul of it's maker. There is no indication in game that the Ring of Gaxx is intelligent or evil.

[Kulyok]

Let's keep this a thread for reviews of NPC mods, because we already have several threads that contain nothing but recommended NPC mods.

Absolutely, though as an author, I am naturally happy to hear a positive remark about Xan. By the way, Xan had only one in-depth review so far, by Imrahil - so, more reviews, both positive and negative, here, in Xan's forum at PPG or anywhere else are very welcome.

[fable]

The easiest way to get impressions of any single mod would be to start a thread about that mod. Not only that, but if someone were to look for reactions to XYZ mod, it would be easier to find them in the database under "XYZ" (since we have no Boolean options, here) that way, rather than look through a long thread devoted to all NPC mods, if you take my meaning.

As the BG2 moderator, I would to emphasize that GameBanshee supports these efforts wholeheartedly. And as a longtime player, I'd like to personally offer my thanks to anyone who spends the time, energy, and ingenuity adding color and life to one of the great games of all time.

[masteralef]

Do note, incidentally, that G3's crossmod banter pack has dialogues for Saerelith/Yasraena, so if you play with both, you should install crossmod.

[rbeverjr]

There is no indication in game that the Ring of Gaxx is intelligent or evil.

Sorry I couldn't edit my reply. It's been soooo long since I read the description of this ring. This ring is actually described as "radiating intense evil." I suppose that is why the authors of Saerileth had her disapprove of the ring. It still seems to me that for something to be evil it must be self-aware. That's not Lilacor we are talking about! But this does serve as an example of how the paladin Saerileth behaves as a paladin would be expected but hurts the power game.

[rbeverjr]

Update on Saerileth: I played Saerileth through SoA. Somehow my game got corrupted, and 2 of the party went to ToB while 2 stayed with the elves in SoA. Saerileth decided that I had become evil (although I was still lawful good) and left. Aaargh. I really liked Saerileth. She behaved as you might expect a paladin to do and made sure that I role played a good alignment. In SoA, there were 2 extra quests, one involved and 1 only a monster challenge. Both of these quests can be challenging depending on your level, team, and skill level. I would say that the only real downside to this mod was that her speech was not very plain.

I think I will try Fade next.

P.S. Check out reviews here: http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cgi-b ... =024694;p=
Note that Saerileth is now version 12 or 13 rather than version 6 reviewed at the link above.

[Dedigan]

I've gone back to playing BG2 in my free time lately, and like many other's who have played it for years, I've explored the character mods. I don't have any of the tactics mods and very few of the quest mods in (all I can recall is the G3 anniversary mod). Now I'd like to add my brief opinion on some of the character mods I've played or am playing.

I'll start with Saerileth, since she's been mentioned here already.

If I met her in real life, I would run away screaming in a couple of days, but for some reason, my character loved her. I found it annoying that her personal philosophy was to be hopelessly devoted to CHARNAME so long as he did exactly what she wanted him to do.

She does, however, stay true to her character. She is a very good Paladin (character-wise), and pretty good in a fight.

One of her SoA quests was very well written and played out. The kidnapping quest, on the other hand, was pretty much impossible for my party to handle at the time it happened. I really don't like quests that requre a certain level of cheese to get past in the first place, and to the best of my knowledge, that quest was one of those.

I would heartily reccommend Saerilith to a party which wants to take the good way through the game, since she does offer a good way to get past the early game rather than the usual "evil" or "very evil" methods. She is easy to get along with and while she's preachy, she isn't annoyingly so (in my eyes).

I've also played (recently) Amber, Chloe, Keto, Valen, Yasraena and Kelsey, and I have opinions on all of them.

[rbeverjr]

@Dedigan: I'm looking forward to your opinions of those NPCs you mentioned. Fable has mentioned some things that should be included in an NPC review, which I will endeavor to comply with in the future.