Can not get to bldgs in a area.

[sonny]

When I leave the area that I first enter in BG (AR 800), where the thieves guild is, and then leave to the north, the blue highlighted area that I'm entering, shows several buildings that I can not figure out how to get to.

After I enter this area (AR 0300) I'm confronted by two guys who give me a warning, after that I can only go northward a short ways to were the walls come to a peak. The Counting House is on the right and the world map shows bldgs to the left that are part of that same area but I can't find a way to get to them.

I'm sorry for being so stupid, but if I'm missing the entrance to this area, then I would appreciate if someone would tell me how.

If this is the way it's supposed to be, and I can get to that area later in the game then just let me know that and I will keep going. Not looking for any spoilers, just want to avoid doing what I did, when I missed all those hidden items in the beginning of the game.

Is there somewhere I can get a overall map that does not show any spoilers. I brought this game used from eBay and it did not have a map of any kind.

And I really do appreciate the help. I know some of these questions are really stupid but I don't know of any other place to go to ask, not that I would want to, you guys are great. Maybe at my age I should have picked another hobby when I retired. NO.. I like doing this to much.

[galraen]

The area you're referring to (where the Splurging Sturgeon is) can be accessed from the North Baldur's Gate area.

[CFM]

The city is composed of 9 main map areas:

NW N NE
W Mid E
SW S SE

When you exit the E (east) map area along its northern side, you will be placed on the "right" side of the NE (northeast) map area.

When you exit the N (north) map area along its eastern side, you will be placed on the "left" side of the NE (northeast) map area.

For a giant, non-spoiler, actual map of the city, check out this link:

PlanetBaldursGate - A Member of the GameSpy Network

The top-most, un-annotated map is probably what you're looking for. Click the picture to enlarge it. If you want to keep it handy, then right-click on the enlarged picture, and save it to your desktop.

[sonny]

The city is composed of 9 main map areas:

NW N NE
W Mid E
SW S SE

When you exit the E (east) map area along its northern side, you will be placed on the "right" side of the NE (northeast) map area.

When you exit the N (north) map area along its eastern side, you will be placed on the "left" side of the NE (northeast) map area.

For a giant, non-spoiler, actual map of the city, check out this link:

PlanetBaldursGate - A Member of the GameSpy Network

The top-most, un-annotated map is probably what you're looking for. Click the picture to enlarge it. If you want to keep it handy, then right-click on the enlarged picture, and save it to your desktop.

CFM: Thanks very, very much. Great Map. Printed the top one. The middle one looked like it had to much info on it. Have to admit, I looked at it and I was tempted, but I really want to do things right the first time through.

So if I understand what you guys are saying, in order to reach the bldgs. on the east side of the wall in the NE map area, I have to be in the North map area, and exit it to the east. Wow, hope I got that right.

Thanks again everyone and have a great day.

[galraen]

You got it right.

[sonny]

You got it right.

Thanks galraen,

I'm trying to get better at this, I swear.lol

[CFM]

The official paper maps, that come in the retail box with the game (that your used copy seems to have omitted), can be downloaded from this webpage:

Sorcerer's Place - Baldur's Gate Maps

Check out the third one from the top, submitted by Dirk Darling.

The paper map of the city of BG is pretty cool. It's a 'hand-drawn-art' type of map, like it was something one of your characters bought from a merchant in Beregost or something. It is somewhat annoted, but the game designers certainly meant for you to use it, since it comes with the game.

The artwork on the Sword Coast map is neat-o. And the Quick Reference Card might prove handy too.

[sonny]

The official paper maps, that come in the retail box with the game (that your used copy seems to have omitted), can be downloaded from this webpage:

Sorcerer's Place - Baldur's Gate Maps

Check out the third one from the top, submitted by Dirk Darling.

The paper map of the city of BG is pretty cool. It's a 'hand-drawn-art' type of map, like it was something one of your characters bought from a merchant in Beregost or something. It is somewhat annoted, but the game designers certainly meant for you to use it, since it comes with the game.

The artwork on the Sword Coast map is neat-o. And the Quick Reference Card might prove handy too.

Thanks, more great maps. So that's what this world I've been wandering around in looks like. There were no maps included in the game box.

When I got this off eBay (well in truth my grandson got it off ebay and gave it to me, and then I had him get me BG2, because at the time I didn't know how to use ebay and he was being deployed and I wanted to make sure I got it) the only things in the box were ;

4 disks, a 5x7 color picture of what looks like the guy in the opening movie, a two page Reference and Troubleshooting Guide that contained info on how to load the game and who to contact for tech support.
I download the manual from a site that someone here posted for me.

So you can probably image how much these maps mean to me.

Thanks again.

[CFM]

Heh, your 'vendor' was willing to part with the actual game, but not the cool maps. Or maybe the publishers didn't include that stuff with "The Original Saga" boxed edition of BG1.

If your boxed edition of BG2 is shorted anything, then the two previously mentioned websites will have that too.

Nothin' like havin' a game with a good map!

[sonny]

Heh, your 'vendor' was willing to part with the actual game, but not the cool maps. Or maybe the publishers didn't include that stuff with "The Original Saga" boxed edition of BG1.

If your boxed edition of BG2 is shorted anything, then the two previously mentioned websites will have that too.

Nothin' like havin' a game with a good map!

I'm glad to know that. I just opened the box and the only thing in the box is 6 disk, one of them is called "Bonus CD".

What I purchased is Baldur's Gate II The Collection. In addition to the Bonus disk, there are 4 Shadows of Amin disk's and 1 Throne of Bhaal The Final Chapter.

Hope that's all I need to play the game. After I start playing, maybe you guys can help me with where to find a game manual, since thanks to you, I know where to get the maps.

Maybe these maps have become collectors items?

Thanks again for the help.

[galraen]

Try checking out the bonus disc, I'd say there's a fair chance the manual and maps are on that. Several other games with such discs did that.

[CFM]

I'm glad to know that. I just opened the box and the only thing in the box is 6 disk, one of them is called "Bonus CD".

What I purchased is Baldur's Gate II The Collection. In addition to the Bonus disk, there are 4 Shadows of Amin disk's and 1 Throne of Bhaal The Final Chapter.

Hope that's all I need to play the game. After I start playing, maybe you guys can help me with where to find a game manual, since thanks to you, I know where to get the maps.

FYI:
I too have the box labeled "BGII The Collection". Everything you mentioned, is everything that comes in this box.

Manuals and Reference Cards:
The SoA Manual and Reference Card is located on Disk 1, accessible via Windows Explorer, in the folder named "BG2 Manual". The ToB Manual and Reference Card is located on The Final Chapter disk, accessible via Windows Explorer, in the folder named "BG2 TOB Manual".

(On an interesting note: beware, the manual is somewhat spoiler'ish. It describes, among other things, each of the joinable characters, as well as heavy hints about where they can be found. I assume its intent was for players who wanted to form their full party in the very beginning of the game, as opposed to stumbling upon them during the due course of the adventure. Just a head's up, if you're one of the latter.)

Map:
Sadly, "The Collection" box does not have the cloth map (or any printable map files) that the "Collector's Edition" box came with. But the cloth map is the same World Map that's used during the game. So while it's pretty cool, it's not anything too handy.

Installation:
When you install SoA & ToB from the disks you've got, I'm pretty sure they install the fully-patched version of the game. When the time comes, ask in the BG2 forums for how to check for sure that you're running the fully-patched version. (Also ask how to import your Final-Save from BG1 into BG2, if you want to keep using your LG Fighter character in SoA.)

Bonus disk:
Besides having a bunch of other stuff on it, the Bonus disk is used to install a "Bonus Merchant" to your SoA game. When installed, there will literally be a "Bonus Merchant", found in-game, that you can talk to and purchase exotic items from. (The Bonus disk that came with the "Collector's Edition" box will install a second "Bonus Merchant".)

(At this point, years later, both are downloadable from various websites, if you don't have one or both Bonus disks.)

These exotic items are not as overly powerful, as much as they are interesting: one Bonus Merchant's exotic items are originally from the game "Planescape:Torment", and the other's exotic items are from the game "Icewind Dale".

***Edit Update***
Forget what I said about needing to use Bonus disks (or download files) to install the Bonus Merchants. They are included automatically when you have the fully-patched version of BG2 SoA & ToB.

[sonny]

Thanks CFM,

That's great to know. Yesterday was the first time I even looked in the box.
When I first got it, my grandson checked it out so I assumed everything was OK.

I wonder what the number is on the fully patched ver.

When you say "ask someone at the BG2 forums", I hope you guys go there to. Man you guys are like family. I don't even like the thought of not talking to the people here.

[CFM]

I wonder what the number is on the fully patched ver.

The officially fully-patched SoA/ToB version number ends with:
.26498

I'm 99% sure the BG2 disks you got will install this last, official version of the total BG2 game. First install from the SoA disks, then the ToB disk immediately thereafter, and you should be all set. I noticed that the 26498 patch is on the ToB disk. I would assume the setup program installs the patch during the ToB installation...

When you are done with BG1, and are ready to install BG2, I recommend using the BG2 forum to search or ask:
1. How to be sure you're running the 26498 version.
2. How to import your BG1 Final-Save into BG2.

Of course, you could always create a new protagonist for BG2, but it is the continuing story of your assumed BG1 character.

(Some words of caution: BG2 has more plot twists, deeper story, etc. Beware of spoilers when visiting that forum.)

When you say "ask someone at the BG2 forums", I hope you guys go there too.

Many that consistently post here, also post there.

Not too surprising. BG1 was the invention. BG2 is the perfection.

Many here also frequent the Planescape:Torment and Icewind Dale (I & II) forums. They are the other titles that use the BG game-engine.