New Map Areas *SPOILERS (maybe)

sonny · Post by **sonny** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:47 pm

I'm in Chapter 6 trying to do all the side quest I can find before going to fight Bodhi, so I need some info on some new areas.

After leaving the Underdark, I noticed 3 new areas on my map. 1. Small Teeth Pass, 2. North Forest and 3. Forest of Tethir.

Are these part of ToB or is it OK to go there now?
I have not done anything (at least not to my knowledge) that involves ToB. I have not even attempted to visit Watchers Keep.

And if I may, let me ask this also.

I have been storing all my things in the Fighters Strong Hold. After I start ToB, will I still have access to this area and the stuff I have stored there?

Thanks

Kienan · Post by **Kienan** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:13 pm

I searched the walkthrough for you, and all the areas you name are part of SoA.

Also, I don't know this for sure, but I read somewhere that Watcher Keep is the only place that you can go to in both games, but this is second hand knowledge. But I'm sure it's safe to go to Small Teeth Pass, North Forest, and the Forest of Tethyr.

sonny · Post by **sonny** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:38 pm

Kienan wrote:I searched the walkthrough for you, and all the areas you name are part of SoA.

Also, I don't know this for sure, but I read somewhere that Watcher Keep is the only place that you can go to in both games, but this is second hand knowledge. But I'm sure it's safe to go to Small Teeth Pass, North Forest, and the Forest of Tethyr.

Thanks for doing that for me. 1st time playing so I try to avoid reading threads or walkthroughs.

So I guess that means that I'll have to get all my stuff out of my stronghold before I start ToB.:speech:

anarchistica · Post by **anarchistica** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:52 pm

ToB will only start after you beat Irenicus.

Kienan · Post by **Kienan** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:57 pm

sonny wrote:Thanks for doing that for me. 1st time playing so I try to avoid reading threads or walkthroughs.

So I guess that means that I'll have to get all my stuff out of my stronghold before I start ToB.:speech:

Yeah, walkthroughs can ruin it, I don't like using them. But, if you go to the walkthrough page and search for an area, for example "North Forest," you can verify whether or not it is in SoA, without getting any spoilers or anything.

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:13 am

This is hearsay, as I haven't done the ToB part of the game yet, but I have read somewhere that if you want to leave equipment for ToB the best place is a chest that you find shortly after entering. I won't say where to avoid spoilers. You can then leave again, hopefully without meeting any enemies.
There is also a place where you can buy stuff. I personally might complete the first level, it isn't too hard and there are items that save space in your backpack.

galraen · Post by **galraen** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:11 am

The place Wise Grimwald is referring to, and I don't think it's a spoiler to say so, is Watcher's Keep. As it's in both sections of the game unlike any other area, it is the only place you can stash stuff whilst in SoA and still access in ToB.

I'd suggest using a chest rather than leaving stuff lying around, and I think WG's right, that it is a good idea to clear the first level of the keep, but that's up to personal preference, you can do it anytime you want to as the keep is independent of either SoA and ToB as well as being accessible from both.

Spoilerish

Spoiler

You'll probably kick yourself for not going to the Keep much earlier when you do get there, the containers WG referred to are a godsend.

EOS

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:48 am

sonny wrote:I'm in Chapter 6 trying to do all the side quest I can find before going to fight Bodhi…

A very good plan, because when you are done with all the side quests and continue with Bohdi and the main storyline, you can see SoA to its conclusion without interrupting the ending’s momentum.

sonny wrote:After leaving the Underdark, I noticed 3 new areas on my map. 1. Small Teeth Pass, 2. North Forest and 3. Forest of Tethir.

Are these part of ToB or is it OK to go there now?

None are part of ToB. You can go to area 1 and area 2 anytime. I would save area 3 for when the story points you there…

sonny wrote:I have been storing all my things in the Fighters Strong Hold. After I start ToB, will I still have access to this area and the stuff I have stored there?

Nope.

When SoA ends (which will be obvious, based on the SoA/ToB ending/beginning cut scenes being shown), the game will continue into ToB automatically, like it is one big game. The world map for SoA will be replaced with a whole new world map for ToB. Both world maps have an area labeled “Watcher’s Keep” which takes you to the same place. This is the only area that is accessible from both world maps. Otherwise, when ToB starts, SoA is done and inaccessible.

I’ve heard that if you store equipment in Watcher’s Keep while playing SoA, then it will be there when you return to Watcher’s Keep in ToB. But I’ve also heard this only applies to the “top” map of Watcher’s Keep, and the rest of the maps get reset when ToB starts, clearing the containers therein. So beware.

The safest way would be to stash all pertinent equipment in your Bag(s) of Holding, scroll cases, gem bags, etc. These personal-inventory containers (along with the inventory slots of a full 6 character party) should be more than enough to haul everything you’d want to keep when you continue into ToB.

It’s very cool that you’re getting close to the end of SoA. I would vote for you to continue with ToB with your current game, before replaying SoA (or BG1) again. ToB is very short (relatively speaking), so it would only be a short wait beyond completing SoA before you’d be able to restart again. It might be even more satisfying to replay the series after you know how the final ToB chapters conclude.

Hope to hear your impressions of the series when your first run is done!

sonny · Post by **sonny** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:48 am

CFM wrote:A very good plan, because when you are done with all the side quests and continue with Bohdi and the main storyline, you can see SoA to its conclusion without interrupting the ending’s momentum.

It’s very cool that you’re getting close to the end of SoA. I would vote for you to continue with ToB with your current game, before replaying SoA (or BG1) again. ToB is very short (relatively speaking), so it would only be a short wait beyond completing SoA before you’d be able to restart again. It might be even more satisfying to replay the series after you know how the final ToB chapters conclude.

Hope to hear your impressions of the series when your first run is done!

Thanks. My original plan was to finish SoA, play it through a 2nd time and then do ToB.

That all changed when my computer crashed after starting to do side quest in Chapter 6 and I had to start all over. So in reality, I've played Chapters 1-5except for all the side quest, twice all ready.:laugh:

So my plans are to finish SoA, then do ToB and then play both BG and BGII again. Looking forward to some of these mods you guys talk about like (easy tutu, unfinished business, etc):mischief:

I'll keep you posted.