Newbie Question - Going Too Fast??

Catcher · Post by **Catcher** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 3:44 pm

My first time with this drug the Interplay cartel calls a game and I wonder if I'm buzzing through the main storyline too fast. I accidentally boosted myself into Chapter 3 and have already been to see Linval once. Do I HAVE to go down to the docks the first night or can I putz around with some side quests first? Is it adviseable to do such? I understand things move rather quickly in Chapters 4 - 6 so I don't want to miss out on too many of the fun quests. My party currently consists of
H Abjurer (Me)
Minsc
Jaheira
Yoshimo
Anomen
Aerie
and we've done the Copper Coronet/Slaver, Mae'Var's Guildhall, Poisoned Renfeld, and Jaheira's Curse quests. Side Note: Is it better to buy off the mages that would otherwise help Ployer or do I get the same XP with better loot if I beat them all? Thanks in advance.

[ 06-20-2001: Message edited by: Catcher ]

koz-ivan · Post by **koz-ivan** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 3:50 pm

i think the thieves quests are timed i.e. they must be done asap. once they are completed you will be able to take some time off & do some side quests before moving on when presented w/ the option of would you like to go now or do you want to re-equip yourselves first? opt to re-equip, you'll have all the time in the world.

if given the choice to pay or kill, kill.

Lews Therin · Post by **Lews Therin** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 3:53 pm

AFAIK the only timed quests are in chapter 6. I may be wrong, and there are definitely more knowledgable players than me; but I believe you can take you time and enjoy until then.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 8:17 am

There is nothing to stop you completing the quests for Aran. He will then offer you passage on a boat to Brynnlaw. You will have the option to go then or return later.

When you decide to take the boat, what you have not completed in Athkatla you can return to once you have completed the Underdark.

Callimar · Post by **Callimar** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 9:37 am

Take a whole year if you feel like it. It doesn't really seem to matter. I think the only kind of timed quest is the meeting with Bodhi (I missed the first night and the next night she wasn't there).

Lews Therin · Post by **Lews Therin** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 10:02 am

Originally posted by Callimar:
Take a whole year if you feel like it. It doesn't really seem to matter. I think the only kind of timed quest is the meeting with Bodhi (I missed the first night and the next night she wasn't there).

So if I didn't talk to Bodhi right away I have to side with the Shadow Thieves? Is this right? I hope not. I wanted to wait to talk to her until I had done a lot of the quests, but I definitely want to take her side when the time comes. Her messenger comes as soon as you have 10000 GP I think.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 11:09 am

As soon as you have an amount of money - one of Bodhi's lackeys will approach you and tell you to meet her in the Graveyard District. I do not recall a time restraint.

Once you have been approached by Bodhi's minion, she will keep stopping you and reminding you. If you happen to unintentionally bump into Bodhi before joining a guild then she will demand an immediate decision.

There is no reason other than lack of money or indecision, to delay choosing a guild. Once a member you can still carry on with all of Chap 2 quests at your leisure, and even when you move on to Brynnlaw and Spellhold, you can still complete some of the quests when you return.

Lews Therin · Post by **Lews Therin** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 12:29 pm

Originally posted by Yshania:

There is no reason other than lack of money or indecision, to delay choosing a guild. Once a member you can still carry on with all of Chap 2 quests at your leisure, and even when you move on to Brynnlaw and Spellhold, you can still complete some of the quests when you return.

Except that the other side will turn hostile. For instance if I wanted to do the quests in that building that Edwin is in, I don't think I could do those once I've chosen Bhodi's side.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 12:39 pm

If I haven't missed anything - you are referring to Renal Bloodscalp's mission re Mae Var.

In this case you are probably correct. But this mission is quite a good one to do early on anyway and doesn't take too long to complete...you do not have to have sided with the thieves to complete them.

These are probably the only missions it may effect. IIAC.

Lews Therin · Post by **Lews Therin** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 12:55 pm

Originally posted by Yshania:
If I haven't missed anything - you are referring to Renal Bloodscalp's mission re Mae Var.

In this case you are probably correct. But this mission is quite a good one to do early on anyway and doesn't take too long to complete...you do not have to have sided with the thieves to complete them.

These are probably the only missions it may effect. IIAC.

You're right, this should be the only quest affected. But am I too late to take Bhodi's side if I didn't meet her the first night I was asked? That was my question, because I was asked some time ago on my current game, and have done Trademeet, Umar, the Druid Grove, and a maybe some others since the first offer.

At the time I didn't want to accept because I wanted to buy weapons.

Catcher · Post by **Catcher** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 1:27 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll try to go ahead with the Linval Quests as expeditiously as possible with a sidetrip through the Harpers' Quests. Just think Jaheira is a better match for my character than Aerie or Viconia from a role-playing/romance perspective. BTW, I guess just taking the Linval quests means I can't meet Bodhi in the Graveyard anymore (or at least not without 200 lbs 10 oz of furry fury between us

) Thanks again all.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 1:51 pm

Lewis - as far as I know there are no time restrictions on joining a guild.

If you decide to join with Bodhi you will need to go to the Graveyard District after dark.

If she is not where you might have expected to find her she will approach you directly (after dark!) to confirm that Vaelen (sp) has delivered her message. You will then be forced into a decision when you meet her
SPOILER but time saver
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.(but if your PC is a single class thief she will not ally)

Lews Therin · Post by **Lews Therin** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 1:59 pm

Thanks, Yshania. I was worried because an earlier post said this was timed and if you didn't go right away she wouldn't show up. I'm playing with Korgan and Vic this time through and wanted to side with Bhodi against the Shadow Thieves.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 2:19 pm

Lewis

You're welcome. Like I said I don't know for sure because I never sided with Bodhi so I checked my sisters strategy guide. No timescale was mentioned - just the after dark thing...

Mr. Sprinkles · Post by **Mr. Sprinkles** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 5:17 pm

Something that was really weird with the whole guild joining thing; I was playing a multi-class thief and I obtained the guild from renal by doing the Mae-Var quest, but then I sided with Bohdi and I still had my guild.

It's weird because Renal still charges you a tribute even though you're a traitor.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Jun 22, 2001 1:08 am

To be a member of the thieves guild you need to pay Gaelen Bayle the joining fee then you meet Aran who gives you the guild specific quests. Once you have done this you cannot side with Bodhi.

The Mae Var quests are not guild specific - you can do this before joining any guild.

From previous postings on this board, it appears a dual/multi class thief can ally with Bodhi but not a single class thief. (She will not trust you!)

samcu · Post by **samcu** » Fri Jun 22, 2001 1:55 am

I remember that there is a post that if you haven't went for Brynnlaw by 79th day, something happens. I don't know if anyone remembered. I think it was in a post from Dec to Feb.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Jun 22, 2001 8:33 am

Is that the 79th day from starting the game or from being offered the ship's passage?

I think 79 days following the offer of passage to Brynnlaw is an excessive amount of days needed to complete all quests..unless you sleep a lot!

If it is 79 days from starting the game - well I went to Brynnlaw on the 84th day.

Sabre · Post by **Sabre** » Fri Jun 22, 2001 8:51 am

Just to add a few things to the guild choosing thing. If you decide to join Bhodi, do not go and talk to Gaelan Bayle the second time.
The first time you talk to him is when you start chapter 2 (you can't avoid it), after gaining the needed money, you will be approach by Bhodi's minion offering her help, after this Brus will appear telling you to go and talk to Gaelan again. Do not do this if you're planning to join Bhodi.

Catcher: Since you have already met Aran Linval, it means that you have joined the Shadow Thieves, since Gaelan gives you the key when you talk to him the second time.

[ 06-22-2001: Message edited by: Sabre ]

Catcher · Post by **Catcher** » Mon Jun 25, 2001 11:20 am

Update: Decided to go back to a save I had from before completing the Thief Guildhall Quests. I'll take a new shortcut to Gaelen Bale's house by way of the Umar Hills, the Planar Sphere, etc.

Thanks for all the input.