Intended Protagonist & NPCs?

Ulfen · Post by **Ulfen** » Sun Jul 22, 2001 9:51 pm

So it all has come to an end *pleasant sigh*. Finished Baldur’s Gate, Tales of the Sword Coast, Shadow’s of Amn, and Throne of Bhaal.

After all has been done, what race/class suits or perhaps was intended for the protagonist? And what of NPC’s, who was intended to stay for the long hall?

I ask because before I go on a MP bender, id like to run through SoA and ToB in true RP style (cant go back to BG1 – like having a Cheeseburger after a Quarterpounder).

Thinking about Human, Neutral Good, Stalker or maybe a Paladin.

Any thoughts? Not preferences. Rather opinions based on texts and history

.

Ulfen

GEorGE · Post by **GEorGE** » Sun Jul 22, 2001 11:58 pm

Actually it's hard to say, since in the game there isn't anything said about the background of the protagonist. Just like the Biography says: "Your history is nearly as unknown as your future, and the things that are certain seem more fancy than fact."

Vehemence · Post by **Vehemence** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 12:29 am

My guess would be some kind of Human Mage. Gorion rased you and was pretty good with magic. Would make sense to follow in your stepfathers footsteps.

In BG2, Irenicus shows you the powers you might have, at which point, you magically blast away enemies.

In my opinion, it's seen that magic is a powerful force and it would seem that that is a logical path to follow.

TheHellion · Post by **TheHellion** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 1:28 am

It's really hard to say. I'm sure the developers had something in mind as they wrote the storyline, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had similar debates (read: arguments

).

The only thing that really comes to me naturally is that the protagonist is somehow human; being Gorion's adopted child, Imoen's sibling, and the fact that your background, and indeed most of the dialogue and storyline, doesn't hint at any kind of racial prejudice leads me to believe the protagonist was simply intended to be human.

Vehemence has a lot of valid points about the pro being a mage or sorcerer. In fact, a sorcerer fits all the more since sorcerers have some kind of natural talent for magic; maybe they've got a trace of dragon blood in their heritage, or some other inherently magic-using creature, or perhaps they were born in an area of wild magic, and it somehow infused itself into their being; or maybe they're the child of a god.

The fact that Gorion was a powerful mage also hints in this direction, as well as Irenicus' temptations.

On the other hand, based on a lot of your interaction with the common folk of Candlekeep, it's easy to assume that the pro is some kind of fighter. A lot of the intense battles also seem to indicate this; in BG1, Sarevok is virtually impossible to defeat with magic, and it's safe to assume that the pro was the victor, not his party. A couple "tough guy" mano-a-mano challenges throughout the games also lean in the melee direction.

It's fairly easy to tell what the pro is not, or at least not intended to be: I very much doubt the pro is a druid; a bard is also pretty much out of the question; a barbarian doesn't really make sense, considering that you grew up in Candlekeep; a monk is a strong possibility.

Ultimately, the BioWare guys designed the game specifically so that this question would be difficult to answer. Just about anything is possible with enough imagination, though some more than others. Neat discussion, though.

[ 07-23-2001: Message edited by: TheHellion ]

patroklos · Post by **patroklos** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 1:34 am

**Ulfen** It is strange that you ask of opinions based in the historic contex of the saga and at the same time you point at a stalker or a paladin as the intended protagonist class. How did you come to this conclusion? To be a paladin you must be a member of an order and maybe pass a test or two (like Anomen did in SoA). Candlekeep is no Paladin Order methinks...

As for a Stalker = Ranger this is also out of the question since there was no ranger in candlekeep teach you the basics. Also seeing the whole matter from another point of view, I believe that the protagonist couldn't adopt any kit, at least in the beggining, because of the high specialization nature that a kit requires.

IMO since you were raised in Candlekeep the more profound choices would be a Mage (with Gorion's tutelage) or a Fighter (remember those two that prepared you for combat as instructed by Gorion, prior to your meeting with him? Also, any Watcher might have tought you some basic staff moves) or, if you are not human, a fighter-mage. A thief is also a possibility (don't forget Imoen's talents) but for me that's as far as it goes for the protagonist.

GEorGE · Post by **GEorGE** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 2:58 am

It is also very likely that the protagonist is good or neutral aligned, since it is hard to believe that the people of candlekeep would tolerate an evil character.

Dimensional · Post by **Dimensional** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 3:37 am

What about a cleric

Candle keep is a monastary dedicated to Ohgma (god of Knowledge ?)

seems like religous instruction would have been part of his upbringing

perhaps Cleric/mage if half elven.

anyway thats just my 2 cents

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 3:47 am

george

U say

It is also very likely that the protagonist is good or neutral aligned, since it is hard to believe that the people of candlekeep would tolerate an evil character.

If i was evil (if - he he) i would do my best to conceal it and have people belive i was good. Look at many politicians...

I rest my case.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:05 am

IMO
I believe a Fighter (since this is the most 'easy' class for a person to be, plus Serevok is a fighter) dual classed into a mage (following Gorions footsteps after his death as a symbol or respect).

This was the same reason that Imoen Dual classed into a mage...'to respect Gorion'

Thats my opnion.

@Fiddler on the roof.

r u from Greece? I am greek to

Pos pas?

polaris · Post by **polaris** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:22 am

Mark my vote down for F/Mu dual as well. In BG1, it seemed clear (at least to me) based on the dialogs, antagonists, and challenges that the pro was supposed to be a fighter...albeit a very talented, wise, and intelligent fighter. In addition, in BG1, you can solo as a fighter relatively easily (not so for any other class).

In BGII, the game is SO much slanted towards the F/Mu dual (and the idea that the pro has an awesome magical talent) that I think it was deliberate.

In addition to all of that, the pro was raised in a magic-user friendly environment by a magic-user (as was mentioned before). All said, put my vote down for a (human) F/Mu dual class (probably F9/Mu (main)).

-Polaris

GEorGE · Post by **GEorGE** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:28 am

But do any of you remember why Nalia had her thief skills. Because sometimes she used to sneak out of the castle at nights, so what if the protagonist and Imoen used sneak out of Candlekeep as well, (Imoen has 7 thief levels) so perhaps the protagonist should also have a couple of thief levels, and then dualed to something else (or multiclass thief).
In conclusion if you put that all together the best way would be a multiclass thief/mage/cleric, but since such a combination doesn't exist, the fighter/mage/cleric combination is the way to go (because of the fighting teachers pointed out by TheHellion).

Another difficulty is to determine the sex of the protagonist, but personally I think that male would be the way to go for

, because to whom do women turn to when they are scared? Men. And you don't see Jaheira crying on Minsc's shoulder and Imoen also turns to you with her headache troubles, in the beginning at Irenicus's dungeon

. Besides, (this may anger any feminists @ this forum) through time mostly men have been the leading figures

and women follow

.

[ 07-23-2001: Message edited by: GEorGE ]

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:31 am

Another thing to follow up my post. In Bg1, wern't all Bhallspawn Human? Sarevok, Imoen and the guy who gets thrown off the roof in the Intro of Bg1.

If I recall correctly, Gorion (in ToB) explains that he decided to run off with you instead of Sarevok as a Child, AND his 'once lover' (your mother) was HUMAN (look closely when she appears in ToB in the Plane).

That is another reason why I believe that your Main Character was 'intended' to be a dual class Fighter/Mage. It is the most logical explination.

I could never see by MC as any other race except human.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:35 am

@George.

Concerning Imoen, did you ever get the Dialogue between Her and Servok? She explains that she 'knew' that she was going to be a Thief, because of an incident in her life with Winthrop (candlekeep inn Bartender dude) there was an incident where she could not help herself but steal whatever he had with him.

There ARE no Thieves in Candlekeep. There are Monks (priests) Fighters (guards) and Mages (Gorion Fireband dude "so hard to find, decent folk nowerdays")

If it wasn't for this incident in her life to propel her into being a Theif, she most probably would have been a Straight Mage (she is a smart one , 17 Intelligence)

GEorGE · Post by **GEorGE** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 4:46 am

to RoP

Yes, maybe so (I haven't played ToB yet), but Nalia also wasn't a thief, she only used to sneak out, and that gave him some thief levels. Beats me where the pickpocketing, set traps and backstabbing skill came from

(maybe from stealing keys from the butler and constantly trying to assassinate her family

).

Anyway, in the end I did suggest the f/m/c class as the most likely combination.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 5:00 am

@Geroge

I agree totally about the F/M/C thing...but...I cannot picture my ALL POWERFUL Bhallspawn as a Cleric, could you? Running around behind the Tanks curing them and being all nice HAHAHA. Would be cool, however, since Priests gain their powers from their gods, for you to gain the powers of Bhall. He IS a god and IS your father (i.e your god), isn't he?...this arouses another question about it all...but I couldn't be bothered analyzing it...*bother*

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 5:15 am

Another argument about being the mage section of your Life. Wasn't it propelled into your brain that the FIRST thing you EVER wanted to do was to cast those damn magic missles as fast as Gorion? I CERTAINLY DID! Even to this day, I found the first secene in the game to be the absolute best!
And especially this line by Gorion and Servok.

Something along thses lines Sarevok says :
"Hand over your ward and no one will be hurt. If you do not, it shall be a waste of your life!!"

Then Gorions killer Statement:
"Your a fool to believe I could trust your benevolance! Stand asside and you and your lackeys will be unhurt..."

Servok:
"...I'm sorry you feel that way old man."

THEN MAJOR SPELL BOMBARDMENT FROM GORIONS WHOA!!! I LOVED THIS SCENE......

Ulfen · Post by **Ulfen** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 5:55 am

- Overwhelming replies, thanx

- yep. I think 'Neutral Good' alignment cant really be disputed. Raised in Candlekeep brought up around monks but then to have everything turned upside-down – realizing flaws in the system and charging against dark corruption. perfect with d&d Nut'Good text.

- yeah, Fighter dualled mage does seem to be pretty appropriate.

- Ive gone for Stalker because I think the fresh Fighter finds himself battling in the wilderness for most of BG. Then has to adapt skills into the Cities and dungeons of latter BG and SoA (Stalker)

- Someone mentioned Sorcerer caters for that whole inherited Bhaal power thing, but then so do all the other classes in the form of (innate power, esp Slayer).

- Fighter'esq way to go... question is - To be lured into the arcane arts (Mage) or adapt to scenario (Ranger)? or plane'old.?

- Mage from start? no, game caters too well for a fighter type earlier on.

- I just put Paladin in there to stir truble

- as for human... well, mum's human in ToB.

Ulfen

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 5:55 am

Rats @ss. Is this the thread where everyone says the protagonist should be the character they've played all along...?

I think Paladin. Sure I've played one but other classes too. Paladin seems to fit the Oghma/Candlekeep thing. They can cast spells and call on godly powers. They can fight and lead. They are a force for good - lets face it, the game leans towards good choices. A paladin would be the choice to face the God of Murder.

Laurelei · Post by **Laurelei** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 7:34 am

To me, the character is "intended" to be whatever I decide to play next

In defense of paladins though (although that's not what I'm playing next

), what better way for old Gorion to just gall the hell out of the old god of murder (pun intended) than to send one of his spawn to "Crusade for Righteousness and Justice School". Who's to say Gorion wouldn't have done that just because the irony was too good

The Harpers have access to alot of resources and a lot of contacts, no reason to believe that is not possible. And speaking of the whole Harper angle, the main character becoming a druid becomes a little more justifiable too, no?

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Mon Jul 23, 2001 9:43 am

I think sorcerer, Think about it. you are the son of a god, that to me goes with being a sorcerer quite well. You know, the innate magic. Kinda like the special abilities your character gains. I guess I just see it as the class that gives more of a feeling of have special powers most others don't because of your lineage. Read the description in the book and you'll see what I mean.