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I've just finished the last cleric of Lathander stronghold quest. The mission was to invade the Talos temple and kill all priests, especially the headpriestess. I'm wondering if I did something wrong though: it seems a bit out of character for a priest of Lathander to go on this preemptive massacre. The fact that there was hardly any resistance in Talos' Temple makes me a bit suspicious too. But there wasn't any way around it in the dialogues: no other, peaceful solutions, no way to refuse this mission, etc.
Is there another way to handle this?

Nope, that's classic delusion gained from a Church leader. And the teachings are joy and goodness... so by removing an evil presence you are helping this. This is different to Helm, who must keep order, and that's why if you are with them you stop the deed being done.

None of the stronghold quests are very difficult. Compare the Talassians to Lord Tombelthan (Ranger Stronghold) and Lord Roenall (Fighter Stronghold) and you'll see what I mean.

If you knew that a bunch of thugs were about to launch an attack on a bunch of unarmed peasants, would you wait until they attacked before you launched a counter-attack? My understanding of the Chaotic Neutral alignment (EDIT: sorry, I mean Chaotic Good) would allow a pre-emptive attack if it would save lives, but I'm not so sure about the Lawful Good alignment. A Paladin might kill a Drow elf on sight (or a dragon, or a vampire, or any other "creature of evil").

I think we're supposed to assume that the Priests of Lathander have been attempting (unsuccessfully) to negotiate with the Talassians to keep the peace. That's a very important assumption; if it isn't true, then the Morninglord's actions are indeed baffling. But judging from the other Temple quests, the Talassians clearly don't want peace. So I don't have much trouble accepting the idea that the Temple of Lathander has no choice but to resort to arms.

Besides, in a combat-oriented game like BG2, there isn't much you can do to the NPCs except to hit them and kill them.

[QUOTE=VonDondu]None of the stronghold quests are very difficult. Compare the Talassians to Lord Tombelthan (Ranger Stronghold) and Lord Roenall (Fighter Stronghold) and you'll see what I mean.[/QUOTE]I agree, but even so I expected a little more than three low-level fighters and a sleeping o !) headhoncho.
Also, BG is usually so big on morale. After all, the 'quest' that you have to handle just before exterminating the Talassians deals with a jealous co-priest that wants to fight with you and the best way to resolve that one is not to fight.
All in all, the cleric stronghold quests seem a bit rushed. More attention seem to have gone to most of the other ones (except maybe the ones for monks and barbarians ).

I agree, but even so I expected a little more than three low-level fighters and a sleeping ( !) headhoncho.
Also, BG is usually so big on morale. After all, the 'quest' that you have to handle just before exterminating the Talassians deals with a jealous co-priest that wants to fight with you and the best way to resolve that one is not to fight.
All in all, the cleric stronghold quests seem a bit rushed. More attention seem to have gone to most of the other ones (except maybe the ones for monks and barbarians ).

Now THERE'S something that's always annoyed the hell outta me... my favourite class is the Monk, but I never play it since the stronghold makes me look like a common brawler!! Someone should make a Monk Stronghold mod... an evil monk, for example, could maybe start a cult at the shadow temple? How cool would that be?!

But back onto topic!

I once tried a Priest of Lathender... a dwarven one. I play almost solely for the role-play experience, so I was kinda down-cast when I realized dwarves don't get no luuuv... So I stopped playing him... I didn't even bother to play to the Strongholds, so I don't reallt know much about it

[QUOTE=Coot]All in all, the cleric stronghold quests seem a bit rushed. More attention seem to have gone to most of the other ones (except maybe the ones for monks and barbarians ).[/QUOTE]
I've never done the Paladin stronghold quests, so I don't know how those compare. But I think the Mage stronghold quests and the Bard playhouse are better than the others. The Mage battles are probably the most difficult, and the playhouse really makes you think hard (if you care about the outcome).

[QUOTE=VonDondu]I've never done the Paladin stronghold quests, so I don't know how those compare.[/QUOTE]Well, they're sort of what you'd expect for paladins: butt-kicking for goodness. IMHO the paladin stronghold quests are about as interesting as those for clerics and rangers - not very. I suppose the creators were a bit pressed for time after finishing the mage, thief, fighter and bard strongholds and I guess that's why they put the barb and monk with the fighters and rushed to finish the other ones. I also assume that is why the strongholds themselves differ so much in quality.

I agree with VonDondu, the background of the Forgotten Realms and the game inferences seem to support her explanation/theory. Especially when considering alignment. A CG (probably even a NG) person/group would quite likely do a pre-emptive strike. To prevent evil from harming anyone beforehand would be in keeping with doing what is the greater good for people. Striking after being struck is more in keeping with a LG or LN view.

So far I have completed the mage and the paladin quests. The mage was much more interesting and thought provoking.

If I had a multi or dual class cleric/whatever (like anomen or aerie) Would I be able to turn down the cleric stronghold and still be able to do the other one? Or would I have to do the one I most wanted first? In short, does refusing a class related quest for a multi or dual class ruin the other? Not trying to change this thread but since we're talking class quests it seemed related. Reading this is making me rethink doing a cleric or cleric combo main character

Hi, sorry to barge in on a rather old thread... but if anyone is reading this, will I miss out on anything besides XP if I don't do the quest? It just feels so wrong. I wish there would be some evidence of Ada doing something wicked or the Talos guys counseling people to murder (which I hear is what happens if you're their cleric and the four people with issues come to you) but in the game as it is, it is uncomfortable to roleplay as it is... I guess the fact that Talos advocates destruction and chaos means they incite people to murder and wickedness all the time?