2 Questions: high-lighting and roleplaying nice.

[ektoplasma]

Ages ago since I last played. I somehow recall a function, pressing TAB would high-light everything which could be interacted with, ie chest, hidden caches etc. But this doesn't seem to be the case Is it possible to unlock such a feat?

My other question(or complaints perhaps, not sure, really) is about roleplaying, may include MINOR SPOILERS.
I'm playing as a paladin, just reached Beregost, and Garrick approched me, and I told him we weren't mercenarys. Which felt like the most moral thing to say, but that left me without quest and without Garrick.
And I couldn't reapproach him. Kind of a let down.
Another example is in the gryphon in, when the drunkard wants to fight. I'm using the answer I deem most calming, and sensible, still he whiches to fight. I'm fine with that, I rather roleplay than use answers that feel wrong, so I decide to fight him, with fist, to knock him unconsious. Works like a charm. But when I enter two days later, he's still in combat mode. Total letdown.
Also, I was waylaid by another group, so I paid them off, to avoid senseless fighting, and they just instantly vanished. Like a loose end.
Feels like I'm missing out on some things playing this way... Am I?

[CFM]

That tab functionality is for BG2 (and Icewind Dale I think).

And you're doing nothing wrong role-playing.

Sometimes, thy path of thou Holy Warrior shant converge wist the likes of thee mighty Garrick. Godspeed.

Or, you coulda said "Yes, we're mercenaries. GOD's Mercenaries." Happy Easter.

[ektoplasma]

[QUOTE=CFM]
Or, you coulda said "Yes, we're mercenaries. GOD's Mercenaries." Happy Easter. [/QUOTE]


That is a good suggestion.
I usually play out the different paths, and see if I can find a justification afterwards, for the more lucrative one's, OOC. But this time I just felt like doing it "hardcore", for once, since I hardly remember anything, questwise.
Just now, I paid the ogres on the bridge to Gnoll Stronghold. (didn't have the heart to kill them, weak in mind as the were).
But after clearing the map, I just hade an aching feeling that I overlooked something.
MINOR SPOILER
So I searched the walkthrough, and found, that by paying them off, I not only got less exp (bearable) but I would miss out on the Gloves of Dexterity! (almost not bearable)
I never been much for powergaming, but come on, it almost feels like the system is working against me.
But I will persevere, with hopes that the game will somehow recognize my noble actions and reward them in the end, perhaps not with trinkets nor attributes, (and hopefully besides the warm fuzzy feeling of smugness I'm already experiencing lol) but... somehow, somewhere.
Happy Easter!

[CFM]

BG1, I would guess, was mostly about getting the game engine to work: spells, combat, dialog trees, pathfinding, graphics, and the like. They got a great system, that could utilize potential roleplaying angles, to *work*. With the head start of the game engine set and working, BG2 actually *used* that potential (at least more so).

The Ogre Knuckleheads on the Bridge encounter does have a roleplaying element. But personally, I would have put a balance-shifting item, such as those gauntlets, in a more 'neutral' spot, where everyone regardless of the their roleplaying angle would have a chance at 'em. But as it was designed, you either kill them, maybe pick-pocket them, or go without. I would have added a dialog branch to somehow trade with the ogres for the gauntlets, with success being determined by Charisma, ala Planescape:Torment. This would've allowed for a Paladin roleplaying angle (if that's the kinda Paladin you're playing, personally, I would've smoked the evil bullies).

(And more encounters like that would've made Charisma important. They created a roleplaying game engine that could actually make Charisma mean something, then they kinda forgot to use it.)

If I was Bioware, I would have made each roleplaying situation do'able via good/evil/neutral combat/charisma. Handle a situation with your Holy Sword, or as a charismatic liar, or with your poison dagger backstab, or as an inspiring leader of peace and justice, or as an intimidating toughguy who exudes an 'I-don't-care-what-you-do-just-don't-mess-with-me' neutral attitude. The roleplaying angles would all have equal bonuses, penalties, and repercussions. Different, but equal. But alas, this post is the closest I'll ever get to game design.

You may end up disappointed, thinking the game will reward you in the end. Still, the BG Saga does it better than most. The sign of a great game is when it's micro-dissected. And remember, life's not the destination, it's the journey! (I AM the Zen Master! )