Non violent thief

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:25 am

As at least one person expressed an interest in my non-violent thief game. Here is a synopsis.
I thought that playing the game as a non-violent fighter-thief who tries to avoid fights and who kills nobody would make an interesting change. I chose a Halfling as they make excellent thieves. My first try ended in failure as I fell at the first hurdle, stealing Algernon’s cloak. It is vital to do this without failing; otherwise you would have to kill him to get the cloak.
Once you have it, various quests are possible without using violence. To get Joia’s ring for example, you charm the Hobgoblin and then pickpocket him. If that pickpocket fails, you can run away towards the guards who will kill him for you.
I solved the Melicamp and Bassilus quests by charming Zargal. He was attacked by a certain wolf and also by Bassilus and in the process proved that he is indeed the strongest one there is. Proceeded to Brage quest. Easy. Went to see Greywolf and led him towards the mine entrance where the guard killed him. Crept down to bottom of the mine where I charmed Mulhaney. The Skeletons and Kobolds then attacked him and killed him. On the way north I called in on Durlag’s tower. . I used stealth to solve the puzzles set by the four dwarves. Love was killed by Cloudkill cast by one of the other dwarves. The other dwarves then followed me through trapped doors and in the process killed themselves. Further down the dwarves and Ghasts near where you get Kiel’s Buckler killed themselves and each other by setting off traps. Couldn’t work out how to get to the chessboard without killing so made way to bandit’s camp.
Joined their group, avoided Tazok and entered his tent using stealth. Spoke to the fellow near the chest. Hid again. Picked up the documents and avoided trouble on the way out. Avoided trouble on way to see Daevercorn. Deliberately set off traps in order to provide his nemesis. Charmed him. They killed him. In BG avoided being poisoned, but completed most quests. Couldn’t clear the Seven Suns. In Iron Throne avoided the fight, just talked to bloke in the back room. Charmed Slythe who was then killed by his mate. Took the invitation. Afterwards realised that I could just have pickpocketted the noble, but too late. The Ducal palace was the hardest. Had to reload a few times as the two Dukes were always getting killed. To succeed, I buffed myself up with potions. Used sleep spell, on shapeshifters. Half of them resisted the spell, but it bought some time. Stood between them and Belt so that I took the brunt of the blows and healed him a couple of times. We survived. Avoided fights on way to final conflict, which was much easier. Went down the left side, and ran away when spotted.
Hid in shadows and went to deal with Semaj. Used arrows of dispelling to stop the used of shadow door. Then allowed the use of Cloudkill with which she killed herself.
Attacked Saverok several times from behind, then when he was almost dead guided him over to his friends who killed him with arrows of detonation when they attacked me. I therefore succeeded in my aim of completing the game without killing anyone.
Subsequent to this, I played an alternate ending in which I killed Saverok with bare hands, see other post.

Thrifalas · Post by **Thrifalas** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 11:34 am

Interesting playthough, indeed.

Never thought of playing the game without killing anyone, although... is it really not killing them by charming them and having them killed?

Well, it's the only way I guess.

And isn't Semaj a guy? ;_;

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:16 am

Of course you're right ethically speaking. I am trying it again with a fighter mage thief without weapons to see if I can do it with less bloodshed. Shows that I've been playing it too long when I try to make things harder for myself, not easier!

TheAmazingOopah · Post by **TheAmazingOopah** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:00 am

Hehe, that walkthrough with a non-violent thief was a very good idea and I enjoyed reading your report! But what I am wondering about: have you also tried the opposite? Meaning: using as much bloodshed as possible??:mischief:

That would mean trying to do as much quests the-bloodsplattered-walls way, but perhaps also hewing down everyone you meet. Like when you're done with Nashkel, just murder the entire town! You would have to deal with lots of packs of ruthless Flaming Fist Jimbo's, but I think that a seasoned adventurer like yourself should be able to hack 'n slash through details like that.

Obviously chaotic evil, possibly solo. You might get lonely while trying this way of playing.

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:58 am

Non violent thief.

Got to the mines without killing anyone. Charmed the half ogre and pickpocketted him for the letter after moving him away from his friend. Did the same to get the boots of stealth. Went down the mines. Got the letter and pickpocketed Mulhaney's symbol. Was given the reward. Went to find Tranzig, as instructed in the letter I found. No Tranzig, no bands of thieves to join. Went back to Mulhaney, had him killed as before. No chapter ending! Obviously a bug! Went back to a saved game and used the tried and tested method. Got to Cloakwood mines without anyone else dying. Tried to pickpocket boots of speed instead of arranging for his death. "NO VALID ITEMS!" Now if you can pickpocket boots of stealth, why cannot you pickpocket boots of speed? No consistency in the programming! If the programming were perfect, which of course it never can be, you would be able to arm charmed characters with weapons from your own backpack and take equipment from theirs without having to pickpocket. Minor gripe only, I've had hours of fun with this game.

Celacena · Post by **Celacena** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:14 am

the 'no valid items' is a real irritation when you are trying to avoid unnecessary conflict.
the logic is that the character is using the item, but if a character isn't in a fight - their weapons should be 'liftable' - shouldn't they?