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Where to go from here?

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:09 pm
by sonny
I finished the Cloakwood Mines and am now in the area with the farm that's north of the bridge that goes to Baldurs Gate.

The choices of places that I have on my map are Ulgoth's Beard, Baldurs Gate, and Durlag's Tower. I'm assuming that Ulgoth'd Beard and Durlag's Tower are part of the TotSC expansion because they are not mentioned in my BG game manual.

As I said before I'm playing BG The Original Saga. My question, whats your advice on where I should go next?

All of my party are level 7 except Coran, who's level 5.

Thanks.

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:18 pm
by galraen
I'd recommend doing everything you can in Baldur's Gate Sonny, follow the main plot until you've got to the point where you have invites to the inauguration of the new Duke. Explore the Gate thoroughly, there are some very useful items that can be found/bought.

A quick visit to the Beard for a shopping spree would be useful, but I wouldn't pursue any quests there just yet.

Have you found the Tome of Leadership and Influence (+1 Charisma)?

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:49 pm
by sonny
galraen wrote:I'd recommend doing everything you can in Baldur's Gate Sonny, follow the main plot until you've got to the point where you have invites to the inauguration of the new Duke. Explore the Gate thoroughly, there are some very useful items that can be found/bought.

A quick visit to the Beard for a shopping spree would be useful, but I wouldn't pursue any quests there just yet.

Have you found the Tome of Leadership and Influence (+1 Charisma)?
Yes. I had my PC Fighter use it. He also has Algernon's Cloak and a Charisma of 21.

So the invite will be my clue to start the TotSC part?

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:54 pm
by VonDondu
As a rule of thumb, I like to finish all of the original sidequests before I go to the TOTSC areas or the city Baldur's Gate. I also prefer to finish Chapter Five before I go to the TOTSC areas.

To enter the city of Baldur's Gate, all you have to do is cross the bridge. You will meet someone at the entrance to the city who will tell you where to go for the main quest. But just to point you in the right direction, you know about the Iron Throne, right? And you've met the Flaming Fist enforcers? Well, their headquarters are in Baldur's Gate, so you already know two places where you need to go. Once you're inside the city, there are over a hundred things to do, and you can do them whenever you feel like it. You'll probably miss a few things unless you enter every single building and talk to every single NPC--that's just the way BG1 is.

To start the TOTSC quests, all you have to do is go to Ulgoth's Beard or Durlag's Tower. For your first game, it's probably better to go to Ulgoth's Beard before you head for Durlag's Tower. You will meet some people in Ulgoth's Beard who will point you towards the main sidequests. Listen carefully to what they say, and you shouldn't have any trouble figuring things out. (Actually completing the quests might be a different story, though.) :)

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:48 am
by Excalibur_2102
I had the same question as you a while back sonny. I guess its just a choice that you can make. As far as Im aware, you can go to ulgoths beard and do all the expansion side quests anytime up until you fight the final boss. I myself went to baldurs gate first and did most of the side quests and main quests their. Just before the duke invites you to go.. somewhere, I headed north to the beard.

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:13 am
by sonny
Thanks guys. You've been a lot of help. I'm going to take your advice and go to Baldur's Gate and do what I can until I get the invite to the inauguration.

I kind of figured I could go to the other places since they were highlighted on the map, but I did not want to screw up the storyline or go somewhere my party was still to weak for.

VonDondu, you made my day when you said there are "hundreds of things to do". I'm having so much fun playing this game, I don't want it to end.

Thanks
Sonny

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:37 am
by Excalibur_2102
well I went back to BG after doing a couple of quests at ulgoths beard and found a few more quests I didnt do before. There is indeed alot to do. And then theres BGII :P .

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:26 pm
by CFM
sonny wrote:VonDondu, you made my day when you said there are "hundreds of things to do". I'm having so much fun playing this game, I don't want it to end.
Entering and exploring the city of BG (Chapter 5) is like a whole new game, there's so much going on.

My run through the game:

I first completed every quest accessible up to, and including, Chapter 4, leaving only the city of BG and the expansion areas to explore. I entered the city with no loose strings.

Then I completed every side quest in the city (Chapter 5), skipping the main storyline quests, up to the point of Chapter 6 being initiated. I either knew what would trigger Chapter 6 via being accidentally spoiled, or it was somewhat obvious, I don't remember which.

Then I traveled to Ulgoth's Beard, where the expansion quests are initiated. The items and experience obtained from the city's side quests will prove invaluable here: the expansion areas (especially that tower) are the toughest of the whole game, imo.

Then, when there was nothing else to do, expansion or otherwise, I went back to the main storyline by triggering the events that initiate Chapter 6.

I was happy with this order, because the last part of the story has a certain momentum to it, from Chapter 6 on to the game's conclusion. Personally, I think going to Ulgoth's Beard at this point would have wrecked the momentum of the game's concluding act. I found it ex-cit-ing.

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:27 pm
by fable
Might want to check out the mods at the Pocket Plane Group. There's a small but choice sample for BG, including 3 or 4 quest mods and one that significantly expands party interactions.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:08 am
by wise grimwald
I am not suggesting it for this game, but I would reccomend a solo visit to durlag's Tower early on if you are a fighter/thief. You zoom up in level and get some nice items into the bargain.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:32 pm
by sonny
I'm sorry, I don't want you guys to get mad because I'm dragging this thing out.

A few of you have said go to BG and do the quest there and at the end of Chapter 5, go do the TotSC expansion. Also one person said to wait until I get an invitation to the inauguration. I respect everything you guys have to say, so here's my plan. Hope it works.

I'm going to BG and start doing quest until the end of Chapter 5 or I get the invitation, which ever happens first. I'm hoping I will know when Chapter 5 ends.

My last question on this subject (I hope) Should I do all the quest as I come to them or just the side quest? And how do you tell whats a main quest and whats a side quest? Never have been able to figure that out.

Thanks again. Hope the next time I talk to you guys it's about another subject.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:51 pm
by galraen
Any quest involving Scar is part of the main quest prior to chapter 5, but feel free to do them until after visiting the Iron Throne HQ. Going back to the Flaming Fist HQ after that triggers the move to the next chapter, the invite comes later than that. There are two (at least) very good reasons for continuing with the main quest beyond that point. I'd suggest continuing the MQ, as well as side quests, until shortly after meeting some basilisks.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:21 pm
by VonDondu
The main quest is not exactly straightforward, but hopefully it will all make sense in the end.

When you enter Baldur's Gate, you will be approached by a senior officer of the Flaming Fist named Scar. He will give you a couple of quests that are not directly related to the main quest, but once you complete his sidequests, you will be on the right track.

In the meantime, you shouldn't worry about the "proper order" of doing things. Just look for as many sidequests as you can while you're in Baldur's Gate. When you think you've finished them all, you can work on the main quest.

Your adventures up to this point have helped you to unravel a mystery. On your way to Nashkel, you learned that bandits were disrupting the flow of iron shipments throughout the land. You also learned that the iron coming out of Nashkel was tainted with a poison that made it rot. When you expelled the kobolds from the Nashkel Mines and killed Mulahey, you learned that it was all part of an elaborate plot by bad people who wanted to control the entire supply of iron. Baldur's Gate and Amn are on the brink of war because of it, and ultimately, it's up to you to prevent that war.

As you learned from the letters that a man named Rieltar wrote to Davaeorn, Tazok (the ogre you might have met briefly at the Bandit Camp) was ordered by a man named Sarevok to use his force of bandits to disrupt shipments of iron. You destroyed the bandit camp and you killed Davaeorn. In the process, you learned that an organization called the Iron Throne was behind the conspiracy. The Cloakwood Mine was being used to produce a great deal of untainted iron on behalf of the Iron Throne, but you put an end to that when you flooded the mine. Now that the Nashkel Mine is operational once again, they will no longer be able to control the supply of iron. You might have noticed that Sarevok has a strong personal desire to have you killed. You probably have an equally strong desire to kill him, too. Rieltar is the man in charge, though, so he is the one you need to look for.

As the letters explained, the Iron Throne is using one of the western noble estates as a base of operations. You're about to enter Baldur's Gate, and it shouldn't be too hard to find a building like that. So maybe you should go there and try to meet Rieltar. --But take your time. :) They have already tried to have you killed repeatedly, so you probably shouldn't expect a friendly welcome.

However, keep in mind that as far as the people of Baldur's Gate are concerned, the Iron Throne is a legitimate mercantile organization that is not involved in any illegal activity that they know about. The Flaming Fist has been investigating the Iron Throne (as part of their own investigation into the iron crisis), but the Flaming Fist will not move against the Iron Throne without solid proof. Your enemies are powerful people, and you never know if someone in a position of authority might be involved in the Iron Throne's plots. As a result, the Flaming Fist doesn't know who they can trust, and you yourself need to tread carefully. There might also be innocent people involved who have no knowledge of any evil plot, so there's no need to go on a wild killing spree (unless you think you would enjoy that).

But don't worry about it! Just go have some fun and adventure for now. One the one hand, this game sometimes tries to make you feel like you need to take care of some urgent business; but on the other hand, there are so many sidequests, you can take your time. When you're ready to tackle the main plot, you know where to go. Well, you have a rough idea, anyway. :)



Here are copies of the letters you've seen for easy reference:


Davaeorn,
I have received your request for extra slaves. They will be sent as soon as possible. Events go well in Baldur's Gate. We have purchased one of the western noble estates to use as our base of operations. It is an ancient building, most likely constructed before the erection of the second wall. Its construction makes it very defensible against those who would thieve it. Remember to ask Yeslick if he enjoys his new accommodations.

Rieltar.
Alturiak, 1367




Davaeorn,
Our plans go smoothly. Sarevok has arrived from our headquarters in Ordulin. He brings news from our superiors; they are pleased with our progress so far. I plan to place Sarevok as the commander of our mercenary forces in the region. He has already sent his subordinate, Tazok, to the Wood of Sharp Teeth to take command of the forces located there. Things go apace here in Baldur's Gate. We have placed our first agent among the ranks of the Seven Suns trading coster.

Rieltar.
Flamerule, 1368




Davaeorn,
As you have probably heard, the iron poison has begun to take effect around the coast. With the majority of iron imports being disrupted by Tazok, almost all of it comes from the tainted source in Nashkel. The Sythillisian uprising in Amn has ensured that no forces from that nation will be able to take action against our mercenary forces. However, the Flaming Fist has caught several of the Black Talon mercenaries. All of those captured have claimed allegiance with the Zhentarim and have thus shifted any suspicion away from the Iron Throne. I have sent Tranzig to work with the mercenaries in transporting the iron to your base in Cloakwood. He has brought several bags of holding so that he, alone, will make trips into Cloakwood, thereby lessening the chance that Flaming Fist trackers might find your stronghold.

Rieltar.
Elient, 1370




Tazok,
I have noticed that your shipments of iron have slowed as of late. It is imperative that we receive another ton of ore. Step up your raids, and get a shipment to our base in Cloakwood within the next week. We need to stockpile as much ore as possible before our ultimatum is given. Also, Sarevok wants to know what has happened with the band of mercenaries. Have they been killed? You had better insure that they have been, as Sarevok will not take kindly to any other news.

DAVAEORN




We have need of your services yet again, Drasus.
We are expecting an incursion at our mine location in the Cloakwood.
You are to accompany Davaeorn to the site and prevent entry or assault by anyone that is foolish enough to challenge you.
Your standard fee shall be doubled in this instance. If all goes well you should look forward to more of the same.

Rieltar

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:13 pm
by metallordofhell
I can't remember the exact time I first started to the Totsc areas but I know I was doing stuff in Baldur's Gate then.I remember knocking out the quests up in Ulgoth's Beard first then I went back and did some more stuff in BG before I went down to Durlag's Tower.
sonny wrote:VonDondu, you made my day when you said there are "hundreds of things to do". I'm having so much fun playing this game, I don't want it to end.
When I played BG all the way through for the first time last year I felt the same way. As soon as I completed it I ordered the BGII Collection which is somewhat better in my opinion. I've been thinking about reinstalling both of them and playing as a different class/race. I'll probably just end up importing my char I used for BG and BG2 instead so I dont waste 2 hours making a new one lol.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:19 pm
by sonny
Thanks everyone, I know I've been a pain in the butt, but I really appreciate the help.

VonDondu: Thanks for taking the time to write out all that info and the advice. I hope you don't have writer's cramps.*laughz. It would have taken me two days to write it.

I have all the letters I've collected even the assassination notes. I've got them and a lot of other stuff stored in Beregost, in the house where I killed the spiders, and in a sack near the Smithy Shop. Just can't bring myself to throw anything away.

OK, I've pondered this so much my hair hurts. So I'm off to BG. Hang on Boo!!

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:43 am
by CFM
sonny wrote:Thanks everyone, I know I've been a pain in the butt, but...
On the contrary. Hearing about someone's first trip through the BG Saga is like a fresh revisiting of the game all over again. (And I ain't got nothin' better to do on my lunchhour.)

So for my part, I say keep the progress updates and questions coming.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:08 am
by Excalibur_2102
CFM wrote:On the contrary. Hearing about someone's first trip through the BG Saga is like a fresh revisiting of the game all over again. (And I ain't got nothin' better to do on my lunchhour.)

So for my part, I say keep the progress updates and questions coming.
I agree. Myself, Im new to ToSC, not to BG. I played most of BG when I was younger, though never actually finished it, and instead went onto to shadows of amn, so ive kinda ruined the ending already :P . Still I was very young when I played BG for the first time and missed alot of the side quests and did very little exploring (I was too absorbed into the main quest, compliments to the story writers I suppose), so going through the game again does seem fresh. I completed SoA, but not ToB. I have something to look forward to then aswell.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:11 am
by sonny
CFM wrote:On the contrary. Hearing about someone's first trip through the BG Saga is like a fresh revisiting of the game all over again. (And I ain't got nothin' better to do on my lunchhour.)

So for my part, I say keep the progress updates and questions coming.
Thanks, glad to hear that. I'm in the eastern section of the city and I'm already over whelmed. Got 3 quest from 3 different people in the thieves guild in the 1st 20 minutes of exploring. Think I'm going to check out the layout of the entire city before talking to anyone else so I'll at least know where these places they are talking about are.

Maybe I should have asked you guys 1st, if that's even possible with 0ut messing something up.

Thanks again.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:15 am
by galraen
Have you increased your dexterity Sonny? If not you've missed something in one of the places you mentioned visiting in your last post.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:08 pm
by sonny
galraen wrote:Have you increased your dexterity Sonny? If not you've missed something in one of the places you mentioned visiting in your last post.
Yes, thanks. Found a tome in a barrel behind some lady named Black Lilly. Almost missed it because I thought she was just another rouge and I started not to go in that room. Won't make that mistake again.lol

I miss spoke in that post. Got 2 quest in Thieves Guild and another in a house. Some guy wants me to bring him a body.

I think what I'm going to do now is explore the entire city before taking any more quest, so I'll know where everything is.

Got to be careful, one of the TG quest only gave me 10 days to do.