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COLLECTOR'S MANSION
Tasha
I step outside the Sunken Flagon with Neeshka in tow, whereupon a woman named Tasha tips her off that Leldon plans to rob a place called the Collector's Mansion. Neeshka obviously wants to beat Leldon to the prize. I readily accede to her request in order to gain influence with her.
I bring along Neeshka, Khelgar, Shandra, and Grobnar for this part of the game. The Collector's Mansion is at #7 on the Blacklake District map.
Collector's Guards
I step in through the front door and end up at #1 on the Collector's Mansion - Level 1 map. The next fight can be a pretty tough one, so I have Valeria buff up to the max: Improved Mage Armor for her Beetle Familiar, Greater Magic Weapon and Keen Weapon for herself, Weapon of Impact for Khelgar. Just before the fight, I have her cast Ghostly Visage and Mirror Image on herself, while Grobnar casts Ghostly Visage on himself, and Haste on the party.
At #2 will be several of the Collector's Guards, which include a Monk and a Cleric who can cast Blade Barrier. I have Shandra lead them in and let them close in a bit before changing from 'follow me' to 'attack nearest'. Each party plays distinct roles during the fight.
I have Shandra stick her neck out ahead of the others. She has a Parry skill rank of 20, so she can hold up several enemies by herself.
Khelgar is also puts himself on the front line, both safely holding up enemies and attacking with his Bone Phoenix.
Valeria casts Bladeweave, and then starts swinging away.
The Beetle Familiar tags the Cleric with a Touch of Idiocy spell, which effectively takes away his best spells and renders the Cleric far less dangerous. The Beetle Familiar then retreats. It then carefully picks its spots on the edge of the battle where it can tag enemies with Shocking Grasp spells, and with a minimum of risk to itself.
Neeshka activates the Displacement power from her Robe of Scintillating Colors. She then positions herself to inflict sneak attacks on the Guards.
Grobnar started off the battle by hitting all of the Guards with his Curse Song. He then noticed that there were three Guards positioned alongside Valeria. So he carefully places a Confusion spell that will hit those three Guards but not any of his comrades. Two of them end up Confused and are effectively out of the battle until they get killed.
*Evil* It was even easier for Zarathos when he brought Elanee, Shandra, Neeshka, and Grobnar. Shandra held everyone up. A Divine Hammer from Zarathos and a Call Lightning Storm from Elanee, enhanced by Grobnar's Curse Song and Zarathos' War Glory aura, pretty much ended the fight before it even started.
Bottle of Water
The room at #3 has a number of servants. The cleanest way of handling them without any further difficulties is to simply tie them up. I then take an Empty Bottle from the large container next to the wall, place the Empty Bottle in the Wash Basin, and then take the Bottle of Water. I'll need the Bottle of Water fairly soon.
The room at #4 has a series of chests that provide random loot.
*Evil* Bottle of Water
Zarathos decides to simply slaughter the Servants and obtain the Bottle of Water afterwards. Note that he issued a 'stand your guard' command and went in to slaughter the Servants by himself. The reason is that if any of the companion members were to personally land a killing blow on a Servant, it would result in a 5 point alignment shift towards Evil for that companion.
Vania
The Collector's mistress, Vania, can be found in the room at #5. The desk has the Collector's Diary. The cabinet can yield either an Emerald or a Diamond, but I'm satisfied with nearly 700gp and a couple of miscellaneous that I can sell. There are all kinds of options with Vania. She'll actually help you rip off the Collector out of boredom either by giving you her key, or letting herself play hostage, or giving you info that the Collector values a certain painting. Sometimes getting her help depends on making a Diplomacy check or bribing her with gold. I could also have Neeshka pickpocket Vania for Vania's Key and the Saintsblood Pearl (Cure Critical Wounds (7) / 4 charges per use, Cure Light Wounds (2) / 1 charge per use, Cure Moderate Wounds (3) / 2 charges per use, Cure Serious Wounds (5) / 3 charges per use, Restoration (7) / 5 charges per use).
However, neither Valeria nor Zarathos bat an eyelash at killing her. Valeria positions Shandra and Khelgar near the door and issues a 'stand your ground' command. She initiates the dialogue and informs Vania of her impending death. Two Collectors' Guard Captains, worth 173xp each, charge the door and run straight into Shandra and Khelgar. Valeria makes sure to land the killing blow on Vania herself. She'll take a 5 point alignment hit towards evil, but there will be plenty of opportunities to earn good alignment points anyway. I manage to outlast them in melee.
Vania leaves behind the Saintsblood Pearl and Vania's Key. The latter item is needed to open the way to the next level, which is at #6.
Fireplace Key
I go up the stairs on start off at #1 on the level 2 map. I go to the fireplace at #2, and use the Bottle of Water to douse the fire. I then obtain the Fireplace Key, which will be needed to open the vault.
At #3 are a pair of bookcases. One of them has a book called Just Desserts, the taking of which causes a little bit of fire damage to Valeria. The other one has The Big Book of Numerological Nursery Rhymes, which provides information on a numerical code needed to break into the vault.
The Collector
I enter the room at #4, wherein is the Collector. I could pickpocket his key after a brief dialogue with him, or threaten the destruction of the nearby Ocean Painting (at #5), in order to obtain his key.
But I prefer to kill him. Sure Valeria will get a few evil points to her alignment, but she'll get more good points later on anyway. The reasons being that I get 78xp for kiling him, as well as the Gloves of the Balanced Hands (+2 Parry, Two-Weapon Fighting), Angurvadal (Longsword +2, +1d6 fire damage), and Kiss of Sune (Mace +1, Hold on hit DC=14 50% / 2 rounds). I have a pretty expensive shopping list, so if there's a chance for me to sell items to raise gold for the prices of what I want to buy, why not?
The bookcase near the Collector can also yield a high value gem, so I milk it for a Beljuril gem.
Neverwinter's Greatest Thief
I then approach the door to the Collector's vault at #6. The door requires the Fireplace Key, the Collector's Key, and the number combination of 5-1-3 to open. Once I do open it, Leldon shows. He's all by himself though, so he's easy to gang up on and kill. I get 1,500xp for completing the quest in optimal fashion (i.e. not tripping his noise alarms when I got his coin). He'll leave behind a Greater Scorpion Venom when he dies, which I just sell off.
Collector's Vault
The vault itself will have:
Now I explore the Bryce Crypt.
