Another new party - The Prince of Nothing

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I have started a new game of IWD2 using characters from R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing series.

I started with a solo Aasimar monk, representing Anasurimbor Kellhus. I had to give him a higher Charisma than I would normally give a monk, because this character is supposed to have super abilities to read people and get them to do whatever he wants. He can also read their actions, so I figured this translated into high Dexterity (thus being able to avoid being hit etc). All this means that there is not much left for Strength, so I installed the mod that allows Weapon Finesse for fists.

In Shaenegarne, I had him meet up with a Half Orc Barbarian, representing the Scylvendi Cnaiur urs Skiotha. This guy is all Strength and Constitution, with a bit of Wisdom thrown in. He's using Greatswords and/or Bastard Swords.

At the Horde Fortress, they were joined by a Human Transmuter, representing the Mandate Schoolman Drusas Achamian. I'm still getting my head around what sort of spells I will need to focus on as a transmuter (there seem to be so many great Necromancy and Abjuration spells). His favourite spell at the moment is Cat's Grace (actually, it's the only level 2 spell he knows...)

So, the party is currently at the following levels:
Anasumrimbor Kellhus - Monk 10
Cnaiur urs Skiotha - Fighter 4 / Barbarian 4
Drusas Achamian - Transmuter 4

This game is great fun.

 

I've not read the book (and in fact until a minute ago I'd never heard of R. Scott Baker), but you seem to have a very interesting party there. Do you plan to add/remove characters at later stages too?

I think some really good spells you should have the Transmuter focus on include Malison, Chaos, Mordenkainen's Force Missiles, and the usual Evocation spells (Fireball, Cone of Cold, et al). For Transmutation spells, Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace are always great, and later on you get some truly good things like Haste, Lower Resistance, Mass Haste and Tenser's Transformation. Suffocate is a level 7 offensive spell that can incapacitate at least half of the enemies if you used properly.

I really like IWD2. It's not PST, but it's not meant to be, and I think it does the job very well (in same ways even better than IWD1)

 

Well, I’d really like to add a Paladin at some point, but I can’t find anyone in the books that comes close to resembling an interesting Paladin (despite the fact that the majority of the story seems to be about a crusade style Holy War……).

Another main character I’d like to include would be Esmenet, who is a prostitute who is in a sort of relationship with Drusas Achamian. I just need to work out whether she is a Cleric (because she ‘heals’ people), a Bard (because she ‘entertains’ people), or a Rogue (because she’s part of the shady underworld).

 

heh, take all three

 

Well, you could take a non-good Bard (I'm thinking Chaotic Neutral or Neutral Evil for the "shady underworld" bit), and have her learn many healing spells. Put skill points into the Stealth skills, and have her be the party talker (points in Diplomacy make sense here). That way you've got all the grounds covered: she can heal, she can entertain, AND she has some shady skills. I don't think multiclassing is a good idea, as that would dilute her spellcasting ability too much. Unless you go for a Rogue/Bard multiclass; not such an issue in this case, since Bard spellcasting progression is already diluted.

 

You're probably right, Ziad. I forgot that Bards get healing spells. It would be nice to have a Paladin somewhere but maybe I will have to do without. Anyway, there is still a long way to go.

 

This is a great idea, I may start a party based on David Gemmil books. Plenty of heroes to choose from there.

 

I like the Gemmell idea Waylander and Druss working together would be kind of fun, although my favourite would be difficult; the Jerusalem man himself, Jon Shannow . Good luck with yours HB though I haven't read the books either but when I get chance I will.

 

Well, I introduced Esmenet as a Rogue 1 / Bard X. Her role is purely to provide "support" in terms of thieving, singing, healing, buffing. I'm going to try and have her with no combat skills or offensive spells at all (except maybe stuff like Charm).

Currently in the Ice Temple and my party is at:
Anasumrimbor Kellhus: Monk 12 (Stunning blow rules)
Cnaiur urs Skiotha: Fighter 4 / Barbarian 7 (Loads of hit points and Winged Blight)
Drusas Achamian: Transmuter 8 (Malison is great before Stunning Blow)
Esmenet: Rogue 1 / Bard 5 (Sing when you're winning)

It is interesting how quickly new party members seem to 'catch up' to the others.