The IWD2 Belle Sakura Saloon Themed Party

Following the What D&D Character are you thread, here is a a new thread to post ideas and concepts regarding this gaming project that hopefully will be documented and played from different perspectives.

IWD2 is a great game for this sort of things since it allows us to customize characters and make them work with our personas.

The idea is for people to volunteer the results from the test adapted to the IWD2 game engine (the party has got to be playable). The next step will be to define details like the two dominant colours, avatar, and soundset.

Regarding the soundset we will need to write lines that will then be recorded so they can be played in game.

Spoiler:

The fun will be having a party made of six characters from Belle Sakura Saloon and then writing about the run through the game with screenshots and comments. It should be fun.

The first step is to come up with battle cries and lines that are going to make the soundset for your character.

EDIT: the soundset reference I've posted here is actually for BG and not IWD. Please look at my other post on page 3. Thank you.

I hope some one knows how to implement this. I haven't played IWD II for years. I will have to hunt for my disk.

xxxxxxxa.wav Battle Cry = Death to Tyrants!
xxxxxxxb.wav Becoming Leader = Me? You want me to lead? Goody.
xxxxxxxc.wav Tired = If I don't get some rest soon I will fall over.
xxxxxxxd.wav Bored = I'm bored with this. Let's find some action.
xxxxxxxe.wav Badly Wounded = Help me! I need healing!

Is this what you want, Cara?

That's the idea!

As for the avatar, if we consider this picture for reference, my favourite is in the first column, last but one row:



Yes it's a Drow but it could probably work for a Tiefling as well.

Nakia's should be last column, first row iirc.

I'll have to find my CDs and reinstall the game to see what exact format is needed for these sound files -each file is a separate file named according to the suffix posted above so the game recognizes the soundset.

There is no rush, we can see this as a work in progress.

Here are some of mine (until I can think of something better).

Quote :

xxxxxxxa.wav Battle Cry
=> RHHHAAAARRRR!!!!!!

xxxxxxxb.wav Becoming Leader
=> I rule over no man but from now on I shall lead this pack.

xxxxxxxc.wav Tired
=> That's it I've had enough.

xxxxxxxd.wav Bored
=> I'm bored, I'm bored...

xxxxxxxe.wav Badly Wounded
=> Not good... Not good...

xxxxxxxf.wav Selected 1
=> Huh?

xxxxxxxg.wav Selected 2
=> Yes.

xxxxxxxh.wav Selected 3
=> [whistling]

xxxxxxxi.wav Action Acknowledgement 1
=> Aye aye.

xxxxxxxj.wav Action Acknowledgement 2
=> I can do that.

xxxxxxxk.wav Action Acknowledgement 3
=> Nobody tells me what to do.

xxxxxxxl.wav Being Hit
=> Come on!

xxxxxxxm.wav Dying
=> Oh no the end is near and so I face the final curtain...

xxxxxxxn.wav In Forest
=> Fresh air, mosquitoes and dangerous wildlife... Humph.

xxxxxxxo.wav In City
=> Guards, pickpockets, greedy merchants and the stench of sewers and latrines. Humph.

xxxxxxxp.wav In Dungeon
=> Darkness, danger, death, dungeons and dragons. That's it I'm getting out. Where is the exit?

xxxxxxxq.wav Daytime
=> The sun is too bright it hurts!

xxxxxxxr.wav Nighttime
=> I wish I could see in the dark like elves.

xxxxxxxs.wav Action Acknowledgement 4
=> I will succeed or die trying.

xxxxxxxt.wav Action Acknowledgement 5
=> Nobody does it better.

xxxxxxxu.wav Action Acknowledgement 6
=> Let me try something new or was it something blue?

xxxxxxxv.wav Action Acknowledgement 7
=> No problem.

xxxxxxxw.wav Reaction to Party Members Death
=> I hate it when that happens.

xxxxxxxx.wav Rare Select 1
=> Stop pestering me.

xxxxxxxy.wav Rare Select 2
=> Go bother someone else.

xxxxxxxz.wav Critical Hit Given
=> I may be bad but I feel goooooood!!!

xxxxxxx1.wav Critical Miss
=> Nobody saw that.

xxxxxxx2.wav Target Immune
=> I need a bigger sword.

xxxxxxx3.wav Inventory Full
=> I'm not carrying any more crap.

xxxxxxx4.wav Successfully Picked A Pocket
=> Hey, I can't believe I've done that.

xxxxxxx5.wav Successfully Hide In Shadows
=> Come out come out wherever you are.

xxxxxxx6.wav Spell Disrupted
=> Crap, crap, crap!

xxxxxxx7.wav Set a Trap
=> I hope I got this right.

xxxxxxx8.wav Battle Cry 2
=> I am your worst nightmare.

xxxxxxx9.wav Battle Cry 3
=> Carabas is going to kick your ass.

xxxxxxx0.wav Selected 6
=> The lone wolf rides alone.

xxxxxxx_.wav Action Acknowlegement 8
=> Don't underestimate my abilities or anything.

The thing is to keep them short and snappy.

I can't do any recording now but I'll try to get started with these lines during the weekend. It should be fun.

Those are good, Carabas. I will try to come up with something in the next few days. an aged rogue. I will sound like I am my grandmother. Oh well it is all in fun.

You are right about my avatar although I actually used in the game the other female halfling.

Sil, what is your character? For some reason I see you as either a bard or a kick-ass warrior.

TON as one of my favorite characters a really tough fearsome dwarf. Axe man type. If not that a barbarian. He should come up with some really dreadful lines. we may have to censor them.

Triactus as a good kindly healer priest or a gnome. Maybe a priest of Levanther (spelling) I usually had one in my party.

We need a sixth.

Jez as a Monk/Ranger? I think that's what she got in one of the tests.

This has the potential to be incredibly fun.

By the way if Kana or Paul want to join in the fun then the more the merrier. After all if we go through all the trouble of making soundsets we may as well use them for several runs and that will require more characters.

My party choice in IWD II was as follows

Dwarf/Warrior, Barbarian, Gnome/Mage, Drow/healer/priest and Nakia Nightshadow as rogue/fighter My sixth character varied..

Alignment for ToN is a bit confusing, so either NE or CE is fine.

NO BLADED WEAPONS! Only blunt force!

Quote :

xxxxxxxa.wav Battle Cry
"Say hello to Oblivion!"
xxxxxxxb.wav Becoming Leader
"Devastation is born!"
xxxxxxxc.wav Tired
"Enough! We stop and rest RIGHT NOW!"
xxxxxxxd.wav Bored
"You bore me!"
xxxxxxxe.wav Badly Wounded
"You suceed only in increasing my rage and fury!"
xxxxxxxf.wav Selected 1
(sigh and groan at the same time)
xxxxxxxg.wav Selected 2
(Angry) "WHAT!!!"
xxxxxxxh.wav Selected
(Annoyed)"Hmm?"
xxxxxxxi.wav Action Acknowledgement 1
"As you wish... for now."
xxxxxxxj.wav Action Acknowledgement 2
"Whatever."
xxxxxxxk.wav Action Acknowledgement 3
"Waste of time."
xxxxxxxl.wav Being Hit
"I cannot be stopped!"
xxxxxxxm.wav Dying
"*maniacal laughter*"
xxxxxxxn.wav In Forest
"A welcome change from the cacophonic buzzing of the accursed city!"
xxxxxxxo.wav In City
"Make out stay here brief... each second I spend in this stinking cesspool makes me want to burn it down to ashes."
xxxxxxxp.wav In Dungeon
"Cold, dark... feels like home."
xxxxxxxq.wav Daytime
"Urgh, I HATE the sun! It burns!"
xxxxxxxr.wav Nighttime
"Ahh, sweet, soothing darkness."
xxxxxxxs.wav Action Acknowledgement 4
"I am getting tired of these orders!"
xxxxxxxt.wav Action Acknowledgement 5
"I'll do it... my way!"
xxxxxxxu.wav Action Acknowledgement 6
"Fine!"
xxxxxxxv.wav Action Acknowledgement 7
"Eventually, YOU will serve ME!"
xxxxxxxw.wav Reaction to Party Members Death
"Great. More trips to the temple."
xxxxxxxx.wav Rare Select 1
"Leave me alone"!
xxxxxxxy.wav Rare Select 2
"Pike off, wanker!"
xxxxxxxz.wav Critical Hit Given
"One lucky strike doesn't mean you win!"
xxxxxxx1.wav Critical Miss
"Impossible! I NEVER FAIL!"
xxxxxxx2.wav Target Immune
"This is a waste of time!"
xxxxxxx3.wav Inventory Full
"I'm not your packmule! Carry your own garbage!"
xxxxxxx4.wav Successfully Picked A Pocket
"What's yours is mine!"
xxxxxxx5.wav Successfully Hide In Shadows
"Can't stop what you can't see!"
xxxxxxx6.wav Spell Disrupted
"You are only delaying the inevitable!"
xxxxxxx7.wav Set a Trap
"This should be fun!"
xxxxxxx8.wav Battle Cry 2
"Maggots! Die!"
xxxxxxx9.wav Battle Cry 3
"I SHALL MURDER YOU AND ENJOY EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT!"
xxxxxxx0.wav Selected 6
"AAAAARGH! STOP PESTERING ME BEFORE I SMASH YOUR HEAD IN!"
xxxxxxx_.wav Action Acknowlegement 8
"I better benefit from this."

One more thing... I think this run should be written in a journal-esque way. We all write our own unique view on the journey, the trials encountered, etc, etc, etc. There should be some banter included. too, this gives a better indepth look at the bond the party members (aka us) have.

This is definitely a possibility. I'm thinking that if we can get two or three different games going we could see different things and comment on them. Banter will come up naturally.

We probably shouldn't restrict ourselves too much when it comes to characters and classes.

I got Wizard on the tests but I like the idea of taking at least one level in another class (I've got a very diverse -if not very useful- set of skills in real life). I like the idea of taking a Barbarian level. It would help watering down the whole magic nerd thing (I've always been too strong and aggressive to be bullied or classified as a nerd). That being said a focus on a Mage class makes sense given all the reading I've done (and all the reading I'm still doing).

How does Human Barbarian 1 / Wizard X sounds?

I haven't decided if I'd make that a specialist Wizard. The funny thing is that Rogues are my favourite class and in general I'm not such a big fan of spellcasters.

EDIT: I like TON's lines a lot, here is a series of lines taken from the game itself (with subtitles on)



That may help coming up with some fresh ideas.

TON's lines are very good. Cara, your class sounds fine to me.

In Baldur's Gate I almost exclusively played a fighter/thief. My first character was a female, human, warrior. That was before I had played IWD II. What a struggle that first game was. Everything was pretty much new to me and I had no help.

I just saw the thread. I'm going to take the test and better develop the sound set later tonight, but a healer priest or a gnome? Whaaaaa?

I would say a bard... or a paladin! I will take the D&D test later and we'll know for sure. Though if it says a gnome healer priest, I will not hold it against anyone to laugh their pants off at me...

I can totally picture you as the party's Cleric. I don't think a Paladin would work that well. Besides you're supposed to be NG.

I'm considering making Carabas a Half Elf or even a Half Orc. Human is good for powergaming but I find humans a bit boring. After all I suppose Half Elf could work for a Half Drow.

Half Orc has lower stats but Barbarian is a favourite class so that could work.

Half Elf is certainly not as good as Human but the immunity to sleep has saved some of my Half Elf solo character in the past.

If I picked a Tiefling I'd have to forget about the Barbarian class...

The only other option would be an Elf or a Dark Elf.

I may have to take the test again and look at the results to see which race comes after humans (I remember almost getting a Half Orc once).

I never included a human in any of my parties. Dwarf, Orc or half Orc, half elf, gnome, Drow, Halfling. Don't like to play humans. Played Half Elf in BG. If I play a human in games it is because I don;t have much choice.

In IWD2 Humans are considered to be the best from a powergaming perspective because you can multiclass them like you want and they don't get a level penalty.

There is also the fact that they get more skillpoints which is a boon for powergamers who use INT as a dump stat and they get an extra feat at first level.

I think having some humans in a party makes sense if only because it makes sense to have someone who represents the most common race in the Forgotten Realms. Other races are fun because they stand out.

I only have one caveat and that is no good drow. I've never liked Drizzt Do'Urden, his nemesis is a much more interesting character. Having good aligned Drows everywhere is a real pain (it made some parts of Hordes of the Underdark utterly ridiculous).

Waaaaaa????

The test said the following :

Spoiler:

Now, for the sound set, that's what I think of right now, but if I think of something better, I'll let you know :

Quote :

xxxxxxxa.wav Battle Cry
=> I'd rather talk it out, but I'll fight you if I must!

xxxxxxxb.wav Becoming Leader
=> Don't worry, I'll have this group in shape in no time.

xxxxxxxc.wav Tired
=> I don't mean to be a burden but we should really stop and rest.

xxxxxxxd.wav Bored
=> Does anyone have a pack of cards?

xxxxxxxe.wav Badly Wounded
=> Whenever anyone has a minute, CAN I GET SOME HELP HERE?

xxxxxxxf.wav Selected 1
=> Yes?

xxxxxxxg.wav Selected 2
=> Can I help you?

xxxxxxxh.wav Selected 3
=> What do you want?

xxxxxxxi.wav Action Acknowledgement 1
=> I'm on it!

xxxxxxxj.wav Action Acknowledgement 2
=> It will be done in no time.

xxxxxxxk.wav Action Acknowledgement 3
=> If you're sure.

xxxxxxxl.wav Being Hit
=> Woops, one got through.

xxxxxxxm.wav Dying
=> This is it. Wish me luck....

xxxxxxxn.wav In Forest
=> If another mosquito bites me, I'll snap!

xxxxxxxo.wav In City
=> I love the smell of crowded people in the morning.

xxxxxxxp.wav In Dungeon
=> Let's do this quickly and get the hell out.

xxxxxxxq.wav Daytime
=> The sun's shining. Good thing I brought my hat.

xxxxxxxr.wav Nighttime
=> Does anyone have a torch I could borrow?

xxxxxxxs.wav Action Acknowledgement 4
=> If you say so.

xxxxxxxt.wav Action Acknowledgement 5
=> Sure, why not.

xxxxxxxu.wav Action Acknowledgement 6
=> I hope there's a reason for this.

xxxxxxxv.wav Action Acknowledgement 7
=> If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad.

xxxxxxxw.wav Reaction to Party Members Death
=> I won't forget you. You will be avenged.

xxxxxxxx.wav Rare Select 1
=> Seriously, I don't have time for this!

xxxxxxxy.wav Rare Select 2
=> Hey...ah...I think someone needs you over there...

xxxxxxxz.wav Critical Hit Given
=> Oh yeah, that's how it's done!

xxxxxxx1.wav Critical Miss
=> I'll get you next time.

xxxxxxx2.wav Target Immune
=> We need a better plan!

xxxxxxx3.wav Inventory Full
=> I'd like to help you out, but I'm full as it is.

xxxxxxx4.wav Successfully Picked A Pocket
=> Score one for me.

xxxxxxx5.wav Successfully Hide In Shadows
=> Now you see me, now you don't.

xxxxxxx6.wav Spell Disrupted
=> Damn it!! I'm sorry, I'll get it the next time around!

xxxxxxx7.wav Set a Trap
=> Now if I can just not set it off before I go...

xxxxxxx8.wav Battle Cry 2
=> You messed with the best, now die like the rest!

xxxxxxx9.wav Battle Cry 3
=> COME ON!!!

xxxxxxx0.wav Selected 6
=> You don't give up easily, do you?

xxxxxxx_.wav Action Acknowlegement 8
=> Are you sure that's not too trivial for me?

As for the avatar... I want the second Drow. Make ToN a Drow, por favor. It is only fitting with the alignment. I remember that Drows have a -2 level adjustment... but with the magic resistance and all the innate abilities and talents of the Drow would make ToN a good tank. Barbarian is all well and good, but I'd also prefer Ranger, which was a very close third. Dual-classing as a Rogue is fine, but emphasize on Ranger.
Colors? Like a Drow.

Wow, I have no problem doing all this but I have no idea what you lot are talking about. I play these games with a mindset of 'see monster, hit monster' If the thing you're hitting said monster with has a number after it, that's good right?

There's no reason why IWD2 can't be roleplayed. Making up a party with characters that will stand out is fun.

By the way regarding Drows, I don't mind having one it's just that one is enough and Drows shouldn't be good aligned anyway so it's fine. The only problem I can see is that their favourite class is Wizard. Any other multiclass will get this character XP penalties (unless you keep the levels even).

I'm just wondering what race could work with the avatar I've been using.

One thing is for sure, it won't be a powergaming party.

@Tri: Bard is really a good class that doesn't get enough recognition. It's a very solid choice. However it's not such a good idea to have a Bard/Sorcerer since Sorcerers get better with higher levels and Bards get their best song at level 11 (or 13 I can't remember). A pure class character works much better. For a Bard adding one level from another class won't hurt but two many levels will ruin the character (the same can be said of a Sorcerer).

It's better to focus on one class especially for spellcasters. After all in Normal Mode no character will hit the level cap no matter what.

Going for a character with even levels will give you a very balanced character but it won't shine that much (no high level spells by the end of the game). Characters who don't cast spells can get away with multiclassing more without so many problems (although Monks and Barbarians still benefit from higher levels).

Rangers aren't so hot in vanilla IWD2. Most players take one level for free dual wielding and ambidexterity. It's more of a RPing choice. From a purely effective choice Fighter is probably a better choice.

It's a pity Bards can't be Paladins, I could definitely picture Tri as a Bard/Paladin. A Bard/Cleric of Oghma could be fun. Low level Cleric healing spells can be a life saver. But then again focusing on the Bard class is more effective.

I set Nakia up as a Fighter/rogue. I had read some where that you should do that. I do not remember how I handled it especially after she came alive. I think I concentrated on rogue skills. I remmber she could sneak like crazy for one thing I think being short the enemies didn't look down.

I never understood 3.5 ed rules. When I forum RPed her Fel and I converted her to 2.5 ed as a pure thief. So I do not know if I should dual her. She makes a good thief but let's face it she may be fiesty but fighting is not her strong point. Well dirty fighting maybe. I did use that as I recall. I can't believe I am pulling Nakia out of retirement. I swore I would never RP her again but this is different.

Oh, I had a drow who was a wizard/healer. I remember needing to keep the levels in balance I think. I didn't play IWD II that much because I always wanted to change sides.

Rogues shine at higher levels (like spellcasters) so adding Fighter levels doesn't bring much to the equation (you lose sneak attack damage).

It's a case when adding a single Ranger level is probably a more effective choice.

From an RPing perspective having a single Ranger level for a Rogue still makes sense for a thieving stealthy character who likes to scout. The important thing is to start as a Rogue.

Good Rogues never retire.

Quote :

Good Rogues never retire.

They do when the group you are starts being uber, keeps killing your character off after being told that is a no no and pushes her to become something else. Three years that RP lasted and then I killed it to get her out of there or killed it by taking her out. People were getting silly anyway.

Then make ToN a pure Ranger and leave the roguing to Grandma, I had forgotten about the XP penalty for multiclassing. I agree that Drows shouldn't be good. Drizzt is a pussy.

I loathe Drizzt.

Pure class Rangers are rather underwhelming in IWD2. You are limited to light and medium armours and you can't get weapon specialization. The bonus against favourite enemies is nice but highly situational.

What about a straight Fighter? Fighters are not my favourite but they get loads of feats and can specialize in various weapons. The only problem is that they get a more limited skill selection.

Another option would be a Cleric. Evil Clerics get some pretty wicked dialogue options that would suit you like a glove. Being Evil your character wouldn't be a healer but a spellcaster to be reckoned with. Wearing a heavy armour and wielding a blunt weapon would be perfect for that guy (even if Clerics are not limited in 3E when it comes to weapons). A Dreadmaster of Bane or a Demarch of Mask would be perfect.

Hmm, Cleric... I admit, being a Stormlord or a Dreadmaster sounds good to me. No Demarch for me, thanks. Besides, with Tri-cactus being a healer, I can be a devastator cleric, summoning undead, etc. Yeah, I like that.

So we have a Rogue, a Wizard, a Bard and a Cleric. It looks like a nice start.