One of her more successful dialogue checks.
Less successful attempts include, but are not limited to: trying to broker peace with the Orcs of Old Owl Well after slaughtering them, promising not to steal the treasure of the denizens in the tunnels beneath Ember and then immediately stealing it, and trying to peacefully resolve the growing unrest in the Docks District. Not that these failures have dissuaded her. She was eventually successful, and that’s what matters. Not the needless deaths that plague her conscience. But then this is a fresh character build that I’ve conceived with Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition rules.
So I’d expect no better.
I’d usually expect far worse, but I’m pleasantly surprised as to how competent this Aasimar Bard build seems to be. She isn’t terrible. She can capably swing her weapon. And she doesn’t immediately fall unconscious when engaging enemies in close quarters combat. It’s truly a fascinating build.
One that may be as fascinating as it is due to the inherent versatility of the Bard. Or maybe I’ve finally begun to understand Dungeons & Dragons rules. That’s unlikely, though. I’d never dare to suggest that I understand anything about what I’m doing at any given moment in time. It could also be because she is being bolstered (and carried) by an entire party. Unlike Neverwinter Nights, which affords a single companion, or up to two
in Hordes of the Underdark, Neverwinter Nights 2 affords up to three. Or up to five in Storm of Zehir. Hence why I’m excited about the second expansion pack. I’m looking to bring my Halfling Ranger/Rogue build and Half-Orc Cleric build together with this Aasimar Bard build, which should result in the worst adventuring party imaginable. Especially when I intend to build a Wizard or Sorcerer, too.

Unfortunately, Neverwinter Nights 2 is, in my experience, also marred by innumerable inconsistencies. And the majority of these don’t seem to be as detrimental as they actually are. Such as the party order shuffling that occurs on load, which doesn’t seem to affect anything, but is actually deactivating buffs and equipment modifiers, despite clearly showing them as being currently active. Quests have a tendency to arbitrarily and irreparably break, too. Either adding themselves to your quest log (or updating their progress) despite being nowhere near their objectives.
Or they simply refuse to update.
Making it impossible to actually complete those quests, to earn the rewards for doing so, or to undertake any further quests that may become available upon completion. I don’t know how many quests that I’ve missed due to this. Nor do I want to. Knowing would only deepen my growing frustrations.
I’d originally intended to experience Neverwinter Nights 2 as a Tiefling Warlock, but I didn’t appreciate how despicable he would need to be. Partly because I didn’t fully acknowledge the evil alignment requirement for Warlocks. But mostly because of the excessive alignment adjustments present throughout earlier quests, that are seemingly absent from later ones. I’m barely incurring any adjustments now. Not that I’m suggesting that Neverwinter Nights 2 is an awful sequel, as it isn’t. I’ve just struggled to return to (and remain invested in) this experience due to the issues that I’ve encountered. Yet I’m still keen to see it through to the end. Because I’m enjoying the main campaign and there are various new mechanics to tinker with. It’s just so hard to commit to when various things aren’t working as anticipated or working at all.
Have a nice weekend, all!
Moggie