[FR] Baldur's Gate Saga

[Essex]

I don't know if this has been brought up before, but I've long wanted to do a campaign sourcebook for the Baldur's Gate series of games, much like the Dragonlance Classics 15th anniversary release for 2nd Edition, and Monte Cook's Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. This isn't a true conversion of the games with all the little subquests, but of the background, NPCs, and major events of the Child of Bhaal Trilogy and how it would affect the Realms.

I'm putting some feelers out to see how well-received such a project would be, and if people would have ideas and suggestions for said project.

Here's what I have as a basic outline of whats needed:

-Cartography (I can do many things, but NOT maps, I'm sorry to say) of the key areas
-Child of Bhaal template (I am NOT using the one published way back in Dragon magazine. The way its built, there is NO way a PC could reach the low teens in level and NOT be a raving serial killer)
-NPCs (Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Viconai, Sarevok, Irenicus, etc you get the idea) These would need about 3 versions (beginning in Candlekeep, Athkatla, and Amkethran)
-Only named enemies would have to be designed as most of the opponents come straight from the Monster Manual.
-Prestige Classes - this would require the most creativity since these did not exist in the games. I can think of several such as Inquisitor, based on Kits from BG2 would be kind of interesting
-Enhanced Core Plotline - obviously duplication of the game would be boring. This would be a chance to spice things up (ESPECIALLY in the Throne of Bhaal segments) and change details and add plot twists and new developments (like saving Yoshimo) or making The Five much more frightening and impressive to deal with. 3rd Edition offers many ways to make things more interesting.

So.... *looks around nervously* comments and criticisms? *dons asbestos suit*

 

[Kryndal Levik]

I think this is a neat idea; there are some things that would be difficult to convert, but overall it would translate well.

My only suggestion is that the "party" NPCs not be meant for use as part of the "PC" party. Doing so causes problems not only with progression, but also seems to take away from the concept- that it's a campaign in which "ordinary" players can participate.

Being a fan, I'd be happy to help.

 

[Decado]

Sounds like a great idea to me! I really enjoyed the BG series (especially the first one) and would love to see a D20 sourcebook on the games. Just do not forget to do Minsc and Boo, who are the most entertaining NPCs in the games IMHO.

Decado

 

[Blacknight]

Have you looked at the books by Phil Athans and Drew Karpyshyn they do a good job of cutting the story down to a managable degree.

also FR 2e Realms of intruige has good maps of the entire area pretty much from Baldurs Gate to Memnon. you should be able to pull that from the downloads section on the Wotc D&D pages

 

[Dark Jezter]

Ooh, being a big fan of the Baldur's Gate saga, I've long dreamed of how a 3E version of those games would be. I would be happy to contribute to this project if I could. You should set up a web site for the project.

In fact, I already made a prestige class of the Inquisitor. It's based on the Inquisitor Kit that was detailed in the 2e AD&D Complete Book of Paladins (which was what the class in BG2 was modeled after). You can check it out here.

Have you looked at the books by Phil Athans and Drew Karpyshyn they do a good job of cutting the story down to a managable degree.

If you are referring to the novels based on the BG games, I definately do not recommend reading them. Those books read like they were written by a 15-year-old who is obsessed with blood & guts, plus they included odd stuff that would never happen in the game, such as Imoen having a lesbian affair with a drow priestess.

Stick to the games if you want the real BG story. The novels don't even come close to doing the plot justice.

 

[Evoulos]

I would like to help you with this project! I am a BIG fan of the Baldur's Gate saga and although some years have passed since its release many people are still crazy about it. I can make the NPCs and the prestige classes if you want

 

[Angcuru]

You have my help on this should you wish it.

I LOVE the Baldur's Gate Series, especially Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal (aahh...the Aerie Romance.)

I'm actually writing a story hour which tells the tale of my character, Angcuru the Elven Ranger, and his struggle with you know who. Starts out with him and Aerie(they got fell in love married, moved to Faenya Dail) Relaxing in their new home, and something comes up and they tell the tale of their adventures Aerie's family and several important officials, Flashback-style! heck, just read the Story Hour!

I actually am soon going to start running a campaign involving them and their son, and had to write up a whole new class for Aerie. Kind of a variant on the Mystic Theurge, but not as twinky.

AVOID the novel. Just outright avoid it! BG NOVEL BAAAD! *Holds up holy symbol of Aerdrie Faenya*

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

aahh...the Aerie Romance

I hooked my character up with Aerie, as well. Tried with Jaheira, but my game got wonky (got stuck in this neverending loop after her deal at the Harper HQ). Would've tried with Viconia, but she kept dying on me so I kicked her out of the party. Just out of curiosity, do they continue things in Throne of Bhaal or is this strictly a Shadows of Amn thing?

 

[Dark Jezter]

I hooked my character up with Aerie, as well. Tried with Jaheira, but my game got wonky (got stuck in this neverending loop after her deal at the Harper HQ). Would've tried with Viconia, but she kept dying on me so I kicked her out of the party. Just out of curiosity, do they continue things in Throne of Bhaal or is this strictly a Shadows of Amn thing?

The Jaheira romance had some glitches when the game was first released, so you may need to download the latest patche to make it work right. Also, the romances do continue in Throne of Bhaal.

Out of all the romances, my favorite was the Viconia one simply because she goes through the most character development and has the most interesting backstory out of the girls. When she joins the party, she's cold, aloof, and resentful of surfacers. By the end of Throne of Bhaal, she's a very different person. She might even have a different alignment.

Jaheira's romance is interesting as well, but it felt a little weird romancing her because she's willing to sleep with your character so soon after her husband died. It's just... wrong, to say the least. On the plus side, Jaheira's romance is tied to a very fun subquest involving false Harpers. You might even bump into a certain well-known Harper if you play it through to the end.

Aerie is my least-favorite of the girls simply because she does nothing but whine about her problems. Later on, Aerie will ask your character to sleep with her, and if you accept she'll break off the relationship because "things are moving too fast." That girl's got more issues than the entire run of Time magazine, to say the least. Oh, and she also has an annoying voice.