Pillars of Eternity 1 - Rath Playthrough

[Tawmis]

Hah! Very nice! I can't remember what level I was when I originally took on the Spider Queen. You can always save - and then go give it a swing.

As for money, you are looting everything you kill right? 99% of what you kill drops something, whether it's a kobold (xar-whatever) tongue, or wolf pelt, or weapons and armor. You should, by now have all kinds of extra stuff in your inventory and chest from the character sheet you can sell.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm ... what about the temple in the tree-town (Gilded Vale, I think)? I got as far as the door with three bells. I read the note about that door, and tried different ways to ring the bells, but nothing I do seems to do anything. Any ideas? *shrug*

[Tawmis]

Hmm ... what about the temple in the tree-town (Gilded Vale, I think)? I got as far as the door with three bells. I read the note about that door, and tried different ways to ring the bells, but nothing I do seems to do anything. Any ideas? *shrug*

Only click on image for the clues I found -

Yes! So I just ran down there. You get clues from the one note you find in the temple. And if you talked to the spirit near the... water thing in the temple.

Or skip down to the spoilers -

So it's:

R, C, L, R.

We know that because we know Center isn't rung first.
And the spirit told us R is first and last.
So all we need to figure out now is the third toll.
Which quick process of elimination tells us left.
Which is pretty obvious as that's the only bell not mentioned in any clue.

[Tawmis]

I should add - hidden items can only be found if you're stealthing. So for example there's at least one secret passage I found that lowers a wall. And found a few items stealthing.

So what I usually do is clear and area, then go back and stealth through it.

Also if ye need to camp (to regain health) it's the fire log thing next to stealth.

[Rath Darkblade]

No worries. Thanks, Tawm! I hadn't found that 2nd note, so the whole bell-thing was very strange to me. I'll give it a try.

And yep, I figured out the camp thing to regain health. Thanks. Now that I figured it out, I always try to have the full amount of logs (6) available.

[Tawmis]

I hadn't found that 2nd note, so the whole bell-thing was very strange to me. I'll give it a try.

Only one note. It's found in one of the rooms closest to when you enter (after speaking with the guy).

It's the spirit (by the water) who offers the second clue (I was just showing the dialogue thing from the Journal entry).

Speaking of Journal - check it frequently for clues and what to do next.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm ... well, I have a stronghold now! Plus, I got rid of Evil McLord Whatshisname that was hanging everybody in the Gilded Vale. That's sure to make people happy. (It'd be nice if making people happy also came with a million CPs, but you can't have everything).

I've made a start on fixing the stronghold. I fixed up the Great Hall, the Inn, the Barbican, the Barracks and a couple of other things that could be done quickly and (fairly) cheaply.

I also started clearing out the Endless Maze of Traps n' Trolls. Level 2 was pretty easy - just xara-kobolds and flying fire-spitting things. But level 3 seems to be pretty hard - ogres everywhere, and even one of them can dish out a world of hurt. Is there a way to avoid them, or minimise their hurt (other than sneaking, which doesn't really work because they can see you)?

I'm still level 4, verging on level 5 (just a couple hundred XPs short). I could probably go to Defiance Bay - haven't been there yet. That'd push me over the edge to level 5.

By the way, is there an "ideal" build for different classes (e.g. a good "build" for warriors, mages, priests etc.)? By build, I mean -- are there ideal classes or feats I should choose?

[Tawmis]

Hmm ... well, I have a stronghold now! Plus, I got rid of Evil McLord Whatshisname that was hanging everybody in the Gilded Vale. That's sure to make people happy. (It'd be nice if making people happy also came with a million CPs, but you can't have everything).
I've made a start on fixing the stronghold. I fixed up the Great Hall, the Inn, the Barbican, the Barracks and a couple of other things that could be done quickly and (fairly) cheaply.
I also started clearing out the Endless Maze of Traps n' Trolls. Level 2 was pretty easy - just xara-kobolds and flying fire-spitting things. But level 3 seems to be pretty hard - ogres everywhere, and even one of them can dish out a world of hurt. Is there a way to avoid them, or minimise their hurt (other than sneaking, which doesn't really work because they can see you)?
I'm still level 4, verging on level 5 (just a couple hundred XPs short). I could probably go to Defiance Bay - haven't been there yet. That'd push me over the edge to level 5.
By the way, is there an "ideal" build for different classes (e.g. a good "build" for warriors, mages, priests etc.)? By build, I mean -- are there ideal classes or feats I should choose?

For the Ogres - not that I remember. They're supposed to be big and tough.
And as for ideal class builds - there's so many options when you level - I don't know of an "ideal" build. I just picked what I thought was good.

[Rath Darkblade]

Sigh. OK ... I've beaten a few ogres, and learned that they are level-6 monsters. My party is level-5. Oh well. I tried taking on the ogre matron, but she quickly reduced my party to mash. Better wait before I take on her again. *shrug*

In more positive news, my stronghold is proceeding well. I've built walls and towers, etc. etc. The Warden's Cottage has given me some side-quests of people and monsters to slay... but they're still too tough (e.g. a forest lurker). Is there a secret to slaying a forest lurker? *curious*

[Tawmis]

Sigh. OK ... I've beaten a few ogres, and learned that they are level-6 monsters. My party is level-5. Oh well. I tried taking on the ogre matron, but she quickly reduced my party to mash. Better wait before I take on her again. *shrug*
In more positive news, my stronghold is proceeding well. I've built walls and towers, etc. etc. The Warden's Cottage has given me some side-quests of people and monsters to slay... but they're still too tough (e.g. a forest lurker). Is there a secret to slaying a forest lurker? *curious*

Oh - also - did you did the quests in the first town (Gilded Vale) where you help out with the wheat? You find the guy for the bear quest? And help the smithie?

And the Stronghold is fun - but down deep is something that will kill you, that I saved to the very end.

[Rath Darkblade]

Sigh. OK ... I've beaten a few ogres, and learned that they are level-6 monsters. My party is level-5. Oh well. I tried taking on the ogre matron, but she quickly reduced my party to mash. Better wait before I take on her again. *shrug*
In more positive news, my stronghold is proceeding well. I've built walls and towers, etc. etc. The Warden's Cottage has given me some side-quests of people and monsters to slay... but they're still too tough (e.g. a forest lurker). Is there a secret to slaying a forest lurker? *curious*

Oh - also - did you did the quests in the first town (Gilded Vale) where you help out with the wheat? You find the guy for the bear quest? And help the smithie?

And the Stronghold is fun - but down deep is something that will kill you, that I saved to the very end.

Er ... yes, I've done all three Gilded Vale quests. You mean, there's something worse than the ogre matron? Oh dear.

I've now reached Defiance Bay, which is fun. My Stronghold was attacked by ogres and forest stalkers, but they only destroyed one wall and I have the money to rebuild it. I also met and recruiter the dwarf ranger and her wolf.

Is there a way to beat a forest lurker? *curious* Or do I simply have to level up until I'm more powerful than it, and just pile in?

[Tawmis]

Sigh. OK ... I've beaten a few ogres, and learned that they are level-6 monsters. My party is level-5. Oh well. I tried taking on the ogre matron, but she quickly reduced my party to mash. Better wait before I take on her again. *shrug*
In more positive news, my stronghold is proceeding well. I've built walls and towers, etc. etc. The Warden's Cottage has given me some side-quests of people and monsters to slay... but they're still too tough (e.g. a forest lurker). Is there a secret to slaying a forest lurker? *curious*

Oh - also - did you did the quests in the first town (Gilded Vale) where you help out with the wheat? You find the guy for the bear quest? And help the smithie?
And the Stronghold is fun - but down deep is something that will kill you, that I saved to the very end.

Er ... yes, I've done all three Gilded Vale quests. You mean, there's something worse than the ogre matron? Oh dear.
I've now reached Defiance Bay, which is fun. My Stronghold was attacked by ogres and forest stalkers, but they only destroyed one wall and I have the money to rebuild it. I also met and recruiter the dwarf ranger and her wolf.
Is there a way to beat a forest lurker? *curious* Or do I simply have to level up until I'm more powerful than it, and just pile in?

How many people in your party? And are you giving Arthos (sp? The wizard) spells from Gilmores?

[Rath Darkblade]

Sorry. There are six members of my party: me, Arthos (? the wizard), the very strange priest with the big fiery staff, Eder (? the fighter from Gilded Vale), that huge chanter with a gun, and the dwarf ranger with her fox. (I also recruited the "Grieving Mother" from the Dyrwood Village, but haven't tried her out yet).

I also did most of the quests in Dyrwood Village, including the quest about the nobleman who impregnated his own niece ... yuck.

I think my party is up to a level 10/11 average by now, since I lost track of time last night while playing. By the time I thought to look at the clock, it was half-past-midnight. I think I'd better time myself next time ...

[Tawmis]

Sorry. There are six members of my party: me, Arthos (? the wizard), the very strange priest with the big fiery staff, Eder (? the fighter from Gilded Vale), that huge chanter with a gun, and the dwarf ranger with her fox. (I also recruited the "Grieving Mother" from the Dyrwood Village, but haven't tried her out yet).
I also did most of the quests in Dyrwood Village, including the quest about the nobleman who impregnated his own niece ... yuck.
I think my party is up to a level 10/11 average by now, since I lost track of time last night while playing. By the time I thought to look at the clock, it was half-past-midnight. I think I'd better time myself next time ...

Sign of a good game.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm -- now I have a question!

I've been called into the Ducal court, where some Rude Duke What's-his-name challenged me because my stronghold is apparently on his land. (But he never did anything about it, so he can bite me). Anyway, he's now resorting to a whole bunch of under-handed tactics etc., and I know I'll have to fight a battle against him at some point.

My question is this: before this battle, I thought I'd get rid of this "What comes from below" quest and went down there. I got as low as level 8 (go team! ) and finally found a fampyr (I think?) that I can actually talk to. But no matter what I do, he attacks me - along with the rest of his cadre - and he turns my party against me, too.

Is there a way to talk to this guy without this happening?