Shadows of Amn

Baldur's Gate II starts with Shadows of Amn. You are captured by Jon Irenicus, wizard torturer of the times. He could have a mind-flayer to be more effective, though.

Before the dialogue kicks in, pause the game at the black-screen and click I to view Inventory. Then, drop everything you wish to keep (except $, that is) if you plan to use ur BG I character or a character from a saved-game.

Out of the dungeon, you'll get to learn more about Amn, this is where SoA centers on. Plenty of quests, in every area of the map, aside from the mains, you get to know about Dungeons and Dragons slowly.

Starting Out:

The Circus (Waukeen's Promenade)

Here is where you meet Quayle, a BG I character, and his niece Aerie. Firstly you answer a riddle from a genie and encounter Aerie who has been polymorphed into an ogre and help her plight by getting her a key, in the form of a sword, from two monsters disguised as peasants. You get to fight Kalah, the mastermind behind the whole phenomenon. FYI, Kalah in Malaysian means Lose. (Note: Do not attack the werewolves as they are merely illusions, shadows however will grant u EXP). You get:

• Girdle of Piercing (+3 AC vs. piercing)
• Ring of Human Influence (Sets CHA to 18)
  

Promenade Caption: just below the area of the hidden Irenicus dungeon is, to the right, the circus and to the left is the dumpster's Adventurer's Mart.

After the Quest: There's nothing much for the workers to do either with Kalah's death. Moreover, the Promenade is one of the least populated districts of Athkatla..

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The Copper Coronet (Slums)

This is the main tavern you get to after talking to Gaelan Bayle, the associate of the Shadow Thieves in the Slums (for good characters: evil characters get the choice of Bodhi, a vampire). His nephew, Brus, can take you there if you wish to rest up, or he suggests an alternative routefor you to take with respect to your class (this is related to Stronghold quests): Fighter gets to do Nalia's quest in the CC, Mage gets to hunt Valygar Corthala as insructed by a Cowled Wizard by the name of Tolgerias, Ranger does the Umar Hill quest in checking out the disappearance of famed fighter Mazzy Fentan and Merella as well as many others, Cleric does the Unseen Eye Cult quest in the Temple district, Paladin does the Windspear quest given to him/her by Lord Jierdan Fikraag in the tavern itself, Thieves help Renal Bloodscalp investigate Mae'var in the Docks, and Bards help seek out Five Flagon inn's actor Haer'dalis' kidnapping by a mage in the Temple sewers (a hidden entrance).

Within the tavern, if you talk to the innkeeper further, you will discover he is involved in slavery and there is a hidden passage within the inn which leads to the sewers and some rooms, with some alternate quests within, the mains being the slavery quest as it leads to a slave ship, and freeing the gladiators: men who fight animals for the pleasure of the customers. To do this, mention to the innkeeper that you are eager to 'dispense of some coin' and ask further about some other entertainment.

Significant item: Lilarcor +3, talking sword with equipped mind shield abilities.

Copper Coronet caption: Just outside the Coronet, Dealing with Amalas A-very-lazy-guy's ruffians, helping Nalia, learning about ways to dispense a coin with Lethinan.

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