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BALDUR'S GATE II:
SHADOWS OF AMN
FAQ/WALKTHROUGH


INTRODUCTION
Welcome to my FAQ and walkthrough for Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
Due to the inclusion of class-specific quests, it will be a long time
before I complete this FAQ - but bear with me. Further versions will
include all the extra quests I missed, as well as information on the
different strongholds other classes can use.

From now on, each version I'll outline the stronghold quest for each
class. With Paladin, Cleric, Thief and Fighter down, more are coming.

Please note this FAQ is just one big spoiler, as it contains full
information on every part of the game. If you only want tid-bits of
help, then refer to the Q/A section just before the main FAQ.

Note that the appendices are now considerably larger and more in-depth,
in particular my "Spellbook" which provides the world's most
comprehensive magic-using guide.

INFO
By: Matt Gregory
E-mail: hellkite_7@hotmail.com
Version: 1.65

E-MAIL POLICY
Please please please e-mail me. I'm after corrections in particular, as
well as any hints or tips you have, your discoveries, and any quests
I've missed. Include in the subject line "bgate2", and I'll try to give
an answer if I can. If its specially good, I'll add your info in the
next version, and you'll get mentioned in the credits section. OK -
let's go...

Also, if you have any strategies or your opinions of what spells to
take, what party to use, or anything, please e-mail in, it will almost
certainly be included.

NEXT FAQ DECIDED
Having done this FAQ as "testing the waters" kind of thing, and having
found them fairly hospitable, I'm going to really go for it in my next
FAQ, which will be for Neverwinter Nights. In the meantime, I'll be
honing this FAQ and possibly writing one for Baldur's Gate and maybe the
unrepresented Discworld Noir.

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CONTENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Walkthrough: chapter 1
a. Irenicus' Dungeon Level 1
b. Irenicus' Dungeon Level 2
c. Waukeen's Promenade
2. Walkthrough: chapter 2
a. The slums
b. The city gate
c. The docks **THIEF STRONGHOLD**
d. Temple **CLERIC and PALADIN STRONGHOLD**
e. Government District
f. The Bridge District
g. Graveyard District
h. The Planar Sphere **MAGE STRONGHOLD**
3. Walkthrough: chapter 3
a. The aid of the Shadow Thieves
4. Walkthrough: chapter 4
a. Spellhold Island
b. Spellhold
c. The Underwater City
5. Walkthrough - chapter 5
a. The Underdark
b. Ust Natha
6. Walkthrough - chapter 6
a. Exit from the Underdark
b. Small Teeth Pass and North Woods
c. Graveyard revisited
d. Forest of Tethir
7. Walkthrough - chapter 7
a. Suldanessellar
b. Woodland Clearing
c. Hell
8. Walkthrough - other non-Athkatla areas
a. D'Arnise Hold **FIGHTER STRONGHOLD**
b. Windspear Hills
c. Umar Hills
d. Temple Ruins
e. Trademeet
f. Druid Grove

9. Walkthrough - chapter 8
a. Early Sections
b. Saradush
c. Northern Forest

APPENDICES
Notes on Slayer
Character Creation
Monster Fighting Tactics
Party Skills
NPC Breakdown
Cheating!
Other Miscellaneous Stuff
Webring
Baldur's Gate
Monster/NPC Info
Spell Tactics
Spellbook
Playing Multiplayer On Your Own
How To Kill A Dragon
Credits And Addendum

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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This section will reduce spoilers drastically for those of you wanting
only minor pieces of spoil.

Chapter 1:

Q: How do I free Minsc and Jaheira?
A: The key on the table in the nearby room opens Jaheira's cell, and to
free Minsc just keep talking to him.

Q: What do I do now?
A: You need to find the Sewage Golem and its activation stone. The Golem
is in a circular room just off the second hallway, and the small chamber
where you find Rielev is where you get the stone. Give the stone to the
Golem to get past the locked doors.

Q: What am I looking for?
A: A portal key that will grant access to the upper levels. The key is
found in the Mistress' room just beyond the wooded area.

Q: What do the dryads do?
A: There are two quests they help you with/give you. You really have to
look down for more info - I can't cover that here.

Q: How do I get past those damn wands?
A: You need to use the wand keys with the pedestals, they will release
the wands, so you won't get blasted by them - in fact you get them with
one charge each.

Q: Where do I go from here?
A: The passage to the right just before the wands leads to the exit.
Just follow this.

Q: What was the point of all that with the wands then?!?
A: There are other passages beyond there which lead to magic items and a
bit of experience. It's worth it.

Q: Now I'm out of there, what do I do?
A: Stock up at the various shops. From there, go to the Slums.

Chapter 2:

Q: How do I free Imoen?
A: For good characters, take Gaelan Bayle's offer. Evil characters will
soon have the option of taking an offer from Bodhi.

Q: So I can't free her straight away then?
A: Nope, you've got a long wait for that.

Q: So, where do I go now?
A: Search for quests! There are hundreds, do as many as possible for
experience.

Q: Which NPCs should I use?
A: Look in the appendices for the guide to managing your party.

Q: OK, so what do I do now I've got some experience and neat items?
A: Complete the appropriate quest to find Imoen... Just follow the
instructions from the Shadow Thieves or the Vampires.

Chapter 3:

Q: What do I do now?
A: Exactly what you're told to do. You'll get experience, items, and a
boat to chapter 4.

Chapter 4:

Q: OK, where the hell am I?
A: On Brynnlaw, Spellhold Island. You've got to try and infiltrate
Spellhold, basically.

Q: How???
A: There are two ways, but look down into the appropriate section for
more detailed info. One involves getting a pass-key thing, the other
getting people to believe you're mad and put you there.

Q: Er... I've just been caught by Irenicus. Help???
A: This bit's hard, and you'll do a lot of dungeoneering now. You have
to escape this dungeon - plenty of distractions here. You need the hand
of the vampire to open the door, then the statue horns to leave the door
on the next level. After this, just do as you're told.

Q: That was tough - now what?
A: Enter the asylum, offer the bloke the middle amount of money. Now
fight Irenicus - at 1hp, he flees. Now you get the option of the long
but lots of stuff way (by boat) or straight to the Underdark.

Q: OK, I'm in the Sahaugin City. What do I do?
A: You need to get the artefact in the weird Drow quarter of the city
(in the south). Join with the rebels, then, when all is done, enter the
Underdark with the rope.

Chapter 5:

Q: Where do I go?
A: First to the city of gnomes in the N. Then follow the quests to a
Silver Dragon then throughout Ust Natha. Eventually you will get out.

Q: Do I follow all the Drow quests?
A: All but one. Don't kill Solaufein, and he'll help you. Keep the real
eggs and use the other two to fool both the Drow.

Q: Hey, now my romantic NPC hates me!
A: Yep, that happens when you sleep with the Drow. Sorry.

Q: OK, now I'm trying to get out. Help?
A: Keep following the path, wading through all the Drow. Not easy, but
eventually you'll get out, no problem!

Chapter 6:

Q: Do I co-operate with the elves?
A: Yes - fully. Tell the truth, and agree to help them.

Q: I met Drizzt - what do I do?
A: He can help you, but if you kill him, he carries some of the best
magic items in the game!

Q: Where's the Lanthorn?
A: Bodhi has it in the crypts under the Graveyard District. This quest
also gets Imoen's soul back. She's exceptionally well guarded though.

Q: I got the Lanthorn. What now?
A: Take it back to the Elves. Agree to help them in Suldanesselar, and
they'll grant you access.

Chapter 7:

Q: Where do I go?
A: You need the artefacts that will awake the Avatar that will break
down the gate to Elliseme's palace. When you have the artefacts, the
Avatar will break the gates down. Also get the two stone instruments -
you'll need them.

Q: I'm in the palace, what do I do now?
A: Get the nuts from the tree, and place the stone instruments on the
statues to reveal the passage to the Tree of Life.

Q: What do I do here?
A: You need to kill the three parasites on the tree, when you attack
each one it will release elementals to defend it. Kill them then the
parasite dies easily. You are now taken to Irenicus, and you have to
kill him.

Q: What's going on? I killed him!!
A: Yep, but you've just been sucked down to hell. All you party and
items are restored (despite death) and you need to find the Tears of
Bhaal to get through the door.

Q: Where are they?
A: Down each tunnel is a challenge of some description - complete them
for a Tear of Bhaal. When you have the lot, break the seals on the door
for the final fight - Irenicus as the Slayer and four Demons. Kill him
and you complete the game.

Other sections:

D'ARNISE HOLD

Q: What is besieging the hold?
A: Yuan-ti and Trolls. There are a few Umber Hulks too.

Q: Where's the boss of the Trolls?
A: On the second floor you find a secret door leading to a spiral
staircase. Go down here. There are some enemies then you reach a bunch
of trolls including their boss.

WINDSPEAR HILLS

Q: Where's Fikraag gone?
A: He is in fact the main man behind a big plot. He's the bad guy here.

Q: What do I do?
A: Go down the dungeon in the NE, it's very hard but ultimately very
rewarding. Look down for full information, I can't cover it all here.

UMAR HILLS

Q: Who do I help?
A: Minister Lloyd - assure him it's not Madaulf but in fact go to the
Temple Ruins, complete that then tell him you have and you get credit
for it.

Q: Where's Valygar?
A: Whatever your purpose with him, he's in a cabin in the NW, guarded by
a few rangers.

TEMPLE RUINS

Q: That werewolf - what do I do with her?
A: Let her help you, she is handy against the Shade Lord.

Q: How do I stop those Shadows at the entrance?
A: Activate the stained glass window. Then they all die.

Q: There's that Indy-style letters puzzle, what's the name?
A: "Amunator".

FORESTS OF TETHIR

Q: What's there to do here?
A: A few quests, nothing major. Be sure to pick up the Mana bow +4 -
it's in the cave in the E of the area.

TRADEMEET

Q: What do the Dao Genies want?
A: In the Druid Grove area there is a cottage containing three
Rakshasas, get the leader's head and give it to them.

Q: Who do I help?
A: No real difference - if you're skint help one of the families,
otherwise aid the High Merchant.

DRUID GROVE

Q: Where in the name of hades is the Grove?
A: In the NW. It's a bit hard to find.

Q: Where do I find other distractions?
A: The Troll Cave/Ogre Tower provide magic items and monsters to bash.

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WALKTHROUGH
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In this main walkthrough there are countless spoilers, so beware!

A few points about this walkthrough: First, that I often use a map
reference - to discover a reference place your cursor over the spot you
want to find the reference of and press X (you can configure this in the
BGConfig); second, it is assumed you are playing on Core Rules
difficulty setting; lastly, each section is split into the Walkthrough,
the things you MUST do, and the optional quests, which I recommend doing
as they get you extra experience and treasure.

All NPCs get a score in stars. This goes as follows:

* - Awful, don't go near with a sharp stick.
** - Bad, avoid unless you have a very good reason.
*** - Quite good, OK but think hard before including them.
**** - Very good, excellent at what they do and worthwhile having.
***** - Exceptional, don't hesitate to use them!

SHOPS
Most shops are mentioned below. I will list all unusual items they sell,
but there are three lists here: Mundane, Standard Magical and Potions,
which are considerably more common - I'll simply state that "this shop
uses the Mundane items list" or whatever. Note these lists assume an
"average" reputation and charisma 18.

MUNDANE ITEMS LIST:

Battleaxe - 7 gp
5 Throwing Axes - 7 gp
Club - 1 gp
Flail - 21 gp
Mace - 11 gp
Morning Star - 14 gp
Dagger - 2 gp
10 Throwing Daggers - 14 gp
10 Darts - 1 gp
Halberd - 14 gp
Warhammer - 2 gp
Sling - 1 gp
Spear - 1 gp
Quarterstaff - 1 gp
Bastard Sword - 35 gp
Longsword - 21 gp
Short Sword - 14 gp
Scimitar - 77 gp
Katana - 700 gp
Wakizashi - 70 gp*
Ninja-to - 16 gp*
Two-handed Sword - 70 gp
Heavy Crossbow - 70 gp
Light Crossbow - 49 gp
Shortbow - 42 gp
Longbow - 105 gp
Composite Longbow - 140 gp
40 Arrows/Bolts/Bullets - 1 gp
Chainmail - 105 gp
Splint Mail - 112 gp
Leather Armour - 7 gp
Studded Leather Armour - 28 gp
Plate Mail - 840 gp
Full Plate Mail - 8400 gp
Small Shield - 4 gp
Medium Shield - 9 gp
Buckler - 1 gp
Helmet - 7 gp

* Not all shops stocking this list have these swords available.

STANDARD MAGICAL LIST:

Battleaxe +1 - 2100 gp
Flail +1 - 2800 gp
Mace +1 - 2100 gp
Dagger +1 - 420 gp
20 Darts +1 - 224 gp
Warhammer +1 - 2100 gp
Spear +1 - 1400 gp
Longsword +1 - 1750 gp
Short Sword +1 - 1120 gp
Scimitar +1 - 1400 gp
Katana +1 - 1400 gp
Two-handed Sword +1 - 1260 gp
Heavy Crossbow +1 - 4200 gp
Light Crossbow +1 - 3500 gp
Longbow +1 - 2240 gp
Composite Longbow +1 - 3500 gp
Shortbow +1 - 490 gp
40 Arrows/Bolts +1 - 280 gp
40 Bullets +1 - 448 gp
40 Arrows/Bolts +2 - 560 gp
40 Bullets +2 - 840 gp
Splint Mail +1 - 2800 gp
Plate Mail +1 - 7000 gp
Large Shield +1 - 2800 gp
Small Shield +1 - 1400 gp
Medium Shield +1 - 2100 gp
Protection Scrolls - 1050 gp
Protection from Petrification - 840 gp
Protection from Magic - 2800 gp
Level 1 Scrolls - 140 gp
Level 2 Scrolls - 280 gp
Level 3 Scrolls - 420 gp
Level 4 Scrolls - 700 gp
Level 5 Scrolls - 1400 gp
Level 6 Scrolls - 2800 gp

NOTE: Some scroll costs can vary.

POTIONS LIST:

Potion of Healing - 105 gp
Potion of Extra Healing - 630 gp
Antidote - 140 gp
Elixir of Health - 350 gp
Oil of Speed - 700 gp
Potion of Invisibility - 350 gp
Potion of Fire Resistance - 560 gp
Potion of Cold Resistance - 350 gp
Potion of Heroism - 1120 gp
Potion of Strength - 490 gp
Potion of Frost Giant Strength - 1050 gp
Potion of Agility - 420 gp
Potion of Firebreath - 350 gp
Potion of Insulation - 238 gp
Potion of Master Thievery - 560 gp
Potion of Perception - 490 gp
Potion of Regeneration - 700 gp
Potion of Freedom - 350 gp
Potion of Insight - 393 gp
Potion of Genius - 393 gp
Potion of Mind Focusing - 655 gp

TEMPLE STANDARD SERVICES:

Cast

Cure Light Wounds - 50 gp
Dispel Magic - 200 gp
Remove Curse - 300 gp
Cure Serious Wounds - 150 gp
Slow Poison - 150 gp
Raise Dead - 800 gp
Cure Critical Wounds - 200 gp
Heal - 750 gp
Resurrection - 1200 gp
Greater Restoration - 750 gp

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