Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
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| Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal | |
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| Developer(s) | BioWare |
| Publisher(s) | Interplay |
| Engine | Infinity Engine |
| Release date(s) | 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Computer role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T (Teen) USK: 12+ ELSPA: 15+ |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Macintosh |
| Media | 1 CD-ROM |
| System requirements | 233 MHz CPU, 32 MB RAM, 4 MB video card RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 7.0, 1.1 GB available hard disk space, Windows 95 |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal is an expansion pack for the computer role-playing game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and is the final chapter in the Baldur's Gate series. It adds one large optional bonus area to the Baldur's Gate II game, Watcher's Keep, which is a multi-level dungeon of sorts. It also extends the main plot line to an epic conclusion. There are also several new powerful weapons, a higher level cap, and new class-related feats and magical skills. A novelization of the game exists, written by Drew Karpyshyn.
[edit] Plot
The prophecy in Baldur's Gate told of a time when the Bhaalspawn would destroy and murder to feed the God of Murder and bring about a new occupant of his Throne of Blood. Bhaalspawn fight, some to gain their Birthright, others to cast out the Evil God's essence and bring forth a new light of Balance, and some simply fight to survive. The story (in the novel) focuses on the Bhaalspawn Adbel, and Illasera is sent to kill him immediately after the death of a child Bhaalspawn, Terrel.
War breaks out throughout Tethyr between the agitated Bhaalspawn who turn out to be numerous and fight each other for power. The player must venture through treacherous regions, including the besieged city of Saradush, the Fire Giant-controlled Marching Mountains, and the desert village of Amkethran. Five legendary Bhaalspawn, each so powerful that they are impervious to normal weapons, rise to power and notoriety, forcing the player character to defeat them either for personal glory or for the fate of Tethyr. The player comes a long way from his or her humble beginnings in Candlekeep. Ultimately, the player must vanquish all competitors and be presented with the choice of ascending the throne of Bhaal and becoming the new God of Murder, or destroying it and returning to peaceful life as a mortal. The Main Character may also ascend the throne of Bhaal and banish Bhaal's evil essence, becoming a deity dedicated to good and righteousness.
The Five Bhaalspawn destroying Amn and attempting to fulfill the prophecy are:
- Illasera: A surprisingly weak Bhaalspawn with a lot of bravado. She is the first Bhaalspawn the player character encounters in the ToB.
- Yaga-Shura: A Fire Giant besieging the city of Saradush with his army. He would be invulnerable but for an Achilles' heel in which the player character has sooner or later to solve in a series of quests which involve destroying his heart to render him vulnerable but no less fearsome.
- Sendai: Drow Warrior/Cleric. The player character does not get the chance to draw swords against her immediately but must encounter wave after wave of attacks while plundering her lair.
- Abazigal: A half-dragon of great power. The player character has to first kill his son, Draconis, outside Abazigal's lair before setting up a meeting with him.
- Balthazar: A good Monk of immense power, who feels the only way to destroy the curse of Bhaal is to become the Lord of Murder, and then end his own life.
[edit] New NPC
The expansion disc adds Sarevok to the game, who is resurrected (albeit with none of his original divine essence) and may join the player's party. Other prominent NPCs are the priestess Melissan who has a compelling story of her own and the imp Cespenar who can refer to his 'secret recipes' in order to forge wonderful weapons from special bits of items that the player collects along the journey. He claims that he is the main character's private butler and respects him as the "Great One". Demogorgon, a demon prince of tremendous power and arguably the most difficult opponent in the series, is included in the Watcher's Keep expansion area.
[edit] External links
- Sorcerer's Place (extensive coverage of all (A)D&D CRPGs)
- Baldur's Gate II - Throne of Bhaal at the Internet Movie Database
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| Shattered Steel • Baldur's Gate • Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast • MDK2 • Baldur's Gate II • Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal • Neverwinter Nights • Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic • Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark • Jade Empire • Dragon Age • Mass Effect |
