I've been thinking about playing IWD2 again and I'd like to RP a zany, kooky, lively, light-hearted party this time (no min.maxing, no powergaming, no soloing). I don't like having too many characters around (micromanaging and stuff + I like to level up once in a while) first I thought about The Order of the Stick (or the Linear Guild ;) ) but I reconsidered, these guys are 6 which means (at least IMO) too much hassle, I can't be bothered (last time I played a full party was in BG2)... I kept looking for ideas and then I remembered an adventuring party that you meet in Baldur's Gate in the Helm and Cloak inn to be precise: Gorpel Hind and his Band of Merry Fools.
I then knew I was unto something. They are four and they suit my purpose exactly.
I looked into SK (I have BG tutu installed) and what I found was disappointing:

Gorpel Hind LN male fighter human
STR 12 DEX 12 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 10

Farluck NG male human fighter(appearance elf though)
STR 13 DEX 16 CON 11 INT 16 WIS 10 CHA 8

Turpin NG Ranger Male human
STR12 DEX 12 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 10

Nelik NG human thief (appearance halfling though)
STR 12 DEX 12 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 10 I guess I'll have to make this party from scratch except for the names since this will not help much.

Actually we don't know much about this party in BG, except that they spend a lot of time in bars (who doesn't ;) ) and that they managed to capture a basilisk (the one that can be found prowling around in a deserted warehouse in the docks) which means they're not as useless as they seem.

This is what their leader says when he first meets Charname:

Gorpel Hind- Ahoy, fellow adventurers! Come share a glass with Gorpel Hind and his Band of Merry Fools. Seated with me are Farluck the Fearless, Turpin the Roaring Ranger, and Nelik the Most Devious and Fiendish of Thieves! (We owe him money so he gets the good title...) But away with these meagre introductions! Side up to the bar and tell us a tall tale of your latest adventures!
This piece of dialogue sounds like a Bard's banter, which means Gorpel Hind can't be LN if he is to be a bard (LN doesn't make much sense IMO perhaps I'll stick to NG for everyone).

Farluck "the Fearless" must either be an elf or a half elf (not a drow, that's for sure) perhaps a Fighter/Mage?

Turpin "the Roaring Ranger" is going to be just that which in IWD2 isn't that great...

Nelik "the Most Devious and Fiendish of Thieves" is most certainly a halfling rogue (probably not a ghostwise halfling)

I haven't decided about stats yet, since the only thing I've got right now are names and nicknames (which isn't such a bad way to start) I'm not really sure about classes for Gorpel Hind and Farluck (I will probably make Turpin a single class Ranger and Nelik a single class Rogue).

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome!

For stats, I'd rather stick to the original pointbuy instead of lowering down.

The stats I posted where from the Cre files, I'm not going to cripple this party (having a pure ranger would suffice). ;)

It's been a while. I'm sick and I'm bored so I decided to play IWD2 and I remembered this idea... :sick:

Ladies and gents, boys and girls, right from the streets of Baldur's Gate and new to Targos, give a warm welcome to the Band of Merry Fools:

Gorpel Hind
Human Rogue NG
12 14 10 14 8 18
luck of heroes, mercantile background
-->this is the savvy leader of the band hence the Charisma, he is going to level up as a Bard with perhaps some Fighter levels thrown in (perhaps not).

Farluck the Fearless
Half Elf Monk LN
14 18 10 16 10 8
Discipline, Iron Will
-->the right hand man, dedicated and devoted to his task and mission. I'm thinking of giving him some levels as a Transmuter and perhaps a Fighter level too (weapon finesse and dual wielding could be nice for this character). Monk may look like an odd choice to make but it gives higher saves, speed, the ability to use Monk only items and Evasion.

Turpin
Human Rogue CG
18 12 16 8 12 10
Bullheaded, Forester
-->Meatshield and main Tank of the party. High Constitution and Strength. He is going to level up as a Ranger and then as a Barbarian. I'm not sure yet whether he is going to be a full time Ranger (I didn't skimp entirely on Wisdom because of that) or a Barbarian (his Strength means he won't dual wield weapons). The Rogue(s) levels are just to get extra skillpoints (Hide and Move Silently) and Evasion as well.

Nelik the Devious
Strongheart Halfling Rogue NG
10 20 14 14 8 10
Precise Shot, Rapid Shot
-->the only full time Rogue and the only one with points in disarm, picking locks, search and pickpocket. He is going to act as a sneak attacker (later on) and as a ranged bowman most of the time. I don't think I'm going to give him levels in any other class (except perhaps Fighter levels to mke him even more effective with a bow if I don't mind losing on the sneak attack bonus... The Wisdom is too low for any level as a Cleric, too bad).

I will not have a Cleric in this party and not that much arcane power either. It's going to be tricky for a while I guess. I also gave each character at the very least one point in wilderness lore... :p

Heh, cool idea. I always liked those guys in BG.

I forgot I had Tal Rasha's Tactics mod installed... Things were interesting, Phaen didn't go down so easily. ;)

Gorpel Hind is now Bard 1 Rogue 2 (low HP badly needs some spells or maybe a few fighter levels)

Farluck the Fearless Fighter 1 Monk of the Old Order 1 Transmuter 1 (got to love the specialists can write all spells bug)

Turpin Barbarian 1 Ranger 1 Rogue 1 (thinking about giving him a fighter level as well)

Nelik the Devious Rogue 3 (still not sure whether to go full time rogue or add 4 fighter levels to improve fighting abilities in the long run).

It's weird to think that the only healer is going to be the bard (or perhaps the ranger if I don't level him up as a barbarian). :shake:

I finished the game without any spellcasters in the party, I did have a paladin but his Wis was only 12. Just make sure you load up on healing potions and you should be fine. Use Magic is a great skill for the rogues. You can supplement your melee attacks with the various wands you can buy, or find, in the game.

Nice tips, my Bard is taking advantage of Use Magic Device, I need some advice for the development of my party though: (I'm currently cleaning the area above the Horde Fortress)

Gorpel is Bard 6/Rogue 2 (he never died, I guess it comes from playing Baldur's Gate, you never let your leader die!) I'm thinking of giving him Bard levels of course (and maybe after getting the War song of the Sith one level of Ranger for dual wielding fun).

Farluck is Monk 1/Fighter 1/Transmuter 5 that's a no brainer... Straight mage from then on.

Turpin is Barbarian 1/Fighter 2/Ranger 2/Rogue 2. I don't know whether to level him up as a Ranger or a Barbarian. I'll take 4 Fighter levels and 3 Rogue levels and then... Barbarians are like spellcasters, they get better when you go all the way. From a RPing point of view Ranger is more accurate and it'd allow some spellcasting later on. I don't really know which is better in fact, either Fighter 4/Rogue 3/Ranger 3/Barbarian X or Fighter 4/Rogue 3/Barbarian 3/Ranger X.

Nelik is Rogue 7. The sneak attacks are beginning to be effective now. I don't know whether I should level him up as a straight Rogue and get even better sneak attacks, throw in a Ranger level so he could use two weapons at the same time and be more offensive in melee combat or give him 4 Fighter levels (which would give more feats among which weapon mastery with the Bow but which would mean losing on the sneak attacks). I believe he is quite decent but that he could be more effective (it's a pity I dumped his Wisdom otherwise a few levels of Cleric of Mask -injonction and sleep- helps a lot for sneak attacks).
Should I go full time Rogue, Ranger 1/Rogue X, or Fighter 4/Rogue X?

I'm playing Tal Rasha's Tactics4IWD2 mod and it's challenging but it can be done. I enjoy having a stealthy party, having so many Rogue levels means the party has got behind in sheer spellcasting power but it opens many strategies (I'm looking forward to actually sneaking my way through the Goblin caves beneath the Horde Fortress).

I really can't make my mind about the Rogue character (Nelik) so any advice would be appreciated.

I'd keep Nelik pure for maximal sneak attack damage. The ranger level won't help and you already have someone with fighter levels.

For Turpin it doesn't matter much if you get a few extra HP or a few level 1 spells. Just play what you like more RP-wise.
I'd take 6 ranger levels.