I've been playing that chapter for 65 game days to level up as much as possible (and because the quests are fun)How you long did you/are you spend(ing). I'm sure I've read somewhere there are no time limits on getting Imoen back.

If you know what your doing and take no side roads its about a 45 game day trip, but 65 is about right for a normal game. That is after all and i mean ALL quests

39 days and there's still quite a few things left to do. I have done about half of the NPC side quests, just did Hagen-Daaz', but don't want the wuss in my party anymore...

If you convince Amoen not to attack the person who killed his sister, does anything else ever happen with that?

In BG1, you had to do the chapter quests within a certain time. So you couldn't stop and do ALL of the subquests, you just didn't have time (although I think I got at least 80% of them). I also remember that in BG1 I was more cautious about resting, as if I rested too much I might miss a time limit.

What do you people think is better? Freedom to do what you like when you like or a faster paced story that pushes you along?

Personally I like the time to complete what you want...tho Imoen might feel differently.
As an aside I did the last 2 things I wanted before chapter 3 by getting the celestial sword (pretty darn cool weapon) and taking down the arrogant firkraag (lost 2 characters on that one) so I'm ready to head on.

Good Hunting

Soren

Time limit?? I don't know. I didn't really do a lot of side quests in the first four chapters. I guess I was still nervous about roaming the wilderness with a relatively weak party. But between chapter four and chaptrer five, before I ever went to the Gatefor any real time, I spent forever doing what I believe to be every side quest outside of the Gate, including doing everything in the expansion. Now admitidly I could not finish that game because of a bug in chapter six(OH MY GOD DID THAT PISS ME OFF), and had to finish it from another saved MP game, I had no ill effects from taking a LONG time in between the end of chap 4 and entering Baldur's Gate's plot in chap 5.

Personally I'm trying to do all the possibe side quests just for the enjoyment.
(Also killing dragons is damn hard so the experience comes in handy)
I'm not worring about the time I spend in chapter 2 more about the money I'm spending on good kit and the thought that I'm just not going to have 20,000 after the side quests. (Only joking ;) )

About 45 days with all the big quests done and most of the minors (haven't gone lich busting) Poor Imoen, 6 weeks and she must be going stir crazy. Problem is, she's probably so far behind Jan now that she'll be lucky to get her place back on the team.

Pushing 70 days or so and just now wrapping up chapter 2. I rest a lot just for the sake of it.

In reply to the question as to whether anything else happens after you persuade Anomen to take the LG approach: Yes, lots. It starts with a messenger from the Magistrate informing you of the death of Anomen's father. I shan't post the rest here for fear of spoiling somebody's fun, but it wasn't easy.

I'm early in chap. 2 and I have had the game for almost 3 weeks. If I played more my wife would complain more than Aerie does ;) Maybe a silence spell, then a charm person to deal with how mad she would be about the silence spell ;)

I know exactly what you mean.
Women, you just can't keep them quite when your trying to play BG2.
'Paint that room'
'Cut that grass'
etc etc etc etc etc etc ....... :)

Thanks for the posts on to CH4

Good Hunting

Soren