Temporary change in party. *SPOILERS

[anarchistica]

If you have a proper browser (Firefox) or even crappy Internet Explorer 7, you can middle click on links to open them in a new tab. By middle-clicking on everything you wanna reply to and copy/pasting (CTRL+C > CTRL+V) them into one post you can quote them all in one post.

Since this is your first time playing BG2, i'd definitely go with Keldorn. No need for buffing or anything, just give him a big sword and he's set. And trust me, you will get a big sword...

[galraen]

Originally Posted by VonDondu

There is also another consideration. Your character is not just the offspring of a god, but the offspring of the God of Murder. This will become a lot more important when you start playing Throne of Bhaal. You won't merely be trying to recover your soul from a mad wizard who wants to steal it for his own purposes; you'll be at the center of events that will leave the Sword Coast drenched with blood. Keldorn has killed a few orcs in his time, but he has never dealt with a challenge as monumental as the one you present. Do you remember what Sarevok told you in BG1? One Bhaalspawn will rise above the rest and change the course of history. How do you think Keldorn feels about THAT? Do you suppose he would enjoy staying at home while you're out there meeting your destiny and possibly leaving thousands of victims in your wake? Or do you suppose he would like to be by your side, doing whatever he can to prevent your soul from turning dark and to prevent you from causing the deaths of thousands of people?

A very well thought out and constructed argument. However I think your tending to give Keldorn credit for more predictive powers than are indicated in the game. He may know that your are a child of Baal, but how much doe he know of the prophesies of Alaundo? I got the impression of Keldorn that he was a very unimaginative guy, with little or no leadership qualities (as you pointed out) I don't think he'd be capable of the deep thinking it would take to think along the lines you suggested.

The bottom line is of course as has been said by most of us many times, and reiterated by you and I in this thread, it's up to ech of us to decide for ourselves how we want to play it, and how we interpret the story.

Originally Posted by VonDondu

I can't read their minds, but I don't think the people at Bioware expected every player to finish every single sidequest in the game. The players who participate on these message boards tend to be the type who think they have "failed" unless they have achieved 100% completion; but I think Bioware had a more "generic" player in mind when they wrote the dialogue. I reckon they expected most players to do enough sidequests to raise 15,000 gold pieces, then go to Spellhold, and then finish Chapters Six and Seven without doing any more of the sidequests. That's pretty much what I did the first time I played BG2 because I was trying to follow the hints and do what the game was telling me to do.

That's pretty much what I meant, I wasn't saying (or intending to) that they expected everyone to complete every side quest first, but that they'd complete the ones they were going to do prior to going to Spellhold.

I can't remember how many of the side quest I did complete the first time I completed the game, I suspect I missed at least one, and I definitely remember getting so confused and frustrated in Spellhold I just got out at the first opportunity, so didn't get the BoS, or Gesen's Bowstring etc..

[VonDondu]

Originally Posted by galraen

A very well thought out and constructed argument. However I think your tending to give Keldorn credit for more predictive powers than are indicated in the game. He may know that your are a child of Baal, but how much doe he know of the prophesies of Alaundo? I got the impression of Keldorn that he was a very unimaginative guy, with little or no leadership qualities (as you pointed out) I don't think he'd be capable of the deep thinking it would take to think along the lines you suggested.

What I meant is that if Keldorn stays home, he'll be kicking himself later when he hears about the events that are unfolding. (It's a pretty big story that everyone will hear about eventually.) He'll be saying to himself, rightfully or not, "I had the chance to make a difference, and I blew it."

Besides, you're not giving Keldorn enough credit. If you let him stay in your party, he will learn that your character is a child of Bhaal, and he will tell you that he has consulted the Order to see if they have any insight concerning your character's fate. Keldorn promises (or threatens, depending on how you look at it) to keep an eye on you. He is definitely interested in what will happen in the future.

[CFM]

Originally Posted by VonDondu

I feel sorry for Keldorn's wife and kids, and a little bit sorry for Keldorn himself, who doesn't know how to balance work and family life.

I agree with every part of this entire post. In fact, I don't think I thought the whole "Keldorn over Anomen" thing through well enough.

Combat-wise, Keldorn requires a little less thought than Anomen. Throw his awesome Dispel Magic and True Sight abilities around, and have him swing the biggest sword you got, and that's Keldoen in combat. And one of the best items that you'll find in the game is tailor made for him.

Anomen and his wide array of cleric spells has more potential, depending on how much attention you put towards putting his spells to good use. There is a wide range of offense and defense to be found in the cleric's spell list. And he can use another one of the best items that you'll find in the game.

So Keldorn has a bit more straight forward-ness in combat, whereas Anomen requires a bit more managing to get his full potential. Good or bad, depending on your playing preferences.

One other thing to consider is that if you plan to play through the Saga again, and want to experience as many NPC's as possible, maybe it's best to finish your current game with Anomen, since you've already come this far with him, and save Keldorn and his entire repitoire of in-game banters for your next game. Just something else to consider if you're tallying the pros and cons to Anomen vs. Keldorn...

[sonny]

I've just about made up my mind and I will post my decision

But one quick question. I know if I drop Anomen I can get him back, you guys already told me that. What about Keldorn? Can I get him back later if I drop him?

Thanks fable for letting me get through his ordeal

[anarchistica]

You can get everyone you let go back, except if you leave them at Spellhold (Imoen is the only one who can get back from there). Only in certain exceptional situations is an NPC gone for good, and they always state this in advance.

[Excalibur_2102]

in this situation Sonny, no i dont think you can get him back. Telling him to leave the party at any point in the adventure, then yes you can get him back, BUT at this point in his story line when he asks if he can go off with his familly, and you say yes, Im pretty sure you cant get him back.

[sonny]

OK everyone I've decided what I want to do about the Keldorn problem and since I ask for your advice I will share with you what I plan to do. But first if you guys will bear with me I would like to make a few comments

I'm sure I've said some of this before, so sorry for the redundancy. Every time I read the things you guys say in your replies, it amazes me how dedicated your are to this game and the passion you show when you discuss it. When you look at the join dates, that's extraordinary.
I'm sure we all read back over our replies (check spelling, etc.) but do we listen to what we are saying? You guys (myself included) talk about these game characters like they are real people. THAT IS JUST SO COOL. It's like we're discussing friends or co-workers.
I remember when I was playing BG1 and the first time my party members started talking. At first it startled me, and then I smiled and thought, " I'm not alone in this bad place, I've got friends with me. Weird?
One of the things I've tried to avoid doing is reading the threads, after reading one with a spoiler that ruined a little of the game for me in BG1. I remember CFM telling me to stop reading the threads until you've played through at least once. I look forward to when I've done that and can feel safe reading the threads, Not for the spoilers, but to read what you guys have said. Any way I'm starting to ramble, and I don't think that's a good thing. Just let me say, I'm glad my grandson told me about this game, I appreciate what all you guys do for the game, and I'm glad to be a small part of the BG family.

Now for Keldorn; I tried to look at this as if he is a real person.

1. Keldron failed as a husband and a father, depended on priest to help raise his family and servants to do the rest. It disturbs me that when he was in the city, he choose to stay in the guild and not with his family. But there's nothing me or my party can do to change any of that. It may be to late for him to make things right.
2. I think Anomen and Keldron are excellent fighters and even though they bring different things to the table, I think either one will serve me well. ALTHOUGH, reading between the lines of what some of you are saying, I have a feeling Keldron becomes a lot better later in the game.
3. One of the things I enjoy the most in the game is the banter and by picking up Keldorn late, I think I may have missed a lot of that.

So I've decided to let Keldorn stay home and hopefully do right by his family. I will continue the game with Anomen, unless someone else comes along and starts the mind games again. I plan to get Keldorn, Anomen and Jan early when I play through again and let the banter fly.

Since I still only know how to put one persons quote at a time into my reply, I wanted to use this one. Not because it's better then any other one, but because I believe it, because deep down I think Keldorn's a good man.

Originally Posted by VonDondu

Keldorn promises (or threatens, depending on how you look at it) to keep an eye on you. He is definitely interested in what will happen in the future.

Thanks everyone for all the help and advice.
Will try to make shorter post next time.