GameBanshee Forums

The Walkthru here at Gamebanshee states that headgear will be removed at the start of the Trial, but the last two times that I went thru it, after having aquired it, my char has been wearing Finch's Fine Chapeau, despite the fact that I actually had a Headband of Intellect +2 equipped BOTH times.

Is this a bug, or is the fact that both Characters were level 6 Wizard/remainder Arcane Scholar (I forget the levels that I had during the Trial, but at least3 levels of ASoCK), and wearing the Robes of the Arcane Scholar? Viewing the class at chargen shows the Chapeau to be actually part of the class outfit, if it means anything...

I didn't notice any difference during the trial in regards to Diplomacy checks, but I know that my last char had a Diplomacy of 12 during the trial....

Luck? Bug? Designed this way?

Well, NWN2 has had a bunch of patches since I wrote the walkthrough, so it wouldn't shock me if there are some differences now. Was the chapeau in your inventory? It could be that the game unequips your hat for the cut scenes, and then equips some hat at the end, and for some reason it's picking the chapeau instead of the headband.

SWC

UNKNOWN..

But you need a modified Diplomacy of 16+ to get the most out of the trial with respect to that skill. (..and you need to follow through on all the leads before the trial and get good influence with Shandra.)

Unfortunately however, the history feat "Master Orator" doesn't give you any bonuses. And the outcome is the same. (..even the Influence increases you can get from Sand are a waste.)

So the entire trial is pretty much pointless.

Hmmm...

Well, when I talk to Sir Nevalle, I'm wearing a Headband of Intellect +2 (non-crafted). The Hat is in my inventory.

When Lord Nasher says to bring in the accused, I'm wearing the Hat, and the headband is in my inventory (proven when I get to the fight).

After the Fight, I'm wearing the hat, and need to switch back to the headband.

My BASE skill in Diplomacy is 12. I have an intelligence of about 18-19(with the headband it's 2 points higher), so my modified Diplomacy is 16-17.

As for Sand (spoiler follows)

Spoiler

If Sand Betrays, then when you return to CK at the end of MotB, there aren't ANY of the Mage Companions left to greet you, as Qara gets squashed by the one thing her nukes don't work against: A Boulder. If he Doesn't betray, then he will be there (or come there), to greet you

, so a bit of influence with him is best, in my book.

EDIT: As for the Master Orator feat/epithet, well, I find it funny that a simple swamp farmgirl (I'm playing a female Elf Wizard) can out-talk an Ambassador whose been at it awhile.