Ilmadia and her Fire Giants were easy enough. Creeping past them on the guise of just being lost – despite the entire deep being strewn with the bodies of those I’d slain over the past 10 day assauly – seems unlikely. You’d think that once you off 2, 3, or 4 of the top lieutenants, that someone might start to come after you, or make some fortifications. But no, please, step right up.
So we attacked Ilmadia, and offed her and her giants pretty easily. The biggest issue I had was inventory problems, and thos were solved when I realized we had 6 slots or so devoted to non-magical missle weapons. OUT! More room for crossbows, halberds and potions.
At this point I paused for a few months, busily heading to Europe, Napa Valley, Hawaii, and New England. Ah, life is tough. 🙂
But when a day off from work presented itself, I hastily made my way back into IWD, to march up to Poquelin for the final battle. Now my first attempt was pretty poor – I did all kinds of summons, went slowly, and hacked the monsters away. Little did I know that the monsters come in endless waves, and you have to focus on him. So it required a second attempt.
On the second try I summoned EVERYthing – beetles, elementals, etc. They all rushed Poquelin, while Spivey, Callien and Rolf hit him with missle weapons, Jaylen pelted him with spells, and Jaylen and Venecia took on the minions. It was over so fast. Too fast.
We were warped into Easthaven, and after a brief heal, went about chopping down Cyclops. This too was easy, with only Callien being stepped on for 26 damage, despite the 10 or so wandering around (one of whom was intently chasing a squirrel).
We found Jhonen and got the +5 sword from the beginning of the game, which only Callien could use. We then freed Everard and the prisoners. Very odd that despite all the tough enemies fought up until here, all there are now are cyclops. Hmm.
Eventually we headed to the tower, healing and resting on the second level while Everard meditated below. Pomab was on the third floor, in league with Poquelin and all that. He had these unbeatable skeletons, which was pretty ridiculous. With all the summons available, I was having Skeletons attack the Pomabs, and having my party beat the skeletons – but only one died. The other three stayed up and kept attacking. For most of the group it was no biggie, especially with Pomab being useless – but Jaylen was cornered and criticaled, and was down to 1 HP twice. The first time he used Sanctuary to rest and regroup – the second time he just barely got an Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere off and stayed in that. Everyone went for the Pomabs, and soon he was mincement, on his way to bad shopkeeper hell.
One last rest, and then on to the crystal level, and then into a mirror (?). Poquelin was there, and Everard did his slowly-walk-through and play-the-hero thing. Poquelin morphed into demon form, with iron golems attacking us. The golems fell easily, and Rolf kept Belhifet busy, chopping big chunks into him while rolling and avoiding his attacks. More golems were coming, but Jaylen hit him hard with spells and Kaylen and Venicia closed with attacks. Soon he wailed out in anguish and was vanquished.
After 11 years, Icewind Dale was beaten. One game, done completely and done well, and off my list forever.
Now, it’s just the two expansions – Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster. Hmm…
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