NPC's that help complete the plot

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I should have had this on the other post but figured I'd make a different one. I'm wondering which NPC's fit the storyline best. I'm assuming jaheira will but that's my other dilema. I have yet to complete the game so I'm not sure which romance is better, the drow chick, or jaheira..something about the bossy/bishy drow seems more fun. Well, jaheira seems pretty opinionated, so that could be a rl chick really

 

Imoen. She's the reason for most of the game plot - her kidnapping and rescue, Irenicus' need for you (and her). Every other NPC has no real bearing.

 

I also think that Yoshimo is critical to the storyline. Yes, you CAN go through the game without him in your party, but I think the game designers intended for you to take him along.

 

Jaheira and Minsc also get an honorable mention because they were captured along with you and that makes them different from say...Anomen or Korgan. They are definitely the next most important NPCs, plot wise.

 

Yeah, it is pretty much only Imoen and Yoshimo who seem to be key characters to take for plot purposes.

Jaheira and Minsc have more of a reason for actually wanting to go up against Irenicus than most characters but you don't really lose anything by giving them the boot.

 

I don't think Yoshimo is vital to the plot. The game doesn't stall if you leave him in the first dungeon. You can't complete the game without getting Imoen, whether you want her or not.

 

Actually you don't need to take anyone along. Imoen is built into the game however.

If this is your first time through the game I would take Imoen, Yoshimo, Jaheira and Minsc. Others are definitely optional.

 

Standard:

PC
YoshImoen
Jaheira
Minsc

Past that, it's a matter of choice. Though I think the 'canon' revolves around grabbing everyone for their subplots and then letting them go on their way. (For example, grab Keldorn for the Unseeing Eye and then let him return to his family when you get to the Government District.) Haer'Dalis gets a permanent spot, and then Sarevok when you get to ToB.

Haer'Dalis can be replaced by Jan if you don't like the bard, but the whole "rescuing from prison" thing and then him not going with his friends just screams that he ought to go with you. Combine that with Aerie leading you to him, and it seems like everything is pointing you toward Haerry. And Sarevok is pretty clear. Right when all the NPC quests stop, they present you with another NPC, who you are forced to give a part of yourself (or Imoen) to. Someone who you are linked to intimately. Someone who, like Belkar from the OotS, must be kept track of lest they cause more trouble like they did before. And lastly, someone who can be so dramatically redeemed (CE to CG) in an otherwise Good party.

 

It depends on your character's alignment.

I really think the game was designed with a good protagonist in mind -- it practically screams 'pick a Paladin.' However, the game also supports playing any alignment and any character type.

A good aligned protagonist would certainly put rescuing Imoen as a top priority. While an evil protagonist would want revenge and would most likely dump the NPC's who were useless when you were first captured. Such a protagonist would surround himself/herself with powerful allies (Edwin, Korgan, Viconia, et.al.) and may not be concerned with rescuing Imoen.

Which NPC's fit the storyline best? Any of them, depending on how you play your main character.

As far as the romances are concerned.... It really depends on your own personality, they are all very well written. Aerie needs compassion and encouragement, Jaheira needs a friend to help her through her loss (and help fill a void now in her life), and Viconia wants to be understood and accepted for who she is. Anomen, the romance for the female PC, is simply in need of guidance.

 

Yes, giving a piece of your soul (or Immy's if you have her) to Sarevok is an annoying sticking point. But as for needing to watch over him? You don't hear anymore from Sarevok if you refuse his aid.

I still contend the only necessary NPC is Imoen, and only for a chapter and a half of the game.

 

Agreed about Sarevok. How much trouble is he going to get into stuck in the pocket plane, anyway? Although from a purely "story" standpoint, it seems criminal not to take him.

Obviously, you don't NEED to take ANY NPC, or else there wouldn't be so many people soloing. However, in terms of story, I'd agree with the majority that you "need":

Imoen
Yoshimo
Minsc
Jaheira

They've all lost something due to Irenicus, and they've all (excep Yoshimo) been with you since nearly the beginning. In terms of continuity, I'd argue that you "need" Viconia and Edwin as well, since they were also around from day one. But, of course, everyone's party differs in BG1 just like in SoA.

I think the most compelling "new" NPCs, story-wise, are Aerie, Anomen, and Valygar. They're all at kind of a crossroads in their lives, and they're all searching for something, be it solace, validation, or purpose.

 

Am I the only one who's seen him warp out when you tell him to go to hell?

 

Imoen is the only plotline NPC. She's the only one that is integral to the Base Storyline. Every other one including Minsc and Jaheira just add to it.

I don't even take Minsc and Jaheira in BG1 most of the time. They don't truely add anything to the main storyline other than where they are found and a bit of sob story flavor to the first Dungeon.


the Storyline of SoA practically revolves around Imoen for a good ammount of the Game though and if you want to give that full respects I'd say if any of them really link into the story past her it would be Yoshimo. Yoshimo's betrayal links into Imoen in so many ways it's not even funny. Conveniently picked up in the first Dungeon. Works as your best thief but the Storyline takes a twist with him when you get to Imoen. It's all running along the same rail there.

Sarevok doesn't play as much unless you have Ascension installed. Then he seems to play a bigger Role since he was a Bhaal Spawn too.


After these three really the only one that I can see further ARgument for is Jaheira. She's romancable and you pick her up at the beginning of the game. Previous history to the PC thanks to the way the BGII writers took things. Something you don't have to have with Viconia or Edwin at all. It's your choice. But she is also the NPC that adds the most extra Content to the Game thanks to the Harpers Hold stuff as well as her little plot with Plumber or whatever his name is in the one bar in the Docks District.

Minsc's annoying drivel. Well if you liked him in BG1 and he didn't drive you buggy as all hell. You might like him with his whole new range of stupidity in BG2. Otherwise use him until you find somebody else or if your willing to sacrifice 3k xp. leave him in the damned cage. Minsc adds no additional tangible content to the plot other than previous connection unless you have things like Unfinished Business installed. All pc's give interjections to different things so that doesn't count.

Anomen, Nalia, Korgan, and Aerie are all easily findable through the regular storyline or basic exploring as if you were new to the game. Haer Dalis is easy to find through Aerie. Their all just added flavor and nothing by the timing on which you can come across really makes them truely canon.

they didn't do as good of a job in BG2 but that's what I liked about BG1. We can surmise a cannon party but it's really whatever you want the party to be. BG2 does revolve a lot around Imoen though.

Edit: No your not. Seems to me that if Imoen is not the party you don't necessarily have to give him part of your soul at all. She's just a softy.

 

I've seen him do it. Doesn't mean he's playing havoc across the Realms, either.

 

No, the most of the time, I don´t take him.

 

You get the most value plotwise out of imoen and yoshimo. That Spellhold scene with Yoshimo is a killer though. First time I saw it, I blurted out WTF?? just like in the twist scene in KotOR and the note about Morte in PS:T.

 

/me taps kuemper's forehead with a knuckle
Um, hello, it's Sarevok. Remember BG1? Two nations' worth of havoc; it's just what he does.

 

And he's still Chaotic Evil when you revive him.......

 

WARNING SPOILER!!!!!!!


But he can chance his alignment to CG with banters.

 

That was part of my argument, actually. And being as it won't happen unless you take him under your wing, some might consider you responsible for unleashing Sarevok's evil on the world again. (Especially as your/Imoen's 'donation' made it all possible. )