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Amkethran is a village in the Calim Desert, Calimshan.[1] It was unofficially led by Balthazar and his monks. This area is accessible when Chapter 9 is started.
Backstory[]
Amkethran is built on a plateau of sand and rock, and is a village in very bad shape, the inhabitants can't survive without the help of the smugglers and the monastery. Its inhabitants live in poverty and have to contend with Balthazar's mercenaries residing there and doing whatever they please.
Layout[]
The largest structure in Amkethran is a fortified monastery. The village also has two caves, one used as the graveyard, and the other utilized by smugglers (which seem to be tolerated as an important part of Amkethran's supply chain - according to Zakhee the local Innkeeper). A tavern is the only official drinking and eating establishment, which also sells armaments and a few other goods. Kerrick's Smithy and Arcana Archives II is located above the inn. There is an unusual sundial apparatus as well, up on the raised terraces of the homes/shops. Shepards and commoners come and go in the village. Numerous mercenaries are also present, hired by someone, and they strut about the streets and seem to have pushed aside the local villager's usual peaceful existence. One place of worship is established in the village, a Temple of Waukeen (Amkethran).
Places[]
- The Zephir (AR5501)
- Kerrick's Smithy and Arcana Archives II (AR5502)
- Temple of Waukeen (AR5503)
- Smuggler's Cave (AR5504)
- Monastery (AR5505)
- Commoner's Home (AR5506)
- Empty Home (AR5507)
- Faheed's Home (AR5508)
- Cave of the Dead (AR5509)
Exploring Amkethran (a walkthrough/gameplay option)[]
Check-in with Balthazar[]
Upon entering Amkethran, you can speak with Balthazar first, a short conversation all told. After the dialogue, your World Map will be updated and show the locations of two new areas you can travel to including Abazigal's Lair and Sendai's Enclave.
Start exploring[]
the Party may now explore the village and take in the locale's offerings and layout. Here is a suggested order of what to visit, based on story flow and information gleaned to clarify the village's offerings and current situation of the inhabitants. Note: You don't have to do this as described below, and are free to explore in any order or path as you desire - it is just one suggested "play-tested" path only:
The Cave of the Dead[]
Look at your overview Map of Amekethran, and move your party towards the Cave of the Dead. You'll soon spot a boy (labelled "Boy") and speak with him. He says: "You don't wanna go in that cavern. That's where we bury our dead, but now it's full of really bad creatures, my momma says". There will be more dialogue, and eventually you will receive a quest for your journal called The Graveyard Lich. Apparently, some stranger arrived in the village and has been heard to claim that undead were looking for him, and that a girl that was with him got sick as well. Also, the boy claims that Balthazar won't do anything about it, and just sealed the cavern. The boy then hurries off. For the moment, press on with your exploration of the village.
Next, speak with the monk guard who is nearby the boy (labelled "Monk"). The Monk says: "This cavern is sealed off by order of Balthazar. I do not suggest you enter". Dialogue will continue, and you will learn that there are disturbing reports of dead having risen, and powerful creatures awoken inside. He says they do not know why. You may continue to try and get more information from the monk, but he basically makes known that he is not at liberty to go into details and is here to warn the villagers about the cavern. Eventually the monk says he doesn't like what you are implying and to go away and mind your own affairs.
Village Mayor's dilemma[]
Now head a little further south where you can see a fat man (the village mayor), a woman and two armor clad mercenary types. As you near, a woman named "Asana Haraad" speaks aloud and you overhear her saying "Please, please spare me... I beg you!". "The male Mercenary (Balthazar) replies to her "Thieving Wench! Begging won't save you now!". The female mercenary then interjects "We will make a harsh example of you, and maybe others will think twice before they steal from us!" The village Mayor named "Omar Haraad" speaks up and says "Please, my daughter meant no harm. Her motives were pure, even if her actions were wrong". More accusations and dialogue continue between the mercenaries and the mayor and daughter, concluding with a decision to punish Asana by summary execution for thievery.
Eventually the Mayor asks you to intervene, explaining that Asana was wrong to steal to obtain gold, but it was for purchasing food to feed the starving children villagers - and that she did not deserve to be killed for that. You may choose to help or let Asana be punished by death. If you decide to assist her, even if it is not an overt hostile action, the mercenaries will have little patience for your interference, and attack you. Should you intervene and put down the mercenaries, the mayor and Asana will express gratitude, and you gain +1 Reputation as well as Montolio's Cloak, 500 GP and each party member 5,000 XP as a reward. If you do not intervene, you lose 1 reputation point after Asana is executed in cold blood in the street.
Seemon Havarian and the Mercenaries[]
Head due south and make your way past a small collection of villagers and you'll see some more mercenaries. Again, you'll overhear one that is addressing your old 'friend' Saemon Havarian (whom you owe a debt of pain to). The mercenary proclaims, "So you thought your smugglers could sell our stolen gear and get away with it, eh, Esamon?", and a different mercenary then says "Or should we just call you Saemon? We know all about your shady reputation, Saemon Havarian!". Saemon then replies "Er, let's not do anything hasty, gentlemen. As you know, I could not have been involved, as I have only recently returned to Amekethran...".
The verbal sparring goes back and forth, when Saemon spots your arrival, and somehow, is able to insinuate that your party is actually in possession of their stolen gear. The mercenaries focus their attention on you and eventually blame you for having the gear. Saemon skillfully is able to initiate a teleport and escape the fix he is in, and you are left facing some hostile mercenaries, bent on getting "their stolen" gear back. Your old 'friend' has stabbed you in the back again.
Priest of Waukeen vs. Monastery Monk[]
After that little skirmish, your party should just continue south, until you happen upon a Priest of Waukeen named Chyil and one of the Monastery Monks. The priest can be overheard in a heated exchange, he says "Your Monastery once cared for this town. But under Balthazar, you have abandoned us. The people are starving, and your master does nothing!". The Monk replies "Balthazar is concerned with other matters, old man". Livid, the Priest of Waukeen shouts "BAH! He is gathering mercenaries and wizards for an army! How is this more important than bringing in food for the starving children?". The argument continues, with the Priest demanding an audience with Balthazar, and the Monk refusing, then telling the Priest "You dare attack me old man? Your death shall be quick and painful!".
The priest and Monk begin to square off for a fight. If you don't step in and distract, attack or attempt to subdue the Monk, then the Priest will likely be killed. Assuming you do something, then suddenly a Mage teleports in and immediately announces "Cease this at once! You dare raise your hand to an emissary of the Monastery?". If you back off, the Mage explains that he will let you off with a warning if you respect Balthazar's Monks. The Mage and Monk both teleport away from the scene. The Priest of Waukeen thanks you, then apologizes for losing his temper, but also explains his frustration and the fact that his temple has spent all its coin feeding the poor. You can leave him or offer 1,000 gold to the Temple. If you do make a donation, the Priest expresses his profound thanks. The party gains +1 reputation, each party member gains 3,000 XP, and he hands you the Oaken Ring as a reward.
Visit the Temple of Waukeen[]
If you wish to, enter the Temple of Waukeen (Amkethran). The Priest within has the usual temple services available, including the buying and selling of goods (at a good rate as well). There are a few decent potions and a scroll and potion storage containers. The priest also will tell you his opinions and what he knows about Balthazar, Melissan, Sendai and Abazigal if you ask about each, furnishing information you will not have heard so far in your adventures.
Captain Erelon trains his Archers[]
Next to the Temple, slightly northwest, is a gathering of a different type of Mercenary, under the command of a Captain Erelon. He appears to be overseeing a drill for five mercenary archers. The captain occasionally summons a creature for the Archers to aim for and slay (such as an Umberhulk). If you initiate talk with the captain, he impatiently says "Can't you see I'm busy? My archers need to stay in top form!". If you keep interrupting Captain Erelon again, or say the wrong thing, the entire group will become hostile, and start their target practice on you and the party.
Go to the Inn[]
Perhaps it's time for some rest and refreshment. See what is happening in the village's only Inn The Zephir.
NPCs[]
People involved[]
- Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
Potential Enemies[]
Notable Treasure[]
Omar Haraad[]
Mercenary[]
- Long Sword +1
- Chain Mail +3
- Medium Shield +2
- Gold Horned Helm
Priest of Waukeen[]
Vongoethe[]
Captain Erelon[]
Faheed[]
Guard Captain[]
Quests[]
Soundtrack[]
Bg2 Music - Amkethran Theme
Appendix[]
External links[]
- Amkethran on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
Sources & references[]
- Baldur's Gate II section at Mike's RPG Center