The Gambling Cambion is a side quest available Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition and Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal.
Acquisition[]
This quest is potentially introduced when the party arrives in the final area of the Watcher's Keep Teleport Maze, which is a natural cavern space.
Aesgareth the cambion will open dialogue when a party member is in detection range. Being invisible won't prevent this.
After opening remarks from Aesgareth, the party is allowed dialogue responses.
If the party doesn't wish to have anything to do with Aesgareth and his retinue of tiefling servants, then dialogue responses are available to adopt an uncooperative and hostile tone. Essentially, Gorion's Ward can reply with "You are a demon, fool, and you'll die as every other demon here has!", or "And just what manner of creature are you?".
Follow the cambion's reply with "Never! to arms fool!" and hostilities begin.
Or reply with "I've met cambions before. Evil demons they are, and you shall be treated as such!", followed by "Never! to arms fool!". Hostilities will commence.
Otherwise, all dialogue paths will result in registering this quest in the Player's Journal, as follows:
- Journal entry: The gambling cambion
- I have encountered a cambion and his retinue inside of the maze. This one seems friendly enough and is mostly interested in gaming with me for a chance at his freedom from this place. In return for me putting up the holy symbol as stakes, he is willing to offer me a gem he has found... all based off of draws from a deck of many things.
Gameplay[]
As long as the party hasn't opted for immediate hostilities the cambion will continue:
- Well, now. Nice to meet someone pleasant instead of a host of frustrated fiends. Had to destroy several after we found ourselves here, the rude beasts. But what does one expect from the lower planes, eh? Me, I'll take Sigil any day and avoid the Blood War entirely. We found ourselves in this place after being... drawn somehow. I imagine the magic of the broken portal on the east side of this cavern has something to do with that. Wherever this place is, it allows me to gate in things... minor things... but not to open a gate back out. Interesting, no? I could gate out of this place, but the magic here is very powerful and specific. Likely I need some manner of key to pierce the shields of this place. Do you know of such a thing?
At this juncture, the party may respond with several choices. However, regardless of the specific reply, the player will find out that the cambion wishes to play for the "key" needed for him to open a gate to leave this cavern. The cambion really wants to use his deck of many things and have a chance to do some gambling with the party. Aesgareth will have a few different remarks depending on the dialogue selections made by the party, but the information from Aesgareth will be:
- Allow me to explain: I have a certain penchant for games of chance. I enjoy all kinds of gambling, but today I have something with me of particular interest. You see, I just finished winning a deck of many things from a relative of mine, Duke Rowan. It's a beautiful deck, a variation on the norm by a genasi wizard of some repute.
The cambion continues:
- I'm eager to try it. I'll play you for the item that exits this place... or other things, if you've something of value. What do you say, <CHARNAME>? Pique your interest at all?
The party now has reply options, select the one desired.
The general gist of Aesgareth's reply is something like this (although they can differ slightly):
- Well, here's something to entice you. I have a gem... I believe its magic has something to do with the broken portal behind me. I'll wager it for the way out of this place.
This is followed by:
- But you'll probably wish to prepare yourself and so forth. Take as much time as you need. It *is* a deck of many things, after all, and not for the faint of heart.
At this time the quest officially registers in the player's Journal.
Also, the polite demon allows the party to take their time, prepare, and think about this. The player can now take control of the party.
Orders can be issued to move about, cast spells, preemptively attack, leave the cavern from the western portal, speak with the tieflings, attempt some pick pocketing etc. This would be a good point to save the game.
When ready, select a party member and speak with Aesgareth to continue.
Play the cambion's deck of many things[]
Approach and speak to the cambion. The cambion will ask "So, then, what do you say? Ready to play?"
Select one of the three response options.
The character can ask, "How is your game played?", and the cambion will explain:
- "It's rather simple, actually. We'll use the rules established by the renowned match between Tandem the Sensate and Bal'evoreth in Sigil. Each of us draws a card from the deck. Whichever of us survives the effect and has the higher card wins the draw. Simple, see?"
Again, the cambion asks if the character is ready to play.
The player can then ask again how the game is played, or "I'm ready. What are the stakes?", or perhaps "No. I'm not ready to play just yet."
Aesgareth will answer and explain the stakes:
- Well, first you must offer a wager. A tiny portion of your soul, like... hmmm... experience or vitality. Or wager whatever allows me to leave this place.
This is followed by:
- Keep in mind, though, that I'll only wager the gem for the way out of here. And don't worry... whatever it is, you'll get it back when I go.
The party character now has four dialogue reply options:
- I'm not ready to play just yet, then.
- I shall wager you the way out of here.
- I shall wager some of my experience.
- I shall wager some of my vitality.
Selection: I shall wager you the way out of here []
If the character chooses this, then another menu of reply choices is displayed:
- I'm not ready to play just yet.
- I will play for the Spectral Brand.
- I will play for the scroll of wish.
- I will play for the gem.
Selection: I shall wager some of my experience []
The cambion replies: "Excellent. I have access to a Spectral Brand and a scroll of wish, both rather impressive items. And there is the gem as well. What would you wish to play for?
- Excellent. I have access to a Spectral Brand and a scroll of wish, both rather impressive items. And there is the gem as well. What would you wish to play for?
Select one of these responses:
- I'm not ready to play just yet.
- I will play for the Spectral Brand.
- I will play for the scroll of wish.
Selection: I shall wager some of my vitality []
The cambion replies: "Excellent. I have access to a Spectral Brand and a scroll of wish, both rather impressive items. And there is the gem as well. What would you wish to play for?
- Excellent. I have access to a Spectral Brand and a scroll of wish, both rather impressive items. And there is the gem as well. What would you wish to play for?
Select one of these responses:
- I'm not ready to play just yet.
- I will play for the Spectral Brand.
- I will play for the scroll of wish.
The first card draw []
When the character decides to engage in play with the cambion, they aren't sure how many draws of the cards will be allowed. But, this can be figured out with dialogue. In the end, there can be either one, two, or three card draws depending on the choices made by the character. Below are the choices and potential outcomes for the first card draw.
Playing for: The gem []
If the character selects this option, then this will be the final gambling card draw allowed. In other words, no matter the outcome, the Spectral Brand and the wish scroll won't be offered again. Assuming the character commits to do this then Aesgareth says:
- As you wish. All right, my friend ... I shall allow you to draw from the deck first. I shall spread out the cards for you like so. Choose a card as soon as you are ready.
He then says a variable line depending on which card is drawn (determined by script, which has a 50% chance either the "Strife (card)" card or the "Plague (card)"). Note that Strife will expose the character to a modified Slow effect at this time, with a visual effect animation. The "Plague" card exposes the character to Constituition attribute curse.
After this Aesgareth says:
- Interesting, most interesting! The genasi was a genius, if you ask me. Now, of course it is my turn. You may wish to step back... just in case.
The cambion then reveals which card it pulled, with "Triumph (card)" or "Construct (card)". The Triumph card summons some warriors which attack Aesgareth, and the Construct summons an Adamantine Golem. The cambion and allies will fight and destroy the creatures. Aesgareth then says:
- So... that's it? A dangerous game, and yet it seems we have survived relatively unscathed, yes?
The cambion will now reveal who won. He may say:
- The card you drew is of a higher suit than mine, however. You have won the draw! And so the gem is yours, fair and square. It means little enough to me.
25,000 XP is awarded, and acquisition of the final gem will also trigger the restoration of the Scepter Gem. Aesgareth will then say:
- Hmm... Alas this leaves me little choice. I hate being unsportsmanlike, but I also wish to get out of here. My apologies.
The cambion and servants will now attack the party. Additionally, the player's Journal updates, as follows:
- Journal entry: The gambling cambion
- The cambion with an urge to play games of chance with his deck of many things wasn't about to let me walk out of here with Helm's holy symbol... his key to freedom. The matter ended in violence, as it usually does... a bad gamble on his part.
If the cambion wins the draw, then he will ask for the Holy Symbol, but promises you the gem and he'll return the scepter as well. The party can either provide the holy symbol, at which point Aesgareth says a farewell and the fiends leave the area (in a mini cut scene). The cambion keeps his word and gives you the gem and returns the holy symbol. The player's Journal will update:
- Journal entry: The gambling cambion
- A cambion with a penchant for playing games of chance with his deck of many things won his freedom from me by the luck of the draw. He not only returned the holy symbol as promised, but also gave me a gem he had found here that was now worthless to him.
Or the party can refuse to give up the Holy symbol, which leads to a disappointed remark, and then hostilities.
Playing for: Spectral Brand []
If the character selects playing for the Spectral Brand, then the same dynamic outlined in the gem choice above is used on the first card draw.
The main difference is what the character wagers. If the "way out of here" is selected, and the player loses, then the Spectral Brand is not won, and the cambion wins, and asks for the Holy symbol. The character provides it, and Aesgareth leaves the area. If it isn't provided, then hostilities commence.
On the other hand, if the player wins the draw, then the Spectral Brand is received as well as 25,000 XP. Aesgareth will say:
- You desire the Spectral Brand, and here it is. If you wish to play again, I'd appreciate a chance to gain my freedom, friend.
If the player wagers their Experience or Vitality, then the player can win or lose the draw. If the player wins, the prize is received and the cambion extends the invitation to play another draw.
If the player loses the draw, then Aesgareth says:
- The card I drew is, however, of a higher suit than yours. I win the draw! You wagered some of you experience (Note: or vitality)... I shall take my prize now. And no... you may not have it back. Return if you wish to play again.
Playing for: The wish scroll []
There is no difference in this dynamic except for the prize. The process is essentially the same as playing for the Spectral Brand.
If the character loses the draw the same conclusion is reached. The character's wagered "Experience" or "Vitality" is claimed.
If the character wins the draw, then the scroll of Wish is received and 25,000 XP awarded.
When ready, approach the cambion for the second draw.
The second card draw []
Select a party member to play Aesgareth for the second card draw. Approach and speak to the cambion to initiate this.
As this is the second draw, the character offers a wager, either "play for a way out" or "Experience" or "Vitality".
Next, select what is to be played for, either the "gem" or the Spectral Brand/wish scroll. If the player already has one of these from the first draw, then it won't appear as a prize.
The character draws a card. There is an even chance of drawing the "Guile (card)" or the "Strength (card)" card. Whichever one is drawn; the card's effect takes place at this time.
Next, the cambion draws a card. There is an even chance of drawing the "Defiance (card)" or "Empress (card)" card. Whichever one is drawn; the card's effect takes place at this time.
The highest suit card wins the draw. If the character wins, they receive their prize. If the cambion wins, then it collects the wager of either "Experience" or "Vitality". If the gem was wagered, then then it is the same as explained on the first draw section above.
The third card draw []
The player selects a party member to approach and speak with Aesgareth.
The cambion will say:
- I'm willing to play another game, certainly. But this time I will only play for the way out of here... in exchange for the gem. What do you say?
The character can choose from three responses:
- Agreed.
- Forget it. I won't take the risk.
- I'd say I'd rather kill you now and get this over with.
The second or third reply will lead to a hostile reaction from Aesgareth, and fight will commence.
Agreeing to the stakes and playing another round of cards will begin with the character drawing the first card, and then the cambion. By agreeing the party earns 20,000 XP each.
The character has an even chance of drawing either the "High Priestess (card)" or "Emperor (card)".
Alas, the script for the game disallows a chance to win for the player, and Aesgareth will always have the higher suit "Wheel (card)". He'll exclaim:
- I have won my freedom! The way out of here is mine! You may have the gem regardless... it means nothing to me now. May I have my prize?
The character can choose from two responses:
- So long as I get it back, here you go.
- Forget it! No doubt you'll leave me here, trapped!
Providing the Holy symbol to the cambion allows cambion and servant group to leave the area. Aesgareth bids thanks and departs with the servants via a short cut scene. The gem and symbol are returned to Gorion's Ward as promised. This will most likely result in the automatic restoration of the Scepter of Radiance, and 20,000 XP for each party member.
Not giving Aesgareth the prize results in a hostile reaction, and a fight will break out.
The final Journal entries are now trimmed down and are resolved, leaving only one in the player's Journal. The quest is complete.
With possession of the restored scepter, the party may now escape the maze through the portal.
Notes[]
Gallery[]
