The prophecy of Sekolah

The prophecy of Sekolah is an optional quest in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn that takes place at the end of Chapter 4. It leads on directly from the quest leaving the island and itself leads on to the start of Chapter 5.

Aquisition[]

This quest begins when the party is taken to the Underwater City by sahuagin. It is introduced upon learning that some of the sahaugin believe the party's arrival might be part of a foretold prophecy of Sekolah. Not all sahuagin share this belief.

Walkthrough[]

Initially, while the party was upon the stolen vessel captained by Saemon Havarian, and then was attacked at sea by the githyanki - who in-turn were boarded by the marauding sahuagin - has led to the sinking of the ship and being captured and taken to this strange Underwater city, a small civilization in an undersea cavernous void. When the party is finally able to get their wits about them, they are escorted by armed "shark-like' creatures and are being held captive at the start of the adventure. The party is also spoken to in a language they do not understand - and one of the guards, a Captain Feerlattiys, has taken them before Royal High Priestess Senityili. The Captain bellows out strange words:

"Vass, ss'uri! Vass! Illuryssallya mer temas vur pasynar ssaraii!"

The Preistess also speaks to the assembled group in the shark tongue, but eventually performs a magic translation enchantment so that you, the surfacers, may now understand and communicate with the saguagin. The Priestess will say:

"I heard you the first time, Feerlattiys. And yes, I have called on Sekolah to grant these beings the ability to understand our tongue. The surface beings are varied in their ways, Feerlattiys, but they are quite intelligent. You can, I am sure, speak to the creatures directly."

Various dialogue from the party will transpire here, including questions, and remarks from most of the core companions. Eventually if the party remains somewhat calm and promises not to be violent, will be allowed to remain with no bonds or fetters. Edwin, Keldorn and Jaheira have special dialogue. The Captain is eager to bring the party before the King.

Next, the party is led to face King Ixilthetocal. The King, and his Royal Sahuagin Guard and noble Baron Thelokassyil await the party and accompanying High Priestess Tlyysixxous.

The King and all the assembled sahuagin entourage discuss the party, and views as to whether these surfacers are actually part of the Sekolah Prophecy or not. Baron Thelokassyil and High Priestess Tlyysixxous are not convinced they are, and advocate of making a meal of the party. The Royal Priestess argues that the prophecy is playing out and the party are indeed the saviors foretold. The King seems amused and indifferent one way or the other when hearing the mixed advice. The King does have some dialogue and seeks views from the advisors, and even from the party itself. The King eventually seeks to test the party in order to make a decision and says:

"So be it! We shall decide this with a challenge, we will! Although... not a challenge between our dear priestesses. That would solve nothing! We wish to see if these surface beasts are truly the ones the Shark-Father has spoken of, yes? So I shall offer them the chance to prove their power! Well, <PRO_RACE>? Will you take this challenge? Will you fight a creature of my choosing, a slave from the surface... and see if you survive?"

Refusal will lead to hostilities, and result in a less-than-optimal outcome for the party (and certainly less potential adventuring) and loss of quest XP rewards.

Accepting the challenge leads to an arena battle cutscene with an Ettin and should be no serious opponent for a party at this stage of the game. The big beast will shout:

"I no want fight! I want home! I smash fish! I smash YOU! RRRGG!"

Once the party triumphs the king is impressed and says:

"Congratulations, my wondrous little <PRO_RACE>! You are indeed a mighty specimen... and the one sent to us by Sekolah, I might add."

Now that the King is convinced the party is most likely actually fulfilling Sekolah's prophecy, he sends Priestess Tlyysiouxxous off to sacrificial disposal to the Shark father, since her opinion of the party was wrong (wrong as determined by the King). The King explains what he wishes the party to undertake for him, this occurs with much dialogue, and the party can interject and answer questions and make statements. In the end, the party can agree to track down and kill the Rebel leader Prince Villynaty and bring back his heart as proof of the deed. For that service, a great reward is offered, and then the party will be free to move on with their lives as desired.

If the party has so far convinced the king to allow the party to undertake helping with destroying the rebels, the player's Journal will register the following:

Journal entry: The prophecy of Sekolah

I have defeated the king's monster, and he has ordered the opposing priestess sacrificed to Sekolah. I am now the "chosen one," and the king intends to have me kill the leader of a group of rebels outside of the city and return with his heart... for which he will reward me with great riches. I am to see High Priestess Senityili in her temple to get more information on how to reach the rebel encampment. Until then, I have the run of the city.

If the party refuses to do this, then hostilities will commence. The player's Journal will register the following:

Journal entry: The prophecy of Sekolah

I defeated the sahuagin king's monster, and he ordered the opposing priestess sacrificed to Sekolah. Now that I was "the Chosen One," I was to find the leader of some rebel movement and return his heart to the king. I refused, preferring to battle my way out of this mad place.

This choice will reduce gameplay options, quest experience potential and could present a poorer outcome overall - the entire sahuagin city will be hostile (including the rebels).

The party is to speak with the Royal High Priestess Senityili to get specific instructions to find the Rebel Prince. She'll be at the steps to the Shark-Father.

If the party agrees to pursue the Rebel Prince, the King sends you off to get some details before undertaking the task. He says:

"But off you go, chosen ones. I desire meat now, and the king always dines in private. Yes, our priestess shall tell you how to gain access to the rebel camp. The rebels are locked away with magic, you know. Go now and destroy them. (Hee hee!)"

The party will be directed to the Temple of Sekolah, where the new high priestess will tell the players that she believes the rebels are in the right. She begs them to at least talk to Prince Villynaty, and gives them a Rebel's Orb as a sign of safe passage - this doesn't prevent the party from having to fight the bands of Sahuagin Rebels that wander the map, however.

To reach the rebel base, the player must first acquire the Tooth of Sekolah from the Spectator in the Drow Ruins, past the area with the side-quest Riddle of the Imps. This tooth is a key to open the "doors" in the North-eastern part of the city. Go down the stairs at ^(4600.1200) and slaughter the rebels for XP and bolts if you must. At the end is the entrance to the rebel base.

Upon arriving at the rebel base, if the player has the Rebel Orb, the Sahuagin Chieftan addresses the party and says:

"You have the orb, surface creature. This means only that the most sacred Senityili could have given it to you. She has sent us word of your intentions. Do you wish to be brought to the most honorable Villynaty, he who has saved us? I am willing to lead you to him, surface beast."

It makes sense to agree to this, as the party may as well hear what the rebel Prince has to say. If the party is feeling blood thirsty and attacks the Chieftan - then hostilities with the remaining rebels are now locked in stone and can't be changed.

Assuming the party has some restraint and doesn't attack the Chieftan, all are ushered into the prince's presence. The prince and his guiding advisor Senior Priestess Sallinithyl will converse with the party, with some revealing and amusing dialogue. In the end, the Prince seems more focused on regaining the throne than to subscribe to some overarching theroy that Sekolah has sent the party to save the shark people from destruction. He eventually makes it clear that he wishes you to double-cross the king; he will give them a Sahuagin heart for the party to present as his own, and then launch a sneak attack on the king. The prince says:

"What matters is that mad Ixilthetocal has sent you surface beings to collect my heart. He is so certain of your success that now is the perfect time to strike! Do not attack any guards. This will tip off Ixilthetocal to your treachery. Wait for our attack, then launch your own assault on the king and his baron. I will come as soon as I can. Once Ixilthetocal and Thelokassyil are dead, I shall take the throne of the City-of-Caverns. The madman shall be dead! So, surface creature. Assuming that you are capable of intelligent thought, do you agree to this plan? Or shall we be forced to engage in simple slaughter?"

The player must then make a choice as to which side they will fight for. Siding with the rebels grants more quest EXP (60,500 EXP vs. the 58,500 EXP for siding with the king), but Prince Villynaty carries the unique Wave Blade item and killing him has the player receive the otherwise inaccessible Gauntlets of Crushing from the King. However, siding with the prince gives the player the chance to pickpocket the Wave Blade from him before departing, and the Gauntlets of Crushing are only of major use to the Monk class, so it is arguably more profitable to side with the rebels.

Regardless of which path is taken, the player will gain access to a Magical Rope that can be used at an opening in the rebel's base to descend to the Underdark, ending Chapter 4 and beginning Chapter 5.