Chapter 2: Athkatla and the Shadow Thieves

Chapter 2: Athkatla and the Shadow Thieves

Upon your dramatic arrival in Athkatla, the bustling capital of Amn, your immediate and most pressing objective is clear: amass the exorbitant sum of 15,000 gold pieces required by the Cowled Wizards to secure Imoen's release from their arcane prison. This chapter serves as your introduction to the sprawling metropolis, its intricate political landscape, powerful factions, and the myriad opportunities and dangers it presents. While the Shadow Thieves will play a pivotal role in your quest for wealth and influence, Athkatla offers a wealth of early activities and crucial encounters that will shape your journey.

Initial Steps in Athkatla: Navigating the Slums and Docks

Your journey begins in the Slums District, a less-than-welcoming introduction to the city. Before diving headfirst into the Shadow Thieves' machinations, it's wise to explore and establish a foothold. This initial phase is crucial for gathering companions, acquiring basic gear, and earning some much-needed coin.

Key Locations & Activities:

• Copper Coronet (Slums District): This iconic tavern is your first major hub.
  • Recruit Companions:
    • Minsc and Jaheira: Found imprisoned in the Copper Coronet's basement. Freeing them initiates a short quest involving Hendak and the beastmaster Lehtinan. Completing this quest not only adds two powerful allies to your party but also earns you valuable experience and a reputation boost.
    • Yoshimo: A charismatic bounty hunter, also found in the Copper Coronet. He offers his services for a fee and is an excellent thief, especially useful for disarming traps and picking locks early on.
  • Hendak's Quest: Speak with Hendak in the Copper Coronet's main room. He'll ask you to free the slaves in the basement. This involves defeating Lehtinan and his beasts.
    • Enemies: Lehtinan (Fighter), various beasts (Ogrillons, Trolls, Kobolds).
    • Strategy: Focus fire on Lehtinan first. Trolls regenerate, so ensure you have fire or acid damage (e.g., Burning Hands, Flame Arrow, or acid arrows) to finish them off.
    • Rewards: Significant experience, reputation increase, access to the Copper Coronet's services (merchant, innkeeper).
• Docks District: Accessible from the Slums. This area is vital for progressing the main quest and finding more companions.
  • Mae'Var's Guildhall: This is where you'll first encounter the Shadow Thieves' presence. You'll be directed here by Gaelan Bayle (Slums) or Renal Bloodscalp (Docks) to begin your infiltration.
  • Sea's Bounty Tavern: Another tavern in the Docks.
    • Nalia de'Arnise: A noblewoman seeking help for her family's keep. Recruiting her initiates the De'Arnise Keep quest, an excellent source of early experience and loot.
    • Korgan Bloodaxe: A chaotic evil dwarven fighter, found here if you're looking for a more morally ambiguous companion.
  • The Five Flagons Inn: Located in the Bridge District, but often visited early on.
    • Haer'Dalis: A tiefling blade, found here as part of the "Planar Sphere" quest, which can be initiated later.

The Shadow Thieves: A Path to Riches and Intrigue

The Shadow Thieves represent a significant faction in Athkatla, and aligning with them (at least temporarily) is a primary method for earning the 15,000 gold pieces. Your initial contact will likely be through Gaelan Bayle in the Slums, who demands a 2,000 gold "finder's fee" to introduce you to the guild. Alternatively, you can find Renal Bloodscalp directly in the Docks District (inside the Shadow Thieves Guildhall) to bypass Gaelan, though this might require some persuasion or a higher reputation.

Joining the Shadow Thieves (Initial Quests):

Your entry into the Shadow Thieves involves a series of tasks designed to prove your loyalty and competence. These quests are given by Mae'Var, a guild leader operating out of his guildhall in the Docks District. You are tasked with infiltrating his operations by Renal Bloodscalp, the true leader of the Shadow Thieves, who suspects Mae'Var of treachery.

1. First Task: The Package Delivery
   • Objective: Deliver a package to a contact named Rayic Gethras.
   • Location: Rayic Gethras's House (Docks District).
   • Enemies: Rayic Gethras (powerful mage), various elemental creatures (Mephits, Golems).
   • Strategy: Rayic is a formidable spellcaster. Disrupt his spellcasting with ranged attacks or spells like Silence. Use summons to draw his fire. His house is trapped, so a thief is essential.
   • Rewards: Experience, various magical items from Rayic, including a Wand of Cloudkill.
   • Common Pitfall: Underestimating Rayic Gethras. He can cast powerful area-of-effect spells and protections.
2. Second Task: The Merchant's Strongbox
   • Objective: Steal a strongbox from a merchant named Marcus.
   • Location: Marcus's House (Docks District).
   • Strategy: This is a stealth mission. Use your thief to pick the lock and disarm traps. Avoid combat if possible, or be prepared for a quick fight against a few guards.
   • Rewards: Experience, gold.
3. Third Task: The Assassin's Blade
   • Objective: Assassinate a rival guild member, Embarl.
   • Location: Embarl's House (Docks District).
   • Strategy: Embarl is a rogue. He's not overly difficult, but he has a few henchmen. Focus on him first.
   • Rewards: Experience, gold.
4. Final Task: Exposing Mae'Var
   • Objective: Gather evidence of Mae'Var's betrayal and present it to Renal Bloodscalp. This involves confronting Mae'Var and his loyalists.
   • Location: Mae'Var's Guildhall (Docks District).
   • Enemies: Mae'Var (Thief/Fighter), various Shadow Thieves.
   • Strategy: Mae'Var is a dangerous opponent, capable of backstabbing and using traps. Clear his henchmen first, then focus on him. Spells that disable or slow him are highly effective.
   • Rewards: Significant experience, gold, reputation, and the trust of Renal Bloodscalp. You'll also gain access to more lucrative Shadow Thieves quests.

Beyond the Shadow Thieves: Early Side Quests and Opportunities

While the Shadow Thieves provide a direct route to gold, Athkatla is teeming with other quests that offer valuable experience, items, and additional funds. Diversifying your activities is highly recommended.

Recommended Early Side Quests:

• De'Arnise Keep (Trademeet Road):
  • Initiation: Speak with Nalia de'Arnise in the Sea's Bounty Tavern (Docks District).
  • Objective: Reclaim her family's keep from a horde of Trolls and the Firkraag's champion, TorGal.
  • Rewards: Significant experience, valuable magical items (e.g., the Flail of Ages), and the opportunity to become the Lord/Lady of De'Arnise Keep, granting a regular income.
  • Strategy: Trolls require fire or acid damage to be permanently killed. TorGal is a powerful fighter; use crowd control and focus fire.
• Circus Tent (Promenade District):
  • Initiation: Enter the Circus Tent.
  • Objective: Investigate strange occurrences and defeat the illusionist, Kalah.
  • Rewards: Experience, gold, and a reputation boost.
  • Common Pitfall: The tent is full of illusions and minor puzzles. Be prepared for a few fights.
• Graveyard District Quests:
  • Bodhi's Crypt: You'll eventually be drawn here as part of the main quest, but early exploration can yield some loot and experience. Be wary of powerful undead.
  • Crypts and Tombs: Several smaller crypts contain minor undead and loot.
• Temple District Quests:
  • Temple of Helm: Speak with the priests for minor quests, often involving retrieving items or dealing with local threats.
  • Temple of Lathander: Similar to Helm, offers small quests.

Important Considerations and Tips for Chapter 2:

• Gold Management: 15,000 gold is a lot. Prioritize quests that offer good monetary rewards. Don't spend excessively on non-essential items early on.
• Reputation: Your reputation affects merchant prices and how NPCs react to you. Completing good-aligned quests (like Hendak's or Nalia's) increases it. Shadow Thieves quests are generally neutral or slightly negative.
• Companion Choices: Athkatla offers a wide array of companions. Choose a party that complements your main character's strengths and weaknesses. Consider having a dedicated tank, damage dealer, healer, and arcane caster.
• Resting: Resting in inns is generally safer than resting outdoors in Athkatla's more dangerous districts.
• Item Identification: Keep a supply of Identify scrolls or a mage with the spell. Merchants can identify items for a fee.
• Traps and Locks: A skilled thief (like Yoshimo) is invaluable for disarming traps and picking locks, saving you from damage and opening up new areas.

By carefully navigating the initial challenges, completing the Shadow Thieves' tasks, and engaging in the numerous side quests Athkatla has to offer, you will steadily accumulate the necessary funds to rescue Imoen and delve deeper into the mysteries of Baldur's Gate II.