Icewind Dale 2, TARGOS walkthrough

Part II of the Icewind Dale 2 Walkthrough.

Targos IWD2

Icewind Dale 2 takes place 30 years after the events of the original Icewind Dale 1. The sequel's plot frequently references the events of the original game. It also revisits certain areas that you will remember from the original game, and you will meet up with characters from the original game, too. Thus, in order to have a deeper appreciation of the lore and setting, it is best to play the original IWD first.

In stark contrast to David Ogden Stiers' powerful narration, the introductory FMV is narrated by the soft-spoken Maralie Fiddlebender, who tells of her travels from Kuldahar to Miribar in Deepingdale, the birthplace of Iselore the Archdruid.

Targos Icewind Dale 2

Targos is a quest-dense hub consisting of three main zones: docks, town and palisade. The Prologue passes through three main phases: clear out the goblins in the docks, quest in and around town, and defend the town against the three-pronged goblin invasion staged at the palisade.

Solo Sorcerers are advised to advance to sixth level in order to break into third circle spells and Fireball.

Below: Targos Docks, Town and Palisade.

Targos Docks IWD2 (AR 1000)

The Docks district is a warzone due to goblins running amok. The object of this phase of the Prologue is simply to exterminate every single goblin inside and outside of the buildings, area-wide; then, clear them out of the goblin tunnels under the warehouse in the northeast.

You are a mercenary from Luskan. Hedron Kerdos, captain of the Wicked Wench, has dropped you off at the Targos docks. In order to sign on with the Targos guard, Hedron will tell you to seek out Ulbrec Dinnsmore, the Lord of Targos, in his town manor above the docks. Put that on hold for now. Note that, in order to replenish your spells, you can rest on the Wicked Wench whenever you need to.

Reig and Jon will force-talk you on the shore. Use your healing powers to aid Reig (300 XP). That's right: due to an oversight, you can sometimes aid Reig even if you don't have healing powers.

Now, buff with Mage Armor before entering the house just to the west of Reig and Jon. Inside, scorch the two goblins with Burning Hands. This is your bread-and-butter spell in the Prologue. Aiming cone-based spells is not easy, but practice makes perfect. You can also rest in the now-cleared house.

Run around the docks, slaying all goblins. There are about one dozen dotted about. Rest to replenish spell slots as needed. Lure the goblins to the NPCs if you're having difficulty. Don't be concerned with allies stealing your kill XP; there is plenty more where that came from.

As you explore you may encounter locked doors and containers. Of course, you don't have the Knock spell and you may not have Open Lock as a cross-class skill. What to do? Physically attack aka "bash" locks with your trusty quarterstaff. To do that, just keep hitting the F2 key and clicking on them until they open. You can succeed even with a low Strength score.

Hedron's mother, Firtha Kerdos, is under siege in her home to the south. Clear out the goblins inside and speak with her to make sure she's ok. Now, tell Hedron that his mother is safe, that her gratitude was somewhat sparse, and that he should remedy that (300 XP, 173 GP). Cool, your first level-up!

SORCERER 2. There are no spell or feat choices at this level. Make sure you crank Concentration & Spellcraft on each level-up.

Next, bash open the door to the warehouse in the northwest. Goblins will flank you. Lure them together and scorch them with Burning Hands. Grab the healing potion on the back shelf and deliver it to Reig (400XP).

Convince Brogan to let you enter the warehouse in the northeast (300 XP). Bash down the door to it, and enter. As soon as you enter, you will be attacked by no fewer than eight goblins. Slay them and grab the cat in one of the containers. The cat can be given to Firtha (0 XP) or used as part of a funny dialogue in the Palisade, but it's not otherwise noteworthy.

• Hostiles: Goblin x25

• Kill Count: 25 (25).

Goblin Tunnels IWD2

Ok, rest up, buff up, and then drop down the hatch into the goblin tunnels. If you are second level there are no fewer than 33 sappers and two named goblins down here:

• Rukwurm
• Ulek the Burrower

If you're still first level there are fewer goblins and Ulek does spawn. Don't get hit by Ruk or Ulek, or you're dead. What you want to do is to lure the goblins into clumps, cast Burning Hands (hitting as many as you can with each casting), move away for a round, recast, rinse repeat until all of the goblins have been burnt to a crisp. If you run out of spells simply exit to the warehouse and rest in order to replenish your spell slots.

Congrats on completing the introductory dungeon crawl.

You have cleared out the tunnels (1,350 XP). Don't forget to loot Ruk's corpse for an unidentified scroll: Expended Teleportation Scroll. We'll be ID'ing it soon.

Take your leave of the warehouse and report back to Brogan (400 XP). Then, head into the town above the cliffs.

SORCERER 3: Subvocal Casting, New Spell: Chromatic Orb.

Silenced Sorcerers are utterly useless; thus, we prioritize the Subvocal Casting feat. Don't worry about having to pay 100 GP to ID an item; not in these early-goings. Anyway, we'll be choosing Identify at 7th level (which is just after the Prologue).

• Hostiles: Goblin Sapper x33, Rukwurm, Ulek the Burrower.

• Kill Count: 35 (60).

Targos Town IWD2 (AR 1100)

Ok, we're starting in the southwest. First up, make your way to the Weeping Widow inn. Talk to Cahl-Hyred, the innkeeper. Rest until nightfall and then head upstairs to speak with the spirit, Veira, who is weeping for Donovan, her lost husband.

Back downstairs, talk to Cahl again to learn about Gohar. Head back to the Salty Dog Tavern in the docks, ask bartender Gohar, about Donovan and get the Ship Prow from him. While here, purchase or pick pocket a Flask of Braehg from the barbarian, Guthewulfe Henghelm. You won't win the drinking contest due to your low Constitution score, but the resultant Wolf Charm is utterly useless to you, anyway.

Now, go and talk to Koluhm Bonecutter. He is in the house just behind the Weeping Widow inn. Ask him about the Iron Collar Mercenary Band, the Weeping Widow, and most importantly where he rests.

Back at the Weeping Widow, head upstairs and give Veira the prow (400 XP).

Talking again with Cahl in the common room, ask him about Koluhm and get an unidentified magic bottle from him. Take it to Elytharra in the manor to the east. Elytharra is an arcane vendor, so have her identify the bottle and the scroll that you found in the goblin tunnels. Now, ask her about the Ghost-Touched Bottle. She will tell you to catch a tear in it. We'll be sure to do that. Next, ask her about the Brimstone Scroll to learn about a traitor in Targos and a sick Diviner in the pavilion.

While here, speak with mayor Ulbrec Dinnsmore. He will order you to report to the Palisade. Stay in town for now.

Tell Cahl about the bottle (400 XP). Threaten him for 100 GP.

Return to Veira and have her shed a tear into the bottle (which now becomes Veira's Bottle). She will disperse (400 XP).

SORCERER 4: Charisma +1, Second Circle Spells: Mirror Image.

Well, what can we say about Mirror Image? Overall, it's the best protective spell in the IE games, not just IWD2. A caster-only self-buff (you can't cast it on your summons), Mirror Image creates 2-8 images of the caster that protect the caster from incoming melee, ranged and direct damage spells. Basically, it absorbs up to eight attacks regardless of how much damage each attack would have inflicted, from a lowly goblin attack right up to an epic nuke. The caster will not be hit or take damage until each and every image has been dispersed (at which point the caster may simply recast the spell, and keep tanking). Drop nukes centered on yourself, walk over traps to trigger them, and tank heavy-hitting physical-based damage dealers; even the laziest solo player will have Mirror Image active at all times.

Tell Cahl that you have set Veira to rest (600 XP). Tell him that his thanks will be worth their weight in gold, and that gold is the language you speak (50 GP).

Head to the house just north of the mansion. Inside is Phaen of the Rags.

Ask Phaen about the expended teleportation scroll. Refuse to give him the scroll and he will expose himself as a traitor (300 XP). Bluff that you don't want to fight and he will reveal his master as being Harshom the Beastlord (400 XP). Now hostile, he will teleport in four goblins and one elite goblin: Rhaekbog. Scorch them with Burning Hands. Note that Phaen will appear in the Prologue Finale if not dealt with here.

Loot: Phaen's Robe of Rags (Deflection bonus +2).

Next, head over to the pavilion. Give Valin Geldencross the braehg that you got from the barb in the Salty Dog (300 XP).

Now, talk to Garrudun Tanner. Get the letter from him and give it to Denham, standing nearby (300 XP). Denham will give you different letters that you should hold onto until the end of Chapter Two. Buff with Mirror Image, confront Garrudan (300 XP), and slay him in doppelganger form (300 XP).

Return to Elytharra. Tell her that Phaen is slain, that Harshom was his master, and that the thanks of her and her husband should be worth their weight in gold (600 XP, 500 GP).

Also, tell her that Valin has been cured and that debts are meant to be settled (300 XP, 250 GP).

Finally, haggle with her in regard to Veira's Bottle (700 GP).

Your inventory is probably getting full now so sell off all the crap that you don't need.

SORCERER 5: New Spells: Magic Missile, Web.

Magic Missile will fire two 1d4+1 missiles at our current caster level. This is helpful in order to finish of morale-failed monsters on their last legs without needing to waste a Fireball. MM has two other benefits: First, its fast casting time means you can interrupt enemy spellcasting; Second, its useful for taking down enemy Mirror Images. MM maxes at five missiles at caster 9th so it's pretty decent. Web is key for mob-immobilization; however, you will likely cast it only when the going gets tough. Note that you will not gain Free Action status until the beginning of Chapter Three.

• Hostiles: Goblin Sapper x2, Goblin x2, Phaen of the Rags, Rhaekbog, Doppelganger.

• Kill Count: 7 (67).

Targos Palisade IWD2

(AR1200). Head north from town to get to the Palisade. Report to Shawford Crale to receive your first assignment and 250 GP. Basically, there is a breach in the Palisade wall that needs to be repaired. Head back outside.

First, let's get some quick and easy quest experience. Niles is hanging out behind Shawford Crale's. Maintain discipline by refuse him a supply of ale (600 XP). Niles will now fight in the Prologue Finale.

Head north, speak to the Drill Sergeant, and inspire the Targos recruits (450 XP).

Nearby, convince Tabard to move away from his post, and then loot his shield (450 XP).

Ok, the first assignment. Head to the north wall of the Palisade to find the dwarven engineer, Olap Tamewater, inspecting the breach.

You need to find Lumbar Grundwall, a supplier of wood. Back in town, Lumbar is found standing just outside the Weeping Widow inn, next to a crane. He tells you the crane is broken.

Return to Olap with the bad news. He will send you to Jorun in the docks. Travel with the little boy, Swift Thomas, to the docks. Jorun Tamewater is standing behind the Salty Dog Tavern. Take the wooden crane wheel he gives you to Lumbar, and place it inside crane to repair it (300 XP).

Report back to Shawford for your reward and second assignment (600 XP). Basically, we need to find out what Isherwood's problem is. Isherwood can be found at the western wall of the palisade. He needs a supply of arrows from the Gallaway Trade Depot in town. At the depot, strike a deal with Deirdre (600 XP). Buy a warhammer while you're here. Pickpocket Jemeliah, too. One point in the skill should be enough with your Dex bonus. You will get the Lucky Knucky. Tell Isherwood the good news (0 XP).

To the south of Isherwood you will find Caulder. Help him fix his catapult (450 XP) and then give him the hammer you just bought (450 XP).

Report back to Shawford for your reward and third assignment (600 XP). We need to meet up with Koluhm again.

Back in town, speak with Koluhm about the dead goblins. You won't have the intelligence to translate the goblin's rantings, but you can still ask Koluhm to send its words to the Palisade (450 XP).

Report back to Shawford for your reward and fourth assignment (600 XP). We need to convince the Iron Collar to report to the Palisade.

Swift Thomas can time-lapse you to the docks. Confront the Iron Collar Mercenary Band in the Salty Dog Tavern. You can easily convince them to fight at the palisade if you bring up their alliance with Phaen. (600 XP). Black Geoffrey and the other mercs will now fight in the Prologue Finale.

SORCERER 6: Spell Focus: Necromancy, Third Circle Spells: Fireball. Fireball is your go-to direct damage spell from the start the Prologue Finale to the Chapter One Finale, at which point Sunfire takes over. Still, Fireball is your ace card for the time being.

Now, before reporting back to Shawford Crale for the final time, there are two things you might like to do.

First, you can slay Koluhm, Ragni Bellows and Denham Fisher for some XP and magical items. Completely optional.

Second, four castings of Fireball is great but it might not be enough to see you through the Prologue Finale. Thus, to be on the safe side, I recommend buying Oil of Fiery Burning x2 from Oswald Fiddlebender. Don't worry about your cash reserves; you will never, ever be hard-up in this campaign.

Done that? Ok, report back to Shawford Crale (900 XP). You will hear a distant boom as the goblin horde penetrates the walls - it's on!

Palisade Battle

 

This is The Battle for Targos. After the scripted cutscene, make a named savegame before following Crale outside; then, it might be prudent to Quicksave after each wave victory.

Be careful not to hit or kill allies with your AoEs. I killed everyone, got the 900 XP, but found Shawford Crale to be hostile when I reentered the building to collect my reward.

Remember that stunned and webbed enemies are immobilized, and that the AC of immobilized enemies is null and void. Thus, even your weakling sorc can beat them to death with her stick. You can catch foes on the edge of the Web AoE and circle around to beat them down from outside of the AoE (since you don't yet have Free Action status).

If you're not confident, hang back a bit until the Targos soldiers have put a dent into the wave. Black Geoffrey, for example, is a pretty tough ally. That said, you shouldn't need to act like a coward. Just bombard with your spells and potions. Note that you will have to fight Phaen before Vghotan if you did not expose him as a traitor beforehand.

The battle consists of three waves, each led by a named goblin of rank.

Vghotan IWD2. Buff with Mirror Image, lure the mob in close, and then cast two Fireballs to flatten the first wave. Remember that, even if you only have one image remaining, it will still protect you from your own Fireball.

Loot: Houndstooth Collar (Immunity: panic and fear).

Ghotrag IWD2. Again, Mirror Image and two Fireballs. Or just aim Burning Hands well. Ghotrag can be stunned by Chromatic Orb. Helpless, he will be torn apart by the Olap and the Iron Collar mercs.

Loot: Leather Armor of Fortitude (AC +2, Dex bonus +6, HPs +5).

Caballus IWD2. Beware of Color Spray. Circle around the mob so that Caballus hits his own minions with it. Or just dodge it. Now, Fireball the mob. If you're out of firepower, lure them back to Olap and the Iron Collar mercs.

Loot: Whispering Staff (quarterstaff +1, on-hit 1% chance of Silence).

Congrats! You have driven back the goblins (900 XP).

Report back to Shawford Crale. Tell him that you have come for your payment, that you're not in it for your health, and that he should watch that tone of his because you didn't travel from Luskan just to defend their town: you're risking your life, and the payment should reflect that (1,000 GP).

Report now to Ulbrec Dinnsmore in town (500 XP). He will send you to retake Shaengarne Bridge from the horde. Suggest that we load Oswald's airship with potions of explosions and "land" it on the bridge. The thought had crossed his mind, but the bridge is needed intact.

If you haven't done so already, you might like to buy the Staff of Corrosion (quarterstaff, on-hit 1d6 acid) and Girdle of Beatification (perma-Bless) from Elytharra before taking your leave of Targos.

Make your way back to the Palisade and take its northwest exit to enter the wilderness...

Hostiles: Vghotan, Gohtrag, Caballus, Goblin Elite x8, Vghotan's Hound x3, Goblin x16, Goblin Archer x7.

• Killcount: 37 (104).

Take me to Part III: Shaengarne Bridge Icewind Dale2!

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