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If you are a regular at out message boards you have probably noticed various Chips & Bits banners. I have teamed up with this gaming superstore to be able to bring you some titles that are continuously out of stock at Amazon, but also because most (if not all) of the games there are cheaper. Our Games store has been updated with links through which you can buy games at Chips & Bits and help support Sorcerer's Place since we get a small commission for every purchase.
Two new titles were added to the Games store with this update - Icewind Dale II (pre-order) and Forgotten Realms Archives Silver Edition. Various other out of stock items are now available at Chips & Bits. For more info on how you can buy games not listed in our store and still earn us a commission, click on the "help support SP" link on the left side of all SP pages.
I have also placed the code for regular pop-ups on all pages of Sorcerer's Place. If you have cookies enabled, you will only get two of them every 6 hours, no matter which page you visit. I hope that I am not asking too much when I request that you should let them load fully before closing them down. You are not required to click on them, but they do have to load fully otherwise we get paid nothing.
After going through numerous other options for regular banner advertising, I have found that they are either
a) too intrusive (want to install software on your computer, spawn pop-ups)
b) inappropriate (adult content)
c) poorly manageable (I have no control over what is displayed) or
d) pay so little that it is not worth the effort to place them in the html
Therefore I decided to leave the Amazon banners up for the time being. In time I might replace them with some others (like Chips & Bits ones), but as far as I'm concerned, regular banner advertising is DEAD. Just so you know, these Amazon banners do not earn me anything unless you buy something through them. I am merely leaving them there because they're really non-intrusive and in case someone might actually find them useful and do a good thing for SP and buy through them. :)
Ok, now on to more cheerful matters.
I have been checking & fixing the links all over the subsections in the Fantasy Books subsection. There aren't many new things, except on Page 2 of the Dragonlance subsection (Dragons of a Vanished Moon, book 3 of the War of Souls trilogy is now available for pre-order) and in the 3rd Edition D&D Books subsection where a number of new manuals & handbooks (Faiths & Pantheons, Silver Marches, Stronghold Builder's Guidebook, Epic Level Handbook, Deities & Demigods and Book of Challenges) are now available for pre-order at all 3 Amazon stores SP is affiliated with.
After probably a couple of years, we have a new walkthrough in the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. It is a very detailed one and covers both the game and the expansion. If you need any help with the game, be sure to give it a try.
Like in the subsection above, we have a new walkthrough (by the same author) here in the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection as well. It also covers both the game and the expansion. Very nice.
Thanks to our regular contributor, the Suburban Jub Collective, we also have an exclusive Epic Endeavours walkthrough in the same subsection. (If you haven't heard of this partial conversion of the game yet, peek in the TeamBG subsection for the link.)
Extremist, our resident bugsquasher, has put together v0.3 of his FixPack. It fixes a small sea of bugs left over after the final SoA patch, so if you're having problems with your game, be sure to see if it can help you. Get it from Page 2 of the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, the IWD2 Info Compilation has been updated and split in two parts. The new info on page 2 is a listing of bard spells.
Those of you planning on playing a cleric (or having one in your party), that is, mostly all of you, will be interested in the Clerics Info Compilation I've put together. It contains descriptions of each of the clerics of the faiths present in the game and a list of the cleric domain spells. You can find this in the same subsection as the above.
In the Miscellanea subsection, you can find two new additions. The first is the log of the recent chat with Jeremy Soule that I edited (thanks to BTA for the log!), and the second is a big list of movies & trailers that have been officially released or otherwise obtained thus far.
Just for you, I've watched each one of them closely and provided descriptions of each on the page. I also put down the format, length and size of each of them. Be sure to load the page and see if you've missed any of them.
As I promised, I have made an exhaustive list of all the ways each and every one of you can help support Sorcerer's Place in one way or another now that we're on our own. The link to this support page can be found below the PayPal button on the left side of every page of Sorcerer's Place. I hope you will take the time to read through it and see if you are willing to do something to help.
The latest version of the Baldur's Gate & Tales of the Sword Coast Story has been added to the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection.
The Walkthroughs & Guides subsection here has two updates, the first being the Class FAQ and the second the updated Baldur's Gate II Story (good side) which now includes Throne of Bhaal.
A few new additions have been made to the Miscellanea subsection as well. I have added two Throne of Bhaal wallpapers, and replaced the existing three Baldur's Gate II backgrounds will 1024x768 versions. (They were in sizes unsuitable for wallpapers until now.)
Only one new addition here. If you open the Miscellanea subsection you'll be able to find the latest 1.4 patch there.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, I have added two new guides - one for expected feats and one for skills that will be available in IWD2. Interesting stuff.
As an added bonus you can also see 3 new screenshots on Page 2 of the Screenshots subsection.
Two rather extensive additions/updates have been made here. In the Miscellanea subsection, I've added a whole new page solely for Model Viewer models and skins. There you can find the best fan-made material and all of the officially released BioWare models and animations.
I have also replaced the outdated FAQ (accessible through the main links panel) with version 4.0 released by BioWare recently. It's a must read for all fans of the game, and if you haven't done it yet, here's your chance.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, the complete walkthrough for The Darkest Day mod has been updated.
Continuing in the TeamBG subsection, I have added a list of features and a link to the new total conversion of Baldur's Gate 2, Epic Endeavours.
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection, we have a new collection of custom items submitted by Creslyn.
On Page 2 of the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection, Extremist updated his Fixpack which now does away with even more bugs than before. Further down on the same page you will also find a link to Travelers in Time, a BG2 mod currently in development. You can already try some parts of it (like the inclusion of Coran as NPC) separately.
The info about the kits has been removed from the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. (In case you haven't heard yet, BIS took all kits out of the game.)
However, I have added a substantial chunk of new information to our IWD2 Info Compilation you can find in the same subsection.
In the Miscellanea subsection, three new additions were made. For starters you can download the first official game trailer. Next I added another new portrait painting released recently. You can find it on the Concept Art & Images page. Finally, there are 2 new wallpapers you can download from the same subsection.
And if you are hungry for more screenshots, check out the Screenshots subsection. I have added another page of screenshots, more than 30 all in all.
Quite a number of additions were made in the Miscellanea subsection. The monsters list has been updated with the latest new monsters, and an edited log of the latest chat has been posted.
Lower on the same page you will also notice that I have split the table in two, so Programs and the like are now separate. You can now download the Aurora NWN Model Viewer along with a dozen new skins & models the eager fans have made for it.
And now for the grand finale, the Screenshots gallery. I have laboured for a long time so that I can now present to you (to my knowledge), the greatest collection of Neverwinter Nights screenshots on the Internet. I have been collecting the screenshots for months (years, even), but never got around to updating the existing collection on SP, which was less than 1/3 of screenshots I had.
I have now updated the original gallery with many better versions of the screenshots posted originally, and added an entire new gallery. Together, this brings the total screenshot count to 399. *gasp!*
While I was sifting through all of them I realized that a number of them have probably never been seen online before, or in much smaller versions. Here I have left them in their original sizes, so you will find even some 1600x1200 pixels large among them.
I do hope you will enjoy them, because they are truly something to drool over. ;)
I have implemented a new guestbook which now runs directly off the site. It should load much faster and look better as well. Please take a minute to sign it if you haven't already.
You can access the archives of the old guestbook by clicking on the Guestbook Archives link in the same section.
Starting on top, let's head over to the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. I have capped Sylvus' Online Solution so that it now lists only the areas that are actually covered in the solution. I also added a note to the Solution Updates page which now states that work on the solution has ceased.
On the same page you will find two new guides by Ragusa. He finally got around to fixing the saving throws overview, but he also submitted a detailed look at the proficiencies per level & class.
On Page 1 of Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection, one new addition was made; namely the Dragonlance portraits pack submitted by TheBlackRose.
On Page 2 of the same subsection, we have two excellent new additions. The first is a collection of bugfixes by Extremist, very creatively named the SP Fixpack. It fixes many bugs that the official SoA patch does not and should prove useful to many people.
The other new addition is the Solaufein Romance Mod Pack. We list all of the features of this great mod and link to its official site.
In the TeamBG subsection the link to MageDuel was fixed - its official site turned into a dead link so I put the whole mod up for download. If anyone knows what happened to its official site (or who the mod's authors are), please drop me a note.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, two new walkthroughs were added. One is online-only and also has maps, while the other one is a very detailed downloadable one.
Whew... where to start here? Practically every page in this subsection was updated.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, the first updated page is the IWD2 Info Compilation. Here I have added information about weapon styles & specialization, armor class & types, saving throws, ability scores and the Use Magic Device skill.
The IWD2 3e Classes page was also updated with minor changes.
The Class Kits page has been totally overhauled. It now contains the latest info about all of the kits, and was purged of the ones that BIS gave up on. (Like the Mercenary and Wizard Slayer.)
The Races & Subraces page has been updated with the latest info. Minor changes only.
In the Miscellanea subsection, I added the new Drow portrait painting to the Concept Art & Images page.
Finally, I added 20 new screenshots from various sources to the Screenshots subsection. Still no interface shots, but the rest looks mighty cool...
On the Miscellaneous part of the index page I added the link to the HeroMachine.
There have been many changes and additions here as well.
First of all, the Planescape book subsection has been removed entirely since even those 5 novels set in the multiverse have been sold out by now and none of the Amazons carried any more copies. The only Planescape book still in print, Torment, has been moved to the Computer Game Tie-ins category on Page 1 of the Forgotten Realms book subsection.
In the wake of the Planescape book subsection I erected a new one - Greyhawk book subsection. WoTC seem to be paying a bit more attention to Greyhawk now, so a couple of novels that are actually worth reading have already been released. So check out our new Greyhawk book subsection and support SP by buying the books through our links! :)
All of the other pages in this section have been updated either by fixing some links or adding new ones previously not available. I'll list only the most notable changes/additions:
Dissolution, the first in the new R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen series is now available for pre-order from Page 1 of the Forgotten Realms book subsection.
The Counselors & Kings series has been moved to Page 2 of the Forgotten Realms book subsection. The newest part in the series, The Wizardwar, has been added to it along with a sample chapter for you to read.
On the same page, a new book in the Return of the Archwizards series has been added. It is dubbed Realms of Shadow and is actually an anthology.
Further down (among the Sembia books), I have added Heirs of Prophecy, the newest book in this intriguing series.
Switching to Dragonlance; on Page 2 of the Dragonlance books subsection you can now download a sample chapter of The Golden Orb, which is the second part of the Icewall Trilogy in the making.
A bit further down, the upcoming release in the Barbarians Cycle has been added - Sister of the Sword.
The last new addition on this page is a sample chapter of Dragons of Summer Flame.
To conclude, the first in the new Dungeons & Dragons series, The Savage Caves novel, has been added to the Miscellaneous book subsection. Expect this one to be moved once it actually gets released and it becomes clear where it fits.
If you look below the site's interface buttons, you'll notice a small PayPal button. The text below it links to a page where it is explained why donations are needed. So, if you want to give a dollar or two to a good cause, now there's an easy and secure way to do so.
Thanks in advance to all of you who will show your support for Sorcerer's Place!
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, the link to Vlad's BG2 walkthrough has been changed. The only other new addition has been made in the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection in the form of an NPC guide.
A number of things were changed or added in the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. The listing of class kits has been updated with the exact details about the ranger kits. Also, the Mercenary kit has been removed from the list and replaced with Captain, which is BIS's current alternative to the Mercenary kit.
The listing of races and subraces was updated with the latest info so it is now much more detailed as well.
A link to the downloadable audio interview with Josh Sawyer has been added.
Finally, I've posted the details about the Monk, Sorcerer and Barbarian classes on a separate page. The only significant change from BG2 is that the Sorcerer class now actually utilizes Charisma as the prime requisite.
I've also added 3 wallpapers in the Miscellanea subsection.
Only one addition was made here. Check the Miscellanea subsection for the link to a cool dialogue editor which works similarly to the one that will ship with the game.
I seem to have forgotten to elaborate how people can make purchases of other items not listed on SP via Amazon (and still give us credit), so I've added the details to the Fantasy Books section into page. Please make all your Amazon purchases this way... Thanks!
On the first page of the Forgotten Realms books subsection you can now download a sample chapter of the collector's edition of Salvatore's The Cleric Quintet.
On Page 2 of the Forgotten Realms books subsection, I've added the latest addition to the Cities series, The Jewel of Turmish by Mel Odom. You can also get a sample chapter of it on the same page.
In the 3rd Edition D&D books subsection, a number of new titles can now be pre-ordered. Among the FR material, Faiths & Pantheons and Silver Marches. Of the various guidebooks, the Stronghold Builder's Guidebook and Epic Levels Guidebook. Of the various accessories, you can pre-order the Book of Challenges and the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game.
It's been a while since I had to add any new games... Well, today is one such day. I have added the Icewind Dale II subsection to the subsection index. Check it out.
An updated version of the character creation guide has been added to the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection.
Starting on top, as usual, an updated version of The Darkest Day walkthrough has been added to the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection.
In the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection, you'll find two new additions from ShadowDaemon. In this update we have a mod that makes bastard swords either 1 or 2-handed, and two new spells.
Further down on the same page you will notice a set of 14 Monty Python portraits, and another of 6 LoTR ones.
Now for the big one in this update...
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, you'll spot 3 things. First is a compilation of various interesting details about the sequel to Icewind Dale, next is a listing of known class kits (with some extra info I managed to find) and a listing of known races you will be able to play in the game. (Now why do I have a feeling everyone will be playing either an Aasimar, Drow or Tiefling, mmm?)
In the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection you can find the official FAQ, and 4 new cool-looking monsters with descriptions.
If you check out the Miscellanea subsection, you'll find the press release BIS sent out and a page with some monster concept art, wallpapers and portrait paintings.
There is also the Screenshots subsection with 15 screenshots of battles and spell-hurling. You get the idea. Too bad we don't get to see any interface shots yet, though.
Last, but not least, I set up an Icewind Dale II forum on our boards as soon as the game was announced. It is getting populated nicely and there seems to be much interest in the game. Drop by and post if you have any questions...
Just one update today, an entirely redone IRC Services & Chat Commands list. You can find the link to it at the bottom of the Chatrooms page. This list has some extra commands for the java chat client noted near the end, and is generally better laid out and easier to navigate.
In the Related Links subsection, the link to the official Icewind Dale II website has been added.
An updated version of the Complete BG2 & ToB walkthrough has been added to the Walkthrough & Guides subsection. There you'll also find an updated version of The Darkest Day walkthrough. (It has been updated a couple of days ago but never reported here.)
Further down on the same page, you'll be able to find a vastly improved version of the Why Thieves Rule guide by Ragusa. (It probably took me just as much time to fix his spelling, grammar and put it into a nice html form as it took him to write it.) =)
In the TeamBG Tools subsection, one new addition was made. Check out the Company of Eight mod. Sounds promising.
There are three new additions in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection. ShadowDaemon has sent us a small sword quest, and a package of 4 new spells. If you scroll down on the same page a bit more, you'll also spot a new collection of various portraits.
A couple of minor updates were made in the Chatrooms subsection. Most notably, the links to channel stats have been changed, and the pages showing who's currently online were added.
In the About Us subsection, Relic's bio was added, so if you're curious about our guild head, be sure to read it.
A new character creation guide has been added to the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection.
In the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection, I added the missing maps to the IWD/HoW/ToTL walkthrough. In the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection, I prepared a troubleshooting FAQ for Heart of Winter.
There is a new addition in the Maps subsection as well. All of you who don't own HoW might be curious what the map for the new areas looks like, so I extracted it.
The last new file here can be found in the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection; namely a collection of portraits from BG1 & BG2.
Two new additions were made in the Walkthroughs & Guides subsection. The first is a walkthrough for TeamBG's The Darkest Day mod, and the second an overview of saving throws, compiled by one of our community regulars.
In the Tips, Tricks & Hints subsection, the ToB: The Ascension epilogue texts have been updated. They new include the epilogue text for Bodhi & Balthazar, and add another one for Sarevok.
One new addition can also be found on every page of the Editors, Hacks & Custom Characters subsection. On Page 1 you will find a new version of the custom items collection, now much easier to install. On Page 2 you will find - believe it or not - a Nalia romance.
I've updated the list of monsters with some new ones we heard about recently. You can find the list in the Miscellanea subsection.
Three minor updates were made in this section.
The Boards O' Magick index page was updated with the new forum info, I retired Azirath in the About Us subsection, and updated the final rule on the Chatroom Rules list.
Two new sample chapters were added on Page 2 of the Forgotten Realms books subsection (The Siege and Black Wolf), and two more on Page 2 of the Dragonlance books subsection (Conundrum and Search for Magic).
