Jade Empire Quest Advancement, Part 2
An additional dozen-plus plot item descriptions and icons are now available in the Game Secrets area of the website to help you get the most out of your Jade Empire quests.

New pages are posted every Friday. Definitely worth a read if you haven't checked it out before. Or pick up where you last left off. Either way, check it out!

Max Steele's article, "Don't Roleplay the Bugs," in issue four of The Escapist, sparked a lot of conversation among the Neverwinter Nights community. One of the members of this community came to us with a response to Mr. Steele, putting a more positive spin on his experiences. We listened to his ideas - and here's what he had to say

"If you didn't want us to kill the deer, why'd you put them there?" asked Scott.

"BECAUSE REAL FORESTS HAVE DEER! IT'S MORE IMMERSIVE THIS WAY!"

At that moment, I felt that the problem with computer roleplaying games wasn't the games. It was the players. They just didn't get it.

Crag Alain - submitted by Craig
Born to the life of a common street urchin in the Great Waterdeep, Crag grew up the only way he could... the hard way. With a prostitute for a mother and no father to guide him, The streets taught Crag how to survive. What he couldn't steal, he took by force and that got him a reputation. Everyone knows on the street that a reputation can be both a good and a bad thing depending on who you talk to. To make a long story short, the city watch got wind of Crag's reputation and he soon became a wanted man. When things got too hot he signed on as a guard and deckhand on a ship leaving Waterdeep. Oddly enough the honest work made him feel better about himself than he ever had as a criminal, so Crag made a promise to himself that he would turn his life around and make an honest living. It was during this time that Crag met Captain Allendry and decided to join the crew of the Midnight Rose.

Derrin Firriellen - submitted by Greg Klaiber
Derrin Firriellen, a half-elven bard of some notoriety, escaped from the Neverwinter Prison during the plague outbreak. He had been arrested for absconding with the daughter of a Blacklake noble, who, after an extensive search for his daughter and the knave that stole her away, found Derrin sleeping with his daughter in her own bed! Needless to say, Derrin was assaulted by the noble and throw in prison. After languishing amongst the hooligans with whom he was locked up, Derrin saw his chance to escape when the Head Gaoler released the prisoners. While most of the inmates were exacting revenge on the guards, Derrin fled the scene.

He traveled to Waterdeep, where he believed he could easily escape from his reputation and from a life in prison. His beautiful singing and storytelling won the hearts of many a fine lass in the City of Splendors, and Derrin enjoyed a happy life living off of the generosity of others. At times, he enjoyed one person's kindness a bit too much; so, when one young lady tired of his antics, he simply found a new one. Some months later, after he became a bit too well-known in Waterdeep, he decided to return to Neverwinter to test his luck.

Shortly after he arrived in town, however, the same noble who had Derrin arrested spotted him chatting up a waitress at the Board Laid Bare Tavern & Inn. After a short 'conversation,' the noble gave Derrin the option of receiving a beating at the hands of the guards that were surrounding the bard, or leaving Neverwinter on the next ship out of town. Derrin, not liking the odds that were quickly stacking up against him, chose to be picked up by the guards and get thrown onto the deck of the Midnight Rose.

Will Derrin gain as much infamy aboard the Midnight Rose? Or will he learn his 'proper place' among the seamen? Or will he, like so many other unfortunate souls, find a watery grave...

Kyle - submitted by Ken Adair
Kyle had always wanted a life of adventure. Ever since he was young he dreamed of the mighty adventures he would have when he was older. Unfortunately though Kyle grew older, he never grew less timid. To meet his craving for adventure Kyle started hanging around the local tavern and setting the great adventures of others to song. He had found his calling in life. If he was not destined to vanquish great evil he could at least be there to lend his support, and record it in song when others did.

It wasn't long until an adventuring party invited him to join them on a quest. Though Kyle believed he was where he was meant to be his companions soon realized that he was more often than not in the way. His music rather than inspiring was annoying. What could they expect Kyle thought? I may be new at this, but I do have some skills! How could they find my music annoying? He was not invited to continue with the party, or any other party for that matter. Could he set out on his own? Certainly not, he was just starting to not be afraid of the local rats!

Then one day he got his second chance. A local crew was setting out on the high seas for a trip to the sword coast. One of their crew had gone missing, and they needed a replacement. It was the perfect opportunity for someone such as Kyle. Surely a trip to the Sword Coast would not be without adventure. And his musical career desperately needed a captive audience. So that one fateful day Kyle set out on the Midnight Rose, and the rest is soon to be history...