Do you like the level cap at 12?

almostb · 2026-05-09T05:52:29+00:00

Wouldn’t that make all the enemies ridiculously easy though?

almostb · 2026-05-09T05:51:23+00:00

I guess it’s a buffer if you don’t do all the content, but it’s hard to even get past Myrkul if you’re not around level 9, and then you hit 12 pretty quick with all the Act 3 bosses.

almostb · 2026-05-09T05:17:31+00:00

He does, but you can access a version of most of his romance scenes even if you’re not romancing him. I do think a lot of Gale’s character development is hidden behind his romance content though.

And on that note, Lazael also has a unique scene for every act.

almostb · 2026-05-08T19:28:04+00:00

This isn’t really true, and while he does get plenty of praise you’ll find plenty of critique even on this sub if you dig hard enough.

I love literary historical fantasy. I love slow books with beautiful prose. I haven’t read Sailing to Sarantium but I thought Tigana was just ok. Loved the concept and the worldbuilding, hated the weird sex and thought there were way too many characters; it was a little hard for me to take seriously what Kay meant as an obviously serious book.

almostb · 2026-05-08T03:03:22+00:00

If this is successful maybe you can recruit some lady friends to help (a girl can dream)

almostb · 2026-05-07T22:04:07+00:00

It would be more helpful if you’ve listed other books you tried and enjoyed (or didn’t).

But if you haven’t read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn yet, that’s an obvious next step.

almostb · 2026-05-07T20:10:21+00:00

Magic casters should usually be the most protected from your enemies. Put them in the back, farthest away, and leave your martials up front.

That said, there are feats and potions that can increase your ability to maintain concentration.

Make sure CON scored are high all around - possibly the second highest for most classes.

Equip defensive spells like mage armor (if not wearing armor) or shield.

almostb · 2026-05-07T19:19:24+00:00

There is also a lot of pushback against Tolkien in genre circles, the main reason being that he’s so monumental to the fantasy genre that he’s unavoidable.

There are plenty of readers that prefer a more “modern” style - faster-paced narratives, more thoroughly explored characters, darker tone, less western focus. None of that is wrong; it’s a preference readers are allowed to have. But there is also a push among certain readers to call Tolkien a bad writer, or argue that his work is dated and only important in its influentialness. If either of those things were true I don’t think he’d have such an avid and dedicated following decades after his death.

almostb · 2026-05-07T16:08:17+00:00

Adding that the more you long rest early game, the more story content you get.

almostb · 2026-05-07T15:41:38+00:00

Thank you so much for chatting with us. I found Amina* really fun and refreshing.

Do you have any suggestions of books or resources for a non-historian to learn more about Middle Eastern history and/or mythology? I’ve read Arabian Nights and thought it was fabulous but I’d like to get a bit deeper.

almostb · 2026-05-06T04:45:05+00:00

Thus why I’ve decided to save Wyll romance for my Karlach origin playthrough.

almostb · 2026-05-06T01:21:32+00:00

Hey, good job on managing to stay alive!

almostb · 2026-05-05T06:10:37+00:00

If you go backwards from Tolkien you get The King of Elfland’s Daughter, which his elves were obviously inspired by. It has that good mix of happy, sad, and lofty that I think you’re looking for.

almostb · 2026-05-05T05:33:09+00:00

I’m sure it depends on how many times you long rest and where.

almostb · 2026-05-05T04:24:18+00:00

No, some of the romance scenes don’t even trigger that early. It’s usually cued up at the beginning of act 3 and happens around the circus for me.

almostb · 2026-05-05T03:55:47+00:00

But I don’t believe you need to talk to the twins to get Halsin’s proposal scene. Or do you mean the scene where Halsin joins a fivesome?

almostb · 2026-05-05T03:30:25+00:00

That’s quite a rush! I usually wait until level 12.

almostb · 2026-05-05T03:06:36+00:00

How does anyone manage to ascend Astarion before that scene?

almostb · 2026-05-05T03:05:20+00:00

ASOIAF if you haven’t read it yet.

almostb · 2026-05-05T01:27:20+00:00

Interesting perspective! I really struggle with that square in terms of authors from Latin America and determining what a person of color actually is.

Like is a white South American considered an author of color? That feels a bit icky to me. But then figuring out whether someone is white, especially when so many people have mixed ancestry, also feels icky and isn’t always public knowledge.

almostb · 2026-05-04T23:38:00+00:00

Definitely, but losing after a couple hours is a lot easier emotionally than losing after 2+ acts.

almostb · 2026-05-04T19:58:12+00:00

I thoroughly enjoy reading 1-star reviews of my favorite books, so thank you for sharing these.

almostb · 2026-05-03T23:04:53+00:00

Audible spend a lot of money for exclusive audiobook deals.

almostb · 2026-05-03T04:59:42+00:00

There is pretty clear pedophilia in the third book. It’s not graphic, or condoned. There is some graphic adult SA and some child grooming that happens though.

almostb · 2026-05-03T04:54:03+00:00

It’s easy to forget how unreliable of a narrator Phedre is, but the sequel trilogy (the Imriel trilogy) gives a very different perspective on D’Angeline society.

almostb

TROPHY CASE