And of course, there’s Minsc, the not-so-bright Ranger, whose best friend is the hamster Boo.
getting to know the lovely Aerie:
Minsc: Aerie! Boo has been mulling over a question for you. Never have I seen a hamster concentrate so! He has been so very quiet I thought perhaps I rolled over him last night, which caused me great concern.
Aerie: If ‘Boo’ wishes to ask me a question, Minsc, then he should feel free to do so.
Minsc: But Boo’s question is of such a personal nature … well, the thought of it makes me blush right down to my buttocks.
Aerie: I … see. Perhaps Boo should ask me anyway just to get it off his chest. We … wouldn’t want a hamster to bottle up all that anxiety, now, would we?
Minsc: You are very insightful! Such bottling could lead to all sorts of un-hamster-like explosions! Well … Boo wonders why you do not perform all of your duties, since you are our witch?
Aerie: My duties? I thought you were supposed to protect me … I didn’t know there were any duties involved. And what’s so personal about this?
Minsc: Well … a Rashemani witch accompanies a ranger on his dajemma and teaches him the lore of herbs, among other things. Well … Minsc and Boo have discovered a need of some of this lore, maybe. After frolicking in a bush that we now consider to be of a suspicious nature, both Boo and I have contracted the Calimshite Itch in rather … private places. A salve would be most joyously anticipated!
Aerie: I … I … I’ll do what I can, Minsc.
Minsc: Many thanks, Aerie! Maybe, soon, Boo can return his little mind to thought of butt-kicking instead of butt-itching, and I for one shall be very relieved!
chatting with Cernd the Druid:
Minsc: Cernd, you are akin to nature as I am. Why did you not take up the blade to fight? I do not think I would have the patience you do in battle.
Cernd: The great oak might crush a building when it falls, but the sapling that seeps its roots through the foundation will stop the building in the first, lest the cellars leak and the fungoids take the builders.
Minsc: Confused looks from all sides but Minsc understands!
The depth of that game is astounding. Worth many, many hours of play.