What follows are instructions for creating desktop shortcuts that link directly to Avlis (saves time because it skips the opening animations).

For Windows XP users: 

-Right click on your desktop and select New -> Shortcut 

-When prompted enter the following for the location of the item: 

Code: 
C:\NeverwinterNights\NWN\nwmain.exe +connect avlis.blackdagger.net:512# +password ******** 

NOTES: In the Code above, where you see the # symbol: change that to the server you are linking to (ie. Mikona = 1, Wilderness = 2, Elysia = 3, Le'Or = 4, Deglos = 5, Ferrell = 6) 

Also, where you see ******** you should enter the server's password exactly as you would enter it when prompted in the game. 

If you've placed NWN in a different directory/drive than the one above then you need to change the code to match where you have located it. 

-Click Next 

-Enter the name of the server for the name of the shortcut. 

-Click Finish 

The shortcut should appear on your desktop with the NWN main icon by default. 

-Download the new icons, use winRAR to unpack them into a directory where you can find them (I put mine in the Neverwinter Nights directory but NOT the NWN directory where the game is located). 

-Then, right click on the shortcut on the desktop, and select Properties 

-Click Change Icon ... 

-Click Browse and find the directory with the icons, select the one you want. 

-Click Okay 

-Click Okay 

CREDITS
These icons were created by Paul Scofield (Garand) using Conware's IconArt from his own artwork and artwork by Mark Smiley, as well as several stock photographs found on the internet. 