[Animayhem]

I would try setting up the desk top short cut which goes directly to Thay. I think too with win 8, from what I have heard you need to disable the run as adminsitrator option.

C:\NeverwinterNights\NWN\nwmain.exe +connect 65.101.102.74:5121

Basically, putting: +connect 65.101.102.74:5121
Into a shortcut on your desktop (Or anywhere really) will severely cut down on the time it takes to get into Thay

That's picking a short-cut (Right click and you'll see where it's targeted), directing it to nwnmain.exe (If it's not already) and adding the +connect and IP.

You might have to change the exe file to something like Thaymain.exe and using compatabilty mode for XP SP3