Check it out Finkbug. It's got a very mild undertaste of Morrowind to it. They used things like learning pts and paid trainers from Gothic to replace Beth's scheme. (EDIT: Replace is too strong a word...more like as an adjunct to Beth's scheme...you can still up your skills via use but it's super slow....faster is to spend pts and $ if you have it ( It's rough around the edges and there are a few little bugs crawling around. Some crazy German guys spent 4 or 5 years making this mod and bascially delivered an entirely new game. It's not super polished but it's endearing.

As for those level labels I think they are just pointing out general combat difficulty for backwoods encounters. I've taken my level 6 character into some level 25 areas without too much trouble. Of course I'm not doing any cross country hiking sure to stir up predators either. Going from town to town on the paths doesn't seem to be too much of a problem…yet.

Yapette, I read on the developer's forum discussion about the interface thingie.

They just can't stand your awesomness, Yap. They have to go hide and cry alone, in the dark. So they run away.

You're talking about an alchemy table. I can't remember seeing one. Odd thing is the alchemist in the Sanctum (an elf by the way…) won't talk to me, being the stuck white girl battlemage that I am. So my alchemy is at a pathetic 5.

I am getting the idea that I'm missing some story in this translation. Every one is raving about the story here and I'm not feeling it.This is starting to feel really familiar, tilting more toward Oblvion and away from Gothic. What I like about Gothic was how the story was everywhere, in every camp and village and city, the underlying story was right in front of you. Here, as in Oblivion, it's more diffused and unconnected. The gameplay makes up for it though.

I finally got the money to buy a donkey but it didn't seem to ride any faster than I can run. Also, I couldn't find a way to get it to carry inventory. So I'm mulling it over. I might hold out for a horse later and spend my cash on some learning pts before they get too expensive to buy. Being a Battlemage means I have to split pts already between magic and swords/armor. Not sure if bumping up alchemy might be stretching things too thin. I think I want firbaball and iceball spells more than the ability to sell lots of potions to make money.

Yes, just resting anywhere for an hour will heal you. You can't do it in combat or with enemies nearby so if you have a forest wolf hot on your behind you better have a plan B. Mine was to run back to the nearest village and let the guards deal with it.

Pokey said:

I've rescued Kim in Sildern but I can't find my stuff. I've searched every crate and barrel. If I need a key for that gate, I don't know where it can be. Help! [Image Can Not Be Found]

I looked outside too.

Keep going all the way outside. It's at the very, very end of the trail.  Get the key. Go all the way back and use the key to open the barred gate. Keep going… all the way until Kim points out the chest where your stuff is. Kim will tell you when you at the right chest.

Really? 18 slots? I'm thinking fireball and nasty sword. That's my plan of attack. Plan B is ice ball and run.  Or just run.

I listened to Merzul, but that's exposition to me. I'm talking about seeing the story underfoot, seeing the effect of the story/plot on the land and in the people. Maybe that will come more with the Main Quest.

Pokey said:

Well I got that key (I didn't go quite far enough before) and grabbed my stuff, but now I need another key to get out. [Image Can Not Be Found]

I've looked all over but no key. Also, Kim no longer has a bow and fighting with fists.

I was thinking Paladin when I get the chance.

That was the part that drove me nuts. Ask Kim and what does he say? "Can't we simply *go* back to Sanctum?"You can. There are no keys to those other doors that I ever found. I just went to Sanctum by going back outside and fast traveling. Only time it ever worked on its own though I do notice some quest leaders will fast travel you with them to locations sometimes. So it's enabled only when the devs want to use it. The other keyed doors were red herrings.

For a really great sword, go on the quest to the bandit camp out of Castle Stonefield. You get a 12 damage two handed fine steel sword that just tears stuff up, including me until my buddy with the giant axe came to my rescue. I looted it off the main bandit. It's long too and I can hit from further out.

Once again, here at T-R we prove that size does matter.