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[Borodin]

I tend to prefer general hints to walkthroughs, so here are just a few to keep in mind:

There are 15 skills in all that your party can learn. Any party member can only have 2 skills--and two will need to learn Pathfinder and Mountaineer for these to be used--so choose wisely.

Mapping is probably the first skill you should get, and it's conveniently available in Middlegate. I suggest giving it to your sorcerer.

I don't bother with hirelings. They have to be paid, and when they gain more levels and become more competent, they have to be paid still more. A party of six should be able to manage gameplay effectively without any trouble, but if you do want assistance, make it someone like Dark Mage who can add extra sorcery power to your group. Just remember to grab a hireling only when you're about to enter a dangerous area, rather than to go looting encounters for gems and gold--because they'll charge you by the day, and you want to make every move count.

Party order does make a difference. Your enemies will always be considered to be facing you head on, with melee damage concentrated on places 1, and 2. Put your meat shields there. Notably paladins, since they can't use ranged weapons.

Don't forget food. Your party won't heal if you run out of food, even if you rest.

Speed, luck, and endurance. These are essential. Speed enables you to attack first, and it's easy to be caught out in the early game without this. Luck boosts your chances in a number of ways. Endurance gives party members more hit points every time they level up, and it's not retroactive. So make these as high as you can at the beginning, along with each party member's prime stat(s).

Don't forget that monsters can "call" for allies in battle. Save often. As a rule, don't run away during battle, because this must be rolled by each character individually.

Just wanted to say thank you for the dosbox note,. Had been struggling to get this this game running and loadfix did the trick.