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[twillight]

Iona's lvl 2 is actualy easier, as it is not just skelies, so the manasteal works (hope you have too), so no worry about shrines. Mostof the times,as there are certain minibosses, and one type (steel lord) can HURT. So save before unlocking doors with levers.
Ok, Steel Guardians hurt too, but there justdon't melee them. But Steel Lords are friggin' summoners. I usualy have to drink a minor restoration per encounter.
Lvl 3 is actualy the very same as above.
lvl 4 has only the boss, but it fights well. Needed 2 minor restoration to win. the unique here has way less AC then the dwarf unique armor, but gains resistances and charm slots much more easily.

So, the Dark Forest, eh?
It might be mostly separated by quests to its own, but that doesn't mean life here would be easy.
First, I'd stick to my rule: if they didn't send you there, don't go there is they'll send you there.
Second: whatever you do, do NOT go near the Sword in the Stone unless you will get rid of it immediately (put it back I mean). It will kill everything in the forest otherwise. So leave this last.
Oh, and it is good I've waited coming here. there is some big spider here (mutated forest spider) whichhas ranged attack and hits hard. The whole thing is very similar to the Catacom's spider miniboss (if you remember).

Activate the teleporter near the Sword in Stone location, then look after the merchants who'll entrust you to enter the Burial Chambers. THIS HAVE NOTHING TO DO with the burialGrounds the elves and dwarves argue upon, so clear it. You'll get the 3rd holy item here too.
Funny thing is, 2 of the holy items are a certain weapon class. Given that swords are commonplace you likely don't want that, and the dagger specialists... Are not too common. This leaves the amulet the keeper. The place by the way is lackluster: small, barely any enemy, all the loot inaccessible.

You'll meet a talking boar. This quest is longer then you'd anticipate. First you need to get to the evil mage's house, then enter the dwarven capital to consult the local priest, who sends you gain a container (the Holy Grail no less!) for its holy water,which you should bring back to the other animals in the evilmage's house, then visit the boar, then get the finalreward (a unique bow) in the elven village.
By the way, as you are there already, get the brooch for Sir Dante's assistant,and get the quest to visit the dwarf relative in the dwarven village.

Nearthe boar is the Alchemist who wants something at the Talking Tree, where Corina sent us too. Pick this quest up. Near that is the Warrior Guild's portal, activate it. Close the Talking Tree from thenorth to find an elven scouting party for fun (has no actual consequence). Enter the Guild and do whatever they offer, and finaly get the Heart of the Dragon quest. Take a note on it and stash it for the moment.
There is an old hermit nearby, who is actualy a friggin' demon. Talk to him so it goes to its cave. I think that's a fight we only want to do later.

Oh, before completly forget: like 2/3rd of the forest is not filled with giant bugs and mutated toads. Oh no. It's filled with improved versions of lizardmen from Verdistis Sewer. And that's the good news. They are walking in HORDES. That's the bad news.
Oh,and avoid the Special Insane Skeleton(s) to melee. They can hit my 600 HP in one hit.

At the Warrior Guild's Instructor I'm not sure based on what you get the bonus. Others say you get Augment Damage, yet others say you get either. I got onlyAugment Defense, which I suspect happens no matter the conversation that it was my higher ability.
The fight is though, and for his defense level at least a bit random based, so heal your mana too before the fight, and save.
Fighting for the cylops eye involves insane skeletons, some summoners,and the boss is a summoner too. So head-first into battle against it, and use the warrior's special attack as long as it takes. Beware, the lastroom is practicaly empty, so don't try to goaround the walls. Just let your stamina fill up.

NOTE: if it wasn't obvious if you have a companion only that is under threat during a cutsceen, you never. This isa memory from that zombie-guy form the very beginning if you ask.

For the Talking Tree: ONLY go there if you have both quest telling you to. You can speak with it for lesser exp, or make it attack you for a bunch of new zombie-type appearing in the ground (must make them plant them out) and shoot slow projectiles at you, which blast up at arrival and damage indiscriminatly (thus can kill the zombies). Either way you can then use the tea barrel on it to destroy it.
Oh, and the stuff which the tree drops are NOT random. It'llalways be: 1 very large spirit resistance charm, 1 large strength charm, 1 beetle statue, 1 spider statue.

Now, I hoped to get the bloody dwarven counciler, but seems he'll only be in his place when 4 other member are found.
So for me that's #1 Zandalor (mage), #2 orc, #3 human (the Black Ring woman was punny after all, even punier than the whole Holy Grail chamber, where you can btw single out the opponents), #4 lizard. Because that leads to buying house in Verdistis, and it made sense in the roleplaying aspect, that's why. Oh,and it turns out we got false information, there be 5 recruits,and the dwarf will only be the 6th.
And if I went Verdistis, thought time to give up some quest items before I'd accidently sell them, so delivered the brooch and stuff for Corina.
So, if we're finishing quests, let's finish the morphed animals too. All things lead to the elven village it seems.

Clearing the forest... Then went in the elven village to get the unique bow. It is awesomly coded. It can only have a setof attributes (agility, charms, offensive, sight, speed, and its damage can go up to 48-139, although 38-129 is only realistic, and can be much lower too).
Now to Verdistis again for a reputation point. I know, I know, but hey, I'mreally preparing to leave,and thatmeans selling stuff,and that means gaining reputation, ok? And those trolls look big on the road.
Ye, doing the stupid romance too.
So, Leptin&Hugh's business is done.
Going to the ElvenBurial Groundsand taking the gloves, blaming whoever is responsible.
Well, some Black Ringer was, and she's though! Firsthace to destroy herdwarves, then she canstun-pushyou, and summon dreadknights, and xast those strong spikes. So basical she's like The Engineer, but with unlimited mana. Did cost me potions (maybe 3 minor restoration and 1 normal restoration -atapoint the game simply refused todrink more minor potion???)