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Well, I played it for about 45 minutes last night. (I picked a Noble Human Fighter, just to make things easier).

My first impressions? It looks a little like NWN, but much more like Baldur's Gate. (And yes, it is weird -- and really, really depressing. Why do RPGs have to be so depressing? Take "The Witcher 2", for example -- browns and blacks and mud everywhere. Or "Skyrim", where everyone's really serious all the time. With PoE, it's all depressing -- I've got some disease, kids get born without souls and loads of people hanged on a big tree.)

Anyway, I got as far as the GIlded Vale ... where I went into some old temple and immediately got killed by a will-o-the-wisp. (I was a level 2 fighter). I thought will-o-the-wisps were supposed to be pushovers? And how is it that I can't rest to recover health?

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:31 pm Well, I played it for about 45 minutes last night. (I picked a Noble Human Fighter, just to make things easier).

My first impressions? It looks a little like NWN, but much more like Baldur's Gate. (And yes, it is weird -- and really, really depressing. Why do RPGs have to be so depressing? Take "The Witcher 2", for example -- browns and blacks and mud everywhere. Or "Skyrim", where everyone's really serious all the time. With PoE, it's all depressing -- I've got some disease, kids get born without souls and loads of people hanged on a big tree.)

Anyway, I got as far as the GIlded Vale ... where I went into some old temple and immediately got killed by a will-o-the-wisp. (I was a level 2 fighter). I thought will-o-the-wisps were supposed to be pushovers? And how is it that I can't rest to recover health?

You should start a new thread for your PoE 1 play through.

Or I can split this part into a new thread.

Please go ahead and split this part if that's OK. (I hope it's not too hard?) *fingers crossed*

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:31 pm Well, I played it for about 45 minutes last night. (I picked a Noble Human Fighter, just to make things easier).
My first impressions? It looks a little like NWN, but much more like Baldur's Gate. (And yes, it is weird -- and really, really depressing. Why do RPGs have to be so depressing? Take "The Witcher 2", for example -- browns and blacks and mud everywhere. Or "Skyrim", where everyone's really serious all the time. With PoE, it's all depressing -- I've got some disease, kids get born without souls and loads of people hanged on a big tree.)
Anyway, I got as far as the GIlded Vale ... where I went into some old temple and immediately got killed by a will-o-the-wisp. (I was a level 2 fighter). I thought will-o-the-wisps were supposed to be pushovers? And how is it that I can't rest to recover health?

The thing about the souls will play a VERY important part of the story.... and ironically, I used a Hangman's Tree in my recent D&D adventure.

As for Will O Wisps - depends. Old School D&D they were dangerous. They lure you out into unsafe areas (quicksand in swamps, and such).

So are you JUST past where you return to camp after the ambush - and something happens - and you and one (or two, if you did something) others escape and enter a temple where the wall crumbles behind you?

And you have an option to go left or right?

Er ... I've gone past the maze that's after the camp ambush. I got past the maze ... and to the Gilded Vale -- and to the old temple (where someone asks me to find his old sword). And that's where the will-o-the-wisp kills me.

Anyway, I didn't save. I was late for dinner anyway, so I just played it for fun, just to get a taste.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 8:14 am Er ... I've gone past the maze that's after the camp ambush. I got past the maze ... and to the Gilded Vale -- and to the old temple (where someone asks me to find his old sword). And that's where the will-o-the-wisp kills me.

Anyway, I didn't save. I was late for dinner anyway, so I just played it for fun, just to get a taste.

Nice, I started a game over so if you had specific questions I'd be familiar again.
When you start the game, select Story Mode, which is easier (and focuses more on story than challenging player in combat).

Hmm. I started a game again last night and arrived at the Gilded Vale again. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything around for me to do there. I helped the miller, helped the elf wizard (and he joined me) ... and then there's nothing to do except go to the old temple.

OK, I don't have to go to the room with the will-o-the-wisp is. Maybe that's the issue? But I'm not sure what's going on. I killed those ivory spiderlings - they were easy. But the will-o-the-wisp fight is impossible! That thing not only causes a lot of damage, it also regenerates. What is this thing, some kind of troll?

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 5:49 pm Hmm. I started a game again last night and arrived at the Gilded Vale again. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything around for me to do there. I helped the miller, helped the elf wizard (and he joined me) ... and then there's nothing to do except go to the old temple.

OK, I don't have to go to the room with the will-o-the-wisp is. Maybe that's the issue? But I'm not sure what's going on. I killed those ivory spiderlings - they were easy. But the will-o-the-wisp fight is impossible! That thing not only causes a lot of damage, it also regenerates. What is this thing, some kind of troll?

Lemme see if I can catch up to where you are in my new game.

OK. *sits and twiddles his thumbs for a bit*

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:30 am OK. *sits and twiddles his thumbs for a bit*

I just got to the first town. (Um, totally blanking on the name - too early in the morning - with the hangman's tree).

Question - in the forest area before the town - did you explore the whole map? Find Bandits? A Bear Cave?

That town is the Gilded Vale. (That's where I am).

The forest area before the town? Er ... I explored most of the map, and found the bandits, but didn't find a bear cave. Sorry.

Rath Darkblade wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:17 pm That town is the Gilded Vale. (That's where I am).
The forest area before the town? Er ... I explored most of the map, and found the bandits, but didn't find a bear cave. Sorry.

It's on the same map as the bandits. It's to the north. Next to it you will also find a xara-whatever I call them kobolds camp.

But the bear cave will give you a potential quest.

So, you can go back to the bear cave for the optional quest. Pretty sure it's not critical. But it is more XP and more leveling. Always helps.

And -

Ok - I assume the person you rescued is Aloth.

If so, that means you were right next to the Inn.

The Dwarf from the Brigands said to go to the Inn. Go there. Get a room.

You will dream. In the dream you will see a woman.

She's near a massive tree. Which should be familiar.

Go there and talk to her.

It will lead you to the next step.

Hmm. I saw the woman near the tree, and spoke to her now. Now I have a lead (plus a new companion - Eder the warrior)! Thanks, Tawm.

So ... about the temple. I shouldn't try to do anything about it now? I went down there, and killed the spiderlings and some other monsters - although Aloth the wizard died a few times (but I didn't - huzzah!) I took Aloth back to the inn and rested him until he was all better. But in the temple, I got as far as the door with three bells. I read the note about that door, and tried different ways to ring the bells, but nothing I do seems to do anything. Any ideas?

*****LATER******

I've now gone back to the bear cave and found the new quest. I also found the xara-whatever-kobold camp. I got some spoils and sold them for CPs, but I still don't have anywhere near enough CPs to be getting on with. But hey, it's still the beginning of the game, so meh!

I also pressed on to the next forest-y location (Magran's Fork) and found Durance the priest. I explored the whole forest-y place and killed a bunch of monsters and such. Both Durance and Aloth died once, but at least they didn't die permanently so I resurrected them and took them back to the inn. (Oh, and the best thing? I found the inn's cook and freed him from the brigands. Huzzah for simple quests! What's next - shall I fetch someone an ale, verily?)

The only thing is ... still not enough money. I found some paladin-y type and a wizard-y type called Ludrana (?) in Magran's Fork, and killed them. Ludrana has a spell grimoire, and Aloth can learn some spells there - but it costs A LOT of money (100 cps per spell is the cheapest, and I'm trying to save money so I can buy better equipment). Is there a way to make money quickly in this game? I guess not?

Ah, well - I have been busy! I got through to Caed Nua (where the old Watcher ... "lives"), spoke to him and killed him. I also cleared out most of the dungeons of Od Nua, except for the Spider Queen. I also picked up a new follower - a aumua (sp?) chanter (like a bard?) who can fire a gun. All 5 members of my party are now level 4.

I'm hesitant of challenging the Spider Queen, though. She looks huge and tough. I don't want her to kill my party. Are five level-4 characters enough to take down the Spider Queen? Just wondering ... (And yes, I decoyed and destroyed the spiderling guards around her).