Newbie areas
Start with Alice's tutorial and your first work in Vaerlon. Then try nearby areas a little at a time. Use consider <monster> before attacking, keep a retreat route and do not attack city residents.
Rat-infested warehouse
Type hike to warehouse in Vaerlon. Vizra stands at the entrance; ask vizra starts the conversation about work. She pays young adventurers up to level 10, with pay adjusted by level. She can also help with torches.
Stay on the first basement level at first. Lower floors contain dangerous creatures. Read and examine the surroundings as well as fighting rats; there are other tasks to find. If the warehouse is empty, give it time to repopulate.
For rat hunting without direct combat, speak to the small hooded ratling below Vaerlon's magic shop or at Atherton's Adventurer's Guild.
Drudric's Hut
From Vaerlon's southern gate, follow the road east, cross the bridge and take the path south. Greet Drudric and ask about his tasks. Completing them opens access to a portal leading to other early areas.
Gale's berry farm
The farm is just northeast of Vaerlon's north gate. The farmer is ill, and his wife needs help. Explore the fields and farmhouse and speak to the people there.
The deserted cottage
Follow the road east from Vaerlon's southern gate and cross the bridge. Keep following the road southeast past the water until an overgrown path leads south to a homestead and mill.
Read what the owners left behind and watch for vermin and gremlins. The stable holds a much more dangerous creature; leave that part until later.
The dwarven mines
Enter the mountain tunnel near Vaerlon's northwestern smithy. Follow it southwest and look for a steel door. Search nearby if you need a key.
The first mine level suits players who have moved beyond their very first fights. Lower levels get harder. Avoid the cave bear in the tunnel's northwest dead end. Deep in the mine, leave the blocked passage and unusually warm stone alone; that danger is far beyond a newcomer.
Namgeb forest
Go through the mountain tunnel northwest of Vaerlon to the road beyond. Follow the northeastern path northward toward Namgeb. The forest has animals and inhabitants for more practised beginners. Watch for the aggressive wolf pack leader.
The brownie tree and spidergrove
Travel into the evergreen forest northeast of Vaerlon and use survey to find nearby landmarks. Look for Brownie Tree or The Hollowed Tree.
The brownie family's tree is a quiet place to explore. The nearby Hollowed Tree is very different: aggressive chitine spiders occupy several floors. The lower floors are easier; each floor above is harder, and the crown is far beyond a newcomer. Look for people who need help, and go back down before you are overwhelmed.
Harder outings
- Ancient crypt: leave Vaerlon's western gate, follow the road north and take the path west after the river. Expect tougher enemies.
- Vaerlon sewers: the manhole in the northern dwarven quarter is sometimes open. The sewers are large and dangerous. Bring companions.
Travel through the outworld
The wilderness between areas can be dangerous too. Plains, meadows and sparse forests have some smaller creatures during the day. Deep forests and rough ground are harder, and leaving roads costs endurance.
Undead roam after dark. Staying on roads helps, but creatures can still reach them. Check time, carry suitable light and use the atlas to plan your return.
In-game help: help newbie areas, help consider, help survey. See Living and Newbie hints for preparation.