Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!decwrl!wuarchive!husc6!encore!plien
From: plien@Encore.COM (Peter Lien)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Re: Thoughts on Theldrow
Summary: forget barkeep, build up prayers, magic
Keywords: Theldrow, frustration
Message-ID: <12364@encore.Encore.COM>
Date: 3 Aug 90 14:59:00 GMT
References: <11387@arisia.Xerox.COM>
Reply-To: plien@encore.UUCP (Peter Lien)
Distribution: comp
Organization: Encore Computer Corp, Marlboro, MA
Lines: 69

Warning: posting over three pages

Bob,

     I haven't gotten too far, but here's a few pointers on survival.

     - choose your starting attributes carefully
           No way to raise the attributes after starting (as far as I know).
           My choice:  DEX, CON, STR high(15 +), WIS, INT, CHR low(3 -)
           basically a fighting character.  Having attributes points left
           over gives you extra cash to start.

     - stay inside the town if you are beginning
           You can duck into the inn or temple when things get rough.

     - please Berabaku for extra prayers
           By ducking in the temple and continuously praying, you will
           heal up fatigue, plus get on the good side of your god.
           Being on the good side gives you more prayers (cure wounds).

     - practice your magic to gain spell casting ability
           Zap the giant rat with magic missles when the going's easy.
           You will be able to cast better spells quicker by practicing. 
 
     - don't retire for the day the first retire message come up
           If you can fight, don't retire.  If possible, wait until
           the "You're dead tired" message to retire.  The inn's
           the only place to sleep, therefore you'll need to save
           your money.

     - don't waste your money on the barkeep, armor, or weapons
           Armor doesn't protect sufficiently to justify the cost.
           Weapons are a waste, you'll primarily use magic, anyway.
           Barkeep won't give you any survival tips, so don't use
           up your money to find this out :-).

     - the monster always get an extra attack when you retreat
           High DEX gives you first attack advantage, but won't
           give you the escape.  Most monsters will miss, however.

So, keeping these hints in mind, here's what I do:

Town:  build up character, days 1-3
allocate extra cash, head over to town ASAP, go around and around gaining
experience - head out only when no monsters left, duck into temple to
heal fatigue (low fatigue let you hit better), use up your two cure light
wounds, try asking Beraku for a favor to restore prayers when used up,
retire to inn only when necessary.  repeat for a day or two until you can
cast the fireball spell.  avoid fighting giant ants if possible.

Cemetary:  easy experience, day 3 or 4
head over to the cemetary (out where you came, make second left) and let
Berabaku turn undead the undead monsters.  Collect your undead bone reagents.

Spider's nest:  scimitar and spider web reagents, day 4 or 5
go out where you came, make first left, and the next left.  cast the fireball
spell on them.  if poisoned, you should know neutralize poison prayer by now.

Underground caverns:  jewels - cash problems solved, day 6
head down to the underground caverns (search in deserted barn room in town)
make left, and take second left to enter an underground building.
fight creepers.  they'll give you the needed jewels for the inn.  if
you make it back to town with a jewel, you should have no cash problems.


   Now you can wander around without worrying about cash.

           -=/\=- Peter Lien
(plien@encore.com   uunet!encore!plien   plien@encore.UUCP)