Geneforge

Geneforge

                           GENEFORGE

              FAQ/WALKTHROUGH (version 1.3) by Matt P,
Contact elementalizard@aol.com for information/comments on this FAQ.  
If I use your comments in this FAQ, you will be given full credit.
         Geneforge and all names in this FAQ are copyright
               Spiderweb Software (www.spidweb.com)

INTRO: Welcome to the exciting world of Geneforge!  Geneforge is an 
innovative game for Windows and Macintosh designed by Spiderweb 
Software, who has also made such games as Avernum 1 & 2, Nethergate, 
the Exile Series, and Blades of Exile.  Their homepage is 
www.spidweb.com.  While there, be sure to check out their games and the 
spiderweb message boards (under forum).  At the spiderweb message 
boards, you can find codes, editors, and lots of hints.

PURPOSE: Geneforge is an exciting, new game from Spiderweb software.  
It has given me much sanity time in this busy period of my life, and I 
felt it was my duty to try to write a good FAQ for this game.  I have 
also written Walkthroughs and FAQs for Avernum 2 and Nethergate.  Be 
sure to check them out!
   Right now, this FAQ is done.  I will continuously take 
suggestions/new findings well into future versions.

WARNING: There are plenty of spoilers in this FAQ.  Please refer to the 
specific section/area about which you have a question to avoid being 
spoiled silly.
   I still will not be providing cheat codes in this version of the 
FAQ.  If you want them so very badly, then you should order the hint 
book or check the spiderweb forums.  They may be placed in a later 
version of the FAQ, but not for a while.
   I will not give out registration codes.  Spiderweb is a small 
company, and they need your support.  Ignoring their request for a 
small fee for your hours of enjoyment is stealing, and illegal.
   If you wish to post this FAQ/walkthrough on your site, please send 
me an email.  I will try to get back to you, ASAP.  If I am unable to 
look at your site due to fee access, I can't let you post the FAQ.

CONTENTS:
1. Character Classes
2. Character Stat Guide 
3. Creation Guide
4. Spell Guide
5. Sect Guide
6. Location Guide (table of contents for the walkthrough) and
   walkthrough
7. Canister Locations, other Miscellaneous info (including secrets).
8. Equipment Guide
9. HP and XP per creation guides (from y0d1n2a3- many thanks!)
10. Version info.


1.	CHARACTER CLASSES
The Guardian: The physical powerhouse of the triumvirate.  When playing 
as a Guardian, you'll often find that "If I can get next to an enemy, 
in the next turn, it will die."  This is true.  The Guardians can beat 
anything to a bloody pulp.  They also have decent shaping skills, and 
can summon up a weak army if really necessary.  They have very poor 
magic skills, and this is their main downfall.  They are unable to open 
most chests until they've advanced to a high level or have invested 
valuable skill points in intelligence or mechanics, or are willing to 
burn off living tools.  On easy difficulties, they rule.  On harder 
difficulties, they don't.  They can not deal effectively with crowds, 
as they don't get searing orbs, nor do they get a powerful army.  That 
said, beginners may find them very easy to start with.  Guardians 
probably won't find much use out of magic spell canisters.  Guardians 
can get a lot of damage if they increase their anatomy and quick action 
skills.  I have received critical hits (caused by high anatomy) on a 
double attack (caused by quick action) for 300 damage each hit.  If you 
have two quicksilver items equipped and are hasted, you can do over 
1800 damage in one turn.  Nothing can survive this.
  HP (please see end of FAQ, the doozy of a formula has been determined 
by y0d1n2a3)
Guardian SP = lvl*int+6
Guardian EP = 1.5*lvl*int+6


The Shaper: The shaper is probably the character at whom this game is 
aimed to please.  They will get a lot of use out of every canister they 
find, and this may be appealing on some levels.  Their strength lies in 
their numbers.  Shapers can create with the best of them.  They will 
always be able to summon up creations, and will rarely be at a loss 
when one creation dies.  That said, Shaper's can't take a beating.  
Essentially, if there's a strong wind, a shaper might lose half of his 
hit points.  They must be guarded by their creations.  Fortunately, 
shapers are pretty good with missile weapons and with spells, so 
erecting a creation-shield shouldn't be difficult.  Shapers can manage 
well on all difficulties.
  HP (please see end of FAQ, the doozy of a formula has been determined 
by y0d1n2a3)
Shaper SP = 2*lvl*int+6 (from Alex on the Spiderweb message boards)
Shaper EP = 2*lvl*int+6

A shaper strategy: The Deadweight Shaper (a suggestion of Zeviz and 
Drakefyre): The shaper is the weakest PC.  He can't fight worth a dang, 
and his spell-casting isn't so great either.  However, he can summon 
things very well, and his creations are always potent.  Thus, you 
should always have plenty of creations on hand, willing to fight and 
die for you.  As such, the most important stats are intelligence and 
creation skills.  Ignore strength- you will almost always have 2 AP, 
even if you're carrying the moon (this may not be true if you've got a 
negative AP item equipped, like the stability belt).  The shaper should 
be a packhorse, and let his creations do the talking.  Dexterity isn't 
important if you're not going to attack anything, and endurance 
shouldn't be important if you're not going to be hit (as a skilled 
player shouldn't be).  

*Note from author- this strategy can work quite well in most cases.  
However, just giving yourself 1 more AP would result in the ability to 
use pods and spores.*

The Agent: The agent is probably the singly most powerful character in 
the game.  Magic is well balanced with creations, and the agent can 
spellsling with the best of them.  She will never be able to summon up 
an army like the shaper or even the guardian, but can take one out on 
her own pretty readily.  She is very difficult to play at first, as she 
will have at most one or two creations as assistants, but will be 
increasingly powerful as she levels up.  You do not want to create many 
assistants with an agent, as she needs much of her essence to cast 
spells.  She can really clean house on higher difficulties.  Some 
suggest equipping her with missile weapons at the beginning, however, I 
feel as though she should always have a melee weapon equipped, as her 
spells are a potent missile weapon. 

  HP (please see end of FAQ, the doozy of a formula has been determined 
by y0d1n2a3)
Agent SP = 3*lvl*int+6
Agent EP = 1.5*lvl*int+6


                        2. CHARACTER STATS
Stats: Stats can only be raised up to 30.  It is unlikely that you'd 
reach this over the course of normal play, so it's not a bad cap.  
However, stats start to diminish in effect as you go over 10, and later 
20.  This means that you will probably want to focus on spreading your 
points around a bit, so as to get the maximum effect.  The 4 prime 
stats do not seem to suffer from this feature.

Stat name (cost, Guardian, Shaper, Agent [if constant for all three 
classes, then only one number is shown]): Effects and opinion.

Prime stats:
  Strength (5): Influences you weight capacity, and your chance to hit 
for melee, your stunning resistance, and you're damage done.  Very much 
necessary to the Guardian and Agent.  The Shaper can ignore it 
somewhat, but will need it in order to carry items.
  Dexterity (5): Influences you chance to hit for missile weapons, your 
speed in combat, your acid resistance (from Scales) and your chance to 
dodge enemy blows.  This stat can be ignored by most characters.  The 
bonuses given by it are easily mimicked by quick action and missile 
weapons.  A shaper might find this stat moderately more useful than the 
other characters.
  Intelligence (5): Influences your spell points, your essence points, 
and your mind resistance.  This stat is very important to shapers and 
agents.  Both need essence, and this is the only stat that affects it.  
The guardian may want to invest a few points in this stat as well, 
since he will eventually want to cast unlock and summon up some 
powerful creations.
  Endurance (5): Influences you HP in a large way, and your poison 
resistance.  Guardians get the largest bonus for this skill.

Fighting stats (Guardian strong, Shaper weak):
  Melee (G-2, S-5, A-3): Influences your accuracy and damage done by 
melee weapons.  The most powerful weapons in this game are melee 
weapons.  The agent should always use melee weapons, as missile- magic 
is her specialty.  The guardian should use melee weapons whenever 
fighting melee opponents, and should try to use them when fighting 
distance opponents.  The shaper should probably ignore this skill, at 
least until he gets a lot of points in it.
  Missile (G-2, S-5, A-3): Influences your accuracy and damage done by 
missile weapons.  Shapers will find this to be a valuable skill.  
However, it is extremely expensive, and not necessarily worthwhile for 
them.  Guardians may find this skill useful, especially when engaging 
distant enemies.  Normally, they can manage without adding points in 
this skill, however.  Agents should probably ignore this skill.
  Quick Action (G-1, S-4, A-2): Gives you a small chance of attacking 
twice in a single round, and also influences the time you act in 
combat.  A cool, powerful skill.  All classes will appreciate this 
skill.  Guardians and agents will find it more useful to invest in this 
skill than shapers, however, given its cost.  Some argue that this 
skill is superior to anatomy as hitting twice is nearly the same as 
getting a critical hit, and you get a speed bonus, and they are 
probably correct to some extent.  However, I believe anatomy gives you 
a larger chance of getting extra damage.  This is one skill that you 
will probably want to concentrate on raising up to 10, then start 
focusing more on anatomy.
  Anatomy (G-1, S-4, A-2): Gives you a small chance of getting a 
critical hit.  Once again, agents and guardians will get the best use 
out of this skill.  Shapers should pretty much ignore it completely, 
unless they decide to use melee weapons.

Magic stats (Agent strong, Guardian weak):
  Battle Magic (G-5, S-3, A-2): Influences the strength of your battle 
spells, the chance to hit with your battle spells, and the level of 
battle spell you can cast.  You will need to add points to this skill 
if you're playing as an agent.  An agent will want to have 5 points in 
this skill a few levels after completing the demo region.  Shapers can 
ignore this skill and instead use thorn batons, and guardians can't 
afford this skill. Note, however, that the Carnelian gloves will enable 
you to get a free point of this skill from the nearby tombs.  You will 
have to wait a while before getting the gloves, however.  Still, it's a 
viable option for Guardians (from Scales).
  Mental Magic (G-5, S-3, A-2): Influences the strength of your mental 
spells, the chance to hit with your battle spells, and the level of 
battle spell you can cast.  All classes will want at least one point in 
this skill so as to be able to cast unlock.  Agents and shapers may 
want to invest more points in this skill.  The guardian should be 
miserly as always when adding points to this skill.  Note, however, 
that the Carnelian gloves will enable you to get a free point of this 
skill from the nearby tombs.  You will have to wait a while before 
getting the gloves, however.  Still, it's a viable option for Guardians 
(from Scales).
  Blessing Magic (G-5, S-3, A-2): Influences the strength of your 
blessing spells and the level of blessing spell you can cast.  This 
skill is especially valuable to the shaper.  The shaper will want to 
beef up his creations before any big fight.  The agent will want to get 
this skill up to level 3 so as to be able to cast speed and war 
blessing, but won't find much use out of mass energize. 
  Spellcraft (G-7, S-5, A-4): Influences the strength of all spells.  
This skill is where the agents reign.  Other classes won't be able to 
invest points in this skill, or will find it too expensive, but the 
agent should add a point to it often.  It will greatly strengthen all 
of your skills.

Shaping stats (Shaper strong, Agent weak):
  Fire Shaping (G-5, S-4, A-7): Influences your ability to create fire 
creations, and the level at which they start.  Shapers will want to 
invest in all the shaping skills (or one in particular).  Fire 
creations are versatile in that they all have strong melee and physical 
attacks.  Guardians will want to put a point or two in each skill, but 
won't find much benefit from further investment.  Agents, unless they 
desire a pet fyora, should ignore this expensive skill.
  Battle Shaping (G-4, S-3, A-6): Influences your ability to create 
battle creations, and the level at which they start.  Shapers will want 
to invest in all the shaping skills (or one in particular).  Battle 
creations focus primarily on physical attacks, and have a lot of HP.  
Guardians may want to invest more points in this skill, as there is 
always need for cannon fodder.  Agents, again, should ignore this 
skill.
  Magic Shaping (G-4, S-3, A-6): Influences your ability to create 
magic creations, and the level at which they start.  Shapers will want 
to invest in all the shaping skills (or one in particular).  Magic 
creations generally have a bonus feature to their attack, but are 
generally only missile weapon users (with the Glaahks being significant 
exceptions).  Guardians may find this skill to be very useful, as 
artilas are a nice component to your army.  Agents may want to start 
with one point in this skill, and to make an artila or two over time, 
but again should probably ignore this expensive skill.
  Healing Craft (G-3, S-2, A-5): Influences the strength of your 
healing spells, and allows you to use the spell mass restore if a 
significant investment in this skill is made.  Useful for all classes.  
Agents should be more hesitant to add points to this skill, however.

Miscellaneous stats:
  Leadership (2): This skill is only useful in dialogue.  However, you 
will be talking a lot in this game, so this skill is extremely useful.  
You should at least have 5 points in this skill by level 5, this will 
get you more skills and such.  You will want at least 8 by the end 
game, though more (10 or so) is quite useful.  One servile leader 
requires 12 leadership to join without performing a quest (brought to 
my attention by Zeviz on the message boards).  Going above 12 is 
unnecessary except perhaps in one (major) encounter.  This skill may be 
purchased for 2000 gold.  Do note that you can obtain a girdle of 
leadership without too much difficulty, therefore going above a natural 
10 is unnecessary.  Also, other than this one leader, nothing else 
requires more than 10 leadership, so with the girdle, going above 8 
leadership is probably unnecessary.
  Mechanics (2): This is a very useful skill.  Guardians will get the 
most use out of it, as they will be unable to cast the spell unlock 
(they should try to have around about 6 by level 5).  Agents and 
shapers still should not ignore this skill, but do not need to invest 
in it as heavily (maybe ~5).  Mechanics is used in some special 
encounters, and also influences the following: Unlocking of levers and 
chests, Manipulation of power spirals, Disarming of exploding crystals, 
Disarming of mines, Manipulation of spore boxes and control devices. 
This skill may be purchased for 2000 gold.  Zeviz, and Vengeful Wise 
Man both recommend getting several points of this skill.  Getting above 
13 is probably unnecessary.  Tinker's gloves will raise your skill in 
this, and are fairly common.
  Luck (1): A useful skill, but not as pervasive as in previous 
Spiderweb games.  All characters should start with 1 point, and then 
delay getting any more points until they can purchase them from Dig.  
Depending on the amount of money you have, you may want to purchase 
enough points to get up to 30 in this stat.  This way you will not miss 
anything, and get a hefty armor bonus.  Each point of luck increases 
the chance to hit by 1%, and the chance to dodge by 1%.  It may also 
affects some resistances.  Every 2 points of luck increases armor by 1, 
and monsters may also drop items more frequently (both hints are from 
Scales on the Spiderweb message boards).  This skill may be purchased 
for 500 gold.

Resistances:  There are several resistances listed on the character 
page.  Many of these are somewhat confusing.  Two resistances aren't 
listed: fire and energy.  Both play significant roles.  Items that give 
"hostile effect" resistance should increase all of these, thus, are 
very valuable.

Stun: Stun resistance is pretty straight-forward.  When an enemy hits 
you, they have a slight chance of stunning you.  Being stunned makes 
you lose AP in the next round, and may make you weaker in combat and 
defense.  Increase your strength and wear stronger armor in order to 
increase your stun resistance.

Mind: Mind resistance is somewhat more useful for your creations, as it 
helps you prevent fear and charming attacks, the latter of which your 
PC is immune.  Vlish are the main cause of both, although some sholai 
can charm your creations.  Increase your intelligence to increase your 
mind resistance.

Poison: Many enemies have poison attacks- vlish, clawbugs, roamers, 
turrets, among others.  Poison is the less dangerous than acid, but can 
still be a pain.  Increase your endurance to increase your poison 
resistance.

Acid: This is the favored attack of artilas and many turrets.  It can 
be very damaging, and raising dexterity will raise this stat.  

Fire: This is one of the unlisted resistances.  Assume that it is equal 
to your unmodified acid resistance, and may also be increased by 
raising dexterity.  Fire creations love this attack method, and it's 
also used to calculate damage received from fire pits and perhaps 
mines.

Energy: There aren't that many energy attacks, although perhaps cryoas 
and cryodrayks may use energy attacks, and perhaps there's a few 
others.  The main use of this resistance is to block the damage 
received in the power core.

                        3. CREATIONS
  Important things to note- not all creations start off at level 1.  
Some creations start off at different levels.  Therefore, it is not 
necessary to keep around old creations just because you think that 
they're more powerful than new, more advanced creations.  I once had a 
level 17 fyora with my Agent.  I decided I needed some help for a 
particular battle, so I made a Drayk.  I was surprised to see that the 
Drayk had superior stats, despite being a level lower.  I saved my 
game, and absorbed each creation to see which was more expensive in 
essence.  Much to my chagrin, my fyora was costing me over 100 essence, 
whereas the Drayk only cost 60!  I got rid of my poor faithful Fyora 
right then and replaced him with the superior Drayk.

  Generally, creations that have a specific set of stats determined by 
their level.  Newly created creations have stats defined completely by 
the level at which you create them.  When creations gain levels, they 
don't necessarily get a set of points at each level.  As a result, 
creations that are newly created at a specific level are almost always 
better than or equal to a creation that has ascended to that level 
through gaining experience.  Creation stats may not go above 30 
(without items), and they will not gain levels above 30 either (from 
bme).

Creature name: (cost in essence, cost in essence +2 int). [base 
starting level] Opinion.  Note that the actual starting level is base + 
creature skill + specific shaping skill (up to 10) + specific shaping 
skill / 2 (all points 10-20) + skill / 3 (20-30).
  Fyoras: (8, 11). [0] A staple of lower levels.  They can become 
fairly powerful at higher levels, but will never be as strong as 
Drayks.  As a shaper, create a few of these.  They will save your life.  
They have decent melee and missile attacks.
  Cryoas: (30, 39). [3] A more powerful version of fyoras.  They can be 
more powerful than fyoras, but are also more expensive.
  Roamers: (15, 20). [2] Kind of disappointing, in my opinion.  They 
spit acid, and have a good bite, but artilas are better acid shooters 
and are cheaper, and there are stronger physical enemies out there.
  Pyroroamers: (12, 17). [1] An interesting concept, but kind of hard 
to employ.  These little guys explode when they are hit hard (lose all 
HP).  You could potentially make 7 of these guys go after a single 
enemy, and once said enemy attacks, they explode and kill the enemy.
  Drayks: (60, 75). [9] Very powerful, but also expensive.  Still, a 
nice improvement.  They have a better melee attack than missile attack, 
though both are very strong.
  Cryodrayks: (90, 111) [10] Very, very powerful, but also expensive.  
Make a lot of these, and you'll be limited in whatever else you can 
make.

  Thahds: (7, 10) [2] Another staple of lower levels.  These guys can 
mete out good punishment and take it as well.  They aren't the most 
powerful, and die pretty easily against turrets and other ranged 
creatures, but are still a good first option.  Use them as cannon 
fodder.
  Thahd Shades: (28, 35). [5] These guys are much harder for the enemy 
to hit than Thahds, but by the time you get them, you'll be itching for 
something more.  They still are probably stronger than clawbugs.  Thahd 
Shades may be immune to poison.
  Clawbug: (20, 27). [3] A decent upgrade from Thahds.  They can fight 
pretty well, but also tend to share many of the Thahd's deficits.  
  Plated Bug: (48, 59). [9] A very powerful creation.  Expensive as 
well, unfortunately.  These creations start off with 10 AP, so can get 
2 hits in during a round.  This is a significant advantage, especially 
since they start off at a higher level, and can really pummel an enemy.  
At higher levels, they aren't as great, and I'd recommend "trading them 
in" for glaahks or something bigger.
  Battle Alpha: (45, 56). [7] These guys are relatively cheap, and can 
pound an enemy pretty well.  
  Battle Beta: (75, 92). [9] Probably the most disappointing high level 
creation.  

  Artila: (12, 17). [3] Probably the best of the early level creations.  
Artilas can take out most everything.  They have great accuracy and a 
powerful attack.  Unfortunately, they can't attack too much, as they 
have limited energy.  They are also very weak in melee.
  Searing Artila: (30, 39). [4] A decent improvement on the Artila in 
terms of strength, endurance and such.  They can attack more often than 
artilas, but cost more as well.
  Vlish: (15, 20). [4] Very potent, especially at upper levels.  For 
mac users, they may not be so hot, but for PC users, they can clean 
house.  Their attack stuns and does good damage, and doesn't cost too 
much energy.  They are also quite cheap.  Probably the best second 
level creation.
  Terror Vlish: (45, 56). [7] A very powerful creation.  Their spells, 
however, are quite draining, and they don't have the stamina of most 
Vlish.  But the damage they can do is amazing.  Enemies will be 
paralyzed by fear, and can't do a thing after being hit by one of these 
beasts.  They also have a good starting level, meaning that not much 
can dodge their attacks. 
  Glaahk: (45, 56). [8] By the time you get these, you can probably 
find more use out of its 3rd level upgrade, the Ur-Glaahk.  Regardless, 
they can be very potent creations.  
  Ur-Glaahk: (65, 80). [11] A powerful creation.  Their sting stuns 
enemies, voiding their next turn.  Get a few of these creations, and 
enemies won't be attacking you at all.  They are also the cheapest of 
the top level creations, despite having the highest starting level.

An opinion on Glaahks, Clawbugs, and Battle Alphas/Betas from cjenkins:
The clawbugs and glaahks especially get better armor and endurance, and even 
combat-heavy Agents don't take blows easily. I've noticed that concentrating in 
magic makes the game a lot easier for them, but it's a running game and it helps 
to have a creation run interference. It's not important that they hit hard or 
hit at all, they just have to absorb or deflect whacks while you firebolt 
everything. Since Agents are also weak at shaping, you'd have to spend the 
precious skill points and essence on the most durable creations. If shielding 
were a spell, Agents probably wouldn't need shaping at all.

  Ornk: (8, 11). [0] Sort of a hidden creation.  Quite weak, but good 
for comic effect.  Don't go out of your way for this one (unless you 
REALLY want to).  Save your living tools instead.

                        4. SPELLS
  Firebolt: A cheap, powerful spell.  A staple of the Agent.  You can 
get it up to a very high level as well.  The agent can cast this 
without end.
  Searer: A bit more expensive and costs essence as well, but somewhat 
more powerful.  Causes energy damage, and acid damage thereafter.
  Searing Orbs: If you can use this (as an agent or shaper), then do 
so.  It's very powerful.  Use it on multiple enemies.  At high levels 
it can do 200+ damage per orb.

  Unlock: A necessary spell.  One spell the guardian should definitely 
invest in, since he'll have a hard time opening most doors of the 
three.
  Terror: Kind of expensive, but useful enough.  I've gone through 
plenty of games without ever even using it.  It can be quite powerful 
when you're in a bind.  Delicious Vlish on the Spiderweb message boards 
says that Terror generally isn't very useful on easy and normal 
difficulties, but on higher difficulties, being able to scare an enemy 
is very useful, as it can mean the difference between life and death.
  Dominate: Similar to terror.  I rarely ever used it.  However, there 
are those who swear by it.  Give it a try, maybe you'll like it.  
Delicious Vlish on the Spiderweb message boards says that Dominate is 
very useful for higher difficulties.  Being able to turn an enemy over 
to your force can really change the outcome of a battle, as the enemies 
are much stronger and able to kill others with ease.  He also believes 
that the strength of your ability to dominate is determined 
significantly by your intelligence (although the author has not 
confirmed this).  Using it successfully on an augmented sholai can turn 
the course of a battle fairly readily.

  War Blessing: A good spell, saves you from using those battle pods.  
Especially useful for shapers, since it blesses all of your creations 
as well.  Use it before any tough battle, and your creations will hit 
more often, and will hit harder.
  Speed: A very nice spell, especially for shapers.  Agents get good 
use out of it, too.  It gives you 1.5 X your current AP.  Guardians 
would find it to be quite useful, but it is very expensive in terms of 
skill points to get your skill high enough to use it.
  Mass Energize: Good if you know something's coming.  Unfortunately, 
you can't use it too often.  Generally, the other two spells are 
sufficient, plus, they can be cast during battle.

  Heal: Necessary.  You get hit a lot in this game, this will save your 
butt.
  Cure Effects: Useful, there are plenty of poisonous monsters and 
regions out there.  This will help alleviate some of the pain.
  Mass Restore: Myeh, it's not awful, especially if you have a lot of 
creations.  If just a few creatures are hurt, use the cheaper and more 
powerful heal.


                        5. SECTS
Sects: Joining each sect is a commitment of time and ability.  Be sure 
to wait to hear out all sects before agreeing one way or another.  If 
you join either the Obeyers or Awakened, you will no longer have access 
to the opposing sect's merchants.  Try to drain them dry of funds 
beforehand.
  One of the most important things you do in Geneforge is join a sect 
(although it isn't required by any means).  In order to join a sect, 
you must have given an opinion generally consistent with the views held 
by the members of that sect.  Each sect has its advantages and 
disadvantages, and each seems to be morally ambiguous.  The Takers 
desire open rebellion and violence.  However, as you will see as you 
play through Geneforge, their cause appears almost just.  The Obeyers 
desire to serve the Shapers, and to prevent any major problems from 
surfacing, which sounds OK.  However, as you talk around, you'll find 
that the Obeyers are very underhanded and murderous, and starve the 
other sects of supplies and food.  The Awakened appear to be the least 
sneaky, however they also have a few skeletons in their closet (or 
rather dead servant minds).  In the end, your decision will be tough.
  Unless, that is, you're power-gaming it.  All of the sects offer 
something nice for those who join them.  The Obeyers will increase your 
fire shaping ability, and will give you several quests.  The Awakened 
will significantly improve your combat abilities, but don't have many 
quests.  The Takers give you an item that will make the gameplay a 
whole lot easier.
  In order to join a sect, you must have announced your opinion to five 
people in the way the sect desires (freedom for Awakened/Takers, 
obedience for Obeyers).  If you offer any contradicory opinions, you 
will have to override that.  Imagine a lever:
Aw/Ta----X----Ob
You start out at X.  Each time you say something the Obeyers like, you 
move one notch towards the Ob.  Each time you say something the 
Awakened/Takers like, you move towards the Aw/Ta.  Learned Darian can 
help you greatly by instantly setting you in the good graces of 
whichever sect you desire to join, even if you are at the opposite end 
of opinion for that sect.  Also, Croikle has stated that talking with 
the leaders of a sect plays a major role, much moreso than your average 
servile.
  Finally, if you like playing as a manipulative schemer, you can join 
all 3 sects (though not simultaneously).  Doing so allows you to milk 
the best benefits of all three sects (i.e., the stat raises).  First 
off, say things to make the Obeyers like you.  Get their quest to feed 
Control 4 and do so.  Join the Obeyers (and get a point in fire 
shaping).  Next, reverse paths (perhaps through Learned Darian), and 
get the Kill Control 4 quest from the Awakened.  Kill him and join the 
Awakened (getting a nice set of stat boosts).  Finally, kill Ellhrah, 
and join the Takers and get your amulet.  You can avoid all of these 
quests if you have 12 leadership or more.  Finally, you can potentially 
rejoin the Obeyers if you haven't upset them too much.

                        6. LOCATIONS and WALKTHROUGH
Crumbling Docks
Abandoned Vale
Vakirri
Bandit Woods
Ruined School
Watchhill
Ellhrah's Keep
Crag Valley
Spiral Burrow
Thorny Fen
Pentil Woods
Pentil
Pentil Plains
The Tombs
Pentil East
Thorny Woods >>> END OF DEMO!
Wooded Valley
Peaceful Vale
Freeplace
Southbridge
Northbridge
Buried Cells
Stone Circle
Quiet Marshes
Crystal Burrow
Kazg Plains
Kazg
Kazg Ruins
Outpost
East Kazg
Servile Warren
Tribal Woods
Refugee Cave
Holding 2
Dock Ruins
Eastern Docks
Icy Tunnel
Underground River
East Mines
Mine Core
West Mines
North Mines
Arena
Patrolled Dell
Winding Road
Power Station
Power Core
Guarded Bridge
Patrolled Bridge
Ancient Crypt
Drayk's Vale
Junkyard
The Hill
Kantre's Realm
Sealed Labs
South Workshop
Crossroads
Icewalls
West Gate
Diarazad
West Workshop
Dry Wastes
Western Wastes
Valley of the Wind
Spirit City
Sentinels
Great Temple
Vats
Front Gate
Central Labs
Holding Cells
Quarters
Geneforge
Shaper Crypt
Inner Crypt
Guarded Docks


                        WALKTHROUGH
LOCATION GUIDE KEY

Town Name (Maximum Difficulty)
Q: quests available
C & S: canisters and stat changes available
O: Serviles with whom you may talk and give your opinion
Enemies: Enemies present in the course of normal play
D: Directions
  Walkthrough for area.  I will not mention every little thing present 
in the region, and exploration of the area is definitely encouraged.  I 
will try to provide information on most important items, and a general 
procedure for making it through the region relatively unscathed.
  Difficulties are based on the following scale, with recommended 
levels.  Difficulties with a .5 represent intermediates.  Note also 
that these are maximum difficulties.  It is pretty easy to walk around 
the Icy Tunnels, but attempting to clear them is another matter:
1. Very Easy.  A character just starting out can complete this map 
without being killed too often.  Levels 1-5.
2. Easy.  A character can manage without many problems.  A character 
can get this far in the demo.  Levels 5-10.
3. Moderate.  A character can manage with using some tactics, and will 
probably need to be around about level 10-13.
4. Moderately Difficult. Enemies here can kick you around some.  Levels 
13-15.
5. Difficult.  Enemies here will kick you around some.  Levels 15-17.
6. Very Difficult.  Enemies here can kill you easily, or love to gang 
up on you.  Level >17.

*NOTE: Quests: All quests give experience, unless you're at a very high 
level.  Many also give decent items.  I do not state the experience a 
quest gives, as it changes with level.

Crumbling Docks (1)
Q: Leave the island
C & S: Firebolt.
Enemies: None.
D: (North to the Abandoned Vale)
  You start off at the Abandoned docks.  You get your first quest, to 
leave the island.  Walk around and get acquainted with movement.  There 
are some jars nearby.  Search them, but you won't find anything.
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Containers, well, they contain things.  In Geneforge, containers 
range from jars to vats of goo to cabinets.  If you put your mouse over 
a container that is searchable, it will be highlighted, and you can 
search it.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Head further east, then enter the building.  Here you'll find your 
first equipment- a tunic.  Equip it, it'll aid you slightly.  Check the 
drawer to the south to find 6 javelins.  Head to the northwest room to 
get a cloak, some coins, and a key.  Then head south, and stand by the 
door- it will automatically open for you.  Grab the canister:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Canisters give you skills.  Use all that you come across.  
There's no penalty for doing so (at least, not intrinsically.  There 
are a few encounters which are different if you haven't used many).  
There are at least 4 of every creature and spell.  View your skills 
with the "character traits" button.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Continue east, you'll get a message regarding your use of the canister, 
and check the small passage to the east.  You'll find some thorns at 
the end.  You'll learn what these can do at a later point.  Head back 
out and search the container for a healing pod.  Enter the building, 
and grab the dagger and shield.  Pull the lever:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Levers are your ticket to moving around.  Whenever you see a 
lever, chances are there's a door nearby.  Some levers are locked and 
can only be manipulated with a key or through some sort of unlocking 
mechanism.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Head up and around.  You'll find another healing pod in a jar.
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Magic items.  There are several classes of magic items.  First, 
you can acquire pods.  These affect your main character alone.  Second, 
there are spores.  Spores affect you and all your creations.  They are 
a bit more rare than pods.  Rods behave like spores, but are even more 
rare (and valuable).  Crystals will cast a spell for you and can be 
very powerful (especially swarm and spray crystals).  There are a few 
other magic items you'll run across as you go on.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Continue, and enter the south entrance of the hotel.  Go west, pull the 
lever, and you'll find a belt, some more healing pods, and a robe 
(better than the cloak).  Head north.  Here you'll meet the Ornk.  
Ornks are rarely aggressive (only in one area).  That doesn't mean you 
can't take your aggression out on them.  Doing so isn't too bad an 
idea- they will give you some handsome experience and meat.  Head to 
the east, and pull the lever.  If you have 3 mechanics or more, you can 
pick the lock, and get some thorns and ice crystals.  Head to the north 
to the next level when you're ready.

Abandoned Vale (1)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Fyora, Heal.
O: Timo.
Enemies: Fyoras.
D: South to the Crumbling Docks, East to Vakkiri.
  Head directly north.  You'll see two pools here, one on your right 
and one on your left.  Blue pools heal you and your creation's essence 
and energy, whereas green ones heal your health.  Go up, and you can 
get two canisters (Create Fyora, Heal).  There are some goodies on the 
tables as well.  Exit, and choose your path.  The lower one leads to a 
dead body with some coins and a few minor items.  Head through the 
middle one.  You'll get some messages warning you about enemies.  
Prepare for battle, and attack!  They should be quite easy.  If you're 
a shaper, you'll probably want some assistance, in the form of fyoras.  
Guardians and Agents can both manage on their own.  Check the buildings 
for a few more minor goodies.  Head to the west, and look in the 
building to get a Baton:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Batons are one of the more unique weapons of Geneforge.  They are 
very powerful, but not useful to all classes.  Agents should not use 
them, but Shapers should.  Guardians may want to use them, depending on 
their enemies (i.e., artilas).  Many batons also have secondary effects 
like poison, stunning, acid attack, or the dreaded super-death attack 
(of sorts).
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Enter the center building, you'll find a pair of boots in one of the 
containers.  Walk to the east, and you'll find a Servant Mind:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Servant minds are great sources of information.  They will also 
assist you in your quests.  Sometimes, you may want to kill them as 
well.  In such an instance, talk it to death.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Talk with him, and he'll analyze you and let you go off through the 
northern door.  A servile will come up and talk with you, giving you 
information, and asking your opinion:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Opinions matter.  In order to join the various servile sects, 
you'll have to get on their good sides.  Telling them what they want to 
hear is the best way to do this.  Most of the time, you can exit the 
conversation without telling them anything, if you desire to take your 
time in making up your mind.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
After you give him your opinion, he will leave.  You can now attack his 
ornks, if you so desire (from Vengeful Wise Man on the spiderweb 
message boards).  You may then leave to the east to Vakkiri.

Vakkiri (1)
Q: Eliminate the bandits, Find stolen knife, Find spy in Vakkiri, Kill 
Ellhrah, Find Pixley, Find Arth, Search ruined school, Open box, Clear 
watchhill, Deliver message to Ellhrah, Clear Crag Valley.
C & S: War blessing.
O: Learned Pinner, Ham, Khobar, Strout
Enemies: none.
D: West to the Abandoned Vale, North to the Bandit Woods, East to 
Watchhill.
  Welcome to the first Servile settlement.  You can get much of the 
background story here by conversing with the residents.  You will also 
get many quests as you talk with the villagers.  Brodus Blade asks you 
to eliminate the bandits (in the Bandit Woods), and gives a wand of 
firebolt as a reward.  Inerny asks you to find her stolen knife.  Lietz 
has it, but you need to have 4 leadership or more to get her to give it 
up (look away).  The reward for this quest is cheaper food.  It might 
be better to keep the knife, as it's a powerful weapon for a low level 
character.  Sencia asks you to find the spy in Vakkiri.  Nabb is the 
spy, and he gives the quest to kill Ellhrah.  He is a member of the 
Takers.  Reporting him to Sencia only gets you exp (but a good bit).  
Sencia also refers to Clakkit, who can give you a good bit of 
information about what people think of you, and may give you a few more 
hints as you progress through the game.  Coale will buy and sell from 
you.  He gives you quests to find two merchants.  Finding Pixley will 
get you 3 living tools.  Finding Arth will get you a few spore pouches.  
Coale's lever room contains a few living tools.  The room to his north 
has two locked chests that contain pods and coins.  Further south, 
there is a room to the west that has a trap.  Inside is a bronze sword 
and some robes.  Now is a good time to talk about theft:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Theft- it isn't a crime if it's unseen.  Wait for a character to 
leave, then steal their stuff.  Use this often in Vakkiri to build up 
your gold reserves.  It will be quite useful later on in certain other 
areas, as well.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Dreet will sell you access to a canister (containing war blessing) for 
300 coins, or if you have 6 or greater leadership.  Save up your cash.  
Learned Pinner wants you to search the Ruined School to find some 
answers.  Your reward is exp.  She will also examine you to tell you 
how mutated you are.  Ham will buy and sell from you, and also wants 
you to open his box. Use spells, tools, or pure mechanics if you so 
desire:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Opening things can be a problem.  Luckily, there are plenty of 
living tools available.  Living tools act as an unlocking device.  Use 
them on an object to decrease the mechanics required to manipulate said 
device.  There are other ways around locked chests and doors.  First, 
and easiest, is to have a key.  A key will open a lever or lock without 
problems.  Of course, you must find the required key.  Another means is 
by increasing your mechanics skill.  This is the most broad answer, as 
you can do almost anything with enough mechanics.  Note that each 
living tool acts like two points of the mechanics skill.  Finally, you 
can use the spell unlock.  Some doors are resistant to this spell, and 
will not unlock even if you have a large unlock spell bonus.  Unlock 
only works for locked items and does not affect power spirals and such.  
The best way to approach unlocking an item is first to use living tools 
to get the message down to "You need to use 3 more tools to open this," 
then to attempt the spell unlock.  Guardians will have no chance until 
they reach a high level of unlocking anything requiring more than 1 
living tool.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
For this he gives you a few pods.  If you've spilled the beans on Nabb, 
you can go up to his room and claim his stuff, which includes a Chitin 
armor and a gem.  Leader Khobar gives you a series of quests.  The 
first is to clear Watchhill.  The reward for this quest is 300 coins.  
Next he tells you to deliver a letter to Ellhrah.  Telling him you've 
completed this quest gets you 150 coins.  Finally, he asks you to clear 
Crag Valley.  Once this has been done, you get a girdle of strength

Bandit Woods (1)
Q: none.
C & S: none.
O: none.
Enemies: Fyoras, Thahds, and Bandits
D: West to the Ruined School, South to Vakkiri, North to Dry Wastes
As you enter this area, you are accosted by Ghurk, leader of the 
bandits.  You can attempt to convince him not to attack, and he'll tell 
you that they will stop raiding if they get some food (leadership 4 or 
more).  Tell Brodus Blade this, and if your leadership is >=5, you can 
convince her to agree.  This results in an early exp reward.  If you 
wander through their woods enough, they will attack you anyways.  They 
are difficult for a low level character, but one bandit has a Coated 
Cloak.  Their NE headquarters has a lot of gold (235 coins), and some 
nice pods (healing and 1 shielding).  In the center of the woods there 
is a room with three locked chests.  Opening them gets you gauntlets, 
living tools, pods, and one healing spore.  Finally, go to the west.  
You'll fight several low level enemies, and can gain entrance to the 
Ruined School.

Ruined School (1)
Q: none.
C & S: Searer, Endurance, Create Artila, Firebolt.
O: none.
Enemies: Fyoras, Thahds, Artilas, Rawbone.
D: East to Bandit Woods.
This is a fairly rich area, and is well-worth exploring.  To the SE and 
SW are several magic pods.  Check all of the containers you come 
across.  Get to the center west area, and you'll fight Rawbone, a 
powerful Thahd (100HP), and his cronies.  Killing him gets you the very 
nice Student's Belt.  You can also find the School key.  Use the key in 
the SW corner room to get some thorns, a bronze sword, a studded belt, 
and a Searer canister.  Head up to the NE, and use the key to unlock 
the lever to get a point in endurance from the canister.  Then head to 
the NW and get to the servant mind.  Ask the servant mind about the 
history of the place to complete Learned Pinner's quest.  If you have 5 
leadership, you can also convince it to give you one more point in 
Firebolt.  Explore the area around the servant mind for a Venom Baton 
and a canister of Create Artila.

Watchhill (1)
Q: none
C & S: Create Thahd
O: none.
Enemies: Thahds, Fyoras, Spawner
D: South to Ellhrah's keep, West to Vakkiri, North to Crag Valley, East 
to Thorny Fen
  Here you will meet your first spawner.  Head to the north, and you'll 
have to make your way through thahds and a fyora or two.  In the NW 
corner, you'll encounter a spawner.  Spawners generate enemies every 
two turns or so (maybe 3).  They are a decent place to build up 
experience, if you so desire.  Once killed, the spawner leaves a group 
of gems.  Search the area, killing any hostile creations you come 
across, and search the containers.  You can find a good variety of 
items.  In the central area of the building, you'll find a canister 
that will give you a point of Create Thahd.  The rest of this place 
doesn't have too much. Seerula will assist you in your fight, if you so 
desire and have enough leadership.  If she kills an enemy, you don't 
get any of the EXP, however.  I generally just let her stay. 

Ellhrah's Keep (2)
Q: Kill Control 4.
C & S: Firebolt, Create Fyora, Cure Effects.
O: Ellhrah, Swan.
Enemies: Cryoas
D: North to Watchhill.
  This is a friendly area.  There are some merchants just east of the 
entrance, they have a decent amount of gold to trade with you for your 
items.  Swan is a good character who will train you if you are a member 
of the Awakened.  Head down south to Ellhrah.  Along the way, you meet 
Ting, who wants you to kill Ellhrah.  Ellhrah wants you to join the 
awakened.  Give him the message, and then return to Vakkiri to get your 
reward.  Ellhrah will let you join the Awakened if you have said enough 
things to make him happy.  He will first make you prove yourself by 
insisting you go kill Control 4.  If you have enough leadership, you 
can avoid this quest.  Head to the SE, and you'll find some cryoas.  
Thy can be tough for a low level character, but take your time.  This 
area will yield a canister of firebolt, pods, and living tools.  Head 
to the center south as far as you can go, then head east.  Unlock the 
door, and you can get a jar of Mind Nutrients (More on this later), and 
a canister of Create Fyora.  There's also a dead servant mind here.  If 
you join the Awakened, Ellhrah will give you a bronze key.  You can 
convince him to give you a gold key if you have enough leadership.  If 
you don't want to join the Awakened just yet, you can still pillage the 
keep's hidden goods.  When you have enough tools, you should head west 
from the dead servant mind.  Watch out for the guard (unless you have 
the key).  He'll shout an alarm if he catches you without a key, and if 
you can't lie your way out (requires a fairly high leadership).  Once 
you make it to the west, you can collect a lot of gems and coins.  You 
can also get a girdle of nimbleness, and a canister of cure effects.  
Finally, you can acquire a discipline wand, a powerful magic item early 
on in the game.

Crag Valley (2)
Q: none
C & S: Unlock, War Blessing.
O: Forney
Enemies: Thahds, Roamers, Artilas, and a Spawner.
D: South to Watchhill, West to Spiral Burrow, East to Hall of Jars.
  As you enter this area, you meet two serviles, who are both members 
of the Obeyers.  They have been having trouble with artilas, and could 
use your help.  Head to the west, and kill all of the enemies you come 
across.  Towards the south you will run into roamers.  Head up north 
and you'll have to fight some artilas.  Enter the building from the 
west, and you'll see an essence pool as well as a Power spiral:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Power spirals can be rather annoying.  Most of the time they are 
powering something dangerous, and should be shut off.  There are two 
ways of accomplishing this (3 actually, but the third doesn't come into 
play until late in the game).  First, and easiest, is to blow them up.  
The best way to blow them up is to enter combat.  While in combat, 
disarm the spiral, then get behind a wall.  A turn or two later, it 
will explode (doing damage to anything nearby).  The second way to do 
it requires investment in mechanics.  If you have adequate mechanics 
skill, you can turn a spiral off without it exploding.  The third way 
is to use the control key.  Some spirals are instantly turned off by 
this device, but you don't get it till real late in the game.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
You don't have any choice but to explode this spiral.  Do so, and 
you'll kill the spawner hiding just east, and blow a hole in the wall.  
This finishes Khobar's mission.  Also, while you're here, be sure to 
grab the shaper equipment.  It is useful for a later quest.  You can 
continue heading east in the building, however, you will be attacked by 
very strong artilas.  If you feel you're up to it (thahds and more 
creations can help), you can obtain a canister of unlock and of war 
blessing.

Spiral Burrow (1.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Heal, Create Roamer.
O: None.
Enemies: Roamers, Warp.
D: East to Crag Valley.
  This area is home to Control Four, who is the object of two quests.  
It is also the home of Warp, a dangerous Vlish.  As you enter, you'll 
notice Roamers that are, well, roaming the halls.  If you don't kill 
them quickly enough, they will run away and get their friends to gang 
up on you.  Most of the important stuff is in the center of the map.  
You can find some decent equipment and items in each of the four 
corners (NE, SW, NW, SE) and to the North.  Also in the SE, you can 
obtain a canister of Heal.  When you're ready, head to the center.  You 
will have to fight Warp, a dangerous Vlish.  If you have any creations 
around, Warp will attempt to charm them and get them to serve him.  A 
charmed creation will eventually uncharm.  It may take a few goes, but 
eventually, you should be able to kill Warp.  Head west, and you'll 
find a closed room, wait for the door to open, and use the canister for 
a point in Create Roamer.  Then head north, and talk with Control Four.  
If you want to join the Obeyers, feed him some of your mind nutrients.  
If you want to kill him (to join the Awakened), you'll have to tell him 
4 times to deactivate himself.  If you're not sure, wait before doing 
anything.

Thorny Fen (1.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Unlock.
O: None.
Enemies: Roamers.
D: West to Watchhill, North to Hall of Jars, East to Pentil Woods
There's not too much to do here.  There are a lot of roamers, and they 
yield decent EXP.  Be sure to check the bushes- they will yield thorns.  
Occasionally you may get lucky and get something other than normal 
thorns, but this is rare.  To the SE there is a body and a chest 
containing a few thorns and other items.  To the NE is Sleet, who is 
being attacked by a Roamer.  Kill the roamer.  Talk with Sleet, and you 
can get some info on nearby areas, and some crystals, if you ask her 
for them.  To the NW is a body with a baton, a sword, and a crystal.  
The most important thing here is just south of this body- a canister 
containing Unlock.  You probably can't use the unlock spell if you're a 
guardian, but all of the other classes now can open a lot of those 
chests.  If you kill enough Roamers, the area is cleared.

Hall of Jars (1.5)
Q: None
C & S: Create Thahd, Quick Action, Searer.
O: None.
Enemies: Turrets, Venom Turrets.
D: West to Crag Valley, South to Hall of Jars, East to Pentil Plains.
  This is a dangerous, but rewarding, area.  There are two main 
sections- the outer rim, and the inner room.  The inner room is the 
most rewarding.  There are over 10 living tools available for the 
taking in this area.  You enter on the outer rim, most likely from 
either the south or the west.  Explore the area, and head to the SW (if 
you're coming from the south or west).  You'll find some mines:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Mines are bad.  Fortunately, there are many ways to get past 
them.  Some mines won't explode unless you step right on top of them, 
thus you can avoid them by careful walking.  Other mines can be turned 
of from a lever-controlled spore box.  Finally, you can also use spore 
batons, which you will find at a later point in time.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Carefully make your way to a nearby locked door- unlock it and use the  

lever-controlled spore box.  This will turn off all mines in the 
region.  Then head a bit NE to the central area.  You will probably 
need to use some living tools to get in.  Once you've entered, prepare 
for a fight.  Turrets are waiting for you.
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
STATIONARY ENEMY HINTS FROM ZEVIZ:
1. Get to the very edge of their range. You can find this by trying to 
target them and finding when you are just out of range. They have the 
same range as you. 
2. Cast haste. 
3. Step in range, fire, step out. If you only have 10AP you'll have to 
take a very tiny step, so you still have 10AP when you are ready to 
fire. This might take several turns. 
4. Repeat step 3 until they pylon/turret is dead and move on to the 
next one.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
You should be able to kill the one without too much hassle.  Then move 
to the east and manipulate the spore box, turning off the turrets.  You 
may now kill them at will.  Be sure to kill them in one turn or else 
you will be attacked by all of them (this shouldn't be too difficult).  
Killing them gets you some EXP, as well as some thorns.  You should get 
enough venom thorns from the venom turrets that you can now ditch any 
plain thorn batons.  There are other areas to explore in the room, but 
first head to the NE.  The door will open, and you'll see a mine.  This 
mine is always dangerous, but won't do too much damage.  Head to the 
north.  You'll see a servant mind.  Talk with it, and with adequate 
leadership, you can convince it to turn off all of the mines and 
turrets, making your job a lot easier.  You can also get the name of 
the human who has been troubling you.  To the east of the mind is a key 
that is quite useful.  To the west of the mind is a jar of Mind 
Nutrients.  This is a very valuable special item, and there are a 
limited number of these.  Head back down to the west room, and enter 
the NW room.  You'll find a bunch of Pods, and a canister of Create 
Thahd.  Head east, and you'll find some neutral turrets (kill them if 
you desire).  Head to the northern room from this turret room to get a 
chainmail armor and a canister of quick action.  Head to the western 
room from the turret room to get some acid thorns, an iron sword, and a 
canister of searer.  In the eastern turret room, you can get some steel 
gauntlets.  Exit once you've got everything you desire.

Pentil Woods (1.5)
Q: None
C & S: Create Artila.
O: None.
Enemies: Vlish, a spawner.
D: West to Thorny Fen, North to Pentil, East to the Tombs.
  There are Vlish here.  Be sure to kill them in one turn, or else 
they'll call their buddies, and you may have a hard fight on your 
hands.  If you kill enough Vlish, this area will be cleared, and you'll 
be rewarded with EXP.  Do not bother with the room to the SW until 
after you've spoken with Godwin in Pentil.  Completion of his quest 
before he asks you may result in no reward!  To the south there is a 
nest, but I've never found anything to do with it.  To the NE there is 
a room filled with mines that are guarding a canister.  The best way to 
deal with the mines is to create a dummy creation, and send it in to 
get blown to bits.  The canister increases you Create Artila skill.  In 
the center of the woods, you will find the living place of the woodsman 
serviles.  After you've gotten Godwin's quest, be sure to head to the 
SW and unlock the lever.  Enter the building, and grab the iron shield.  
Unlock another lever, then kill the Spawner.  Report back to Godwin to 
claim your reward.

Pentil (1)
Q: Clear a bridge, Find Shaper Records, Find source of Vlish, Clear 
Pentil gate, Destroy hidden rebels, Feed Control Four, Kill Gnorrel, 
Speak with Doge, Speak with Sholai Rebels, Destroy the Geneforge.
C & S: Quick Action (2), Fire Shaping, Melee weapons, Mechanics, 
Leadership, Create Roamer.
O: Learned Dayna, Natley, Leader Rydell.
Enemies: None.
D: South to Pentil Woods, West to Pentil Plains, East to Pentil East
  This is the home of the Obeyer Sect.  The Obeyers worship you.  To 
the south, you will find Pixley, the object of one of Coale's quests.  
Pixley has a mission for you: Clear a bridge.  Doing so gets you two 
pods, including a battle pod.  To the SE are living quarters, and if 
you're sneaky you can steal some minor goodies.  At the outer wall, 
there are chest at each of the four corners (NE, NW, SE, SW), all with 
goodies that are ripe for the stealing if you're patient (there's a 
guard that is watching you at each, but he leaves eventually).  There 
are merchants in the eastern section.  Learned Dayna, in the library, 
is busy saving shaper records.  You can help her if you desire, and if 
you don't tell her that it's a pointless task.  You get 10 coins for 
each book you bring her (as well as EXP, which all quests give if 
you're a low enough level- 13 and higher only get the coins).  There are some in 
the southern room of the library.  In the NE you can talk with Godwin- he wants 
your help clearing out the vlish in the woods to the south.  After you kill the 
spawner, return, and he will train you in Quick Action (+2).  Natley is 
just west of Godwin, and provided you haven't cleared out the gate to 
the west, she will ask for your assistance in doing so.  Upon 
completion, you get a shielding band, a nice magical ring.  To the NW 
is Mickall Blade, who wants your help killing some rebels in the Thorny 
Woods.  You can either help him (an Obeyer), or help Eko Blade (a  

Taker).  The Takers give a better reward, but you also have to kill 
some friendly humans.  Your choice.  After completing this quest (for 
no reward), you'll get another quest to speak with a servile named 
Doge.  Completing this quest will get you a pair of shaped gauntlets.  
Learned Jaffee will talk with you a lot after you've joined the 
Obeyers- he will train you in Fire Shaping, and will instruct you in 
the Sholai Language:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Over the course of the game, you will need to learn the Sholai 
tongue.  *i on the spiderweb message boards says that you need to learn 
it 3 times in order to be able to speak it fluently.  Each sect will 
teach you once, and there are other teachers around who will increase 
your knowledge of this language.  The complete list may be found at the 
end of this FAQ.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Finally you can speak with leader Rydell, and he will let you join the 
Obeyers if you've talked down to serviles, and do a quest: Feed control 
4.  If you've killed Control 4, he will want you to kill Gnorrel, of 
the Takers.  If you have enough leadership, you can get out doing 
either of these tasks.  Rydell will give you advice on what you should 
do next.  He recommends speaking with the Sholai Rebels (east of Kazg).  
After doing so (no reward), he recommends that you destroy the 
Geneforge.  When/If you join the Obeyers, you will be given a key.  The 
key gives you access to all of the areas in Pentil that are blocked by 
hard-to-unlock locks.  However, if you have enough living tools/spell 
power/mechanics, you can pillage the rooms relatively easily.  Start 
with Rydell's room.  Breaking into his room will let you read his books 
(giving you +1 to melee and mechanics), and take his Carnelian gloves, 
which are quite useful, as they will give you some valuable magic 
skills.  The guardian can use these to get the tomb spell abilities. 
Head to the SW, and unlock the door there.  You can get a canister of 
leadership.  Then head to the east.  For some odd reason, unlocking the 
doors in this fashion voids the lock on this door.  This is Pentil's 
storage room.  You can take the steel shield and the canister of create 
roamer.  

Pentil Plains (2)
Q: None.
C & S: Cure Effects.
O: None.
Enemies: Artilas and Thahds.
D: West to Hill of Jars, East to Pentil, North to the Junkyard.
  It's easiest to enter this area from the west.  There's not too much 
here, but to the SE you can find a few items.  In the east, you can 
obtain a canister of cure effects after unlocking a nearby lever.  
Eventually you will need to kill the creatures guarding the gates.  Try 
to do this after obtaining Natley's quest.  You'll probably want to 
kill as many Thahds as you can by wandering around the fields.  You 
have two options for killing these creatures: the first is to enlist 
the aid of the serviles.  Go to the south and speak with Chesh (you can 
also take any items lying around their camp), and if you have adequate 
leadership, you can convince him to attack.  In all likelihood, some of 
the serviles will die.  Otherwise, you can attempt to take on the 
creations on your own.  This is probably a better choice, despite being 
more difficult.  Use your cunning to kill the creatures (a good way 
I've found is to march forward, then run behind a corner when 
attacked).  Once dead, tell the serviles, and they'll ask you to escort 
them to Pentil.

The Tombs (2.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Melee Weapons, Healing Craft, Fire Shaping, Battle Shaping, 
Magical Shaping, Battle Magic, Mental Magic, Blessing Magic, 
Spellcraft.
O: None.
Enemies: Unstable Roamers, Thahd Shades.
D: West to Pentil Woods, North to Thorny Woods, East to Southbridge.
  This is one of the most rewarding areas in the game.  You will get a 
lot of stat points by clearing this map, especially as a shaper.  Head 
to the south.  On your way, you will inevitably come across some 
unstable roamers.  For these creatures, be sure to use missile weapons.  
They are very weak, but when they die, they explode, damaging 
everything around them (including their friends and you).  If you can, 
try to get a large group of them assembled, then blast one of them, 
yielding a nice batch of fireworks!  Head to the SW, and you'll get a 
message along the lines of "You see the boat that attacked you sinking" 
and will get some experience.  Head a bit to the north, and enter the 
room to the west.  You'll have to fight 3 thahd shades, which can be 
very difficult for a low level character.  Continue west, and you'll 
have to fight another thahd shade.  Head into the room to the north, 
and search the cabinets.  You'll find the Caretaker's amulet, which 
will give you access to all of the rooms in the area.  Head to the room 
to the south, and you'll find a canister with the melee weapons skill.  
Now it's time to do some tomb-raiding, especially if you're playing an 
agent (sorry, couldn't resist)!  Each tomb is guarded by a green mine 
which will explode to create a thahd shade.  If you enter combat before 
the shade appears, you can attack the shade twice before it responds.  
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Most tombs have a tome hidden within their casket, which when 
read yield a point in a skill.  However, in order to get the free 
point, you must at least have one point in the skill to begin with.  
Therefore, Guardians and Agents may not get full use out of the tombs 
until they decide to come back later with either more skills or stat-
raising items.  Agents may find the shaper robe (which raises all 
shaping skills by one) useful, as they can get the points in shaping 
skills instantly after equipping this item.  Guardians may find the 
Agent's robe useful, as they will get the magic skill points from use 
of this item.  The wanderer has informed me that the tombs do not give 
benefits if your skill is already high (~4).  Therefore, it is best to 
get to the tombs before you reach this level of skill, so as to get the 
largest skill point benefit.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
The tombs to the NW give a point of healing craft and of Battle magic.  
The tombs to the NE give a point in Battle Shaping, and you can also 
acquire an iron breastplate and sword on a dead body.  Those to the NNE 
give a point of Fire Shaping.  The ones to the east give points in 
Mental Magic, Magic Shaping, Spellcraft, and Blessing Magic.  Once 
you've pillaged all the tombs as best you can, you should leave.

Pentil East (2)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: Garnet.
Enemies: Cryoas, Spawners (3)
D: West to Pentil, South to Thorny Woods, East to Northbridge.
  If you enter this area from the west, head straight south, and enter 
the abandoned building.  You'll find some nice items.  Directly east 
are also several items.  You can talk with Pool- she'll give you advice 
about the local happenings.  Sorking will teach you some of the Sholai 
language if you are a member of the awakened.  Talk with Garnet.  If 
you have enough leadership, you can convince him to help you attack the 
enemies located here. This place is full of cryoas.  It's a relatively 
straight-forward place, just kill all three spawners.  There's no items 
around here that really stick out, although there's a dead human to the 
east SE.  If you wander around too much, you will be attacked by cryoas 
guarding their nests.
*******************EXPLOITABLE BUG************************************
Discovered by Alex on the spiderweb software message boards.  In one of the 
cryoa nests on this level, you'll find a living tool that has X for its number.
Notes from Alex:

1. Most people carry living tools, in which case it's like 0 living tools - it 
simply disappears. I found it with an agent that had lots of spellcraft and 
didn't use living tools early in the game (unlock rules!).
2. I used it 5 times on a locked lever - no problems.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This almost certainly a bug, so if you want to play without 
cheating, ignore it.  If you're unscrupulous, go ahead and take it- you'll never 
have to worry about living tools again.
***********************************************************************

Thorny Woods (2)
Q: None
C & S: Firebolt, Create Fyora.
O: None.
Enemies: Warrior serviles, fyoras.
D: North to Pentil East, South to the Tombs.
  You have two options for this area.  You are either here to kill the 
rebels, or to free them.  You won't be able to get the "free them" 
quest for a while, and that quest also requires another quest as a 
precursor, the rather untasteful slaying of friendly humans.  So, 
killing the rebels is probably why you're here.  First off, head to the 
SE.  You'll see a building (you may also get attacked by a servile 
carrying a girdle of strength- it happened once for me).  Open the 
door, and you'll see some box mines:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Box mines can be very dangerous.  However, as opposed to living 
minds, box mines can be disarmed, provided you have enough mechanics.  
Some box mines explode, and some summon enemies (the bright green 
ones).  There are ways to explode mines without getting hurt.  First, 
enter combat.  Then, approach the mine till it says "you trigger the 
mine," then go hide behind a corner.  The mine will explode, but you'll 
be unharmed.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Make it through the box mines, and you can get a canister of Firebolt.  
Head to the center, and you'll see an Obeyer servile and some tamed 
fyoras.  Head west.  You'll come to an area with essentially 3 
branches.  Both the north and south passages don't lead anywhere 
special.  There are some minor items and a few fyoras and serviles to 
fight with, but that's about it.  Head to the western path.  You'll 
hear some serviles speaking.  In the SW corner you'll find the rebel 
base.  Ezog is the servile leader.  He'll be hostile if you're trying 
to complete the Obeyer quest.  In the SW room, you'll find a jar with a 
key in it that will open up most items in this area.  Open the door 
slightly to the east, and avoid the mines.  You'll find a canister of 
Create Fyora, some steel gauntlets, and an acid baton.  Return to 
Mickall Blade and tell him your success.
The Wanderer has informed me that he found a strange fyora here.  It 
attacked him, and, once dead, yielded a fyoraskin cloak (similar to the 
coated cloak, but provides fire resistance).

******END OF DEMO! TIME TO BUY THE GAME! $25 FOR MUCH FUN! ********

Wooded Valley (1.5)
Q: Find help for Astrov.
C & S: War Blessing, Firebolt, Spellcraft.
O: None.
Enemies: Roamers, Submission Turrets. 

D: South to Pentil, North to Peaceful Vale.
  You can enter this place fairly early and kill the roamers to the NE.  
It's a pretty easy level.  The roamer nests have some minor items.  To 
the west are a bunch of humans, but you can not speak with them till 
after you've reached the humans east of Kazg.  Sniff is the doorguard 
for the humans.  Once you have obtained a letter from Masha (received 
after completion of her key quest), you can enter the cave.  
Immediately to the south, you will see Astrov.  He will speak with you, 
and fill in even more of the story.  After talking with him once, talk 
with him again.  This time, you will get even more options, and can get 
a quest from Astrov.  He will also let you take all of the supplies 
from the cave.  Finally, he will give you many hints, and it would be 
wise to take notes (or just use this faq).  Speak with Rydell in Pentil 
to complete Astrov's quest (no reward).  South of Astrov is a Sholai 
named Treplev.  He has over 3000 gold for trade as well.  Of course, 
since Astrov told you that you can take all the equipment you need, 
take everything around Treplev's feet and sell it back to him.  Head 
east, and you can speak with Anya.  If you have adequate leadership, 
you can convince her to teach you spellcraft (increases stat by 1).  
She also warns you about the creations to the south.  Sounds like a 
challenge!  Head to the south, you will have to fight three submission 
turrets.  Once you've killed them, you can enter the secret room.  
There are two canisters (war blessing and firebolt) here, as well as a 
shaped belt (which isn't really worth equipping).  That's about it for 
this area. 

Peaceful Vale (2)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Artila, Heal, Searing Orbs, Speed.
O: Learned Darian.
Enemies: Searing Artilas.
D: South to Wooded Valley, North to Freeplace, West to Diarazad, East 
to Patrol Bridge.
  This level is a bit tougher than the Wooded Valley, but may still be 
explored fully at a low level.  The most important person here is 
probably Learned Darian to the NW.  Learned Darian will tell you many 
things, and advise you.  He will also speak on your behalf to any sect 
you desire to join.  His action will make it much easier to join that 
sect.  He can only do this once for you.  To the NE you will find a 
batch of searing artilas, and in one of their nest you can take a Rod 
of Battle.  This is an especially useful item that will cast the spell 
war blessing for you.  Guardians will find it very useful.  To the SE 
you will find Syros the Drayk, who is very intimidating.  He can help 
you, for a price.  For one skill point, he will give you advice.  For 5 
skill points he will open the west door, allowing you to take a leaded 
shield, fibrous plate, and some thrusting gauntlets.  Or, also for 5 
skill points, he will open the east door, allowing you to use four 
canisters of Create Artila, Heal, Searing Orbs, and Speed.  This cost 
is steep.  Don't bother going for the advice.  Personally, I would 
avoid try to get the western items, as you can find better items on 
your own.  Of course, if you get to them early enough, you will have a 
much easier time dealing with areas that follow, as these are decent 
items.  As for the canisters, this is a harder call.  An agent probably 
should avoid getting them, as she could just add a point to spellcraft 
and get the same result, since she probably won't be creating artilas 
any time soon.  Given the price of spellcraft to a guardian, it might 
seem like a decent trade, however, the guardian probably won't be able 
to cast those spells for a long time, decreasing their worth to him.  
The shaper might be best able to use them, but the shaper could use 
those five skill points elsewhere, probably to better effect.  In the 
end, it's all up to you.  Killing syros gets you a pair of quicksilver boots.
To the SW you will find more searing artilas, and can take a battle pod from one 
of their nests.  

Freeplace (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Searer
O: None
Enemies: Ur-Glaahk, Battle Alphas.
D: South to Peaceful Vale, West to Ancient Crypt, North to Power 
Station.
  If you have enough leadership (more than 6), you can come to this 
region and get a very powerful weapon that will serve you well for a 
while.  Head to the NW from the southern exit.  You will be confronted 
by Aitch, a Battle Alpha.  If you have enough leadership, you can tell 
him that Battle Alphas are better than shapers and that you don't need 
to fight.  He will calm down and let you explore freely.  Head through 
the northern rooms (take anything you want from this place), and speak 
with Ell.  He is next to a canister of Searer.  If you have 
enough leadership, you can ask him about his troubles, and offer to 
help.  He will thank you and remove a column blocking a room full of 
minor treasures.  There are pods and thorns in this room, and you can 
take the powerful shielding knife from the blue container.  That's 
about all you can do with the Battle Alphas.  You can head to the SW 
corner of the map, and you may find an Ur-Glaahk waiting for you.  Kill 
it to get a Glaahk shield.  The SE quad is filled with mines.  Many of 
these are difficult to disarm.  Fortunately, the light green ones only 
summon battle alphas.  If you make it through this mine field and then 
attempt to go through the north, the area should be cleared.  There are 
two pools to the north (essence and healing), this room also contains a 
dead servant mind.  There is also a container to the east that contains 
two rough crystals.  Rough crystals are useful in the mines.  To the 
NE, you'll find a hostile servile named Zygan.  He may have just 
murdered someone, I'm not sure.  Regardless, you can kill him without 
problems.

Southbridge (2.5)
Q: None
C & S: Leadership, Anatomy, Create Clawbug.
O: None
Enemies: Clawbugs, Turrets, Venom turrets, Burning Turrets, Sholai
D: West to the Tombs, East to Stone Circle
  Personally, I prefer to clear Southbridge.  There are more rewards 
hidden in this area.  To the NW are two caskets, containing Anatomy and 
Leadership.  In the west-center, you'll find a steel shield and 
gauntlets.  Head to the south, and you'll have to fight some turrets.  
They may be somewhat difficult, but can be beaten.  Continue east, and 
you'll be accosted by two sholai, your first contact with humans.  You 
will not encounter the Sholai if you found them first at Northbridge.  
It doesn't matter how you make this discussion end, but if you want to 
avoid a fight, say the quote along the lines of "Trajkov sent me."  
They will let you pass without problem.  Head to the SE to find some 
thorn bushes, then head to the north.  If you walk past the sholai 
without telling them about Trajkov, they will attack you.  Head to the 
north, and you'll have to make your way through some turrets, but 
eventually can get a canister of Create Clawbug if you kill three 
burning turrets.  Once done with this area (provided you haven't yet 
done Northbridge), tell Pixley that you've cleared a bridge.

Northbridge (2)
Q: None
C & S: Terror
O: Lahnee (?)
Enemies: Turrets.
D: West to East Pentil, East to Buried Cells
  Clearing Northbridge is your other option.  As you enter this area, 
you will see a bunch of mines.  Don't attempt to cross them yet.  Head 
to the NE, and you'll find a group of mines that won't hurt you.  
Continue on, and you'll find a servile name Lahnee.  He will talk with 
you, and you can ask him about the mines.  He'll tell you that humans 
set them up.  He also says that you can use a baton that the humans 
dropped.  Go to the north, and open the chest.  If you have enough 
mechanics, you can repair the brown spore baton:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Batons are very valuable items.  Using them will explode nearby 
mines if they are spore-specific to the baton.  There are three 
varieties of batons: green, brown, and the very rare red.  
Occasionally, if you encounter a mine, you will be informed of its 
color.  Use the baton that corresponds to the mine's color.  
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Head back out.  Head to the east, and you'll find three essence pods in 
a chest.  Try to avoid using the baton, as you can get around most 
mines without too much difficulty.  Head south (again avoiding the 
mines rather than using the baton), and you'll encounter some turrets.  
Kill them and advance along the path.  You'll find a building with a 
locked levers.  Unlock them, and check the east chest for 3 swarm 
crystals, and the west room for a canister of Terror.  Head back out, 
then head east.  You'll have to use the baton a lot to clear this 
bridge.  Walking across the bridge clears it (and allows you to report 
to Pixley if you haven't done so already).  Head to the south, and 
you'll have to fight more turrets.  Continue further, and you'll be 
able to obtain a Chilling Band.  Head to the north (if you didn't take 
care of the humans at Southbridge, you will encounter them here).  Head 
north, and you can obtain another brown spore baton.

Buried Cells (2.5)
Q: Recover a submission baton
C & S: Searing Orbs
O: None.
Enemies: Submission Turret, Spectral Vlish, Searing Artila
D: West to Northbridge, East to Quiet Marshes
  You will probably enter this region on the west side.  Head straight 
north, and you'll find some "friendly" turrets.  Continue north and 
you'll encounter a servile by the name of Buron.  Talk with him, he 
will sell you stuff and has a lot of gold with which to buy your stuff.  
He will also give you a quest to recover a submission baton.  There is 
one located in this level, fortunately.  Head back down as far south as 
you can go, the head east into the building.  You'll see a servant 
mind, and will have to feed it to gain its assistance.  Don't worry, 
there is enough food available in the game to feed this fellow without 
problems.  Feeding this mind will let it open several doors for you.  
You'll want to leave now, and enter this building through the main door 
to the north.  You should see a spore box.  Pull it to deactivate 
several nearby mines.  Head a bit more to the east, and avoid the 
mines.  You should see another spore box that can be used to turn off 
some more mines.  Head north.  In the room to the NW you'll encounter a 
submission turret.  Kill it, and you can get some reaper ammo, and a 
canister of Searing Orbs.  Further to the east you'll find a dangerous 
Spectral Vlish, which is guarding a fiery wand and 3 swarm crystals.  
Head back south, and you'll find a third spore box that can be used to 
disarm the rest of the mines, as well as a canister of speed, a healing 
pool, and an essence pool.  If you attempt to leave this area from the 
east, you will be attacked by searing artilas.  They can be dangerous, 
especially if they gang up on you.  Once you have destroyed them, you 
can pillage their nests and obtain a static band to the north, and some 
submission thorns, major healing spores, and reaper ammo further to the 
south.  Enter the main building again and head to the south.  You can 
get a discipline wand and a submission baton, after fighting a spectral 
vlish.  Return to Buron, and he will let you take everything from his 
store (mainly a baton or two and some living tools).  

Quiet Marshes (2.5)
Q: None.
C & S: A burning canister (dangerous).
O: Clois.
Enemies: Vlish and Roamers.
D: West to Buried Cells, East to Kazg Plains, South to Crystal Burrow, 
North to Guarded Bridge.
  When you enter this region, you will probably get a message related 
to your use of the canisters.  Although it sounds worrisome, there are 
no real side effects to using the canisters.  This area is patrolled by 
roamers and vlish.  The vlish act as shepherds for the roamers.  It is 
possible to avoid all fighting merely by being careful, although it's 
not quite as much fun.  However, if you attack the creatures, try to 
take the vlish out first, as they can potentially do more damage than 
the roamers.  Also, if you attack the creatures, it's quite likely that 
you'll incur the wrath of all of the creations nearby, so be careful.  
There aren't many good items here, but be on the lookout for thorns 
lying on the ground near the walls.  Eventually, you'll want to make it 
up to the NW, and speak with Clois.  She is a wise Servile that can 
teach and advise you.  Be careful what you say to her.  Head south from 
Clois and get to the hidden canister.  Do NOT attempt to use, it sprays 
acid on you and does not augment you.  You can pillage the bodies 
nearby, however.  Head to the center north, there are some more bodies 
and equipment to search for and plunder.

Stone Circle (3)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: None. 
Enemies: Vlish and Roamers, Specters, Spectral Sages.
D: West to Southbridge, East to Crystal Burrow.
  This is a significantly more difficult area than the Quiet Marshes.  
All of the creations roaming around here are one level higher than 
their equivalents at the Quiet Marshes.  The first thing you should do 
is secure the NW building, which used to be a hotel.  In here there are 
two pools- one for healing, and one for essence.  From this point, 
you're going to want to clear as many of the roamers and vlish as you 
can.  It may take a while, and you may have to travel back to the hotel 
to heal and rejuvenate yourself several times, but eventually you 
should be able to do it.  Once they are all gone, you can take care of 
the pillars:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Pillars are very interesting objects with which you may interact.  
On any given level with pillars, there is almost always one with a 
hidden magical item, or a button that causes something on the level to 
occur.  Using these stone pillars generally requires Luck (the stat).
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
Enter the west central area (with the dead humans).  Look at each 
pillar.  Provided you have at least 1 point in luck, you will find a 
bone baton.  This bone baton will affect the green runes that you've 
seen throughout this level.  Walk across each rune, and an area will 
open up nearby in the woods.  Usually, a specter or a spectral sage 
will be hiding in there, along with two pillars.  Kill them.  The 
eastern specter has the only pair of "Spectral Boots" in the game.  
Unfortunately, they're not a very good item.  That is it for this area.

Crystal Burrow (2.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Speed, Create Vlish
O: None.
Enemies: Lurking Thahds.
D: North to Quiet Marshes, West to Stone Circle, East to Outpost.
  If you enter from the east, and then head north, you will encounter a 
bunch of mines (and can get some thorns from the nearby bushes).  These 
can not be destroyed with a spore baton.  Since your way is blocked, 
head back down and enter the burrow.  As you enter, you may notice 
several crystals.  These will explode when you get near them, and alert 
a nearby Lurking Thahd.  If possible, try to avoid setting off the 
crystal, and go hunt for the Thahd.  If you can get to them before they 
get to you, they will not cast haste until their second turn, most 
likely allowing you to kill them easily.  The thahds always guard a 
nest, sometimes with some very nice items (living tools, pods, thorns, 
wands).  The nest in the SE corner has an iron breastplate in a 
cupboard nearby.  There are two canisters in this level.  One can be 
obtained from heading east from the west exit till the end, then 
heading north (create Vlish canister).  There is also a speed canister 
near the center of the maze, directions to it are too confusing to be 
practical.  Try to eventually make it to the NW corner and use the 
sporebox.  This will turn off the mines (but doesn't really help you 
too much).  The servile that was caught in the explosion doesn't have 
anything on his corpse.  You may exit to the NE of the burrow.

Kazg Plains (2)
Q: Find spy in Kazg.
C & S: None.
O: Srel.
Enemies: None.
D: West to the Quiet Marsh, South to Kazg, East to Tribal Woods.
  As you enter this area, you will be accosted by Amena.  If you have 
enough leadership you can convince her to give you safe passage to 
Kazg.  If you don't, you may want to try entering through the south 
(through the ruins).  The serviles will be hostile (red) but won't 
attack you unless you attack them.  Be sure not to do so.  Head to the 
south to get to Kazg.  You can speak with Agat to the SW, who claims to 
be a Taker Agent.  He will give you a quest to find the spy.  The spy 
is Hew, who lives to the NE.  You must have a few points in leadership 
to get him to confess.  It is your choice whether or not you want to 
turn him in.  Your reward is a Girdle of Endurance.  Hew will give you 
information, especially if you're an Obeyer.  Srel will talk with you, 
and get your opinion about her life.  Say good things, or else she will 
try to kill you.

Kazg (2)
Q: Destroy Bore, Kill servant mind in Servile Warrens, Message for 
Rydell, Kill outsider rebels, Free the Thorny Woods rebels, Kill 
Ellhrah.
C & S: Create Vlish, Create Thahd, War Blessing.
O: Gnorrel, Houten.
Enemies: None
D: North to Kazg Plains, South to Kazg Ruins, East to East Kazg.
  This is the final servile settlement, and the most volatile of the 
three.  Entering can be difficult, but you'll be grudgingly welcomed.  
Gnorrel is the leader here, and it would be good to speak with her 
eventually.  But first, head to the NW.  You'll find a servile named 
Kyazo, who is growing mines (which you have run across during your 
travels).  Wait till she leaves the room and you can't see her, then 
steal the Green Spore Baton (it may take a while).  Alternatively, 
there is a green baton near in the locked area behind Gnorrel.  Kyazo 
will also give you a quest to kill the servant mind in the Servile 
warrens if you're a member of the Takers.  Doing so will get you a 
Shaped Shield.  East of Kyazo is a cook.  If you are a member of the 
Takers, she will ask you to destroy Bore.  Doing so gets you nothing.  
To the NE are 2 pools- a healing pool and an essence pool.  Go a bit 
further south, and access the nearby area.  You'll have to use your 
green spore baton, but can destroy the mines here.  You'll find a jar 
of Mind Nutrients and a canister of Create Vlish further along here.  
To the SE are four merchants who have a lot of gold.  One of them sells 
an ivory band.  In the center of the map you'll find Poola, who is the 
friendliest servile here.  She will give you hints.  In the south 
central area you'll find a library which is lead by Learned Toivo.  
There are several game-critical hints here.  If you are a member of the 
Takers, Toivo will teach you some of the Sholai tongue.  Alternatively, 
you could just go to the SW and enter the nearby "tower."  If you have 
enough leadership, you can scare off the guard, and get to the book 
further back.  This will also teach you the Sholai Language.  Note, 
however, that you can't learn the language from both Toivo and his 
book.  You will need to find other sources.  Once you are ready, head 
to the center building.  Check out the jail to the south, and speak 
with Houten.  Houten is an Obeyer and wants you to deliver a message to 
Rydell.  Doing so does not give you a reward, but does make the 
serviles as a whole like you better.  Head to the north and speak with 
Eko Blade.  Be sure to get his "kill the humans" quest, as it will make 
your life easier in the area to the east.  Completion of this quest 
gets you a shaped belt.  He then gives you another quest- to free the 
rebels in the Thorny Woods (whom you may have already killed).  The 
reward for this quest is a pair of shaped boots.  Speaking with Gnorrel 
is somewhat frustrating.  She will not tell you much until you hear the 
Taker story.  She still won't tell you much until you kill Ellhrah (she 
gives you a quest to do this, as well).  Behind Gnorrel is a very nice 
treasure room.  If you can open the room, you can get a lot of good 
items.  If you have joined the Takers, you can speak with the Sholai 
named Tuzenbach, who will give you an amulet that will prevent other 
Sholai from attacking you.  Further to the south, you can get a green 
spore baton.  To the north you can get two canisters (Create Thahd and 
War Blessing), and a lot of good items, including a steel shield and 
sword, and reaper ammo.

Kazg Ruins (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Clawbug, Searing Orbs, Unlock.
O: None.
Enemies: Charged fyoras, Battle Alphas.
D: North to Kazg, West to Outpost, East to Servile Warren.
  If you enter this area from the north, you will find Rosen.  This 
servile would have let you in had you not gotten into Kazg from the 
other direction.  Head directly east, and you'll find Arth, the second 
object of Coale's quest.  This is a rather confusing area to navigate 
through, so I apologize in advance for my directions.  From Arth head 
south to the SE corner of the map.  Pull the lever here, it will open 
two nearby doors.  The nearby door has a steel sword, spores, and tools 
available for taking.  Head further to the west, and you will be 
attacked by a Battle Alpha.  It is guarding a canister of Create 
Clawbug.  Continue west, and start heading north.  In the center west, 
you will find a canister of Searing Orbs.  Continue north, and you will 
have to fight a bunch of charged fyoras.  You will see a room with 
mines to the NW, use the brown baton to destroy them.  Pull the lever.  
You will have to fight another Battle Alpha, but can then obtain a 
canister of Unlock.

Outpost (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Terror.
O: Dina.
Enemies: Searing Artilas, Battle Alpha.
D: West to Crystal Burrow, East to Kazg Ruins.
  As you enter this area, you can head to the north and pillage the 
many nests.  There's not really anything that stands out in them, but 
some equipment never hurt anyone.  Once you have taken all you want, 
head south, and you'll find the Servile Outpost (populated by Obeyers).  
You will find two pools to the SW, one for essence and the other for 
health.  North of the pools is Dina, a servile in charge of giving out 
supplies.  You can ask her for some if you so desire.  Go north and 
talk with Doge.  This completes Mickall Blade's quest.  Doge will give 
you information, but little else.  As you attempt to leave this area, 
you will be attacked by searing artilas and a battle alpha.  The 
serviles will help you out, which may make the battle much easier.  
Once they are dead, you can head to the east, and kill all of the 
searing artilas there.  After this you will find a canister of Terror.  
The artila nests have some decent equipment, too.  Otherwise, there's 
not too much else to do, so you can leave this place and perhaps go 
tell Mickall Blade, if you've accepted his quest.  Zotrium has informed 
me that he found an Artila Skin Tunic here on one of the Artilas.  It 
is probably quite rare, but nonetheless, be on the lookout.  It's a 
decent item, especially for agents.

East Kazg (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Endurance, Terror, Heal, Searer, Create Roamer.
O: None.
Enemies: Battle Alphas, Glaahk, Servile Cultists.
D: West to Kazg, East to Refugee Cave.
  As you enter this place and travel east, you will be stopped by a 
servile named Veel.  She will not let you past, unless you have 
obtained permission to pass from Eko Blade.  If you have obtained 
permission, she will waste your time making sure you're not lying.  
Eventually she will let you past.  Head to the center south area.  A 
bit to the west, you will find a servile named Snag.  If you have a lot 
of leadership you can calm him down and get some nice experience.  
Otherwise, kill him.  Head to the main building.  You will see three 
vats and a control panel.  Cast some power magic before using the 
control panel (war blessing, speed), then use the panel to pull all 
switches.  1, 4, and 5 will open the vats, attacking you with battle 
alphas and a glaahk.  They shouldn't be too hard if you've prepared 
well.  Go to the east, and you will find a canister of endurance, as 
well as two power spirals (with which you don't need to mess around).  
North of this room is a room with several crystals.  To the west is a 
room with a canister of terror, several living tools, and spores.  Head 
to the NE, and speak with Kurit.  Kurit will sell you items, and has a 
decent amount of gold with which to purchase items.  He will also sell 
you access to three canisters, each for 750 gold (500 if leadership is 
5 or more).  The canisters include: Create Roamer, Searer, and Heal.  
Now it is time to head to the NE.  This is the cult of evil serviles.  
There's not too much to do here other than kill the evil cultists.  One 
of the cultists has a ring of the eye, a fairly powerful magic ring.  
There are many small items of value, namely gold, spores, pods, and 
tools..

Servile Warren (3)
Q: Restore Control 3.
C & S: Quick Action, Dominate, Mass Restore, Create Ornk.
O: None.
Enemies: Guardian Roamers, Venom Turrets, Burning Turrets, and a 
Spectral Vlish.
D: West to Kazg Ruins.
  As you enter, head slightly to the north.  The Greeter will run up to 
you and speak with you.  He gives you a quest to restore control 3.  
There are a lot of decent minor items in this level; be sure to explore 
it fully.  Guardian Roamers patrol the halls, and may sound an alarm if 
you attack them.  They aren't too difficult, but can test your 
patience.  To the NW you will find the discipline chamber with turrets 
guarding the halls.  Explore the NW room for a terror wand.  Head to 
the SW corner, and pull the lever to access another room.  Pull a lever 
in there, and you can take a lot of pods in yet another room.  Exit, 
and clear the halls of roamers as best you can (to get the EXP).  Then 
head to the SW, and kill the turrets in the SW corner room.  Check the 
nearby nest for an iron breastplate.  Head to the north, and you'll be 
attacked by a spectral vlish.  Kill it and proceed north.  You will see 
the servant mind.  Unfortunately, you can not talk with it until you 
turn off the three nearby power spirals.  In the room to the north you 
will find two canisters containing quick action and dominate.  After 
deactivating the power spirals, talk with the mind.  You can ask him to 
kill himself, if you are on the Taker quest.  Alternatively, you could 
feed him.  He provides you with valuable information, and opens up the 
door to the south (enabling you to get a canister of mass restore).  
Finally, there is a room NW of the mind that requires many living tools 
to open.  Inside is a canister of Create Ornk, hardly worth the loss of 
tools.  But still, it's your choice.  If you're collecting the 
canisters, you may want to try to get it.  Otherwise, save your tools.

Tribal Woods (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Artila, Mass energize
O: None.
Enemies: Unstable Roamers, Clawbugs, Spawners.
D: West to Kazg Plains, East to Icy Tunnels, South to Holding 2.
  If you enter this region and head north, you will have to answer to 
the Village Guard.  If you have a decent leadership score, you can talk 
him out of being hostile, and even maneuver through their village.  The 
salesman happens to have a pair of shaped boots, which are quite nice.  
The majority of the action takes place south of the tribal village.  Go 
to the NE corner, there's a canister of Create Artila.  To the east, 
you'll find some thorn bushes.  In the center of the map are several 
locked buildings- you can either use living tools or wait till you get 
the key.  The western building has a canister of Mass Energize.  The 
eastern room has some pools (healing and essence).  Go to the south.  
The enemies should become thicker.  Eventually, as you head west, 
you'll find four spawners.  They will generate creations every 2 or 3 
turns.  Kill them, and search the bodies.  You will find an iron key 
(which you can use to unlock the central buildings), a bunch of nice 
minor items, a null wand, and a mica band.  That's about it for this 
area.

Refugee Cave (3)
Q: Recover Sea Chest Key, Contact Astrov.
C & S: None.
O: None.
Enemies: Battle Alphas, Burning Turrets.
D: West to East Kazg, East to Docks, North to Holding 2, South to Dock 
Ruins.
  If you enter this area from the west, you will have to get through 
several Battle Alphas.  Take them on one at a time, and you shouldn't 
have any problems.  Head to the east then to the north, you'll find 
several nests with minor items.  The western nest has two gems.  Head 
north via the west passage- you'll have to fight some turrets, but they 
shouldn't be too difficult.  If you get far enough north, the humans 
make the turrets stop.  If you entered this region from the north, you 
will have to destroy some mines to get through.  You may also exit 
through the east.  There are a few important individuals here, but you 
won't be able to talk with Solyony until after you learn a bit more of 
their language (don't worry, Masha will teach you some).  He will buy 
and sell with you.  Narsu is a friendly servile.  If you are a member 
of the Takers, don't tell him, at least, don't tell him till you've 
done everything you want to here.  Talk with Masha to the North.  She 
will tell you the story of the Sholai, and fill in several holes.  She 
asks for you assistance- she needs to open a chest, but doesn't have 
the key.  She wants you to find it.  In exchange, she will teach you 
the Sholai tongue.  If you end up attacking them for some strange 
reason, you can search Masha's laundry to find a key.  The key will 
open the western door.  There's a book in there that will teach you the 
Sholai tongue (but will not help you if you've already learned it from 
Masha).  Return with the key from the eastern docks.  Masha will ask 
you to open the chest nearby.  Do so and read the notes.  Masha will 
also teach you the Sholai tongue, and this will enable you to trade 
with Solyony (he has over 3000 gold).  She will also give you a quest 
to find Astrov (in Wooded Valley).  Completion of this quest results in 
EXP only.

Holding 2 (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Vlish, Speed.
O: None. 
Enemies: Turrets, Venom Turrets, Burning Turrets, Submission Turrets, 
Charged Fyoras, Charged Thahds.
D: North to Tribal Woods, South to Refugee Cave.
  It is best to enter this area from the North.  Head immediately to 
the west.  You will find Bore the fyora.  Kill it, and you'll get a 
fyoraskin shield, and decent items from its nest.  This also completes 
the Kazg Cook's quest.  Head south and enter the main building.  You  

will see detonator crystals:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Detonator crystals are yet another thing you're going to have to 
worry about.  If you can not diffuse the crystals, enter combat, then 
get very close to them, and high-tail it out of there.  The crystal 
will explode, and you're free to do whatever you wish.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
There are spore boxes nearby; these will turn off the nearby turrets.  
The best way to get through this area is to go in a zigzag fashion.  In 
order to get through this easily, you will need 12 in mechanics.  This 
is a lot, and probably unnecessary.  If you're strong enough, kill all 
of the turrets in the center.  Else, swing over to the other side, and 
find the spore box, use it, and proceed.  The second tunnel from the 
north on the east side has a canister of speed.  The third one has a 
servant mind at the end.  Awaken the servant mind, and lie to it (say 
your name is Veet- this may require a few points of leadership).  The 
servant mind will open a nearby door.  Also, you will find a jar of 
mind nutrients.  Head down to the south, and you can enter a room with 
a reaper baton (very powerful missile weapon).  You'll also find a lot 
of spores.  Head back into the main building, and look to the south.  
You'll find a dead body with a steel breastplate and a girdle of 
nimbleness.  There is also a sporebox (requires 10 mechanics to be 
used).  Continue on your way- to the SW there is a passage north that 
leads you to four vats.  Use the control panel to summon up four 
creations.  They have a few gems.  Finally, head to the south.  You'll 
have to kill a few turrets, but will eventually get to a canister of 
Create Vlish.  Exit to the east, and this area will be cleared.

Dock Ruins (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Cure Effects
O: None.
Enemies: Guardian Roamers, Gyath.
D: North to Refugee Caves, East to Eastern Docks.
  Immediately as you enter this region from the north, go to speak with 
the servant mind to the east.  Lie to it and get the key in the 
cabinet.  Head down to the south, and pull the lever beyond the door.  
Then head to the NW.  There are plenty of guardian roamers around here.   

most of the time they will run away instead of trying to engage you, 
but sometimes they may try to fight.  There are two pools (healing and 
essence) here.  Near the center west, you'll find a canister of cure 
effects as well as shaped gauntlets, and a steel breastplate.  Head to 
the southeast (the bottom this time), and pull the other lever.  Then 
leave towards the center.  You will be confronted by a battle alpha 
named Gyath.  Kill it, and it will drop a steel shield and a gemstone.  
Leaving through the east clears this area.

Eastern Docks (3.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Dominate.
O: None.
Enemies: Pylons, Clawbugs, Plated Bugs, Glaahks.
D:  North to Refugee Cave, West to Dock Ruins.
  Entering through the North may be slightly easier.  Slightly.  Pylons 
await you here.  This will probably be you first run in with these evil 
creations.  A thahd might help you here, as they can melee well, and 
pylons are weakest in melee.  Vlish can help as well, as pylons are 
very vulnerable to their stunning attack, and will likely lose a turn.  
These powerful creations will shoot searing orbs at you if you attack 
from a distance.  If you get up close, they will hit you with energy.  
If you kill them and are standing close, they will poison you.  So they 
get you coming and going.  Nevertheless, the best strategy is to first 
figure out when the pylons attack (before or after you, before or after 
your creations).  Then enter combat, and wait till the Pylon loses its 
turn.  Then concentrate your forces on it, and hope it dies.  Head east 
from the north entrance.  You will have to fight a few pylons.  
Fortunately, there's a submission baton on the table to the east.  
Continue east, fighting more pylons, and get to the control panel.  Use  

it, and three doors to the south will open.  Inside the second door is 
a canister of Dominate.  Continue east, and try to get to the room with 
the control panel and two power spirals.  You will need to destroy the 
two power spirals (or turn them off with a mechanics of 10).  This will 
shut off all pylons.  Whew.  Also around here, you can find a room 
filled with crystals, and another filled with spore pouches.  Exit to 
the south.  You'll come out in the docks region.  You are likely to get 
attacked by clawbugs and similar ilk while out here.  There are two 
bodies nearby, the mage body has the key for which you may be looking.  
Head west, and you will be attacked by several creations.  Be sure not 
to let them gang up on you, or you could be destroyed.  Finally, 
explore the four rooms to the north.  From the west: the westernmost 
room has a bunch of grain bags.  Do not check any of them except for 
the upper right back (NE).  There are 8 gems in this one.  The next 
room to the east has a discipline wand and other goods.  The next room 
has a canister of Create Battle Alpha.  Finally, the easternmost of the 
four rooms has a pylon that is guarding a few batons, thorns, and a 
pair of thrusting gauntlets (very valuable to the guardian and agent).  
That's it for here.  You can kill all of the pylons in the rooms to the 
north (the neutral ones- the ones you've turned off), but there's no 
great need to do so.

Icy Tunnels (3.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Spellcraft.
O: None.
Enemies: Specters, Spectral Sages, Spectral Priest.
D: North to Underground River, South to Holding 2, West to Tribal 
Woods, East to Guarded Docks.
  This is a dangerous area.  You will probably not want to enter the 
central tunnels until you've gained a few levels (hence the difficulty 
of 3.5).  If you head over to the east, you will find some Sholai who 
will impede your progress.  If you can, you may lie to them and 
convince them to leave you alone.  You can also steal their stuff to 
the SE, you can obtain a green and a brown baton.  There are other 
minor goods there too.  You can head north to get to the underground 
river, which is a rather easy area.  When you're ready, head into the 
tunnels.  At first, you will not find any enemies.  However, as you 
continue to explore, you will be attacked.  I'm not sure exactly how 
this works, but I believe that as you walk, the walls will open up, 
freeing specters and spectral sages.  These enemies are pretty easy one 
on one, if you have a lot of melee ability.  The opened wall spaces 
also have crystals and treasures, so be sure to cover all ground.  
There's a body in the center who has a submission baton and some 
thorns.  As you kill these specters, they may occasionally leave behind 
specter gloves or specter robes.  These items may be an improvement on 
your current equipment, but they may not.  When you're ready, head to 
the SE corner.  Prepare for a tough fight.  You will have to kill a 
spectral Priest and his higher level specter acquaintances.  Killing 
the priest will get you a fibrous shield and a shielding band.  Then 
check the pillars to the north, you will find switches that open the 
caskets to the east.  Using the caskets after opening them in this 
method gets you 2 points of spellcraft and a stabilizing band.  Also, 
the central room should now be open.  Check the center of the map, and 
you might find a decent size room with four trapped chests.  Disarm 
their traps (using a living tool), and take what's inside.  There are 
500 gold coins, and other minor good items.

Underground River (3)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Clawbug.
O: None.
Enemies: Venom Turrets, Burning Turrets, Submission Turrets.
D: South to Icy Tunnels, North to East Mines.
  As you enter, first secure the SW area.  There are healing and 
essence pools here.  Turn off the nearby power spiral, it will help you 
out later.  Then go east.  You will have to cross some lava (or a fire 
pit, depending on your interpretation):
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: Lava can be a major pain to cross if you don't know how to do it 
properly.  First, enter combat.  Then, approach the lava so as to only 
touch one pad:
[ ] [ ]
 ^ X ^
Aim for the ^, and definitely avoid the X.  Unfortunately, you'll also 
have to guide all of your creations the same way.  Many times you can 
find a power spiral with which to turn off the lava pit, but sometimes 
you'll just have to walk across it, and there's little that can be 
done.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
You'll run into some turrets in the SE.  Kill them and search the body.  
You'll find a coated cloak and an acid baton.  Head north and you'll 
find some venom turrets.  In the NE corner, you'll see a series of lava 
pits.  These are blocking an important servant mind.  Head west 
(fighting some more turrets), and you can enter a room with a cabinet 
full of thorns (including reapers).  Continue west, and check a room to 
the north for a Bonding knife.  While you're here, turn off the two 
power spirals.  This turns off some nearby lava pits.  Continue west, 
kill the turrets, and go north.  You'll find some more power spirals.  
Turn them off as well.  I believe that these will turn off the lava 
pits in the NE corner.  Continue west for now, and get to the SW.  
You'll find a control panel and some power spirals.  Don't turn these 
spirals off.  Use the panel, and a bridge will arise, clearing this 
level for you.  Head to the north, and you'll find a power spiral 9turn 
it off) and a canister of Create Clawbug.  Now you can go back to the 
NE and talk with the servant mind.  He is selling items, including an 
Oozing Belt, a Guardian Cloak, a Static Band, and Dodging Boots.   Of 
these four, the Guardian Cloak (especially for guardians and agents) is 
the most worthwhile.  The dodging boots are good, but you'll find a 
pair pretty soon.  Buy them if you so desire.  You find enough items 
that you'll be reimbursed by the mind soon enough.  Exit to the north 
to enter the mines.

East Mines (4)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: None.
Enemies: Pylons.
D: South to the Underground River, West to the Mine Core.
  This area is a major pain in the butt.  It's probably easier to get 
to the mines from the west, but that requires getting across the river.  
I'll assume you're coming from the south.  Either way, there's not much 
here but a bundle of nuisances.  Your main goal is to head to the west 
and exit to the mine core.  There are many rough crystals around here, 
you will want to collect and save these items for future use.  There 
are also many pylons out and about.  They can really give you a 
hurting.  You'll need to cross the lava pits here.  Fortunately, the 
pit to the north is malfunctioning, and you can cross it without 
problems there.  You'll also find a crystal machine to the NNW:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: There are three Crystal machines in the mines.  You'll know it 
when you see it.  Be sure not to turn off their power spirals, or you 
won't be able to use the machine again.  
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
This one makes swarm crystals for 5 rough crystals.  Finally, there are 
several pods to the NW.  Leave this area as soon as you can.  After 
you've had the servant mind in the Mine Core turn off the eastern 
defenses, you may return and kill the pylons at your leisure (the lava 
pits will be mostly turned off then as well.

Mine Core (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Strength.
O: Servant Mind?
Enemies: Glaahks, Pylons.
D: East to East Mines, West to West Mines, North to North Mines.
  Once you enter this region (from the east mines), your main goal 
should be to get to the south.  There are several pylons here, and they 
can provide major problems.  If you can get to the southern room, turn 
on the two power spirals in there.  Then head back to the north, and 
try to go further west.  You'll have to fight several pylons, but if 
you take it slow, you shouldn't die too often.  Head to the south, and 
you'll find a room with a servant mind.  Feed this one!  It will give 
you much advice, and will also turn off the defenses for the mine core 
and for one other section of the mines.  You may want to have it turn 
off the western mines and exit this area.  Travelling the full length 
of the mines (from east entrance to west exit) results in all three 
becoming cleared.  When the defenses are turned off, you can kill the 
creations without reprisal (especially useful in the eastern mines).  
To the SW you'll find some glaahks, and a nest with a pair of Tinker 
Gloves in it (very useful).  Head to the NE, you'll find a canister of 
Strength.  To the NW you'll find a bunch of Glaahks.  When you're ready 
head to the North Mines (get the mind to turn off the defenses!).

West Mines (3.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Mass Restore.
O: None.
Enemies: Pylons, Charged fyoras, Charged artilas.
D: East to Mine Core, West to Arena.
  Hopefully you have turned off the defenses using the Servant Mind in 
the mine core.  Else, this level will be rather difficult.  This area 
is a bit richer than the eastern mines.  There are plenty of crystals 
to pick up.  Most importantly, some dodging boots can be obtained to 
the SE.  Note the presence of exploding crystals and mines.  You may 
need to use your tinker gloves.  To the west, you will find a crystal 
machine which will make terror wands for 25 crystals.  Also, you can 
get a canister of Mass Restore.  Be sure to search this level 
thoroughly, as you will need many of the crystals here for a powerful 
item that can be obtained in the Northern Mines.  You may exit to the 
west.  Doing so clears the east, and west mines, and the mine core, and 
allows easy travel through these three areas.

North Mines (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Glaahk, Intelligence, Dexterity.
O: None.
Enemies: Crag, Steel, and Pylons.
D: South to Mine Core.
 Hopefully you have turned off the defenses using the Servant Mind in 
the mine core.  Else, this level will be rather difficult.  First, head 
to the WSW.  You can enter a building and get a key that will make it 
easier to open doors here.  Head up north, and you will be stopped by 
two battle alphas named Crag and Steel.  If you have a lot of 
leadership, you can convince them to leave you alone.  Else, you're 
going to have to kill them.  Check the NE room to get a pair of 
Samaritan Sandals.  Check the north room for a canister of Create 
Glaahk, and an Entry Baton, a valuable special item.  The nest to the 
west has gold and spores.  Head to the west, and you'll find a Crystal 
machine that will make Shaped Blades for 50 rough crystals.  This a 
great weapon in terms of damage (the only one better is the Guardian 
Claymore).  To the east, you will find a locked room filled with lava 
pits.  Cross them (alone is probably best), and kill the turret at the 
end.  You can take two canisters- one of intelligence, the other of 
dexterity.

Arena (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Vlish, Luck
O: None.
Enemies: Charged Thahds, Charged Artilas, Glaahks.
D: East to West Mines, West to Patrolled Dell.
  You may either be arriving at this area from the east or the west.  
If you've been following this walkthrough, you're probably on the east 
side.  Head north, and you'll find Prav, the Battle Beta.  Prav is 
questioning the reasons for his existence.  He can join you, and is a 
decent ally.  Yell at him to make him join.  Head to the SE, you'll 
find a nest with coins and minor goods.  Check all nests on this map, 
you'll find a good bit of gold and goods.  Go inside the building, then 
go south to get some minor items.  Head to the center and you'll find 
the bodies of three Sholai.  You can take a steel breastplate, sword, 
and a Sharing Belt from their bodies.  To the SW (you can exist this 
level by going through the SW), you can find a rod of succor.  You'll 
find a healing pool nearby as well.  If you make it to the north center 
of this map, you'll find a control panel and two power spirals.  If you 
plug in the spirals then use the control panel (pushing all of the 
buttons), you'll be attacked by several powerful creations.  They may 
be somewhat difficult (and having Prav on your side could help).  When 
killed, you can collect a reaper baton, some reapers, and a few other 
items.  Head to the west, and kill the creations there.  To the north 
you can get a canister of Create Vlish, and to the NNW you can get a 
canister of luck.  There is an essence pool somewhere nearby, too.  
Leave this area from the opposite direction of your arrival to clear 
the map.

Patrolled Dell (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Drayk.
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Battle Alphas (without Taker amulet), Specters.
D: East to Arena, West to Winding Road.
  This area is much easier if you aligned with the Takers and have the 
amulet you gave you.  Else, you're going to have to kill the Sholai 
here.  Fortunately, they're not too difficult.  Just take out each 
group at a time, or else you'll be swarmed.  Several thorn bushes can 
be found here.  There are also a few items of note.  First, the NE 
corner has a canister of Create Drayk.  It is hidden behind a column.  
Sofya is just east of this canister.  If you're friendly with the 
Sholai (i.e., have the amulet), she will sell you items.  Some of the 
items are very nice.  Her equipment includes a shining shield and a 
girdle of endurance, all nice stuff (you may want to get the shining 
shield- it's rather nice at this point).  If you've killed her, you can 
take her stuff, including several steel breastplates (375 gold a pop), 
and a pair of tinker gloves.  Go to the SE, and you'll find a stone 
circle with specters.  One of the pillars has an ivory band and some 
gold.  In the NW you'll find two sholai: Gayev and Borkin.  Borkin 
doesn't tell you much, if I remember correctly.  Gayev will give you 
hints to the location of the Drayk canister, if you have enough  

leadership.  He will also tell you to get moving and speak with 
Trajkov.  Of course, if you don't have the amulet, you'll just kill 
them anyway.  Gayev has a book here that will teach you the Sholai 
tongue.

Winding Road (3.5)
Q: Kill Wounded Battle Beta.
C & S: Melee weapons,
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Servile Cultists, Wounded Battle Beta.
D: East to Patrolled Dell, North to Crossroads, West to South Workshop.
  This area is potentially very rewarding.  There are Sholai here who, 
again, if you have the amulet, are quite friendly.  Otherwise, they are 
not.  There is a building with a sholai wizard (named Treplev), and he 
will tell you to go to the NE.  Again, you may start out enemies and 
will have to kill him.  Either way, there's a canister of melee weapons 
in the northern room, and a symbiotic cloak and thorns in the southern 
room.  Head to the east, and you'll find the second batch of servile 
cultists.  Get to their altar, and you can find an Agent's Robe (note 
that it look exactly like a normal robe).  The Agent's Robe is very 
useful to the Guardian, as it allows him to acquire points of magic 
skills from the tombs.  Now may be a good time to go back and get the 
final skill point form the tombs, if you haven't done so.  Don't touch 
the altar- it will burn you if you do.  Possibly the most important 
things here are the serviles to the SW.  Znaf will trade with you, and 
will teach you the Sholai tongue for 1000 gold (500 if you have enough 
leadership).  Flig, his wife, will teach you mechanics for 2000 gold.  
This is a very valuable offer, and it is a source of free skill points, 
essentially.  Flig will also give you a quest to kill a Battle Beta to 
the NW.  North of their building you will find two pools (healing and 
essence).  Continue north, and you'll find an area which, as you enter 
it, will tell you that you've found the passage Flig told you about (it 
may not open if you don't have the quest).  Go through the passage.  
You'll find a door; the door's lever is very close, but hidden.  Open 
it and take the terror wand, living tool, and pod inside.  Go west, and 
the battle beta will attack you.  Kill it, and go tell Flig of your 
success.  She will open a nearby door for you.  Inside there are MANY 
goods, and a canister of mass energize.  That's about it for here.

Power Station (4)
Q: Recover Mind's Azzo's crystals.
C & S: Strength, Mass Energize, Create Battle Alpha.
O: None.
Enemies: Charged Fyoras, Gyah-Ki.
D: South to Freeplace, West to Power Core, East to The Hill.
  There are many charged fyoras wandering this place.  They shouldn't 
be too difficult, but can be a pain to get through.  Your main 
objective is to get to the Servant Mind in the center.  You will have 
to feed it to revive it.  You may not have any food left, so you will 
have to get some elsewhere.  The servant mind tells you it needs four 
crystals in order to function fully, and it warns you of the Drayk 
Gyah-Ki.  Gyah-Ki is hiding to the south.  Make your way down there and 
kill him (with his souped-up charged fyora buddies).  You can get some 
green boots from the trophy room to the north, as well as a good bit of 
coin.  If you head to the north, you'll run into even more charged 
fyoras, but these can haste themselves.  There are also some pieces of 
shaper equipment to be found (for the Junkyard quest).  Finally, 
there's on area that can be reached by walking over some lava pits.  
You'll find a crystal here, but it may not be necessary to get it if 
you get the ones in the power core first.  However, if you want to 
complete the quest (and get the minor EXP reward), you should get all 
four.  Once you've gotten 4 (or 3 with sufficient leadership), the 
servant mind will open the three nearby doors.  Each has a canister in 
it (Strength, Mass Energize, Create Battle Alpha).  You can also get a 
singing rapier, as well as some minor goods.

Power Core (5.5, very annoying)
Q: None
C & S: Create Glaahk.
O: None.
Enemies: Mine Shades, Reapers, Burning Turrets, Submission Turrets.
D: East to the Power Station.
  Warning: this level will piss you off.  Trust me.  If you enter this 
level unknowingly, you will notice that you're getting hurt just 
walking around.  Indeed; this is one of the nastiest (if not the 
nastiest) levels in the game.  This area is full of harmful energy:
///////////////////////////////HINT\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
HINT: There are a few levels that are similar to this one- they damage 
you as you stand around.  Fortunately, all of the rest have either 
minor effects, or can be turned off.  The best way to get through this 
level (and one or two other levels) is to enter combat and guide your 
character through the maze.  It's really annoying, but it's the only 
way.  Exit combat when you need to cast unlock or save.  It is almost 
inevitable that your creations will suffer to a greater extent than you 
will, as they have less resistances.  It may be beneficial to absorb 
your creations as you play, especially before they are about to die.  
Otherwise they will require maintenance to keep them alive.  However, 
on this level, they will help you fight off the shades, and can be 
really useful, so you will probably want to keep them around for a 
while.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\END HINT////////////////////////////////
As you enter this level, you'll see a side room that has grounded robes 
and boots in it.  They may help slightly.  Avoid the center room of 
this map- you will die very rapidly if you try to walk through it.  If 
you enter combat it's not so bad, but can still really hurt you.  Head 
to the SW- enter the door there, and grab the first crystal.  There are 
other items around too, it's completely up to you whether or not you 
want to get them.  You can always return after giving the crystals to 
Mind Azzo, who will destroy all of the shades for you.  Head to the NW, 
and you'll have to fight some nasty reaper turrets, but can obtain a 
grounding vest, which also acts to reduce energy damage for your 
creations.  Head to the east, and you'll find a bunch of shades.  Kill 
them as best you can (or wound them- if they're wounded enough, they'll 
run away).  Head to the south, and you'll see some spawning platforms.  
Attempt to turn off the nearby power spirals if at all possible.  Then 
enter the west room.  There is a lot of shaper equipment here, and it 
may be worthwhile to return and give it to the Junkyard serviles.  The 
second crystal can be taken from the cabinet here.  Then continue east, 
then south.  In the room to the east you'll find a canister of Create 
Glaahk.  Continue south, killing the mine shades and turrets.  Check 
the servile body just to the east for a useful key.  Go south and check 
one of the eastern rooms for the third crystal, then open the southern 
door and leave.  Phew.

Guarded Bridge (5)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: None.
Enemies: Unstable Roamers, Guardian Roamers, Shepherd Vlish, Sholai, 
Reaper Turrets
D: North to Patrolled Dell, South to Quiet Marshes.
  This is another difficult area.  However, the rewards here are good.  
This area will be much easier if you have the Taker amulet.  You will 
not have to fight the Sholai in that case.  All four corners of this 
map are filled with roamers and vlish, and all have something 
worthwhile hidden nearby.  To the SW you'll find a wand of Alacrity 
(hastes).  To the SE you'll find a vlish with a stabilizing band.    TO 
the NW you'll find a pair of quicksilver boots.  Finally, to the NE 
you'll find a rod of defenses (shields).  If you're friends with the 
Sholai, you can talk with them and get them to give you some 
assistance.  Ivanov will tell you to take some batons (brown and green) 
from a nearby chest if you complain to him and have enough leadership.  
If you have even more leadership, you can ask him for all of their 
stuff.  Nearby you can obtain a shaped breastplate, the best non-
magical armor in the game.  Be sure to take it.

Patrol Bridge (5.5)
Q: None. 

C & S: Magic Shaping, Terror, Luck from Dig.
O: Dig.
Enemies: Sholai (including augmented sholai), Venom Turrets, Burning 
Turrets, Submission Turrets, Reaper Turrets.
D: West to Peaceful Vale, East to Sealed Labs.
  This can be a very difficult place to get through if you don't have 
the amulet from the Takers.  If you do, all of the sholai are friendly, 
and Sofya tells you to hurry up and see Trajkov.  Else you're going to 
have to fight your way through (it can be done, but you'll need good 
strategies and perhaps some vlish/glaahks).  There are several good 
reasons to come here.  First, to the NW there are several mines.  Use 
your brown (?) spore baton to explode them, and get the canister of 
terror.  Then, head across the bridge.  If you're fighting the Sholai, 
you'll want to take out the Reaper turrets first.  Unfortunately, the 
reaper turrets can completely wipe out your HP in one hit if you're not 
careful.  The augmented sholai may (will) pose some problems.  The best 
way to get him is to get his attention (with a firebolt), then run 
behind a wall.  He will follow you, but then you can pummel him alone.  
Vlish will help immensely by stunning and slowing him, preventing him 
from attacking.  He has 800 HP, so it's not easy.  Once you cross the 
bridge, the area becomes cleared and everything should be better.  
There are some Samaritan Sandals to the building just SE of the bridge.  
There is a very valuable (especially to the agent) canister of Magic 
Shaping to the SE.  This may enable you to make more powerful 
creations.  Head up to the NE, and speak with Dig.  Dig is a friendly 
servile, and if you ask him the right things, he will offer to increase 
your luck for 500 gold.  He is one of the three serviles in the game 
who will do this for you, and is quite a powerful character.  Try to 
get up to 10 luck, if possible (and more when you have plenty of 
money).

Ancient Crypt (5)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: None.
Enemies: Reaper Turrets, Waste Ghosts.
D: East to Freeplace, South to Diarazad, West to Drayk's Vale.
  This area pretty much requires a high mechanics skill (at least 11).  
You will almost definitely enter from the east.  As you enter the main 
hub, you'll see that there are plenty of those nasty exploding crystals 
set up.  They are set up to explode dark green mines and to activate 
Reaper Turrets.  Try to diffuse them.  You can then "harvest" the 
reaper turrets.  You will have to kill them before they attack, or else 
they will attack you (and set off any mines nearby).  You can get a lot 
of reaper ammo for your efforts (enough to last through the end of the 
game, essentially).  There's nothing that really stands out in the 
first room, however, if you follow some of the passages, you'll 
eventually find a column.  The column in the WSW has a rod of battle.  
Once you get past this region, you'll encounter a few wastes ghosts.  
These can be quite difficult, but can be beaten with a bit of patience.  
Continue around to the east, and you'll see ghosts that are standing at 
attention.  Do not attack them- let them attack you.  If you attack 
them, then all of them at once will attack you.  If they decide to 
attack you, they will do it one at a time.  The most valuable item here 
is found in a tomb to the south- a girdle of leadership (probably the 
second best girdle/belt in the game).  Head up to the north (again take 
you time diffusing the crystals and killing the reapers if you wish), 
and exit through the NW.

Drayk's Vale (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Leadership from Learned Halm.
O: None.
Enemies: Crescent Shade, Cryodrayks, Waste Ghosts, Rakkhus.
D: East to Ancient Crypt, West to Sentinels.
  As you enter this region, you are confronted by Rakkhus the Drayk.  
It seems as though he's going to sick his cryodrayk buddies on you.  If 
you have a few points of leadership you can grovel and offer to pay him 
for safe passage (~2000 gold).  Or you can just tell him to buzz off.  
The Cryodrayks are somewhat difficult, but can be destroyed without an 
excessive amount of trouble.  I found terror vlish to be quite useful 
here.  After all of the Cryodrayks have died (or you've paid you're way 
through), explore this area.  The columns generally have valuable 
emeralds in them (625 gold a pop), however, if you take them, you incur 
the wrath of all of the nearby shades.  Prepare yourself before taking 
the gems.  If you head to the west, you will find Rakkhus (and his 
cryodrayk buddies, if you haven't killed them).  Rakkhus is a good 
person to sell you gems.  You will probably want to kill him after 
draining all of his money, as he has a very powerful item in his 
chambers.  He has a lot gold and jewels, and some Gloves of the Hammer, 
the best gloves for agents and guardians.  Perhaps the most important 
person on this level is Learned Halm.  Halm will teach you leadership 
if you have a few points already, and if you don't have the amulet 
(else he won't sell to you- this is a significant problem with joining 
the Takers).  Each point costs 2000 gold.  Also on this level, you can 
find the Crescent Shade, who will drop a rock that is quite useful to 
you later on.  Finally, you can start the GREAT SECRET ritual here 
(read about it in the appendix).

Junkyard (5)
Q: Clear Ghost Gate, Get Equipment.
C & S:
O: None
Enemies: Submission Vlish.
D: South to Pentil Plains, West to Dry Wastes, North to Diarazad.
  This level houses some very difficult vlish, whose presence prevents 
you from getting the quests here early.  Most of the vlish nests have a 
lot of valuable minor items in them, so be sure to search them after 
you have destroyed the vlish.  There are two serviles to the NW, and 
both have important quests for you.  Proof will sell you some items, 
and will give you a quest to clear the ghost gate (which is pretty far 
away).  Doing so gets you a nice experience award, and also will enable 
you to purchase good items from Proof.  Proof has a Fyoraskin cloak, 
some Reaper ammo, a Fibrous Breastplate, a Shielding Knife, some Tinker 
Gloves, and a Shielding band.  Shock is repairing a baton.  If you have 
enough mechanics you can repair it for him, and then he will give it to 
you (it's a submission baton).  Afterwards, ask him if he needs any  

more help.  He will ask you to acquire shaping equipment for him.  Each 
piece of equipment gets you 40 gold and perhaps some EXP.  In the room 
to the NE in the shop, you can steal a leaded shield and a lot of 
valuable small items.  

The Hill (4) 

Q: None.
C & S: Healing Craft, Create Roamer.
O: None.
Enemies: Spawners, Thahds, Artilas, Burning Turrets, Submission 
Turrets.
D: East to Kantre's Realm, West to Power Station.
  This level twists about a bit, and there are several spawner/turret 
combos here.  Take your time.  The most useful items are found in the 
center west section of the map.  Here you will find two tombs that, 
when used, will give you points in Healing Craft and in Create Roamer.  
You must have points in both of these skills before you can get these 
skills from the tombs, but this shouldn't be a problem at this point.  
To the NW you can find a set of shaper equipment, and a green baton on 
the body nearby.  If you head to the east you'll find more enemies, as 
well as a brown baton to the south.  There's not too much else here.

Kantre's Realm (4.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Cure Effects.
O: None.
Enemies: Submission Turrets, Reaper Turrets, Glaahks, (and that's it, 
hopefully).
D: West to The Hill, South to Icewalls, East to West Gate.
  As you enter, a servile will approach you.  He will warn you that you 
aren't welcom here.  Kantre doesn't like you.  Fortunately, you can 
talk him out of attacking you outright (although you'll have to lie).  
There are some very valuable items here, but first you ought to go 
speak with this Kantre.  Try to have at least 8 in leadership before 
doing talking with him.  If you have less and try to talk with him, 
you'll be in significant trouble.  Battle alphas and Glaahks roam this 
area, and if you make Kantre mad, you'll be in trouble as they'll all 
attack you (and the nearby spawning pads will be activated, releasing 
many powerful enemies, just waiting to kill you).  You will find Kantre 
pretty easily by heading to the east and going up the central hall.  As 
you proceed through the hall, you'll see a body behind a turret.  The 
body has 5 gems.  Get to the far north, and you'll see Kantre, a crazed 
servile mind.  Again, I hope you have 8 or more leadership.  Talk with 
him.  The only viable path is "Don't attack" followed by "Pass safely."  
This will calm the mind down, and he'll give you a key from the 
container to the north.  The mind will also open a door for you.  The 
rooms to the east have a shaped belt, and several minor goods.  Now 
you'll want to head down to the SW.  You'll find two rooms.  The north 
one has several mines that can be destroyed by using a green baton.  
The containers here have several minor goods and a rod of defenses.  
The main treasure is in the southern room.  Enter the first room, and 
prepare for a fight with two reaper turrets.  Open the door, and kill 
them.  Take the charmed plate from the blue box.  It is one of the 
three best armors available in the game (quicksilver plate is the best, 
this one ties with the shaped breastplate).  Head to the east, and 
enter the first room for a canister of cure effects, head north, and 
enter the room for a healing and an essence pool.  Go up to the north, 
and enter the main room.  Kill the turrets in here, then open the 
center cell.  You'll be attacked by several Glaahks, who have some 
decent items on their bodies, including a discipline wand and a 
restoration pod.  Exit here to clear this area.

Sealed Labs (5)
Q: None
C & S: Dominate, Create Drayk, Battle Magic, Mental Magic, Blessing 
Magic, Fire Shaping, Battle Shaping, Magic Shaping.
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Withered Turrets, Guardian Specters, Agent Specters, 
Shaper Specters, Zavor, Tek.
D: East to South Workshop, West to Patrol Bridge, North to Icewalls.
  This map is a very rewarding area, but also quite difficult.  There 
are two bosses here, and both are quite strong.  Also, this may be your 
first encounter with powerful, mobile magic users.  Some strategy will 
be required, or else you'll be replacing your creations incessantly, 
and using healing pods to no end.  Generally, the guardian specters are 
pretty easy, whereas both the agent and shaper specters require a bit 
more skill.  Fortunately, your main character is probably strong enough 
(and resistant enough) to take many of the dangerous enemy's blows.  
Once you see a magic using enemy, follow one of these two options: run 
up to it (best if you've already explored the region, or if there are 
no corners to hide around, or if you've got a bunch of slow, physically 
weak creations with you) and position yourself in such a way so as to 
receive the brunt of their attack.  Or you may hide from the enemy, 
preferably around a corner, and let them come to you so that you can 
provide a pummeling at your leisure.  As you enter this level, you will 
encounter some sholai.  As usual, if you have the Taker amulet, they 
will be friendly (but unhelpful), else you will be attacked.  There are 
some decent supplies hidden to the east, in the Sholai supplies.  Head 
to the north, and unlock the door, using a lot of tools.  Unlock the 
next door, and you'll enter the lab.  I am not sure what "you feel a 
cold presence" means exactly, but it may mean that a specter has been 
randomly generated on the level.  It may also mean that either Tek or 
Zavor is alive.  Immediately east and west are the only two turrets in 
the game, both are pretty easy.  You will probably also encounter a 
specter or two, use them to gauge whether or not you are ready for this 
level.  Rarely, the specters will drop cloaks and gloves, although both 
come with significant penalties, decreasing their worth.  Your main 
objective should be the control panel to the south.  It is guarded by 
some specters.  Use all of the buttons, then go east.  You'll find 
several rooms.  Most have minor goodies and coins, but Zavor's room has 
an additional door, leading to his closet.  If you have used the panel, 
open this door and take the canister of Create Drayk.  There is also a 
coated cloak and a jeweled wand nearby.  Head to the west, and you'll 
find pods, crystals, and thorns.  Get to the SW, killing all of the 
specters, and you'll find a canister of Dominate.  Head a bit east, 
then start going north.  Prepare for a tough battle.  You'll find the 
specter Zavor guarded by four guardian specters.  Kill them, and you 
can take Zavor's ring, one of the three best rings in the game (and 
most people's favorite).  Then head to the SE.  You'll find a tombs 
region, with, as usual, tomes in the tombs.  Use them as you see fit, 
and you'll be attacked by a group of specters.  Head to the very east, 
then head north.  You'll encounter the specter of Tek, a guardian.  He 
is easier than Zavor, as he has no buddies protecting him.  Kill him 
for his dirk, arguably the second best weapon in the game (the guardian 
claymore is probably better for agents and guardians).  Leave once 
you're ready.

South Workshop (5)
Q: Slay Corata
C & S: Create Battle Alpha, Unlock, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, 
Endurance.
O: None.
Enemies: Guardian Specters, Agent Specters, Corata.
D: West to Sealed Labs, East to Winding Road.
  This area is very rewarding (and necessary for a good ending).  This 
is also one of the annoying areas, similar to the Power Core.  
Fortunately, the damage done by this level is poison based, and can be 
stopped merely be a cure spell or two.  You'll enter on the east.  
Immediately head west, through the door, then head north.  Reactivate 
the power spiral; it will make you life much easier.  Head back outside 
to the east, and use the control panel.  Press the third button.  Head 
to the east.  Since you pressed the third button, all of the pylons in 
this level will be friendly (and fight with you) if you find their 
power source.  As you wander around, you'll find areas with specters 
that appear next to pylons.  If the pylon is recharged (by reactivating 
a nearby power spiral), you'll be assisted by the pylon.  Head to the 
center, and you'll find a servant mind.  This mind doesn't like Corata, 
and, provided you have enough leadership, you can acquire its 
assistance.  The mind gives you the quest to kill Corata.  You'll also 
find an unlock canister nearby, as well as several pods and tools.  To 
the center west, you'll see several mines- disarm them and get to 
chest.  Inside you'll find the very valuable shaper robe (which is 
extremely useful for the agent).  The shaper robe raises all of your 
shaping skills.  Be sure to equip it before making any new creations, 
and they'll start out with another level (unless you already have a lot 
of shaper skill).  Head to the east, and you'll find a room with a 
canister of create battle alpha, a quicksilver chain, and, to the SE, 
you'll find a Rod of Succor.  Head west, past the damaging pools, and 
you can get a jar of mind nutrients.  Finally, head to the SW.  You'll 
find Corata.  If you have enough leadership, you can convince him to 
give you the control rod.  Find it to the SW (this is the only place to 
find one).  As you leave, a bug will make Corata constantly ask you for 
help.  Eventually, you'll have to tell him to buzz off, at which point 
you'll have to fight him.  If you desire, head to the SE and NW and 
reactivate the power spirals, which makes the pylons attack him and his 
cronies.  Once dead, Corata gives you a reflecting shield.  Return to 
the servant mind and tell him you've succeeded.  He'll strengthen all 
of your base stats by 1 as a reward.

Crossroads (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Glaahk.
O: None.
Enemies: Specter Shades, Guardian Specters, Sholai.
D: South to Winding Road, East to Front Gate, West to Icewalls.
  Contrary to the norm, the sholai here will be hostile if you're 
allied with the Takers.  In fact, the sholai mage named Gavrila will 
steal your amulet, and you'll have to kill all of the sholai to the NW 
to get it back.  If you don't have the amulet, you can learn the Sholai 
tongue from Gavrila, and all of the sholai here are friendly.  There 
are some minor items in their containers and supply chests.  To the SE 
you'll find an area with a lot of mines.  Don't bother exploring it 
unless you don't want to be bothered by Gavrila (if you have the amulet 
and are a low level, this is a good option).  Otherwise, the only thing 
to do here is to go to the SW and enter the temple.  Get to the altar, 
and you can take Bhargeth's girdle.  Upon doing so, you'll be attacked 
by several specters.  They shouldn't be too difficult.  Exit through 
the east gate to clear this level.

Icewalls (4.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Dominate.
O: None.
Enemies: Plated Bugs, Vlish, Terror Vlish, Spawners, Sholai.
D: North to Kantre's Realm, East to Crossroads, South to Sealed Labs, 
West to West Workshop.
  This is an annoying level.  If you avoid it, you won't miss out on 
much.  Then again, it's not all that difficult.  As you wander this 
level, you will be attacked by a lot of enemies.  By now they shouldn't 
be all that difficult.  Probably your main goal should be to get to the 
center of the map, and kill the spawners (~5).  This will alleviate 
some of your problems.  One flashing spawner is especially annoying.  
All spawners are also guarded by evil green slime pools.  After you've 
slain them all, check the chest for a key that will open the door to 
the west.  This should also clear the level.  To the NE, you'll find a 
room with dead, frozen serviles.  Take the canister of Dominate, and 
search their bodies for minor equipment, and a quicksilver chitin armor 
(a decent armor for guardians, but better armor isn't all that hard to 
find).  Head to the west to get to the west workshop.  You'll notice 
that several doors here do not open.  Although I have not personally 
verified this, if you get the baton from the west workshop, these doors 
will open and sholai will attack you.  They don't have anything all 
that great, so this isn't really worth bothering with all that much.  i 
do not know if they attack you if you have the Taker Amulet.

West Gate (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Drayk.
O: None.
Enemies: Guardian Specters, Agent Specters, Sholai Scouts.
D: West to Kantre's Realm, East to the Vats.
  The Sholai here will really beat you up if you're not fast.  Having a 
good bit of quick action will help.  If you can hit them once, they 
will run away without lobbing their searing orbs.  Check the western 
door for an area with several guardian specters and an agent specter.  
Kill them, then check the northern container for a shaped breastplate.  
Attempt to cross over the bridges (there are plenty of sholai here who 
attempt to stop you), and go to the SE.  You'll find a room with 
several containers.  Some of them have decent equipment, and one has 
shaper equipment.  When you're ready, prepare yourself for a tough 
battle (casting spells and such), then open the attached door.  You'll 
be faced with a hoard of specters.  Kill them all, and you can claim a 
canister of create drayk.  Head to the NE, and go around to the 
northern corner of the building.  You'll see several sacks of grain- 
these contain thorns of various types.  When you're ready, head into 
the building.  The sholai have left some nice equipment here for you to 
take.  Continue east, and you'll see a control panel.  Use it, and if 
you have an entrance rod, you can open the door.  This gives you access 
to the Vats and clears the level.  If you can clear this level without 
too much heartache, you will probably be equally successful on the two 
other speed-demon levels: Diarazad, and the Spirit Gates.

Diarazad (5)
Q: None.
C & S: None.
O: None.
Enemies: Stealth Sholai, Burning Turrets, Submission Turrets, Crypt 
Greeters.
D: East to Peaceful Vale, West to Shaper Crypt, North to Ancient Crypt, 
South to Junkyard.
  There are plenty of speedy sholai here.  Be careful.  If you can hit 
them before they attack, they will run away.  If you can kill them, all 
the better.  Unfortunately, there's not too much here in the way of 
quality equipment, nor are there any canisters.  I believe the sholai 
here will attack you even if you have the Taker amulet.  This level 
must be completed in order to get access to the best and most difficult 
area in the game, the shaper crypt.  There is some shaper equipment a 
bit south of the west exit.  Give it to the Junkyard serviles.

West Workshop (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Thahd, Healing Craft.
O: None.
Enemies: Cryodrayks.
D: East to Icewalls.
  This is the second most dangerous damaging level in the game (the 
Power Core alone is [much] worse).  Fortunately, you can turn off the 
damaging element in this level.  In fact, as soon as you enter this 
level, this should be your main goal.  After entering from the east, 
head straight north.  You'll probably encounter some cryodrayks- take 
them out.  Then head east to the central north section.  All this 
should be done after you've entered combat mode, so as to minimize the 
ice damage.  Head south, alone, to the area with the power spirals.  
Turn them all off.  If you have the control key, this is very easy.  
Else you'll probably need a good bit of mechanics.  You will be damaged 
every turn until you've accomplished this task.  Once done, you can 
explore this area at your leisure.  First, you should probably head to 
the north.  You'll find a servant mind.  Fuss at it a little bit, and 
it'll open a door for you, and turn off some lava pits.  In the eastern 
section of this map you'll find some shaper records.  To the NE you'll 
find a canister of create thahd, a null wand, some reaper ammo, and 
miscellaneous pods and spores.  To the NW you'll find several 
containers with rough crystals, and a rod of alacrity.  To the west, 
you'll find an entry baton.  If you don't have one already, you can 
take this one (also, some doors in Icewalls open with hostile Sholai).  
Head to the SW to find a canister of healing craft, a submission baton 
in the nest to the SW, and a transference robe (although I don't use 
it, I suppose shapers could find it very beneficial).  In the south 
section, you'll find a shaped blade (the mind must open this door for 
you, however).  To the SE you'll find restoration spores in a 
container, which are powerful healing items.  Finally, in the central 
room (with the spirals) you'll find some minor goods.

Dry Wastes (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Searing Orbs.
O: None.
Enemies: Specters, Specter Sages, Plated Bugs, Stinging Clawbugs,  

Hunter Clawbugs, Pylons.
D: South to Bandit Woods, East to Junkyard, West to Western Wastes.
  This level has several strong clawbugs causing it to merit a rating 
of 5.  Do not attempt this level just coming from the Bandit Woods.  
You will die.  Fast.  Fortunately, this level is pretty straight-
forward.  To the NE is the only region of major interest.  Here you 
will find plenty of clawbugs, but also some shaped gauntlets, some 
shaper equipment, and a canister of searing orbs.  You will also find a 
hostile pylon here- it likes to cast heal on itself and acquaintances.  
They can be difficult in groups, but don't have any attacks other then 
their poisonous death-explosion. To the SW you will find some specters 
that seem to be guarding a stone column.  Otherwise, that's it for this 
area.

Western Wastes (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Battle Alpha
O: None.
Enemies: Crescent Thahd, Spawners, Stinging Clawbugs, Plated Bugs, 
Wastes Ghosts, Pylons.
D: East to Dry Wastes, North to Valley of the Wind.
  This is yet another straightforward level.  It's also quite difficult 
for a low level character.  There are several clawbug spawners here.  
Killing them all will clear the level.  In some cases, the spawners 
will be accompanied by the healing-pylons.  If you're at a low level, 
you may be forced to take the pylons out first so as to actually be 
able to do damage to the enemies.  Near the center you'll find a body 
with a jeweled wand.  You may also find the crescent thahd if you 
haven't killed the crescent shade in the Drayk's Vale.  It will drop 
the stone used in the Shaper's crypt, and is very weak.  There are 
several nooks in the borders, search them all.  Most don't contain 
anything major of note, but the ones to the NE has a canister of create 
battle alpha.  Finally, to the west you'll find a room with health and 
energy crystals.  Use them to get back up to strength.

Valley of the Wind (5)
Q: None.
C & S:
O: None.
Enemies: Wind Walkers, Wastes Ghosts.
D: South to Western Wastes, North to Spirit City.
  This is the home of the wind walkers, which are probably the most 
fearsome spirit you'll be forced to fight.  They are very fast, and if 
they hit you, they can slow and curse you.  Try to hit them first, and 
they will run away.  There are some places of interest here: to the SW 
you'll find several dead sholai.  Many have decent equipment.  To the 
SE you'll find a strange room with "pools" that will heal your ailments 
and rejuvenate your spell and essence points.  Do not use them after you've 
taken the Arcane band, or you'll die instantly (from ???).  To the NE you'll 
find the best item here: make your way to the tomb and take the ring.  All 
of the wind walkers will become hostile and hunt you down, but you'll 
get an Arcane Band.  To the center west you'll find a strange box that 
rattles.  Open it, and you'll be attacked by two ghosts.  One of them 
is carrying a living knife.  Head to the north, and fight all of the 
wastes ghosts.  Killing them all completes the junkyard quest, and 
exiting through the North clears this level.
 

Spirit City (5.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Luck.
O: None.
Enemies: Wastes Ghosts, Battle Betas, Battle Gammas, Terror Vlish, 
Witch Ghost, Priest Shade.
D: North to Great Temple, South to Valley of the Wind.
  Depending on how you choose to approach this level, it can be either 
very easy, or very difficult.  Several neutral (blue) wastes ghosts 
roam this level. These are not your standard pushover wastes ghosts, 
however, and they can really beat you to a bloody pulp if you're not 
cautious.  Also, if you are attacked by one, you will be attacked by 
all of them, and they have a special fear attack.  They will attack you 
if they catch you stealing their stuff.   Be sure not to loot any of 
their containers if they are present, or they will attack you.  You can 
avoid their attacks by making sure they're out of the room you're 
looting.  Some of the items of major interest include a strange pot 
that restores 100 essence if used to the SW, a terror want to the SE, 
and a fibrous shield in the lower central building.  Also in this 
building is an imprisoned ghost.  Free it for 1 point of luck.  To the 
north you'll find a small army of battle creatures and vlish- they can 
be very difficult at lower levels.  They are easier than the ghosts, 
however.  To the NW you'll find a hostile witch ghost.  Kill her, and 
she'll drop an emerald.  She also possesses many pods and spores.  
Finally, there is the spirit temple.  You'll notice a pylon as you 
enter.  There are two ways to explore the temple- the painful way and 
the easy way (the easy way is a major spoiler, and I don't want to make 
the game too easy, but there are large hints at the end of this FAQ for 
figuring out how to get in).  The hard way is to enter combat and 
explore, taking damage each turn.  You'll find a priest shade here.  
Talk with it, and it'll tell you to check out the room to the NE.  Do 
so (picking up the shaped gauntlets along the way), and return.  He 
will tell you the BIG SECRET.  Now, you can go hostile, and kill all  
the shades here.  If you do, you will incur the wrath of all of the 
shades, including those outside the temple.  It's your choice.  You 
will get a lot of exp, and a decent pair of boots, but otherwise, there 
is no real reason to do so.  Anyway, this is how I do it: Prepare for 
battle (bless, haste, shield yourself and your creations).  Enter the 
SE room, and collect down there.  Kill anything that chases after you.  
It's difficult, but possible.  For all your troubles, you get a pair of 
stability boots, and some pods and spores.  Once done, you will 
probably want to go to the Sentinels next, and not to the great temple, 
as there is a direction-dependent quest in the Sentinels.

The Sentinels (5)
Q: Slay Goettsch
C & S: Endurance.
O: None.
Enemies: Reapers, Rogue Ornks, Elder Ornks, Ornk Lord.
D: East to Drayk's Vale, West to Great Temple.
  This is one of the more surprising levels in the game.  You may need 
to get a few more points of mechanics so as to be able to fully take 
advantage of this level.  This area is home to the same 
reaper/mine/crystal combination of the Ancient Temple.  As such, an 
enterprising PC can harvest the reapers for their thorns.  You will 
need over 10 mechanics (~12) in order to do this successfully.  Note 
that you do not want to take the "back route" and circle around 
Heustess, as he will not give you his quest.  Instead, either go 
through the ghosts, or exit the back routes before the final passage.  
Hopefully you are entering this level from the east, otherwise you lose 
Heustess's quest.  Immediately to your NE is a passage leading to two 
hostile reapers- slay them and check the body for a pair of quicksilver 
boots.  Go a bit south, and you'll find some pouches guarded by 
poisonous pools.  Head to the SE, you'll be alerted to angry mooing.  
This is one of the more surreal moments in the game, in which you are 
attacked by ornks.  These ornks are pretty strong, and also explode 
when they die.  Make your way to the altar, and prepare for a tough 
battle.  Use the altar to take the gloves, then kill the Ornk lord.  
For this, you can claim the ornkskin gloves, which are rather strong, 
but come with a significant penalty.  You can either head through the 
nearby passage (mechanics route), or go north a bit and talk with the 
ghost (leadership route).  Exit the mechanics route when you are next 
able.  Talk with the ghosts, and if you have adequate leadership (10 or 
so), you will be able to avoid their fees.  Alternatively, you could 
just slay them.  Otherwise you'll have to take a penalty to strength, 
dexterity, and intelligence.  Make your way north, and you'll see a 
servile, named Heustess.  Heustess is the last of the race of people 
who inhabited this island.  Talk with him.  If you have learned the big 
secret, he may attack you (although for me he just broke conversation, 
but I was able to reinitiate it without problem).  Ask him about his 
fee, and if you have a high enough leadership, you can get him to give 
you the quest to kill Goettsch.  Doing so gets you a point of 
endurance.  Alternatively, you can kill Heustess, and get a Crystal 
Plate.  You can also do this after you complete Heustess's quest.

Great Temple (5.5)
Q: Slay Trajkov.
C & S: Create Drayk.
O: None.
Enemies: Cryodrayks, Serviles, Battle Betas, Battle Gammas, Goettsch.
D: East to the Sentinels, South to the Spirit City.
  This is the home of one of the two main bosses of Sucil island.  
Goettsch is a shaper who is at odds with Trajkov.  He is part of the 
triangle of power and deception that includes you and Trajkov.  As soon 
as you enter this level, you will be stopped by a battle gamma greeter.  
He takes you to Goettsch through a safe path.  If you want, you can 
veer off and kill some of Goettsch's pets, there's no penalty.  Follow 
the battle gamma, and you'll be led to Goettsch.  He beckons you to 
speak with him.  There's a lot of shaper equipment nearby, take it for 
the Junkyard quest.  Speak with Goettsch when you desire.  If you are 
doing Heustess's quest, you'll have to talk your way out of a fight, 
but with adequate (~10?) leadership, this should be easy.  He tells you 
the story of how he came to be caught by Trajkov and how he realized 
the power of the Geneforge.  Then he gives you your mission: to slay 
Trajkov.  He will give you a pair of Fake Shaper Gloves to aid you in 
this quest.  He will also make all of creations not hostile if you have 
enough leadership and ask him properly.  If you're in quandary over 
whom you should trust, Trajkov or Goettsch, let's just say that 
Goettsch makes Trajkov look like Noble Knight in Shining Armor.  
Helping Goettsch is an option, but probably a poor one, honestly.  If 
you have killed Trajkov and freed the Geneforge, Goettsch says he will 
let you off the island as your reward.  Pretty crummy.  You'll probably 
want to kill him, but if you do so right now, you'll get ganged up on.  
If you've convinced him to make his creations not hostile, you'll have 
an easier time.  Find each batch of (neutral) creations, and force 
attack them.  Kill all nearby creations.  Then, enter the room with 
Goettsch, and kill the drayks nearby.  Leave the Greeter, his serviles, 
and Goettsch be until you're ready.  Then attack him.  He's difficult, 
but not impossible.  Once you've removed Goettsch from the picture, 
you're free to explore at your leisure.  Goettsch drops a shaper's belt 
and a red spore baton.  You'll find a column to the north- it will give 
you a rod of alacrity if you look at it.  To the NE you'll find some 
red mines- explode them with the red baton.  Search the containers 
nearby for a canister of create Drayk, and the extremely valuable 
quicksilver plate.  You'll find two pools to the north, and the object 
of this level to the NW.  There are two ways of getting to the NW room- 
through the mines (a lot of mechanics and speed required), or through 
the guardians (not all that tough).  I prefer the guardian route 
(south).  You'll also find a charmed falchion and an emerald in this 
room.  Enter the NW room- you'll see two mines, both of which summon 
strong battle creations.  If you have 14 mechanics, you can defuse them 
beforehand.  Finally, you can acquire the Shaper gloves (necessary for 
using the Geneforge and the object of Trajkov's quest).  Once you do, 
any not hostile creations on the level become hostile.  If there are 
any left (or all of them, depending on the violence of your approach), 
you'll need to kill or otherwise get around them.

The Vats (4)
Q: None.
C & S: Mass Restore.
O: None.
Enemies: Glaahks, Ur-Glaahks.
D: West to West Gate, East to Central Labs.
  As you first enter this area, you might think "Oh no, not one of 
these levels again!"  Indeed, this level will poison you as you wander 
through it.  Fortunately, this is the least deadly of all of these 
levels.  Immediately to your north you can find some vat chitin and 
boots (which provide poison and acid resistance), but they're hardly 
necessary.  Head to your south, and disarm the mines as best you can, 
and continue to the SE corner.  You'll also come across a room with 
some reaper ammo and a canister of Mass Restore.  Head north, getting 
past the mines, and you'll find a Servant Mind (which is also the 
object of Serabryakov's quest).  Tell it to stop poisoning the air, and 
all of your problems end.  Alternatively, you *could* wander through 
all the poison pools and fight the glaahks, getting occasionally 
poisoned along the way, and wouldn't have to disarm the few mines, but 
why?  If you want to go back now that the poison is turned off, you'll 
find a few minor items including some shaped boots and a mica band on a 
body in the NW corner, and some spores and pods throughout in small 
containers.  It's not really worth it, in my opinion.

Front Gate (5.5)
Q: None.
C & S:
O: None.
Enemies: Reapers, Sholai, Inn Ghosts.
D: North to Central Labs, West to Crossroads.
  Several reaper turrets line the passage to the main building.  They 
will be hostile without the Taker's amulet, as will the sholai.  There 
are some augmented sholai here, so be careful if you don't have the 
amulet.  To the NW you'll find an abandoned inn, home to several Inn 
ghosts.  They are guarding a stability belt in the NE room.  To the SE 
you'll find a body with minor equipment (at this point in the game). 
Head to the NE, this is where the majority of the Sholai are located.  
There is also a named sholai here (I killed him a bit too early, 
unfortunately) but he doesn't help you much.  There are several pieces 
of shaper equipment to the east of the main room, and other goods.  
Sholai wizards and mages are guarding this area, so be careful.  In the 
western section of the area, you'll find some nice armor, including a 
shaped shield and grounded boots.  You can leave through the main 
chamber (don't bother with the NE lever- the DO NOT PULL one).


Central Labs (6)
Q: Slay the Vats Mind.
C & S: Dexterity, Create Glaahk, Dominate.
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Submission Turrets, Pylons, Battle Betas, Augmented 
Battle Beta.
D: East to Quarters, North to Holding Cells, South to Front Gate, West 
to Vats.
  If you have the Taker's amulet, you won't have any problems with this 
level, for the most part.  In fact, you can meet with Serabryakov 
(center west), who has been heavily augmented, and he will give you a 
quest to kill the Vats mind.  If you have enough leadership, you can 
convince him to give you your reward early- the combination to his room 
in the quarters.  Otherwise, you'll have to do it the hard way.  You'll 
see a lot of sholai researchers, mages, and wizards throughout this 
level, but they are generally unhelpful.  You'll also find Vershinin 
(SE), who is an irritable mage who shows you what the sholai have been 
researching.  However, if you don't have the amulet, you're in for a 
rough time.  It's not too difficult (not 6 difficulty yet), but it'll 
take some significant effort.  Naturally, both Serabryakov and 
Vershinin are hostile, and their deaths will yield a shaped blade 
(Serabryakov), and a girlde of endurance and shining shield 
(Vershinin).  All of the rest of the sholai will likewise be hostile, 
including the searing orbs-happy mages/wizards/researchers.  One 
researcher had a Vat chitin on his body.  You'll also find a lot of 
shaper equipment and records on this level, be sure to collect and 
trade them in.  Be sure to get to the center east room and pull all of 
the levers as soon as you can.  Doing so opens all of the exits for 
you, I believe.  To the east you'll find three doors.  One of these 
will automatically open, and has a canister of dominate.  The southern 
one will open if you use the lever in the lab just south, and has a 
canister of create Glaahk.  The northern one requires a lot of tools to 
open (or the control key), and will net you a canister of dexterity.  
To the NE you'll find a dead body guarded by a fierce battle beta.  The 
body has some decent equipment on it.  Also, guarding the north door 
are six submission turrets.  These will be hostile without the Taker 
amulet.  Luckily they shouldn't be all that difficult at this point (I 
used a few swarm crystals on them).  Finally, you can enter the region 
to the NW.  Here you will find several pylons of the highest level, 
which are the reason I gave this level a 6 in difficulty.  These things 
are tough, and enjoy wasting your creations and often you.  The reward 
is decent: a Shaper's boon ring.  Give it a try if you're willing, but 
be sure to haste, bless, and shield yourself and your creations.  You 
then have two options for getting to Trajkov- through the quarters, or 
through the holding cells.  The holding cells is easier if you don't 
have the amulet, and vice versa if you do.

Holding Cells (5)
Q: None.
C & S: Battle Magic.
O: None.
Enemies: Glaahks, Pylons, Drayks, Ur-Glaahks.
D: South to Central Labs, East to Geneforge.
  This is the easier route for those who do not possess the Taker 
Amulet.  You'll want to immediately head east, as the path to the north 
is pretty rough and difficult.  It is an option, albeit in my opinion a 
poor one.  Instead you'll want to head through the creations.  They can 
be somewhat tough, but not so much as to completely stop you at this 
time.  You'll find a room that has a dead body (with a grounded robe), 
to the east you'll find a room with reaper ammo.  Continue east then 
north (you can't open the rooms nearby just yet), and you'll find 
plenty of nests.  Many of them have useful objects like rods, gems, and 
shaper records or equipment.  Head to the north, and you'll see two 
caged Drayks.  Throughout this level, some of the Drayks will drop 
Draykskin tunics, so watch out.  The caged Drayks have some nice 
equipment and treasure.  You'll find a door to the north, but it is 
heavily locked.  Don't bother opening it, as you'll find a key shortly.  
Head to the center north, you'll find a dead servant mind.  There is a 
jar of mind nutrients nearby, be sure to grab it.  You'll also see a 
control panel, go ahead and pull all of the levers.  Head a bit south 
and then west, kill the pylon, search the cabinet for a key, and go 
north.  You'll find Danette's shade.  Quiz it for background story.  
Head to the SW- you'll find a canister of battle magic and some shaper 
records.  Further SW you'll find an experimental glaahk- kill it and 
you can get the best shield in the game, the Agent's shelter.  Now head 
north, your key will unlock the lever.  This lets you go to the 
Geneforge.

Quarters (5)
Q: Slay Akkat.
C & S: Firebolt, Create Fyora.
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Drayks, Reapers, Akkat, Varya.
D: North to Geneforge, West to Central Labs.
  As always, the Sholai here will be friendly if you have the Taker's 
amulet.  Else, they'll be hostile.  On this level, they also happen to 
have several Drayks, so be careful.  If you have the amulet, go to the 
door and talk with Varya.  She gives you a quest to off a nearby drayk- 
Akkat.  Luckily, you can play them both if you have enough leadership.  
Tell Akkat that Varya wants him dead, and he will attack her, joining 
forces with you.  Take note that this does NOT make the sholai hostile- 
they seem to be fed up with her nonsense as well.  Otherwise, you can 
kill Akkat.  He isn't too tough, and you can take his nest items 
(girdle of strength, jewelled wand, gems).  You can kill both if you 
desire.  There's a room here that is locked.  If you have done 
Serabryakov's quest, you can open this room without problems.  Or if 
you have convinced him to give you the secret, you can open it.  Or, if 
you have enough intelligence, you can open the door.  Inside you'll 
find ammo, minor equipment, a reaper turret, and two (weak) canisters: 
firebolt, and create fyora.  One of the rooms nearby also has a book  
that will teach you the Sholai language.  Probably the most important 
area here is to the NE.  Head that way, and you'll see drayks and 
reaper turrets.  Enter Trajkov's room.  You'll find several reaper 
turrets, kill them as best you are able.  You'll find restoration 
spores, a thahd skin tunic, a red spore baton (very useful), an entry 
baton (if you need one), and the damaged shaper gloves.  Finally, 
you'll find the Guardian Claymore, which is a very useful and powerful 
weapon.  Agents and Guardians will especially appreciate it.  Now is a 
good time to head to the Geneforge.

The Geneforge (5.5)
Q: Read Geneforge Tome, Retrieve Shaper's Gloves.
C & S: Using the Geneforge gives- 8 Str, 8 Dex, 8 Int, 8 End, 8 Melee, 
8 Spell Craft, and 8 to all Shaper skills.
O: None.
Enemies: Trajkov, Battle Betas, Battle Gammas, Cryodrayks.
D: West to Holding Cells, South to Quarters.
  Here is the object of your quest, of the game.  Trajkov awaits you.  
But first, you can kill a drayk to the NW, taking the shaped 
breastplate, shield, and reaper baton from the nearby bodies.  To the 
NE you'll find a locked room with the Geneforge.  The door will unlock 
itself if Trajkov wills it or dies.  Speak with Trajkov.  You can go 
ahead and be hostile if you so desire, but may find it easier to be 
friendly.  If you agree to listen what he has to say, he will give you 
a quest to read the book behind him, then tell him what you've read.  
If you lie, he will attack you.  If you tell the truth, he will ask you 
if you want to help him.  If you agree to help him he will give you an 
amulet (the same as the Takers gave you), and a quest to recover the 
Shaper's gloves, which Goettsch stole from him.  Now you have a few 
more options.  It is pretty easy to betray Trajkov, especially if 
you've got a lot of leadership (and mechanics, if you don't have 
Goettsch's fake gloves).  Show Trajkov the gloves, and if you have 
enough leadership, tell him that his creations will interfere with 
their use.  He will dismiss them (allowing you to kill him easily, if 
you so desire).  If you have the fake shaper gloves from Goettsch and 
enough leadership, you can convince Trajkov that these gloves will be 
good enough.  Or, if you have the damaged shaper gloves (from Trajkov's 
room) and enough mechanics, you can convince him that the gloves are 
repaired.  Then, if you have enough leadership, you can convince him to 
use the damaged gloves.  Both result in nasty ends to Trajkov.  You can 
also choose to fight him.  He has a super-strong searing orbs spell (4-
5 at a time), but isn't too difficult, especially if he doesn't have 
any help.  Finally, you can choose to help Trajkov.  Afterwards, you 
can either leave the island, or attack him (in his beefed up form...), 
and reclaim the gloves.  If you choose to kill him (instantly angering 
the Takers), you have two more choices.  You can choose to destroy the 
Geneforge without using it (the Obeyer path), or to use the Geneforge 
(for a lot of significant stat increases).  You should destroy the 
Geneforge afterwards, if you choose to use it.  You will need the 
control key to destroy the Geneforge without being blown to 
smithereens.  If you choose to use the Geneforge, absorb all of your 
creations before doing so.  You will be able to get all of the 
experience, and make much stronger creations on your own.  You may also 
want to absorb them before destroying the Geneforge as well.  Trajkov 
will drop a girdle of strength and a shaped blade when slain.

Shaper Crypt (6)
Q: None.
C & S: Battle Shaping, Battle Magic, Fire Shaping, Mental Magic.
O: None.
Enemies: Glaahks, Drayks, Battle Alphas, Pylons.
D: East to Diarazad, West to Inner Crypt.
  Welcome to hell.  These two areas (with the Inner Crypt) are easily 
the most difficult areas in the game.  The main cause of this is the 
endless spawners (these aren't the biological ones, either).  They 
create several groups of creations every few minutes.  These creations 
are also rather powerful (>400 hit points for the drayks), and can do 
significant damage to you and your pets.  Fortunately, with great risk 
comes great reward.  Glaahks on this level may drop some very valuable 
items- things ranging from gems and steel knives to shaper robes and 
singing blades, among others.  There are also several tombs here, which 
will give you points in battle shaping, battle magic, fire shaping, and 
mental magic.  There is also a tomb that contains a pair of green boots 
and another containing a guardian cloak (the only free one of such an 
item).  The enemies here will also consistently give you experience, 
whereas most of the enemies elsewhere stop, making this the best area 
to gain levels late-game.  Finally, in the SE you'll find a servant 
mind.  If you desire and have nutrients to spare, you can feed it.  It 
will tell you the purpose of this crypt, and will also turn off the 
western pylons for you (a very valuable action- dealing with the 
creations on this map is chore enough).  You can also find several sets 
of shaper equipment here, especially around the northern spawners.  
When you're ready, head to the NW.  You'll find a door, and a special 
to the south on the subject of a crescent stone.  You will need one to 
open this door.  Crescent stone-bearing creatures can be found in the 
Western Wastes, and the Drayk's Vale.  Before coming here you'll 
probably want to get one and bring it with you so as to prevent having 
to get one later.

Inner Crypt (6)
Q: None.
C & S: Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Intelligence, Magic Shaping, 
Spellcraft, Healing Craft, Blessing Magic.
O: None.
Enemies: Glaahks, Battle Alphas, Drayks, Pylons, Danette.
D: East to Shaper Crypt.
  Urg.  The enemies here are still just as tough, if not worse than in 
the previous level.  I will be vague here, mainly because it's hard to 
really write about this level- too much of my energy is spent on trying 
to survive.  There are more tombs on this level, many of them contain 
nice items (stasis shield, shaped blade, quicksilver plate, grounded 
boots) or skills (magic shaping, spellcraft, healing craft, blessing 
magic).  The most important thing is to the NW.  In this room you'll 
find Danette.  She is hostile, and has some souped-up guardians 
assisting him.  Kill her buddies and then her, and claim her belt (+3 
to all primary stats).  Also you'll find some rods, and can claim her 4 
canisters (one for each primary stat).  Once you've gotten everything 
you want or have gotten beat up a lot, head back out the way you came.

Guarded Docks (5.5)
Q: None.
C & S: Create Clawbug.
O: None.
Enemies: Sholai, Terror Vlish.
D:  West to Icy Tunnel.
  Here is the end place, the final map.  It is specifically designed to 
prevent early escape, with the augmented sholai and the need for a red 
spore baton.  As you enter, you'll see a lot of mines.  You'll have to 
use your green and brown batons to destroy them.  Once you get to the 
center of the map, a sholai will approach you.  If you're not aligned 
with Trajkov and the Takers (i.e. don't have the amulet), you're in for 
a fight.  If you kill this first guy, his buddies come after you, and 
can really put the hurt on you.  There obviously are ways around this.  
To the NW you'll find a servant mind.  It needs food, as it has been 
beaten and tortured (by Varya, of all things).  If you feed it, you can 
request that it help you as its last effort.  It will scream for you, 
attracting the Sholai, and enabling you to get to the boat to the east.  
otherwise, if you have a red spore baton (the first sholai on this 
island will drop one, there's one in Trajkov's quarters, and Goettsch 
has one), use it to explode the southern mines, then go east.  You'll 
see a canister of create Clawbug.  Head north, and try to get to the 
boat.  There's not much else here (some terror vlish are to the NE and 
are guarding a grounded robe, but that's it). If you're allied with 
Trajkov and have helped him out, the sholai escort you to the boat.

ENDGAME: Geneforge, as advertised, is very open ended.  Many factors 
come into play.  If you've aligned yourself with one of the sects or 
have killed its leader, the sect has a specific ending.  The other 
sects will have different endings.  How you handled Trajkov determines 
your ending in a major way, as does what you did with the Geneforge.  
Goettsch plays a role as well.  The most fulfilling endings occur when 
you destroy Trajkov and the Geneforge without using it, when you use 
the geneforge and destroy it, and when you aid Trajkov.  There are 
others.  Experiment if you want.  If you decide on a specific ending, 
you may influence the success of the sects, even if you haven't joined 
or attacked them.  For instance, if you're aligned with the Awakened 
and destroy the Geneforge without using it, the Obeyers get the best 
ending.



                        7. CANISTER LOCATIONS (COMPLETE)
Crumbling Docks- Firebolt
Abandoned Docks 2- Create Fyora, Heal
Vakirri- War Blessing
Watch hill- Create Thahd
Thorny Fen- Unlock
Ruined School- Searer, Endurance, Create Artila
Ellhrah's Keep- Create Fyora, Cure Effects, Firebolt,
Crag Valley- War Blessing, Unlock
Pentil Woods- Create Artila
Pentil- Create Roamer
Tombs- Melee weapons
Spiral Burrow- Heal, Create Roamer
Hill of Jars- Create Thahd, Quick action, Searer
Pentil Plains- Cure Effects
Thorny Woods- Firebolt, Create Fyora
Southbridge- Create Clawbug
Northbridge- Terror
Buried Cells- Speed, Searing Orbs
Quiet Marshes- Burning Canister (dangerous)
Crystal Burrow- Speed, Create Vlish
Outpost- Terror
Kazg- Create Vlish, Create Thahd, War Blessing
Kazg Ruins- Create Clawbug, Searing Orbs, Unlock
Dry Wastes- Searing Orbs
Wooded Valley- War Blessing, Firebolt
Tribal Woods- Create Artila
Holding 2- Speed, Create Vlish
East Kazg- Terror, Endurance, Heal, Searer, Create Roamer
Servile Warrens- Quick Action, Mass Restore, Dominate, Create Ornk
Dock Ruins- Cure Effects
East Docks- Dominate, Create Battle Alpha
West Wastes- Create Battle Alpha
Patrolled Bridge- Terror, Magic Shaping
Freeplace- Searer
Power Station- Strength, Mass Energize, Create Battle Alpha
Power Core- Create Glaahk
Kantre's Realm- Cure Effects
Icewalls- Dominate
West Gate- Create Drayk
Peaceful Valley- Create Artila, Heal, Searing Orbs, Speed (for 5 skill 
points)
West Workshop- Create Thahd
Sealed Lab- Dominate, Create Drayk, 
Crossroads- Create Glaahk
Patrolled Dell- Create Drayk
Guarded Docks- Create Clawbug
Underground River- Create Clawbug
South Workshop- Create Battle Alpha, Unlock
Winding Road- Melee, Mass Energize
Great Temple- Create Drayk
Mine Core- Strength
Northern Mines- Dexterity, Intelligence, Create Glaahk
Western Mines- Mass Restore
The Arena- Create Vlish, Luck
Inner Crypt- Strength, Endurance, Intelligence, Dexterity
Central Labs- Create Glaahk, Dominate, Dexterity
Holding Cells- Battle Magic
Quarters- Firebolt, Create Fyora
Vats- Mass Restore


  Skill raising locations (not from canisters)
Ruined School- Firebolt, from Servile Mind if leadership is > 4
Ellhrah's Keep- Melee +2, Missile +2, Anatomy +1, Quick Action +1, if 
join Awakened
Pentil- Fire Shaping +1, if joined Obeyers, Mechanics, Melee
Tombs- Fire shaping, Battle shaping, Magic shaping, Healing magic, 
Mental magic, Blessing magic, Battle magic, Spellcraft
Southbridge- Leadership, Anatomy
Wooded Valley- Spellcraft from Anya, if on good terms
Icy Tunnels- Spellcraft +2, if sufficient luck (at least 2)
Patrolled Bridge- Luck from Dig, 500 coins a go
The Hill- Healing Craft, Create Roamer
Sealed Lab- battle magic, mental magic, blessing magic, fire shaping, 
battle shaping, magic shaping
South Workshop- Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Endurance +1 if you 
complete servant mind's quest
Winding Road- Mechanics, purchased for 2000 coins from Flig
Spirit City- Luck +1 from freeing ghost
Sentinels- Endurance +1 if you complete Huestess's quest.
Shaper Crypt- Battle Shaping, Battle Magic, Mental Magic, Fire Shaping
Drayk's vale- Leadership from Learned Halm for 2000 coins, if you're 
not aligned with Takers.
Inner Crypt- Magic Shaping, Spellcraft, Blessing Magic, Healing Craft
Geneforge- Using the geneforge gets you +8 Str, +8 Dex, +8 Int, +8 End, 
+8 Melee, +8 Spellcraft, +8 Fire Shaping, +8 Battle Shaping, +8 Magic 
Shaping, +8 Healing craft

Good magic item locations in the demo:
Vakirri- Belt of strength (reward for doing Crag Valley quest)
Bandit Woods- Coated Cloak (on a bandit)
Ruined school- student's belt (on boss enemy)
Ellhrah's Keep- Belt of Nimbleness (hidden in good supplies), Swan also 
has a shielding band (if you've decided to attack them)
Pentil- Carnelian gloves (hidden in Rydell's room), Shielding Band 
(free Pentil fields after getting quest).
Thorny Woods- Chilling Band or Girdle of Strength (randomly appears on 
a bandit), and possibly a fyoraskin cloak on a strange fyora.

Mind Nutrients (6): Ellhrah's Keep, Hill of Jars, Kazg, Holding 2, 
South Workshop, Holding Cells.

Language Locations: Pentil (Obeyers), East Pentil (Awakened), Kazg 
(Takers, all), Refugee Cave, Crossroads (not Takers), Winding Road, 
Patrolled Dell, Quarters.

Minds requiring nutrients (7): Control 4, Control 3, Buried Cell mind, 
Mine Core Mind, Power Station Mind, Shaper Crypt Mind, Guarded Docks 
Mind.

Entry Batons: North Mines, West workshop, Quarters.

Control Key: South Workshop

Ancient Pillars- Drayk's vale, Ancient Crypt, Diarazad, Junkyard, Dry 
Wastes, Western Wastes, Valley of the Wind, Spirit City.

A Small Secret: On the intro screen, try to get 8 copies of one 
creature.  A special message will pop up.

THE GREAT SECRET:
Sigh.  All right, I'm not going to give this one away.  For one, you 
don't get anything really all that good out of it (at best, a pair of 
magic boots).  Start in the Drayk's vale.  Touch the pillar-
and-
Travel Clockwise.

That's all for now (if there is enough desperation, I'll say more), and 
that's all I should have to give.

Unsolved Mysteries:
Nest in Pentil Woods
Kantre's Realm East door.



                        8. EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Rings:            Bonus:
Arcane Band       +10 Arm, +20 Stun, +20 Acid, +6 C Arm
Chilling Band     +25 Fire
Gold Ring
Ivory Band        +25 Poison
Mica Band         +25 Acid
Ring of Eye       +50 Mind, +25 C Mind
Shaper's Boon     +1 All creation Primary Stats
Shielding Band    +5 Arm, +15 Stun
Silver Ring
Stabilizing Band  +50 Stun, +50 C Stun
Static Band       +25 Energy
Zavor's Band      +1 All Primary Stats

Opinion: it seems to be the general consensus that Zavor's band is the 
best ring out there.  The shaper may find the Shaper's Boon to be even 
better, but other classes won't.  The Arcane band is the best if found 
before obtaining Zavor's band.  The shielding band is very nice for an 
agent, whereas both the ring of the eye and the stabilizing band are 
good for guardians and shapers.  Finally, the mica, chilling, and 
static bands are the lowest of the magic rings, in my opinion.  Don't 
bother wearing gold or silver rings, as you'll get better use out of 
selling them.

Boots/Sandals     Arm  Bonus
Sandals           +1
Boots             +3
Heavy Boots       +5
Shaped Boots      +9
Dodging Boots     +5   +2 Dex
Green Boots       +5   +3 Luck
Grounded Boots    +3   +10 Energy
Quicksilver Boots +5   +1 AP, -2 Str
Samaritan Sandals +1   +2 Healing Craft
Specter Boots     +3   +10 Acid, +10 C Acid, -2 Str
Stability Boots   +5   +1 Dex, +20 Stun
Vat boots         +3   +5 Poison, +5 Acid

Opinion: Depending on the circumstances, the quicksilver boots are the 
best (from both Zyrxil and Zeviz) if you have another quicksilver item 
equipped.  Being able to attack twice a turn (3 times when hasted) 
allows for many tactical advantages.  The penalty to strength is very 
small compared to this huge bonus.  However, if you don't have any 
quicksilver items other than the boots, then the dodging boots are 
probably the best of the boots.  That +2 to dexterity assists your 
armor more than the shaped boots.  The stability boots are also quite 
good, but you'll probably have a lot of stun resistance any way, so 
won't really need to sacrifice the point of dexterity from the dodging 
boots.  The green boots are also quite useful, especially if you obtain 
them before speaking with Dig (a distinct possibility).  Most of the 
other boots are hard to find, or of limited use.  The Samaritan sandals 
can be quite useful, depending on how much you use magic.  You probably 
won't want to bother with the specter boots, as that penalty to 
strength is very significant.  

Gauntlets/Gloves  Arm  Bonus
Gloves            +1
Gauntlets         +3
Steel Gauntlets   +5
Shaped Gauntlets  +7
Carnelian Gloves  +1   +1 Battle M, +1 Mental M
Gloves of Hammer  +8   +2 Str, +2 Quick A, +2 Anatomy
Ornkskin Gloves   +3   +2 Str, +2 End, -2 Int, -20 Mind
Specter Gloves    +5   +10 Energy, +10 Stun, -10 Fire
Thrusting Gloves  +5   +3 Anatomy, +2 Damage
Tinker's Gloves   +1   +2 Mech

Opinion: The Tinker's gloves are probably the most useful here, as they 
add some much needed skill points.  However, you shouldn't wear them at 
all times, as many of the other gloves are much more useful for general 
play.  Carry them in your pack and equip them when faced with a 
mechanic's nightmare.  The Thrusting gloves and the gloves of the 
Hammer are probably the most useful here for agents and guardians, 
especially if they are melee-centered.  The Ornkskin Gloves can also be 
very valuable, if you don't mind the int penalty.  Otherwise, the 
Carnelian gloves and the Specter gloves, both of which can be obtained 
relatively early in the game, are quite useful, and may be better than 
the shaped gauntlets, depending on the circumstance.

Shields           Arm  Bonus
Wooden            +5
Iron              +10
Steel             +15
Shaped            +22
Agent's Shelter   +15  +20 Mind, +20 Stun, +1 SpellC, +2 Dex
Fibrous           +15  +15 Stun, +5 Energy, -10 Fire
Fyoraskin         +10  +15 Fire
Glaahk            +8   +40 Stun
Leaded            +15  +50 Mind
Reflecting        +10  +10 Resist All
Shining           +10  +2 Leadership, +25 Mind
Stasis            +22  +50 Stun, -5 Mind, +50 C Stun, -5 C Mind

Opinion: There is a good range of options for shields.  Nevertheless, 
probably the best shield is the Agent's shelter.  Next, the reflecting 
and shining shields are both quite desirable.  Depending on the 
circumstance, any of the other sets of shields can be very useful in 
providing much needed resistances.

Girdles/Belts     Arm  Bonus
Belt              +2
Studded Belt      +4
Shaped            +6
Bhargeth's        +4   +6 Damage
Danette's         +4   +3 All Primary Stats
Oozing            +4   -2 End, +2 C End
Of Endurance      +4   +1 End, +1 C End
Of Insight        +4   +1 Int, +1 C Int
Of Leadership     +4   +2 Lead, +1 Int
Of Nimbleness     +4   +1 Dex, +1 C Dex
Of Strength       +4   +1 Str, +1 C Str
Shaper's          +2   +15 C Fire, +15 C Acid, +15 C Mind, +15 C Stun
Sharing           +4   -2 Str, -2 Dex, +2 C Str, +2 C Dex
Stability         +4   -1 AP, +10 Arm, +50 Stun
Student's         +2   +1 Int, +1 Damage

Opinion: Danette's belt is, without a doubt, the best item in the game.  
Afterwards, I prefer the Leadership girdle, as the bonuses provided by 
this item are very useful.  The shaper's belt is quite useful for 
shapers, as it essentially adds a level to all of your creations.  From 
there, most of the other girdles can be very useful (and you may 
develop dependencies on them, like with the student's belt), and 
ranking them is difficult.

Robes/Cloaks      Arm  Bonus
Agent             +3   +1 Battle M, +1 Mental M, +1 Blessing M, +1
                         SpellCraft
Cloak             +1
Coated            +5   +10 Energy
Fine Cloak        +4
Fyoraskin         +5   +10 Fire
Grounded          +3   +15 Energy
Guardian          +8   +1 Melee, +1 Missile, +1 Quick A, +2 Anatomy
Robe              +3
Shaper            +6   +1 Fire S, +1 Battle S, +1 Magic S, +1 Healing M
Specter           +5   +10 Energy, +10 Stun, -10 Fire
Symbiotic         +5   +2 End
Transference      +6   -2 Str, Dex, End,  +2 C Str, C Dex, C End 

Opinion: Personally, I find the Guardian's cloak to be the most useful 
for the Agent and Guardian.  The Agent's robe is very useful for all 
classes, and lets the guardian be able to obtain the bonuses from 
tombs.  Many people also like the symbiotic cloak, and it is a better 
deal than the Guardian cloak, in terms of skill points, for the 
Guardian.  The shaper's cloak should not be equipped unless you need to 
make creations.  There are better cloaks out there.  Most of the other 
cloaks are useful at low levels, although the transference cloak comes 
with a rather large penalty, in my opinion.  Dave disagrees, and states that a 
shaper can really use the transference cloak, especially if the penalty is 
offset by the gloves of the hammer.

Armor             Arm  Bonus
Tunic             +1
Chitin Armor      +7   +10 Stun
Chain Mail        +12  +20 Stun, -1 attack
Iron Bplate       +18  +30 Stun, -2 attack
Steel Bplate      +28  +40 Stun, -3 attack
Shaped Bplate     +40  +60 Stun, -4 attack
Draykskin Tunic   +18  +30 Stun, +10 Resist All
Thahd Skin Tunic  +10  +2 Melee, -1 Int
Artila Skin Tunic +10  +3 Battle magic, -1 Mental Magic
Quicksilver Chitin+7   +10 Stun, +1 AP, -2 SpellC
Quicksilver Chain +12  +20 Stun, +1 AP, -2 SpellC, -4 attack
Quicksilver Plate +40  +60 Stun, +1 AP, +1 Dex, -4 attack
Grounding Vest    +12  +15 Energy, +20 C Energy
Charmed Plate     +28  +40 Stun, +5 Luck, +5 Resist All, -3 attack
Vat Chitin        +12  +10 Stun, +10 Poison, +10 Acid
Fibrous Bplate    +28  +55 Stun, +15 Energy, +10 Fire, -3 attack
Crystal Plate     +40  +60 Stun, +20 Acid, +20 Energy, -4 attack

Opinion: The quicksilver plate is the best, without a doubt.  
Otherwise, the crystal plate is superb, followed by the charmed plate 
and the fibrous breastplate.  Also worth your notice is the non-magical 
shaped breastplate.  I don't trust any of the other quicksilver items 
(too big of penalties for most characters), and the other items are 
specific for certain environments.  Howver, the quicksilver chain and 
chitin are both potentially valuable, if you've got the quicksilver 
boots, but this is not nearly as obvious as it is with the quicksilver 
plate.  The various tunics can be very useful if obtained early.

Weapons              Damage  Bonus
Dagger               2-14
Bronze Sword         3-21
Steel Knife          4-28
Iron Sword           5-35
Steel Sword          6-36
Shaped Blade         10-70
Singing Rapier       5-35    +2 Quick A, +2 Anatomy
Shielding Knife      7-49    +4 Arm
Bonding Knife        7-49    -2 Str, Dex, Int, +4 End
Living Knife         7-49    +2 C Dex
Charmed Falchion     7-49    +5 Luck, +10 Resist All
Tek's Spectral Dirk  8-56    +5 Arm, +30 Resist All, +30 Stun
Guardian Claymore    10-70   +2 Str, +2 Quick A, +2 Anatomy

Opinion: Unless you're playing as a shaper, the Guardian claymore is 
the best weapon in the game, followed by Tek's Spectral dirk.  The 
charmed falchion would be great, if it were obtainable early in the 
game.  Most of the other weapons are fairly decent, although the 
shielding knife is obtainable very early.  Shapers may want to stick 
with batons instead.

Crystals (just an explanation of what they do.  I will try to add wands 
in a later version).
Icy: Casts an ice bolt, like a fyora.
Ensnaring: Stuns the enemy, like a vlish.
Spray: Shoots orbs, like the spell Searing Orbs.
Swarm: Shoots orbs, like the spell Searing Orbs, but will fire many 
more, and also do more damage than spray crystals.


9. HP Calculations
                                                          ***
HP calculation from y0d1n2a3 on the spiderweb message boards
I have figured out the formula for calculating Shaper's HP. However, 
it's DEADLY complicated (blame it on the game engine). 
 
Shaper's HP formula: 
 
Step 1: Endurance Modifier 
 
If your endurance is less than 11, don't change your endurance. 
 
If your endurance is between 11 and 20: 
Divide your endurance by 2. If there is any remainder, minus 1 from 
your endurance.  
 
If your endurance is between 21 and 30: 
Divide your endurance by 3. If there is any remainder, minus your 
endurance by that number. 
 
Step 2: Calculate your HP 
 
If Level=1 then HP = 12+(End-1)*0.75  
 
If Level=2 then HP=12+End*1.5 (rounded down to the nearest whole) 
 
(If your level is 2 and your endurance is more than 10, you cheated. ) 
 
If your level is at least 3, go to step 3. 
 
Step 3: 
 
Calculate your HP as if your character is Level 2. (If your character's 
endurance is greater than 10, treat it as 10 for now.) 
 
If your endurance is less than 11, do step 4 only. If it's between 11 
and 20, do step 4 as End 10 and then go to step 5. If it's between 21 
and 30, do step 4 as endurance 10, step 5 as endurance 20 and finally 
step 6. If it's more than 30, YOU CHEATED. ) 
 
Step 4: If endurance is less than 11: 
HP=(HP of Level 2)+End*(Level-2)*0.75 
 
Step 5: If endurance is between 11 and 20: 
HP=(HP of End 10)+(End-10)/2*Level*0.75 
 
Step 6: If endurance is between 21 and 30: 
HP=(HP of End 20)+(End-20)/3*Level*0.75 
 
Note: 
1) If your final answer is not an integer, round down any 0.25 and 
round up any 0.75. 
There is an error margin of ±1 because the game sometimes rounds 0.5 up 
and sometimes rounds 0.5 down. 
 
2) You should be confused by now. 
                                 ****
I've finally figured out the formula for guardians and agents. I'll 
combine them into one post. 
 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Step 1: Endurance Modifier 
 
If End<11, don't change your endurance. 
 
If 21>End>10 then: 
If your endurance is an odd number, minus 1 from your endurance. 
 
If 31>End>20 then: 
Divide your endurance by 3. If there is any remainder, subtract your 
endurance by that number. 
 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Step 2: Calculate your HP 
 
If Level=1 then: 
 
Shaper: HP=12+(End-1)*0.75 (round any 0.5 up) 
Guardian: HP=25+(End-1)*1.25 (round any 0.5 down) 
Agent: HP=21+(End-1) 
 
If Level=2: 
 
Shaper:HP=13+(End-1)*1.5 (rounded up to the nearest whole) 
Guardian: HP=26+(End-1)*2.5 (round any 0.5 up) 
Agent: HP=22+(End-1)*2 
 
If Level is at least 3: Go to step 3. 
 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
Step 3: 
 
Calculate your HP as if your character is Level 2. (If your character's 
endurance is greater than 10, treat it as 10 for now.) 
 
If your endurance is less than 11, go to step 4 only. If 10 15/16 15/20
2=> 14/16 14/20
3=> 13/16 13/20
4=> 12/16 12/20
5=> 11/16 11/20
6=> 10/16 10/20
7=> 9/16 9/20

For example, the game says that you get 80 experience and you have three drayks. 
You get 80*13/16=65 and EACH of your drayks get 80*13/20=52. Therefore, you get 
the maximum amount of TOTAL experience if you have seven creations.  

There is an error margin of ±1 point (the game seems to be rouding all decimals 
off...)


10. Version History:

0.3 (4-27-02) First version, includes walkthrough for Demo, and 
numerous hints and evaluations.  More to come soon!

0.8 (5-10-02) Walkthrough is more than half complete, many other things 
have been discussed.  More to come shortly.

1.0 (6-10-02) Walkthrough is complete.

1.2 (6-27-02) Numerous small additions including a correction by 
Scales, a few findings from Zotrium and Zeviz, and strategies from 
Drakefyre, Zyrxil, and Zeviz.  There were too many changes to merely 
result in a .1 addition to the version.

1.3 (11-19-02) After a long delay, finally an update!  I've added improved XP 
tables from y0d1n2a3, the location of the infinite living tool from Alex, a 
skill canister correction from Hellspawn007,

Thanks to:
Scales on the Spiderweb message boards for multiple hints/strategies.
Alex on the Spiderweb message boards for clues on how to determine 
Spell Points, and for discovery of the infinite living tool bug.
Croikle on the Spiderweb message boards for a bit of sect info.
*i on the Spiderweb message boards for language hints.
Vengeful Wise Man on the Spiderweb message boards for demo hints.
bme on the Spiderweb message boards for arguments  about Unlock.
Zeviz on the Spiderweb message boards for arguments about mechanics, 
strategies and numerous findings.  Thanks as always!
Wasteland Knight on the Spiderweb message boards for a typo correction.
The Wanderer for multiple insights and other hints.
Delicious Vlish on the Spiderweb message boards for helpful spell 
insights.
y0d1n2a3 on the Spiderweb message boards for the successful HP 
calculation guide!  Great work, wow!  And for the XP tables!
Zyrxil on the Spiderweb message boards for the dual-quicksilver 
strategy.
Zotrium on the Spiderweb message boards for finding the Artila Skin 
Tunic.
??? for several corrections.
Hellspawn007 for pointing out an error.
Dave for a few corrections.
Cjenkins for several insights on the battle creations.
GameFAQs for hosting this, and for giving it a May 2002 FAQ of the week 
award.



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