Bjorn

I had that problem with the crystal box bit as well. I got bored with the meet meet rentar in the basalt wathcamacallit place, and did other stuff instead, including getting the box. Which apparently (I had no idea....) made the whole set of almaria missions nonexistant. I started over from the begining, but at least I know what is happening...

Hmmm...Well, I've played all the spiderweb games, starting from exile 1 on an old mac games CD from 94 95; I love all of them. That being said, there were a few things missing from A4 that really made me sad. There were also some good things, so... Good: I like the idea of having a continuous dungeon, it's cool to be able to travel under or above everything and travel the same distance, great idea! I also kinda like how traits like Divine touch give you increasing bonuses as you level, feels slightly more usefull and possibly realistic. Bad: As for bad, I felt that many of the things missing were a matter of challenge. To begin with, I use to *love* spending all that time trying to figure out some mind bending puzzle, adjusting a crate just so, or timing your steps between lazers, etc. There seems to be none of that, which is depressing. If I want hack and slash I can go play Halo or Diablo. I like Spiderweb games because it made me think, and it had a plot, which brings me to my next point. What happened to the deep storylines that left me wishing there was a book? That made me want to be there (in avernum). The story is there in A4, but it felt a little like it was half finished. I mean, obviously Rentar had to make an apearance again, but I was hoping for some great plot twist that sprung the underworld into something much bigger. I thought the Darkside was going to turn out that way, but apparently not. I've always liked the Avernums because of the epic depth that could be felt, at least to me, in all the games. And the graphics of the Avernums while simple, were relativly orginal. Geneforge recycling....Granted, I know that he's only one guy, but I'm willing to bet there are allot of fans out there who can make graphics and would be willing to slap them in his lap. I'm rambling, but then, I feel strongly about these games. Also, I'm certain, because they were in previous Avernums, that there are more than one female and one male slith/Nephil graphic. It can't be very dificult to just throw them in. I mean, it's a mundane little thing, but I like the atmosphere of having different looking character graphics. Not to mention Character faces that fit their bodies (red haired guardian!?). Unlimited arrows; one thing I felt was cool was having to ballance cost and weight of arrows, plus different arrow types, and making sure that the archer could fall back on melle in the event of running out of arrows. Now, it's less of a challenge, 'cause you don'y have to train that archer in anything but archery, dexterity, and maybe a little endurance (more or less). Other little stupid things include: I liked having the day in avernum listed near the map, plus the different effects every day had (Cheaper spell day!!). Not sure if days still have that effect. I also rather enjoyed (even while anoyed) having to light candles or cast a spell to be able to see around. I mean, we are in a bunch of caves, albeit caves with glowing fungus on the ceiling. I'm going to stop talking soon. Sorry. All that being said, I did enjoy the game, it kept me going throughout, but partly because I was expecting some of the great storylines and puzzles of times past. I cry lots. But thanks a bunch for all the years of fun Jeff!

I love you for that. It feels kinda like cheating, which I hate, but I don't think there was any other way. I'll make sure to have lots of backup saves from now on. Thanks a bunch!

Hi. Does anyone know any way out of the area of the scree caves that is just north of fort emerald, which is entered by way of that bandit fort with all the pylons? I went into the caves and then I guess a day went by and the freaking gates to back to the fort closed, thus trapping me in an area with no exit. at all. There is fort emerald, which is of course blocked off with magical barriers, and then stupid porticuli. This normally wouldn't bother me but...I have no other saved game except for one a few days ago, as in half the mother loving game ago. Any assistance would be appreciated.