Tonweya

I doubt there is such a thing as an, "Ideal Party", because everyone has different ideas on how to play each scenario at different times, however... In feel that to 'cover all the bases', I use a Party of two Fighters, two Priests and two Mages. The Fighters use Edged Weapons, the Priests use Bashing Weapons and the Mages use Archery, although the Priests' and Mages' primary power is their Spellcasting. The Weapons abilities are only utilized if a Scenario makes it necessary. All the Attributes are evenly distributed as evenly as possible, as are Mage Lore, Alchemy and Item Lore. At the beginning of any Scenario, the Fighters do the fighting with the Priests blessing them and the Mages hastening them. This is obviously a 'bland' way of playing, but as a Scenario unfolds, it allows me to adjust the Party as to the requirements of the Scenario. Also, I am only a mediocre player and spend a LOT of time searching areas. I need time to deal with the Scenarios and any help I can find along the way. Lastly, once I've played a Scenario through, or at lest for the majority of it, I'll play it again with the style of Party that seems most appropriate. Better yet, play any good scenario with several different Party Styles. That's a beneficial learning experience. me

To minimize the effect of the insects, go into 'Combat' Mode and cast, 'Major Haste'. Casting 'Protection' and/or using Invulnerability Potions will help, too. Now send each Party Member into separate rooms. 'Take' the Gemstones and send everyone to the east, center room. You can't enter the room in the 'Combat' mode, so revert to the 'Normal' mode and enter the room. The Insects cannot enter that room. Speak with the character there and you'll be able to continue. You won't be able to speak to the NPC at first, so, go back into the 'Combat' mode and cast, 'Charm Foe' on the NPC. He, (it), will tell you how to continue. me

Aside from the other 'givens', (Fighters need Weapons and Spell Casters need Spells), I feel that food is also a 'given'. I don't rely on potions and things, but rather rest when needed to Heal and recoup Spell Points. Also, I try to rest outside, rather than inside. I don't know the numbers, but am sure you get a better return on investment outdoors. Lastly, my style is slow and tedious, ('m only a mediocre player and a searcher) rather than rushing through a Scenario. me

Excluding all the programming specifics that are well beyone my ability, and although E-II wasn't too elaborate and did have a choice that made it two games in one, I prefer a simple, enjoyable 'game' rather than a huge, randomly laid out, 'project'. I feel a game should be a game, not a career. For its time in history and in the vein of the Ultima series', I thought that E-I was a great game. me

There are some of us who will play most any scenario that comes out, especially if it's from a known Author. Although time changes and progresses, there is much to be said about the old, familiar things in life. I, for one, am not 'captivated' by all the cutting edge technology and prefer scenarios that have a decent story and theme. Mass mayhem and bright lights are fun, on occasion, but this collection of scenarios will always be on my play list. We don't say it often enough, but there are some really quality works in this community. One last point; I think an Author writes as much for their own satisfaction as for the public that receives their work. Write your scenario and we'll all enjoy it. me

In most all places, I believe. There's a good scenario, 'An Eye for an Eye' in which the Sulfras is a main character. Even there, the Author started out calling Sulfras, 'she', and then changed to 'he'. me

That would depend on whether you were in the 'Acceptance' or 'Refusal' section of the scenario. You can speak to Aristophanes in the Introductory section, but finding the book occurs in different places for each choice. In the 'Acceptance' section, it's in Thasmaskon, in Sovash-Thinox's hidden room. At 25, 20 there is a rune on the floor, go through a secret passage, fight two Ice Puddings, (or whatever). At 21, 18 go through another passage to a Private Library. At 29, 17 'look' at the bookcase and 'take' the book. It's 'The Symposium. In the 'Refusal' section, It's in the Slith Fort. In Sovash-Thinox's room there is a series of bookcases. (I didn't write down which bookcase it was.) I believe it was the bookcase at 41, 45. There are several books to be taken. Check them all as I'm not sure which one it actually was. Sorry me

Like one's children, they're all 'favorites'. me

Can't believe how I didn't see the solution. Sorry I didn't see it sooner, me

I'm in the Northern Section of the Final Fortress and have entered a Room that the Door slamed shut behind me. There is a large blue Crystal, similar to the Stasis Crystals and four Runes on the Floor. Because the Door locked, I assume that there must be some method to stepping on the Runes, and/or looking at the Runes and Crystal, to exit this Room; perhaps creating a hidden Door (?). I've opened three of the four Portcullises to the Portal, so I presume that this is a fourth access to the Basement to another Statue with an arm that must be moved to open the fourth Portcullis, allowing access to the Portal. I have a 'save' in the Hallway outside this Room, so I can correct whatever I need to, if only I knew what I need to do. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. me

It's not that I'm a 'do-gooder', it's simply my 'playing stratagy', in that I don't attack anything. When I enter an area, I wait for 'whatever' to make the first move, then I respond to what they've done. It's how I respond to situations. I try to evaluate, then act accordingly. Although it seems that the majority of the games are written with fighting in mind, not all NPC's are out to hurt you. As in real life, the destruction of everything around you will invariably have negative consequences. Consider people you may have known who act without thinking. me

Aside from the Main Plot(s), doing all the side quests you come upon will garner you experience and, often, special items such as better weapons, armor, potions, etc. This includes searching for secret passages and checking, (look), all the things you find. We all miss things the first time we play a game. Often a game will require that you find a special item before you can accomplish a task. The games are for enjoyment, so the more you do, the more you enjoy. Lastly, if you haven't heard it enough times already, save often; keep notes, etc., especially before you enter a new area, or encounter. It's very frustrating to have come a long way, be killed, and have to start over from several earlier stages. P.S. This is a large game, but they get bigger.

Though I too expected something more elaborate, I felt that what Al had to say was said throughout the other Secnarios of "The Arc". Remember things like the brutalized young girl in the Dungeon? His Scenarios had the 'feel' of one who understands what the eternal struggle of war is really all about As I reached the end of this ending, I was reminded of the Sonny & Cher song, "And the beat goes on...." Don't we all know that, "The War is never truly over."? With all he had done throughout the Arc, I doubt that any elaborate ending would have been proper anyhow. This did aptly serve his purposes. And, yes, I was impressed and thankful for his works. me

All the time.

All things 'new' are welcome, even if it's a case of "All things old are new again". mille grazi me

I'm only a moderate player, at best and we all have preferred ways to play. But, I strongly prefer to spend my money on Strength and Weapon ability for the Fighters and Spell points for the Spell Casters. Gadgets always seem to end up costing more than they ever help. And, they're just more 'junk' to carry around. If you want better defense, buy defense points rather than carrying around items. Lastly, unless it's a special item created for the Scenario, Archery devices have very little potency compared to Edged devices. Personally, I use 2 Fighters, 2 Priests and 2 Mages. I have the Spell Casters control the situations for the well equipped Fighters. me

It's not related to 'the Arc', but he did a Scenario with a twist on a murder mystery. The name of the Scenario is, "Kallaskagathos". It's written so there are 16 possible solutions, following the same story line. (They can be 'random', or 'choice'.) Again, although it has nothing to do with 'the Arc', it is by the same Author, which may be of some importance to you, in that the same mind created it. me

Admin: Pls. Delete Duplication. What's 'Flood Protection'? me

Don't be in a rush. All the Experience Points needed will be acquired as you play, all you can play. The beginning of all games is the most difficult part to gain Experience because you're defeating 5, 10, 15 point Monsters, trying to gain 120, or so, Experience Points to reach the next Level. After a few Levels, you'll be defeating 20, 25, 30 point Monsters. After a few more Levels, you'll be defeating 40, 50, 60 point Monsters, etc. But, you'll still only need the same 120, or so, Experience Points to reach that next Level. It may seem imbalanced in the beginning, but all the good Scenarios give you a lot of story then, laying out what you need to do and gaining Experience, Weapons, Armor and other 'goodies'. Much like a good TV Series, it takes the first Season to establish the Characters, Story Line, etc. The next few seasons then, make sense. Seriously, be patient, keep notes and search everything. Good authors will keep you occupied. If you feel like you're not advancing fast enough, you're probably not doing all the things that are available at that stage of the Game. Experience Points and Higher Levels will come naturally and much easier, later on.

Really nice! Thanks.

There's been a goodly number of Scenarios named and they're all good, solid stories. I'd add "Quest for the Crown" as a simple, but enjoyable story for the biginner, but by far I think Tatterdemalion would be my strong recommendation. Although it doesn't rank as most people's 'favorite', it is written with an introduction that gives you the choice to complete the story as Fighters, Priests, or Mages. This makes this Scenario, IMNSHO, my favorite recommendation for any Beginning Player. There are variations to each version that keep your attention, but the bottom line is that it will give the Beginning Player an opportunity to try each form of Party. A good experience for future playing. If, however, you are an experienced Player, this Scenario may not be 'deep' enough for you. In which case, all the above will satisfy a need to 'learn' BoE games. P.S.: There just happens to be a detailed 'Walk Through' at Jewels' Web Site, "TrueSite for Blades".

I think 'Arena of Death' is one of the Scenarios that has, all along, been listed as 'Lost'.

Every time someone adds to a post, it cycles to the top. If no one adds to it, it will fall out of existence by lethargy. Rarely do the Moderators remove posts unless it's really warrented, and rightly so. Unlike objects in the Scenarios, not everything needs to be "killed". So, ignore anything you want to see fade away. (including) me

I believe my memory has become NFG.

I think it was Duke Nukem that had an RBG, (Really Big Gun), and I know I've seen an RBH, Really Big Hammer), in BoE. Although there is a Great Sword in the Exiles, I guess this would be an RBS, eh? * Style of Game Play, and I know this will get comments, but I still prefer to play two ambidextrous, blessed, Fighters with assassination and each with two of the best Broad Swords available. "Never start a fight, but if you find yourself in one, be the one to finish it!" me