So, I started as Michael, left the castle (was one of the few that happened to miss the Automap...), entered the first wilderness area and..bam. No matter what I do, I'm dead in 5 minutes. If I go anywhere near them even once, I'm under constant attack of orcs and those lizard things that steal items.

One time, I got trapped by and killed a yellow lizard, then rested, then a blue one showed up. I managed to kill that one, and then ANOTHER one out of NOWHERE, which killed me.

Then there must be at least 6-8 orcs that chase me relentlessly. If I manage to kill 2 or 3 and run, the rest will find me almost immediately after starting to rest.

When I watch videos on Youtube, the forest doesn't seem NEARLY this populated at all. What am I doing wrong that it's so difficult?

First of all, restart the game and get the automap. The game's maze-like levels are extremely difficult to navigate without it. My next advice is, approach each battle carefully. If you're overrun, never run off into the unknown; always fall back to the cleared part of the map. Save often, and rest after every fight. That way you can save the healing items for only the most difficult fights. As soon as the "cooldown" period for a weapons ends, click again (you can use F1, F2 and F3). In the meantime, you can also throw rocks at the enemy using your mouse.

The first wilderness (Northland Forest) is populated only by a few boars and bandits. Southland Forest has orcs, but only near Roland's keep. Be sure to recruit the elf guy in the inn before proceeding.

I must have gotten turned around somewhere, or lost my footing then, but even so, I always run back to a cleared part of the map, sometimes as far as the inn, and rest, and I'm always found.

But yeah, I think I'll start over and make sure to get the automap, and see if maybe I didn't spend enough time in Northland Forest, though I'm not entirely sure when I was in Northland Forest, nor am I entirely aware of when I moved from Northland to Southland. Only that there's an Inn and a Dock, and I can't use the dock until I find Sir Roland.

You must have used the boat to get to Southland Forest by the writ from Geron to the captain.

Anyway, here are a few more tips: before crossing the water, clear the entire Northland area, especially the bandit cave – search it thoroughly for secret passages and niches. In the forest, pick up all swarms you find. They work as one-time wands, dealing damage that is significant in the early part of the game. With a couple of those, most fights should be a breeze.

Once you pick up everything on this level, find the docks and get to the Southland Forest. This time you'll have more equipment and be better prepared for tougher challenges. Don't spend too much money there – you'll need 200 crowns for the return trip. Still, you can buy a bow from the vendor in his cabin and then sell it back to him for the same price once you're done with that level.

Once you familiarize yourself with the game, you'll find it very addictive!

Yeah, I realized once I restarted that I had rushed through the first time, and combined with spread out play sessions, I had completely forgotten about the entire Northland Forest area. I had picked up a few swarms but was completely unaware of their use until you mentioned that.

I saved in Northland Forest for now, and, though it doesn't feel like I've acquired all that much more (I'm assuming the weathered daggers and torn shirts are worse than the starting gear, due to naming), I'm sure I've got more than I realize.

Oh, and is the Bezel Cup something I need to hold on to or is it a pick-up-and-sell item?

A Bezel Cup heals one character for a decent amount. It has a number of uses equal to the number of gems on the cup. It's fairly common, and I don't think it sells for much.

Thanks, man. I honestly would have never guessed that. Especially given the status of "regal-looking items" in most of today's games, I would have assumed it was just some sort of high-selling item.