As it seems the Shadow Vault is infinite is there really any reason to play it? I would like to get started on Torchlight 2 but I don't want to find out that I missed something down there. Thanks

I believe that it is simply a randomized dungeon (with randomized quests) so that you can keep playing indefinitely if you want. So no, there's no "reason" to keep playing it unless you just wanted to play more Torchlight. You won't miss anything if you move on to Torchlight 2.

Thanks. It seemed like a simple question but I really did want to know. I appreciate it.

You can play the Shadow Vault to level up and reach the max level for your character. After that you will not level up anymore but monsters will. The game will become increasingly challenging and your can only improve thru better gear like weapons, armor and jewels.

My advice is to start playing Torchlight 2. :)

Since the gear doesn't seem to get any better after a while, the only ways to advance your characters are by passing along heirlooms and by collecting and buying vast quantities of gems. But that each heirloom takes so long to create, if you want to leave a really great one, that it's more fun just playing a different character type, or a character in a different style (with and without helpers like skeletons or zombies, for instance).

Crap! I just accidently closed my portal to the Shadow Vault. Is there anyway to get back without fighting my way back?

Reload an old save. Otherwise, no.

You can go to the first level of the Vault and type "descend X" where X is the number of levels you need to pass through... but that will mark your character as a cheater and disable their access to the shared stash. Other than that, not really.

Oh well. Back to battling my way down. I did, and I'm getting mucho gold
Thanks for the help though.

UncleLijiah