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I chose to use Veldrin, since he was a high level and could take care of himself. I tried starting a new party, but quickly dropped that idea as the urge to tear out my hair or damage my gaming machine got to be too much before I even cleared the docks.
Using Veldrin, I came across several goblins instead of just 1 or 2, noting that the level adjustment system is indeed still working. I almost died taking down those goblins, even with buffs. And of course, due to the incredibly inept experience adjustments, I got no XP from those 5 goblins which nearly killed me. Grrrr.
Not wanting to get zero experience for my risks, I created a level 1 drow sorcerer to lower my party level so I could get experience. Ah, now I get 3000 XP per goblin - nice.
I've been relying more on monster summoning than I would like, but I see little choice when confronted with some of the more difficult encounters. The enemies have ludicrious saving throws and BAB's, making armor class and attack spells essentially useless. I would've liked to see some HoF specific spells to make this a little more worthwhile; as it is, it feels like something tacked on at the end without much regard for the overall balance of the game. And although many of the weapons are tanked up considerably (Goblin Slayer kills goblins on a successful hit - made the Palisades a joke) having a +5 weapon while trying to face 12 foes with twice your hit points, armor class, and BAB is pretty worthless.
The encounter with Emma Moonblade is absolutely impossible without 6 full up fighters; all 11 orcs (3 archers, 8 warriors) charge you regardless of your position on the map (should you try to sneak by them using invisibility) and thus I found it necessary to allow emma to finish off half of them before I could enter the fray.
I have continued to add characters as I see fit; Veldrin is maximum level, my drow sorcerer is now level 19, i have a level 1 ranger , sorcerer, and monk (3 separate characters) which I am squatting to keep my XP gains high, and a level 17 svirneblin rogue which I use to guide my summoned monsters to battle.
All in all, its fun, but a little bland at times. I think I will try a new party from scratch in HoF next time, frustrating as it may be.
