This is a follow up to my first Eschalon post.

I’ve made fairly good progress since.

I’ve travelled to Bordertown, found Lilith, defeated the Hive Queen, and got chased right off the map section by my very first encounter on the way to Blackwater…

Bordertown is up near the keep where you take the letter after almost accidentally poisoning the sick guy in the hut (if you play, you’ll see). View the sign so you can add it to your quick travel list. There is a lot of walking to be done as you work through the two map zones to the south, as camping near Bordertown is your best bet for healing.

The blacksmith and ranged weapons instructor can help defeat the baddies that spawn while sleeping. You use them to farm, as the bad guys drop loot sacks, but save each time before you camp, because they can be killed, and you don’t want to lose either.

Hive Drones (wasps) are the main enemy for these map zones, though there are some Fungal Slimes as well. This is also where you find the grubs for the dude in the mortuary cellar.

Wasps are tough and do a lot of damage. One on one they’re not to bad, but more than one at a time can be dicey. If you flee between map zones, stick to one side of the path, so you can reenter from the other after healing up and get a ranged attack in before they close on you again.

The Hive Queen is a beast in close combat. I used environmental factors to take her out (not giving details), but you should be able to hit and run with ranged attacks.

For those with the short bladed weapons skill, her stinger can be used as a weapon (w/ poison).

All in all, I am really enjoying this RPG. Its simplicity is what makes it a great game.