Well, I decided that since I was still a low-level (sort-of, 11th), I'd
delete Talies and recreate him. Why? Because I wasn't happy with my
choice of religions. In order to be able to visit anywhere, I decided that
I'd better work without any religion at all. Now for the fun part -
regaining my levels, *without* being powerlevelled. It's amazing how a
well-played bard can seem like he's being power-levelled anyway ;).

In 26 hours of play, I regained all 11 levels, and improved my faction
enough to be indifferent in Ak'Anon (got to work on that just a wee bit
more), and in Rivervale to Amiable, probably half-way to warmly. Still got
a long way to go to get the squad ring ;)

My question is - just how effective is the Carillon in situations like this?

For those of you interested, I started in Kelethin, had a friend hand me my
eq back (full-banded armour, plus a lumberjack's cap, no jewelry, a combine
long sword, Rukgus's sticker, and a Shiny Brass Shield that Talies had
fought for to begin with. I didn't want to be "twinked" - I worked for (or
payed hard-earned cash for) everything I have. No freebies.

I stayed in the Kelethin newbie area for a while, collecting wolf pelts and
spider silk to work on tailoring, and bone chips to sell to needy
necros. Only died once until level 4, when I went cliff-jumping with a
crazy druid - just to see what would happen (I died ;). At level 5, I gave
up on orc-hunting - either I'd get jumped, and no one would help, or I'd
have a nice yellow all alone, and someone would steal it. I headed for the
(relative) peace of Steamfont. Stayed there until 8th, when I headed
across the ocean to Misty Thicket (got bound in Rivervale, after 30 minutes
of asking...) Hunted Goblins almost exclusively until 10th, when I started
mixing in other stuff for experience (and because there were a lot of
faction hunters out there significantly cutting down on the numbers of
goblins.) BTW - Did you know that the Goblin Alchemist REALLY HURTS at
level 10? *ouch*. Fortunately, a 49th level Necro killed
him. Unfortunately, for any monks out there, a 9th level Cleric decided to
take the ribcage and wear it. *sighs* Some people's children...
In the process of gaining 11 levels, I've kept all of my combat skills and
music skills maxed, and worked a little on baking, tailoring and
smithing. All told, I've made over 125 pp of pure in-the-bank profit (not
including purchases). Not a bad haul for one weekend.

Talies the Wanderer

11th and counting