Thoughts on the Abbey of the Fallen Moon (Spoilers)

[Steffan]

It has been quite an interesting experience. It was the first location where I went without a priest as I wanted/ needed to bring Maneha and Zahua (Eder and Aloth are practically irreplacable, though; healing was partially taken by Pallegina). Hard difficulty.

The plan was simple. Use superior stealth and sneak. All the paths were guarded so I resorted to lying. No shame in that. Then I entered into the Halls of Silence where I stumbled upon a patrol. I got kicked out. I avoided the abbot as I was not sure whether he will be that easy to be deceived and instead went into his room where I found all the information I needed. As I feared I might get discovered, I did not scout the second level of the Abbey. Hence I had no idea where the Salt Well was or the relief for the puzzle below. More sneaking and again, I was about to become kicked out. I lost patience and got violent... and all hell broke loose. Despite the fact 5 out of 6 members were max level.

I did not realize that at the time but I was between two patrols. The fight in the Halls of Silence almost ended in a party wipe. The fight with the Low tide monks was a bit easier but I lost a lot of time clearing area after area. First for the main quest and then for Maneha. The battle with Kaoto was intense but by the time he used his duplicates, I had managed to kill a few of his men... And then again, I almost got wiped when I went back and stumbled upon the warriors near the water basin in front of the abbot desk (the room with the big fresh water pool). At the end of it, only about the half of the monks outside were drawing breath. I spared two monks on the second level (near the fireplace) and released the surviving Low Tide members...

All in all, it was a slaughter house. I am happy this chapter of intense fighting is over (after a few days I will continue with the lair of the eyeless, which I expect to be no easier) but having a character who despises unnecessary violence, it feels a bit weird.

And yes, let me share how irritating I find Ondra. I thought Hylea was a bit capricous but Ondra is much worse. She seemed to be persuaded to help but I won't be surprised if she backstabs me.

Anyway, just expressing my thoughts after an intense gaming Sunday. I love this game