[bcbrown]

I've begun the challenge. The first step was getting prepared. I didn't have the bank space to bag everything so I decided to leave a corpse at the WC druid rings before starting outside Kelethin, back where I started as a Wood Elf Ranger. After shouting for a dueling partner in WC, a friendly poorter cleverly disguised as a tree answered the call. A fitting start to the challenge: this ranger offered himself to the trees, asking Tunare herself for her blessing in return for his sacrifice.

After re-awakening in Freeport where I was bound, I ran back to the rings and asked the same poorter for assistance in traveling to Faydwer. After a quick run north from Steamfont, I medded up and then started the timer.

Unfair advantage: I started with 10 plat on me and a stack of flasks of water. I'll tighten this up if I repeat the challenge, but I was eager to get started, didn't want to stop off at the bank to deposit the money, and didn't want to start off thirsty. I hope to rely on foraging for food the rest of the way through.

Challenges with timing: I was beginning at prime hours, and someone was already slaughtering the newbie areas around Kelethin. I killed enough bats to get a handful of bat wings for Levitate, already planning a run to the Firepots for some quick travel. I would have liked to kill a couple more things to get enough money for a bag or two, but I didn't want to steamroll a bunch of lowbies, and since I had the 10 plat on me, skipped that. I did find an Orc Pawn with a Worn Great Staff, and a couple punches later I had my first weapon.

The Problem with Faydwer: I forgot that I can't use Flame Lick until I get a fire beetle eye, which will be unavailable until I get to Antonica. No matter, snare pulls just as well and my punches were sufficient to get the job done.

The First Zone: I ran north to Crushbone, with a couple targets in mind:
* Emperor Crush has a Dwarven Ringmail Tunic that just might be the best I can find on this challenge
* Orc Trainer has a Shiny Brass Shield that, while certainly not in my long-term plans, just may help me get the first few pieces of gear
* Orc Warlord has a Bracer of Battle that could help me get started in boosting my stats a bit
* Lord Darish can wield a Dwarven Axe or Dwarven Two-Handed Axe, suitable weapons until I get something better

My plan was simple. See what's up, kill any placeholders, wait 9 minutes for respawns, then move on if nothing popped. Unfortunately, being prime time, there was someone camping Trainer Hill and someone else getting powerleveled at the Wall. So I swiftly moved in to the Throne Room, and found Lord Darish up. A couple swings of my staff, and I found myself in possession of a Dwarven Two-Handed Axe. Hitting for up to 70 with it, I was ready for my next fight. The Emperor wasn't up, so I swiftly dispatched the scheming Ambassador Dvinn in hopes of a Dragoon Dirk, but for nought.

At that point I had to log off to go port a guildie and make a sale in the tunnel, which tied in to my other strategy: Use short sessions when possible to avoid having to wait around on the clock for repops.

Time elapsed: a mere 12 minutes
Gear acquired: Dwarven Two-Handed Axe

Twenty minutes later, after completing the sale, I found the Emperor Himself up, and he dropped the Dwarven Ringmail Tunic. First armor acquired! On the way out I came across an Orc Warlord and soon found myself in possession of the Bracers of Battle. Calling that a successful foray, I made my way back to Kelethin, sold the worn great staff, and bought a backpack. I had to dip into about 4 gold from my 10pp starting fund, but at least now I had a little storage space. I then swiftly made my way south to Steamfont and ventured into the minotaur caves. I slaughtered as many vicious slavers as I could find, but wary of getting lost inside that fearful labyrinth, I retreated to the entrance and logged off to make dinner.

Time elapsed: 12 more minutes
Gear acquired: Dwarven Ringmail Tunic, Bracers of Battle

A couple hours later, I logged in to find I was in luck: The Minotaur Hero was up! I quickly learned that he slaps pretty hard when you've got no gear, and had to kite him around for a minute while I buffed up. That turned the tide, but he brought me to like 40% hp/mana. A good lesson that I'll have to be a little more strategic about my fights until I manage to get some more gear. I ventured back into the caves in search of a pair of Minotaur Axes, and after killing a half-dozen slavers, found one in the steely grip of the Minotaur Lord himself. Now well buffed, I made short work of him. I decided not to wait around for a second one and made my way through the Lesser Faydark towards Mistmoore. A quick pause to relieve the Nybright Sisters of their bronze weaponry, and I was there. Unfortunately the entrance, the graveyard, and the castle entrance were all camped, and none of the nameds I had my eye on were up. I decided to call it there in order to write up my progress so far.

Time elapsed: 19 minutes
Gear Acquired: Minotaur Hero Shackles, Minotaur Axe, bronze weapons to vendor