The Bear Necessities

From here on, I'm not going to be talking about specific days.  Anything can be done on any day (so long as any requirements have already been met) so it doesn't matter if you spend some time working on your skills.  Fighters will want to train with the Weapon Master and run around fighting things (you'll hopefully have defeated at least one Brigand and Mantray by the end of this page), and the Goblin Camp is a great place for that.  Magic-Users will want to work on their spells, especially Fetch, Calm, and Open.  And Thieves will want to get Stealth up as high as possible (best way to do it in the EGA version is to alternate between walk and sneak as you travel--you can get up to 57 or 58 this way) as well as some combat skills, Pick Locks and Throwing.  All classes should be working at the Stables every day, and of course sleeping at Erana's Peace at night.  Don't forget potions, if you can afford them, to minimize rest time.

When your skills are decently high--around 50-60 for each of your class's important abilities--go visit the Ogre that resides to the south and east of Erana's Peace.  He'll immediately come charging toward you, and you'll have to get past him to get into that cave.

• Fighters:  You're called "fighters" for a reason.  Throw daggers at him to weaken him if you wish, and then dive into combat.  You did save first, right?  If you can't beat him, restore and work on your skills a bit more.  Once he's dead (F2), search the body and pick up any daggers you threw, then break the chest to get a bit of a reward.  Then heal up and head into the cave.  You can wait until tomorrow (so you can let Erana's healing spell bring you back to full HP) if you like.
• Magic-Users:  Cast Calm to, well, calm the Ogre down when he's about halfway from the cave to you.  He'll stop, and you can run around him and into the cave.  If you worked on your spell skill a bit, you'll have plenty of time.
• Thieves:  Unfortunately, you can't sneak past this guy.  At least, if you can, I haven't figured out how (but you can increase the game speed in the VGA version and run past him).  You should have a few daggers on you, so throw daggers as many times as you can before he gets to you.  When you enter combat, run until you're almost at the edge of the screen, then throw daggers again.  Make sure you keep at least one dagger in your inventory, because you'll probably need to fight him to take off those last HP.  Once he's dead, you can pick the lock on the chest to get some cash, and don't forget to retrieve the daggers.  Then go on into the cave.
  

Once you're in the cave, you'll see a bear chained to a stalagmite in the far end.  Approach the bear, and he'll rear up on his hind legs in warning.  Magic-Users can cast Calm to settle him down (as Erasmus might say, "Magic soothes the savage beast").  Fighters and Thieves (as well as Magic-Users) can feed the bear a ration to get on his good side.  Once the bear is happy (or at least content) (5), you can go past him and into the Kobold's lair (2).

You'll see the Kobold sitting on a ledge, taking a nap.  Around his neck is a key that you need to acquire.

• Fighters:  You can have his key when you pry it from his cold, dead fingers.  Kill him (F10), and get the key.
• Magic-Users:  As has been the solution to many puzzles so far, cast Fetch to get the key off of the Kobold.  He'll wake up when you start to leave with the key, and begin casting spells at you.  Don't bother trying to Calm him--it won't work.  He won't follow you, though, so just leave the screen and go back to the bear. In the VGA version, you'll need a very high Magic skill in order to successfully Fetch the key, so it might be easier to just kill the Kobold with Flame Darts (M10), or you can come back later for those points.  I'll assume, for the sake of the point list, that you will kill him now. 
  
• Thieves:  Sneak over to the Kobold and get the key.  Sneak back out and the Kobold won't know what hit him until he wakes up--you'll be long gone by then.
  

As a bonus for those who manage to kill the Kobold, or for Thieves who are stealthy enough, go to the bottom of the cave and wander around a bit until you bump into an invisible chest.  Break the chest, cast Open, or pick the lock to open it--but be warned that you'll take 10 damage from a booby trap if you're close to the chest and can't successfully pick it (and if that's not enough, the explosion will wake the Kobold if he's still alive).  Get the money to add ten gold and sixty silver to your money pouch (5).  You can also come back later, after you've improved your skills, and do this.

With the key in hand (7), go back at the bear.  Magic-Users will need to cast Calm again, but if you gave him a ration he'll still like you.  Walk over to the shackle and free the bear (25) with the key you now possess.  Removing the shackle will break the spell, and the bear will turn back into the Baronet.  He'll tell you about a potential reward for rescuing him, then teleport to the castle.  You're done here, so head out of the cave and run from the Ogre if he's still alive.

If you have anything else you want to do today, do it before going to the castle.  You can go into the courtyard and stables, but you'll be whisked away to the Baron's hall the moment you enter the northern screen of the castle grounds, and you'll stay there until morning, so be sure to take care of any business you have today (such as practicing or working) before you go all the way there.

Once you are in the castle (10), the Baron will thank you profusely, and Barnard will have a few of his own things to say.  Be sure to take the opportunity to ask about some things (3)--you won't get another chance to talk to the Baron.  When you're done, tell the Baron you have no more questions (EGA), or walk to the exit (VGA).  You'll spend the night in the castle.

In the morning, you'll be ready for more adventuring, with an extra 50 gold in your pockets.  You're rich!