The Lost Ring

You might recall the post on the bulletin board in the Guild Hall, mentioning a reward for the return of a lost ring.  From the town gate, head north to the Healer's house to inquire about it.  Simply knock on the door and she'll let you in.  While you're here, you can ask about (2) the potion components her other poster talked about, and she might have something to say about the pterosaur in her cottage as well.  Seems that they'll pick up any shiny object they find.  Gold is shiny, isn't it?

In the tree outside, you might have noticed another pterosaur in a nest.  Suspicious, no?  The ring is probably in that nest--now you just have to figure out how to get it down.  This is the first puzzle with multiple solutions based on your class.  Take a look at your skills and see what you might be able to use.

• Fighters:  You'll probably figure out that the only ability you might be able to use would be Throwing.  Get some rocks and then throw a rock at the nest.  The first toss will scare away the nest's owner, and eventually your Throwing skill and Luck will be enough to hit the nest, knocking it to the ground.  Rest if you run out of SP while doing this.  From there, your Hero will automatically saunter over to the nest fragments and retrieve the ring.  Warning:  I've had some problems with the game freezing when the Hero reaches the nest.  I recommend saving your game before you start throwing, and then again immediately after you successfully get the ring.
• Magic-Users:  This is why we picked up the Fetch spell from Zara earlier.  Cast Fetch, and the nest will be pulled into your hands.  Easy as pie, but such is the way of a magic-user who knows how to use his spells.
• Thieves:  Climbing will help you out here.  Head over to the base of the tree and climb the tree until you manage to get up.  It might take you a while, so be patient and rest when you need to.  Once you get to the top, though, don't move just yet.  Instead, climb down, and then climb the tree again.  Repeat this a few more times, just to get a few more points in Climbing.  I like to keep climbing up and down until I can always climb up on my first try.  Then you can get the ring and you'll automatically climb down--but if you go after the ring when your skill is too low, you'll fall off the branch.
  

Once you have picked up the ring (3), go knock on the Healer's door again.  When she lets you in, give the ring (10) to her, and reap the rewards of heroism.  Six gold, two healing potions, and a kiss to boot!  The Hero will quickly get out of there to avoid more of a reward. 

It should be either mid-afternoon or approaching sunset, possibly still midday for Magic-Users and rather late for Thieves, unless you spent quite a bit of time hanging around and letting time pass.  You can kill some time by continuing to work on your skills here (casting Fetch isn't useful, but you can still get the practice) and then resting and repeating.  Thieves can work on their Throwing by following the same method Fighters use to get the ring.  And the Healer's front door makes for a great place to practice Lockpicking--the door is barred, so you won't be able to get in.  Head south to the town gate.

You'll probably see Bruno here late in midday or in mid-afternoon.  He can give you some information, but the price he asks isn't worth it, since you can get the information for free from other people.  You will, however, get points for successfully talking to him and not getting him mad.  Be warned:  Don't do anything that might seem hostile (such as attacking or casting any spell) around Bruno.  You won't live to regret it.  Instead, head east along the road (2).

When you reach the dead-end at the mountains, turn around and go one screen west, then north and east.  You'll meet a rather large frost giant here, who will speak with rather severe alliteration about a bargain.  If you ask about the bargain, he'll tell you that he will give a glowing gem in return for enough fruit to fill up his fists.  50 apples will suffice, so give the apples to him (8) and you'll receive the gem.  When that's done, head west and then south.

The third time you visit this screen (second time for VGA users), you'll see a fox caught in a trap.  Do what any Hero would do:  Open the trap (10).  The fox will give you some advice and information (pay attention to what he says about that curse), and then then scamper off.  When he's gone, head west back to town.

• Magic Users:  Take your new cash supply back to Zara's Magic Shop to buy the Open spell (M2).  You'll need it tomorrow.
  

Now check the time.  When sunset is approaching (kill time by practicing your skills outside the Healer's house if you need to, but don't take too long because the town gate closes at sunset), go on into the Inn, and you'll be greeted by Shameen.  You can ask about stuff now, or later when you rent the room (1).  Either way, sit at the table and Shema will emerge from the kitchen to take your order.  Ask about the food--doesn't it sound good? :)  Order food from her, then turn your attention to the merchant at the table with you.  He can tell you all about the brigands if you ask about them, and he has a few other interesting things to say (5).  Soon your meal will arrive.  It looks and smells great, so feel free to eat it (1).  Abdulla looks rather hungry, so give silver (in the VGA version, he won't take your money, so you'll have to click the money icon on him while Shema is present to buy him a meal or a drink) (2) to help him out, and he'll tell you some things to foreshadow the next game of the series.

• For Thieves, the day isn't over yet.  Click here for a sidequest that's only available if you have the Pick Locks ability.
  

When you're finished talking to Abdulla, stand and walk over to Shameen.  Talk to him if you didn't before, and then rent a room (VGA users will need to buy 'a night's rest') (1).  You'll go straight to your room and rest up for your next day of adventuring.