More Threeview

Before long, you will need to leave the starting region around Einsburg. But there are some optional areas to explore, if you want.

I already mentioned the one that you Should Not Go Into this early. But you can try to run past the enemies if you like!

The Polar Pond is more doable... but before you have the Ice Skates, it is a little hard to get around.

You actually CAN explore this area before getting the skates, and get some loot and Presents. But, you will have to find your own way through the ice maze! It's not very long, but it can be easy to get confused. But if you pay attention, and possibly draw your own map, you can get some loot that will be useful very soon.

After you are ready to leave, you will have to go to the north part of the Frigid Forest. There is nothing stopping you from going here earlier, but there are a few places you will need the Snowman Key once you enter the world at large.

First, you will need to make your way through the Perilous Pass...

This is the first of a couple areas where you should probably just RUN! Don't stop, keep running!

It also helps if you have a Dr. Deflector, a Soula Cola, or the Restoration or Gale spells. Don't forget, you can sometimes buy potions at the Magic Shop.

I expect this area to be a little bit of a bottleneck for any Ironman players. :) Make sure you're prepared!

After you make it through the Perilous Pass, you will be in the Treacherous Taiga, a very large open space.

There are a few presents and a whole 3 Bokboks to find in this large open space. It can be dangerous early on, since the Ice Hounds can freeze you for some crazy damage combos. You will probably want to head straight north from the entrance to reach the Rooms of Research.

The Ice Hounds quest is exactly the same, just give 3 Ice Cubes to the Historian to get the Ice Skates.

You will also have the same "Find the Toolbox" quest from Handyman Hank. But, the quest is a lot more dangerous...

Also be warned, it's not just Ice Hounds on the taiga. You may find a few of their masters, who have escaped the Underworld somehow... This is probably the first area you'll find where there are rare, very powerful monsters (besides minibosses) that you COULD try fighting one-on-one. Or, you can just walk around them. It's up to you to decide.

You can also sometimes find a patrol of soldiers... what are they doing here? Woody told something about soldiers taking his Sharpening Stone...

In the next update, I'll show off some other areas where you will have some unique challenges.