I remember this game from when I was a kid- playing through it two times recently reminds me of how much easier the game is when you know where everything is.
One tip that I'm not sure anyone has mentioned: interest rates on Xeen are very good. You'll inevitably run out of money for training in the late game- if you kill Barkman, though, that should give you enough gold to train to at least level 50, which can get you through Darkside (particularly the Great Pyramid where there's a huge treasure pile) and then the Dragon Tower where there's a lot more treasure. Then (probably before you go to the Dragon Clouds) just put all of this gold in the bank and go work (Castleview/Rivercity/Vertigo, I think) for the next 25 (or so) years. 25 years multiplies your money by about a factor of 15, and 50 million gold (which you won't have any trouble accumulating with this strategy) is easily enough to train all of your characters to level 120. Aging penalties start around age 35, but don't kick in a second time until about 50, so you'll only have a few stats go down with this strategy.
This sure beats endless trips to the Gemstone Mines, or enchanting and selling items all day! It was particularly amusing that I had so much gold left over that I could pay the 4 million gold in the Southern Sphinx to be protected from the traps and then walk right through them.
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