BARAK'S HOUSE - IGM #8
TYPE OF IGM: Extra Hot Points, or small amounts of gold and gems.
ENTRIES PER DAY: Once per Day
MAJOR GOALS IN USE: More Hitpoints for special occasions.
STRATEGY
There are times when you just need some extra Hitpoints. You can only use this IGM to get more Hitpoints after you're Level 3 or higher. At Level 1 or 2, take the IGMs defaults, and just try robbing Baraks for some extra gold or gems. You can't get hurt in this IGM no matter what you do.
1) Getting more Hitpoints: Once you're Level 3 or higher, if you choose to Walk right in, and Kick Baraks Ass (or something like that) you will get a chance to drink Baraks Special Ale. This will give you 25%, or one Quarter more of your current Hit Points.
I use this most often for the following occasions: (in order of frequency for me)
Killing the Dragon: At level 12, this will increase your Hitpoints from apx. 15,000 to apx 20,000 plus. This can be a real help in not only killing the Dragon, but in not losing any Fairies, Horses, kids, etc.
Leaving the Game: An increase of 25% of your Hitpoints might well prove the difference in surviving a Player Challenge when you're away and sleeping in the Inn.
Level Challenges: Since you can buy more Level Master fights in this realm, it isn't quite so crucial to make sure you don't lose, but it's still an occasion you might feel you want more hitpoints before doing.
Player Challenges: it can't hurt... sometimes might be very important, esp. if just having a Fairy might not be enough.
2) Saving the IGM. Because the number of Hit Points at level 12 goes up past 2,000 I usually will use this IGM before killing the Dragon, simply to help save the use/loss of Fairies, Magic skill points (in Defense), or Horses/kids. The relative gains at level 1 or 2 (after killing the Dragon) aren't as significant in my opinion as the advantage in so many more Hit Points when fighting the Dragon, and keeping those other resources available.
3) Stealing from Baraks Treasure Chests: If you accept the Defaults in this IGM, you can choose one of six 'treasure chests' for small amounts of gold or gems. One of the Chests has Baraks Mother in it, and that ends the game, but until you hit her, you can continue picking chests. You can't get hurt doing this, and at the lower levels, every little thing helps. I'll take the more Hitpoints detailed above though whenever level 3 or higher.
This is a handy IGM for those occasions you need more hitpoints, but it's not that significant over all in use. Still, it's handy.