> A similar response to the one I gave J.I.P. in a nearby thread: spend a lot of time on 5 leveling up. That level is constructed so that it's easy to do. The level with the pools is an area where you can get a lot of experience, allowing you to level up quickly, and a lot of treasure as well. Most of the treasure you'll cash in, but you'll no doubt find some useful things in the pools too.
>
> If you're getting slaughtered on 7, then just slow down and spend time where you are. I probably spent more time on 5 than on any other level, just leveling up as much as I could and increasing my treasury significantly.

Thanks for the help! I didn't look at that thread until just now because it was about level 10 and I don't read threads about parts of the game I haven't got to yet. I've already explored level 5 and cleaned out all the pools, but I'll hang out there until I've gained a few levels.

> >> Thanks for a good game, and I like the way the shopkeeper reacts when a bunch of dead characters come into his shop to sell equipment.
>
> I never tried that. How does he react?

He has lots of messages that only come up when at least one person is dead. sting mentioned "Umm, how did you walk in here? You know, being dead and all?" There's also:

It's equipment selections like mine that make you glad to be alive! Oh, sorry.
I guess it's a bit late for our armour selections to help you out, huh?
We're an equal opportunity shop. Alive or dead, we give great service.

There are probably more... I'd suggest that you tried it yourself, but to do that, you would have to die.