Having played only Oblivion and Skyrim out of the ES series, I decided to explore the roots. Boy was I in for a surprise. I got killed by a rat in the beginning dungeon because I couldn't figure out how to attack.


Anyway, once I've figured out how attacking works, I've since escaped the dungeon and found myself in Roseguard. But things are mightily confusing at this point and I would like some answers before I dare go back to this game.

1) Is the starting city always the same, for a given province? Meaning, is Roseguard the first thing to see in Hammerfell?

2) I stumbled into this city during the night. I really hope this is the reason there are no people and I can't get inside homes (there was also something about some superstition the locals had of this particular night related to evil spirits!!! Jesus, what have I gotten into...). What can I do to finally see some non-hostile people? I can't camp for some reason. Do I just wait for dawn?

3) What is the item called "Mark"? It seems to have some charges but it doesn't say what they are charges OF. By some stroke of luck, when I used this Mark, I got fully healed. Was that just insane luck, or is this the purpose of the item?

4)Is there any reason to explore every location on the global map(once I get to it), as in pieces of lore that would build a bigger picture for the future games? Or are they just there for experience points and loot?

I can't answer them all, but here's what I can answer.

2) Find an inn/tavern. They won't be labelled on your map to begin with, so look around for a building that has a hanging sign of a mug of beer on it. You can rent a room from the barkeep.

3) Marks are extra slotted items- I think they might be, in-universe, some kind of tattoo. They're magical items, each one can do something different. Either way, the mages guild can offer an indentification service for any magical items. Arena follows the D&D system, meaning that all magic items are unidentified until you get someone to identify it. There's a Mage's Guild in each city, I think. Look for the building that is covered in moons and stars- if you're lucky, it'll be shaped like a star when viewed on the map.

4) They're just XP and loot. Aside from the dungeons involved in the Main Quest, nothing else gives much in terms of worldbuilding. Daedric artifacts are in randomized dungeons, and the most lore you get from them is when you pick up the quest for you to find it.

Edit - ninja'd

I'll answer what I can:

1) The starting city is always in your race's province, but other than that is random.

2) Night-time is indeed the reason there are no people. Find a tavern (it'll have a sign in front with a picture of a mug) and speak to the fat bald guy by the bar to rent a room for the night, then just camp as normal (inside the tavern!). Most homes have nothing of value and cannot be entered. As for the evil spirits: holidays are celebrated in Arena. This one sounds like the 3rd of Hearthfire, Tales and Tallows. Holidays will always have some effect, often free stuff at temples or lower prices at shops. I think this one just increases the chance of running into monsters at night, but I'm not sure.

3) Magic items (listed in blue in your inventory) must be identified before you know what they are. Find your local Mages' Guild and talk to the guy there (he'll charge you a hefty sum). Marks can have a variety of effects, I think, so getting Healing was indeed luck.

4) From what I can tell, exploration is just for XP and loot. Oh, and the wilderness is literally infinite. You'll need to fast-travel between cities.

All the lovely Holidays.

Thanks for the answers guys. Here's a few more questions:

1) Do the enemies scale according to my level, like in Oblivion and Skyrim? If they don't, what is the level cap so I know just how long I have to farm experience before getting on with the main quest?

2) What are some useful items/potions to keep an eye on?

1)Yes,but:

Main quest dungeons have unleveled enemies.So you will meet goblins and ghouls in one of the early dungeons (even if you go there at level 20) and nasty stuff in the later dungeons even if you are Level 1,I think human enemies will get more health and magicka.

Outside of teh MQ you will meet stronger monster types the higher your level is.

2)Heal and Heal true,Potions of Power(if you are a caster),Cure Disease and cure paralyzation and depending on your class maybe Levitation and resist fire.If you're not a caster also anything that gives you Passwall.

If you decide to start another character, it's safer to not leave the starter dungeon (through the shift gate) at night. Instead, go to a safe spot in the dungeon and take a nap until daylight. Wandering around an unfamiliar town in the middle of the night, it's easy to get killed before you find a tavern or other safe place.