thanks! (all the way around)
so far I really like the game; plan to get beyond & ego draconis once i finish.  I've got most of rivertown cleared; just went to verdistis last night. I can definitely go down there (axe level 23 warrior).  don't remember such a building down there, but i'll look and see. 

is there a way other than 1hitting to prevent the dark cave vampire from stealing stats?
i found a fun way to use a frost weapon.  i got a frost staff that does 5-10 damaage and i took it into the cursed abbey. lol ... i tried to keep all the enemies frozen at once. because it took like 4-5 hits per to kill them.  made it challenging and i still took damage.  
you can do the same with the heavy orcs. (just be careful when the giant heavies & wardrummers come around)