Yes! The start of the cursed lands don't play out how I thought they would. I was expecting more shadow/wraith attacks with deadly strength and max-hp drains. Instead, no level gatekeepers. The Underdark plays correctly, but mountain pass route is too easy.
That's actually a really good point. Not only was Halsin wrong about the underdark skipping part of the shadow curse and being the better choice... it's actually the opposite. The mountain pass is *FAR* easier. Especially if you skip the monastery.
I feel like the Mountain pass is easier, but is the Underdark perhaps geared towards lower level characters? I haven't checked, but I remember trying to do Mountain pass in my first playthrough and I got a warning when trying to enter that it would be very difficult with my current level. So I turned back and went to the Underdark instead, didn't get any warnings upon entering. So I just figured that Mountain pass, despite appearing easier, perhaps has higher level foes and such?
Or, maybe Halsin is just lying about the difficulty because he has ulterior motives for wanting to go to the Underdark? (I mean, he does make a point of letting you know he's been to the Underdark "many times" when you ask him about lovers and what not.)
