I should be ok though for now!
I'm gradually getting used to the game and always like a very loose way of tackling the promotional quests. I'm attempting to do as much as I can in each city/island before moving onward to the next. Obviously I'm not always succesful since this is my first time through MM9 and my slowness simply adds a little to the 'epic' feeling of exploration which sadly, generally this game seems to lack. At least compared to Mm6-8.

*Ahh, I'll have your best mead barkeep if you please. Just taking a break from the game now and thought I'd waffle on a bit.

There seems to be too many mountainous areas and not enough open spaces. I would be more forgiving of this if the Fly spell was still available because then the mountains would hold all kinds of possible nooks and crannies. As it is now, they are simply rigid looking blockades. I've still got a few towns to explore yet though, so hopefully some more open terrain with a dungeon or two will be found.

I did laugh though upon discovering the Temple of Honk. Tis the reincarnation of the very cult who sent me insane - Baa!

Here's how my characters are looking at the moment:
Vastlaar, level 26 Crusader.
Thorn, level 25 Fighter (not yet a mercenary...I'll do that next
Mithrilana, level 26 Healer
Vigamortis, level 25 Initiate (still to find scholar promotion quest)

I've just finished clearing out the Mountain Pass, which was a nice challenge at times - those orange winged abberrations are especially nasty. I'm starting to get pretty low on gold now - levelling up costs more as you promote higher it seems. Probably also means I need to look to get my merchant skills up more in a hurry!

I've united three clans so far, Sturmford, Drangheim and Thronheim. Haven't visited Thjorgard or Lindisfarne yet. I'm exploring the Verhoffin ruins at the moment - shall do as much as I can before heading back to Drangheim and Guberland.

I definitely need to work on my disarming trap skills too - have had to walk past a couple of those black chests...
Anyway, back to it!