Don't feel too bad. Rat Poison is clearly labeled. Not your fault.Rednaxela wrote:Heh, I had one incident with this because I was getting fed up with that spell that shoots a poisonball (can't remember what's it's called atm) because it couldn't ever affect anything of my level, so I was shooting it around in a mice mob, and then a noob came running in to kill mice... ran right through my poison :-/

As far as the topic of keeping newbie areas for the newbies, I had this random though fire through my brain. I'm new to CF, so please bugbear with me. Long post cometh!
Ok, say I'm a level one player who just started the game. I've got my starting equips, some free food, etc.... AND a "Amulet of Extreme n00bness +1" (for example). Maybe it does nothing for the char, maybe it gives +X% to Poison Resistance, or even Resist Acid damage, something helpful for a low level to get used to the game.
The "Amulet" would serve two real purposes:
1.) It is needed for a quest. This "Amulet", if you will, would be a required trade-in item for a quest which results in the reward of a City of Scorn Gate Pass, thereby allowing the player to exit Scorn after completing the quest.
2.) Certain areas of Scorn would be accessible only if you have the "Amulet" in your inventory. These areas would consist manly of newbie training areas; Beginner’s House(s), The Towers, etc. This idea could also be extended to include some "Newbie" Shops (which would have to be added), that would sell some low level gear, food, etc. to get a player started.
A more "RPG" feel could be added by making the Gate Pass Quest center around slaying the proverbial "dragon." For example, "Help us hero! Use the "Amulet" to open the "Sealed Portal" to the "Dragon's Lair" so that you may rescue the "Princess", blah, blah, blah..." Of course, the "Dragon" would be a mob of appropriate level for said newb, and would be located in one of these proposed "newbie areas."
Bottom Line:
Want to leave the city? Need to complete the quest and trade in the "Amulet."
Want to enter the newbie areas? Need to have the "Amulet." (Have never left Scorn)
I have to say, so far I'm in love with CF. It has a lot to offer, and I keep finding out new things every time I play. Few games these days, especially RPGs, live up to their promises of a "Vast, interactive world to explore." CF is one of the few games out there that still deliver... and that means a lot to an old school gamer like me!

Thanks for reading!