[Lymond]

Definite SPOILER below as this question pertains to the final fight.
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Ok- so I get transported to the ice tower and overwrite my last save, which I called "final assault." Then I went around Easthaven, made my way into the tower where I ended up doing a quick save. Moving between areas performed an auto save. Now the only saves I have left are in the frozen Easthaven. Here's where it get frustrating- I made it to the final battle and get totally killed. The first time wasn't a surprise, but the next three (using different strategies) were. Then I went online and read the walkthrough and realized that I should not have sold that Golem hammer or some of those other good weapons. I have enough with +4, just not the ones specifically mentioned in the walkthrough I read. On top of that, I don't have haste. Even so, I tried three more times (I almost have that bad guy speech memorized) and, using various combinations of oil of speed, magic resistance, strength, and strategies, the closest I've come to finishing is with Belihest almost dead and me with one ranger at 10hp. I didn't make it. I'm annoyed that the strategies that brought me through the game have left me totally unprepared for the final fight. Furthermore, my mage, whom I thought would be the key to the final battle, only serves as the designated decoy for the golems and doesn't even have time to get off any spells besides dimension door.
Enough whining.
What should I do now? I looked for an exit so I could go and regroup and as far as I can tell there isn't one. It appears that my only simple option is to keep trying the strategy that almost worked and hope I get better "rolls." I really don't want to do that. What about this- if I install HOW, will I then be able to get out of Easthaven (maybe through exporting or importing characters) so that I can buy back those weapons and the haste spell and then go to lower Dorn's Deep to try again?
Any other strategies of advice you can offer would be appreciated.