Question for you, Calagari - did you pick any pockets in Kuldahar? There are some life-saving items on three NPCs (Orrick, Arundel, Oswald) - if you don't have them, that may account for some of your trouble. You may wish to trek back and get them - HINT: save before and after each attempt to pick pockets. If you fail, the victim turns hostile and so does the whole town. Same if you injure somebody.
If I only have one mage during mass-enemy situations like the ones in Dragon's Eye, I use the majority of my spell slots for enemy-inhibiting spells - especially Web. I love that spell. If you can catch even half of the wights in it before they get to you, you're chances of survival go up a lot. You can also cast two Webs on top of each other or offset, so the enemies have to make two saving throws to get free or stay free. Spells like Prayer, Curse, and Chant will reduce opponents' saves.
Also, don't overlook the 3rd lvl mage spell Slow - you can buy it from Orrick, I think. Look at it carefully - hurts opponent AC and Thac0 by four, and halves movement rate and attacks per round - affected wights will only have one attack every TWO rounds. The spell is very difficult to save against, meaning your chances of affecting a significant number of them are quite good.
I assume you've found Protection from Fire now? 3rd level priest spell, cleric or druid. Hit the arrows on you priest spellbook, and memorize that ever-so-useful spell.
Edit: Another tip - if you don't have enough spellslots for all the great third level spells, Oils of Fiery Burning do the same thing as fireball, just throw them. (you can "lift" two from Oswald, and he has a stock you can buy)
[ 10-14-2004, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Aerich ]