Ziroc, good linkage to the goldbox games, one thing could be to not allow to level up immediatley but first after full nights rest, for HP´s and so, at least for the five first levels, being experience of real life and all that.
Journal, yep true to the bone man!!
Another thing would be to implement the good old Runequest rules, not this level dilemma, but a steday pace of progressing as a character, though you hae to implement more skillbsed playing..
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Only the moon should hear my wail..