Dr. Unne, you have raised some good points about the Sea Shrine that I have never thought of. That part it is a lot of walking, why couldn't the treasure be more compacted? I would defintely have designed that dungeon a lot differently.
And I really like your point about leveling up and how lots of games don't have that anymore, it makes the game a challenge. However, I think just about everyone would agree that there is too any random battle of seeing the same monsters before the Marsh Cave. Orges, Creeps, Archanidas, and sea mosters, is very tedious and doesn't add so much to the game. You asked where do you fight? Well else is there to fight except around Elf town and it's port. Once your HP is low, head up to Concernia and stay at the INN. Repeat process. Isn't that the most sensible and intelligent method?
So I must ask if it was up to you Dr. Unne, (or anyone) would you have lowered the price of equipment in Elftown or would you keep the prices that high?