ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

I would sometimes use the option to create a character at level 10, even if it were with no penalty. Sometimes I need to play a class some in Trollmire or experiment with some simpler uniques. Sometimes, though, I've spent too many hours in Trollmire recently.

I think there should be penalty, though. Your char should probably start naked, and lose the chance to get all the early artifacts that tier one dungeons can supply. Since so many quests seem to involve a kidnapping, why not make the level 10 dungeon like escape from Reknor combined with a kidnapping? Your adventurer has been kidnapped by some cultists with big plans, but they foolishly did not tie your bonds tightly enough while you were unconscious.

This would sort of fill the role that manathrusting at some hydras in ToME 2.3 used to serve. Give experienced players an opportunity to choose a higher risk start for faster advancement.

I would love the option of skipping the first 2.5 dungeons. Perhaps even give you the two generics from the arena quest since you can't do it at level 10. A question to answer is will there still be all the bosses. This would allow the player to advance further without the use of farportals.
One natural penalty for this is that you have no good equipment if you would start at level 10. you would still have your tier 1 non-egoed gear. given the large difference between tiers that should be a decent penalty.