Ah, so Listening to Rumors is well worth the time? I have never actually done it before.
Also, screw undead. After this whole discussion I was like, "Hey, I am going to give those old bones another shot" and BOOM I am seriously wounded. Undead can pillage the countryside for all I care.
I think I may switch my main adv to a gatherer. I have one recomondation now, and I think once I get the other two I will try out roleplaying a rise to knighthood. Gotta find those unique items though!