On returning to the inn

There's always end-of-day type tasks to complete when you come home with bags filled to the brim with treasure - or junk more often. Do them as you come in - that way when you log in again you can head out straight away, without having to do boring chores. As the last action of game play, it feels like reward time. As the first action of game play, it feels like a waste of time.

Here's the list:

• Repair: Hit a repair person first. Don't worry about the content of your bags. When you repair items, it does not repair items in your bag, it only repairs items that are equipped. However, since you're here, you might as well sell or your junk.

• Selling: Do your homework well before you sell anything. Don't go on the colour coding of grey-white-green-blue etc. when selling items. This is a misleading assumption. Certain junk (grey items) which are of inferior quality are used in various recipes as reagents and may sell well on the auction house. When you start in a new area, have a browser running nearby and research each junk item before selling. If there's any resell value, save it for the auction house. If you will be needing it later as an ingredient yourself, stack and deposit in the bank whenever you are near one. You'll be very thankful later when creating a single item requires 4 pearls or 4 large fangs for which the drop rate is miniscule - but you have plenty in the bank from earlier levels. Only sell grey and white items that are truly worthless.

• Cooking: Buy any spices from whichever vendor that sells 'em to cook all the meat you've just collected. Know your recipes by area. If you're in Hillsbrand Foothills, you'll probably come back with lion, big bear, clam and turtle meat. Most cooked products will sell for double what the raw ingredients sell for. Level up your cooking by picking up recipes relevent to your area (either via the auction house, local quests or local vendors). You don't need 'em all, just one or two will do. Buy what spices you need first - particularly if the vendor who sells them is not located inside the inn. Make your way to the nearest cooking fire - usually near or inside the inn - and cook all you have ingredients for. Keep a portion for yourself as needed and sell the rest to the nearest vendor.

• Check your mail - if you have any and action appropriately.

• Log out - If you're not already inside the inn, make your way to the inn. Wait for the zzz bar to come up. Most of the time the zzz bar flashes up whilst standing next to the post box outside the inn. Make your way to the front door of the inn and log out here. This way, when you begin your play tomorrow, you're ready to head out immediately.