Originally posted by Zep Tepi:

I've been having terrible luck in the last few runs with two starred skeletons and putrid remains in my very first crypts out of the meadows.

That sucks. Last crypt a 2 star skel and his cronies took me down to 4 life. Thought I was a goner as I didn't realize I had finished him with my last blow. I guess I have been fairly lucky with the cores. There were not many chambers in the 1st forest I explored though. The one I found 9 is close to where Elder spawns.