Combat
Combat is for adults only, so it is only possible once you have completed the Prologue, by which time you would have grown up a bit. However, as soon as the Prologue is over, you will be able to visit Master Jogon in Rivermoor to learn the basics and unlock your first important skill.
You can go into combat to gain items and Reputation. There are also some tasks that require you to visit the combat areas to seek out those unfortunate to have become lost.
In order of difficulty, these three combat areas are Simplewood, Midwoodand Toughwood. Each one has a different combatant to challenge you.
In Simplewood, Mr. Fairweather will revive you four times before taking a year of life as payment.
In Midwood, Mr. Fairweather will revive you twice before taking a year of life as payment and in Toughwood they will revive you just the once.
How to get better at combat? You can prepare for harder combat by levelling up your swords; collecting Wards and Charms; taking a cooked meal with traits like Strength or Toughness; buying or crafting combat recipes at Apothecary's; and by unlocking skills via Jogon and Moon.
You can take up to two pets into combat with you - different species have different abilities, and some are particularly effective against certain enemies.
If you are struggling in combat, you can change the speed of the enemies by going to Accessibility in the Options menu and using the slider marked Combat monster speed.