One optimal way of playing is to give the Rhayader Medallion from Spicing Things Up to the Golden Hand. The Medallion can be obtained obscenely early if you use potions of Speed to evade and a Scroll of Recall to escape. That gives you early access to the Grey Library including the Explorer Gauntlets, Ring of the Trader, and Potion of Mana. After that give the books to the Loreseekers. That gives you access to their library and quests and traders.