As for the quest where you pay cents to buy an item, did you know that some of the quests give you cents? You can simply use that to buy another amulet and complete it, or since the wheel rubs you the wrong way, use it to buy resources to help you along the beginning.

I see your perspective. Mine is wholly different. I've played may "real money in shop" games and most you really can't get by without paying in real money. Whether it be lvling is so dog slow its almost impossible unless you purchase +xp items, or certain areas you can never unlock without items. This game is not one of those.

In fact, on top of that you can destroy and paying player's city and steal it or reduce it to a barbarian town, taking away what their real life money has earned them (indirectly).

How's that for power to the free player?