Getting to Gran Soren at level 10. Changing your vocation and minmaxing.

Now, you might wonder "Why is this a beal deal?" or "Why would I want to reach Gran Soren at level 10? Here's a short answer: When ever you level up, you gain stats based on what your current vocation is.

This guide contains spoilers from the beginning of the game. Including certain events used as base lines, as well as mentioning the name of certain quests.

A lot of people that create characters want to min-max them to the best. Doing this requires being able to swap your vocation as fast as possible, to be able to level up using a different vication.
Some people even want to do a 100% save and therefore not miss out on any of the starting quests. Here's a way you can do both!

Reaching Gran Soren at level 10 on Normal Mode without missing any quests:

1. Start the game.
   
2. Pick up every quest from the notice board. Don't complete any of them yet.
   
3. Run straight to the Encampment with rook, but save the man from the goblins by killing them and gain the cape.
   
4. Speak to the stone and then go kill the ogre.
   
5. Hire and create your own pawn. Hire as high leveled pawns as possible. Make sure to keep Rook for now. Complete the Strength in Numbers quest in the encampment.
   
6. Pick up the board notice quest outside of the training grounds.
   
7. Return to Cassardis and avoid combat while doing so. Pick up any remaining side-quest you can find.
   
8. Complete Lost Faith (which you can start by speaking to the priest at the Clergy/Temple), Grim Tidings (which you can start by speaking to Elvar, which is usually found walking around outside or inside the Clergy/Temple) and Floral Delivery (which you can start by speaking to Benita, in the run-down building next to the tavern).
   
9. Talk to Madeleine and complete her escort quest by guiding her to The Encampment. Once again, make sure you do not kill any enemies along the way.
   
10. Make sure you have enough money to pay Madeleine, she wants 1000 Gp
    
11. Once you're back in the encampment talk to Mercedes and kill the hydra.
    
12. Don't spam through her dialogue now. She'll ask you to come with her. Say no. Instead, head back towards Cassardis to initiate "Lost and Found" by first speaking to Elvar, then reach Cassardis and speak with Chief Adoro. He's usually next to the well or around the tavern.
    
13. Go back to the encampment and accept Mercede's request to carry on. Rest.
    
14. Before you head out, go to the rift stone and disgard all your pawns except your own. This will make it easier to avoid combat.
    
15. Run all the way to the waycastle, avoid combat to the best of your abilities. Just run from enemies you encounter. Stick to the right until you can see the ocean and an apple tree, then head straight up the hill and you should be there.
    
16. Before you talk to Mercedes, go to the nearby riftstone and recruit as high leveled pawns as possible.
    
17. Talk to Mercedes and proceed towards Gran Soren. Kill the enemies blocking your way (you have no other choice).
    
18. After you have reached Gran Soren you should be level 10.
    
19. Change your vocation at the inn.
    
20. You can now head back to Cassardis to complete the side-quests that you didn't complete. Do this before you head towards the Pawn Guild.

I should first mention that it isn't possible to reach Gran Soren without reaching level 11, unless you have the ability to hire pawns of level 175 or higher. If you do, then follow the steps above.
But if you still want to min-max, there's a way to reach level 10 and change your vocation before you go to Gran Soren! Here's how:

1. Start from step 7 from the above, though disregard the mentions of not killing any enemies. Kill the ones you need, but try not to overdo it. Farming can come later.
   
2. Complete every side-quest except "Deep Trouble."
   
3. Escort Madeleine to the Encampment, give her the money and then proceed to talk to Mercedes. Then rest.
   
4. Kill the Hydra, then speak to Mercedes.
   
5. Don't spam through her dialogue now. She'll ask you to come with her. Say no. Instead, head back towards Cassardis and start the "Lost and Found" by first speaking to Elvar, then reach Cassardis and speak with Chief Adoro. Don't complete "Lost and Found".
   
6. After picking up the quest, select the quest "Deep Trouble" from your quest list. If it's not there, talk to the guard at the well in Cassardis.
   
7. Complete the "Deep Trouble" quest. This quest will reward you with 2000 Experience once you collect it. If this amount should get you to level 11, then do not collect the reward yet. Instead, jump to step 10.
   
8. After either completing "Deep Trouble" or farming monsters, you will have gained level 10 and still be under level 11. If you are still not level 10 by now, simply farm some more monsters.
   
9. Once you've reached level 10. Go to Cassardis. Rest in the inn until nightfall.
   
10. Visit the coast, and head out onto the docks. There is a woman standing on the far end of the bridge there holding a lantern named Olra. Speak to her. Lend her your aid.
    
11. Speak to Olra once you are on the Bitterblack Isles. From there, you can change your vocation.