1 quest in Maelbrim, which takes less than 3 seconds, will jump every combo in the game to level 3 immediately, then going to your guild will jump you to level 4. Do the gate/temple quests while you can use the Mud School gateway to jump back and forth. All neutral/evil melees and most mages with a bought charmie at 5 can solo snails, ladybugs, kids and hit 10 in a matter of minutes. Most melees can slam brownies at 8 and dryads at 10, get a group and go have fun. Mages should finish some quests if you can't kill things to get to 15 or find a group.
area levels
This quest is the one you save till you get to L6 and get expeled from the arena, to jump you to rank 8 and purchase the Alsasian pet.
Also there is a T-shirt for sale in Maelbrin at L1 for 5000 gold that has very high AC and +1 hit/dam. Even magical AC, which you need vs vampires thirst attack.
At pre 15, it's all about:
0º Pets
1º Hitroll
2º AC
3º Damroll
I used to tank with an invoker in both emerald and the tombs.
Just pump those AC slots. Chest, legs and arms. And hit the Hamlet for -AC bonus gear.