> Hi, I'm a level 9 Euridite Magician and it seems like it takes me
> forever to level. What am I doing wrong (if anything). Maybe it
> just takes a long time for magicians to level? Biltilie, I see that
> on you profile pic that you are carrying a book. What is that book?
> I already have a stein which brings my charisma up a lot. I just want
> to play the game to it's full potential. So far, I've been having a
> ball playing! It's become an obsession..lol

i will start with items first and levelling next.

we mages need only CHA for buying/selling not for actual game play.
well, i believe so... even with CHA gear on, my pet never responded
to my advances ... :-)

mages should go for MANA and INT items. actually i don't have much
special stuff myself. if you want to have a close look what i wear, just
follow the next link (you can also see the stats of the items there):
http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=450684

[here are some magelo links to my alts, but only lvl 30+ chars:
Cleric: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=246824
Wizzy: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=247037
Necro: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=475789
Druid: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=558748
Chantress: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=419346
Warrior: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=450778
Monk: http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=458792
]

the following statements are what _I_ think about the game or believe
how the game engine works... and i might be pretty wrong about some
of those thoughts!

the items you need also depends how you play and which zone you are
trying to survive in. this isn't true for low to mid level, but it is more
and more importat at higher levels... but even with not so ueber gear like
what i am wearing, you can still have much fun: you just need the right
people to group with.

at low to mid levels (up to 30-35) you should go for mana gear first, and
int gear second. after 30-35 you should improve int so you get over 200.
when you are over 200 int, go for mana items again, and keep the following
"formula" in mind: 1 point in int, is 4 (or 5) points of mana (after int 200
and level 50+).

let's say you have a int+3 ring. you have to choice to obtain a int+5 or a
mana+30 ring, _i_ would do the following calculation: 3*5 = 15, 5*5 = 25.
so the winner would be the the +30 mana ring, because in total i would
have 5 more mana than with the new ring. _i_ feel pretty good with this,
but i don't know if this changes at 60+.

but, with the above example: if the new ring, would also modify any other
stats, you should rethink the above "formula": resistance items are very
important. i also like STA (and STR) items.

about levelling: what game style do you prefer? mages are very strong
solo chars, but can also be a valuable addition to a group. what a mage
must know is, when to use which pet, if to use a pet at all. the dmg spells
a mage has aren't too bad either.

actually i can't give you good advice where to go at your level, because
if i start a new char now, i powerlevel them to 20 with the help of quests
or my other chars (quest 1 to 10, druid 10 to 15, cleric 16 to 20). imho
the game really starts to make fun after you are 20, because you have
quite some gear (for melees) or spells (for casters) at those levels and you
can start to play and not only try to survive... :-)

but the above method is only good if you have played EQ for some time.

i would recommend, have a look at sites like allakhazam to see what
zones are availible for your level range and try to explore them. if you
don't like the zone, just don't try to stay there only because other say
it "sooo cooool" there; this is especially true, if someone of another
class recommends you a zone! for example: i could hunt with my
necro at the same place as with my druid, but when i got there with
my necro, she was 10 levels below the level of my druid! also some
spots are more suitable for soloing or grouping, but this also depends
on the level: some groups can get good exp in group at level 45 where
some solo at 55+ (and those 55+ also get good exp).

another factor one should take care of: are there any faction hits!?!?
many don't care too much about old world zones now, because the
newer zones are much more friendly to the different races and offer
quite some different faction relations. but this also has to do with your
level, and what expansion you can play in.

ok, it is time to stop now... :-)

good luck
- bilt

--
Biltilie Dwimmerlaik, lvl 57 gnome magician, Tarew Marr