Thanks Vomaxx--I think you and I are the only ones here and playing. I just got the game, though I know it came out in 2008. Anyway, thanks for your help and ideas.
I have definitly been doing the scouting.

The hard part, as I tried to say in the original post, is that the game gives you quests for which you aren't ready. I'm used to other games where the quests come as you level. I don't mind the non-linear aspect of this, I just wish there was a hint! Maybe some small scrawl in off-white writing saying "hint, if you aren't level 8, don't try this yet." LOL
I'm starting to think that the higher the experience reward is something of a hint.