Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
I have to say, after 8 hours of playing and gaining 4 levels - I think I've found my home

. This seems to be exactly what I've been looking for for years. I get that feeling of accomplishment in this game that every other MMO has been lacking for me. I even tried Fippy Darkpaw last year in an attempt to find it, but that was a bust.
And you guys were not lying about the niceness and willingness to help of the community! I had an SK from DC order me to come to the bank in PoP so that he could give me platinum, and then I ran into a fellow wizard from Temerity who chatted a little bit and then gave me a Turtlebone Ring to "bring out the color of my eyes", lol.
And now I'm at work pounding forums and websites for info, counting the minutes until I can get home and log on again. Yup - this is the EQ I remember!