Good thoughts Kenzon. The holiday stocking is a really useful thing, I have it aside from my main weightless container, and now use it as a herb pouch.
I still don't think I'd group an area and then solo later, but we'll see. since my focus is questing and exploring and trying stuff I tend to be higher level anyway, especially as I tend to take the game more slowly than some I suspect, eg, I'm about to hit level 29 druid.
Oh and spell staffs rock, I'm just experimenting with using them to control weather so I can use lightning and hale and such without having to expend a tonne of mana on getting the weather I need.
I also love brewing salves and tinctures as so many are useful, though with potions it tends to be a little more hit and miss, still I've sometimes found some pretty handy cure potions here and there.
Our souls with high music ringing; O men! It must ever be
That we dwell in our dreaming and singing, A little apart from ye. (Arthur O'Shaughnessy 1873.)