Magician Question
 

Torch of Alna can be MQd right?

Yes - but all of the items are droppable, so you don't really *need* to MQ it, you can just give the items to that fellow mage.

I remember having this item on my shaman on live. forgot how the mq went down.

Any of the mage focus items in Temple of Sol Ro can be MQd. But as mentioned the Torch doesn't need to be MQd. Just trade all of the items to your alt of choice and complete the quest. You don't need to be a mage to complete the quest.

Where can the fire giant toes be acquired relatively cheaply/easily? They're like 400pp+ from vendors!

Easiest solo way is to kill Gornit in Ocean of Tears which drops all kind of toes for focus items

http://wiki.project1999.com/Gornit

Else you can also follow a raid/group of people doing Fire Giants in Sol B or going after Nagafen/Ragefire and ask for Fire Giant toes