1. Check out the mrylokar gear for level 45:
https://wiki.project1999.com/Mrylokar%27s_Armor. No shielding but lots of other clickies and several of the pieces are pretty cheap.
2. Not a lot. Mostly raid bosses. 99% of dungeon content you can explore freely.
3. I don't think so but I could be misremembering. You can, however, pick pocket non kos mobs like friendly guards and then run to a zoneline.
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Djynni Biqasmalyani - 60 Human Wizard
Mandak Battlebeard - 60 Dwarf Paladin
Maeghar Frightreaver - 56 Erudite Cleric
Maamdak Battlebeard - 48 Dwarf Rogue
Crunkasaurus Rex - 49 Ogre Shaman
Mendak - 51 Halfling Druid (Green)
<Paradox> RIP