Well I did not read all of the comments but read most. When i started on p99 (few months after it was released) I joined a guild around lvl 12ish and one of the high lvl shamans *46 ish* saved all the bronze he looted in solb and gave to me so i had some armor. Now I had a bladed thulian claw, a shiny brass shield and full bronze. I looked bas ass, but it weighed ALOT.
Regardless, I looted my share in groups and toughed out being encumbered until I was able to get better (ro *only did legs and boots quest*, hero bracer, rubicite, valorium, skull shaped barbute. along with weight reuduction bags, I did ask for sow / str buff /agi buff any chance I got.
there is light at the end of the tunnel as you level with heavy gear. it's not ideal but, if you want an easier route, roll a caster class, they can fund your alt paladin.
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p.s. wiggles is the shit with random free rez's running around hitting every corpse she saw without wanting a compensation.
p.p.s. I think im using some bone 2h from south karana instead of the sword/board