How do I make this game enjoyable for new players?

[Galelor]

I would suggest twinking them with the best weapons and fungi tunics. (Also provide them with full spell books when they are near the correct levels.) Twinks are always fun to play, and coming from WoW/SoD they are going to dislike how long it takes to level. This should attempt to alleviate that feeling. Additionally, they will still have goals like epic quest, clickies, other gear slots, leveling, etc.

Additionally:
After playing SoD you are not going to win giving that guy a casting class. Mana regen in old EQ (p99) flat out sucks when you compare the two games. You may have some luck as a shaman with a fungi, but leveling until canni will challenge his will. My suggestion would be to have the guy that played SoD play a Monk.

The guy that played wow might enjoy a shaman, rogue, mage, or enchanter. Shaman have a ton of utility and can canni. Mages have a bit of utility and have the pet tank... The enchanter would be for charming (which is very fun.) The rogue will add a lot of DPS to the group so you can cruse through leveling.

You need to play a cleric, and also have a port bot for them.