ttomm99 said:
i usually get killed by bandits early in the game so any getting started hints appreciated..
What's your party like? What backgrounds and skills do they have?
Without knowing that, I would suggest doing the barmaid quest. It's a fairly lengthy quest, with good reward, and experience. I'm so conditionned to the game, whenever I get a twitch to start a new party, that's what I do. With the money you get from the quest, and the 500 coins if you haven't spent it, buy up some stuff from the blacksmith or woodcutter.
There is also an additional party member in the bar you should be able to pick up after you do that quest, if you do the full thing the nicer way. If not, you'll have to do a few more quests.
Be sure to right-click on things you're going to buy and things you're going to replace with that new item. In the case of armor, you may not want that breastplate because you have to give up speed in combat just for that extra protection.
Make use of the Inn! For 10 drach, you can heal your party and get back willpower in 8 hours.
Don't stray too far from Kellen at first. There are things outside Kellen that are very, very nasty.
If you want to beef up your party, go just outside Kellen and rest. Leave one person as a guard while you rest. This should give you some encounters that you can handle. One or two wimpy thugs shouldn't be able to wipe out your whole party. They also provide a good source of money, weapons, and armor.