Equipment: which to use and what to avoid?

[LDiCesare]

4 weapons is fun but generally speaking 2 area of effect weapons are enough to clean around you. And life drain is so great that fire brand, frost brand, and the 2h life stealing sword make a fine combo.
I wouldn't ignore defese if I were you. You're very likely to lose your super equipped combatant if you do that. Charcoal shields are great for both defense and offense for instance, as they can kill your opponents.
The owl quill is auite poor. Death has a much much better research item (skull mentor). Fire is quite good too.