Celtic Heroes

First of all I want to say that this post isn't to whine or rant. I'm simply explaining my situation so I can ask for advice. I have only been playing CH for 3 weeks or so.

I am a level 31 ranger. My current skills are usually sharp shot, barb shot, rapid shot (when it's available, the recharge time on it sucks), and light heal. My armor is whatever leather armor I've gleaned from drops plus a few pieces I've bought. I have enough dexterity for better armor but I can't afford it yet.

I have completed most of what I think are the lower level quests, including defeating Manus Black in the catacombs. I am currently supposed to be working on the statue-god favour collections and the Conanachts in Shalemont Ravine.

My problem is that I can't seem to stand up to the new enemies in my current quests. The dryad trees kill me, the Conanachts kill me, the disciples that are deeper in the catacombs kill me. I'm bored of killing the same weaker enemies again and again for tiny amounts of exp points. When I try to group up with others, I either get left behind or a higher level player defeats the boss, takes the drop, and I'm left with the same quest I started with before joining a group. Learning new skills or abilities seems impossible as I can't complete any of the quests required for them. I don't want to beg other group/clan members to hold my hand through the tough bosses, I'd rather be able to stand up to them well enough on my own.

My question is, is this some sort of in-between part of the game that's temporary? Should I muddle through farming for exp to move up a few more levels? Try to work up enough gold for better armor? Get better at making friends ;-) ?

I've resorted to hanging out in the mines and catacombs helping others because I feel at a standstill in my own progress. Any suggestions?

My opinion is get in a clan, help people, group and level up. As a ranger you should be able to solo but group leveling is IMO more fun and faster. You get to talk to people and even though the numbers are smaller you get much faster kills.
Make sure you are in the right place for leveling. This guide might help.

Thanks for replying and for the link to that guide. Feels good to know I'm at least where I need to be. I am a member of an active clan, but I admit I haven't spent much time getting to know them and asking for their help. So far, I've just followed whatever group happened to be around me at the time. I suppose I should get with the program, CH is a social game after all