Dress for success! I don't know how many times Meladori (Elven Bard)or Nadia (Elven Healer) would hand back a steel helmet or something to that affect. Equipment can help, I know, but think of your character too. Battle is something you just can't avoid in Carrion Fields, but at the same time, not everyone can strut around in battle armor. My Elven Bard was a dancer, therefore, I'd never wear armor unless I knew I was going into battle. I'd also try not to lug it around with me, for a couple of reasons. Some gear is limited and I didn't want to deny it to others, and well, it's heavy. She didn't want to dance around lugging around mithril breastplates and steel helmets. When she wasn't happy with the way she was dressed, she'd go out to find something more suiting for a dancer, it's easy to dress just about any character you can think up.