>well this is my first time playing any kind of MUD at all,
>played D&D once, etc..so anyway..I decided to go with a h-elf
>ranger..so far its fun..still in the newbie ranking and a few
>ranks to go before PK'ing is a problem..but I have a couple
>questions if any of you can help (keep in mind I never RP'd
>befoer..so im trying to think along those lines):
>
>1) As a ranger I would think I would be self sufficient in the
>woods. So of course the first thing I thought of us ,..food
>and water..I found a bunch of good water sources (emerald,
>darsylon, faenwyld(sp?),etc) But food is a lil more tricky I
>have asked a bunch of older rangers that I've seen around and
>they always say..just wait until you can butcher..but I want
>to know where edible nuts and berries are, roots, etc

Butchering is the primary means of sustinance for a ranger. Edible berries and nuts etc. can be found a number of areas. If older rangers seem less than helpful, explore a little more or ask other people. You can do it!

>2) Where is a good place to learn? I found lumberjacks in
>galadon..that seemed like something a ranger would want to
>kill..but then I received less and elss exp from them
> expected)..I then followed someone around and killed elves
>and turkeys...now that did not seem like something a ranger
>would do..but any hints on where I would go? Again I asked a
>ranger I saw on..but he was nearby killing Ugruks? that didnt
>seem like something a ranger would kill either

Good places to learn for rangers are pretty much good places to learn for almost anyone. Like you mentioned though, you need to filter through the list taking into consideration your RP. help NEWBIE, help NEWBIE2 and help AREA are good places to start looking. You are on the right track in emulating others, though.

>3) Where is a good place for a ranger to find gear? Im
>nearing pk range..so id like to be decently equip'd and be
>able to find stuff if/when i get killed

Your best bet is to find gear lying on the ground in areas where a higher ranking group has gone through and killed the mobs wearing it. As a new player, you should be checking out all the facets of the lower level areas, like gear, mobs, etc. If you can get gear from the creatures, fantastic. Now wear it and check your score. Did it change? If so, how? Keep that in item in mind. This process should continue as you advance in level and go to higher level areas. Soon enough, you will get a regearing plan that you can execute by the time you unghost.

>4) does spending more time in the woods increase any of my
>abilities?

The more time you spend in the woods, the better almost ALL of your abilities will be.

>5) I hate a-ps..teleport,charge, lightning bolt, invis..come
>on now..

Detect invis preps can be bought or found in game. Keep asking IC and someone will point you in the right direction. Also, APs can't see camouflage. You have a big advantage there.

>thats it..if you actually read all this..awesome..if you can
>answer a couple questions..even better
>
>thanks,
>F

Very very very smart choice in picking a ranger as a new player. Versatile, able to hide from a huge majority of the MUD and has some decent offensive capabilities, not to mention you can heal yourself.