I started my first character ever as a Gnome Mage and I'm learning the hard way. I picked a hard class to start with, but the research and learning is challenging. I had to start off in the city of Akanon which of course I had no choice to but to start there. They should either make a quest for it for Newbies or at least sell it in Akanon. Why? Cause if your not over level 15, you run the chance of dieing trying to zone elsewhere.
Hmmm I don't agree, yes the mage class is hard, but it's not the hardest imho. I should know, I play a gnomish mage myself as well as several other classes. As for being challenging, I thought that was part of the game - it would be boring if it was all easy and unchallenging.
What I really disagree with is that you won't die trying to zone elsewhere at under level 15, you can get buffed up, and you get a pet from level 4 if you buy the pet spells (which you really should, since your pet is basically your tank). And you don't need to get the Elemental Grimoire until you hit 15/16 because research doesn't start until 16, so I don't know why you're complaining.