Firstly thanks to Uxtalzon for that very good tip about the Warrens rats, much quicker than wiping out newbie areas, scouring merchants in the tutorial mines & CR.
But I just noticed that the quests lists Neriak 3rd Gate but not Neriak Commons - https://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/quest.html?quest=2482
The only difference is that in the 3rd Gate has +1 to Dark Bargainers, Dreadguard Inner & Indigo Brotherhood whereas the Commons exterminator has +1 to Dreadguard Inner, Dreadguard Outer & Indigo Brotherhood (and -1 to Primordial Malice).
Since the easy Bottle of Red Wine quest https://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/quest.html?quest=159 gives +10 to the Dark Bagainers & +1 to both guards I preferred to spend my rat whiskers with Exterminator Damasi in the Commons, but if you're dubious to those DE merchants you might prefer Exterminator Gilea (who's a little easier to find near the zone entrance).
Edited, Aug 2nd 2018 2:21pm by stickleback