Excelsior

Just had a couple questions if anyone can help me out. I searched the forums and wiki and I can't seem to find the info I need.

Where does one come across a Royal Hive Robe, is it craftable or is it found in loot from monsters?

Also I am looking to find a really good shield, I have seen a few special ones around, where would be a good place to acquire one? Are they dropped in loot?

Thank you

Royal Hive Robes are crafted using a wax tool from the token or gold stone in Trinsic, I believe.
As far as a decent starter shield, there's an easy quest near the orc caves in Trammel that awards a decent, high durability, SC shield.

I bought the wax tool, but I don't have alchemy on my crafter, so I guess I will have to raise that up next.

I got the little blue shield from the quest there, and it has done me well for sure, but I am hoping there is something a little beefier out there, as I am trying to take on harder and harder monsters. Example, I would like to be able to take on a Lurg without having to run around and heal and take 15 minutes to kill one.

I have been trying different combinations on armour that I have purchased from vendors, but it seems no matter what I do, I cant quite take hits from really tough monsters yet.

Any suggestions for me? I appreciate all the help I can get.

Have you looked into the Gem of Completion quest? (GOC)
You can see the armor on the south side of Town Centre.

http://www.uoex.net/wiki/The_Mage%27s_I ... _%28GoC%29

Hang in there. You can buy a Ravnos Shield for about 200k, which will give you a dex bonus to promote healing. Really, at this point, your aim will likely be 220 dex for insta heal bandies. Check out the wiki for details. It makes fighting those mid tier monsters like Lurgs a much simpler prospect as you dont have to constantly run and heal. I'm not sure of your account age, but it took me over 6 months to get to that point so enjoy the journey. This shard has a lot to offer. Another suggestion would be to utilize strong pets. As you are working towards whatever your ultimate goal may be, they will make your life a lot easier.

I will definitely start to work on the gem of completion quest.

Is the Ravnos shielf one of the best in the game? I will have to save up and keep an eye out for one.

Yeah I definitely have to get my dex up as high as possible, my slow healing is for sure making it hard to move up and fight tougher monsters.

Im only at 1 month, so I am sure I have a long ways to go, and I'm looking forward to the journey Im really enjoying this shard, and haven't played UO since the original way back when. I forgot how great this game really is.

I was hoping not to have to rely on pets, just cause I want to be tough on my own haha, but I guess I might have to break down and get some to help me level up.

You definitely don't have to get pets, they just make things easier when first starting out. Personally, I had some nobles for a while, but once I hit 220 dex, I haven't fought with them since. I have low HPs at the moment so that is somewhat limiting in terms of what I can do, but I prefer not having to worry about them. I own 1 imp that i've never actually used. Ravnos is a very good shield, especially for a newer player. Most people run with that until they either get a GOC shield (3 mil) or a relayer for a shield (500 EDs, plus whatever wep you've leveled, etc.). Good luck and welcome!