This game is no joke. You really have to pay attention to even the small things because it can save you later. Its sort of like a mystery because of that which keeps me attempting to better my character but carefully.
Yeah! Every time I survive a battle with just a few health left, I really feel like a champion! Except for times when I die, which is happening to often, I can still feel like a winner when I get to create a new character.
California, sounds like you like to take risks. Take it from me, a long time player of the game, do not treat ROK like "Oh I will just start over" because that's not what it's about. Your one character should be progressing to very high levels.