New group of players looking for advice.

[Landylil]

I'm part of a group of 4 looking to start up on the project1999 server. Two of us played EQ for many years, though we haven't touched the game in a while, and the other two are brand new to Norrath. I've been digging through my memory banks trying to remember how the game was during Kunark, and maybe get an idea for how our group setup should be, this is where I'd like some advice.

Do we need a cleric? One of the new players is wanting to play a druid. I figure if the server population is active enough, getting a rez shouldn't be awful, if the population is too low then we'll definitely want a legit rezzer/healer. Anyone have a feel for that?

Tank/early game equipment. I haven't had a weak character since... well 1999. I've been spoiled by AA's, top end raid loot, and years of item inflation. My group might make me tank, if that's the case I'd like to go DE sk or HE paladin. I would go troll/ogre SK if the server hadn't already nerfed the mask of deception =( Sorry guys can't do ugly. That said, how's the economy? I remember farming pelts and bone chips for people back in the day. Druids giving out SOW for tips and whatnot. Is the community pretty friendly in terms of pricing of low level type gear? I'm worried about failing my group because of my preference to be pretty.

The other old EQer is wanting to be a bard. I always ran with an enchanter back in the day, could a bard hold it down? I was a cleric leveling with an enchanter / warrior buddy, so that was our trinity. I never actually played much with bards til end game. Also, with a group of 4, bard/tank/druid/????. I feel like the druid pick might scorn us, but we need her to be happy or else what's the point =)

Any tips tricks feedback or advice is welcome!