Brand new player growing extremely frustrated very quickly.

[DarkMasamune]

And I'm still in my race gear except for a pair of boots I got at the beginning of Dressed for Call. It's all showing as level 1 gear so apparently it's not sufficient.

That's strange, I'm convinced that putting on your race gear is enough. I've always done that with my alts. Are you sure all the slots are equiped ? It's only head, body, legs and feet, so you should have everything— except the head.

Perhaps you need to get an helmet ? Or look around if a side quest gives you one as a reward