When all else fails, do some character building. Take the SOUTH Portal Shrine, run to Orobas Fjords then kill the lvl 18 goblins all the way down the cliff and across the water. That should get you to level 18 at least. THEN go back to Amdusias.....
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.