I myself soloed from 19 until 24 by fighting gorge hounds in East Karana, it
wasnt difficult. We can solo all the way if we want, simply Bellow and
Selo. It just takes a tremendous amount of time and becomes extremely
tedious to do much without a group later on. Sure I could kill mass amounts
of light light blue stuff, but why when I could be in a hag killing party or
take on familiars and sages in mistmoore? You just plain get to see more of
the game with a bard than with almost any other character. I would have to
say that us wearing plate is a bit ridiculous, try to play a guitar in a
full suit of platemail. And it has gotten me in trouble more times than
not. People think I must be a great tank, since even rangers cant wear
plate, and will let me take the brunt of damage before they realize the
plate is purely for show.

Ka`Lend, 27th Wood Elven Bard on Rallos Zek