Without the drum I have been outrun several times. If they are close a
lioness can hit you continuously. I don't know if it can outrun my but it
can keep up. With the drum I can pull away quite easily though. I would
like to the thank the person that posted about setting up instruments and
hot keys. This has saved my like more than once. The only modification I
made is that I also set up another button to put my shield in. If I pick
something up it goes in to that slot but I trade what is in that slot for
the shield. Almost always I would rather lose what was in that spot than my
shield if something would happen. While I am running if I have the chance I
will put what was in that spot into a backpack. I don't worry about losing
my shield this way. Just my 2 CP.

Arden,
Level 8 Bard
Cazic Thule