[UncleScratchy]

It would help to know what level you are, what your stats are, what type of weapon (long/short sword) etc. you have. Sounds like your char is new and sucks big time (as all new chars do). Its not your fault. It pays to go slow, practice on insects and crabs and build up your stats. I don't even try to do quests until I'm about level 20 or so. The char is just to weak and lame at everything, missing more than hitting. The early part of the game is about surviving and getting a bit of coin. I spend all my coin of training as I can find all the armor and weapons I need. If you're lucky and half way decent you may be able to wipe out the smugglers in Seyda Neen before moving on to Balmora or Pelagiad. At the beginning your emphasis should be on leveling up by any means possible (try speechcraft, merchantile, acrobatics, athletics, etc.). Early in the game Hand to Hand is one of the best skills to have as a major/minor skill. You get good very fast and get a lot of level ups to boot. Jump, run, flatter your way up a few levels and then hike up to Pelagiad (forget the riding the bug to Balmora). In Pelagiad go into the general store and steal everything you can wear or carry. Sell everything you don't have an immediate need for (just don't try to sell it back to the guy you stole it from). You'll be weak as a kitten so I would go with chitin armor and a couple of enchanted swords (for killing undead ghosts, skellies etc). Now head to Balmora. I try to pick up a bow early on and start to practice a lot. Your bow is your friend. A good bow and high skills in marksmanship negate having to worry about spellcasting mages, flying creatures, etc. I almost never use a sword in this game. Bows, speechcraft/personality, maybe some lockpicking get me through for loads of loot, easy quests, and lots of training. I spend every drachma I get on training. If you know where to look you can find loads of free arrows, armor, etc early in the game. Go to Caldera early on (after Balmora) and find the Creeper. Creeper is your friend for making unbelieveable amounts of money. For now, concentrate on killing mudcrabs and scribs. Good luck (it gets easier with each day you survive).