Honestly, I can't remember back that far. :(
I am in the same boat as I am working a mage up, but he only 18 ATM. I know Grimling forest was fun, but may have to wait til you get closer to 30 to head there, but you may be able to handle the grimlings now, depending on your gear. Plus when I was there with my bard, we didn't have the health potions in game either, so they may make it doable at an earlier lvl.