I'll start off by giving the typical response.
Do the tutorial and quests. Wear the gear you get from the quests:
https://everquest.allakhazam.com/search.html?q=gloomingdeep or the defiant from drops there, if better. It will likely put you over the Monk wt limit, but if you're using a tank merc, then it won't matter.
Hire a tank merc. Journeyman Tier I if possible. If not, highest Apprentice Tier (should be 5 on your account, if Silver and not Gold / All-Access). Let the tank do most of the fighting. They have low aggro until at least level 20, so pulling then running behind the tank is optimal. Wait till it's down to <50% before joining in.
Once done in tutorial, go to Crescent Reach and follow the Hero's Journey /achievement there for more upgrades and things to do. At 18 or sooner move to Blightfire Moors.
Use the Find (Ctrl+F) feature and maps and zone guide to help navigate.
Note: The Plane of Knowledge book is just South of the Crescent Reach zone line in Blightfire Moors, as I think the Find still points to the old position on the other side of the zone.
From here or earlier, depending, alot of options open up. You can continue to follow the Hero's Journey achievements, although some are not worth the effort (i.e. take too long compared to just leveling past them) and are not necessarily required, as the tutorial gear will take you to 50s without problem. Even Wu's is great until the 40s or 50s or even naked till the 40s as a Monk.
eqinterface.com has many options, including new versions of the old interface, such as Drakah's at http://www.eqinterface.com/downloads/fileinfo.php?id=4615
get maps at mapfiend.net
The game is pretty streamlined to 60 if free to play, and 85+ if full access, with Auto-Grant AAs. You can go slower and even old world if you limit yourself. Otherwise, most of the time leveling is also learning.
Play how you enjoy it. Look for a good guild to join to help you out and answer your questions.
Do Franklin Teek (Find in Plane of Knowledge) daily hotzone quests to keep upgrading some pieces of armor and get some exp. Also do
Secalna Galnor [Tutorials] (Plane of Knowledge) quests for some nice items and info.
Welcome back! And Good Luck!
EDIT: A link that you may find useful, with lots of other links:
https://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php?posts/3072242/ Yther Ore.
Edited, Jan 13th 2015 4:57pm by Yther