Ok, lets tally up the time it took:

Me with all the tank, shilen elder, etc = 6 hours.

You with none of those = 9-12 hours.

You starting from scratch = 20-24 hours

You who lives in mom's basement = priceless

For the 20 quest change, there are some great guides on the lineage 2 adena website, and other places. I am to lazy to write it out, but what I will tell you is that finding the Wind sylph is a @#$5 (Hint: when at the West entrance of Wastelands, there should be a three way intersetion: its actually four ways. There is a hill behind you that is green, that crazy bizotch is up there.)

Other than my complaining, the quest should only take 3 hours (you honestly dont need a guide, its a pretty straight forward quest.)

20-25- The semi newb

If this is getting WAY to long to read, HAHAHAHAAHA, I laugh at you.

For equipment, full knowledge set, Staff of life, and tons of Bspsd are required.

For skills, level blaze, aura flare, and passive skills first, AND THEN do what ever other skill you please (I got Kat the Cat, because hes just a big pimp).

Now, go to abandoned camp from levels 20-25. You should be one hitting these guys, therefore any extra friends you make can be easily taken care of (might as well do the quest from the guy south entrance of Gludin, lvl 21, good cash.)

Once your done, and you have had enough of furry little rodents, its time to move to the big cahoona: Cruma swamps (Dun, dundundun, dun, dundundun duuuuuuuun!)

Cruma swamps 26-40

"OmG! PwnZors! WtF fer liek 14 lvLs?"
(By the way, I hate people that type like that)

Yes, for the next 14 levels, you will plant your arse in Cruma swamp.

If you do not believe me, then do not believe me. This leveling trick only works for human mages, and you should be thankful I am telling you. Catacombs you argue? Go ahead, it will take longer though, I promise you.