So, started my first serious playthrough of the game since I beat the MQ and Tribunal twelve years ago. Trying to RP it and not cheat my way into gear like I normally do, meaning I hopped straight on the Strider to Balmora, and then on to Gnisis to join the Legion (My Orcish character - because Nerevar's death makes him a suitable candidate for being an outcast. Plus Malacath being a part of the House of Troubles, I can see him going along with Azura's scheme to topple the Tribunal - was the offspring of a former legionnaire). First quest went surprisingly smoothly but now I've got the quest to cure the Blighted Queen.

I'm only Level one, and as I recall the Warriors and Foragers are no joke to take on. I know the workers remark that I "smell like an intruder"...is there anything I can equip to make it so they don't attack me? Are there any NPCs I can talk to to get a detailed map of the interior so I can make a shortest distance run to the Queen and then bop out before I get ravaged? Or should I sit on the quest and come back when I can tangle with the guardians?

A not-so-related question...how do I get back the Dark Elf's pants? After a initial bribe, everything I tried only lowered his disposition to me and he won't even discuss the pants.