Duo advice.Follow

I am coming back to EQ2, and I have on my account, a level 61 Shadowknight, am trying to find the account that actually has the toon since I've done trial's so many times, and I am getting my friend to play. She has never played an MMO before, and since I love EQ2 so much, I thought this is a great game to get her into (she is interested in the game). Instead of going out to buy a new box with the 60 day free, I was thinking of playing with her on the SK. I am interested in maybe trying a Paladin, and knew about mentoring down to her level to help her out. Now two questions.

One:
Should I just do a new account (I say this cuz it saves me a total of 10$ via the fact that a new box comes with 60 days, which costs 20$, and 2 months of paid time is 30$), or make a new character?

Two:
If I keep the account and use the SK to mentor down, what would you suggest she, whom has never played an MMO before, play? I was also considering making my Sk a Paladin as well. Regardless, it's tough for me to mention a class to her as I've only played a couple to level 15, and the SK is the only one I have a true feel for.

Sorry if this is confusing, I'm trying to make sense of what's going through my head. Thanks in advance.

1) Let her create her own character. Explain the options (for example describe the functions of the holy trinity) but let her choose the class & race as well as picking all the facial features, hair style, eye color etc. Personal investment in a character comes (in no small part) from making all those choices so shoehorning her into playing your favorite character is the fastest way to turn her off of the game and MMOs in general.

2) Let her play through the beginning tutorial without intervention. Be nearby to give her help (and more important, to offer positive support) if she needs it but give her enough room to absorb the information and get a basic understanding of the game mechanics on her own. This will further invest her in the character since incremental achievement is built into the beginning tutorial.

3) Around the time she reaches level 6 or 8 you can step in and duo with her. This can be on a mentored character or a new character, it doesn't really matter which however based on what she chooses to play (tank - DPS - healer) I would choose something that will enhance the duo.

4) For your first duo session, let her lead the group. Let her choose the quests you both run and the mobs you both go after. Be ready to offer advice but let her run the show. This will empower her and will also further invest her in the character she has created.

5) If you've made it this far and she's still having fun, take her shopping! Give her some plat and turn her loose on the broker. Show her how to use the dressing room and stand back!!!

Are you starting to see a pattern here? The key to sticking the needle deep in the arm of a potential new player is their investment in the character they are playing. They need to WANT to log on a second time... and that desire begins with a wholly positive first experience...

Good luck and welcome back!