hope this helps! some of these posts have links to other posts. doing a Search using Beginner or Noob, can help you find advice for when you are just starting out. when I was a Noob, I just played a lot and read a lot of the DQ Forum.
@MenmaChi the -Rare (Aquamarine) should be Crystal (Cyan).
Edit: just thought of it, but for Noob Players who want to get a head start on Farming, put a Luck & Gold Find affix on each Item, and your Pet if you have one (Pets cost 5 crystal. if you change your Pets Element from Fire to Ice, and it takes 5 attempts to change it, it will cost 25 Calcite total). put Hero Points into Fortune Skill. when you get to Fortune 20, you will have +50% for Luck, Gold Find, and Item Drops. while you are doing this, get 5 Dodge affixes on your Items (+60% cap), and anything that increases your damage. keep an eye out for your HP & MP, and for HP & MP Heals. Items with Luck & Greed (Gold Find) Natures will help your Farming.