My mage just got one-shot in the Bronze Grade quest.

This wasn't even the boss. This was one of the trash mobs you have to fight to get to the boss. Clearly I need MUCH better gear, but I don't know where to get it. I need to farm iron gear for my frontline and beastskin for my backrow. I tried to look it up, but all I found was a post telling the person to not worry, because they will be getting steal gear very soon. I don't think that's going to happen for me.

Or maybe I'm doing something wrong. What else can I do to pump up my characters before the Bronze Grade quest?