A quick way to gain exp/items/gold is to make an side trip to Tanglewood, The Badlands, or The Frozen Wastes. Each location has a portal producing endless streams of Monsters, most with loot. The trick is to equip for the trip: "Seer" for experience, "Ivory" for items, "Greedy" for gold. Just follow the stream of monsters to the portal. When you've had enough, smash the portal to aid the nearby villages. Don't worry it regenerates so you can go "Shopping with your Sword" again!