1) Don't take assholes too personally. There are douchebags in every game - even if your character isn't manipulative, put them in a stance where their own cabal turns on them (ie burning huts)
2) PREPS are vastly important. I don't see how bards took you down so easily. Resist mental + resist mental EQ (there are a TON out there, especially magical, that give like -8 to -15 svm each). Find them, or ask around
3) Game doesn't start at hero.
4) You may play your role, but you have to remember other peoples react to your role or play their own role. I'm not 100% aware of the situation, but take it in stride. Learned that over the years :P
5) Polearm/hand to hand with forsaken thoughts + ward of blades = risky as hell. They just don't lend well to each other. Don't know why you chose those legacies - at least, if you're going to be inventive, put a lot of thought into the specs/legacies
6) Just cuz you don't attack people, doesn't mean people don't attack you.

****Be paranoid. That's the best advice I can give you. Being caught with your pants down like that log was just ugly.