Progressing through ADOM's mid-game

How can I make the most of a run in ADOM?

Here's what I typically do now: first thing first, I go to SMC to lock it to level 1. Then, if my character is weak, I grind a little in the ID 1-5 for a few levels, then I go for either the carpenter or Keethrax quest. Afterwards its UD and D with the pyramid before hitting level 15.

The problem is the furthest I ever made it is completing most of the dwarf town quests with a ratling weaponsmith and I died due to making a very rash decision. Now I died for strangely angering the dwarftown blacksmith (maybe it's because I was an elf). Then there's the monsters: some of the mid-game monsters tend to get rather ridiculous: quicklings that move 5 times during your turn, tension rooms of chaos knights and I sometimes run into monsters I have never seen before, like neutral knights.

Any tips on surviving the mid-game onslaught?