I've got an eight-person (Madras and Vi being the RPCs) party that just cleared Marten's Bluff. The thing is, there are no primary spell casters -- just one of each hybrid (Valkyrie, Ninja (Faerie), Samurai, and Monk) along with another gadgeteer and bard.

Trying to figure out my next move.

I haven't cleared the cemetary dungeon yet. That was one thought.

I also know that my faerie ninja is going to want to "whack" the Don, but I am not sure we're ready yet.

(Note: I did luck out and have a guardian trap on the chest in the room with Don and Milano, which actually let me watch as they did battle with several elemental lords -- great experience that way!)

Am I ready for Mountain Wilderness? For the Northern part of the swamp and Bayjin?

What benchmarks would people want me to have before I went there? (I have a pretty good idea that I should have at least two, if not three, available members to cast Soul Shield before messing with the Rynjin).

Any thoughts appreciated.

it depends on your level, combat skills, and attributes. If you mean cleared as in got the idol, have you gone back to Trynnton for Daimond Eyes?
I usually run the game contrary to the walkj-throughs, in that i go to the Ump camp first after the monastery, taking Kunar's teleporter to MB and going to Arnika only after picking the Shaman clean and getting the AD. (and not even going to the Mine Tunnels--if you haven't been there, that's an option, if you are L10 or higher)
How much of Gigas have you done? there's some fun to be had in the caves there, if you haven't been through them...
(just some random thoughts)

As stated already it really depends what route you have taken. If you have taken the traditional Monastry -> Arnika -> Trynton -> Swamp -> Bluff then I'd probably do the rest of the swamp, then maybe head back to the Northern Wilderness and see the Umpani.

The mountain wilderness can be tough, as can bayjin, but it depends on your level.

I do the Mon then either Arnika to Umpani and back, or Umpani to Arnika depending on the critters. Then to Trynton Swamp Bluff Swamp (Brekek and/or Mines) Trynton Arnika. At this point have the COC if I wanted it and am ready for Gigas or MW. Lately have cleared MW before going to NW/Gigas and Bayjin. I generally prefer 2 portals before going to Bay, leaving first one at Marten's and then a new one at Nessie's for easy access later to Seacaves. But you can do it anyway you want. Some go for Rapax early. I usually do SE wilds first.

Well -- I went and cleared the remainder of the Trynton-related areas, including killing the Don and getting the helm. My faerie ninja was dismayed that the CoC was not there. Since I am not the sort to reload in the middle of the game, do people have recommendations on other weapons for my ninja to use? Assume some training in both daggers and staff/wand.

As for where to go next, it strikes me that clearing the cemetary dungeon, followed by the balance of the N. Wilderness makes sense. Then I can tackle the M. Wilderness.

Any other thoughts welcome.

Sprite's Dagger, Winterwand, Staff of Doom, Rod of Sprites.